A/N: A collab between Reyaa and aliceupsidedown. So...yeah. I got some pretty good reviews from just that first chapter, plus people seemed to be very interested in having the next chapter so...I caved. Yup, after staring at the completed story on my screen, I caved. At least for now. So here is the next chapter, two days earlier than I said it would be. I hope you're happy:D~alice

Cloud - about a week later

We'd been a general kind of lazy over the first weekend of living together as fake husbands. It was very nice, we got along great and I didn't feel out of place in his home, he made everything very comfortable. Monday, while I'd been at work, Leon had taken my apartment keys and brought my stuff from that place to his, or well ours now. I didn't own that many things, mostly clothes and then some towels and kitchen stuff. The furniture belonged to the apartment complex, so yeah.

I was glad he didn't give me the chance to worry about the move, but a bit upset he had done it without me. I would have helped. Of course when I'd told him that he said that he'd been aware of this but, lawyer that he is, had reasonably argued that since I was working all day and he wasn't? It made sense for him to just do it in my stead and have everything dealt with as soon as possible.

So now, a week later, I was officially moved into Leon's house, the apartment in Chinatown I'd resided in for the last couple of years no longer mine. It was a really nice feeling. I still couldn't get over the fact that I could actually walk in the bathroom I had here in this house.

It was a little bit weird, not enough to make me say no to all the perks he'd offered me, but that small hint of attraction I felt for him was certainly something that made me frown. I was married to this guy, technically I was expected to be attracted to him and all that. But that would be the case in a normal marriage. Ours was just an arrangement we both got something out of personally, nothing to do with attraction and love. Made it feel wrong that I felt attracted to him.

If I started something with him and it didn't work out? I don't know, I didn't really want to go there. I had a surgery to go through and his insurance was going to make sure I could have it in the first place. Maybe I should just not focus on dating at all. Which... I couldn't, could I? I wouldn't be able to date anyone until this marriage was annulled. Fake or not, I had sworn fidelity. I felt the need to not break that promise, even if it had been a fake promise.

Opening the pre-heated oven, I pushed the lasagna I'd made from scratch into it, smiling as I liked making new stuff every evening to see what Leon liked best. It was sort of fun playing housewife. Househusband. There, much more manly. Nodding at my thoughts, I moved over to the sink, washing my hands. I frowned as my wedding band wasn't on my finger, but I remembered I'd taken it off before starting dinner.

Looking over my shoulder to the bar, my eyes widened and I felt a rush of panic flow through me as it wasn't there either. I'd lost it? Oh, good going Cloud! Drying my hands quickly, I let out a nervous squeak, running over to the bar and making sure it really wasn't there. Since it wasn't, I checked all the kitchen counters, and then nearly jumped out of my skin as I heard the car belonging to Leon drive into the house's parking spot.

Rushing out of the kitchen and through the living room, I tore the front door open, staring up at Leon wide eyed, who was frowning as I didn't usually greet him at the door.

"What's wrong, Cloud?" He was wearing a dark suit, a different one for each day of the week, this one brightened a little by the blue tie he was wearing.

"I did something horrible!" I frowned sadly up at him, feeling really bad because I knew those bands were important for our marriage to look real. "I was making dinner and before starting I took of my band," I lifted my hand, pointing at the empty spot, "I lost it!"

He loosened his tie as he came inside glancing around and sniffing the air a little. "Well, it's only been a few minutes right? Come on, I'll help you look. We'll find it. No worries." Sending me a small smile, he removed his suit jacket and headed for the kitchen, rolling up the sleeves on his white shirt on the way.

Oh god... If only I were allowed to undress my very own husband. It was extremely frustrating to not be allowed to touch something that legally 'belonged' to you. If we went about it that route, Leon had actually consented when he'd said 'I do'. Smothering the funky stomach flip that occurred when I looked at Leon's hotness for too long, I followed him and then, being lazy, let him look for it as I just stood and watched him do it. He'd have more of a shot at it anyways.

"Was work okay?" I asked, looking over his shoulder curiously as he crouched down beside the bar, looking over the floor.

