Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Shattered Dreams ❯ A Familiar Face ( Chapter 11 )

Chapter 11: A Familiar Face

 

Reeve Tuesti was beginning to realize just how much he hated his job. He was sitting behind his desk in his office in the Neo-ShinRa building, diligently going through his paperwork. Hmph. It seemed that was all he was good for. His lover was missing, a town had been attacked, and here he was reading some non-important bullshit about the average fuel usage for ShinRa vehicles.

 

He laughed darkly at that as he signed his name to yet another report. Reno could be dying for all he knew, but Reeve was expected to stay behind like the good little President and get his work done.

 

But, oh how he hated the polished oak desk, far too expensive for him to waste money on and the way the chair had completely flattened to his shape, so that it was no longer comfortable. He despised being tied down and caged to paperwork like some kind of prisoner. There was much he could be doing, including looking for his lost lover and proving to the red-haired Turk just how much he loved him.

 

It was painful to go home to an empty apartment. It was always cold and dark… the executive had to turn on the lights and play a little radio just to fall asleep the night before. He missed Reno's characteristic inability to remain in any position for long. There was a reason the two needed such a large bed. The Turk tended to thrash about and was very active during the night. Truthfully, some nights BOTH of them were very active. Not that naughty thoughts of any kind were helpful to Reeve in his current situation.

 

“Reeve?” Archer's voice cut through his internal monologue. He had nearly forgotten that his former assistant was there. He had been absorbing himself so much in his paperwork to concentrate on everything but how much he ached on the inside. Reno gone he could handle… but Reno missing with no clue as to his health or whereabouts… it left him feeling hollow and cold.

 

“Hm?” the dark-haired man responded as the pen scratched quietly over the paper. The last thing he wanted to hear was how everything was going to be alright or to be told not to worry. Yet, he could almost predict to the letter what Archer was going to say. Just reiterating the same pointless encouragement as he had when they first learned of the frantic distress signal from Reno's helicopter.

 

“He's going to be fine,” the green-eyed man attempted in consolation. He had been standing at the windows and staring out it as they waited for some kind of communication. There wasn't much for him to do as he was used to being on the Highwind and working with either the technicians or engineers. Though he was good at being Reeve's assistant way back when, Kyle actually despised paperwork and would much rather be tearing something apart and attempting to put it back together again. It was that original interest that had first tied him to the young pilot Highwind. Cid was in Gongaga, and Tseng and Elena were on their way. There wasn't much left to do but wait.

 

Reeve snorted in response. “I wouldn't know. I am here rather than out there. No wonder he is mad at me.”

 

Archer shook his head and moved to sit in one of the chairs in front of the desk. He plopped down into the well-worn seat and tried to find a comfortable position. It wasn't easy on the rather flat cushion. The dark-haired executive was bent over his desk with amber-eyes continuously running after one document or another, occasionally applying the pen he was tapping against the top to a line on the paper.

 

“You sound like a child,” Archer teased, green eyes taking in the slouched appearance of his friend. His shoulders were taut with worry.

 

Reeve put down the pen and glared at his friend from across the desk. “I don't want to be stuck in here,” the executive said as he gestured vaguely around the office. “I want to be out looking for him, so that he knows I care.” His eyes fell as he sighed heavily. He just wanted to put his head down, go to sleep, and wake up tomorrow with all the problems gone. “I have a feeling that's what started everything in the first place.”

 

The other man opened his mouth to reply but was interrupted by a solid knock on the outer doors to the office. Three hard raps resounded on the thick wooden doors.

 

“Enter,” Reeve called out loudly, with a shrug of his shoulders. He expected it to be Jennifer, bringing him in more paperwork. The drudgery of his days…

 

His secretary stuck her head in, checking to make sure he wasn't overtly busy before pushing the door open with her hips and coming inside. Sure enough, she had a stack of papers in her hand and surprisingly, a package of some sort.

 

“Carey, down in R&D, has been going through Dr. Hojo's research,” explained Jennifer as she handed over the papers. “These are only some of the reports. They are quite sickening,” she commented with a frown.

