"Hey babe ya home 'lready?"

A low kick with the half-cleaned boot shut the front door close. Reno was back from the annual ceremony. He stayed through the whole thing not really listening to any of the speeches that were held. Only the TURKS had to stay as young Shinra was present. All other members of the newly founded "HOPE"-Organisation left when the bell rang for a second time, signalling the new recruits, former SOLDIER and everyone else to enter the hall. Most of those attended mainly because they were ordered to, only few to actually grief the lost. Jae could not bare seeing their bored faces or hear them whisper lies about those she loved. She was the first to run home as the bell rang again.

"Yes I'm home Re." Her voice creaked. She had cried. She hated memorial day for so many reasons and yet she was glad to have this day off to mentally tribute those she missed every day. She secretly enjoyed having a right to be upset once a year without anyone questioning her tears.

Reno entered her bedroom and jumped on the bed. He kicked off his boots with already loose laces and crawled in Jae's direction. "Wanna hug"? She kept staring though the small window directed at the main street in front of their apartment block. "I know I want ta!" He pulled her away from the edge of the bet into a lying position and put his arms around her. Hiding her face in his neck she closed her eyes. Her head was aching and she was tired. Reno kept her close and gently stroke her arm until she fell asleep.

Their short nap was harshly interrupted by Reno's phone yelling rude lyrics. He cursed while picking it up. Jae's headache pounded behind her eyes.

"Ye bossman whaddaya want?"

She wondered the exact same thing as this was supposed to be their day off.

"Really? Da fuck, ya not kiddin'? That's some serious shit man... Damn!... We'll be there asap yo!...Yeah. Cya!"

"What happened?"

"They discovered one more of Hojo's horror cabinets it seems, a huge place this time! We gotta investigate yo! Some things still alive it appears: so SOLDERS and medics are in ta!"

"Oh no... I thought we were done with Hojo's cruelties..."

"Nahww, well one more disgusting surprise coming up hun... C'mon, gonna get goin'!"

Vincent was already waiting at the staircase outside their apartment. "You're informed?"

"You sure you want to come?", Jae asked her friend. "We never know what we'll find when Hojo's envolved."

"That is why I'm coming", the gun-slinger replied in a low, serious tone.

"I don't mind having ya round for extra safety yo, but this might get a little ta personal for ya Vin!"

A look from Vincent's dark red eyes was enough.

"Never mind yo, was just sayin'..."

Barely arrived in the headquarters, they were handed over earplugs, flight routes and building plans. Thermal scans indicated life forms deep below the surface of the old warehouse ruins. Vincent stomach cramped at the thought of what they might discover down there. It was common knowledge that professor Hojo had a twisted and sick mind but he was one of the very few "subjects" who lived after witnessing his true infinite cruelty. Chaos was full awake in his mind.

Are you sure you want go? His death in that explosion was never proven...

You want to miss the opportunity to finish him off if he didn't?

You know what I would do to him... But I'm more worried about what else we might find down there

So am I Chaos. So am I...

"Ok so all is settled then. Reno and Rudo you fly the operators, Reeves, Tifa and Cloud.

Jae you fly the medic chopper with Shalua, her team and Vincent.

Cid you get the transporter with the SOLDIER and the equipment.

Go and group up at base one indicated on the map."

On their way to the helicopter deck on top of the main building Reno couldn't resist teasing.

"Da fuck! So I get ta fly pukin' Chocobohead whilst Rufus is yellin' orders sitting safely in his office chair with Elena warming his lap?"

"Reno!", Tseng scolded him but knew it had little effect when the redhead was heating up right before a mission.

"I took my pills!"Cloud grumbled from somewhere behind.

"Yeah like that's gonna help ya..."

"If you would have flown less rough I would have been ok last time!"

"If I would have flown less rough... are you funking kiddin' me yo? If I woulda've flown less rough yeh all be fucking dead man! We had two fucking rockets on our tail yo, they woulda've ended up right in yar stupid arse if I would've-"

"Reno that's enough! Focus on the mission ahead now!"

"Yeah boss... whatever... just makin' sure I'm not da one cleaning the poor trim lady when he's doing a mess 'gain!"

"You were not the one doing the cleaning last time either", Rude interfered, his left brow lifted.

"What do ya want now?"

"Silence all of you now! That's an order!" Tseng knew Reno was hiding a lot of things behind his loose mouth but his constant spoiling for fights right before important missions was scratching on his usually calm temper.

Tbc...

Reviews are still very welcome :-)