Second Chance

Kagura Kyo Shinra

Warning: This story has shounen-ai. So if you don't like homosexual males, you shouldn't read it.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything. I take no responsibility for these characters or Final Fantasy or anything except this story.

Part One: Marie Smith

It was the second time¾ the second time you've fooled me. It was a cruel joke to make me believe I'd lost you forever. When I saw that blood stained ID, I . . . Damn! It even hurts to think about it now. That stinging burn in my chest is returning, and I don't want to feel it again. And now, you're giving me a third time, Tseng . . . .

"Rufus! Rufus!""Wa!" Rufus blurted and woke from his daydream.

He looked across his desk at Reno and Rude. Both were staring at him, wearing perplexed expressions at his bizarre behavior.

"Are you alright?" Rude asked.

"Tired," Rufus sighed. "What were you saying?"

"Your secretary just rang. Tseng and Elena are back," Reno said.

Rufus stood up so fast that he almost fell over. He was about to race for the door to find Tseng, when he realized that might make him look foolish. Even though Reno and Rude knew how he felt for Tseng, he didn't want to give them anything more to tease him about.

"I'm relieved," he sighed and sat back down. "Is he . . . Are they okay?"

"Knock! Knock! We're home!" Elena's voice sounded through the door.

"I would say they're fine," Rude assured.

The door swung open and banged against the wall with a thud. The pictures on Rufus' wall shook but didn't fall.

"Oops! Sorry!" Elena said sheepishly.

"At least you didn't break the door," Tseng chided.

"I think Elena's happy to get back," a second woman's voice commented.

At the sound of the familiar voice, Rufus' heart seemed to beat in surround sound, and he was sure everyone in the room could hear it.

"Marie Smith," Rufus gasped.

"I'm glad you remembered me, Rufus."

Elena and Tseng walked into Rufus' office, followed by a tall, slender woman with long curly brown hair. It was like time had frozen and reverted back eight years. Rufus felt like a child again as he stared at the beautiful, elegant woman before him, wearing almost the same long black dress he'd seen her in the last time he saw her¾ eight years ago, when she left the Turks and broke Tseng's heart.

"What are you doing here?"

"Marie wants to return to the Turks. You know how much help she was when she was here, even though you were young. If it's alright with you, I can do all the paperwork."

"Return?" Rufus breathed. "Back here?"

If she returned, would Tseng fall in love with her again? Would he throw himself at her the way he did back then? If he did, would she reject him again, or would she accept his love this time? These were questions Rufus couldn't bare to find the answers to.

"You're really, the Marie?" Reno asked. "I've heard all about you from Tseng and Rude. They were right, you are hot!"

Rude tapped his foot loudly.

Marie just smiled at Reno and looked back at Rufus. "What do you say?" she asked.

"Rufus, she can really help us with the Black Death group," Tseng said.

Rufus wanted to throw her out of his office and lock the door behind her, but he couldn't. He knew Tseng was right. The Black Death had emerged as the newest anti-ShinRa group and were almost as dangerous as AVELANCHE two years ago. Even though ShinRa wasn't doing anything wrong anymore, the Black Death seemed to think they were plotting all kinds of things and were willing to take as many dangerous chances as they had to. Every employee of ShinRa had assured the populous that ShinRa wasn't up to anything, but the Black Death didn't trust them and wouldn't stop their attacks. If Marie was there to help, Tseng would be safer.

"Yes, Marie. Welcome back," he said quickly and quietly. "Go ahead and start the paperwork."

"Ah, Rufus! You're wonderful! It'll be just like old times!" she said. "Now, come with me, Tseng, and let's get all the papers filled out."

"I have to give my report to Rufus first."

"Oh, Elena can do that. Come on, Tseng!" she shouted, dragging him out of the office.

"Yeah, just like old times," Rufus mumbled bitterly.

"Do you want me to give you my report now?" Elena asked.

Rufus shook his head. "Later. Just fill out the report, and I'll read it later."

"I'll give you a hand!" Reno said, jumping to his feet.

As he passed Rude, Rude grabbed his sleeve and pulled him back, close to himself.

"You weren't even there. How can you help?"

"I'll think of someway," Reno grinned and pulled away.

Growling, Rude watched Elena and Reno leave. When they were gone, he waited a moment, thinking and then turned back to face Rufus.

"Marie . . ." he mumbled. "If things really are going to be like they were before . . ."

"Then Tseng's in for it," Rufus finished roughly. "I haven't forgotten the way she made him think he had a chance and then just ran away with only a quick goodbye."

"Tseng is smart. He may not fall for her this time."

"I hope your right."

"You worry too much about him."

"I can't help it. It's the same way you growl, when Reno flirts with anything that walks."

"Yeah, I guess you're right," Rude smiled. "But why don't you just tell him how you feel?"

"Why don't you tell Reno?"

To be continued . . .