Disclaimer: Final Fantasy does not belong to me...however much I may like it to. I own no characters, places etc. etc. so please don't sue me! I'm a nice person :)
Author's Note: Chapter Fourteen...PLEASE review as I really enjoy reading your views and they inspire me to get better! It would make me very very happy! Anyway stop reading this and get on with reading the fic! Hope you enjoy! :)
Chapter Fourteen: Little White Lies
A few stray leaves glided from the road onto the pavement's edge; their thin, dried frames being so easily manipulated by the slightest breeze, only coming to a halt upon colliding with the wheelchair's blocking state.
It was undeniably quiet, with the street being near to completely empty; only a couple of local shop-owners scuttling about the front of their premise's, busily preparing themselves for the start of another business day breaking the eerie silence, though the area's almost void-like state was hardly surprising.
The hour was rather too untimely; so early in fact that the pale morning light had only just begun to reveal itself, with most of the city still sound asleep within their beds, dreaming through another few hours before being roused to start their working day.
Another trickle of chilled air wisped along the street, with Reno soon making to wrap his suit's jacket a little tighter around his lightly trembling form; the early morning temperature and constant icy bursts being both bracing and uncomfortable, especially for someone who was being made to wait without any warming movement or shelter.
He'd been 'parked' there for sometime, his wheelchair placed perfectly against the curb, leaving just enough space so as to avoid any damage from a hastily parked car, and yet be close enough to be able to slip into a vehicle without causing to long of a delay; his incapacitated state still posing some difficulties.
His fingertips tapped lightly upon his resting knees in an attempt to keep away both the boredom which had begun to set in and the batch of nerves that had slowly been prickling with an uncomfortable persistence.
Tseng had called him that previous evening upon the President's request for a meeting, and now he was waiting for one of the company drivers to pick him up; his current state making any journeying alone somewhat problematic.
He hadn't been informed of the specifics, other than a few vague suggestions, but it certainly didn't sound very promising; having a meeting arranged with Rufus Shinra himself was not something to be taken lightly.
It did help somewhat that his raven-haired superior would be present, though then again, with the way he had been treated the older male of late, it was also highly likely that he could just make the whole thing a whole lot worse.
He'd been mulling over the few phrases that had stuck out within his brief telephone conversation with Tseng, including discussing his 'situation', his 'future' with the company, and of course the details involving the 'incident'; none of which really helping to calm him, but at least they gave him some idea, and something of a chance to prepare for what he was walking, or rather rolling into.
The red head emitted a deep, prolonged sigh; he was not looking forward to this.
His aquamarine eyes veiled themselves for a moment as the male tightly screwed his lids shut and buried his chilled features within the palms of his hands, taking in a settling breath as his form relaxed.
It had been over two weeks since Reno and the young Miss. Lockhart had met once again since the male's return, and yet it felt like only it had occurred only moments ago.
They'd spent most of their time together engrossed in conversation, as if getting to know each other again, though this time with a new kind of excitement filling their words and a childish energy that was fuelled with every new touch and expression.
Though there was still the lingering sense of uncertainty and distrust between them; the feeling hardly surprising as the brunette had quite clearly displayed within a few simple gazing flickers, her lack of willing to allow their friendship to become something all the more serious until he had done what she had asked him to.
* * * Flash Back * * *
"I…I don't want to lose you again…I don't want to be scared that you'll just…"
Her voice wavered as she locked eyes with Reno, whose bright aquamarine gaze appeared to sparkle though the dullness of the room.
"I'm not going anywhere Tifa."
A small smile graced her lips, though it was brief, and followed by a short, disbelieving grunt.
"So you say…"
The red head's gaze narrowed through a soft sort of distressed offence at her distrust.
Tifa ran her free hand through to the ends of her dark locks and sighed.
"I'm sorry it's just…if we are going to work then-"
Reno silenced her with a comforting hand that came to rest upon the space that joined the side of her neck to the start of her cheek; his thumb brushing against her chin as he did so.
"What do you want me to do?"
The brunette took a moment's pause, as if to prepare herself.
"I need you to promise me something..."
She took a deep breath and edged ever so slightly closer; the seat's frame creaking faintly with the motion.
"…and I need you to do something for me as well."
