Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Heart's Desires ❯ Chapter 4

[ 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.

Belle’s Note: Here is my contribution to starting off a chapter. Watch a master plot twister start to lay her webs, both the obvious and the ones that will catch you later.

J’dee’s Note: I think I've watched too much Supernatual in the past week...

Toby’s Note: I think I'm hungry with all the mention of food in this chapter...



~*~*~*~

Belle sighed as she watched Tobias head for the shower.
"Hey, work is work," J'dee said and Belle nodded.
"I know, but we both know how much he loved his career before it happened," she sighed and J'dee slapped her shoulder.
"The nice thing is we can watch him now," J'dee said. "No more liquid meals for our boy." Belle smiled.
"True, now if I could just get you to eat," she teased and J'dee puffed her cheeks.
"Hey, I told you I wasn't hungry," she pouted and Belle snorted.
"I'm sure," Belle said as she headed to her room to change for the gym.

~*~*~*~

J'dee gave Belle's retreating back a small smile and looked down. She hadn't meant for it to appear like that. She just grazed on bits of fruit during the day, and wandered off when she felt like it. She still wasn't used to this living in one spot thing. She wanted to, but the thought of it only being temporary, at least just till she found that place she belonged. She was still searching for it. For now though she wanted to help aid in Toby's road to recovery at least, she understood his pain all too much.
Grabbing some fruit she walked to the lounge and sat down to watch some Supernatural, mentally cursing that her mates back home and sister-in-law got her into the damn series after years of resisting.

~*~*~*~

Tobias wrinkled his nose at the new jumpsuit he had to wear to work. It didn't even have his name on it (that wouldn't happen until his ninety day probabtionary period was done) and it seemed to mock him. It reminded him how far he had fallen.

~*~*~*~

Belle sighed as she stepped out of the women's changing room and headed to look into the weight room. Kaidan was still working out and Belle noticed that he was lost in the work out. Her eyes widened as blue seemed to shimmer across his skin.
"Kaidan!" she cried and he snapped out of the 'zone' before smiling.
"Oh sorry, lost track of time," he said and Belle nodded. She watched him head to the male locker rooms and she stood outside chewing her lip. Time was slow until Kaidan showed up and Belle quickly grabbed his hand and began to pull him out of the complex to her car. "What was that?"
"I should be asking you that," Belle hissed as she poked Kaidan in the chest. "Your biotics were flickering." She gave him a hard look and he blinked.
"They were?" he asked and Belle rolled her eyes.
"Have you been making sure to work them out too, Kaidan?" she asked and he thought about it.
"Not enough," he said.
"I don't know enough about biotics to know if it is a good thing or not, but if you start playing glowworm we are going to get unwanted attention," Belle warned and Kaidan nodded.
"Noted, I'll need to be careful to keep the migraines down, but you are right, I need to use my biotics or I'll use them without trying," he said.
"No problem," Belle said. "I don't know if we are going to the gym enough to keep you ready. How often were you in combat?"
"At least once a week. Between slavers and mercenaries, the Alliance is pretty busy," he said and Belle blinked in shock.
"Scary to think how many humans must die for war," she muttered. "I suppose it is not surprising, our diversity ensures that there will always be disagreements."
"Very true," Kaidan said as Belle drove them home.

~*~*~*~

J'dee was sitting up late finishing of the season marathon and sh clicked the remote to the tv turning it off.
She stood up and stretched realizing that the room and everything was dark.
'Well if that didn't G up my brain to try and figure out what that ghost wanted then who knows.' She thought and headed to her room opening up her lap top to just do a quick bit of research on the patch of road her car died on. She knew she wouldn't come up with anything solid specially when the thing made a home out of her car.
While waiting for the computer to load she pulled back the curtain to look outside at her car.
She could see it from there the distorted face in the backseat staring right back at her.
J'dee heard the asterix noise of her computer loading and she closed the curtain.
"I'm going to exorcise you tomorrow you little punk. I want my car back.”

~*~*~*~

"Another night, another can of trash.” Tobias muttered. His new partner chuckled as they came along the first street. The truck slowed to a stop so Tobias could hop out of the cab. He grabbed the first can, knocked off the lid and emptied the can into the back. He jammed the lid back on before grabbing onto the rail behind the truck so they could drive to next house. Tobias wrinkled his nose at the smell that hit him. Another night, another dollar...

~*~*~*~

Belle watched as Kaidan made breakfast by carrying everything he needed to his hand using his biotics.
"I have never seen such power," Rufus muttered and Belle nodded.
"I have to say, I'm impressed," she said with a grin and Yuna muttered an agreement as she watched eggs float over the pan, breaking carefully enough they could still be fried sunny-side up.
"A very useful ability," Rufus added as Tobias entered the house. Belle shook her head as she watched him head for the shower again.

~*~*~*~

J'dee had pushed her car out from under the car port and she had it on the lawn.
Walking round it with her salt making up a circle round the car. She had her white sage, pentacle,  athame and a water bottle filled up with water and salt.
She finished the circle before staying on the inside and calling on the corners to make the circle protective.
Opening the front driver's side door she tied her pentacle necklace round the rear vision mirror making her soft air chants.
She could hear the hiss from inside the car as she lit the white sage up and she opened the other doors waving the smoke inside the car. To let it filter through the car and push any unwanted energies out of the car. All the while making her fire chants.

