Blood: 10

Professor Reno

Of all the bizarre events Evan had witnessed in his time, that had to be one of the most. Tessi hardly believed it when he heard, his surprise kept hidden behind his poker face as he sat at the table bridging his cards. Evan found it hard to talk about anything else, "How can a person just change like that? I've never seen her react in such a... a... normal way." He spun round to face Tessi, throwing his arms up in defeat, "If that were you or me she would have bitten our heads off!" A dismissive wave was enough to silence his torrade, Tessi casting a sly glance at him from the corner of one narrowed blue eye.

"Calm yourself, Evan. Rose is Rose, that much we know. So what if she doesn't conform to your set in stone expectations of her? Why should she? If she wants to change, then surely that's a good thing. Nurture, not hinder, my friend."

Evan said nothing to that, frowning at Tessi's throw away attitude. He wouldn't recognise seriousness if it leapt up and stabbed him in the eye. Surprising, considering his vocation in life. Then Tessi McCarnon was not your average Turk. Though tidy, his attitude to life shone through in his demeanour. He played cards for a living, that was how Evan described him to raw recruits at least. When he wasn't training Turks, he was at a table somewhere in the building with a deck spread in front of him and a gang of ill-informed managers. He chose his targets well, using his young looks as a screen to hide his experience and skills.

Evan watched him expertly tuning his deck to fit his next game, his young and bright blue eyes scanning each card as it flicked by in his smooth bridge, his soft-looking light brown hair smoothed back out of his eyes into a tidy cascade down to the base of his neck. Those skinny fingers of his clamped tight suddenly, stopping the cards mid flow to slide the queen of hearts out and up his sleeve. Not surprised by his actions, Evan continued to watch as he took another identical deck from his breast pocket and selected the queen of hearts from that deck also. A third deck appeared out of his briefcase lining to be robbed of its queen of hearts also, the card slid into the first deck. A smile graced his naive young face at his own actions, the idea that this game was 'in the bag' obviously clear in his mind.

He was such a kid when it came to looks, but hiding behind that sweet face was the most devious con man you were ever likely to meet. His sleight of hand was legendary, his ability to steal and replace items from anyone or anywhere an invaluable skill. Rumour had it that he had once robbed the city gallery. The President had taken a shine to a painting there. Unfortunately, despite numerous threats and offers, the gallery refused to sell, so he had Tessi steal the painting and replace it with an almost indistinguishable copy. The original now took pride of place in his mansion's living room.

A rumour was just that, a rumour.

Shaking his head clear of these obstructive thoughts, Evan called out to Tessi, "You're supposed to be at the academy." Tess looked round at him with a smile, gliding gracefully to his feet and sweeping the deck off the table into a tidy pile and depositing it safely in his shirt pocket. Picking up his tie he threw it around his neck and knotted it, keeping an eye on his boss,

"No. Training day for me today. Zangan's in town, so I'm spending the afternoon refreshing myself on the basics. Why, what are you doing?"

Evan frowned deeply, his hands finding their way onto his hips without his noticing, "Who authorised this?"

"You did."

He looked blank, forcing a sigh from Tessi as he endeavoured to refresh his friend's memory, "The other week, 'Zangan's in town next Monday, can I have the afternoon off to brush up on my mad skillz etc?' 'Why of course Tess. Brush up all you need.' Or words to that effect. Remember?" Evan shook his head,

"Doesn't ring a bell." Pain in the ass.

"Okay, the scene is the employee lounge. It's hot 'cos the AC's busted up. You're looking particularly sweaty after assaulting the coffee machine and are in the process of reading a paper. The exact rag eludes me, but that doesn't matter. I come in and borrow ten gil. You seethe because the machine works for me. Memory working now, old man?"

"That time?" Evan sighed, lifting his hand to massage the bridge of his nose, "Sorry, Tess. I completely forgot."

"Happens to the best of us. Doesn't mean your memory's going or anything."

"Tess, I'm fifty-five. I'm not old." Obviously this joke was never going to get old, Rose's entrance to the office dragging Tessi's attention away before any more wise cracks could be fired off.

