Chapter Eleven – C'est La Guerre

Arms tightly wound around her slight, scantily covered frame, Rufus trailed kisses from her right cheek, along her jaw, then finally settled on her soft, eager lips. She met him enthusiastically, hungrily. For a moment he wondered what had caused them to end up where they were, but it all went up in flames the moment Tifa gyrated against him. It was a petty victory on his part. He knew well that he'd pay dearly for it after. But for now... who was he to deny what he wanted as well? He just has to tread carefully... after all, she was uncharted territory. A territory he would enjoy exploring. She wasn't like the others – she had what they were after. His name, the rings. And she wanted none of it. But she could never claim she didn't want him now, could she? Tifa groaned in protest when he wrenched his mouth from hers. A silver thread bridged the tiny space between them. They struggled to catch their breaths. Her wine eyes were wide and bright. Mesmerizing. Intoxicating. Rufus let his eyes roam down her body, let his tongue dart out, lick his bottom lip. Amusement blossomed as he when she bit her own unthinkingly. "Baby..." he whispered softly as he reached for the knot of her bikini top, and holding her gaze, unravelled it. Tifa swallowed, her blush grew darker. He held her at arms' length to let the top fall to the floor. He meant to say something, but it was all lost into a single animal sound from the back of his throat, as he was taking in the sight of her creamy, rose-tipped, succulent breasts. Rufus immediately reached out to cup her breasts in his hands, felt their milky weight in his palm. Rufus slanted her a wolfish grin before taking her left breast into his mouth. Tifa gasped, grabbed a fistful of his hair, let out a soft moan as his tongue rasped and laved her nipple. His free hand wandered down and settled just above the band of her bikini brief. Then, slowly, he hooked his finger onto the band and pulled it. Tifa kissed his neck, gyrated, and shivered when his finger slid into her slit.

She trembled at his dual assault. Welcomed them. Wanted more.

A dull ache began to pulse between her legs.

"Oh!" she breathed when her back came in contact with the cool wooden post of the bed. Rufus looked up at her with mirthful eyes as he moved on to her right breast. He crushed himself against her, let her feel his need. To his surprise, she started laughing. Rufus looked at her curiously, wondering what was so funny. He laved at her nipple again and she struggled to get him to stop. "This is going to be my favorite nipple," he declared with a boyish grin, then returned to lapping the newly titled nipple. Tifa pushed at him, nearing breathlessness. Unsuccessful, she reached into his shorts and wrapped her fingers around his throbbing, hot erection. Rufus stopped licking her nipple, the rhythm of his strokes faltered a moment, and straightened. Their eyes met, fire against ice. Faces and lips beautifully shaded in red.

Tifa smiled knowingly at him as she pushed his shorts down. It fell to the floor with a soggy flop. "Wow, all for me?" she said breathlessly, eying his manhood without shame. He was beautiful. Lean muscled and flawless. Pink and well-endowed. Rufus visibly preened. "Oh yes, it is," Rufus said, not missing a beat. With her reddened lips pulled back into a brazen smile, she pushed him, got down on her knees, and took his cock in her mouth. Rufus stood there, watching her move, feeling every naughty ministration, relishing every second of it. She ran her tongue down his length and took him whole, careful not to graze her teeth at him. This girl knew what she was up to. His thighs hardened once more and she looked up at him. A moment later, she released him with a soft pop. His stuff spattered onto her magnificent chest, below her bottom lip. He helped her up to her feet, and led her to the bed. Tifa lay before him, bare and blushing all over. Rufus stood in front of her in all his glory, and just like in Junon, was completely in his element. "What do you want, Tifa?" he asked softly. She was silent for a moment, then she said quietly, "You."

It was that simple. That natural. And it struck her dumb. It made her want to vanish, because she had never wanted to say it. The pinpricks of heat increased as she waited for his reaction. She wanted to take back the word, swallow it up. She was sure he'd laugh and say that he wasn't interested then leave. But he wasn't that mean, was he? The evidence was there...but his face was unreadable. "I want you." she said, a little louder this time. An amused smile split his face. "I want you too." he said before laying down on top of her. Their lips re-engaged playfully. Their chests collided, pushed against one another. She could feel his hard-on pressing against her navel. His lips left hers to trail featherlight kisses down her neck, between her breasts, across her stomach and navel. Their eyes met. His were shining, clouded.

