Tseng was right; it was going to snow. In fact, as Elena miserably padded behind him, it started. Not the fun fluffy stuff to grab handfuls of and chuck jokingly at co-workers, not that anyone save maybe Reno was feeling up enough to even consider such a thing, but the frigid, wet stuff that got in everywhere and chilled quickly and deeply. She dug her hands into her pockets and shivered violently, half-glad Tseng had caught her in the Shinra building. He doggedly waded through the snow already on the ground, no one having shoveled the sidewalks; no one really cared about that sort of thing anymore even if the Geostigma, Star-scar, whatever they called it, was eradicated; there were more dire things to be preoccupied with. Elena winced as they passed an amaranthine blood-stain in the snow—one thing that hadn't been eradicated was the violence that came with. She might be a Turk, but as a person, it bothered her, just a little. They stopped in front of a motorcycle that was nearly as dirty as the street it was parked on.

"You don't have a car, sir?"

Tseng merely shook his head and grunted. He fished around for a bit in a pocket for the keys, and tugged on a pair of gloves.

"It's probably more convenient anyway, with the streets covered in snow." He straddled the bike and motioned for Elena to do the same. She reluctantly did so, and gingerly put her arms around him.

"You'll fall off. Hold on tighter." Blushing furiously, she did as instructed.

He kicked off and Elena nearly fell off. Tightening her grasp further, she screwed her eyes shut. She hated motorcycles unless she was driving them. And even then...

-;-

"It's very neat."

A weary ghost of a smile played on Tseng's lips as he hefted Elena's duffel bag through the doorway, setting it down to remove his shoes and put on slippers. "Indeed. I'm not here often anyway."

There was a pristine couch and a coffee table, a cabinet and an open kitchen, as well as a hall-way Elena assumed held a bathroom and the bedrooms, and an open kitchen. It was small, and very neat, the walls a dingy white, but clean, the carpet the same. It felt unlived in, nevertheless. Elena sat down on the couch.

"Are you hungry, Elena?"

"No..." More queasy then anything. Partly from the motorcycle ride, partly from realizing the situation she was in fully. She curled her legs under her, while Tseng went about his own business in the kitchen, and despite herself Elena's eyes drooped and she started to nod off.

-;-

"Ah! Stop, st, sto—! Gh— AHHH!"

Laughter, not the good kind, that laughs at a funny good joke, or even the slightly mean laugh at a classmate or coworkers' clumsiness—a sadists' laugh, like one someone who gets off on pain would emit. A dull, throbbing pain repeated itself ad nauseum in her head, contrasting with a sharp, electrical pain shooting through her back, and the sharp metallic taste of blood in her mouth. She screamed out loud.

"Elena!" A warm, almost comforting feeling draped over her. Someone put an arm around her, pulling her upward off the ground.

"M...om...?"

"Elena, Elena, shh. Stop flailing and screaming. Drink this." A hand gripped her chin and forced it upward. She grudgingly opened her mouth; something cold, but that burned was poured in. She sputtered and choked.

"Elena, Elena! It's okay. Shh." They stroked her damp hair, and she fell into a merciful darkness.

-;-

She woke up with a start, a snap, like a briefcase or cellphone closing.

"Hngh?" Sitting up, she rubbed her eyes. Wait... Where was her coat and tie, and where...?

Oh! She got up quickly and started folding the blanket that had been thrown over her.

"Good morning."

"Oh, sir! I'm sorry I slept so long. Good morning."

Tseng's face was disgruntled. "I just spoke with Rufus."

"Yes?" She was hopeful, despite his facial expression.

"You will be staying her for a while."

"Oh?"

"Indeed. Apparently, that was the original intent..." He narrowed his eyes. "I am surprised."

"I—I see. Well. I guess it can't be helped." Her face reddened more then a few shades. Not what she wanted by far. "What time is it?"

"No work today," he muttered, going into the kitchen and opening the fridge. "Where did you go on the weekends, anyway?"

"Oh, anywhere. Sometimes I tagged along with Reno and Rude. Libraries, usually."

He poked his head out of the fridge. "Midgar has... how long has this been in here...? Libraries?"

"Only a few still. They're quiet, though." She straightened her shirt as best she could, and put on her coat. No need to look slobbier then she already did.

"Hmm." He closed the refrigerator and stepped out of the kitchen. "Looks like we'll be eating elsewhere. I have nothing eatable in my kitchen." He help his hands up apologetically.

"It's fine."

"You will want a scarf. It's colder then usual."

"Okay..."

"Elena?" He was tugging his own scarf on. "You... Aren't uncomfortable, are you?"

"N-no! Of course not. It's only for now, anyway." She smiled, really smiled, and realized she felt kinda good. Just kinda. "It's fine, really. I'm grateful."

Tseng also smiled slightly, but said nothing.

-;-

And that was how Elena, the only female in the Turks, and the only female still in Shinra, and lowest one at that, ended up living in the apartment of her boss, and, she had to admit, as childish as it was, crush, Tseng, leader of the Turks and right-hand man to Rufus Shinra.