Reno, Elena and Ava came upon the building they had left only hours ago. During the day, the building seemed only a monstrosity of steel and glass. During the night, it loomed eerily above the streets, dimly lit with insignia glowing at the very top, which seemed to scrape the night sky. Reno etched the appearance of the building in his mind as his eyes rose from the base and up the stories until the his gaze met the end. Only several minutes ago he was enjoying, even though rather annoyed, a nice Friday evening at the bar. Now, his partner was lying in a bed, wounded. The thought wore heavily on his mind as they eased through the entrance and security points before making it into the elevator. Reno found the button corresponding to the infirmary and gave it a thud, earning a stern look from both of the women in the small confines. Silence hung over the elevator like storm clouds, a few mixed signals exchanged among them as the lift reached it's destination with parting doors. Reno tried to think of a few lines to lighten the mood, but was certain such notions wouldn't be well received by the two women.

After what seemed like hours due to worry, the allies entered a quiet room where Rude lay in a bed with a bandage over his left shoulder. The walls were a sickly shade of white, almost screaming out how sterile the environment was. Speaking of environment, it was absolutely freezing in the room. The frigid air sent a cool chill down Reno's spine as he eyed his partner. He appeared to be sleeping for the time being. His chest heaved with each passing breath, the plain sheets wrapping tighter each time his chest rose. Rufus' gaze moved from Rude to the three who had just arrived. He nodded a small greeting to them, before Tseng stepped up from the corner. Tseng radiated a calm demeanor, his hands folded neatly behind his back. His black hair was slick as ever, as if he had been completely unscathed.

"They attempted to aim for his chest, but I distracted Rude just in time. The bullet missed by mere inches and went through his shoulder." Tseng recalled in an even tone of voice.

"Will he be okay?" Elena piped up from beyond the door, worry evident within soft brown eyes as she moved closer to Tseng. She stalled a moment, tucking strands of platinum just behind delicate ears.

"Doctor Lockton has evaluated him already. His vitals are strong and he should make a full recovery shortly. He'll just need to rest some." Rufus answered her question, though she kept her eyes on Tseng.

"Thank goodness." Elena felt relieved, and she took to standing just beside Tseng.

"Who did this to him?" Reno nearly growled as he closed the door to the room after urging Ava hastily from the threshold.

"We can't be sure, but Reeve also ran into some issues during a meeting to initiate the design of several new buildings throughout the Eastern Continent." Rufus seemed to display uncertainty, which furthered Reno's frustration. Rufus was usually a pot of confidence. One who could rival his own arrogance.

"What the hell are we gonna do about it?" He was growing impatient by the minute, turquoise tinted eyes narrowing while he spoke.

"Reno, I understand you are close with Rude. However, now is not the time to act on emotion. Tseng and Elena," Rufus paused awaiting their attention. Once both turned to face him, he continued. "I would like you to return to the scene and see if you can find any information. Afterward, I would appreciate it if you would support Rude in his recovery as well as maintaining watch over the grounds." He finished his orders, folding his hands in his lap.

"Of course." Tseng obliged. Elena nodded alongside him, agreeing to the orders. However, Reno wasn't pleased with being left out.

"What am I supposed to do? Pick my nose?" Reno arched a brow in Rufus' direction.

"If you like, but I have other orders. I need to meet with Reeve to accompany him to a couple of conferences throughout the area as well as a few locations elsewhere. I would like you to come along and provide protection. Keep an eye out so to speak." He paused, hoping Reno would appreciate the new job. "Ava, I will also require your assistance. You will support Reno in his duties and also assist Reeve with some of the architectural issues he is dealing with in the conferences as he has requested."

"That's better." Reno nodded.

"I'm glad you think so. Ava, any questions about your first assignment?" Rufus turned his gaze to Ava.

"No, sir." She simply shook her head.

"Good, then. I have rooms for you both to stay in, get some rest. We'll be leaving early in the morning. I know Saturday is a strange day for business meetings, but this particular one will not be long. Tseng and Elena, no need to go tonight. Stay with Rude and leave for the scene at a safer time tomorrow." Rufus finished his orders and stood from the chair he had claimed. It was clear that the obstructed amount of information they had about who or why these attacks had begun made him uncomfortable. He moved across the room and slipped beyond the door, leaving them to the small room.

"I just wish I could stick around for Rude." Reno complained, once Rufus had left.