J'dee let out a gasp as she saw the figure become visible but remain transparent. It turned and looked at her. She splashed some of the salted water in its direction before splashing it over the interior of the car. Using her water chant she tipped water into her hand and lined the window frame and door frames with it. Seating the purity and energy in the car to make sure this didn't happen again.

Using the athame she cut the pentacle shape in to the center of the car using her air chant before stepping back and calling upon the pantheon hierarchy to send a positive force to cleanse her car out of any negativity and unwanted spirits.

She sat on the bonnet of her car cross legged, eyes closed doing the repelling chants using the forces of the elements to help.

~*~*~*~

Belle was heading into the house when she saw the mail. She quickly grabbed it.
"One for Toby, one for J'dee, two for me, one more for J'dee, one more for me, and three more for Toby," Belle said. She then noticed that two of them were bills and quickly opened them. She had put a whiteboard on the fridge for this reason. She divided the payment into three so that each of the earners could help pay. Since the account was in Toby's name she would write him a check and leave it on the whiteboard. She did so and then began opening her mail, groaning as she realized it was her student loan and bank statement.
"Shit," she muttered as she looked at the reminder that she needed to check her accounts. "Damn, if only I knew where I had put those damn passwords."
"Hey, you alright?" Kaidan asked as he came up from the basement and Belle sighed.
"Oh yeah, I just keep forgetting the damn passwords and sign ins for a few of my online accounts. I would like to know how much money I owe on my education," she sighed. Kaidan smiled.
"I can do that for you," he said and Belle's eyes widened.
"That's right, you have the electronics and decryption training," she said and Kaidan nodded. "Hold on, I'll get my computer." She rushed out of the kitchen and headed for her room. Kaidan smirked as he looked at the small piles of mail. It was funny to think of physical mail being normal. Belle returned and quickly accessed her student loan website.
"Do you know your login?" he asked and Belle nodded and typed it in.
"It's the password, they issued it to me and I have no idea how to change it to something memorable," she said and Kaidan nodded as he pulled up his omnitool.
"No problem, just tell the omnitool what you want for your password and it will be able to bypass the server and get you set up," he said and Belle laughed as she quickly did that.
"Oh wow, look at that, I'll own my own brain in a few years," she grinned and Kaidan chuckled. "Okay now the checking account. They make me change the password every six weeks. It's killing me."
"No problem. I can remove that requirement and we can set the password," he said.
"Can you make it so I can use one I've used before?" Belle asked and Kaidan chuckled.
"Why don't you give me a challenge," he teased and Belle laughed.

~*~*~*~

Tobias awkone with a groan, feeling an ache in his left shoulder. He knew this job would be rough, but it was taking its toll on him. He winced as he sat up, rubbing his left shoulder. He snatched his short from the floor and yanked them on before heading into the bathroom for some heat rub. He slathered it onto his shoulder before rubbing it in. He groaned in relief as the door swung open.

"Sorry!” Yuna squeaked. Tobias blinked in surprise.

"No its alright, I just finished putting some ointment on my shoulder.” Tobias said. Yuna stared at him before mumbling something before turning away. Tobias blinked after her and shook his head. He headed for the kitchen and noted the bills tacked tot he fridge. Blinking in surprise he saw the electric bill and the cable/internet bills. He winced at the electric bill. It was already three times higher and they others hadn't even been here for a full billing cycle yet. He sighed in acceptance until he saw the check Belle had written him a check for a third of the electric and cable bills.

"That was nice of her.” he mumbled to himself, tucking the bill into his shorts pocket.

"Put something on before you cook dinner, Toby!” Tobias turned around to see J'dee frowning at him in annoyance.

"Wha?” Tobias replied, before glancing down at himself. He was wearing shorts over his boxers, like he usually did before walking around the house. "This is what I usually wear around the house before.”

"Exactly, before! Now we live here and I don't want to stare at your hairy chest and back!” J'dee said and poked his left shoulder, making him wince. "And I don't want chest hair in my food either!”

"Alright, alright! Sheesh, you know not all men are made like Kaidan and Rufus right? You know we have chest hair, you know from puberty on.” Tobias said, annoyed.

"Well if you were more women might sleep with men then!” J'dee huffed, before heading outside. Tobias stared at her.

"I think I was just insulted.” Tobias mumbled, heading for his room to get a t-shirt and his cell phone to order pizza.

~*~*~*~

It was Toby's turn on dinner, so J'dee went outside to check on her car and shut it up when she saw her cat curled up on the backseat and she smiled.
"Well that means there's definitely no evil in there. But why do you do that after I cleanse everything?” She sighed. "Sticking your furry little butt on places I've cleansed and furring up my upholstery.” She shifted the gears pulling the car out of park and then into drive before she just pushed the car back under the carport.
She put it back into park and then picked up her cat and shut the door.
J'dee made her way back inside Tiger in her arms.

~*~*~*~

"Thank you, Kaidan, you have made my life infinitely less annoying," Belle grinned as she filed the papers away in a folder. Kaidan smiled.
"Maybe this is why I'm your heart's desire," he said and she laughed.
"Yeah, you are the one to fix all my password problems without tech support," she grinned. "So ready to hit the gym?" Kaidan nodded.
"Hey, how many guest spots do you have?" he asked and Belle thought.
"I can have one guest everyday, but I am allowed an extra guest once per week," she said and Kaidan nodded. "Don't tell me you asked Rufus because I'll have to kill him."
"No, I'm thinking tomorrow we should bring Yuna, she seems bored hanging around here," Kaidan said and Belle nodded.
"That's no problem," she said as she headed to her room to change while Kaidan headed downstairs.

