"Where have you been?"

I think I pee a little when I hear his voice. My shoulders tense and I cringe, closing my eyes. Fuck, fuck, fuck. Flexing my fingers into fists, I take a deep breath before turning to face Rufus.

"Security like I said."

"Bullshit." The word coming from his mouth is almost as shocking as him catching me here. "You helped them escape."

"No, I—"

"There is footage, Kat." Rufus lifts his chin, colder than before, if that's even possible. "Don't like to me. You left witnesses in your wake."

"I must have a doppelganger," I argue, laughing awkwardly. He closes his eyes, taking a deep breath. "Rufus—"

"My office."

"But—"

"Now."

Defeated, I hang my head and push my hands into my pockets, following like a kicked puppy. I'm fucked. Even the guards look smug when I step past them. Rufus walks behind his desk, hands clasped behind his back, and I stop before it, heart pounding.

"Kat, do you know what happens to traitors in Shinra?"

"I guess."

"Then why—" Rufus slams his palms down on his desk and I jump, terrified.

Defend yourself.

He can't hurt you.

I won't let him.

Stop.

"Why," he repeats, "did you so publicly undermine my authority?"

"Because I know what happens to the traitors that have the President on their side," I retort, though my voice isn't as strong as I hoped it would be. Rufus's eyes on fire. He's pissed. I should be afraid of what he's going to do, but I'm more concerned about keeping myself under control.

"How many times must I explain that I'm not my father?"

"And I'm not your son. At least, not your legitimate one." I sigh. "Look, Rufus. That irritating clown crew is our only fucking hope in surviving this shit. Have you looked at the sky? It's only right."

"That's not my point. The people I need to control don't understand that Avalanche is their only fucking hope." My blood runs cold when his eyes meet mine. I've never seen him this angry. "Don't lecture me on what's right. I decide that for myself."

It would take half a second.

"Yeah, and for the rest of the damn world!" I snap, irritated. "This isn't just about you!"

"Kat."

"Oh, sorry. Forgot I'm—what was it? Slum scum? I don't matter, right? Is that how you think of the people you control?"

"In order for us to defeat Sephiroth, we need the support of the people. Avalanche was the perfect scapegoat," he explains, staring hard at his desk as he tries to calm himself.

"Shinra can't defeat him with the people's support. Money is for building dreamworlds, not killing magical psychopaths." Rufus glances up at me, shaking his head and straightening before wandering around to the front of his desk. This is it. This is where I die.

"Shinra ruined your life before you were born. You came back anyway."

We're in control of our fate.

"And? It's not like you'd get it," I retort. He raises an eyebrow, the look on his face chilling.

"I don't get it?" Standing straighter, he tilts his head ever so slightly to the side. "I watched my mother bleed out after a severe punishment from my father. My half-brother suffered a slow, painful death at the hands of science as a failed cloning experiment. My father was slaughtered like an animal by a monster he paid to create. And I don't get it…" He shakes his head, his lisp twitching into a bitter smile. "At least you have the luxury of forgetting." For a moment, I can't breathe. No wonder he's so fucked in the head… Still, determined to justify my actions, I lift my chin, trying to hide my pity.

"Shinra didn't break me."

"Then who did?" He wanders closer slowly, refusing to look away from me.

"I… don't know. My parents, maybe. I know my family was falling apart. Tseng was all I had and now he's—" I shake my head, taking a deep breath. The voices are quiet now. "Shinra didn't make me do anything."

"Do you remember what you've done?"

"Not yet."

"Hm." He stops in front of me, stern. I can't help but look at my shoes. "I don't want you working with Reeve any longer."

"But—"

"He's putting ideas in your head. Now we know who our problem is." He presses the tip to the underside of my chin, forcing me to look up at him. "I've always coveted your luck, Kat. It was only that at the start. But now…" He shakes his head once, refusing to break eye contact. "I refuse to lose the last person I care for."

