Taking Care of Reno: Advent Children
Chapter 1: The Disease
“Hey… Anybody home?” Reno called out as he shifted the bags he was carrying to one arm and shouldered his way through the back door and into the kitchen. “Seriously… anybody? ‘Cause I could use a little help with this…”
A quiet giggle answered him, and one of the four fully-stuffed paper shopping bags was lifted from his arms.
“Oh… big help. Take one,” he muttered. Elena set the bag on the counter and hurried back to him, grabbing a second and giving her husband a gentle peck on the cheek.
“Who in their right mind sent you to get groceries?” she teased.
“Rude did… Fucker gave me a list, too, like I don’t know how to fuckin’ shop.”
“Reno… the last time we let you get food for the week, you came back with beer, toaster pastries, and microwave dinners,” she pointed out, snickering.
“… It technically qualified as food,” he protested. His reply was met only by raised eyebrows.
“Tch… Fine. Old habits are hard to break, ya know? You should read this shit, though. I’ve been given less complicated orders by the President,” he groused, following her farther into the kitchen and setting down his remaining burden, before pulling a folded sheet of paper from his pocket. He unfolded it, and started reading. “Green bananas just starting to turn yellow. Whole wheat bread with sprouted grains, unsliced, baked today. Whole, raw, unseasoned almonds… and then in all fuckin’ caps he’s got DO NOT GET SLICED OR GROUND ALMONDS… ’cause apparently anything but whole almonds are an abomination of some kind… It goes on like this for two fuckin’ pages!”
Elena peered into one of the bags, and laughed.
“Oh… I just bet this was on Rude’s list…” she said, pulling out a frozen pizza.
“That is mine,” the redhead replied, and snatched it from her, possessively. “And I wouldn’t have to resort to sneakin’ in the frozen shit if he’d just make a goddamn pizza once in awhile.”
Elena wrapped her arms around him, resting her head on his shoulder. “You’re going to share, right?” she asked. “I mean… I love Rude’s cooking, but I’d kill for a nice big slice of pepperoni and mushroom tonight…”
Reno grinned and lifted her off the ground, eliciting a squeal of delight from his fellow-Turk.
“Depends… what are you gonna do for me if I give ya some?”
“Give you some,” she purred, as her lips found his.
A low groan interrupted them before things could go any farther.
“Are you two at it again?” Rude sighed, approaching the bags and inspecting their contents.
“At what?” came the innocent reply, and the bald Turk snorted a laugh, shaking his head.
“Did you get everything on the list?”
“… Almost. They were out of almonds… whole or otherwise. Apparently shipments from Wutai have been takin’ longer and longer lately. Probably ’cause of the latest Geostigma outbreak down there.”
“Hear it’s pretty bad,” Rude said, nodding. “… Guess that means my almond crusted tilapia is off the menu for awhile.”
“Yeah, well… since I did all the shoppin’ this week, you can put it all away,” Reno replied. He looped his arm around Elena’s waist and escorted her from the kitchen and down the hall without waiting for an answer, and pulled her down with him onto the couch in the front room of Shinra Cabin at Healin Lodge.
One part hospital, one part research lab, Healin Lodge was dedicated to finding a cure for the deadly disease that had begun to appear about a year and a half after the Meteor crisis. For the past six months, scientists and doctors, funded by Shinra Company, had been working tirelessly to find a way to eradicate it. Thus far, they had only managed to slow it’s progression… and only when it was caught early.
‘Lodge’ was perhaps a bit of a misnomer. The facility spanned more than a dozen buildings, situated high in the cliffs south of the ruins of Midgar, overlooking the plains. The Turks were tasked with guarding the facility and the important research data kept there. As such, for the time being, it was also their home.
“So… uh… speakin’ of Geostigma…” Reno began, somewhat hesitantly, “I kinda ran into Lira in Edge today, and –”
“Oh, dear Shiva…” Elena gasped, horrified, “She doesn’t have it… does she?”
