Chapter 3: Work is reality

"Hey, sis?" The two sister's had been laying in silence until the younger finally broke it, getting Lightning's attention. "Do you think we'll really make this work?"

"What do you mean?" Lightning's question made Serah lean up on her elbo, looking at Lightning, who was laying beside her.

"I mean do you think we'll be able to get jobs and pay for the things we need? Do you think we'll be here forever, too? Live out human lives and never go back.."

"Serah."

"Hm?"

"Don't think about that." Lightning chuckled. "It's my job to worry, not yours. I want you to enjoy our time here as much as you can without worrying at all. Leave all that to me."

"Sis.." Serah sighed, falling back into her soft pillow. "It's just so weird. I kinda miss everyone else though. I keep thinking of ways to bring them here"

"Me too, but there's nothing we can do now, you know that."

"Yeah, but.."

"Serah, get some sleep. We have a big day tomorrow, so that's enough talking for now." Lightning smiled before rolling over, facing away from Serah and closing her eyes, leaving the younger Farron to lay there, staring up at the cieling with her thoughts mixed. There was a strange feeling brewing up inside Serah, and she didn't know what it was, but she knew it wasn't a nice feeling at all.

"I'm sorry, Noel..." She whispered under her breath before closing her eyes, slipping into a deep sleep.

The gates to the world will never open once closed. The one and only chance they had to be free. To breath life into their frozen lungs, expanding into the mind racing feelings they'd endure. Life has always seemed like a pleasant wonder, something untouched and perfect. But reality was far more cruel than their innocent minds knew. Emotions weren't designed to fill the human heart with joy and happiness, not easily, at least. Though they were going to learn that the hard way.

"Hey, sis." Lightning's eyes fluttered open to see Serah looking down at her with a smile. "Time to get up. Vanille's made everyone breakfast." Lightning pulled her tired body up as Serah jumped out of bed and stretched.

"What time is it? I'm so tired." Lightning yawned, glancing over at a clock that sat on the bedside table. "8:45am, huh?" Lightning furrowed her eyebrows. "I certainly don't like this whole waking up business." She sighed.

"I'm sure we'll get used to it, sis." Serah giggled, unusually chirpy for someone who just woke up, too.

"If you say so." Lightning pulled herself out of bed and stretched, before heading downstairs with Serah and sitting at the table.

"Oh, hey, sleepy heads" Vanille chirped, putting their plates in their seats. Everyone had already started on theirs, unable to wait any longer for the two girl.

"You know, you're harder to wake up than a behemoth" Fang chuckled, smirking at Lightning.

"Shut up." Lightning retorted, taking a bite out of her toast. She still couldn't get used to taste either. Last night was the first time any of them really ate food and tasted it, and they had to pretend they weren't 'blown out of this world' as Snow put it. But it really was strange to feel the taste water their mouths, every bite being filled with flavour and a pleasing taste. Even though toast wasn't that great, Lightning still loved every bite.

"Vanille, your cooking is so good" Hope blurted out as he finished. "Thanks"

"I learned from a book that Johannes let me borrow. It said something about breakfast being a 'kick start' to your day. Perfect, right?" She chirped. Vanille's upbeat voice gave Lightning a bit of a headache. As much as it was nice to see Vanille happy, the fact she was so happy all the time, especially in the morning, made Lightning more than uncomfortable.

"So, what kind of work are you guys looking for?" Snow asked, smiling like an idiot as usual.

"Isn't it a bit early to decide that?" Hope raised an eyebrow. "Since you guys don't really know what's available or what kind of work they have here.."

"Yeah, but a rough idea." Snow shrugged. "I mean, I can probably guess what kind of things you'll all go for" His loud laughter peaked at Lightning's mood, making her scowl.

"What makes you think we'll be anything like that?" She blurted out. Of course, so far, they all were pretty much the same. The characteristics that they were programmed with were still very much part of them now, but were they burned into them? No. It wasn't certain they'd still be the same forever. They might end up changing completely, they might stay the same. Either way, it irritated Lightning that Snow just assumed.

"Come on, Sis. You're still the same as you were before." He chuckled. "Besides, it doesn't matter how we are now. What matters is how we act and go about our lives to make it worth it, right?" His fist was raised to the air. Sure, he certainly hadn't changed. Maybe he was right too? But no, it was impossible for people to not change, especially now they weren't just programmes; they were real.

