A/N: A new story begins! Cloud and Leon in yet another adventurous tale A and I cooked up together. So, the core idea for this story is not intensely original as it's been done before and will most likely be done many times still, but if it is used so often, it's because it's just that good. I'd tell you what it is, but then I'd be ruining the surprise of this chapter. What I can tell you is that it is a lot of fun and it's one of mine and A's favorites :) As always, Alice voices Leon and I voice Cloud.

On an unrelated note: A gave birth to her baby yesterday! :D

Cloud

Shaking my head out of the very intent stare I'd pointed at the 'Exit' sign above, well, the exit, my eyes caught a glimpse of Valentine bend over his drawing table, the music he was listening too loud enough for me to hear a buzz come from his headphones. Beside him, in his respective cubicle, sat Cid, cigarette in his mouth despite the 'no smoking' sign not ten feet away from him.

Owning the cubicle beside mine, was Hayner, who was cursing out a client the way he did best. Probably about a carrier wall that couldn't be destroyed, but of course the customer didn't get that. We agree that that wall wouldn't look it's best there, but if you want a second floor that doesn't cave in in the following month? It really does need to stay. Go figure.

Sighing, I placed my arms behind my head, stretching my feet out under my own drawing table as I willed time to go faster. I'd finished the concept sketch for the project that had been dumped in my lap yesterday afternoon. Now it was time for lunch, because I had nothing else to work on. But I had to wait for twelve, and not a minute sooner or later, because big boss Leonhart was a hard ass like that.

Wanted to make sure we did our hours, getting paid for those and not sneaking in a break even if we were supposed to be working. I glared at his assistance office door since his was out of my line of vision. I hated that guy. Ever since he'd gotten the promotion he'd forgotten us little people. Spinning on my chair so I could look over at the other side of the large working space, I decided that looking in that direction wasn't much better.

The architecture department was sort of split in half. There was us serious workers, me, Cid, Vincent and Hayner, and then dumped over on the other side of the room were Yuffie, Seifer, Rai and Fuu. Fuu wasn't so bad, and Yuffie, although loud, had impressive potential that could beat me and snatch my raise if I didn't watch my back. Rai and Seifer on the other hand? Well, they just weren't hell bent on going further up the ladder, I guess.

But that wasn't why I wanted to ignore that section. No, it was because Seifer had once again managed to compliment and insult me all at once. Which of course, when I asked, was an insult only, and the compliment I'd thought I'd heard, hadn't been one. Just wishful thinking on my part.

Groaning, I let my head loll back, closing my eyes as I tuned everything out, deciding I would play my favorite pass time game. Interviewing myself. I liked to imagine I was a big shot architect who could choose his own clients and decline those he didn't think interesting. So brilliant at what I did, I'd be able to live off of one commission a year and practically drown in the luxury of the pay I got for it. Yeah... And I'd appear in those documentaries as the most interesting architect out of the entire bunch, and the questions they'd ask me I'd answer with style...

"Get ya head out of the clouds, Cloud." Cid laughed at his ridiculously lame joke as I send him a dull stare, spinning on my chair so I could sit properly behind my drawing table again. With the way Leonhart kept rejecting my ideas? I was never going to make it where I wanted.

Leon

I rubbed my forehead, trying to ignore the headache that brewed there almost daily lately, as I once again reviewed the plans before sending them to be approved by the county. It wasn't hard to do this job, at least that's what I'd thought when I accepted this promotion, but instead of focusing on designing and drawing for the clients we hired, I was stuck here reviewing the 'real' plans drawn by the others in the office over and over again. I had my masters degree in architecture and I hadn't gotten to draw something original in almost two years.

Which meant that all those years in school felt like a freaking waste when all I got to do was check all the little boxes making sure that the buildings other people drew didn't fall down. With a sigh, I rolled up the plans, glad at least that I could put this project in the finished pile.

Larxene, my assistant, would collect them, deliver them to the contractors who would go over them, give me any sort of feedback needed, then I'd get them back and file them with the county office. I'm pretty sure that's all my job was. Paper pushing. I gave a glance towards my door, trying to see through it to the cubicles that lay on the other side. Had it been so long since I'd had my cubicle out there?

Larxene came in and grabbed the narrow tubes of plans in the finished pile and exited again, almost ignoring me completely. Which was actually nice as sometimes I felt intimidated by my own assistant. There was something very...odd about her. But she was a fantastic assistant so I'd never felt the need to replace her.

She could basically anticipate my moods and my plans for the day, making everything run smoothly. She came back in a moment later, and stood in the doorway that separated our offices. I looked up and raised an eyebrow.