Reno quickly shook his head. “No! No… nothin’ like that. She’s fine, and so’s Cole. But… she did have a… request.”
“What kind of request?”
He sighed and took hold of her hand. “Lira wants to know if we’d be willin’ to take Cole if… somethin’ happens to her. I think Talia gettin’ sick’s got her really freaked out. She’s startin’ to worry. So… I told her I’d talk to ya about it, and let her know as soon as possible.”
“She wants us to take him?”
The two year old was the most adorable thing on two legs… and a natural born troublemaker – a trait that most certainly was not kept in check in any way whatsoever by his equally mischief-inclined ‘uncle’ Reno.
The redhead nodded. “Pretty sure she was gonna ask Talia… ’til she found the lesions. I think we’re about the only other people Lira trusts with somethin’ that important to her. But… I also think that even though the job’s not as dangerous these days as it used to be, we’re still Turks… and shit happens. So… what do you think?”
“I think… Lira’s family,” Elena stated, and slipped her arms around him, pulling him closer. “So… If you’re willing, then so am I.”
Reno leaned in and pressed a warm kiss to her forehead. “Yeah. That’s kind what I was thinkin’, too. I’ll let her know,” he replied. “I just really fuckin’ hope it doesn’t come to that. I can’t stand the idea of Lira gettin’ sick, too. We got enough sick friends these days.”
Talia was only the most recent to come down with the illness. Thankfully, her daughter, Fawn, was alright so far, as was the aunt they lived with. Before her, it had been Kel’s little girl, Mirian… and before her, Elena’s friend Chai’s husband. And before that…
“You’re back. Good. There’s something we need to discuss. Where’s Rude?”
Reno, somewhat reluctantly, untwined himself from his wife, coming to attention as Rufus Shinra stepped out into the room, trailed closely by Tseng. The Turk leader was rarely far from his charge’s side these days.
“I’ll get him, sir,” Elena replied, hurrying off to the kitchen to summon the other Turk.
As she left, Rufus grimaced in pain, his hand clenching into a fist.
“Bad day?” Reno asked, eying the bandages that covered the appendage. He knew full well, they went halfway up the President’s arm.
“As I feared, it’s… beginning to spread again. Slowly… But Ward confirmed there’s been noticeable progression.”
That wasn’t the news Reno had been hoping for… but it wasn’t unexpected. Rufus was one of the lucky few who, though he contracted it not long after it first began to appear, was able to begin receiving treatment for the disease early, and it had kept it at bay for months. Untreated, he likely would have been largely immobile by now, and in terrible, near-constant pain. Healin Lodge had already opened at the time… and when he was unexpectedly diagnosed shortly thereafter, he’d essentially offered himself up as a guinea pig for the experimental treatments.
They’d kept his condition quiet… and kept Rufus himself more or less hidden from public view. He still ran the day to day operations of Shinra Company, but he did so remotely, by computer link to the new headquarters in Junon. People suspected the truth, Reno was sure, but they’d been very careful not to let information leak about how advanced the disease was… in part, because, by all rights, Rufus probably ought to have been dead by now or close to it. They didn’t want people thinking they had a cure and were withholding it, when all they’d really managed to do was slow it down. The facility saw numerous patients already… but space was limited and the treatment was still very early in development. Only a small percentage responded well to it, and many didn’t respond at all.
Rude and Elena emerged from the hallway, and Rufus nodded in approval.
“It is not my condition, however, that I wish to discuss. At least… not directly. One of our research teams has made a rather… unsettling… discovery,” the President said, taking a seat on the couch. “For months, we have believed Geostigma to be a virus of some kind. One that caused mutations in healthy cells, leading to this.” He held up his bandaged arm. “It seems we were wrong.”
“Sir?” Elena queried, growing curious.