~*~*~*~

"Oh thank God, real food!” J'dee moaned, biting into her pizza slice. Belle scowled at her as Tobias snatched a couple of slices for himself and some wings.

"Thank the spirits, you have pizza here too!” Yuna said, biting to her slice and letting out a moan of bliss.

"This Papa Johns is quite good.” Rufus said, thoughfully. He picked up another slice. "He should make it a larger buisness.”

"It is, I think they have something like four thousand stores.” Tobias said, as Kaidan ate quietly. Everyone ate quietly for the rest of the meal. After he was done, Tobias got up to stretch.

"Time to get ready for work. You guys have a good night.”

~*~*~*~

J'dee was sitting on her window frame looking at Rufus. He was on her computer checking up on the investment.
"You know McDonalds would be a good investment... American's love fast food... not all but most.” She shrugged.
"Perhaps but I picked this one for a reason.” He stated.
"Yeeeep sure you did..” She then felt the glass vibrate as it something hit it.
J'dee pulled the curtain back and looked outside. She could see in the distance something move.
Then she saw the shadowy figure appear right outside the window making her jump and fall off the ledge, that face staring at her.
"Hey you okay?” She felt Rufus by her side and she looked up at him.
She then looked back to the window as he helped her up but the figure was gone.

~*~*~*~

Belle stared out her window into the night and shivered.
"Hey, you alright?" Toby asked and Belle blinked as she looked at her door.
"Yeah, I just have a foreboding feeling," she said.
"We are having an adjustment period to all this," he said. "At least they seem okay about it. Rufus and J'dee are clearly figuring out how he's her heart's desire. You and Kaidan seem on the way to figuring out yours as well."
"Yeah right, we're becoming friends, Toby, but to be fair, you have to admit that Kaidan is easy to be friends with. So is Yuna," Belle chided and Toby shook his head, running his fingers through his facial hair.
"I'm not feeling the bonding with her so much," he said and Belle shook her head.
"Then you need to open up to her. Not that you weren't keeping to yourself before she arrived, but maybe she should be your confession booth," Belle said. Toby stared at her. "You keep it bottled up, let it out, to Yuna. Maybe that's why she's your heart's desire."
"Maybe," he said and they both looked out the window. "Maybe."
"Night Tobias, may work not be too miserable," Belle said.
"Good night, I'll be home in time for breakfast," he said and left. Belle closed the door and stared into the darkness, wondering if her unease was just adjusting to the new situation.

~*~*~*~

Belle was making Huevos Rancheros as Toby entered. She slid a plate towards him and he nodded his head at her before sitting down as far from the early risers as he could to eat. Belle was glad she wasn't alone for breakfast. She finished cooking and sat down to eat her plate.
"You don't have as many peppers in your," Yuna pointed out and Belle smiled.
"They give me heartburn, a shame really, they are delicious, but they don't like me," she sighed.
"Oh, like the commercial where the sandwich slaps the man in the face?" Yuna asked and Belle chuckled.
"Exactly. Yuna did Kaidan ask if you wanted to come to the gym with us tonight?" Belle asked and Yuna nodded.
"I would like that. Kaidan says there are many activities to enjoy," Yuna said and Belle nodded.
"The pool requires a swim suit, I grabbed you one," Belle said. "The white one with the green spirals." Yuna smiled.
"Excellent, I think I would like a swim," she said and Belle nodded.
"Then you, me, and Kaidan will hit the gym," she said before finishing her food. "Have a good day, I'll see you when I get back from work."

~*~*~*~

Tobias sighed in relief as the scalding hot water hit him. This was just what the doctor ordered. A nice hot dinner and a nice hot shower to wash the filth off him the showers at work missed. As he finsihed his shower, he yawned to himself. He needed to hit the sack. It was already Wednesday morning and he felt beat. Only two more days to go till the weekend.

~*~*~*~

J'dee was sitting on the bonnet of her car playing on her 3DS, she was playing the 3D Kingdom Hearts game, she had her cat curled up next to her in the sunshine. The car was turned on only for the car stereo just blaring out some of her favorite old classic rock tunes.
She saw Rufus walk out of the house. It wasn't hard to miss really the man's wardrobe was pastier than he was.
"Are you busy there or can taxation wait?” Rufus asked walking up to her.
"Till I find a save point.”
He shook his head. "You just sit in the sun, hang out with your cat, play games and play with salt and fire. That's some life.”
"Yeah it's awesome. What I wouldn't give for a road trip I go stir crazy staying in one place for too long.”
"Much like another red head I know.” Rufus remarked.
"Probably.” She found her save point while playing as Riku. She saved before turning the pink console off and sticking it in her pocket.
"Okay so how much longer will I have to spend learning this tax crap?” J'dee asked.
"Till you get it right.” Rufus looked at her.
J'dee just sighed and rolled her eyes before sliding off the bonnet of her car.

