a/n- so, looking back at everything, it has been over a year since I updated this. I am so sorry guys. Life just got really hectic and I lost the drive to write anything. But hopefully that malady has been cured and we can continue on with our lovely little story here.

"I am so freaking hungry," Kate complained loudly to the empty apartment she shared with Genesis. She had been keeping up with her daily exercising for the past two weeks and all the extra exertion was taking its toll. She was always hungry and even though she ate more often, she was still dropping the extra weight that had always clung to her body.

Suddenly her cell phone, which had been a gift from Genesis when he had started to go back to his office to do his work, rang. She looked down at it. Surprisingly it was Sephiroth. She answered the call curiously.

"Hello?" she said.

"Hello Kate, Genesis and I were wondering if you wanted to join us in the cafeteria for lunch. Genesis hates it but oh well," Sephiroth said. He always had a habit of cutting to the chase rather bluntly.

"Um, sure," Kate said. "I was actually just thinking about how hungry I am. Shall I meet you guys there in ten minutes?"

"That shall be satisfactory," Sephiroth said and then hung up. Kate sighed. She still looked like hell from her workout that morning but both men had seen it before. Sephiroth often times flowed through his routine of swordplay while Kate jogged around the perimeter of the gym and then would help her with her other exercises. Genesis lived with her so he had seen her coming home from the gym more often than she was comfortable with. She hated how she looked when she was all sweaty and gross. But it couldn't be helped. And Genesis didn't seem to mind all that much.

Speaking of Genesis in her head, Kate couldn't help but smile. They would often cuddle in the evening while watching tv. Since Genesis was feeling better, he had to go to his office to do most of his work. He wasn't completely healed yet, but it was enough to show that he was fine. He expected it to be another week or two before he could start training her, and she was excited for it. She might not know the exact sort of relationship between them, but she had heard about his reputation as a swordsman and she knew she would get a good education from him.

But anyways, that was enough of her thoughts rambling through her head about her crimson haired companion. She had to go put on some clothes that weren't sweaty and meet them for lunch. Thank God, she though. She was starving.

Sephiroth stood outside of the cafeteria door waiting for his two friends. It was strange to think about, but in the short amount of time that he had known Kate, she had become a friend to him. He met her most mornings to go through his routine with Masamune while she was doing her own routine. He had to admit, she had made a good bit of progress. She was no longer quite so awkward in her own body. He almost wished he could be the one to teach her swordplay but he could tell Genesis was excited about it. Of course the Red Commander would never admit that, but Sephiroth knew Genesis well enough that he could see it in his eyes.

The man in his thoughts then came hurriedly around the corner if a flurry of movement. Sephiroth was glad to see it because it meant Gen was feeling more like himself.

"I swear recruits are half retarded these days," Genesis huffed when he finally reached Sephiroth. Sephiroth just gave him an even look.

"What is your reasoning for that today?" Sephiroth asked. Genesis just frowned. Sephiroth could tell he was about to go into one of his rants, but he was interrupted by the arrival of the small brunette they were waiting for.

"Hey guys," Kate said. Sephiroth smiled at her.

"I am glad to see you could make it on time," he said to her in a cool voice. But then again, he always had a cool, even voice. Kate blushed.

"It was only three times that I have been late to meet you guys to anything," she said. "I always have such a hard time trying to find places on the base. It is so huge. I don't know how anyone ever knows where they are going. I don't mean to be late and I definitely try to leave a little early. It's just that I had to put on some other clothes," Kate said. Then suddenly she stopped. "I am rambling again, aren't I?" she asked.

Sephiroth nodded at her and Genesis just laughed. "Sorry," she said.

"Don't worry about it," Genesis said. "It's cute."

Kate was one of the only people Sephiroth had ever seen Genesis be nice and friendly to on a consistent basis. Genesis was mercurial at best and he was never nice to someone all the time. It was strange, but Sephiroth just brushed the thought aside. He would think about what it meant later.

After the three companions went through the line for food, they found a table and sat down. The cafeteria wasn't as crowded as it normally was. But then again, it was later in the afternoon. Kate looked down at her food. It was a chicken pasta salad and fries. It wasn't bad, but it definitely wasn't what she and Genesis cooked together. Genesis was an amazing cook. They often had time to make dinner together.

"It's not going to bite you," Genesis said to Kate. She realized that she must have been frowning at her food.

"I know, it's actually not that bad," she said as she looked up.

"You haven't even tasted it, "Genesis countered with a smile. Kate just stuck her tongue out at him and then took a bite of her food. She had been right; it wasn't that bad after all. Then it hit her. In one fell swoop, the flavor of celery hit her mouth. She quickly spat it out into a napkin.

And Genesis had the nerve to laugh at her.

"I was waiting for that," Genesis managed to get out between giggles. He had known that any sort of chicken salad produced by the cafeteria was going to have celery in it, but he was feeling playful today and didn't mention it to Kate when she picked up her entrée.

"What is going on?" Sephiroth asked. He felt rather out of the loop and confused.

"That bastard knows I hate celery and he knew it was in the salad," Kate said. She knew she wouldn't be able to stay mad at Genesis for long, but she was going to pay him back for it at some point or another.

"Genesis, that wasn't very nice," Sephiroth scolded his friend. Maybe he had been wrong about Genesis being nice to Kate all the time. Genesis was well…. Genesis. When he was feeling playful, there was no telling what he was going to do to the people around him. But at least playful was better than a pissed off or bored Genesis. When he was either of those, people tended to get burned. Especially recruits.

Genesis was still laughing, but he did offer Kate his plate of beef and rice. He had gotten it knowing that he was going to switch with Kate after he got the satisfaction of his prank. He didn't mind the chicken pasta salad, celery and all.

Kate switched plates with him and gave him a look that promised revenge. He gladly accepted that challenge.

Sephiroth was oblivious to all of that though. He just sat there looking vaguely bewildered before he cleared his face of emotion and changed the subject.

"So the ShinRa annual Ball is coming up next month, are you guys going to go?" he asked.

Genesis gasped. He had forgotten all about it. "Of course I am going to go. Have I ever missed it? Even once?"

Kate looked at Sephiroth. "Would it be ok if I went? I mean, I'm not part of ShinRa after all," she said. She really did want to go. She wondered if it would be an actual ball with pretty dresses and everything.

"You are in the care of ShinRa," Sephiroth stated. "And if I say you can go, then you can go. I am the General after all." Kate was excited.

"I get to pick out your dress," Genesis said suddenly.

"Why? I can pick out my own dress," Kate countered.

"It's more fun for me if I can pick it out," Genesis retorted.

"We will just have to see about that," Kate said, closing the argument. Genesis just smiled. He was going to have his way. He was going to make her beautiful. After all, she was going to be going with him. She had to be beautiful if she was going to be his date.

a/n- sorry it is so short this time and that it doesn't seem to have much plot to it. I rather needed to pass time in the story along so that more important things can happen. Hopefully I will be able to get back to you soon. Drop a review of you would dears.

-BeautifulTemptation