Genesis nods. “I know. Xeria enjoys it a lot as well. I swear she could live off of nothing but dumplings.” He tells Angeal chuckling. He suddenly remembers something and adds, “Also next week, Xeria is scheduled to get her first Mako injections. She was supposed to get them three weeks ago but there was a scheduling error and I refuse to let her go to Hojo. Do you mind taking her and watching over her afterwards. I don’t know how she’ll react to them but it would put my mind at ease if you were to watch over her.”

 

“You are so forgetful! One of the first things we did last night was change her appointment with Hojo today to one with Hollander. She’ll be getting her first injection when I get my newest one this afternoon. I’ll look out for her, don’t worry.” Angeal shook his head at his friend. How quickly he forgot schedules, it was honestly surprising he’d made it to the rank he had. “Also, dumplings are the best.”

 

“Oh yes. I guess this news about the sudden mission has frazzled me a bit. I wish I could stay until after she’s recovered from the shot but they want me shipped out tomorrow morning at four am. I hope it’s not too much to ask that she stays with you or Zack or that you stay with her in my apartment until she recovers. You recall how horrible the first week on the stuff is.” He says, grateful that his friend is willing to watch over Xeria. He cares about the girl and wants to keep her safe from Hojo after what happened to the last Third who showed so much potential with Materia. At Angeal’s comment about dumplings he laughs. “You two and your dumplings I swear.”

 

Soon they arrive at the Wutain place and pick up the food that Genesis had ordered and start heading back toward the ShinRa building.

 

Angeal smiled at him, “She’s welcome to stay with me if she wants to. Dumplings are good.” He shrugged his shoulders as he kept pace with his friend. As they turned and started back he asked, “What’d you order?”

 

“Seafood Mai Fung. It’s quite delicious.” Genesis replies. When they arrive at Genesis’ office where they can eat, they find Xeria waiting for them, reading a book on one of the couches Genesis has in his office.

 

She looks up and smiles, “Hello Angeal. I see Genesis got you to join us for lunch.”

 

“Seafood?” Angeal made a face, he didn’t really like seafood that much, but that was okay, he’d eat just about anything right now. And seafood was good for you, so he mentally shrugged and continued to walk with Genesis to his office.

 

Angeal smiled down at her, “That he did. You ready for this afternoon?” He was glad that she didn’t revert back to calling him General or General Hewley after having been introduced the previous night. It actually meant a lot to him that she was able to simply relax and talk to him like he was a normal person. He moved over to one of the other seats in the room and sat down.

 

“Yes, I was wary about it first but it’s actually quite delicious.” He replies. He starts getting the food out and setting the different containers on the coffee table.

 

At his question Xeria scratches the back of her neck and tells him, “To be honest I’m really nervous about it. Genesis told me that the first injections are really tough to get through and that everyone reacts differently. So I’m a bit worried about how my body will react.”

 

“How your body reacts isn’t really what we’re looking out for, though it is a variable. What we’re really concerned about it how it will affect you mentally. With myself, I tend to become rude and overly snarky, Zack is quiet and generally extremely sleepy. Genesis here tends to get depressed, and Sephiroth would run around trying to hug everyone in sight if we didn’t confine him to his room.” Angeal confided, “Considering all of that, we’re pretty sure that the injections bring out the opposite side of our personalities… and if you aren’t prepared for what that could be… well some newly made 3rds have gone crazy from it. It’s part of why we’ve been trying to make sure that there are 2nd’s paired up with those taking their first injection to become 3rds. That way there’s someone there to explain what could happen.”

 

He sighed and sat back into the seat, “Though how it physically changes you has some bearing as well. For Seph and, what was that kid’s name? Kunsel? Injections cause them severe pain, or it could make you sick. Honestly, I wish we never had to take them.”

 

Xeria grows more frightened the more he describes it. Genesis sits besides her and rubs her back comfortingly. “It doesn’t always cause bad things. It can also cause strange behavior like sometimes Sephiroth will get his and then he will hyper-focus on something and won’t pay attention to anything else until it wears down. Once he focused on knitting and made a ton of scarves. He knit for two days straight.” He tells her. The mental image of the general surrounded by a sea of scarves does make Xeria chuckle a bit.

