Alexandra stretched in her bed and sighed contently before getting up. She wanted more sleep. She yearned for it. Working eight hours a day and sleeping only six hours a night was really taking a toll on her. It was already morning. It would be another boring day at ShinRa.

She straightened the skirt she wore, pulling it down more. She applied some make up and smiled in the mirror. She looked very professional. Her soft brown hair was put up in a bun, not a hair out of place. Many, including Genesis, have asked why she took her job very seriously. She would shrug but she knew the answer. She didn't know what else to do. Midgar was a very sexist place. A woman working was still frowned upon. She considered herself lucky that she got where she was. She didn't have to whore around with men at ShinRa. She worked hard to get there. She was proud of herself.

She propped her rectangular reading glasses onto her face and head for the door.

Just in time, Alex walked into the humongous ShinRa building, a soft smile on her face. Women gave her their usual scowl and men gave her their usual leer. She didn't like this place. She was so uncomfortable working at ShinRa. The women at ShinRa hated her for getting so close to Genesis.

Alex wasn't pretty. She was… normal. She still wondered why Genesis even hung out around her. She was dull. Unlike her, Genesis was interesting… to say at the least. He might have been an ass but she couldn't imagine work without him. She would have probably quit long before. He made her smile whether she liked it or not. It was a weird friendship they had. He was practically the pretty boy and she was the nerd.

She was already piled in her work when she noticed something on her desk that didn't belong there. It was an invitation. She raised an eyebrow and eyed the paper carefully.

ShinRa's Annual Formal Dance

You are hereby invited to ShinRa's Annual Ball. Bring one person.

It was short and included the date and time. The small paper was grabbed out of her hand. She turned to frown at the red head, who was too busy reading the paper in his hand. He smirked, raising his eyes to meet Alex's.

"Are you going?" He inquired, arrogance stapled on his face.

"I don't know and I really don't care right now. I don't have time to care." She replied, already started on her paperwork once more.

"These parties are always are dreadfully boring until one of the Soldiers gets real drunk." He stopped to chuckle softly. "That's when the real party starts. It's quite entertaining really." He grinned, pearly whites out in the open.

"I'll see. It is two more weeks until the actual dance." Alex responded, pen scratching away at the paper.

Genesis ruffled her hair, earning a growl from her, and left the brunette to her work.

(Line Break)

It was almost lunchtime, Alex's favorite time of the day. She strode calmly to the cafeteria, headstrong on getting a coffee.

"My regular please!" She chirped, her good mood visible in her smile. She looked back at the cafeteria to see a deathly quiet. It was really strange. It was usually loud in the large area. Everyone seemed to stare at her, a scared expression on their faces. She frowned. Was there wrong with her? Did she do something embarrassing? She turned to her left to meet a well chiseled chest, barely covered by leather.

The first thing that ran through Alex's mind was, 'I don't remember that statue here.' That was until she noticed the silver hair. She looked up and was met by cold green mako eyes.

"Hello Alexandra." He acknowledged her.

Alex stammered before her words. "P-please call me Alex." She fumbled with her glasses as she looked up at him.

Sephiroth smirked. The two had met before through Angeal and Alex heard many things about him from Genesis. Alex let Genesis spill his guts about how he hated Sephiroth and nodded in agreement. Alex knew why he came to her. If Genesis went to Angeal, he would be read the honor speech again. Alex was somewhat pleased to hear the he remembered her name. Not that she cared that much…

"Alright Alex. I came down here to discuss something with you." His lavish voice spoke. His voice was defintly one you wouldn't forget. It was husky and dark, chilling any Wutai soldier or odd secretary to the spine.

"One Mocha Coffee, whipped cream on the b-"

"That's me." Alex reluctantly interjected. She grabbed her coffee. Sephiroth, coffee already in hand showed her the way to an empty table. She didn't see what the big deal was. Sure, the guy was pretty intimidating, but he didn't seem all that bad. That was until he stared her deep into her soul.

They both sat, an awkward silence pursuing the two.

"I believe you are close with Genesis, as he tells me, is that correct?" Sephiroth spoke, a smirk still embedded on his lips.

"Yes. I guess you can say that. He's an ass but he's Genesis." Alex spoke as she sipped her coffee.

"Genesis can be an ass." Sephiroth replied. Alex frowned.

"Hey! Only I can call Genesis an ass." She pointed her finger at him, quickly regretting it. Did she already forget who he was? Needless to say, she froze and quaked in her seat. "I'm sorry s-sir. I didn't mean to-"

"I apologize. I was in no position to comment him." He cut her short, slowly putting her hand down, which was still pointing at him.

Alex was blushing, her cheeks as hot as a radiator. He was still holding her hand. It seemed as if he didn't want to move his and they were quite comfortable holding hers.

"I wanted to ask you something Alex. I was wondering if you would like to attend the ShinRa dance with me."

She was surprised, to say at the least. "Why me?" the stunned woman asked the general.

"I just enjoy you in my presence." Sephiroth explained. His smirk never left his lips.

What should have she said? She knew that Genesis abhorred Sephiroth in everyway. How would he react when he would find out? He would be mad of course. But why should she care? She had every right to go with anyone to the dance. Who was he to decide? She couldn't decide for him. She just voiced her opinion. She didn't like Melinda yet he was still with her. She smiled and took a chance.

"Well… alright. I'd love to go with you." She responded, a mischievous grin on her face.