Author's Notes: I blame reviewers for actually causing me to write this. Seriously. So busy lately. Less than 30 more school days before I graduate. Amazing.

ZOMG, I've been trying to put this up for DAYS. Site wouldn't let me log in!

Chapter 9: The Dinner

Intimidated was not quite enough to describe what Reno felt. The doors before him were of solid mahogany, something one did not find much of in Midgar, and something few expected around Rufus Shinra. There was just something in the cold demeanor of the President that made one think he would be better suited to being around things that had never lived, like metal and glass, than around dead things like wood and leather. They were beautiful doors, with a brass knocker apiece and similar door knobs. Even the address was a wealthy thing yearning for attention: Rufus didn't just have numbers, but they were spelled out. This wasn't 27 Shin-Ra Drive, this was Twenty-Seven, in CURSIVE. No finer house had Reno ever seen, not even that of his father.

Fingers, almost shaking from nerves, clasped one of the knockers, and with it the young executive rapped lightly upon the door. Within moments it was swept open and Reno was greeted with a friendly sight. Scarlet was standing there, clad in a dress worthy of her name, looking positively stunning.

"Reno!" the other executive lightly exclaimed, pulling him into a friendly hug. "You are early!"

"It was better to be hours early than to be a few minutes late my dear Scarlet," a voice came from behind the woman.

Here Reno was presented with his first real look at the young President. Rufus's hair gleamed like gold, his eyes like sapphires, and the pure white of his clothes set off his well tanned skin. The smile he wore was not menacing, and yet at the same time it was not overly warm. All at once the young man was the cold President, the aloof son of the former President, the nervous future-groom, and the kind male that few saw. It was rather reassuring to Reno to meet the man on a level like this, to get to know him before falling so easily into the 'boss-employee' roles that would be required of them.

"Mister Shinra," the red-haired youth said, bowing his head a bit.

"Don't call me that. Shinra was my father. I'm just Rufus," the other youth said, voice icy and joking all at once. Such things were almost amazing. The President was treating him, RENO, as an equal.

"Forgive me Rufus," Reno said.

"Just come in already!" Scarlet said, practically dragging him in. "Rufus dear, can you show him around? I'll go ahead and finish up dinner."

The blonde teen, as he was not even twenty now, nodded and allowed his fiancée to walk off without him. Reno could not help but be amused with the idea that Rufus was so easily bossed around by the only executive more timid than he was himself. To think that Rufus not only allowed it, but took it with a smile…

"You're shocked. Is it because I allow my lovely Scarlet control at times?" Rufus asked with a smile. "She's not all a timid mouse you know. She's kind, cunning, and a lot more than one would expect when taking her at face value."

"One could say the same thing about any Shin-Ra executive," Reno observed as he followed the unspoken order to follow Rufus through the house.

"What do you mean?" the blonde asked as he brought Reno through to the dining room, neither really wanting to do the whole grand tour thing.

"Well, Sephiroth technically counts as an executive, and he's not as cruel or icy as one would think. And Reeve, he looks all warm and all, but he's still capable of killing right?" the red-haired male said, not adding that he was starting to think he was not much unlike Reeve in that fact. Damn those dreams.

"Hey… Are you okay?" the male asked Reno, seeing to notice that there was a lot not being said.

"I'm just worried about Jessie…"

"The one selling Shin-Ra secrets?"

Reno shook his head, "I can't see her doing that. I really just can't. You could tell she loved her job and would do nothing to let Reeve down."

"I know. It's very disturbing," Rufus agreed as Scarlet entered the dining room.

"Hey, what are you guys gossiping about?" Scarlet asked as she placed a bread basket upon the table.

"Don't worry about it my dear. Now, would you like help carrying in the food?" Rufus asked, standing and kissing her cheek.

"Of course. You know I'm always willing to have you help me."

Rufus chuckled, "Come on Reno, let's be gentlemen."

The man rose and followed Rufus into the kitchen to help with bringing out Scarlet's wonderful meal. Rufus decided he wasn't going to trust his white suit with the pasta, so Reno ended up taking that out while the President carried the salad and a bowl of corn. Soon enough the trio were settled down at the table and enjoying their meal. Neither Rufus nor Reno could resist continuing their conversation.

"Do you really think she would do something like that?" Reno asked.

"I've only been President for a short time, but I know all of the Turks, new and old, rather well. I don't Jessie is capable of this sort of thing, but Tseng isn't one to lie…"

Scarlet leveled a glare unrivaled even by Sephiroth upon the two, effectively silencing them. "Can't you just leave work at work?"

For some reason the two looked down at their plates, ashamed by the reprimand by the woman. But soon the silence was broken as Scarlet started her own conversation.

"I did hear that you were at the bar where Jessie was found… With Reeve. And that you have a dinner planned with him…"

Reno turned nearly as red as his hair. "What is wrong with that?"

"Now who has brought work out at your dinner?" Rufus teased Scarlet.

"Actually, I'm asking Reno about his personal life."

"What personal life?" Reno asked quiet honestly.

The fact that the two looked at each other, with an expression Reno couldn't really read upon their faces, really disturbed the new executive. Did they think that he and Reeve were involved?

"Oh… You… You guys think Reeve and I…?"

"Reeve has a reputation you know," Rufus said. "And apparently you're topping his current list."

"What?" Reno said in shock.

Scarlet giggled, "Reno… Reeve obviously is interested in you. I think you best make it clear to him rather soon."

Now the red-head really was scarlet. Did they really think that about him? He… Reno was NOT gay. Not at all.

Rufus looked at his fiancée and shook his head, "We should leave him alone about this."

The woman nodded slightly, "Alright Rufus… But Reno, if you ever need someone to talk to…"

"You're there for me?" Reno asked with a smile.

"No. Just bug Rufus," she said laughing.

And so the dinner ended with a round of laughter. Yet unknown to them all there was a man outside, his vehicle nondescript and his presence not even taken in by the normal guards. Through a series of cameras in the Shin-Ra house meant for the safety of the President, Tseng watched the group eating, and plotted what would be needed to set the next days plans into order.