There’s always a choice, you just don’t get one.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Noise…speaking, I think I can hear people speaking. I can’t open my eyes. I try, but I can’t. Where the hell am I? I don’t remember anything.

I’m suddenly lifted, picked up from the cold sticky floor and placed against something soft. What is going on? I’m being moved. Where am I going? The thing I was holding falls from my fingers, and thuds noisily against the floor. ARGH, I can’t feel my body. I can’t feel anything. Why can’t I see? My eyes, they just won’t open. DAMN IT, OPEN!

The voices, I try to concentrate. I don’t recognize any of them, none of them are his. The noise, it’s starting to filter, becoming ever softer. Now all I hear is silence. Rufus, where is he? And where the hell am I being taken to?

***

My eyes do eventually flutter open after feeling a warm hand pass lightly across my cheek, my face welcomed the warmth. My sight was hazy, I couldn’t focus. All I could see was a pale face…framed by…blonde hair.

…Rufus?

RUFUS! I blinked constantly, trying to regain my sight. I wanted to see him, needed to see him. I had to know if he was alright. The hand passed soothing through my hair; brushing it back from my face. Lips then met with my forehead and lightly kissed the skin. I closed my tired eyes, concentrating on those lips; trying to hold onto that feeling.

***

Upon opening them again, my vision had slightly improved. I could now see. Where…where was I? I tried to sit up, but I couldn’t move; my body ached in agony. I could just about move my head. I tilted it to the side and assessed my location. I looked around, recognizing this place. I was in the Shin-Ra infirmary, which meant…that I was back in Midgar. My hand was then taken, picked up from the bed I was lay upon, and slim fingers weaved their way through mine. I jerked my head to the side as soon as it did, desperate to see his face.

A familiar voice replied and a smile passed their lips “Hey you. You had us all worried. We didn’t think you were going to wake up.”

My eyes squinted as I took in the sight, focusing on their features “…Elena?”

She smiled nervously and brought my hand up to her face, nuzzling it softly against her cheek. I tried to sit up again, but my body just wouldn’t comply. I was still in too much pain.

“Hey-hey, take it easy.” Elena ordered as she placed her hand over my head and once again stroked my hair. “Slow down. You’re going to hurt yourself.”

“RUFUS!” I blurted out noisily, wriggling around painfully while trying to sit up. “Where is he? Is he ok? I have to see him!”

“…Tseng, TSENG! Calm down, stop moving. You’re going to make it worse.” Elena dropped my hand and placed her palms lightly over my shoulders. She slowly eased me back down to the bed. I’d managed to slightly lift myself from the mattress, I clenched my eyelids closed tightly, the position I’d found for myself was excruciating. I fell back against the bed and hissed with discomfort. Elena apologized after removing her hands and brought them up to her face, wiping her eyes; they shimmered softly as tears of relief collected within them.

“Tseng…I’m so relieved that you’re ok. You were in such a terrible state. They didn’t think you’d come around. I’m so glad that you’re finally awake.”

I turned to face her again, my eyes wide with anxiety. “Where is he. Is he here?”

Elena shook her head.

“WHAT DO YOU MEAN NO? WHERE THE HELL IS HE!” I yelled, once again trying to sit myself up.

“Tseng, he’s fine, really…he’s having treatment at home” Elena sighed.

I collapsed back against the bed, in too much pain to move. ARGH, I feel so useless.

“We heard that he was ok... he was taken straight there. You on the other hand, you we weren’t sure of.” She gently poked my stomach teasingly, trying to acquire a smile, but I was just too tired to respond. Too tired and worried…too worried about him.

She smiled slightly and reclaimed the hold of my hand, gripping it tightly in hers. Her head rested by my side against the mattress, her sight never once left my face. My eyes were involuntarily closing without my permission. I assume the drugs were to blame. That would explain my drowsiness and my lack of memory. Looking down, I noticed that I was covered in bandages. Wires emitted from my arms and chest, I was hooked up to several machines. How long had I been here for. How long have I been like this?