"It's three minutes past twelve, Mr. Leonhart." Surprised, I glanced and saw that it was indeed.

"See you in an hour, and I have a conference call after that, thank you." She'd taken it upon herself to remind me of lunch every day after I hadn't managed to take a lunch for the first three months that she'd been here.

"Thank you, sir." Almost as if a silent signal went out through the office, I heard the rest of the employees as they all set out for lunch as well. With them gone, I could now go grab a cup of coffee and finish these damn saftely inquiries from our last project. I didn't like to get coffee unless on some kind of break, lest it set a bad example for the rest of the employees who wouldn't hesitate to take advantage of getting coffee and taking unscheduled breaks.

The coffee warmed my hands and after taking a sip, I settled myself in my chair, trying again to focus on my job and not envy my employees their jobs.

The following day

My desk timer went off, alerting me that I had a tactical meeting with the rest of the staff in the conference room in about five minutes. Gathering my supplies, I figured Larxene was already in there, as there was silence in her office now. I headed across the hall and dropped my papers off, then frowned as there was no one in here, and no other folders or papers indicating that they were preparing for it.

This was a pretty important meeting, going over a few key projects that were being covered by multiple people. It was imperative that we all be aware of the projects progress in case of something happening. I frowned and checked my watch, stalking out to the cubicles to see the progress of them getting prepared.

"Excuse me." I said angrily, as no one had moved or looked like they were moving in the direction of the conference room. This was unacceptable. As per usual, the first one to react was Yuffie across the room. She was one of the only ones who didn't work with music blasting in their ears. Popping up from behind her table and low cubicle wall, she smiled largely my way.

"What's up, boss?" Her question was followed by curious eyes of the other employees, who'd finally noticed my presence.

"If you would read your memos," I snapped, beyond irritated by their laziness, "you would have all realized that the Henderson project tactical meeting started two minutes ago in the conference room. Anybody care to participate?" My voice was hard and I was seriously considering putting this on permanent records.

The lot of them quickly jumped out of their cubicles, grabbing some stuff before quickly shuffling their way to the conference room. Except Cloud. Because he never listened to a word I had to say. Arms crossed and eyes fixed on me, he glared and clearly wanted to give me a piece of his mind, but, he at least had the decency to wait till everyone was gone.

"Hah, there he goes again, opening his mouth when he really shouldn't." Seifer snickered as he passed by me, "Cloud, do us all a favor and try to learn the definition 'cool', it might actually help you through life." And then Seifer pulled the door harshly closed behind him.

Cloud's glare had slipped to make space for a tiny frown as he looked at the door, and he quickly licked his lips in clear discomfort at Seifer's words before shaking his head and returning his attention to me. I frowned at Seifer briefly, not appreciating negative remarks between employees. I'd have to watch him, because I wouldn't stand for any bickering among my subordinates.

"If," Cloud finally spoke, "you'd have actually given us memos, we'd have been able to read them."

"I gave Larxene the memo and she delivered it to everyone. Now get in the conference room with everything you need or I might regret my decision to include you on this project." I again, glanced at my clock, annoyed that he was delaying even more. "And now you have only thirty minutes instead of the forty I'd originally planned on. Let's hope you can get it together."

He let out a short, disbelieving, humorless laugh, "Seriously? Indirectly blaming it on Larxene? Now, I knew you had issues owning up to your mistakes, but not even able to properly blame it on your assistance?" He huffed, "What was I thinking, of course Leonhart can do no wrong."

"Watch it, Strife." I said, my voice dangerously quiet. "You are about one sentence away from a insubordination. Now, get your shit together." One more word, and I wouldn't hesitate to pull him from all of his current projects. No commissions for the rest of the year. I didn't understand why he always had to give me grief. Giving him one last hard look, I spun around and headed to the conference room.

"Don't walk away." He said, leading me to halt in my steps, "You can't just walk in here, demand we move our asses and start a freaking pissing contest to show your superiority because you get a kick out of it. We didn't get the memo, and instead of asking us why we weren't in that room, prepping for the conference, you give us hard stares as if we were a bunch of high school kids caught smoking on the playground by their principal."

Instead of feeling that pang of victory that would come from outright firing Cloud for finally crossing that line, I instead felt a stab of bitterness at the idea. We'd actually started at this firm around the same time and he'd been my closest work friend for the first little bit. But ever since I'd been promoted, I think there was a rift that would never repair. Despite our history, his attitude had never been this bad before and I wasn't going to let it slide. I took a deep breathe and opened my mouth.