~*~*~*~

Belle was happy to have company in the pool but she didn't really pay attention to Yuna and Kaidan as she went through her laps. She finished her thirty laps before she noticed that the two were gone from the lanes. She looked around before she noticed the two arguing with the lifeguard. She sighed as she got out and wandered over, tugging on her swim cap as she reached them.
"My dear, sweet guests, you wouldn't be attempting to get me banned from a gym I love dearly," Belle stated with the teacher tone which made everyone feel like a naughty child caught doing something bad.
"There is something I dropped into the diving pool," Yuna said and Belle looked to see her pointing at what looked like a ball at the bottom of the deep end in thirteen feet of water. There were a few other balls but there were all black, the one Yuna pointed at shone with a metallic sheen. Belle remembered the ball that Rufus had snuck from the mall.
"The diving pool is for paying customers only," the lifeguard said. "Besides, I didn't see her drop anything."
"No, that's hers," Belle said and sighed. "I'm a member. ID number 189937." He entered it.
"You can use the diving pool," the lifeguard said.
"Can you get down there, Belle?" Kaidan asked and Belle gave him a look.
"I spent most of my teenage summers and young twenties as a lifeguard, I can get down to thirteen feet," she said. With a carefully aimed forward dive, Belle submerged and kicked quickly to get to the bottom. It felt like her head was being squished with the pressure. She opened her eyes and the chlorine burned as she saw the metallic, shiny materia. She grabbed it and pushed up, kicking hard. The pressure relaxed and she broke the surface with a smile as she moved over to hand Yuna the materia.
"Now, no more playing with your ball by the side of the pool," she chided and Yuna snorted as Kaidan chuckled. "Let's go shower and head home."

~*~*~*~

J'dee tapped her pen against the piece of paper looking at all the numbers on the page, she was just staring at it blankly. She felt like she was in school again. Rufus had stepped out of her room to go grab a coffee. J'dee let out a breath when she got the feeling she was being watched.
Looking over her shoulder to the window she saw the image of Hojo standing there staring at her. She swallowed as she saw the glint of those glasses.
Her phone text message chimed out of Zack's voice going 'Me and Cloud here are backwater experts, oh yeah!'
It made her jump as she looked at her phone seeing a text message from one of her aunties in New-Zealand. She glanced back to the window to see the image of Hojo gone.
She picked up her phone and read the text message. It was from her auntie on her dad's side of the family. The only one she kept in contact with from that side of the family.
She quickly sent a 'I'm fine' text message back. Giving her the low down of her new living arrangements.
J'dee set the phone down after she hit send and found herself staring at the phone.
Her hand ran through her hair and she let out another sigh.
"This shit is way above me.” her head thumped to the desk. Give her spirits, astrology, numerology all the like she was fine with, but numbers in tax based math equations and she failed hard.

~*~*~*~
"It seems to be a spell of some sort," Yuna said as she studied the materia and Belle looked at it from the corner of her eye.
"Out of curiosity, what would happen if you accidentally activated it in my car?" Belle asked and Yuna blinked.
"I'm not sure, I've never tried," she said and Kaidan gently took the materia from Yuna and placed it on the floor next to him.
"Then let's leave it alone," he said and Belle let out a breath of relief.
"So Yuna, did you do a lot of physical training?" Belle asked.
"Yes, actually, it took a lot of training to master my staff," Yuna said.
"Maybe you and Kaidan should try training during the day. Kaidan can use his biotics so they won't be as noticeable as they would at night. Then if either of you is still up to it we can hit the gym," Belle said.
"That's not a bad idea," Kaidan said. None of the passenger's noticed as the material slipped under Yuna's seat.
"I'm thinking it would keep you in shape and it would work off Kaidan's extra biotic energy," Belle said. "You might want to keep Rufus entertained, even if you have to drag J'dee out, although she might like the challenge."
"I don't know if she's up to the task," Kaidan said.
"Don't ever say that to J'dee, she'll take it as a challenge," Belle grinned.

~*~*~*~

Tobias wished J'dee would just use the tv in the living room to watch Supernatural. It was on Netflix and she'd probably enjoy watching it on a large HD screen. He resolved to mention it to her when he had the chance. He looked up from the six o'clock news when the front door banged open, letting Belle and the others in.

"Have fun at the gym?” Tobias asked. Yuna grinned and nodded while Belle rolled her eyes.

"These two are nothing but trouble, they almost got me thrown out of the gym.” Belle said, jerking a thumb at Kaidan and Yuna. Kaidan rolled his eyes but followed Belle into the kitchen.

"J'dee made dinner if you could call it that!” Tobias called after her. Belle replied something but he didn't catch it. He grinned and turned t see Yuna settle onto the couch a seat over from him.

"I was thinking about something on the way home.” she said hesitantly, and Tobias gestured for her to continue. "I found a materia at the gym and it got me to thinking. Are there materia for summons?”

"Yeah, definitely.” Tobias replied, and his eyes widened. "You want some to find to take home, don't you?”

"It would be nice.” Yuna said, smiling. "Rufus informed me that when a materia is mastered, it splits into two. One is the mastered copy and the other is new one to be mastered. He said all his were already mastered so they wouldn't split again.”

"Maybe we need to find where a summons materia might be.” Tobias mused. "From what I remember of the game Rufus came from, a materia is found near what it represents. Summons were usually found off high level monsters or in the wilds. Maybe if I look up some local legends we might find something there. I'll do it tomorrow before I got to work, okay?”

