A.N. Okay, to start things off...I don't own anything about Final Fantasy and characters and all that. Next, if you are following my other stories...I am still working on them but this one has been bugging me for a long time now so I had to get it out and maybe that will clear up my writer's block for the others. Thirdly, this story is after FF13 but before 13-2 merely for the fact that I haven't sat down and played the 2nd one so I can't incorporate anything from it. Oh, and Cocoon is still fine and dandy and Fang and Vanille never went into crystal stasis. This is still a work in progress and depending on feedback I'll either keep it or scrap it. Thanks muchly!

Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there, wondering, fearing, doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before.

-Edgar Allan Poe

"Soldiers! We will not fall back! Only when they are dead will we stop! We will not tire! We will destroy every single one of these vermin!"

"Sit down, Fang. It's only a game."

The huntress plopped back down on the couch as Lightning shook her head. I swear it's like I'm babysitting.

Fang grabbed her controller and continued a tactical onslaught. Some moments later, a loud roar shook the house. "Yes! How ya like that, Light? I just got us a new high score."

The soldier took her eyes from the fireworks on the screen and watched Fang as she did her mini victory dance. "About time we booted Serah and Snow's score."

"We now is it? I carried you through that campaign!"

Lightning's eyebrows furrowed slightly. "Tch. You serious? If it wasn't for my reinforcements, your squad would've been wiped out."

"So I had one minor set back, yeah? After that, all me."

Leaning back into the couch, Lightning crossed her arms and mumbled under her breath as she looked away from Fang.

"Aw, come on Light. Don't be like that. Point is, is we beat the high score and can put our names in the box. And I've got just the one."

Before Lightning could even get a word in, Fang inputted "Flight" on the screen. "Flight?"

"Isn't it such a cute portmanteau for us?"

For us? A faint blush crept up on Lightning's typically pale complexion. Noticing the pink tint, a smirk made its way onto the Pulsian's lips. Not one to be scared off by the soldier's temper and attitude, she leaned in close and whispered, "ya know, sweetheart, pink is definitely your color."

Now embarrassed by her body's betrayal, Lightning scoffed as she stood up. "We're done here."

Fang chuckled softly to herself as her gaming partner stalked out of the room. She laid her long body down the length of the couch and placed her arms behind her head. She's too easy. Girl has got to loosen up. I bet I could think of something since we'll be spending so much time together. Couldn't hurt.

Closing the door to her room, the rose-haired woman sighed quietly as she stood there with her arms crossed. Stupid dream. Lightning sat down on her bed and fell back into the soft comforter. Why won't this just go away? Dreams aren't real. No meaning. No real thoughts or feelings. Blue eyes closed as their owner drifted back to the events of her dream a couple nights ago.

"Come on Lightning. You're going to make us late."

"Tch. It doesn't take that long to get there."

Lightning walked out of the room and down the stairs. She stopped abruptly when she saw Fang. The huntress was turned away from her, the solid black dress exposing her tanned back. Light swallowed unconsciously and stopped at the base of the stairwell. The older woman turned around and a huge grin formed on her face. "There you are. Wow, sure glad you've got a mean right hook. I'd have trouble keeping all the boys off ya by myself!"

"Whatever," the soldier mumbled, disregarding the passive compliment.

Fang quickly pushed her way past Lightning and opened the door, "wait, I'm driving."

The two women made their way to the Velocycle. Fang lifted up her dress just enough to position herself comfortably, the high split showing off her leg. "Geez, modest much?"

"Look who's talking. If that dress were any shorter, you'd be arrested for indecent exposure. At least I have shorts on."

Glancing down at her outfit, Lightning noticed it was indeed short. Not realizing it was that bad when she left the house, the sergeant elegantly adjusted a navy blue strap and positioned herself sidesaddle behind Fang. "We're gonna be going fast. Sure you can hold on like that?"

