Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Shattered Dreams ❯ Bad News ( Chapter 7 )

Warnings: Because of the nature of this story, expect each chapter to have at least two scene changes. I want to try and give a more rounded aspect to this than there was in Shattered Ice.

 

Chapter 7: Bad News

 

Crash!

 

The ceramic pot fell to the hard wooden floor of the florists shop and shattered into many pieces. It had fallen from limp hands as the red-haired woman brought a hand up to her chest and gasped softly, eyes tearing.

 

“Mrs. Strife? Mrs. Strife? Are you okay?” came the concerned voice of the cashier from behind the counter. The pretty brunette immediately moved from behind the counter to run to her employer's side.

 

She placed her hands on the reddish-brown haired woman's shoulders. Her employer was shaking and tears were starting to slip slowly down her face. Concerned brown eyes looked into the confused jade eyes of her boss. Her feet slipped over the shattered remains of the pot but she ignored them, more concerned with her employer

 

“Calie?” a younger man with dark hair questioned. He had peeked his head out of the back, where he was organizing the stock. He frowned when he noticed the state of their employer

 

“Derran, go call Cloud!” Calie demanded sharply before returning her attentions to the woman before her. She wasn't assistant manager for nothing.

 

“It's okay, Aeris,” she soothed in a gentler tone as she led her kind employer to one of the empty chairs that they kept on hand for those that wanted to stay and chat.

 

The flower shop had been a good business for Aeris to start after the initial fall of ShinRa. The residents of Midgar needed some color in their life and living flowers were a good splash of hope. Not that she and Cloud really needed the money, but it was something for her to do with her time and aid in the restoration of the lives ruined by both ShinRa and Sephiroth.

 

Derran nodded in understanding and rushed for the flower shop phone, hitting the number to Cloud's PHS on speed dial. Some of the customers were milling about, looking on helplessly, unsure what to do with their purchases or even if they should offer some aid.

 

“Rhayne, get out here and damage control,” Derran demanded stiffly as he waited impatiently for someone to answer from the other end. A cheerful voice answered him from the back as a dark curly-haired girl stuck her head out.

 

She quickly assessed the situation and sprang into action. Rhayne began to gather up the customers and either herd them towards the cash register or away from Aeris and Calie.

 

“Oh, Calie,” Aeris murmured, one of her hands going to her belly protectively. “The Planet is crying…” She rubbed the small mound, feeling the life within stir and kick expectantly.

 

“What do you mean?” the brunette questioned, furrowing her brow. “Is the baby okay?” She looked into the flower-girl's jade eyes, seeing confusion, pain, and sorrow.

 

Calie couldn't understand. One moment Aeris was showing a beautiful Sylkis plant to a potential customer, and the next she had dropped the vegetation and started to shake.

 

Aeris managed a small smile of encouragement. “She is fine, but…” She gasped again, grasping her head with a free hand. “Oh… the threat… Planet is no longer safe… all a ruse…”

 

(My animus, I am sorry for the pain. Yet, I must show you.) A voice she had grown to recognize and love whispered softly in her mind. A small measure of comfort settled within her.

 

“Hephaestion,” she murmured softly before her eyes fluttered shut, and she drifted into unconsciousness, going limp in Calie's arms.

 

* * *

Reeve looked up dully as the door to his office slammed open, and an angry blond stormed in, Nanaki, Yuffie, and Archer on his heels. The executive immediately recognized the object in the blond's hands. It was the golden claw that had been found on the shores of Cosmo Canyon area about two weeks after Vincent disappeared.

 

Cid threw the claw on the desk in front of Reeve. The amber-eyed man looked at it and then the pilot, as if expecting there was something more.

 

“What the hell, Reeve!!” Cid demanded, crossing his arms and glaring angrily at the executive. “I want damn answers, and I better get them fucking now!”

