Hey everybody here's my next chapter, reasonably big (for me anyway). I'm hoping to impress with my post-fall set up, I'm quite sure it'll be unique and I hope you like it.

Chapter Two: A New Home

It was a beautiful morning view as the sun rose and shined through the now crystalized Cocoon, sending rays of light everywhere. Laughter and cheery voices could be heard emanating from a field of medium length grass, as six former L'Cie celebrated their newfound freedom.

"Soooo, are you going to introduce me", said a brightly smiling Serah looking over at Sazh, Dajh and Hope.
"Oh right", said an ecstatic Snow, "this is Sazh Katzroy and his son Dajh", Snow said pulling Sazh closer and nearly dethroning Dajh. "Dajh was the Cocoon L'Cie who found the Bodhum vestige, and Sazh thought that by killing the Fal'Cie inside he could fulfil Dajh's focus and prevent him from becoming a Cie'th".
"A rather long introduction, but a pleasure to meet you Serah", Sazh said, extending his hand.
"Likewise", Serah said, shaking his hand.
"Hi", Dajh yelled excitedly, waving from atop his father's shoulders.
"Hello", Serah chuckled, waving back.
Lightning stepped over and placed a hand on Hope's shoulder, "this is Hope, I guess you could say he was just in the wrong place at the wrong time".
"Or the right place at the right time", Hope chuckled, "I mean we're all here and ok now right"?
Serah giggled, "I like you already".
"So you're Serah, it's nice to finally meet you. I've heard a lot about you from Light", Hope said also shaking Serah's hand, "and far too much from Snow", he added.
"Hey", Snow said frowning, but Serah just giggled and wrapped her arms around her fiancé's waist.
"It's good to meet you too Hope", Serah said, her voice slightly muffled by Snows trench coat.

They continued talking and laughing as they were all happier than they had been in what seemed like a lifetime. After a while Hope spotted something of interest, "hey look there's Cocoon ships landing over there", he said pointing towards the base of the crystal pillar. Everyone looked to see a large group of ships landed about a mile out from the pillar and several more joining from the sky.
"Come on let's go see if we can help out", Snow said raising a fist in determination, and he began jogging off with Serah running behind still grasping his hand.
Sazh laughed and followed behind saying, "let's catch up son", and Dajh gave a cheer of approval.
Lightning and Hope began walking behind them at a slower pace.

