Evolution of a Turk

The warnings are listed before chapter one. Still MPREG, still cussing. This installment is a little longer than the others. I feel like I'm being sort of nonspecific with the timeline and I'm sorry if that bothers anyone. (The timeline of the game, more than the pregnancy; I'm finding it a little difficult to coordinate it all.) ;)
Disclaimer: The Final Fantasy VII characters, locations, etc. are all property of Square-Enix. I own nothing, I just do this for fun.

"So, we all know now," Tseng remarked, eyeing Reno, refined as always.

"Yeah. Damn Elena and her sense materia."

"She didn't mean it. I'm sure the last thing she expected to find inside of you was a human being."

Reno actually laughed at the remark. "Point taken." A moment later, he added, "She ain't the only one."

Tseng looked down. When he looked up again, he was certain to force eye contact with Reno, as he sternly told him, "You need to see someone."

"I need a drink."

"A professional. The sooner the better."

"I need a cigarette."

"I'm sure you can find some way to see that this remains hush-hush. You aren't the first, nor will you be the last of Shin-Ra's privileged to be faced with an unplanned pregnancy."

"Unplanned? That's because I'm a fucking guy!"

"No matter."

Reno shook his head. What the hell was Tseng's deal lately? He was carrying on like this was all perfectly normal. "I'm gonna jump off a fucking bridge," he concluded, deadpan.

"You'll do no such thing. I'd sooner kill you myself," Tseng insisted, his tone void of emotion.

"So do it," Reno challenged. "Least that way I'll be rid of this thing."

*************

"On the ship, you weren't seasick, it was morning sickness!" Elena exclaimed, looking and sounding like she'd just answered the final question right and won her weight in gil -- no, better yet, Rude's weight in gil -- on some game show.

Reno was considerably less amused by it all. He had a headache and he was breaking out. And this was all in addition to that morning sickness.

For the most part, he had done well to avoid Elena, not wanting to face her for some reason. He couldn't quite put his finger on why, but it bothered him to no end that she'd found out about his predicament. The last time they'd talked -- if one could call it that -- the conversation had ended with Reno storming off, angrily giving Tseng and Rude permission to, "Tell her whatever the fuck you want. I don't even care anymore."

The blonde Turk had already seemed to have taken an odd interest in the situation -- a situation Reno just wanted to remove himself from. Or, rather, remove from himself. That was more like it. But that involved telling someone else, and too many people knew already.

Reno peered over Elena's shoulder, as she accessed something on her laptop. "Hell," he said, with a groan, over the mere keywords Elena has used when adding a chosen website to her favorites.

"It's a wonderful resource," she insisted, not missing a beat. "And since you're not doing any research on any of this..."

"What the fuck am I gonna research? This isn't exactly normal. What the hell kind of search would I run anyway? Unless you got some "resources" for knocked up guys on there."

Elena furrowed her brow. "No...though I have found..." Her voice trailed off and she seemed to blush.

"Found what?" Reno asked, stoically.

Elena cleared her throat. "...literature of that nature."

"What the fuck?"

"Stories."

"True stories?" Reno asked, visibly skeptical, but undeniably curious.

"No, no. Just made up. Quite the cyber community. Apparently, there's something of an audience for it."

"Oh yeah? Who?"

"Oh, mostly just girls."

Reno gave Elena blank look and casually informed her, "I fucking hate your gender." He then turned and walked away.

"I didn't say I condoned it, or that I was part of that demographic." Elena craned her neck to yell at Reno. "Come back here! I'm not done with you!"

"Fuck!" Reno shouted, but didn't turn around.

"What?" Elena asked, springing up out of her chair.

"Damn nosebleed," he grumbled, hand over his freely hemorrhaging nose.

Elena nodded knowingly, and was quick to offer Reno a couple of tissues.

He was equally quick to take them and stuff one up each nostril as he glared at her. "What the hell are you so smug about?" he asked, understandably nasally.

"So typical. You're in your third month, am I right? According to this pregnancy-by-week calendar, it's quite common. First mentioned in week nine, I believe it is."

Reno simply left the room.

Rude had appeared in the doorway a split second after Reno passed through it, blocking Elena from following the redhead. Rude shook his head at her.

Frowning, she stammered a little, "B-but-"

Rude offered another firm headshake. "Leave him alone."