"He'll be fine. Elena and I will ensure that much." Tseng comforted Reno with the whole-hearted promise.

"Thanks. I guess I'll go see where my room is for now. Take care of him." Reno turned to leave, "Have fun."

"Be careful, Reno." Elena had displayed true concern for her red haired partner as her gaze wandered the familiar pony tail.

"Sure." And he was out the door. Tseng turned to Ava with a polite smile.

"Good luck on your first assignment, Ava." He gave her a slight nod.

"Thank you." She returned his kind gesture. Elena had already made it just beside her, arms looped loosely about her shoulders. Ava returned the friendly hug. Elena was certainly happy to have a female present in the matters, and the two had grown close over the short time.

"You'll do great. Just be careful, things like this can get crazy." She pulled away from Ava, watching as the brunette smiled softly.

"Thank you, Elena. You've been too kind. I will see you when we return." She turned and left Tseng and Elena to a sleeping Rude.

She was just starting down the hall when she realized she was unfamiliar with some of the floors belonging to the building. She certainly didn't know where the temporary accommodations were. Luckily, Reno was still waiting for the elevator when she arrived by the landing.

"Say, Reno? Would you mind showing me to the accommodations?" She asked casually.

"Well, since you've asked so nicely… I suppose I could do that." He nodded, without looking in her direction.

"Thanks." She rewarded his kindness.

The elevator arrived shortly, and the two boarded. Reno pressed the correct button and they were lifted upward into the building. As soon as the elevator arrived, Ava followed him to the left and down the hall a bit. He came to a stop just beside the rooms designated for them.

"There you go." He motioned toward her door, grinning slightly.

"Thanks again." She brought the small key card into view, approaching the door to unlock it.

"You wouldn't be interested in grabbing a drink before bed, would you?" He was desperate to get his mind off Rude's health. Though Rufus assured them that Rude would be fine, Reno found himself a little stressed. At the point, he'd go with the worst of company if it meant he didn't have to drink alone.

"I'd like to, but I'm just a little worn out. Rain check?" She found a disappointment in his eyes, but stuck with her original answer.

"Sure. G'night then, yo." He turned back toward the elevator as she returned to the task of unlocking the door. It would be a long day tomorrow, and she wasn't about to spoil her reputation by showing up hung over.

Reno, however, knew it would make no difference. Rufus had become used to his habits and took them in stride. He waited for the elevator and headed for the lounge, hoping the sweet taste of alcohol would take his mind from the situation.

'Nothing like drowning in a bottle.' He mused with a certain sarcasm.

----

The third barrage of annoyingly raucous beeps blared from the alarm clock provided on the nightstand. The third time being the charm, Reno snapped forward from the comfort of the pillows, arm reach out toward the alarm clock to swat the correct button. Once the noise subsided, he rubbed slumberous eyes in order to focus on the time displayed. 'Fuck!' His mind exclaimed profanity as the realization came upon him. He was definitely behind schedule. An hour behind, to be exact.

He threw off the covers that adorned his bed, shoving his sluggish form from the mattress. The sudden pain that warped through his head caused a wince to claim pale features. He must have had a bit too much to drink. He stumbled through the motions of preparing himself to leave, hoping Rufus would understand his tardiness due to the issues at hand.

Reno had managed to stumble out to the garage where he was to meet Reeve and Rufus to depart on their trip. Turquoise searched the surrounding area for the familiar vehicle, but before he could find it, he heard Rufus' voice.

"Right on time, Reno, well done." Rufus voice echoed through the garage.

'Man, cut the shit.' "What?" The bemused look displayed on Reno's face said enough.

"I may have told you to be here an hour before you needed to be, just so you would be on time." Rufus grinned.

"Perfect." Reno was slightly annoyed, but recalled his assumption of Rufus taking his habits in stride. This was one of those occasions. He turned to face the direction from which Rufus had been speaking, surprise settling in when he noticed the sleek new vehicle in place of the usual SUV. He began to approach the others. "What's with the car, boss?" It held a certain resemblance to a sports car, but the third and fourth doors ruled out the adjective 'coupe.'

"It's more environmentally angled than the SUV." Rufus noted the blatant tinge of alcohol on Reno's breath. He turned and tossed the keys at an unsuspecting Ava, who fumbled to catch the flying object. Alas, she missed and retrieved the keys from the ground. Reno chuckled a bit, but gave Rufus a strange look. 'More attempts at righting the Planet.'

