Final Fantasy XIII Fanfic

Summary: An Alternate Universe story. Cid, instead off betraying Lightning's group, helps them with his Focus in saving Cocoon. The l'Cies are now in more danger as Lightning and Cid are separated from the group. Feelings before the chaos have risen once again as Lightning has gone undercover as her former self, Éclair Farron.

Pairings: CidxLightning

Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN FINAL FANTASY XII! THEY BELONG TO SQUARE ENIX THE MOST AWESOME GAME COMPANY! I ONLY OWN THIS PLOT! PLEASE READ AND REVIEW THANK YOU 3

Chapter 1: Cid Raines and Éclair Farron

The two l'Cie ran through the dense forest as they exterminated the monsters that blocked their way. Jihl Nabaat who is now heading Cid's former warship Lindblum separated team Nora after a surprise attack. Cid remained unscathed however Lightning was injured as blood seeped through her clothes. "Cid…" Lightning dropped to the ground as she lost consciousness.

"Lightning!" Cid fired his Blaze Edge and summoned Leviathan and the eidolon attacked the hoard of beasts and killed each one as Cid carried Lightning and ran for Eden.

"Lightning, are you feeling better?" Cid asked the woman softly as she woke up.

"Cid?" She blinked, "Where are we?"

"My parents' former home. " He answered, "Still as well maintained as ever."

Lightning looked around to find herself in a cream colored room with red linings. She guessed that this was a spare room since the furniture didn't look too fancy. "Cid, how did we get here?" she asked.

"Simple really." He sat down on the bed as he changed the cloth on her forehead, "I managed to steal a cycle from a fellow soldier and drove back here to my former home."

Lightning's eyes locked with his, "Cid…"

"Yeah?"

"Thank you…"

He nodded, "You know, you've been out for three whole days. That wound gave you a high fever."

"Three days!" Lightning suddenly sat up but fell back down as a wave of nausea hit her.

"Take it easy, soldier." Cid sighed, fixing her again, "You're still sick and that wound is still healing."

"But we have to save Serah! The more time we waste the more danger she's in!" Lightning exclaimed.

"Lightning, you can't help her in your current state." Cid said.

"But I have to try!" Lightning looked like she was about to cry, "I have to try and save her… she's the only one I have left…"

The raven-haired man carefully brought her into his arms without hurting her. He stroked her hair and was surprised at her vulnerable state. He knew how much Serah meant to Lightning and that's why said girl changed her name and joined the Cocoon Military not too long ago and left to save her sister. He was among the few who knew her before the government succumbed to killing off the l'Cies. "We'll all see her again soon and everything will be all right, Éclair Farron." Cid whispered in her ear.

"That's not my name anymore…" she sniffed.

"It still is." Cid chuckled, "I like it better than 'Lightning' don't you think so, Éclair?"

"…" Lightning cried some more until she fell asleep. The burden on her shoulders was slowly coming to her as she felt the warmth of one Cid Raines.

The following morning, Cid was the first to wake up with awe. The first thing he saw was a mop of cherry blonde hair and his arms around said person. He slowly detached himself from her and got off the bed carefully. Cid checked her temperature and was glad to find that Lightning's fever had subsided. "Seems like we will start moving out soon." Cid muttered.

"…Serah…"Lightning murmured in her sleep.

"Lightning, will it be all right with you if you resume your former self for a while?" Cid asked her.

"Why so?" she crossed her arms.

"Seeing that you have a bounty on your head, being a l'Cie and such, Jihl is out to get you at any cost." He explained, fixing his uniform.

"But you know how I feel about my former…" Lightning sighed, "You have a bounty as well, don't you?"

"No. No one in the fleet knows that I was turned into an l'Cie. Besides, my mark is well hidden, just like yours, Éclair."

She blushed, "…Be happy that you had an excuse to change my clothes!"

Cid couldn't help but smirk, "I took the liberty of having new clothes brought over for you. Your old ones were too worn out for wear."

"Thank you, Cid." Lightning headed for the bathroom.

"Anytime, Éclair." He whispered as he headed for the kitchen.

Lightning came out of the bathroom looking more like a lady. She was already attractive but with no sex appeal in her usual clothes. She wondered about how Cid's taste in clothes was very refined. Her hair was pulled back by a red headband, a sleeveless white turtleneck under a maroon vest that had a ribbon in the front, a simple black skirt that reached mid thigh, and a pair of heeled white boots with pink laces. "You clean up nice." Cid complimented as she came in the kitchen.

"Do you have news on the others?" Lightning asked.

"Not at the moment but once I get information I'll tell you as soon as possible." Cid shook his head.

"I do hope Snow will treat Hope properly… they don't really get along…" Lightning looked worried.

"And dear Lightning becomes Éclair Farron." Cid walked over to her, "I think that name suits you more."

"I guess…" Lightning sighed, "So, what's the agenda today?"

"Since you look different and no one knows who you are when using your former name, I think I'll bring you with me as my long lost fiancée."

"Éclair Farron, at your service, Brigadier General." She saluted him.

"Cid Raines, welcome aboard, Sergeant Farron." He saluted back.