Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Heart's Desires ❯ Chapter 3

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Automatic Disclaimer: We do not own the rights to the following anime series, video games, or any other referenced copy righted material. This is a work is with delusions of grandeur. This will never, ever happen in our lives (damn it) and this basically is a dream we want to share with you.

J’dee’s Note: Holy Moly! I feel like I am possessed. Holy moly! Look at me I'm dancing like a zombie.  Holy moly I feel like I am possessed. Holy moly, look at me I'm coming back to life. ~<3 best kiwi lyrics EVAR. (can you tell I have nothing important to say so lyric spam instead ^^)

Toby’s Note: *watching her dance* Oh God why did I let J'dee start this chapter? *face palms*

Belle’s Note: Your bright idea to trade off chapters, I feel no pity for you, Toby.

Belle stretched as she woke up in the new room, the comfort of her bed was nice. She had been worried there would be the sounds of things living in the walls, but her cats seemed not to be interested in the walls. She got up and quickly pulled on her faux silk robe. The blue dragon across her back made her feel more dressed then her long nightshirt with the robot in the green dog costume.
She headed to the kitchen, thankful that it had been cleaned while she and J’dee had moved. She started the coffee pot with a mix she made herself. Kaidan and Rufus both informed her that coffee was essential, she expected them rising from the basement soon. She poured herself some orange juice before heading to the refrigerator and pulling out a small bowl of hard-boiled eggs. She took a seat and watched the basement door open as Kaidan came up. He looked sleepy but happy.
"Good, coffee,” he muttered as he headed over. Belle smiled as she began to take the shell off the first egg. "Want one?” She shook her head.
"Not big on coffee, it tastes funny and makes my heart feel like it’s on fast forward,” she stated and he chuckled as he took out some creamer. Belle split the white and pulled the yolk out of the egg. "Want my yolk?” Kaidan gave her a look. "I don’t like hard boiled yolks unless they’re devilled.”
"Rather not waste real food,” he said as he took it and popped it into his mouth as Belle salted her white and did the same before taking the next egg and breaking the shell.

~*~*~*~

J'dee was woken up Monday morning by her alarm going off.
"Dogs, I LOVE dogs!”
She let out a groan and shoved her pillow over her cellphone to drown out Roy's voice. J'dee sat up and pulled her phone out turning the alarm off she flicked her laptop on as it lay on the bed next to her.
Getting up she had slept horribly it always took her body time to adjust to sleeping in new places and the ghost-life of the area always had to come and look at her. Pulling her red and black kimono robe on and slipping into her flat-soled geta she picked up her packet of smokes before heading out and down the hall.
"Morning.” Belle chirped.
"Don't forget we're going shopping to get them their essentials today.” Toby called from the lounge
"Ngh.” J'dee waved before heading out the back door to sit on the step and have her morning smoke tradition.

~*~*~*~

Tobias felt the hot water from the shower soothe his aching head. He felt raw this morning, like some one had set his nerves to max setting and everything seemed so much more there. Of course without the alcohol to dull his senses and his memories he was having a rough start to the morning.

"Monster! You're a God damn killer! How can an apology bring back my daughter?!”

Tobias winced and pinched the bridge of his nose. He needed to focus. Yuna and the others needed clothes, toiletries, and other essentials. He needed to focus on them. He couldn't let old memories of past mistakes- "you fucking killer!” -get to him. Not right now.

Tobias finished his shower, and took a good look at himself in the mirror. He hardly recognized himself. With the thick beard the white starting at his temples, he barely resembled the man he used to be. Instead of reaching for his razor to get rid of his beard and he grabbed a set of clippers instead. If he trimmed it up he'd look presentable at least. He was just finishing up when some one began to pound on the door.

"Are you done yet Toby?” J'dee demanded.

"Just a sec!” he called to her, putting on some deodorant before reaching for his clothes. "I'm just getting dressed!”

"Well hurry up! Belle's none too happy that your car won't start and the six of us need to pile up in hers after we drop off the truck!”

"What about yours?” Tobias called back.

"Still at the apartment! We're getting it today after we drop off the truck!”

"Alright, I'll be out in a minute.”

~*~*~*~

"I feel like this is not usual,” Yuna said from where she was squished between Kaidan, Toby, and J’dee.
"It’s actually illegal,” Belle stated as she drove exactly the speed limit. "This car is only supposed to hold five people.”
"The truck is out of gas,” Toby said quietly.
"I know,” Belle said, biting her tongue not to mention how she was certain he had drank the gas money away.
"So how should we enter the mall?” J’dee asked.
"What’s it matter, you get lost every time,” Toby said and Belle smiled slightly at the jab. He wasn’t smiling but at least he was making jokes.
"You don’t need to do this,” Kaidan said and Belle smiled more.
"No problem, I figure you could give us some super advanced technology and we’ll call it even,” she teased.
"That’s against the law. No advanced technology to pre-space species,” he shot back and Belle laughed.
"I’ll have you know that there are people orbiting Earth right now in space,” she said and he laughed.