"Same as always. I finally convinced the client that he did not, in fact, have a case of fraud, but a case of too lax company policies. He then invited me to write up a contract that will be signed by each member of the board with a company credit card." I heard him sigh in annoyance, "Really, what he should do, is embrace the concept known as Purchase Orders and leave all of the credit cards out of it. Have them use personal ones, and then reimburse them. The secretaries should be the ones with access to Purchase Orders anyways, as they are the ones who actually know what's going on in the company. But, I'm just a humble lawyer, and I'm not paid for my ideas. Ah! Found it!" Grinning, triumphantly Leon stood up, holding my ring in his hand.

I never really knew what to answer when he talked about his work because I'm not sure I understood everything he explained. One thing was certain though, the loosened tie, the messy hair that hands had run through in irritation, that serious frown on his face and then those complicated words coming out of his mouth? Lawyer speech? My dick twitched.

Blinking out of my daze, I grinned at the ring. "My hero!" I reached for the ring, but instead he snatched my hand and gently placed it back on my finger himself.

"There. Right where it belongs." He murmured, eyes on the ring and fingers still holding my hand. Butterflies assaulted my stomach, a furious blush heating my cheeks and I licked my lips nervously as I suddenly didn't know what to do with myself. He should not be allowed to be able to do that! Without brain permission whatsoever, I reached up with my free hand, touching his chest lightly for just a quick moment and then just as soon let it drop back down to my side as I cleared my throat and took a step away from him, disliking how our hands weren't touching anymore.

"Thanks, Leon." I mumbled, "You go do your thing and I'll check on food!" Good! Do something useful!

"Sure." He sounded unsure and his hand moved as if to reach out, before dropping back to his side. "Yeah." Turning away, he undid his tie the rest of his way, and went upstairs to get changed.

Leon - two days later

I cringed as I climbed into my car. My back was not in a good mood today. The migraine behind my eyes started at the base of my neck and just seemed to radiate outwards. It wasn't often that I got this kind of pain, but every once in a while, conditions were perfect it seemed. I was grateful that my house was pretty close to the office and if I was being honest, I was even more grateful for my new husband/roommate who always managed to make dinner for me as well.

How Cloud had remained single for so long was a mystery. He could cook, he was funny, cute, and smart. The perfect combination. Except that he was married now, meaning that his life was put on hold. I doubt that I could get a date at this point and he was my husband! Grumbling as I pulled into my driveway, i told myself it wasn't fair. We were friends, I guess, but we were married. It was confusing. Killing the engine, I sucked in my breath as my neck twinged again getting out of the car. I could blame my tense shoulders on the day I'd had. When it rained, it poured. Unlocking the front door, I loosened my tie and set my briefcase down so I could untie my shoes.

"Cloud? I'm home." Deciding that the tie just needed to go, I shut the door and untied it completely, and dropped it onto my briefcase, sniffing the air and smelling tacos. Finally, something good happening today.

"Leon! Hi! I'll be right down! Tacos are in the oven and I don't smell like dog!" Meaning he just got out of the shower. Smiling at that, I went to the living room hoping to sit down on the couch and just relax, maybe drink a beer or two. Rolling my neck and reaching my arms up behind my head, I tried to loosen my muscles some more.

"Ouch." Okay, that didn't help at all, and now my head was pounding even more. Swearing under my breath, I finally gave up and reached for the remote. Sports. I needed to see other people suffer a little to make myself feel better. Cloud appeared about a minute later, his hair wet, making the spikes flop down in his face. He smiled at me, giving me another soft and warm hello as he made his way over to sit down next to me.

Seeing me a bit more up close, he frowned, "You look tense. Bad day?"

I grunted and grimaced as I tried to turn my neck to look at him. "Well, things could have gone better today. Thank god for Tifa at least, because without her, I would have jumped out my window. And since I'm only on the second floor, it would not have resulted in my so hoped for death, instead I would have been reduced to traction and more suffering."

Turning to look back at the TV, I sighed. "Sometimes we get clients who insist that they have a legitimate case. If a paralegal, that's like a legal clerk, can't give them the answer they want, then they insist on seeing everyone in the food chain. The lawyers, the partners, hell even the Human Resource lady to check out our credentials. Oh, you've been added successfully to my insurance, and Clare says, congratulations." She'd been all moony eyed at me, asking who he was and how we'd met. I'd ignored her as best I could and just gave her noncommittal answers. "So, after the whole day being spent running around trying to prove to someone that you can in fact help them, come to find out, they didn't even have a legitimate case. Again!" The story of my life. Rubbing my neck, hoping to loosen my muscles so I could at least look Cloud in the eye, I closed my eyes and counted to ten. Days like this made me regret going into a career that forced me to interact with morons.