 

He had spent the entire journey on the airship stewing, getting angrier as time passed. No matter how hard the three currently standing behind him tried to convince him they meant well, he couldn't shake the thought that thanks to them, he might never find Vincent again. Or worse… the gunman was off somewhere alive… thinking that Cid didn't care for him.

 

“Cid,” Archer began from behind him. “You really shouldn't…“

 

“Shut up!” the pilot fiercely demanded, turning to look over his shoulder and glare at Kyle. “Just shut the fuck up! I don't want to hear nothing from nobody but Mr. President here!” He returned his attentions to the executive, who was slowly rising to his feet.

 

Reeve cautiously reached out and touched the golden claw, running a finger over the well-cleaned object that had once graced the hand of a friend that was dear to his heart… as they all were. He looked up at Cid with sorrowful eyes, flinching at the anger that he found there.

 

“What do you want me to say, Cid?” he questioned.

 

“Dammit!” the Captain cursed, leaning forward and slamming his palms down flat on the desk, shaking it and succeeding in knocking down the pencil cup for the second time that day.

 

Reeve winced as they crashed to the floor, the sound bringing back memories of why they had fallen earlier… and another time they had fallen before.

 

“I could have found him! But you had to go and make my own damn decisions for me!” Cid growled. “So tell me why.”

 

“I thought it was the best idea at the time,” Reeve began slowly, trying to retain control of the situation before it degraded into a full-blown fist fight. “I had teams scouring the coast up and down for a week straight and…“

 

“Fuck!” Cid growled, cutting him off in mid-speech. He pushed himself back to a standing position and ran a hand aggravated through his hair while pulling out a cigarette with the other. He placed the stick between his lips and lit it one-handed. “You're only repeatin' what these others told me,” he added, throwing a thumb towards Nanaki, Yuffie, and Archer behind him.

 

Reeve spread his hands placatory. “I don't know what else to say. We were worried about you.”

 

“And that gives you good enough reason to hide something like this from me? For this damn long? Five and a half months?”

 

Reeve winced, amber-eyes darkening with shadows at the pilot's tone. He sighed and sank back into his chair with a defeated tone. “I am sorry… I made a mistake… I seem to be making lots of those lately…”

 

It was the weariness in his tone that made the pilot do a double take, getting a good look at his best friend for the first time. It was then that Cid noticed the exhaustion in Reeve's movements and the general sadness that was etched into his features. Some of his anger cooled at the sight, and he forced himself to swallow down the vicious retort. Yelling at Reeve wasn't going to accomplish anything nor would it make him feel any better. The ache was still there, threatening to consume him whole.

 

“Reeve?” Archer questioned hesitantly. He moved past Cid until he was in the executive's line of sight. “Is everything alright?”

 

“Of course.” The amber-eyed man sighed. “Everything is under control… as it always is,” he mumbled the last before turning to look away, out the window that lined the entire wall of his office to the left. Archer had never heard such a defeated tone to his superior's voice before.

 

Cid ran another hand from his hair and turned away, still knowing he would find it difficult to say anything comforting in his present state. He puffed on his cigarette and strode over to the window, vaguely listening to the conversation transpiring behind him as he attempted to stop his body from beginning to shake.

 

He closed his eyes to the view afforded by the glass and turned his thoughts towards Vincent. The pilot's heart ached every time he thought of the gunman's name or his crimson eyes or that long beautiful raven hair. So many nights alone in his bed, with no answers or clues to his lover's fate, had left him feeling strangely hollow and cold.

 

Once more Cid felt that familiar welling of sorrow in his heart and a small shudder of pain raced through his body. He blinked back tears and sucked more furiously on his cigarette, determined to not show his friends how much he still hurt. Lord only knows what else they might try to hide from him.

 

Reeve watched his movements with a sense of sadness. It seemed he could do nothing right… not by his lover or his friends.

 

He had tried again earlier to call Reno, but the Turk still hadn't turned on his phone. The red-head was still very much mad at him, and Reeve couldn't even get in contact. It wasn't as if he could just leave his job to go off in search of Reno, regardless of the fact he knew where the Turk was.

