Tengoko: I know it's been a long, long time since my last update. Finals literally beat me to exhaustion, but now I'm fully recovered and ready to tackle all my fan fiction-ing projects. Again, I am so sorry for keeping you waiting, but I hope these final chapters are worth it. Please, review. Thank you, and enjoy.
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Rated M for language and romance
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Chapter 23: Reeve's Rant
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He was beyond angry. That much was obvious. The moment that their eyes met was when the explosion of exponential fury occurred. And now, there was nothing to do but wade out the storm, so to speak. He really was a complicated man to reason with when he was in fits like this, and he really was in no mood to attempt it. Still, no matter how hard he had tried, there a few things said that he just couldn't ignore.

Rufus leaned back in his chair and waited. Reeve could go on for hours if he wasn't stopped. It would take a bold man to try at the moment, though. He looked ready for murder, and Rufus had no doubt that the older man would derive much gratification from spilling the president's blood.

"Mr. Tetsui," he interjected, finding an opening in which to take advantage of. "I understand why you are upset. Nonetheless, it does no good to yell all this to me. I am very aware of the policies of this company, as it is my company. So, I recommend you take a seat until they arrive."

Reeve's frown grew as his dark eyes stared daggers at the blonde man sitting across the desk. He snorted in disgust before saying, "you are just like your father was. Smug, snide… and utterly useless. Face it, Rufus, you are nothing more than a figure head for this city. While people like me work our asses off in the background, you sit up in this very pretentious office and take credit for our hard work."

"I think you fail to realize how much power I actually have, Mr. Tetsui."

"But, as the new Minister of Executive Review, I have the power to take it away. You know very well what I can do if I think for one second you are abusing your power. And, you know, Rufus, I have been very lenient in the past. I know that you have still been sending the Turks on missions that involve murder, espionage, and other things of that nature."

"I have fully handed control of the Turks to the head of that organization. If you question the ethics of their work, then I suggest you take it up with Tseng. I have no say in the matter."

"That's bull and you know it. Handing over the agency to Tseng was all for show. We all know that the Turks are still in your pocket, that they still look at you as though you were their boss."

Rufus cleared his throat, his frustration with this man nearly spilling over the edge. "I believe you have forgotten your place, Reeve." He rose from his chair slowly and returned the cold stare that he had to endure. "You may have the power to strip me of my presidency, but you must have forgotten that you have yet to do that. It cannot be done without a cause, and I am more than certain that you are lacking one right now."

"You have been secretly funding the research and production of a neuro-toxin, a nerve agent that could potentially be used in biological warfare. It is my duty to make sure that this does not happen."

"Where is your proof? Even if you knew where my personal funds were going, there is no evidence that this… what was it… EA1205 would be used as a tool for mass destruction. You see, the key word is potentially. Potentially is not actuality. It is purely theoretical. So, until you can produce substantial evidence that states that I am indeed supporting a biological weapon, then I am afraid you have no power over me."

Reeve was about to counter that, but then the doors to Rufus' office swung open, and the two men snapped their attention to the three men that had just let themselves in. Rufus motioned for them to have a seat, but that gesture had been ignored. The three pairs of eyes had yet to leave Reeve.

"I see the sheep have finally returned to their shepherd," he said derisively.

"I miss what you are implying, Reeve," Tseng said coldly.

"I think you know very well what I mean. You live off of Rufus' words. You do whatever he asks without a thought as to what the consequences may be. And, in this case, Tseng, the consequences are dire."

Tseng chuckled and shook his head. "You think you have us all figured out, don't you? You think that we cannot make our own decisions without the help from Shinra? Well, I hate to disappoint you, but what happened with Justus Marquis happened without the president's knowledge. In fact, he had ordered us to bring him in alive, presumably to give him a proper trial."

"Then why did you disobey orders?" Reeve demanded.

"My how quickly you jump from one ship to another," Reno said. "One moment you were angry with us for always obeying him, and now you are angry because we didn't."

"I am angry because you didn't" Rufus yelled, drawing the attention of the three Turks. "I understand that you have your own agenda. However, I expected my wishes to be carried out. There are reasons why Marquis needed to remain alive."

"A man like that should not be allowed to live!" Reno yelled, taking an unintentional step closer. "We did this city a favor by killing him."

"That is not for you to decide!" Reeve shouted back.

"Like hell it wasn't!"

"Reno!" It wasn't his name being shouted that finally diverted the attention of the red-headed Turk. It was more that Rude had been the one doing that shouting that had him stop advancing on Reeve. "I believe doing harm to the Minister of Executive Review would be imprudent."

"I'm curious," Tseng said, having paid no attention to the exchange between Reno and Reeve. "How is it that you found the cause of his death so soon? Why, he can't have been dead for more than eighteen hours now."