~*~*~*~

The group of them stood by the information board that had a list of the stores and locations. The board was only a few meters inside the entrance of the mall.
"Okay so we'll separate here to get them the clothes they need.” Toby stated.
Belle nodded. "Meet back in the food court when we're done. If someone doesn't get lost.” She held up a dog lead and looked at J'dee.
"Do you need this or will you actually text me back this time?” Belle asked.
"Oh hell no!” J'dee stated.
"Where did you get that?” Toby wondered.
Rufus took the lead. "Let me, I know how to train a hyper active animal... In fact I had a really good hound... until Cloud killed it.”
J'dee's eyes went flat. "I would have rather have had Dark Nation over you any day.” she shot.
Rufus smirked. "Yet your heart’s desire is linked to me.” He tapped the Shinra tattoo underneath her bangles. "Maybe this is the reason it thought I was your heart’s desire.”
"I got this because despite the stupid acts of your company. They produced some decent honorable men.” J'dee snapped. 'And pretty men... a lot of pretty men.' She added in thought.
Rufus snapped the lead on to her leather wristband. "That is still my company's logo you wear.”
"So?” J'dee glared.
Rufus smirked at her. "So until it miraculously vanishes. It gives me rights to treat you as property of ShinRa Corp. Being as I own ShinRa.” He yanked the lead before dragging J'dee off.
She felt her eye twitch. "I'm so going to hit you soon. She growled.
"Remember food court.” Belle called out after them.

~*~*~*~

"Fine then the four of us are going together.” Yuna stated matter of factly, in her borrowed jeans and t-sirt.

"What for?” Belle said, her eyes slightly glazed over as she was looking at Kaidan.

"You think I trust him?” Yuna stated bluntly, giving Tobias a look that would have frozen water solid. Tobias winced.

"Look I-” Tobias tried but Yuna huffed as she dragged Belle away. Belle shot the guys a pleading look. Kaidan shook his head and sighed.

"From what J'dee was telling me yesterday, Yuna is supposed to be a nice girl. Why she doesn't she like you?” He inquired to Tobias as the followed the ladies.

"Kidnapped by a powerful being at my whim and forced to live with me a year? That's like the beginning to a bad B-film where the evil villain does unspeakable things to her.” Tobias mused.

"You look better than yesterday but if you got rid of the beard and maybe got a hair cut you'd look less the part.” Kaidan offered, but Tobias shook his head.

"I don't want to see me for awhile.”

"Fair enough.”

~*~*~*~

"So where should we start?” Yuna asked and Belle headed to a nearby store.
"A reasonably cheap store with moderately durable clothes,” she replied.
"Do we need to look for anything specific about trends?” Kaidan asked and Belle snorted.
"I’m not a fashion guru neither is Toby so you’re kind of stuck looking at what other people our age are wearing. I would go for ‘Don’t notice me’ clothing,” she said as they entered the store. "You two pick out a bunch of clothes, I’ll wait by the dressing rooms and okay or deny them.” Belle grabbed Tobias and headed for the changing rooms between the men’s and women’s sections.
"Are you sure we should leave them alone?” Toby asked nervously.
"They’re adults, Toby, let them choose what they will,” Belle said as she leaned against the wall and waited, keeping an eye on Yuna and Kaidan as they wandered their individual sections.

~*~*~*~

J'dee stood by, arms crossed, that damn lead still attached to her wrist, while onlookers gave her a strange look at the lead linked to Rufus' wrist as he browsed. J'dee thought men were easy to shop with, in and out. Rufus... nooo not him. He browsed. He was more metro than her last boss. Shaving cream, aftershave cologne. She was just glad she was used to shopping with a metro image crazy brother and boss. He had gathered what he needed from the chemist. Inquiring about the quality of their products. Her head dropped when he picked the most expensive stuff out of the Hugo Boss range. Then again her tastes were very similar. She grew up in privilege too preferring the Jean Paul Gaulter perfume range mostly the summer and spring scents. She would not fault him for wanting quality. She was just glad her bank account allowed that kind of spending. It was nothing much just half of her next three paychecks.

When he was done he yanked the lead dragging her up to the counter to pay. The lady behind it blinked and looked at the lead.
"A friend thought it would be a nice joke.” J'dee sighed. "I just wasn't expecting it to be put in action.”
She shot Rufus a look.
"I own you.” He stated. "Now pay.” J'dee pulled out her card and handed it to clerk.
"If I strangle him with the lead you'll vouch you didn't see anything right?” J'dee asked. The clerk laughed obviously amused.

Clothes and everything else in hand. J'dee let Rufus lead her back to the food court. She admitted she didn't know where it was, but Rufus had memorized the mall map in the mere moments they had looked at it. She didn't have that mind set.
"I need a drink.” She uncuffed the lead and walked up to the chicken place and grabbed herself a burger and a coke. Before heading back to Rufus and where he had sat down.
J'dee looked at the bags. "Anybody would think it was me who was shopping and not you.”
"You said essentials you did not specify I had a price or quantity limit. The less time in public would be the better option.”
"Relax no one knows who you are here. It doesn't hurt to go out once in awhile to get some vitamin D into that pasty complex. I'd rather you didn't get a Vincent complexion by the time we get you home, they might think I locked you in a basement.” She teased. She saw the glare Rufus gave her.

