A/N: Since Wild Ride had such positive reviews, I've decided to post a muli-chapter story. Thank you all for your comments and for following me. :) I hope this one will entertain you as much as the other one did.

This story is rated M for mature of course. Please don't read if you're a minor. But I guess I can't really control that. At least I've put a warning.

Enjoy! :)

Cocoon Meets Pulse Chapter 1

Lightning's cell phone rang and when she saw whose number it was, she picked it up immediately.

"Serah?"

"Claire?"

Serah was her younger sibling and the only one who was allowed to call her by her real name. Nobody else had that special privilege.

"Where are you?" Her sister's voice practically screamed through the device.

Lightning could hear loud music playing in the background. She had difficulty deciphering Serah's words. She didn't miss her frustrated sigh though.

"You said you'd meet us later! Everybody's here! It's Hope's birthday or have you forgotten?

There was a heavy silence at the other end of the line. She heard another frustrated sigh.

"You have! I can't believe it!"

Unfortunately, she had. She was too busy with work to think about anything else. She didn't understand what the big deal was about. The boy–who wasn't a boy anymore–was old enough now; he'd just turned eighteen. He certainly didn't need a surprise party and stupid birthday wishes. Those were for little kids.

"I'm sorry Serah," she sighed, "I just got home from work and..."

He sister interrupted her. "I don't care Claire! Ever since you got promoted, we barely see you. It's like you've become a total stranger. No excuses this time. Put on something nice and get yourself down here." There was no room for arguing.

Lightning sighed in resignation. She wouldn't be able to get out of this one. Serah was the only one capable of making her feel guilty. Anyway, she'd never been able to say no to her. She loved her little sister too much.

"All right. Let me take a quick shower and I'll be there."

Her sister's voice went back to her old bubbly self. "Great! We'll see you later!"

"Wait! Where am I supposed to meet you guys again?"

Serah chuckled. "At Ecstasy, silly!"

The line went dead.

Ecstasy? Thought Lightning while looking at the phone like it had grown a pair of legs.

Why do I have to meet them at a strip club?

An hour later, Lightning tried to set foot inside Ecstasy but was stopped by a huge bouncer.

"You can't get in!" He growled.

"And why not?" She replied on the same tone.

"This place is for men only. You a lesbian or something?" He asked with an arrogant smile on his lips.

She wanted to punch him right there and make that smile disappear from his face.

"What's your problem?" She asked as she put a hand on her hip. She held the bouncer's gaze for a few seconds and frowned in annoyance.

The bouncer was about to give her a piece of his mind when Lightning heard a familiar voice behind him.

"She's with us."

The bouncer let her in. As she brushed past him, she heard him say to her, "Fucking dyke."

"Homophobic prick," she mumbled, bumping into him on purpose.

"Hey, sis glad you were able to join us!" The man said as he took her in his arms and pressed her tightly against his big frame.

She let him have his moment but knitted her brows at him, deeply irked. The voice belonged to Snow, Serah's fiancé and Lightning's worst nightmare. She barely tolerated the guy and had always thought he was a moron. He was overconfident, a bit arrogant and thought he was everybody's friend. He was so...so optimistic about everything and it got on her nerves. She was unable to comprehend how her sister had fallen in love with a loser like him. Ah... Love is blind. As a small consolation, he was dressed in a nice shirt and pants to match and for once, he didn't wear that black bandana she hated so much.

"Cut it out Snow! How many times do I have to tell you that I'm not your sister?" she replied, aggravated while pushing him away from her. That guy had no respect for her personal space.

He scratched the back of his head and a lopsided smile graced his lips. "Sorry sis, er... Lightning."

She sighed. "Where's Hope?"

The silly grin she had come to despise so much plastered his face once again. "Birthday Boy's over there," he said, his thumb pointing behind him. "Follow me."

She rolled her eyes.

Snow guided her to a table where all the others were already seated. Everybody was there–everybody who wasn't a minor that is–like Sazh, Yuj, Lebreau, Gadot, Snow, and Serah and of course, Hope.

"Lightning!"

Hope got up from his chair and smiled shyly at Lightning. He had always admired her though she had no idea why. She suspected he was a little bit infatuated with her. Even though he was a man now, he was like a little brother to her and she couldn't help ruffling his hair, even if it meant doing it on her tip toes. He had grown so much!

"Happy Birthday Hope," she said, smiling slightly. Seeing Lighting smile was an event in itself. You had to write it down in your calendar and take pictures, just to make sure it really happened.

Her own birthday was today but nobody knew except Serah and she had forbidden her to tell anyone, especially Snow. Who knew what he'd be capable of if he decided to celebrate it?

Hope blushed. "Thanks. And thank you for the gift, it was nice of you."

