Redheaded Stranger

Chapter 24
Enlisting Help


It felt good to get back to work after his long stay in Squall's world. Though the last thing he wanted to do was deal with scientists, that's exactly what he was doing. He had to fly a few of the bastards to another location where another strange reading was found. He already knew it was a gateway before they even got to the Bone Village. There were several other locations to be checked as well, which is why Rufus wanted him to try and convince Cloud to help. That was going to be about as easy as catching a wild chocobo in a blizzard.

After dropping his passengers off, he flew back to headquarters where Rude was waiting for him to drive to 7th Heaven. With any luck, they'd catch Cloud there, if not, they'd be waiting until they did. That was Rufus' orders. Sitting in a bar all day without being able to drink himself drunk was going to be a pain in the ass.

"I think the boss is wasting his time," Rude said as he drove. "Seems like every time something out of the ordinary happens, he wants us to go running after Cloud."

"He has saved the world twice, so I can see why he would. Nothing wrong with getting a little extra muscle, partner. Besides, he really wants Cloud to enlist Cid and his airship to fly the eggheads around. We only have a few helicopters. It just makes sense." He saw Rude's jaw twitch with annoyance and wondered just what his problem was. Maybe it was the fact that Cloud was nailing Tifa. His partner still had a crush on the woman, but had never made a move.

"The only reason you're agreeing with the boss is because you're trying to get in Strife's pants, plain and simple."

"Rude, that hurts," Reno said with an overly phony gasp. Rude shook his head in silence, keeping his eyes on the road. "Business is business and pleasure is pleasure. Don't confuse the two."

"I think you're the one that confuses it, Reno." he said with a harsh attitude that was unlike him.

"What's wrong with you, man? You've been acting like a ragging bitch since I got back last night."

"Nothing is wrong with me."

"You're full of shit! What's the problem?!" He wasn't expecting Rude to slam on the brakes, and his forehead smacked painfully into the dashboard. "What the fuck...shit....dammit, Rude!" he hissed, holding his aching head in his hands. He felt a trickle of blood run down his face and turned to glare at his partner while he took a handkerchief out of his pocket to stop the bleeding. "Why the hell did you do that?!"

"I told you to put your seat belt on before we left," he said calmly. Reno couldn't see his eyes behind the dark shades he always wore, but he could tell Rude was pissed about something.

"What..,"

"I thought you were dead, man. We all did. All that time you were over in that other world, probably fucking everything with two legs while we were scrambling to find out what the fuck happened...shit!" he was cut off by the blaring of a horn behind them. He put the car back in gear and got moving, falling stonily silent.

"Shit, you didn't have to slam my face into the dashboard to tell me you were worried," Reno muttered as he pulled his seat belt across himself to lock in place. He'd rather not have his face planted a second time in case Rude decided to brake unexpectedly again.

"Sorry about that," Rude said quietly after a few minutes of angry silence.

"You need to get laid," he said, making Rude snort in answer.

"It's good to have you back, partner."

"Thanks, but next time don't try to bust up my pretty face," he chuckled then hissed slightly when his fresh cut twinged painfully. "Shit," he cursed under his breath. He saw Rude struggling not to smile and cursed again, causing his partner to start laughing lowly. At least things were back to normal.

XXXXX

It was just around noon and 7th Heaven only had a few customers at this hour. Tifa gave them a friendly smile when they came through the door, but Cloud was nowhere to be seen. 'Great, the waiting begins,' he thought as they picked a table to sit at.

"What can I get you two?" Tifa asked when she approached them.

"A couple shots of whiskey would be nice," Reno said.

"Reno, we aren't here to drink."

"Well, for some reason, I got a big fucking headache and need something to dull the pain. Two shots, please, Tifa."

"Sure thing...What happened to you?" she said, eyeing his face.

"Oh, Rude just welcoming me back home, gentleman that he is," he said, smacking Rude on the shoulder.

"Okay," she smiled softly, looking confused. "How about you, Rude. What can I get you?"

"Just water."

"Alright, be right back guys," she smiled and went back toward the bar. Reno noticed his partner's attention to her backside as she retreated and snickered. He didn't know why Rude just didn't go for it. From what he had seen of Cloud and Tifa's relationship, it was mostly just physical, but that was just a gut feeling he had.

"That is a nice ass, isn't it?" Reno said lowly, getting an eyeful himself. Rude averted his eyes from her, ignoring Reno's comment. "Just ask her out already."

"She's taken," he said simply, tapping his fingers on the table and looking around the bar to avoid Reno's smirk.

"You won't know until you try."

"Drop it, Reno. We're here on business, remember?" he said, giving him an annoyed look.

"Fine," he sighed, and watched Tifa coming back with their drinks. "Is Strife around?" he asked her when she reached their table.

"Mmm, not right now. He's out doing some deliveries, but he should be back soon," she answered and looked at him sceptically. "What's this about exactly?"

"It's nothing big. Just a business proposal," Rude answered before Reno could utter a single syllable.