~*~*~*~

Belle ducked between the two dressing rooms looking in on Kaidan and Yuna.
"Yuna, unless you want to draw the attention of any male in the area, let’s move up to the next size,” she advised.
"I thought this was normal,” Yuna said and Belle shook her head.
"If you were basing this on that woman by the door, she’s what we refer to as a slut. You do not want to look like her. She wears clothing that’s too tight. Pick up stuff that lets you move,” Belle said and Yuna nodded as she closed the door.
"To be honest, women seem to have more to worry about,” Kaidan said and Belle turned. He was in jeans that were just tight enough to make Belle want to stare. She managed not to, but it was a testament of her willpower. The shirt had a funny saying on it, but was again, just tight enough to make Belle shoot her eyes up to his face.
"Not bad, but you are going to get a few passes,” she said coolly with a smirk and Kaidan blinked. "It’s tight, but if you’re looking to get lucky, it’s great. Otherwise, size up the shirt.” Belle couldn’t let him get looser pants, especially as he turned around. The jeans just emphasized his perfect ass. Belle exited the dressing area as the two switched outfits.
"You look a little red, are you getting frustrated?” Toby asked.
"Yes, take Kaidan to check out, I’ll help Yuna,” Belle said.

~*~*~*~

"Jeans?”

"Check.”

"Shirts, formal and casual?”

"Check.”

"Shoes?”

"Ch eck.”

"Socks and underwear for you to model for the girls.”

"None of your damn business.”

Tobias couldn't help the grin as Kaidan smoothly dodged the jibe.

"How do you think the girls are doing?” Tobias asked.

"Now that’s a cute top, I may have to pick up one myself.”

"Well Tobias said he would pick up the tab for my clothes, why don't you slip it in my bag?”

"Eating away my savings.” Tobias sighed.

"Check.”

~*~*~*~

"So, I’m thinking J’dee and Rufus will be shopping forever,” Toby said and Belle snorted.
"Really, you think that?” Belle teased. "I may not know my Final Fantasies, but I know that Rufus screams efficient. He’ll have everything he needs and he’ll be waiting for us with a look of disapproval when we do get there.”
"He seems a bit full of himself,” Yuna said and Belle snorted at the same time as Kaidan.
"A bit?” Kaidan asked and Yuna chuckled.
"Okay, he’s very full of himself,” she said.
"Try sharing the basement with him,” Kaidan replied.
"We appreciate your sacrifice,” Belle said. "Look, you’re being paid in clothing.”
"Thanks,” Kaidan chuckled.

~*~*~*~

They sat in silence for about five minutes. J'dee didn't really know what to say to Rufus. Her head rested in her hand. She could feel that switch in energy when something ethereal was close behind the noise of clanking cutlery and the scrape of plates. Her hand went to her right ear and she blocked the noise. The noises were becoming a deep muffled sound. Looking to Rufus she noticed he seemed to be looking over the box of his new cellphone for this world. Another pricey investment but it had to be done. He had insisted he needed to be in contact with his 'property' at all times. She swore if he referred to her as property one more time...

Then she saw it behind him, standing right behind Rufus, that lab coat those glasses, the face of Hojo was looking directly at her. But he was transparent. Which was a first, most the time she saw the dead as solid objects, so she sometimes couldn't tell the difference between the living and the dead because of it. But this... him. He was dead. She looked away.
"Well say something.” She muttered more to Hojo than Rufus to confirm it was not some trick.
Rufus gave her a look. "I should thank you I suppose. This was forced upon you after all.”
She saw the smirk on Hojo's lips. There was nothing, he didn't say a thing. How very un-Hojo like.
No 'Hmmmmmm's' or random scientific mutterings. Just that look that actually scared her. She wondered what else had been pulled through to their world.

"And then I like totally heard a voice and it spoke to me.” The female voice cut through her thoughts.
J'dee saw the girl holding up something green circular and she nodded in the direction of the teenager.
"Rufus.”
He looked over seeing the orb. It looked like the same size as Rufus' materia.
"It spoke to you?” Her friend asked.
"Yeah and it like said something really weird, like if I looked after it, it would like protect me or something like that.” The teenager added.
"Materia...” Rufus stood up. "Give me a twenty.”
J'dee blinked at Rufus' demanding tone. "What?”
"Materia should not be in the hands of kids who don't know how to use it.” He stated. J'dee forked the greenback over and Rufus got up walking up to the girls. She watched him talk to the two girls as Belle, Kaidan, Toby and Yuna returned.
"He's being social.” Toby mused.

The girls seemed to giggle and J'dee watched him hand  twenty over and the green orb was placed into his hands. He nodded to them and walked back to the table.
"You bought it from them using my money.” J'dee stated. Rufus set the orb down in the middle of the table.
"You know materia of our world right?” Rufus stated.
"Well duh of course I do.” J'dee rolled her eyes.
"This is a magic materia,” Rufus stated. "If activated in your world... who knows what damage it could do. Let alone the questions it would raise to the local public. We or this does not need to be discovered here.” he added.
J'dee touched the top of the materia. "Sooo think there's more?” She asked.
"I hope not.” Rufus stated. "But given that this is here there could possibly be more.”
"Maybe you lost one.” J'dee offered.
"I do not lose materia.” Rufus stated.

~*~*~*~

After they got home Sunday from the shopping spree, Tobias spent the rest of the afternoon putting out feelers for work. He sent out what felt like hundreds of copies of his resume to websites.

Monday morning, he walked a mile to his nearest neighbors. He was happy to note their recycling was out and dug through it until he found the Help Wanted section of Sunday's paper. He grumbled to himself the whole way home, thinking that he should have brought a paper on Sunday while they were out. After calling and making resumes to mail out before the mailman came by, he spent the rest of the day trying to get his car to start.

Kaidan was a big help in that regard. Apparently the Alliance soldier had a thing for ancient cars, and together they were able to get the car running again. It backfired when it started but otherwise, it ran.

