I do not own FFVII characters – though I wish I did. lol

I do own my own character – Jalyne and other originals.

Chapter 33 – The Invitation

"Where is she, yo?"

"The President requested her presence for the week, Reno." Tseng answered, signing paperwork at his desk in the office.

"What?"

Tseng sighed and put the pen down, staring at his second in command. "She is still a Turk, and subject to Rufus's authority. He requested her, and she complied."

"He requested her for what, exactly, yo?" Reno questioned standing in front of his boss.

"He didn't say."

Frustrated, Reno took his seat and fumed. He had wanted to see Jalyne, if anything, to reassure himself that everything was okay. He had dropped by her place last night only to find that she wasn't there.

"We are still professionals." Rude quietly commented while looking through some files. "She'll be fine."

"Sir?" Elena asked. "Would you mind if Reno and I went to train? I need to work on a few things."

Tseng nodded in agreement and continued his work as Elena rose and grabbed Reno for a training session. They changed into training sweats and met in the room to begin their workout. Reno circled Elena, mag rod at the ready while Elena raised her fists in defense.

He feinted left and attacked right, pivoting in a circle to sweep with the mag rod. Elena caught the move and jumped, avoiding the hit of his weapon. She came down and spun backwards, fist lashing out to catch Reno on the shoulder.

The brash Turk growled at his coworker as he stumbled a little by the hit, unbelieving that Elena connected a hit on him so early in the match and collapsed the mag rod and raised his fist. The two Turks engaged in combat, trading back and forth jabs and punches. Finally, Reno leg swept Elena, grabbing her shoulder, and forcing her to the mat. He sat down next to her as she heaved heavy breaths from the exertion.

"You know, Reno." Elena stated between breaths, "You fight better when angry."

"Who said I'm angry, yo?"

"Pfft, please." She continued. "It's written all over you. You're not happy that Jalyne isn't here." Elena paused a moment. "What happened over the weekend?"

"She called a hiatus." Reno answered solemnly ruffling his spiky hair.

"She must have had a reason." Elena inquired curiously.

"Said we had to figure out what we wanted, yo." He stated quietly.

"And what do you want, Reno?"

"I don't know, yo." He paused. "There are times that I think it would be great to solely be with her. And then…"

"And then what?" Elena pressed.

"And then I am not sure, yo." Reno turned to look at his coworker. "She is just…complicated. I mean she comes from something totally out of the realm of here, yo."

"Of course she does. She's from Trerran." Elena giggled and then turned serious. "Reno?" He nodded for her to continue. "Maybe she is waiting for you to make the first move."

Reno shook his head slowly. "I am not sure I can."

"Your cockiness is getting in the way, then." She said seriously.

He glared at Elena and raised an eyebrow of which she stared at him challengingly. "Think about it." She paused. "When have you ever had to chase a woman down?"

He grinned suddenly and chuckled. "Can't say that I have, yo." He admitted. "They usually fall at my feet."

"Exactly." Elena rolled her eyes. "Now think of where Jalyne comes from and who she is."

Reno thought about it and sat crossed legged, running his hands through his hair. He looked at Elena with a blank incomprehension as the petite blond woman sighed and lightly swatted at him.

"Reno, she's a princess." Elena emphasized. "I doubt she could change clothes without someone noticing. Think about the fables and fantasy books."

Reno stuck out his tongue to her in jest and partly disgust. He wasn't big on reading, let alone that genre of books. The fake reality of it all made him uneasy; he was a realistic type of person. Elena swatted him again in the shoulder. "What's your point, yo?"

"She has suitors, dummy. Arranged marriages and such. That's the type of world she lived in. Jalyne probably struggles with the concept of asking a guy out as you do trying to figure out how to ask her."

Reno snapped his head to the blonde. "Do you think that's why she was there Sunday, yo?"

"Possibly." Elena paused eyes downcast for a moment. "I did sort of tell her that perhaps she should try to make the first approach."

"Shit, yo." Reno commented. "I could have used a heads up. I wouldn't have brought 'needy' home Saturday night, yo."

"I can't help it you are that promiscuous, Reno." Elena stared at him intently. "You need to decide what you want and if you want or willing to settle down." Elena hesitated a minute. "Jalyne will need to do the same. Both of you need to sit down and talk."

"That's a little hard to do when the President commandeered her all week."

The room shook violently, and the two Turks sprang to their feet, alert to their surroundings. Elena ran to a shelf near the back wall, lifting a weapon out of the rack to arm herself. Reno pulled his mag rod loose, extending it fully. They made their way to the door, listening for any signs of commotion or panic. Reno opened the door and cleared the hallway. Nothing seemed amiss and both Turks stepped out of the training room. The simulation room door next to them opened and two people entered the hallway.

