Author's Notes: Reeve speaks upon the evil of ShinRa, both former and present, and their roles in the world. Putting this pre-AC because I bet that if anyone knew of Rufus's survival, it would have been Reeve. Also, I'm operating that Reeve's allusions to a financial backer from the WRO are really about Rufus. Fear Reeve using some of that backbone he found after Rufus's 'death' in game to use.

Theme: Writer's Choice

Agreements

When they met, it was over coffee, and he was hardly a willing party to it. The Turks, men he hadn't seen in half a year, had just arrived at the door of the WRO headquarters outside of Edge, and had instructed him to follow. While Reeve probably could have handled one Turk at great personal injury, handling two would have been impossible. He would have, after all, had the edge on Reno since the red head had never known about the former-executive's combat capabilities. So, for his own safety and that of his limited staff, he had silently followed, only to be met with the least likely face. Well, voice at least. The only reason Reeve could assume for the former President hiding his face would have been the Stigma anyway. Rufus was, after all, a proud man, unwilling to admit weakness.

"I was under the impression that you were dead," Reeve finally said with a sigh, staring down at his untouched drink.

"There are many still under that belief, and I would prefer it remained so for the time being."

Reeve watched in silence as the words settled in around them. There had been an edge to them, a threat no doubt. Not that Reeve was much concerned with the threat. Were he to die after being escorted away from his office by Turks, well, Shalua would likely put one and one together to come up with the expected two. And word would soon enough reach his comrades as to just who was probably still around.

"I do not take lightly to threats, ShinRa. You would do well to avoid them, lest they cause me to speak out of spite."

There was a sound, possibly pleased, from under the sheet that obscured the face of the last ShinRa. Reeve knew that sound of course, he'd known Rufus long enough in his short time as an executive, and dealt with him enough in his time as the second in command of his department, to know what it meant. The blond was amused. Honestly, Reeve wasn't sure that he could blame the man. When last they had spoken, Reeve had hardly had a backbone to his name.

"You've changed quite a bit over the last six months, Reeve."

"It is Mister Tuesti to you, ShinRa."

This time the blond chuckles, but it sounds hollow. The blond was in no way amused with how he was being treated, and that was almost pleasing to Reeve. It was not as if Rufus deserved his respect any more than his father had. Both were vile men after only their own ends. They had no care for the people, for the planet, or for anything but their power.

"As you wish," Rufus conceded. "I suppose I should be happy that you haven't up and left yet."

"You should be happy that it is me before you and not one of the others. All have their reasons to want your head, me not the least of all."

"A spine and a sharp tongue. You have come far in little time."

"That I could say the same of you," Reeve growled. He was quickly getting tired of dancing around whatever purpose Rufus had him here for. Right now he'd much rather be sitting through another technical lecture from Shalua that he could only barely understand. Or trying to teach Number 7 the proper way to prepare a coffee. It was still mixing sugar and salt up. Really, where had he gone wrong on that thing?

"I did not ask you here to suffer hostility."

"You didn't ask me here," the older man pointed, "I was practically kidnapped by your goons."

"Now let us be fair here Tue…"

"Yes, let us be fair. Kidnapping is just a bit too kind for them. Second nature, yes, but too kind. It would also imply the possibility of ransom, but for that one needs someone they can profit from. Along the same lines, goon would probably be too kind as well, save for in the case of Elena. I'd term Reno a coward, Rude a ruffian, Elena a ditz, and Tseng, more often than not, more soulless than yourself. Is this fair enough for you?"

"I would have preferred temporary detainment to kidnapping, and professionals to goons, but your opinion is welcome."

"That would be a first, ShinRa."

There was bit of creaking as Rude, silent in his corner of the room, shifted from one foot to another. That too Reeve was familiar enough with. While the bald man wasn't often fazed, and rarely spoke his mind, the shifting was often a nervous habit. Of course, that couldn't be the case now, could it? Reeve, making a Turk nervous? Almost laughable really. But there were first times for everything, and today seemed to be that time.

"Have you spoken your peace yet? I do have a proposal here…"

"No, I haven't, and I'm sure I don't want to hear any of your proposals. I seem to remember that your last one had you following a madman to the northern crater, playing right into Hojo's desires. Oh no, wait, there was the time after that where your idea of shooting THROUGH Diamond Weapon, which for all rights and regards should have gotten you killed. Or hiding from the reckoning you and your family are due for what you did in Midgar, what you did to this world. The ruins of Midgar stand testament to the ShinRa legacy!"

Reeve stood and his fists hit the table harder than he intended, but nothing was upset. Which was almost a shame. It was quite likely that Reeve would never have another chance to stain the perfect white that the former President prided himself on.

"I am quite aware of all of these facts, Mister Tuesti. And it is because of them that I have called you here. It has come to my attention that the WRO is badly lacking in vital funding. Not all people are patient when it comes to pay checks, you know. Volunteers will only get one so far, especially when considering a potential military force to handle the weakening, but still existent trouble that comes with the creatures in the wild. I believe that you have spent quite a bit of your own personal funds on the development of your Organization. Drawing in the brightest minds left over from ShinRa, those who want to make a difference, even those who have worked for you in the past, it must be setting you back quite a bit. There isn't even a WRO headquarters yet so far as I know. Unless you want to count that small office building you are currently using…"

The more Rufus spoke, the more deflated Reeve became. Before there was even a comment about Reeve's own money, the former executive was sitting again. Apparently, for all the distance he'd come in the last half year, he was still not able to stand long against the Prince of Midgar.

"And your point?" was all the defense for himself that Reeve could muster.

"You are quite right, Tuesti, I do owe a lot to the planet, and I intend to pay back in full. Right now, the best way I can do so is by devoting what I can to the cause of the WRO, for as long as I can manage. Who knows how long that will be, all things considered…"

For the first time Reeve was presented with a glimpse at just how bad the young ShinRa's case of the Stigma was. Of course it was only the hand that he could see, but it far more extensive than Reeve had seen even upon some of the worse children. Far worse than Denzel as well, but the boy wasn't the worst he'd seen.

"There aren't as many adults that have contracted…"

"Quite true. But that is not the concern. The WRO needs financial backing, and the funds of the ShinRa family were not all in the company and city itself. My offer is simple. You get funding, and in return, I retain my status as dead for now. I have far too much to do to make up to the world for my sins, and those of my father, to have Strife and the rest of your friends breathing down the back of my neck."

"And if there are questions as to my new funding?"

"An anonymous donor that you've only met a representative of. Which will be true enough. I would rather leave this business to Tseng. I have other things to focus on as well. Further arrangements and conditions can be set at another time. To give you time to consider my proposal. Is this to your liking?"

Reeve could only nod, almost shocked by it all. What more could he ask for after all?

"Of course, Mister ShinRa."

"A pleasure doing business with you Mister Tuesti. I shall look forward to doing more in the future."

The man nodded and was silent as the man in the wheelchair rolled off. There was a lot to think of after all.