Author's Notes: Hi again! Sorry for the delays on the chapters, I kind of got hooked on video games all week! Anyways, sorry if it seemed a little rushed with all the 'I luv you' stuff but sometimes love happens like that. So, here's chapter 5, sweet, fluffy, bit of drama, dedicated to a special someone ^_^!

To Jay: "Even if the word forever seems silly to say, it's just an easier way to say every 'tomorrow' in our lives. Although forever can be extended longer than a lifetime, it is also possible to be done. So understand the word forever when I tell you 'I love you', because that's how long it will be. And if you still think forever seems impossible, then put it this way; I still love you tomorrow, everyday."

Behind the name.

Chapter 5: What Love means.

Rufus was caught in surprise, he didn't expect that response from Tifa. He gazed at her, not able to speak at all, and watched as her face creep in darker red. He smiled, making Tifa's beautiful face follow with a shy grin.

"So... what should we do now?" Rufus asked softly, not leaving his eyes from hers.

Tifa shrugged, "..I dunno?" she bit her bottom lip playfully, and giggled.

Rufus noticed her innuendo as she continue to nibble on her bottom lip and gaze her wine colored eyes at him dangerously, "You think so? I don't know, don't you think it's kind of early for kissing?"

Tifa reddened and cocked an eyebrow at him, "What?! I didn't say that?! What do you think I am?!" She crossed her arms with a 'humph' and started to walk back inside, pretending not to care for Rufus anymore.

"Come on, I was only kidding!" he chuckled. He ran after her and followed as she made her way back inside the building, grabbing hold of her hand before she could go any further away.

"It was joke! " Rufus pulled her hand gently so that she was now facing him, "I know for sure you aren't like any of 'those' others!" and gave her another one of his smiles.

Tifa's eyes peered at him, unimpressed, "Then why would you think I would just throw myself on you like that?"

"'Throw' yourself on me?" Rufus mused, and held her tighter, "I didn't say that!" he whined, swaying her side to side along with him.

Giggling at his childish action, Tifa moved along with his swaying until he stopped.

Rufus leaned over to her ear and whispered, "I wish you would though..."

Tifa scoffed and gave him a playful punch on the side, "You pervert!"

Rufus couldn't help but feel amused with her expression, "I also wouldn't mind if you wereintending to kiss me?"

Tifa turned her head to the side and smiled, examining his eyes for any type of jest, "You're serious?"

"Well, yeah." Rufus nodded, now grinning.

Looking up from Rufus' face, Tifa thought for a moment, "I dunno....?" she teased, "I mean, you are right, it is a little early..."

Rufus jumped, waving his arms in front of him, "Forget I said that!"

Tifa giggled, and tip-toed up to plant a short, gentle kiss on his lips.

A little shocked at her action, Rufus stood silent. He looked at the Tifa, now laughing at him, obviously entertained with his own expression. His face lightened as he once again brought his arms around her, "That wasn't a kiss?"

Tifa stopped her laughter and looked at him stunned, "Well... I... I mean.." she stuttered, not sure how to explain her lack of knowledge for these things. She sighed and furrowed her brows, "I haven't actually-"

"I figured that." Rufus interrupted her, his eyes dancing around her face. He slowly placed a hand to her cheek and softly caressed her smooth skin, "You... wouldn't mind if I showed you, right?"

Both his words and his touch gave Tifa a slight shiver. She reached her hand up to her own face and laid her palm over his hand, halting him from moving. She breathed in as she shook her head, "..no." she whispered.

Rufus smiled, "Me neither..." he slowly leaned forward to her face, and slightly parted his lips.

Tifa willingly accepted by closing her eyes and tilting her head up to meet with his. As she moved closer, she could soon feel Rufus' sweet, warm breath prick her lips. Her heart pounded so fast, she was afraid for it to explode.

Rufus hid a smile as watched Tifa's lovely face, urging him to meet her lips. He continued to lean forward, brushing his lips against hers before placing them down.

As his lips were pressed against hers, Tifa couldn't help but enjoy the heavenly feeling. She was taken by surprise as she felt Rufus' tongue, press it's way in her mouth and carefully searched for her own. As if he was instructing her to do the same, Tifa moved her tongue to the same rhythm with his, savoring it's flavor in her mouth. The hands that once lay on her face was moved out of the way and curled around each other as their kiss deepened.

He pressed on, trying not to ruin the kiss by pointing out or laughing at her virginity in french-kissing. It was obvious to him that she is totally clueless with this by the way her tongue moved around impetuously, yet seductively, which was really too early to do.

As the two pulled away for a breath, neither looked at one another in shame or embarrassment.