 

“Reeve? Reeve!”

 

The executive was pulled from his thoughts by the voice of Archer. He looked up and saw the amethyst-eyed man leaning over his desk, waving a hand in front of his face. Amber eyes blinked surprised before he drug himself from his thoughts to pay attention to Kyle.

 

“What is wrong?” Nanaki asked, taking one of the two free chairs in the room, plopping down with as much as grace as he was given. His tail twitched restlessly next to him.

 

Reeve sighed and leaned forward, burying his face in his hands. “It's all falling apart… I feel like I'm grasping at sand as it slips through my fingers.”

 

Kyle frowned and exchanged glances with Nanaki. He moved back to sit in the other chair. Yuffie looked between the two before deciding to plant herself on the arm of the lion wolf's chair.

 

“What's falling apart?” questioned Archer gently.

 

“Everything,” Reeve exclaimed exasperated. He sat up and ran a hand through his hair, a habit he had never claimed until that moment. It was then that the friends saw his eyes were red-rimmed, as if any moment he might burst out crying.

 

“Cid's mad. Reno's gone. The damn construction keeps falling to damn pieces, and someone won't stop making threatening phone calls…”

 

“Whoa!” Nanaki interjected smoothly, holding up a hand to halt the executive in his tracks. “What do you mean Reno is gone?”

 

Reeve bit his lip and looked over to his right, out the window while his eyes rested on his friend. “We had a fight. He was mad for many reasons… all of which I can't blame him for. He stormed out and … I haven't seen or talked to him since. “

 

“You two had a fight?” the ninja exclaimed in astonishment. It was hard for her to believe Reeve getting angry enough to scream and yell nor for the seemingly perfect couple to have anything to argue about.

 

The executive only nodded slowly, drawing more of his lip into his mouth as a lone tear escaped from his eye. He still hadn't returned his attentions to them.

 

“Yuffie, go and make sure Cid is alright,” Nanaki suggested gently.

 

The ninja turned and regarded him wide brown eyes. He had NOT just attempted to send her away as if she were a child. “Excuse me?” she questioned her tone icy as she had intended it to be.

 

“Please,” Archer urged from the right. “He doesn't need to stand over there alone.”

 

Yuffie opened her mouth to protest and then realized she would just be proving their point. Nodding quickly before she could respond and hit them both, she moved off of the chair and left the three men to their `adult' business. However, inside she was burning with anger. How dare he!!

 

“What do you mean by threats?” Archer questioned. “You never told me about any…”

 

“I haven't told anyone except Tseng,” interrupted Reeve with a weary sigh. “I mean, they are nothing but idle intimidation by someone, who hasn't benefited from my teardown of ShinRa Corporation.”

 

“What kind of threats?” the demi-human asked. “And I can't believe that Tseng didn't think anything of them.”

 

The President waved a dismissive hand. “The usual, stop what you're doing. or I'll kill you while you're sleeping. I won't let you waste Rufus' money. You are an abomination to ShinRa. You will pay for this.”

 

“And you don't think any of this is perhaps connected to the construction problems?” Archer asked incredulously. “I can't believe you would ignore something so important. Tseng either, for that matter.”

 

Reeve shook his head, a reply on his lips but was interrupted when his phone rang. He reached for the business phone and answered it.

 

“Tuesti,” he said crisply, his tone a bit annoyed at having been disturbed as he discreetly wiped at his eye.

 

“Sir! Report from the hangar!”

 

“What is it?” the executive demanded. “I am in an important meeting right now. Tell Karis I will get the fuel usage reports later.”

 

“No, sir! This is important. We received a distress call about ten minutes ago from one of our helicopters in the Gongaga region.”

 

The executive went white, hand tightening on the phone in his hand. “Which one?” He prayed fiercely that it wasn't the answer he was expecting it to be.

 

“It was the Blackbird, sir. He had said something about the engine making strange noises then all we heard was him frantically trying to get in control as it went down. There has been no radio contact since.”