"Thank you Toby, that would be great.” Yuna said, happily. He shrugged.

"Something good might come out of all this if you can take your summons back with you. I'm sure you miss them.”

"Yes, you don't know what its like to work for something your whole life and then have to destroy it. Especially when you value some of those creatures as true friends.”

"Actually, I do understand that. I understand it a lot more than you think...”

~*~*~*~

J'dee lay in her bed with her laptop beside her watching Supernatural on the screen. It was was either that or some lol worthy Durarara!!! But she felt after seeing that ghost in her window that she would rather scare herself more.
Go figure.
Her mentality she knew needed to be questioned at times.
Then again it was eye candy for her. Watching the brothers on the screen.
She let out a breath just lying there. "There's gotta be some explanation for the Hojo ghost. There's no way he could have crossed over here... Unless he's attached to something Rufus brought with him.” It was a thought out said out loud.
She knew if that was the case then the ghost would have been more round Rufus and not herself.
"Think girl think. Who is it and what is it up too?”

~*~*~*~

Tobias woke up Thursday afternoon to the sound of a loud bang. He hurried out of bed, pulling on a pair of jeans and t-shirt to hurry outside. He blinked in surprise at what he saw.

Yuna was carefully circling Kaidan. She was dressed in her original Gunner clothing from when she arrived and Kaidan was grinning smugly at her. Rufus was cursing from the tree line, tangle in a large clump of bushes and creeper plants. Suddenly Yuna lunged at Kaidan who lashed out with a ball of energy. Yuna weaved away from it and lashed out at him with her fists and feet. Kaidan blocked most of the blows and caught a leg she swung at his middle. He grinned at her and Yuna let out a shout of outrage as he used a biotic Throw to sending her tumbling away from him.

"I could take you if this was full contact and I had my handguns!” Yuna shouted at him from where she landed.

"Wait till Saturday then!” Kaidan replied as Rufus lunged at him.

"They've been going at it for hours.” J'dee said to Tobias. He turned to his left, startled. J'dee was watching it with a dreamy smile on her face. Tobias shook his head and went inside to shower and look up the folk lore like he had promised Yuna.

~*~*~*~

As Belle pulled into the garage she heard something thunk around, as she was about to look into it, Rufus went flying behind her car.
"What the hell?" she cried as she quickly got out and rushed out seeing Kaidan surrounded by a barrier as Yuna attacked. Belle was stunned, not really by the sight of the combat but more so because of the fact that Kaidan was missing a shirt.
"You might want to get up here," J'dee chuckled from the porch. Belle moved slowly to sit beside her friend. "You're drooling a little, girl." Belle rubbed her mouth before glaring at her friend.
"He's like a greek god," Belle muttered.
"You missed some of his more awesome moves. He pulled this Kamehameha move earlier," J'dee chuckled. "Rufus is not having fun, it's pretty funny."
"It was probably a throw," Belle muttered as she watched the show. "I'm going to have to steal him away though."
"Why?" J'dee asked and Belle blushed.
"I need to check my teacher's registration," she confessed and J'dee chuckled.
"You need to remember your passwords," J'dee laughed and Belle glared.
"It's not my fault when I'm issued them and not allowed to reset them," Belle pouted.

~*~*~*~

J'dee was helping Rufus dust off the back of his jacket. He let out a breath before running a hand through his hair.
"He is a lot stronger than I anticipated.” He commented.
"Yeah but middle of the week no shotgun practice for you. Not till the weekend when those yahoos let loose.
"I see you didn't come to practice.” He commented.
"I used to fight I know how to defend myself that's all I need to know.” J'dee smiled at him.
He looked at her. "Really? What did you used to defend yourself against?”
"Drunks, being a bartender back in the day or night in my case was pretty wild, specially when you had to pass through a car park late at night.” J'dee saw the raised brow Rufus gave her.
"Hey my old man skipped out on picking me up after work. Because I couldn't drive home after a few with the staff after work. So I had to walk to the bus stop. It came in handy. But I never want to be in that situation again... ever.” She let out a breath. "I know I nearly got freaken raped in an ally way once.”

Rufus looked at her. "And why were you in an allyway?”
"The door to the 24 hour convince store was there. I came out and some guy asked me for a light. Then bam it came out of nowhere and dragged me in.”
She stepped back after dusting down Rufus' jacket. "So I would mark myself with protection symbols before I went anywhere.” She pulled up her sleeve to show just below her right elbow at the large pentagram symbol. "Now I don't have to. I haven't had a single attack of the like since I got this.”
Rufus looked at it. "You really believe in that stuff?”
J'dee shrugged. "Yeah. Don't mock that which can not be explained. They hate that.”
"Noted.” He commented.

J'dee thought now would be the best time to ask. "Did or do you have anything from your ShinRa days on you that... say maybe Hojo, your old man of touched or had?”
Rufus looked at her. "Why the sudden interest?”
J'dee tried to shrug it off as she walked inside with Rufus. "Don't worry I'm just curious. Paranoid. Or something.”
"If your paranoid then perhaps I should test your hand to hand defense tonight.” Rufus smirked at her.
"Just cause Kaidan kicked your ass there's no need to try and take it out on a girl.” J'dee stuck her tongue out at him.
"We can move on past your taxation studies for the next month.”
J'dee stopped and looked at Rufus. "Okay then... tonight some hand to hand... just don't wear white I don't want to dirty up that suit of yours.”

