As soon as Alex hit the 49th floor, she went straight to her brother's office. No matter how heavy her reason for being there, she was still thrilled that her hard work was already paying off, and she wanted to share. She knocked once and waited. When she didn't hear anything, she knocked again. She frowned at the door and wondered if he might still be at lunch. That thought was blown when she looked at a clock down the hall. It was after 13:00. There was no way Angeal would have stayed gone that long.
She sighed as she moved to Genesis's office. Perhaps they were there and talking. From what she understood, they all did it often enough if they had stuff to share. It was more convenient than sending messages back and forth.
When there was no response at Genesis's door either, Alex frowned. Surely they both couldn't have been sent off on such short notice. Plus, even though she had left early, Geal knew where she went. If he had to leave, she knew he would have at least sent a message up.
She stood in the hallway for several moments as she tried to figure out what to do next. That was when her eyes strayed to the last office—Sephiroth's. She almost turned without considering it. After all, she didn't want to interrupt him if he was busy. Still, she didn't need much of his time, right? Just enough to tell her where the other two had gone.
She was still hesitant when she reached the door, but her hand shot out to knock before she could reconsider. She was relieved when there was an almost immediate reply. However, she was shocked when she opened the door to a full room. Her brother was sitting in front of the desk with his hands behind his head and one foot propped on the other knee. Genesis was looking out the window, and the General was staring at her with curiosity.
Thankfully she was able to shake off her surprise before it became awkward. She stepped in and shut the door before she gave Sephiroth a smile. "I apologize if I am interrupting anything. I was looking for my brother and thought you might be able to point me in the right direction, but I suppose I got lucky."
Genesis spun with a frown as soon as he heard her voice. He took a step closer to her, but Sephiroth answered before the Commander could say anything. "It is no problem. We had just finished a meeting, and they were getting ready to leave."
Angeal stood by that point as well. His eyes were concerned as he said, "Is everything alright? Did something happen?"
Despite the location, Alex could not hold in her glee. She grinned at her twin as she answered. "Everything is perfect! I start on Monday, and Professor Rayleigh said I could have as many hours as I want. I'll even be given a paid position in ninety days."
It didn't take Angeal long to join her in grinning. He wrapped her in a tight hug before he let go and patted her arm. "I suppose congratulations are in order then."
Genesis finally made it to her side as well. He took her arm gently and turned her to face him. His frown was far less irritated and mostly confused. "You are coming to work for Shinra? In the science department?"
Alex was still too happy to let his expression bother her. "That's right. I start in a few days. It's the perfect opportunity for me to complete my thesis. With nearly unlimited access, I will have all the equipment I need to make it happen."
She was suddenly reminded that they weren't exactly in the best place for her to be losing it. At least the General didn't look upset when he stood. Though his words did shock her. "I had not expected you to go into a field so different from your brother's. Is this something you have been interested in for long?"
She blinked at him a few times as she tried to understand. She hadn't expected him to ask her a personal question since they didn't know each other. At least until she realized that it wasn't too shocking since he considered Angeal and Genesis friends. She managed to smile as she responded. "Yes, it has. I actually started studying genetics years ago because"-
Alex paused since she was sure he wasn't interested in hearing about the problems of strangers. Instead, she steered the conversation in a different direction. "Well, not that it matters. I am almost finished with my degree. The work I do here will help me."
She wasn't given a chance to say more as Genesis stepped in again. At least he was smiling this time. "I suppose I understand your absence this morning. It can be forgiven."
Alex frowned at his choice of words but didn't get to say anything. He brushed a knuckle across her cheek as he smirked down at her. "With news that good, I think celebrations are in order. How does dinner sound? Tomorrow night?"
No matter her worries, Alex did want to celebrate, but she had a caveat. "Only if Geal gets to go too."
A look passed through his eyes, but not long enough for Alex to figure out if he was irritated or not. He lowered his head in acquiescence as he answered. "It would only be fitting that your friends and family attend."
Alex rolled her eyes as she grinned at him. "You know right now that only consists of you and Geal. It's not like I've been here long enough to make more."
Genesis looked somewhere between chagrinned and smug, but Angeal spoke before he could formulate a response. "Unless Sephiroth wants to go too." He then turned to the General. "What do you think? It isn't often we have reasons to celebrate."
Sephiroth shook his head, but he was smiling. "I appreciate the offer, but I don't think my presence is warranted. Perhaps another time when it is not such an important event."
Alex was torn at his response. She didn't want him to feel left out, but she also knew they were strangers. It might be worse if he were to attend. Still, her upbringing could not allow him to think he would be unwelcome. He was a friend of her brother's after all. "It wouldn't be an inconvenience."