What gift? She didn't bring any gift...

Her panicked gaze caught Serah's as her sister mouthed the words: Don't worry. I came prepared.

She mouthed back: Thank you.

Lightning took a seat and ordered a beer. She looked around, her eyes scanning the place. To her right was the bar where the barmaid was busy pouring drinks for the patrons. There were tables and chairs everywhere as the waitresses–who were scantily clad–tried to thread their way through with their trays above their heads. The subdued lighting gave the club a mysterious atmosphere, giving the impression that all sins were allowed. All in all, it wasn't that bad though Lightning wished she could be somewhere else at the moment. Being in a strip club wasn't her idea of a good time. She preferred the safe comfort of her home, enjoying the silence in the company of a good book. She sighed heavily.

Eden, what was she doing here?

The waitress arrived with her bottle. She took the opportunity to ogle Lightning.

"Here you go sweetie," she said, putting it down on a coaster.

Lightning frowned at her and paid for her beer. "Thanks."

The waitress took the money and let her fingers linger on the other woman's hand.

"If you want more, you know where to find me," she smirked.

Lighting's eyes opened wide at the remark. Snow guffawed while the rest of the group chuckled lightly.

Lightning's head swiveled sharply in Snow's direction and she shot him a death glare.

"Shut up Snow," she growled.

But Snow didn't take the hint. "Well, well, Light. It looks like she's got her eyes on you."

It wasn't the first time Lightning got that kind of reaction from people; male and female alike. She was extremely good-looking. Five feet seven and with curves to die for, she had her share of men and women trying to get into her pants. She couldn't say if it was because of her asymmetrical strawberry blonde hair, bordering on pink and her cerulean eyes, or maybe it was that air of aloofness but one thing was for sure; wherever she went, she drew a lot of attention.

And Lightning didn't like the attention. In fact, she despised it.

"Snow, can you do me a favour?" She asked, her tone almost friendly.

"Anything, sis," he smiled.

"Can you forget how to breathe for a few minutes?"

His smile vanished.

"Claire, that wasn't very nice," Serah pouted and frowned disapprovingly at her older sibling.

Lightning crossed her arms defensively over her chest. "Tch. He started it," she mumbled.

A heavy silence settled among the group. Lightning looked around and had to admit, although reluctantly, that Snow had chosen the ideal spot. They were right in front of the central stage where a stripper was dancing provocatively while peeling off her clothes. Lightning didn't spare her a glance. She wasn't her type anyway. Lebreau however, stood and jumped excitedly while waving her money towards the woman, hoping she would come closer so she could slip some gil in her thong.

Lighting rolled her eyes, a bit irritated at this sudden need for attention. She felt like Lebreau was making a fool of herself, as well as them.

"Geez, Lebreau. Can't you contain yourself a little?"

Lebreau turned her gaze towards her, an innocent look on her face. "Me? Why should I? Since I can't have you my dear Light, I'll have to content myself with feasting my eyes on this beautiful creature."

"Though I'm sure she wouldn't mind dancing privately for you," Gadot said to Lightning, while pointing his thumb in Lebreau's direction. He could barely contain his laughter.

The dark-haired woman winked mischievously. "And you wouldn't even have to pay me. For you, I'd gladly do it for free," she said, trying to sound sensual.

"Thank you but I'll pass."

Lebreau looked at Lightning and bent over a little so the other woman could have a good look at her generous bosom and deep cleavage. "That's too bad because I'm sure you'd come back for more. Oh well, you don't know what you're missing..."

"You're right, I don't."

The dark-haired woman pretended to be offended. "Hey! I'm great in bed and I know I would make you scream."

"Oh, Maker," Lightning groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose.

It was no secret to anyone that Lebreau tried to get Lightning into her bed since Eden knew when but so far, she hadn't been able to succeed. She kept trying though and like a dog with a bone in its mouth, she wasn't willing to let go.

"So, why are we here?" Lightning asked, hoping to divert the conversation on another topic.

Snow put a huge hand on Hope's shoulder and smiled proudly. "As you know, it's Hope's birthday and since he just turned eighteen, we think it's time for him to become a man."

"So you brought him to a strip club?" Lightning deadpanned. Only Snow could come up with such a stupid idea.

"It's a man-thing. I remember my first time. I didn't know what to do with myself. Ah, those were the good old days," Sahz replied, wistfully.

Lightning raised an eyebrow.

"Think of it as a rite of passage," Gadot said.

"You're kidding me," she replied. What's with men and their rite of passage?

"Well, nobody did that to me when it was my rite of passage," pouted Yuj as he folded his arms over his chest.

Lebreau snorted. "That's because you're gay, Yuj!"

