A/n: And chapter 2 has arrived folks! While it may not be too haha, funny right now, give it time. Gotta have some serious spots in here too ;) ...so that they can be made fun of later.
Thxs goes to MuffledSnikers (aka. IcedBlaze) for agreeing to be my reader (this means she simply reads the story and tell me how she feels about it in a few words, but can't go into full detail until the chapter is posted up). And yes, Ice...we do have that uncanny way of updating our stories on the exact same day! LOL!
Much love and thxs to all my readers and reviewers ^_^ Now let's get on with the chapter!
Chapter 2: Decided
"Serah," Lightning whispered softly into her sister's ear, in an attempt to rouse the younger female from her slumber.
Slowly, an identical pair of powder blue eyes opened. "Cl-Claire," Serah muttered sleepily. She raised a hand to rub at her eyes to clear her vision.
The soldier had squatted down so that she was eye level with her sister, since the smaller of the two was lying down.
"I just wanted to let you know that I'll be in late tonight," she informed her baby sister. "So I won't be here for dinner." She added.
Shock crossed over Serah's features from the warrior's words. It had been such a long time since her sister had informed her that she would be coming in late; over the years Serah had learned how to tell if her sister would be coming home late or not.
Before she could say anything, Lightning stood up—fully dressed and prepared for work—turned, and exited the shorter female's room, shutting the door behind her.
"Have a nice day at work Claire," Serah said to herself, as she turned over to go to sleep. "Be safe."
It was a sentence she always said ever since her sister joined the Guardian Corps; and, just like always her sister never stuck around long enough to hear it.
"Lieutenant," Sergeant Farron addressed her superior, when she saw the husky sized male walking in her general direction. She quickly approached him.
"Sorry Farron, I've got no field work for you at the moment. Maybe later," Amodar commented with a laugh, believing this to be the reason the strawberry blonde approached him.
It wasn't the first time the gunblade wielding woman approached him and asked if there was anything going on outside the office. To say that Lightning hated being cooped up in the office would be an understatement; the woman would even volunteer to train new recruits! Anything to get her out of there!
"Uhm…actually sir, that's not the reason I stopped you," Lightning informed him, as she stood before the 6 foot tall man.
The black haired man arched and eyebrow; it was clear that he wasn't expecting that from the dedicated soldier. "Not searching for field work?" he echoed almost baffled. "Well, then what's on your mind soldier?" he inquired curiously, as he folded his arms over his chest and leaned most of his weight on his left leg.
The shorter of the two took a deep breath before speaking. "I'd like to discuss something important with you commander," she stated. "In private, sir." She quickly added, knowing that he was about to question her as to what she wanted to speak about.
Amodar nodded. "Alright," he responded and began walking towards his office with his subordinate in tow beside him.
A heavy silence engulfed the pair as Lightning stood before her commander's desk while Amodar sat behind it. The mustache wearing man was sitting at the edge of his seat; his elbows were propped up on his desk and his hands were intertwined with one another as he rested them right under his nose. Both of his eyes were closed which signaled that he was deep in thought.
After a good five minutes of silence, the tanned skinned male opened his eyes; brown eyes focused on his Sergeant and Lightning, being who she was, met his gaze with her own. Eventually, the Lieutenant released a heavy sigh that he had been holding for quite some time now.
"Are you sure about this Farron?" he asked her in a serious tone. Out of everything that she had wanted to speak with him about, this scenario right here never crossed his mind.
She nodded. "Yes. I would like to resign from the Guardian Corps as soon as possible," she answered in a tone that let him know that her mind was set.
"And how soon would you like that to be?"
"Today if it's possible sir," the blue eyed woman said without hesitating.
Amodar sat back in his seat, running a hand through his short hair; this was the second time she had said it and still he had trouble wrapping his mind around her words.
"Why do you want to resign anyway Farron?" he practically beseeched to know. He had worked with the fighter long enough to know that every action that she did had a damned good reason behind it.
So, her wanting to take herself out of Guardian Corps meant that she had a very good reason, right?
"Personal issues sir," Lightning responded. "But beyond that I'd rather not say."
Another sigh escaped the older man. "Alright Farron, fair enough," he conceded having learned that if she didn't willing give up the information, she wouldn't be poked and prodded into giving away the information either.
"It'll be a pain, but I'll be able to resign to you today…more than likely by the end of your shift," Amodar spoke as he rose from his seat and walked around the desk towards her. "And don't worry you'll be receiving all of your benefits as well," he informed her.
"B-but sir—" the former l'Cie began to protest but she was cut off.
He touched her forehead with his index finger. "Farron, after everything you and your friends did for the citizens of Cocoon, you've earned to have your benefits whether you resign or if you're fired. And truthfully, you deserve more than that," he pointed out to the sapphire eyed woman.
Suddenly, Lightning bowed. "Thank you sir," she said.
The taller of the two waved her off. "Don't thank me Farron. If anything, I should be thanking you and your friends for saving our asses back when Coccon went to hell and back," he pointed out.
Not knowing what to say to that, Lightning rose to her full height and headed for the door. She paused when Amodar began speaking.
