~ Watch Me ~

The Director

The pair of them made their way towards Lazard's office.

Angeal marched ahead of Rose, his pace unwavering. She was certain that if a cement wall were to suddenly rise across his path, he would pass through it unhindered.

Rose jogged to keep up, the butterflies in her stomach making her feel giddy. She hadn't thought of the cameras when she'd done her little disappearing trick, and she didn't know what Lazard being aware of it would mean. Angeal seemed unnerved, and that didn't help the knot that was steadily growing inside of her. She ran to meet his stride.

"Am I in trouble?" She said, nerves making her direct.

Angeal glanced down at her. "No."

"Then why do you seem mad?" She pressed, following him into an elevator. "Are you in trouble?"

"No." Angeal hit the floor button before swiping his card. Sighing, he folded his arms across his chest. "It's my fault. I should have gotten the full story before we went down to the training rooms. I thought leaving the sword behind would stop any parlour tricks."

Rose raised her eyebrows. "What! You knew we might be watched? Why didn't you say? If I'd known, I wouldn't have done anything!"

"How am I supposed to warn against something I am unaware of?" Angeal replied lightly, the elevator pinging to a halt. Rose went to argue, but he quickly waved her off. "I know, I know. I've just said haven't I, that I should have checked the situation? The blame is mine."

Rose frowned, stepping out onto the new floor. She wasn't sure she liked the sound of that either.

"Should we lie?" She asked instead, worried for what was to come.

"To my boss?" Angeal half chuckled. "Probably not the best idea."

Rose nodded. "You're right. They have video evidence... unless he really does think it's a glitch?" She added hopefully, her eyes suddenly darting left and right, as she noticed the growing number of live bodies on the floor.

Troops and SOLDIER. This would be where they congregated.

"Don't worry about them." Angeal murmured gently, noting her discomfort. "Or Lazard. Just answer his questions truthfully. He's a good man, really. He's likely just curious."

Rose didn't answer. She wasn't sure who her brother was trying to convince.

(-)

They entered the room together. Angeal didn't knock or announce himself, he strode in casually, no doubt having entered there a hundred times before. Rose looked around, captured by the screens that lined the walls. So many different scenes playing out on each. There were different towns, new areas of the world, vehicles, training rooms... Shinra had their eyes on everyone.

"Angeal, thank you for coming."

Suddenly Rose remembered why they were there. The man that had spoken was younger than she had expected, but there was no mistaking who he was. Lazard. His suit was well tailored, his trousers immaculately pressed. He was a far cry from the Troop and SOLDIER members he ordered around.

"And this must be Rose." He smiled, turning his attention to her, as he stepped away from yet more screens. He held out a gloved hand toward her. "Or would you prefer Miss Hewley?"

"Rose is fine." She said, taken aback by his warmth. She had expected someone more clinical.

She remembered his hand and shook it.

"Excellent!" He grinned, walking back towards the screens he'd previously been inspecting. "Now, I'm sure you can appreciate, and Angeal knows, I am a very busy man. So, I do apologise for my directness, but..." He tapped the keyboard, and looked back over his shoulder to where they stood. "Could you explain this to me?"

Rose watched on as a small, televised version of herself and Angeal, appeared on a large screen above them. The training room. It was ego destroying to see her combat skills fail her so miserably against her brother, but then of course the moment came that turned all the tables, and the T.V version of herself mysteriously vanished, only to dash in and out of visibility, until she surprised a confused Angeal and floored him. Lazard paused the recording then, looking at her expectantly, his hazel gaze glittering curiously behind thin spectacles.

Rose held back a gulp. "Camera glitch?

He sat back against the desk.

"A Camera glitch." Lazard echoed flatly, his attention moving to an unreadable Angeal at her side. "I see your sister shares your skill for dishonesty."

Angeal smiled. "Thank you, Sir."

Lazard laughed. "Of course you would see that as compliment." He bowed his head thoughtfully, drumming his fingers lightly on the desk beside him. He sighed. "You know Angeal, civilians aren't really supposed to be in the training area. It will be considered a strike against your otherwise untarnished record."

