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: Chapter Twenty-Eight...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 Twenty-Eight: Old Wounds and Intimate Mornings

His icey-blue gaze drifted over her still form as she sat, huddled, head nestled in her knees. If he hadn't known better he might have assumed she was sleeping. But of course that would never happen. She was too distressed.

Worrying about him.

What was so great about that worthless red head anyway?

He just couldn't fathom why she still needed to come here. Or why she cared so much about the Turk's well-being.

Wasn't it obvious that he, Rufus Shinra, could offer her so much more?

Wasn't she suppose to have chosen him?

"Mr Shin-Ra, you've been very quiet."

Rufus made no initial attempt to acknowledge the young man. He wasn't important. He was just a nuisance. And if there wasn't the high possibility that this nuisance could cost him his life, he might have ignored it. That being said, he wasn't quite ready to beg for mercy either.

"Well Miss. Lockhart and myself just walked in on you and Reno here. It seems your business is with him, so they'd be little reason for me to get in your way. Though I would appreciate it if you'd hurry up with whatever it is you're doing...this is hardly how I wanted to spend my day."

He could feel the anger radiating off his companion but he really couldn't bring himself to care. She was in the wrong here. She should just hurry up and realise it. The red head was ruining everything; he wanted Tifa for himself.

And that just wasn't acceptable.

Tifa was his now.

"What the hell is wrong with you!"

Was there something wrong with him? No. He was right.

"Nothing is wrong with me Miss. Lockhart. What I said is perfectly correct. He didn't come here for us so why should we get involved?"

Why should he risk his life for that pitiful excuse for a Turk. He hadn't even done his job right. It was all his fault. He had gotten what he deserved.

"How many times do I have to say this! He's your Turk! And he's my friend! I thought you understood that I care-"

He could practically feel his blood begin to burn beneath his skin.

"Well maybe it's time you began to think with your head, instead of leaving everything up to how you feel."

Her palm hit the floor with a tremendous force, but he refused to be fazed. She just didn't understand. She was run by her emotions.

"Do you really still believe that feelings are a weakness? We talked about this damn it!"

Of course they were a weakness. Look at what they'd reduced him too. He was barely able to breathe.

"Are you saying...my life isn't as important to you as his?"

His attention sharpened as he waited for her answer, but her eyes flickered and her lips parted without a word escaping.

She was faltering.

Damn it.

"Why..."

His clenched fists tightened and his fingernails dug deep within the skin of his palm as he felt his chest clench painfully from the sheer frustration raging through his body.

"Why what?"

"Why is it ALWAYS Reno!"

The moment of silence that descended upon the room was deafening. It felt like they were going through a tunnel; the air growing heavy to such a degree it was almost crushing.

Tifa's widened eyes blinked in rapid succession.

"What...what do you mean?"

The young male just glared at the floor, squeezing his fist one more time before exhaling a deep, long-held breath. He had to restrain himself.

"Rufus?"

A loud bang sounded from the opposite side of the room as the 'Doctor' hit the edge of the hospital bed with the side of his gun.

Apparently he didn't quite appreciate their little outburst.

"Listen, I've had just about enough of you two, now stay still and keep quiet!"

His teeth were gritted as he spoke; it wasn't hard to notice the last few remaining threads of control breaking about this man.

Personally Rufus would have liked nothing more than to have this man tortured for his insolence. And he would be at some point. There was no doubt about that; no one could run from Shin-Ra.

Unless he took out the Turk, then Rufus might just make an exception.

But at that moment there was nothing he could do. He hated being sopowerless, and usually he would have taken the time to berate the 'Doctor' by now, but the raw, stronger feelings brewing within him right now were more than enough to take over.

The young President slumped back against the wall, very much in the manner of a child who had just been sent to his room.

He could sense her eyes on him, but he purposefully ignored her. She didn't deserve his attention.

A fast, rhythmic ringing sounded from the 'Doctor's' pocket; the male looking just as surprised by the noise as the room's other occupants. He promptly reached inside his jacket and pulled out a mobile phone; staring at it for a few moments as if it might explode in his hand.

Everyone knew mobiles weren't to be used in hospitals, but somehow Rufus already knew that rule wasn't going to be of much use here.

He seemed to snap out of his stupor and answered the device, bringing it quickly up to his ear. His words were rather inaudible, but at least he was distracted from them now.

The young female edged ever so slightly closer to her companion; her breath playing teasing on his cheek making it rather harder for him to ignore her.

"Rufus, what-"

"Just be quiet."

His voice was low, almost too quiet to hear, but his words were very clear.