Tuesday was loaded with interviews, and Tobias went to each diligently. And hour after hour, meeting after meeting, it came back to the same thing. Not matter how impressive his portfolio, they wouldn't even give him a job in the clerical department. His reputation was utterly destroyed and no one wanted to take even the slightest chance on him.

When he got home that Tuesday night, Tobias canceled the rest of his interviews with engineering companies. Then he began to call other places he knew always needed work.

~*~*~*~

"What is your job?” Yuna asked as Belle sat at the kitchen table and ate a granola bar.
"I’m a teacher,” she said. "I teach mostly science, biology and geology, but I actually have one math class.”
"You have a more predictable schedule than the other two,” Rufus stated as he watched a trashy soap opera with a disgusted look.
"Yeah, well, J’dee’s job is shift work. She’s lucky she gets some control over what times and days she works. Toby…well, he’s trying, which is more than I’ve seen from him in a long time,” Belle confessed.
"You seem happy with his progress,” Yuna said and Belle nodded.
"He was killing himself, having you guys…well, being a good host has inspired him to live,” Belle sighed as she ran a hand over her face. "I don’t know what will happen after you leave.”
"Why was he suicidal?” Kaidan asked and Belle shook her head.
"It’s not my place to say. There are some stories you don’t tell,” Belle sighed as she got up. "I’m going to head to the gym now.”
"Can I come with you, I need a work-out,” Kaidan said and Belle smiled.
"Why not, I can have one guest,” she said. "I warn you, I’m in the pool.”
"As long as there is a weight room, I’m good,” Kaidan said.
"Go get your workout gear and we’ll go,” Belle smiled.

~*~*~*~

J'dee normally woke up late on her days off, she wasn't back to work until the weekend. So she enjoyed the sleep in. Though hitting Wednesday morning she was in the kitchen just as Toby was leaving for another of the many job interviews he had procured this week.
"You're on dinner tonight okay J-chan...”
She nodded. Since the new guests had been moved in they took a roster-based shift for meals at night to make sure everyone was eating properly.
J'dee waved tiredly. "Good luck.”
He was out the door before J'dee moved to boil the jug.
She let out a breath before lifting up the base of her shirt to check her stomach. She sighed before letting the fabric fall back down.

She pinched the bridge of her nose. She had had a very vivid wake up dream of dealing to a very pissed off Sephiroth and playing hide and seek. Her head thumped against the cupboard and groaned.
"That wasn't nice...” She mumbled. "I don't like dreams where Sephiroth tries to kill me.”

J'dee pulled some chicken meat for dinner and set it in a plastic ziplock back placing it in the bottom of the sink she just cleaned.
"For dinner tonight?” Yuna asked.
"Yep I'm on dinner so I thought I might do a Japanese chicken and potato stew since it's filling.”
"Though I'm using Kumera for my part I hate ordinary potatoes.” J'dee frowned.
"Kumera?”
"Sweet potato or yamspam whatever the hell they call them here.” Her brows knotted together.
Yuna gave her a look. "They call it here?” J'dee nodded. She had kinda just kept to herself since the whole shopping incident to keep out of contact with them in case there was any of her 'abilities' that could be transferred to them.
"Foreigner like another country. So even the stars here don't match up... Unless I stand on my head.”
Yuna let out a laugh. "Well at least you understand what we're going through.”
"Yep big change limited time then I go back home. So gotta make the best of it.”
"Except you seem to be here willingly.” The male voice spoke up.
J'dee let out a breath and looked over her shoulder at Rufus in the doorway.
"I'm here because I don't have anywhere else to be. Plus my city is mostly in ruins and it'll take a good fifteen years to rebuild.” She retorted placing her hands on her hips looking at him.

~*~*~*~

Belle entered the house to smell something strange.
"What is that?” she asked as she entered the kitchen.
"Japanese chicken and potato stew,” J’dee said and Belle made a face. "What?”
"Nothing,” she replied.
"You’ll like it,” J’dee cried as Belle walked to her room.
"Not if I don’t like stew I won’t,” she shot back with a smirk.
"It’s all I’m making,” J’dee cried.
"I didn’t say I wouldn’t eat it, I’m just thinking I’m going to make pork chops if you keep making weird food,” she joked and J’dee made a noise.
"You know I can’t eat pig,” J’dee stated from Belle’s doorway and Belle snorted.
"There is no medical proof that you are allergic, I suggest that it is all in your head,” she teased.
"Just try it,” J’dee challenged and Belle smirked and crossed her arms. "Cross that, I know you, you’d be mean just to make a point.”
"Like you never provoke me,” Belle chuckled and J’dee shook her head as she left.

~*~*~*~

Dinner was eaten in the lounge with the TV on due to the six of them unable to fit round the table without J'dee complaining of claustrophobia. J'dee wasn't really paying attention to what was on she just sat and ate in silence. Rufus set the finished bowl to the side and looked at her.
"This reminds me of something Tseng would cook.” J'dee blinked and looked at Rufus. She wasn't sure it was a compliment or not. She really had no idea how Tseng cooked.
"You're cooking's improved. Plus Toby's kitchen is still standing.” Belle teased. J'dee gave Belle a flat eyed looked.
"Hey I learned how to cook properly just before my mum got sick...” She set the bowl down next to the spot where she sat on the floor. "I didn't want her to overwork herself. I tried really hard to make things she could eat.” The memory lingered for a moment longer than it should of.
"Excuse me...” She stood up picking up her bowl and taking Rufus' empty bowl to the kitchen.
She rinsed them out before she worked on washing the dinner dishes she left to rinse after she dished out the meal.