"Hey Rose. Heard you went all girly on us at lunch." She said nothing to that, continuing straight across the room to her desk, "Okay. Don't answer. Manners aren't an essential part of life."

"Not when it comes to you, McCarnon." She told him curtly, digging through her 'in' tray. Pulling out a red file, she took a seat on her desk and began to read, flicking through a few pages before selecting the one she wanted and unclipping it. "Evan, I need you to cover my shift at academy today. I have to pick up my peacemakers."

"I can't I'm afraid."

She looked over at him in disbelief, "Why ever not?"

"I'm already covering for Tess. He's off on some refresher course with Zangan."

"And it's virtually impossible to get a class with him these days." Tessi added, attempting to cement the deal.

Rose was silent, flicking through her file again to select another page and stack it on top of her previous choice. "You used to be his student. From what I know of Zangan, he would agree to a session with you any time, if only to see how you've come on."

"What's the matter with you today?" Again she refused to answer, sliding off her desk to her feet and taking the two sheets of paper. "Fine, let the bad manners continue!" What was the point in answering that? So she snubbed him, turning on one high-heeled ankle boot to stride out of the office and leave Tessi McCarnon to his own devices. He was not too happy, spinning round to lean on the table, finding that Evan had taken a seat there and poured himself a coffee. "How do you like that? You'd think I messed up her desk or something."

"She knows, Tess."

He rolled his eyes at Evan's comment, walking over to his own desk and grabbing his nunchuku from the back of his chair with a snap. "That's the reason for the bug up her ass? Maybe she doesn't want to know, but I sure as hell do. The speculation flying round the Company's killing me!" Evan looked up at that remark, watching him over the top of his newspaper as he asked,

"There's speculation?"

Tessi nodded, swinging his weapon over his shoulder and grabbing it with his free hand to hold it across the back of his neck, "And how. It's a hot cookie recently. All I ever hear are wild conspiracy theories."

Somewhat curious, Evan lowered his eyes back to the bold text printed on the pages in front of him. Conspiracy theories? What on earth for? There were thousands of children like Rose in Midgar alone. Surely they weren't all marred with conspiracy. "What theories?"

"Well," Tess began, taking up a casual lean against his untidy workstation, "Hojo." Evan's snort was indication enough of his feelings on the subject. "Heidegger was a short lived one. Then there was Billy from the cafeteria. She gets on well with him so he lasted about a week. The more interesting of us thought Kehller, though that's just ridiculous. Someone suggested Richards. They're now in the infirmary courtesy of a pair of nunchucks belonging to somebody we both know and cherish. Then there's Scarlet, but I really don't think so. Seeing as she and Reno get on so well, Trey's a major possibility." He thought a moment, straining his brain for any more suggestions, "The one you really won't like is Judith. People think she's a realistic suggestion."

"Not at all."

"You want an echo of that, the popular vote goes to you, seeing as you and her are so close."

Evan dropped his newspaper on the table, shaking his head lightly, "Not me, Tess. Not a chance."

He nodded, examining the end of his nunchucks closely, "I told them that's balls. Nobody believes me of course, but what else can I do but state the truth? To cut a long story short, every one from the WOS has been named but Vincent and Marlon."

"So very ridiculous." What a statement, heartily agreed with by Tess.

Leaning a moment longer in thought, Tess stood straight suddenly, stretching his arms and leaning back until his spine gave a loud crack. "Well, I'll be off and leave you in peace." He started towards the door, pulling it open but halting suddenly, looking round at his old friend with a smile, "Thanks for this afternoon, Evan. I really appreciate it."

Neglecting to watch him leave, Evan knew that he was sincere. Tessi really did take his art seriously, and the chance to train with Zangan was something that should never be turned down. Not only was Mr. McCarnon a top class poker player, he was one hell of a fighter. Rumour had it that he had only joined the Turks because he wanted to train them. After only one month on the job he had been promoted. He had been Rose's trainee, and she had herself sung his praises during his two year course. He had worked for what he wanted - done any small favour for any executive that asked - and achieved his goal. He had earned his promotion with blood, sweat and tears and by God was he a good teacher. The trainees took to him faster than anyone else. A large number of them liked himself and Rose, but Tessi was the one they kept their fingers crossed for when it was announced who they would train under. At twenty-one years old, he had done well for himself.