 

“Oh, gods,” Reeve whispered, the phone falling from his fingers. A fierce pain shot through his chest, and he felt as if he couldn't breathe. A hand went to his torso, as if to calm his frantically beating heart.

 

It was well known that the Blackbird was Reno's helicopter. He was the only one allowed to pilot it and would get quite fierce if someone else touched it. Nanaki darted forward and grabbed the receiver even as Archer stood to his feet.

 

“What? What is it?”

 

Nanaki listened calmly to the man on the end of the phone and told him that the President would take care of it before hanging up the receiver. Reeve still looked wide-eyed, his face shockingly pale.

 

“Reno's helicopter crashed somewhere in the Gongagan area,” the demi-human said softly.

 

“Oh, Levy…” The ninja exhaled from the other side of the room. She and Cid had turned around at the sound of the phone ringing.

 

Amber orbs looked up, locking gazes with Cid. An unspoken emotion passed between the two men before the pilot nodded slowly.

 

“I will find him,” Cid vowed, without having to be asked aloud. “Call the hospital. Have them send an emergency medical kit to the Highwind. I think Cloud has the Full Cure, and I ran out of elixirs when that box fell on a few of my employees.”

 

The executive nodded dumbly, reaching mechanically for the phone. He had to get back control; he had to be strong, or there was no hope for his lover. Instantly, a wave of guilt passed through his body. What if Reno had died… and there was no chance for them to make amends? What if the Turk had passed thinking that Reeve cared more for his job than he did for him? What if…

 

Archer took the receiver from his trembling grasp. “I will make the call,” he murmured gently. The executive nodded dumbly, allowing the dark-haired man to have the receiver.

 

“Kyle, you stay here with Reeve. Nanaki, Yuffie, you two are coming with me,” ordered Cid, already heading for the door.

 

Yet, the pilot didn't get far before his phone rang once more. A sense of foreboding filled his heart, and he halted in his movements, deciding to take the call while he was still in Reeve's office.

 

“Highwind.”

 

“Cid!”

 

“Rude, what's going on?” the pilot questioned. He looked across the room and traded looks with Archer.

 

“It's Gongaga,” explained the dark-skinned man. Cid could hear quiet sobbing in the back ground. “Something's going on, I don't know what. My mom called, and there was screaming and roaring... Reno went to go check it out.”

 

“You sent him on his own?” the incredulous pilot questioned.

 

“I wasn't thinking. I was concerned for my mother, and then Reno told me he would go.”

 

Cid cursed angrily. “Stay with Shera. I'll take the brat and Nanaki and go check it out. Reno's helicopter went down, Rude.”

 

There was a moment of silence on the other line before Rude drew in a breath and released it shakily. “By Ishvara…”

 

“Stay with Shera,” the pilot repeated. “I will call you later.” Without giving the ex-Turk a chance to respond, Cid slammed the phone shut.

 

He turned his attention to the four who were waiting patiently for an explanation. “Something's happened in Gongaga. I think it is under attack. Reno was supposed to be on his way there.”

 

Reeve stood to his feet, hand going to one of his desk drawers as he began to rummage around. “I'm coming with you,” he said, not expecting any of them to deny him.

 

“No,” Cid retorted with a shake of his head. “You two stay here in case this is bigger than we think.” He jerked a hand towards Nanaki and Yuffie. “We'll go check it out.”

 

“Nothing Levy and I can't handle,” the lone female agreed with determination set in her features.

 

“But…“ Reeve had protest written all over his features.

 

“We will find him,” the demi-human promised.

 

The executive sighed and returned to his seat, nodding slightly. “I will concede just this once.”

 

“The medical supplies are on the Highwind,” Archer informed as he replaced the receiver.

 

“Let's go,” the Captain commanded. “We have no fucking time to waste.”

 

* * *

 

In the middle of the Gongagan forest, a pile of what used to be a ShinRa helicopter was smoldering slightly, little more than twisted metal thanks to its rather rough landing. Small flames were still burning strongly in patches on the forest floor, much of the debris smoking thick and grey.