Once washed she set them in the dish rack. She stopped seeing Belle there picking up a dish towel and helping her by drying them.
"Sorry.” J'dee mumbled.
"I'm not psychic you need to talk to me if something hurts you. Toby and I both.”
J'dee nodded. "The annoying thing about loss is that one minute you're fine and dandy the next you're the one that's lost.”
"Then I'll find you, but you gotta call out every now and again okay?” Belle gave her a comforting smile.
J'dee gave Belle a small smile. "I wish we had all meet sooner...”
"Next lifetime try to be born in the same country then.” Belle teased.
"And get stuck with an American accent? No thanks.” She stuck her tongue out.

~*~*~*~

"Watch it, Kiwi, my country doesn’t owe allegiance to a novelty monarchy,” Belle stated. "We kicked them out. You guys just herd sheep.”
"Hey!” J’dee growled with fake anger. "I’m a mixed breed.”
"Excuses, excuses,” Belle chuckled as she helped finish before she headed to grab her stuff to sneak into the shower. She noticed Yuna sitting on her bed. "Hey, how are you adjusting?” Yuna looked up at her and sighed.
"This world is very different,” she said. "I am not sure how I feel about it.” Belle moved to sit next to Yuna.
"This is a good world,” Belle said. "What are you worried about?”
"Why am I Tobias’ heart’s desire?” Yuna asked and Belle chuckled.
"I don’t know why Kaidan is my heart’s desire…save for the eyecandy,” she said. "I suspect it is because you are a good person who is hurting.” Yuna looked at her. "Tobias…went through a traumatic event recently.” Belle got up and closed the door.
"He was a brilliant engineer, he loved his job and he was starting to get recognized for his achievements,” she said as she looked out the window. "You cannot let him know I told you this, but, something went wrong. A convention was going on in one of his buildings. It collapsed, killing many people, children included. He was devastated. The families blamed him even though the materials used in the project were shotty. I suspect it wasn’t the design that was flawed, but the paperwork was traced back to Tobias. The courts blamed him and he lost everything…including the will to live. Thus why I put a suicide helpline phone number on his door.” Yuna stared at Belle and Belle looked out the window.
"I didn’t know,” she said and Belle nodded.
"No, you didn’t. I can’t answer why you are his heart’s desire, but I know he’s a good man who has been broken. If you could help us put him back together, I would appreciate it,” Belle said with a small, sad smile. "Look at it this way, what else do you have to do for a year?” Yuna smiled and Belle left the room.

~*~*~*~

The rest of the week seemed to just drag on. Everyone seemed to just go about their lives.
Toby was still job hunting, Belle was back at work. J'dee had only weekend shifts and she wasn't needed at work yet. So Friday was dead there was nothing she could do. That she knew of.

J'dee just sat on the front porch having her cigarette looking over the yard.
She was just staring off blankly to the forest across the way. Watching the movement of the trees in the gentle breeze. She took a drag of her cigarette not really moving. Her cat rolling on the porch next to her. J'dee reached over to scratch her cat under the chin.

She was aware of Rufus stepping outside behind her and he looked down at her.
"You don't do much.”
She shrugged. "Not much to do. Or more like I don't know what to do.” He stepped up beside her and crouched down to give her cat some attention. J'dee smiled as she heard the purring.
"What would you normally do, where you're from?”
J'dee let out a laugh. "Hope like hell I could get laid.”
She saw Rufus sigh. "Is that all you think about?”
"I think about living and why I'm still going at times.” J'dee flopped to lie on her back and looked up at Rufus. He only nodded.
"Then I think about what I'm supposed to do, or where I really belong.” She sighed. "How come my hearts desire brought you to me? When half the time I feel like I don't really have a heart.”
"You want to run your own business that I understand. Who else could help you?”
"Myself perhaps. I suck at asking for help or admitting I need it. My boss told me that. I didn't know I was even doing it. But I do and I did. When you're used to tackling so much on your own, you kinda forget that you're only human sometimes.”
"Then perhaps we should get started while you still have time off.” Rufus stated.
"Oh yeah cause the shifts are just coming at me in tenfold right now...” J'dee drawled. "My roster for the week is crap. I'm just glad I have some back up cashola at the mo.”

Rufus looked at her. She mentioned she had come over with some money, just never the amount.
"How much do you have?”
"To even live here for a year they require you to have at least ten thousand. I'm here for two... so close to twenty...”
"Hmmm that's not enough to start a business...” Rufus mused. "Not one of your proportion. Let me teach you how to make money to start a business.”
J'dee sat up and turned to look at Rufus. "How?”
Rufus smirked at her. "Investments are always a good place to start. Stock market. I've been watching the market of this world since I got here.”

"The newspaper...” J'dee realized, every morning Rufus had his head in the paper. He had been taking notes of how their world's stock market worked.
Rufus smiled as he stood up. "Get up, get changed we're going to the bank. You're going to make a withdrawal I can invest.”

