Disclaimer: Same as before…
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The two remaining Turks watched the duo enter the crumbling building, both of them silently hoping that the building would hold long enough for them to get out.
'Do you think they'll find him sir?'
'I highly doubt that either one of them will walk out of that tower without him, Elena. Whether it's with Rufus himself or with his body, they won't leave without him.'
'What makes you so sure of that sir?' I really have to stop getting so surprised at this stuff.
'They only have one thing on their minds right now Elena; save Rufus at any cost. Until that mission is accomplished, they won't come out of that building. If I could, I would join them in the search, but I know that even though I'm mostly healed, I'm still too injured to be of any good. Besides, too many people going up there could make things harder, not easier.'
Elena nodded towards Tseng in acknowledgement then sighed, 'I guess Rufus can't be that much of an ass after all if you would all willingly die for him.'
Tseng's eyed widened slightly and he turned to look at her. 'Are you trying to say that you would not risk your life for him either? Last time I checked, ensuring the President's safety and putting your life on the line to ensure that was in the job description of a Turk. Did you happen to skip over that part of the description, or am I misinterpreting you?' The tinge of anger that was in Tseng's voice didn't go unnoticed by Elena.
No sir, please don't be mad at me! Not you of all people...ah crap. There goes my dinner with him. Now he hates me.
'Elena? Did I misinterpret you?'
Shaking those thoughts out of her head, Elena began 'Yes, sir. I didn't mean that I wouldn't give my life to save Rufus, I do know that is in the job description, I didn't miss that part and I do know that if I'm on duty and it's either his life or mine, he's the one that has to live to see the next day.'
Tseng calmed a bit at that 'Alright, so you understand your job. I must admit however that you have me slightly confused. If you know that your job includes giving your life for the President, why are you so shocked that they are going up there?'
Elena lowered her head. After finding what she felt was a good explanation, she quietly spoke. 'Because they're not going up there as Rufus Shinra's Turks; they're going up there as Rufus Shinra's friends. It makes a big difference, sir. We put our lives on the line because at the end of the day we need that paycheck. That's what being a Turk is; risk your life and get paid. They're putting their lives on the line this time and they probably won't get a paycheck out of it. They'll get either a thank you and their friend safe and sound, or no thank you and a casket being buried in the ground.'
'I wouldn't hesitate rescuing him as a Turk sir; I'm saying that I don't know how I would go about saving him if I was his friend. I'd probably hesitate, even just for a moment, for any friend but they didn't; they just stormed right in. I guess I'm just thinking that he must be a hell of a lot different in private then what he lets on in public.' Oh planet, please let that be a good explanation. I am so horrible at explaining the stupid stuff that comes out of my mouth, and this was definately one of the stupidest comments I've ever made. I really have to learn to shut up.
When Elena finally looked up from the ground, Tseng was lost in thought. 'Sir? Did my explanation make sense to you? Or did I blabber again too much and missed the point entirely?'
'No Elena, I understand what you are trying to say. I was just thinking about the last thing you said, that's all. Yes, Rufus is very different in private then he is in public. The public expects the President of Shinra to be one thing and Rufus can be something usually altogether different from what they expect so yes, he does act differently.'
I really shouldn't be asking this. 'You and the President are pretty close, aren't you sir.'
Tseng looked at Elena, surprise showing on his face for a second before smiling slightly. 'Yes Elena, you could say that we are.'
Their conversation was cut off when they heard Reno's voice over the radio. 'He's alive yo, but he's seriously injured. Get your guys up here to get him out of here!'
He's alive. Alive but hurt. Tseng thought to himself. Of course he's hurt, there's practically nothing left to that floor. Those medics better move it before it's too late. Tseng was staring at the medics who were racing to find the equipment they would need to get the President out.
Elena was watching the medics run into the building. 'I can't believe they found him. I thought for sure they wouldn't or that they were only going to find his body.'
'Never underestimate Rufus' will to live and Reno and Rude's will to find him.'
'I guess it's safe to say that the other two are close to him as well.'
'Yes they are.'
Trying to lighten the somber mood a bit and give them something to do while waiting for the medics to bring Rufus down, Elena thought that she would continue their conversation from earlier. 'Sir? What do you mean when you said "you could say that" earlier?'
'I've known Rufus since he was a kid. I've watched him grow up and have pretty much always been with him so yes, you can say that we're close. The other two came in a bit later and got to know him personally as well. He feels that the public wouldn't respect a talkative President that likes to kid around, so he's direct, cold and to the point when he addresses people. It still garners criticism, but it's more professional then throwing out jokes isn't it?'
Elena nodded her head. 'Yes. I guess it is more professional.'
'Anyway, the point is that we know him outside of work; he's a nice guy and a good friend. Believe it or not, if it was one of us stuck up there, he'd try to think of some way to get us out or try to get us out himself. We're doing what anyone would do for a friend.'
Following their small exchange, they both fell silent. Tseng was obviously worried and lost in thought, while Elena simply didn't know what to say to lighten the mood.
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A/N: Comments are welcome!