Never Planned On You
Tifa didn't mind the Turks coming to the bar for a drink on Friday nights. They were a comical bunch, and more often than not, they brought in the president. However, he acted like he was dragged rather than invited. Each time he came, his briefcase was swinging from his hand, paperwork strewn all over their table. Once, Reno tried to steal some paperwork to distract his dedicated boss. He never tried it again.
It was Friday night again, and although Tifa never really spoke to him, apart from the usual "hello" and "how are you?", her curiosity drove her to find out more about him. He had always sparked her interest, and she still didn't know what kind of person he was.
The evening went fast with the Turks and the president in their usual corner, and the regulars having their usual heated debate about some meaningless subject. She loved to hear the conversations in her bar, and the respect she received for her establishment was very high.
Tifa glanced at the clock. Midnight. She grabbed her dishtowel and began to ring the bell above the bar. "Okay, folks! Party's over! Have a good night! I have a telephone for anyone who needs a cab."
Tifa was glad that her customers were good at clearing out fast; by the weekend she was worn out from the previous five days. She stood by the bar, waiting for a request for the phone or for a tab to be paid. She glanced over at the "ShinRa table" and saw Reno pull his pockets out his pants, revealing he had no gil in his pocket. Elena smacked him and Tseng rolled his eyes. Rude shook his head, and Rufus was in the process of putting papers back into his case. He said something to Reno before standing. He approached the bar, and Reno called out behind him, "Thanks, boss! I'll pay ya back!"
Tifa smiled as Rufus caught her eye as he rolled his eyes and grinned. He put his brief case on the bar and pulled his wallet out of his back pocket. "How much do we owe you tonight?"
"250 gil," she replied. Rufus looked up.
"For what?"
"Uh-" Tifa went to the cash register and took out a receipt. "Four beers, a vodka, three glasses of Scotch, a bloody mary..."
"Okay, okay."
Tifa suppressed a smile as Rufus pulled some paper money out and placed it on the counter. "Reno's getting a pay cut for this."
Tifa laughed as he pocketed his wallet. "You sure work hard." She motioned to his briefcase.
He shook his head. "Trying to close a deal with a complete moron who knows nothing about business. I don't know why I'm still trying."
The barmaid gave a sympathetic smile. "Its okay. I asked Cloud to be a waiter one night when it was busy. BAD IDEA."
Rufus let out a hearty chuckle. "Cloud as a bus boy. Somehow, I can imagine how that would've gone down. He's an interesting one."
Tifa nodded. "He sure is."
The bar had emptied, and the Turks came up behind Rufus. "Sir? How are you getting home?" Elena asked.
Rufus shook his head. "I'll take a cab home. I need to drop something off at the office, anyway." They left, leaving Rufus and Tifa, the only ones left in the bar. Tifa nodded at the door. "They're very loyal."
Rufus grinned. "They are dedicated. There's none who I trust more with my life."
Tifa studied him as he flipped his hair. There was something about him that always fascinated her. She couldn't put her finger on it...but she wanted to find out.
"Do you wanna have a seat? I can get you a drink. On the house. You know, one for the road." Now you're babbling, she said to herself.
Rufus hesitated, but nodded. "Sure."
Tifa poured a glass of Scotch and handed it to him. He took it, but didn't drink. He just looked at it.
"I never thought I would say this, Miss Lockheart, but sometimes I wonder why I'm in this business."
Tifa raised an eyebrow. "But you're changing the world. This time for the better. Isn't it wonderful to be a part of it?"
Rufus shook his head. "I had so many plans, but...I don't know. Miss Lockheart, I never open up like this. Sorry to bore you with my problems." He took that moment to down his drink.
Tifa shook her head. "There's something about bartenders that makes them good listeners. What do you mean, plans?"
Rufus shrugged. "I was kind of hoping that something had changed by now...not in company business, but...personal business." He gave a humorless laugh. "All I do is just live to sign this contract, make that speech, build those solar plants..." he trailed off. Damn, Rufus, she's not your psychiatrist. Shut up about your life.
Tifa saw the conflict in his face. She placed her hand over his. He looked up, but didn't pull away. "I completely understand," she said. Rufus met her eyes, and she continued. "I don't want to be stuck behind this bar the rest of my life. There's something more to my life, I know it. And pretty soon, I'm going to find out."
She pulled her hand away, and walked down to the other end of the bar to grabbed some dirty glasses. She turned her back and began loading the dishwasher. Rufus watched her intently, noticing the graceful way she moved, the fairness of her appearance, and the way her skin felt. It was the first time he had physical contact with anyone in a long time. She was warm, soft, gentle. He was studying at his hand when he looked up to see her holding the Scotch bottle.
"More?"
"No, thanks." Tifa smiled and put the bottle away. Rufus tilted his head to the side, his look thoughtful.
"Tifa?"
The hairs on her neck stood up when he said her name. It was almost a whisper, low and resonant. She turned. "I have to go. But I would like to continue this conversation. How about lunch tomorrow?"
Tifa blushed, almost dropping his glass. "I-I-yes, I would love to. Talk and have lunch. Yes, thank you. That would be nice."
Rufus hid his amusement as she turned to put down his glass. He got off the barstool and winked at her. "Thanks for the drink."
She nodded. "You're welcome."
"Pick you up here at noon?"
"Sounds good."
Rufus gave her one last smile before he exited. She locked the door behind him, and finished loading the dishwasher. After a quick wipe-down of the tables and sweep of the floor, she made her way up to bed.
Well. I never planned on that.
Meh. Who knows where lunch will take them? More plans they never intended to make. :D