His attention was grabbed by a knock at the door. "Come." Reno poked his head round it, sticking his tongue out and biting it to find Evan alone,

"Bad time, boss?" He asked with an unnervingly sincere expression. Evan shook his head, picking up a biro from the centre of the table and starting on the crossword. Nodding, Reno invaded, closing the door behind himself and sauntering over to collapse in the chair opposite.

"Something on your mind, Reno?"

He hummed at Evan's question, eventually answering in a language the old Turk could understand.

"Naughtta. I just thought you might like to get the drop on something I heard fatass talking about." Fatass could only mean one person in Reno speak, Heidegger. Suddenly interested, Evan looked up from his puzzle,

"Speak."

Glad of the command, Reno leant across the table a little, well aware that no one could hear, but caution was a habit and habit was just that. "Rufus moving the cannon's a bad thing for you guys." He began in a low, drawling tone, "Apparently the three of you are going to be made active again."

That was the one thing Evan did not want to hear. "Bullshit."

"Never lie, boss. You know that."

Unfortunately he did know that. All too well.

"This is a kick in the face." His disappointment was clear in his voice, Reno taking the cafetiere from the centre of the table to make a fresh one.

"Life's a bitch, Heidegger's an asshole." he called back from the sink. Evan said nothing in reply, his years of service working against him in regards to speaking out against his superiors, even in confidence. Before he knew it Reno had returned with fresh coffee, a jam doughnut stuck carelessly in his mouth, "Don't worry about it, boss. There's no point bringing yourself down over it."

"Don't call me boss, Reno. There's no need for it."

"Sorry, boss." Of course Evan had no real objections to Reno's overuse of the word. It was nothing to do with rank and station, but an affectionate name the Turk reserved for him. Tseng was boss also, as was Rufus, but not in the same way.

"It's impractical for us Reno. Neither Rose, Tess or myself are suited to the field anymore. It's been years since I went on assignment. The only thing we'd be good for is meat shield duty."

Reno shook his head, "You guys are above MPs any day of the week. Besides." He took a bite of his doughnut, dunking the main wedge of it in his coffee, "You and Tess aren't field ready, but Rose..." Evan had to acknowledge that Reno was on to something there. She had been working in the field on the sly, that was common knowledge among the Turks. "Rufus' little psycho killer is as field-orientated as we come."

"Then Tess and I are meat shields." He sighed, watching Reno munching happily on his doughnut. "What's Heidegger going to do? Train Turks himself?" Reno merely shrugged at that, downing his scalding coffee and going for some more,

"What is this Costa coffee? This stuff's the best!" Obviously the coffee selection down the hall was seriously lacking. "Trey's gonna hear about this. We only got that weird stuff from Mideel left. Slavery coffee I bet." Since when had Reno given a stuff about fair trade? "Y'know, it's unbelievable some of the shit they try and pass off as coffee round here. The stuff in the office's bad enough, but what about that rat's piss they put in the machines? Come on, surely we're worth more than that!"

Evan made no reply, happy to pour himself a cup and revel in the taste. This new information, straight from the horse's mouth so to speak, weighed heavy on his shoulders. How would Tessi take it, when he was told that he had been placed in the line of fire again? Loyal service must mean little or nothing to warrant such a breach of contract. Maybe he was overreacting. Surely Heidegger would not even suggest it if he thought they could not handle it? Then again, the man was an idiot, plain as day. The people in his department kept it afloat, simple as.

"Rose is going to be over the moon when she hears about the status change." Reno's statement was accurate. She had loved active service, and had been crushed when she was promoted to the Senior Turks. It was not the done thing to turn down promotion, so she was stuck with it. She had been promoted over Tseng, leaving him feeling happy for and proud of her, but also over-looked and cheated. He had been with the Company for the better part of his life, how else would he feel to be forgotten in such a way? So time had taken her toll and torn them apart.

Staring into his deep, dark coffee, Evan shook his head. It was a sad, sad thing really, but they had not been strong enough to stand the stress.

