Okay, so I know I already have a story in progress, but this was swimming in my head and I needed to type it out, so here it is.. I hope you enjoy it. It's kind of a birthday present to myself. Only 4 days left… Anyways, hope you enjoy! The only beta to this story is myself, so if I make any mistakes that I've missed, sorry. I'm going to reply to all reviews personally too, so please feel free. They're constructive and I feel they really help.
So here goes.
-han x
Disclaimer: I do not own anything to do with CSI. Except Summer, she's mine. I may add more O/Cs, but unless I say otherwise, I don't own anything.
The night was musty, and a light mist hung in the air. There were no clouds in sight, and the twinkle of stars infected the sky. It was a beautiful night in England.
It was her last night in England.
London was always busy during the weekend evenings, and this Saturday night was no exception. People of all ages moved to and fro in the bustling streets from bars to clubs, and clubs to bars. The bar that was always bustling, and was one of the more popular bars in London, was Seventh Heaven. A small club, it was cosy, but everyone knew everyone and they were a family of regulars. It was a family business, but when their parents died, the older sister of the family decided to take the business and remake it as her own to prevent her sister from entering the fostering circle, and tried to provide the best life for the younger sister as she could, and she succeeded.
It was the fourth anniversary of their parents' death, and this day would also now be known as something else.
The day she left to chase new things.
The bar was packed, as always. The regulars all had their "own" places in the bar, and Tifa Lockhart always knew where to take the drinks, and what everyone had. It was like her own little family of sorts. She always served with a smile, but the smile was slightly crooked this evening, and for a good reason.
Her younger sister, Summer Lockhart, was leaving England to move to New York. Her university studies had been noted and she had gained some interest from a crime lab in New York, so she had accepted the position. She didn't accept it without giving it some thought first, however. She knew what she was leaving behind - her only family, her old life, her friends -- she was leaving her comfort zone. She approached her sister about the subject, half filled with sadness and worry on how her sister would cope without her, but also filled with the excitement of the small child within her, looking forward to exploring and discovering new places and meeting new people.
She had packed her cases, her books, and all her other possessions and they were to be shipped the day after she arrived in New York. Her apartment had the bare necessities, so she wasn't worried. Nevertheless, her sister was.
"Are you sure you're packed?" Tifa took a defensive stance over her sister, leaning slightly towards her, her hands on her hips.
"Yes mother, just don't worry!" Summer winked and grinned, earning herself a playful slap from her sister.
"Hey! That actually hurt," Summer yelped, rubbing her arm in an overly dramatic way. They both laughed, before Tifa pulled Summer into a bear hug.
"Umm…choking…"Summer gasped, before snuggling deeper into the embrace. They held like that for a few moments before one of the waitresses called Tifa from the bar.
"Come with me," Tifa winked, before grabbing her hand and pulling her into the bar. She pushed open the door into the bar and stood on a lightly raised area of floor behind the bar.
"Alright guys! It's that day again! The toast will be doubly special this year though, as our Summer will be leaving us in chase of greener pastures! Or she wishes." This obtained a few laughs from the bar.
"So here's to Mom and Dad, and here's to wishing Summer all the luck of Seventh Heaven! You guys with me?"
There was a roar erupting around the bar, with clinks of glasses and bottles, and good lucks being thrown at Summer. A huge grin erupted on her face, and it was contagious, because it had spread all round the bar.
"Right - drinks on me!" Tifa cheered, before nodding at all the waitresses, who started rapidly opening beer bottles.
"My sister, out in the big bad world by herself… who would've thought it?" Tifa whispered into the air, silently praying inside that her sister would be watched over by her parents in Heaven.
She glanced over at Summer, who had helped to distribute the beers out, and smiled.
The last day in her comfort zone.
The last day she would feel confident the way she was.
Because little did she know she would have to rediscover herself in New York.
Because people change.
And emotions change too.
But for the better or worse?