He smiled as he gazed toward her sleeping form. He had always been alone but that could change, too, couldn't it?

It was a cold night. She said that she had to get back right away, to the children, to the bar, to "him." She had always been that way. She was everyone else's strength and three years ago, it was Tifa who held AVALANCHE together. Cloud walked in front but it was clear that the rest followed to the end because Tifa walked beside him. He couldn't help but notice that she wouldn't say Cloud's name. He asked her why but her response was unsatisfying. "How could I leave him now?" she said. "Now, after the worst has passed?" He wanted to press her further. Elena had found her outside their inn, frozen and barely responding. Why was she out walking alone so late at night? Why had she come all the way to the inn but then collapsed on the steps? Why had her resolve shattered? When? Rufus couldn't ask these questions and if he did, he was sure that she would never answer them.

The night was too cold and the hour too late. If she had to get back right away, he would never let her walk alone. "Bring the car, Elena. If she wants to go home, we will take her home." The young Turk turned quickly and left the room without comment.

"You really don't have to do this, Rufus. You're very kind but a ride isn't necessary. It's not far to the bar and I needed a walk to clear my thoughts. I'm fine now." Her eyes darkened. "I would rather walk, alone."

Rufus stared hard into her gaze. I have always been alone.

Confusion was plainly written across her face and he could taste the lies behind it. Her eyes were red and swollen but if she had been crying, the rain had long since washed away her tears. Drops of water beginning in her hair ran unheeded in thick lines down her face. If he could determine why she had left he might be able to comfort her and then she might learn to trust him. Why do I want her to trust me?

"A five mile walk, at three in the morning, in a thunderstorm? To make it this far, you must have left the moment you closed the bar. You did not even bring a coat."

"It wasn't raining when…"

The door opened behind them. "It has been raining since this afternoon! You should at least dry yourself. We scheduled a three day stay in Edge. Elena will give you one of her uniforms if I order it." Tifa looked down and shook her head.

Elena stepped into the room. "The car is ready, sir. Are you sure you don't want to change, Tifa?" Tifa sat with bowed head and did not respond.

Rufus crossed the space between them and knelt by Tifa's side. "Time to go," he said softly. "I will bring you back so quietly that one will know you left." He looked up at her and braved a smile. It was stiff and felt awkward. How long had it been since he smiled? Did he ever smile?

Taking her elbow, he helped her to her feet. Her shoulders slumped in defeat. She offered no resistance as he led her out the door. Elena quietly draped a blanket over Tifa's shoulders as they passed and then followed them down into the street.

Tseng sat behind the wheel and Elena joined him in the passenger seat. The leather seats were heated and the air was too hot for the suited figures but in the rear view mirror he could see Tifa visibly relax as she settled into the warmth of the back seat. Rufus walked around the back of the car and climbed in the other side. The storm had not abated and his coat was soaked through. He turned to Tifa's huddled form as the car pulled away from the curb but she was already asleep.

The ride passed in silence. Rufus considered his situation. Midgar was devastated by Meteor but the Shinra Electric Power Company was spread out across the world. There had been major cutbacks in all divisions but while Shinra as an empire was destroyed, the company had survived. Rufus found that this worked to his advantage. For three years he worked behind the scenes, redefining the company and staying out of the public eye. Power sources were diversified when public outcry demanded it. Shinra became the world's leading purchaser of coal and oil but Rufus was sure that one day these energy sources would fall out of favor just as mako had. The research and development division had to be completely overhauled to create more efficient power sources. Living in exile, isolated from everything but his work, Rufus had learned the importance of corporate change and slowly he had begun to change himself. Bitterly, he thought, he had grown up.

"Humph." Rufus winced. I have always chosen to be alone.

"Sir?" asked Tseng.

"It is nothing." He looked over at Tifa. She stirred slightly under her blanket but she did not wake.

"Sir, we have arrived."

Rufus touched Tifa's shoulder and spoke to her softly. "You're home." She did not wake. "Tifa…?" he tried again but exhaustion had overtaken her twice this night. She could not be roused. He sighed then sharply turned to exit the car. "Elena, get the door."

"Yes, sir!"

Before he could cross behind the car and lift the sleeping form, Elena was on the porch. She picked the locks easily and disabled the chime on the door. The alarm had not been set. Rufus carried Tifa inside and sat her in a booth. The lights had been turned off but bar remained uncleaned from the night's business. Whatever had caused Tifa to leave that night, she had gone suddenly, without thought or warning. Rufus placed a rag under Tifa's hands and rested her head against the table. He brushed his fingers across her cheek and tucked a lock of hair behind her ears. She smiled in her sleep and he returned it with one of his own. That's twice in one night.

Elena locked the door and replaced the chime as they let themselves out. "You've kept your promise, sir. She'll dry out by morning and no one will know that she left."

Rufus looked back as they pulled away from the building. When did I learn to feel alone?