"It's been a pleasure working with you and being your superior Farron. Take care of yourself kid," he remarked before she exited his office.
Where is she, Serah wondered as she sat on the couch in the living room awaiting her sister's arrival.
It had been such a long time since Serah had sat up waiting for her sister to come home; that last time she did such a thing she was 12 and Claire was 15. The only reason she had stopped staying up and waiting on her sister was because the elder female put up such a strong fuss about it—considering that some days Claire arrived home at 7 in the morning and school started at 8.
Funny how easily Serah was able to get back into the habit of waiting up for her sister.
The pink haired female was the only one awake in the house; the others had gone to bed some time ago. Well, with the exception of Sazh and Hope who had both gone to their own homes for the night since they didn't live there. But, they would both be back bright and early tomorrow.
"Serah?" the redhead called in a surprised tone.
Her attention was drawn away from watching the front door, to the woman standing in the entranceway.
"Vanille, what are you doing up? I thought you went to bed a few hours ago," the younger female commented, surprised that she wasn't the only one awake as she had assumed.
The native born Pulsian raised a hand to cover a yawn before she spoke. "I was. I was thirsty so I came and got something to drink," she replied. Then she held up her other hand which had a bottle of water in it.
"I saw the light in here on from the kitchen so I thought someone had left it on, so I was going to turn it off, only to find you sitting in here," the rod wielding teenager explained, even though she hadn't been asked to.
A few moment of silence passed between the two. "So, what are you doing up?" Vanille inquired, breaking the silence, and sounding a little more like her peppy self.
"I'm waiting on my sister," Serah answered as she turned her attention back to the door which had yet to open, signaling Lightning's return.
Suddenly, the taller adolescent felt a weight on the couch. Looking to her right she noticed that Vanille had plopped down a few inches away from her.
"So, you're waiting up all by yourself?" the jade eyed girl questioned curiously. She was met with a nod from Serah. "Well, that's no fun. Tell ya what, I'll stay and keep you company if ya don't mind?" she suggested with a grin, now wide awake prior to the moments before.
The engaged female smiled at her friend. She was set to politely turn the smaller female down, but the look on Vanille's face caused her to reconsider.
"No, I don't mind at all. I could use the company," Serah remarked with a laugh, causing the couch's other occupant to laugh as well.
The youngest two females of the household made small talk with one another; their conversations consisted of random things. Serah had to admit, that it was nice having someone to talk to while waiting on her sister to come home as opposed to sitting in silence or watching infomercials on television.
"Hey Serah?" Vanille called to gain the pink haired teens attention. When blue eyes landed on her she continued. "Why are you waiting up for your sister anyway? I don't think I've seen you do it before," she clarified as to why she posed the question in the first place.
The younger Farron blushed slightly and looked rather sheepish. "Well, I'll admit, I haven't waited up for Claire for a couple years now," she admitted. "And now that I think about it that saddens me."
The pigtail wearing teen knitted her eyebrows together in confusion. "Why would it sadden you?" she inquired.
Now Serah had her head down, almost as if she was ashamed of herself. "Because…I used to wait up for her every night," she began.
A few slightly tense moments passed before she spoke again. "…Claire's line of work can be dangerous. I was afraid that if I went to sleep, while I was sleeping…she'd end up getting severely injured, or killed. That death would take the only blood family I have left," she confessed. Her voice was thick with emotions as she verbalized her fear for the first time in her life.
The other girl said nothing. Instead, Vanille closed the small distance between them and embraced Serah, pulling the emotional girl into her. The moment Serah's head met her shoulder the sapphire eyed girl began to slowly cry.
"I'm sorry Serah, I didn't mean to upset you with my question," the redhead apologized, nibbling her bottom lip lightly, as she held her friend.
The crying girl shook her head. She then pulled back a bit to look at Vanille. "It's not your fault. I think I've always needed to vocalize my reasons…but no one was there to listen," she countered.
The native Pulsian smiled. "Glad I could inadvertently be of help," she joked with a chuckle even though underneath she was serious. She was glad to see Serah smile back.
"And just between you and I, I don't think even death could keep Lightning from coming home, even if it's only home to you," Vanille stated sincerely.
"Thanks Vanille," Serah praised her fellow housemate. She felt much better after she got that fear off her chest.
They talked a little more after that. However, half an hour later they both ended up falling asleep curled up on the couch; if they had just managed to keep their eyes open another ten minutes, they would have been greeted to the sight of Lightning walking through, and closing, the door.
The former Sergeant froze in her tracks as she took in the sight before her. Both Vanille and Serah cuddled up to one another on the couch.
A wistful sigh escaped her lips as she ran a hand through her hair. "It's been a long time since I've been greeted to the sight of Serah asleep on the couch," she said to no one in particular as she approached the dozing girls.
"I bet you were waiting for me to get home weren't you?" she asked Serah, but as expected she received no response from her dreaming sister.
Suddenly, Lightning heard footsteps. Turning her head in the direction of the sound she was met with the other Pulsian that lived in her house.