Reno muttered something in Costa, possibly in appreciation of the coffee by the look on his face. It paid to be bi-lingual. Perhaps learning another language would not have been such a bad idea. In fact, Evan Reilly realised that he was the only one in the department unable to communicate in two languages. Rose could speak almost flawless Wutaiese, and even Tessi knew a smattering of Costa. Reno of course, could speak it fluently, Trey's foreign heritage dictating that he should understand half the things his father said when inebriated. 'Get me to the hospital' had been the first phrase Reno had learnt, way back when he was two. It was almost like that kid had been looking after Trey ever since he arrived on his doorstep in a basket. If there was ever an event to promote the use of condoms, that was it.

Reno was the result of a one-night stand in Mideel during the Miss World pageant twenty-eight years ago. Trey had met Miss Mideel (real name never disclosed), in a small bar while on assignment on the island, and the two of them had got progressively more sloshed until they had ended up in bed together, going at it like there was no tomorrow. Trey left the next day and never saw her again. She remembered him, though not for his performance but more for the way he had ruined her career. Her unwanted weight gain had effectively put an end to her chances on the pageant circuit and her new role as a mother made her even more unhappy. She took Reno to Midgar, tracked Trey down to his apartment and left Reno on the doorstep with a note reading 'This is your fucking fault! Deal with it!' pinned to the front. Thus was Reno's arrival in the world.

It did explain his good looks - his mother was a beauty queen and his father was not bad looking himself. Evan snapped out of it, realising that he was staring, his tired brown eyes locking with Reno's over the rim of his coffee cup. Apparently Reno had reached an unwanted conclusion, "Something on my face, Evan? Or you just suddenly find me irresistible?"

"Don't be ridiculous, Reno. My mind was elsewhere." Though the fact remained that Reno Henson was an attractive individual, not that Evan found him attractive, more acknowledged that he was. The idea made him sick. Why females went for Reno he could only hazard a guess. Surely the fairer sex had more self respect than to go for looks alone?

"I'm not being ridiculous. Presumptuous, maybe, but not ridiculous." A sly smile curved Reno's lips, convincing him to hide behind his cup, "Don't you like me, boss?"

"No, Reno. I do not like you. I only put up with you because you have surgically attached yourself to the Turks." That was a little harsh, was it not? It was hard not to like Reno, though not impossible.

"That stings. It really does." He lowered his eyes away from Evan, half-heartedly scanning the list of puzzle clues in the paper. "Three across, pompous."

Sighing, Evan picked up his pen and wrote it down. How had Reno known that clue had been bothering him? Another of his most annoying personality traits. "Any reason you are still here, or are you hanging around for the greater beverage choice?" Reno shook his head in answer, annoying Evan further with his lack of specificity. "Then why are you here?"

Slamming his coffee cup down on the table, the red head let out an exaggerated cry of disbelief, "Because I'm bored! There's more life in here than that dump down the corridor. Rude's filing a report on that drowned plane we waded about on and Elena's sleeping off the sick feeling she got from eating too much ice cream." He began drumming his fingertips on the table top, his sharp turquoise eyes darting to zero in on the ripples in his coffee, "I'm free, but there's nothing for me to do. The pool table's shot after the amateur wrestling match me and Rude had on it. He DDTed me right through the top of it and Rufus hasn't got round to getting us a new one yet."

Annoyed by this sudden torrent of childish whining, Evan huffed, scribbling at his crossword, "Can't you go outside or something?"

"I would go to Goblins, if AVALANCHE hadn't blown it up when they ruined the number one. Poor Geordie's still straightening the place out. He's threatening to stop, what with meteor about to crunch us all to death and all." Resigned, Reno got to his feet and began to pace, "I'm bored outta my skull. What should I do, boss? I'm going stir crazy in here."

"Reno, it's only one afternoon. Entertain yourself. Go out and play or something. Better yet, go home."

About to protest, Reno fell silent suddenly, aware that annoying Evan was an unfair thing to do The poor guy had just learnt that he was going to die on the streets of Midgar, how fair was it to destroy his final days with contrived whining? Maybe he should go outside or something. Turning on his muddy heel, Reno made for the door, intent on slamming it, just to get that spark of womanly annoyance across. Evan called out to him, stopping him in his tracks, "Reno."

