A/N: Hey guys sorry for the long delay July was a crazy month for me this should have been out sooner but ya know life and stuff happens. Without my cowriter and beta reader Candyg0103 this would not be a possible story. Thanks again for the support and the patience. Also this is a 2 part chapter and hopefully I can get the other half posted next week, italics in this story are flashbacks. All rights reserved to Square Enix just using the characters for my amusement. Without further ado here's the next chapter enjoy!
Bodhum Memorial Hospital
Lightning took in a deep breath forgetting for a moment where she was, and immediately regretted it as the unwelcoming smell of antiseptics and cleaners assaulted her sense.
She pushed down the sick feeling that came along with the hospital smell and combed her fingers through her hair. Etro she longed for a smoke or a stiff drink right now; or better yet both. But Lightning knew she had to keep it together for Serah. She needed to know what damage Jihl caused to her this time.
Lightning bit her lip and shifted her weight for the umpteenth time. She didn't remember this elevator taking this long on the way down. In fact, she was fairly sure it did not take this long at all. Being stuck in this damn box gave her too much time to think.
…
Lightning flipped through the file sitting on the table in front of her. Glancing up at the women sitting across from her she finally broke the silence "Jihl Nabaat." Straightening upright Lightning set her glare on Jihl. "You keep yourself busy, don't you?"
The woman chuckled and raised both her shackled hands up to her face to push her glasses up her nose.
Lightning gripped the table "You think it's funny? Murdering innocent people? Committing …. Vicious … "Lightning took a steadying breath "...crimes."
"What I did back there on those streets you mean? That was hardly a crime. Or at least not one worth bragging about. No, it was simply for my own amusement. You don't know just how … intoxicating the feel and smell ….and taste of blood can be." Jihl smiled widely.
"You are a disgrace to humanity Jihl; a good for nothing piece of trash!" Lightning snarled out as she threw herself out of the chair, slamming both hands on the table.
"You remind me so much of your father Claire."
Lightning's eyes widened. "Ho..w...Where did you...?" Lightning stuttered through her words.
"How do I know your name? Well that's simple Claire, your father trained me. In fact he was my trainer in more ways than one." Jihl winked at Lightning "If you know what I mean. " Jihl licked her lips, her smile widening suggestively.
Lightning's hands shot out grabbing Jihl's shirt and tugging it forward to meet its owner's eyes.
"My father was a good man; he wouldn't do that to my mother!" Lightning tightened her grip on Jihl's shirt.
"Sargent Farron!
Lightning stared hard into Jihl's eyes waiting for ...anything...a contradiction, or a reason to lay Jihl flat here and now.
"Sargent!"
Lightning clenched her fists on Jihl's shirt one last time before releasing her with small shove.
"Amodar sir I…"
Amodar raised his hand up before she could continue.
"Lightning you did nothing wrong. Her lawyers are on their way. Just escort her back to her cell until further notice." Amodar gave Lightning a reassuring smile.
Lightning nodded and walked around the table. She briefly entertained the thought of 'accidentally' ramming Jihl's face into the table but decided it was best not to push her luck.
Instead Lightning settled for grabbing Jihl's arm more roughly than probably necessary and dragged her out of the interrogation room with every intention of returning Jihl directly to her cell. Though luck did not seem to be on her side that day as not two feet out the door she practically ran into a familiar yet presently unwelcomed pink haired woman.
"Claire! What the Hell!?"
"Serah…. What are you doing here? Go home right now!" Lightning stuttered through her words.
Serah grimaced; but her face went from disbelief to anger almost instantaneously.
"What am I doing here? No, what are you doing here Claire?! I've been waiting for hours so we can 'have some time together'. Not my words; those are your words! You could have at least answered my calls."
Serah crossed her arms and glared at Lightning.
"Serah, you know better than to call me that; and now is not the time for this!" Lightning sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose.
"So you must be the other Farron sister I have heard SO much about.." Jihl interrupted with a smirk.
Lightning and Serah jolted and looked up at Jihl. They had completely forgotten they had an audience around them.
"Serah go home now please. I'm sorry about tonight. But please just go, I'll explain later."
"Hmm…. Your father was right you both look just like your mother." Jihl reminisced.
"You knew our father, and you talked about us?" Serah questioned
"Bullshit!" Lightning interrupted. "Serah, she didn't know our father and she most certainly didn't talk about us."
Jihl's twisted smile came back.
"Sure he did, it was right after he told me how dissatisfied he was with your mother. How much better I was in bed...hmm.. Poor women, such a shame that piece of trash died." Jihl's smirk widened and twisted almost unnaturally.
But Lightning could hardly see Jihl's face anymore, let along her deranged smile. The next thing she knew, her right knuckle stung like a bitch and she was standing over an unconscious Jihl.
…...
"Can ya stop that, ya makin me feel like a nervous wreck ova' here."
Lighting shook herself out of her thoughts and looked at Fang. "Stop Wha.." Looking down at her feet she realized 'what'. At some point her legs had gone rogue and started, what could only be described as the world's worst tap dancing arrangement. Lightning cleared her throat.
"Sorry." Lightning whispered, crossing her arms and staring her feet down.
Fang smirked widely and chuckled. "Loosen up a bit, would ya."
Lightning glanced at Fang and closed her eyes. Rubbing the back of her neck roughly she growled out. "What is taking so lo-" Lightning looked up, her eyes widening.
"Fang...Did you ..maybe… forget to do something?"
Fang brow rose and shook her head at Lightning.
"Uh.. No Sunshine what am I missin'?" Fang followed Lightning's eyes to the panel her face contorting in suppressed laughter. "No wonder we're takin' so long." Fang managed to choke out "Ya forgot ta' hit the button Sunshine."