Eventually they caught up with an out of breath Snow and Sazh, and a triumphantly laughing Dajh. They began to enter crowds of citizens until they were stopped by a G.C. soldier, "hold there, who are you"? He asked.
"Relax we're civilians, we want to know if we can help", Snow said calmly.
"Really? Ok, we could use all the help we can get", said the soldier, who clearly thought they were in way over their head, "I'll take you to the commanders and we'll see what you can do".
The soldier turned and headed further in to the crowds, while the group trailed behind him.
After a few minutes they saw a welcome yet very odd scene: several tables were grouped together with old looking maps and several radios laying atop them, but surrounding the tables and in deep discussion was NORA members: Gadot and Lebreau, Cid Raines, a very bruised and battered but determined looking Yaag Rosch and finally a very driven looking Bartholomew Estheim. As they approached Hope noticed a certain member of the group, he rushed forward with a shout, "Dad".
Bartholomew turned with a surprised expression which changed to joy at the sight of his son, he stepped forward and embraced Hope, exclaiming happily, "Hope, I knew you you'd be alright".
The group smiled at the sight of the boy reunited with his father, but Snow fell forward to the ground a second later, tackled from behind by two blue and blond blurs. Standing, a now identifiable Yuj and Maqui grinned, "That's fifty Gil Snow", said Maqui.
Snow groaned and rolled over, "what"?
"The bet was if we ever put you on the ground, you'd give us fifty Gil", Yuj said.
"Each", added Maqui.
Snow dropped his head to the ground, "you guys".
Gadot and Lebreau walked over both crossing their arms, "hey hero, you think you can lie down and give up after you dropped Cocoon out of the sky", said Gadot.
"Yeah you're nowhere near done yet", said Lebreau, just before noticing Serah and walking up to her giving her a hug, saying, "it's good to see you".
Cid and Rosch also walked over, "yes we could use all the help we can get", said Cid smiling slightly, "and you are rather able bodied".
Lightning stepped forward saluting, "General Raines", she said.
Cid waved his hand, "unnecessary Sargent Farron", he said, "formalities only waste time now".
"It's good to see you survived Rosch", said Sazh, "you too Raines, glad you made it out of crystal stasis".
"Indeed, it's refreshing to finally be free of my L'Cie marking", he said rubbing his right forearm slightly.
"Yes, but we must ask you what happened to your other two companions"? Asked Rosch.
All the former L'Cie looked down sadly. "They became Ragnarok", said Hope, now out of his father's grasp and drawing the gaze of all present, "both of them, together. They were able to create the pillar that stopped Cocoon's fall".
Raines looked thoughtfully at Hope, "hmm, there were reports of a creature some described as Ragnarok, at least it was there to do good", everyone nodded.
"But our problem now is finding a place to secure and build a settlement", said Bartholomew, "we have about a thousand people here who were willing to evacuate to Pulse others chose to take their chances staying on Cocoon, it's still unknown how many survived".
"Well there is a place we know", said Snow finally standing up fully, "Oerba, it's a former Pulse village to the North-East, there's only minimal monsters there now".
"That sounds perfect", said Rosch gesturing to the gathering of tables, "these old maps haven't been updated in nearly five-hundred years. Mr. Katzroy I understand you're a pilot, would you be willing to lead the way in a transport".
Sazh nodded, "so long as someone I trust can watch my son while I'm piloting".
"I could watch him for you", said Bartholomew stepping forward, "I'll be right behind you when you fly in".
Sazh nodded once again, then brought his son down in front of him, "hey little buddy, I've gotta' show these guys where we're going to be staying for a while, so you're gunna' hang out with Hope and his dad for a while, ok"?
Dajh nodded, "ok daddy, but you have to be quick, ok"?
"I'll be as fast as a Chocobo", Sazh chuckled.
Raines gave another small smile before turning to the rest of the group, "Sargent Farron and Mr. Villiers would you two be willing to join the sweep team in clearing out any resistance in the area"?
Both Lightning and Snow nodded and then Snow turned to Serah and said, "You should go with Hope and his dad too, that way we'll be right with you when we get there". Serah nodded and Snow leaned down so she could kiss him on the cheek.
"Ok", said Gadot loudly, "let's get moving, I'll get everyone moving commanders".
"Thank you Gadot", Rosch said, Gadot nodded and walked off along with the other NORA members.
Raines then turned back to Bartholomew and said, "Mr. Estheim you and me will take Transport seventy-eight, the food on that ship will be needed when we get there", Bartholomew nodded, then Raines turned back to Rosch, you should probably go with Mr. Katzroy and lead the sweep team".
Rosch nodded as well, "we'll take transport forty-three".
The two turned back to everybody else and Raines said, "ok everyone let's go".

Lightning's POV (what everyone's been waiting for :)

With that everyone started to move into place, Hope, Bartholomew, Serah, Dajh and Raines, entered a transport filled with S.D.'s and prepared to follow the other team to Oerba. While they did this Sazh, Snow, Lightning and Rosch went to another transport after gathering some PSICOM and G.C. soldiers together. Lightning's mind was completely focused on the mission at hand, or as focused as she could manage with her distracted thoughts. She just needed to go with this team and sweep through Oerba, and then once they had settled down a little she could talk to Hope. Much thought had occurred since Hope's confession, but she was certain in her decision now. It might not be right in everybody's opinion but it was her decision and as Hope had said "so long as it's my decision there's nothing to regret". With her mind once again temporarily settled she braced herself as the ship took off.

It took nearly two hours to get to Oerba from the landing zone, as they approached Lightning saw that the village was pretty much the same as they had left it, an odd Cie'th or two looked to have wondered back in since they left but it was mostly still. The village itself was still the same, most buildings intact with a few collapsed ones here and there.