"Alright, that's enough from you" Fang stood up, stretching her arms above her head. "We have things to do, so lets not waste time." With that, Fang began to strut out and headed upstairs.

"Fang's right. I'm gonna go take a shower" Serah smiled, finishing off her breakfast and pushing out her chair, but before she could go, Snow grabbed her wrist and pulled her onto his lap.

"And where is my good morning kiss?" He chuckled, pulling the younger girl close and grazing his lips against hers.

"Snow, not in front of the kids" Serah blushed emberrassingly as she glanced across the table to Dajh and Hope, who simply frowned and crossed his arms since he certainly wasn't a child anymore.

"Alrighty then." Snow smirked. "How about I come and take a shower with you and show you what happens when I don't get a kiss?" His retort made Serah blush further as she struggled to find anything to say back.

"Ahem." The clearing of Lightning's throat caused the young couple to look over, seeing her irritated face. "No one wants to know or hear that." She spat. "And if you think I'm letting you in mine and Serah's shower to do indecent things to my sister, you have another thing coming."

"Alright, alright. Maybe next time." Snow chuckled, letting Serah up.

"You should come get ready too, sis." Serah reminded her sister.

"Wait, you're going to shower together!?" Hope explaimed, a light blush forming over his cheeks. Apon realising what Hope was saying, Snow and Sazh both felt their faces heat up.

"What? No, you perverts" Lightning destroyed any hope they had of some hot shower action and pushed her chair out. "I'll shower after her." And with that, the two girls left.

"You guys are hopeless." Vanille sighed, shaking her head. But since they had never really been able to feel those things before, it was new to them and they had next to no control over it. Snow was a little more than eager to surpress those feelings.

"Can you believe that idiot?" Lightning frowned, calling to her sister from their room while Serah showered.

"I know, but cut him some slack, sis. We're all knew to this, you know."

"I don't care. If he does anything to make you feel uncomfortable, Serah, you tell me, ok?"

"Alright, sis." Serah giggled. Although Serah was glad her sister was there to break up their moment. Sure, Serah was his fiance...or so she was programmed to be. Was it really what she felt though? She didn't know why she felt glad by her sister's intervention, but she was. But what did she know? She had no idea what it was like to be in love with someone. Maybe she was very much in love with Snow, she just didn't know it yet because of all these new things happening. But that wasn't what was on her mind either. There was a broken promise weighing her heart down, and it had been killing her from the moment she realised he hadn't been free'd with them.

Serah had promised Noel that they'd all be free and they'd all live together and live a good life. Noel would finally be able to bring yeul happiness instead of having her given to him, only to have her taken away cruely. Noel was losing it back in that place. He could remember having Yeul, smiling and in his arms only to have her snatched away again as the game reset itself. Over and over again, he was given a taste of happiness, then it ripped away from him. Serah wanted to help him, but she couldn't do anything; only Lightning could do it. So she made a promise, something for him to keep strong for. But that promise was shattered into a million peices and Serah couldn't stop thinking about it. She wanted Noel to be here with his Yeul. She wanted him to be free from his shackles.

"Alright, we all ready?" Johannes came in, his car keys dancing in his hands as he threw his arms through the air. "I'm really excited for today for some reason."

"Me too!" Snow chuckled, fist pumping the air. "I plan to get a goood job to be able to buy a place for me and Serah. Then I'll save up for our wedding and we'll get married and start a family together."

"That sounds like a good goal, Snow." Johannes chuckled. "You'll all need good goals to keep you going."

"Why?" Hope asked.

"Well, work isn't easy, you know. Many people give up or lose the will to enjoy life because works zaps the life from them. So having a goal for the future, something to work for, it keeps you going. It keeps your mind set."

"What if we can't think of anything?"

"Well you don't need to yet since you wanted to go to college, right?" Johannes patted Hope on the shoulder with a chuckle. "But I'm sure when it comes to the day you need to work, you'll have something you'll want to work for."

"Oh, hey, Johannes." Serah chirped as she came down the stairs in a cute, pink floral top and a pair of white shorts and sandles.

"You look lovely, Serah." Johannes' chuckled, recieving a glare from Snow, who quickly walked over and snaked his arms around Serah's waist as if to ward Johannes off.

