Disclaimer: Final Fantasy does not belong to me...however much I may like it to. I own no characters, places etc. etc. so please don't sue me! I'm a nice person :)
Author's Note: Second chapter! Woop, I bit more action in this one...:)...PLEASE review as I really enjoy reading your views and they inspire me to get better! It would make me very very happy! Anyway stop reading this and get on with reading the fic! Hope you enjoy! :)
Chapter Two: Unwelcome Customers and Heated Threats
The young bartender poured the amber liquid into the glass tumbler, before slowly sliding it across the smooth surface of the bar and towards the waiting customer, ''Here you go Sir, enjoy!''
She watched as the ageing man made his way over to his chosen table, while stroking the bottle of alcohol that she'd laid on the bar absent-mindedly.
It was early evening and Seventh Heaven had only just opened, the place seemed almost desolate apart from a young couple and the elderly man she'd just served.
It proceeded to stay quiet until the remainder of the daylight faded and nearly as soon as the clock hand met the the eighteenth hour, the brunette heard the rumble of a familiar vehicle pulling up outside.
Turks...well at least they bring Reno with them...I swear he only spends his paycheck on booze and pizza...not that I'm complaining...
The bar door swung open dramatically and she smiled as her gaze met the red head's, he had a habit of making big entrances and his undying self confidence was something the brunette had come to admire.
Reno flashed her one of his ever so charming smiles, though his eye line faltered slightly as he felt the unmistakable presence of Rufus drift past him.
Her bright eyes flickered immediately, narrowing to two angry slits, and her eyebrows arched in confusion ...What is he doing here...
Nothing could withold the anger that stirred within her, it was like a red hot poker had pierced her flesh and was now slowly consuming her.
She had never felt such a lack of control over her emotions, but what surprised her more was just how infuriated the sight of a man, whom she'd barely talked to or even had much contact with, was making her.
The brunette's icy stare was on broken when the red headed Turk arrived at the bar, while the other members of his party took seat at a table by the window.
''Yo babe, how ya doing?''
Tifa began preparing glasses for the drinks she already knew he'd want, ''I've been better...what are you playing at...bringing him here?''
The young man's face cringed into a somewhat apologetic expression, ''Oh yeah...sorry about that babe...couldn't persuade him to go anywhere else.''
''I'm not happy about this Reno...'' She shot the Turk a death glare to end all death glares, forcing an uncomfortable shudder over the man.
He swallowed nervously, ''I can see that.''
Tifa grunted and handed the four drinks for him and his fellow Turks, before raising a rather suspicious eyebrow, ''What does...he want?''
He shifted his gaze ever so slightly to the table, around which Rufus sat, and paused in thought for a second, ''Erm...double whisky.''
The brunette turned around and grabbed a small glass and a half empty bottle, ''Hm...figures...''
Once the drink was ready she handed it to a rather wary looking Reno, ''You didn't poison it did you?''
A slightly sinister smirk graced her pretty face, ''Not this time...''
Reno chuckled nervously, not knowing whether to take her seriously or not, and began balancing the many glasses in his slender arms.
As he was about to walk away and return to his table she muttered warningly, ''Just keep him away from the bar!''
''Will do babe.'' He attempted to wave at her with his elbow as he walked away.
Tifa let out a tired but frustrated sigh and basically hissed at the red head's back, ''And stop calling me babe!''
Rufus sipped the last few drops of warming liquid from the glass and lowered it slowly to the table.
The Turks were deep in conversation, debating whether or not the secretary on level twenty two has really a man. The President watched them for a while in amusement, though it was hardly what he'd call intellectually interesting, and he soon found his gaze distracted when a bright light glinted off of something behind the bar and directly hit his pale blue eyes.
After taking a few moments to focus on the offending item, he found himself admiring the emerald green clip that resided in the young bartender's smooth brown locks.
He took in every detail, the way it seemed to reflect so prettily against the light, the way the tiny butterflies looked so perfectly real, and the way it hung ever so lightly upon the young woman's head.
Rufus was concentrating so much on the eye catching clip he didn't notice the glares he was receiving from its wearer. It wasn't until she turned her head swiftly that he took note of her discomfort.
He eyed her with curiosity, remembering what Tseng had said about her obvious dislike for him, and he couldn't help but wonder what she might do if he took the liberty of confronting her.
The rest of his party were so distracted by their discussion that they didn't notice the young man rise from the table and make his way over to the bar.
When the brunette saw the approaching customer, she flashed Reno a dangerous glare, only to find her eyes meeting with the back of his head.
Within seconds the young blonde was leaning against the bar surface, waiting patiently for the young woman to take his order.
Tifa attempted to ignore him, but then thought better of it, after all the sooner he got his drink, the sooner he'd leave her presence.
She made her way over to the him him, flashing a clearly fake smile ''What can I get you?''
