Author's Notes: Sorry for the long wait, July 4 is a busy day for me (no work for 2 days ^_^) I was happy. Well, it's about 11:03p.m. central time here on this day of Independence, well I'm glad I'm not puking all night like some people (rolls eyes) Long story... basically me and a couple of friends went to a really crappy keg party (I don't drink by the way cause I'm not legal *not 21 yet* and I really don't feel like getting in trouble and suffering from it by drinking at my early age of 17 ^o^) Only one really cute guy was there but he's taken, and the rest were so-so and mostly wasted. Wait... why am I telling you this? ... I dunno.. Well anyways, back to the story, the reviews were great thanks for them. I will keep all of you happy by continuing the story and halting my blabbering.. right.... now.



Behind the Name.

Chapter 3: "A little white lie, right?"

Rufus jolted up from the sofa and looked around, hoping Tifa hadn't escaped or killed him during his sleep. Spotting a round dome in the blankets on his bed, he gave a reassured sigh and stretched his arms up into the air. He swung his legs to the side and stood up, stretching his back muscles before reaching for an itch on his neck.

Morning, he scoffed, Such a promising time of the day...

Looking back towards the bed, he made one quick check, and noticed a flow of hair drape around the corner of the sheets, At least seeing her still here in the morning might be promising...

Rufus arched his back and cleared his eyes. He scanned for the clock and read it, "6:12, better take a shower and start heading down to dad's early meeting." He pulled of his beater and walked himself to the shower. He was in and out in 15 minutes, but his hair was still in clumps of spikes and left uncombed. He came out wearing a clean beater and a clean pair of white khaki pants. (a/n: it looks like it, right? Oh well..) He lingered of fresh cologne, which women personally told him, smelled heavenly. He usually rolled his eyes at the comment, Like they know what 'heaven' smelled like.

After somewhat drying his hair with his towel, he quietly walked to the kitchen and placed it on the nearest chair. He looked around the dainty kitchen, trying to remember something he was about to do, Breakfast!

He picked up the phone on the one side of the wall and dialed the cafeteria of the Shinra Building. It rang several times before Juan, the cook, answered.

"Ahh, Mr. Rufas, what would you like for breakfast today?" his thick accent said.

"Morning Juan, how about the usual?" Rufus asked.

"Of course! One 'Juan special' coming up!" he happily responded.

"Make that two, Juan, I've got a guest."

There was a long pause before the foreigner's sly laugh was heard, "Oh, I see, hehe! 'Tis a woman, eh?" more laughter.

Rufus sighed, "Just bring it up Juan, I'll leave the door open."

"Yes, sir! Be there in a minute!" Rufus quickly hung up. He groaned and shook his head, "Now, what am I supposed to tell dad? I'm sure Juan will tell him before I could..."

"Why, are going to go see him this morning?" a groggy voice asked from behind.

Rufus quickly turned around to the woman sitting up half awake in his bed, "We've got daily meetings in the morning for staff, of course I've got to be there to watch." He slowly walked over, cautiously glancing at her. She was considerably cute, although her hair was a little messy and tangled all over. He watched as she fought the will to go back to sleeping, her eyes refusing to stay open, and her body refusing to leave the warm covers.

He smiled, "You can sleep some more if you want?"

Tifa looked up at him, and shook her head, "No... I'm fine, I'll get up." she pulled the blankets off of her and slid herself off the bed. She rubbed her eyes and looked around. She squinted as the windows poured out sunlight, "How long are you staying at the meeting? I don't really want to be left here by myself..."

Rufus smiled lightly, "A couple of minutes, 10 at the most. It's just a little low down of today, so the staff knows what to expect." Changing the subject, he started heading to his closet, "Listen, I'll lend some clothes if you'd like to shower. They're not much, but I'll take you to the small clothes shop downstairs later today so you could get a decent pair." Rufus pulled out a pair of blue, string-tied points and a white T-shirt. He held them up and placed them on the bed, "They were my last girlfriend's, and she left it when she left. You both look about the same size in the waist..."

Tifa face flushed red.