~*~*~*~

Belle sighed as she grabbed the grocery bags and struggled to kick her car door shut.
"Do you need help?” Kaidan asked and Belle yelped as she nearly dropped the bags.
"Mother Mary and Joseph, we need to bell you,” she gasped and Kaidan smirked. "I meant like a cat, not like me.” He chuckled as he took the bags and she opened the car to grab a few more items.
"So how was work?” he asked and Belle shrugged.
"I’m a teacher so a mix of frustrating and fulfilling. It makes me happy,” she said and he nodded.
"It was boring here. I cleaned, J’dee and Rufus vanished, Yuna did laundry, and Toby was out looking for work,” he said as they entered the kitchen and put food away. "Could we hit the gym again?” Belle smiled.
"Sure, I’m making tacos,” she said. "That will take about twenty minutes so we can go now.”
"I can’t believe the food we’re getting,” Kaidan said and Belle blinked. "Most meat is grown in protein vats, no animals harmed in the process.”
"Dear God the future is hell,” she teased and he chuckled.
"It does make a difference,” he said and Belle shook her head.
"I’m so happy I don’t have to live that way,” she replied as she headed to change into her work out clothes.

~*~*~*~

It was after six by the time J'dee and Rufus arrived back home. J'dee hated the suit but Rufus had talked her into it.
She sighed as she walked through the door.
"Where did you two go?” Kaidan asked. Being J'dee and Rufus had left while he had been training.
"Bank.” Rufus stated. "I've borrowed some of J'dee's money to help get her started on her heart’s desire.”
"And you've dressed her like a Turk to do it?” Toby raised a brow.
"Banks respect those that dress money. If she went as she was I doubt they would of even given her a second glance.” Rufus replied.
J'dee shot him a glare. "I'm getting out of this shit. I'm over my suit wearing days.”
She walked past the group and down the hall.
Rufus sat down. To have J'dee's cat jump up and land in his lap.

~*~*~*~

Belle entered the kitchen with Kaidan following.
"If you chop up the tomato and onion I can mix the meat with the seasoning and get that cooking in time to chop up some olives and lettuce, that way we can have a family style taco night,” she said and Kaidan nodded.
"I notice I get the onion,” he stated and Belle batted her eyes innocently.
"You’re a big strong man, your eyes won’t water like my weak, feminine eyes will,” she pouted and he snorted.
"I’m sure,” he grinned and Belle laughed.
"Hey, don’t offer to help if you don’t want the jobs that the people you ask don’t want to do,” she shot back as she tossed him the onion and tomatoes before pulling out the meat and seasoning. "I bet you twenty bucks J’dee turns up her nose at this, especially after I ate that weird stew she made.”
"She wouldn’t do that,” Kaidan said.
"So taking the bet?” Belle asked.
"J’dee would be fair and eat whatever you cooked,” he replied. "So yeah. Twenty bucks.”
"Easy money, it’s barely fair,” Belle chuckled as she started mixing in the seasonings.

~*~*~*~

J'dee sat on her bed looking into the wardrobe where the suit now hung next to her ANZAC uniform, with her Kougaiji and Aerith cosplay costumes. She heard the knock at the door.
"Not hungry.” She called back as she fell onto her back on the bed.
The door opened and she looked up seeing Rufus opening the door and he cat came charging in before jumping up on the bed and landing on her stomach.
"She was sitting at the door.” J'dee let out a sigh as her cat stood on her stomach and looked down at her.
"Thank you for today Rufus.”
He nodded his head. "If we give it a few weeks and I can control the funds, there should be enough there to start your business.” Rufus stepped into her room and shut the door after himself. "Regardless I will have to take you over the other steps for running a business. We will start tomorrow before you go to work.”

~*~*~*~

Belle sighed as she rolled out of bed late.
"My, finally awake?” Rufus asked as he looked at her over the paper he was reading.
"The weekends are my time. I sleep in, get used to it, you’ll be living with it for the next year,” she replied. "And for your information, once the summer vacation hits, I’ll be doing this everyday.”
"So when are we going to the gym today?” Kaidan asked from the kitchen as he poured two glasses of orange juice. He offered one to Belle and she smiled as she drank.
"Early, they close the pool for laps at two so I need to get there if I want to get a good swim in,” she sighed as she stretched.
"I was under the assumption that teachers brought home student work to grade on weekends,” Rufus commented.
"I’ve been trying to grade my kids’ stuff at work so I don’t have to risk bringing it here,” Belle replied.
"Why?” Rufus asked as Kaidan turned to put the orange juice back into the fridge. Belle dribbled some orange juice out of her mouth slightly as she stared at his jean clad hind end. "Never mind.”
"Shut up,” she muttered as she grabbed a napkin to quickly clean herself off.

~*~*~*~

J'dee took her shift at work like any other day. Her mind was still trying to process the lessons Rufus had been teaching her about managing money and working through budgets and figures.
She knew the minute she got back tonight he would be going over taxes with her. She hated taxes.

J'dee was surprised at how fast the shift seemed to go by. She closed the store up by herself. Locking the door and walking out into the mall she let out a breath. Nobody wanted to work weekends. So that left her. When she had her own business she could worry about her social needs later. Walking to the staff car park she spun the car keys round her fingers.

The sound of a crow squawking behind her made her stop. She looked over her shoulder and blinked seeing the black bird perched on the wire fence. Head tilted as it looked at her. The squawk came again before it spread its wings and flew away. The crow was the symbol of the messenger, those that had died usually used the crow to pass their message on to the living. Least that's what she had been told.
"Sorry I missed that message.” She turned round and stopped. By her car there was the white lab coated figure of Hojo.
"Never mind I guess that was my message.” She sighed.