"The tacos won't be ready for another thirty minutes, but I'll go get you an aspirin." He murmured, the couch shifting beneath me as he climbed over the back, going to the kitchen to get me the much wanted pill. "You remember how I told you about my foster families?" He'd been bounced through fourteen families in total. I'm not sure how he'd done it... "The one I'd stayed at when I was sixteen, the lady who was completely in love with religion and tried to make me go to church while contradicting the whole belief by dressing like a hooker and cheating on her husband with two different men?" I'm glad he'd only stayed there for six months, "She worked in a spa, taught me some of her tricks." His voice was very close now and when I opened my eyes I saw the glass of water and the pill as he stood behind the couch, looking down at me with a smile, "If you need, I can maybe try and remove some of those knots?" He suggested somewhat shyly.

Reaching for the water and aspirin, I gave him a grateful smile. "That would be nice." Quickly swallowing the pill and some water I put the glass on the coffee table. "Where should I sit?" Moving around the couch, he settled himself beside me and gestured for me to turn my back to him. Once positioned, he placed his hands on my shoulders, giving it a gentle squeeze, whispering to me that I should relax before he started kneading my skin firmly, the pressure neither too soft nor too hard as he leisurely worked my shoulders, neck and back with his hands.

It felt incredible and he'd only just begun. Letting my eyes close, I let his warm hands loosen my muscles and ease the migraine that was behind my eyes. My mind was wondering and I was wishing that I could turn around and embrace him, the intimacy of this a little frightening. Husband in name only, was the thought running through my head now. So, despite how warm he felt sitting behind me, how amazing his hands felt as they ran all over my back, I could only enjoy it like this. No thinking dirty or perverted thoughts about Cloud. Must maintain business relationship, and yet, this massage was heavenly.

"Hmm, right there." Cloud was working my neck, the biggest problem area in my tense muscles. If he could loosen those ones, the migraine would finally go away, and I could relax. He shuffled closer behind me, one hand reaching over my shoulder, his fingers undoing the top four buttons of my shirt. His hand was a bit shaky, but I figured he had a reason linked to the massage to be undressing me.

My heart sped up a bit though, as his fingertips brushed the skin of my chest before he moved the shirt so it was hanging below my shoulders, giving him better access to my neck in that sense. He didn't talk, but I could hear him breathing softly as his fingers began pushing the knots out expertly. Somewhere along the line I realized he was sitting very close to me, as I could now feel his breath ghost gently over my naked shoulders.

Did I want to say anything? Should we be getting this close? Warm fingers brushed my hair as he roamed higher on my neck and I suddenly didn't care about how close we could get or if this was a good idea. It didn't matter. All that mattered was Cloud's hands on my skin and Cloud sitting less than two inches behind me. I felt a moan escape me as if by magic, my neck was suddenly loose and free of tension.

His breathing hitched at the noise and his fingers stilled for a split second before they slowly moved up into my hair, massaging my scalp. Liking that very much, I couldn't help but lean back, one of his hands slipping down to settle on my shoulder and his lips were inches away from my ear as my back settled against his chest, his other hand still working through my hair.

"And here I was worried you guys wouldn't pull off acting like a married couple." Tifa's voice interrupted, leading Cloud and I to jump apart to each our respective sides of the couch. Tifa was grinning, holding up the spare key to my front door that normally should be hidden beneath the welcome mat.

I glared at her, angry but not sure exactly why. It's not like anything would have happened, but this was my house, my couch and my time. Pulling my shirt up and redoing the buttons quickly, I scowled. "Can I ask why you didn't knock? Really, this is my house Tifa." Boundaries. Did all woman need boundaries spelled out for them?

Tifa laughed, tossing the spare key into Cloud's lap, who looked completely frozen on spot. "I did knock. I guess you guys were too... busy," She waggled her eyebrows, "To hear anything."

Cloud scoffed then, "You didn't knock! I can tell by the way your lip is quirking. Tell the truth Tifa!"

Tifa blinked innocently before shrugging at Cloud's pointed glare, "Fine. I saw you guys through the window and couldn't help myself. I wanted to see how you'd react with a surprise visit. And I do have a surprise!" She excused her bad behavior.

