Yikes… sorry for the lateness of this chapter. Long overdue… I found it quite hard to write this chapter, so I hope it sounds okay! I want to say thankyou SOOO much for the reviews, they really encourage me and I appreciate them MUCH. :D Anyway, please read on. I'll stop rambling for now.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters. Though I wish I owned Rufus. :D
A Place Like Heaven
Chapter 4 – Dawn of the Journey
The ShinRa headquarters stood undisturbed in the quiet woods that were situated just outside of Edge. Early morning was silent but for the waking song of the birds in the woodlands. Three memorable Turks stood outside the building and made small talk as they waited for the expected visitor. The arrival was imminent; so they took their non-existent conversation outside and watched the night sky turn to morning. The sunrise turned a fiery orange that made the streaky clouds reflect the rising sun.
"She's late."
"Duh."
"Prez is gonna be so maaad…"
"Just give her a few minutes."
"Whatever. I doubt boss is going to be so accepting about it."
"Don't be so negative, Reno."
"Hey, it's the truth," Reno replied, hands in the air. "You should know, Elena. How many lectures has he given you on the rules of punctuality?"
"If you want to keep all your teeth Red, I suggest you shut up."
"Come on, tell me!"
"None."
"You're a liar."
"Who are you calling liar?"
"The dumb blonde standing next to me."
Both Reno and Elena launched into a loud exchange of insults, while Rude continued to stand watch for the late guest.
The bickering continued until Rude cleared his throat loudly.
"Excuse me."
"What?" Reno and Elena shouted in unison.
Rude lowered his glasses and pointed to the approaching truck.
"She's here."
Both Turks spun around to see the truck pull up around the large circular drive to the ShinRa building. Elena ran down the steps and hugged the latecomer as soon as she stepped out of the vehicle.
"Hey hun!"
"Hi, Elena."
The two ladies embraced as Reno and Rude helped Marlene and Denzel out of the truck.
"You're late," Elena whispered in Tifa's ear.
"I know," Tifa sighed. "The kids slept in."
Elena gave her a questioning look.
"We stayed up late," Tifa smiled weakly. "They're not gonna see Cloud for a while."
"Oh," Elena nodded. "I understand."
Tifa smiled and looked over to Reno and Rude. Rude was pulling bags off the truck, and the kids were climbing all over Reno, one on each arm.
"Whoa! Easy kid," Reno exclaimed as Denzel swung forward. "I'm not that flexible."
Tifa and Elena laughed and began to help Rude pull the bags off the truck while Reno entertained the kids. The laughter was short-lived, however. Tifa soon stopped smiling when she looked up to the entrance of the ShinRa building minutes later to see Rufus storming towards them. Tifa tried to smile sweetly, but she could tell that there were no exchanging pleasantries today. She was in trouble.
She jumped down from the truck and smiled at the annoyed president. Rufus walked right up to her and got straight to the point.
"Have you no concept of time?" Rufus stated heatedly. "You're ten minutes late!"
"A good morning to you too!" Tifa replied happily.
"Cute," Rufus smiled sardonically. "Why are you late?"
"It's only ten minutes," Tifa reasoned.
"Only—" Rufus gestured helplessly, struggling for words. "Ten minutes ago we could've been in the helicopter, ready to go! I expect you to be more punctual in future."
Reno sniggered. Rufus turned and gave Reno a look that soon wiped the smirk off his face. Rufus exhaled deeply and turned back to Tifa.
"Do you understand what I'm telling you?"
"Yes sir!" Tifa saluted playfully.
"Very well. Everyone at the helipad in ten minutes."
Turning on his heel, Rufus made his way back to the building. With his back turned, Tifa took advantage and stuck out her tongue.
Rufus stood on the helipad, looking at his watch. The helipad was level with the seventh floor of the new ShinRa HQ. The seventh floor being the highest floor of the building, Rufus' office stood adjacent from the flight platform. He glanced over at the double doors that opened into the seventh floor corridor, and watched for the entrance of his Turks and Tifa with her two children. He was getting impatient.
Late. Again.
Rufus vigorously jerked his body into motion and stormed towards the door. Reaching for the handle, it turned by itself and Rufus jumped back just in time to see two Turks tumble out, laden with luggage, followed by Elena, Tifa, and the kids.
"Geez!" Reno groaned, pushing Rude off his chest. Rude gasped as Reno crunched Rude's sunglasses with his shoe as pushed himself up.
"That's four!" Rude moaned.
Reno brushed himself off and shrugged. "Sorry, dude."
Tifa giggled and Elena reached out to help Rude off the floor. Rude quickly replaced his glasses and grabbed Elena's hand. Marlene and Denzel gasped at the view of the helicopter.
"Whoa! Check it out!" Denzel exclaimed.
"Are we really gonna ride that?" Marlene asked.
Tifa opened her mouth to answer, but realised that the question wasn't directed at her. Marlene tugged at Rufus' sleeve.
"Mr. Rufus?"
Rufus looked down in surprise to the innocent face of Marlene. He smiled a little, and nodded.
"Yes we are, Marlene."
Marlene smiled with pleasure and followed Denzel to gaze at the sleek machine. Tifa smiled.
Rude followed Elena and began to load the luggage into the chopper. Tifa glanced over to Reno and Rufus, who were debating about who was going to pilot.
"I'll drive."
"But sir, I can—"
"Who got their license first, Reno?"
Reno sighed. "You, sir."
"I have a little more experience than you. Plus, I'm a little tired of being chauffeured around all the time. I'll do the honours for this trip."
