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 Seven: Eavesdrop

"What are you doing, Reno?" Rufus asked as he entered the hallway outside his office.

Reno was standing on his tiptoes under a vent with his ear aimed at the vent.

"Listen. Isn't that Marie?" he asked

Rufus copied Reno and listened. He couldn't make out what she was saying, but he could definitely tell it was Marie's voice coming from the vent.

"She must be in that empty office. These vents are connected," Rufus said. "I'll give you a boost."

Rufus interlocked his fingers and held out his hands for Reno to step on.

"I'm not gonna go in that vent. It's filthy."

"I can't fit in there. You're wiry."

Reno rolled his eyes and groaned. He climbed up to the vent¾making sure to "accidentally" kick Rufus in the head as he did so. He managed to make it halfway into the vent but was too big to go any further.

"What do you hear?" Rufus inquired.

"Not much. She's saying something about a computer."

"A computer! It must be the one!" Rufus exclaimed. "What else."

"Wait. Wait. Nothing. She's done. I'm coming down." Reno struggled for a moment. "Oh my God, I'm stuck!"

"Don't be absurd," Rufus said.

He grabbed Reno's flailing legs and tried to pull on them, but Reno kept letting out painful yelps.

"What's going on?" Rude questioned, stepping off the elevator.

"Reno's stuck."

"Who's that?" Reno begged, panicked. "I don't think there's enough air in here!"

"It's an air vent," Rude said.

"Rude? Is that you?"

"Yeah. Did you need any help, Reno's ass?"

"Yes! Help me!"

"I dunno. I kinda like you stuck like this. I can talk to you and you can't run away."

"What are you talking about? Just get me outta here and we can talk all you want. I promise my attention!"

"You promise?"

"Yes!" Reno shouted.

"Alright."

Rude grabbed Reno's legs and pulled on them. The redhead quickly slid out of the vent, landing on Rude.

"Sorry," he mumbled. "You wanted to talk?"

Rude nodded and pointed at his office. Reno headed in, and Rude quickly followed, closing the door behind them.

"Hey, what's going on out here? The apocalypse?"

Marie came out of the office down the hall.

"Oh, Reno was being an idiot," Rufus shrugged.

"Well, I'm looking for Tseng. Have you seen him?"

"No. By the way, did you tell maintenance about that lock on the old laboratory?"

Marie stared at him. "Oh, yes," she said. "They must have fixed it by now."

"Well, even if they haven't, it doesn't matter. The information that I was keeping in there isn't there anymore."

"It isn't?"

Rufus shook his head. Perhaps it was seeing the slight look of fear on her face or the desire to let her know he was one step ahead of her, but Rufus just had to tell her everything. She had to know that he was never going to let her succeed in any of her plans

"No, now I possess the only copy."

"Really? I . . ."

"Marie!"

The elevator opened and Tseng walked out.

"Marie, Rufus," Tseng huffed. "I've received information about the new whereabouts of the Black Death. I think we should go immediately."

"I don't think you should," Rufus blurted out. "Last time you almost didn't come back. I was . . . worried."

Tseng showed no recognition that he had heard the last part of Rufus' statement.

Rufus felt a strange mixture of disappointment and relief that Tseng hadn't heard what he had said. On one hand, he wanted Tseng to know, but on the other, he was still to afraid. Marie, however, apparently picked up on the comment and concern in Rufus' voice because she gave him an odd look that made him uncomfortable.

"It'll be easy if Marie comes. This is a perfect chance."

"No, I can't have you go. They're too dangerous. We need to plan. We can't just run off in a haste."

Marie continued to stare at Rufus. Rufus could almost feel her eyes boring into him, and he feared she knew everything.

"Oh!" she exclaimed suddenly. "I think Rufus is right. We should come up with a plan. They'll be in Kalm for a while."

"If you both feel that way, maybe it is for the better," Tseng sighed. "I'll get everyone together to make a plan."

Tseng hurried away just as quickly as he had come, and Rufus rounded on Marie.

"How did you know the hideout was in Kalm?" he asked.

She paused only for a moment before suddenly laughing nervously.

"Don't tell Tseng. I heard the same information, but I didn't want to tell him until we came up with a plan because I know how impatient he is."

"Really?" Rufus pressed. "Perhaps I should tell Tseng."

"I bet you would," she laughed. "You seem very interested in his well-being."

"Wh . . . What?" Rufus stammered.

Marie smirked. "You care for him a great deal, don't you?"

His fears were confirmed. The worst possible person knew how he felt for Tseng, and she thought it was all very amusing.

"It's written all over your face. Oh, I remember now how you used to follow him around when you were young, but he was following me around."

Rufus clenched his fist. "Fine," he hissed. "Think what you want . . . But don't tell him."

She laughed again. "You're so obvious. But don't worry. I won't tell him. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to make a phone call."

TBC. . .