Elena could sense my lethargy and leaned over me again, kissing my forehead once more before she rose to her feet. “I’ll come back a little later. Right now, you need your rest.” She replaced my hand beneath the quilt cover and ran her palm along it, tucking me in like a child. I nodded feebly in reply. My strength had suddenly drained, all I wanted to do was sleep. Elena left me after that, but promised that she’d be back. She also told me if I tried to move again…that I’d be in trouble. I smiled. She didn’t want to leave my side, but she had no choice. The doctor would want to examine me now. At least I could sleep easy…now I knew he was safe. The last thing I remember was blacking out after seeing him lying on the floor, completely motionless. I hoped to god that I would never have to see him like that again.

***

His palm was clammy as he continued to softly pat my hand, he began to stroke my fingers. Why was Heidegger so nervous? He knows me, I’ve worked with him for long enough. Why was he finding it so difficult to speak. He could usually tell me anything.

He coughed, “I’m just glad you were there, Tseng. If you hadn’t been, the president would probably be dead now.”

“And Rufus…how is he? I know you said that he was alright, but I was there. I saw what happened.” My tone was false, almost emotionless… unlike my concern. I was desperate for answers. No one seemed to want to give them to me.

“His condition is improving. Soon he’ll be up and out of bed. But then there’s your condition, which isn’t going to improve if you don’t stop trying to leave the damn hospital wing. For now, stop worrying about him and worry about yourself.”

“I can’t. I should have done more. I should have done a better job of protecting him. For a bodyguard, I really let him down.”

The grip on my fingers began to tighten as Heidegger started to squeeze. He bashed my hand angrily against the bed. I was suddenly startled back to my senses. “Don’t get all emotional, Tseng. It was no ones fault. You didn’t know it was going to happen. After seeing the state of his room, I’m just glad you used your damn intelligence and didn’t leave him alone. You did your duty, and you did it well…even if you did NEARLY get yourself killed in the process. You should have told me from the beginning when you thought something was wrong. I could have issued more security. I could have had armed men at the door!”

I sighed and shifted uncomfortably on the bed, pulling away my hand. “I know” I muttered.

Heidegger paused, and raised an eyebrow as he spoke “….Just following orders, hmm?”

I nodded.

Heidegger mused, “He can be a stubborn little brat sometimes.”

I didn’t answer, I just averted my eyes to the wall before I said something to my superior that I’d regret. I’d been here for three days already, I was irritable. I was bored of the same four walls, of this same damn room. I needed to get back to work. I needed to escape the confines of this bed….I needed to see if he was alright.

Heidegger glanced over me, assessing my injured form. He exhaled a heavy sigh. “Tseng, I know you’re proud but you’re in no fit state to work. You need to rest. You can have as much time off as needed, you don’t need to worry about things. I’ll have them taken care of. I want you back fighting fit. Whenever the medics say you’re ready, you can return to work.”

I nodded, “Thank you, Sir” But as far as I was concerned, the sooner I could get out of here, the better.

He patted my hand again and forced a comforting smile. It was certainly forced, he never usually smiles. He was definitely keeping something from me…but what?

I spoke “Did you find out who it was?”

Heidegger remained silent.

“I take that as a no then?”

Heidegger sighed. “We’ve not managed to I.D the bodies, but DNA samples have been taken down to the lab and are currently being tested. From the looks of things though, they were no one special, not that we’ve managed to pick up on. Just your average assassins trying to make a quick profit. Unfortunately for them, Rufus wasn’t alone. We don’t know who issued the hit, but we have leads. I’ve got the best investigators on the case, it won’t take us long to track them down.”

“Have you informed Rufus of this?” I questioned.

Heidegger nodded.

“What action has been taken in his protection?”

“We don’t think they’ll try anything now he’s back in Midgar, they must have thought they’d caught it lucky back at the coast. Hardly any defence, no one knew he was there… the perfect opportunity. He’s being well surveyed now though, something like this isn’t going to be happening again. So stop your worrying!”

“So, he’s really alright?” I couldn’t hide the concern in my voice any longer. I was really apprehensive and feared for his safety. They could very well try their luck again and this time, I wouldn’t be there to help him.

