Natalie was working on her pylon in the dining room while Renee was on the couch reading a book with Rift in her lap when Elliot walked in. "You guys should really lock your doors." Elliot said as he sat on the couch. "Well it's customary for people to knock before they walk into their friend's house." Renee countered back without hesitation. Elliot looked down to Renee's lap and smiled, "You got a kitten. I thought you hated cats." He laughed. Natalie looked up from her pylon. "I have a picture to say otherwise." Renee glared, "I do hate cats just not this one." She blushed as everyone laughed. "When do I get my key?" He asked with excitement. "Never." Renee didn't even look up from her book. "Whenever we go on a vacation." Natalie answered. Elliot stuck his tongue out at Renee. "At least someone likes me.
Renee's phone vibrated on the coffee table. Her brow furrowed as she read the text. The game today is cancelled pending an internal investigation. Renee looked up from the message at her girlfriend, "What could they be investigating that would cancel a game?" Natalie asked. "Um guys it could be….um you guys." Elliot flipped his phone around and Renee froze. Lovers or Cheaters? Renee's eyes shifted to the picture under the tabloid headline of her kissing Natalie.
"How did they get that?" Renee stood up to show Natalie the phone. "That's from our front porch last night." Natalie's eyebrow furrowed. "I don't know. I thought this was a gated community meaning private." Renee grumbled when her phone vibrated. You are to report to the Syndicate's internal affairs department by today at 13:00. "Natalie, I have to go before the Syndicate's council." Renee set her phone down. "I do too." Natalie handed her phone to Renee. "What are you going to do?" Elliot asked. "We have to go. There really isn't any way to avoid it." Natalie chimed in. Renee looked back towards her girlfriend. "You ready for this." Natalie nodded.
"What happens if they forbid your relationship?" Elliot continued. "I've seen realities where Natalie and I are nothing and many where we are together. I refuse to be in a reality where I am not." Renee said as she stared at the love of her life. "You are under contract with them. If it affects their games they could ask you to stop." Elliot matter of fact stated. Renee didn't take her eyes off of Natalie, "I am ready to fight for her." Natalie blushed, "I love you." She whispered out. Renee whispered back, "I love you more."
"Does this mean I get to have a spare key since you are leaving?" Elliot chuckled as he picked up Rift. Renee rolled her eyes as she walked down the hall towards their room to get changed. Natalie turned towards Elliot, "You can stay here while we are gone. I'll leave you my key." She laughed as he pumped his arm from excitement. "You have to give the key back." Renee called out from down the hall. After giving Elliot instructions to feed Rift they were ready to go. "We will be back late this evening. I set up the guest room for you to sleep in." Natalie smiled as she scratched Rift under the chin. "Do not make spare key copies. You are here to keep him company." She glared at her best friend. "Scouts honor." He smiled as they left.
Natalie took a deep breath and threaded her fingers into Renee's walking towards the limo parked out front of their house. "There isn't anything they can say that will change my mind." Renee whispered out as she squeezed Natalie's hand. "Me either." Natalie said as she climbed into the limo. The ride to the Syndicate's headquarters took about an hour, Renee bit her lip as she opened the door to get out of the limo. She held out her hand for Natalie, looking up at the tall building. "Here we go." Natalie smiled as they walked towards the entrance of the building.
The receptionist nearly fell out of her chair when they walked into the lobby. "I'm so sorry." The young girl said as she righted herself. Natalie smiled, "We were asked to come in." The young girl stared at the couple and smiled, "I'll find out where you are supposed to be then." The receptionist picked up the phone whispering into the mouthpiece. She set the receiver down and smiled. "Right this way." She stood and walked them over to the elevator, entering in a code and pressed the 13th floor. Renee leaned against the wall when the doors closed. Well that was interesting. Natalie was standing with her hands cupped in front of her. Renee pushed off the wall and wrapped her arms around her from behind. "It will be fine." She whispered against her neck, planting light kisses. Natalie leaned into Renee. "I'm sure it will be." Natalie replied.
"13th Floor." The elevator announced as the door opened. An older gentleman smiled, "I'm Jacob Young, Prime Director of Public Relations, If you both will follow me." He said as he gestured towards a lounge area. They took a seat together on a couch across from Jacob. "It's been a long time hasn't it Natalie, I think you were this high the last time I saw you." He smiled holding his hand up to his waist and the young blonde nodded. "Your father was a brilliant man, and I know he would've been proud of you as a competitor in the games." Natalie's eyes watered as she smiled. "Thank you." She quietly replied. "Do you have plans for your birthday yet?" Jacob asked. Natalie lightly blushed, "No, not yet." He glared at Renee, "Why not, Wraith?" Renee coughed lightly, "She never told me when it was." Renee blushed as she continued. "Hell I didn't even know my own birthday until a few months ago." She pulled the scarf up a little bit.
"Well enough with the sentiments, Let's get down to business." Jacob said as he leaned forward. "You two have made a bit of a mess for us." He looked between the two. "The only solution to this issue is for you two to come out ahead in this and be more public with your relationship. The viewers need to feel you aren't trying to hide anything from them." He leaned back in his chair. "How public is public?" Renee deadpanned. "Wraith, are you ashamed of being with Natalie?" He pointedly looked at her. Natalie grabbed her hand when she tensed up. *What's with this guy?* The voices growled. "I like my privacy." She countered. "Well the public needs to see that this isn't cheating the system for wins." He challenged her. "My privacy is something that the IMC couldn't even take from me." She glared. Natalie looked at her girlfriend with sad eyes, "She has been through a lot, Jacob. Could we ease us into this with small dates, hand holding, stuff like that?" Natalie asked, trying to defuse the situation. Jacob looked between the two and nodded, "Fine, but I want a full unedited statement for the press on how you two became a couple before you leave here today." He took a breath and looked at Wraith. "From each of you." He grinned when Renee's mouth went agape.