Once they completed their task of clearing out the village and the surrounding area Lightning and the rest of the group gathered together and headed back. When they arrived several more ships had landed, with the one Sazh had piloted, including the one with Hope. Lightning got an anxious feeling seeing him again, no, not now I need to talk to him later, on his own, Lightning repressed the feeling as best she could and continued toward the group. Hope had acted as if he had never given the confession, and at some points she thought she might have dreamt the whole thing. but she was sure it had happened because now she paid attention to it she had actually caught Hope starring at her a couple of times, though she pretended she hadn't noticed, his starring never wondered from her face so it was innocent enough and she didn't want to make him more uncomfortable. He hadn't shown any distraction in battle but what surprised her is she also now noticed that he favored protecting and healing her over anyone else, even himself. She had wanted to confront him about this, saying he should take care of himself as well, but they had defeated Orphan and Barthandelus now so there was little point, hopefully the boy could now relax and pursue his own interests.
Her thoughts were interrupted as she approached the group and stood before Rosch, "Area clear sir", she said.
"Good", he sighed looking relieved, "thank you Sargent Farron, could you please assist commander Raines, he is organizing teams to map and perimeter the area until we can erect a wall".
Lightning nodded and headed toward where Raines was standing.

For a while they discussed the best form of perimeter, where would be good places for future walls and towers to be built and sending teams to map out the direct area. The process took another few hours, during which Lightning though to ask Cid something.
"Raines, we heard that the Cavalry had confirmed your death, was that intelligence false"? She asked.
Raines actually chuckled a little, "they confirmed a body double, advanced Nano/Holo-tech used to alter a prisoners appearance, he was told if he survived he would be let free, but from what I hear he didn't care either way."
Lightning nodded, the contingency was logical, to use a decoy to ensure ones safety.
"I didn't like the idea myself, but the Fal'Cie Barthandelus had almost complete control over me at the time".
Their conversations were strictly professional after that and when they were done Lightning questioned what she should do next, "I believe Mr. Estheim wished to see you after you had finished assisting me", said Raines, "you should seek him out".
With that Lightning left Raines to watch over the patrols while she sought out Hope's father. It didn't take long for her to find him as he was gathered with everyone else. As she approach they waved to her and she nodded in acknowledgement, "ah I'm glad you found us Miss Farron", he said smiling with Hope by his side.
"Call me Light", she said.
Bartholomew smirked, "yes well I'd ask you to call me Barty but the nickname always seemed a little childish to me so… I hope Bartholomew is fine with you".
Lightning gave a small smile, replying with a nod, "So why did you wish to see me Bartholomew"?
"well I wanted to get all of your opinion on something", he said moving to clear view of everyone, "there is a large building on the shoreline that I asked to be reserved, it has plenty of space so if there is no problems with it I would propose that we take this building and make it our home, together".
Everyone seemed intrigued by the idea, Serah seemed to like the idea of a house on the beach just like Bodhum and was talking with Snow, Sazh was asking Dajh if he would like to live on the beach and Hope was looking out over the ledge at the building in question, as if analyzing it. Lightning also looked out at the building, they had passed through it last time and it did seem big enough for all of them, still she was unsure of the idea. "I think it's a great idea", said Serah happily drawing Lightning's gaze.
"Yeah, me too", said Snow.
"We got no qualms, sound nice", said Sazh.
Bartholomew looked over at Hope, who was still looking out at the building, "what about you son"? He asked cautiously.
Hope looked back at him and smiled, "It sounds great and it does look big enough, but I have a condition".
"Oh".
"Yeah I want a door lock, I like my privacy and it's especially important with him running around", he said gesturing toward Snow.
"Hey, you really think I'd do something to you in your own room", Snow said.
Hope nodded his head making Bartholomew chuckle and Snow gave an exaggerated hurt expression.
Snow turned to Lightning now and asked, "So sis, what about you"?
Lightning looked out at the building then back at the group, "I suppose, but I want a door lock too".
Bartholomew smiled, "I'm sure we can get one for anybody who wants them".

After that they made their way down to the their new home and entered to find it had already been organized into a large house with six bedrooms, a large but for now under stocked kitchen, a large lounge area that right now only contained some lawn chairs, two bathrooms and finally the roof which had a view of the water along with a small garden of flowers. Once they had all decided on rooms they each made themselves comfortable. Lightning sat on her new bed looking out the window at the early afternoon sun, and it finally felt like she was back home, except now it was her new home.

So that's it for now, please leave a review, I always like to hear what you guys think. Aaaand thanks again for reading