"Rufus," she murmured.

"We have time, baby," he told her. "Lots of it."

The sensation of his hot breath spreading across her navel sent another wave of heat and arousal down her core. His eyes darted back at her, seeking any form of resistance, but found none. She smelled tantalizing. Rufus smiled, spread her legs, and dove in. Tifa drew in a sharp breath, and began to sink into a frenzy. Nothing mattered aside from what he was doing and how it was making her feel. She grabbed fistfuls of his slick hair, moaned, writhed. Wave after wave, pleasure came. It was such a sweet torment. "Rufus!" she cried, feeling herself about to come apart, arching and grabbing at his shoulders. He didn't stop. Instead, he made her come apart a few more times, despite her pleas and whimpers. He kissed her when he finished, for her to taste herself. Suddenly, he reached for her arms and held them above her head. "What do you want now, baby?" he asked gruffly, playfully. Tifa swallowed and met his eyes. "Fuck me," she said, knowing full well that 'make love to me' was a difficult and altogether different request. It was one she would probably never ask him. Rufus smiled boyishly, reached for the bedside table's drawer and ripped the condom foil with his teeth. He let go of her arms and covered his member. She held her breath. Then he was in her. Tifa moaned loudly, and Rufus arched towards her, and shouted, "Fuck!"

His outburst caused her to stare at him with wide eyes. Rufus saw her reaction and promptly burst into laughter before moving his hips. He devoured her lips in time with his movement. He kept going faster and faster, for his own pleasure entirely. Rougher and rougher, till she whimpered for him to slow down. To which he obliged. He couldn't get enough of how tight she was, couldn't get enough of her muscles clenching around him. Rufus laved at his 'favorite nipple' and she turned into a giggling, moaning creature. Deeply buried in Tifa, Rufus moved his hips circularly, then banged her hard, earning more moans and scratches on his back. She screamed when she came. Rufus laughed breathlessly before kissing her. They collapsed into a heap, breathing hard. Tifa kept her eyes closed for a moment, relishing the last seconds of the toe tingles. Rufus's labored, hot breath fanned across her breasts. "You screamed when you came," he murmured into the sheets. Tifa swallowed and said, "I've never done that before..." The sheets rustled as he disentangled his legs and sat up. Casting her a grin, he said, "Really?" Eyes closed yet again, she nodded. He sat there, regarding her perfect body bathed in late afternoon sunlight, for a long time. Although he never really gave a damn about her before, he felt pretty damn lucky now.

The question now was: What's gonna happen now?

She shifted to peek up at him. Her eyes were just as curious as his were. He had the mind to reach for her and cup her cheek, but decided against it. "This doesn't make us lovers," she said flatly. "Yes, it doesn't," he agreed with a small smile, "this is just a benefit." They grinned at each other, still settling into this new bond they'd forged. Suddenly, Rufus untangled himself from her and rose to his feet. "I'll get us something to drink." he said, slipping into a pair of trousers. Tifa nodded numbly, readjusting the pillows. When the door closed behind him, her brave front threatened to crack. Pinpricks blossomed at the tip of her nose, and her eyes began to burn. She blinked furiously, not wanting to cry. A part of her was jovial... triumphant, because her sexual drought was over, but another part of her was a little dismayed... She didn't feel like a cheap whore... even though she's been technically paid for, it didn't feel like that at all. Besides, she had wanted it. He was an excellent lover. He was worth his salt. He knew his tricks. It was just that he didn't love her... no, it was just that there was no love involved that's why their affair meant nothing at all. "You're twenty years old, Tifa. Plenty of twenty year old girls bang guys they don't really love. It's completely normal!" she told herself in an effort to stop the negativity threatening to attack her. Well, think about it this way, either you bang random douches or you bang this guy, who can be a complete asshole or a complete gentleman when he wants to be.