"That was clearly," Tifa started, quivering a little from the new feeling, "The most unusual thing I've ever done. I didn't even know you had to do..... that!"

A crafty smirk crossed Rufus' face, "I could tell you didn't."

"Hey!" Tifa's moment was soon spoiled by his words. Taking the hand that was around his back, she gave him a small unexpected pinch.

"Ow!" Rufus quickly reached where she had pinched him and rubbed it vigorously. He looked at her with a grimacing expression, "Ow!" he repeated.

Tifa pulled away from his arms, "I warned you that I've never really kissed before."

"Well, that's kind of hard to believe because you look like a girl who seems to get every guy's attention." he responded, still rubbing onto his side. He looked up and noticed once again that Tifa's face turned red.

Tifa was a flattered, she didn't think she was that... attractive. Sure she had guys hang around her at the bar, but most of them were under the influence of alcohol so their attraction to her was purely lust from their beer. "Yeah right, I'm not that pretty?!" she stammered back.

Rufus reached for her hand and brought it to his lips, gently kissing it, "Sure you are, just take from me, an actual guy." He pulled her closer, not happy with the distance between them, "You're like a rare butterfly, flying gracefully in the new dawn sky!" he spoke out, a little melodramatic.

Bringing her arms underneath his and encircling them around his sides, Tifa tittered, "Perhaps I have mistreated you, Sir? Please take my sincere apology?" she trailed theatrically.

Another sly grin developed from Rufus' lips, "That is not enough, my good lady. Perhaps another kiss can persuade me to forgive you." he hinted her by repeatedly raising and lowering his eyebrows.

Tifa rolled her eyes, "Yeah, whatever!" she pulled away, laughing, and headed over to the kitchen area.

Rufus was discontent, "Wha' about me kiss?" he continued to say in his fake British accent.

"I'm hungry!" she aggravated. Tifa turned around, a sly smirk forming her red lips, "We can do that again, later..." she melodically sang, as if luring him into thinking that 'later' would be better.

Wide eyed and persuaded, Rufus nodded, thinking to himself that later is better, "Okay! Let's eat then."

Tifa smiled, trying not to burst into a laughing fit as soon as she saw the humorous and convinced look in his face, "Okay then."

As he gazed at Tifa's beautiful face, a pleased look entered Rufus' his; he loved this woman and this feeling she couldn't help but transmit to him. He no longer had the desire to figure things out with his father, nor worry about what he might think about his affections for Tifa. Right now, he didn't care about those. He only cared for her.

- 5 hours later: Rufus' Room -

It was around 6p.m. and Tifa Lockheart lay awake on a big, soft bed. Her eyes locking into the swirling patterns of the ceiling above her, and her mind away somewhere else. She smiled as she felt a warm hand above her abdomen, and reached to place a hand over it. She looked to her side, eyeing the sleeping form that lay there, and careful not to disturb him.

It had been at least an hour before he fell asleep from their conversation, she couldn't blame him since he was the one who talked about his past the most. Tifa, just couldn't get as deep as Rufus had shared to her. She felt very emotional about her past life, wishing it had only been a some dream. She would go so far as wishing she had no memories of her past at all; no memories of friends, no memories of family, no nothing.

Twisting her body towards Rufus', she placed a hand over his cheek. How she envied his relaxed face as he slept. Jealous at the light smile he portrayed, jealous at the calmness of his breathing, Tifa sighed. She remembered some of her sleepless nights, where she would toss and turn around so much, you'd think she was thrashing in her blanket from suffocation. Scenes of red and fire, would flash before her eyes as she closed them. And she would sweat profusely, as if the fire was real and encircled her body.

As much as she begrudged Rufus in his sleep, she was also thankful that he wasn't experiencing the same things as she was. Past his family lineage, Rufus was innocent, not one stain in his soul. Even under the influence of his corrupt father, he had not turned towards his father's teachings.

Tifa believed that Rufus was a very head-strong person, reliable, and trustworthy. Yet, there was a certain confused and dark side of him, which he was pretty willing to share. His mother had died once he was born, and carried the guilt of killing his mother all his life, even now. A cousin had been hanged by his father, because he had been secretly working for an anti-Shinra group; Rufus had also taken guilt from that, because he had been the one who accidently exposed him.

Tifa brushed a thumb across his soft face, feeling the anguish and pain of his past identical to her own mourning. What a pair they would certainly make! Two, obviously depressed and scarred-from-the-past, strangers meet and fall in love. Tifa couldn't help but smile at her amusing, yet ironic thoughts, "A love story." she whispered. She carefully leaned her head forward and gave a quick kiss, gently on Rufus' lips. She slid closer to him, placing his arm around her, and hers around him. She listened at his soft breathing before, she too fell with him into slumber.