He'd had enough.

Though apparently, she hadn't.

"Listen, I'm not one of your workers, you can't just tell me to shut up."

He shrugged lightly.

"Well I just did."

He heard a soft huff from the female beside him.

Must she always find annoyance in everything I do...

Couldn't she just let him be? It seemed to Rufus that he was never really going to be good enough in her eyes.

He didn't want to be more emotional, or open. There wasn't a need. So why did she insist on it? Was Reno so able to please her in that respect?

What was so wrong with him? He was an object of perfection. Surely he was everything that Turk wasn't; successful, powerful, stylish, ambitious, refined, eloquent. He could give her the world. But of course that wouldn't satisfy this woman.

Maybe that's why he wanted her so much.

The President drifted his gaze up towards the hospital bed, only to find the red head staring straight at him; brow lowered and his usually glowing eyes darkened.

Seemingly he wasn't too happy about the President's earlier outburst the fact that Tifa was resting herself so close to him.

How interesting...

A smirk curled its way onto the young male's lips, as he ran a few fingers through his silver blonde hair.

He slowly slid his hand over to Tifa's leg; the sensational quickly gaining her attention.

"Rufus what-"

She soon silenced herself when his free hand took possession of her cheek. If he'd had the time, or inclination, he might have marvelled at the softness of her skin, or the warm that flushed beneath his finger tips as he caressed her.

He flickered his gaze between her and the red head, before pulling the young woman towards him; bring his lips to meet hers in a rather intimate fashion.

Rufus could practically hear the red head's jaw drop and when he finally released his companion, he was smiling in a type of triumph.

Turning towards the hospital bed, he eyed the patient with a restrained delight.

"Is there a problem?"

Instead of kicking off at the young President like he had anticipated, the red head turned his anger on Tifa; disbelief laying heavy in his voice.

"Did you- Are you with him?"

Rufus cocked an eyebrow mockingly.

"Does that bother you?"

The young woman shook her head, desperate to quell the already brewing confrontation, even though she was more than a little confused by the situation herself.

"Reno, it's not-"

"I can't believe this. What were you thinking? He's- you've always hated him!"

"Listen, let me explain-"

"What the fuck have you been doing Tif?"

A deep chuckled resonated from Rufus. This was most amusing.

Unfortunately, his companion didn't agree as she turned to him with a sudden realisation; one that was ladled with disgust.

"Is this what all this has been about? Your jealousy?"

The Turk pulled himself up a little; nodding in an almost comical exaggeration.

"Well of course it is! He's like this Tifa, you should have-"

The young President sighed.

Now that's enough of that...

"Excuse me, but you seem to have forgotten you're my employee; you should think more carefully about your behaviour. Are you really so ignorant as to think she'd ever choose you?"

"You are one step away Sir."

"You're hardly in a position to threaten me, Turk. You're barely able to breath-"

Tifa groaned in a deep frustration.

"You two are such children!"

She quickly slumped off to the side; turning her face away from the pair of squabbling men. Though that didn't bother Rufus. He was more interested in riling up the red head, who seemed more than willing to comply.

"I bet you black mailed her into this didn't you?"

"Oh, don't be so absurd. She just wants me; clearly a reality that you can't handle. See Miss. Lockhart, I think you'll find he's the one that's jealo-"

When he turned to the young woman, he found she wasn't even paying attention; instead she was staring at the 'Doctor' with a certain concentration.

"What is it?"

"I don't know- wait a second..."

"Tifa-"

"I don't believe it...that idiot."

Her tone was whispered, and much to his surprise, hinted at amusement.

Rufus took a moment to observe her, though the only conclusion he could come to did nothing to clam his confusion.

"You- do you know him?

She turned to face him with brightened eyes, as if she'd figured out the answer to a very hard question; the previous argument forgotten for a moment in light of her discovery.

"He's that stupid, fool of a doctor that I knocked out! Isn't that-"

As she swung back to look at her captor her voice vanished; he was staring straight at her.

Apparently he hadn't been on the phone for the last few seconds of their conversation.

She swallowed hard and a nervous laughter hummed in her throat.

"He seems a lot more intimidating now that he has a gun."

The 'Doctor' took a step forwards, his eyes narrowing, though not in anger but rather smirk taunting/jeering

"I thought you seemed familiar. You were the one asking all those questions about the Turk. Hm."

Before the young woman could take another breath, he had crossed the room, grabbing her roughly by the collar and lifting her up, slamming her body back into the wall; knocking the air out of her in an abrupt crack.