Sephiroth's smile widened just a hair. "I have a feeling you and your brother would be polite no matter who you spoke to but do not feel as though I am offended. If you are to live in Midgar, I am sure there will be opportunities again in the future."
Alex still didn't look convinced, but Genesis pulled lightly on her arm to lead her toward the door as he looked over with a smirk. "Why don't you come and tell me all about your morning. With as excited as you are, I'm sure it will be a fascinating tale."
Angeal followed them out after he waved goodbye to the General. The three of them then went into Genesis's office so Alex could share the rest of her good news.
It had taken some cajoling on Alex's part to convince Genesis she would rather not go to some fancy restaurant where she would only feel out of place. It would be difficult to celebrate when she was too worried about making a fool of herself. Instead, he agreed to a nearby pub. It was understated, but the service was excellent, and the food was amazing.
Alex was more than thrilled to receive several toasts to a long and productive career from her brother and boyfriend. It was a little embarrassing when several of the waitstaff came and brought a complimentary dessert. She had a feeling that it wouldn't have happened had she been by herself. Not that she was going to turn it away. Who passed on chocolate?
All in all, by the time they left, Alex was a little tipsy, but she was grinning. Even though she knew this would be a dangerous endeavor in the back of her mind, it was more than just her dreams coming true. She only felt giddy about the accomplishment. At least for the moment. She could worry about the rest as she tried to figure out how to handle finding any and all material about the Jenova Project.
That was something she couldn't begin to do until she saw how her days would go. Until she found out if she really would have unlimited and unwatched access. If that wasn't the case, she would have to figure out how to make it happen. Although, for that night, she was content to let those thoughts fade away as Genesis walked back to headquarters with the two siblings wearing a bright smile and his arm through hers.
Monday morning found a nervous Alex standing in front of the same young man at the reception desk. This time he gave her a polite smile as he handed her an ID on a lanyard with her name and a magnetic strip across the back. He stood and motioned for her to follow as he explained. "That will work as your name tag as well as your access card until you become full time. Professor Rayleigh has asked that I take you to the common lab where she will meet you for orientation."
Alex nodded and mumbled her thanks. This morning her mind was too full of what was to come. Not just her worries about her brother and the others, but also about what she should expect. At least she was reasonably sure she would not have to deal with Hojo or Hollander. She was just a random intern, after all.
It was not long until the young man led her back into a vast open room with many specimen tanks. The sight of them made her more than a little nauseous, but she shoved it down. She couldn't afford to lose it before she even had a chance to find anything. Even though she willed herself not to think about the things going on around her, she was thankful when she realized they were only passing through. He ended up leading her to a smaller room with many cubicles throughout.
They were greeted at the door by professor Rayleigh. She had a young man standing next to her, looking just as nervous as Alex felt. When they drew even, Rayleigh gave her a smile and gestured to the young man. "Good Morning, Alex. This is Peter. He will be showing you around today and getting you acquainted with our procedures. Once you are finished with that, please come report to me, and we can go over any last-minute questions."
Alex noted the receptionist had already started back as she nodded to the professor. "Good morning, and thank you. I am looking forward to getting started."
She then reached out to shake hands with Peter. He gave her a shaky smile as he looked up at her. "G-good morning."
Alex could immediately tell he was intimidated. She was used to that kind of reaction from shorter men, so she tried to put him at ease with a bright smile. "I'm looking forward to working with you."
Once that was done, Rayleigh nodded to them both. "Good, I will see you later." She started to turn, but she paused and turned back. "Oh, by the way, I don't expect today will be the full four hours. That can start tomorrow after Peter shows you where you can log your time."
Alex nodded in agreement but jumped when she recalled she had something as well. "Oh! Professor, I have the copy of my thesis you requested."
Rayleigh took it with a nod before she turned to head back to whatever she had been working in. Once she was out of the room, Alex turned to Peter with an expectant look. He was visibly fidgeting, which made her feel sorry for him. When he didn't speak right away, she gave him another smile. "So, what now?"
He jumped slightly, but he managed to gesture toward the cubicles. "Oh, if you would follow me."
She nodded as she fell into step beside him. It was only a few moments later before he stepped up next to one of the cubicles. Alex was shocked by what she saw inside, but she didn't mention it as Peter had already started speaking. "This will be where you do most of your work. As you can see, everything you should need is already here. The lock for the specimen cabinet is in one of the drawers. Several of us are working on various things, and most would never touch anyone else's research. Still, it's always better to be safe."
