A/N: Yay! Part 2! And yep! This is the conclusion to Trust Me.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

Summary: What if everything Lightning has known was a lie? A lie spoken often it was twisted into the truth. The truth she came to believe in—even trusted from the man she considered her equal: The man by the name of Caius Ballad.


Trust Me –Part 2–

Fool.

That was the only word coursing through her mind. Fool. Of course, what difference did it make allowing her feelings to dictate her thoughts? Shaking Caius's words out of her mind, Lightning focused her attention to continue training.

Sidestepping an invisible opponent, Lightning twirled beautifully, wrapped in silver flashes reflected off her sword. Stepping forth, she stabbed the wind and recoiled. With each step taken, her heart pulsed. Each beating pulse felt like her heart tore little by little. The fragility of the heart was pathetic, Lightning thought bitterly.

Discharging several lightning bolts, she breathed through her lips watching the beach ignited in patches of orange fire.

Here I thought he was going to propose. What an idiot I am to believe it.

She believed it. She believed she was finally going to settle down after years of looking but not searching. He was right there, before her eyes. He saw her as a comrade in arms whom he could trust and nothing more.

I am his partner sworn to protect Etro. Lightning stopped and waited. My duties to protect the goddess override my selfish passions.

It was undeniably true. Shaking the feelings and thoughts out, Lightning continued to train without any hiccup in her steps.

"She doesn't trust you," Yeul commented dryly.

The Seeress watched every move made by the knight. Odin was summoned to join Lightning in a friendly sparring match. Shimmers of silver flashes erupted in the air and miniature explosions crafted in sand from each opponent, aimed to land several successful hits. Blocking a blow from the Eidolon, Lightning shoved the sword away and recomposed herself. Poised and ready, she flexed her wrist and exposed the sharp blade to Odin. She breathed.

"Instead of gaining her trust you made her mistrust you," Yeul was bitter. The plan was to make Lightning trust Caius and not resent him.

The guardian was silent, watching Lightning's moves. "All is not lost, Yeul."

"I assume you have another plan?"

"I do."

She fixed her gaze back onto the knight who healed herself. Her wounds slowly weaved shut while her opponent waited. Caius grinned.

"By causing mistrust, she will fail to notice my real intentions. Hence, that was why I did what I did."

"You made her believe you were going to propose?"

"Precisely. I am aware of her feelings toward me. Perhaps it is time to exploit her feelings and chip away at her 'Heart of Stone'."

Removing Ragnarok off his back, the eye pulsed, urging its master for battle. Ragnarok wanted to taste the blood of the Warrior Goddess who continued to dance by the Eidolon's side. Encouraged by the sudden blood lust, he merely grinned. Turning around, Caius faced Yeul.

"In due time will you see my plan bloom into fruition,"

Bowing in respect to the Seeress, Caius fell backwards and allowed himself to free fall off the cliff speaking out the dreaded words: Wings of Night. Consumed in a puff of purple smoke, Chaos Bahamut screeched and headed in the direction of the knight and her pesky Eidolon. Lightning and Odin abruptly stopped, focusing on Chaos Bahamut's terrifying form.

"Go," Lightning commanded.

Quite hesitant, the Eidolon obeyed his master's wishes. Odin understood Lightning's heart contained a minute fracture caused by the event three months ago. Masking her feelings, she was unable to mask her heart. Bleeding and bruised, it affected her. Lightning encased her heart in stone in hopes to strengthen it, shielding herself from any foreign feelings or sinful desires. Odin knew all too well Lightning was attempting to revert back to the way she once was: Cold, distant and lonely.

Locking her eyes at the rapidly descending dragon, Lightning took in a deep breath and forced herself to focus on attacking Chaos Bahamut. Lower and lower did it descend, ready to pick apart the Warrior Goddess. Just seconds before impact, Lightning cleverly dodged and sliced the side of the beast's leg. She barely made a mark on the metallic armor. Recomposing herself, she waited for round two. As expected, the dragon spun around emitting a bone rattling shriek. Narrowing her eyes into deadly slits, she flexed her wrist waiting for the right moment to strike.