 

Genesis smiles, relieved to have helped her calm down. “Whatever happens, Angeal and Zack are going to look after you and if anything goes wrong and if you need me I’ll be just a phone call away.”

 

Xeria nods feeling much calmer about it. “Thank you. I’m grateful to know I have your support.”

 

“I’m sorry Xeria, I didn’t mean to make it seems so awful.” Angeal sat up feeling lower than dirt for obviously frightening the girl. “I would plead being tired… but that’s no excuse. Can you forgive me?”

 

Xeria nods giving him a smile. “It’s fine, Angeal. I’m just on edge. The other thirds were telling me horror stories about their first injections to mess with me earlier and I guess they kind of got to me. I’m also not a huge fan of needles so that doesn’t really help things. I’m really grateful that you’ll be there to help me. One question though. How are you going to be helping me if you’re going to be getting your booster at the same time as I get my first injection.”

 

Angeal returned her smile, glad that she wasn’t upset with him. He chuckled at her question however, “I’ll just be really snarky. Don’t worry, once Zack is finished with his lessons he’ll be there to help out. So it shouldn’t be too bad. Though if it would make you feel better, I could ask that he be released from them to go with us.”

 

“No I won’t take him away from his lesson. I can deal with a little snark. My older brother can turn into a snark master when he’s annoyed so I’ve had plenty of experience with it. Besides, his lesson should finish just as we’re getting done with the injections so he can come help us back to the apartment.”

 

Angeal grinned at her, “That’s true. Let’s eat! Before I die of hunger.” Though he had to wonder how she knew Zack’s schedule, but he wouldn’t put it past the 2nd to have told her.

 

Xeria nods in agreement and they all dug into their food. Xeria gets a text as the meal is finishing and chuckles at it. “Cloud’s wishing me luck with my first injections.”

 

Angeal looked up as he finished eating, “That reminds me, we’ll have to talk to Seph about him when he returns tomorrow. Or I guess I will, since Gen over here will be gone.” He sat back in his seat, content with his now full stomach. It was nice that she had friends to wish her luck.

 

Xeria nods. “I thought he didn’t get back until next week?” She asks a bit confused. Her phone beeps again with the alarm telling her to head down to the science department for her injections.

 

Angeal looked back over at her, “I got an e-mail this morning saying he would be back tomorrow afternoon.” Just then his own alarm went off, “Well, shall we?” He rose from his chair and offered a hand to Xeria.

 

Xeria nods, accepting his offered hand as well. Genesis says he’ll join them, wanting to stay with them while they get the injections and make sure they back to Angeal and Zack’s apartment safely. They walk down towards the science department with Xeria becoming more quiet and nervous with each step. Genesis puts a hand on her shoulder to show he’s there to support her.

 

Angeal pauses just before the lab door and turns to face her, “It’ll be okay, I can go first if you’d like? And just think, after this you get the rest of the day off!” He grins and opens the door gesturing for the two of them to proceed him.

 

Xeria gives a small smile and nods. “Alright.” She follows him inside where they’re greeted by Heidegger who comments, “It’s good to finally get to meet you. It’s been awhile since we’ve had a Third who showed so much promise with Materia.” His words make Xeria nervous.

 

Angeal’s eyebrow rose as he entered the room behind her, “Is there a reason you’re here Sir? You don’t usually care about any of the SOLDIER recruits until they make 2nd Class.” Angeal didn’t particularly like Heidegger, and he despised the man’s laugh. He had also never taken an interest in ANY SOLDIER, even the 1sts and 2nds… the 1sts met him because they had to a meetings. Otherwise the man didn’t care. Like the Infantry they were expendable… so saying what Angeal had was him being nice. But he had to wonder why the idiot was here now.

 

“I was told that the third who Genesis took in was coming in for her first injections at the same time as you. It’s been awhile since I’ve checked in on your status anyway and I believed it would be beneficial to meet this new third. I will only be observing today though.” He replies as the aid in the room shows Xeria to the table where she’ll be administered the injection. She hesitates when she sees the restraints on the table.