Reno ground his teeth and his jaw rippled as he watched the President lift Jalyne limply into his arms and carry her down the hall. Elena laid a hand on his arm to restrain him, silently reminding him that it was none of his business.

Jalyne landed on the mat with a humph and her eyes glowed from the frustration of the battle. They were in a simulation room and Rufus created a particularly impossible scenario involving Ifrit in which she was to protect him. She rolled quickly as Ifrit charged after Rufus, who stood poised and ready with his shotgun.

Jalyne rushed to him and cut Ifrit off in hellfire attack, sliding across the ground with the motion carrying her to standing position. She turned to face the President, erecting a barrier of her power to contain the oncoming onslaught.

"I could really use Fraeztka right about now." Jalyne muttered.

"Hm?" Rufus inquired calmly eyeing his Turk in front of him. "Who is Fraeztka?" he struggled a bit to say her name. Jalyne glanced at him power infiltrating her eyes even more. He raised an eyebrow and whispered. "Control it, Jalyne."

"You try doing this, Sir." She commented lightly back as hellfire rained down upon both of them, Jalyne absorbing as much as she could through the shield. "Fraeztka is a friend of mine." She wryly continued wincing slightly. "From Iecidrankta. I could really use her abilities at the moment." Ifrit proceeded to pound on the shield with its fists, making Jalyne wince even more as the shockwaves rocked the barrier.

"Ice or water would work." Rufus commented gazing non-chalantly at her. Jalyne clenched her jaw.

"I thought you wanted me to learn control, Sir." She grated out. "I need water for water and ice magic. To create it…well, let just say Gaia's weather patterns would probably change for a while." She thought for a moment while Ifrit continued to pound her power, causing her to drop to one knee. "I'm sorry, Sir."

Rufus quirked an eyebrow at her and she smirked back. Jalyne turned to face Ifrit, throwing her arms outward and swinging inward fluidly, pushing the deity back slightly with a gust of air. Dipping her arms low, she raised the earth within the simulation, trying to crush the flaming summon.

Ifrit barely budged and Jalyne turned grabbing Rufus and dove outward away from the plume of flame the air caused. She landed with the president on top of her, head hitting the ground roughly. With a groan, Jalyne opened her eyes to stare into blue ones filled with concern. She huffed as Rufus had her pinned.

"I could get used to this." He commented with a grin, turned, and fired a few rounds at Ifrit. He looked back down at Jalyne who was breathing hard, and he could see her becoming frustrated. "Try to control it."

"Do you really think I can take this summon out without my full power?" She gritted out.

"It is possible, but highly improbable."

"Fine." Jalyne spat getting to her feet, summoning her swords to her hands, and looked at the flaming god rising to his feet.

She engaged Ifrit in combat, darting around him from different angles to attack with her swords, high and low. He raised hellfire again, bringing flames upon her of which Jalyne barely had the magic shield in place. Rufus stood and watched, assessing her strengths and weaknesses. She held her own well, but he noticed something new beginning to wisp around her form.

Jalyne kept going after Ifrit, and even knocked him back a few times. She was executing a sword strike when something distracted her and she paused, glancing towards the side wall. It was a wave, a feeling that came to her. One she knew a little too well and struggled with herself, however, she barely discerned who it was coming from. Widening her eyes slightly at the recognition, Jalyne didn't see Ifrit's flamed fist until too late.

She crashed into the wall behind her and fell to the ground in a heap. Rufus ran to her and kneeled down to help her up and when she didn't move, he became concerned.

"No.." Jalyne whispered and her eyes opened with tears flooding her cheeks. The president noticed they were not tears from injury or pain, but from something deeply emotional to her. She struggled to get up and when she finally did to the roar of the beast behind her, she nodded at Rufus.

"I will take him down." She determinedly stated. Rufus touched her arm in part warning and part concern and when Jalyne grabbed her swords, a bright white light flowed down the blades. She glanced at them and looked back at the President. "I don't know what this is…but I'm acting on it."

Rufus side stepped to let her pass, hiding the grin for he understood exactly what had happened. He took cover in the corner of the room, not sure what would happen or the effects.

Jalyne charged at Ifrit, blades raised and glowing a bright white light. Her mind cleared and like vision through a tunnel, all she saw was the god of fire. She leapt high above him, swords extended outward and in one motion brought them together above her head and attached them end to end. Jalyne flipped forward, the ball of energy growing and landed the strike upon Ifrit's form.