"I know, sir. I – "

"It was my fault!" Rose cut in quickly, her stomach sinking at the thought of Angeal being in even more trouble because of her. "I put him up to it."

Lazard's gaze returned to her, amused. "With all due respect, Rose, your brother is SOLDIER 1st class. No one can make him do anything he doesn't want to. That being said..." He added as she opened her mouth to argue. "What was your reason for wanting to use our humble training facilities?"

"I..." Rose fell silent, looking to her brother for guidance. Perhaps now wasn't the best time to mention her wish to join Lazard's ranks, but Angeal had urged her to be honest, so maybe it was a good a time as any. She took a deep breath. "I wanted Angeal to recommend me for SOLDIER 3rd class. I know, you're supposed to work your way up through the Troops, but technically it's the recommendations and assignments that get you the promotions, right? So I thought, if I could just show I was as good as any Troop, then he'd have to say yes? But then Angeal wanted me to prove my worth anyway, before he would even consider it, and it all sort of, I guess,...escalated... Sir." She added uncertainly, shuffling nervously on her feet.

She glanced up quickly at Angeal, but he offered her nothing in way of affirmation, standing empty-eyed toward a waiting Lazard. She followed suit.

"And?" The Director questioned.

Rose frowned. "And what?"

He looked at Angeal. "Did she pass your test?

Rose blinked, surprised. She turned and watched her brother, counting the heartbeats before he revealed his long awaited answer. She got to two.

"She did, Sir."

Rose beamed, twitching to throw her arms gratefully around Angeal's waist, like she would have when they were younger. But she kept herself in check, turning back to Lazard with a somewhat controlled expression on her young features.

"It appears you have your recommendation, Rose Hewley." He said softly, folding his arms lightly across his chest. "Congratulations, on making SOLDIER 3rd class – subject to a probationary period, where I deem whether or not you are worthy of the title, of course."

She nodded fervently. "Thank you, sir."

He smiled. "You will be briefed on your assignment. In the meantime, I will call another member up to show you to your rooms, and bring you up to speed with how things work around here."

"If I may, Sir." Angeal intervened gently. "I already have someone in mind?"

Lazard inclined his head. "Ah of course, your protégé, yes? By all means."

Rose frowned, curious as Angeal turned away with his phone in hand, already murmuring softly down the receiver.

Behind her, the now familiar whistle of the doors hissed passed her ears, and she turned, horrified to find Genesis and Sephiroth entering. The last thing she wanted was extra attention.

Her eyes met Genesis', and his smooth expression twisted into a smirk.

"In trouble already, little bird?" He crooned, looking questioningly between her and Lazard. "That has to be a record, even for you."

She glared, but had expected the rebuke.

"Of course you would assume the worst." She rallied dismissively, her gaze wandering tentatively passed him, and meeting for the second time in her life, Sephiroth's strange cat-like emeralds. She smiled shyly. "Hello again."

"Miss Hewley." He greeted softly, the corners of his mouth twisting up kindly in acknowledgement. He looked questioningly toward Lazard, and the Director waved him off.

"This has nothing to do with why I called you here, it is a separate matter. Though Angeal, I will need you to stay, Rose you are free to leave."

Rose glanced quickly at her brother, but Angeal nodded his head, pocketing his phone, as he turned back to the room.

"It's fine, Rose. Zack will meet you outside in rest area."

Her frowned deepened. "Zack?"

"I'll let him introduce himself. We'll catch up with you later, okay?"

She nodded slowly. "Okay."

Lazard, looking pleased, rose to shake her hand once more.

"I'm sure you will be an excellent addition, and don't worry, we will have time to talk about that little camera glitch at a later date." He said, releasing her and turning back to the waiting trio.

Lazard's words incited a sickening drop in the depths of her belly, but in that moment, she chose not to question it, all too aware of her current standing audience.

"I look forward to it." She smiled thinly, catching her brother's eyes once more, before turning to exit the room.

She had better get a move on. Zack would be waiting.

R&R!

Thank you everyone for reading with me this far! I hope you're enjoying the story and Rose? Thank you those who took the time to review, I really do appreciate it, and it gives me a chance to hit on things, or make better chapters going forward. So if you would like to let me know your thoughts, please do :)