For Honor or Glory

New Set of Eyes

Chapter 65 

As soon as Sephiroth was out of the room, Alex sat down with a sigh. Her brother joined her and gave her a worried look as he asked, "You turned him down again? I thought you still loved him."

Alex grimaced as she shook her head. "I do, but life is not that simple or easy. You know it would end with both of us hurt all over again. This may be tearing me up right now, but I know it will get better. If he ever grows up, then we might even be able to salvage our friendship. That would never happen if we got back together."

Angeal patted her arm sympathetically, but it was a moment before he answered. He was almost hesitant as he asked, "I don't want to upset you again, but I need to ask if that is the only reason?"

Alex gave him a confused look as she said, "Is that not enough? Were you hoping for something else?"

Angeal's eyes flicked to the door, but they were back on hers as he said, "No, that's more than enough. I just want to make sure you will be all right."

Alex stiffened. She had the uncomfortable sensation that he was no longer talking about Genesis, but she wasn't going to ask. That was one topic she would rather avoid for now. One confusing male was enough to deal with at a time. "Yeah, I'll be fine. There's too much else to worry about for me to spend time moping."

Angeal managed a smile as he said, "Well, I'm glad to hear it, even if it is a little late. I was worried about this when you first got back to Midgar. Genesis isn't the same person we grew up with."

"You can say that ag—" She cut off mid-sentence and gave him a mock glare. "Wait a minute. If you knew this was a probability, why didn't you say something back then?"

Angeal's only response was to raise one brow in a look that screamed out, 'really?'

Alex sighed as she crossed her arms. "Fine, I admit it. I probably would have yelled at you for it anyway."

She rolled her eyes when her brother chuckled as she said, "Why am I so stubborn? You and mom aren't like that. At least not as bad, or maybe in a different way. People seem to think you're being nice or honorable when you get stubborn."

Angeal smirked as he said, "Well, aren't you full of self-realizations today?" Maybe you are finally growing up."

He chuckled as he dodged the hand she reached out to slap his arm with. Though they both knew it wouldn't have hurt. Alex was smiling when he stopped and looked back at her. His smile softened as he said, "I'm glad to see a real smile. It's been too long."

Alex's smile dimmed at his reminder, but she didn't lose it as she said, "Thanks, Geal. I promise it'll get better. We will both have a reason to smile all the time again if I have any say in it."

He pulled her into a hug at that point. When he let go, he pointed to one of the cots. "Why don't you get some more rest? If I know you at all, then as soon as they call you tomorrow, you'll disappear into a lab, and I won't see you again for days."

Alex couldn't hold back a chuckle, but she waved her brother off. "Fine, fine. I'm not tired, but I will at least lay down and read or something. You're probably right that I'll be busy soon enough."

Angeal waited until she was prone with a book in hand before he opened the door. He paused before he left and said, "I'll make sure you aren't disturbed for a little while. Get some rest."

She waved him out as she answered, "Thanks. Love you, Geal." His answering smile was all she saw as he closed the door behind him, and she tried to get into The Study of the Planet.

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The next morning one of the young men that helped the elders came and asked Alex to follow him. The others were asked to wait for the time being. None of them were comfortable with the request, but Peter was the only one that objected. "Wait, if this is about the whole project stuff, I can help too."