Rufus realized what he had said and stammered, "Well... I mean...I hope it fits." he hastily ran back to his closet and pulled out another pair of black turtle-neck sweater, and a white coat top. As he placed them on, he continued to speak to Tifa, "There's towels in the bathroom, and breakfast will be here soon." he continued to rush into the bathroom, and combed and gelled his hair.

Shaking her head as he turned away, Tifa begged her mind to stop making such stupid inquisitions, and just forget about it. She walked over the end of the bed and picked up the clothes he had offered her, They aren't that bad, besides they do look like they fit me...

She looked up as Rufus started to clean his bed from last night. She watched him as he finished and headed to the bed she was using. Tifa quickly stopped him before he could start, "Hey, don't worry about that, I'll do it okay?" she smiled, "Besides, you've already done enough and I don't like it when people make me feel like a handicapped person by doing everything for me. I can handle it."

Rufus stared at her face, enjoying the smile she gave him. He nodded his head, "Okay..." was all he could say.

Tifa could felt a strange warmness in his eyes, and kept hers locked in his, He isn't such a bad guy.., she thought, He's pretty polite and everything, and of course I have to give him credit for being cute.... Someone like that rarely crosses my path...

I wonder what she could be thinking? Why she's still looking at me? Rufus' own thoughts spoke, Maybe she and I could be friends,.. we could be friends right? .... or maybe even something more than that?

The two stood there looking at each other, not a single word being spoken between them. It was soon interrupted by a soft knock on the door.

"Yoohoo..? Mr. Rufas, breakfast is here!" It was Juan.

Rufus turned his head to the door, his eyes in a slight look of dismay, "Come in!" he quickly turned back to Tifa, who had also turned her head to the door.

Juan came in pushing a big cart of food. He hummed merrily to the kitchen across the room and was looking over to the two standing beside the bed with a grin on his face, "Don't mind me!" he sang.

As her face was turned away, Tifa wondered what was 'that' all about, her mind seemed to categorize Rufus' ups and downs. She bit her bottom lip, a habit she picked up, and started to sort her thought.

Rufus could see a certain uneasiness in her eyes, Is she... upset? He sighed and began to speak, "Um, Tifa?"

"I'm.... I'm going to start heading over to the shower." she turned to his face once more and pointed her thumb to it's direction. She gave a soft smile before turning around and heading over to the bathroom.

Rufus spoke up before she disappeared around the corner, "Well, I'm going to start heading over to the meeting. You could start breakfast before me."

"Got it!" she answered back.

Rufus gave a disappointed sigh, "Damn it Juan, nice timing..." he hissed over towards the kitchen.



"Hehe, so? Does this 'Tifa' have a sister.. hmm, eh?" coming out of nowhere, Juan placed an arm around Rufus' neck and laughed.

Rufus brushed his arm away, and straightened his clothes, "Let's go Juan, we're late for father's meeting." He started to head out the door with Juan behind him.

The small round man made his way to the side, "So Rufas? How was you sleep last night?" he asked in a snaky way.

Feeling his last nerve getting tampered, Rufus turned to man, "I slept well, thank you, on the couch. In case you're wondering where Tifa was at, she was sleeping on my bed 13 feet away. No she wasn't naked! No, she wasn't a prostitute! Therefore, no I didn't find her at the Honey Bee Inn or pay a hefty amount of money for her! She's a prisoner, from Avalanche, and I brought her to my room last night because I didn't think such a beautiful woman deserved to be locked in a sick cage! Do you got all the information Juan, or do I still gotta fill in some papers for you?!"

Juan backed up nervously, his eyes stuck out in fear, and shook his head.

"Good!" Rufus continued to head down the hall to the elevator, not caring if the 'hentai' was still behind him. As he entered the elevator doors, he heard Juan's scurrying feet behind him. Rufus pressed the 'Conference Room' button and waited as the elevator started to move.

Juan looked up the young man, still a little frightened. Trying to simmer the pressure between him, he spoke up, "Well... you were right about her being 'such a beautiful woman'?"

Rufus gave a throaty groan, and hurriedly left the elevator as the door opened.

- Conference Room -

"... General Ghane of Kalm will be coming over for a luncheon, I expect the cooks to prepare Midgar's finest foods by noon today and the guards to be alert of his visit. I want soldiers guarding the General while he's here." President Shinra spoke loud and clear to his audience.

