For Honor or Glory

Surprise

Chapter 29

Alex had gotten Angeal's permission to use one of the gyms on the Soldier floor, but she still had to force herself to finish at least a whole hour. However, by the time she was done, she almost wished she had never even heard the suggestion. She had already been out of practice when she first got to Midgar since she was pulling from memories that were little more than dreams. Still, when she first tried, she had loved it, even if it had been hard. Now, after months of pushing her body into exhaustion and doing little more than sitting on her ass or pacing around tiny spaces, she just wasn't in shape to handle it. She could already feel bruises forming from multiple falls. At least she knew Genesis wasn't supposed to be in until dinner time, so she had plenty of time for a nice long soak and maybe a potion before she needed to start cooking.

She stopped by her brother's office to at least let him know what she planned so he wouldn't worry. He gave her a concerned look before the door was even shut. "Alex, what on Gaia happened to you? Were you mugged? Do I need to file a report? What did they look—"

Alex started chuckling and held up a hand. "Wow, way to make me feel good about myself. I guess maybe I'll take a spotter with me next time."

He came around his desk and looked at the lurid bruise on her shoulder with a frown. "You got that from working out? Do I even want to know what you were trying to do?"

She shook her head tiredly as she patted his arm. "Don't worry. It's nothing that a little time and maybe a spell or potion won't fix. Besides, that isn't why I'm here."

Angeal let out a little sigh as he gently took her arm. "Here, let me take care of it for you. I have a feeling you are planning on surprising Genesis today anyway. You don't take off early for no reason."

Alex felt her cheeks heat, but she just grinned at her brother. "You got me. I wanted to cook dinner for him and have it waiting when he gets in."

Angeal frowned slightly. "I know he said he should be in by six or seven, but it might be later."

Alex waved off his concern. "Which is why I am here. I just wanted to let you know, so you won't worry about me. Don't wait up."

By that point, Angeal had finished the spell, and Alex groaned in relief. She rolled the shoulder she had landed badly on and grinned at her twin. "Thanks. I still plan on taking a bath, but I was afraid that shoulder was going to be too stiff to move before long."

Angeal nodded at her absently as he listened to what she said, but it was only a moment before he stopped abruptly and frowned at her. "We don't have a tub."

Alex laughed at the look. "No, but Genesis does. I thought I told you he gave me a key a few weeks ago? How else am I supposed to surprise him? Don't worry about it. I still need to get a few things, but that's why I'm here now. I'll be there all evening. Since I don't know when he'll be back, it could be late when I get back too. So don't worry about me. I know if I don't say something, you will."

For just a moment, Angeal looked like he had more to say, but he finally took a deep breath and gave her a smile. "Alright, I won't wait up, but don't expect me to say I won't worry. That would be like asking me not to breathe."

Alex snorted at his partial teasing but gave him a quick hug. Her voice was low when she said, "Don't ever change." She then pulled back and gave him a wave as she headed toward the door. "Love you!" She smiled as she heard his chuckle and similar response as the door closed behind her.

From there, she still had a little shopping to do before she headed to the apartments. If she wanted to make the most of this surprise, she had to have everything just how she wanted it. At least she had time to set up. She grinned as she hurried down to finish getting the last of what she would need.