With a sigh, she agreed, "Fine," and returned to her computer.

*************

A few hours had passed, and Elena decided that no news wasn't always good news, especially where one such as Reno was concerned. Besides, she had since acquired a lengthy list of baby names and wanted to show him. Something she fully intended to do, taking swift steps in the direction of Reno's last known whereabouts. He hadn't gone far. He just needed a little space, or so Rude had insisted. He was perfectly fine.

Well, Reno had had plenty of time to himself as far as Elena was concerned -- something, which Rude had assured her, he needed in addition to all that space. Undoubtedly, his nosebleed had stopped by now. It had been a good three hours, at least. What if it hadn't stopped...? Elena's steps became even hastier, until she was halted dead in her tracks.

Reno was on his back, with one arm hanging off the couch, knuckles brushing against the carpet, his other arm across his body, hand open and resting on his still-flat stomach. Head tilted back and resting on the arm of the sofa, tissue still in his nose, mouth hanging open just a bit, eyes closed.

Elena was overcome with an intense desire to produce an afghan and cover the sleeping Turk, maybe brush his hair out of his face, then quietly tiptoe out the room the way she'd come in. But they were staying right along the coastline, and it had hit ninety degrees before noon. Instead, Elena silently approached the couch and bent over to place the small stack of papers she was cradling on the coffee table. A moment later, though, she'd picked up the papers and taken them with her. She could show it all to Reno some other time.

*************

"So, where to now, boss?"

"Mideel."

Reno raised an eyebrow. "Avalanche headed for Mideel? Guess that would explain why we haven't heard much of them for the past few weeks," he mused.

"Not quite."

"Then why are we going there? What the hell is in Mideel?"

Tseng smirked slightly. "Someone who will be an asset to you in the coming months. Quite an accomplished doctor by the name of-"

Reno groaned, all but cutting Tseng off. "Don't drag me into your fucking delusions. You can't make me want to do this. You can't make me accept this. Just because it's your precious Ancient's demon spawn taking over my body-"

"Don't, Reno."

"Don't what? Is this all that matters to you? Fine. Fine." Reno's last word came out in a hiss, and he nearly lunged at Tseng, roughly taking his hands and forcefully pushing both palms against his body.

It was such a quick, rough gesture that Tseng couldn't feel much of anything. No, that wasn't true. He could feel just fine.
With both hands still over Tseng's, and unsatisfied with just pressing them against himself, Reno was now forcing aggressive circular motions.

Tseng jerked away, but not before his brain could register the very slight swell his hands seemed to fit just perfectly around. He knew from Elena's endless research that at this stage, the uterus was "about the size of a grapefruit." Well, that is, in any normal pregnancy. But this certainly wasn't a normal pregnancy. This wasn't a normal pregnancy, and Reno didn't have a uterus. But he did have something of the sort. He had to. It was artificial -- Hojo's handiwork -- but he did have something.

"You fucking happy, you stupid fucker?" Reno shouted, drawing Tseng out of his own mind.

Tseng shook his head. "Do I look happy?"

"Do I?" Reno lashed out. "I hate this. I wasn't fucking built for this."

"I know," Tseng said, just as Reno's voice trailed off.

"I can't...I don't know how you think I'm supposed to fucking do this," Reno mumbled, sounding completely and utterly defeated, angrily straightening his shirt.

In that moment, Reno looked so small and helpless. Tseng knew better than most that he was one of the toughest, not to mention feistiest, never-say-die people around, but he still seemed so fragile. He wasn't a big guy by any means -- 5'7" about, though he told everyone 5'9." Tseng wasn't sure what Reno weighed anymore. He used to tip the scales at about 135, give or take. So maybe he was 140 now. He didn't look it. His build hadn't changed much over the past couple of months, save for...that. And, Reno was always wearing his shirts baggy and leaving them un-tucked. To the naked eye he hadn't changed a bit, but to the hand...yes, what one felt, that was what stood to change the most.

*************

Things were tense once again, as the quartet made the trip to Mideel. Reno and Tseng didn't talk much, and certainly not to each other. At one point, Reno had taken Rude aside and unsuccessfully attempted to get him to "punch me as hard as you can in the gut, okay?" and he and Elena talked a little now and then, more specifically, when she felt the need to butt into his business.

