The chopper landed. Verna was immediately taken out of the helicopter and was led away by Reno. Rufus watched and followed them into the building. They were currently in Kalm, a building that his father bought while Rufus was just a child. Verna felt slightly uneasy. She was so close to Midgar that her uncle could easily find her. However, that would jeopardize the newspaper company.

Once inside Verna was somewhat surprised by what she saw. It was a rather small building. She was almost positive that it would be some tacky rich cliché. She did see a mansion on the way here that looked like it would be that, but it seemed it wasn't Rufus's. Whose was it then?

"Now," Rufus began. "You'll be living here until we can arrange some sort of deal. When we have a deal and you've gained my trust you'll still be accompanied by someone that works with Shin-Ra. Do these terms sound acceptable?"

"So I'm in a pleasant prison with many privileges?" Verna looked around. "Yeah, sounds acceptable." She grinned over at the President. "I know you're doing this so I don't write anything bad about your company, but thanks anyways."

Rufus raised an eyebrow. She knew his motive, but was still grateful. How naïve was this girl? If she kept that attitude in this life then she would be chewed up and then spit out. Rufus moved some hair out of his face from the thought, it was irritating. His father would scold him for being too nice for others.

"Would it be alright if I worked on the next chapter for the newspaper?" Verna questioned as she shifted her bag onto her other shoulder. "I need to have it out by tomorrow. It'll then be published in a week." Verna bit her lip, "Speaking of which, my article on Junon should be out…"

Rufus laughed lightly. Reno looked at his boss oddly. It was extremely rare for Rufus to display a positive emotion. Rufus cleared his throat from the sudden outburst. "It seems as if you've hurt two of my employees, higher ranking ones at that."

Verna gulped. Things could go badly from here if she didn't proceed with caution. Even though Rufus didn't seem to care too much, but those that she actually did hurt had some power within the company and it could land her in trouble. Word would most likely spread that she was caught, which means that they could try and get even with her.

Changing the subject Verna spoke, "So can I write it?"

"Let's discuss our terms first," Rufus sat down at a table, it'd make do as a desk. He motioned his head for Verna to sit. "Reno, you can leave."

"Right," Reno went to another room of the house.

"This newspaper has caused us multiple issues in the past," Rufus began. "You do realize this, don't you?"

"Yes, sir."

"Now what happens when a lion is being annoyed by a mere lamb?"

"The lion kills and eats the lamb," Verna replied with a bored look. "The lion benefits in multiple ways. The lamb is gone and the lion gets a meal." She then smirked, "But if the lion isn't careful the lamb could be rotten and give the lion a stomachache."

"A stomachache?"

"If you aren't careful, Mister President," Verna began. "People could get mad that you shut down our newspaper. People think of it as the only reliable source, as your company doesn't own it. Not only that, but people seem to like my series. If you were to shut it down I simply can't imagine what kind of stomachache you would get."

Rufus narrowed his eyes. This wasn't the first time she's negotiated with someone. She knew how to get what she wanted, but so did Rufus. This was going to be most interesting in deed.

"Still, we could always shut it down and deal with the consequences. I believe that shutting down your newspaper would have a better outcome than letting it last."

"Or you could benefit in an even better way. You could get a bigger meal by using the lamb," Verna crossed her arms and leaned back. "I could use my articles in portraying Shin-Ra as the good guy in all of this. I could have a trap set up for Sephiroth, meaning that you could capture him. Of course, I'll still have to bash you guys every once in a while, just so no one gets suspicious that I'm working with you."

"And what sort of trap are you thinking of?"

"You lost Sephiroth, didn't you?" Verna tilted her head. "We could lead him somewhere. Surely even he pays attention to the newspaper, especially if people start claiming that your company is close to capturing him. We'll just have to make sure that the newspaper is widely distributed and that we get as many people to read it as possible."

"I'll take that into consideration," Rufus stood up and walked over to the window with his back to her.

"That's very dangerous." Verna spoke just loud enough for Rufus to hear.