Tifa's eyes widened as she tried to compose herself; her mind still catching up with the what had just happened. Who knew this man could move so fast?

He took a couple of deep, almost laboured breaths, before smirking; his lips curling almost too sharply.

"Well it's only fair now isn't it."

The 'Doctor' turned his face slightly to display the extent of the black-blue bruising around his eye which had served as such a mind jog for Tifa before.

"An eye for an eye, right?"

Reno's voice shot through the air.

"Don't you touch her!"

"I'll do what I like Turk."

"I swear I'll-"

Rufus tightened his fist as he listened to his rival continue with his warnings.

Oh, I don't think so...

If anyone was going to protect Tifa, it would be him. He wasn't going to let that red head take all the praise.

The young President shifted into action without a second thought, charging towards the 'Doctor' with full force; intending to knock him down with one, swift blow.

Regrettably, it seemed his movements hadn't been as quick, or as unnoticed as he would have liked.

Who'd have thought this man would be able to connect a punch directly against his weapon scar?

The first thing he felt was a dull internal ache in his side, before a white-hot pain shot through his body with a most incapacitating force.

He'd forgotten just how excruciating a thing it was to endure; but then he only had himself to blame. It was there to remind him after all.

And that was something Tifa would never understand.

* * * Flashback * * *

He combed his fingers back through few of his silver-blonde strands; now slick with beads of sweat. The female lay shuddering beneath him, her skin still connected with his own and radiating a most exquisite heat.

This had been more intimate than before. And it was strange. He wasn't used to it being like this. There was such affection in it. Every touch, every breath, it all meant something. Part of him felt so uncomfortable with the clearness of it all; like he'd just revealed everything he'd ever hoped to keep hidden.

He couldn't tell if he liked it or not.

Rufus threw himself back against the pillows, and almost instinctively drew her up to rest against his chest.

None of this made sense. Is this really what people did when they were together? Was this what was going to be expected of him?

They lay there for a few moments in silence, waiting for the heartbeats to calm and their bodies to cool. It took him a while to notice that he was brushing his fingertips up and down her arm.

Why was he doing that?

She sighed.

It sounded contented; he liked that.

"You know this is complete insanity right?"

He hummed in agreement, but only because he didn't know what else to say. She was right, of course. How was this ever going to work?

But then, he could no longer entertain the idea of her being with someone, anyone else and not being his anymore.

Because that's what she was now; his.

"I might go and see Reno tomorrow..."

He huffed. Why did that Turk have to come into everything? He always seemed to be getting in the way; ruining the moment.

Pest...

But then, hadn't he agreed to be more 'understanding'? So maybe this came into that; maybe he was suppose to suddenly understand her need to care about that red head.

"I see..."

A short silence followed, before he added resolutely.

"I'll come with you."

"You sure?"

Of course he was sure. This was no debate. This woman was unreadable to the extreme. Who knew what could happen if she went there alone? That employee of his could devastate everything.

"Absolutely."

Rufus tightened his grip around her body; pulling her closer against him.

Oh yes, he was very sure.

His mouth felt dry, and the sunlight playing against him wasn't helping.

Waking up was usually different than this. But then, he usually awoke alone.

The male drifted his gaze over to the form beside him; her shape curled around the duvet as she stayed deep within the thralls of slumber.

Well this was new. He couldn't recall a time he'd ever woken up to find a naked young woman next to him. All his other 'companions' had been politely kicked off the premises once he'd had his enjoyment. After all they weren't there for anything else.

And yet here he was, next to a really quite unremarkable woman, in her bed. So why didn't he want to leave?

"I must be losing my mind."

She stirred, the small utterance from him disturbing her enough to cause her to turn, before cuddling up against him; quickly returning to her sleepy state.

He froze.

What was he suppose to do?

He hesitantly drew his arm around her front, resting it on her hip from a brief moment before quickly withdrawing it back to his side.

The movement seemed to rouse the young woman, as she shifted beneath the covers, before raising her head; a small blush appearing on her cheeks upon realising her companion was awake, and she was very much nuzzling him.

"Hey..."

Her voice was light, as if her voice had yet to fully return to her.

A smile crept onto his lips.

"Good morning."

Tifa turned away again, her hair falling in front of her face like a mask.

"I look bad in the mornings..."

Ah he'd heard about this. Many of the women that worked in his office were always going on about it; the hideousness. He was almost scared to look.

The male pulled himself up against the headboard; massaging his shoulders as he yawned.

"Yes, maybe you should go and shower or something; sort yourself out."

"Hm..."

There was annoyance in her tone, but he could almost hear amusement there also; as if she'd expected such a response.