 

The aid explains, “The restraints are only a precaution. Some SOLDIER’s bodies react with muscle spasms or they become violent during the administering of the injection. The restraints are to make sure the SOLDIERs do not harm themselves or others. Since this is your first time receiving them they’re there simple as a precaution since we don’t know how your body will react.”

 

Angeal’s eyes narrowed, there was no reason for Heidegger of all people to ‘observe’ someone getting a shot, Mako or otherwise. “I will have to insist that you leave the room Sir. Mako injections, as was just explained, can have dangerous effects. For your safety, I’ll have to ask you to observe from the other side of the glass.”

 

He turned to Xeria, “It will be alright. Don’t be scared.” He watched as Genesis moved over to her side, standing between her and Heidegger. He held the door open and waited for Heidegger to leave. If the man didn’t do so of his own accord, Angeal would remove him. They didn’t need more reason for the first timer to stress out.

 

Heidegger rolls his eyes, “Please. I handled the two of you when you were first getting your injections and Genesis would routinely set the lab on fire back then. I think I can handle a simple third, but as it is protocol I will wait behind the glass. I’m interested to see how she’ll react to the injections. I wish we could keep SOLDIERS under observation while they’re adjusting to the shots, but alas ShinRa changed that policy after Hojo screwed up with a round of thirds.”

He then goes behind the glass and Xeria is able to relax, if only minutely. She lays on the table and the lab aid straps her to it, checking with her with each strap to make sure they aren’t tight enough to hurt her. They don’t bother strapping Angeal down as they know he won’t react violently. “Are you both ready?” He asks, preparing the needle for Angeal first.

 

‘As I’ll ever be,’ Angeal thought to himself but, “I am ready.” Is the answer he gives. The aid nodded curtly and gave him the shot before preparing a new one for Xeria. Other than flexing his muscles as the Mako hit his system Angeal didn’t really react. And as long as no one asked him a stupid question he wouldn’t start getting lippy for about an hour. He looked over to Xeria with a smile of encouragement as the aid again asked her if she was ready.

 

As the aid prepares Xeria’s arm and searches for her vein he warns her, “You will feel a burning sensation as the Mako works its way through your bloodstream at first. It should only last a moment or two and it should only happen the first few times you get your injections.” Xeria nods and steels herself. As the aid injects her she gasps and her body spasms once before she gets a hold of herself, a slew of curses in both English and another language they don’t recognize escaping her mouth. After about two minutes her body starts to relax and she says, “Damn that fucking hurts.”

 

“It is certainly a bitch the first time. The first few times period and then the first of each new higher dosage. But you did well.” Angeal smiled over at her as he got up, he moved over and helped the aid take off her restraints as it seems she wasn’t going to be overly aggressive. Plus he felt the sooner they got her away for the ShinRa building and prying eyes such as Heidegger’s the better off they all would be. He wasn’t looking forward to whatever Heidegger was up to by being there and was immensely glad he’d changed her appointment to match his own.

 

Xeria sits up and rubs her wrists before climbing off the table. Genesis puts a hand around her shoulders and loops his arm through Angeal’s and steers them towards the door. “I’ll make sure you both get home safe and sound.” Heidegger tries to object and say something as he returns from the observation room but Genesis pulls them from the room and down the hall quickly. Soon they’re outside and headed to Angeal and Zack’s apartment building.

 

Angeal smiles over at Genesis, “Thanks Gen.” He was glad that he hadn’t allowed Heidegger near them after the injections were administered. Just seeing the guys ugly face almost had Angeal across the space and pummeling it. ‘I think this one might be bad for me.’ He thought to himself, he usually didn’t have violent reactions like that. But, just something about Heidegger being there at all, let alone claiming he’d been there throughout his own injections, sat wrong with him. Mostly because it was a lie. His first few injections the only person around was Hollander, the scientist thought it would be safer that way.