However, the tactic abruptly changed; instead of colliding with the knight, Chaos Bahamut dissolved into purple smoke, swallowing her whole. Immediately raising her sword and shield to protect her torso, Lightning was frozen in place. Her blue eyes were wide open, ready to initiate the first attack or on a moment's notice, avoid a sneak attack.

"Warrior Goddess," she heard him speak. "You dare raise your sword at me? Your equal?"

Games. He was playing a game with her and she knew it. Hearing the sand crunch behind her, Lightning instantly spun around, propelling her sword forward. To much of her dismay, she stabbed purple smoke. Immediately recoiling, she returned back to her defensive position waiting for his next move.

"I declared you as my equal, Lightning, is that not enough?"

What do you want? Lightning mentally questioned. I'm your equal, you're my equal so what?

Grinding her teeth, Lightning refused to fall for his tricks. Hearing the sand crunch to the side, the warrior whipped to the right and stabbed her sword again. Feeling the blade caught, she tried to yank it back but to no avail. A mini tug-of-war raged between the two until Lightning had enough.

"Let go," Lightning hissed.

"Should I?" he coolly responded. Abruptly yanking the sword towards him, Lightning jerked forward and was now mere steps away from him.

His outline was more evident as the purple smoke around them slowly dissipated with the arriving wind. She saw him, gripping the tip of the blade firmly above his heart. Lightning wanted to drive the blade through his heart to express how she felt on that night, three months ago. The feeling of overwhelming disappointment and foolishness was on the brink of bursting.

"Lightning," she heard him say. "Why are you suddenly hostile against me? Have I offended you?"

"I'm not hostile at you," Lightning said, trying to pull back her blade.

"You sure?" Caius pulled the blade closer now touching his armor. Fixing his gaze on Lightning, she refused to meet his eyes. "Then why will you not look at me?"

"Just let go of the damn sword, Caius," Lightning was frustrated. She was attempting to keep her emotions in check but the more he spoke, the more agitated she became. "Training is done."

Stepping aside, he yanked on the blade away from Lightning forcing her body to collide into him. Standing close to him and without a weapon, she immediately diverted her eyes once he placed a finger beneath her chin in hopes to meet her eyes.

"Anger," he spoke. "I did offend you. Would you not tell me what I have done?"

In theory, he did nothing wrong. It was her. The problem was Lightning, not Caius. They were comrades in arms, sworn to protect Etro. He acted the way he did to solidify their alliance as guardians of the goddess. The gesture was not aimed to ask for her hand in marriage. She merely misunderstood, conjuring lies and fantasies in her mind.

Placing both his hands on her shoulders, he quietly spoke, "Was there something more you wanted, Lightning?"

"No, nothing," It was a lie and he knew it. Balling her fists, she forced herself to look at him. Looking into his eyes was painful; she was desperately struggling to not voice how she truly felt.

"As comrades we place great trust in each other, Lightning. I trust you more than you could possibly imagine. Do you trust me? Do you trust me enough to tell me what is bothering you?"

Lightning had enough. Raising her hands to his torso, she forcefully shoved him away. Eying him with her distinctive glare filled with disappointment, Lightning was going to let him know exactly how she felt.

"I don't trust you. I don't trust you enough for me to tell you how I feel. You are nothing but an outsider, Caius. You are an outsider, just like the rest of them. To me, you are nothing more than a sparring partner and nothing more."

Speaking those words hurt. They hurt more than he could ever imagine. Biting her lip, Lightning took a deep breath and left, storming away to any place but here. She needed to think. That's right: Think. She was never the type who enjoyed dwelling on something so pointless such as this. Hearing the sea scrap against the shore, Lightning took in deep breaths and rethought of this entire situation. Taking in a quiet moment, it helped her in calming down. Even a little was enough for her to come to her senses.

"I've changed," she said aloud. "I've changed a lot."

