Don't Play with Fire (Turks FF7)

32) Double Loss

It must be three months since we came to this place. Kilmister actually came to our little portion of the cave, seemingly taking a mental note of my little bed of linens, one I made because I insisted on Rufus having the bed. I told him the floor was easier for me to get off of in the morning. Every morning, I've hidden my pain and ignored the look he gives me.

Rufus gets his cast taken off, and Kilmister hands him a piece of pipe.

"A walking stick so that you can stop leaning on the girl. Her ankle's not healing too well under all that pressure. I found this somewhere in the Shinra Building."

"What's the situation in Midgar?"

"The disease remains widespread. The number of number of people infected continues to rise but there're still a lot of people working hard in the new city to the east."

"Who is leading them?"

"Who knows? It seems a number of different groups. By the way, Mr. President, do you know anything about the Shinra Company's assasins?" Rufus shakes his head despite my obvious presence and Kilmister looks at me with a raised eyebrow. "It seems letters have reached the people who managed to sneak into the Shinra Building and warehouses, threatening them not to do so again if they wish to stay alive. They're all so scared that they've been found out that they decided not to do it again."

I have to hide my own smile, Rufus's as plain as day. I know we're both thinking about the Turks, and the ridiculous measures they're now taking. A pang echoes through my heart. I wish Reno was here. Yeah, I miss him. I haven't been away from him this long since I've met him.

"Mr. President, I'm not talking about right away, but I want some of that machinary that Shinra possesses. Can you let your assasins know?"

"What do you want?" Rufus asks cautiously.

"Dr. Hojo's equipment."

"And you'll be using it for our treatment?"

"Of course. I will also be needing..."

"Jenova."

"Yes. Where is it now?" Rufus glances at me quickly. I bite my lip and pray that Kilmister didn't notice. You idiot, Shinra.

"I don't know. I was going to look for it after I leave this place..."

"Then we must find a new place. This one isn't suitable for any research."

"... Research?" I ask. Kilmister looks at me as if he hadn't noticed me before, eyes narrowing. Rufus speaks up next, drawing his attention back.

"Mr. Kilmister, are you a doctor or a scientist?" There's silence for exactly fourteen seconds. I counted. Then Kilmister takes a gun out of his jacket and aims it at Rufus.

"Your treatment's over."

"Put it down," I snap right back, not missing a beat. "You're not getting what you want without him, are you?" Kilmister glares at me and I'm suddenly looking down the barrel of the weapon.

"No, but what the point of you?"

"What's the point of killing me?"

"I don't have enough food for all of you."

"You're running out of supplies. You're going to waste a bullet on me?" When did I start sounding as convincing as Rufus? The doctor puts his weapon away with a bitter look on his face, crouching down to my level from where I sit on the ground. His dark green eyes meet mine and I shudder. He knows...

"I may not have a bottle labeled 'Jenova', but I have the perfect vessel right here."

"Get away from me," I snarl.