"Excuse me," Both myself and Cloud looked over at Larxene, who gave us a tight smile, "I apologize for interrupting one of your many passionate bitch fights, but I thought it my duty to inform you, Mister Leonhart, that I did actually forget to deliver the memo, so I'm afraid their tardiness is on me."

"That is still no excuse for the way he acted just now." Cloud threw my way. Larxene lifted a hand to try and add more, but I cut her off.

"That is complete and utter bullshit." I said to Cloud, not backing down. "I can apologize for accusing you of forgetting, but that doesn't excuse your behavior that followed. I am your supervisor, not your co-worker. Despite me being in the wrong, you are expected to comply and obey regardless." I suppose I couldn't fire him at this point, but the attitude...still needed an adjustment.

Cloud was about to retaliate back, but Larxene stepped in front of him. "Mister Strife, I suggest you sit down in that chair, take a moment to breathe and skip this conference." About to point out that telling him what he should do was my job, Larxene turned and shook her head at me. "Please, Mister Leonhart, join the others in the conference room and do what you need to do. We shall deal with this issue at a more appropriate time, that being one where you aren't loosing minutes in your working schedule." She gave me a smile and gestured for me to go on. "I will remind Mister Strife of his position, if you believe me apt to do so, of course."

I pursed my lips and gave a tight nod. She was right, I was wasting time with this. Spinning around, I straightened my tie and headed into the conference room.

Cloud

I exhaled heavily in annoyance as Leon closed the door of the conference room behind him, leading me and Larxene to remain just the two of us here in the cubicle area.

"Why are you always so nice to him? You're in the same boat as us." I reminded her. Leon and his ways... It just, well, he didn't need to do much to push my buttons. Every little thing he did that rubbed slightly in the wrong direction? Right, so sometimes I could admit that I may respond a bit too strongly, but he really should not-

"He is my boss, Cloud." Larxene said, as she always did. "He does his job right, and I respect him for it. You do not see half of what I can as his assistant." She tugged on my hand, guiding me across the room to go around the corner and halt me before the coffee cabinet. "If you smothered that terrible temper of yours, you might actually be able to see what I can." Humming happily, she put on the tea boiler, grabbing a mug from the cabinet high up on the wall. "You've really gone too far this time." She noted.

That rush of anger burst through me again, "Because I'm the only one to blame in this?"

"Keep your voice down." She said with authority, leading me to frown as I instantly calmed down. Larxene was a bit scary around the edges. "For a fight to occur? There has to be two parties."

I nodded in satisfaction, "So you agree that he is to blame."

"You both are." She spelled out, pouring hot water into the mug. "Now drink this. It'll calm those overly tense nerves of yours." Taking my hand, she placed the tea there. "Have you broken things off with Seifer yet, or must I remind you how horrible you two are together?"

Ah, there it was, the pang of insecurity that I was so familiar with. "Leave it alone, Larxene. Seifer just has commitment issues which can make him nasty, doesn't mean he won't overcome them."

She gave me a sad smile, "Not with you he won't."

I groaned, rolling my eyes, "Oh, don't do that. You know I hate it when you pretend you can foresee things happening. You're not there when Seifer and me are alone." We rarely were... I'd actually not had a good moment with Seifer in a long couple of weeks.

"Drink." Larxene pointed at the mug before giving me a nod, a pat on the shoulder and then she left to go join the others in the conference room so she could assist mister dick head. He did not deserve capitals.

Leon

"Thank you all for your notes, and again, there was a misunderstanding with the memo and I apologize for that." I saw knowing looks being traded around the table and I figured that they'd heard the 'discussion' that Cloud and I had in the other room. At least they hadn't mentioned anything in the meeting.

I dismissed everyone, watched as they packed up their materals and nodded as they each exited the room. It was the end of the day, and I didn't feel like confronting Cloud now. It would have to wait until tomorrow morning. Sighing as I gathered my stuff, I went straight to my office counting on Larxene to have set him straight, for the moment. He would still need to be dealt with and just thinking about it, made me tired.

I shut the door and dropped into my chair, resting my forehead against my hand. "Why is he so stubborn?" I mumbled. He should be a top employee, but everything he did was a dig at me. Like he had a personal issue with me. Maybe, I could offer him a transfer to another branch somewhere so he wouldn't lose his job, but I wouldn't have to deal with him.