The young male's brow contorted slowly as he considered her for a few seconds, before allowing his lip to curl in a gentle reassurance.
"What's the promise?"
A small, softly relieved smile graced Tifa's light pink lips.
"I want you to tell me everything-"
The red head made to speak but she quickly silenced him with a flurry of head shakes and quietening gestures.
"I don't mean…when I say everything, I mean everything that I should know…I'm not asking you to tell me all of Shinra's secrets, but if anything should concern me, if anything should concern you…I want to know about it.
Her gaze intensified as the male's expression became etched with misgiving.
"I don't want to be worried all the time…I don't want to be scared-"
Reno's sparkling aquamarine eyes widen.
"Shinra's changed! There isn't anything to be worried about."
"Then why are you?"
The male's gaze narrowed as his brow furrowed in frustrated confusion.
"What do you mean?"
Tifa raised a single eyebrow.
"I'm not stupid Reno…"
Although her expression displayed a playful amusement at his attempts at bewildered denial, her tone revealed something much closer to a soft, severe honesty.
"You're concerned too."
As the male's gaze lowered, a somewhat empathetic sigh escaped the brunette's lips.
"I'm not saying that they're going down the same path, but you can't trust them, and as long as you're working for them I need you to be honest with me, even if they tell you not to…if it's important enough, or could affect us, I need to know about it."
As she finished, the red head lifted his gaze back to her own and after closing his eyes for a moment he gave a small nod.
"Yeah..."
His expression softened slightly.
"…yeah ok."
He bowed his head for a moment, before swiftly pulling himself back up; running a hand through his flame red locks as he did so.
"So, what's this thing you need me to do?"
The young female stiffened for a moment, before allowing her legs to cross and her attention to return to the red head.
"I want you to talk to Rufus."
The male's brow contorted once again, though this time not only in confusion, but trepidation.
Tifa emitted a small, slightly nervous chuckle.
"Well I'm lying there, what I really want you to do is leave Shinra, but I can't ask that of you…"
Her closing words were spoken with more than a hint of displeasure, but although Reno noticed, he chose to ignore it rather than pursue the subject; he didn't want to leave Shinra and he definitely didn't want to get into that argument again.
The male's gaze flickered at his brow furrowed lightly.
"Wait, so…what exactly is it that you want me to talk to him about?"
"I want you to tell him off."
Reno's brow cocked in an almost comical fashion.
"Excuse me?"
"I want you to stand up to him, get some answers, and tell him you won't be his whipping boy!"
The Turk's aquamarine eyes seemed to glint with a very pure brand of fear.
"I'll be butchered alive."
Silence fell between the pair and for a while neither even made to look at the other.
After what seemed like an age, the red head allowed a deep, but quiet sigh to escape his lips.
"Is this an ultimatum?"
Tifa hesitated for a brief moment before sighing with a kind of apologetic frustration.
"Well we can't continue the way we are now. Something has to change."
Her brow wavered as she looked on in hopeful encouragement.
"So…will you?"
* * * Flash Back End * * *
Her words still echoed freshly within his mind.
Of course he had agreed; how could he not? But although the request was clear enough, the young Turk was dumbfounded about how to even begin implanting such a thing, let alone accomplishing it.
Luckily for him the young female had moved back to her own apartment a few days previous to his late night call from Tseng.
It wasn't so much that he believed that she would have been somewhat angered by it, but the fact remained that she'd told him to do the confronting, not to wait around for them to order him about, and especially for him to
It wasn't that he was weak, and he knew in his heart he'd do anything to make her happy, but the company and the job were his life, and he knew just how dangerous it might, or rather would, become for them both if he were to defy his superiors.
The young red head was pulled from his deliberations by a soft rumbling which caused his chair and vibrate ever so slightly; his trained senses able to pick up on the smallest changes to his environment.
He slowly lifted his resting head from the now warmed-cushion of his palms just as the vehicle came to a gentle, but precise stop, whilst the dark-sheen upon it sparkling brightly as the light hit the bonnet with an almost painful accuracy; his gaze narrowing swiftly in an attempt to shield his vision from the harsh illumination.
The door swung open to reveal a well-dressed driver, and yet for all his professional courtesy in Reno's eyes, he still appeared too much like an executioner.