The resounding explosion shook the entire floor and the energy expanded outward similar to an exploding star, only to collapse inward and be absorbed by Jalyne. She dropped to the ground and fell to her knees as the light faded, breathing hard. Rufus came over to her to help her up.

"Are you okay." He questioned.

"I'm not sure." Jalyne stated weakly trying to stand. "What was that? That wasn't my power."

Rufus glanced at her with a sly grin. "A limit break. I'm told that you get used them and stronger as they are used. Yours is a Nova, it appears."

Jalyne humph a bit and Rufus helped her to the door, ready to call the training done with for today. Rufus put her arm around his shoulder and assisted her through the door and into the hallway. Jalyne wavered and dropped to her knees.

"Rufus…" she started to say and slumped over, passed out.

Rufus caught her as she slid down the wall. He wrapped his arms around her legs and lifted her up to carry her to the suites. Jalyne hung limply in his arms. Unbeknownst to the President, two of his Turks saw the scene, with one gritting his teeth while the other pulled him back.

Jalyne assumed her duties that Tuesday afternoon, after regaining consciousness. She was ever curious about what happened in training, as it never happened before and as she stood at Rufus's left side listening on and on about weapons from Scarlett, she let her mind wander. Jalyne didn't like Scarlett as her attitude was just…irritating to Jalyne.

"Seriously, Rufus." Scarlett was saying, peering at Jalyne. "Another useless wench?"

The President put his papers aside and stared at her, eyes hardening dangerously. "First, it is Sir or Mr. President." Rufus quietly stated. "Second, Jalyne is a Turk, and you will give her the utmost respect as you would me. Third, and this is important, she is not an ordinary Turk." He turned to Jalyne and nodded.

Jalyne sneered just enough to make one apprehensive and raised her right hand, allowing her power to glow deep blue slowly and purposefully. Out of the air, materialized an ugly looking, hairy, and rather large arthropod that chattered its cuspids menacingly as Jalyne floated it across the room to hover in front of the red dressed Weapon's Department head. Scarlett let out a minute shriek trying her best not to scream louder.

"Dismissed." Rufus said coldly. Jalyne waited until the door closed before she spoke.

"Sir?"

"Rufus. We are alone."

"Rufus, what in all of Gaia was that? She's deplorable. I don't like her."

"Left over from my father's legacy, unfortunately." He chuckled. "Why don't you like her?"

"Just because." Jalyne shrugged. "I just don't…there's something about her attitude that irritates me. That and she still wishes you would bed her."

Rufus turned to stare at Jalyne. "As if."

"It's a ploy for power." Jalyne continued. "She thinks if you are with her, she can manipulate you into world war and get what she wants."

At that statement, Rufus genuinely laughed, a sound Jalyne rarely heard. "You looked into her mind?"

"No. She screamed it at me the entire meeting." Jalyne chuckled. "Even my barriers couldn't filter it out."

"Old hag."

"Next?"

"Nothing." Rufus nodded at the table he had set up near the back windows for Jalyne to put her texts and research upon. He looked curiously at the table and noticed a box with gadgets in it. "I take that back. There's someone you need to meet."

Rufus made a few calls while Jalyne made her way to the table, loathing reading the texts. There were more twists and turns in the Writings that she really just wanted to give up. About ten minutes later, she heard the door open.

"Jalyne?" Rufus called quietly.

"Yes, Sir?" she answered coming over to him and another man with dark hair with a beard and goatee. She appraised him lightly as she took her place at Rufus's left side.

"This is Reeve." The president answered. "Reeve, this is Jalyne, our newest Turk." Jalyne traditionally bowed and then extended her hand of which Reeve accepted. "He can help you with your g-project."

Jalyne let the slip slide while Reeve spoke. "I've heard a lot of you, Jalyne."

"Good things, I hope." She replied with mirth with her accent coming through.

"All good things. You are a force to be reckoned with, I hear."

Jalyne laughed and led him to the table with a nod to Rufus to allow him to continue his work. She showed him what she had completed so far and what her plans were for Reno's gift. Reeve noticed a sadness within her as she spoke and idly wondered what the cause was. He looked at the foreign metals and equipment and got to work. Within a few hours and Jalyne's explanations and help, Reeve held out the gift for Jalyne to see. Reeve knew who it was for but was confused on the sorrow he witnessed from her when she took it.

Jalyne took Reno's gift from Reeve though a shadow of sorrow passed her face. Irregardless of the situation, the gift felt right. She inspected it and it was flawless, being made from Trerran molsteil. She held it, running her hand along the surface to the tip where she closed her eyes and concentrated. Reeve looked on as her power infused the gift and heard her muttering softly in a language he didn't understand.

