ShinRa's Shake Up

Three Turks stood in the large comfortable room of the hospital, eahc one with a look of panic and uncdertainty on his or her face. Rufus was having another one of his episodes. They were never pretty but this one was looking to be rather nasty.



“I don’t want to ever see or hear of him ever again! Do you hear me Tseng? Never mention his name to me again! He is nothing but a pathetic excuse for a Turk, I don’t now why I ever even took him on!”



“But Sir..” Elena said, somewhat hesitantly but firmly. “ Reno ’s just trying to…”



“I said never, Elena!” Reno yelled as he glared at the petite blonde, his eyes shinning brightly in anger.



Elena recoiled slightly, and felt Rude’s hand on the back of her arm.



“Elena, why don’t you go,” he said simply as he reached up and pulled off the sunglasses.



Elena nodded and turned and quickly left the room. As the door closed behind her she noticed how fast her heart was beating. Making her way down the hallway, she said a silent prayer that things wouldn’t get out of hand tonight. It had been a rough day for Rufus, and the night wasn’t looking like it was going to be any better.



Rufus ShinRa himself, one time the most powerful, wealthiest, and most influential person in arguably the world, was having a hard time adjust to being back in the world of the wakeful living. Being unconscious for over a year had a way of messing a person up. The once lean toned muscles had long since atrophied, joints had now grown stiff, and movement became difficult at best. Nerves, which had long been unfeeling, now were hyper sensitive and the lightest touch became painful. It was not uncommon in the nights for Rufus to be in pain simply from the feel and weight of the sheet over his skin. Every sense was on edge and was sending his brain into overload. Doctors poked and prodded, running test after test, when all Rufus wanted was to be left alone. The real trouble had started in the early afternoon, when one of the doctors wanted to get yet another vial of blood for some tests.



“Just need one vial today, Rufus” the doctor said as he flipped through the charts in his hand.



“Vampire…” Rufus muttered ad he remained unmoving, his back turned to him.



The hospital staff had long since learned to ignore most of Rufus’ snide remarks and insults. His cold bitter personality had only increased exponentially since he had awoken.



“Come on, the longer you stay stubborn the longer I will have to stand here bothering you.”



Rufus didn’t move or make any sign of recognition. With a slight sigh, the doctor walked over and gently took Rufus’ arm. In almost the exact instant, Rufus’s arm, the one he had full use of, swung out, striking the doctor in the face. All it took was the cry of alarm and the sound of the ensuing scuffle and Rude and Tseng were in the room. It was when they saw he had grabbed the doctor’s shirt collar with his good hand, the other still unable to move, and threatened the doctor, they knew they might need to do something to calm him down and make things a little less painful for him. Rude grabbed Rufus’ arms and pulled him off the doctor, his boss fighting with every bit of strength he had, shouting and cussing the entire time. Tseng helped the doctor to his feet and less than gently moved him towards the door. Closing the door, Tseng turned and looked at Rufus, still struggling in vain against the much stronger man who held him back.



“Rude, let me go! What the hell do you think you are doing?” Rufus shouted as he tried to pull free. “Let me go!”



“No,” Was all Rude would reply.



“Rufus, stop it!” Tseng said, much like he was scolding a child who was throwing a temper tantrum. “Snap out of it!”





“Tseng, order him to release me!”



“Rude, hold him.”





“What the fuck do you think you are doing, Tseng!?!? I said let me go!”





“Rufus, look at you! Look at what you are doing, to yourself, to those who are trying to help you… to those who care about you.”



“Elena… and Reno …” Rude said simply.



“I don’t give a fuck about them. None of you understand or care. You never have!”



“Rufus, why the hell would we still be here if we didn’t?”



Rufus just sneered maliciously as he lowered his head, his eyes angled up to look at Tseng through the blond hair that skirted his eyes. Rude saw something flash in Tseng’s eyes and he felt Rufus stiffen slightly. In the next moment, Tseng’s hand flew back and fell, striking Rufus’ face.





Rufus went limp in Rude’s arms as the large man kept him up on his feet. Lifting his head, he looked at Tseng who stood there, fists clenched at his sides, breath heavy, and a pained look on his face.





“Don’t make me do it again, Rufus.”



Rude got Rufus back to the bed as the doctor timidly opened the door and peered in. Several of the staff gathered around the bed as Tseng remained in that spot.



“Don’t make me do it again, Rufus… please,” he thought as he closed his eyes and reached for the cell phone in his pocket.



