Welcome back and sorry for the delay. Keeping two active fics is more challenging than I originally thought. Hopefully the quality and story here haven't suffered for my split attention. Hope you enjoy and let me know what you think.
Tifa glanced around the bar, making sure everything was in order as she talked hurriedly on the phone. "It's Rufus. He's sending someone, Turks I think, to pick me up in fifteen minutes. I guess now it's probably more like ten. So can you come in right away? Great, thank you so much. Listen, when you get here, can you call some of the other girls? Get anyone you need. I still have a people here. I don't know how I'm going to get ready in time. I've got to go. Thank you so much, again." Tifa hung up the phone and slumped against the counter. "It isn't even possible," she thought and shook her head. "Even if I bring what I need and change later, I'll never make it." She was glad she hired a very reliable assistant to manage the bar on her days off and when she had to travel. Her manager lived close but Edge was crowded and she would be hard pressed to make it to Seventh Heaven in less than fifteen minutes. "Looks like I'll have to keep him waiting," Tifa thought bitterly. How does he think I can find replacements for tonight and expect me to get ready for a fancy dress dinner on such short notice?" Tifa hurried over to check on her table of regulars.
"Poor Tifa," one of them said. "We'd better buy you another drink. You look heartbroken."
"His loss, doll," another said. "Anyone who would turn you down isn't worth being with anyway.
Tifa smiled back at them; did she really look that upset? "Oh no, it's exactly the opposite. He's sending a car now and wants me ready to travel on a few minutes notice. Don't worry though; Celes will be here soon to take care of you."
"Then get another round and one for yourself on us, because we saw ye first and he and he can't have ya until we drink to ya," the oldest of them said.
Tifa smiled apologetically, "I really can't."
The older man would not be dissuaded. "Of course ye can, lass, and ya will. You've got somewhere else to be until your driver gets here?" His stress on the word "driver" was obvious and he emphasized it with a wink.
Tifa laughed. It was true that she couldn't leave the bar alone while there were customers in it and her alternative was to go mad with frustration and nervous energy. She brought the drinks, spun a chair around to rest against their table and sat backwards on it. "So who is he anyway that he thinks he can pull you away like that? He's ending a car. Sounds rich," the first man said. Tifa laughed again.
"You could say that," she took a sip of her drink.
"Then tell us who he is, girl. Who's so important that he can interrupt our luncheon and drinks with a beautiful lady?" The man was sitting forward in his seat, clutching his drink, as he spoke.
Tifa leaned in against her own chair, smiling smugly. "I think I'll make you guess." No sense ending the conversation too soon, she thought. Halfway through her second drink, worry could wait.
"Well, it's certainly not that Cloud fellow that always used to hang around here," the second man said. "Never could figure why he didn't make his move then he had the chance.
"Then why do ya bring him up now, since Tifa obviously has someone better?" the older man chastised him across the table.
"No, it's alright," said Tifa half to herself, "although I don't know what he's going to say when he finds out."
"How about that dark fellow what used to hang around after the Geostigma and Bahamut attacked the city?" the first man tried again. "You know: the one in the red cape. You seemed to have a thing for him back then."
Tifa blushed and shook her head emphatically. "No, no. It's not Vincent." He was hansom certainly but she wouldn't say that she ever had a 'thing' for him. The door chimed behind them while she spoke.
"I think," said the older man slowly, "that he must be one 'o them Turks, from Shinra."
"What?" Tifa looked up, startled.
The man smiled at her then nodded his head towards the door. "'Cause one of 'um just walked in here and I haven't seen their like since the old days back in sector five."
Tifa spun around and saw Elena. "Well," she turned her head back to her customers and gave them a wink, "you're getting warmer." She stood, pounded the rest of her drink, replaced the chair and walked to where Elena stood by the door. "Elena, I can't leave yet. I have to wait for Celes to take over the bar."
"Don't worry about it," the Turk smiled back, "I drive fast, Rufus will never know."
"Rufus?" a voice called from the occupied table, "Rufus Shinra, the billionaire?"
"You seem to have quite the fan club," Elena said, gesturing towards the drinking men.
"They're always here for lunch on weekends," Tifa said, "sometimes they're a little rowdy but they're a good bunch." Tifa thought for a moment and her face became downcast. "Elena, I think I have something I can wear but I don't have time to get everything together, even if I can change later. I know Rufus is a single-minded man but I can't be ready for him in time."
Elena laughed and took a seat on a nearby stool. "Then don't. Bring what you need for a three hour flight. Rufus said we could expense whatever you need so as soon as we hit Junon, you and I are going out for a shopping spree with the company card."
Tifa relaxed a little once she realized she wouldn't disappoint Rufus by being late and embarrass them both appearing unprepared at what was clearly to be a society event. She smiled when she realized Elena understood her and had skillfully manipulated the situation to solve everything while still letting them have a good time. As if it were a sign that the day was finally turning in Tifa's favor, the door chimed and Celes strode through confidently with PHS in hand. "I called Rydia on my way over to help out tonight and put Eiko and Rosa on call for tomorrow, just in case you want to stay out a little later." Celes waved her PHS for effect as she headed for the bar and tossed her bag in the back. "Now go and have a good time. Everything's under control here."
"Thanks again, Celes." Tifa waved and took her coat from the rack by the door. "All set, Elena. Buy guys," she waved to the group now finishing up their lunch and headed out the door. Elena lead the way as they rushed down the steps to the car, parked illegally, in front of Seventh Heaven. A sleek silver bike was parked crosswise in front them, blocking them in. Tifa and Elena exchanged quick worried glance then Cloud stepped off the porch were he had been witting for them to appear.