"It had better be good." I grumbled, relieved a little that nothing more than a friendly massage had happened. This was just a business relationship, and it was tough enough trying to hide my growing attraction to Cloud from him, and I didn't need the added stress of Tifa showing up at random times.

Tifa nodded, "Definitely good." She tossed another pair of keys at Cloud, who caught them this time, turning them over in his hand before frowning at Tifa.

"What are these?"

"Keys."

"I know. But to what?"

Tifa chuckled at Cloud's eye roll, "Your motorcycle, silly."

Cloud frowned, "These aren't to my motorcycle."

Tifa nodded, "Not to your old motorcycle. Sorry, that one couldn't be saved. But my brother Zack had his old one for sale. It cost the same amount as the repairs would have." Tifa clapped her hands together excitedly, "Surprise! My wedding present to you!"

Cloud's mouth dropped open as he sat there staring at the keys, "Woah, ehm... Tifa," He breathed, blinking up at her, "This is too much!" He said, sounding panicked as he threw the keys back at her. She then disagreed, throwing it back at him and of course being his stubborn self, he tossed them back at her. Tifa then lawyered up, coming up with at least four valid reasons as to why he should keep it before giving him the keys again, but Cloud just threw them back at her. Clearly, if I didn't stop this, they'd be going at it for the rest of the night.

Lunging forward I grabbed the keys before Tifa could catch them, and I turned to Cloud and grabbed his hand placing them in the palm and closing his fingers over them. Looking him in the eye, hoping he could see the sincerity that he was clearly ignoring from Tifa.

"It's a wedding present. Just say thank you, Cloud." Then I leaned in and whispered so that Tifa couldn't hear. "She'll never take no for an answer and if you don't want her sticking around for the next two hours trying to convince you, then you'll just take them."

"Fine!" He grumbled, glaring at Tifa before giving me a nod, "Here." He shoved the keys into my hands, "Whats mine is yours. I'll think about using it." He said, jumping off the couch, making his way to the kitchen, "I'm going to check on the tacos." I hadn't known him very long, but I did find out that he really did not like giving in to an argument. I kind of felt bad for him what with being surrounded with lawyers.

"So... This is going pretty good for you, isn't it?" Tifa said slyly, grinning at me.

I didn't even twitch or show any emotion. Two could play at the lawyering game. "It's going quite well, thank you. And thank you for getting Cloud a replacement vehicle. Now, if you don't mind, I'm going to go change out of my work clothes. You know the way out." It was rude not to invite her to stay for dinner, but I had a feeling Cloud wasn't feeling that generous and for that matter, neither was I. She deserved some punishment for pulling that little stunt. I was not someone who liked people barging into my life, she should know that after hearing me bitch about Rinoa.

"Leon! You better not be inviting her over for dinner!" Cloud growled, agreeing with my thoughts.

Tifa cringed just a tad, "Okay. I'll just go and let myself out." Walking over to the door, she looked over her shoulder and then raised an eyebrow at me, before shouting in direction of the kitchen, "You're welcome!" Heavy sarcasm there, but I could see the smile tugging on her lips before she shut the door and left us to our peace.

Cloud - A week later

I was sitting on the couch, just having gotten out of the shower since I didn't want to smell like dog when Leon would get home in a little while. I was pouting. Upset because my regular famous actor fantasies didn't work for me anymore when rubbing one out in the shower. No, I fantasied about my husband now. Which was bad!

I was still slightly frustrated over how that massage had ended about a week ago. Stupid Tifa. Then again, thank you Tifa, because if she hadn't interrupted I would have done naughty stuff to my husband. My husband I couldn't touch! I pouted some more at that thought alone, the urge to rip his clothes of becoming stronger each day. We needed to keep it platonic though. I was just having some trouble with the 'why' of it.

The doorbell rang, leading me to frown as I got off the couch to go open the door. What was revealed to me wasn't something I liked seeing.

"Rinoa." I clipped out. "Leon doesn't want you here." I don't want you here.

"Leon always wants me here." She said with a smile, pushing passed me to walk into the house.

"Hey!" I pointed at the exit, "I didn't invite you in, get lost!" I wasn't nice like Leon was. To hell with manners, this bitch was going to leave my property! And that included my husband! "He's mine," I wiggled my wedding band in her face, "Out." Woah, jealously alert. Next thing I know, I'd be peeing around the house to mark my territory. Maybe I should get us dogs...

