Someone Like Me

Squall walked to his office slowly thinking over the past few weeks. It had been a year since he defeated Ultimecia and he thought he would be spending the rest of his life with Rinoa. Now he was alone and having to deal with an unknown force coming out of Galbadia again. He stopped and leaned against the rail taking a deep breath. Nothing was going the way he wanted or how it should. He liked being in control and having certain things a certain way. His personal relationships were one of those things. Rinoa seemed to think that a relationship with him would be all rainbows and sunshine. It would be all feelings and nothing physical. Was he wrong for wanting a physical relationship? He new his desires and personal preferences where a little taboo but he was even willing to set them aside if she would have just met him a little bit of the way. He looked up continued to his office.

Alexandra awoke in a cold sweat and not very rested. She looked at her clock and just had time to put on her jacket and hat before she ran out of her room. As she was walking to the elevator a junior classman came out of the cafeteria and ran into her spilling a large soda all over her shirt.

“Dammit! Watch where you are going!” She shouted angrily at the boy as he ran off. There was no time to go and change so she ran up the stairs and got into the elevator trying to think of a less pathetic reason for a wet shirt. She didn’t have a thing. Alexandra walked up to the desk and saluted the man sitting behind it. She remained at attention as he looked up. Squall couldn’t help but stare at the wet shirt under her open jacket. He went to his desk drawer and pulled out a towel and handed it to her with out a word. Alexandra took the towel silently grateful that he didn’t ask what had happened but would preferred that he didn’t stare at her while she was wiping the liquid off. Squall couldn’t help but notice the fabric clung to her skin and showed that her ample chest was not constricted by a bra. Alexandra put the towel on the desk and spoke.

“You wanted to brief me on the mission Commander?”

Squall stood up and went to the front of the desk and leaned on the edge crossing his arms.

“Yes. We are going to Galbadia to investigate a possible rising of another sorceress. There have been strange disappearances of high ranking officials and the replacements have been moving towards isolating Galbadia from the rest of the provinces. That means they have something to hide. Strange magic has been seen in isolated regions so that leads us to believe another sorceress is coming about. We are going to interview some of the new officials and make some inspections of Galbadia Garden. When we board the Garden we are going to checking out those regions where the strange magic has been seen under the guise of testing the Garden’s flight ability. When we reach Deling City you are to make forays into the city and get the feel of what the people are saying. When we board the Garden you will interact with the students and find out what you can from them. Basically gather as much pertinent information as you can. Can you do that?”

“Yes Commander. Is that all?”

“Hell no. Everyone is buzzing about your little display in the training area. I was wondering if you wanted to tell me about it away from the gaping mouths and stares. Just you and me.”

Alexandra bit her lower lip and tried to think of a good way to talk her way out of the room without giving up to much. Her eyes were darting around the room and fell on the thick file on Squall’s desk. She had a pretty good idea what it was and who put it there. Anxiousness turned quickly to anger. She looked up at Squall with a fierce scowl.

“I don’t think that is necessary Commander. You seem to have all the dirt on me already. If you want to get yourself off by hearing about my past go have someone else read my file for you.”

Alexandra saluted Squall and turned to leave without being dismissed. Squall eyes widened and his temper hit the red almost immediately.

“Hold your ground!!!!!!” Alexandra turned around just as Squall got close enough that she could feel his hot breath on her face. Squall stared for a few moments into her green eyes. He then started circling her looking her over from head to toe. She was a few inches shorter then he and her figure while curvy was also well muscled. Judging from her ability in the training area she was also very flexible. He took off her hat and threw it on the desk so he could look at her hair. It fell in a solid red wave from her hat, wavy and thick. Alexandra went very still, if he laid another finger on her it would be a battle right then and there. Alexandra would loose but she didn’t care, it was a matter of principle. Her principles were no one ever touched her, ever. Squall faced her again and tried to keep his voice steady as he talked.

“I didn’t read your file. Quistis put it on my desk and she is the one who read it.”

Alexandra looked up and mentally kicked herself for making an assumption.

“I...I’m sorry Commander. I am a private person and when I saw the file….I am sorry, I shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions. If you want to excuse me from the mission I understand completely.”

“No your part in the mission stands; I’ve already put in the paper work. So you have to come up with something else to make up for the disrespect.”

Alexandra looked confused and didn’t know what to say to his demand. It was unusual and she wasn’t sure. It sounded somewhat….but he couldn’t. He was the commander of a garden, he couldn’t make THOSE kind of demands without damaging his reputation. Still it didn’t hurt to be sure.

“I’m not sure what you mean commander.”

“Every year one student is chosen to intern with the headmaster or commander for a year. I am naming you to that position.”

Alexandra was both relieved and annoyed. According to talk, the internship was basically indentured servitude but at least he wasn’t implying anything sexual.

“Yes Commander.”