 

Suddenly, there was a screech of metal on metal and a piece of the remains went flying as a hand struggled to pull itself free. Red hair emerged, blackened by smoke, followed by a tall, lithe form.

 

Reno coughed as he pushed himself free from the wreckage, amazed that he had managed to survive whatever the hell had happened to his helicopter. He winced as he pulled at a cut in his back. He could feel the blood beginning to trickle already and knew he would have a scar to join the two on his face soon.

 

The Turk bent down and dug around in the debris, lucky fingers wrapping around the Electro Rod that was his only survival now. He pulled out the weapon then looked around.

 

He had landed in the forest somewhere between Cosmo Canyon and Gongaga. He only hoped that his distress call went out and someone was looking for him. At least then someone would find out what was going on in Gongaga.

 

The red-haired Turk worked his way free of the wreckage, finally collapsing tiredly on the ground a few feet away from the leaning tower of twisted, blackened metal. He panted slightly, the adrenaline from the crash wearing off.

 

The ground shook just a little, and he heard metal groan moments before a great rending crack filled the air. Reacting completely on impulse, Reno rolled over to the far right just as the helicopter gave one final turn and crashed, missing his lithe form by only a few feet.

 

It was a close call.

 

He allowed himself a moment's rest before he dragged his beaten and battered body away from the steaming metal and into the relative protection of the trees. Reno pulled himself to the base of a rather large tree and collapsed against the base of the trunk. He relaxed against the bark, wincing as the slice in his back rubbed against the rough bark.

 

Closing aquamarine eyes tiredly, Reno laid his head back and reached into his pocket, wondering if his PHS even survived the crash. He came out with a dented but seemingly functional phone. Reno prayed to some god that it would come on as he pressed the power button.

 

The openings strains of music filled the air as the phone came to life with a flourish. Resisting the urge to cheer happily, and lacking most of the energy to do so, Reno blinked trying to clear his blurry vision. Two more seconds and he would have a signal…

 

No! The low battery light came on, blinking rapidly before the phone completely shut down. He growled angrily and threw the useless electronic device into the woods behind him.

 

His back hurt, his head ached, and all he had for company was his weapon. What a fine mess he had gotten into.

 

“Well, well, well,” came a distinctly feminine voice. “If it isn't Reno of the Turks. Fancy meeting you here.”

 

Reno cracked open one tired eye to find he was being stared at by a dark-haired female who was smirking at him.

 

“I see my plan worked after all then,” the woman commented again, in a voice that he recognized, though the name escaped him. His head hurt so badly, and his consciousness was beginning to fade. Reno vaguely remembered slamming his forehead on the control panel and lifted up a shaking hand to his head, coming away with blood on his fingertips. Great… a head wound.

 

“You will the perfect bait…” she hissed, reaching down and grabbing him by the front of his shirt with one hand.

 

Reno blinked bleary eyes and responded without thinking, using what was left of his strength to fight back. He flicked the switch for the Electro Rod and lashed out at his attacker blindly, his head spinning with his every moment. He probably had a concussion…

 

A hand moved quickly, grabbing his arm and the base of the Rod that he held, preventing him from any further movement.

 

“Wha…?” he slurred, unable to form anything more coherent.

 

“Sleep,” the woman ordered, tightening her grip on his wrist. He hissed with the pain. “Sleep traitor.”

 

Almost immediately Reno felt the attack of the magic on his body. His limbs felt heavy, and his eyelids slid shut of their own accord. His fingers went limp in their grip of his weapon, and his entire body slumped.

 

“Grab him…” were the last words he heard before he slipped into unconsciousness.

 

* * *

 

Hmmm, wonder who the mysterious female is? Can anyone hazard a guess?

 

And I promise, more smut to come… as soon as I manage to get all the couples back together…

 

Leave a review before you go, and I will be most appreciative.