Rebuilding ShinRa company was a task easier said than done but it was a challenge that the young president, Rufus ShinRa, threw himself into, characteristically with his whole heart and soul. Following his rescue from the ruins of the ShinRa building in the wake of Diamond WEAPON's attack, Rufus had made a silent vow not to give up because the word surrender was just not in his vocabulary.
It had proven harder than he'd expected, with his body suddenly afflicted by the debilitating effects of Geostigma and upon his recovery, the unexpected emergence of the Deep Ground Soldiers. Rufus'd been kept hidden away for most of the latter event-- the moment it was known that those former experiments of ShinRa were raiding towns and stealing people, his Turks had whisked his protesting body away to a safe location out in the wilderness and refused to allow him to emerge until the mess was over.
At any rate, that war was done and it was time for peace and the massive task of reconstruction. In this, Rufus knew he would excel, with one catch. It all hinged upon having the right support staff. But it was finding the best talent that was proving his greatest headache.
There were many things that he could entrust to his Turks, Tseng proving to be a capable adminstrator while Rude, Reno and Elena ever ready to handle the rough and tumble work. The big problem though, at least where Rufus was concerned, lay in their unanimous decision to never leave him unprotected, a task that they pursued with a dogged mania that not even the Shachou himself could override.
So, after much frustration trying to talk sense into his Turks and failing, Rufus decided it was time to expand his staff. And that was why Rufus ShinRa was walking into the Seventh Heaven that evening in search of one particular man.
Entering, Rufus scanned the room, ignoring the abrupt silence that fell among the assembled crowd as they turned as one to stare at him. Elena, assigned bodyguarding duties for the night, stood unobtrusively behind, a silent watchful shadow ready to spring into action in the event of anyone posing a danger.
"Cloud isn't here," Tifa said, with arms akimbo as she strode forward to meet them. She looked about ready for a fight.
Rufus studied her for a moment and decided that she still hadn't forgiven him for ordering her execution all those years ago. He spared her his most disarming smile and replied, "But I'm not looking for Cloud." He named the man he wanted and added, "Reeve told me he was here."
He kept his expression bland while he watched the study of emotions on her face as she flickered between lying to him and then capitulating upon mention of the former ShinRa executive.
"He's on the roof," she said at last and waved him towards the back.
Rufus nodded his thanks and moved away, tuning out the gawkers. He was familiar with attracting attention wherever he went.
A short climb up a fire escape ladder and Rufus found his man hidden in the shadows, outlined only by his red cloak, sitting in the dim twilight, deep in some contemplation. He wondered if this was something he did often.
"This isn't where you order a drink, ShinRa," Vincent Valentine said quietly when he noticed him.
Rufus let the annoyed glower directed at him slide right off, understanding that Vincent had a right to be piqued over the invasion of his privacy. The glowing red glare would have daunted a lesser man, but Rufus ShinRa was no regular man.
"I am sure Ms Lockheart would spike my drink with something most unpleasant," the president mused, looking right back at Vincent. He flashed a dazzling smile at him, applying that infamous charm that had won the hearts and minds of many.
"But that's not what I've come to talk to you about. Have you ever thought about your future?"
"Plenty," came the curt reply.
Rufus continued to look straight into Vincent's eyes, not allowing himself to be intimidated by the terse answer in the least.
"So what is it that you do here?" he said, tilting his head. "I've seen you around, but surely you must have some plans for what to do with yourself after Midgar is rebuilt? A man as qualified as yourself would have many avenues of opportunity to explore."
"And you're going to offer me a job?" Vincent said the surprise obvious in his tone.
Rufus almost laughed at how amazed Vincent sounded. Was it that much of a shock that someone would want him around?
"As a matter of fact, yes. If you want it," he answered smoothly.
"I could use a man like you as a bodyguard. I have four at the moment, but with Midgar like this, I would like to add another, just to be safe." It was an understatement of course, but Vincent didn't need to know how very stretched his manpower resources were.
"You mean rejoin the Turks," Vincent clarified.
Rufus had to give the man credit for being astute. Vincent wasn't someone to underestimate. It only made him want him all the more.