 

Archer shook his head. “Hojo was a monster; that's all that need be said.”

 

“Thanks. What about the package?” Reeve questioned as he looked at the papers. He sighed inwardly at the sheer volume of lines that would require his signature and decision.

 

She shrugged as she handed him the slim, brown-wrapped package that was addressed to President Reeve. “It came this afternoon in the late drop off. I don't think it is anything dangerous.”

 

He took the wrapped parcel, surprised at how light it was. “Thank you, Jennifer. You can go home early today.”

 

The pretty woman flashed him a smile of thanks and literally danced from the office, humming a small tune to herself. It was, after all, a Friday afternoon.

 

Archer chuckled as he watched her leave. She caught his look and flashed him a wink and sway of her hips before she dodged out the door. “You just made her night.”

 

“Hm,” Reeve agreed. His mind was already on the package in his hand. There wasn't much to the square parcel other than his name on the front. There was no return address. The wrapping itself was plain brown and taped. The dark-haired man frowned as he turned it over and over in his hands.

 

“You'll never know unless you open it,” Archer joked as he watched his friend analyze the packet.

 

Reeve shot him a look as he started to slowly rip off the tape and open up the package. The wrapping came apart easily in his hands until a slim video tape slid into his hand. It too was unlabeled except for a small note that read, “Watch me.”

Shrugging, Reeve handed the video tape over to Archer.

 

Kyle frowned and raised an eyebrow. “Might as well,” he said, noting the sign on the front of the case.

 

Reeve pressed a button on the remote control in the drawer on his desk. Along the wall behind him, a small panel slid open revealing a decently sized television and video system. Archer shook his head at the ShinRa technology and put in the tape. Reeve clicked the television on and the two men sat back to watch.

 

The screen crackled and buzzed black for a moment before a picture coalesced, though it was grainy and out of focus. Gradually however, the picture came into focus and what was revealed caused Reeve to gasp and grit his teeth in anger.

 

The camera was pointed at a bruised Reno, tied hand and foot to a chair. He appeared unconscious, his head lolling on his chest. There was a distinct cut in the red-haired man's forehead that was rather sloppily bandaged and small purplish bruises were evident in the light skin. His usual goggles were gone and his hair was flopping over limply in his sweat-slicked face. The video was him for a moment until it panned over to the right revealing another familiar face.

 

“Hello, Reeve, pleasure to see you again,” came a distinctly female voice as a recognized brunette came into view. She was wearing a rather revealing little outfit consisting of a long skirt with distasteful slits and a thin, form fitting top that didn't hide much. If she thought she looked desirable, she was sorely mistaken.

 

“Tifa,” the president growled, pulling his fingers into a fist. He still remembered her attack of him during the escape from Junon. She deserved a beating that she hadn't gotten yet. However, the most surprising fact was everybody had assumed both she and Rufus were dead.

 

“I'm sure you are wondering what the hell is going on? Aren't you, sweetie?” the dark-haired girl continued as she gestured vaguely towards where Reno was trussed up and unconscious.

 

“You killed my lover,” Tifa growled angrily, leaning forward. “And if I don't get what I want, I will return the favor.”

 

“Bitch!” Reeve cursed angrily, barely able to contain himself from leaping to his feet. “I swear if it's the last…“

 

“Reeve,” Archer said quietly. “Listen to what she has to say first.” He put a hand on his friends arm to help calm him.

 

Biting his lip, the amber-eyed executive returned his attention to the screen. He barely noticed when the door to his office opened behind him. Archer turned to look and saw that Tseng and Elena were entering quietly, an odd look on their face. He waved them over.

 

“ShinRa should be mine,” Tifa continued unabated, smirking as if she knew what kind of reaction she would be getting. “It belonged to Rufus, not you punks. He would hate to see what is being done with his money and his father's money.” She grinned and leaned forward in her chair even as she crossed her legs.

 

“I want it all. Hand over all of ShinRa and what remains of the money and we might call it even.” She licked her lips suggestively and sat back in her chair, as if waiting for a reaction.