~*~*~*~

"When do you start?” Yuna asked. She and Tobias were outside and Tobias was showing her around the property. He'd done the same with Rufus and Kaidan earlier in the week but Yuna had finally warmed up enough to him to spend some time with him.

"Sunday night.” Tobias explained. "I'll be working ten pm Sunday till seven am Monday. Belle will be leaving for work when I get home.”

"The way Belle talked about you earlier you used to be a great engineer and now you're going to be collecting garbage.” Yuna said, and Tobias frowned. "I didn't say it was a bad job but still, its a big step down.”

"Did she tell you what happened, too?” Tobias asked. Yuna nodded. "No one will touch me now. I have no license and I'm responsible for the deaths of almost a hundred people. Not exactly some one you want to work for you.”

"Still I think that what your doing for us is-” Yuna was cut off as the sounds of gunfire began to echo from the distance. "What's happening?”

"Oh that.” Tobias said. He noted they were at the edge of his property by the small clearing with the pond. About 100 feet away was a chain link fence with barbed wire. "That's the Army base that runs along my property and several of my neighbors' farms. They have target practice on Saturdays in a minute my neighbors will start up too. Everyone around here does something like that on Saturdays. It keeps up for hours while the military guys practice.”

As if on cue, they heard more gunfire but closer. "And there go my neighbors.”

"Really? Hmmmmm....” Yuna trailed off as they walked, and thoughtful expression on her face.

"What is it?” Tobias enquired.

"Well, back on Spira I used to practice combat at least once a week.” Yuna explained. "Rufus and Kaiden mentioned they were going to get a bit rusty as well without somewhere to train. If this happens every Saturday we can practice without drawing attention.”

"I think I'd like to watch that.” Tobias said, feeling a bit excited.

"I'll run it by the others, but I know I'm going to practice next week.” Yuna said, smiling.

~*~*~*~

Belle turned up her MP3 player as the gunfire continued outside. Rufus was talking but she couldn’t hear him over the rough voice lamenting over the loss of her husband. He glared at her and she smiled as she tapped on her headphones. Kaidan was flipping through channels. The gym had been fun but it was clear both of the men were twitchy. Belle wondered how they could cull some of that extra energy. She would run it by Toby and the girls later.

~*~*~*~

J'dee sat in her car, she could feel the cold going through her body as she let out a breath. The steam passed her lips. Inside of her car felt like she was sitting on ice. It had taken the car five minutes to start up cause of the cold, her battery nearly dead. She was parked at a gas station waiting in the car as the battery was charging. Hojo had zapped the power from it used it to manifest his image clearer.

Sliding out of the car it felt warmer outside her car then inside and she left the door open in order to warm up the interior. Inside the car was like Jack Frost had attacked it. J'dee had been reminded why she didn't like vengeful spirits. Walking to the other side of the road away from the gas station she pulled out her phone to call home and that was it her phone battery died and she looked at it.
"Oh for fuck's sake!” She pulled out a cigarette and lit it throwing the phone to the ground.
She was glad it was a Nokia after it bounced off the ground.
"What do you want?!” She shouted not sure where the ghost had gone.
Then she felt something slam against the back of her shoulder and she was knocked forward, two steps onto the main road.  J'dee quickly jumped back two feet. A truck roared, its horn blaring as it past her.

The gust of wind and fumes of the truck hitting her in the face. She let out a breath and looked down, then stopped seeing the green materia and she crouched down picking up the orb in her hand before she looked over her shoulder.
"What do you want from me?” She hissed.
There was silence in return. J'dee squeezed her hand round the materia and she felt another one slam into her shoulder and send her spinning round. She stopped seeing the ghost like figure standing there, tossing a third up and down before throwing it at her. She ducked as it whizzed over her head.

J'dee moved to pick the yellow then the red materia up she put the three into her pocket. The ghost smirked at her and she saw the image flicker to Hojo's smirking face. Then like that it was gone.

~*~*~*~

Belle looked at the clock again before looking at her phone.
"She’s a big girl, Belle,” Toby said as he watched the movie Kaidan had put on TV.
"She’s got an amazing ability to get herself into trouble,” Belle replied.
"She’s not going to get into trouble,” he stated and Belle rolled her eyes.
"Have you met J’dee?” Belle asked and Toby thought about it.
"She’s not going to get into trouble tonight,” he replied and Belle shook her head.
"I’m just worried, you know how she shoots off her mouth and gets herself in over her head,” Belle sighed.
"She’ll call if she needs help,” Toby replied and Belle bit her lip.

~*~*~*~

J'dee walked in the door as everyone was heading off to bed. She let out a breath.
"You're late.” Belle commented from the entrance to the hallway.
"Car battery died on me.” She sighed.
"You could have called.” Toby stated.
"Cell battery died.” She added.
Belle let out a breath. "Bad day then?”
"Not really just at the end on the way home. There's something weird going on.” J'dee sighed. "I don't know what's going on but something weird is about to start and I hate it when that happens.”
"As opposed to it already starting?” Belle looked to where Yuna, Kaidan and Rufus were standing.
"I had a ghost throw rocks at me today I think that's a little weird.”
"Wait a ghost threw rocks at you?” Toby raised a brow.
J'dee sighed. "It stole the battery power of my car and froze the interior before stealing the power from my phone. Just to throw rocks. I've never had them throw anything at me. Normally they try to get me to pass on a message or something. Not stone me to death.”
She would hide the materia for now until she could figure out if it actually was materia.
"Well you are a witch.” Rufus pointed out with a smirk.
Her eyes went flat. "Oh ha ha... I'm hitting the shower then crashing... I'll catch you guys tomorrow.”

