Disclaimer: The Final Fantasy VII compilation does not belong to me. I do not own the characters, story, places etc. They are all the property, copyright and trademark of Square-Enix. I place no ownership/claim on them by using them in this work of fan fiction.

Warning: Explicit Content

Chapter Sixteen: Compatibility

Yuffie imagined she looked ridiculous right now. Something between a deer in the headlights and a child in class being suddenly called on to answer a question they hadn't even listened to. She had felt like someone had just slapped her in the face. Then again the shock she was feeling was not unwelcome, because she couldn't show what was actually underneath that; the truth. If she even displayed a hint of guilt he'd be able to sense it clear as day. His voice reverberated in her ears as it broke her out of the stupor she found herself in.

"Miss Kisaragi." He was still looking at her, his face almost emotionless. Almost.

She tried her best to put all her energy into selling the bewilderment that she was genuinely feeling. Shaking her head and blinking a few times, she looked down at the desk, "I'm sorry, I'm just confused…What do you mean? Why would you think that-"

Rufus silenced her the moment he began to speak, his tone carefully steady, yet the hesitance seemed more for his own benefit than hers.

"I know there has been no commitment made between us and that there may never be. Still, I'm sure you can understand my concern, for the implications of something like this. Not only for you personally, but for the damage something like this could do, especially if it got out to the press."

Again, she shook her head, letting a smile of disbelief form on her face as if someone was playing a trick on her, "I really don't understand what you're talking about, Rufus. Is something meant to have happened? Did someone start a rumour or something?"

The President didn't let his gaze stray from her as he spoke, "Reno Sinclair is a good Turk, especially when it comes to espionage, but sometimes even the best can become sloppy."

"What-"

"He was seen leaving your changing room earlier today." His eyes expressed no discernible emotion, yet the clipped edge to his voice was unmistakable as he lent forward slightly in his chair, "Can you explain what he was doing there?"

Yuffie knew she had only a moment to come up with an excuse if it was to be believable. Thinking fast, she let out an awkward chuckle, her hand going to the back of her head to rub her hair as if she was embarrassed, "Oh that! It was that dress, I couldn't reach the stupid buttons, and I started getting irritated. Anyway he must have heard me swearing because he came to help, that's all." She let another chuckle escape as she brought her hand down to rest in her lap.

He watched her for a moment before leaning back in her chair, his own hand coming up to trace along the edge of his jaw.

"It was noted by one of my bodyguard's that Reno seemed to be particularly unstable when he left. Were the buttons to blame for his behaviour?"

She raised her brow as if this was news to her, before shrugging her shoulders and huffing, "He seemed fine when he left, but you know him better than me, maybe something happened outside of work? I don't try to pry into what's going on in his personal life."

Rufus gave a small, almost unpleasant smile, "Turk's don't have personal lives, Miss Kisaragi." He took a deep breath, as if steadying himself, "And what about your mood? You also seemed…upset, when I returned."

"Like I said, I just got a bit frustrated that nothing look good. I know it's vain and childish, but I couldn't help it."

His brow furrowed as his eyes locked to hers, "That's the truth?"

Yuffie nodded, willing herself to keep her gaze just as steady as his as she spoke, "Yes. Trust me, there is nothing going on between me and Reno. I promise."

He looked at her with consideration for a moment, before nodding, his smile becoming warmer, "Fine. I will believe you, but please be more careful when it comes to things like this, especially when you're in a public place. You never know when the press are watching and even a story based on happenstance could be damning."

She tried not to exhale the breath of relief she was sure would undo all the work she had just done. Still, the guilt was words had come out so quickly, they had barely registered until it was too late. She hadn't wanted to lie, but what else was she suppose to do? Was it even a lie now anyway? Whatever had been happening between her and Reno was over, right? So was it such a terrible thing to keep the truth from Rufus?

Yes. Of course it was. Still, what was she meant to do? No matter how angry she was at Reno, she couldn't just betray him like that. She knew it could mean the end of his career or worse. Then there was the shame she felt. She didn't want Rufus to know because it wasn't the kind of thing someone in her position should be doing. He was right, it was a dangerous and stupid thing to do, especially in the city, whilst on an assignment of this nature and she should really know better.

Just as she was about to get lost in her thoughts, he brought her back out of them once again with the warmth of his steady voice.