She blinked, taking a step away from me as if frightened, "Alright, I'm sorry. I'll go." Tucking her purse more securely on her shoulder, she raised an eyebrow and clicked her heel, "Could I please use your bathroom before though? I live across the city..."

Grumbling, I nodded, gesturing for her to go up the stairs, "Fine. But make it quick." She gave me a grateful smile that made me want to gag before she whirled around and made her way up the stairs. I waited by the door, tapping my foot impatiently as she did what she needed to do. Not long after she made her way down again.

She was smiling smugly at me as she passed by me to walk out, back to her car, "It is clear you are not what Leon wants."

I rolled my eyes, "Honey, please, I'm so hot, he's never had a better lay." I said pleasantly, "You know that thing he does when he comes?" I whispered at her. She blinked, looking curious as she shook her head at me, not knowing what I was talking about. I didn't know what I was talking about, but that didn't matter. What mattered was, "Of course you don't know because he never let you get in his pants!" I growled out, slamming the door shut in her face before marching back to the couch, putting on some sports so I could try and calm myself by breathing... breathing...

Leon

Ahh, finally. Home was quickly becoming my favorite place to be. Not that it hadn't been a nice place to be before, but with Cloud always there and always making me the best dinners, well, I'm not ashamed to say that it made the house seem more welcoming.

We hadn't had another moment like that massage a week ago, but I'd been pretty busy at work and he'd been test driving his new motorcycle sometimes. He kept offering to let me drive it, but I hadn't driven a bike in years. I'd probably crash it. Locking my car and walking up my steps I noticed an odd smell. Was that smoke? Unlocking the door, I was hit by a burning smell and I threw down my briefcase to rush into the kitchen.

"Cloud? Is something burning?" Was it food, or was something on fire? I froze as my eyes settled on him. His arms were crossed, a glare fixed on the frying pan that contained burnt to the crisp steaks. His hair was a disaster and there was a piece of pasta stuck to his cheek that he didn't seem to notice at all. He was angry, I could tell by his stiff posture and how he didn't give me the regular warm welcome he always happily gave me. No... Happy Cloud wasn't here right now.

"Leon." He clipped out, grabbing the frying pan so he could toss it into the sink, steaks and all. He stamped his foot, glaring at me now. Okay...

I gulped, not sure if there was something that I'd done to make him so angry. Had I forgotten something important? "Cloud, are you okay?" Reaching out slowly, I removed the pasta that was stuck to his cheek and raked my eyes worriedly over his body. His eyes blinked out of the glare, watching as I put the piece of pasta in my mouth, chewing it and then grimacing. His shoulders relaxed as he sighed, looking really very tired.

"Your stupid ex popped in for a visit about an hour ago." He muttered out.

The hair on my neck stood up and I shivered. "Rinoa. Did she do or say anything to you? I'm so sorry. I hope you know that I haven't ever said she could come here. What happened?" I glanced around at the obvious disaster that the kitchen was in, wondering if she'd done something to it.

Cloud grumbled, "She said that you always wanted her here after I told her you didn't want her here. Then I went all caveman on her, nearly poking her eye out with my wedding ring to make very clear that you are mine." He paused, blinking up at me, "You know... I was trying to be convincing." He corrected shakily. "Then she asked to use the bathroom. I let her and then she said that I was clearly not what you wanted." I saw a very small pout but he quickly tucked it back in, shrugging, "She left after that. She just..." Looking over his shoulder at the state the kitchen was in, he scratched the back of his head, blushing and smiling sheepishly back at me, "She got to me."

If my reading of body language was accurate, it seemed to me that she had more than just gotten to him. He was jealous. The idea pleased me more than it should, but I couldn't understand why it shouldn't. He was my husband and he didn't want my ex in my life. That sounded very appealing to me. Grinning a little, I stepped forward and wrapped my arms around him for a quick hug. Releasing him almost immediately, no need to make him uncomfortable, I chuckled.

"Thanks for trying to be convincing. Tell me if she stops by again. One more visit, and the restraining order goes into play. I'm getting rather fed up with her." And I was. I didn't like woman all that much to begin with, and she was making me like them less and less.

Cloud's nose wrinkled before he growled, "Next time she comes over? I'm slapping her." He gave me a curt nod and then turned to go clean up the mess he'd created in our kitchen.