She slid off the bed, picking up a spare towel hanging over a nearby radiator, before wrapping it around her bare form.

Rufus's heart sank a little.

Well that's a shame...

His now covered companion began walking towards the bathroom, a yawn now escaping her own lips.

"Well I suppose we should get ready to go..."

Confusion crossed the young man's face.

"Go?"

"To the hospital, remember?"

The car hummed gently as it rolled along the grey, rain-stained road.

It was quiet, but not uncomfortable. In fact the air almost felt 'warm'. He wasn't used to being in such an atmosphere, especially with her; it was nice.

He drew his attention over to his companion, whom seemed to be busily fiddling with her clothes; was she nervous? Whatever the reason, he couldn't quite stop himself smiling at the activity.

Tifa's gaze rose and as their eyes met, her lips quirked into a smile, though her eyes quickly darted back to her lap.

The silence only remained for a moment longer, as her fidgeting stopped.

"Before you asked me 'how do you do that'..."

She paused before as she returned her crimson-tinted gaze to his once again; now hooded with curiosity.

"What did you mean?

Hm.

He wouldn't have thought she'd ever remember such a thing. But then, she did seem to enjoy surprising him.

The male shrugged; a sigh escaping his throat masking the slight nervousness he felt at his answer.

"Just...you talk so freely. About your feelings, about others feelings, what you see... it's just- you do it so easily."

His gaze drew to the window, as if he was talking more to himself than to her.

"It must be quite a freedom."

If he'd been looking, he might have seen her view him with what some might have assumed to be pity.

"You could do the same, you kn-"

"No."

"Why not?"

"I..."

He faltered; something he wasn't used to doing.

He had power, but freedom was not something he had ever allowed himself. He only had who he was. If he changed, if he didn't follow the rules that he'd been taught to live by, he could destory everything that had been build for him, by him. Did she really want him to risk all that for her?

Losing everything he had for a woman was a frightening thought.

But then, as much as Rufus hated to admit it, the thought of losing everything he had with her was also most disconcerting.

* * * Flashback End * * *

A dull thumping resonated painfully within his skull.

Wait, where was he?

Why did everything feel so fuzzy? His fingertips brushed against something incredibly cold. It was hard. Tiles?

Oh yes, now he remembered. Had he really passed out?

How embarrassing.

And what was his head resting on? The warmth pooling around him was comforting, though he couldn't fathom where it was coming from. It most definitely wasn't the tiles.

They better not have put him on that bed with the Turk.

He tried to open his eyes, but for some reason they resisted. Had they really grown so heavy? Maybe if he just opened them a little, but even that took an awful lot of effort.

Great. His focus was off.

Even his hearing felt muted, as if he were wearing earmuffs. Though of course he would never be seen with a pair of those abhorrently fluffy articles.

A groan rumbled in her throat as his vision finally cleared; the sharp intake of light penetrating his brain was most offensive.

"You probably shouldn't move."

He recognised that voice.

Rufus squinted and soon found himself looking up at a rather familiar face.

"Hello Miss Lockhart."

She smiled weakly.

"Hey."

Her voice sounded so broken.

Has she been crying?

It took a few moments for him to realise that she was stroking her fingers through his hair. Had she been doing that since he passed out? His gaze shifted slightly as he tried to watch her almost instinctive movements; the action instantly purveyed as discomfort by the female.

"Sorry."

She darted her eyes away, as a light pink hue rose in her cheeks.

Damn it. A while ago he had been so angry at her. At what she was doing to him. But now, he just couldn't help but find her completely endearing.

A small smirk pulled at his lips.

"What are you embarrassed about?"

"I-It's just-"

Her teeth pulled at her bottom lip as her gaze dropped completely; her expression contorting as if she was fighting something inside her. As he watched her he couldn't help but notice the thin sheen of moisture growing beneath her eyelashes.

Rufus might have rolled his eyes if he'd had the energy.

Oh great, what did I do now?

She began to tremble, but only for a moment, as her body soon became deathly still; her eyes still cast down, as if she couldn't bear to look at him out of fear of losing her composure.

"Are you feeling ok? I mean...you're gunna be fine, right?"

If he'd been able to, he might have chuckled.

"Why the concern?"

Her gaze shot to meet his own, though it was narrowed out of anger now.

"How could you ask me that? You told me how serious that WEAPON attack was, and you- You could of died!"

This time he did manage a chuckle, though it was very much close to being nothing more than a soft rumble.

So you do care.

"I just didn't know what to do. I used to be stronger than this. Why am I so pathetic."