Heidegger smiled “Yes, back to his charming self again, ordering everyone around. Even being confined to his room, he’s still managing to make everyone’s life HELL! Twice the home nurses had to lock him in his room, and even then he tried to climb out through the window. Keeping him in bed is nearly as hard as keeping you in yours.”

I smirked. Ah, that’s our Rufus. Even when he’s knocked down…he never stays down for long.

Heidegger got to his feet and picked up the notes from the table. He’d been bringing me up to date with activities…but I was too distracted to concentrate. I couldn’t keep focused.

Heidegger turned to leave, tucking the documents under his arm. “Recover soon, Tseng. Reno just can’t hold the fort the way you can, and I won’t have to keep granting Elena time off for visits.”

I nodded and watched him make his departure. Tilting my head, I raised an eyebrow out of curiosity “Erm, excuse me, Sir?”

He looked over his shoulder and smiled. “Yes?”

“What’s the matter with your leg? You appear to be…limping.”

Heidegger groaned. “That little abomination of Rufus’, that’s what the matter is with it!”

I paused, slightly confused. “Excuse me, Sir?”

Heidegger‘s angered face began to turn red. “That bloody beast of his. It-it took a huge chunk out of me!”

My eyes widened along with my mouth, my reaction wasn’t intentional, but it was the way he’d just phrased that. He sounded so surprised. This was Darknation we were talking about, we all know that she can behave quite viciously. But, I wonder why she went for him? Heidegger rolled his eyes, pulling up his trouser leg, looking highly unamused. “I was only handing Rufus some papers…then that evil little shit went for me”

I bit my lip, trying to stop myself from laughing; I’d got this vision in my head. It was of a little chubby Heidegger running around desperately, screaming with Darknation clamped to his leg. She’d be flapping in the air as he ran, he’d be trying to pull her off, while Rufus simply pointed and rolled around hysterically in his bed.

The scary thing is…that’s probably exactly what happened. But still, that did appear to be quite painful. The bandages he was wearing were stained in blood. Looks like it wasn’t just me she had a grudge against. She must attack everyone that gets too close to Rufus.

Heidegger sighed “Rufus had this look in his eye. I swear…he told her to do it.”

I tried my hardest not to smirk as Heidegger eventually left, hobbling painfully through the doors. I know the situation wasn’t amusing, but he still held his trouser leg in his hand as he waddled awkwardly; trying to sustain a natural stance. I turned my head, scolding myself, trying desperately not to laugh. Keep a straight face, Tseng. Keep it straight… at least, until he’s left the room.

***

I’d had many visitors today, unfortunately…just not the one I was hoping to see. Not that I didn’t appreciate all the wishes that were sent, all the get well cards and gifts. Even if the visits from Reno were just an excuse to avoid the prospect of work…the thought was still there. But Rufus, I just wanted to see him, to see if he was alright. I’d been told countless times that he was, but my mind wouldn’t rest until I’d seen that for myself. Why wouldn’t anyone tell me what was happening? I think I had a right not know.

Everyone was being so secretive...

***

I was being constantly fussed over by Elena. I appreciated the concern but she was going too far. I was perfectly capable of walking by myself. She had hold of my arm and was guiding me down the corridor, trotting excitedly by my side. I suppose she was only showing sympathized consideration, but I was fine now. I’d been given the all clear and no longer needed nursing. Her persistent attendance was becoming quite annoying. I just wanted to be left alone. I then saw a flash of white emit from the elevator and advance up the corridor ahead. It was him. “Excuse me, Elena. I have to go.” I distanced myself from her possessive hold and rushed to follow Rufus. She called me back but I didn’t answer. I had to see him first.

I didn’t even know he was back yet.

His office door had just closed as I finally caught up. I paused and readied myself. It had only been a week, but it felt like an eternity since I’d last seen or spoke to him. I knocked loudly and waited for a reply. The automatic doors shifted and I entered when directed, tackling the mass of stairs.