He did not speak, but rather gave a short, small nod as he got out of the vehicle and started to assist the young male into place.
The polished glass twinkled with an ashen gleam as the large entrance doors slide open with a muted hum.
Reno's form lifted ever so slightly as he wheeled himself from the exterior of the evened pavement, to the interior softness of the carpet; the slight change in ground height causing his chair to act somewhat like a vehicle passing over a speed bump.
The driver had not guided him inside, but then to offer such a service would have most definitely made the red head feel even more pathetic than he already did.
The corridor through which he was made to travel was rather too long for his liking; the distance almost unbearable as the male was forced to not only push himself physical, which was still somewhat testing as his muscles got use to their new vocation, but also to experience the barrage of disdainful stares and implacable mutters.
He finally came to a stop before the elevator, and after somewhat staining himself to push the small metallic button, the male relaxed back into his chair to wait for the carriage's arrival.
His aquamarine gaze flickered to his left, where another, slightly shorted corridor began.
As his attention roamed over the brightly lit space, it swiftly came to focus upon two female employees, whom stood beside one of the filing stations, seemingly immersed in conversation.
They looked vaguely familiar; secretaries no doubt who had at one point or another been ordered to deliver various documentations to his floor.
The skinner female seemed to stiffen for a moment, triggering Reno's attention to scan their faces once again, though upon doing so, he quickly realised the cause so the sudden halt.
She made a nodding gesture towards his direction, though her gaze was forced clearly upon her colleague.
The pair slowly, but surely turned there attention onto the male's seated form; their eyes roaming over him with the kind of contempt that made it seem that they were trying their best to cause him pain.
He made to narrow his own gaze, though swiftly choose to turn away.
It wasn't just the mistake he'd made concerning the mission.
Rude was well liked, more than the red head had given him credit for, and he was respected enough to merit some commiseration; true, he was rather quiet, and maybe a little imposing, but he was polite, thoughtful and never disrespectful, unlike Reno.
He'd let them down, and now he was paying the price.
A small sigh escaped his lips, whilst a high-pitched ding sounded from the elevator, before the metallic doors began to open, though as he pushed himself inside with a bowed head, his vision came across a known set of Turk-issued footwear, and as his gaze made to rise, his suspicions were confirmed.
"Hello Elena."
The young female displayed a shy, almost nervous smile.
"Hey."
Reno swiftly wheeled himself around, so as to bring himself to face the elevator's opening; the doors still standing apart as they waited for a command from its clients.
His brow contorted in a mix of mild confusion and teasing curiosity.
"Didn't you need to get out?"
Elena took in a deep, but sharp breath, before letting it go with most of her words; the end result being something of a heightened, but lighter pitch.
"No, I came to meet you."
The red head's brow un-furrowed as it lifted in a somewhat pleasant surprise.
"Really?"
His fellow Turk fell silent for a moment; his fingers fiddling unconsciously with the ends of her suit-jacket.
When she decided to respond her eyes flickered nervously around the elevator's base.
"Well actually I was told to escort you to the President."
The male's face fell almost instantly as the realisation became apparent.
"Oh."
The pair continued their somewhat uncomfortable stance in silence as the doors began to close before them; the only sound arising when the young blonde input their destination onto the elevator's floor-map.
As they started to ascend, Reno felt his stomach flip; though he was unsure whether it had occurred through nerves or the sudden movement.
He tilted his gaze towards the standing female.
"So do you know what it's about?"
"Not really."
She shrugged lightly, though her tone seemed rather too calm for Reno's liking.
His brow cocked as he continued to observe her.
"That means you do."
"What?"
Elena turned; her brow furrowing instantaneously through confusion, though the presence of anxiety was unmistakable.
She was desperate to avoid the subject; that was clear, but then the reality of her knowing much at all was rather unfounded, and even if she did she was more than likely forbidden from disclosing any further information to him directly.
The red head allowed his aquamarine eyes to avert from their previous subject of the young blonde, and back towards the elevator door.
Maybe it's easier for her this way; to lie rather than deny me to my face.
A dry, tired smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
"Nothing."
He took in a swift breath as he directed one of his nimble hands through his flame red spikes.
"How are you?"
The female seemed rather pleased with the change of conversation; her manner brightening with her response.
"Fine thanks."
