Disclaimer: I still don't own FFVII or even the TURKS.

S as in Stealing

For a man who had never stolen outside of the missions, Tseng was accosted of thievery a lot. Especially right after becoming superior after Veld, the whispers and rumors had followed him like a plaque. Malicious words had created stories about how he had bribed his way up, how he had always been Veld's favorite lapdog, always ready to wag tail and do his biddings with simple minded eagerness. Stories telling how he had stolen the position from more deserving, more competent, more fitting, more deserving names were changed in barely shushed voices.

With time the whispers became quieter and rarer as Tseng's steely leading brought success after success to the Investigation Sector of the General Affairs Department. His closest subordinates' steadfast loyalty and eagerness to shut the mouths of people harboring such doubts might have slightly accelerated the progress.

For Reno, stealing was easy as breathing, easier even if he happened to have broken ribs.

Living alone in the slums from an early age had trained his fingers light and eyes sharp to discern weaknesses in locks and bags of every kind. Even after joining the TURKS and having no financial need for thievery, he almost subconsciously continued the habit.

Various knickknacks disappeared from Tseng's drawers and desk. Rude quickly learned that everything that wasn't in the safety of his own room was free game for nimble fingers, even if they usually returned in the most bizarre ways. To Elena this habit bordering kleptomania became clear when Reno proudly presented her with her own tie she had been wearing just minutes earlier.

For Rude, stealing usually meant losing something.

Back in the days, a violent robbery to his parent's place made him attend the academy, while earlier he had been more inclined to become one of the SOLDIER. Oh no, he had no illusions about TURKS being the high browed upholders of the law, order and justice. He simply decided that being a TURK would grant him better privileges and intelligence about the goings of the underworld.

Some years later, the same man stole Rude his chance for revenge by taking his own life.

For Elena stealing didn't mean material things but attention.

Being the youngest daughter of wealthy and influential family meant that she never had the need to wonder if food would last for the week or where to safely sleep. In fact, she had everything a girl could possibly hope for except adoring parents.

Those rare days when her parents were home, free from work and social gatherings their attention was mostly given to her older sister, already training to become a TURK.

Therefore, Elena took up the gun as soon as she was deemed old enough to start attending the academy. She continued to fight fiercely for the approval, fearing disappointment even after she had proven herself to everyone except herself.

To say that the Investigation Sector of the General Affairs Department was a lair of thieves wouldn't be too far from the truth. After all, putting aside their personal views on stealing, it was a large part of the job description; information, material, lives, TURKS were asked to get their hands on everything.

However, it's also said that there is honor between thieves.

A/N: It's done. It actually is done! I hope you all enjoyed this or at least were a little entertained.

Huge thanks for Schniefvieh for pointing out what was wrong in the chapter 4. Hopefully the meaning in the second paragraph comes across better now. Big thanks for HORONIGAI and everyone else who has reviewed or even read this.

Thank you.