A short knock before Larxene stepped inside, closing the door gently behind her with her hip as she was carrying a mug of something in her hands. "I've spoken to Mister Strife and-"She cleared her throat as she came to stand beside my desk, "Well, we shall have to see of course, but I'm quite sure things will start straightening out from this point onwards." A small smile played on her lips as she offered me the mug, "I've made you some tea, to ease the head ache you surely are sporting right now."

"You know I don't like tea-" I started to say, but stopped when I caught the look she was sporting. It was her, obey me or suffer the consequences look. Taking the cup, I quickly drank, grimacing at the taste. "Uh, thank you. And I am not sure that Cloud will straighten out. I've been thinking I might find him a transfer. Then maybe he won't be such a thorn in my side."

She sat down on the edge of my desk, "I'm sorry if I'm about to cross any lines, Sir, but don't you believe there might be a reason as to why Mister Strife reacts so..." She shrugged, "for the lack of a better word, passionately to whatever it is you say?" She sighed, "I was taught that for a fight to take place, there has to be two parties participating for it to work."

"Well, that's obvious." It would be weird if I was fighting with myself. "And as to his reactions to me, some people just arent meant to get along. Hence the transfer idea." I frowned as she was sitting on my desk. Whatever. "He has always had something to say about me and how I work. I believe that there is just no way for us to work together."

She stood back up, smoothing down her sweater, "There is, you just have to learn not to torture each other so." Nodding my way, she exited my office to return to hers.

"I don't torture him." I mumbled to myself. "And he freaking started it."

Cloud - The next morning

"Whose to know if your soul will fade at all..." Had Seifer tampered with my alarm again? Because I'm pretty sure Seether wasn't the usual band waking me up in the morning. Opening my eyes, I then just as soon closed them as I was pretty much blinded by the sunlight, leading me to frown. I'd closed the blinds, I was sure of it. Okay, just, don't drag it out and get up. Right, that was a good plan.

Kicking the blanket away, I moved out of the bed, having a moment of vertigo that shot my system to full awareness when my foot connected with the floor later than it should have. Blinking at the ground, I wondered why I had a rug there all of a sudden. I hated that sense of falling, almost, the one you got when you missed a step when going up the stairs. Not cool. Shaking my head, I reached up to run my hands through my spikes, my yawn interrupted some as they felt softer and... longer?

"Seifer! What the hell prank did you pull now?" I shouted, stomping my way over to the door, only to realize there wasn't one where it was supposed to be. "What the fuck?" I whispered, turning in a circle to locate the exit of my bedroom door.

That was not my bed. Nor was that the color of my wall. Eying it somewhat skittishly, I stumbled my way over to the door, placing my hand against it to push open and walk through, only to bump my face into it. "Fuck!" I shrieked, stepping back to grab my nose and glare at the door. "Push, not pull." I demanded of it, trying again, but of course I had to pull and not push...

"Okay, things are fine, I probably got really drunk, don't remember anything and now I'm in someone's house I don't know, and I'll just have to sneak out." Nodding at myself, I stuck my head passed the door and took in a very large, but empty living room. Well, clearly whoever lived here enjoyed minimal. A couch, a tiny television and, well, that was it. Bare walls, unpainted, very naked altogether. But there was nobody here. Right?

"Hello?" I called out, waiting for an answer, but none came. Maybe I could at least use the bathroom then... And find pants. I needed pants. Stepping out into the living room, I tried every door, until I finally found the bathroom, walking over to the toilet, pulling up the seat before pushing down my-

"I don't own Hawaiian boxers..." I stated, frowning at the bright flower pattern on my underwear. Another thing I could blame on the alcohol. If I'd slept with anyone? Well, I'd never be sure because nobody was here, and even if I had? Okay, I did feel sort of bad, but it's not like Seifer could really be jealous as he'd made clear he wasn't into the exclusive thing.

Cringing at the memory of that fight, I relieved myself and then turned to scan the floor to see if I could find any sign of a man living here, that being the answer to my pant-less state right now. If they were anything like me, there'd be a heap of laundry lying about somewhere... I raised an eyebrow as instead I found a pair of jeans neatly folded on a chair beside the sink. Alright then. Taking them, I started wiggling my way in, and as I snapped the buttons in place, I took a quick look at the state of my face in the mirror. The quick look turned panicked as I released the pants, moving over to the mirror to stare wide eyed at my reflection.

"Leonhart?" I asked shakily, looking behind me first, but he wasn't there. "If we slept together? Please fire me now!" I spun around to take in the entirety of the bathroom, but I still couldn't- "NO!" I screamed, turning back towards the mirror as it finally occurred to me that I hadn't seen my own reflection.

