A/N: I know, it took a while for an update on this one. I'm sorry. I'm also sorry if this chapter seems a little odd. Hopefully, you guys will like it.

Just to be clear on what's going on in this chapter: The italics are what Rufus is hearing and when Rufus is speaking, he's replying to the voice, even though he's alone.

Also, thank you to all of you that have reviewed! (gives cookies)

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Rufus slowly opened his eyes, seeing nothing around him. He was slightly confused by the change of scenery. The last place he remembered was his office, where he was looking out the window. To wake up in a place void of everything, unnerved him.

'Where am I?'

He started walking around exploring the area, thinking that he would see someone else here with him. Instead of seeing anyone, he heard the voice of someone that he knew, and was unsure why he couldn't see them.

The medics say that there's a good chance that you'll feel that leg again and you'll be able to walk. They don't know for sure of course if you'll have full use of it again, but they think that it's a good possibility.

Rufus looked down at his legs. 'Tseng? What are you talking about? I can feel my legs and I can walk just fine. I have no idea what you are talking about. Now stop hiding and come talk to me.'

Instead of seeing Tseng come out of hiding, he heard a jumble of words, a panicked Tseng and people scrambling about.

Just hang on a little longer Rufus. You're almost at the hospital.

Rufus wasn't sure if he should be confused about what Tseng was talking about, or upset that he was continuing this "act" with him. 'I appear to be in the middle of nowhere Tseng; I highly doubt there is a hospital nearby. Besides, why would I need to go to a hospital?'

Just then a loud beeping noise rang in his ears. He covered them to block out the sound, but it only made it louder. 'Someone stop that damn beeping!'

Over the ringing, he could hear Tseng's voice, What's going on? You said he was stable! Do something! Don't you dare let him die.

'Die? I'm right here! I'm not dead! Seriously Tseng, you are really starting to get me upset. What do you think you'll accomplish by doing this? Come out of wherever it is you're hiding, now.'

He stopped for a moment, waiting for Tseng to appear. Looking around his surroundings he realized that there really were no places to hide. There was only white emptiness and nothing in it, except for him and a faint blue-green light in the horizon.

After a while, Rufus shrugged and sat down. He noticed that the beeping had finally stopped and he could make out what seemed to be voices. He tried to hear what they were saying but he could only make out some words.

…would be a shame…

'What would be a shame?'

…so young, had a lot of promise…

'Who did?'

…would have turned the company around…

'Are you talking about me?'

…you're talking as if he was already dead…

'Reno! What the hell is going on here? Who are they talking about?'

…President's injuries?

'My injuries?' He looked down at himself again. 'But I'm fine. I don't see any of these "injuries" that you say that I have.' Rufus strained to hear the doctor list his so-called injuries.

…smoke inhalation, internal bleeding…concussion…blood loss…back…broken…

Rufus cursed himself for not being able to hear everything that was said. He did notice though that when the doctor was done talking, everything went silent.

...miracle he survived the explosion.

'Explosion? What explosion? I wasn't near an explosion. I was in my office ordering the launch of the sister ray...' Rufus stopped mid-sentence, remembering what had happened. 'That guy got on the radio and said an energy mass was coming towards the building. I saw them coming...'

Realization hit Rufus, 'My office was blown up and I was in it. I guess the injury list makes sense, but it still doesn't explain where I am.'

Sighing, Rufus heard Tseng speaking again.

…his prognosis?

'Why do you sound so down Tseng? It's nothing that I can't handle. A concussion never stopped me before and the rest of these injuries won't stop me either.'

…40 chance to make it through the night…

'That's it?? Thanks for being so optimistic doc. I'll just have to prove you wrong, now won't I.'

…survives the first 8 hours, goes to 70...

'It will jump 30 just because of 8 hours? I can handle that.'

…if his heart stops again…can't guarantee we can restart it….

Rufus fell silent for a moment. 'Heart stopped? Was that what that beeping meant? Then it stopped when it started again? That must have scared Tseng and the others to no end if they were with him. Funny though, I didn't feel anything.'

…might stay in a coma for a while…unknown at this point…

'Coma? I'm in a coma? I guess that explains this place, whatever this place is.'

He heard the shuffling of clothing and then a calming voice talking to him.

I know you'll make it through this, Rufus. You're tough, you'll make it through. No matter what happens to you, I know you'll keep fighting.

Rufus smiled. 'Of course I will Tseng. Given that you are so sure of my survival, I can't exactly let you down and die now can I? I have no idea how I'm going to go about it, but I'll wake up soon. I promise.'

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A/N 2: I know it's still pretty much up for debate if people in a coma can hear you or not when you talk to them. I prefer to think that sometimes they do and sometimes they don't. At least that's how I'll make it in this story. Rufus can hear some things they say when they're with him, but other times, he'll just be asleep in that "coma world" and not hear them.

I hope that you guys liked it! I'm thinking of making a few more chapters about Rufus in his little "coma world" if you do!