Hey. This fic is for Terra ForceXIII. Check out their stories, they're awesome! :D

It's not like we actually converse, but hey, I enjoy writing for others! Enjoy!

Xion sighed as she reshuffled the stack of papers in her hands. It was almost time for lunch, and she was already exhausted. Her new job was demanding, and, though she was more than up for it, it took a while to get used to.

Especially the part where she had to wake up at five in the morning every morning and drive to her office.

At least it's not lonely… But no. That was a lie. Xion could not remember a time where she felt lonelier: her supervisor and co-worker, a tall, dark-haired man named Vanitas, barely talked to her except when he needed something or was giving her orders.

Cell phone use was restricted, and the work was tiring.

No. I won't give up. I'll show him that I can do this job, and better than him, too! Besides, ten more minutes til lunch. I can manage…

"Hey, Xion! Over here!" called out Naminé, waving to her dark-haired friend. She was sitting with their friends, Terra, Aqua, and Ventus, at the café table they always hung out at. It was one of the largest ones out there, and had its own umbrella and stood in the middle of the café's pavilion, with a perfect view of the sea. Xion grinned and ran over.

"Hey guys!" she greeted. Aqua smiled and Terra chose that moment to grace her forehead with a kiss. Naminé giggled.

"Terra… I thought we agreed that you wouldn't kiss Aqua outside?" The young man shrugged and grinned a goofy smile.

"Can't help it, Nami, she's just too beautiful!" The blue-haired teen blushed and Xion sighed.

"Terra… are you sure you're really twenty-two, and not seventeen, like Ventus?" The blond rolled his eyes.

"Keep me outta this, Xion. Have you had lunch yet?" Xion's empty stomach growled in response for her. Ventus nodded sagely and shoved his friends playfully out of the way.

"Hey!" the couple cried out in unison. Naminé moved from her seat on the bench and onto the table to make room for Xion. All of the other benches and chairs were filled with schoolbags and books. Xion glanced over them curiously.

"What's with…?" She gestured vaguely at the stuff that was hogging all of the space. Aqua shrugged.

"Terra's been helping me study for my finals." The black-haired teen nodded and gratefully took the sandwich Naminé offered to her and unwrapped it.

Biting in, she made a face at the taste.

It was ham and cheese.

Again.

"Naminé, can't you make anything else other than ham 'n' cheese?" she asked. "I've been eating lunch with you guys every Wednesday, and every time I get the same sandwich! Not that I'm complaining…" she added hastily. Ventus grinned.

"Xion, Naminé knows how to burn water. At least the food you're eating isn't charred to a crisp!"

The blonde looked hurt.

"Aww, come on guys, I can make pasta…"

"Then why don't you make that instead?" teased Xion. They continued their banter as Terra ordered lunch from the café for all of them. After they ate, they agreed to resume their repartee the next week, and Xion stretched her arms, yawning.

"Oh… guys, it's getting late. I have about five minutes before I need to leave for work."

"Actually…" drawled a sudden voice, "I'm sure you've forgotten, but I warned you that your watch was a few minutes late. You were actually supposed to be in the office three minutes ago. Xehanort will roast us alive if you're not back soon. His papers are piling up, and his secretary is on leave: we'd better get started soon. Come along, Xion." A tall, lean man with midnight blue hair strode towards the five friends quickly, with an authoritative aura about him. He had stern golden eyes and a pale face, and a mouth set in a grimace.

Aqua and Naminé stared at him in awe.

"This is your co-worker, Xion? You never told us how hot he was!" whispered Naminé. Terra waved his hand in front of Aqua's eyes in a futile attempt to regain her attention. ("Aqua? Hey, Aqua~?")

But Xion barely heard her. Dashing around the table to gather her things (which had somehow scattered themselves, most likely due to Terra and Ventus), she hurriedly ran up to her supervisor.

"Sorry, Vanitas! I'll fix it later, thanks for coming for me!" she gasped out. Vanitas rolled his eyes and turned away, walking towards his black Porsche.

"Get in," he said shortly, and turned the engine on. Xion turned and waved back to her shocked friends as the car rolled away.

"Whew! Thanks," Xion said gratefully, smiling at him but faltering when she saw that his expression did not change. Vanitas's eyes flickered for a moment, glancing at her face, before he spoke.

"Yes, you have already conveyed your gratitude to me, Xion." He continued driving, ignoring the hurt silence.

Several minutes passed.

"H-how did you find me?" asked his younger coworker curiously. Nothing can keep her down for long, can it? He rolled his eyes.

"You go to the same café every Wednesday. When we're allowed to use our phones, you make plans with your friends to meet there the next Wednesday. In a very loud voice, I may add." Xion made a face.

"Come on, Vanitas! I do not talk that loud! Honestly! You're worse than—"

"Than who? Hmm? We're here." The black-haired teen opened the door and ran out with her bag slung over her shoulder.

"I wouldn't run if I were you," called out Vanitas, amused. Xion stopped and turned around.

"Why not? You were the one who said that Xehanort would probably kill us if we were late any longer!"

"Yes, well… the elevator only goes to the fifth floor today. You'll have to walk the seven others by yourself."

He smirked at Xion's gaping mouth.

"Close your mouth, darling. You look like a fish."

SOOOOO? How was it? Was it good? This is my first XionxVanitas fic (Vanitas is pretty hot. Just sayin'. Sora's too cheerful to be hot) [Zexion still rules all]! Reviews? Heheheh, a cliffhanger... ish... of sorts... kinda...