_Unexpected
Interlude_
*Zack snippet*
Samantha, draped in an extravagantly feather-draped evening gown, almost managed the impossible. Leaning elegantly on his arm as they entered the ballroom, she almost made the crowd forget that he existed. For once he marveled at his ability to fade into the background, just a convenient prop for his unlikely accessory. Sadly the moment didn’t last, the eyes of their impromptu audience almost made an audible noise as they shifted from her, expectantly to /him/, and back again. The murmurs had started then, and continued for the rest of the evening. Sephiroth had restrained his dissatisfaction to a sigh. The rest of the night had gone down hill from there.
“Hang tough… another half an hour and I’ll feign exhaustion, and you can ‘escort me home’…” Professional down to her toes, the singer’s comment was murmured even as she smiled suavely for a department secretary.
She seemed to share Zack’s uncanny ability to speak without moving her lips. He wondered if it was a skill all showmen – and women – mastered. He looked over his shoulder, checking on the dark haired SOLDIER out of habit. It was unusual to not have him on hand all the time. He couldn’t help but worry at how much trouble the SOLDIER could get into.
The southerner had spent most of the evening doing much the same; keeping an eye on him from the sidelines of one of the more remote tables where mid-range officers and bureaucrats sat. It was comforting to know that even with his ‘official date’ he could rely on his partner to watch his back. The party was winding down however, and searching for the characteristic mop of dark hair, he was mildly alarmed to see the officer smoothly steering none-other than Ms. Scarlet around the dance floor.
// Oh lord… spare me any disasters… //
He could hardly go and intervene without looking like an idiot, or being obliged to ask his own ‘date’ to dance. Using his height to his advantage, he caught the tanned man’s eye as he danced, shooting him a silent glare. The ‘Trust me’ smile he got in reply didn’t make him feel any better about things. Putting those two together was rather like adding oil to a fire. He only hoped Zack would remember to behave while he had the woman in public. They would undoubtedly continue their merrie war in private.
// My fault really… I was the one who told him to ‘run interference’ to keep Scarlet out of my hair for the night… Hopefully she won’t do anything too irreparable to the man. //
Following his look, Samantha smiled a little wider. “… seems he’s keeping busy.”
“Indeed.”
“From the way he’s been spotting us all night I almost want to say that he’s jealous… Rather cute really.”
Sephiroth blinked, considering his aide’s watchful gaze from /her/ point of view. Of course she’d think that the SOLDIER was watching her, and in a way, he had been, just not for the reasons she probably thought.
// Unless he really was…? //
He didn’t think his instincts could have been so far mislead. After letting the man closer than anyone had ever gotten before to ‘the real Sephiroth’ he liked to think he could read his looks a little. Glancing at the dancing man again, he received a silent ‘What’s wrong?’ from the expressive Mako eyes and promptly dismissed the idea. A gentleman would never tell his date that she wasn’t the object of devout attention for everyone in the room, but silently he was pleased to know he had been right all along.
Off duty Zack might flirt mercilessly, but on the clock, he was as steady as stone.
Remembering to be considerate, Sephiroth caught one of the servers and passed a glass to the blonde. “… Is there anyone else you want to meet before you go?” The formal uniform’s tight collar made him want to scratch the back of his neck, an impulse he resisted mostly by the pressure of her hand on his arm. She shared Zack’s ability to read people too. Maybe it was just that he allowed her to see a little more than most. A painful necessity for evening, and a compliment paid to her for being the dark haired man’s friend.
“… Who else can I use your famous-self to crowbar an interview with, you mean?” Samantha laughed and studied the room, “I’ve already had wine with the President, been stepped on by Mr. Palmer, and cooed at by god knows how many civil servants… goodness what’s left? You’re tall… can you see Herb Deber, from Reactor Records? My manager said he’d be here... but I haven’t spotted him yet.”
“That depends…” The general replied dryly. “What does Mr. Deber look like? I don’t think I’ve ever needed the services of a music mogul before.”