Rufus was stood by his desk when I reached the top, leaning lazily against it. He was glancing through the papers in his hands; he didn’t even look up to see who had just gained entry. I slowly proceeded towards the desk, a smile of relief present across my face. He was here and he was ok. “Rufus?”

He looked up briefly from his papers and met my relief filled gaze. He dropped his sight moments later and concentrated on his work. “Tseng, what do you want?”

“Rufus, I’ve been so worried about you. Waking up and not knowing where you were. No one has told me anything. Not knowing has been driving me insane. I came to see if you were alright.”

He ignored me completely and made his way around the desk. Pulling out his chair he slouched idly into it. “Tseng, I’m busy. What is it that you want?”

“I appreciate that, Sir. I’m just so glad to see that you are well…I haven’t once stopped-”

He cut me off by raising his hand, and stared blankly at my face. “Tseng. I have a lot of things to catch up on and your presence isn’t helping matters. If this is something work related, then go right ahead and indulge me. If it isn’t, then please leave. I haven’t got the time to waste.”

I paused “I…understand how busy you must be, Sir. I just needed to know how you are.”

“Fine” he muttered, picking up his pen to write. I stood staring happily, taking in his appearance. He was bruised and his head was bandaged, but apart from that…he seemed in good health. When I got here, I wasn’t expecting anything to have changed; for him to treat me any differently. I don’t know what I was expecting to be quite honest. I just had to know that he was alright, and it’s clear to me now, that he was.

“Rufus, I am so thankful that I was there with you, to take the majority of damage from the attack. I don’t want to imagine what the conclusion might have been if Heidegger hadn’t asked for my assistance.”

He suddenly stopped writing, gradually looking up, he narrowed his eyes and glared. “Tseng…why are you still here?”

I coughed subtly, clearing my throat. “I wanted to see you, Sir”

“Well, I think you’ve seen enough. Now, if that is everything- Leave!”

“Rufus…is everything alright?” I was slightly confused by the aggressive tone he chose to use. Why was he so angry? His pen once more began to inscribe his documents, ignoring my previous query.

“Tseng, how many times do I have to state the fact that I want you to LEAVE?!”

I advanced closer, placing my hands on top of the desk. I leaned slightly forwards. “I understand how busy you are, Rufus. But please, allow me to speak with you later. We have things to discuss.”

Rufus glared, “We have nothing to discuss, Tseng. The only time I want to see you, is when you’re fulfilling your job description. Now, as you can see, Scarlet and myself have plans. So, I would appreciate it if you got out of my office and out of my face!”

I opened my mouth to answer, but closed it shortly after; an amused cackle interrupted me from behind. I stood up, glancing over my shoulder to find the source of the noise, instantly recognizing who it belonged to. “Oh, I see.”

I watched her as she rose to her feet, she’d been seated silently in the corner out of view. She casually wandered around the side of the desk and stood by Rufus’ chair.

Had she been there the whole time?

Leaning over the back of his seat, Scarlet slyly smiled. Her chin rested on Rufus’ shoulder as her cheek brushed up against his face, her arms had loosely wrapped themselves around him. Her hands were now on his chest; delicately stroking the fabric of his coat. I raised an eyebrow at the sight, slightly confused by what I saw. He just sat there, scowling, as if daring me to say something. But I didn’t.

Scarlet sniggered, playing with his hair “Yes, Tseng, can’t you see that the president is busy? I’ve not seen him all week and there is so much we need to review. He’s mine for the moment, you’ll just have to wait” Rufus smiled in agreement, placing down his pen. I watched as she started releasing the buttons from the fixings on his jacket, purposely taking her time. Rufus simply looked down to her hands in amusement. It didn’t take him long before he was looking up again, eyes back to mine.

“Tseng, I’ve got a week’s worth of work to catch up on. You are distracting me. Now get out so I can get on with it.”