Alex absently nodded. She was too busy looking around. The cubicle was larger than she had expected. It was packed full of various equipment, including a high-powered microscope, a centrifuge, and a small incinerator. That last one made her do a double-take. She turned to Peter as she pointed to it. "Why is that here?"
His fidgeting started again, but his voice was even when he answered. "Well, we do so many biological experiments that it is usually best to destroy anything that is not viable. It is a safety precaution."
Alex raised a questioning brow. That made her wonder what other kinds of biological research Shinra conducted, but she didn't ask. She didn't want the answer. The things she knew of already were more than enough to make her sick. Instead, she nodded. "Got it, thanks. What else do I need to know?"
Her continued cordiality must have helped put Peter at ease since he finally managed a return smile as he answered. "I'll show you all the areas you need to become familiar with since you will be assisting Professor Rayleigh."
Over the next hour and a half, Peter escorted Alex through the rest of the floor. That included the areas that were off-limits, as well as the places she would likely be working. Alex still thought the whole place was a convoluted maze, but she felt it wouldn't be too hard to remember.
Once they were done with that, he showed her back to the Professor's office. Alex waved the young man off as she entered. Rayleigh pointed to the seat as she spoke. "So, now that you have seen everything, what do you think?"
Alex was excited despite herself as she answered. "It looks like there will be a lot for me to help with, and I am excited to get started."
Rayleigh smiled at her response. "Good to hear it. I expect you to give it your all." She paused and pulled out a thin packet of papers that she handed to Alex. "This is a list of available materials you can order for your own research. Please note the limit per month. You can get it back to me when you come in tomorrow."
Alex nodded as she glanced at the form. It was mostly standard lab materials. As she looked back up, Rayleigh continued. "The only other question I have is if this will be your only job? Do you have a schedule we need to be aware of?"
Alex felt her gut clench. That was a topic she had been worried about since she arrived, though it was probably for a different reason. "Not at this time. I will likely be looking for a position, but I can let you know as soon as that changes."
Rayleigh frowned slightly but nodded. "I understand. Though, I will say that the more you can give here, the better your offer will be once you start."
Alex already knew she was in a tough spot, but now wasn't the time to discuss it. Instead, she gave the woman a nod as she stood. "I understand. If there is nothing else today, I will see you tomorrow, bright and early."
The professor gave her a dismissive wave. "Of course. I look forward to what you can do." Alex gave a respectful nod before she turned to figure out the rest of what she would need.
Later that night, Alex and Angeal were eating dinner and going over the events of the day. When she mentioned the professor's question about a second job, he gave her a confused look. "Why are you worried about finding a job? You already have one."
She gave her brother an exasperated look. "Yeah, one that doesn't pay. At least not for the next three months. If I'm going to be able to find a place and pay the bills, I need a second job."
She was shocked when his expression only became more confused. Even more so when he spoke. "Why would you bother? Who would want to hire anyone for three months only?"
Alex gave him an incredulous look, but he didn't allow her to say anything before he continued. "Don't give me that look. You know exactly what I mean. Don't worry about it. I know it isn't ideal, but you can stay here until you can afford to find a place. There is no point in making it harder on yourself. Especially if you can prove that you are invaluable to the professor. You know that extra time will only increase your pay when you start."
Alex sighed and rubbed one temple. She understood what he was trying to say, and it was the same thing the professor suggested, but she still didn't like to be a mooch. "What about the food and stuff? You can't be expected to pay for everything while I get my life together."
Angeal chuckled as he patted her arm. "What are brothers for if not to help when you need it." He paused and smirked. "Besides, I'm positive you will be making more than me, so you can always pay me back later."
Alex rolled her eyes at his quip but didn't disagree. He had several valid points. She hated living off him, but he had been correct about paying him back. Besides, the longer she had in the lab each day, the better off she would be. She had a feeling that finding what she needed wasn't going to happen overnight.
Alex gave her brother a nod as she sighed. "Fine. I won't complain as long as you let me take the couch. Or at least take turns. I refuse to take the bed for the whole three months."
Angeal chuckled at her insistence but didn't argue. They both knew she meant it. Instead, he changed the subject, and they started talking about how they would handle things while he was off on his next mission.
A/N: I know there isn't much going on here, but we are now set up to really get started. Also, to my guest reviewer that I couldn't respond to directly, yes you are correct. Alex's relationship with Genesis is full of red flags. But we also have to remember that they were childhood friends/sweethearts and because of her feelings it is a whole lot harder for her to see than it is for us. Although, it is also a good thing to remember that this isn't a Genesis story. Something will eventually have to give.
Anyway, thank you all for reading and cheers!