A/N: I'm really glad you enjoyed the previous chapter, thank you very much :) I've upped the rating for this fic because I'm going to be delving into mature themes in later chapters. I just hope you'll like this third installment of the fic as well.

Disclaimer: Final Fantasy XIII/XIII-2 belong to Square Enix.

Chapter 3: The Farron Sisters

Lightning used her order tablet as a fan in an attempt to cool down as she sat on a bar-stool, contemplating dousing herself with iced water. While the idea had a refreshing ring to it in helping her abate the heat, the thought that the male patrons of Sazh's would take the act as some sort of prelude to an impromptu strip show wasn't appealing. At all.

She supposed there was much to be said about the wisdom of Sazh's choice of uniforms for them. Or rather, that he left the choice up to them so long as their clothes consisted of either shorts or a skirt, any kind of top (be it a tank, a net shirt, or even a button-up with long sleeves) as long as it was white, worn over a bathing suit—although Lebreau chose to wear hers the other way around, garnering her a lot of tips from most of the male customers. Lightning had to admit that most of the time, their "uniforms" had done a good job at keeping them cool on hot, sunny days, but she was getting close to her limit to the point that she was beginning to consider stripping down to her bathing suit. Which brought her circling back to her number one reason for not dousing herself with iced water in the first place.

She sighed, stretching the kinks from her neck. Today's afternoon crowd wasn't really that bad; some elderly folks were out in the shaded part of the patio, enjoying the view of the ocean, and she could hear the murmur of their voices as they lost themselves to reminiscences. She knew that soon, the target demographic of twenties-to-thirties would be well on their way to populate Sazh's, and those of them that didn't know the iron law of groping the waitresses would find themselves beaten down and kicked out by the very same waitresses before their bouncer, Gadot, could even have time to give them his special brand of "friendly" warning.

Sazh stepped out of the kitchen behind the bar and spread his hands on the counter-top as he eyed her. "You look just about ready to murder someone," he commented.

She glared at him from beneath her bangs. "If only I could reach up to the fal'Cie Phoenix," muttered she in return.

He chuckled, shaking his head. "Well, missy—"

At the name-calling, she increased the magnitude of her glare.

He flinched. "Ouch. I really felt that."

She smirked. "Good."

He stumbled back as though he was shot and made mock choking sounds. "Struck by Lightning."

"Haha, aren't you just hilarious today, Sazh." She turned away from him on her stool with a frustrated sigh, her frown only lightening up as she spied her sister, holding on to the hand of Dajh, Sazh's son, as they entered the restaurant.

"Hi Lightning," said Dajh as he let go of Serah's hand and made his way towards the bar.

She nodded in reply. "Dajh."

"Daddy!" yelled the boy as he ran to his father.

"Hey little man!" laughed Sazh as his son glomped him. "How's school today?"

"It was great! We learned about the number thirteen today."

"Really. Wow, that's a pretty high number."

"Hi Sis! Hi Sazh!" greeted the younger Farron as she finally reached them.

"Serah," acknowledged Lightning with a nod.

"Hi Serah," said Sazh. "Thanks again for bringing Dajh from school."

"Oh, Sazh, you know I don't mind at all." She gave a small laugh as she tucked her hair behind her ear. "The first drink being free whenever I do is a very fair exchange."

"Well, make that the first two. I'm feeling generous today."

"Really, Sazh? Thanks!"

"Well, Lightning," he turned to her, hitching his son up in his arms. "I'm leaving the fort to you while I bring Dajh home."

Lightning just gave him a salute as an answer.

"Thanks again, Serah. See you guys later."

"Goodbye Lightning. Goodbye Miss Farron."

"Bye Dajh. Later, Sazh," waved Serah as they watched them leave. The younger of the two pink-haired women perched on the stool next to Lightning, giving her a very sweet look.

The older sister eyed her warily, sensing something afoot. Serah was really her only weakness, and from the expression she was being given, it would be tough for her to resist.

"Lightning," Serah began, and Lightning mentally braced herself for the onslaught. "My strong, beautiful, gorgeous, kind, wonderful—"

And she found that she already couldn't take it.

"What do you want?" she asked in a clipped tone.

Serah brightened up. "You, for a weekend. Any weekend off that you have, although I'd prefer if it was a whole week, but a weekend is fine."

Lightning raised a brow. "Why?"

"I want you to come to Palumpolum with me."

If anything, her brow rose higher. "What for?"

"To help me look for my wedding dre—"

"No."

"Lightning!"