I stared at them uncomprehendingly, wondering what had changed. You find my presence distracting? Would you mind explaining how you find her behaviour right now? Scarlet sneered and perched herself on the arm of his chair, helping Rufus remove his coat. Leaning into him, her arm passed behind his neck and rested along the back of his shoulders, her fingers then became lost within his hair. If I didn’t know him better, I’d say these plans they had appeared to be a little ‘informal’ for mere discussions on the current development of weapons. I know he doesn’t like her, so why was he allowing her to behave in that way? I thought about inquiring, but decided against it. What was the point? I sighed and lowered my head respectively, distancing myself from his desk. “Sorry to have inconvenienced you, Sir”

He picked up the signed papers from his desk and handed them over to Scarlet, he then began stroking her leg in response; watching my face for a reaction. What was he doing? Was he trying to make me jealous… jealous of her? Well, I’m sorry Rufus, it’s not working. I’m not jealous of her- I just despise her.

***

I was sat in my office, checking over files and trying my best to concentrate. Heidegger had tried to sway me away from participating with the investigation so soon. He told me that I was too emotionally involved, that I needed more time off. But I didn’t. I had to assist. I needed to know who these people were. I was leader of the Turks, leader of the investigation sector of the general affairs department; what ever Heidegger said, it was my duty to be involved. I owed that to Rufus. I had stacks of names, stacks of addresses, nothing was making sense. Why would any of these people want Rufus dead?

I threw the papers down and brushed them aside, making room for my elbows to rest on the table. I placed my head in my hands and sighed. I was trying my best to focus; my mind was just else where at the moment. Think Tseng…think, this is important! There had to be a link, something that we’d missed, a mistake must have been made. I’d performed many acts of elimination in my time, and from my point of view, the way that this one was handled was messy.

Ok, one of the men was large and one of them was swift; a perfectly constructed combination. Where one faults, one excels. I don’t think that was coincidence. But they didn’t use their time efficiently, why was that? An assassination is supposed to be quick, so the targets can’t escape. We managed to escape. Although, if it hadn’t been for Rufus’ shotgun blasts discharging…no one would have known. We might have won the fight but, we wouldn’t have lasted from the injures we’d sustained. Thank goodness he handles a noisy weapon. But then again, thinking about it, they’d tried to cover that angle as well. They did originally unload the gun and originally Rufus was supposed to be alone. Maybe it wasn’t so messy after all, just not handled as resourcefully as it could have been.

Maybe they just panicked when they saw that they had to deal with me as well. That could have been what had gone wrong. I guess we’ll never know, it’s not like we can interrogate them or anything…they both happen to be dead. And Rufus seemed fine with the matter, wasn’t phased by it at all. The fact that someone wanted him killed didn’t alarm him. Rufus Shinra, the infamous cold hearted man of steel, worries about nothing or no one but himself. Yes, that sounds about right.

The samples from the lab had been collected, DNA identification had been made…but that’s all that had been established. We still had no clue as to who sent these people. We just had two names. We knew who they were…or should I say…who they once were, but we didn’t know anything else other than that.

How could Rufus be so calm about this, how could he not care? He was acting as though it had never taken place. He has a habit of doing that…living in denial. Sooner or later he’d have to start taking this seriously. He was also being overly cold towards me, for a change. Why was Rufus being like this? Why had his attitude suddenly changed. We were back to where we’d started; him ignoring and me left clueless.

Was that his way of dealing with it?

I sighed and leaned back in my chair, staring up at the ceiling. I needed a clear mind to concentrate. All these questions were present. Why couldn’t I put them aside? At least, until we’d sorted out this mess. Ok, maybe I was being selfish, he had been through an ordeal, he was their target after all. Maybe he just needed more time, I could accept that… or maybe he was having regrets? God knows what goes through that man’s head. I just wish he’d tell me where I stood. So I’d be able to get the hell on with things, at least then I’d be able to concentrate, because right now I was finding it difficult, and this was important.

I sat forwards and stared at my desk. I needed to focus. I never let anything get in the way of my job. My profession was my pride, so why was I letting it get to me now? Heidegger was correct…I was getting emotional, emotionally involved like before. ARGH, but how can I not be? I wanted to help him, I wanted to protect him. I wanted to do a better job than I did. I acted so unprofessionally, it was so unlike me. Closing my eyes, I took in a deep breath and gently exhaled it slowly. Ok, calm down…you have a job to do, remember? You’re supposed to be finding motives for these men. Who were they and what did they want?