"Oh, so now you care about me," I scoff. My voice is quiet, soft, and I can't bring myself to roll my eyes at his words. I know he's being serious. He hates me because he can't let me go.

"I need to make sure those attacks stay at bay."

"What are you, my doctor?"

"Fortunately, no." Rufus cracks the slightest of smiles and pulls away, returning his hands to his back. "I'm keeping this quiet now, but you're walking on eggshells."

"Thank you." I breathe a sigh of relief, tucking my hair behind my ear.

"I'm not your enemy," he adds. "In fact, I'm inclined to admit that I understand your purpose. I can't condone it."

"Makes sense."

"Kat." Rufus's voice goes back to being stern. "No more. You work for me, not Reeve."

"I know. You won't have any more problems."

"Good."

When the doors open, Reno's waiting outside, slouching with the bottom of one boot pressed to the wall. He raises an eyebrow and pulls his hands from his pockets. I raise mine back.

"Hey?"

"Hey." He nods at the guards and follows me down the hall. "You good?"

"Yeah. Why wouldn't I be?"

"I—"

"Wait." I stop, raising a hand and glancing over my shoulder. "I have to pee. Stay out here."

"Wasn't plannin' on comin' with you."

In the bathroom, I peek into the stalls to see if they're empty before pressing my hands to the counter, staring hard into the mirror. The yellowish light makes my skin look sickly, all color washing away. My pale face goes green, my green eyes look greener, and my red hair looks dull. The breath leaves my lungs as if the damp air sucks it out and my weight falls forward until my shoulder blades touch. How the hell did I make it out of there alive? I shake my head, taking in a deep, shuddering breath. How did Rufus make it out alive?

Now, I can't hear the voices. My head feels empty. Back there, I could feel my control slipping as my head suddenly felt stuffy and my body started to go numb. I've grown to hate that feeling more than anything, and I haven't even felt it outside of dreams. I don't want to know what'll happen when it all comes back full force and these episodes control my life. Is that how it was? I have no idea. I've already lashed out at Rufus. Every other time, I've taken the damage myself to save the others. Is it even worth it? I shudder, turning on the tap and splashing my face with ice-cold water.

"Snap out of it," I tell myself. I want to know who I am, but I'm too afraid to put the pieces I have together. What if that triggers something and I never turn back? Is this voice the person I was?

Shaking my head, I reach to the left and pull out a few rough paper towels to dab my face off with. Water streams down my neck and soaks into the collar of my black blazer, making it even darker. Like blood. I shiver and toss the paper out, feverish and scared I've left Reno for too long. He glances up when I leave the bathroom, his eyebrows pinching together and his smile going smug.

"Did you piss straight into the air?"

"No?"

"Why you got water all over your shirt?" He nods to my jacket and I shrug.

"Counters were wet."

"Hm."

"I think you got me sick," I add, pressing a hand to my forehead. "I puke everything I eat."

"Thought you were immune, Sweetheart," he teases, nudging me with his elbow. I roll my eyes. "Happens to the best of us. Enjoy it while you can." Then he rolls his eyes. "Besides, you don't look as sick as I was."

"I have a strong immune system," I remind him. He puffs out a dry laugh, turning the corner at my side. His face quickly contorts back into a frown.

"Seriously, though. You're not in deep shit?"

"Reno, what?" I stop, crossing my arms.

"Hey, don't play stupid." Keeping his hands in his pockets, he comes closer, glancing down the hall and moving to stay out of the way of the other employees. "I heard about what you did. Fuckin' ballsy."

"From where?" I demand, my stomach twisting into a knot.

Reno shrugs, eyes turning to the floor. The cogs in his mind are visibly turning. "Rufus asked me if I knew what you were up to. Told him I didn't. Just wanna make sure I—"

"Oh, so this is about you." I scoff, turning to leave. He presses a hand to the wall, blocking my path.

"No, it's not. Should I have taken the fall?"