She winced at the whine in Serah's voice. "You know I'd do anything for you, Serah—"

"Then, you will—"

"—except for this. Definitely No."

"But whhhhyyy?"

"No."

"Please?"

"No."

"My gorgeous—"

"No."

"Did I mention gentle and kind—"

"No."

"—sister who just said she'd do anything for me?"

"I said anything but this, Serah."

The younger Farron blew a raspberry out of frustration, blinking her eyes rapidly as she stared upwards. A hitching breath issued from her chest as she fanned herself with her hands. "I'm only asking because this is an important time for me, Lightning," she said tearfully in a small voice.

I'm getting sucked in, aren't I? Lightning thought. But of all people to marry—

"I want you to be there when I pick my dress because you're my only family left, and I want to share this moment of helping me choose it because mom isn't—" Serah covered her mouth and turned away.

Somewhere inside, the ice within her began to thaw a little, and she awkwardly patted her sister's shoulder. "I'm sorry."

"Please, Claire?"

At the use of her real name out of desperation, Lightning gave her sister's shoulder a squeeze. "Why all the way to Palumpolum? You'll find more choices if you go online shopping."

Serah wiped her eyes as she turned to face her. "It's not quite the same with online shopping. I want to feel that magical moment of knowing I've found the right dress if I actually go to a store to try it on."

"There are serviceable stores here, Serah."

"But Palumpolum has the biggest selection, you know, since it's the Center of Commerce."

"Also expensive."

"No, Lightning, it doesn't have to be. You go to a store and let them know what your budget is, and then they direct you to the correct section to choose your dress from. And since we're there, we can also find your maid-of-honour dress."

Lightning cringed. "Just pick whatever, I'll wear it."

"No, I can't do that! I want you to choose something you'll be comfortable with. And if we can't find something during that weekend, we can always go back some time later and try again."

Lightning stared at her. Serah had a pleading look on her face reminiscent of a pitiful puppy. She sighed in defeat, giving in with a nod of her head.

Serah squealed and grabbed her in a hug that seemed more of a choke-hold in her excitement. "Thank you, thank you, thank you, Lightning!"

"Yeah, yeah." Lightning waved her off.

"Thank you. This really means a lot to me, Lightning."

"I know."

"I'll go tell Vanille."

"You do that."

"And don't forget to let me know which weekend you have free so we can plan our trip."

"I'll have to check my schedule with Sazh."

"I'm sure he'll work something out with you. You're way overdue a vacation, you know. I'll be at my usual spot. See you later."

"Bye."

Lightning turned again on the bar-stool, leaned her arms over the counter-top and slumped over them. I wish this shift would end already, she thought.

Someone cleared their throat behind her, and she turned, spying the elderly group standing beside the cash register near the front. She tried to school her features into a smile as she walked over, but could really care less that it seemed to be unsuccessful judging from the way they backed away as she neared. Giving off an air of disinterest in any kind of conversation, she just loaded up their order number onto the computer, told them their total, and went through the routine of payment and thanks-for-coming-and-have-a-nice-day.

Outside, Lebreau and the other girls were already preparing the closed-off section of the patio for the later crowd, and Lightning surveyed their work from her spot. The area to the right would be the busiest, as it always was every evening, since it held the outdoor dance floor and DJ booth. As with the uniforms, Sazh allowed the waitresses the choice to dance there during their break, but any other kind of fraternizing with customers during work hours was frowned upon.

"You know, every time I see your face, I always think there's trouble in paradise," came Rygdea's smiling voice from behind her as he began his prep-work at the bar.

Lightning rolled her eyes and didn't bother turning her head to acknowledge his presence.

"Ouch. Extra icy today, eh?" He chuckled. "You know, it still boggles my mind."

She sighed, accepting the fact that he'd just continue conversing regardless of whether or not she contributed. She decided that she might as well give him a break before he talked her ear off. "What does?"

"This 'open relationship' you and Fang and Jihl seem to have. How exactly does that work?"

She turned finally and made her way over to where he stood behind the bar, even going so far as to give him a small smile. "It works because it's none of your business."

He threw his head back and laughed. "Well, can't blame me for trying, I'm just curious, that's all. I mean, three beautiful women together..."

"I'll thank you to stop right there, Rygdea."

At the hard edge to her tone, he straightened. "Yes, ma'am. No disrespect intended."

"If you don't want me to steal your wife..." she said in a mocking tone, and was rewarded with a look of fear.

"Stopping now."

"Good."

Thanks for reading :)
Apr/2012