My feelings can wait. Rufus was the main concern here. Think about him and not about yourself.

***

I was still no closer to finding a link between these men. Damnit, Tseng, think. Look at it from your point of view. If you had a vendetta with someone as powerful as Rufus Shinra who would you go to? Who would you work for? Someone who specializes with high risk targets for a start, someone who had knowledge. How else would you know he was leaving Midgar to meet with suppliers?

I was suddenly distracted by the sound of a cup being placed down against the desk. I looked up instantly to find Elena standing by my side, gesturing to the mug. “I thought you could use it.”

I raised an eyebrow at her unnecessary deed, staring at the contents. Coffee… What was this for? She smiled, urging me to drink it. I hesitated but took hold of the handle, brining it to my lips, I took a deeply desired sip. I’d be lying if I said that it wasn’t appreciated. I’d forgotten all about my coffee, it had gone stone cold.

Elena pulled out a chair and placed it next to mine, leaning over, she glanced at my papers. “Find anything?”

I shook my head. “Not yet.”

“I’m sure something will come up soon. Tseng…can I talk to you?”

I sighed, bringing down my cup “Elena, can it wait? I’m rather busy at the moment. Can you come back to me at lunch?”

She smiled, poking me in the arm. “Tseng…lunch was over seven hours ago. You haven’t moved all day.”

I stared at her finger as it continued to poke, but it was soon swiftly removed; she must have registered to my reaction of annoyance. I don’t welcome being prodded…or being unnecessarily touched. But seven hours ago, was she being serious? I picked up the clock, it was facing me on my desk and I quickly brought it to my face. Taking in the time, the display read 8:07 pm. I’d been sat here since eleven am….was it really that late?

Elena shook her head, “You’ve got to have a break sooner or later, Tseng. You’ll drive yourself mad otherwise.”

Replacing the clock, I turned to her in bewilderment “Elena, why are you still here? Your shift finished three hours ago.”

She smiled “I saw that your car was still outside. I guessed you’d be working late, so I thought that I’d, erm…. keep you company.”

“Why would you want to keep me company?” I asked uncertainly, why was she being so nice?

Elena shrugged. “I dunno…thought I might be able to help.”

I sighed “I doubt that, Elena. I’ve been sat here for hours and I still haven’t found anything yet.” There must be something that I’ve missed.

She reached over and scooped up my notes, bringing them down onto her knee. She sorted through them leisurely while I finished off my drink. I suppose she was right, I could use a break, ten minutes wouldn’t make a difference.

Elena wrinkled up her nose as she flipped over a sheet or paper, holding it up to the light. “Urk, is this one of the guys? He was one UGLY man…I wonder if he was married?”

I massaged my forehead with irritation, my concentration had departed. Elena’s melodious tone wasn’t helping either. She was disrupting my attentiveness.

“So, what do you know about him. Did you find anything out?”

I shook my head, closing my eyes.

Elena smiled. “I don’t think he would be married, who’d marry that? Yak, just think of the unsightly kids he’d produce.”

I looked up, “Hmmm… wait a minute, there wasn’t just those men that night…there was that child as well.”

Elena paused, returning the image back onto her lap “A child? What, a child tried to kill the president?”

I rolled my eyes. “No, he broke into Rufus’ room. I don’t know what his purpose was. Maybe it was to pass on observed information, or grant them easy access to the suite…I don’t know.”

Elena shrugged “So…where did he come from?”

“Well, I believe his intention was to purposely damage the locks. But from my brief inspection, it was done from the inside. I think he must have had a key for access.”

Elena was getting excited “Do you think he worked for the hotel? Like some sort of cleaner or maybe a porter or something like that?”

“He could have been. I suppose it’s worth checking out. He could have had some sort of connection to the assassins, or they could have randomly chosen and paid him for his troubles. That would explain his rash behaviour and the result that followed. But like I said, I have no actual confirmation of his involvement.”