 

As they approach Angeal’s apartment, Xeria gets a bit more twitchy and paranoid, glancing around every few seconds and clinging to the sleeve of Genesis’ coat. He looks at her concerned before looking at Angeal as they arrive at the apartment. He knocks and Zack swiftly answers and lets Gen lead them inside. “How did they go?” He asks, concerned about Xeria’s behavior as she seems to try and hide in Gen’s shadow.

 

“Oh, it was fine~. Heidegger showed up though. Acting as if his being there were a normal thing, saying he’d been there for every injection Gen and myself had ever gotten. Which is a lie and he knows we know that. Damn, that man irritates me.” Angeal was practically growling by the end of his short rant.

 

Zack blinked, well they certainly weren’t going to get anything constructive out of Angeal for a while. “Maybe you should lie down 'Geal.”

 

“Ya think?!?” Angeal threw the snarky comeback over his shoulder as he marched to his room and flung himself on the bed, pummeling his pillows in an effort to calm himself down.

 

Zack just watched him, a frown on his normally smiling face. “Damn, have to wonder if the new shot has him pissy or if it’s just a reaction to the ugly horse in charge of our department.” He shook his head before turning back to Xeria and Genesis. “You seem a bit on edge, do you maybe want some tea? The water should be hot by now, Angeal usually wants a glass after an injection. But I think I’ll wait a bit before asking him if he wants it.”

 

Xeria nods nervously. “That sounds n-nice,” She says though she seems visibly nervous. Gen leads her into the kitchen after Zack. He sits her down at the table and sits besides her, intending to join the for a cup before he has to leave and prepare to ship out on his mission soon.

 

“Don’t worry, Xeria. Angeal may get snippy when he gets his shots but he never gets to the point of being violent. He won’t raise a hand to you,” Genesis tells her, hoping to help calm her down.

 

She just nods nervously and accepts the cup of tea when Zack hands it to her. She sips it warily, still glancing around the room.

 

Zack had walked to the kitchen and set out tea cups before gathering the tea leafs and sprinkling them into an ornate tea pot and pouring in the hot water from the kettle. He poured four cups, handing one to Xeria and another to Genesis where they sat at the table. He set the honey, sugar, cream, and milk on the table as well in case either of them wanted to use any of it. “Yeah, don’t worry Xeria, we’ll take good care of you. I’ll be back in a minute.”

 

He put a single sugar cube in Angeal’s and left his own steaming on the table as he took Angeal’s to him. He knocked on the still open door before moving into the room seeing that Angeal was still punching his pillows. “'Geal? Are you gonna be alright?”

 

Huffing Angeal left off his pillows and sat back on his feet, turning his head to look over at Zack. “Yeah, I’ll be fine. Sorry, not really sure why I’m having such a bad reaction this time around.”

 

Zack nodded in understanding and held out the tea as a sort of peace offering, “You want some tea?”

 

Angeal grinned and nodded, “Set it on the nightstand would you? I’m not sure how I’ll react if you get too close.”

 

Zack’s brow rose but he moved to the opposite side of the bed from his mentor and set the tea on the stand. “I’ll just be out with Xeria then.”

 

“Sure thing Pup.” Angeal went back to murdering his pillows before Zack even left the room.

 

Genesis meets Zack right outside Angeal’s room. “Ah, I just got a call. They moved up my time for shipping out so I need to go and prepare. I left Xeria in the kitchen with her tea. If you need me for anything just call. I’ll make sure to keep my phone on me throughout the mission. I should be back in two or three days.” He tells Zack.

 

He then heads towards the door calling behind him, “Make sure Xeria doesn’t hurt herself and that Angeal doesn’t hurt anything. This shot seems like it’s agitated him more than the others. Probably thanks to that pig Heidegger.”

 

He then heads out, leaving Zack to take care of Angeal and Xeria. When Zack returns to the kitchen though, Xeria is nowhere to be seen. Her tea is still sitting on the table, like she tried drinking it before abandoning it.

 

It doesn’t take long to locate her though. Somehow, in the short time between Genesis leaving the room to talk to Zack and Zack finding her, she’d managed to collect almost all the pillows, cushions and blankets in the apartment and use them to build a large nest like fort in the middle of the living room.

 

She can’t be seen at all but There is a rustling noise coming from inside of the fort.