"What, you don't like my driving skills?" A brow arched.

"Reno, you're breath reeks of alcohol. I don't think driving is the best idea for you." Rufus turned and winked at Ava. She quickly unlocked the car doors, opening the rear door nearest her for Reeve. He obliged, and set himself into the comfortable seats with a polite nod, though he held a strange expression on his face. Ava had heard he once had issues with Shin-Ra and especially Rufus' father, but she was informed that such issues had been dealt with accordingly, and for his own purposes, he had done his best to make partnership profitable. Reno mirrored her on the opposite side for Rufus, who followed Reeve's actions.

Reno moved forward after closing the rear door, opening the front door and climbing in. Ava was last into the vehicle, but upon closing her door she quickly inserted the correct key into the ignition. Seconds later they were off on their trip, Ava guiding the vehicle from the garage and past the guarded exit.

Their first destination was just the other side of the city, and would take only a short time to reach. What came as a surprise to the passengers of the vehicle was just how Ava would shorten the time it would take. Once past the small side streets, she found a larger road that would lead them to the first location. A left blinker signaled quickly as the frame of the car lurched forward, passing the slower vehicle. Toes pressed firmly against the gas pedal, sending them forward into high speeds. Reno looked back at Rufus, who appeared to be shocked. None of them had guessed Ava to be a lead foot. He let out a devious laugh at Reeve, who clung to the door with white knuckles. His gaze shifted over to the brunette at the steering wheel, a light tap applied to her shoulder. With an annoyed side-glance, she urged him to spill whatever it was he needed to get out.

"You're going to kill Reeve driving that way." He gaze an amused smirk.

"Oh, right. Sorry, Reeve, sir." She glanced in the rear view mirror with a smile, a light wave given with passive fingers.

"That's quite all right, just keep your focus on the road." Reeve stuttered from the back.

Ava brought the speed down a few notches, realizing she must have appeared an over eager teen at the wheel. "I just love to drive; I guess I get carried away." She provided a small laugh.

"You like driving?" Reno inquired, with a rather curious expression.

"I do. It's very relaxing." She answered. He gave an indifferent shrug.

"It's boring." Arguing for the argument's sake.

"To you, perhaps, Reno." The letters of his name were drawn out methodically, and she gave him a quick glance. He noticed the disappearance of her glasses at this point.

"For sure. Can you drive without glasses?" He earned a skeptical look from Rufus, though his question didn't seem very insulting in his mind.

"I have contacts, you know." She signaled and slowed the vehicle, turning onto a side street when traffic allowed. She brought the car to halt just outside a tall building, shifting into park and allowing the car a moment before turning off the engine.

They each exited the vehicle from the corresponding doors, approaching the twin doors leading into the building. Rufus did most of the talking, before leading them to the elevator where they made it to an upper level. Reno peered down the long hall, decorated by several sets of doors. They moved down the hall in group, but Reeve hesitated just before the larger of the doors.

"This conference won't require your presence today." He paused, glancing at Ava and Reno. "You can wait in that room there." He pointed toward a set of doors.

The two nodded before allowing Rufus and Reeve to enter the conference room. Reno led the way into the designated waiting room, coming upon a lounge like setting with free coffee and such. Ava followed close behind, marveling at the variety of creamers laid out beside the sugar and coffee mugs. She went about pouring herself a small cup, adding some sort of vanilla creamer while Reno seated himself on a plush chair. She took a seat across from him, sipping a small bit of the steaming liquid before the cup found its way to the side table. He watched with little interest, but noted the stiff figure she kept in the chair.

"Hey thanks for pouring me a cup, rookie." He offered but a trademark smirk when she eyed him as though she might smack him. "How old are you?" He gave her an inquisitive look.

"Excuse me?" She blinked once or twice.

"Don't get all offended about it. I'm just curious." Women were always so touchy about age if they were over twenty, he assumed she was.

"Oh. Well, I'll be twenty-six in July." He nodded; she was but two years older.

"Nice. Where are you from again?" She gave him a strange expression. "Curiosity."

"Actually, my family is around this area." She lifted the mug, taking another sip of the vanilla coffee.

"Why'd Rufus mention you coming a long way, then?" He watched her set the mug gently back on the table.

"Why the interrogation?" She tilted her head, lashes fluttering lightly for emphasis.