Elena sighed. “Tseng, remember what Heidegger said. Why don’t you leave it to the others to handle? They know what they’re doing, they’ve been working on it ever since you returned. If they need your help, then they’ll ask for it.”

I frowned “Elena, it has been over a week now since the incident happened and still nothing has been achieved, no one has been brought in. That worries me. Besides, I was there, the information I observed and acquired will prove useful. From personal experience and personal involvement, I’m best suited to be involved within the inquest. And let’s just say…that I’ve taken a keen interest in the president’s safety.”

Elena sighed and picked up my clock, she played with it in her fingers. “Why?”

I remained silent. Elena looked up, an expression of concern on her face. “Either way, don’t you think you should call it a night? You’ve been here for ten hours now. What good are you to them if you over work yourself?”

My eyebrows rose as I took the timepiece from her, placing it back down on the desk “ten hours? I thought it was nine?”

Elena giggled, pointing to the clock “See, I told you that you’d eventually lose it.”

***

It had been a rough night. I hadn’t been able to sleep. I’d been analyzing information. I was worried, I knew that I shouldn’t be…he was heavily guarded. But still, I couldn’t help my instinct. I’d gotten here early, mostly due to my uneasiness; I was more help here than at home. I’d managed to do some background research regarding one of the men. I now had a solid lead. An agency case. Someone wanted Rufus dead, clean, quick and professional. He’d obviously irritated someone, who that was exactly, had yet to be seen. I knew of the agency, this was a start. I thought Rufus better be brought up to speed on my discovery. I think he had a right to know, I suspected that he was as much in the dark as I was at this point. I reached for my phone, holding it firmly in my hand; I extended a finger to dial.

I waited.

“Good morning, Presidential office, how can I help you?” The voice of Rufus’ secretary, if I got through to her it must mean he’s currently engaged. I ran my free fingers through my hair subconsciously, wondering what I should say. “Can you put me through to the President, please?”

“One moment” She answered. She came back not long after, the cheerfulness in her tone told me she’d been successful. “I’m putting you through now.” I thanked her and waited for Rufus to reply.

There was momentary silence before the static finally cleared, Rufus’ voice came soon after “What?”

Thinking quickly over the conversation in my mind, I swallowed hard before I spoke. “Sir, it’s Tseng. I’d like to run through some things with you if I may.”

“Things? Such as?” His answers were short and snappy; he didn’t seem in the best of spirits. I carried on regardless. “Well, to do with-”

“Tseng, Heidegger is paid to deal with you. Whatever it is, put it passed him. I have better things to do with my time.”

“Sir, this isn’t something I feel Heidegger will understand. Rufus, are you busy?”

“Always. Tseng, I’m putting the phone down.”

“Sir, wait…” I sighed, collecting myself, and trying to sound as professional as I could. “I…I would like to comment on my findings.”

He paused. “Findings?”

“Yes, involving the incident.”

“Tseng, you have other duties to consider, so deal with those and leave that subject alone.”

“Rufus…”

“What?” He snarled.

“Rufus, I’m on my way up.”

***

Again I found myself stood outside his office, gathering my thoughts before I entered. It was only Rufus, so why was I so tense? I thought we’d gotten over all of this, all of the awkwardness…but obviously, I was mistaken. I knocked on the door and waited for an answer. Hopefully, this time we wouldn’t be disturbed. Hopefully he’d still be here. I didn’t exactly get his permission for this impulsive visit.

The doors shifted, and I made my way inside.

Rufus was stood by the window, back facing the room. He didn’t even turn around to greet me as I reached the top of the stairs. He was just standing there in silence. I made my way closer, the information documents I’d collected in my hands. I finally stood beside him by the window. He still kept his eyes forwards, directly towards the glass. Focusing outside, I think he caught sight of my reflection. “Well?”

“Rufus, before I show you what I’ve found, I’d like-”

Rufus intervened “Tseng, just say what you have to say and leave.”

I remained silent. He wasn’t going to make this easy for me. If I only knew what was going on…why he was so angry?

“Tseng!” Rufus snarled.

