Yazoo couldn't sleep. Loz had drifted off hours ago and Rude looked like he was asleep as well behind his shades. The lights from the television that Reno had insist be brought into the room for the boring hours of unnecessary guard duty played its light across the room, the sound so low it was almost inaudible.

Tseng had called Reno to guard the President while he worked late this evening. Yazoo had been thinking about the Presidents offer. It wasn't a bad exchange but there were some things that Yazoo wanted to know. It didn't make sense that he would extend such an option after he and his brothers had just tried to bring back one of his companies greatest failures and fears.

Yazoo slipped out of bed, an interesting feat considering he and Loz were sharing it and he was between his brother and the wall. He managed well enough and decided against his boots for the silence of his bare feet. Rude did not stir as he made his way to the door. Yazoo knew it wasn't locked. He wasn't even really sure why the Turks continued to watch over them.

He slipped into the hallway silently, careful to shut the steel door as quietly as possible. He had seen Rufus's office when they had been outside earlier in the day and he knew the way. Hoping he wouldn't run into Tseng or Elena and have to explain what he was doing he crept down the hallways to the door. He debated just walking in unannounced but didn't feel like dodging Reno's EMR so he knocked softly.

Reno pulled the door open and looked at Yazoo in surprise but said nothing.

"Let him in Reno"

Obediently the door opened all the way and Yazoo stepped in. Rufus sat behind a desk, his hair was tousled slightly and he held a glass tumbler in his hand and a bottle of scotch at his elbow. Papers and blueprints covered every other available surface.

"You are just the person who might be useful right now. What do you think about this security system for the high profile section of the new hospital? You seem very adept at finding weaknesses in our security."

Yazoo went to the desk and studied the blueprints of the hospital floor in question. Reno had collapsed into a plush chair and was nursing his own glass of alcohol.

"The air ducts are an easy way in. As is the location of the elevators, with them behind that decorative pillar you are hindering the view that any staff will have of who is entering. Also the main suites would be better to be on the west and east sides of the building." Yazoo said softly.

Rufus was watching him like he was memorizing every move he made. "And why is that?"

Yazoo met his eyes and didn't back down. "There are mains streets on those sides. If someone wanted to come in from the outside they would be hard pressed to do so without someone seeing them. Also, you should put this ward on a higher floor to eliminate the threat of snipers."

Rufus set down his glass and folded his hands on the table. "And have you come to a decision about my proposal?" His tone was completely neutral, it gave nothing away as to his reasons or motives. Yazoo could be bold when he wanted and he wanted it now. He put his hands down on the desk and leaned over it slightly, looming over the President.

"Why do you want my brother and I? You could have killed me when you found me but you didn't, and now you offer sanctuary? Forgive me but that's very unlike the Shinra I know."

Rufus leaned back in his chair, away from Yazoo's dominant posture. "Sephiroth was a great addition to Shinra before he went insane. Who is to say that you and your brother would not be as productive? This company needs capable, strong and trustworthy agents. I have the Turks loyalty, and I would trade you a safe haven for yours."

Yazoo backed off, letting his hand trail on the edge of the wood desk, his eyes distant. "Do you have any intentions of trying to use either of us for scientific study in any form?"

It was the question that had needled him the most. He knew that both he and Loz would much rather die than be returned to the labs.

Rufus stood and came around the desk to stand in front of Yazoo. "I have never agreed with what Hojo called 'science'. That part of Shinra is over. Part of the protection I offer is from what you must have gone through when you were made." Rufus's eyes were as cold as they ever were, his posture was confidant and almost arrogant but Yazoo somehow felt he was telling the truth.

"Then we accept. I speak for Loz as he speaks for me." Yazoo felt something drop away inside of him when he spoke the words. The only thing he had ever pledged himself to was Jenova's cause, now he was in a sense, allying with the enemy. Strange how it felt like a weight off of his shoulders.

Their search for their Mother had given them nothing but heartache and had taken Kadaj. It was a miracle he still had Loz. Even when they had escaped the lab the torture had not been over. She had haunted their dreams and sometimes waking moments with her insistent droning about Reunion. Sometimes Yazoo wondered if Kadaj would have been as insane without that constant voice.

