Insomnia

'It must be the Geo-Stigma,' Rufus thought to himself unable to fall asleep in his Midgar penthouse bed. He had a headache that wouldn't budge and his back ached from sitting in back to back meetings. He needed to speak to his doctor, but that could wait until he returned to his city again.

He was in Midgar for the week, and tonight was his last night there. Unable to sit in bed further, he got up and looked outside the window of his room. Midgar, though destroyed, still sparkled like a diamond. The city lights were still bright, and Rufus could only taste what it would look like rebuilt. The president thought about his WRO plans, Midgar's future, and Tifa Lockheart's sweet scent. Ever since their lunch, Rufus had felt he was getting and closer to her, but she still puzzled him. He wanted the girl to trust him, and he wanted to understand why he was so drawn to her.

He knew what to do next.

-xx-

Tifa awoke late again. Another night she had trouble falling asleep, this time because of Rufus Shinra. She didn't understand why someone she, at one point, abhorred couldn't leave her thoughts now. She was brushing her teeth when her doorbell rang, a delivery-man was standing there with a large bouquet of flowers.

"Ms. Lockhart?" he asked. She nodded. "Sign here."

She was holding the most gorgeous dozen of lavender roses she had ever seen. They were so beautiful and unique. There was a card attached to the vase She placed the bouquet on her table and read it.

"Dear Tifa,

I can't express my gratitude enough for your help with my projectThank you again, I will see you soon.

R.S."

Tifa was in a daze, she just received flowers from the president. She didn't even know that lavender roses existed. She sat for a moment touching the delicate petals, feeling the softness of the texture. She had to admit it was a very sweet gesture on Rufus' behalf. Now she had to call him and thank him or she would appear as rude. She picked up her cell phone and dialed his number; thankfully it went to voicemail.

"Hello, Rufus? It's Tifa." She paused. "Thank you for the roses, that was really...thoughtful of you. You really did NOT have to do that."

'Phew,' she thought, that went quicker than she expected. It was over, she wouldn't have to see him for awhile, or so she thought.