Whoot! I got this update done much earlier than I thought I would this week. Must have been the funnel cake I bought at the local annual redneck festival I attended yesterday. Sweet foods do strange things to a Muse. : ) Hopefully this chapter lives up to standards and yes folks, we're finally making a break for it…next chapter…Anyway, enjoy this little important filler mission folks!

Chapter Twenty Eight - Crashing Down

There once was a time when the watchdog on duty did not have to worry about every little sound around them. When a creak of the floorboards meant nothing but a fellow watchdog looking for a good place to spend some time. Danger was only as real as one made it and the scent of death was but a mere lingering scent about as common as mildew. It was something easily accepted, because each of us knew that it was the sole fault of whoever decided to get killed. We could take care of ourselves. It was something that was a requirement, an obligation even. Because if we couldn't defend ourselves, we could not defend the person we were assigned to protect.

Only, this time, it is not the arrogant Rufus Shinra I'm stuck protecting, but two people who actually warrant it. Blame it on the excitement of this afternoon's tasteful encounter with AVALANCHE. It took most of the night to get Marlene settled down enough to actually sleep, something that tired Elmyra out quicker than myself. And I'm the one who's just about managed a twenty four hour shift fretting over everything.

I really should be sleeping. It's the one time when I'm actually supposed to be. I completed my part of this mission - gave away something that will no doubt come back and bite me in the ass later. Such is the luck I have lately. But there's too much bothering me to allow me to actually sleep.

It got colder out again. The rough excuse for a blanket does little to stem the cold seeping through the floorboards I've designated as my own corner of the world. Trained like a dog, hiding out as a fox, living like a stray, might as well end up sleeping like one too. I sigh and turn over, my shoulder brushing the coffee table and sending a shockwave of pain through the stiff joint. Apparently, cold weather will never be kind to me again thanks to Sector Seven. Being somewhat sleep deprived doesn't help either. Guess I'm just getting old.

Sector Seven. I watch the faint light from the corridor spill through the cracks at the base of the door and for a moment, it reminds me of Seventh Heaven in some weird sort of way. Just the way that dull, flickering light filters across the floorboards to cast shadows from the meager furniture that makes this place somewhat of a home. I miss them. I'm too proud to admit it aloud, but I cannot help but wonder just what became of them. If they found peace? Do they know what Barret and the others are up to now?

Are they angry with me for what part I played in this whole fiasco? That I survived what should have been impossible? I sit up and watch the light in mild fascination. I've never been one to be easily amused by something so simple as a beam of light. That was always Reno's department. Still, something about it is comforting in a sense.

It's something familiar.

The shuffle of a body shifting position upon the couch stirs the air, drawing my attention. I draw the blanket around my shoulders and once again try to find a comfortable position upon the floor, so not to awaken either of the slumbering creatures on the couch.

I want this to be over soon. Lying awake at night, wondering just what that light outside the door could be. It's starting to wear on my nerves. I grasp Rekka and draw it closer. Old habits die hard.

A brief flash of light coupled with the soft hum of plastic sending small vibrations through the wood floods the room with its metallic embrace, startling me. I move my fingers over the coffee table with a low grumble of annoyance, trying to locate the silent ringing PHS through the darkness.

Flipping it open, I recognize the number immediately. Tseng? At this hour? I cast a brief look towards the woman and child I'm supposed to be protecting, keeping my voice low and cautious as I answer so not to wake them. "Hello?"

"Cissnei?" Reno's voice sounds strained, almost panicked. "Thank god."

Wait. Reno? This is Tseng's untraceable line. Since when does he have this number or Tseng's phone for that matter? I sit up from my position on the floor, phone to my ear and stare at the faceless walls, every nerve on edge to listen. "What's wrong?"

"'Nei. Listen to me. Get the hell out of Midgar, now."

At this, I cannot help but feel slightly offended and a little spooked. He sounds, what's the word for it, terrified of something. I toss the blanket aside and make my way to the makeshift kitchen, trying to wake myself completely up. Reno and terrified in the same sentence, now I'm worried. "Reno? What-"

"Just get the hell out," he pleads, the echo of chopper blades somewhere in the distance on his end. "Something's happened. I can't tell you the details, but you need to get the hell out of there immediately."

