Seventh Heaven

Chapter Two

Broken Bonds

After watching Cloud and Aeris drive away into the sunset Tifa saw Rufus about to board his helicopter. She didn't see Barret anywhere so she figured she's go say goodbye. Just before Rufus could get on board Tifa tapped him on the shoulder. They looked into each other's eyes and shared a long passionate kiss. They were so lost in each other that they didn't hear Barret approach.

"Get your grimy mako-paws offa Tifa!" Barret shouted while shooting his gun into the air.

"Barret?!" Tifa shrieked.

"Don't worry Tifa I'm here to save you!" Barret yelled.

"I'm fine Barret!" Tifa screamed. Barret turned to Rufus.

"Next time you hurt Tifa Imma kill you!" Barret warned. After warning Rufus about what he'd do to him Barret walked away. Tifa breathed a sigh of relief once he was out of sight.

"Damn, we got caught," she whined.

"What's his problem?" Rufus asked.

"He lost a lot because of ShinRa. His home, his arm, his wife, you name it he lost it." Tifa explained.

"I see." Rufus said as he boarded the helicopter. As he was flying away Tifa waved goodbye.

"I'm back!" Tifa said as she entered the door to Seventh Heaven.

"Papa! Tifa's home!" Marlene announced.

"Hey Tifa, want me to kick that son of a bitch where the sun don't shine?" Barret asked.

"No need." Tifa replied.

"Oh, I see…you already took care of that." Barret chuckled, "atta girl!"

Tifa didn't answer.

"Are you okay?" Barret asked. But Tifa didn't answer, she just ran into her room. She was tired of living a lie. She didn't like keeping secrets from Barret, they've been comrades for a long time now. But this was a secret she could never tell him. She felt like she was betraying him by going out with the man who was in charge of the thing he despised, the thing she despises. But Rufus is Rufus, he isn't ShinRa itself. Tifa buried her head into her lap contemplating the choices she made.

That night after Barret and Marlene went to bed Tifa snuck out. She would meet Rufus at the Honeybee Inn late at night; it's sort of a tradition that the two of them have. When she reached the inn a girl dressed up in a bee outfit greeted her. The girl led her to the Lover's room where Rufus was waiting for her.

"Sorry I'm late." Tifa said.

"Eh, it's no big deal, I have tomorrow off anyway." Rufus said with a wink. "Here," Rufus held out a dark red slit dress, he signaled Tifa to put it on.

"Don't look." Tifa snapped.

"It's not like I haven't seen you naked before." Rufus teased.

"True but it still makes me feel uncomfortable if you see me naked." Tifa confessed.

The girl in the bee outfit entered the room with a bottle of champagne. She gave Rufus the bottle and left. Rufus began to shake the bottle leading to the cork flying into Tifa's cleavage.

"Sorry." He apologized.

"Eh it's okay," Tifa said, "now we're even."

"Even?" he asked.

"Yeah, remember when I spilled the drink on you?"

"How can I forget…"Rufus said with a smile. Before Rufus could pour Tifa her glass Tifa ran into the bathroom. Rufus had no clue what was going on, he sat pondering what could have happened to make Tifa run out like that. Just as he was about to go look for her Tifa came back into the room.

"Must have been the wedding cake." She said.

"What happened?" Rufus asked.

"I couldn't keep the cake down." Tifa said. "I don't know if I'll have any champagne tonight I think water would be better."

"Okay," Rufus said sympathetically. He signaled for the girl in the bee outfit to bring a pitcher of water. The two of them talked for a while about the wedding and about Barret. Tifa wondered how Barret and Marlene were doing.

Barret walked out of Seventh Heaven and towards Wall Market. He headed straight towards the place Tifa was, the Honey Bee Inn. The same girl in the bee outfit greeted Barret.

"I'm lookin' for someone!" he shouted.

"Do you need help finding them?" the girl asked.

"No need!" Barret said as he walked towards the Group room. Inside he saw a large group of bodybuilders bathing in the same tub, he felt a little uncomfortable watching that. Then he walked towards the top left room. Looking inside made him feel like he was having an acid dream. Next Barret checked the Queen Room, all he saw in there was a dirty play. Finally Barret looked through the keyhole to the Lovers' Room; it was just as he thought.

Barret began shooting at the door to the Lovers' Room. Rufus and Tifa jumped and Tifa quickly grabbed the dark red blanket to cover up. Barret was standing before them; he looked angry steam was coming out of his ears.

"SHINRA!" he shouted.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" Rufus asked angrily.

"TIFA!" Barret shouted. "THIS IS WHO YOU WERE SLEEPING WITH HERE?"

"How did you know?" Tifa asked.

"There was a pair of panties in the hallway at the bar that said 'I got pollinated at the Honey Bee Inn' on the ass. They sure as hell weren't mine since I don't wear frilly things, and they sure as hell aren't Marlene's 'cause they were too big. So they were obviously yours!" Barret said.

Tifa's face was red, heck she could feel her entire body turning red.

"I figured you'd be here, after all this is the only place you can get these panties. I didn't know whom you came here with though. Of all the scumbags in the world it had to be this guy! I'd prefer you slept with Hojo before you slept with him!"

"Barret please…" Tifa began to beg.

"I'm going back to the bar to pack your stuff up. I don't want to see you ever again!" Barret yelled as he slammed what was left of the door.

Rufus walked Tifa back to Seventh Heaven. Seeing her stuff waiting outside Tifa burst into tears. Rufus grabbed her things and made a call on his phone. Just then his helicopter landed in front of Tifa.

"I got you into this mess. You can stay with me for a bit." Rufus offered.

"Thank you Rufus." Tifa said smiling through the tears.