"I apologise if I was rude. I had felt very troubled when the information was relayed to me and…" He seemed to become suddenly shy as he intertwined his hands together against the desk and averted his gaze, "I will not hide the fact that I was affected by it."

Affected by it? What did that- Oh…

Yuffie's eyes widened ever so slightly as she realised what he meant and the guilt grew heavier in her chest. She watched as he hesitated for a moment, before slowly rising from his chair and coming to lean against the edge of the desk beside her chair.

"I'd also like to apologise for earlier, in the changing room. It was not…the right place. I let my pride take over and I should have been more considerate." The young man let their gazes meet before he continued, his voice a little softer than before.

"Still…I noticed you did not resist my advances?"

She felt her gaze falter for a moment as a blush warmed against her cheeks.

"No…I suppose I didn't."

His brow furrowed a little with genuine interest, "Why?"

She shrugged for what seemed like the hundredth time today, "I don't know really." A small, awkward chuckle sounded in her throat as she played with the fabric of her skirt, her voice coming out as more of a whisper than she had expected, "Guess I was curious."

Something of a smile played behind his eyes as he spoke."I see." He looked down at the floor for a moment, as that shyness that she sometimes saw in him returned, and his voice took on the hint of something more vulnerable.

"I don't want you to take my apology as regret on my part for the actions themselves. What I said still stands. I have been cautious to initiate intimacy between us because I didn't wish to push you, or to make you feel like a mere object. Still…I have held back too often and maybe that was a mistake on my part. I want to make you to feel that… 'spark', as you put it and perhaps the best way to find it is for us to test our physical compatibility."

He must have noticed how wide her eyes were and how shallow her breathing had become, because he made a point to look straight into her eyes as he spoke, "I won't do anything you don't want me to, Miss Kisaragi." Rufus watched her for a moment more, before speaking again, "Are you…uncomfortable with my suggestion?"

She felt her eyelashes flutter as her gaze drifted to focus on his desk, to her fingers, to the weave of her skirt, anywhere but his face.

"It's not that…I'm just…" She risked a quick glance up at him with a slight smile on her lips "Nervous, I suppose? I've not really been in a situation like this before." She swallowed and gave a little shrug, the blush on her cheeks deepening, "But…maybe you're right…it couldn't hurt to try."

Rufus seemed to freeze for a moment, as if he had never expected her to agree, but when he got over the initial shock, a smile pulled at his lips and he let out a soft chuckle. Slowly rising from the edge of the desk, he crossed over to the door, his hand lingering on the lock before turning it with a click. Yuffie could only watch with cautious interest as he made his way back over to the far wall and pulled the blinds down on the large windows that lined the view behind his desk.

She could feel her heart begin to beat wildly in her chest as he approached her and she couldn't stop the way her voice came out in a garbled squeak as she fidgeted in her chair.

"So, erm, how's this going to work then?"

The young man smiled as her drew closer, "You've said many times that we don't really know each other." He reached behind him to the desk and picked up a long piece of fabric, before turning back to her, a hint of a smirk on his lips, "So, let me share something with you. Something that I enjoy."

She looked down at the piece of fabric with a genuine curiosity. It looked soft and delicate as he ran it through his fingers and she could feel the way he was watching her as she tried to work out what it was he wanted to do with it, but she found herself coming up blank. Her brow furrowed a little as she looked back and forth between his hands and his face.

"What…what is that for?"

Rufus looked down at it, then back at her, "It is a blindfold." He paused for a moment as he let her process the information before continuing, "I believe it will heighten the experience and help you to focus on what you're feeling, rather than on me."

He must have noticed the way her fingers twisted into her skirt and the way she swallowed the dry lump in her throat as he gave her a reassuring smile.

"All you have to do is tell me to stop and I will. This isn't something to trick you…or control you. It's merely for pleasure." He took in a breath as his eyes locked with hers, "You will have to trust me."

The look in his eyes was so genuine, so compelling, how could she not at least try. After all she had asked for him to have belief in her and he had done so without question. Even if she hadn't deserved it.

She spoke, her voice coming out with the breath she hadn't realised she was holding, "Okay."