She quickly made to tilt in his direction.
"You?
Reno's brow cocked once again, as a sarcastic smile graced his lips.
"Oh I'm just dandy, cheers for asking."
"Don't be like that-"
"Like what?"
The pair stared at one another for a few moments; both determined to somehow gain the moral high ground, though both also appeared unable to determine if either had much ground to stand on at all.
Elena was the first to turn away, though she appeared somewhat rattled by the experience.
"I hope you'll be more courteous in front of the President."
Her gaze averted once more to the elevator's base, whilst her brow contorted as she made to continue.
"I don't want to have to…"
As his colleague's voice trailed off, Reno's stepped in.
"Have to what?"
His tone did not appear interested or confused by her statement, but rather more threatening, challenging; he didn't need to ask, he already knew what she had meant.
A softly exasperated sigh escaped Elena's lips.
"Just please…be careful."
The red head rolled his eyes.
Great…two different women, two different requests…
"This just isn't gunna be my day."
His mutterings had been quiet enough so that although the female sensed his speech, she could understand none of it
After a few silent moments passed in which the elevator both stopped and departed from another floor, though no extra passenger was gained; the button seemingly having been pressed by accident or boredom.
"So are you and Tseng alright now?"
Elena's form became rigid, and her voice began to tremble, though not through fear, but obvious confusion and surprise at the sudden and somewhat volunteered mention of her superior; especially in so close relation to herself.
"Excuse me?"
"You two have been 'off' since…"
His voice came to a halt as he caught sight of the expression upon the young female's face.
"…well you know."
Elena's shrugged.
"Have we?"
Her pitch was heightened; her skills at mocking surprised disinterest were certainly lacking.
Reno's brow cocked.
"I'd have thought it might have helped you two to bond…"
The female emitted a low grunt and muttered.
"Torture isn't exactly a bonding experience Reno."
"Of course it is! Blood, pain, almost-death! It's the kinda thing great romances are built on!"
Although she seemed rather irritated by her co-worker's attitude, Elena merely sighed.
"I just want to forget it."
"What about Tseng?"
Her arms folded across her chest.
"You'll have to ask him."
A short pause ensued, as her gaze became painstakingly locked upon the elevator doors.
"He doesn't talk to me anymore."
Reno brow arched quizzically.
"Yes he does-"
"Well of course he talks to me, I mean he has too but…"
"It's just orders?"
The female nodded; a few of her blonde strands now weaving a half mask across her face.
"Hm. Well he has been a bit of a dick lately."
Her head whipped around in shock.
"Reno!"
"Well he has!"
The red head began picking impatiently at the leathered arm of his wheelchair.
"The way he talks to me…I think he sometimes forgets I'm second in command…"
"He knows perfectly well."
"Then why does he treat me like some scum off his shoe?"
Reno stared expectantly at her for a few moments before emitting a huff and resting his head upon his bent arm, propped up on the wheelchair's arm.
"There was a time when I'd be able to say anything, do anything, and he'd just roll his eyes and take it…"
A small, but contented smile formed upon the male's thin lips; those times, so long ago, when Elena had just started life as a Turk, and Rude was honing his shaded, silent reputation, and Tseng was their caring, if rather put upon father, whom although strict was always trusted by them.
They were once a family.
"I miss those days."
A soft, lingering sigh sounded from the female.
"Hm, I do too."
The elevator came to a smooth stop, before a bright 'ping' sounded and the doors began to slide apart.
The door gave a gentle, but finely honed creak as it fell shut behind him.
"Sir."
"Ah, good morning Reno."
The blonde male displayed an insincerely warm smile his gaze met with the young Turk; his icy blue eyes trying their hardest to appear 'welcoming' though the superior glint was still very much present.
As he wheeled himself further into the room, he caught sight of Tseng standing beside the large, panelled window with the President's desk placed mere meters before it; the pale, city skyline serving as a back drop.
The raven-haired male turned just enough so as to enable his gaze to lock with the younger Turk.
Reno executed a swift greeting nod, to which his superior responded equally, though whilst his expression was stiffened by the un-surety of the situation, Tseng's was remarkable calm; as if he was mildly enjoying himself.