He made a quick call to Elena to let her know they were ok. She told him that Reno was awake and she would give him an update in a few hours. Slipping the phone back into the pocket of his jacket, he watched as the doctors worked and debated about what to do. He joined Rude and the head doctor by the doorway.



“We can’t sedate him. If we do, he could very easily slip back into a comma, and he might never wake up.”



“But we cant keep on like this, none of us can. Rude and I can barely control him when he gets like this,” Tseng said. “If he was to ever do that to Reno or Elena..”





“He’s right,” Rude said quietly.





The doctor scratched the back of his neck as he tried to think of what they could do. They couldn’t fully sedate him but perhaps there was something else that could be done.





“What we can do is give him a mild sedative… Along with something to help with the pain, it should help a great deal, without risking him slipping too far.”



So it was, Rufus had been put on an IV Drip of various concoctions, which seemed to help somewhat. His condition was poor at best and what bothered everyone most was the drastic change in attitude. They had seen it time and time again and the current episode was just the final nail on the coffin. While it was to be expected, the extreme nature of it was shocking even some of the seasoned doctors. An hour later, Elena arrived to see how they were fairing.



“I’ve seen cases of personality change in patients before…” the doctor said as he stood before Rude, Tseng, and Elena. “However, I haven’t seen anything this extreme before.”



“How so?” Rude asked simply.



“Usually personality changes are small. They either cover a isolated area of the personality- such as temperament, emotions, or such. For example, someone who before was a needy touch based person who loved personal contact with people might become withdrawn and reclusive. Someone who was easy going and level headed, always keeping their cool, could become rash, hot headed, and short tempered. That is what I normally see in these cases- and cases such as these are rare to begin with. Rufus however... he has had what I would almost call a total personality change.”



“Meaning more than just one area?” Elena said simply.



“Exactly. From what I know and have been told by you all, Rufus was once what people would call an exceptional leader. Bright, sharp, and wise he had a good head on his shoulders. He was in control of his emotions and never let them overpower him. He could be cold and cruel at times but also was quiet and even tempered, never letting feelings take control or letting his actions be governed by impulses. An astute businessman he spoke with authority and direction. The man who is in that room now is not the Rufus of the ShinRa company a year ago.”



“He has changed,” Tseng said imply, “but has it been that radical of a change?”



“I’m afraid it has. Despite you all being faithful to him these three days since he awoke, you have not been here every hour of the day. You have seen some but there is also a lot you have missed. Many times Rufus falls into a violent personality. He will lash out- verbally and physically at time. He will withdraw one moment and then be on the verge of tears the next. In the morning he may push away any attempt to get him to talk and then by lunch he is calling to us and wont let us leave he is so desperate for someone to be there.”



“I’ve seen that” Rude said simply. “Just today he wanted to know where Reno was when I came by and then a few hours later, when Elena came by to talk to him, he said he never wanted to see Reno again.”



The doctor nodded somberly and the others also shared their brief encounters with the new Rufus.



“So, is this something permanent or is it going to go away in time?” Elena asked softly, a glimmer of hope in her eyes.



The doctor sighed and ran his hands through his hair. He looked at each one gathered around.



“I wish I could say. I have never seen anything like this in all my years… I don’t know what is going to go on from here. I’m afraid… all we can do, yet again, is wait. Right now, my suggestion to you is keep on talking to him. He may snap out of it. Its not unheard of for someone to flip back to their old personalities. However, I must warn you all to prepare yourselves, that this might be who Rufus is now. And the same for your red headed friend.”



“Speaking of the red head, how is he doing, Elena?” Tseng asked as he looked at Elena.



She looked so tired and worn out- they all did. Tseng’s hair was unwashed and out of place for the first time in like, years. Rude’s beard was getting a little on the shabby side. Even Elena looked thin and had dark circles under her eyes.



“He’s holding out… his strength is coming back, which is good. But…”



“But?” Tseng asked, already knowing what the answer was.



“He wants to see Rufus.”





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It had taken a lot to keep Reno away. The red head had gained back a good bit of his strength, and still every though and every word was about Rufus. He would grill Rude, Tseng, and Elena for information about Rufus every time he saw them. Eventually they broke down and called for a meeting with Rufus’ main doctor.





“Are you sure this is what you really want?” the doctor asked a she stood at the door with Rude and Tseng.



Rufus lay in the bed, propped up with several pillows, various I.V.s and sensors hooked up. He had been getting stronger over the last few days and seemed to be doing well with the morphine drip. The Oxazepam sedatives were keeping him calm and mellowed. Tseng glanced over to Rufus then back to Rude who nodded.



