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

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

Chapter 41 – The Ransom

Reno opened his eyes slowly. He felt drained and exhausted. He looked down at his chest, struggling to breath as the first knife stroke from the blonde bitch purposefully punctured a lung. They had tried to get him to talk, mainly about Jalyne and segwayed into the President but Reno never uttered a word. Victor tried to extract his sweet revenge by a few punches and swift knife strokes to his face and abdomen and Reno just smirked at him.

He was exhausted and losing blood. Reina tried to persuade him also but ended up wielding a few knife strokes herself. They had stripped him bare from the waist up at first and proceeded to torture him. Reno wore bruises, cuts and gashes over his chest and back. They put his jacket back on due to the damp nature of their environment, deciding he was still needed alive.

"Reno?" Reina questioned quietly. "Just tell us what we want. Where is she?"

"Don't know." He answered slowly, coughing from the congealed blood running down his throat from his nose. At least he they didn't break it. "Why does Raphael want her, yo?"

Reina grabbed his chin to make him look at her. "Why wouldn't he?" she started. "Come on, Reno. Jalyne's a goddess in our terms. I mean you may be used to her abilities, but the rest of us." The blonde shook her head lightly. "To break her and mold her to our whims. Gaia would be ours."

"You won't break her, yo." Reno said quietly. "Even if you did find her."

"She's a Turk." She continued, slapping him hard across the face. "You always know where they are."

"Not this time, yo." He stated. "Went under the radar."

Reina grabbed his tail, forcing his head back and purred into his ear. "We could have had so much fun together." Reno's glared at her dangerously as she continued. "I suppose we could issue the ransom and see if we can flush her out."

She let go and walked to the cavern door and turned to him. "I do so hope you heal. I look forward to playing with you some more." Reina stated and winked, leaving him in the dank coldness.

As she step outward from the darkness, she threw her thought towards the center building of the city, noting that it was night in Midgar. Not breaking stride the second Gate opened and she appeared in front of the President, who actually looked shocked at the appearance of his Turk in his office on a Saturday night.

"Where is he?" Jalyne questioned, her accent coming though heavily.

Rufus stood up and came in front of her, eyes questioning. "Where's who?"

"Reno. Where is he?"

"He should be at his place, Jalyne." He answered, looking at her shrewdly. "What's wrong?"

"I heard his call." Jalyne answered. Rufus reached for his phone, dialing Reno's number. There wasn't an answer. Jalyne turned to leave as he put his phone away.

"I'm heading to his place."

"I'll have the others meet you there."

It was cold in his place, Jalyne noted, as she closed the Gate in his livingroom. Reno hated the cold. She looked around though nothing seemed amiss within the area and as she looked down the hallway, a breeze drifted towards her. Slowly inching her way down the hall, her staff at the ready, Jalyne listened for any movement or sound.

She entered his bedroom and gasped, observing the dead bodies and the broken window. For the moment, she didn't want to disturb the scene, knowing the others would be there soon. Jalyne looked around, noting Reno's mag rod on his dresser along with the coms she had given him.

Jalyne furrowed her brows in thought. If the coms was on his dresser, how did he call her? She distinctly heard it on Molcter and she thought hard about the images she witnessed. Surveying the scene, Jalyne surmised that the images were telling a story of what had happened. But how long ago did this occur?

"Jalyne?" Rude's quiet voice came to her.

"I'm back here, Rude."

The three Turks followed her voice and entered Reno's bedroom. Elena studied it, nudging a dead body with her foot and pulled her coat a little tighter around herself. Tseng stood next to Jalyne, who was still in battle armor and looked to the broken window. He walked to the edge of the bed and peered over.

"Three dead."

"Two here on the floor." Rude commented.

"But who took him?" Elena questioned. "Where and why?"

"Do you mind, Sir?" Jalyne asked raising her hand to the window. "It bothers me." Tseng nodded lightly and her power sprang forth, eyes lit up as she fixed the window, closing off the cold winter air. She looked around assessing the area behind the bed, near the window. "Three came through the window." Jalyne looked at the bed. "He was sleeping and rolled off." She pointed to the direction his comforter was messed.