The President gave her another smile, before walking around to the back of her chair and gently placing the blindfold over her eyes. She couldn't help but twitch a little as her sight went dark and all of a sudden she her other senses went into overdrive. She felt his hands brush against hers, before closing around them and slowly pulling her up. She only took a few steps before one of his hands left hers to grasp at her waist and back her up until she felt her bottom hit what she assumed to be the edge of the desk.

Instinctively she lifted herself up, which was apparently the right thing to do as she could feel the way his hands pushed up with her and soon she was being edged backwards along the smooth wooden surface. She felt the tickle of breath against her ear before hearing the words leave his mouth.

"Now lay back and try to relax."

Her breath quickened as she gave him a shaky nod, before lowering herself back, the desk feeling hard and unyielding against her. For a moment she felt him withdraw, but soon found his hands were pulling her arms up and over her head, leaving them to rest against the edge of the desk behind her. He didn't need to say anything for her to understand that he wanted her to keep them there.

Yuffie was painfully aware of how quiet it was all of a sudden, with every breath she took and every time she swallowed sounding deafening loud in her ears. She had fought in the dark before, many times in fact and she had always found it a strange experience, but she had never imagined it would be used in a situation like this. It wasn't that she was naive, she obviously knew people were into this stuff, but she hadn't really thought about why, beyond 'people are kinky bastards'.

Now she was lying there with her vision gone and really not knowing what to expect, she found herself torn between curiosity and embarrassment. She hadn't felt him for a while and just as she was about to speak, she felt his finger brush against her bottom lip, almost barely there, as it began to slowly trail down her chin, across her jaw and along the front of her neck. As it reach the top of her cardigan she suddenly remembered what she was wearing underneath, or not rather not wearing. Everything had been so creased and the weather had been cold enough she was sure she wouldn't need to take it off, that she hadn't bothered with a top or a vest, instead choosing to just wear a bra and of course it had to have been one of her most sheer. She really needed to do laundry more often, or learn to pack more clothes.

She tried to stop herself sucking in a breath as his fingers began to unto the buttons, his touch soft enough that it was almost unnoticeable other than the feel of the air hitting her newly exposed skin. As he got to the bottom of her cardigan, his hands barely touched the skin underneath as he pulled the edges open to fall at her sides. It was such a strange sensation, to expect the feel of something and for nothing to happen. It was so different to what she was used to. Everything was so slow, so delicate. It didn't feel like she was being pulled along, rather that she was being led somewhere and she couldn't help but follow.

His hands brushed lower, moving over the top of her skirt before disappearing underneath. Again, his fingertips were all she could feel as they traced lines up the outside of her thighs and to the edge of her pants, before hooking around either side and gently beginning to tug them down her legs. Yuffie let out a shaky breath as her heart began to beat harder within her chest. She really didn't know what he was going to do and she couldn't help the thought that he was just making fun of her, or perhaps he was going to take perverted photos. That sounded like something Reno might do.

Reno. She hadn't wanted to think about him. If it had been a few days ago this might not have let this happen, but he had made it clear that he was done with them. Whatever 'them' was. She couldn't think about it. Not now. Luckily for her, the sudden feel of the President's hands hooking around the back of her legs and gently nudging them apart forced her out of whatever thoughts she was having.

She wanted to ask what he was doing, but she just couldn't bring herself to speak, her voice feeling like it was hiding somewhere in her chest and refusing to come out. She did manage a squeak of surprise however when the foreign sensation of warm breath against the inner skin of her thighs caused an altogether unexpected shiver to pass over her. She couldn't see it, but she was sure he was smirking at her and suddenly she felt the urge to just get up and run out of the office as quickly as possible. But she didn't. His breath traveled over to the juncture between her legs and she was glad of the blindfold as she was sure her face was turning a deep shade of red as she realised what he was planning to do.

She and Tifa had discussed it once, over a lot of drinks and mostly as a result of Yuffie's prodding. She wanted to know what kind of things she might have to do one day, other than the obvious, with the man she would end up being persuaded into marrying. She didn't like surprises and had wanted to be prepared. She didn't want to suffer the embarrassment of naivete and she certainly didn't want her husband to get the idea that he was the one in control. Sexual confidence was key to gaining the upper hand with men, she was sure and make them easy to manipulate. Of course, that had been the idea, but ideas are only that. Her face had flushed then too and not only because of the alcohol, as the bartender had done her best to describe all the things that she'd found enjoyable. It was eye opening to say the least and if he was about to do what she thought he was, it was one of the things that she'd imagined she would like the least.