"What?" I frown and he finally looks at me. He looks genuinely concerned. It's a new expression on his face, and I don't like it. It's my fault. Pressing my lips together, I shake my head. "No, Reno. It's fine. Things would be worse if you did."

"Would they? How are they now?"

"Fine."

"Are you in trouble?" he asks, lowering his voice and bringing his face closer, still looking around to see if anyone's listening.

"Not really."

"Really?" His eyebrows raise sharply. "Rufus really likes goin' easy on you. Must've been some good head."

"Oh, whatever." I huff, swatting his chest and meeting the eyes of a woman that stares at us. She turns away sharply, embarrassed. "Re… He said I'm not working with Reeve anymore because it's dangerous."

"It's dangerous? Workin' with us is a little worse."

"Not lately. But…" My heart skips a beat and I shake my head. "He said it's because he can't lose the last person he cares about."

Reno whistles, eyes lighting up. "Damn, you really did a number on the guy." Laughing, he tilts my face upward. "Seems you got a talent for that."

"Gods, don't be weird." I roll my eyes, standing on my toes to shut him up and hide my flushed face. Reno pulls away with a sly smile.

"Y'know, I kinda like this little thing we got goin' on."

"Do you now?" I scoff, pushing my fingers through his hair and pulling him back in. For a moment, I forget we're in a hallway in Shinra's HQ. Someone clears their throat and I jump, startled to see Reeve eyeing us.

"Erm, hello." He clears his throat, awkwardly scratching his beard. "I apologize if I was interrupting anything."

"No, you're fine." I push Reno to the side, crossing my arms. "Is Cait okay?"

"Yes, everything is going well."

"Cool. I can't talk to you anymore."

"But—" Reeve cuts himself off, confused.

"Reeve, Rufus knows. I'd be more careful if I was you."

"… Of course."

With an awkward wave, Reeve excuses him and hurries away. Reno huffs, stuffing his hands back into their pockets.

"Wanna go bother Rude?"

"Always."

The door's unlocked. Rude glances up from the documentary on his screen, nodding toward us in greeting. Reno intertwines his fingers behind his head, leaning back.

"Sup, partner?"

"Nothing much." Rude's sunglasses are on the table, not glued to his face for once. I've known him for what feels like forever, and it's still strange to see his eyes in broad daylight. Or house-light, I guess.

"What're you watching?" I ask, coming closer. "True crime?"

"Yeah."

"Thought your life would be more interesting, honestly."

"Rude's?" Reno snorts, heading for the kitchen. Upon hearing voices, Elixir begins to bark, speeding into the living room and yapping at my heels.

"He fucking hates me."

"Yup." Rude snaps, getting the chihuahua's attention, and pats the couch cushion at his side. Growling, Elixir gets a running start, stops, shimmies, and then scrambles onto the couch, curling up at Rude's side. I laugh, shaking my head.

"Would you look at that. Best friends."

"No."

Leaving Rude to his documentary, I head to the kitchen and hug Reno from behind, struggling to get tall enough to rest my chin on his shoulder. He puffs out a short laugh and glances at me before turning around and leaning back against the counter.

"Tempted to steal his chips and run," he admits in a whisper.

I laugh, shaking my head. "I mean, if it won't piss him off…"

"Shouldn't." Reno opens the cabinet, pulling down a half-empty bag and hurrying for the door. Rude doesn't seem to care, looking back at me.

"Close the cabinet."

"Yup." I obey, wishing him well and chasing Reno across the hall to his place. Victorious, he holds the crinkling bag over his head in celebration.

"Got myself two snacks!"

"Re, when are you going to learn that teenage lingo doesn't look good on you?"

"I won't as long as it irritates you." He smiles, sparing the quickest second to press a kiss to my lips before tearing into the bag as if he's a starving animal.

"And this is what I spend my free time doing," I mutter, accepting a salty chip and rolling my eyes when Reno winks.