 

“I can't believe that heinous bitch!” Archer cursed angrily. “What does she think we're going to do, roll over and beg?”

 

“I have to do it,” murmured Reeve slumping. “I can't allow her to hurt him.”

 

“I never liked her,” Elena growled, stepping up beside her boss and fellow friend. She fingered the gun at her side as if contemplating shooting the screen.

 

“She will not have ShinRa,” Tseng continued. “We shall rescue Reno before she gets a chance to even touch him.”

 

“You know,” Tifa mused aloud, continuing in her video as if she knew what was going on. “You would save a lot on construction if you stopped. Then I wouldn't have to keep sabotaging it all.” She snickered into her palm.

 

“Anyways, as much as I enjoy talking to you, I really must be going. Places to blow up, things to destroy, terrorist takeovers… that sort of thing. I will contact you later about the details. Ta ta!” She wiggled her fingers at him. “Oh! And tell Cloud I said hello, would you? I'm sure he's dying to know.”

 

With those parting words, the screen went black. A few moments later the television turned to a snowy screen. The video was obviously over.

 

“Is there anyway to figure out where they are hiding?” Reeve demanded, turning to face his three friends and employees.

 

Elena turned thoughtful. “Possibly. If I analyzed the video for background noises and scenes, I might be able to pick out something that would give us a hint.”

 

“Do it,” the president ordered. “This time I am not going to stay behind.”

 

“But…“ Archer started to protest.

 

The dark-haired executive put up a hand to stop him before he could continue. “No, I don't care about ShinRa right now. I would gladly hand over this company if that's what it took to get him back. Not that I'm planning to, but I will if necessary.”

 

Tseng nodded. “Should we call Cloud, let him know that Tifa is unfortunately alive and well?”

 

“Yes,” Reeve agreed. “And call Cid as well; he needs to know what to look out for, though I doubt she is hiding anywhere near Gongaga.”

 

Archer shifted in his stance as he thought. “Do you think she is responsible for what happened there?”

 

“I can't say for sure,” Reeve responded. “Not until I know all the facts. For now, let's just concentrate on getting Reno back, safe and alive.”

 

* * *

 

Cid put down his shovel, thrusting the semi-sharp spade into the ground. He stretched mildly, pushing his arms to the heavens and managing to pop his sore back. For the past two days or so, he, Nanaki, and Yuffie had decided to hang around in Gongaga to help the residents bury the dead and get back on their feet.

 

Cid had spent most of his time doing physical labor. He found it easy to lose himself in the pain of an overworked body and collapsing into sleep made it easy not to dream. It was a coping mechanism for the moment, which eased the pain in his heart.

 

Nanaki had taken to helping the ladies in the makeshift hospital. His knowledge gifted to him by Bugenhagen was useful. The demi-human had a surprisingly gentle touch and was often found joking with the patients in an effort to relieve their pain.

 

Yuffie was working with clean up, sifting through the debris of broken objects for helpful items and also carrying messages across the town as rebuilding was in the midst of being attempted.

 

The pilot wiped his forehead with the back of his hand, brushing off the sweat that had collected there in the midday sun. It was backbreaking work to dig graves, and not exactly a comforting task either.

 

Earlier that morning Archer had called to tell him of the ransom on Reno. It had surprised him, but it wasn't as if Cid could really contribute anything of use. Reeve had Tseng, Elena, and Kyle. He didn't need the help of a depressed old pilot.

 

Groaning as his stretch popped some of the bones in his back, Cid decided it was time he took a break. He swiped his water bottle off the ground and happily squirted some of it into his mouth. Most of the wells in Gongaga had been tainted. So the survivors had gathered a bunch of tubs and cleaned them. Cid cast a water spell and filled the clean tubs thereby providing reasonably fresh water.

