Fields of Gold

Chapter Two

"In other news, WRO president Reeve Tuesti has let out a statement saying that the reconstruction of Midgar will go under way in the next few months."

Rufus clicked off his television, not having the energy to listen to more nonsense. The meeting with Reeve had gone over smoothly, and that was because the Vice President didn't have energy to argue. He had sat there the whole time, nodding his head and trying his best to listen. The visit he had with his doctor had exhausted him more then he thought it would, so instead of trying to convince Reeve that rebuilding Midgar was a bad idea, he just sat there and nodded his head.

He let his blonde hair fall in his face and sighed quietly. He had a scotch in his hand and even though that was his fourth one, he still felt sober. He couldn't get his mind off of what his doctor had said, and even though he understood that he needed to take the situation more seriously, he didn't want to admit that he actually needed help. He had survived geostigma, so why should he be worried about cancer?

He downed his drink quickly, trying to keep his thoughts from straying too far. He had changed into sweat pants and a t-shirt, and while he sat on his couch he couldn't help but feel like he was being smothered. He had just become the Vice President of the WRO, he was just starting to make some changes for the better, and his reward was to be plagued with that? Of all the times he could have died, it had to be when he wanted to make a new name for himself and repent for what he and his company did?

"If your spleen is hurting, it means that it's most likely enlarged…we'll have to try radiation therapy if that's the case."

He thought back to what his doctor had said and felt his hand start to shake. He shook his head violently and then threw his glass across room and with a loud crash as it broke. He stared at the place where the broken glass was and felt something stir in his chest. He let his green eyes wander around his apartment, and felt something tug at his heart. The thought of not being in the world, the thought of his apartment being vacant, the thought of his Turks no longer bothering him – it all made him feel sick to his stomach.

However, he was Rufus Shinra, and there was no way he'd go down without a fight.

"Hey babe, can you out some cinnamon in my pancakes?" Reno grinned at Elena, who was standing in the kitchen about to start cooking. She immediately looked over at him and glared while flicking him off.

"Stop calling me that, jackass." Her voice was venomous, and even though Rufus went through his whole process every Saturday morning, it never ceased to amuse him.

"Oh come on, don't act like you don't like it."

"Reno, shut up or get out of my apartment."

"Come on babe."

"Reno." Tseng's voice interrupted the banter between the two, "Show some respect. Stop."

Reno threw his hands in the air, "Sorry, yo." He snickered and then looked over at Rufus who was sitting in the armchair and trying not to fall asleep. "Man, what's up with you lately? All you ever do it sleep."

Rufus blinked stupidly, processing the information and then shrugging. He didn't say a word to the red head, but continued to sit there in his dazed state. He had gone to his doctor's a few days ago, and as it was he needed to start radiation therapy as soon as possible. He was going to need to take a break from work, and even though Rufus could understand why, there was no way he was going to compromise his work. He could manage both, he was Rufus Shinra. He had dealt with worse things, like advents and being kidnapped.

"Bossman?" Reno's voice took a more serious tone, and when he glanced over at the red head he saw that in his turquoise eyes there was a bit of concern.

"I'm just stressed." Rufus answered while sitting up straighter. Tseng raised an eyebrow at his statement, and the vice president continued. "I'm the Vice President of a company that needs a lot of work, I just need some time to adjust and get things on the right track." He had never been thankful that he could lie like it was a hobby, but at that moment he was. He didn't want them to know what was going on, at least not at that moment.

"Well, maybe you should relax some." Tseng's voice broke through his thoughts, and when he looked up at the Wutian man he shook his head.

"I'm fine."

"I don't think so, you've seriously lost some weight, yo."

Rufus closed his eyes, trying to keep his aggravation to himself. "I'm fine. Just leave it alone." He didn't mean for his voice to come out so harshly, but when he opened his eyes he saw that Reno had a puzzled expression on his face while Tseng seemed to be trying to process what was going on. Rufus shook his head at his Turks, "I'm alright, I just need to eat."

"Well don't worry, you'll be eating in the next thirty minutes!" Elena's voice chirped from the kitchen.

"Hey babe! Cinnamon on my pancakes?" Reno grinned and then looked over his shoulder at the woman.

"Fuck off Reno. Go eat somewhere else." Her brown eyes were narrowed, and despite how petite she was, she looked dangerous.

Reno laughed and then looked over at his partner. "Man, what is it with the women here? They're all mean and don't appreciate my compliments."

"Maybe you should try complementing them in a different way." Rude offered.

"Hmmmmm." Reno looked over his shoulder again and then smiled at Elena, "Your boobs look great in that shirt, yo."

"Reno! Enough!" Tseng narrowed his eyes at the red head, and Rufus had to force himself not to laugh.

"That's not quite what I meant." Rude said while shaking his head at his partner.

"Whatever, yo."

Rufus looked at his Turks and had to keep the smile off his face. He liked spending time with them, they were the only people he could depend on, and the only people he could call family. He didn't want to jeopardize that over something that might go away.

"Alright Mr. Shinra, we're done for the day."

Rufus looked up at the doctor who was in charge of his treatment. His doctor had sent him here, and he honestly didn't like how young this new doctor looked. He smiled at the Vice President, and slowly Rufus sat up.

"Same time tomorrow."

Rufus didn't say a word, he just wanted out of there. He felt congested and sick. He slid off the table that he had been sitting on and walked toward his clothes. He looked back at the doctor and then raised an eyebrow.

"Mr. Shinra, I understand that of all things to happen, I'm sure you never considered or expected this. I just want to let you know that if you have any questions, I'd love to help."