''I'll have another whisky...single this time.'' He watched as she grabbed the bottle of brunt amber liquid, and took the quiet moment to inspect her appearance.
From his table he wasn't able to see her face so clearly, but now he was standing barley half a metre away, and he was surprised that someone so common was so attractive.
Her skin was pale and flawless like a china doll, yet her shape revealed her to be much more of a woman, her features where so feminine, the small line of her nose and the rose pink tinge that flushed her lips so evenly and her eyes ...her eyes showed such maturity, but still shone with a youthful glow, showing her to be someone who was forced to grow up before her time.
When the young man's gaze once again fell upon the sparkling item placed on the woman's pretty head, he decided it was time to speak, ''That's a...nice item you're wearing.''
He was met with a rather confused looking woman, so proceeded to wave his hand towards the vicinity of the clip to signify what his compliment was directed to. When all he received in response was an uncomfortable silence he continued, ''Where did you get it?''
The brunette screwed the bottle top firmly in place before putting it back on the shelf, ''It was a gift.''
''Hm, figured as much.'' When he saw her eyebrows arch quizzically at his rather strange statement, he decided to elaborate, ''It just looks like a relativity expensive item.''
Her rusty eyes flashed wildly, ''And what is that supposed to mean?''
Rufus ignored her question completely and instead concentrated on her tone, ''Are you always this testy?'' His voice was filled with amusement, but also curiosity, he couldn't deny that a part of him wanted to test this tense young woman and find what was lurking beneath.
There was a slight pause before she snapped rather abruptly, ''Get out.''
He was unable to stop his eyebrows from raising in surprise, ''Excuse me...?''
''You heard me...'' Her gaze was strong and penetrating, so much so that he didn't notice the slight tremble in her voice, ''I want you to leave.''
He observed her stance for only a moment before replying, his tone swimming with a powerful defiance, ''No.''
''Get out, before I chuck you out.'' Tifa was trying her best to keep her voice steady, but the red hue creeping across her face revealed her obvious frustration at his continued presence.
''I think you'll find I'm a paying customer and I haven't done anything wrong.''
''You're Rufus Shinra...that's enough...I warned Reno not to bring you here.''
The blonde flicked the light strands of hair from his eyes, his voice lined with authority, ''I have a right to go where I like.''
Tifa's face contorted with the anger she was unable to restrain any longer, ''No you don't! Just because you think you think you're Mr. High and Mighty doesn't mean you get to strut around anywhere you choose!''
It was Rufus's turn to let his eyes flash dangerously, ''How dare you speak to me in such a fashion.''
''I'll speak to you however I like!''
''I'm the Pre-'' Although his face remained pale, his skin feltlike it was burning with the fiery insolence of the young woman.
''I know exactly who you are, and what you do...I've lived through it...you're nothing but the nightmare of my youth, all you've done is ruin my life, and frankly, you're lucky I haven't hit you yet!''
Instead of quivering in fear like Tifa had hoped he would, the blonde allowed an arrogant smirk to spread across his thin lips, ''You really are quite...spirited aren't you...''
Tifa's glare faltered, and her tone lowered, ''And you're nothing but a bully...''
The blonde's icy gaze met with hers for no more than a few seconds before he replied, his answer seemingly directed at himself rather than the bartender, ''Maybe...''
Though his response had filled her head with many intriguingly confused thoughts, the brunette snapped back at the offending customer, ''Definitely...now...get out.''
By now the Turks had noticed the confrontation taking place between the pair and each one seemed to make the silent decision to leave.
Rufus turned and nodded in agreement to his fellow party members, and downed the glass of whisky that had been sitting on the bar for some time.
As he laid the empty item back down on the surface, he leaned forward, his face coming dangerously close to the young woman's, and whispered threateningly with a hint of amusement, ''You're going to regret this.''
It took every drop of the brunette's will power not to let her stare falter, and as she watched him leave her furious glare remained, making sure the fear growing in her mind was only known to her.
When they were gone and the bar door came to a gentle close she let out a shaky sigh and slumped her top half down on the hard surface of the bar top, What have I done...
A/N=Ok I just want to clear something about this chapter, I myself have read a lot of RufusxTifa fics and most of them have Tifa cowering away from the President if he imposes his authority, as in if he mentions the fact that she's talking to the head of the most powerful company in Gaia, she'd be all ''Oh I'm sorry...'' etc etc and while I do think she'd be quite scared I really don't think she'd show it so easily.. I see her as someone who would fight back, ESPECIALLY if it involves someone who has caused her so much pain! Just yeah...encase I get any complains from readers saying Tifa was OOC of anything.
Oh and you know what, I think I've decided that there should be a RenoxTifa friendship in this, just because I love the red head so much and I think it would be good to get him involved...plus they seem to have a good rapport.
Anyway I'm done now, next chapter should be up sometime early tomorrow!