"After all these years, you don't remember? We fought in the war together, Tseng. We saw all those people die. You and I know first hand what nerve toxins do to people. Yes, we know all too well. One look at the scene of his death made it clear. The drool, the excrement, the tears… I know he had just experienced the SLUD reaction. I just didn't know exactly what type of agent caused it."

"And how did you go about finding it out?"

"There are many people who will talk when presented with the right form of persuasion."

"Meaning… you bribed them?" Rufus asked, his blonde brow raising a fraction. "That, Mr. Tetsui, is grounds for my own investigation."

"Of course I didn't bribe them!" he shouted in defense. "There is a difference between paying for their help and bribery."

"This is all beginning to give me a headache," Tseng said, rubbing his temples. "Let's make this short and sweet. Reeve, the president had nothing to do with the death of Justus Marquis. If you want somebody to blame, blame me. And, as far as the production of EA1205, there really is no grounds for an investigation. There is no law forbidding it's mass production. As long as it hasn't been used as a tool of terror, which I can assure you it hasn't been, then he has committed no crime."

"You used it to kill a man… horrifically I might add. And you aren't calling it a tool of terror."

"It was a means to an end."

"I'd expect you to say that. You being what you are."

"And what exactly am I?"

Reeve considered his words for a moment. "You are lacking in humanity. You've no conscience, no soul. You don't care who you kill, how you kill them. As long as you achieve your goal, you don't care how it's achieved."

"You make my job sound so simple," Tseng said dryly. "I like to think of myself as loyal rather than inhumane. I will do anything for the good of Midgar. I've gone to war for Midgar. I've denounced my Wutain heritage and taken up the Midgar Banner as my own. I pledged my life, my service. If it means that I have to kill for Midgar, than I will not question it."

Rufus sighed heavily, drawing attention back to him. "Reeve, I do believe that there is nothing left to say. If you still want to do an investigation, then by all means, go ahead. But, I think you'll find it to be a waste of time. Now, if that is all, may you please show yourself to the door. I have some other matters to tend to with the Turks."

Reeve said nothing. He glared angrily at Rufus for a few seconds, and then pushed his way between Reno and Rude to get to the door. It closed with a heavy slam and then left the room in a very eerie silence.

"I consider myself a very patient man," Rufus said, returning to his chair. "But, you gentlemen have finally found it's limits. Honestly, I practically give you three the freedom to do whatever it is you want. I only ask that you follow orders when given. If you cannot even do that, then I wonder whether or not you can be trusted in future endeavors."

"I did what I thought needed to be done," Tseng said quietly.

"There was no way we would have let him live," Reno added. "After everything he's done. After what he put Laney… I mean, Elena through. He could have killed Rude. He's only standing here now because of luck. How could you ask for us to let him live?"

"Sometimes, Reno, you have to look at the bigger picture. It's not just about vendettas or personal attacks. Politics matter."

"Fuck your politics!" Reno shouted. "He tried to kill her! Do you realize how close he came? I would have lost her! I could have lost my best friend! And, screw you for caring more about the politics than about the people who have constantly backed you!"

"You don't think I care about Elena? I think I have proven time and again that I do. Why do you think I tried to assign her with Justus?"

"I don't know. Why?"

"To keep her the hell away from a bastard like you."

"Don't you dare!" Tseng shouted, reaching for Reno's elbow before he could draw his gun. "Don't be stupid, Reno! Rude, get him out of here. I will speak with Rufus." Tseng waited until Rude escorted Reno out before saying another word. "Please don't fire him for that. That reaction was to be expected."

"It was fairly predictable of him," Rufus said shrugging. "I don't intend to punish him for that. But, speaking of punishment, it does remind me of why you three were summoned here in the first place."

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"Calm down," Rude said for the sixth time. He reached his hand out and forcefully grabbed Reno's shoulder to stop him from pacing. Reno balled his hand into a fist and looked ready to punch him, but Rude merely threw him into a chair, though a little harder than he had meant to throw him. "You really need to control your anger during times like that."

"Well, who the hell does he think he is, saying things like that to me? He knows how much Elena means to us."

"Us?"

"I know you care about her, too, Rude."

"I will admit, I have come to think of her as family. But, that really is no excuse to fly of the handle like you just did. I mean, for god's sakes, he's the damn president. You just don't pull a gun on him. Tseng would have shot you on the spot."

"Yeah… I guess I should have though that one through a little bit," Reno chuckled, his wily grin coming back. "How pissed do you think he is?"

"I think he understands."

Then, as if summoned, the door opened one last time. Tseng slowly made his way towards the two of them and stopped once he got beside Rude. He scratched the back of his head, cleared his throat and smiled. "Well… it could have been worse."

"What?" Rude and Reno asked at once.

"On the bright side, we haven't been fired. But… until further notice… there really is no reason to show up for work
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Tengoko: In case you are wondering, this is not the final chapter. The next chapter, however, will be.