A chair was pulled out and straddled. Janine looked up from the correcting of her papers and smirked. "Hey, Dincht. Did I say you could sit your ass there?"
Zell grinned. "Don't see anyone else's ass in the chair, so it's mine."
Janine pushed her papers away as she leaned back in her chair. "What do you need?"
He motioned toward her. "Wanted to see how it's going. Fitting in OK?"
She stretched and then rested her hands on top of her head. "If I wasn't, I wouldn't give a damn."
"Made any friends?" Zell pressed, laughing.
Janine's lips twitched. "One or two."
Zell nodded. "Yeah. Sally doesn't stop talking about ya. Damn. I think she sees you as a long-lost sister or something."
Chuckling, Janine gave a shake of her head. "That girl of yours is a doll, Dincht. You twist her up and I'll hand you your ass."
His face twisted in a 'Whatever!' as he gave a loud "Tch! You think I'm gonna screw with the best thing I've got? Hell no!"
Janine chuckled again and then briefly motioned at him. "So how in the hell did you get involved with someone like her anyway?"
Zell absently twisted a ring on his right hand, moving his gaze to it. "I helped her get ready for her Field Exam qualifier; the Fire Cavern?" He shook his head, chuckling. "She'd failed three times already, poor thing. Probably thought she was going to be a candidate forever. Even I could see it."
When Zell looked up, his expression was so serious that Janine nearly died laughing.
"Only thing was," he continued, "she'd trained on the quarterstaff; totally wrong for her body style. You should've seen her face when I told her that. I felt like an ass. I mean, she'd been training hard for years. She was pretty good, too. Just not great." Zell shrugged. "So I taught her some of the basic Duel moves. She caught on really quick, too. ‘Course, I could tell she would. Just in the way she moved. Total and complete control over her body."
"I bet," she mumbled, smirking. Then she lowered her hands from her head to cross her arms. "I've got a question that'll likely piss you off. Why'd you go after her? Sal gal doesn't seem your type."
Zell grinned. "Don't I know it?" Then he gave a shrug. "It was one thing after another. Hell if I know how it happened. First I was helping her study for the Fire Cavern, then we spent the day together to celebrate when she passed and I took her to meet Ma and I met her parents and saw where she grew up...." He shrugged again. "Then she was telling me she liked me as a 'boyfriend'." Zell chuckled. "I was going to ask her out, I just needed to think about stuff Ma had told me the day before."
"What was there to think about? You liked hanging out with her, didn't you?"
"Sure! She's a riot, and she actually laughs at my jokes. Hell. She understands my jokes!"
"So what was there to think about? You thought she was cute. You liked hanging out with her..." She motioned to him. "Why didn't you just–-"
"Make out and not worry about it?"
Janine's smirk widened when memories of 'making out' with Seifer popped into her imagination. "Basically."
Zell adjusted his crossed arms along the back of the chair and gave a one-shouldered shrug. "I would've, but hanging around with Sally... Well, she's not like that. You know how she is," he pressed as he gestured toward Janine. "I just felt better taking it at her pace. Finding out about her and hanging out with her family. Just laying back and letting her push me along."
Janine examined Zell's face. "You like being her friend, huh?"
Zell smiled. "Being friends with Sally is a rush. I mean, dude, we talk about everything. She pushes me to do stuff, too. Things I usually just yak about. You know? All talk and no action?"
Janine thoughtfully nodded.
Zell chuckled. "She makes me want to show off and do things. And I know she won't laugh if I screw up. I guess you could say I trust her, but it's more than that." He shrugged. "Can't explain."
Janine smirked and adjusted her crossed arms. "I think I understand."
Zell motioned to her. "So how're things with you and Seifer?"
"Me and Seifer?" she repeated, eyebrow arched.
Her answer had him hesitating. "Oh. You're not telling anyone?"
"Telling anyone what?"
Zell laughed and then stood. "OK, OK. I get the hint. See you around, Janine. And feel free to show up at the Training Center for Meg and my sparring sessions. I'm sure we can figure out a Break for you."
"Thanks, Dincht."
"No prob. Gotta jet. Gonna surprise my girl down in the security office."