~*~*~*~

A Nearby Military Installation

"Sir, we have another ping," a soldier said. The general quickly moved to look at the monitor. His eyes glowed an artificial blue in the screen's light.
"Is it the same woman?" he demanded.
"Yes, one Belle Brooks," the soldier said.
"Which site did she hack?"
"The state's teacher registration site."
"Did she alter anything?"
"Just her password like the previous sites."
"How long did it take her?"
"Seconds sir, it's like she's a machine with how fast she can get around firewalls."
"She's just human, but she needs to be monitored. If she keeps up this behavior, I want her on the no-fly list," the general growled. A second monitor showed the woman's driver's license photo. She didn't look like a hacker, but in these days, you never knew who was going to go flying past firewalls. Right now she was playing with things that concerned her, but how soon before she began wanting a challenge. He knew to watch for her. His eyes flashed inhuman blue again as he flipped through her history.

~*~*~*~

It was Friday afternoon and J'dee was sitting on the bonnet of her car having a cigarette, while Rufus stood near by. She was trying to explain where her junk food Friday thing originated.
J'dee watched as Belle walked inside with some dvd's in her hand. She turned back to Rufus.
At least it wasn't completely like talking to a brick wall. Maybe more like a Tony Stark crossed with Captain America. Articulate, calculating smart ass, but with no concept of the differences in timelines.

"I don't understand what this junk food Friday thing is with you.” Rufus looked to J'dee.
"Well I grew up catholic so there was no meat on Fridays, so we used to have fish and chips.”
She shrugged.
"Fish and chip night?” Rufus raised a brow.
J'dee nodded. "Yeah my family used to have fish and chips on Fridays. It was a religion thing.”
"Now you have whatever you feel like.” Rufus stated.

J'dee grinned. "Yep though I'm lazy so normally it's a can of coke a nicotine, maybe a piece of chewing gum or ramen if I'm  lazy.”
Rufus nodded. "That doesn't sound like a good diet.”
"Hey I eat fruit and vege during the day. Night time is my lazyman time.” She slid off the car waving to Toby, Yuna and Kaidan as they headed towards going inside.
Not that she had been paying attention on where they were.

~*~*~*~

"Hey.” Tobias called out, seeing Yuna pass by the door to the study. She stopped and looked in.

"Need something?” she asked and Tobias nodded waving her in.

"I think I found something that looks promising.” He said as Yuna made her way over to him. He pointed to his computer screen and the legends there. "We're about a half day's drive from Mount Mitchell in the Appalachian Mountain range. There's a local legend about two large birds of prey. The Bird of Thunder and the Bird of Wind. Their nest is supposed to be guarded by the Beast of Fire. I think we might find something there. I know Belle has the day off for some sort of state teachers meeting she doesn't have to go to next Friday and J'dee isn't working from Thursday to Sunday. We could drive down there Friday morning after I got off work, rent a motel room, search the mountain for the rest of the weekend, and be back here Sunday afternoon. We might find some summons materia there.”

"Really? Oh thank you, thank you, thank you!” Yuna said happily, hugging him. Tobias blushed but laughed, patting her on the back.

"No problem. I'll bring it up to them later.” Tobias said.

~*~*~*~

"I'm home and I brought movies!" Belle cried as she entered the house. It was empty and she grinned as she moved to put the movies next to the television set. "Anyone who doesn't want to be part of the monster marathon speak now!" There was no answer and Belle smirked. "Movie night it is." She headed to the kitchen just in time for the door to open and her five roommates to enter.
"How was your day?" Kaidan asked as he wiped sweat off his brow with a towel.
"The usual, embracing knowledge, opening the minds of future leaders, all that stuff," she said as she held up a pizza flyer. "I did, however, get the scoop that Caprella's Pizzeria is doing a two for one special on all pizza's and wings. So who's up for take-out?"
"Nothing with ham," J'dee said as she entered, glaring at Rufus.
"Yeah, cause I love ham on my pizza," Belle said as she rolled her eyes. "We can get two, one loaded with heart stopping meat and the other for picky eaters."
"Don't make me hit you," J'dee teased and Belle grinned.
"Bring it, short stack," she challenged.
"Rufus has been teaching me," J'dee shot back.
"And I outweigh you as well as possess longer arms and legs," Belle snorted before looking at the flyer. "I just ask we get medium wings first, I never trust hot till I know what they think medium is."

~*~*~*~

Tobias grinned happily.

"Just think, now I can beat you staying up late for monster marathons.” he said cheekily to Belle. Belle laughed.

"It doesn't count! You're normally working when we go to sleep.” Belle argued.

"Yeah you'd have to stay up all day tomorrow!” Yuna agreed and Tobias faked a pout at them.

"You're mean!” he said in a whiny voice and they laughed.

~*~*~*~

J'dee slipped inside after having another smoke outside and she looked to the screen then to Belle and smiled. "Still going I see.”
"Don't like... shoo.” Belle commented.
"Yeah yeah, enjoy your horror movies.” J'dee laughed. "I should really lend you Black sheep sometime about mutated were sheep that nom on peoples. B grade funny.”
Belle shrugged. "Up to you.”
"Well enjoy I'm going back to my Supernatural marathon...” J'dee waved heading out of the lounge and into the hallway.

