Someone Like Me

Squall remained silent.

“She is a lot like you Squall. I would think you would find that disturbing or annoying.”

“Are you calling me annoying Zell?” Squall asked angrily.

“I fucking new it. When you want to dodge a question you don’t want to answer you change the subject” Zell said laughing. “She doesn’t strike me as the...ya know.”

“What?”

“You know a submissive. She is awfully aggressive.”

“I could break her if I wanted to.”

“I dunno dude. There is something odd about her. Besides it hasn’t even been 6 months since Rinoa broke it off with you. You need to give yourself sometime.”

“I’m not suffering over Rinoa, I’m just…….I don’t know. I don’t want to talk about this right now”

“Horny?” Zell asked with a sly grin.

“Discussion over Zell” Squall said tersely

“That’s a yes.” Before Squall could make a remark, Zell pulled into the parking lot and announced their arrival. Everyone got out and rang the bell on the highly decorated double doors. A stern looking butler answered the door and announced them to the General in his study. General Caraway was leaning up against his desk looking displeased as always.

“So you’re finally here,”

“General Caraway.” Squall said with a nod. “We will need the regular security force in the city to give us some room to work and investigate with out being interfered with.”

“As always you like to get down to the basics right away Squall.” Caraway said with a grim look before pouring himself a glass of wine. “Tell me will I be facing an complaints from the daughters of this city due to your investigation?” He asked nastily.

Squall frowned and looked like he was going to make a pithy comment in answer to Caraway’s but Alexandra, strangely enough, spoke first.

“General Caraway, perhaps the sooner we are given the leeway to finish our investigations the sooner we will be able to leave.” Alexandra said quietly but firmly. She wanted this done and over with. There was obviously far too much personal drama in this room for her.

“And just who are you young lady?”

“I am Commander Leonheart’s intern for the year.”

“I see. Well despite you status you make an excellent point. The security force will be informed right away. I am glad to see intelligence and discretions are being taught to the newer SeeDs.” Caraway looked at Squall again “You may go now.”

The SeeD team saluted the general and exited the mansion quickly. Squall paused and looked at Alexandra just outside the mansion.

“What possessed you to speak up like that?” Squall asked quietly

“I didn’t think valuable time should be wasted. All we needed from the general was his cooperation with the security force. I thought the general would feel less threatened by a female voice of reason. Simple psychology.”

“Well done Alexandra. You seem to be bent on impressing us all.”

Alexandra simply looked at the ground and said nothing. Squall walked over to her and put his face close enough so he could see her eyes.

“The proper response is thank you.” Squall said quietly.

Alexandra backed up once she sensed he was close and her whole body went still, her hand sought the hilt of one of her swords. Alexandra looked Squall in the eyes with pure hatred.

“Don’t ever come close to me like that again.”

Squall backed up a few paces and drew Lion Heart; a fierce scowl masked his face as he spoke.

“That is the last time you disrespect me Alex.”

Zell tentatively got in between the two combatants.

“Ummm could this possibly wait till we are finished with the mission?” Zell asked hesitantly. Squall put up his sword and adjusted his jacket.

“We will discuss your ongoing respect problem later Alex.”

Alexandra remained at attention and uttered a barely audible yes sir. Zell was talking quietly to Squall leading him away from the others. Irvine walked over to Alexandra and waved his hand gently in front of her. Alexandra looked up and glared at the young cowboy.

“What?” She asked tersely

“Are you trying to get your ass kicked hon?” Irvine asked with a chuckle

“He shouldn’t have gotten close to me.” Alexandra said crossing her arms.

“I know some people have personal space but most people just make do with a simple back off. They don’t go straight for the weapons.”

“Well that’s not such a good idea with Squall. He’ll kill you as soon as look at you.”
“He can try.” She said with a grim smile.

“Oh boy.” Irvine started rubbing his eyes. This is going to a long mission he thought. Irvine was not looking forward to babysitting their mutual hatred of each other but he couldn’t help but sense a slight chemistry between them. Maybe he could do something to help that chemistry along. He would have to discuss it with Zell when he had a chance. Zell brought Squall back and started rubbing his hands together.

“Ok Squall and I talked it over and Irvine is going to take the west side of the city with Alexandra, Squall and I are going to take the east side. Let’s rock people like we have a purpose.”

Zell and Squall walked off and Irvine sighed as he ran to catch up with Alexandra who was already making her way to the shopping district. Irvine fell into step with Alexandra and tried to make polite conversation.

“So what was it like growing up in Centra?”

“Hot in the summer and cold in the winter.”

Should I even try to get to know you better?”

“No.”