The Reunion

Chapter 2

The next day passed very slowly. Tifa tried to talk to Eloise and make her stay in bed but the older woman was stubborn. She kept the bandage around her waist but that didn't mean she was in pain nor had a wound to cover.

"I wonder what happened," Tifa mumbled to herself. "No matter how much I think about it, something doesn't add up."

Cloud walked downstairs and noticed Tifa staring worriedly at Eloise although the former SOLDIER wasn't doing much. It was still early and the bar wasn't opening until 8 o'clock. All Eloise could do was take care that tables were clean and the garbage was thrown.

"She's fine." Cloud commented nonchalantly.

Tifa punched his arm with a strict motherly expression. He cared for Eloise more than he let out but he was still unable to show his emotions properly. Years have passed and yet no sibling relationship grew between the two soldiers.

"But she was bleeding. She was actually bleeding and she was in pain. It wasn't something she could just get over with so easily."

Cloud sighed and glanced at his former mentor. Eloise was arranging the place and placing the chairs around the tables. She looked normal and acted normal.

"Even if something is wrong, she's not going to tell us. She is so used to keeping everything to herself that she won't say how much it hurts until she collapses." Cloud said before he grabbed his helmet and left shortly after.

Tifa remained to prepare everything for the opening hour. If Eloise was not going to tell her or Cloud, then she must tell someone. Someone like an old friend of hers.

"Yo! Eloise!"

The brunette rolled her eyes and got ready to leave. Reno caught her arm and dragged her to his table. It was Sunday night so the turks were out for a drink including Tseng who was a workaholic. He didn't want to go out and didn't like to drink with his colleagues but Elena was a stubborn woman and knew how to get him out of the office. Seeing Eloise was a bonus. The elder turk hasn't seen her in months and Reno's stories about what exactly she was doing were vague.

"Look who we have here! Isn't this a rare sight?" Reno was referring to Tseng. He was stiff and hated loud bars which was quite weird because she remembered Tseng used to drink with Zack quite often.

"It's been a while, Eloise." Tseng said with a smile, looking at her carefully as if to check if she was alright.

"Indeed," she answered in a dry manner, "I have work to do. Just tell me what you want." she said, already done with their fuss.

Elena nudged Tseng but he didn't say a word.

Eloise was a smart woman and she learned how to pick up subtleties in the line of work she did before. But she was still ignorant to the things and people that mattered. Reno knew that and used it in his advantage.

"So, I was just talking to these guys about a new mission. It seems someone wants to eliminate Rufus Shinra as soon as possible." Reno started, "You know, we are always around him and we are amazing at protecting him but this guy is really good." He smiled boyishly and wrapped an arm around her shoulder.

"I'm not getting involved. Ask Cloud."

"Oh, come on. You're our friend! We've known each other for more than 10 years!" Reno exclaimed. She glanced at Tseng, waiting for some kind of comment but he didn't say anything. Since there was nothing else to discuss, Eloise left.

"You shouldn't force her to do your work." Rude's statement was rather rude but realistic. She wasn't going to protect someone who meant nothing to her. Moreover, she suffered a lot because of Rufus' father.