J'dee pushed open the door to her room. She stopped for a moment as she felt the quick touch of cold air shoot through the room.
Her brow raised curiously as she turned her stereo on then her laptop.
"I know someone who is not supposed to be in here... is here.”
The lights flickered for a moment and she let out an exasperated sigh.
"Really now?” She sighed. She saw the image by her open window.
She saw the pale decaying hand reach through the window. J'dee walked up to it and slammed The window down, the hand dispersing as the wood cut through it.
"Not tonight... talk to me after my weekend shift thank you very much.” She walked to the bed and flopped down to watch Supernatural.

~*~*~*~

Belle yawned as she popped the third DVD into the player.
"I'm done," Kaidan groaned as he got up. "I've seen real aliens, they're nothing like that."
"Maybe you just haven't met the ones that eat humans yet," Belle said as she flopped onto the couch, extending her feet over the part where Kaidan had been sitting.
"Try and get to bed at a reasonable hour," he chuckled as he headed to the basement. Belle snorted as she watched the opening credits.
"Monsters!" she chuckled even as she started to fall asleep.

~*~*~*~

Tobias rolled his eyes at Belle and Yuna both. He snatched the quilt from the back of the couch and put it on Belle. Then he scopped up Yuna from the recliner.

"I hope Belle doesn't get a stiff neck from sleeping like that.” He muttered, going to put Yuna to bed. He decided after doing that he'd make some hotel reservations for next weekend's little hiking trip.

~*~*~*~

J'dee was up earlier than a normal person on Saturday. She really had no choice in the matter being as she had work this weekend. So she had a shower and was in the kitchen making her breakfast of banana on toast with a can of coke.
Rufus was sitting in his chair with the newspaper, glaring at Belle face down and snoring.
"That's completely attractive right?” She teased sitting down at the kitchen table with her breakfast.
"I doubt it.” Rufus let out a breath.
J'dee looked at the president from her spot at the kitchen table.
"Just lighten up a little it can't hurt.”

~*~*~*~

Belle groaned as she was poked. She looked up to see Rufus glaring.
"Finally," he muttered as he returned to his chair and his newspaper. Belle groaned and rolled her head on her neck.
"Definitely should have called it in when Kaidan left," she muttered and Kaidan chuckled as he offered her a glass of orange juice.
"You didn't," he teased and Belle drank the juice.
"I'm paying for it now," she muttered as she rolled her neck. "Oh, my neck is killing me."
"Here," J'dee offered up some pain relievers. Belle took them and headed into the kitchen.
"I'm going to make some fried eggs, anyone else want some?" she asked.
"It's time for lunch," Rufus snorted.
"Eggs can be eaten whenever a person wants," Belle stated as she quickly began to prepare some scrambled eggs.

~*~*~*~

J'dee was doing some stock based paperwork leaning on the desk at work. The store was quiet as most the people were in the other shops in the mall doing their shopping.
It was pretty dead.
She signed the bottom piece of the piece of paper.
Letting out a breath she stood up and blinked as she could see her breath suddenly.
"What the-” Stepping back she felt the hair on the back of her neck prickle.
"Not cool... you fuckers, not here.”

J'dee saw the image flicker by the door of the store. She let out another breath that was just as visible as the last.
"Don't you dare start throwing shit in this store. So help me God. I'm gunna be pissed.”
She glared seeing a dummy console box get knocked off the top shelf rack on the wall.
J'dee shot the wall a glare. "Why is it every store I work, I have to deal with you guys?”
She saw the image flicker before standing at the counter.
J'dee could only stare at the darkened eyes as they stared right back at her.
"Go away.” She stated.
The spirit's image just flickered in response but remained there. The only thing between them being the counter.

"Hey yo Jay.” She heard the voice from the doorway.
J'dee saw the staff member walk into the store. It was the one who was going to close up tonight. It made her glad that she switched for a short middle shift in the day.
"Just hurry up so I can go the fuck home.” She turned to look where the spook had just been to see nothing standing there.

The staff member gave her a wave before heading into the back room.
J'dee rolled up the sleeves of her shirt to expose the solomon seal on her arm.
It couldn't physically hurt her because of the seal, she knew that.
In fact as far as she knew the seal was what was protecting her from it. She couldn't be harmed spiritually because of that seal.

J'dee looked to the back door as she heard something crash and hit the wall from the back room.
"Damnit.” She walked to the back room opening the door and looking inside.
Her hand holding the door open. "Hey Dan... you okay?”
She then felt the slice of metal through her skin and she let out a curse. Her co worker stood there with the box cutter in his hand. The darkened eyes looking at her.
J'dee placed a hand over the cut and she saw the break in the seal. She glanced to the darkened eyes then watched as her co worker drop to the ground.
"Bollocks, to this bullshit.”

~*~*~*~

Tobias was genuinely looking forward to watching this. He grinned happily as Yuna and Rufus both checked over their weapons.

"Everyone have practice rounds loaded?” Kaidan asked. Yuna nodded at him happily while Rufus sneered at him.

"Of course.” The Shinra President retorted. Kaidan rolled his eyes.