“Sir, my actions…” I sighed “Rufus, my actions have obviously offended you. They were influenced by my emo-”

“Tseng!” Rufus scowled, his eyes glared angrily into the window. I could see his mirrored image from my position. I continued despite his response “My emotions. They clouded my better judgment. I probably could have done a lot more if my mind wasn’t occupied with thoughts other than my profession.”

Rufus turned to me, eyes narrowed and lips held taught. “And your point is?”

I tried to sound as emotionless as I could, in spite of my feelings. “Rufus, I-am-sorry.”

He turned back to the window, his posture losing some of its tenseness quality; but he still remained ridged. Was that because of me, because I was still stood here. Was I making him anxious? I spoke “I understand why you’re behaving the way you are. And I understand that it is my fault. My intentions towards my job, towards you…they haven’t been professional.”

Rufus snarled “Tseng, I don’t want to discuss this-”

“Rufus, I can’t talk to you on a professional level if you don’t start acknowledging what took place. We need to resolve it. And to do that, I’m going to need your help.”

“Tseng, there is nothing to resolve. There is nothing to discuss. Why can’t you just drop this?”

I glared “Because incase you’ve forgotten, Rufus… someone tried to kill you last week. Or doesn’t that concern you?”

“No, Tseng, it doesn’t. I get death threats all the time, it comes with the territory.”

“Rufus, I’m trying to apologize to you here. Why won’t you listen?”

His response was silence.

“Look, Rufus. If it makes it easier, if that is what you want, we’ll go back to how it was. Forget it ever happened…like before.”

Rufus nodded.

“Fine. Rufus, I-am-sorry.”

Rufus stayed silent. I sighed and walked over to his desk, placing the notes on top of it. He obviously didn’t care. Well, I said it, if he doesn’t want to acknowledge it then that’s his problem. It’ll just make it difficult to work with each other…nothing new there. I finally spoke “My findings are here, Mr. President. If you wish to look over them at your own request, feel free. Any questions you may have, you know where I am.”

“Tseng…” Rufus sighed softly, glancing back.

I looked up “Sir?”

He exhaled loudly, obviously finding it hard to express his words. He finally forced them through gritted teeth. “Tseng, if your emotions hadn’t set in, you’d have followed my earlier orders and left.”

Rufus turned back to the window and continued “Resulting in me still being left in my room, alone…with no means of protection. I’d have been vulnerable to attack.”

“Sir?”

He growled “I don’t think I could have taken them both by myself, Tseng. Considering the consequences, maybe your actions weren’t entirely inappropriate.”

What? I was shocked, did he just…was he… was that some sort of gratitude?

“Rufus?”

He cut me off “Tseng. That is the last I want to speak of this. We can’t afford to be emotional, not in our line of work. It causes things like this to happen.”

I sighed, this was the reason it was ended in the first place, wasn’t it? Because of the emotional implications that come with it. No wonder he was being so cold towards me…he wanted to forget.

Rufus flicked his hair from his face, passing over the comment I’d just made. He quickly changed the subject “Tell me, are we any closer to finding who it was?”

I nodded. “I’ve done some digging. Apparently they were part of an agency based assassination unit, specializing in high risk targets.”

“And?” Rufus urged, his sight never leaving the window.

“And you might not be as safe as you first thought. Seems like these men don’t like leaving lose ends.”

Rufus grinned, turning around to face me. “Awww, and here was me thinking I’d lost my popularity status.”

“Rufus, this isn’t a joke. You could be still at risk. How’s the security at the mansion?”

He sighed “Fantastic. The best money can buy apparently. I can’t even use the bathroom without someone’s ear being pressed up against the door. It’s rather degrading…It’s like my own personal prison.”

“Rufus, your safety is our main concern. As long as you’re safe, as long as there is always someone there. It won’t be for long, just until we catch whoever it is that seems to have taken a dislike to you.”

Rufus smirked, confirming his sight back to the window “Just about everyone then.”

“Rufus…” I droned.

“Anything else?” Rufus questioned.

I shook my head.

“Then Tseng…you are dismissed.”
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(New Chapter WIP)