Grease Monkeys

Reno threw the wrench into the helicopter's cab and leaned against the door. Of all the times Betsy had broken down, this was the worst. The world had just been saved by Avalanche, Midgar was in ruins, and every employee of Shinra was generally treated poorly. Poor treatment was reserved for those that didn't directly try to stop Avalanche, drop the plate on the Sector Seven slums, and unleash the Weapons. Reno would have loved poor treatment, it would have been heaven in comparison.

He pulled out his last pack of cigarettes and frowned. He needed to save it as best as he could. How unfortunate that the Turks were so well known for their "recruiting" skills. Now with no power to back them, no President to lead them, and all the blame to be placed on them, it was harder than shit to find anyone that was willing to do business with them. Even their most frequented bars refused service.

He lit one of the cigarettes and looked to the sky, he could sense the weather taking a dark turn. It was going to storm and as close as it was to winter he knew it would be a cold one. He tossed his butt to the ground and climbed into he cockpit, resolving that he needed more tools and parts than he had. Luckily the closest town was just the place to find them, he just hoped that he wasn't lynched before he found the infamous mechanic of the skies. Tomorrow he would walk to Rocket town.

As night fell over the chopper and the Turk inside an icy wind howled and brought the coldest storm Reno had ever been in on it's breath. The redhead curled up in every blanket and article of clothing he could find, yet still the cold cut through him. In an attempt to take his mind off it, he ate ate the rest of his rations for dinner and smoked three cigarettes. The only thing that he hoped for was that nothing decided to come to his shelter in an attempt to seek warmth, he would be a useless fighter in this cold. He tried to listen for any potential enemies, but the winds vicious howl and the icy rain that fell from the sky was all he could hear as it pelted against Betsy. He stayed awake all night, shivering in the hunk of scrap metal he called his chopper and waited for the storm to break.

It never broke. Morning came and still sleet poured from the sky. There was no waiting it out anymore. He had finished his last set of rations and with the cold his body would eat through the food fast. It wasn't more than a mile or two until he reached rocket town, he needed supplies, and he had rain gear in the back. He wouldn't let a bunch of civilians chase him off.

He grabbed his raincoat and headed to town and soon he realized it was a bit more of a walk then he thought. He trudged his way through the sleet, with his travel duffel in a black garbage bag to keep it dry. There was no way he would even attempt to convince Cid to work on his plane in this. That was if he was even in town. The man had been known to go out gallivanting in the skies with his airship from time to time. Who's to say he is even here? Reno pushed all of his depressing inner thoughts to the back of his head. No was not the time. He had to try.

By the time he saw the town he was soaked to the bone and shivering. The joy of seeing civilization made him giddy for warmth and something to stop the growl in his belly. Walking through the gates he went immediately to the inn. It was a small in my most standards, but it was warm and that is all that mattered to him a that moment. He stepped inside and immediately his hands began to ache at the sudden heat. He set down two hundred gil, a hundred more than the asking price, and said, "A room for the night please and I need to find Cid Highwind."

The woman didn't look up from the paper she was reading and reached out for the money. When her hand didn't get it on the first grab she pulled herself away from the article on Gold Saucer's new exhibit. She took the time to look him over for a moment before it dawned on her who he was.

"You get right on outta here. You come in here asking about Mr. Highwind and think that I would tell YOU where he is. Do you think I'm stupid? He is a Savior and we owe him our lives. You would do well to pay him the respect he deserves and git the hell outta our town. You keep your filthy blood money and get out of my Inn." she snarled harshly throwing Reno's money back at him

Reno sighed and walked out the door. No sooner had she turned him away did the rest of the town know he was there. People were locking their doors, starting to close the blinds, and even the shop keeper was peeling down his "open 24 hours" sign. He sighed deeply and stood under the Inn's awning . 'What a fucking pickle.' he thought bitterly. He tried with shaking hands to light a cigarette, but with wet matches and numb fingers he just couldn't manage to get the damn thing lit. With each match that failed and each time his fingers couldn't work the lighter he got more and more frustrated, until he shoved them both into his pockets and was about to put the cigarette away when seemingly out of no where Reno saw a hand and a lighter pop up.

"What brings you to our fine town Turk?"

Reno turned and aqua met sky blue. There, in a ratty raincoat and boots up to his knees, stood Cid Highwind holding out a dingy Bic lighter.

"I'm surprised you know I'm here, let alone came out to greet me." Reno said dully around the cigarette he graciously took the time to light on the lighter.

"Imma Savior of the planet. I'm the inn keepers first call when shit they think could be bad happens. Are ya here to just scare the locals? Cause if that's the case, you better jus' head right back out the way ya came."

"No. My chopper broke down just outside of town an' it's something I can't fix with the tools and parts I got."

Cid took a look at the sky and frowned, "You're not gonna be able to fly outta here in this weather. Even if I do help ya, you could be stuck here for another day or two. I've seen this shit last a week."

"I don't need to stay in town yo. I jus' need some shit to eat and a pack of cigs."

Cid gave the red head a once over. The usually spiked red hair was slicked to his head, despite the hooded raincoat he wore, his hands shook uncontrollably while he smoked his cigarette. The man was soaked to the bone and there was no way he would make it back to the chopper without catching his death of hypothermia.

"Firsly, I ain't gonna help you werk on chopper your in this shit weather. Second, you're soaked to the bone with ice water and you honestly think that you're gunna make it back to your plane without keeling over from hypothermia? I thought you shitheads were supposed to be fucking survival experts. Fuck I live in a plane and I could tell you that you aren't going to make it back."

"Well, I just tried to get a room at your inn, but they refused services."

Cid frowned and looked through the glass doors at the inn keeper who buried her face in her paper.

"Well, since the hospitality in this town has taken a toll I do believe you can stay at my place."

Reno put on his best diplomatic smile, "I don't want to be a burden." 'Or stabbed in my sleep.'

"It ain't no trouble. You're stranded here and I got a couch. Besides where else are you gonna go? Stay in that busted chopper of yours? I figure we'd tow that piece of junk back here and we'd get it into ship shape so as soon as the weather clears you can head out. Sound like a fucking plan? We'll get you to my place, warm you up with some tea, then head out and get your hunk o' scrap metal."

Reno looked around before he finally nodded. What could he honestly say to argue? It looked like he would be staying with the most unlikely housemate until Betsy was fixed. Or until the man stabbed him, which ever came first.

*Wow, after an extended hiatus I am back and with an eventual several chapter story. Unusual pairing, but I think I can make it work. Have Chapters 2&3 ready but waiting on you all for some feedback! Can't wait to hear what you have to say! Thanks for reading! ~CR

All Characters, places, and names belong to (C) Square enix

Story (C) Cryingravens