"No, no, no, no..." I chanted as I reached up to prod Leon's face, pushing his cheeks together, pressing on his nose, pulling his lips apart, wincing as I did so... "Holy fuck! Holy fuck! Holy-" Breathing suddenly really heavy, I grabbed my heart, eyes not leaving my reflection, that wasn't me, but Leon, Leon Leonhart, my boss, mister dick head without capitals... This couldn't be real...

And then I fainted.

Leon

What the fuck was that beeping? I cracked my eyes open, and slammed my fist down on the strange alarm clock that was ringing. My eyes closed automatcially, my mind sluggishly trying to come to grips with the strangeness that was that alarm. Had I put the button over to the beeping instead of the radio? But how? I hated the beeping. It reminded me of my father and his house-wide alarm clock, ensuring that everyone got up at precisely 6am. And had I gotten a new alarm clock? Why didn't I remember that?

Snuggling back in my sheets, I frowned as my arms felt contricted and my legs were very warm. Had I fallen asleep in my clothes last night? Tired of the questions, I stretched and opened my eyes all the way, frowning into the darkness. The sky must be overcast today, because the sun was supposed to be shining through my window right now, helping me wake up. I sat up, and glanced down.

"What the fuck?" I asked, bewildered at the baby blue t-shirt the covered my chest. I never went to bed with a shirt on. They got all tangled up and made me feel like I was in a straight jacket. Had I been drinking last night? Was I even in my house. A quick glance around and I confirmed that no, this was not my room. In fact, nothing was familiar. So...one night stand? That didn't sound like me at all.

I glanced to the side, and frowned when I saw no one there. Were they up? I threw off the covers and put my feet on the floor. "Are you kidding me?" Unable to hold in the gasp of horror, I got a look at what my feet had been tangled up in, making them too hot. My eye was twitching. "They match. They fucking match. I am wearing matching pajamas as if I was 5 years old." The bright blue shirt was bad enough. Horrible color for me, but now I was subjected to actual matching pajama bottoms. I probably looked like a power puff.

This guy was a total fruitcake, I could feel it. Standing, I wavered as a feeling of vertigo swept over me and I put my hand out to the door to steady myself. My clothes should be somewhere on the floor, so I gave a quick sweep with my gaze around the room, hoping to spot them. The walls weren't white like mine at home, but a very sublte blue-green that didn't overwhelm you.

The bed was pushed against the wall, and I marveled at how the bedspread actually complemented the color scheme. At least this guy wasn't a complete idiot. That made me smile. Now, if only I could remember what had happened last night. Turning the handle, I almost tripped when it opened opposite to how my door opened at home, and I peeked my head out.

"Cloud fucking Strife!" What? "Taking a shower last night?" Suddenly my vision was blocked when Seifer glared down at me, "Spiteful much? I know I disappointed your ass by hanging out with friends rather than you, but did you have to suck away all the warm water?" His arms were crossed, the angry narrowed look still pointed at me as he waited... for me? To answer?

Well, he was obviously mistaken and I was more stunned by the idea that this was Seifer's house and apparently Cloud's as well. Had I...gone home with Cloud? My gut tightened, and I tried to stem off my freak out. "What?" Was all I could get out, still wondering why he was staring at me. Did I look like fucking Cloud?

Seifer groaned, "Remember that time I told you you are useless?" Clearly I was still Cloud to him. Pushing aside all the crazy and questions... Why did Seifer clearly hate, or passionately dislike, Cloud this much? Had to, to call someone useless. "Mark that comment on your brain and chant it like a freaking mantra so I don't have the repeat myself!" He punched the wall beside my face and then stormed off, slamming a door shut.

"God, what a fucking dick." I muttered, pissed that I'd been forced in a situation to see my subordinates in their actual home. And hells, why did Cloud put up with that? I mean, between that and his asshole comments at work, you'd think Cloud would get a new roommate. Whatever. I noted the door that Seifer had stormed through and then I glanced back at the way he had come. Ah, the bathroom.

Giving one last glance down the hall, I went inside and shut the door, grimacing at the chaos that was inside. Ugh, clean up much? I emptied my bladder and then turned to wash my hands, jumping in surprise when I noticed blonde spikes in the mirror.

I whirled around, expecting Cloud to be right behind me, but...no one was there! I tripped as I spun again, slamming my hip into the counter, my breaths coming in gasps, as all I could see in the mirror, was Cloud fucking Strife staring at me.

"No. Way."

Yes. Way. Next update shall be Saturday. I hope you guys enjoyed it so far and that you'll love the rest! Please review, we love, love, love reviews :)