Janine sat forward. "Have fun." She watched him exit the cafeteria, absently taking up a pen and tapping the paper. '...you and Seifer'... Janine lowered her gaze. I don't know, Dincht. Seifer and I aren't like you and Sally. We're just in it for the thrill. We don't connect... Janine's action of tapping the pen on the paper halted. Like hell. She tossed the pen away and leaned back–- She sat back up as her eyes focused on Ahndra Kelley approaching.
The silver-haired woman pulled out a chair and sat. "A moment."
"Sure." Janine relaxed into the chair and crossed her arms. "What can I do for you?"
"Explain a pursuit."
"OK. Which one? Galbadian? Radical? Black-market? I've been involved in a lot of high-profile, top-secret pursuits in my career as a SeeD. It's all in my file, which I'm sure you have clearance to read what with being Sei–-"
"That pursuit."
Janine's temper sparked as she adjusted her crossed arms. "And what business is that of yours?"
"What is your goal?" Ahndra pressed.
Frowning, Janine grabbed hold of her rising temper. "That isn't any of your damned business." A thrill? A rush? A distraction and a bit of fun? Hell! I don't remember anymore! "And even if it was, you can blow it out your ass. Anything that happens there is between him and me. Period."
Ahndra slightly inclined her head. "Yes, but as second in command it is my duty to report change in job performance; to Seifer and to Commander Squall."
Janine's gut twisted. Change in job performance-– She pressed her lips together. She refused to believe it. Seifer wasn't the kind. Janine uncrossed her arms and leaned slightly forward, still frowning. "The day that man lets personal relationships affect his duty is the day I get my hearing back," she said in a dangerously low voice. "So if you've got a problem, take it up with him. Because I sure as hell won't stop anything without hearing it from him first."
Ahndra held Janine's gaze, thoughtful consideration within the hard stare. 'Change in job performance'... Damn it! That had been the one thing about Seifer she hadn't wanted to touch. That's why she never asked about his job and his responsibilities. She knew how closely Seifer had to keep the information to himself. She also knew how important his duty was to him. She felt the same about her duty as Instructor and SeeD.
Finally, Ahndra slowly stood, still holding Janine's gaze. "I am his second in command, but I am his friend. Tread carefully. I will react accordingly."
Janine's frown deepened. "Bring it."
Ahndra smirked and then turned to exit the cafeteria. Janine followed her with narrowed eyes. Now why in the hell do I feel like I was measured up?
« † »
Seifer tossed a stack of completed reports into his 'out' box and grabbed another handful, a frown of concentration hardening his expression. His office door opened and closed. "Yeah."
"Seifer," greeted a male voice.
Seifer looked up. He smirked at the black-haired man with the silver eyes and laid-back attitude. Seifer leaned back in his chair. "Marshal."
Marshal sat back in one of the chairs opposite Seifer's desk. "Just waiting for chicklit." He motioned to Seifer. "How's life?"
Watching Ahndra try and handle a relationship with you? Life is damned amusing! "No complaints."
"That's good." Marshal crossed his arms. "You going to Sally's birthday party next month?"
"Haven't decided yet." Seifer regarded the man across from him with a suspicious examination. "You?"
"Yeah. Me and Ahndra are going together. You should see the dress." Marshal whistled. "Hot. I'll likely get slapped half a dozen times on the way to the party."
Seifer chuckled. He hadn't yet been slapped by Janine, though the right-hook the night before had come damn close. "Watch for her right."
Marshal smirked. "Heard about that. Dude. You should've told her about me." He suddenly frowned. "Hell. You should've told me about her. You damn prick."
Seifer laughed. "And miss the fun? Hell no."
"Only fun to you. You're a sick bastard, Almasy. Getting your jollies off others' misery. Shit."
Seifer's smirk vanished, and he frowned down at his desktop as he tapped it with his pen. "'Ahndra' left the day you stormed from the hospital," he said darkly. "And Fujin was different. Hard. Cold. Like me. She had to be to survive her new life because she didn't think you were coming back." Seifer tossed the pen away. "The mission... It had to be done."
Marshal scoffed. "Shit. I guess the reasons don't matter anymore. I've got another chance." He crossed his arms and released a deep breath. "Thanks for looking out for her, Seif. Thanks for always being her friend, even when I couldn't be. I appreciate it."
Seifer met Marshal's gaze. "You leave her again and I'll beat your ass."
"I don't plan on it. You know how Ahndra and I clicked back then. We could talk about everything. We did, too. Letters every damn day talking about shit we never told anyone else. It's like that all over again. Sure, she's more withdrawn and controlled than she was before, but it's still Ahndra. I can still trust her."
