Rating: pg13 but that will probably change
Chapter 4
Reno and Rude were thoroughly exhausted when they reached the top of the tunnel. The weight of the unconscious women and the force of gravity made a lovely team while they struggled up the ladder. They didn't talk very much while ascending the somewhat eternal ladder. Everyone seemed to be engulfed in his or her own thoughts.
Reno anticipated speaking with his mother after so long. Like an ungrateful guttersnipe he had let a dozen orphans, who had never had loving parents, make him believe his would leave him for the first possible chance at a better life above the plate. He had never felt more worthless and guilty in his life. He could only hope she would forgive him...make him her son again, that is, if she remembered anything...
If he was correct in assuming she was put in that tank around the same time she disappeared then she had been suspended in well...time for over twenty years. Come to think of it, would she even recognize her son? Twenty years ago he was a five-year-old squirt that couldn't even see over the kitchen sink. Now he was a little over six feet tall and the word "squirt" would be one hell of an understatement.
His scars made their way onto his face at sixteen when he got into a austere scuffle with an older man who was trying to rape a girl from his orphanage. She was new and dangerously innocent, rare for a slum girl of fourteen. After the broken glass had polished both of his smooth cheeks Reno planted a switchblade miles into the scumbag's chest.
He could barely hope his mother would except the changes in him.
Cloud's thoughts on the unconscious oak-haired lady were a bit less decisive. One wishfully thoughtful half focused on the idea that the woman had some connection with Aeris. She sure had enough physical similarities for him to pursue the issue. And he was *sure* he felt something radiating from her. It was nearly the same aura, same presence he associated with Aeris. He had never been around someone other than her that made him feel that way...like everything was going to be all right. He though he saw the recognition in the Brandy pools of best friend's eyes as well.
The other half of him wasn't so sure. The chances of a random woman, imprisoned beneath the new headquarters, being related to Aeris in some way were slim. Aeris never told them of any other kin than her biological mother who died when she was five.
/Maybe she didn't *know* of any other living relatives... /
That too was possible. But the only way he would find out for sure was to ask her when she was well enough to speak. He only prayed Hojo or whoever had her down there didn't do something awful to her.
Elena, at the time, had been dwelling on what Rude had said.
I've loved you for so long...
Words had never failed her until then. Here she was trying to walk away leaving her love for Tseng behind her and Rude's affections had jumped in front of her.
I...I'm so...sorry. I'm not ::tear:: I'm just not ready ::tear...tear:: for this.
Immediately after leaving Rude standing in front of the company headquarters she felt like the worlds biggest Bandersnatch. Like a monster, she left him there thinking she didn't care for him and that it was something he did to make her cry. The truth was that she really did care a lot for Rude...enough for a potential *something* between them. But she still wasn't sure of herself and honestly didn't know when that would change.
When they emerged from the tunnel Cait Sith came over to help them untie the women from Reno and Rude. Rude was too exhausted to carry her any further. So Cloud slipped one arm behind her knees and the other behind her shoulders carrying her to one of the paired elevators at the basement entrance. Reno was just as tired as Rude, if not more, but he didn't give the others the option of carrying his mother. He, Rude, and Elena filed into the left elevator while Cloud, holding the woman, Tifa, and Cait went to the other. Cloud could see the other group through the glass elevator shafts going up as they were. He took a moment to glare at Reno through the glass but Reno just turned his back to Cloud and leaned against the glass of his elevator.
Tifa followed Reno's example of leaning against the glass while Cait punched in some codes to the elevator. She exhaled so that her breath blew her bangs away from her face before they settled down again. She thought about the unconscious lady in Cloud's arms. She noticed some familiar traits in the woman...traits that reminded her of a certain flower girl. Tifa was quite content being just best friends with Cloud. She had also noticed the developing romance between him and the warm-hearted Cetra but was happy for them. The only thing she worried about now was if Cloud would ignore her completely if this woman turned out to be connected to Aeris in some way. Tifa knew Cloud must have noticed the same things in the lady...
/But why hasn't he said anything yet? Does he feel he can't trust me? /
As if in answer to her mental inquiry Cloud broke the silence. "I've noticed something Tifa...about this lady, I mean." She looked curiously into his eyes as if she had no clue what he was talking about. "Have you noticed something about her?"
"Huh?"
"Didn't you notice anything *familiar* about this girl?"
He had sounded hesitant as if a bit unsure of himself. Tifa didn't really want to be the one to voice what they both had noticed. She still missed Aeris and didn't want to be the cause of a false alarm if the lady really had nothing to do with her.