It was undeniable; Lightning had changed since arriving at Valhalla's lonely shores. Knowing that she was unable to return home, she was lonely. Thinking of home provided no comfort to the knight, especially when Serah's smiling face entered her mind. Lightning remembered all too well briefly reuniting with her baby sister. They hugged and talked for what seemed to be an extremely short time. Five minutes was it? Lightning did everything to free her baby sister. She challenged her fate and destiny. She fought what appeared to be mechanical gods to justify she was never their pawn from the beginning. Completed her Focus and turned into crystal, she and five others experienced something others would deem a nightmare. Her reward was bittersweet; she was allowed to reunite with Serah for a short period before she was completely erased from history. Alas, she was washed up on the shores of Valhalla where she knew, there was no way she was going to return home.

Stepping foot into Etro's temple, Lightning continued to wander propelled by her drifting mind. Before she knew it, the knight stood in front of Etro's dimly glowing throne. The crystallized throne was empty just like it always been.

"Why me?" Lightning quietly voiced. "Why did you chose me to protect you?"

It was obvious the goddess was unable to respond verbally. Falling onto a knee, Lightning dipped her head and slipped her hand over her heart.

What makes me so special that I was chosen? Can you answer me this, Etro?

There was no response. There was only silence. Lightning was in deeply immersed in thought, she failed to pick up the subtle footsteps echoing behind her. With eyebrows knitted, the goddess remained silent. Perhaps, Lightning thought, Etro was unwell which explained her silence. Breathing out a sigh, Lightning carefully stood up and suddenly bumped into something. Slightly startled, a pair of strong arms slithered around her torso, ensuring the knight was not to escape the make-shift human cage.

"Praying to the goddess?" he whispered. "How can you be certain your prayers are heard?"

"She hears everything," Lightning quietly responded. "Etro knows all."

"Does she?"

Lightning picked up something odd, no, rather different with his intonation. It was calm and soothing than before.

Falling into temporary silence, Lightning asked, "Yes?"

"Tell me: What does the goddess know?" Caius questioned. "Does she know what I may be thinking?"

"Maybe," Lightning responded truthfully. In truth, Lightning believed Etro knew about everything. Although, Lightning was unsure if it was true or not. "Etro is a goddess. Gods and goddesses know everything. They know—"

"Fascinating." She heard him speak.

Confused by his words, Lightning was about to voice until she was suddenly cut off; appearing before her was a shimmering object, pinched between his index finger and thumb. Blinking, Lightning focused on the shiny, jeweled object. Within his grasp was a silver band and on top, was a glistening pinkish-white diamond. Could that be...?

"Lightning, I believe it is time."

It was the same words he used on her three months ago. The same words Lightning believed he was going to propose to her. Caius gently spun her around making sure their eyes met. Slowly falling on a knee, in front of Lightning, his hands slipped down her arms and finally cupping her left hand.

"May Etro be our holy witness," He spoke quietly. Carefully turning his attention to the emptied throne, he smirked. "Surely the goddess would like to be our witness this important moment."

"What...?"

Turning his attention to Lightning's beautiful sapphire-colored eyes, he spoke the words she never expected to hear. "Lightning, no, Claire Farron. Right here in Etro's sacred temple, I ask for your hand in marriage. You are my trusted comrade in arms and soon, you are to be my beloved wife. We shall stand together and together, we shall protect what we hold dear in our hearts."

Lightning blinked. She blinked again, eyes locked on his hands holding hers. Three months ago she believed he was going to propose but instead, declared she was to be his comrade in arms. She accepted his proposal with a tinge of disappointment. And today, right here and now, in front of the grace of the goddess, Caius Ballad was on his knee asking for her hand in marriage. The anger which surrounded Lightning slowly dissipated as she began to believe his sincere words.

"I apologized if I seemed to have fooled you," Caius voiced. "I did not mean to to hurt you, Lightning."

So he knew. He knew from the beginning his intentions in fact, could have wounded her. And he did. He wounded her. He made her bitter. He taught her what it felt like to have her heart stabbed with pins and needles.