Rufus smiled. "I'm glad then. But it is late and I believe I will call it a night. We will get you and your brother set up in the morning with your new accommodations and so on. Reno, you are dismissed as well, I think I can make it back to my quarters alone."

Yazoo was making his way to the door when he felt Reno behind him. When they were out in the hallway the Turk fell into step beside him. "So, welcome aboard I guess."

"Decided you could deal with it after all?" Yazoo taunted. He was too surprised to react at first when Reno took his arm and stopped him.

Reno was very close and facing Yazoo now. "I told you before there isn't much I can't handle. You saying you don't believe me?"

Yazoo noted vaguely that Reno was a few inches taller than him. He could feel his breath against the strands of hair that fell across his face. The scent of him was strong but not unpleasant, alcohol, something like cinnamon and faint cigarettes.

" I have yet to see the proof" Yazoo returned coyly.

Reno was very close now and he had his hands on Yazoo's upper arms. He had a slight smile on in place of his smirk. With a long fingered hand he raised Yazoo's chin and kissed him softly at first. Yazoo didn't close his eyes, he made sure they were still focused with challenge and he didn't respond at all to Reno's delicate attempts.

Reno caught Yazoo's intent and growled low in his throat and pushed Yazoo up against the wall of the hallway. His kiss became harder, more demanding. This was better. Yazoo hated being treated like a delicate doll. He parted his lips and wrapped his arms around Reno's neck letting the Turks hands fall to encircle his waist.

Reno tasted like scotch and something Yazoo couldn't identify but made his own passion rise as he kissed Reno with just as much fervor. It felt good, to be held and to be wanted. Yazoo felt like it had been forever….the only other person who had made it feel good to be touched like this….

Yazoo pulled away. Reno looked at him with a question in his eyes. Yazoo didn't give any explanation, just turned and quickly walked back to his room. Reno didn't follow. It just made Yazoo curse his mind even more for jolting him out of the moment with the redhead.

When he got back to his room he entered quietly. Rude was still seemingly asleep but Loz was not. Yazoo tried to slip back into his place and had just laid his head on the pillow when his brothers voice came softly.

"Where did you go?"

Yazoo rolled onto his side to face Loz. "I told the President we would accept his offer."

Loz nodded. "Doesn't sound so bad. Its not like we have anywhere to go anyway."

Yazoo didn't reply. He didn't have anything to say.

"Yazoo, what was Reno talking about when he said they found you?" Loz frowned as his younger brother went still at the question. It worried him even more that he had tensed not when he had finished the question but when he had said the redheads name.

"Nothing important Loz. I was badly wounded when they found me, I thought I could make it back to Adjit but I was wrong." Yazoo closed his eyes trying to hint that he wanted to sleep.

"Did someone try to hurt you?" That familiar, protective tone that had once been so soothing, now grated on Yazoo's nerves.

"What do you think Loz? In the middle of the night in the slums of Edge, wounded and looking the way I do, what do you think might have happened had Reno and Rude not been there?" Yazoo tried his best to make his tone gentle but he knew some of his annoyance at the question cut through.

"You smell of him."

Yazoo's eyes flew open at that. Loz had no expression on his face and Yazoo knew that he wasn't one to jump to hasty conclusions. He was just stating what he knew.

"He was with the President."

Loz watched him a moment more than moved to lay on his back. "Okay"

It was Yazoo's turn to frown but he didn't push the issue. It wasn't an 'okay' that said 'I believe you', more like 'I know you aren't telling me everything but I wont pry.'

There was no way Yazoo could tell him what had happened with Reno in the hallway. Is it wrong that I didn't mind that he kissed me? Hell I gave him an open invitation! What does that make me after everything I said to HIM?


AN- Thanks to everyone who reviewed anonymously, much appreciated, (Hopefully thos who were logged in got my reply).

Okay, so I have actually written this story up to chapter 8, but there's a problem. I have kind of run into a blank wall. Im not going to tell you what happens after this chapter but if anyone has any ideas about this story that they would like to share do not be afraid to hit me with them! Other than that never fear the other chaps will be up in due time. Prostrates self shamelessly before readers PLEASE REVIEW!

Also, if ya really like my stuff (whoring out my writing) you should check up on my livejournal, I have a few one shots that get posted there and its usually updated before any other account anywhere else.

http/phoenix-647.