 

The blond headed for one of the trees on the outskirts of the clearing that would house the graveyard. He plopped down beneath the thick, low-hanging and fragrant branches of one of the taller trees. He leaned up against the rough bark of the trunk to relax as he chugged some more of the water. It was significantly cooler in the shade of the giant tree. Cid allowed his eyes to wander, taking in the still shattered look of Gongaga.

 

Sky blue eyes absorbed the same destruction his friends had encountered earlier. Shells of burnt and blasted buildings, tattered lives and dreams, just as before. If Cid hadn't known that ShinRa was in good hands, he would have been hard pressed to not blame it on the mega-corporation. Indeed, it looked like another mako reactor had blown up. As if Gongaga, hadn't had enough problems already.

 

The residents of this hamlet however, were remarkably resilient. Two days after the attack and most of the survivors had recognized the importance of ensuring their own continued existence before they could even grieve. Despite the many graves that were beginning to dot the small clearing enclosed by trees, Gongaga would learn and survive once more.

 

However, there was one fact that the pilot had not failed to notice. Whilst all the other charred buildings were slowly being deconstructed and searched for useful items, one particular blackened home lay untouched. Occasionally, he saw residents pass by and lay flowers on what used to be the doorstep, but other than that, the house had been completely ignored. They didn't mill near the wreckage, nor poke about in it for something helpful. It was as if someone very important and sacred had died in that particular building.

 

Cid frowned in inner thought as he contemplated the importance of the building. As far as he knew, the Gongagans weren't much for religion and their mayor had survived. So who had lived in the house?

 

“Old man!” Yuffie's cheerful voice cut through his thoughts as the branches above him rustled noisily. Looking up, Cid wasn't surprised to find mischievous brown eyes twinkling down at him.

 

“Whaddya want, brat?” demanded Cid gruffly. “Get down from there.”

 

“Whatcha looking at?” the ninja questioned as she nimbly dropped down from the green leaves and landed next to the relaxed pilot.

 

Cid rolled his shoulders lazily as he idly gestured towards the home he had been musing on.

 

“Why is that one ignored except for the flowers? No one has begun to clean it.”

 

Yuffie sighed as she traced his line of sight. “Rumor has it that home was the only one to survive the attack. But Zack burned it before he left.”

 

“Who's Zack?” Cid asked with a frown. Why did that name sound so familiar?

 

Yuffie exclaimed, “Gah! Haven't you been listening to the people around here?”

 

Cid waved a hand of dismissal. “I prefer not to listen to idle rumors. Now tell me who that is, while I try to place the name.”

 

“Nanaki seems to think he's heard the name, too,” Yuffie mused aloud. “Anyways, Zack seems to be the one that drove away the demons. He defeated them all and nearly died in the process. According to Laisa, he was really hot!”

 

“I think I remember now,” came Nanaki's voice, disturbing their conversation. The two looked up to find their red-haired friend grinning down on him. He plopped down on the other side Yuffie and handed each of them some sandwiches that the ladies of Gongaga had made for them.

 

“Wasn't he Cloud's friend? The one who originally had that giant sword?” Nanaki questioned aloud, around a mouthful of sandwich of his own.

 

“I thought he died,” commented Yuffie, wrinkling her nose when she realized that her sandwich had mustard on it. She hated mustard…

 

“I remember now,” Cid mused aloud. “He was born here in this town. Wasn't he dark-haired and blue-eyed?”

 

Nanaki frowned at the description. “Yes, Cloud's friend was. However, this Zack, from what I hear, has grey eyes and his hair is long, not spiked.”

 

Before they could say anything further, the PHS in Cid's pocket rang very loudly. The pilot appeared to think about ignoring it for a moment before he reached into his pocket and pulled the phone out.

 

“Highwind,” Cid answered crisply and shortly.

 

“Captain…” The pilot winced at the title. “You sound far less angry than when we last spoke.” It was Nanaki's grandfather, Bugenhagen.

 

“Gongaga was attacked,” the blond replied. “My anger took to the back burner.”

 

Bugenhagen clucked sympathetically. “So I've heard. However, I think you should come to Cosmo Canyon.”