When she was finished, Jalyne looked at Reeve and smiled at him. She put the gift down and hugged him. "Thank you, Reeve. It's perfect."

"What did you do to it?" he curiously asked.

"Enhanced it." She paused a moment. "It will always carry my light." They had said their goodbyes and Jalyne retired for the night.

Wednesday brought more of the same, with Jalyne present for Heidegger's meeting and she loathed it even more because he leered at her almost the entirety of the ordeal. It didn't take long for the President to dismiss him as Jalyne surmised Rufus was getting tired of seeing that icky, leering smile on his face.

"Did you ever have to deal with this type of stuff, Jalyne?" Rufus suddenly asked.

"If I could have a merac for every time a noblemen lusted after me during meetings…I'd be richer than you are." Jalyne replied with a smile. "I hated court. It was like I was just there as eye candy." She chuckled.

"I imagine."

"No one ever had true intentions, Sir." She commented a little sadly.

They continued on their work, Jalyne reading the Writings and Rufus tending to the business. They fell into a grove of sorts and Jalyne strangely felt it was comfortable. They had spoke about her ordeal with Raphael and the beginnings of something more dangerous on the horizon. Rufus had spoken at great length on her mission to the slums in search of more information on that topic.

"Are you ready?" he asked.

"Victor." She answered on the topic. "I'm to meet him at the weapons shop in Sector 4?"

"Yes."

"I'm ready." Jalyne paused. "Permission to gather intelligence any way possible?"

Rufus thought for a moment before answering. "Try not to create a ruckus, but yes. We need to know how widespread this is."

Jalyne nodded and excused herself, ready to go and retire at the apartment for the evening when his voice stopped her. "Jalyne?"

"Yes, Sir?"

"Do you have plans for tonight?" he questioned lightly.

"Not really, Sir." She said. "I was just going to look at some of the holographs."

Rufus came to stand in front of her and extended a card within his hand. "Dinner then?" Jalyne took the card from him and raised an eyebrow at the invitation.

"Sure." She stated looking closer at the card. "Attire?"

"Formal." Rufus paused. "Eight? Meet you there?"

Jalyne nodded and left the office, heading to the apartment to get ready and wondering what was behind this sudden interest and invitation.

She opted to take a cab, instead of the bike, being that she was in formal attire. As the taxi pulled into the restaurant's valet, she causally looked at the establishment. She looked around the architecture and décor as she made her way into the restaurant, taking in the beauty of the art and stonework and waited for the elevator. Jalyne hoped Rufus was already there as it was eight o'clock on the nose and she approached the hostess, a little hesitant or most likely nerves.

"You're name, My Lady?" the hostess inquired formally as Jalyne left the elevator and walked through the restaurant's door.

"Jalyne." She replied. "Jalynemidenovia e T'Karvriandria for President Rufus Shinra, please." Jalyne added formally not sure Rufus even knew her full name. The hostesses eyes widened, fully intaking Jalyne's attire. She could hear the scream from the hostess's mind and stood a little straighter, waiting dutifully.

The hostess smiled appropriately and led her through the waiting area and bar into the back of the establishment. It was dimly lit to provide ambiance and near the back was a ballroom dance floor. Jalyne spied Rufus near the back corner, gazing out of the windows towards the lighted city.

Rufus turned and watched the hostess gliding towards the table and as she stepped out of the way, the sight behind her took his breath away. Jalyne stood as regal and lovely, dressed beautifully in a lilac gown fitted at the waist with a slim but flowing skirt. The bodice accentuated all of Jalyne's features and clasped around her neck, leaving the back completely exposed and showing off her markings. The white embroidery was starburst in design around the edges and trailed up the sides with slits in the fabric for movement, making her look like she was walking within the stars. Her emerald necklace hung beautifully on her bosom, matching the light within her green eyes.

Rufus stood to greet her and Jalyne noticed his white tuxedo with his trademark dark purple shirt and black blow tie. Not one strand out of place with his blond hair, Jalyne realized in that moment how handsome and striking the President was. His eyes were serious, but Jalyne could see with the cerulean orbs his playfulness as he extended his hand to her.

"My Lady." He quietly stated raising her hand to his lips gentlemanly. "You are stunning tonight, as always."

"My Lord." She replied dipping her head slightly in respect. If he wanted to play the formal game, she would give it to him. His eyes glinted and an eyebrow raised at the formal title as he pulled her chair out for her to sit. Jalyne glanced back at the hostess as she retreated from them to assume her duties and Rufus caught her look.