Rufus looked over at her, "What is?"

"Leaving your back open to someone you just met. You didn't search me for any weapons. For all you know I could have a sword, like Sephiroth's on me, and I could just stab you in the back," Verna gave a sad smile. "Luckily, I have no goal to assassinate you."

Rufus looked back out the window, "I already knew you didn't."

Verna clapped her hands together just once, "So you already have some trust in me. Looks like I won't be a chained down for that much longer."

Rufus narrowed his eyes, "I wouldn't say I trust you in the slightest bit."

"Then why am I not handcuffed? Why are you allowing me to stay here? You didn't even search through my bag."

"Do you want me to chain you up?" Rufus walked back towards the desk.

"No, I'm perfectly fine right here," Verna smiled nervously.

Reno suddenly walked in the door, "Sir, Tseng called. He says that AVALANCHE has been spotted at the Golden Saucer. It seems like they're just on vacation. Reeve said that they don't know where Sephiroth is. They might go ahead and go to Wutai next."

Rufus nodded his head, "Then go to Wutai. Take Rude and Elena with you."

"Alright, vacation!" Reno cheered as he ignored Rufus's glare.

"It's not a vacation, Reno," Rufus warned. "If AVALANCHE appears to have any plans to get Sephiroth I want you to simply follow them. Do not interfere with them."

"Don't we want to catch them, though?"

Rufus shook his head and moved a strand of hair out of his face, "Sephiroth is more important at this point. If they try to interfere with us any more we will take them out, but otherwise let them be. Now leave."

Reno grumbled to himself as he left the building. Rufus then glanced over at Verna. She was staring at the ceiling, seemingly in a different place. His eyes narrowed as he evaluated her. Exactly what kind of a girl was she? At times she seemed to be somewhat gullible, or too forgiving, but at other times she seemed cold and manipulative. Could it be that her public-self deviated away from her actual self?

Rufus glanced over as the door that opened slowly. He glared at the intruder for a slight moment before he noticed it was Reno with Dark Nation at his side. Reno left and Rufus's look turned softer as the panther walked in. The panther examined the area and then looked at Verna. The creature gave off a low growl towards her as he moved in front of his master, an action that he typically did. The panther casted both Barrier and MBarrier on Rufus to protect him.

Verna blinked at the panther. Her looks was that of shock. However, this expression slowly melted into pure joy. The girl stood up quickly as she cautiously walked over to the panther. Dark Nation growled louder at the girl's actions.

"I won't hurt you," Verna spoke softly as she stopped about four feet from the animal. She sat down on the floor to make herself appear smaller. She then reached a hand out towards the panther to show she meant no harm.

Rufus watched everything with mere amusement. Most people would run away from his loyal pet. This girl was afraid of very little. Very few people that he knew weren't afraid of things like she was. It could have been due to the fact that he makes people afraid of him, but this was different.

Dark Nation cautiously sniffed Verna's hand. He took a few steps closer to the girl and stood there staring her in the eye. Verna avoided eye contact with the animal; she had no desire to challenge it. Dark Nation, noting this, sat down in front of her. Verna grinned and gently stroked the animal's head.

"What's his name?" Verna spoke softly as she didn't want to alarm the panther.

Rufus, seeing the barriers fade away, sat down in the chair before speaking, "Dark Nation."

Dark Nation looked over at Rufus. Seeing that his master was calm, Dark Nation laid on the ground and enjoyed the attention he received from Verna. Verna grinned at the animal before closing her eyes in a content manor.

"It's a good thing you have him," Verna whispered mostly to herself. Rufus peeked his head up in some form of interest. "No matter what happens, you can always trust your pet and he'll always be there for you."

Rufus looked out the window contemplating what she said.

-A/N—

So I did some research on Dark Nation. It turns out that it's Rufus's pet panther. Freaking awesome…

Prom dress shopping tomorrow~! I'm going to look for a white dress with black buttons just for laughs. XD I'm too pale to wear white, so I have to go with black or a cool color.