“Fat, glasses, usually a pinstripe suit.” The candid description helped sort out most of the crowd.
Sweeping the room he spotted a likely cluster by the door. “… Sunglasses, well endowed woman in green on his arm?” Pivoting her so she could see, he gestured discretely. “By the second pillar from the left.”
“Bull’s-eye.” The blonde grinned. “You’re a handy fellow to have around.”
“I live to serve, madam.” He offered his arm. “He’s even conveniently along the way out.”
“You really don’t like parties, do you…”
“I dislike fawning in principle, doubly so when /I/ am the one doing it.”
Samantha laughed again. “I don’t think you fawned once all night. Very proper and polite, but no fawning.”
“… It was a great sacrifice, I assure you.”
His presence was all it took to get the roly-poly man’s attention, and once introductions were done he could simply stand quietly and pretend to care as the singer tried to make a good impression on her would-be producer. He couldn’t see what Zack was up to from where they were socializing, and philosophically decided that he really didn’t want to know.
He’d hear about anything truly awful in the morning when the SOLDIER emerged from whichever bed he happened to be warming. The southerner deserved /something/ for all his efforts during the past week. Sephiroth looked down, mentally tallying all the wrangling his friend must have managed.
// Where the hell did he find a pair of dress shoes my size… ? They don’t even pinch… //
Comfortable shoes or not, he firmly resolved to never let himself be talked into another night like this. A sword-related mishap was preferable to making small talk with Heidigger for more than five minutes. He was sure he could convince Zack to oblige. He pulled himself back into the here-and-now when a discrete elbow jabbed him. “Hmmm?”
“I hate to be a party pooper, General… but do you think you could find my wrap? I think I’m a little tired.”
“We should get you home then, Ms.
It wasn’t until they were tucked safely inside the car and sliding elegantly down the street that he relented enough to undo the top two buttons of his collar and sign in relief. He didn’t really care /what/ she thought, he missed being able to breathe without strangling. Samantha watched him a quiet moment before surrendering any pretense of elegance and pulling off her heels with a sigh of her own, hiking up her skirt she proceeded to cross her legs so she could rub her toes.
“Oh god I hate these shoes!”
He watched her antics for a moment before surrendering to curiosity. “… Why do you wear them if they’re so uncomfortable?”
“Because they match the dress, silly.” She winced and wiggled her feet. “Remind me not to wear this dress again anytime soon.”
“It’s a bit extravagant for doing the dishes in.” He agreed, trying to remember if anyone had ever dared call him ‘silly’ before. Maybe Zack, he could imagine anyone else wanting to.
They both seemed to have the man on their mind. The blonde laughed at his reply, “I’m beginning to see why Zack adores you so much.”
“Come again?” Her unexpected comment made him pause.
“Zack, you know, the play-boy you keep in your pay?”
“Ah. Him. Yes he’s handy to have around.”
“You’re like, the perfect straight-man to bounce all his craziness off of.” She mused. “Always stern and silent, but if the comedian gives you your cues you’ll provide just the right amount of feedback to keep things sharp. It’s like having a perfect backup band.”
“You’re saying that I’m just a convenient sounding board for him?” Uncertain if he was amused or annoyed at the description he kept his voice mild, curious, if only just.
Twinkling eyes studied him from beneath the artfully long lashes. “I think… that were you any stiffer then you are, he’d have given you up for hopeless years ago… not that I can honestly image you every being relaxed and ‘carefree’ or anything… but if he’s like the puppy… you’re definitely the leash.” She sniggered at her own metaphor. “Who knows, the two of you together might just win ‘best in show.’”
“I’ll tell him you said that.” The image of the wild haired officer as a frolicking pup did have a certain comic appeal. He stored the commentary away for a later time; preferably when Zack’s ego needed a little deflating. Samantha simply laughed again.
“Come up for coffee?”
“Me?”
Startled, he realized they were already at her apartment
building. The elegant front doors with their bellman were just outside. They
had never planned beyond getting her home, there hadn’t been a need. The
assumption had been that she would go, and he would return to his rooms at
headquarters. Her smile was inviting,
and something else. He sat stiffly. “Strictly business, Ms.