Rufus returned with two flutes of champagne. "Thanks, but I'm starting to get hungry," Tifa mumbled as she took one of the glasses. Rufus raised his brow, grinned mischievously, then said, "Again? I'm a little tired." She almost spat champagne on the sheets. He chuckled.

This reaction wasn't what he had been anticipating. But it was better, he supposed. Rufus had been preparing for an angry, indignant lioness, but instead he had a purring kitty. At least, he hoped she was going to stay that way. She had already hidden herself behind the thin sheets, which did nothing at all to conceal her nakedness from him. "We've got an hour before dinner. You can use the shower first." he said, setting his already drained flute on the table. "...Thanks. But I think I'll nap first." Tifa covered herself with the blanket.

Night had completely shrouded the island by the time she woke from her nap. Only the room's corner lights were on, and in one corner sat Rufus, intently working in his laptop. Tifa rose, grabbed her champagne flute, and kissed his shoulder. "Hi," she whispered. Rufus didn't turn to acknowledge her. "Hurry and get ready." Tifa finished the contents of her glass and sauntered over to the bathroom. Before she could shut the bathroom door behind her, she heard him mutter something about her ass being nice.

Tifa stared at her reflection. It was becoming a habit of hers, wasn't it? She hadn't changed. But she felt different. She felt a little empowered. She felt flustered. She didn't have time to contemplate. They couldn't be late to the event that meant so little to her and so much to him. She turned the water to its hottest, already preparing for the oncoming soreness.

2

The three famous SOLDIER Firsts were present, and were the center of the party's attention. From afar, Tifa saw that the redhead was the one who enjoyed the attention most. Rufus led her to their table, smiling and exchanging pleasantries all the way. She surveyed the party a second moment. It wasn't any different from the other parties, but this time she felt no anxiety. She held newly discovered power and knowledge she could use to protect herself. From Rufus. All men were the same. They all functioned with two heads, and the second head was quite dominant. And now that she could use her advantage to control that other head... "Baby, red or white wine?" he was asking. "Red, of course."

They sat there quietly for a while, with various guests dropping in to talk to Rufus and ogle her. The game was growing older and older with every new face. Suddenly, Lazard approached with the celebrated trio following him. "President, ma'am," Lazard's mouth twisted gracelessly towards her. Sephiroth nodded at Rufus, though his face was totally devoid of expression. Genesis was smiling reservedly at them. Angeal's eyes were narrowed, but his smile was friendly enough. "How are you all?" Rufus said, smiling faintly.

"We're faring very well, as you can see, President." Sephiroth said promptly.

"It may be late, but we wish you the best. Your wife's beautiful," Genesis said, "she can hold a candle to the goddess Minerva." The intensity of his gaze almost had Tifa blushing. Rufus chuckled, took her hand in his, then said, "That's why she's mine."

Angeal's voice was surprisingly mild. "Congratulations, Sir. I'm looking forward to how you'll bring the company to greater heights."

"How was your mission in Nibelheim, gentlemen? Everything under control?" Rufus interrupted, clearly bored of being congratulated.

At the mention of her hometown, Tifa grew rigid in her seat. "Nibelheim?" she asked softly. "What happened there?" Rufus squeezed her hand and slanted her a cold look that told her to shut up. The three SOLDIERs' faces were unreadable. "It's nothing to worry yourself about, ma'am. Just a minor situation at the reactor." Lazard said soothingly. Tifa squeezed Rufus's hand, not about to be sated by the director's vague answer. SOLDIER didn't just deploy their First Class operatives for 'minor situations'. The men exchanged a few more words that she didn't care to listen to anymore, then headed off to their assigned table.

