After Meteorfall (Reno x Female! Reader)

Chapter 7

(Y/F/C) = Your Fave Colour

Several hours had passed.
(Y/N) glanced up at the clock that ticked solemnly on the wall of Mr.Stones office.
10.24pm.
She should have finished over 5 hours ago.
Often, she felt her small apartment to be cold, lonely and without heart.
Now, she'd have given an entire years Gil to be there.
From inside this office, she longed to curl up on her lumpy sofa, drink tea brewed from her dinged old kettle, cuddle up under her many mismatched patchwork quilts.
She suddenly remembered the gossamer soft, midnight black comforter Arlene had made for her one Christmas. It had been embroidered with all of the different Materia types: Support, Summon, Command, Magic, Independent.
Against the inky blackness, each Materia colour shone vividly, almost if they were infused with the power of the real thing. It must have taken Arlene months to make, her old hands weak and stiff.
(Y/N) heart ached again, thinking of old Jim, too. Suffering an illness she had no idea about. She smiled despite herself, imagining his face at a Turk breaking the news to her.
(Y/N) felt the tears pool in her eyes again, this time allowing them to spill. She allowed herself to cry silently for a few moments, letting herself grieve their loss, before quickly brushing away her tears. She didn't want to appear as if she had been crying to the Turks, she wouldn't allow them the pleasure of thinking they were getting to her.
Even though she had lost her resolve several hours ago.
(Y/N) was starving hungry and desperately thirsty, feeling a headache forming in her eyes as a result. She had searched the office for something at least edible for an hour before giving up.
She wondered bitterly if this was another Turk tactic, making things uncomfortable for her, starting off lightly. She shuddered at what they might do if they couldn't decipher when the unit had been bugged and she was still in the frame for this whole mess. This was probably pamper treatment in comparison.
Another half an hour passed before the door beeped again, signalling the arrival of the Turks once more.
Tseng and Reno swept in again, followed by Mr. Stone.
Tseng gave her a slight nod, before the two resumed their positions on the chairs in front of her silently.
Her manager leaned wearily against his desk, looking frazzled.
(Y/N) swallowed, tucking more wayward hairs behind an ear nervously, now more unkempt than ever.
She eyed them warily, desperately tired.
Tsengs voice then cut through the silence, smooth and clear.
''Miss (Y/L/N), technicians have finished decoding your unit, and it appears that it was installed some 3 Months prior to your arrival, though of the exact date, we are unsure.''
(Y/N) let out the breath she didn't know she'd been holding.
''You are free to leave, however...''
Mr Stone shifted uncomfortablely. ''Your home is still under search by ShinRa, therefore we cannot allow you to return tonight.''
(Y/N) was jawpunched.
''You're searching my home?!''
Tseng coughed lightly.
''A precautionary measure. Don't worry, the staff will leave everything as they found it.''
(Y/N) couldn't believe what she was hearing.
''So where am I going to go exactly? And i'm expected in at 9am sharp and!-''
Mr Stone cut in quickly.
''Miss (Y/N), do not worry about such things. To apologise for this...unfortunate business, we are giving you a week off, full pay. A goodwill gesture for all the upset you have been caused.''
(Y/N) looked over at him tiredly.
He looked worn out and sickly, his old eyes sagging.
She felt a snag of sympathy for one fleeting moment, before remembering how those same eyes had bored into her only hours ago, when he believed she could be guilty.
''Thank you, Sir.'' (Y/N) spoke quietly. Tseng cleared his throat.
''Alright. Miss (Y/L/N), you are free to collect your things and leave. Thank you for your co-operation in this matter. Good day.'' Then, Tseng and Reno stood, swiftly and efficiently leaving the room.
(Y/N) could only sit for a few moments, dumbfounded and angry, until the managers voice reached her again, much more genuine this time.
''(Y/N), I am sorry. I hope this doesn't sour your relationship with ShinRa. You are a valued member of the team and a credit to us.''
(Y/N) snatched up her blazer and shrugged it on, her legs unsteady and her head pounding.
''Yes Sir.'' She replied flatly.
He sighed. ''Look, I'll admit, I figured you could have been responsible for this, but then again, any number of our employees could. The motives of staff members new to the company after Meteorfall must be questioned! Its too dangerous not to. We aren't blind, we know that ordinary civilians willingly working for us is highly irregular, to say the least.''
(Y/N) studied him quietly, allowing herself to digest his words. As much as it pained her to admit it, he made a fair point. She didn't know what to say him, she really couldn't think of a thing. Nothing that would ensure she kept her job anyway.
''Its alright Mr Stone. I appreciate the time off, thank you.'' She stated, her voice empty.
Her manager only nodded, his face ashen as he watched her leave.
(Y/N) stalked out of the room, pushing the elevator call button at the end of the hall. She felt oddly numb to all that happened to her, not quite knowing how to react now that it was all over. She shook her sore head lightly. Never mind that. She could process her feelings when she had a roof over her head for the night. Her chest heaved in exhaustion.
Would this nightmare never end?
The elevator doors slipped open at her floor. She stepped out, the office silent and gloomy, everyone having left hours earlier.
One strip light overhead buzzed and flickered, making (Y/N) wince, her eyes scratchy. She reached her desk, collecting her bag and the (Y/F/C) scarf from her chair, winding the latter warmly around her neck.
Checking her phone, (Y/N) wondered darkly who in Ramuhs name would be willing to put her up for the night at this hour. Since joining ShinRa, most of her friends had distanced themselves from her, making awkward conversation in the grocery store as they edged away, like she had Geostigma.
Others just flat out ignored her.
(Y/N) growled in frustration, tucking her phone into a blazer pocket and shouldering her bag, when she heard a youthful, smooth voice behind her. ''Working overtime?''
(Y/N) felt her stomach churn. She turned, coming face to face with a grinning, redheaded Turk, leaning lazily on the desk behind her.
''Cos if you are, they ain't paying you enough, yo.''