Get the hell out immediately? The phrase awakens my inner watchdog into full alert mode and the reality begins to sink in. Something has happened, but he won't tell me what it is. It doesn't sound good.

"Reno," I respond, stern and seeking answers. I need to know. "What happened?"

"It's Tseng. He's-" his voice cracks. "He's been injured 'Nei. Elena and Rude are with him now doing what they can, but it doesn't look good."

My blood runs cold and I slouch against the chair, every ounce of strength fleeing from my body. Oh god. God no this is not happening. "How?"

"Sephiroth stabbed him through the chest with the Masamune." I feel myself grow nauseous at the very thought of that sword taking down Tseng. Please let this be a horrific nightmare that's not real. Please. "He's lost a lot of blood already. He's gonna die, 'Nei. AVALANCHE went tearing after the culprit a short while ago. I tried to contact Reeve, but-"

"I'll contact him. You worry about Tseng," I assure him, my own confidence shattered. Tseng, leader of the most feared pack on the planet, slain by the katana of a phantom. I tremble at the thought, a tear escaping my eyes as I bow my head in defeat. What do I tell Reeve? Surely, he- he already knows. He'd have to know.

"Promise me you'll get out of there tonight. If Tseng dies, you're the one Scarlet's going to pin this on. She'll kill you, 'Nei."

Silence fills the air as I try to steady my breathing over the news. Cissnei's in absolute shock, the proverbial carpet having been jerked from beneath her and landing her flat on her back to face the foe, defenseless. Jessie remains haunted, no doubt uncertain of how to proceed. We're about to lose one of our own. The very pillar that has supported and sheltered our organized pack for so many years. The man who treated me more like a daughter than just another Turk.

I've never felt more useless than this very second.

"'Nei?"

"I won't let her, Reno." My trembling hand falls upon the loaded pistol beside the computer. "I'll make damn sure of it."

"Be careful. I don't need to have to bury you next."

The line goes dead, but I remain there, paralyzed with the realization that I really am on my own now. Whatever defenses I'd fought so hard to rebel against are now gone, replaced with that sense of dread that this is no dream. It really happened.

The price of freedom. It's a lot steeper than I imagined it might be.

I tuck the pistol back into its holster and place the laptop in its case, making certain I have everything in order. The less they know right now, the better. Gathering what little materia Reeve has left for me, I quietly outfit Rekka with the traditional ice element of Blizzaga I've mastered over the years. I cannot afford to be careless nor inexperienced this time. It's not my own life to throw away anymore.

And if Scarlet intends on coming to take it, she's going to be in for a hell of a fight. There are few creatures more dangerous than a Turk seeking vengeance and I shall stand my ground until my last breath. It is my honor as a member of Tseng's group to do so. I'll give that woman something to fear.

That is something not even Jessie can disagree with.

"Get up," I prod the slumbering widow awake. "We have to leave."

She rubs the sleep from her weary eyes, puzzled by the turn of events. "Cissnei?"

"Get Marlene. Make sure she's dressed warm. It's cold outside."

"What's wrong?" she inquires, softer and more composed than I would expect given the sudden change of events as she gathers the jacket Reeve left behind yesterday by accident. "You're trembling."

"Something I'd rather not discuss at the moment. Please, just get Marlene so we can leave."

Elmyra, for once, decides it is not her place to pry farther and slowly taps the young child upon the shoulder. When a Turk uproots the group from a reasonably safe location spur of the moment, there is usually good reason and failure to obey usually ends in a high probability of dying sooner or later. Marlene whines in protest, just as cranky as I remember her being. I hand Elmyra the spare blazer Reno loaned me some time back and she drapes it over the confused and still mostly drowsy child's shoulders.

"Don't ask where we're going. I'm not sure of that myself yet." I swing the laptop case's strap over my shoulder and keep Rekka within a death grip for my own reassurance. On my own. No one is coming to save my ass this time should something go wrong.

Yes. There was once a time when our pack was unrivaled and feared by all. When being a Turk meant so much more than doing grunt work for the backstabbing higher ups. Once, it meant something to wear this blazer and carry this weapon. But, in a single twist of fate, our strength was divided and now we're facing the one nightmare we don't know how to handle.

Please don't die, Tseng. I never got to tell you thank you for saving my life.