"I see," she said with a light smile and went back behind the bar. She knew Cloud wouldn't be happy to see them there when he got back. They were all on good terms now, but that didn't change Cloud's attitude much on the Turks. Reno irritated him the most though, always had. The redhead wasn't shy about his attraction to the blonde and was always making suggestive remarks in Cloud's presence.

She went about her work, glancing at the two men every now and then, wondering exactly what they were quietly talking about. Whatever this business proposal was, Cloud was sure to refuse the offer. Since that last battle with Sephiroth, he had been content to be with her and their friends, not running to be alone like he had for so long after Aeris. His delivery business was thriving and the bar had gotten a great deal of regular patrons. All in all, they were doing great. She just hoped this wasn't going to cause problems. That was the last thing any of them wanted, or needed.

When Cloud finally got back, it was just how she thought it would be. He got a sour expression on his face when he noticed the two Turks sitting comfortably at the corner table. He ignored them and sat at the bar with a sigh, closing his eyes tightly with a sneer when Reno called to him loudly over the low conversation of the small crowd in the bar.

"What do they want?" he asked her, pointedly ignoring the obnoxious Turk.

"Rude said it was some kind of business proposal. I don't know what it's about though."

"Heellooooo, Strife! Get your hot ass over here!" Tifa tried to block her smile with her hand.

"I'm gonna kill him," he growled and stood, putting his hand on his sword hilt.

"Cloud, calm down. He just does this to get a rise out of you. Go see what they want and get it over with," she said soothingly, wiping the smile from her face. He reluctantly released his grip on his weapon and walked over to the table.

"Rude," he said in greeting to the bald Turk as he sat, then looked at Reno with disgust. "What the hell do you want, Reno?"

"No need to be bitchy, Strife."

"Get to the point. Why are you here?"

"Okay, then. Rufus wants to hire you and Cid for a little job. Nothing major, just a little extra help for a short time."

"Not interested," he said and got up and headed upstairs without stopping.

"Hey, come on..." He was out of sight in seconds and Reno cursed, slamming his fist on the table.

"Told ya it would be a waste of time," Rude said, taking a sip of water.

"I'll get him," he said, getting up from the table.

"Reno.."

"Don't worry, I'll charm him into helping," he said with a wink and followed the blonde's footsteps up the stairs.

"Don't blame me when he cuts your nuts off," Rude muttered, settling back to wait for his return, hopefully with is anatomy intact.

When Reno got to the top of the stairs, he quieted his steps, listening for any sound to lead him to the blonde. It was damn quiet as he made his way down the hallway toward his bedroom. He remembered the area pretty well from the very few times he and Rude had been there. The door was cracked and he peeked through the door. 'Maybe I'll get a little surprise,' he thought and his blood turned cold when he felt cold steel touch the back of his neck. 'Not the kind of surprise I wanted.'

"What are you doing up here, Reno?" Cloud asked, pressing his sword harder against the flesh of his neck.

"Ease up, babe.." He felt a stinging pain when the blade bit softly into him. "Shit, Cloud! Ease up, I just want to talk, dammit!"

"I'm not your babe. And you got ten minutes," he said, sheathing his sword and pushing past Reno into the bedroom. He followed, putting his hand to the back of his neck to feel the sticky warmth of his blood.

"Did you have to cut me?"

"It's just a scratch, you'll live. You got nine minutes and forty seconds. Talk," he said coldly, leaning against his desk with his arms crossed.

'Right to the point. He's not giving me much time.' He rushed through the whole story as well as he could, leaving out all his sexual escapades. As much as Reno loved to kiss and tell, Cloud probably wouldn't appreciate it. Right now he just had to get the man to agree to help. Any fun could be pursued later.

When he came to the part about the gateways, Cloud's interest seemed to peak slightly. 'That's a good sign.' By the time he was done, his time had elapsed, but Cloud had not stopped him, listening intently as he finished his story. He waited patiently for the blonde to speak, watching him as he was deep in thought. He took the time to let his eyes roam over his body, which probably wasn't the best thing to do.

"Stop looking at me like that," Cloud said, narrowing his eyes when he noticed the attention he was getting from the Turk.

"Like what?" Reno asked, licking his lips suggestively. Cloud rolled his eyes and pushed off the desk. Reno straightened up, readying himself for an attack.

"I'll talk to Cid and see what he says. He still has no love for Shinra, so I won't make any promises," he spoke icily. "I'll let you know what the verdict is. Until then, get out."

"Why do you gotta be so cold like that, babe? I'm just trying to be nice," he said, knowing he was pushing his luck, but he was determined to win this eventually. Hell, if he could melt Squall, why not Cloud?

"Reno, unless you want to wear your balls as a necklace, get out," Cloud said in dismissal, turning his back to the Turk to sit at his desk as it he were no more threatening than a fly.

'I'm going to have you eventually, Cloud Strife,' he thought, leaving the blonde to his work. Rude stood when he saw him come back downstairs, balls intact. Reno gave him the thumbs up and they left to tell Rufus the good news.