“Not afraid of a little coffee, are we?” She slipped her shoes on and straightened her dress before the driver could open the door and help her out. Not entirely sure why he bothered, he followed her out of the car and into the lobby. She reached up and brushed some lint from his sleeve as if she had been mothering him for years instead of having only met him twice before. “Besides, when was the last time you escorted a gorgeous starlet up to her rooms for a drink?”
“… Would you believe, ‘never’?” He tried not to lean away from her touch. Now that they were mostly alone he felt less comfortable about her proximity then he had at the party. He didn’t like people touching him in general; women touching him just added a layer of complexity to the problem.
“… Somehow I’m not surprised.” Samantha was kind enough to give him a few inches more space, standing diplomatically in the other half of the elevator with no further poking. The ride up was still uncomfortably quiet.
Having never been inside of a woman’s apartment that he could remember, Sephiroth decided that it was too flowery for his tastes. He looked around the living room feeling rather as if he had stepped into a magazine cover. He settled on the couch for fear of causing offense by looking at things he shouldn’t while she worked in the kitchen. Everything was soft and delicate, a far cry from his own utilitarian rooms, or Zack’s battered but cozy furnishings. Somehow he doubted the singer would keep a piece of furniture with a scuff on it. She wasn’t /rich/, not quite, but definitely on the better side of well off and aiming to climb higher.
// Wonder how fragile the coffee table is… //
It looked as though one solid kick would reduce it to splinters.
Paranoid, he carefully tucked his feet against the couch.
His host reappeared with a pair of rather practical looking mugs. Idly he wondered if she simply didn’t trust him with the good china, or if she was trying to make a play for casual. She served the drink black and strong. Considering his options, he settled for sipping it without comment. If pressed, he would have admitted he liked her; trusted her as far as he could anyone he knew practically nothing about. She was a friend of Zack’s and really, he was surprised how much that alone seemed to affect his opinion. It didn’t mean he was exactly ready to get into a long conversation with her about how he liked his coffee.
She didn’t notice his hesitation, moving about the room to adjust the lights and fuss with knickknacks. Eventually she turned, leaning against the window to watch him in exasperation. “Always so formal, General?”
He remembered to use a coaster under his drink. “Usually.”
“You really don’t spend much time with women, do you…”
“It’s not something that happens very often in my line of work.”
“I meant socially.” She replied softly.
“Ah.” He picked his words carefully, wondering what she wanted. “… I don’t tend to… I am not by habit a social person.”
The blonde woman laughed. “I believe Zack’s precise description was ‘Hermit.’”
“Zack talks about me?” A sudden surge of jealously, from where he had no idea. It was followed by an equally unpleasant feeling of alarm. Somehow he kept his surprise in check.
“Oh not really. Nothing specific… just that you’re a good commander and an honorable guy…” She waved his question away. “He included you in the little pre-party briefing he gave me the other night… I think he was afraid I’d scare you by being too…” She made a silly face and pantomimed giggling girlishly.
“Did he…?”
“Yes.” She laughed for real this time. “Although I probably shouldn’t have told you, I’ll get him in trouble.” Sipping her drink, she moved closer. “It did help though… what he said… I mean, it’s not every guy I just invite up on the first date.”
“No?” He firmly didn’t look at the door. He shouldn’t have come upstairs in the first place, he was tired, and wasn’t very good at small talk even when fresh. That was what Zack was for, after all.
“Of course not.” She laughed and gave him a speculative look. “He convinced me that I could trust you to always be a gentleman. Besides… it won’t harm either of our reputations if you were to sleep here tonight…”
“Excuse me?” He should have stayed in the damn car. This was what happened when people deviated from the plan. Things got out of hand in a hurry.
“… I have a spare room… You’re a little long to stretch out on the couch… What do you think?”
For the second time that night, Sephiroth wasn’t sure whether he was amused or offended at her presumption. “… That’s very generous of you, do you mind asking me what led you to make this offer?”