Seifer frowned at his desktop. Trust. Talking. A click.
"I hope you click with a woman like Ahndra, Seif." Marshal chuckled. "I'd love to see the fur fly when you get in her face to try and push her around. 'Course, knowing you, she'd probably think it was hot and come at you wanting more." Marshal laughed. "When you find a woman like that, Seif, grab her. There's no more out there. Believe me, I've looked." Marshal laughed harder, drawing Seifer's gaze. "You know what's really damned funny? I thought you had the hots for Sally a while back, before I knew about Squall ordering you to take it easy on her. I swear Dincht must've thought the same thing."
Seifer scoffed. "Regal? Like hell." Sure. She has a nice ass, but... Regal? Seifer scoffed again.
"Hey. There's nothing wrong with Sally. She's a sweetheart."
Seifer leaned forward. "Do you see me with someone like Sally Regal? I scare her shitless."
Marshal pointed at him. "But she comes to work anyway."
Seifer reluctantly conceded the point as he leaned back again.
Marshal stood. "Nice yakking at you, Seif. Take it easy. And try having a little down time. Take a vacation. Kiss a girl. Hell, get involved with one! It's great fun."
Seifer smirked and motioned toward the door. "Your woman's calling."
Marshal chuckled and opened the door to Seifer's office. "See you later, dickhead."
He shut the door. Seifer's smirk vanished. 'When you find a woman like that, Seif, grab her... Hell, get involved...' He tapped his fingers on his desk, an odd expression darkening his green eyes.
« † »
Janine set aside another corrected essay paper and breathed deep. She closed her eyes and rubbed at her neck. 'Being friends with Sally is a rush. I mean, dude, we talk about everything. She pushes me to do stuff, too.' Janine slowly opened her eyes, still absently massaging her neck as she stared down at the next essay paper. 'I guess you could say I trust her, but it's more than that.' Janine pinched the bridge of her nose as she took in and released another deep breath. You're addicted to the thrill, Dincht. Admit it. Some people call it love, but it's all the same. A thrill that can fade if you don't work at keeping it new.
Opening her eyes, Janine drew in her focus to the essay paper as she pulled it closer-– Seifer sat in the chair to her right and leaned back, kicking his feet up onto the table with a hard clump-clump.
Janine looked over at him with an initial expression of surprise before sending him a smirk. 'Change in job performance...' Janine's smirk vanished and she looked away.
"Problem?" Seifer asked after a moment's silence.
Frowning, Janine slammed down her pen and moved her focus back to him. "Yeah, I have a problem: People getting in my face about my business," she grumbled.
Seifer raised an eyebrow.
Janine swore and sat back heavily in her chair.
Seifer examined Janine's expression. "Larab--"
Janine leaned forward. "Just what's your story with Ahndra Kelley?"
Seifer regarded her a moment before pulling his legs from the table and leaning forward, arms resting against his legs. "Problem?"
"Hell yes there's a problem," Janine snapped harshly. "I've got bitches coming out of my ass telling me to back off or watch my step where you're concerned. What the hell kind of place is this? Can't even trust a fellow SeeD–-"
"Larabie," Seifer interrupted in a sharp tone. "Cool off."
"Like hell." Janine pointed at him. "If one more person gets in my face about my relationship with you, I swear I'll go up one side of their ass and down the other. And that includes you and your 'friend' Ahndra Kelley. She wants me to tread carefully? I'll 'tread carefully'. All over her ass!"
Seifer's green eyes flashed a warning. "You step off from Ahndra, Janine. She and I go back, and she's the only one who's got any right to get in your face. Trepe. Dincht. Regal. Any other SeeD in this Network I don't have a problem with, but you keep off from Ahndra."
"You want me to keep off?" Something within Janine flashed so hot that she practically saw red. "Fine. I'll keep off." She stood and gathered her papers and pens and schedule book. When she made a move to turn away, Seifer stood in her path. "Get the hell out of my way."
"Like hell."
Janine's eyes flashed as she glared up at him. "If you don't get out of my–-"
Seifer grabbed her papers from her arms and slammed them onto the table. He faced her again. "You'll what?"
