Chapter 10

Alex was still smiling when she got into the lab that morning. A couple of the other interns gave her curious looks, but none of them stopped her—not even Peter. There was a jaunt in her step that had little to do with the coffee she had with breakfast. Most of it was the fact that Genesis had insisted that if she would be working late, he at least be allowed to take her out that weekend. It might have also had something to do with the kiss he gave her when she left and the promise she could read in his eyes. She wasn't sure she was ready for that yet, but it was hard not to think about it when she looked at him. She did her best to banish the thought that it helped her understand why other women would be attracted to him too. That was an avenue she didn't feel like exploring.

She had already started her first pass on professor Rayleigh's project for the day when Peter walked by. It took her several seconds to realize he had stopped and was staring. When she finally noticed, she looked over with a grin as she said, "Good morning!"

He almost looked taken aback by her exuberant greeting. He also didn't respond to it. Instead, he pointed to the culture plate in her hand as he said, "Has the professor put you on this project already?"

Alex nodded as she put the plate back in place. "Yes. While I'm here, she asked that I check these every two hours and report back with my findings."

Peter's brow furrowed slightly. "That's…unexpected."

Alex waved off his concern. "It's not like she asked me to handle everything. I am just reporting back my findings. She's still handling the reporting and whatever else she plans to do with the data."

He nodded slowly, but his brow was still furrowed. If he had something else to say about, though, he kept it to himself. Instead, he said, "I'll let you get back to it then."

His abrupt departure right after that made Alex wonder why he would be upset. She briefly thought it might have been that he felt she was getting special treatment, which was a fear she continued to have. Still, she didn't feel like what she was doing would be beyond the capabilities of even the least competent intern, so she didn't let it bother her. Maybe he was just having a bad day. Either way, it was none of her concern, and she still had plenty to do.

By the end of the day, she had gotten fast enough that she had at least an hour between trips, which was a good thing. Her supplies had come in at noon. She didn't have time to do more than organize them that day, but after her fourth report, she planned to at least get a place for cultures of her own set up. She might not be able to start right away, but once she figured out what would work best and had time to set them up, she could alternate her observations between her project and the professor's. It might work out perfectly.

Genesis had not been happy that she had gotten in late again, but at least it was early enough that they had been able to share a late dinner before they both had to get to bed.

The following morning, several interns had gathered outside the cubicles to separate a new batch of commonly used supplies. Alex didn't need any since she had just received hers the day before, but it did give her an opportunity to get to know more of her coworkers. It was also pleasant to see that Peter was in a better mood again. Whatever his problem had been the previous day was nowhere in sight as he introduced her to the rest of the team with a grin.

Despite her warm smile, most of them seemed just as nervous around her as Peter had at first—even the women. She repressed a sigh and tried not to curse her height. It wasn't like she could change it anyway.

It wasn't long before the rest of the group took what they needed and made a hasty retreat. As soon as they were all gone, Peter turned to her with an apologetic look. "I know how it looks, but don't worry, they'll come around. You're kind of…"

Alex laughed and took pity on the man when he couldn't find the words. "Insanely tall? Intimidating? I don't mean to be, but I've heard it before."

He looked away awkwardly but didn't get to answer as a new voice called out. "Ah, Miss Hewley. I'm glad I didn't need to look for you. I had something I need to speak with you about."

Alex's head jerked up to stare at Professor Rayleigh with wide eyes before she looked over at Peter to see he was staring at her with a similar expression. They both looked back at the professor when she spoke again, "Oh, I apologize. I had forgotten you would rather that I not use that name. Anyway, at least Peter was the only one here, so it shouldn't matter. I don't have much time, would you please come with me."

Alex looked back and forth between the two and made a frustrated noise at the look the man was giving her. She tried to give him a reassuring look, but now wasn't the time to try and explain. She turned to follow the professor. "Of course."

Once they were in the hallway, Alex tried to keep an even tone as she said, "Professor, please don't take this the wrong way, but the others already seem to have a problem with me. I don't need anything else causing a rift before I even get started."

Professor Rayleigh stopped and gave her an evaluating look for a moment before she raised a brow. "I'm going to tell it to you straight. This is a cutthroat business. I'm not saying you shouldn't cooperate with your coworkers, but it wouldn't hurt for them to have a healthy dose of respect for you either. Especially if you plan on getting ahead. With your potential, you could get far too. Don't let other's opinions hold you back."

Alex's jaw clenched. For some reason, she had the impression that the woman in front of her was just a little less of an asshole than the vague memories she had of the men at the top. Perhaps she was wrong. Still, arguing with her wasn't going to do anything but put her in a worse position. And she still needed to get more information. If she had to swallow her pride for now, so be it. She gave the woman a curt nod.

That was all that was needed, and they both started walking again. They had made it to one of the secondary labs before the professor said, "This lab doesn't have the same top-of-the-line microscopic computer imaging as the central lab, but it is only a generation behind. I have received permission for you to use it after hours. You cannot leave anything behind, so make sure you clean up after yourself. You aren't the only one using this lab. And if anyone else is here already, they have first priority. Understood?"