“Well I’d have tried something a little more vulgar, but I can’t help but get the feeling…” Samantha sat primly next to him, “… that you’re just not interested.”
// … shit… What does she know?! //
His expression must have revealed something of his defensiveness, she raised her hand to try and soothe him. “Oh please don’t be offended… It’s not like you’re wearing a sign or anything… It’s just…”
“Yes?”
“You’re very impersonal when you touch people. Even now… you even wear gloves. See?” The singer pointed out the article of clothing at evidence. “I don’t mind if women aren’t your taste. Or is it that you just don’t have any interests at all?”
“I…” He swallowed his coffee for lack of a better way to buy time. It was a bitter brand. “… believe I mentioned I wasn’t a very social person.”
“How lonely for you.”
“I’ve never noticed any particular absence of companionship.”
She nodded thoughtfully. “Well you do have Zack to take care of you, I suppose…”
“Indeed.” The general
wondered if it would be impolite to edge backwards to put a little more space
between them. Stoically he held his ground. If he was going to retreat he might
as well leave all together. He set his
coffee down carefully, “I thank you for the offer, Ms.
“Samantha.” The blonde smiled. “Or Sam.”
“… Ms. Samantha…” He continued grimly. “However I think I will have to refuse. It’s been a long night, and tomorrow is an early day for me.”
“Have you ever kissed a woman, Sephiroth.”
He blinked, adjusting to her new tact. “When occasion demanded it.”
“Ever slept with one?”
“Once or twice…”
“How many times?” She grinned.
The general shrugged, seeing no reason not to be honest. “Twice.”
“Didn’t like it?”
“I neither liked nor disliked it.” He’d have stood up to leave, but she was still holding onto his sleeve. He weighed politeness against the need to end the conversation before he said something he’d really regret. Zack’s friend or not, she was too nosy.
“Two things before you go?” She really was charming, he granted her that. If his friend had been here in his place, the girl would have been tumbled by now.
Samantha smelled like baby powder and lilac perfume. Given his limited experience with the stuff, he decided it was less annoyingly brazen than the brand Scarlet wore, but a bit more expensive than the ones worn by the scattered women of the medical and science levels. At least it lacked the chemical overtones. Determined to be polite, if only for Zack’s sake, he made an effort to be attentive, “… and what is it that you would like, madam.”
“First, a goodnight kiss.” She winked, “Surely you can manage. You’re a war hero after all, you’ve faced fates worse than death.” He simply raised an eyebrow, but she didn’t seem inclined to take no for an answer, pulling him to his feet and playfully puckering her lips.
“… very well.” Feeling completely foolish, he leaned down and did as ordered. It was over in a moment and seemed to satisfy her.
“… well someone taught you how to kiss properly, anyway.”
“I shall treasure your vote of confidence in my abilities.”
She made a face at his dry reply. “Jerk.”
“Usually. Your second demand?”
Turning around, she pulled her hair out of the way. “Unzip me before you go. I hate trying to reach it by myself.”
Sephiroth snorted in amusement, finding the second request easier to complete than the first. “In that case. Good night, Samantha. Thank you for your assistance. I’m sure Zack will track you down and try to reward you properly next week sometime.”
“God no. He’s a charming bastard, but I refuse to give in to his boyish smile…”
“May I ask why?” It was rare to hear a woman declare a categorical defeat for the SOLDIER. He couldn’t help but wonder what his friend had done to make her swear off him completely.
“Let’s just say… he can’t give me what I want.”
“And what do you want, Ms.
“Commitment.” She rolled her eyes, “What else?”
Thinking it through he hesitated at the door he turned back. “... and you imply that /I/ would be able to grant you that?”
“Nah, I was just going to sleep with you for the bragging rights.” The singer shrugged, claiming both mugs and putting them on the counter. “But now that I think about it, you would be the sort to keep your promises… if a person could get you to make them in the first place. You’re just a little too reserved for my tastes, you know? I had a really fun time tonight. By all means call again should you ever need another dinner companion, but otherwise? Zack can /keep/ you.”