"She's...kinda pale I guess."
"Yeah but...what about her face. Doesn't she look like someone?"
Why didn't he just come out and say it himself!? Why did he need her to say it for him?
/Isn't that what you wanted...for him to confide in you? /
"Well she does look a little-"
"We're here folks! Let's go." Cait saved Tifa for the time being as they followed him down the hall. The Turks had just gotten off the elevator and were following a bit behind them. The halls were deserted except for the occasional security machine making its rounds. When they got to their destination Reeve was standing outside the door and immediately dropped his gaze to the two comatose women.
"Are...are they alright?" Reeve was worried at how pale they were.
"We think so but they still need help, "Tifa answered for the group. Reeve studied their faces a moment then remembered that they were still standing in the hallway.
"Oh uh...there's two rooms for them. C'mon. The doctors will have a look at them." They followed him to the rooms but Reno and the Turks went to one room while Cloud and the others went to another. In both rooms doctors immediately took control and began fastening an IV and sensors to the women.
Reno didn't like the familiar sight of sensors and wires attached to his mother and got a little edgy. "What the hell are you doing? What are those for?"
"They monitor her heart rate and vital signs...we're only trying to see if she's in stable condition, sir. Please don't worry..."
"Don't tell me when I should worry. If anything happens to her, "he began a low, threatening voice, "I'll fry..."
A firm hand on his shoulder interrupted his threat. "Reno, they doing their job. Lets just give them some space and let them help her." Only because it was Rude, Reno ended the threat with a glare and sat in the seat closest his mother. The head doctor immediately began barking medical orders in what could likely pass as another language.
"Kate, get her under the cardial tra...actually make that a Holter."
"Yes sir."
"Jean, she might need some 4E-37s."
"How many?"
"Two should be enough. I'll go ahead and take some blood."
Reno watched them set out to tend to their individual tasks. The nurse the doctor identified as Jean was trembling a bit as she slid respirator tubes up the patient's nasal passages and down her throat. Reno was watching each of them like a Zolom. Whenever their eyes met he seemed to search her thoughts for possible deceit or malevolent thoughts. The head doctor, Dr. Naid, either didn't notice or ignored Reno. He knew what he was doing and was used to the worried relatives of his patients.
Once satisfied that no one was going to hurt his mother he relaxed in his chair. Behind his midnight shades, Rude's eyes were distant. Once again he was mentally kicking himself in the ass for what he said to Elena. He casually stole a glance at her but she was busy sifting through her bag for something. She was pretty absorbed in the task and didn't notice him watching.
/So beautiful.../
She had such an air of innocence about her that no one would suspect her deadly nature. He loved the simple things about her like the way she got so worked up over trivial problems, how her smooth cheek's flushed whenever Reno made some perverted comment about women, or how she held the tip of her tongue between her lips when she was concentrating of something...
...which she happened to be doing at the moment.
When Elena reached the end of her search she closed her bag as Rude adverted his attention back to Reno and the doctors. Apparently Reno was arguing with Dr. Naid who was trying to draw blood. Reno utterly refused to allow them to put a needle of any sort in his mother.
"Listen DOCTOR, I don't care what you need. That sharp ass thing isn't going ANYwhere near her."
In truth, the needle itself was only about an inch long...an inch too long in Reno's opinion. The doctor was fighting for his calm when Elena intervened.
"RENO, he is trying...to...HELP! They are her only chance right now. Why don't you cut them a little slack."
"This isn't about you so mind your *damn* business."
"Reno, "this time Rude spoke up, "there's no reason for that. She's right. Why don't we give them some time and go get a drink or something?"
Feeling a little betrayed he cast one last look on everyone in the room and stormed out taking the tension with him. There was a caf‚ around the corner from the clinic rooms and he really could use something sweet and hot.
Back at the room Rude and Elena let out a sigh. Reno sure could be one pot of steam...
"I don't have my stuff with me so I'll have to ask Reeve if I can get it from my apartment or do it tomorrow." She headed for the neighboring room to find Reeve, and Rude left to find Reno after casting one last glance at the unconscious redhead.
Author's notes:
I'm sooooo sorry that took so long. The truth is that I've had it half done for about a week but I've had soo much work. I planned to write a little whenever I had time after homework but this Friday was the only chance. I hated to keep you waiting and I thank those who are reviewing and checking for updates. Chapter 5 shouldn't take as long since the marking period just ended and I don't have so many tests. The offer still stands for any one who wants to help me name the chapters! Just mail me...drunkpoodle@yahoo.com
Questions/comments welcome!