- 10:54 p.m. -

A sound of an alarm awoken Rufus up, making him jerk upwards. The alarm? An attack?! He heard a groan beside him as he sat up and quickly turned to the woman to his side. Although the room was engulfed with darkness, the window provided enough light to let him see that Tifa was still asleep and was about to roll around to face the other side.

As much as he would love to join her side, the thought backfired as the zoned blares continued to keep him up. He quickly got out of the bed and ran to the side Tifa slept at. Shaking her lightly, he whispered as he heard her groan in protest, "Tifa, wake up!" he whispered.

Just then, the phone rang.

Rufus turned his head towards it, then back at Tifa. Seeing as Tifa was still asleep, he left her side to answer the call.

"Hello?" he asked demandingly.

"Rufus, sir? We have an emergency, sir." a soldier spoke loudly, over the deafening alarms.

Rufus struggled to hear him, but understood at least one of his words, "Emergency? What kind?"

"Well, sir," the soldier paused, "Avalanche has made their way in the security breach and is now taking control of the bottom floor. They're demanding the prisoner, sir, and President Shinra has asked me to tell you to keep her there."

Rufus kept silent, They came to get Tifa?

"Sir?" the soldier asked nervously.

Rufus knew he had to do something. He couldn't let an opportunity pass like this.... not for Tifa. As much as he hated to do it, Rufus knew he had to, "Alright, I want one soldier to come over and stay watch, while I assist my father with those pests." he ordered.

The soldier stuttered, "Yes, sir! I will be up there soon!"

"Knock when you get here." Rufus added before hanging up.

He picked up his pace as he went back to Tifa's side. Lifting her up to sit, he forced her to wake up. His eyes were soon met with a pair of hazy eyes, full of timidness and sleep.

"Rufus?" she asked, slurring her words as she spoke.

A meek smile formed in Rufus' lips, This could be the last time I'll ever see her like this... he thought to himself. "Tifa, you've got to wake up now."

Still confused with his words, Tifa ran a hand through her dark hair, "Why? What's going on?"

A soft knock made her stiffen and stand. Rufus motioned her to stand still and headed over to the door. As he opened it, the loud alarm blare filled his room, and a soldier entered.

"Rufus, sir!" the soldier saluted, "I will be sure the prisoner does not escape, si-"

A hard blow to the head had caused the man to drop to the floor. Satisfied with the soldiers response to his punch, Rufus pulled the unconscious body in his room and closed his doors. He looked up to Tifa, who hid her mouth with one hand and staring at him and the body in bewilderment.

"What the hell are you doing?" she whispered.

Turning back to the soldier, he started to unbutton his suit before answering her, "Tifa, your friends are downstairs, and I'm going to help you leave with them." He managed to removed the blue vest and shirt, and threw it to the bed top, "Get these on, you've got to impersonate a soldier and come with me to the lobby."

"Leave...?" Tifa whispered, "But Rufus...?"

Leaving the soldier in his boxers, Rufus stood up and cast his eyes to the floor. As he also threw the pants with the shirts, he sighed, "You know it'll never work out this way...?"

Tifa felt her heart collapse, Was he saying the truth? Didn't he mean what he had said to me? Didn't he care for what I said to him?

"I- I don't understand...." she felt tears forming in her eyes.

Rufus looked up, onus for the sadness he created in her. He quickly ran to her, holding her in a tight embrace.

Unsure why he had held her comfortingly, Tifa didn't care for the reason, instead she returned the hug, "I don't understand, Rufus? I thought you said you loved me... why do you want me to leave?" tears now streaming down her face.

"Tifa... it's not that I want to." Rufus pulled his head up and lifted hers to meet him. Brushing away a tear, Rufus spoke to her with reassurance, "I do love you, Tifa. I will, always and forever, but my role in this world won't let us continue this right now."

Tifa felt her cheeks burn in embarrassment, assured that it wasn't because she had been merely played on. She brushed her tears away, and let herself meld in his arms.

Rufus tilted his mouth to her ears, "I promise I'll find you again, once this is over. In Sector 7, as you said... I will come, if you wait."

"I'll wait for you Rufus." she slowly lifter her head again. Gazing in his deep, blue eyes, she lifted her lips to his.

Rufus returned it, kissing her as if it was the end of the world.

And in a way, it was to him....

One last breathless kiss...... before his whole world collapses.

That's how love goes, and that's how it's meant to him....

Next Chapter: "Last Chapter: Slipping"

Author's notes: Yay! Chapter 5 done! ^_^; Corny? Mushy? Hey, I like em' like that! Anyways, big grateful TY goes to all those who reviewed and loved!! TY everyone!