"Where are you two off to in such a hurry?" Cloud looked suspiciously at Tifa but avoided Elena's gaze completely.
"Move your bike, Strife," said Elena, refusing both to be late and to be ignored.
"We're gong shopping Cloud," Tifa said softly and stepped forward to put her hand on his arm, "its okay really but we're running late. We have to go now." She gave him what she hoped was a comforting squeeze and looked at him expectantly. He shifted his weight to the other foot and looked hard at Elena. The Turk smiled and shrugged at him.
"Early bird specials," Elena said as she rounded the corner of the car, "If we don't get there soon, all the best stuff will be gone." Elena got in the car and buckled in. Tifa gave Cloud a quick smile to reassure him and then followed her lead. Cloud looked back at both of them and realized he would not win this round. He was unwilling to initiate the necessary confrontation in front of Tifa. He revved his bike and pulled around the corner towards the garage. With screaming tires and accelerating fast enough to make any street racer burn with envy, Elena shot down the street towards the airport.
Tifa clutched the edge of her seat, thankful she'd taken the time to strap herself in. "Where did you even learn to drive like that?"
Elena shrugged. "From Reno, where else?"
The car she chose was a small one and she drove it with the finesse of any professional race driver, weaving in and out of traffic. "The other thing he taught me is to stop being bullied by the men in my life. That's a lesson you need to learn fast if you're going to survive a night with Rufus." Tifa swallowed hard. Traffic was stopped ahead but Elena made no attempt to slow down. She wanted to respond to Elena, or give her some warning of the approaching disaster, but before she could find her breath they were over the curb and speeding down the sidewalk. "When we get there, don't say a word to Rufus. Turn left as soon as you reach the lounge and walk straight out to the airfield. Make him follow you." The car jolted again as Elena returned to the roadway.
"I don't think that's such a good idea, Elena," Tifa forced herself to say as she held on to the door handle with both hands.
"Of course it is," said Elena with a quick powerslide around the nearest corner. "If we sat in all that traffic, we'd never make it on time."
"Not what I meant," Tifa tightened her grip, "that's not good either but I was talking about snubbing Rufus. Won't he become defensive or angry? I don't want to ruin the night before it's ever begun."
"Don't worry about him. He's got Reno to give him bad advice so I'm taking care of you," The world outside went dark and Tifa realized they had entered a parking garage. Elena turned the wheel fiercely and pulled the hand break. Tires screamed and the car spun one hundred and eighty degrees to a stop. Slowly, Elena backed into their parking space. She turned towards Tifa, "he's got next to no relationship experience and has spent his whole life getting his way. You've got to take the initiative and show him what to do or he'll get insecure and shut you out completely. Emotionless response is his defense mechanism." Tifa nodded and started for the building on shaking legs. "You're right on time," Elena held the door for Tifa. "Remember, down the hall then left to the airfield. He'll follow, I promise."
Elena glanced at her watch before following Tifa inside. She made the fifteen minute drive to the airport in well under five.
Reno struck his most authoritative pose. "Rule number one, sir, the lady always sets the speed. You don't go any faster than she wants to." He smiled suggestively then his expression sobered, "and that applies in more ways than one. When Tifa gets here, she's already going to be angry with you. You'd be lucky if she could get ready in an hour. Fifteen minutes is impossible. She's going to be late and you're going to deal. Rule number two, you've got to make her feel good about herself so she forgets all about whatever you did or might do to get yourself in trouble. And if compliments don't work, there are always presents. I'd suggest picking something up in Junon or calling ahead for flowers when we land. So since you've already broken rule number one, you've got to fall back on rule two. Relax when she comes in. Act casual, don't look impatient. Stand up slowly, walk over to her and give her a compliment. Then put out your arm and escort her to the helicopter. Like this." Rufus looked on skeptically as Reno demonstrated. He splayed himself across one of the chairs, lounging with one leg over the armrest. He stretched then slowly stood up. After sauntered over to Rufus, he smiled and held out his arm. "Rufus dear, you look charming this morning." He smirked again. In that moment, Reno thought that well his established job security was the most wonderful perk anyone could offer him.
"Preposterous," Rufus made a point of looking unimpressed. "I will not act like a buffoon."
"Suit yourself," Reno shrugged and went back to reclining sideways with his feet on the furniture. "But who's the lady's man, boss?" Screeching tires outside let Rufus know he was out of time.
If Rufus was nervous, years of business, negotiations, and life in the public eye prevented any signs from showing. He flipped his hair then checked his own watch, "Twenty seven minutes, round trip. I thought you said she would be late?"
Reno did not have time to respond. The door to the garage opened and Tifa made her entrance. With head held high she made her way into the lounge. Rufus turned to meet her but when he held out his arm for her, she turned away from him and gave a two fingered salute to Tseng. Frozen in place, he watched her swaying hips as they disappeared down the corridor to the runway. With one hand on the door and the other on her hip, Tifa glanced back over one shoulder and gave Rufus a wicked grin. "So are you coming or not?" she asked in the most sultry voice she could manage.
Rufus had not regained his powers of speech. Jaw set in steel and brow furrowed he ran after her hoping no one noticed how hard he had to try to prevent tripping over his own feet. Tseng followed Rufus without comment but Reno caught Elena by the elbow as she passed. "What the hell was that? I thought we were on the same side?"
"We are," she shook her arm free and glared at him. "But I know you intend to teach Rufus your dirty tricks. Remember two can play that game."
A/N Poor Reno. Can't anyone give him the benefit of the doubt? Anyway, I hope I kept the primaries in character. I'm trying to put them both in some situations they may not have encountered before to see how they'll adapt. Let me know how I did. I was planning for a little more Rufus/Tifa but you'll get that at the start of next chapter. :-)
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