The 'something' popped and Janine struck him hard in the face. Seifer actually staggered backwards. Janine glared at his shocked expression as he rubbed at his jaw before turning to grab up her papers and books yet again. He blocked her path just as before.
Janine could feel her muscles trembling with rage and.... "Back off."
"So why the hell are you so pissed, Janine?"
She scoffed and attempted to push past. He pushed her back with tight grips on her arms. Temper boiled. Janine wrenched her arms free from his grasp and slammed her armload back onto the table.
"At ease, Larabie," he warned.
"Hyne's ass I'll stand at-ease. You ruffled my feathers, sir, and now you've got one pissed chic on your ass!"
Seifer smirked down at her.
Janine grabbed his shirtfront with one hand and drew back the other. "You want me to wipe that smirk off your face, sir?"
Seifer jerked her hand from his shirt and had her turned with her arm held up tightly between her shoulder blades before she could even gasp with surprise. When Janine began swearing, he sent a glare around the room. "Clear out."
Everyone moved for the exit, clearing out the cafeteria in less than 30 seconds. Once everyone was gone, Seifer released his hold and blocked the immediate attempted hit.
Janine's temper went solar. "You ever pull shit like that again, and I'll beat your ass into the nex–-"
"Why are you pissed, Janine?" he asked again.
"You want to know why the hell I'm pissed, Seifer Almasy?" she asked as she jabbed a finger into his chest. "Because you want me to step off from someone I want to mess with; I don't like that. It makes me see red. You want to know why? Because she's the only person you've told me to step off from. Why do I give a damn? Because that makes me think you're banging her right alongside giving me the 'no'. Why do I give a damn about that? Because I don't want to share you!"
He stepped close, hands on her hips to pull her up against him. "And why the hell doesn't Janine Larabie want to share?" he asked gruffly.
Janine's anger flat-lined as she stared up at him and that sexy smirk. "What."
Seifer's lips twitched higher. "You heard me, Larabie." He adjusted his hold and drew her closer, his lips teasing the skin of her throat.
Janine's eyes nearly rolled back in her head. "Damn..."
She dragged her focus back, fighting against the thrill and the warmth and his cologne and chuckle.. 'Change in performance–-' Janine's eyes snapped open and she pushed Seifer's hands and arms away. Seifer regarded her in surprise, then his eyes narrowed as he examined her reaction.
Janine stepped back. She didn't know how to explain the problem without blowing up in his face. But if she just walked out, he would think she walked out on him.
Seifer slowly crossed his arms. "Larabie."
"Forget it." She looked away, and her frown darkened.
"Larabie," he pressed, harder.
Janine could hear the irritation and annoyance.
Then Seifer reached out and grabbed a firm hold of her arm, his thumb lightly stroking her through the material of her shirt. "Janine. Problem?"
She faced him, arms dropping swiftly to her sides. "Seifer, you'd drop my ass if there was a problem, right?"
Seifer's eyebrow rose higher. "Such as?"
She motioned to him. "With you. Garden. Job. The whole damn nine yards."
"Who reported a problem?" he asked calmly.
Janine pressed her lips together. Shit! "Later," she said sharply, stepping to the table to grab up her stuff and make her way to the exit of the cafeteria.
Seifer followed. "Like hell." He grabbed her by the arm and roughly turned her to face him.
Janine held his gaze, but this time she wasn't frowning. There was such a turmoil inside that she actually felt sick.
"Janine, if there's a problem with my performance, Ahndra would let me know. She hasn't, so who's been talking to you?"
No. There wasn't a problem now, but what if the pushing and the thrill and the telling of secrets brought up a problem later. Seifer Almasy was all about his job. His duty. That was one of the sexiest things about him. Janine didn't want to screw with that.
She pulled her arm free. "Don't ask. We'll talk later." And she turned and strode away, pushing through the doors of the cafeteria to the side-hall beyond. Again she felt the reverb of Seifer's steps following. "Hell," she whispered.
He stepped in front of her and glared down at her. "You better report what the goddamned problem is, or you'll spend a night in lock-up."
Janine just frowned at the top button of his black-silk shirt.
Seifer grabbed her arms in a tight grip and shook her. "Damn it, Janine, what the hell is the problem?"
And the odd look of desperation cracked her hold on the words. "Why does everyone think I'm going to screw with your job here?" she snapped. She wrenched her hands from his grasp. "I'm SeeD, not some damn flake off the street who doesn't know her ass from her finger. Security check panned out. Psych test was fine. I'm in better physical shape than most of the higher-ranked officers in the Network! So why are they coming after me just because I want to do the H.O.S.?"