"Maybe yesterday?" Elena asked.

"When did you last see him?" Jalyne asked.

"Yesterday. We had drinks after work." Rude answered.

"So he's been gone for one day." Tseng surmised. "But where?"

"Who, I think would be more important to ascertain." Jalyne turned to Tseng. "There's probably a long list of enemies, but who would really want revenge on the President or the Turks."

"Corneo's racket." Elena piped up. "Considering he's dead."

Jalyne surveyed the rest of the room coming to stand near the mag rod and dresser. Something caught her eye and she leaned down to pick it up as the phone rang. Tseng answered and stepped out into the hallway as Jalyne inspected the ornament within her hand.

"We are to return." Tseng stated coming back into the room. "The President has received word. He stated we need to be back within the hour."

Elena moved to leave with Rude behind her. "Jalyne?" she called.

"I'll be there." The princess replied. "I think I better change into normal attire first."

The transmission began exactly one hour from when the President had stated. They were gathered within his office, all except Jalyne. The screen lit up and they saw a familiar blond-haired with dark tips personage staring back at them.

"Raphael." Rufus acknowledged..

"Ahh. Mr. President." The terrorist conceded. "I see four of you. Where's the fifth and sixth?. Oh wait a minute, I have the fifth…" he chuckled and moved slightly to the left, bringing the image of a bound Reno into view.

"We have no idea." He lied smoothly.

"Oh? I think you do."

They waited a few minutes before Rufus spoke up again. "What do you want, Raphael. I wouldn't have thought a businessman like you would be into terrorism and kidnapping."

"No different than you, Rufus." Raphael stated. "Only I'm smarter and better."

If Rufus was insulted, the young president didn't show it. They heard it before seeing it, the Gate opening across the office with Jalyne stepping through, dressed in her Turk outfit though she kept her hair in the high ponytail. She moved to stand on the left of Rufus, coming into view to Raphael.

"Ah…now you are all here." Raphael commented.

"Again. What do you want." A trace of annoyance filtered through the President's voice.

"We could have made a lot of money together, Rufus." The businessman stated. "Solar energy is where the future is turning to. Mako destroys the planet."

"Your proposal was asinine, Raphael." Rufus sneered. "And unrealistic."

"No. You simply wanted everything for yourself." He smirked back. "All because you are a spoiled brat. Well, I have one of yours now." He turned to show Reno and the camera zoomed in for a closeup.

Jalyne analyzed the screen carefully, noting Reno's injuries. She clenched her teeth but held still, knowing this was Rufus' show. As she scrutinized the scene, Jalyne noticed his wound under his chest begin to look ugly and he was breathing hard. She narrowed her eyes dangerously as the camera pulled back to Raphael.

"Oh, don't look at me like that, dear." He nodded to Jalyne. "It is you that I wish to speak with." Raphael paused, staring at Jalyne when she noticed the slight change within his eyes. "Or should I say – break you to my whim. Nothing would please me more than taking you from that pompous ass your standing next to."

"We do not negotiate with the likes of you." Rufus grated.

"You have until the first light to find him and deliver her to me, otherwise your Turk dies." Raphael sneered and cut the transmission.

Jalyne darted to the door to the helipad without hesitance with the others following behind.

"Jalyne!" Tseng called after her as she lifted into the air. The others joined her on the helipad and looked on when she stopped a hundred feet in the air.

"Don't." Rufus whispered coming beside the Director. He nodded upward. "Watch."

"We only have about three quarters of an hour or so until first light." Elena commented. "We have no idea where Reno is. Even if we did know, what happens if it takes longer to get to him."

"Gate." Rude supplied. "Raphael is fooling with fire. He has no idea what he is up against with Jalyne."

"She will find him." Rufus asserted quietly. "They are tied in unimaginable ways."

Her aura sprang to life, glowing a ruddy red instead of her normal bluish color. She was angry and it showed as she moved through the air. Jalyne thought to try something different this time instead of throwing her though outward, she called to Gaia and formed the spell within her mind.

