She

By: General Quistis ([email protected])

Disclaimer: I definitely do not own anything……………..

Author's Note: Sorry for the delay. It's so ironic for me to write happy endings when I'm so very broken-hearted right now… ;_; But here goes… I'm sorry if it's too short… but it's full of meaning. =')

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NINE: Love Lives

            Rufus could feel the coldness of the air around him and the dampness of the surroundings. He could recall being so afraid and so confused, but he instantly forgot everything when he felt someone touching his face and whispering his name in the most loving way he has ever heard. He slowly opened his eyes and was surprised to see Tifa holding him, trying to support him so that he would not sit by himself and sink down into the water. He wanted to move away because he was surprised upon realizing that he was inside the well, but she held on tight to his arms, trying to keep him still. "Shh. Don't move. The ground is filled with grime, you might slip and the water is very dirty." She told him with a concerned look on her face.

He stood up properly and he found out that the water level was only up to his waist. He looked around them as he moved his hands up to her arms and gently squeezed them. "What were you doing back then? I know that people are telling me that you are crazy but I don't believe them…" he trailed off when he noticed her crimson eyes. They did not look blank anymore. "…or are you?" he asked with a challenging look on his face.

She shook her head. "I don't think it's crazy if you love someone so much," she said as she gazed up into his eyes with a gentle smile on her face.

The dimness of the place made it hard for Rufus to realize that Tifa was holding a piece of paper that was dripping dirty and murky water on his white coat, but when he did notice it, he let go of her arms and gently grabbed her left hand that was holding the paper. "What's this?" he asked.

She just smiled at him as he tried to read what was written despite the dimness of the place. He narrowed his eyes as he read the first two lines, "I've seen your face from a far in a portrait of beauty and madness…" and recognized his own handwriting and his own words. He slowly turned his gaze back to Tifa and he saw something shine from her eyes falling down her cheeks. She was crying… but they were tears of joy.

Rufus's hard and cold expression suddenly softened and all he could do was reach for her and take her in his arms and embrace her as tightly and as lovingly as he could. To his surprise, he realized that he himself was crying… but they were also tears of joy. "Oh my God… what is happening to me?" he thought.

He never realized that only one person could change his life and his attitude all of a sudden just because of the simple reason that he loved her.

She leaned her head against his chest as she smiled and sighed heavily before closing her eyes and didn't say anything more.

Rufus looked down at her and frowned slightly when he realized that her eyes were closed and her breathing was slowing down. "T…Tifa?" he asked. He slowly withdrew her from him but still keeping his arms wrapped around her in a gentle embrace. He moved his right hand to her left cheek and gently patted it. "Tifa?" he repeated. Her head began to limp downward until it landed on his chest. He stopped when he heard her snoring. He smiled in relief. "Thank God…" he whispered happily before hugging her closer to him again. He looked up at the opening of the well and saw that the sun was almost down. It was beginning to get darker every second. "Now how do we get out of here?" he muttered glumly.

Rufus just jerked slightly upon surprise when he saw someone peek from above them. "President Rufus? Are you in there?"

He recognized the voice and he smiled. "Yes! I'm here, Reeve!" he called out.

"Is Miss Lockheart alright?" another voice called out from above.

Rufus looked back at Tifa then up again with a tired smile on his face. "Yes, she is! She's asleep! Give us a hand here, will you, Elena?" he called out as he reached for Tifa's hand and his thumb traveled to her wrist near her thumb and he was amazed when he felt her pulse beating.

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