Rufus stood there for a moment, and then thought it over. It wasn't as if he actually had someone to talk to this about, he hadn't let anyone know what he was doing. At that very moment he was on his lunch break, and was currently late getting back for work. He looked over at the young doctor and then nodded. "Thanks."

"Your other doctor was talking to me, and I was under the impression that after this, you might be going under chemotherapy?"

Rufus nodded, "He wants to send me to a specialist though, so I probably won't be seeing a lot of him anymore."

"I see." The doctor walked toward the door, and then looked over at the vice president, "Well Mr. Shinra, until tomorrow." He walked out of the room, shutting the door behind him and leaving Rufus standing in the room alone.

The vice president slipped on his white suit quickly, and then walked out of the office. He had driven himself there, so that way no one would know where he was. He was at the General Hospital in Edge, and even though the city needed a lot of work, the hospital was something he was slightly impressed with. He walked through the bright hallways toward the exit. He hated the artificial smell and once he was in the lobby he quickly walked out the front door. The fresh air felt like a godsend, and as he walked toward his car he thought of an excuse he could tell his Turks.

"You Shin-Ra bastard!"Cid's voice echoed throughout the bar, and when Rufus looked over at the booth the pilot he was sitting at, he had to keep a grin from adoring his face.

Reno, Rude, Yuffie, Barrett, Cid, and Cloud were all sitting at one round booth, playing a card game called, "Bullshit." Rufus had never tried to play before, but from what he understood from watching the group, Reno was good at it. The red head was laughing at the pilot who was still cursing.

Tifa was behind the bar, tending to the other customers, while the evening rush was just starting to begin. Rufus watched her as she floated from one end of the bar to the other, and he couldn't help but wonder why no one had stopped to help her yet. He looked down at his drink and dismissed it. It wasn't his place to say anything.

"Are you alright Rufus?" Tifa's voice broke through his contemplating.

He nodded his head and then took a swig of his drink. He was starting to feel fuzzy and even though his doctor had said that he needed to rest as much as possible, he decided that he'd do whatever the hell he wanted. He glanced behind him at the booth again, and watched as Reno threw down his last card.

"One nine!" He screamed as he looked over everyone who seemed to be contemplating his statement.

"Bullshit!" Yuffie chirped while grinning

Reno started to laugh, and then grabbed the car he had just set down. "Look with your own eyes babe. One. Nine." Yuffie groaned and then threw the rest of her cards down. Reno stood up abruptly, and then smirked at the people around him. "Alright, cough up the money, yo!"

Rufus turned around and listened to them argue. His head was starting to pound from the noise that was filling up the bar, and even though it normally didn't bother him, it was at that moment. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. He was only here for appearances, because all he wanted to do was sleep. He sat there staring at his drink, trying his best to keep how he was feeling under wraps. He sat there for a few more minutes, and tried to breathe slowly. He was starting to feel nauseous and even though he had been told he might be sick, he hadn't really expected it.

"Bossman? You're pale as shit." Reno's voice made him jump slightly; he hadn't even realized the red head had walked over to him. He glanced over at his Turk and shook his head. He breathed through his mouth and out his nose; it always made him feel better.

Except this time, it wasn't making him feel better. He could feel the haunting feeling in his chest and the buildup in his throat. He quickly slid off his barstool, walked passed everyone quickly and proceeded to run to the bathroom. He burst through the door, hung his head over the toilet and at that moment his chest heaved and he started to make disgusting noises. The acidic feeling of bile filled his throat and mouth and he was glad his eyes were closed so he didn't look at the mess.

"Oh gross, yo!" He heard Reno behind him and he wanted to slap himself for not shutting and locking the door. "Geeze, how many drinks did you have?"

Rufus coughed violently, and once he started to calm down he set his head down on the toilet seat. It felt cool against his forehead and he tried his best to ignore Reno's presence. He felt so exhausted that if he could have gotten away with it, he would have slept right there.

"What's going on?" Reno's voice was serious and he felt the red head kneel down beside him. "This can't be just stress, you're Rufus Shinra, stress isn't new."

Rufus ignored him.

"Bossman?"

Rufus closed his eyes and continued to ignore him. He had to think of something, anything. He didn't want to tell them what was wrong, he didn't think that at that time, it was necessary. He'd be fine, he had survived worse things.

"Rufus, what is it?"

The Vice President picked his head up and looked at the man knelt down beside him. The concern in his eyes was evident, and Rufus shook his head lightly. "I'm fine, must have been something I ate."

"You don't eat."

"I ate this morning."

"I doubt it. Did you eat lunch? You weren't in your office when I stopped by earlier." Reno sounded strange, and even though Rufus had known him for years he had no idea where this conversation was going.

"Yes. I ate." That's a lie.

Reno stared blankly at him and finally Rufus was annoyed. "Reno, drop it." He had meant to sound more demanding, but instead he sounded lazy and exhausted. He stood up slowly, thankful his legs didn't start wobbling. He flushed the toilet and grimaced at the taste in his mouth.

The Turk didn't say another word. Rufus walked out of the bathroom and through the small hallway. The bar seemed to be more crowded, and instead of even trying to act like he could deal with it, he walked toward the front door. He opened it and was thankful it was getting closer to winter. The cool air made the heavy feeling I his chest loosen, and he sighed thankfully.

"Home?" Rude's voice made Rufus blink, because he had completely forgotten about him after his confrontation with Reno.

"I guess." Reno said while walking down the steps.

Rufus looked at the red head and suppressed a sigh.

Sorry it took so long. I know that a lot hasn't happened yet, but soon the story will move a lot faster! But please review and tell me what you think!

-C