Oh yeah, definitely jealous. And cute. "Okay, I'll order us a pizza and you can take the night off."

Cloud - two days later

Pretending I wasn't feeling some sort of crush on Leon was getting really complicated. Since our jobs were so different and we didn't follow similar working hours we only really spent time together when we were in the house together. When we were in the house, we were just the two of us and so we were husband only by name and nothing more. I didn't really want to poke into that territory...

I mean what if what I felt for him was just that sense of home and family he offered me? I'd never called any place 'home' before living here in Leon's house. My house. Our house. What if my attraction to him was more because he gave me that family feeling I'd never been given before? I could try and find out, but that would require me to actually admit my possible crush out loud to him.

What if I fucked it up? I'd have to move out of this place and then I couldn't be around Leon and our marriage would get annulled and then I'd loose the insurance, which strangely enough? I wasn't so worried about lately... But, without insurance, no surgery, without surgery? DEAD.

Knock knock.

Perfect fucking timing. It better not be Rinoa. I'd slaughter her with the mood I was in. I stopped kneading the dough for the bread I was making. I was making sloppy joe's. The baguette was gonna be home made, hence the dough. Placing a humid towel over the lump, I put it in the ray of sunlight by the kitchen window so it could rise and rest before wiping my hands off on my jeans because, sure, I was good in the kitchen, but laundry was a whole other matter altogether. Making my way to the front door, I opened it and blinked at the sight. Well, I didn't know this man... long blue hair, brown eyes with an X shaped scar over the bridge of his nose.

"Hi," I said with a smile, "How can I help you?"

He didn't smile, instead he reached into his suit jacket and removed a card and handed it to me. "My name is Saix. I am an inspector for Aetna Health Insurance. I am looking for a Mr. Cloud Leonhart and a Mr. Squall Leonhart."

I swear to god, Cloud! Keep it together! Don't freak out because he'll know! "Oh." I said calmly. Good boy. "Well, you're at the right address. I'm Cloud. Leon isn't home yet, but he should get here in about ten minutes." I added pleasantly, "Would you like to wait for him? I can get you something to drink." Very, very good!

"Yes, thank you." He followed me inside, glancing around and taking in the surroundings.

"Take a seat," I gestured for the couch, "What would you like to drink?"

"Coffee would be fine, thank you." He unbuttoned his suit so he could sit down normally, setting his briefcase on the ground by his feet.

"I'll have to make a new pot." I warned, making my way to the kitchen, "I'll be right with you." Tossing him a smile, I got into the kitchen, closing the door gently behind me and then let myself panic like I wanted too. Oh my god... Oh my god... SHIT! Okay. Inspections. He... What if he went through the house? Fuck!

Rushing over to the coffee maker, I quickly started it, letting it do it's thing before sprinting out of the backdoor that led into the garden so I could circle the house around the right, getting back in through the garage. Crossing that, I stepped back into the hallway, making sure to not make any noise so Mr. Saix wouldn't know I was like... a few steps away from him. Taking a deep breathe, I slipped up the stairs and then made my way into my bedroom.

Bouncing on spot, I reached up, pulling on my hair in some more panic. Okay... Okay. If he gets up here and sees two separate rooms? Not good. Not good at all! Breathing out steadily, I walked over to my closet, grabbing all my clothes and then proceeded in carrying them into Leon's room. I opened his closet door and then threw mine in there, wincing as I was messing with his clearly well organized closet.

But this was a matter of... something! Running back to my room, I grabbed everything that belonged to me, bringing it to Leon's room and placing it wherever it looked right, making sure to move my toothbrush, hairbrush, razor and shampoo into Leon's bathroom as well. When done, I made my way back down the stairs, through the garage, back into the kitchen and then poured Saix a cup of coffee. Hoping to dear god that he hadn't come into the kitchen while I was gone, I carried the mug out into the living room, plastering a smile on my face so I could place it before him on the coffee table.

I heard Leon's car and I smiled, "Ah, that would be Leon." I said happily. Thank fucking god! Walking over to the front door, I walked up to Leon as he stepped inside the house. "Leon!" I said happily, my back facing Saix so I showed Leon I was freaking the fuck out with big, huge round eyes before plastering myself against him for a hug. Not only did it look good for show, but I really, really needed it because this was stressful.