:::::::Drunkpoodle:::::::
Chapter 4
Reno and Rude were thoroughly exhausted when they reached the top of the tunnel. The weight of the unconscious women and the force of gravity made a lovely team while they struggled up the ladder. They didn't talk very much while ascending the somewhat eternal ladder. Everyone seemed to be engulfed in his or her own thoughts.
Reno anticipated speaking with his mother after so long. Like an ungrateful guttersnipe he had let a dozen orphans, who had never had loving parents, make him believe his would leave him for the first possible chance at a better life above the plate. He had never felt more worthless and guilty in his life. He could only hope she would forgive him...make him her son again, that is, if she remembered anything...
If he was correct in assuming she was put in that tank around the same time she disappeared then she had been suspended in well...time for over twenty years. Come to think of it, would she even recognize her son? Twenty years ago he was a five-year-old squirt that couldn't even see over the kitchen sink. Now he was a little over six feet tall and the word "squirt" would be one hell of an understatement.
His scars made their way onto his face at sixteen when he got into a austere scuffle with an older man who was trying to rape a girl from his orphanage. She was new and dangerously innocent, rare for a slum girl of fourteen. After the broken glass had polished both of his smooth cheeks Reno planted a switchblade miles into the scumbag's chest.
He could barely hope his mother would except the changes in him.
Cloud's thoughts on the unconscious oak-haired lady were a bit less decisive. One wishfully thoughtful half focused on the idea that the woman had some connection with Aeris. She sure had enough physical similarities for him to pursue the issue. And he was *sure* he felt something radiating from her. It was nearly the same aura, same presence he associated with Aeris. He had never been around someone other than her that made him feel that way...like everything was going to be all right. He though he saw the recognition in the Brandy pools of best friend's eyes as well.
The other half of him wasn't so sure. The chances of a random woman, imprisoned beneath the new headquarters, being related to Aeris in some way were slim. Aeris never told them of any other kin than her biological mother who died when she was five.
/Maybe she didn't *know* of any other living relatives... /
That too was possible. But the only way he would find out for sure was to ask her when she was well enough to speak. He only prayed Hojo or whoever had her down there didn't do something awful to her.
Elena, at the time, had been dwelling on what Rude had said.
I've loved you for so long...
Words had never failed her until then. Here she was trying to walk away leaving her love for Tseng behind her and Rude's affections had jumped in front of her.
I...I'm so...sorry. I'm not ::tear:: I'm just not ready ::tear...tear:: for this.
Immediately after leaving Rude standing in front of the company headquarters she felt like the worlds biggest Bandersnatch. Like a monster, she left him there thinking she didn't care for him and that it was something he did to make her cry. The truth was that she really did care a lot for Rude...enough for a potential *something* between them. But she still wasn't sure of herself and honestly didn't know when that would change.
When they emerged from the tunnel Cait Sith came over to help them untie the women from Reno and Rude. Rude was too exhausted to carry her any further. So Cloud slipped one arm behind her knees and the other behind her shoulders carrying her to one of the paired elevators at the basement entrance. Reno was just as tired as Rude, if not more, but he didn't give the others the option of carrying his mother. He, Rude, and Elena filed into the left elevator while Cloud, holding the woman, Tifa, and Cait went to the other. Cloud could see the other group through the glass elevator shafts going up as they were. He took a moment to glare at Reno through the glass but Reno just turned his back to Cloud and leaned against the glass of his elevator.
Tifa followed Reno's example of leaning against the glass while Cait punched in some codes to the elevator. She exhaled so that her breath blew her bangs away from her face before they settled down again. She thought about the unconscious lady in Cloud's arms. She noticed some familiar traits in the woman...traits that reminded her of a certain flower girl. Tifa was quite content being just best friends with Cloud. She had also noticed the developing romance between him and the warm-hearted Cetra but was happy for them. The only thing she worried about now was if Cloud would ignore her completely if this woman turned out to be connected to Aeris in some way. Tifa knew Cloud must have noticed the same things in the lady...
/But why hasn't he said anything yet? Does he feel he can't trust me? /
As if in answer to her mental inquiry Cloud broke the silence. "I've noticed something Tifa...about this lady, I mean." She looked curiously into his eyes as if she had no clue what he was talking about. "Have you noticed something about her?"
"Huh?"
"Didn't you notice anything *familiar* about this girl?"
He had sounded hesitant as if a bit unsure of himself. Tifa didn't really want to be the one to voice what they both had noticed. She still missed Aeris and didn't want to be the cause of a false alarm if the lady really had nothing to do with her.
"She's...kinda pale I guess."