“Good evening, Ms.
The night was warm enough, but walking across Sector 2 seemed a silly thing to do. He turned to get the bellman to call a cab.
Zack was leaning against the side of the entrance instead, cigarette smoke curling up on the tiny breeze.
Taking a final drag off the offensive paper, the officer ground it into the stone wall and dropped it in the can before looking up to greet him. “Ready to go?”
Braced for a joke, he could only nod in agreement when it never came. Tired, and tired of being surprised for one night, he followed the dark man quietly to the car parked a little way down the curb. He sank into the passenger seat with a sigh. A thoughtful someone had pushed the seat all the way back, letting him at least pretend there was enough room for his legs without having to bend in half to fumble for the controls. Closing his eyes, he trusted Zack to get him home in one piece and without any further headaches.
“Did she behave herself?”
The bland question caught him staring blindly at the road as it went by. Sephiroth turned to look at his friend, wondering at the random seeming tension in the man’s arms and neck. The dark man was peeved about something, he just wasn’t sure what.
“… She was… interesting.” He shook his head, not wanting to imply that anything had happened that hadn’t. “A little pushy…”
“… Thought she might try something… She’s a good friend… but… like I said when I introduced you, she’s a tireless self-promoter.” His partner agreed, still in a falsely mild tone. “I figured I’d swing by… just in case… sent the limo home. It’ll be a mystery for them to figure out when they see you at the office tomorrow.”
Sephiroth chuckled, unbuttoning another few buttons on his jacket to scratch the back of his neck easier. “She says… that I’m lucky I have you to take care of me.”
“You’d do fine without me. I’m just a convenience.” Relaxing a little, his friend shrugged in reply.
Not having the bravery -or the energy- left to disagree, the general watched him drive for a quiet moment. Someday he’d get around to telling the wild-haired southerner how much his friendship meant to him. Rescues from the apartments of nosy-damsels not withstanding, life would be a lot harder without Zack’s steady presence. He made a mental note to thank the man in the morning when he was thinking clearly and wouldn’t make a mess of it. Right now it was just easier to slouch down until his head could rest against the glass. After the crowds and chatter of the banquet, and the friendly-inquisition at the apartment, he just wanted to savor the quiet safety that the car offered. He rode back to Sector 1 in a half trance, silently wishing it wasn’t ‘to work’ they were headed.
“… You okay over there?” Almost in sight of the guard station and parking garage beyond, Zack’s gentle question was his signal that it was time to put on a professional face again.
Groaning, the general sat up straight and fixed his uniform. “No, but I will be after a shower.”
“Could go with one myself.” His friend chuckled softly. “Surprised you made it through the whole evening without punching someone… You’re going to be in the papers tomorrow, you realize that right?”
“Why?”
“Do you have any idea how photogenic you are? Hell adding Sam to the mix just guaranteed that the image will be in color as well as black and white. You two were the damn prom king and queen compared to the rest of the senior staff… Even Scarlet felt out classed.”
“How much did you have to pay her to get her to let it slide?”
Zack snorted as he flashed his badge at the saluting cadet and guided them into the labyrinth of underground parking. “Not a cent. Just flattered her mercilessly and promised her that I’d get her any juicy gossip I heard…”
“Is there any?”
“Not that I’m aware of, you?” He smiled wolfishly.
“Not a damn thing.” Climbing out, Sephiroth waited from his friend to lock the little vehicle and toss the keys into a convenient night-drop box for a clerk to sort out in the morning. They rode the elevator in companionable silence, leaning against each other’s and the wall to prop them up. The car stopped at Zack’s floor with a discrete ping.
Straightening himself with a groan, his friend held a hand against the door to keep it from closing. “… Coffee, Seph?”
Two more floors and he’d be safely in his room and hidden from the world. He considered the sterile privacy for a long moment, and then pushed off the wall to follow his partner out the door.
*****
*****
-Lunar