Gaia, help me find my soul's fire. Jalyne raised her glowing hands to her temple. She pulled the flames to her heart, paused and raised them to her lips and blew a kiss outward. The flames travelled on a string outward, but instead of just one – there were five. She glanced at the three behind her trailing it towards the northwest. She knew then where those led to and resigned that the event was inevitable. The SOLDIERS. She ascertained.

The fourth one trailed downward to her family and she glanced at them, eyes narrowing slightly as she gazed at the President. So, he is a child also. Jalyne surmised. I wonder if he knows what that means. She hesitated a moment before calling out to Gaia's Lifestream once more.

Gaia, thank you for showing me where the others are, but please help me find my love. Jalyne altered the spell hoping that the fifth and final flame was Reno's. Her power sprang forth, a deep purple instead of red and travelled southeast as she turned in the air to gaze outward. Of course it made sense, Jalyne realized acutely, as her natural aura was blue and Reno's was red – mixed together would yield a purplish color on the spectrum. Jalyne coasted down to the patiently waiting group.

"What is southeast of here?" she questioned Tseng.

"Kalm." Rufus answered as she struggled to envision it.

"Can you bring up the recording?" she asked and Rufus nodded leading them into the office once more. The video sprang to life and Jalyne tightened her eyes taking in all of the detail. "I don't suppose Kalm is a water town, is it?"

"No, why?" Elena asked shrewdly studying the screen. Jalyne pointed at the video.

"There's moss everywhere." Jalyne commented raising a finger to point at the screen. "And there is water on the floor and walls. Reno is somewhere dark and moist. What else is there?"

"The chocobo farm and…" she continued.

"Mythril Mine." Rude finished.

"You have to cross the swamplands to reach the entrance." Tseng inputted raising a hand to his chin. "It makes sense."

"We won't reach him in time." Elena stated. "Even with the chopper, it takes about forty-five minutes. We only have thirty before day break."

Jalyne looked outward to the lightening sky and clenched her teeth again. "You know. That one is really starting to irritate me. It may be time for him to also meet Fate."

"I'm assuming the Traitor has met his demise?" Rufus smoothly interjected, raising an eyebrow at her.

Jalyne turned to him with the dance of flames in her eyes. "Was there any doubt?"

"Plan?" Rude interjected to change the subject. "Time is not on our side."

"I'll Gate there." Jalyne shrugged. "It's me he wants."

"And how exactly did he find out about you?" Rufus wondered. "It's not like we announced it to the world who you were."

Jalyne produced a small ornate earring and held it up. "You didn't have to, Sir. There was someone on the inside."

"I don't recognize it."

"But I do." She stated. "It belongs to the blonde that Reno was speaking to at the Christmas party right before Scarlett had her drunken escapade. I found this at his apartment."

"You'll Gate there and Gate out?" Elena asked. "The caverns are intricate. How will you know where Reno is?"

"Easy." Jalyne paused. "I'll let them take me to him. It's me Raphael wishes to have."

"We'll bring the chopper." Tseng advised. "You'll need backup and we have no idea how bad Reno is hurt or what they did to him."

"His lung is punctured and the wound is festering." Jalyne commented pointing at the screen again and setting it in motion, showing them. "He's struggling to breathe."

"Jalyne will Gate to the mines and we'll follow behind. There's no telling how many grunts that bastard has. We need to get in and get out as quickly as possible." Tseng continued. "Keep coms on at all times."

"I'll get the chopper." Rude stated and moved to leave the office.

"I'll help." Elena replied running to catch up to him.

With a nod Tseng made move to leave for preparations also. "Be careful Jalyne. Don't underestimate him."

"I believe it is he that should be careful." Jalyne commented as the Director turned to leave. Rufus reached out to her, pulling her into a hug.

"I'm proud of you, you know."

"Why?" Jalyne asked confused, breaking from him.

"You kept calm through the whole situation."

"I didn't want to, you know." She commented.

"We'll get him back, Jalyne."

She stared at him with determined eyes. "Oh, I know we will Rufus." Jalyne turned and opened the Gate, concentrating on the swamp and Mythril Mine.