All the leaders of the different areas of staff were seated in an oblong table, taking down notes from time to time.

Rufus, on the other hand, stood beside his father. Gazing out the large windows to the city below. He was clearly in deep thought, and not about General Ghane's arrival and the food being served, but about the odd situation back at his room.

I was true, she found Tifa to be quite amazing, even though he didn't know much about her and her past life. Sure she had the looks, but the thing that amazes him the most was her ability to capture him with a simple smile. Such a smile could replace his oxygen.

President Shinra stared at his dream-struck son with worry, "Rufus? Are you listening?"

Rufus turned his head around, seeing everyone up and leaving, "I'm sorry father, I didn't know you had already dismissed us."

"Uh-huh..." his father eyed him, "Perhaps you didn't hear what I have asked you then?"

"No, what did you ask father?" Rufus replied.

"The prisoner, where is she?"

Rufus turned to his father, "She's at prison, of course." he lied.

President Shinra twined his fingers together, "That wasn't what the two soldiers, from last night, told me, this morning."

Turning away in guilt, Rufus took a deep breath and answered truthfully, "She's at my room, father... if you must know."

He had heard him get up from his chair and made his way to him. He jumped as he felt a hand on his shoulder and deep laughter ringing in his ears.

"I see you have taken your father's side of the family!" his loud laughter was almost loud enough to make Rufus deaf, "I hope it was as good as I would have thought coming from a woman like that?!"

Rufus pulled away in disgust, He's just like Juan, what a pervert!

"I'm heading to my room!" he shouted before leaving. He had to leave, he felt like he was about to explode. As he passed the entrance, he could still hear his father's laughter all the way to the elevator.

- Rufus' Room -

"Welcome back!"

Rufus was greeted by Tifa, who he saw, sat on the couch watching cartoons. She waved a fork at him, then turned around and smiled, "Get some breakfast! It's really good!" she called to him.

The build up of anger and disgust seemed to be swept away by her sweet, childish voice, and couldn't help but lighten up. He took off his white coat and walked over to the kitchen, picking up his plate of food. He made his way to the couch and sat next to Tifa.

"How was the meeting?" she asked between gulps.

He moved some of the contents on his plate and shrugged, "It was short and stupid..." he then picked up pieces of scrambled eggs and pancake and stuffed his mouth.

Tifa looked at him, "Did your dad ask.... about me?"

Rufus swallowed before answering, "Yeah, he thinks I took you up here so I could... you know..?"

"What a bastard!" Tifa quickly covered her mouth, "- No offense to you...."

Taking another bite, Rufus turned to her and smiled, "None taken. He is, you know?" he looked down to his plate, "And I am the 'bastard's' son."

Tifa placed her plate on the small coffee table and frowned, "No, I didn't mean it that way... I mean, your not a bastard at all! At first I thought you were, but really, you aren't that bad."

Rufus turned his eyes back at her, recognizing her outfit almost surprisingly. Deciding to brush off the subject, he smiled at her, "So they do fit."

He saw that her frown deepened, "-yeah, they do..... Rufus, why are you always changing the topic?" she said softly.

Rufus shrugged again, "I don't know... I just hate it when people compare me to my father. They expect me to be like him, like it's a law or something. Everything I do, has to be something similar to what my father has done before."

"But, you're not like him... you're not like him at all." Tifa interrupted, looking at him with worry.

Rufus sighed, "Yeah, I suppose I should grow up and realize that, huh?"

"I don't think it's a matter of growing up," Tifa picked up her plate and headed to the kitchen. She emptied her leftovers in the trash can and placed her dishes in the sink, "I think what you need is a good, relaxing vacation out of this 'living rich' life."

Rufus made his way to the kitchen also, doing the same as Tifa, "You think so?"

Tifa took the plate from his hands after he had emptied it, and started to wash it with hers, "Yeah, I think it's a great way to clear your head and think about how different you are from your father."

Taking the washed dishes and utensils from her hands, Rufus took them over to the other sink to rinse them, "Hmm.. sounds fun, maybe I will sometime. Thanks."