"Because no one ever has," Seifer snapped.
"What the hell are you talking about?"
Seifer scoffed. "Janine, I'm an ass. A damned arrogant bastard that loves screwing with people's minds. You think women want to do me on a regular basis?"
Janine continued to frown as she pointed roughly to herself, not noticing the occasional glances sent their direction. "So because I want to, that makes me a spy or something?" She scoffed. "It's about you and not your job! The minute I think there's a problem, I'll back off. I don't want to be responsible for you losing the only thing that's ever meant anything to you!"
Seifer blinked and leaned slightly back. Then he immediately leaned forward again. "The hell you will, Janine Larabie. If you back off, it's because you're tired of the chase! I can do my job–-"
"But can you do it and me?" Seifer clenched his jaw. Janine pressed a finger into his chest. "You said yourself that no one has ever pursued a fling with you. And now Dincht's thinking there's something going on between us and Ahndra's asking about my 'pursuit'... It makes me think something's changed."
Seifer remained silent, jaw muscle twitching wildly.
Janine lowered her hand from his chest as she watched him. Then she let her arms go slack as she held onto her papers and folders. "I know. Sure, the thrill I get is all you and not your job, but... but you said it. Garden is your life." Janine slightly shook her head. "I... I can't be responsible for making you lose that." She sighed deep. "Seifer, do you have any idea how much an ass I would feel if I made you lose your life here?
Seifer's jaw worked. "There isn't a problem, Janine."
"Fine," she assured. "There isn't a problem, but all I know is that.... All I know is that if your performance changes, I will feel like a thrill-hungry bitch who couldn't pull her head out of her ass long enough to see what she was doing to the man-–"
He turned and stalked off. Janine watched him, and when he turned into the main corridor, she slumped against the wall to her right and released a deep breath.
"Damn it, Seifer," she whispered, "you weren't supposed to leave."
Janine slightly shook her head. No. He was supposed to take her in his arms and say 'I can do my job and you, Larabie' and then kiss her as hard as he had ever done. That was the thrill she'd waited for. The rush she wanted. The rush of being 'enough' for a man like Seifer...
Janine pressed her lips together and straightened. There hadn't been any final good-byes, and she sure as hell wouldn't write him off. Seifer Almasy was hot, sexy, and a rush she'd never had before. She not only 'clicked' with him, she didn't know where he stopped and she started!
Sighing deep, Janine brought her papers and folders up and started forward again. Just remember what I said, big guy. I said 'if' there was a problem. I never said there was. If there isn't, then they can push all they want; I've got your back.
« † »
Seifer slammed the door to his dorm room so hard the walls shook. Scrubbing at his scalp and neck until they stung, he paced in front of his bed. 'You'd drop my ass if there was a problem, right?' Problem? What the hell is she talking about? Who the hell reported a problem? Ahndra sure as hell hadn't talked to him about one. 'And now Dincht's thinking there's something going on between us and Ahndra's asking about my 'pursuit'... It makes me think something's changed.'
Seifer halted and fisted his hands so hard the knuckles popped. There isn't a problem! Ahndra's probably pushing your buttons just to see what you'll do. She's like that! And Dincht? Seifer scoffed. Who the hell knows what he thinks about anything!
'Seifer, do you have any idea how much an ass I would feel if I made you lose your life here?'
Seifer swore. "Damn it, Janine, there isn't a problem!" he hissed.
He took a hard step toward his door–- 'The thrill I get is all you and not your job, but...' Seifer halted. 'I can't be responsible for making you lose that.'
I can do my job and you, damn it! Seifer clenched his jaw and turned sharply for the empty bed. Sure the job had been different since that day she'd spilled hot coffee on him. Sure he knew the thrill and the chase made it different. The damned expectation of the 'after work'. The craving of the next secret. Shit!
Seifer slumped onto his bed and buried his hands in his hair. He did his job different. But was there a problem? He scrubbed hard at his scalp. "Shit...."
« † »
Janine slumped down onto her bed as she released a long breath. Then she looked up at the clock and groaned as she fell back. She covered her face with her hands. Damn it, Seifer. Her throat tightened. You weren't supposed to leave.