A bright light appeared and as Hope turned around he saw a familiar figure walk towards him. The red scarf and the sound of boots patting on the ground, it couldn't have been…

"Light," Hope tried to voice. He hasn't seen her since they saved Cocoon. It can't be true. So many questions were filling his head. "Is it really you?"

"Hope…" Lightning said with a small smile that seemed somewhat sad.

"Light I can't believe it's you! Where have you been all this time? Everyone's been so worried about you!"

"You mean you've been worried about me."

"I don't understand… Light what are you talking about? Serah and everyone is waiting for you, let's go meet them they'll be ecstatic. Come on." Hope held out his hand waiting for her to take a hold of it, but she never moved.

"Everyone has accepted me as dead." Lightning eye's lowered to the ground. Hope knows that look all too well. She did the same when she told him about her past.

"Lightning I never stopped believing in you. I'm still here and I'm still waiting." Hope ran up to her and embraced her in a hug. It was like before back when they were l'Cie, except this time he's comforting her.

"Hope…," Lightning pulled away and looked up at his face. "You've gotten so tall…" She smiled. It was genuine and it made Hope's heart swell up.

"Heh thanks," Hope blushed hoping that she wouldn't see it. "Light let's go see the others."

"I'm sorry Hope…" The space between them started to stretch; Hope's arms were being pulled apart from Lightning's and in the distance he could see her outstretched arm reaching out for his hand.

"Lightning!" Hope broke into a dash that seemed to last forever. His legs wouldn't carry him, his whole body felt heavy. He desperately tried screaming out her name but no sound came out. He felt a tear slowly graze his face. His surroundings became black and in the distance Lightning's figure was fading.

A soft whisper carried by the still wind reached his ears,

I'm so sorry Hope

Hope opened his eyes sat up on his bed replaying everything. His hand reached up to his face and he could feel the dampness of fresh tears.

"Lightning…" Hope breathed.

It's not just a dream, I know it. I can still feel her presence, it's weak and lingering but I'll make it strong again.