“Yes. This needs to be done,” Rude said simply.



“I don’t like it any more than you doc,” Tseng said as he ran his hand through his hair, “but there’s no avoiding it. Reno will not rest until he sees Rufus again.”



“I understand, but you do realize what could happen, based on the last time they saw each other.”



“We are aware.”



“Yes we are” Tseng sad as he looked at Rude, wishing his partner would help him out a little more in the dialogue department. “However, Rufus has calmed down a good bit since then, and Reno has gotten a good bit of his strength left. I think, at this point and time, that we are only making it worse by waiting any longer.”



Tseng saw Rude grin slightly. The baldheaded Turk knew good and well what is had taken to convince Tseng of that. Elena could be quite persistent and very persuasive when it came to something she firmly thought or believed. They had exchanged less than friendly words several times and had finally reached an agreement. Tseng would allow Reno to see Rufus whenever he wanted, but Elena had to promise not to encourage Reno along. They both had agreed- it was up to Reno and Rufus now to determine what was going to become of their relationship.



Tseng was brought out his thoughts as Rude walked to the door and opened it slowly.



“ Reno , come on in” he said as he gave his partner a warm smile.



The read head walked in, Elena by his side, her hand on his shoulder lightly. He smiled slightly at Rude and then nodded to Tseng who simply nodded in return. His eyes briefly met the eyes of the doctor.



“How is he? How’s Rufus?” he asked, his eyes wide with concern.



“He’s fine Reno . He’s resting right now,” the doctor said as he glanced over at Tseng for a brief moment. “You can go over and see him if you want.”



Reno looked over his shoulder at Elena who smiled and nodded, patting his shoulder.



“Go on Reno ,” she said with a smile.



Reno grinned and half ran over to the bed. He looked down at the apparently sleeping form of Rufus. Sitting down into the chair beside the bed, Reno stared at him a moment, the biting words from their last encounter still ringing in his ears. Slowly he reached out a hand and laid it over Rufus. His hands were no longer cold and Reno smiled slightly.



“Hey boss, it’s me, Reno ,” he said softly.



Rufus turned slightly and blinked, his eyes unfocused for a moment. Then his eyes cleared and a hint of a smile pulled at the corners of his mouth. While Reno was half expecting him to pull away from him, Rufus instead slipped his hand into his and squeezed gently.



“ Reno …. where the hell have you been?” Rufus asked as he looked up at the red head Turk who was grinning like a Cheshire Cat.



“Oh you know me boss, goofing off as always” Reno said with a laugh as he reluctantly let go of Rufus’ hand and sat back in the chair.



Rude nodded to Tseng and Elena and started towards the door. Elena smiled and gently took Tseng by the arm and led him out of the room. The doctor followed and closed the door behind him. Once they were alone Reno slipped out of the chair and sat on the edge of the bed beside Rufus. His eyes wandered over to the various machines and sensors; Rufus sighed.



“I feel like a bloody marionette sometimes- everybody trying to pull my strings…” He smirked slightly as he lifted his arm puppet like. His left arm still remained still, the use of it still not having fully returned, even now.



“Ah you are too opinionated to be a puppet- you never let anyone pull your strings,” Reno said with a sarcastic laugh.



He looked at Rufus a moment, his soft grey eyes looking deeply into the piercing blue ones. All the bandages were gone and he could see those eyes in their full brilliance. He felt his heart do something in his chest and his vision grew blurry as he looked at Rufus.



“ Reno ? What’s wrong?”



“I thought… I had lost you Rufus...”



Rufus looked at the young man and lifted his hand and laid it on Reno ’s shoulder as he looked into his eyes.



“ Reno …” he said simply.



Reno ran his sleeve across his face, trying to hide the tears as he smiled. Nothing else mattered- the waiting, the hurting, the longing – none of it mattered. He wiped his eyes as he picked up the medical chart from the foot of the bed and flipped through it.



“You haven’t been eating?” eh asked in a mock tone of horror.



“If they bring me something worth eating I might actually consider trying it.”



Reno had to laugh and Rufus joined him, the sound reaching the three Turks still waiting out in the hall. Elena smiled broadly at Tseng and Rude even grinned, but Tseng just still silent and unmoving at his spot against the wall.



“Well how about this,” Reno said leaning over against the bed. “I will bring you something in that will be worth eating.”



“You got yourself a deal.”