~*~*~*~

Belle flipped the pancake and smiled.
"You make it look easy,” Yuna chuckled and Belle shook her head.
"Then you haven’t been watching me long, I usually mess up two or three,” she replied.
"At least they taste good,” Kaidan said and Belle smirked.
"Of course they do, I use regular butter and not whatever fake crap the Alliance serves you,” she chuckled.
"You get used to it,” Kaidan replied.
"You should use buttermilk next time,” Rufus stated.
"When are you going to cook us a meal, Mr. President?” Belle asked and he smirked.
"Later,” he said calmly.
"Remember, J’dee can’t afford caviar or Alaskan snow crab,” she taunted.
"Speaking of which, doesn’t she have work on the weekends?” Kaidan asked and Belle nodded.
"Yeah,” she muttered before grinning. "Want to bet she ignores my pancakes like she did my tacos?”
"I’m not falling for it twice,” he replied and Belle smirked.
"Are you sure?” she asked. "I mean, smell these pancakes, delicious. What kind of inhuman creature would pass these up?”
"I’m not buying it,” he replied. "I bet she does ignore them.”
"Damn,” Belle chuckled.
"Does she hate your cooking or something?” Kaidan asked. "It seems every time you cook something, she doesn’t eat.”
"It’s just her way,” Belle shrugged. "I actually plan on her skipping my food.”

~*~*~*~

J'dee looked at the text from her boss stating there was a shift swap and she would be working Wednesday instead of Sunday and she let out a breath. She could tinker with her car today and try to fix the ghost problem to stop the spooks from sitting inside it. Walking to the breakfast table she sat down.
"Late shift?” Rufus asked looking at the paper.
"Nope shift swap. So I'm going to go buy a motorbike today.” J'dee stated. She had no idea why she just said that. But it just came out and she didn't regret it even after she said it.
Rufus looked at her with a raised brow. "Why?”
"Cause my car is haunted and I don't have the time or energy to exorcise it. I'm going to need transport somehow.” She stated.
"Well after that then we will get started on taxes when you get back.” Rufus stated.
J'dee sighed. "Sure awesome fine.” She stood up walking to the fruit bowl and snapping off a banana and walked back to her room.
If she or her vehicles were going to attract ghosts she would have to warn them that it would become infectious. Eventually they'd start seeing, hearing and feeling them too.

~*~*~*~

Belle opened the shades to clean the windows and stopped when she heard Kaidan hiss. She turned to see him pinching the bridge of his nose with his eyes closed.
"Shit,” she muttered as she closed the shades quickly and grabbed his arm. "Come on, let’s get you into the basement.”
"It just hit me,” he said. "How did you know?”
"My mom gets migraines regularly and I get them on occasion. Aversion to light is a biggie. Let’s get you in bed,” Belle said as she led Kaidan to his room and sat him on his bed. He lay back and threw an arm over his eyes. Belle untied his sneakers and pulled them from his feet. She took the socks off his feet before moving so he could lie on the bed. She pulled a fan to blow cool air into the room before turning off all the lights downstairs, leaving them in the dark.
"Thank you,” he whispered.
"I’m going to get you a pain reliever, not that it will do much, but it could help. I’ll also get you a can of soda from the fridge, you can drink it or use it to rub over your temple. I’ll also bring you some ice water,” Belle said as she got up and quickly began to fetch said items.
She returned to find Kaidan asleep, his forehead scrunched. She felt bad as she placed the items down and laid a hand on his shoulder.
"What?” he grunted and Belle pressed three extra strength pain relievers in his hand before putting the straw in the glass of water and holding it next to his head. He popped the pills and sipped the water. He looked at her, not squinting in the darkness. "Thank you.”
"You’re welcome,” she said as she pressed the cool metal of the soda against his temple and he sighed. She moved his hand to the can and got up. "Here.” She plugged in a small phone. "The phone has an intercom function. Press it if you need anything and I’ll get it.”
"Thank you…again,” Kaidan sighed and Belle left him in the dark, hoping these headaches wouldn’t be often.

~*~*~*~

J'dee drove the bike back to the house and pulled it up to the garage and parked it in front of the garage. She flipped the kickstand down before opening the garage door. She moved the bike in between the two cars already there. Her car underneath the make shift carport. So this garage held Toby and Belle's cars. J'dee set the bike at the back. She left the garage and closed it before walking up to her car and jumping onto the hood and lighting up a smoke.

J'dee was still there with her cat by the time the day had ended, just sitting there watching the sun setting in the distance.
"This year is going to be hella weird.” She mumbled more to herself than anything. Rufus wanted to go over taxes with her... she had all night to kill it wasn't like the afternoon she spent basking in the sun would give her less time when she still had Monday and Tuesday to learn taxes in.

Finally sliding off the hood of her car she picked up Tiger and walked inside.

~*~*~*~

Belle was washing dishes as everyone was settling down for television or sleep. She scrubbed before something caught her attention out the window. The darkness shifted and she stared out the window over the sink. The darkness was imposing and she missed the lights in town. The oppressive darkness of the night made her nervous. She wondered what might be hiding in the dark. Goddesses were real, what if less kind creatures were lurking out there as well. She shuddered as she pulled the curtain closed. She rather not see the monsters in the dark if at all possible.

~*~*~*~

To Be Continued...