 

Cid glared at Nanaki openly as he listened to the older man on the phone. “More secrets?” he questioned, growling angrily.

 

For a moment, there was silence on the phone as the pilot waited for Bugenhagen to reply.

 

“I think I have found Vincent,” the older man uttered quietly. “I mean, I cannot be sure, but…”

 

Bugenhagen's voice faded from his mind as Cid sucked in a surprised breath. His heart began to pound with excitement as he stared wide-eyed, not really seeing. Vincent… they had… found him?

 

“Cid!” Bugenhagen's shout brought him back to the phone that had gone slack in his hand.

 

“Where is he?” questioned the pilot, slowly regaining his senses.

 

Nanaki and Yuffie exchanged glances at this, surprise etched into their features. They didn't know what was going on but judging by the pilot's tone, it was a good thing.

 

“He is here with me, but, Captain Highwind, you have to understand. He does not look the same… and he has completely lost his memory. He does not even know who he is...” Bugenhagen trailed off, unsure if he should say anything else.

 

Cid felt his heart stop once more as he absorbed the older man's words. Vincent didn't know who he was? Which meant he probably had no clue who the pilot was? He fought back a choking sob and tried to think more positively. If it truly was him, then at least the gunman was alive. Memory could always return later.

 

“I'm coming there right away. Expect me, Nanaki, and Yuffie in an hour or so. Don't let him leave!” ordered Cid.

 

Bugenhagen chuckled lightly. “Of course, I won't. Hopefully, he will stay asleep until you arrive.”

 

“Whatever it takes,” Cid responded gruffly. “See you as soon as I can.” With that spoken, he hung up the phone without waiting for a response. For a moment, he just sat there in mild shock; the PHS is in his hand gripped tightly. He stared idly off into the distance, barely registering his two companions.

 

“Cid?” questioned Nanaki softly. He and the ninja exchanged yet another glance, unsure how to interpret the pilot's actions.

 

Slowly sky blue eyes turned towards brown and amber. A look of wonder had appeared. He slowly returned the phone to his pocket, patting it gently before he spoke.

 

“Vincent is… in Cosmo Canyon,” he told them.

 

In unison, two pairs of eyes widened in surprise. Yuffie jumped to her feet, a large smile breaking out on her face as she cheered happily. Nanaki took a much quieter approach, a small grin appearing even as he contemplated the words.

 

“Well, what are you waiting for?” Yuffie exclaimed loudly. “Why aren't you going?”

 

Nanaki frowned thoughtfully as he regarded the carefully guarded expression on the pilot's face. Cid wasn't even daring to hope too much, afraid to be let down again.

 

“What if it isn't him?” questioned the demi-human aloud. “What if it is another hoax like the time before?”

 

He was referring to a time that an honor-less cretin had pretended to have information on Vincent and was hoping to goad some money out of the pilot. This event had occurred a month or so after the disappearance and had gotten Cid extremely excited. Unfortunately, the man was just an extortionist and had no such information. He was currently rotting in a prison in Midgar courtesy of Reeve.

 

“It could be someone pretending,” Nanaki added as an afterthought. “Everyone knows his description by now…”

 

The cheer died from Yuffie's lips as she looked between the two serious men. She sincerely hoped that the demi-human was wrong. Cid deserved his heart back far too much for it to be a hoax.

 

Cid shook his head. “Your grandfather believes it. Besides, the man isn't even claiming to be Vincent… he claims a memory loss.”

 

Nanaki sighed and cast a small smile at his friend as he slowly hauled himself to his feet, stretching idly. “I hope that he is true then, for you if no one else.” He held out a hand which the pilot grasped and was hauled to his feet.

 

The blond brushed off his jeans from the dirt and leaves that had stuck to him. He granted Nanaki and Yuffie a grin, something genuine that they hadn't seen in awhile.

 

“Come on; let's go,” he said, jerking a thumb towards where the Highwind had remained stationary since they arrived in Gongaga.

 

The demi-human and ninja were more than happy to comply.

 

* * *

Yay! Cid is going to meet Vincent… or is he?