His head snapped back as the punch landed, blood dripping down his mouth and chin. Reno smirked at Victor not betraying the pain that he was in. At least the exertion and adrenaline was keeping him warm in the dimly lit and moist environment.

"Will you quit using him as a punching bag, Victor." Reina stated sharpening her knives. "We still need him alive."

"Just taking out frustration, love." He replied. "This prick took out some of our best men in Sector 4."

Reno smirked even more at the thought of that escapade. He narrowed his eyes as the blonde walked through the entrance, haughty as usual and glared at Reno.

"We will see if she arrives." Raphael stated to him. "The time table is tight."

"Hmph." Reno grunted quietly and Raphael glared further.

"If and when she arrives, subdue her and meet me at the rendezvous spot."

"You're not staying brother?"

"No." he turned to leave. "We are on the cusp of a breakthrough with the Mako drug and I need to return to oversee it." He paused at Victor. "Bring her to me in one piece. I prefer to break her."

They each nodded at him as he left. Victor grabbed Reno by the throat to stare into his eyes murderously as the Turk ground his teeth in frustration.

"Revenge is so sweet." He commented raising his fist once more. The sounds of beeping distracted both of them and Reina pulled out a screen.

"The perimeter sensors are going off." She commented and looked at Reno. "I suppose the President does value your life, Turk." She paused. "It's a shame really. I was so looking forward to playing with you some more."

Victor hulked over to her, peering at the screen. "So that's her, huh? She doesn't look dangerous."

"Looks can be deceiving, love." Reina cupped his cheek fondly. "Shall we go meet her?"

"Of course." Victor waved and six large men entered for orders. "If that bastard even moves an eyelash, kill him."

Jalyne closed the Gate rapidly and looked at her surroundings. To her left was the swamp, covered in questionable murky water with various vegetation growing out of it. She climbed down the hill cautiously and when she reached the bottom, spied the entrance to the mine. Jalyne assumed they would know she arrived and waited patiently for someone to appear.

Jalyne? She heard Tseng's voice in her earpiece. She also heard the sound of the chopper taking off.

"I'm here at the entrance, Sir." She responded. "Awaiting for them to come and get me."

Proceed with caution. We're on our way.

"I will." Jalyne stated and walked to the entrance of the mine. She saw the glint of green from the came above the entryway and walked slowly into the cavern, eye alert when she heard the click of guns. "I'm unarmed." She called into the darkness allowing her eyes to adjust to dim light. "I am here for the exchange."

"We also know that armed or not, you are still dangerous." A silky female voice answered. "We will not take any risks."

Jalyne felt someone come behind her but held still, the collar being clasped around her neck. "I come peacefully." She reiterated as the jolt went through her. They're foolish enough to try to bind me. She thought to herself.

"So you say." A rough voice Jalyne recognized came from behind her as he drew her arms back and clasped them, another jolt running through her. "But we will not take any chances. If you behave, we may even let your partner go alive."

Jalyne gritted her teeth as they led her through the caverns. She took note as they wound down two levels and turned towards the left. It was dark and damp, and even Jalyne hated the musty smell of the caverns. She walked calmly as to not alert her escort of thugs. She counted at least eight of them along with the woman and Victor. They came to a long passageway with another cavern at the end.

"I suppose you would like to see him. For reassurances." The flames from the torches highlighting the blonde woman's features. "My brother is very much interested in meeting you. I, for one, would like to play with your partner some more."

Victor shoved her forward towards the entrance and Jalyne held her ground calmly walking with them. She noticed as they entered the final cavern that the guards held back allowing the three of them to enter. Jalyne saw the fiery red hair of her partner with his head bowed and chest heaving. Blood littered the stone floor beneath him and she eyed the six guards around him as Victor led her to him.

As the duo led her around the chair, Jalyne growled at the sight before her and flexed her fists within the binding, trying to maintain calmness. Victor shoved and forced her to her knees in front of Reno, her head almost hitting the chair seat.

"As you can see, we took great care of him." Reina sneered as Jalyne lifted her head to meet his eyes.