"Reno," she said, almost sadly, chin resting on her hands -- one of which was holding her fork.

"What?" Reno asked, somewhat snippy, pulling apart his hamburger and flinging the tomato slice over his shoulder, not caring where it landed.

"What's wrong?"

"I don't like tomato."

Elena shook her head. "That's not what I'm talking about."

Tseng and Rude ate in silence.

"I know something's bothering you," Elena insisted, picking at her salad.

"Mmm hmm," Reno muttered.

"And I want to know what that something is."

"I can still taste the tomato. I know it was there," Reno mumbled.

Had the circumstances been different, Tseng would've been amused by poor Elena, trying to use logic with Reno. All he said, however, was, "They have the Keystone. I'm going to pick it up soon."

Three heads nodded, but no one said anything.

"Then it's straight to the temple. Elena and I will go."

Rude nodded, and Reno gave Tseng a bored look.

"The temple isn't far from here. If we need you," Tseng paused, "Rude, we'll call for you. Otherwise you're both to stay here."

"Alright," Rude agreed.

Reno scoffed.

All but ignoring his restless subordinate, Tseng said, "I think it's time you were properly examined, Reno."

"Are you insane?" Reno asked.

"No. But I appreciate your concern for my mental state. You've put it off long enough. You need a doctor. Unless you'd like to rely on Hojo now that he's back with Shin-Ra..."

"Don't even." Reno's eyes narrowed at the mention of Hojo's name. "What the hell am I gonna tell this doctor, huh?"

"It will be taken care of." Tseng paused. "By you, or by me. It's your choice."

"Have fun, boss," Reno said, almost grinning, and stood up from the table. "I'm outta here," he muttered, pulling a few bills out of his pocket and tossing them on the table, then turning for the door.

"That went well," Tseng said, softly.

Rude just shook his head. He'd go after Reno in a minute.

"Shouldn't one of us...?" Elena asked.

"In a minute," Rude said.

"Will he be...?"

"He's fine," Rude answered.

"Quite annoyed with me, but fine," Tseng added.

Rude chuckled. "Yeah."

A moment later, he stood up from his seat, paid his share of the bill and exited the cafe in search of his broody partner.
He spotted the redhead at the shore, slouching, as usual, hands in his pockets, staring off into the horizon.

"You think he's really gonna...?" Reno began, somewhat aimlessly. "They're gonna laugh him outta the building. Oh well. Better him than me. Wish I could be there to see it."

"You could."

"Blow me," Reno muttered.

Rude shrugged, and after a short pause, agreed, "Alright."

"You're a freak, Rude," Reno said, feigning disgust, not wanting to admit he was amused.

"I wasn't before I met you."

"I wasn't before Hojo," Reno said, quietly.

"Yeah you were," Rude said.

"Not like this."

"Tseng's just looking out for you."

"Yeah? Well, he should try minding his own fucking business."

Rude nodded. Reno did have a point.

"Elena too," Reno noted.

"They're just looking out for their own. Can't blame 'em for that."

"Sure I can," the redhead muttered. Seeing the look on Rude's face, Reno groaned. "Not you too. Must be bad if you're gonna be up my ass about this. Well, son of a...if it'll get you guys to stop nagging me, then fine. I'll go to the fucking doctor."

"Good."

"Course, I wouldn't have to if you'd just sock me a good one."

Rude chuckled. "Quit asking me to hit you. It's getting harder to resist." The remark earned him a grin from Reno, and it was almost satisfying.

A quiet moment passed, then Reno spoke up. "Hey. When I said 'blow me' and you said 'alright...'"

*************

"Can I help you?" a high, feminine voice asked. The receptionist it emanated from eyed the four Turks suspiciously.

Tseng nodded. "We need to speak to Dr. Harte. Promptly. Thank you."

She nervously giggled, nodded, and disappeared to the back of the clinic. She returned a moment later, with the doctor a step behind her. He looked to be around fifty, with dark hair, graying at the sides. He wore round lens glasses and a stern expression.

"Follow me," the man said simply, regarding the quartet with at least as much skepticism as his receptionist had.

Tseng obliged, with Elena right behind him, and finally, Reno and Rude. Of course, Rude had a firm grip on Reno's shoulders and seemed to almost be pushing him along, if the sound of his boots scuffing along the hardwood floor was any indication.