"You really do look beautiful, Serah." He chuckled into her ear.

"Uh, thanks." Serah smiled before shaking off Snow's compliment. "Anyways, me and the girls are going to search together if you don't mind, Snow."

"What? But that'll leave me all on my own."

"Don't worry. I'll tag along with you" Fang walked over, resting an arm on Snow's shoulder.

"Alright, team Snow and Fang!" Snow cheered, fist pumping the air for the millionth time.

"You know, we should make a record for how many times a day you do that." Hope shook her head with a smirk.

"Do what?" Snow looked at everyone as they agreed with Hope, laughing at him.

"That fist pump."

"Really? I hadn't noticed" Snow scratched the back of his head, laughing nervously.

"Are we going or what?" Lightning snapped as she walked down the stairs, wearing a simple shirt and jeans.

"Oh, you're here, Lightning." Johannes chuckled. "Alright, we're ready to go. Also, I won't be able to drive you into town every day, so you'll need to either get your own cars or take the bus in the future"

"Got it" Snow nodded.

With that, they all headed outside and squished into Johannes large car.

"It sure is a tight squeeze.." Vanille wheezed, being squished between Fang and Lightning.

"Yeah, I know. But you'll just have to bare with it for now." Johannes chuckled, stratching the back of his head before starting the engine.

"I still don't get why Sazh got the front seat" Lightning complained.

"Because I'm not built for being squished back there. Besides, I have Dajh" Sazh grinned, patting his son's head, who sat beside him in the front with Johannes.

After the silent car journey, they all piled out and Johannes made a 'meet up' time for 5pm and everyone scattered out to do their thing. Hope, Sazj and Dajh stayed with Johannes to get themselves enrolled into schools and colleges, while Vanille, Serah and Lightning went of to find work together, and Fang and Snow went off in another direction to find work.

"So, how do we know where to look?" Lightning asked awkwardly as they stood in front of a rather cute looking maid cafe.

"I guess we just go in and ask." Serah replied, pursing her lips in thought as she stared at the cute scenary in front of them.

"Or they have a 'now hiring' sign in the window." Vanille said, pointing to a small sign in the window.

"Oh, this place is hiring?" Serah gasped. "Come on-"

"W-what? No way" Lightning felt her cheeks blush as Serah tried pulling her into the cafe. "You two go ahead, but I'm going to keep looking."

"Aww, okay." Serah gave a pout. "I can't imagine this would be your sort of thing, sis. But it would've been interesting." Serah giggled before heading in with Vanille.

"Great..." Lightning sighed, scanning the area and walking about. She ended up wondering into a bar filled with people, drinking. Loud chatter filled the entire building. Lightning pushed her way through to the bar, resting on it. She knew this was a big town, but she didn't think there would be so many people here during the morning. It confused her a little, but her mind was suddenly destracted by a familier voice.

"And what can I get you?" The question was directed to a man sat a few stools down from Lightning, but she finally got a look at who the voice belonged to and felt herself jolt up.

"Lebreau!?" She gasped, getting the dark haired woman's attention.

"Lightning? Fancy seeing you here." Lebreau walked over, a bright smile on her face. Lightning wouldn't have recognised her at all if it wasn't for her voice since she had never seen Lebreau wearing normal clothes before. She was wearing a black vest top and some blue jeans. Something simple for a bar maid, but it was typical. It almost made Lightning chuckle. "I owe you one, girl. Here, have a drink on me." Lebreau poured Lightning a drink of beer and handed it to her.

"Uh, thanks...but I'm a little shocked to see you here." Lightning raised an eyebrow at the woman.

"At a bar? Really?" She laughed.

"No, I mean...here." Lightning hushed her voice a little, leaning in. "We didn't think anyone else made it out since it was only us that woke up on the field."

"A field?" Lebreau was now the one with a raised eyebrow. "I actually woke up in my bosses front yard. We're going with the story I was drunk the night before and don't have a home, so he's letting me stay with him and work here to pay."

"That's great, I guess. But if you're here, that means the other's can be too, right?"

"Yeah, I guess. I was on my own though and thought everyone just went to different places. I guess not."

"We all thought we were the only ones and that you lot didn't make it out." Lightning sighed. "Well that's a weight off my shoulders."

