Desha's Reno of the Turks Fan Fiction

Interludes – Scene 35

Scene Notes: Reno is far more openly demonstrative of his protective nature… but Tseng doesn’t take it well when someone hurts one of his own, either.

From Chaper 21: Where There’s Smoke:

“Then… someone’s out there, trying to kidnap me,” Elena stated, shuddering slightly.

“Don’t need to worry about that,” Reno replied gently, “Me ‘n Rude tracked him down. Tseng’s… uh… dealing with him… as we speak.”

---

Inhale… hold…

It was rare he allowed himself to go so far. But these were special circumstances. One of his had been attacked. Injured. Hospitalized. Made homeless. And it could have been so much worse.

Exhale… slowly… controlled.

And why? Because she’d had the audacity to turn down his unwanted advances. And this slime had felt himself within his rights to simply take what he wanted. Well… Two could play that game. And what Tseng had wanted was blood. He’d taken quite a bit.

Inhale… hold…

It hadn’t been quick. It most certainly hadn’t been painless. Carson March had seen a side of Tseng that very few ever had… and that none on the receiving end had lived to speak of. He never permitted himself to become enraged. He was always slow… deliberate… meticulous. By the end of it, his victim had stunk of fear, and Tseng wasn’t too proud to admit that he had savored it.

Exhale…calm… centered.

Of course, the end result was perhaps even more gruesome than had he simply torn the man limb from limb. If nothing else, it was just as bloody. The ancient Wutaiians had called the technique death by a thousands cuts. Tseng had counted them carefully. He had made sure March had felt every last one of them.

Inhale… hold…

The downside was the mess. He couldn’t leave it for the janitorial staff. He’d have to deal with it personally. He was going to be here for awhile. But first…

Exhale…

Tseng pulled his PHS from his jacket’s inner pocket and calmly dialed Rude’s number. He’d asked him to stand by, and he doubted he’d gone any farther than their office. The Turk answered on the first ring.

“Sir?” his voice queried.

“Join me downstairs. I need you to… escort… our guest out of the building.”

“On my way.”

“Stop by the supply closet for me on your way down. I have some cleaning to do.”

He ended the call, and simply remained seated in the chair he’d been sitting in for almost half and hour now. Lifeless eyes stared back at him from the seat opposite him accusingly, but he felt no guilt. He didn’t regret it. He never did… not when it was justified, at any rate. And this had been justified. If the bastard hadn’t foolishly overdosed Elena, he might have succeeded in kidnapping her… and Leviathan only knew how long he would have had her before they found her. The thought of what he would have done to her…

This was justified. One did not harm a Turk and simply walk away from it… not on Tseng’s watch. Not his family. He’d die first before he allowed that.

The door opened, and a faint squeaking broke the silence of the room. Tseng turned just enough to see Rude wheeling in a mop and bucket.

“Need a hand?” he asked. Tseng shook his head and stood.

“It’s my mess. I’ll deal with it. See to the body.”

Rude nodded his understanding, and unfurled a long zippered bag that had been tucked under one arm. He lifted what was left of March out of the chair tucked him inside, sealing the bag, and lifting it. He settled it over one shoulder like a sack of potatoes.

“Reno says Elena is awake.”

“Dispose of March and then you’re free to go and visit. Tell them I’ll be along myself once I’ve finished here.”

“Sure you don’t want a hand?”

“Thank you for offering… but when have I ever accepted?” Tseng asked, briefly flashing him a grateful smile.

“See you in while, then,” Rude replied, turning and disappearing through the door. It closed softly behind him, leaving Tseng in silence once more. With a sighed, the Turk leader stripped off his jacket, and folded it neatly, setting it aside on the chair he’d just vacated, and reached for the mop. The scent of bleach water was already beginning to fill the room.

He’d never been fond of that smell.

~fin~