“The so-called mutations are not mutations at all. They are foreign cells, invading the body. Cells that Shinra Company is, unfortunately, very familiar with. If so many of our scientists hadn’t died in Midgar, it’s likely we would have identified them much sooner.”
“… Sir… What exactly are we talkin’ about here?” Reno asked, spotting the look of distaste firmly etched on Tseng’s face. Apparently the Wutaiian Turk already knew the answer to that.
“Jenova. Those of us afflicted with Geostigma have been infected with Jenova cells,” Rufus stated.
“B-but… Jenova was destroyed, along with Sephiroth,” said Elena.
“Was it? Or did it merely die and lay there, rotting for nearly two years, slowly contaminating the lifestream itself?” Rufus postulated, “And that is precisely what I want the four of you to find out. Go to the crater… search it for any sign of Jenova and if you find it, bring the remains back here for further study. I’d like you to leave as soon as possible.”
“Rude… see to the helicopter. Reno, we may need climbing gear,” Tseng said, stepping forward at last. “Elena… I’d like a video record of our search. If we return empty-handed, perhaps the camera will have spotted something we missed. You’ll handle that. There should be some portable equipment in storage. If any of you need me, I’ll be in the library gathering whatever charts of the area I can find.”
“We’re on it, Boss” Reno replied. He and Rude headed outside to see to their respective tasks, and Elena hurried off towards the storage area. Tseng turned to Rufus.
“You should rest for awhile, sir. You’re exhausted after today’s treatment,” he said, helping the younger man to his feet and supporting him as they made their way back to his room.
“Tseng… I have always been grateful to you for the loyalty and dedication you’ve shown me over the years. But perhaps never moreso than the past few months. I know you’ve sacrificed much for my sake… and there’s something I would have you promise me.”
“Sir?” the Turk leader asked, somewhat taken aback.
“I don’t plan to succumb to this illness. I intend to fight it with everything I have… but it’s a battle I still may ultimately lose. Should that happen… I don’t want you to try to save whatever might remain of Shinra Company yourself. It will manage quite well on its own. Take your Turks, and live your life. Preferably with the lovely Captain Nacelle… whom you still seem to believe I’m unaware you’ve been involved with for more than a decade in spite of her near-constant presence at your bedside two years ago.”
Tseng smiled faintly. “Is that an order, sir?”
“I shall most certainly make it one, if I must.”
Elena made her way past the main clinic en route to the storage building. Today was absolutely gorgeous. It was early summer, and the air was warm and filled with birdsong. She paused for a moment at the overlook, gazing out at the waterfalls that made their way down the cliffside. Healin Lodge had been built in a truly beautiful location. In spite of the frustrating and occasionally sad nature of their work here, she couldn’t help but find it peaceful. It surprised her how quickly it had become home.
“Enjoying the view, are yeh?” a familiar voice called out behind her, and she turned to see Dr. Justinia Ward walking down the path towards her. She smiled warmly. “I had the the same thought myself, just a few minutes ago.”
Ward was not a full time resident at the Lodge. She spent most of her time in Edge, at her own clinic, caring for the city’s stricken. But she paid frequent visits to Healin, as well, not only to care for her five favorite patients, but to keep abreast of the latest developments in their research, and to contribute her own observations and notes. Many of her patients, like Rufus, had become voluntary test subjects for the clinic’s treatments, as well. She wasn’t an uncommon sight at the facility, by any means. Even Rufus had grudgingly come to regard her as his preferred physician.
“It’s as beautiful as ever,” Elena agreed. “Um… Dr. Ward?”
“Yes, dear?”
“I… I’ve been meaning to talk to you, actually. I… er… need you to… take a look at me.”
Ward’s expression suddenly shifted to one of concern. “Have yeh been feeling sick? Yeh haven’t found any lesions, have yeh?”
The Turk shook her head. “N-no… I’m not sick. I’m just…” She glanced around quickly, just to make sure they were alone. “… Late.”
The doctor’s eyebrows rose in understanding, and she smiled widely. “Just howlate are yeh?”
