Author's Note: Hi everyone! I must say I appreciate all the patience. I do intend to finish this though I may be slow in doing so. =)

CHAPTER FIVE

GONE ARE THE GOOD DAYS

It took only one full day to rebuild the Seventh Heaven.

Looking at it now, one would not even have thought that just days ago, Tifa laid on the floor bleeding to near death. The builders were instructed to take much care to ensure that Seventh Heaven look the way Tifa liked it. Although the furniture was new- and if looked closely upon, wrought with finer material than the original furniture- the homey feeling was still present. It didn't take long for Tifa's regular customers to come rushing back to the bar once she reopened. A few of her customers had expressed their condolences regarding what had happened to the children and to her, but most simply avoided the topic. Tifa appreciated that.

Wiping the last droplets of water from a newly washed champagne glass, Tifa heaved a silent sigh as she hooked it onto the glass rack above her head. In idle moments like these, she would wonder to herself what she was doing tending the bar rather than helping her friends track down the culprits who kidnapped her children. In idle moments like these, she would try to push back the questions and thoughts concerning a certain blond, spiky-haired boy…

This was why she hated idle moments.

She retrieved the champagne glass from earlier and proceeded to wipe it with much fervor.

"I'm not sure that would make a very nice crystal ball," said a deep voice.

Tifa looked up to see the handsome face of Rufus Shinra, his manner seemingly cool as he took the empty seat on the bar. All his movements were analyzed, making them appear smooth, complementing the man who is charismatic in his crisp white suit and combed back hair. Tifa looked around and found no signs of his bodyguards. He asked for a glass of water.

"Have you heard anything?" he asked silently. Tifa gently placed his glass of water over a paper coaster.

"No," Tifa answered, suddenly business-like, "I've been keeping my ears open but so far my customers are all talking about the same old things."

"Which are?" Rufus asked as he took a sip from his glass.

"The weather. Their lives. Their families. Their children," Tifa grew quiet at this last statement.

Rufus set down his glass and casually looked around the bar. A few people were exiting the establishment, trying their best to avoid his gaze and save their possibly rude commentaries for later. "Are they leaving because of me?" he asked coyly, turning his gaze back on Tifa.

"I'm sure you're aware a lot of people still haven't forgotten about all the past Shinra business. They forgive but don't forget."

"I wonder if they'll love me a little more if they found out I'm the one who paid to get their beloved Seventh Heaven rebuilt," he commented playfully.

"What are you really doing here? And without bodyguards too. That might not be a smart move," Tifa snapped.

"Well I'm not totally helpless," he said showing her the gun hidden beneath his pristine blazer, a smile played upon his lips as he said, "I'm sure you wouldn't let anything happen to me either, seeing as you work for me now."

"Let me remind you, I haven't decided that yet. I'm just keeping my ears open for you as a sign of gratitude for fixing up this place," she replied, slightly incredulous.

Rufus' stiff posture loosened a little as he ran his hand through his neat blond hair. He shifted in his seat and suddenly looked quite tired. There were circles underneath his eyes that Tifa had not noticed before. Or perhaps it was just a trick of the light. Rufus, who has every little thing calculated to the minutest detail, looking vulnerable and fatigued? It made Tifa's heart beat a little faster. She couldn't quite decide if this tiredness was brought on by new arresting developments, or the lack thereof.

"There have been…" he began, straightening up and looking more like the Rufus she was used to, "There have been some irregular activities at the ports. Ships stolen in the middle of the night and later on found in the middle of the sea, empty but still intact."

Tifa did not know what to make of it, "What kind of ships?"

"Mostly cargo ships, but some of them are fishing boats."

"And you think there is some connection to these stolen ships and the kids?" Tifa's heart was now beating faster. She wanted the answer so much to be a 'yes'. Any clue, no matter how small and incomprehensible, was welcome.

"It's possible that they've been using these ships to spirit things... or people… away. This way no one would find traces of them, since these ships belong to someone else."

"How come no one has seen anything then? Aren't the ports usually guarded?"

"This is where the Materia comes in."

Tifa's mind was beginning to comb through all the information she has been hearing the past few days. Most of what she had dismissed as insignificant she now found the need to reassess, "I've been hearing about some sort of fog lately. Some of them are saying it might be unsafe to travel by sea or fish for food until that fog lifts."

"Did they mention anything else?" Rufus asked, a hard glint in his eyes.

Tifa looked down and tried to sift through the clutter that is her thoughts. She absently set her thumb and index finger to her chin. "Something about the fog being unnaturally thick. Oh and I overheard one of my clients say he found his son sleeping inside their boat while he was catching fish to sell in the market. Said it has never happened before and that it was uncharacteristic of him. Have you been to the ports?"

Rufus nodded, "I just came from there earlier today. Mr. Valentine has confirmed he senses magic from Materia."

"They used Mist and Sleep then," Tifa said, urgency rising in her voice, "We should come up with a plan to catch these guys! It's possible they might still be here if the fog is still present."

Rufus betrayed no emotion on his face, he looked into his glass of water, thinking.

"Mr. Shinra." Tifa urged.

"I would like you to stay here and continue with what you are doing," he said when he finally looked up at her.

Tifa was so surprised she almost gaped at him, "If you're planning to catch them, I think I should be present. These kids are my responsibility! I would like to make it my responsibility to bring them back. It's only right for me to be there," she had said this with a bit more vehemence than she intended.

"There is no plan yet to speak of," he answered calmly, holding her gaze, "I will come back to let you know if we figure one out. You will be well-rested by then, enough to partake in the action, yes?" The question sounded more like a reassurance to himself.

"I would like to have a say in the planning too," Tifa replied stubbornly.

Rufus gave a short laugh. Tifa noticed how his eyes wrinkled as he laughed and decided she should be embarrassed. "They did say you were stubborn," he stood up, straightened his suit and turned a charming smile at Tifa, "Don't worry, I will do my best to convince your friends to let you join us. I understand the importance of this matter to you."

His words felt sincere and Tifa found herself relaxing a bit, "Thank you, Mr. Shinra."

He rested his hand dramatically over his heart, "Please," he said, "Call me Rufus," He gave her a small bow and said, "I hope you consider my offer for you to join my Turks. I understand this kind of spy-work may be boring. But then again, you come from an injury. It would be no good if you injure yourself again too soon," he said, trying to sound nonchalant. But was it a hint of concern Tifa had heard in his voice?

She immediately dismissed the thought. Her mind was playing tricks on her because her head injury hasn't fully healed yet. She thought she felt a tiny headache coming on. Tifa bowed back at him to give the appearance of decorum, but did not say any more. He took that as his cue to leave.

The whole room held its breath as Rufus Shinra smoothly made his way to the door. He glanced back at her one last time before silently slipping out, shutting the door firmly behind him. Like a water balloon popping on the ground, the room burst back into animated chatter. Some of the patrons were looking at her from the corners of their eyes, no doubt whispering tales they conjured up in their minds just now. Tifa pretended not to care, or not to even notice the watchful eyes regarding her. Some on them jealous, some of them inquisitive, some of them even disapproving. She wasn't one to be the center of town gossip very often, but she hated every minute that she was.

She snatched Rufus Shinra's glass off the bar counter and left it in the sink to clean itself.