Knowing the woman was right, Farron groaned. As ladylike as possible, she straddled Fang and wrapped her arms around her waist. All the while wishing they'd hurry up and get there. "Alright, here we go."

Fang typed in the code and the Velocycle roared loudly as it began to hover. Within seconds, they were on their way and soaring above Bodhum.

None of that makes sense. Lightning sighed heavily. It's a damn dream.

The women arrived in Nautilus after a warm drive. Fang parked the bike out front of a classy restaurant. Smoothly, she slid off the seat and held her hand out to Lightning. Light scoffed at the gesture and as modestly as she could, moseyed off her seat. The valet took the Velocycle off their hands as the two walked inside.

"I'm sorry ladies. I regret to inform you that the rest of your party will not be able to join you for the evening.

Lightning glared at the maitre d'. "The reason?"

"My apologies, I didn't get a reason. If you two would like, we have a table for two with a gorgeous view overlooking the city."

"We'll take it! Let's go Light, hop to."

Fang nudged Lighting forward. Shrugging her off, Farron reluctantly took stride and followed the man to the outside deck. They arrived and were amazed at how beautiful the view actually was. Fang walked behind the table and pulled the chair back. "Come on, sit down."

A sudden jolt of uneasiness shot through the soldier as she tensely accepted the gesture.

Fang took her seat as the waiter walked up with a bottle of Cabernet. He poured the women each a glass and sat the bottle on the table. "I shall return in a moment for your order, ladies."

A polite smile was given from the huntress as she quickly busied herself with the menu. Lightning held a stoic look, "what's going on?"

Sighing softly, Fang placed her menu face down with her hands folded over top. "Observant as ever, I see."

Quickly losing patience, Lighting asked again with a more forceful tone, "what is going on, Fang?"

For once, the Pulsian seemed at a loss for words. She scratched the back of her head and quickly took a sip of wine. Lightning's steely gaze never left her for a moment.

The older woman mumbled to herself, "damn you make me nervous sometimes."

Finally fed up with her question being avoided, Lightning stood and leaned on the table with both hands slamming in the surface. With a slight wince, Fang held up her hands in surrender, "alright! Let's talk over there."

"Fine," was all the soldier said as she led the way to the secluded corner of the deck.

Fang rubbed the back of her neck as Lightning crossed her arms, resting most of her weight on her right hip. "Well, Claire-"

"Lightning," she interjected.

"…Lighting…I ah, I called in and said our party wasn't coming. The others know about this."

"What?"

"It was, this dinner, was only meant…for us. This whole night out, was only for you 'n me."

"Why," Lightning questioned, shifting her weight.

Fang clenched her jaw and swallowed hard.. "I'm sorry," she whispered as she stepped forward and pulled Lighting's face towards her own.

A knock at the door made Lighting growl as she opened her eyes, "What?"

Damn, she's still agitated. Pushing through any verbal clue that Light wanted to be left alone, Fang poked her head through the crack in the door. "Vanille called. She said you're coming over to our place for dinner."

"Great, now I have to put up with you for even longer."

"Thanks Sunshine. You really know how to make a girl feel wanted."

"Glad we understand each other."

Fang released an exasperated sigh and crossed her arms. "What's your deal? We both had fun playing games this afternoon and now you're all cross. What's wrong?"

"Nothing is wrong."

"Well something sure ain't right. Look," Fang began as she paced toward the bed and pinched the bridge of her nose, "I know you don't like to have heart to hearts and share your feelings, yeah? But sometimes you just need to open up. Now come on, let's have a hear."

"You really want to know?"

Fang nodded as she held her breath. The rose haired woman sat up and slid off the bed. Ice blue eyes locked with emerald and she began to speak," I have cramps."

The Pulsian dropped her head as Lightning walked to the door with an inner sense of accomplishment. "Let's go. I'll give you a ride."

She just make a joke? Fang stood dumbfounded for a moment before she quickly followed Light down the stairs.