Here it is, short but finally updated. Hope you enjoy. Thanks to everyone who reviews, you really keep this story going.

Rufus was furious. Tifa was compelling, enigmatic, and frustrating all at the same time but he was not angry with her. Rufus realized that he was being controlled and he knew that the puppet-masters were on his payroll. He caught up with Tifa as she reached the helicopter. "Wait, Tifa," Rufus reached out and grasped her hand to prevent her from continuing. She stopped at turned to look at him, at first unsure what to do, but then he noticed her features harden and caught a wicked gleam in her eye.

"What do you want, sir?" Tifa practically spat the last word. Rufus' stomach wrenched and he felt as though she had slapped him across the face.

He dropped her hand and brushed roughly past her, all thought of apology lost. "Nothing," he said, as he climbed into the helicopter and took a seat near the window on the far side.

Outside, Tifa slumped in defeat against the body of the craft. Hear head was bowed and she barely heard the cockpit door open and close. Blue suited legs filled her vision. She traced them upwards, across well defined back and shoulders to long black hair. Tseng blocked her from the view of anyone in the airport. "Stand up," he commanded, "and you will not always be a pawn. Get inside." Tifa pulled herself together and climbed the short ladder into the helicopter. Unsure of her current position, Tifa took the seat across from Rufus but turned to sit next to him when he did not look up or acknowledge her. Reno and Elena climbed on board, taking two seats across from them. They sat in silence as the helicopter lifted off and Tseng set a course for Junon. Rufus eventually shifted to pull a yellow notepad out of his briefcase and began writing.

Tifa felt terrible. Despite Elena's assurance that cold, aloof behavior was best, she could not imagine anyone enjoying the treatment she gave Rufus in the airport. "We're fourteen years old, on the school bus. We like each other because our friends say so but we have no idea what to actually do now that we're face to face," Tifa thought despairingly. Whatever the Turks thought, Tifa had enough. She waited patiently, watching Rufus for some sign that it might be a good time to interrupt his work. When he tore off the top page from the pad, folded it in thirds and slid it into the inside pocket of his jacket, Tifa took her chance. In what she hoped was a friendly manner, Tifa placed the fingertips of one hand against Rufus' arm, near his shoulder. "I want to thank you for inviting me to dinner tonight, and flying me all the way to Junon. I'm sorry for acting the way I did earlier." Tifa looked at him expectantly, hoping for some reaction, but he stared emotionlessly across the cabin.

Rufus knew that Tifa was touching him because small tendrils of fire snaked from his arm and coursed through his body. He could not believe, after hearing her heartfelt words, that she acted of her own volition when she arrived at the airport. He was impressed that she did not make any attempt to shift the blame where it was due and felt guilt of his own for failing to apologize for his own ill manner. He examined Elena for any reaction but she was as cold and professional as always. He could not read her. Reno on the other hand tried to look bored but was obviously following their conversation with some interest. When Rufus caught his eye, Reno winked and mouthed "go for it."

Tifa sighed, despairing of getting any reaction from Rufus and resigning herself to a long awkward day. She bowed her head and let her arm fall limply through the space between them but was startled into awareness when her hand met something firm. Rufus caught it in both of his as she dropped it and turned his whole body to face her. "Tifa, I…" His own apology caught in his throat. Rufus inhaled sharply. "Thank you for coming." Tifa could see his eyes staring down at her. They were blue, like Clouds, but pale and cold. He didn't smile and she was close enough to see the sadness in his eyes, usually hidden behind icy demeanor. Tifa smiled reassuringly and opened her mouth to speak but her words were lost in a large yawn she could not stifle. Giggling, Tifa raised her free hand to cover her open mouth. Her laughter broke all of Rufus' defenses. He smiled at her as he spoke. "It's all right. You were out late last night."

"Then it was you," Tifa began again softly. She noticed that Rufus showed no signs of relinquishing his grip on her hand. "You brought me home. I almost believed it was a dream until I saw the glass Cloud broke when I left. All I remember clearly is your eyes." She blushed and turned her face away from him. Rufus loosened his grip on her hand. One arm reached around her shoulders and pulled her towards him, resting her head on his shoulder. He stroked her hair and felt her relax into him. A few minutes later, soft breaths told him that Tifa was asleep. He breathed in the scent of her hair and felt it soft against his cheek. Reno raised an eyebrow and grinned slyly at Rufus, but the young president did not notice. At last he held her again and with Tifa in his arms hours passed like seconds. Tseng landed the helicopter in Junon far too soon for Rufus' liking.

Tifa stirred as they landed. She drew back to find Rufus half asleep himself but he smiled at her. "I trust you found my shoulder more comfortable than a wooden table?" The Turks hauled open the doors and took up their position outside, flanking the ladder.

Rufus debarked first then offered Tifa his hand to help her climb down from the helicopter. He placed his arm around her waist to guide her way and as he released her Tifa felt something firm slide into the waistband of her skirt. She looked at Rufus but he had already turned away and was giving instructions to his Turks. Raising one hand to her hip to investigate, she found a folded piece of yellow paper and tucked it into a pocket for later as Elena came to her side.

"I hope you're ready," Elena said, waiving a credit card, "because we have about three hours to hit every designer shop in the city."

Tifa was amazed at the number of high end shops in Junon since she rarely left the industrial quarter near the port and airfield on her prior visits. She rushed to pick out several gowns and closeted her self in a dressing room at the first opportunity. Hastily tossing the dresses on a peg, Tifa sat on the cushioned seat and pulled the note from her pocket. In clear, fine script, she read:

Everyone here has their own agenda.

They mean well, but they will manipulate you to "help" me.

You are my freedom. Be who you are and nothing else.

If you think Turks are bad, wait until you meet the paparazzi.

Scrawled in hasty script at the bottom of the note, Tifa read:

Nothing is too good for you but don't let Elena spend too much on herself this afternoon.

A/N Thanks again for reading. Reviews are always appreciated.

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