“Only a little over a week…” Elena replied. “I… I know, it might not mean anything. I could just be a little off schedule this month. It’s not like it’s never happened before. But…”
“But the sooner yeh find out for sure the better,” Ward declared. “Do yeh have time right now? It won’t take long.”
“Well, I’m actually supposed to be getting some equipment right now. I shouldn’t even be standing around enjoying the view, really. We’re heading out shortly. But… you’re staying here tonight, aren’t you? Can we do it as soon as I get back?”
“Of course. Yeh just come and find me.”
Elena smiled. “Thanks. Oh… and… could you not say anything about this to Reno before then? I don’t want to tell him and then have it turn out to be just a false alarm…”
“My lips are sealed,” the doctor replied, warmly. Elena thanked her again and hurried off to retrieve the requested camera equipment.
She was probably just being a little overcautious. A week didn’t necessarily mean anything, and she and Reno weren’t exactly trying for a baby. Though… it was actually closer to a week and a half at this point, and they, admittedly, hadn’t been quite as careful about that sort of thing lately as they usually were, either. She could think of at least one night recently when something had happened that hadn’t been entirely intentional.
If it did turn out that she was pregnant, she wasn’t quite sure how Reno was going to react. They really hadn’t discussed the possibility at any great length… though after that recent unintentional slip-up, his attitude had been something along the lines of whatever happens, happens. She honestly couldn’t say… if something had happened… whether he’d be upset, or ecstatic, or somewhere in between.
She wasn’t even completely certain how she felt about the possibility yet. At the very least, it would mean major changes for her on the job. She could hardly be out in the field with a baby on the way. Even if she were willing to take that kind of risk, Reno was too protective to ever allow it. So, for that matter, was Tseng. And Rude… Hell, even Rufus would probably weigh in on the issue and forbid it.
But she’d cross that bridge if and when she came to it. Like she’d told Ward… it could easily be nothing more than a false alarm. Besides… right now, she had a mission to prepare for.
Scarlet eyes watched silently from the shadows. They didn’t know he was here… and they wouldn’t, if he had anything to say about it. Confrontation wasn’t his goal. For now, he was only observing.
He didn’t dare stray too close to the ancient city, however… he’d already aroused their suspicions once, and he had no intention of doing so again. He wasn’t overly concerned about having to fight his way out… but if they discovered him, he’d likely never get this close again. And there was much he still needed to know.
Not the least of which being where the trio had come from. He’d been to Nibelheim and back in the last week, searching through both Hojo’s and Gast’s journals. There had been no mention of other… abominations… like Sephiroth. At least not in anything that had been left behind. And it certainly wasn’t lost on him that these three were much younger that he would have expected, had they been created at the same time as the legendary soldier.
And he was certain they had been created. They were far too like Sephiroth not to have been, from their silvery hair, to their catlike eyes that glowed with the power of mako energy. Even their faces were very much like his had been. But where they’d come from, he’d been unable to discover.
What he did know, however, was that they were looking for ‘Mother’. And if they really did have some relationship to Sephiroth, he was sure the object of their search was Jenova.
That thought concerned him greatly. He, along with the rest of his allies, had believed Jenova to have been utterly destroyed… if not in their battle against the creature, then certainly when the crater had begun to collapse around them. They’d barely made it out alive themselves. Surely Jenova’s body had been swallowed up by the lifestream, just as Sephiroth’s had been.
But then… Cloud had once fallen into the lifestream. He had returned. Perhaps, so too, had Jenova, in some form or another. Regardless… these three were apparently looking for her.
Aside from the disturbing nature of their mission, there was something strangely off about them all. They seldom slept… He never saw them eat… And, in spite of their occasionally childlike behavior and youthful appearance, they fought like seasoned warriors. Something would have to be done about them, and soon. But for now, he would watch them carefully and learn all he could.
~end chapter 1~
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