Dinner was uneventful, as usual. The food was delicious, as expected. The conversation, she could do without. She couldn't focus on playing her part. What happened back home? Why were the SOLDIER operatives sent there? She wanted to excuse herself, but she hadn't made amends for getting sick the last time. Rufus was pointedly ignoring her, and she didn't want to risk making him mad. Dessert was served, and her anxiety was about to reach its peak. "Rufus," she said softly, tapping his shoulder. He turned, brow arched. "What is it, not feeling sick again, are you, baby?" Tifa forked off a chunk from her mango cake and offered it to him. He gave her a puzzled look and didn't part his lips to accept the cake. Everyone was watching the little scene now. "Come on," she said, smiling insolently. Heaving a breath, he eats the cake off the fork. "It's so sweet," he says after a moment, then drops his voice so only would hear, "But you're sweeter." Rufus winks and takes another forkful from his own.

After dinner, Rufus excused himself and went to the balcony. Not wanting to be left to her own devices, Tifa followed him. "We need to talk," Tifa said, glancing up at his movie star-like profile. The tip of his cigarette burns bright, then breaks off. He blows the smoke upwards, and the breeze pummels it back to the dining hall. "No, you need to talk." he murmured, glancing at her. For a moment, she was struck by how intense his icy blue eyes were in the dark. The fag returns to his mouth, lights up for a few moments, then he exhales another cloud. "Baby I don't really see why you should be worried. SOLDIER people go there all the time." Tifa stares at him, swallows and furrows her brows.

"I know that. But SOLDIER doesn't send three First Class commandos all at once to one place unless there's something really big happening there." she argued softly.

Rufus flicks the cigarette butt. He makes the smoke come out of his nose, just like a dragon. "Smart girl." he says then smiles tightly. "Alright, fine. They had to deal with some people trying to dismantle the reactor there."

"The local security detail would have done a fine job on their own."

"Lockhart, it's really none of your business."

"It concerns you and your company. I'm your secretary first before anything else."

Rufus sighs, looks at her then admits. "There's a new terrorist group threatening the company, and we got intelligence that they were hiding out somewhere in Mt. Nibel."

"And what happened?" she asked.

"They had an encounter, naturally. But I don't know all the details right now. All I know is they got somebody in custody."

"What are you planning to do?"

He gave her a sinister look that sends a chill down her spine. "Nobody fucks with me and my company. I do the fucking." He gives her a knowing look, and it almost made her want to recoil. Rufus's stern face melts into an inviting expression. "Shall we go back inside?"

Once back inside, Tifa grabs for a glass of wine from a passing waiter's tray. The party was in full swing by now. Tseng suddenly appears, making Tifa jump a little. Her heart already felt as though it were beating in time with the music. Rufus leaned closer to Tseng and the Turk Director spoke urgently into his ear. Her man's glacial eyes found her, and he opened his mouth to speak, but she didn't quite catch what he said. And the two men disappeared into the crowd.

People were laughing raucously. In a corner, Genesis Rhapsodos was charming his audience. Sephiroth was sitting lonesomely in their table, seemingly contented by just observing the festivities. Scarlet had kicked off her high heels and was dancing without a care with a good looking man Tifa hadn't seen before. She danced like a... snake... or something close to it. Reno's red hair was hard to miss in the dance floor as well. Everyone was having a good time, and here she was, slowly being eaten by her regret. By her fear. The whole party began to fade off. The noise was going to give her a headache. She couldn't stand to be in a room full of people. There wasn't space to breathe.

Numbly, she set her glass down and dashed for the ladies'.

She didn't know whether to laugh or to cry or to scream.

The loud click of the door lock behind her was deafening.

"What have I done?" she breathed.

3

"I'm supposed to be okay," she hissed to the heavily floral- scented air. But she didn't feel fine. How could she, after she let him take what he wanted? He was probably laughing at her right now. The mental image warmed her cheeks. Suddenly one of the cubicle doors opened, and a beautiful brunette lady stepped into view. "Oh hello, ma'am," she said politely before standing beside Tifa. The woman towered over Tifa, and screamed money from head to toe. Tifa nodded rigidly, shocked that she'd gotten herself in an awkward situation. Compared to the lady, Tifa saw that she looked tired despite the dark blush on her cheeks. The lady washed her hands and kept glancing at Tifa. "What a party, right?" the woman said, smiling like some painting muse.