"Yes, boss."
"That settles it," Rufus said authoritatively. "I don't care who sits with me in the front."
Reno ran to the helicopter, yelling at the top of his lungs.
"Elena! I'm shotgun!"
"No way Red!" Elena called, stepping in front. "I was here first!"
"Noo!" Reno cried, watching Elena jump into the front seat. He struggled to open the passenger door. Elena laughed manically, pointing to the lock. Reno groaned and trudged to the back seats in the chopper.
Tifa let out an amused chuckle and then turned her head to the east. The sun was rising just over the tree-filled horizon. The sky was completely orange now. Dawn was close.
"Tifa?"
Glancing away from the sunrise, she looked around to see Rufus standing in front of her, with a strained look. He clenched his fists and swallowed his pride.
"Look…I'm sorry for getting mad back there."
Tifa shook her head. "Don't apologize."
Rufus raised an eyebrow. "Why?"
"Because, I was late." Tifa smiled. "You deserve to get mad."
Rufus smirked, all humility thrown into the wind. "Does that mean you'll apologize to me for being so late?"
"Now, what would make you think that?" Tifa winked.
Rufus made his irritation clear, and Tifa laughed.
"Okay. I'm sorry, alright?"
Rufus sniffed.
"Rufus?"
Rufus grinned smugly and turned to the helicopter. He began to walk towards the chopper when Tifa stomped her foot impatiently.
"Hey! Aren't you going to accept my apology?"
Rufus looked over his shoulder at Tifa's angry look. He winked.
"Now, what would make you think that?"
As Rufus turned around once again and made his way to the chopper, it was then that Tifa realized that she would be stinking rich if she had one gil for every time she felt the urge to punch him.
"All set?" Elena yelled to the passengers over her shoulder, her voice drowned by the whirring of the helicopter blades.
"Yes!" Denzel and Marlene shouted back. Tifa nodded and looked over at Reno, who sat between the kids. Rude sat opposite, and blushed slightly when Tifa smiled at him.
"Hey bud, strap yourself in," Reno told Denzel, who quickly buckled the straps over his shoulder.
In the front, Rufus sat at the controls, relaxed and content. He'd missed this. Putting the headphones on, he flipped his hair out the way and tested the microphone. He gave a thumbs-up to Elena, who responded with a grin.
"Yes, sir!"
Rufus nodded and ran his hands over the controls. Tifa felt her stomach fall to her feet as the helicopter took off with a strong jolt.
"Nice one, boss!" Reno called. Denzel and Marlene shrieked with delight.
Rufus grinned at Elena, who was laughing too.
"I didn't realise it has so much power."
"Yes, sir!"
Rufus laughed heartily, and directed the chopper forward into flight. Rude's face became a slight tinge of green.
Elena turned round in her seat and called over her shoulder to Tifa.
"We should be at the air base in about fifteen minutes!"
"Thanks!" Tifa nodded in the affirmative, and Elena smiled, turning back around in her seat. Tifa went back to looking out the window. The sun was definitely over the horizon now, and Tifa could feel the warmth on her face. They were quite far up, but to the west, the outskirts of Edge could be seen from the kids' window.
Outside Tifa's window were the distant ruins of Midgar, and straight ahead, their destination, were the WRO Headquarters and the air base, home of the highwind fleet.
As Tifa thought about the past few weeks, she couldn't believe that she had gotten to first name terms with her old enemies. It was unreal; not that Tifa disliked the fact that she got on well with Elena, or found Reno to have a good sense of humour, but the fact that everyone was finally at peace. Tifa had no reason to feel tense…except when a certain president would irritate the heck out of her.
At least he's not threatening to kill me…or vice versa.
Tifa smiled to herself. She felt a sense of contentment as she realized that there was nothing to worry about.
The chopper landed on the third helipad outside the Headquarters of the World Regenesis Organization. Reno leaped out first with the kids, then Tifa, then Rude. Covering his mouth, Rude jogged across the landing area to some nearby bushes.
Rufus took off the headphones and smiled at Elena, who winked at her boss.
"Good flight, sir!"
Rufus nodded. "Let's get everyone onto the highwind ASAP."
Elena nodded, and jumped out of her seat on to the flight platform. Rufus did the same.
Tifa breathed in the fresh air that blew across flat airstrips that surrounded the area. She looked up to the famous Shera that towered above her, engines whirring. The sun rose behind the immense airship, making it a large silhouette. The sky was a brilliant yellow, with a few reds and oranges. Dawn had passed, and early morning was here. She smiled serenely, and closed her eyes.
"When are we gonna see Papa?"
Tifa looked down to see Marlene looking up with inquiring eyes, her hair blowing into her face. Tifa stooped down and brushed it away.
"Soon, sweetie, I promise."
"Where are we going first?" Asked Denzel, coming alongside Marlene.
"I—"
"Wutai."
Tifa looked up to see Rude standing over them, looking at Denzel. "Wutai is the first destination."
"How long will it take to get there?"
"We should be there before evening tonight."
Tifa glanced at Rufus, who stood in a conversation with a WRO member that had come out to meet them. He looked over at her and grinned. It was the kind of smile that made Tifa blush. She looked away quickly, hiding her face in her hair.
"Okay everyone," Elena called from the steps that led up to the airship, "let's get out of here!
Meh… it'll have more RufusxTifa moments in the next one, I promise. Plus there'll be a hint of another couple in the next chapter, but just a hint. I won't tell you, or I may put some valuable readers off my story. Hehe. Anyways, please review!