Alex gave her a flabbergasted look. It took her several seconds before she could get her mind to work well enough to formulate a response. "I can use it exclusively if no one else is here? No restrictions?"

Rayleigh finally smirked as she nodded. Alex stepped into the room and looked around. It may not have been the newest model, but it was more than she had dreamed of using. Her heart was hammering as she took in all the monitors, cabinets, and everything else that she thought she would not have access to for months. Finally, that thought caused another that made her whirling brain stall.

She stopped in her tracks and turned to the professor slowly. She took a deep breath before she finally said what was on her mind. "I need to know if I am getting preferential treatment. Is this because I am a Hewley?"

Rayleigh rolled her eyes before she smirked. "You are getting preferential treatment, but not because of something so inconsequential as a name. Besides, what good would a Soldier be in a lab? No, I am gambling that your thesis will end up garnering the right kind of attention. If I sponsor it now, then I get that attention too. Don't think it's just for you."

Alex closed her eyes for a moment. She should have known. That was how Shinra scientists got ahead. They took every scrap they could and pushed others down if need be to get to the top. It was a lesson she would do well to remember. Perhaps there was more than one reason not to let the professor's earlier lesson get to her either.

She let go of a sigh as she opened her eyes. She then gave the other woman a nod. "I appreciate this. As an intern, I had not expected to have access to anything like this for months. I give you my word that you will start seeing results within the next few weeks."

Rayleigh smirked as she responded. "That is what I wanted to hear." She then turned to head back. "For now, don't forget you have a spot check that's due."

Alex nodded at the woman's retreating form before turning to head to do her next set of reports. She had a lot on her mind and could already tell that her nights would not be getting shorter any time soon.

Alex had wanted to at least start laying out her ideas in writing after her next reports, but despite the professor's warnings, she had something else she felt she needed to do first. Thankfully, Peter was working in his cubicle, and she didn't need to track him down.

He frowned as soon as he saw her, and his voice was stiff as he immediately turned back to his microscope. "Is there something I can do for you, Miss Hewley? I'm in the middle of something."

Alex clenched her jaw and hoped she could convince him. "Look, could you please not call me that. There is a reason I asked the professor not to in the first place. I don't want anyone to know that I am Angeal's twin. I made a point of him not talking to Professor Hollander on my behalf too. The only reason Professor Rayleigh knows is that she had to sign off on my paperwork. Otherwise, I wouldn't have told her either. I wanted to do this on my merit alone. I know that my words may not mean much to you, but at least give me the chance to prove it. I'm already at a disadvantage. It's hard to get to know people when most won't even look you in the eye because you're six inches taller."

There was a long pause before he finally looked at her with a raised brow and gave her a wry smile as he replied, "Well, that does certainly explain why you are so tall. You're his twin?"

She let out a relieved breath as she grinned. "Yeah, but don't say anything. Please."

Another beat passed before his eyes got wide, and he practically yelled, "Wait, does that mean you are the one that was in all the fan club newsletters last week? Oh! You are also dating Commander Rhapsodos!"

Alex covered her face with a groan. She hadn't realized they had picked up that news already. Not that it shocked her. She finally looked up with a pleading expression. "Please keep it down. I really don't need anyone up here finding out."

Peter finally covered his mouth to try and cover a laugh as he responded, "Especially not the female scientists. They may get too tongue-tied to talk to the Soldiers while they are up here, but that doesn't mean they would appreciate finding out about you."

Alex groaned again. She hadn't even thought about that part. At least he didn't give her long to worry about it. He shook his head as he continued, "Look, don't worry about it. They won't find out from me. Just do your best to keep your head down for now. Once you start full-time, I'm sure things will blow over."

She gave him a tired grin. "Thanks. I really appreciate it." She waved over her shoulder as she ran. She didn't have a lot of time to even get started before she would have to go back for another visit to the professor's experiments. Given that she had a whole new lab to explore that evening, she might also want to see about getting snacks to keep in her cubicle. Regular dinners might be a thing of the past for some time to come.

Unfortunately, she spent the majority of the rest of the week just trying to learn the software interface in the imaging lab. It was incredibly frustrating that the original instruction manuals were either missing entire sections or straight up mauled to the point of illegibility because it was the handed-down system. More than once, she rolled her eyes at the sheer number of coffee stains on the pages as she tried to figure out how to make it work.

It wasn't like she could ask for help either. She was only allowed to touch it after hours, so most people were gone. The few people that remained were ones she likely didn't want to run into, as they were all in the central lab. She avoided that place like the plague.

By the time her date with Genesis rolled around that weekend, they were both in a bad mood, though Alex didn't realize it until Genesis snapped at the server for bringing the wine a little too early. She gave him a stern look after the man walked away. "There was no need to jump on him for that. A simple 'come back in a little bit' would have sufficed."

His glare instantly transferred to her as he responded, "I pay for top-notch service, and I expect to receive it. I will tolerate nothing less."