"I should have considered you feelings, Lightning. I do apologize for my actions and words." Gripping her hand a little tighter, he made sure his words of sincerity were heard and believed. "That is why I am proposing to you now. It is something I have wished for a very long time, Lightning. Will you accept my proposal? To be my wife and stand by my side for all eternity?"

Her mind was muddled and mixed with emotions. Lightning wanted to reject his proposal. She wanted him to feel the hurt she felt three months ago. The words were on the tip of her tongue but she was unable to voice them. To see the sincerity reflected in his eyes was something she could not dismiss; Caius Ballad was speaking the truth. The truth drawn from his heart. He meant every word.

"Lightning?" he called her name. "Are you alright?"

Taking in a couple deep breaths, the knight finally came to and made her decision. "Caius Ballad... I... I accept."

Caius could not be happier. Expressing his joy, he smiled at the knight who smiled back, watching him carefully slip on the beautiful diamond band on her finger. Standing upright, he watched Lightning inspect the ring carefully to ensure it was real and not smoke and mirrors. It was real.

"You shall make a beautiful bride, Lightning. It brings me joy you accepted my proposal,"

Pulling her into an embrace, the Time Guardian carefully turned his attention to the empty throne. He watched the light above it flicker and pulse, bearing witness to his marriage proposal. Etro was powerless to stop him even if she knew, deep down, Caius was playing Lightning for a fool. The throne once again pulsed, to gain Lightning's attention but the knight failed to respond. Her mind was blocked from the sudden surge of emotions, gained from the marriage offer. Feeling happiness after many days of disappointment, she was entirely focused on Caius.

"My dear Lightning," he whispered. "When do you want the wedding to be? Tomorrow? Or do you wish to wait until the arrival of the next full moon?"

"Anytime," she answered. "Whenever you want it to be."

Playing in his favor, Caius was most pleased. "Perhaps today?"

"Aren't you in a rush?" Lightning said jokingly. "I don't even have a dress."

Smirking, he gently pushed her away and guided her to a lone spotlight in the middle of the room. Standing under the spotlight, Lightning looked around wondering what he had planned. Looking up into the light through the ceiling, it felt oddly familiar. Taking a couple of steps back, Caius turned around allowing the transformation to begin. The light illuminated all of Lightning's armor and carefully wrapped her in a blanket of light, spreading across her body. With a beautiful white roses braided into her hair, a floral necklace around her neck and a white, diamond and pearl gown fitted on her body, Lightning transformed into Caius's bride-to-be.

Slightly embarrassed, Lightning shuffled. Caius turned around and had his breath taken away.

"My goddess," he walked up to her and carefully inspected her. "My beautiful goddess."

"I'm not a goddess," Lightning replied, embarrassed by the fact her soon-to-be husband called her a goddess. "I'm still me."

Running the back of his fingers across her right cheek, he responded, "Indeed you are."

Picking up her hands, he pulled her close to him. He had wait for many centuries for this day to come true. The one woman who was suited to be his equal now stood here and was soon to be his.

"Etro is pleased with you and I," Caius lied. "We are the only two beings suited to protect the goddess at all costs. Do you agree?"

"I do."

"There is no one else suited to protect her but you, Lightning,"

"And there is no one else best suited to stand by my side other than you, Caius."

"You catch on fast, dear Lightning." Caius said smugly. "I chose well."

Watching her cheeks flush red, he pulled her into an embrace ensuring the goddess was watching their interactions. Lightning shall no longer belong under the protection of Etro. Lightning shall now be under his affection and care from this day forward. Slipping a hand to her back, he gently guided his bride-to-be out of the temple to celebrate their union. From this moment forth, they were engaged. It was only a matter of time the wedding was under way and Lightning would completely surrender her heart to him. The only thing he needed to do was gain her trust one more time until Lightning allowed him to express his false affections, furthering his agendas. After all, she was going to be his wife for the next damned eternities to come. He was going to make sure Lightning had no chance of escape once she was completely bound to him... Forever.