"Yes?" he inquired.

"Women just fawn to be with you, don't they?" Jalyne answered. "I really wish they would stop screaming."

"Only because of money and power." He ruefully commented. "There isn't any honor or truth behind any of their aspirations. She was screaming at you?"

"Yes." Jalyne chuckled. "The envy that floats off of women is actually astounding. We don't see it that much on Trerran and other places."

"You don't?"

"We are more…free with sex, Rufus." She commented. "Promiscuity does not become a problem until one is bound to another." She paused again. "And that depends on the agreement or situation between the couple. If one needs to obtain information, our ways can create issues if the other is not understanding." Jalyne raised the glass of wine to her lips, gazing intently at the President. "The suitors I declined would have never let me be free."

"So that's why…"

"I've never had an issue sleeping with someone." She finished. "Until recently."

"I would assume because of a certain red-haired Turk?" he inquired lightly.

"Yes and no." she answered truthfully. "As it is, I am not sure what I want and dealing with emotions I've never had tends to block any sort of relationship, I am finding out."

Rufus studied her while taking a drink. She was conflicted, that much he saw instantly but Jalyne was learning to hide her emotions slowly. He could barely detect the love within her emerald orbs. "And the answer?"

"For now, I will do what is needed and necessary." Jalyne replied. "The torture I put myself through is unwarranted, I realized Sunday, and so I called a truce of sorts. We need to figure out what both of us want or need."

"There's something else." Rufus surmised.

"I do not know what will happen, but I know Sephiroth is coming for me…and soon." She sighed sadly. "I cannot concentrate on a relationship with so much presently going on. It is not fair to either of us."

"That is true." Rufus conceded receiving the answer he suspected this week. "What have you learned in the Writings?" he changed the subject, not wanting to dwell on the current conversation or bring to light the vision he saw in his bedroom.

"Not much, really." Jalyne stated. "A lot of it, is what happened in the past, and there are passages that mimic what you have found here on Gaia."

"Such as?"

"What little I have read of what you call 'Loveless' for starters. There are similar if not exact passages in the Writings."

The President nodded as their meals arrived and they made light conversation about what Jalyne found throughout them. He was completely intrigued as Jalyne and him spoke and soon they turned the conversation to lighter matters. She challenged him like no other woman on Gaia could even dream of doing.

Jalyne gazed at Rufus and in speaking about the Writings as he was captivated, realized what his Yule gift would be and made a mental note of contacting DarkienLyy to arrange it. She was utterly enjoying the evening and loved the relaxed atmosphere of the restaurant. Jalyne noticed more people starting to hover around and the music from the live band started to play.

As they finished dessert, Rufus noticed more and more people glancing their way. The cat was out of the bag and soon the media would be there to view this encounter. This was the reason he hated going out for the paparazzi always found a way to wreck the evening.

"Do you dance, My Lady." Rufus questioned eyes alight with mischief.

Jalyne gazed at him with the same deviousness and answered, "You've seen me dance, My Lord. What do you think, knowing who and what I am?"

He smirked at her and stood, offering his hand of which Jalyne accepted and stood. He pulled her close and whispered, "Peek inside my head and you'll find out exactly what I thought of that performance."

Jalyne chuckled and smiled as he led her to the dance floor. They bowed formally as the music was beginning and Rufus slid his arm around her waist while taking her other hand within his. The waltz started slowly, and he guided her in the dance, both looking like something out of a fairytale. Jalyne's dress flowed beautifully with the movement and Rufus was ever the vision of perfection in pristine white.

As the dance continued and increased rhythm, Rufus pulled her closer to him, eyes glinting mirthfully, and people cleared a circle around with camera's flashing. Jalyne's eyes never left his and towards the end of the song, he dipped her back, sliding his hand to raise her leg. When he straightened her upright, Rufus stared into Jalyne's eyes, a smirk barely crossing his mouth. She melted into him as he kissed her slowly and passionately, the surroundings forgotten.

My Dearest.

He was barely awake, listening to his surroundings when the late newscast began. The woman next to him stirred briefly and he reached to grab the beer from the nightstand. The hotel room was barely lit, and the lithe man barely had his eyes slit, a little drunk from the night's endeavors and exertion. He placed his arm behind his head to move the tail of his hair out from under him.

And now on the late news – President Rufus Shinra was spotted at the Le Chateau Royale with an incredibly beautiful woman. The reporter was saying. They shared a meal and danced the night away, enjoying each other's company. The President -

The swig of beer that was taken came flying out. "Fuck no, yo!"