Alex sat back stiffly and lost all expression as she said, "Genesis, no one is perfect. People make mistakes, and occasionally you will have to deal with it. I could understand if he had made them repeatedly, but we just got here. Calm down."

He raised a brow, but his eyes only flashed as he leaned a little closer to her. "Oh? People make mistakes? Is that why you have continually told me you would be back to the apartments before dawn, and yet I have not seen you more than once this week?"

Alex suddenly understood why he was so irritable. It had nothing to do with the poor server at all. His attitude pissed her off, but she took a deep breath and reminded herself that they were in public, even if they were set back away from prying eyes. "Gen, I told you the first few months were going to be hectic. I have a ton of stuff going on, plus I'm still just an intern."

He didn't let her say anything more before he cut in. "All the more reason to not work any more than you have to. You aren't even getting paid."

"That isn't the point." She let out a frustrated sigh at his continued stubbornness. "Think about it this way—I am investing in my future salary. At least if you need to think in terms of money. Honestly, it's more about me trying to finish my thesis before I start."

Genesis made a disgusted noise as he shook his head. "I am not going to be able to convince you to stop this, am I?"

Alex had to rub her temples and take a few deep breaths, so she didn't snap at him before she responded, "Why would you want me to? You are asking me to sacrifice my potential career. It's not like it's going to be this way forever." She really wanted to add a comment about how he had left her behind for years to pursue his career, but she knew that would only make things worse. Instead, she snapped her jaw shut and glared at him.

His eyes flashed before he leaned toward her and lowered his voice. "Be that as it may, there is no need for you to kill yourself to pursue a career. Not when you have me. Take your time. You know I will ensure that you want for nothing."

Alex sat back so fast her chair rocked when her back slammed into it. She felt hot, then cold, then hot again as she tried to deal with the implications of what Genesis had just said. She wasn't even sure where to start. Finally, she took in a deep breath, held it for a few seconds, and let it out slowly so she wouldn't immediately begin yelling when she said, "Did it ever occur to you that this is about more than money? That this might be my dream? Did I ever ask you to stop following yours to suit me?"

For the first time, Genesis looked like he might have a clue how badly he had stepped out of line. His eyes widened, and he reached out to cover her hand. Even though she tried to take it back, he held on while he responded, "That was never my intention. I would gladly support your dream, but I hate seeing you like this. I want to help."

Alex let out a frustrated sigh, but she turned her hand, so her fingers intertwined with his. "Gen, I don't want your money. That was never what I liked about you. I just want you. The rest I can handle myself." She held up a hand when it looked like he was going to protest and shook her head with a tired smile as she said, "Besides, if you keep up that kind of talk, it could give a girl the wrong idea. Usually, it either means you want a kept woman or wife, and I'm afraid to tell you, but both of those are off the table for now."

Genesis sat back slowly as he watched her eyes. Neither of them said anything for several seconds, and Alex could no longer hold in her laughter at the confused look he was giving her. She could tell he wasn't quite sure how to take that statement. His confusion immediately dissipated when he heard her laughter, and he smirked before he leaned forward again. He squeezed her fingers gently and gave her a nod as he said, "Infinite in mystery is the gift of the goddess. I suppose I can see how you might think that. I also can understand that you cannot set aside your dreams. Do not think that means I am happy to let you work yourself to death. I will continue to ask you to at least think of yourself occasionally. It is acceptable to take a break now and again."

Alex smiled at their intertwined hands. His thumb was tracing soothing circles across her palm while he waited for her to respond. He still had not conceded, but he did seem to be willing to compromise. If only that would be enough. She let out a nearly inaudible sigh as she looked up and caught his gaze as she replied, "I know. I'll do what I can, but don't forget that this means a lot to me. I can't walk away. Don't ask me to,"

His fingers tightened on hers momentarily as a flash of something dark passed through his gaze, but his smirk was firmly back in place as he lifted his hand to gesture to the server. He ignored the man that poured the wine as he kept his eyes on Alex. "Well, if our time is to be limited, I believe it would be best to make the most of it, yes?"

Alex gave him a nod. She had a sinking feeling that this topic was far from over, but she wasn't going to let it ruin the night. Not when things finally had a chance to start looking up again.

A/N: Hello! It's been less than a month, I know, shocking. Seriously though, I'm glad I had a little time to work on this. I have a whole lot planned, so I hope you are all excited. In that vein, I wanted to drop a note to let you all know a couple of things about this fic. First, it might end up being pretty long. I was considering a few things, but given how much I want to cover and the fact that I don't want to rush anything (none of the relationship stuff either) to try and keep at least a little believable. With that being the case, it's gonna be a little long. Also, with some of what I have planned, it might get a little darker than some of my others. Not necessarily anything worse than what I have done, but maybe more in this one fic? Maybe not, maybe I'm just overthinking it. Still, I thought I'd give a warning. And a reassurance. You all know by now that I'm a sucker for happy endings, so expect one of those. Anyway, I know this was incredibly long, but I hope you liked the chapter and, oh yeah, the first real Seph/Alex interactions will be in the next one. Look forward to it! Please let me know what you think so far!