"Just try and not get too wild!” Tobias called out to them from where he was watching a hundred yards away, it what they had dubbed the observation area. "Gunfire is normal but even cops will come out to investigate huge ass explosions from an Ultima spell!”

"Well then,” Kaidan noted as the gunfire began to sound off in the distance, "give me your best shot!”

Rufus was the first to react. He fired several blasts at Kaidan but the Alliance soldier's biotic shields flared into life. Rufus frowned as Kaidan grinned smugly at them. He even flung a low powered Fire spell but the Alliance soldier took it in stride. His shields barely flickered.

"Not bad but-” Kaidan was cut off as the area rang out with gunfire. He dove to the side, as did Rufus as the training rounds smacked into the ground where they were. Both looked up in shock as Yuna gently landed near where they had been standing, changing clips.

"Sorry boys, but this time I'm the one to beat.” Yuna said, teasing. The men shared a look just before Yuna lunged at the, Kaidan still had an expression of shock on his face as every blow he countered of Yuna's made his barrier visibly flare. Every time she tried to strike his with her arm he stopped it short, only to barely miss the round from her handgun she fired. She then suddenly leaped back. Kaidan looked puzzled before he heard Rufus's cry of warning. He turned left and didn't even have time  to react as the Thunda spell he'd aimed for Yuna slammed into the Marine. Kaidan's biotic shield fell from the assault and then a well placed practice round slammed into his armor, splattering it with red paint. Kaidan glared at Yuna who smiled happily at him.

"Kaidan's out!” Tobias called gleefully from the sidelines. Kaidan growled but moved to trudge over to stand by the bearded man.

"Just me and you.” Yuna called out to Rufus. Rufus smiled smugly at her.

"Maybe but unlike you I have materia and magic.” she retorted. Yuna back flipped out of the way and dodged to side as Rufus threw spell after spell at her. Then Yuna rolled under one spell and leaped into the air, gesturing at herself. Rufus smiled smugly as he threw a Fira straight at her as she fell at him. It hit her and there was small explosion of fire.

"I win.” Rufus gloated. Then Yuna fell out of the smoke cloud, still coming straight at him. Rufus had no time to react as she slammed feet first into him and shot him in the chest once with each gun. Rufus glared up at her with red paint on his silk shirt.

"I may not have much magic left, but I still had enough mana left for a Shell spell.” She said, grinning.

~*~*~*~

Belle was playing on her X-box, destroying hordes of zombies, there was little hope of survival on hardcore, beside, Belle was decent player at best, no true master. She was in the middle of bashing a zombie across the face with a baseball bat when the visitors came in.
"How was training?" she asked as she was attacked by the mutated zombie. It had her in a death grip and was bashing the life out of her character. "Damn."
"Not bad, what is that?" Kaidan asked.
"A zombie on steroids," she sighed as she took a sip of her soda. "Looks like my teammates are not going to save me in time." Sure enough the screen was ringed in red and her defeat was scrawled across the screen.
"We didn't distract you, did we?" Yuna asked and Belle shook her head.
"No, I'm not very good at these games, doesn't mean I don't still love them," she grinned. "I made a fruit salad, it's in the fridge. Enjoy it now, J'dee picks out the things she likes best."
"You should think about training," Kaidan said and Belle laughed.
"Okay," she said and then looked as though she was deep in thought. "Thought about it, no way, I'll hurt myself. I always do when I try things like this." Kaidan chuckled.
"Come on, I'll show you some easy techniques and we'll only do a little," he said and Belle looked into his deep brown eyes.
"Oh, fine, but if I get hurt, you are cooking for me during rotations," she stated.
"Deal," Kaidan agreed.

~*~*~*~

J'dee let out a breath as she walked through the door late that night. She had spent most of her time in the A and E ward. It was mostly getting stitches in her arm and a bandage wrapped round the cut.
She was tired and irritated and could feel that unease inside her. It made her skin crawl and her stomach turn.
Walking into the kitchen, she felt her hand move to her stomach as she doubled over. Their was definitely something turning in there that wasn't her lunch.

~*~*~*~

"You know, I think you might like to join us next time.” Yuna told Tobias. He blinked at her.

"What? Me join you doing that?” Tobias said in shock. Yuna laughed.

"Well not full contact, not for awhile. But maybe some self-defense lessons might help. " she said.

"Well I used to fight in high school but maybe I should join you guys.” Tobias mused. "Boxing is a long way from combat training but still it might be fun.

"Great! Kaidan said he'd teach you and Belle hand to hand Mondays and Wednesdays!” Yuna said smugly and Tobias sighed.

"What have I gotten myself into now?” he groaned and Yuna laughed.

~*~*~*~

OMAKE

~*~*~*~

On a Nearby Military Base

"Sir, she seems to be changing her passwords," a soldier said.
"It starts off with passwords and soon enough she's stealing national security secrets," the general growled. The woman was flying past firewalls faster than they could try and track her. "This girl is going to be in a world of hurt if she keeps this up." His eyes flashed blue and he wished he could light up a cigarette but the law forbade smoking in federal buildings.
"Sir...has anyone told you that you sound a little bit like Martin Sheen?" the soldier asked and the general glared with evil looking blue eyes.
"That guy is a hack," he snapped as he marched off.
"Dude, those are some messed up eyes...and he totally sounds like Martin Sheen," another soldier said.
"I know, right?" said the first.