"I'm a curious guy." He shrugged his shoulders.

"Curiosity kills." A sarcastic smirk played glossed lips.

"Cats, maybe. Last I checked, I'm not a cat, yo." He gave an equally sarcastic grin.

"I was away working on a few out of town projects when Rufus contacted me per Reeve's request." She pondered the existence of the word 'yo' while she ended her sentence. At least he had apparently cut back on the usage of the unnecessary word.

"Projects, huh?" He gave her a suspicious glare. "What kind of projects?"

"Oh, you know… filming porn and what not." She gave him a quick wink, returning her attention to her coffee. She knew his type, Elena had explained enough. Hence the constant teasing about porn.

'There she goes with porn, again, man.' "You're not att—" He paused, eating his words before they became audible. She peered at him over the rim of the mug with relentless blue eyes.

"I'm not what? Attractive enough?" She really was playing his game.

"Well… it's not that. It's…eh… you know…" He was stuttering like a child, shifting uncomfortably in his chair.

"No, I don't. Perhaps you should inform me." Her eyes were burning into him.

"Yourboobsaren'tbigenough." Run on alert. The words came out clashed together and she struggled to make sense of them. She gave a knowing nod, chin moving up once slowly and down once at an even pace.

"Sorry to disappoint." She was less than insulted, not really caring to have what he considered big enough.

"Naw… it's not bad. It's just, they're what… B-cup?" 'Great, dig yourself even deeper.'

Her hand sprung up, tips of fingers gingerly pressed against her lips. "You're making me blush." She feigned embarrassment. He caught the sarcasm in her tone, knowing full well she was less than embarrassed. A woman he can't embarrass is just no fun at all.

"You're no fun." He tagged in a childish tone.

"Oh I beg to differ." Insinuation. She didn't give him long to mull over the sentiment. "Why the constant teasing, anyhow?"

"Rights of passage." He was pleased with this answer. She simply drowned his chatter in the cup of coffee, awaiting Reeve and Rufus. That would have been the moment his eyes drifted down to her free left hand, which was resting atop her skirted thigh. He normally didn't make a habit to study women's hands, but a sparkle caught his eye. Directly on the left ring finger sat an unmistakable diamond ring. She followed his line of sight, her own eyes settling down on the ring and moving the finger idly.

"Distracting, isn't it?" She nearly laughed. The ring was gaudy in her opinion, but she wasn't one to complain.

"Are you… married?" He hated the sound of that word.

"Not quite." She spun the diamond round her finger inattentively.

"Engaged?" She said nothing, only offering a slight nod. This usually made him cringe, but he was put off by the discovery. "To who?"

"As though you would know him…" She snickered. "A friend that I grew up with. My father's a real fan." She nudged the coffee cup onto the table for a second while she straightened the collar of her tailored shirt.

"Sounds like fun." He rolled his eyes, the acrimony evident within his tone.

"Not a fan of commitment, I take it?" She let her gaze linger over him a moment, watching him grow uncomfortable at the mention of the word.

"Not so much." His answer seemed to silence her, and she receded into her coffee. He went about playing with the zipper on his jacket, mulling over the information he had just acquired. He couldn't be positive, but his instincts usually proved true. She seemed distant as soon as talk of her engagement came about, and the slight mention of her father's approval screamed arranged marriage in his ear. 'What the hell was she thinking?'

They were nearly dying of boredom when a loud thud came from outside the doors, a familiar voice yelling loud profanities. Reno sprung to his feet, followed by Ava as the two dashed to the hall to see what the commotion was, both hoping they would not face another problem such as the one that haunted Tseng and Rude. Reno swung himself around the corner, peering down the hall to see something he did not expect.

'Oh shit.'


Ah, the cliffhang-age. I am just really enjoying writing this story! Honestly. I just keep thinking of ideas as I finish chapters. I do hope that you all have enjoyed the third chapter. A lot of mystery going on, as well as a lot of Reno :D But I adore him, so it's justified. If you happen to wonder what Ava might look like, I have slightly modeled her after Lucrecia. This might sound strange, but I love Lucrecia's hair colour. When I thought of what I might like Ava to look like, Lucrecia came to mind. I'm trying to work on some art, but that isn't coming along too fast since I just began working full time. Anyway! Enough chatter. I do hope you've liked the chapter, please do let me know what you think. Until chapter four...