Tengoko: Sorry for not updating sooner. It was actually difficult writing this chapter, and I went through four different ideas before settling on this one. So, I'd really like to know what you guys think of it. You know what to do. (hint review). Well, 'nuff talking. I'm spent. Here's the chapter.
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Rated M for language and romance
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Chapter 4: Where You Stand

The mission had gone off without a hitch. She had left no room for complaint. Not even Reno could find something to pick out, and he was usually to most scrupulous. That was something to be proud of, considering where she had been three weeks ago. Now, she had no doubt in her mind that she was beginning to turn heads, make people take notice. She was finally living up to being a Turk. And it was all thanks to ArgusinDSA.

The helicopter ride had worn her out though. She had been so restless, and there really isn't anything to do on a vehicle that hovered above the earth. Tseng had called while they were flying back to ask her about the mission. Complete. Successful. And nobody had gotten hurt. She even went as far as to ask him why she was getting the easy missions. It irked him. He'd been giving her the hard missions, and she was surprising him over and over by getting them done right.

She tried sitting down, but for some reason, she couldn't. Instead, she resorted to pacing back and forth in the lobby, waiting for Tseng to call her into the office. She didn't have to wait very long. The door opened and Justus Marquis, a Turk in training, stepped out and told Elena that they were ready for her.

It had surprised her at first, that they were hiring him to be a Turk. She always thought that four was enough. But of course, she was wrong. She knew that this was the lowest number that they'd ever had employed. Years ago, there were many that served Shin-Ra. Back when Rude and Reno were rookies, back when her sister had been a Turk. Back when she hated the Turks.

She smiled at him before entering the office. She was surprised. She hadn't expect Rufus to be there, sitting in Tseng's chair as though he owned it. Actually, he probably did own it. She looked over at Tseng curiously; he stood slightly behind Rufus with his hands locked behind his back.

"Have a seat, Elena," Rufus said, motioning towards one of the chairs in front of the desk. She complied instantly. "That was Justus that just left by the way. Have you two met."

"We've become acquainted," Elena said, remembering the awkward meeting in which Reno all but made the man wet his pants due to his over excessive intimidation.

"Good. His training starts in a few weeks, and Tseng and I have decided you'll train him."

"Me?"

"Was I not clear?" Rufus asked, turning towards Tseng. "I'm sure I was quite coherent in my words. Yes. You, Elena. After we heard about his little confrontation with Reno, we are convinced that pairing the two would be a bad idea, to say the least. With Rude on sick leave, you are the last resort."

Last resort? So, they were back to that, were they? Just when she thought she was making progress. "I see."

"That, and we figured you two would get on great," Tseng added. "You two could relate."

"How?"

"Well, face it, Elena. You never really fit in with Reno and Rude. In fact, we believe that's why it took you so long to settle into your job. That's why we kept you around. To see if you'd catch on."

"Did I?"

"Lately, we've reason to believe that you have. Elena, your good work isn't going unnoticed. Whatever your secret is, it's working. However, we also believe that you would thrive with a partner who you could get closer to. You could find that in Justus. I guarantee you, he won't fit in with Reno and Rude either, and he's going to need somebody to show him the ropes and make him feel welcome. In the long run, you'll both benefit from each other."

Rufus, who'd been absently rocking in the chair, cleared his throat. "Speaking of doing well, we have good news for you. You're off probation. You've earned that. But, we are still watching you. Don't start slipping. In fact, we expect nothing more than progression. You are capable of doing better."

"Better?"

All of a sudden, Rufus laughed. "What is it with you today? Two or one worded replies. I've never known you not to make a long winded speech in response to everything we've told you. Is there a reason why you are at a loss for words."

Elena thought of her words carefully. "It's just…recently…I have felt like Rude and Reno are beginning to accept me. Now, I'm going to be paired with this new guy, and I'll probably work with the others less and less. Forgive me, but I think that sucks. I spent a lot of years trying to gain their respect, and now that I'm finally getting somewhere, it's to learn that it was for nothing. I love working with them, sir."

"We know," Rufus responded. "It's not easy to ignore. They've grown rather fond of you. Rude's outright told us that. And Reno has his own way of expressing it. Either way, we know that both of them like you. We weren't saying that they didn't. Fitting in and fondness, Elena, are two different things. You can be liked but not fit in. That is the case here. Rude and Reno will be just that. Rude and Reno. They've been working together since before I was president and before Tseng was leader of the Turks."

"That means something, Elena," Tseng said. "They've been on nearly every mission together and have proven time and again that they have each other's backs. While others have came and went, they'd always been here. Nothing and nobody will understand how much their friendship means to each other. I doubt even they do. But, they do know that nobody else will compare. That's you Elena. They like you, but you could never be one of them."

"So, be for Justus. Give him a partner he can rely on and relate to. Give him somebody to go drinking with and hanging out with."