"So? I wouldn't have minded having a guy dancing for me. Which reminds me, I should be in a gay bar right now, cruising until I'd catch myself a sexy stud, who would take me back to his place where I could be his bitch for the night. But, I'm willing to sacrifice myself and stay with you Hope, because you're cute."

A blush crept on Hope's cheeks.

That makes two of us, Lightning thought. Not the gay bar but being somewhere else.

A woman strutted slowly towards their table. She stopped next to Hope and offered her hand to him.

"Come on baby. I'm going to make it worth your while." Her tone was full of forbidden promises.

Hope looked at Snow, unsure of what he should do. The huge man winked and smiled at him.

"Go ahead tiger! Have some fun!"

Hope swallowed loudly and took the woman's hand. He disappeared into the crowd.

"With a reaction like that, he's got to be a virgin!" Lebreau exclaimed. "Snow, you should've paid him a whore. Would've been like hitting two birds with one stone!"

Gadot chuckled.

The group fell silent. Snow looked around and then, his gaze stopped near the bar. He smiled at Serah conspiratorially and whispered something in her ear. She gasped and her eyes became as big as saucer plates. She shook her head from left to right and darted looks in Lightning's direction. Snow got up and she tried to stop him but he was already on his way to the bar. Lightning glared suspiciously at her sister. She noticed Serah averted her gaze.

"Where did Snow go?" Lightning inquired innocently.

Serah lifted her chin toward the bar and Lightning turned around. Snow was there, in the company of a tall brunette. They seemed to be in deep conversation. The woman's fingers trailed lazily on Snow's muscled forearm while she said something in his ear. Snow smiled back at her, like they shared a secret. The woman nodded and turned her gaze towards Lightning. For a few seconds, the pink-haired woman couldn't breathe. The tall woman appraised her from head to toe and for the first time in her life, Lightning felt naked underneath that intense gaze. It was like the brunette's eyes caressed every inch of her skin. A pleasant shiver ran down her spine. The woman smirked and winked at her. Lightning decided that looking away was the safest option. When she had the courage to look back again, the other woman had disappeared.

"Claire?" asked Serah a bit worried. "Are you ok?"

Her older sister blinked a few times then shook her head, trying to get rid of that confused feeling. "Huh? Yeah. Why?"

"For a few seconds there, you didn't seem to be with us. Your cheeks are red."

She was about to answer when Snow came back and sat down. Lightning immediately lashed at him to hide her embarrassment.

"Who was that woman? I hope you're not coming here behind Serah's back or I swear I'm going to castrate you right here!" she growled menacingly.

Snow put his hands in the air, palms outward. "Relax, Light. Serah knows I come here with the guys once in a while."

Lightning turned her head towards her sister and stared at her in total disbelief. "Serah?" She couldn't comprehend how her sister allowed Snow to come here to feast his eyes on a stripper and not be jealous.

Serah shrugged nonchalantly. "I don't mind. Guys need to bond once in a while. And besides, I trust him." She put her hand on Snow's arm, emphasizing her point.

Well, it wasn't the case for Lightning. Her older sibling glowered at her brother-in-law. "For your sake, you'd better hope she's right."

"Miss Farron?"

Lightning turned her head towards a deep voice. She looked up and saw a huge man dressed in black. His towering size could easily compete with Snow's.

"Yes?"

"Follow me, please," the man replied, stone-faced.

"Is something wrong?" she asked her brow knitting in confusion.

"I need you to follow me. I insist," he replied, his tone leaving no room for arguments.

Lightning knew when it was better to comply and that's exactly what she did. She tried to recall if something bad had happened with the bouncer earlier. No. She had behaved gruffly with him but he had deserved it. She looked questioningly at the others and noticed they seemed as clueless as she. She got up and followed the man to the back of the club. They stopped in front of a wall with several doors. He opened one of them for her, letting her know she could go in. Lightning raised a pink eyebrow at the man, hoping for an explanation but the guy lifted his chin towards the door.

"Please, take a seat Miss Farron. Somebody will attend to your needs shortly."

Attend to my needs? What the hell is he talking about?

Lightning shrugged and stepped inside a small room, dimly lit. Dark curtains hung everywhere. There was a dancing pole right in the middle of the room and a plush sofa not far from it. She heard a loud click and realization hit her in the face like a ton of bricks. She was in a strip club after all.

Someone will attend to my needs. Lap dance. Oh no!

She went for the door and found it locked. Then, she remembered the face of her future brother-in-law when he'd whispered something in Serah's ear. Anger settled in the pit of her stomach and she gritted her teeth.

Snow! You are so dead!

Lightning was too busy fiddling with the doorknob to notice she was being watched.

"Hey, beautiful."