"Yeah but...what about her face. Doesn't she look like someone?"
Why didn't he just come out and say it himself!? Why did he need her to say it for him?
/Isn't that what you wanted...for him to confide in you? /
"Well she does look a little-"
"We're here folks! Let's go." Cait saved Tifa for the time being as they followed him down the hall. The Turks had just gotten off the elevator and were following a bit behind them. The halls were deserted except for the occasional security machine making its rounds. When they got to their destination Reeve was standing outside the door and immediately dropped his gaze to the two comatose women.
"Are...are they alright?" Reeve was worried at how pale they were.
"We think so but they still need help, "Tifa answered for the group. Reeve studied their faces a moment then remembered that they were still standing in the hallway.
"Oh uh...there's two rooms for them. C'mon. The doctors will have a look at them." They followed him to the rooms but Reno and the Turks went to one room while Cloud and the others went to another. In both rooms doctors immediately took control and began fastening an IV and sensors to the women.
Reno didn't like the familiar sight of sensors and wires attached to his mother and got a little edgy. "What the hell are you doing? What are those for?"
"They monitor her heart rate and vital signs...we're only trying to see if she's in stable condition, sir. Please don't worry..."
"Don't tell me when I should worry. If anything happens to her, "he began a low, threatening voice, "I'll fry..."
A firm hand on his shoulder interrupted his threat. "Reno, they doing their job. Lets just give them some space and let them help her." Only because it was Rude, Reno ended the threat with a glare and sat in the seat closest his mother. The head doctor immediately began barking medical orders in what could likely pass as another language.
"Kate, get her under the cardial tra...actually make that a Holter."
"Yes sir."
"Jean, she might need some 4E-37s."
"How many?"
"Two should be enough. I'll go ahead and take some blood."
Reno watched them set out to tend to their individual tasks. The nurse the doctor identified as Jean was trembling a bit as she slid respirator tubes up the patient's nasal passages and down her throat. Reno was watching each of them like a Zolom. Whenever their eyes met he seemed to search her thoughts for possible deceit or malevolent thoughts. The head doctor, Dr. Naid, either didn't notice or ignored Reno. He knew what he was doing and was used to the worried relatives of his patients.
Once satisfied that no one was going to hurt his mother he relaxed in his chair. Behind his midnight shades, Rude's eyes were distant. Once again he was mentally kicking himself in the ass for what he said to Elena. He casually stole a glance at her but she was busy sifting through her bag for something. She was pretty absorbed in the task and didn't notice him watching.
/So beautiful.../
She had such an air of innocence about her that no one would suspect her deadly nature. He loved the simple things about her like the way she got so worked up over trivial problems, how her smooth cheek's flushed whenever Reno made some perverted comment about women, or how she held the tip of her tongue between her lips when she was concentrating of something...
...which she happened to be doing at the moment.
When Elena reached the end of her search she closed her bag as Rude adverted his attention back to Reno and the doctors. Apparently Reno was arguing with Dr. Naid who was trying to draw blood. Reno utterly refused to allow them to put a needle of any sort in his mother.
"Listen DOCTOR, I don't care what you need. That sharp ass thing isn't going ANYwhere near her."
In truth, the needle itself was only about an inch long...an inch too long in Reno's opinion. The doctor was fighting for his calm when Elena intervened.
"RENO, he is trying...to...HELP! They are her only chance right now. Why don't you cut them a little slack."
"This isn't about you so mind your *damn* business."
"Reno, "this time Rude spoke up, "there's no reason for that. She's right. Why don't we give them some time and go get a drink or something?"
Feeling a little betrayed he cast one last look on everyone in the room and stormed out taking the tension with him. There was a caf‚ around the corner from the clinic rooms and he really could use something sweet and hot.
Back at the room Rude and Elena let out a sigh. Reno sure could be one pot of steam...
"I don't have my stuff with me so I'll have to ask Reeve if I can get it from my apartment or do it tomorrow." She headed for the neighboring room to find Reeve, and Rude left to find Reno after casting one last glance at the unconscious redhead.
Author's notes:
I'm sooooo sorry that took so long. The truth is that I've had it half done for about a week but I've had soo much work. I planned to write a little whenever I had time after homework but this Friday was the only chance. I hated to keep you waiting and I thank those who are reviewing and checking for updates. Chapter 5 shouldn't take as long since the marking period just ended and I don't have so many tests. The offer still stands for any one who wants to help me name the chapters! Just mail me...drunkpoodle@yahoo.com
Questions/comments welcome!
:::::::Drunkpoodle:::::::