"So, you want me to be Reno and you want him to be Rude…figuratively speaking of course?"

"You could look at it that way."

"You didn't have to lay it on so thick, you know," she said. It hurt. Words hurt her more than any bullet or bomb could. Elena was sensitive that way. So, you tell her that Reno and Rude cared, but didn't care…how was she supposed to take that? Especially since she thought that she was one of them. She felt that she had made a special bond with both of them. In fact, she could swear that she had. Why else hadn't they left her to die in that building four weeks ago?

"When does his training start?" she asked.

"In four weeks, when Rude gets back. We didn't want to start until then, just in case you or Reno needed a partner with experience should anything come up."

"And," Rufus said, "I apologize, for 'laying it on so thick' as you said."

"No," Elena said softly, almost void of any emotion. "I think I needed to hear that. If anything, it opened my eyes."

"Elena…don't misunderstand. They do care…on a very professional level. But, as far as personal friendship…I don't know. It doesn't look like it."

"I do understand, Mr. President."

"Mr. Pre…? Elena, is something wrong? You're acting…strange."

"I'm fine," she said. 'I'm fine.' How many times had she repeated that? She'd had to say it to Rude each time they saw each other. Reno often asked too. Tseng had once. Now Rufus. "What did I say to make you think otherwise?"

"Nothing…you're just acting…different."

"I've just turned over a new leaf, sir. I'm giving my all to the company. To the Turks. That means that I must separate my personal feelings from my job. I can't be selfish either, which I've come to realize was my problem in the past. I always whined and complained. But no more. I'm all for Shin-Ra now sir."

"Glad to hear it," he smiled. Tseng didn't look as pleased.

"Sir, if I may. I'd like to discuss something further with her…in private."

"I was just leaving anyway," he said, standing up. "I've got a meeting that I'm late for. So, until next time…"

The moment the door closed behind him, Tseng sat down and stared hard at her. "I'm worried…that you are taking things too far."

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"When we put you on probation, we meant to shape up. We didn't mean alter your life to fit our purposes. Elena, we want you to be you. We just wanted you to be better at your job. We never meant for you to sacrifice your health for it."

"I thought that was the mark of a good Turk. Always the job before self."

"No. What's the job without the person to do it? Now, Rude and Reno have come by to see me about your behavior. They wonder if maybe, you need to go on leave again."

"What?" she exclaimed, rising from her seat. "Why? I've never been this good. I'm complete every mission with distinction. Why would I need to go on leave?"

"It was just a suggestion, Elena. And I'd be lying if I told you that I haven't considered it. But, I have faith that whatever your problem is, you'll fix it."

"I am fixing it, sir. Four weeks ago, I was a clumsy, reckless Turk who nearly got her colleague killed. Now, I'm a Turk who gets the job done with haste and class. That's how I changed, and I like the way I changed. I'm a Turk now. A real Turk. Not a wannabe. I thought at least you could appreciate that."

She didn't wait around for his response. In the next second, she too was out the door.

What did he want from her. First they told her she needed to get better. Now he told her to lay off. What the hell? It was enough to make her head spin. Enough to make her want to punch a hole through a wall. Through a brick wall. Damn, the man was infuriating. She was so angry, her hands began to shake. Or…was that because…?

"Is it time already," she asked herself, looking at her watch. "Oh. So it is." She stopped walking and looked around, seeing if anybody was near. Nobody was. Reaching into her pocket, she pulled out the now familiar orange container. "Do your magic," she said, as she popped the lid and put the pill in her mouth.

"What was that?"

Elena nearly screamed as she turned around and collided with Reno. The pills went everywhere. "Oh shit," she breathed, and fell to her knees, grabbing all the pills. "It' s nothing, Reno," she told him. "I just had a headache and these pills get rid of it."

"What are they?" he asked, kneeling down to help her.

"Don't!" she cried, as he tried to take the bottle from her. Tried. And succeeded.

"ArgusinDSA? I've never heard of them. Where'd you get them?"

"It doesn't matter!" she yelled, yanking the bottle back from him. "And mind your own business, will you?"

"Elena…?" She didn't pay attention. She had finally got all the pills into the bottle and sealed it up. "Elena, what are they? For real?"

"What do you think they are?"

"Honestly? I think they're not good for you, for one. For another, I think they are addictive, judging by your reaction just now when they all fell on the floor. Now, I would hate to think of you doing something stupid like pill popping, but lately…"

"Well, that's exactly what I'm doing," she laughed. "Gods, Reno. That's ridiculous. I wouldn't do anything like that. I swear."

With that, she turned and walked away. Reno stared after her, his face fixed with a frown. There was something definitely wrong with that girl, and he and Rude were determined to find out what it was. Still, he hadn't been expecting something like that. And, hey. He could be wrong. But, giving her the benefit of the doubt would be a bad idea. Especially with something as serious as this.