Yuffie didn't have to wait long to have one of her suspicions confirmed, as she felt his tongue glide over her and she tried to suppress another squeak. It was such a strange sensation, yet she didn't find herself pulling away. She felt it again, slowly and purposefully stroke over her opening, working it's way up and swirling around her clitoris, before pushing down against it. Her back arched as her breath caught in her throat.

Fuck…

The feeling had been too intense and too intimate and yet glorious all at once. When she thought about what was happening it had her wanting to squirm away from embarrassment, but Gawd, why did it feel this good? And why had Reno never done this to her?

Why had he suddenly come into her head again? No, that wasn't fair, she wasn't meant to be thinking about him. He didn't deserve it. Gawd, he didn't deserve it. She pushed the image of him from her mind as the feeling between her legs took over.

Rufus moved his tongue over her again and again and with every brush, every flick, every languid stroke she felt herself become less and less concerned with how her body was moving or what little noises were coming out of her mouth as she started to become overwhelmed with the sheer desperation of the arousal growing in her core. Her fingers were probably turning white as she grasped at the edge of the desk behind her, as if it was the only thing in the world keeping her anchored and her back kept rising and falling as her body tensed and released with every pass of his tongue.

Just as she felt the sensation begin to build, he stopped and instead started to brush his mouth over the skin of her thigh. She felt herself let out a soft huff of frustration. Why did he do that? Didn't he realise how close she'd been. Then as her sensitively began to drop, she felt his tongue suddenly return to it's previous endeavor and her breath once again became shallow and fast. It wasn't long before she felt the familiar tension start to form, but once more he pulled away just as she felt it begin. Another huff left her throat, but this time she was sure it was far more audible than the last as she could sense that smirk again. Was he doing this on purpose?

He carried on with this pattern another two times before she finally couldn't take it anymore and pushed herself against his mouth with a squirm of her hips as her desperation overcame any shame she might have felt at the action.

"Rufus…P-please…" Gawd was that her voice? It was breathy and shaky and heavy with something that sounded far too sensual to be coming from her.

Either her pleas had reached him, or he simply decided she had reached whatever brink he had been pushing her to, because his tongue returned to move against her and this time he was holding nothing back. She didn't know if it was because she'd come so close so many times in the last few minutes, or whether it was the intensity of his rhythm, but it took only seconds for her body to start to pull her towards her climax.

As her back arched off the table and her body practically writhed against the immensity of it all, a sound she couldn't quite believe was from her, escaped her throat before she all but collapsed against the desk. She was shaking and her heart felt like it was about to break through her chest. Gawd she felt exhausted and contented and on edge all at the same time.

"Miss Kisaragi." It was the first time hearing his voice so long that she had to remind herself that it was his mouth that had been between her legs only a moment ago and all of a sudden she felt her vulnerability return at full force.

Hesitantly and with some difficulty, she released the edge of the desk she had been holding on to so tightly and lowered her hands to the fabric covering her eyes. Slowly, tentatively, she pulled down part of the blindfold and all but peeked at him through hazy eyes.

She wasn't sure what she had been expecting. A smirk? No, maybe that steady, unwavering expression of his? Or perhaps that small smile he so often had, that gave away nothing at all. What she did know is that she certainly hadn't imagined the sight that had met her gaze.

He looked flushed, his eyes were distant and weak, almost pleading in the way they softy hovered over her face, as if he couldn't focus. His body was tense and it was clear he was trying, but failing, to hide the fact that he was using all his willpower to hold himself back. He wanted her. He really did.

Yuffie's eyes flickered down to his mouth for only a moment, but it was all it took, as when their gazes met again it was clear the feeling was mutual. Without a second thought, she flung herself towards him as their limbs intertwined and their mouths collided. This kiss felt different than last time, as his tongue traced the outline of her lips, before pushing through them and joining her own. She didn't care that the taste of her still lingered against his mouth, or that his hands were painfully rough as they grasped at her waist and her back. In this moment, she just didn't care.

Then it all came to a halt, like someone had pressed pause on an invisible remote, as a loud, high pitched beep came through on the intercom device that sat on the President's desk. It seemed like for a moment he might ignore it, but as the sound continued to echo around the room, he released her with some resistance, before making his way round to the phone, picking it up with the air of someone who would rather throw it against the wall.