"I'm Dr. Harte. It seems you've all come a long way to see me."

"Tseng Tzon," Tseng said, extending a hand. After he and Dr. Harte shook, he pointed to his team one at a time, starting with Elena. "Elena Marshall, Rude Urnar." Pausing, Tseng smirked. "Reno Tarshil."

Dr. Harte nodded his acknowledgment, and said, "Have a seat, please. I can get some more chairs."

Tseng took one of the two chairs in front of the man's desk, and signaled for Reno to take the other. Reno, however seemed to prefer standing at the window, arms crossed and sporting a nasty glare. Rude stood by him.

"It's fine," Tseng assured the doctor. Once he decided he'd given Reno plenty of time to take the other chair, he asked, "Elena?"

She nodded, and eagerly took a seat.

"What do you all need?" Dr. Harte asked, sounding slightly skeptical, as he put a little extra emphasis on the word 'all.'

Tseng took a moment. "One of us is in need of your services. We don't trust just anyone with our health, you know. It's of high importance that this all be kept confidential."

Tseng's remarked seemed to annoy Dr. Harte. "I'm a professional."

Reno snorted, and Rude nudged him.

"Don't like doctors?" the doctor asked, glancing Reno's way.

"Last one saw me was a fucking nutjob," Reno remarked.

Dr Harte nodded. "Understood. If we could get down to business..."

"Of course." Tseng paused, and deciding Reno really wasn't going to say a word, continued, "How often do you deal with high risk pregnancies?"

"Whenever one comes along, I suppose." The doctor paused and looked to Elena. "I'll need to examine you before we determine anything."

Elena shook her head, and appeared a little flustered. "N-no. Not me..."

"I don't understand," Dr. Harte admitted.

Reno pushed away from where he'd been leaning on the wall, and spoke up. "Told you the last doctor that saw me was a fucking nutjob."

Dr. Harte stood up, and with an annoyed look, said, "I don't know what business you people have here, or what you're after, but whatever you're trying to pull, I won't be the butt of your sick joke."

Reno's response to that was swift, and it involved a slew of swear words and his electro-mag-rod.

Rude was quick to restrain him, and force the weapon out of his grasp before he could do any damage with it.

"You ain't the only one who doesn't like being the butt of someone else's sick joke. I'm outta here. I told you this was a dumbass idea," Reno hissed, breaking free from Rude's hold on him and storming out of the doctor's office.

*************

"I hope it wasn't too much of an inconvenience for you," Tseng commented. It was the first time he and Reno had spoken since Reno had very reluctantly agreed to let Dr. Harte examine him.

Reno rolled his eyes. "Piss in this cup, bleed in this tube, 'Does it hurt when I press here?' Bullshit. All of it."

Tseng absorbed the statement with a thoughtful nod, and after a long pause, said, "It's your body, it's time I stopped acting like it's up to me what you do with it."

"Everybody's got free reign here, or didn't you know?" Reno muttered.

"That's not true. And I sincerely apologize for my part in making you feel that way. I shouldn't have let my personal feelings cloud my judgment."

Reno sort of scoffed.

"So?" Tseng asked, simply.

"Missed my chance. Bastard says I'm just like any girl. He won't do it past twelve weeks. Not unless my life's in danger."

"You really shouldn't have waited so long to see someone."

Reno shrugged, sort of distantly mumbling, "Wonder if I put up with his shit, play my cards right, if I can change his mind about doing it...?"

Tseng smirked. "I imagine he's thinking the same thing about you."

"You'd do it, wouldn't you? If Hojo had gotten you instead, you'd go through with it," Reno elaborated.

"Who knows..." was Tseng's hushed reply.

"You would. Because it's hers."

"You know me too well, Reno," Tseng admitted.

"You can say that again. So, this is where you order me to do it, isn't it?"

Tseng offered Reno a bittersweet smile. "Something like that."

*************

A/N: Actually, I have no author's note this time around. Oh wait, I do too. The little pregnancy tidbits are from a calendar of sorts I found at about-dot-com. I'm finding it very useful. I didn't know what to call the doctor, so I gave him my last name. And yes, I'm pretty sure those are the official last names of all the Turks. I went looking and those names kept coming up.