"Serah?" called Snow as soon as he was out of the door. He couldn't see her anywhere, so he headed down to the beach. Whenever some strong emotion gripped the playful young girl, be it grief or joy, she was most likely crouched in the sand, drawing patterns, or else letting the water lap at her toes.
As predicted, Serah was at the beach, gazing out at the foaming waves caressing the sunset-lit rocks in the distance. Snow said her name softly and she turned, looking a little surprised. "Yes?" she asked. "What's wrong?"
"I want to apologise properly," Snow replied, standing beside his former fiancée. "It didn't seem right to just tell you what went down. I felt bad, and I just wanted to make sure you were okay. It…must have been a blow to you."
Serah grimaced. "Yes, it was…but I'm powerless to stop emotion. If that's how you feel about my sister, then that's something I'll have to cope with." She closed her eyes and a single tear ran down her cheek. "I should have known something would happen, with me encased in crystal…if only I had spoken longer to Vanille, I could have found out how to cope…"
"She's still only a kid like you, Serah. Besides, she's got Fang now." Snow put his hand gently on Serah's shoulder. "If I knew there was something worth working out, then I'd give it a go by all means; but I know I don't feel the way I used to about you. That's why I want to apologise to you. The thought of you guided us through our travels, and this is how Lightning and I repay you…no wonder you slapped us both. We deserved it for what we did to you. How else can I say I'll do anything to make it up to you?"
The young girl fiddled with her pink ponytail, watching the sun setting slowly. She smiled gently at the dimming red orb before turning her gaze to Snow and taking his hand.
"You don't need to...just stay friends with me, and I'll be happy."