"Yeah..." Tifa said softly, reaching out to fluff her hair.

"But you must be used to it now, right ma'am?"

"Oh no... not really. It's always... an experience."

The woman raised her elegantly filled brow. "Funny, I thought you were prettier in person."

"Excuse me?" Tifa wasn't vain, but that was uncalled for, considering that she admired this pretty woman.

"Oh... well, maybe they just caught you at your best angle." The woman pulled several paper towels and dried her hands prissily. "I should go. Wouldn't want to interrupt the President's wife too long. See you."

Who was that bitch?

Tifa sucked in a deep breath and tried to calm herself down. She counted to fifty before bursting out of the ladies' room. That bitch better hope they don't cross paths a second time tonight! The party had lulled down. Everyone was back in their tables. Rufus was sitting stiffly in his chair, looking pissed. "Where were you?" he whispered.

"The ladies' room. Where else would I go?" She touched his arm, then her eyes found the bitchy woman a few tables away from them, stealing glances her way. Rufus sighed deeply beside her. She wanted to ask him who she was, but she had a feeling she already knew the answer. It wasn't like she was jealous or anything. She didn't really care… it was just that she was pissed off. "I want to go to bed," she murmured to Rufus.

"Just a little longer." he whispered.

4

Rufus ordered two brandies to 'cap off the night' as the party wound down. Tifa was feeling lightheaded already, and Rufus still seemed completely sober. Well, at least he seemed sober because he was sitting down. His farce fell to pieces the moment they were alone in the third floor hallway. Reno and Rude were quick to support him, but he shrugged them away. Her gown's frothy skirt got caught on the tips of her shoes a couple times.

"Hey Lockhart."

She turned to find him leaning by the door, arm braced against the jamb. "Yes?" she asked as she stepped out of her toe-pinching high heels.

He suddenly roared with laughter then staggered into the room. The door closed almost on its own. "What would you... what would you do now, if this were our first date?" he asked, looking her in the eye with his clouded ones. Tifa sighed heavily. "We never would have had a first date in the first place." The way he blinked reminded her of a little boy. "But tink... think about it... seriously, think about it!" God, even the way he was acting now reminded her of a child. "Oh, I know, let's act like, we've just been on our first date and you've just invited me in for coffee, shall we?"

"I'm tired, Rufus."

"God you're so fucking boring." Rufus pulled out another cigarette, attempted to light it a few times with his silver plated lighter, then finally managed to at the sixth try. The menthol smell permeated around the room almost immediately. Tifa rolled her eyes and shimmied out of the evening gown. The material felt like water beneath her palm. She took a few moments to appreciate its expensive and exquisite qualities. The alcohol was beginning to make her feel heavy. Heavy, but light. She changed into a silk tank top and shorts, then clambered on to bed. "You're doing great." Rufus was smiling down at her again. He stubbed the cigarette, sat down, and unlaced his shoes. He stood up and took off his shirt, lifting it over his back without undoing the buttons. She watched the line of muscle that ran from his arm to his waist. Watched him bit by bit, not taking in the whole. With his back still to her, he undid his trousers, stepped out of them. She hadn't noticed it before, but he folded the trousers and put them on the chair opposite the one where his coat already hung. And then he climbed under the sheets.

She lay there rigidly, not knowing what to do. If he tried it on again, could she refuse?

When she finally turned to face him, she found him fast sleep. He seemed so nice and gentle in sleep. Almost instinctively, she knew that he was one of those men who were disproportionately protective about their sleep, but still she risked a little kiss on his cheek. It was something she could lay claim to. Being able to sleep beside this gorgeous man who deceived beyond reason...

… Right?

One brilliant eye opened and he heaved a long, heavy breath. She eyed him warily, wondering how'd he react from that little kiss. But he just went back to sleep. He reeked of everything he'd taken. Tifa wrinkled her nose and tried to find sleep.

Hello, reader!

Thanks for being patient. I'm sorry I wasn't able to update over the holidays – I enjoyed being in the beach too much. I hope your year is starting out well!

So... how'd I do here?

Laters,

Victoria