After he had averted his gaze and pushed himself closer to the front of the well-crafted piece of office furniture, a short, soft quiet settled within the room; the red head waiting patiently as Rufus made to finish up whatever papers he had been viewing upon his desk.
"So how are feeling?"
Reno's eyes widened to a noticeably degree; it hadn't been quite what he was expecting.
A few moments passed before he managed to fumble a response.
"I'm better thanks…"
"Was your journey was agreeable?"
Reno's brow furrowed as his confusion heightened; he had not been prepared for any kind of friendly inquiry, which made the President's behaviour and its persistence, not only unnerving but baffling.
He tried his best to soften his rather contorted features.
"Yes Sir."
"And I trust you're care at the hospital was to your satisfaction?"
The male's voice made to answer, but stopped abruptly before any sound could escape; he didn't like this, and he didn't like to play games, if there was anyway he could make this meeting conclude any sooner then he'd risk bringing up the inevitable, even if he really wished it to never come to pass.
He locked his finger together tightly; their previously uneasy playing swiftly coming to an end as he tried to control his nerves.
"Excuse me Sir; was there something specific you wanted to talk to me about?"
His unexpected utterance only caused the blonde male to raise one of his eyebrows; the warm smile he had displayed upon Reno's arrival somewhat altering as his lips pursed.
"After hearing Tseng's report I thought it best for us to talk."
Well that didn't exactly help much…
Reno narrowed his eyes ever so slightly.
"Talk about what?"
The seated blonde emitted a tired, almost frustrated sigh.
"About your performance in the mission, your position at this company, your loyalties…"
He allowed a short pause before he continued.
"We were very disappointed in how the mission we assigned to you and Rude-"
"It wasn't our fault!"
Rufus shot a rather unimpressed glare at the young Turk.
"Maybe, maybe not, but certain doubts have arisen…"
Reno's jaw clenched.
"What can I do to settle these…doubts?"
"Forget the mission…behave…obey your orders without posing any disruption."
A silence settled as the red head absorbed the orders being made of him, though after only a few brief moments his brow furrowed; curiosity still rife within him.
"What- but on the mission, we didn't get-"
"We shall be sending someone else."
A small, but noticeable smirk graced the President's pale lips as his words echoed through the air.
Reno jaw tightened yet again, though this time when he released it he spoke with a certain boldness; his mind locked desperately upon heightening his confidence.
"What's going on Sir?"
He took a breath, as his fingertips strengthened their grip around the wheelchair's arms.
"I demand to know."
Tseng turned fully this time and stepped forwards; his eyes narrowing dangerously.
"Reno, stop this. You are a Turk."
He leaned in against Rufus's desk, intensifying his tone.
"Now start acting like one."
After a short pause the young blonde made to speak.
"You will respect me, and you will respect my decisions."
Rufus emitted a soft grunt as the red head's gaze began to flicker.
"Now, your current state does not entirely lend yourself to any practical assignment, but Tseng here has assured me that there is plenty of paperwork for you to complete in the mean time."
The Turk ran an unsteady hand through his flame red locks; his supposedly control nerve swiftly unravelling.
"Oh and that Miss. Lockhart…"
Reno's aquamarine gaze flashed.
"What about her?"
"I assume we can rely on you to be…discreet."
The closing of the President's inquiry had been uttered with more than a hint of force.
The red head observed his two superiors for a moment before airing what seemed the most obvious thing to say, and yet he also found it to be the most important.
"She…she doesn't trust you…"
He received no great reaction from the two males; not that he'd been expecting one, instead Rufus just raised his brow as if in slight amusement.
"We know. We know about your friendship with her, and we would like to make it clear that should you betray us in any way, we will be forced to…terminate your contract with us, which will include anyone whom you might have betrayed us too."
The raven-haired male made to speak again, as the President leaned back within his chair.
"There are factors at work Reno, things you wouldn't understand."
Rufus exhaled deeply, before bringing his form closer once again; his hands clasping upon the wooden surface in front of him.
"It's best you don't question our motives again…I can promise you that we are doing everything that is best for us and our planet."
He sighed with a certain satisfaction and displayed another 'warm' smile.
"Now I have a busy schedule, so if you would…."
He made a relaxed gesture towards the door, as his gaze averted back towards the papers upon his desk.