"What is it?"

The sound of his voice faded out of her mind as the sound of her blood pumping in her ears took over. What was she about to do? Was she really just about to sleep with him? Right here, in his office, on his desk? No, no this was a bad idea and she'd made enough of those recently to know she wasn't about to give in to another.

Peering over her shoulder and noticing his back was to her, she took the chance to slide off the desk, doing up her cardigan and hardly caring if buttons matched the right holes as she grabbed her bag from the chair. As she turned to check the young man was still preoccupied, she caught a glimpse of her pants lying to the floor beside the desk and all but snatched them up, stuffing them into her bag as she ran towards the door, leaving the room as quickly as her legs would carry her.

She hadn't stopped to look back as she made her way down the stairs, unwilling to take an elevator that could be called back, and was both revealed and confused to find one of the President's bodyguards was already waiting for her outside the entrance. Had the poor guy been waiting there all this time, or had Rufus ordered him there after she had fled?

As she approached him, he gave her a small nod before opening the passenger side door for her, giving no hint of the answer to her query and she didn't choose to ask.

Yuffie's hand hovered over the door handle with such uncertainly it might as well have been a venomous snake. She didn't want to be faced with the Turk right now, especially since she was sure he'd want to fight, but what choice did she have. Taking a few breaths to steady herself, she slowly turned the handle, pushing it open as quietly as she could, before walking into the apartment with the air of a teenager who had stayed out past curfew and most definitely didn't want to be noticed.

Of course luck was not on her side.

As the door closed behind her, she was met with the unmistakable sight of Reno's silhouette against the dim light of the street lamps which illuminated the window in which he sat. He let out a trail of smoke into the night sky, before turning only just enough to look at her through the very corner of his eye.

Guilt and uncertainty whirled around her stomach like an animal. No, why, why did she feel like this? It wasn't right, it wasn't fair. She had no reason to feel guilty. He couldn't push her away and expect her to crawl back to him and she wasn't just some silly girl for him to play with. She was worth more than that. So why?

Feeling herself unable to deal with the emotions that were rising inside her, she kicked off her shoes and threw her bag down on the table before heading straight for her room, closing the door behind her as she collapsed against it and let out a shaky breath.

The young woman closed her eyes for a moment as she tried to will herself to move, before finally pushing herself up from door and walking through into the bathroom. Her fingers grasped around the edge of the sink as she sighed. Gawd, what had she done? She had willing let Rufus do something so intimate to her and had practically surrendered herself to him and yet it had felt right. If he had intended to get her to feel something, he had certainly achieved his goal and she could no longer deny the spark that she had claimed so desperately to need. But then she had just left, without a word like she was ashamed. He hadn't deserved that, but she couldn't let herself stay either.

With another sigh, she slowly made to look at her reflection in the mirror opposite her.

Oh Gawd…

She really did look a mess.

Reno had heard her approach the door, waiting with purposeful disinterest as she stood outside for longer than necessary before entering. He didn't want her to think he was waiting for her, so he had made a point to stare out of the window for a few moments before turning his gaze towards her.

It took everything in him not to react to the sight before him. Her hair was tousled and messy, the buttons on her cardigan were askew and the top few lay undone, not to mention her skirt was sitting higher than it was meant to. He could feel his mind start to unravel as he put the pieces together, an uncomfortable regret pulling at his stomach as he felt himself begin to barely breath.

He could only watch as she took off her shoes and threw her bag on top of the table, before disappearing into her bedroom. The moment the door had closed behind her, his shoulders had slumped even further as he tried to steady himself. After a few minutes he heard the sound of her shower begin to start and he let out a heavy sigh, chucking his cigarette out of the window and pushing himself up from the ledge.

It was late into the evening, but he needed something bitter and strong to snap him out of whatever it was he was feeling right now. Heading towards the kitchenette to grab something he hoped would resemble a coffee, his gaze instinctively flickered over the table and he couldn't help the way his eyes were drawn back to the bag that lay there. The flap had fallen open just enough for the contents to be barely visible, but that was enough and the realisation dawned on him and Reno couldn't control the painful surge in his chest as his eyes snapped over to the closed door of her bedroom.