"I'm sure everyone's enjoying life, Light." Lebreau reassured. "I guess you guys were just together because you always have been."

"Huh?" Lightning thought for a moment, but maybe Lebreau was right. They had been together since the beginning. Even when they haven't been physically together, they've been through the same ordeal, had the same goals. They were always going to be together.

"Well where are you guys staying, anyway?" Lebreau asked.

"Some guy took us in, but we have to get jobs in order to pay him rent, which is fair enough." Lightning frowned. "But I don't trust him."

"Lightning, we're not in that place anymore, you know. Not everyone that helps out of the blue is a bad guy. But if it's work you're looking for, I'm sure I can pull a few strings and get you here"

"Oh?" It peaked Lightning's interest.

"Yeah, it'll be fun working together."

"Well I guess it wouldn't be too bad working here. Better than in one of those cafes..." Lightning frowned.

"Alright. Well just wait here a sec, okay?" Lebreau smiled and walked into the back, leaving Lightning to herself.

Meanwhile, Fang and Snow had managed to find their jobs easily. Snow was going to be working in a workshop, helping to fix cars and things, while Fang was going to be working at the local gym. She still needed to do a few more things, and the only thing that got her the job was her small top that revealed her steel abs that stunned the gym members and trainers.

"I can't wait to see you in a maid outfit, Serah." Snow chuckled, making Serah blush. They had met up again and were waiting for Lightning to pop up at some point since Serah wanted to see how she was.

"What are you all doing standing around?" Lightning walked over, looking a little more satisfied with herself.

"Oh, hey, sis." Serah smiled. "We were waiting for you. Any luck?"

"Yeah, the local bar. Also, there's someone I want you all to see." Lightning smirked. "Follow me." She led them into the bar that had quietened down a little now and sat them at a table.

"Hey, guys!" Lebreau walked over, setting down a trey of drinks for them.

"Lebreau!" Serah gasped, jumping up and hugging her. "Lebreau, you're here too!" She was almost in tears.

"Serah, calm down." Lebreau laughed. "It's like I said to Lightning, we might've all been spread out over the place." When Serah finally let go, both girls sat down.

"So it was just you, huh? Not the rest of Nora?" Snow sighed. "Seems weird since you guys are always together."

"Yeah, well, I'm sure we'll all see each other again." Lebreau smiled. "Besides, we're meeting now, so let's enjoy it. Lightning will be working with me, too."

"Good to hear she's in good company" Serah smiled.

"So does that mean we'll get free drinks?" Fang laughed, only half joking.

"Actually yeah, it does. Well, you'll get discount, at least."

"Whaaaa? Yay!" Vanille cheered. They sat around, chatting for hours about pointless things. Lebreau had to go do a shift every now and then along with Lightning, but they spent most their time chatting away. Before they knew it, it was almost five and they had to leave.

"It was good seeing you guys. Make sure to come again soon, and bring Sazh, Hope and Dajh with you next time." Lebreau waved, seeing them off.

"Alright, we will!" Vanille waved.

They met up with Johannes to give him the good news, and of course, he was delighted. Hope and Dajh had also been enrolled into school and college, although Hope had to go back for a few more things and Sajh was going to have to find a small, part time job to work around Dajh.

"That's excellent, everyone." He smiled. "Now lets get back before rush hour, ok?" With that, they all piled back into Johannes car and went back, falling into the sofa with exhausted groans and moans. They hadn't realised how tired they were until they felt the soft comfort of the chair.

"So when do you guys start work?" Hope asked, being the only one who wasn't exhausted.

"Next week" They all said in union, making Hope jump a little.

Next week they were going to be working, just like everyone else had to. It was real now, and they were probably going to be tired like this for a while, but they were ready for it. They were just starting out, so they knew it was going to be tough. Thanks to Johannes, it was going to be a little easier on them, of course. But eventually they'd have to leave Johannes and spread their own wings. Seeing Lebreau had also gave them a boost, some hope that the other's were out there, somewhere. For Serah, it was all she needed to feel like she could be happy with being alive.

AN: Yay, I finally got this done (Literally took me all day because I kept getting destracted). And also, I want to say thanks to all the lovely reviews :3 I'll do shout outs in the next chapter, maybe. But right now, I just want to get this published and out of the way.