The elevator emitted a muted bump as it came to a stop at the ground floor, whilst the doors produced a highly-contrasting metallic click as they came to a full opening.
After a few moments, the male rolled himself from the contraption with a drained slothfulness; he had only been up a few hours and already he felt like he had been forced to sit through an age of mental-warfare.
After he passed over the first few metres of carpeted ground, he came to a rather abrupt halt; a sharp, but confused realisation being to pang inside him.
What was he doing?
What was he goingto do? If anything?
He ran a pressured hand through his flame red locks; he did not have the time to dilly-dally around the situation, he had to decide now, he had to choose his path.
As his hand released itself, he hung his head back and inhaled deeply, before eventually pushing off once again.
The driver made to approach as he wheeled himself from the building and into view.
"I have a change of destination."
The nameless male's brow furrowed briefly in interest.
"Yes Sir?"
The smooth rumble sounded around the street as the vehicle pulled away from the curb; leaving the young red head a few metres into the pavement.
The building before him seemed darker than usual, sadder; the un-lit windows along with the lack of loud, cheery mumblings that had so commonly been played inside now laying silent as the daytime hours denied its patrons entrance.
Seventh Heaven.
Reno emitted a rather apprehensive sigh.
Come on, best to get it over with…what other choice do you have…
The Turk wrapped his hands around the rubber-coated wheels and took a steadying breath; swiftly proceeding to direct himself through the rather small alley leading to the female's apartment entrance.
He knocked at the door for quite some time, though he made to do so softly; part of him didn't really want the female to answer.
Just as he made to rap against the wooden panels once more, after taking a few moments pause, he heard a gentle, but distinctive bump coming from inside; the hall door opening.
Soon enough the front door rattled as it was unlocked and pull open a healthy degree.
Her eyes widened ever so slightly as her gaze met with the visitor.
"Hello."
Reno mocked a salute.
"Hey."
The brunette viewed him for a few moments in what appeared to be perplexed curiosity, before stepping aside and opening the door further.
"Come in…"
The pair sat within her kitchen for quite some time; Tifa having made some tea now stood quite still, whilst the red head sat gently caressing the wheelchair's arms as a way of controlling his calm.
She tapped the side of her mug as her gaze flickered everywhere apart from on him.
"So, how have you-"
"I've seen Rufus."
Her brow raised; she had not been expecting such a direct and partially satisfying response.
"Oh."
A few moments passed as she waited for him to expand, though when all she received was silence, she continued herself."
"And? What happened?"
Reno exhaled and displayed a soft, charmed smile.
"…I won't be going on a dangerous mission anytime soon."
Tifa's lips wavered before forming a broad, relieved smile.
Well that wasn't a lie…the only thing dangerous thing I'm gunna get is a paper cut…
"So did you stand up to Rufus?"
He ran a calm hand through his flame red spikes.
"I…I demanded to know what was going on…"
That's not a lie either…
Her brow furrowed slightly; his carefree attitude and general mix of over-confidence and hinting unease throwing her.
"Really?"
"Yeah, but they…they want to talk to me and Rude together…it's a Turk thing."
Ok that was a lie…
"Oh."
She seemed to consider him for the moment; maybe wondering whether his nervous play was through her presence or maybe a reaction to what he had done that morning.
"So it's sorted then?"
It might have been wrong, but she was happy, and it was nice, and he could enjoy it whilst it last, even if that might not be very long.
"Yeah, yeah it's sorted."
A/N= The end! That's it folks! Well at least for a while anyway until I start the sequel up! XD I might do an epilogue of sorts, though I'm not certain atm…
I was always gunna end it at this point, I'd already had the last section planned before I'd written the second chapter! XD
If you wanna know when the sequel gets posted you can either put me on your alert list, or if you don't want to receive numerous emails on my other fics that you don't actually want to read, then you can ask me to pm when I get the sequel up!
Anyway onto the chapter!
I know I repeated some of the dialogue from the end of the last chapter, but it seemed to work better than just trying to carry it on without an effective set up.
And I wanted to hint at the Tseng/Elena stuff because there will be more about that in the sequel, but I didn't want to go to far into, so thus I only mentioned it.
Oh and I know the elevator ride might have seemed a little long but I've always assumed Shin-Ra buildings would be quiet large and travelling all the way through them would take quite some time...