"Yeeees?"

The thoughtful look on his superior's face forced that cold feeling to dump itself in the pit of Reno's stomach, poking at the sides with one icy finger in an attempt to be noticed, "You've been with the Company a good few years now. You're a good Turk, able to adapt to a variety of different situations." Raising an eyebrow in surprise at the idea of his even asking this, Evan forced his mouth to work, "How would you like to spend the afternoon teaching at academy?"

The look on the red head's face said it all, his skinny hand flying to point at his wiry chest, "Me? Teach?" Was Evan serious? "You want me to train recruits?" Evan nodded an affirmative, a small smile touching him at Reno's expression. Obviously the idea appealed to him, the way he brushed off his imaginary mortarboard and put his fists on his hips, "Professor Reno. I like it!" Sticking his tongue out and biting it, he swept out of there like a red tornado, remembering to slam the door as he went.

'Professor Reno?' God what an awful thought! Evan rubbed his forehead, feeling a migraine coming on. What had he just sentenced those poor raw recruits to? Ah well, what was done was done. At least Rose could keep her appointment with the gunsmith.

Idly flicking a crumb across the table, Evan found Reno's words creeping back into his head, 'the three of you are going to be made active again'. How could Heidegger do this to them? After all these years of loyal service he was tossing them right back into the fray. The chance of refresher training seemed unlikely. If this was something to do with the cannon, then they would be needed soon. So, death was coming quicker than he had first thought?

It was a fact of life. So far the Shinra had failed time and again to do anything that had effectively counteracted Sephiroth's madness. The people were getting braver, Rude's story about being attacked in public and having to off a civilian chilling Evan to the bone. There had been a time when Joe public had been afraid of the Turks. What had happened to the good old days? Admittedly a Winchester was more than a match for your average civilian, but turning on an innocent turned his stomach. If it was necessary, it would be done.

Wringing his hands, Evan found himself looking across the office at his desk; more specifically the telephone standing idle there. After several minutes of choking the idea down, he found that it was just too strong, his kindly and caring side winning through. With a sharp, defeated sigh, Evan stood and crossed the room to collapse in his chair and swipe the receiver from the phone. It had been a long time since he had dialled this number, he realised suddenly that he had no idea if she even lived there anymore. The melodic ringing told him it was too late to back out now, his hand tightening around the receiver as a woman's voice answered, "Hello?"

Evan stiffened. It was her. "Hello?" The woman asked again, shocking Evan out of his stupor,

"E... Emma?" He asked cautiously, leaning forward on his desk.

"Yes?" Evan said nothing further, fumbling his words as he struggled to get them past his lips. A moment of silence passed, the woman seemingly getting annoyed, "Who is this?"

"It... it's Evan." A sharp breath from her end forced him to hold his own in anticipation of her slamming the phone down on him.

"Evan. It's been a long time."

He nodded, forgetting that she could not see him. "How are you keeping?"

"I'm fine." Silence. God, this was awkward.

"That's good. To hear."

"How are you? Are you still with the Shinra?"

"Yes. I'm head of the Senior Turks now."

"Really?" She sounded surprised. "When did that happen?"

"Several years ago. The responsibility factor's been upped, but it's not that different to working lower down the food chain." His words flowed more freely now, his increasing comfort with the conversation rubbing off on her.

"I'm happy for you. I'm doing a flower arrangement right now. You always had good taste in colours, what do you think, red roses or yellow evening primrose? They're with blue lupins and green ferns."

He smiled, taking a moment to consider the choices, bending one arm up on the desk and resting his head in his hand. "I would say evening primrose. Pale yellow goes better with blue and tones down the green. Blue and green must not be seen." Some snipping noises and a smooshy noise, possibly oasis reached him, a satisfied 'ha' following closely.

"Perfect, as usual."

"So," He started, determined to get to the point of his call. He couldn't believe he was about to suggest this...

(NOTE: Reno the coffee connoisseur. Between that and booze, I shouldn't imagine that he drinks much else. Evan's a sweetheart, you'll find out why later.)