"No problem." Tifa rinsed her hands and dried them off with a towel. She waited as Rufus had finished before asking him about the plan. "So what do we do? How soon can I leave?"

"Three days from now, my father is having a routine visit over to Don Corneo, to see if he has been handling Sector 5 well. I could dress you as a soldier before we leave, and you could make a run for it when we get there." Rufus sat on the small kitchen table, across from Tifa.

"Three days?" she spoke a little uneasy, "Are you sure there isn't another way to do this any earlier than that?"

There was one in the back of his mind he hesitated to tell, If I tell her about General Ghane's visit, she'll leave today.... I- I don't want her to leave now...

"No, I'm sorry." Rufus answered, feeling a little guilty for lying to her.

Tifa shook her head and forced a smile, "No, that's okay. I mean, it is the best way for me to escape without getting caught, right?"

Rufus turned away, and nodded. He didn't want to see the obvious hurt in her eyes. He heard her sigh and stand up. He turned to look at her.

"So, how about that promise of shopping for clothes?" she grinned at him.

- Shinra Clothes Store -

"Ooh wow! I like this one!" Tifa giggled as she rummaged thru the different kinds of clothing.

Rufus reached for a shirt, and dully stared at it, "What is up with girls and clothes?"

Tifa glanced at him, "The whole point of buying clothes is to make yourself look good, and to make others happy to see you look good."

He crossed his arms, "And do you really think clothes do that?"

Tifa rolled her eyes, "You can't stand optimism, can you? You should try it sometime, it's pretty fun."

Rufus hunched his shoulders, shopping made him so bored, but then again he didn't mind the company with Tifa.

"Rufus?" A deep voice caught his ear, he turned to the right spotting his father and two other soldiers approaching. He gruffly whispered to Tifa, "Hey! My dad's here, come here!"

Quickly, Tifa made her way, hiding behind Rufus.

"What the hell is the meaning of this, Rufus? You don't take prisoners to shop! I didn't mind the one night stand, but this is getting ridiculous!!" President Shinra shouted at his son, his face turning red with rage.

Rufus' eyes turned into slits, "I could do what I want with her! If I want her to get new clothes, I'll buy her some, and if I want her to get respect around here, I will demand it!"

President Shinra stood in shock. As well as Tifa, who clung tightly to him, a little breathless from Rufus' speech.

"How dare you talk to me like that?! What is wrong with you?! What has brought this sudden change?!" President Shinra demanded the answer.

"Because, father!" Rufus' took a breath, he couldn't think of anything to say but..... "I'm in love with her."

"What?!" his father growled.

"What?" Tifa whispered to him in disbelief.

"I said, I'm in love with her, father. And there is nothing you can do about it." he grabbed hold of Tifa's hand and pulled her away and back to the elevator, leaving his father in silence.

Tifa rushed with his pace, carrying clothes from the store that she hasn't paid for, and withstanding the pressure of Rufus' hand around hers.

As they reached the elevator, Rufus quickly pressed the button to his room, and took a last glance at his enraged father. As the doors closed, the tension between the two in the room was nerve racking.

"Rufus...?" Tifa softly asked, making him almost jump a little.

He turned his head to her side.

"That was a little white lie, right? I mean, it's part of the plan.... right?" she kept her voice carefully soft.

Rufus kept quiet, not sure how to respond. As the door before him opened, he once again grabbed her hand, except more delicately, and lead her back to his room.

"...Rufus?" Tifa whispered.

Rufus turned around slightly and smiled.

Tifa felt heat on her face, and smiled back.

Author's second notes: It's around 3:20 a.m. now (7/5/01) *yawn* I finally finished this one off.... anyway-zzzzzzzzz...... -head falls down and bangs the computer desk with a sickening thud- huh? wha? So.. hope you liked this one, it's getting pretty deep on the mushy-lovey-dovey stuff... *yawn* I need some serious sleep.... TY for the reviews, really appreciate them. Love ya'll! -_- zzzZZ *snork* -_o (oh yeah, if there are some grammar mistakes or sumthin' sorry, it's kinda late ya know....zzzzzzzZZZZZZ)