Lightning scowled at her partner venomously.
"Well Fang..." Lightning growled through clenched teeth. "I presumed you were capable of working an elevator and didn't need backup for that..."
"Aww come on Sunshine" Fang winked. "I thought you were takin' the lead on this one."
Lightning pushed Fang out of the way, and jammed her finger repeatedly against the number three button.
"One time normally does it Sunshine."
Lightning whipped around to face Fang. "Stop calling me that."
The elevator jolted as it finally came to a stop on the correct floor. Fang smirked at Lightning's annoyance and walked right passed her out the elevator doors.
Lightning opened her mouth to say something, presumably not altogether nice, but was interrupted by the ding of the elevator. She quickly rushed out before the doors closed and begrudgingly took off after Fang.
Trailing behind Fang, she did not bother paying too much attention to her surroundings. Lightning sighed as she realized that she could probably make the trip through this hospital blind folded at this point, given all the times she has had to come here.
Lost in thought, the lieutenant was forced to make an abrupt sidestep to avoid walking into Fang. "What are you do-" Lightning looked up and immediately recognized the woman by the nurses' station who had apparently been trying to get her attention.
"Doctor Estheim… Are you the one looking over Serah?" The Doctor nodded.
"Lightning it's good to see you again. I wish it was under better circumstances." She gave Lightning a sad smile and looked towards Fang.
"This is my partner Fang; she is going to be working on the case with me. So anything you have to disclose can be said in front of her."
With introductions out of the way Lightning's thoughts immediately flew back to her sister. She focused on the Doctors jaw, not quite ready to know the answer to the next question. "How is she? How's Serah?" Lightning said, her voice taking on a shrill tone.
In an attempt to appear more courageous than she felt Lightning slowly raised her eyes to meet the Doctors and regretted this decision instantaneously.
…..
"I- I'm sorry your mother and father had multiple lacerations all over their bodies along with multiple bullet wounds. With the blood loss and the trauma... well, we did everything we could to save them…"
…
"Lightning?"
Lightning was trembling, her breath quickening.
…
"Cla- Miss Farron I'm sorry for your loss."
…
"Ma'am, Lightning, are you ok?"
"Sunshine…" Lightning jumped as she felt a hand touch her shoulder. Turning around quickly she came face to face with Fang and a small group of nurses that had gathered.
Lightning swallowed quickly and forced her breathing to slow down. 'For Serah, hold it together for Serah.' This needed to become her mantra right now. She needed to remember this.
"Yeah, sorry. Lost in thought..." Lightning could tell no one around her believed it, you don't become a Lieutenant without knowing how to read people. But right now she could not care less.
"Doctor, you were saying?" Lightning turned back to the Doctor, this time preparing herself before making eye contact.
Doctor Estheim gave Lightning an all too understanding look and nodded before proceeding.
"Lightning, I won't lie. When your sister was brought to us, we were unsure if she would make it. In fact we lost her a couple times during surgery." Dr. Estheim held up her hand to hold off Lightning's interruption.
"Please, let me finish. Then I will answer any questions you have." Doctor Estheim ran her hand through her hair and continued "Her body was covered in multiple minor cuts and larger Lacerations. She had a punctured lung and six broken ribs. The Doctor stopped again this time to take a deep breath. "Serah's left ear had to be removed. The damage was ….severe." Lightning's feet had started tapping again "Her face is severely cut and ...quite frankly, even with cosmetic surgery, she may never look like herself again. Lastly" The doctor paused "Your sisters, her left eye, well … Lightning, I know you don't like people beating around the bush, so." Despite this the doctor stopped to take a deep breath before continuing. "It seems like whoever attacked her removed her eye, or well damaged it with, what we can only assume to be a fairly thin knife. "
Lightning paled and took a step back from the Doctor. Resisting the strong urge to scream she instead fell back against the closest wall and stared down at the Doctors glossy brown shoes.
"Lightning, your sister's body is under a lot of stress right now. We had to put her into a medically induced coma while she recovers."
Dr. Estheim grabbed Lightning's shoulders and made Lightning look her in the eyes. "Your sister is going to make it. It will take time, but she is strong. I have confidence in her Lightning. You should too."
Lightning nodded.
"Ca….can I?" Lightning voice cracked again. She could almost feel reality slipping away. But Serah …. Lightning refocused her eyes onto the doctor. "Can I see her please?"
"Of course, follow me."
Fangs body felt numb. Now she understood why Lightning has been so on edge. She has had to deal with some nasty people on her job, but what kind of sick monster would do ….that? Fang shook her head and looked up at the sound of footsteps moving away from her. She hesitated in following, but quickly tossed that feeling aside and caught up with Lightning and the doctor.
Dr. Estheim stopped in front of a door near the end of the hall. She looked at both of the officers and gave a sad smile to Lightning.
"This is it, please let me know if you need me for anything." She placed her hand on Lightning arm. Not surprised when she got no reaction from the lieutenant in return. She turned to Fang gave a nod and walked off.
Lightning let out a shaky sigh and was startled when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She had temporarily forgotten about Fang.
"Hey… um Light? I just wanna let ya know that I'll be right here if ya need me." Fang offered with scratchy tone.
Lightning heart skipped a beat, her eyes closing momentarily. Why did this woman care? She didn't know a thing about her or her sister. She just met Fang less than an hour ago but she did seem trustworthy enough.
"Thanks….. umm….I'll be a moment."
Fang gave a sad smile a strong feeling of helplessness consuming her as she watched her partner turn away.
