For Honor or Glory

Should Have Listened

A/N: I know this may be a bit hard to read since this does involve Hojo, but nothing is graphic and not too bad. Just wanted to give a heads up.

Chapter 44 

Alex felt cold sweat trickling down her spine at the look Hojo was giving her. It was even worse that he hadn't tried to grab her yet. She had no idea what his game was, and she still wasn't at full thinking capacity. She backed all the way until she was pressed against the partition. Hojo continued to ignore her movements, though. Instead, he kept talking like it was a normal conversation. "I am glad we took a sample of your blood before we started the boosters. I found the most fascinating discovery. It seems you had a higher concentration of Jenova cells than I had anticipated.

"I ran several tests to try and determine why that might be, and the only conclusion I could come to was because you were female. Your gender would have made you the preferable host to begin the reunion if there had not been a better match available."

The man's eyes narrowed, and he seemed to be looking into space as he continued in a near whisper, "I suppose if Sephiroth had been female, that would have been the perfect specimen."

Alex was trying to inch around him while he was lost in his own world, but as soon as those words were out, he focused on her once again. "It is no matter. I am far from finished with my research."

He then smirked at her again. "I have yet to be able to confirm everything, but I do believe that your gender may be contributing to your ability to assimilate Jenova cells much easier than your male counterparts. It may also be why you have such tremendous regenerative capabilities. Not even Sephiroth was able to heal as quickly before he was enhanced."

Alex frowned and, for the first time, wondered if her soreness every time she woke up hadn't just been from the constant boosters. Hojo did not give her long to worry about it before he motioned to the Tsviet in the doorway. "I am quite excited to see how much your new enhancements have improved that capability. If it is as great as I anticipate, I may see if I can pinpoint the cause so that I may pass it on to Sephiroth as well. He is already nearly perfect. It could only make him that much closer."

Alex didn't miss the note of pride in the man's voice, but it only sickened her. It wasn't the pride of a parent, or even for Sephiroth at all. No, it was more like he was proud of what he had accomplished.

Her anger at his attitude was jerked to a halt when the smirking Tsviet grabbed her. This time, she was more prepared. She almost smiled when his smirk was erased as she pulled her arm out of his grasp. "Keep your hands off me."

She felt her heart in her throat almost immediately as the young man stilled. His smirk was gone, but his lips had twisted into a grimace. She realized too late that she shouldn't have pushed her luck. He grabbed her again when Hojo made a dissatisfied noise. The Tsviet's voice was no more than a whisper as he put his face right in front of hers. "Now I'm really looking forward to when you are done here."

Alex tried to pull her arm away again, but his grip had tightened to the point that she was sure he was about to break her arm again. However, they were both pulled from the moment at Hojo's impatient demand. "Weiss, stand down. The only reason you are here instead of with the rest is so that you can ensure I have no issues."

The young man stiffened again but immediately turned his face away and dragged Alex to the bed. Alex felt a bit of satisfaction that he had to struggle to get her strapped to the bed this time, but it was short-lived. In the end, she couldn't stop him.

Alex's breathing was accelerated as Hojo took the roll-around tray from the other scientist and dismissed the man before he turned back to Alex with that same sick smirk. She was terrified, but she still managed to speak through her fear. "You won't get away with this. Angeal will figure out where I am, and you will regret ever taking me."