Immediately aware of what was going on, he stepped forward and pulled me into a hug, kissing my cheek. "Hey, honey. What's for dinner?" With his arm still around me, Leon walked us into the living room together.

Honey? Really? If me and him ever got together, he'd have to be more original, "Sloppy joe's. But we got a guest first. Saix is an inspector for Aetna Health Insurance. He wishes to talk to us both."

Saix stood and offered Leon his hand and a card. "Pleasure to meet you Mr. Leonhart. Please have a seat. I was hoping to ask you a few questions." Leon gave him a pleasant smile and sat down in the recliner while I sat on the end of the sofa closest to him, his hand still holding mine.

Saix glanced at our hands and gave a small smile. "Please don't be alarmed, this is just a preliminary investigation into a statement that was made to our insurance in regards to the legality of your marriage." Bending down and opening the suitcase on the floor he handed me a packet of about three pieces of paper. "What you have in front of you, is a description of the statement and what steps you will need to take in order to settle it, if you so choose. Because we receive all the information from your employer who is the one who has seen your marriage certificate, we will need a copy of it, as well as statements from the witnesses who signed it." Snapping his briefcase closed, he cleared his throat. "This is just a formality. If, however, we find anything amiss with the certificate, proof of tampering, or anything else of the sort, Cloud's insurance will be suspended and you will need to go through legal channels to get it reinstated. Do you have any questions?" He looked at Leon expectantly.

Yes, focus on Leon. He was the together one, he knew how to deal with this. He squeezed my hand in reassurance and I absorbed it gratefully, lacing my fingers through his since... Well. I'd wanted to do that for a while now and now I could without having to admit my attraction to him. I was worried... Leon didn't look it, so I knew I didn't have too, but this was scary. I needed that surgery. If I lost his insurance...

"This all looks fine. I'll have my secretary send the information to your office tomorrow. Will that be all or did you need anything else from us? We definitely want to get this cleared up as soon as possible." Leon's voice was pleasant and I'd imagine him using it to put witnesses and clients at ease.

"Thank you, that will be all." Saix stood up and redid his suit jacket, grabbing his briefcase from the floor. "And we are hoping to get this cleared up as I understand that Cloud is actually in need of medical coverage."

"I have a tumor." I muttered out, that very fact screaming in my mind repeatedly because of the little scare this visit was giving me.

His eyes softened a little and he glanced at Leon. "I'm very sorry to hear that. Please excuse me." Putting his hand out, he shook Leon's hand and then mine. "Congratulations on your marriage and I hope everything turns out for the best." His smile was sincere and we both stood up and went to escort him out.

As we walked around the couch, Leon pulled me close to his chest all of a sudden. "Please excuse me Saix, I have something I need to do." Before I could even think, Leon's lips were on mine, warm and moving, his hand cupping my face to move it in perfect harmony with the kiss. I heard a faint noise that could have been a chuckle come from behind us, but I couldn't focus on that with Leon kissing me.

My hands shot up to his shoulders, fingers clutching his shirt as the blood rushed through me at a speed it never had and I couldn't really control my heart and everything was suddenly very hot. His palm was warm against my jaw, his thumb stroking over my cheek, his lips so soft against my own... I whimpered against his mouth, kissing him back, enjoying the sensations it was giving me. Leon pulled away after a moment, his arms coming around me to hold me close since I'm pretty sure I couldn't stand on my own right now. Kissing the tip of my nose, he smiled down at me and I breathed out shakily.

"Clearly our honeymoon didn't last long enough." I muttered out.

Saix cleared his throat a little, but in an amused way. "They never do." I gave him a smile, feeling a lot more relaxed now, thanks to Leon's kiss. Still tucked against Leon's side, we let Saix out of the door and I sighed heavily, not even caring that the show wasn't necessary anymore as I sagged against Leon. Pressing my face against his chest, I tried to tremble my way through the stress I'd felt in those heavy few minutes.

"Are you okay? How long was he here before I made it home?" Leon sounded worried and his arms were still holding me tightly, obviously not caring about the show either. Pulling my face away from his chest so I could look at him, I opened my mouth to answer, but then winced as a painful sting shot through my muscles. Stiffening, I started to feel faint and then my body started convulsing and I was kicked into unconsciousness.

A/N: *Gasp* She gave us the next chapter, but left it as a cliffhanger? How could she?

*shot*