"Aye, there ya are Vanille," Fang said as she entered into the living room. Just like the gunblade wielder, she too stopped in her tracks at the sight that greeted her.
"Awe, well ain't this an adorable scene," she commented before going over and standing near the soldier. "Don't ya think so Light?" she asked.
"Hmm," was the only response the owner of the house gave before she tucked one arm under her sister's knees and placed the other one behind Serah's back and lifted her from the couch; she held her snoozing sister bridal style.
The tattoo sporting woman took notice of how Lightning looked at her little sister. Such a gently look over took her features and for a brief moment, she no longer looked like the hardened soldier that she was; it was as if Lightning was anentirely different person.
If the Oerban born woman hadn't witnessed such a look come across the slightly shorter woman's face, she would never have believed it. The sight truly awed Fang.
Then, all too quickly, the gentle look was replaced by a familiar stoic one that everyone knew so well.
Wisely choosing to keep her mouth shut about it, at least for now, Fang decided to do the same and gently lifted Vanille bridal style as well; although she began nuzzling her lover affectionately, which is something that Lightning didn't do. Not just because she was carrying her sister but also because it was something that Lightning didn't do.
Both women began walking in silence towards the hallway to go to their respective bedrooms. When they arrived in the hall and Lightning was prepared to head to Serah's room, Fang spoke.
"She really worries about you ya know," the lancer spoke seriously, which was quite the rarity, but she could be serious if the occasion called for it.
The brunette had heard the conversation between Vanille and Serah; had learned just how much 'Little Farron' worried about her sister every time Lightning reported in for work. Fang wondered if Lightning knew just how much Serah worried about the warrior, even if the girl could take care of herself for the most part.
The ex-l'Cie didn't say anything. Instead, the elder Farron looked down at the one in her arms; Serah buried her face in her sister's stomach and let out a contented sigh.
"Hey Fang," Lightning called over her shoulder as her crystal blue eyes locked onto the taller woman.
"Aye?"
A brief pause before the cape wearing woman spoke. "…You'd be able to handle things, if I wasn't here, right?" she said and Fang couldn't tell if it was a statement or a question.
A dark brown eyebrow arched. "Depends…are ya asking me? Or, are ya saying that you trust me to do so?" she answered the question with two of her own.
"Tch. Well, between you and Snow…I place a bit more trust in you than him," she remarked with a chuckle.
"Cheeky girl," the lancer said. Since Lightning wasn't speaking anymore, Fang assumed that their brief conversation was over and turned and headed towards the room that she and her girlfriend shared.
"But, I'm asking you," the soldier spoke up.
The forest green eyed woman stopped. "Well, when ya put it that way…of course I'd be on top of things," she said with a smirk.
The strawberry blonde shook her head. "I'm gonna ignore that sexual reference," she replied as she began walking the short distance to Serah's room.
"But, I'm glad to know that I can count on you," she added before stepping completely into Serah's room, kicking the door closed behind her.
Confusion passed over Fang's face. "Count on me? …Wonder what's going on in that shelia's mind," she wondered aloud to herself.
She probably would have thought deeper on that whole little conversation just moments ago, but Vanille rubbing her head into her boobs knocked her thoughts off track.
"How's about we get ya into bed missy?" Fang suggested as she walked the last few steps to their bedroom, opened the door, and entered inside.
Lightning was sitting next to her sister and watching the younger woman sleep; thankfully, Serah was already in her pajamas so all she had to do was put the girl under the covers.
Absentmindedly, she ran a hand through matching hair that they inherited from their mother. As she did this, her grey colored eyes—in this lighting—stared out the window and out into the world.
Tonight was the night.
"I wish I could give you a proper goodbye," Lightning stated and it was clear that she was speaking to her sister. "But, I know that if I wake you up you'll talk me out of it and you know I've never been able to deny you anything that you wanted."
The former Sergeant then did something she hadn't done since she had taken up her new name; she leaned down and kissed her sister on the corner of her mouth. It was a habit that had developed when they were children, since Serah wasn't tall enough to reach her sister's jaw.
She then pulled back and reached into one of her various pockets and pulled something out. Holding it up in the moonlight, her eyes admired the necklace that hung from her hand; honestly, she wished that she could be there when Serah woke up and saw it.
The last time Serah had seen this necklace was when the sister's got into a really bad fight a few years ago; Serah ended up taking it off and breaking it. While at the time, Lightning pretended as if her sister's action had meant nothing, on the inside it had deeply wounded the elder Farron. Later that night, Lightning had made her way back to the room to pick up the pieces and over time had it repaired.
The fighter figured what better way to show her sister that she cared than by giving this back to her.
She gently eased the necklace into Serah's hand. As if she knew it was there, her hand tightened around it but not too much that the item would break.
"I…I love you Serah," Lightning whispered into her ear, struggling to say the words even though the younger teen was asleep. "Please don't be too mad at me," she pleaded for her sister's forgiveness as she rose from the sleeping girl's bed and exited the room.
"Claire," Serah muttered in her sleep as she rolled over onto her side. None the wiser of what had just transpired merely seconds ago.