There were other reasons of course. Vincent really was the best candidate, one of the most capable fighters on the planet, possibly on par with Cloud. He was also trustworthy enough not to sell him out, not from everything Rufus had found out about him. And far in the back was a vague sense of obligation. Vincent had rescued and healed Tseng and Elena, and for that, he'd won Rufus' respect.
"I hear you were a good one," the ShinRa President said, allowing a small smile to tug at his lips. "One of the best."
"I'm not interested," he shrugged.
Rufus watched him turn his back on him and pondered pushing further. If Rufus ShinRa was a video game character, he'd have invested all his character points into charisma, but even a person with maxed out charm could fail sometimes. He'd failed to convince Cloud Strife to protect him against Kadaj and his brothers. Perhaps he would fail with Vincent Valentine as well.
"Your choice," he replied, taking another step towards him. "But I would hate to see your talents gone to waste. With the world enjoying peace at last, there is little for a tired-out warrior to do outside of this profession." He slid a business card into Vincent's hand and backed away. "If you change your mind, call me."
He'd give the man some breathing room, and if he still proved unwilling, then he'd try other ways to reel him in.
The call came a week later just when Rufus had thought his attempt to convince Vincent had failed.
"Have you decided?" he said, when his diligent secretary passed Vincent through.
"Don't think this means I'm going to swear loyalty to you, ShinRa," Vincent said shortly, "But I'd like to keep in practice."
Rufus recognized the feeble excuse for what it was worth but would leave Vincent his pride.
"I understand," he replied. "I'll arrange to have someone pick you up. Just stay where you are. You do understand I don't want to give out my location on an unsecured line."
He hung up and switched lines to order Reno to bring Vincent to him immediately. A third call later informed Tseng of the latest addition to their ranks.
A soft cough alerted him to Vincent's presence a very short time later. Reno must have ignored all traffic signals to deliver him so promptly.
I'm glad to see you here," he said, after finishing with the document he was working on and saving it.
"What do I have to do?" Vincent asked.
Rufus nodded, liking the direct way Vincent had.
"You will be protecting me, and that is all," he said and smiled when he saw the little troubled frown furrow between Vincent's dark brows.
He stood up to his full height and came to stand before Vincent, meeting his gaze, nothing but absolute sincerity in his expression.
"No more kidnapping, assassination or blackmail. What the people need now is hope and inspiration. I'm here to give it to them."
It was time for a different way of doing things with ShinRa. Rufus knew that convincing people otherwise was going to be an uphill and exhausting task but this was the road he'd chosen. He'd start with convincing Vincent.
Turning to look out the window behind, Rufus surveyed the mass of partially rebuilt buildings. This was his city and he was here to stay.
"You don't have to play games with me, ShinRa," said Vincent, his deep smooth voice laced with skepticism. "I don't care if you're only in it for the money. You can tell me straight out."
Rufus laughed, enjoying the refreshing directness. "I consider it an investment," he said turning his face slightly to peep at Vincent through his blonde lashes.
"Help the citizens of Midgar get back on their feet today; have them as loyal, paying customers tomorrow. It's logic."
"Fair enough," Vincent replied. "But I'm not wearing a suit."
"I wouldn't ask you to."
Rufus slid a piece of paper over to the gunman.
"But you will have to sign a standard employment contract." That was a reminder from Tseng, who wanted everything done properly. Rufus watched as Vincent read the fine print, once more with that intense furrow of concentration that he found rather endearing.
Seeming satisfied with it, Vincent helped himself to a pen and signed before handing it over.
"When do I start?"
Rufus spared a glance at the paper and noted the expressive penmanship. Vincent Valentine. It suited the man well. Too bad he showed so little of this flamboyant expression normally. He shot his new bodyguard another look and wondered if he had a sense of humor...
Realizing that Vincent was waiting for an answer, he said, "Immediately. And please, dispense the formalities between us. You can call me Rufus." Rufus really hated being called ShinRa, because that was his old man. In fact, the very first thing he did on becoming ShinRa president was make everyone call him President Rufus. It was too bad that people couldn't remember that.
Rufus watched Vincent shrug and smiled. He'd get through him eventually, he was sure. All he needed was time. He was optimistic that this was going to be the beginning of a beautiful relationship.