She turned her head away and Rufus could feel her body tense around him.

He'd never be able to understand this woman. Not a few hours before all her thoughts were seemingly held by Reno and now, here she was, on the verge of tears because he'd been hurt. He should have been happy. So why wasn't he?

True her emotional responses to things had often disturbed him, but that's who she was. But now she seemed to be almost desperate to deny them; as if they were a weakness to her. Had he really made her feel so pathetic?

Not too long ago he would have revelled at the thought; to bring this woman who treated him with such disrespect to her knees. To make her feel like she was worthless. But he found no joy in this now.

But, why?

Why was it that he was hurt so much by her anguish? Why was it that he couldn't bear the idea of her being taken by someone else?

He sat up swiftly; his companion protesting franticly beside him, but he didn't pay her any heed. His body was acting on impulse now. All he knew was that he had to get her out of here.

The young male took a quick glance at the room's other two occupants. The Turk was still lying on the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. The 'Doctor' was beside him, phone pressed to his chin in concentration; clearly still trying without success to come to some sort of decision.

Tifa pulled at his sleeve questioningly.

"Hey, Rufus, what's the matter? Are you sure you should be moving like that?"

The young man didn't bother to answer.

He should never have brought her here.

She could get hurt, or worse and that was not an opinion. Not for the sake of that red head. Her worth to Rufus had become unequalled and he was not about to lose her now.

He slowly reach out his hand, and almost silently turned the door handle beside him; the gentle click signalling its opening going very much unnoticed by the 'Doctor' whom was still lost in thought.

His other hand encircled around the young woman's forearm with an almost bruising force. He wasn't going to ask if it was too tight. That didn't matter. He could feel he struggling against him but he was doing this for her own good. Why couldn't she see that? That Turk was bad for her. She would surely thank him later.

A shot of adrenaline rushed through his body as he yanked the female form behind him and slid through the doorway.

That, unfortunately, didn't go unnoticed.

Their footsteps barely had the time to echo down the corridor before gun shots filled the air.

High-pitched ringing of alarms reverberated violently against his eardrums.

"Sir, sir can you hear me?"

He hadn't even felt the bullet penetrate him, but he knew it had. The blood pooling around his body was evidence of that.

What a poor show Rufus...

Voices were sounding around him but he couldn't place a single one.

"Get some help down here!"

Had he really gone down so easily? His body truly was a wretched thing sometimes.

And for the second time that day he couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed.

A/N=

Well I wanted to get this out before my birthday but I went a little crazy with some anime shopping and have had to spend masses of time rearranging my room and buying bookcases to house it all *looks away in shame* though it was all worth it of course XD and then I decided to cut my hair, so I spent a good few days chopping it off, tidying it up and then re-dying it...I took a little too much off but it looks pretty swish :D

Also I had to get over the complete disappointment of all my friends, save one, forgetting my birthday. Yep, that's right, I didn't get a single happy birthday from one friend. My best friend, who was away in Brazil, did spend three hours finding signal to send me a happy birthday text though so that was pretty amazing XD

So onto the chapter!

Flashback time!

I had a lot of fun writing the flashback, especially the cuddly bits, mostly because freaked out/confused Rufus is adorable. I'd imagine he'd have NO idea or history in acting like this with women XD

Once again a large chunk of this chapter got transferred over to the next chapter as it just fitted better, though I still managed to get a lot into this chapter and I'm very happy with the length, because I feel my updates have been lacking a little resonantly.

I know I said all of this was going to be in Rufus's POV but I did switch it around a little in the second section though I felt that was needed, hopefully you guys didn't mind too much...

I really tried to portray Rufus's inability to accept things that are his fault and his need to blame others I tried to avoid him referring to the 'Doctor' as his captor either, as I don't think he'd see him as that, and I don't think he'd want to admit that, at this point, his status had been quashed somewhat. It's a man-power thing XD

I was intending on writing a lemon in the flashback scene but I decided against it...which I think was the right choice. I don't like writing lemons unless it has something specifically to do with the plot. Though at this point I'm unsure as to whether they'll be another before the end...which is coming very soon!

YES THAT'S RIGHT the gun-wielding dude is that annoying doctor whom Tifa took a swing at. If I mention a character once, they usually have something to do with the actual plot ^_^ So he was obviously lying a little in their cafeteria conversation...naughty naughty...

The next chapter will be a mixture of both Tifa's and Rufus's pov and hopefully I'll be getting it out within a week. Yes, that's right, I said a week. I really want to finish this story before I start university so I can relax for the first few weeks!