"So let me get this straight. You were a Honey? Then the Turks wrapped you up in a mission to hunt down a psycho. And that caught their interest to recruit you?" Zack summarized, trying his best to process the whole story.

They were sitting in the lunch room area catching up. Cissinei allowed it, since she had reports to go over. The only catch was that the moment Tseng learns of this then they have to accept responsibility.

"Yes. That's how it went." Cloud nods. It was still a wild story even now as he thought about it.

"But why a Honey?" Somehow that bothered the Soldier more than Cloud becoming a Turk.

"I enjoyed being a dancer. And it made me feel, I don't know, better about myself? As a recruit facing failure after failure I wasn't in a good mental state."

Zack eyed him up and down. While he still didn't understand, he couldn't help but notice the drastic difference in Cloud's confidence boost. Maybe this was the calling for the blonde. He still felt unsure about the whole Turk job, though. But he will wait and see how it goes.

"Well, so long as you're happy." Zack didn't have to understand everything. As long as he knew his friend was happy that was good enough for him.

"So far it's not so bad here. It would almost be boring if it weren't for Elena."

"I heard that!" She yelled out from her desk.

"Take it as a compliment, honey." Cloud couldn't help himself. She just made it way too easy.

"Hey! What about me? I was the one who discovered you, baby." Reno peers over his desk.

"Baby? You two a thing?" Zack eyes the redhead darkly.

"No. But he's been trying." Cloud shook his head.

"Good, cause I wouldn't approve."

"Oh, c'mon!" Reno frowns. "We don't need your permission."

"Perhaps, but I would still take in his input for consideration."

"That's not fair!" The redhead retorted. "I thought I was growing on you, baby."

"Yeah, like a tumor." Cloud heard a few snickers from the other desks. Zack all out laughed.

"What's going on here?" Tseng enters, not used to hearing laughter.

"Just turning in my report!" Zack was quick on his feet. He bounded over to the head Turk and handed over his papers.

"You could have dropped off at my desk." Tseng caught on.

"Sorry, had to see for myself if the rumors are true about your up coming Turks." The lieutenant smiled. "Gotta say, the competition is rough, man."

"This isn't a competition."

"Tell them that. Anyways. See you!" And just as he came like a storm Zack left.

Cloud finished his lunch and went back to his desk. All the while he felt the eyes of Tseng on him like a hawk. This was going to be a long awkward day.

xXx

With his success with the party, it wasn't long before he saw more action in the field. He was paired with Cissinei the first few times. In the field he was more thrilled.

It was better than some stupid party. Which, much to his horror, the president liked to throw parties a lot. And with each one Cloud remained the spectacle. And soon enough Elena's hatred for him grew to an almost dangerous level.

One day they were paired to take care of Genesis clones.

"You're not listening! We need to work as a team!" Cloud yelled at her.

"As if! I don't need your help!" Elena yells back as she shoots one down.

Frustrated, Cloud almost wanted to give up and do his own thing. The only reason he remained stubborn was that he knew they would be graded later. He knew this when one of the machines assisting them flew by overhead.

"It's not about you needing help, we have to help each other." Cloud insisted.

"I refuse! I - " She screams as she was being overwhelmed by another clone.

Cloud ran to her aid. He split his rod into two and was a fury of attacks at the clone. In a matter of minutes he sent the clone down and it never got back up again. He turned to offer his hand.

"We have to work together. If you had been by yourself, no one would have come save you. The same could be said about me if I was alone." He insisted.

She stared at him. He could see the tears forming, but she remained stubborn and refused to cry. For a moment it looked like she wouldn't let go of her insecurities towards him and herself.

Then she grabbed his hand. From that moment forward she didn't fight him and even followed his lead. A few times she came up with an idea of her own and he listened.

Once the clones were all taken care of Tseng approached.

"Good job to the both of you." Their boss congratulated.

"Thanks, boss." Cloud was serious. "She did good on her end."

He was actually surprised how well she turned around for him. Especially with their competition lasting this long. He hoped that it was the end of it. For staying on his toes around her was getting tiring.

"Guess you're not too bad." Elena admitted that much.

"It's progress for the both of you. Best get going and rest up for another party tonight."

"Not again." Cloud groaned, shoulders slumped.

He was really looking forward to a good night off and some sleep. They have been working him off the bone for the last few days. Guess it will have to wait one more night. He hoped that tonight's party will be worth it.

"This is a birthday party. So I expect you both to act your best."

"Who's birthday is it?" He asked, and Elena gasps.

"You mean you don't know?" She was amazed.

"What?" He was at a loss.

"Today is General Sephiroth's birthday."

Cloud felt dizzy and giddy all at once.