Welcome back all and thank you for the reviews as always. Your feedback is always appreciated so don't be shy now and tell me what you think. I know I didn't say this sooner and I'm sorry but everyone's ages are what they were in game.

As always I don't own Final Fantasy XIII and I make no profit from the use of it's characters.

The Dangers of Volleyball

By Slayzer

Snow and Godot were setting up two large post for a beach volleyball court. Lebreau had already marked out the borders for the court and the last thing they need was the net. Lightning was sitting next to Serah watching the men work. Godot hit one of the post to make sure it was anchored right. "Take's you back huh, Snow."

"You mean our wasted summer days playing volleyball in Bodhum?"

"Yeah we haven't had that much time to play a few games since you started NORA and even less time since you screwed up and got married."

"Say what you want Godot but when you meet the right woman nothing else matters. Besides Serah's way more fun then Volleyball."

"No doubt, it's girls over sports any day. I think Yuj and Maqui had the right idea cruising for girls is the best part of summer. I do hope they'll be alright."

"Their growing boys so what happens will just happen. Heartbreak is part of growing up a man. It might be hard on those two but it's all just part of nature."

Vanille came over carrying the rolled up net. "You don't sound worried about Hope."

Snow dismissed Vanille's worries with a smile and wave. "Nah, Hope's problem is he should have brought a stick to beat the girls off him."

"That true." Vanille agreed.

"Why Vanille it sounds like your taken with kid." Fang said seeing a chains to needle her friend a little.

"No but I can how other girls would. He's kind and always trying to improve himself. Any girl would be lucky to have Hope's affections."

"What if that girl was you?"

Vanille blushed as a small smile spared over her cute face. "Well I don't think that would happen, we're too good of friends for anything like that. But if Hope did asked me out then I guess that would make me a very lucky girl. Oh! But that wasn't an open invitation so don't tell Hope I said that alright."

Everyone but Lightning laughed, she got hit by a pang of jealousy. Vanille could talked about likening Hope without hesitation being little more then a kid herself. What Snow didn't knew was heartbreak was also part of growing as a woman, a part Lightning missed out on. Lightning threw her heart and given name in the hole that her parents where buried in. She didn't grow up to be a cold woman, death made her that way as a child and time just aged her.

'So how did Hope do it?' Lightning thought to herself. 'How did he sneak his way into my heart after I pushed everyone away from it. If you don't love someone you can't get hurt, I always thought that way. Sometimes even my own sister can seem like a stranger to me. How the hell did it happen that my thoughts of that boy have gone from lost child, burden, pupil, comrade and now to someone who makes me live and die at his every glace and touch?'

"What about you Lightning?" Fang asked but Lightning like a school girl with a crush wasn't paying attention.

"Of course I wouldn't date Hope!" Everyone look at her like she was mad. It had been five minuets later and they weren't talking about that anymore.

"I was asking if you'd like to play a set of volleyball but I just can't let that pass. Something happen between you two?"

Snow had to laughed at that. "Come on Fang this is Lightning were talking about here. Lightning never strikes twice because one hit is all she needs. That was the saying around Bodhum for all the boys who didn't know to keep their distances from her. Even thou Hope's a kid I can't image Lightning showing any mercy if he got fresh with her. He be just another crushed fool on her path of ruin."

Serah shook her head sadly at the childhood memories. "Yes I remember going to all those poor boys' home and begging their families not to press charges. Saying time and again that my sister wasn't a bad girl but she just having a hard time."

Fang nodded in agreement with Snow and Serah "Yeah I guess your right. Good thing Hope can recognize a no go zone like Lightning."

"I'd watch that mouth of yours Fang. Just keep talking shit about me and see what happens." The fun and gone out of Lightning's voice. The teasing from the Pulsian woman had crossed a line.

Fang grab the Volleyball and sent in flying at Lightning. With her reflexes Lightning caught the ball easily but the force of that shot left her hands stinging. "All right Soldier Girl how about we work out that aggression of yours on the court. A one set game, first to 21 points."

Of the things Lightning hated the most in this world losing was the one of the few things that topped Snow. "Okay, it will be more satisfying then smacking you around anyway."

"Vanille, looks like we got a game on our hands. Want to be my partner?" Fang asked her long time friend.

Vanille agreed in a heartbeat. "Yeah, we always make a good team."

So it was Fang and Vanille against Lightning and….

"I'll be right back." Lightning said as she left to get her volleyball partner.

"No chickening out now Lightning!" Fang call out after Lightning and saw where she was heading. "Is she getting Hope as her partner?" Fang then asked Vanille.

"Naturally." Vanille said with a knowing smile.

"Huh?"

Vanille looked over at the clueless Fang. 'Really I thought you were sharper when it came to these things? Then again I guess I'm the only one whose noticed just how bad Lightning's got it for Hope.'

"It's nothing Fang. Don't worry about."

Hope, Yuj and Maqui and managed to mingle with a group of beach going girls and were having some success at it. The girls not at all unreceptive to the trio of handsome boys. They talked like teenagers do, about everything and nothing at the same time. Everyone there seemed to be enjoying themselves and Lightning felt more out of place the closer she got.

Just as Lightning was considering turning around and not intruding on them she saw Her. Even Lightning would have to admit the girl was attractive. Olive skin and long raven hair with a body like a blossoming flower. She was talking with Hope and seemed rather taken by him. Hope was clearly enjoying the girl's attentions as she was his.

"Let's go Hope, you're my partner in a beach volleyball game." Lightning said sounding much colder then she intended. The mood darkened quickly and even Hope shot Lightning a look of 'what the hell are you doing here?'

"I'm a little busy right now Light." Hope said dismissing her and turning his attention back on his cute new friend. The girl scooted closer to Hope and took hold of his arm.

"Tell me Hope…" Lightning began as she saw that girl smirk like she'd won something. "…. just what part of that order sounded like a request?" everyone felt a chill and shivered despite the sunlight and heat.

"Then I guess I'm going to play volleyball." Hope rose to his feet and the girl he was talking with got up with him.

"Hope there's a formal dinner at the hotel tonight. Let's meet up then okay."

"That be great Lexie."

Hope didn't make eye contacted with Lightning as he walked passed. He swore he could feel the same kind of anger she normal reserved for Snow. Lightning turned and walked away she and as she did overheard Lexie and her girlfriends talking.

"God what the hell was her problem? It's like she just walked over here and kidnapped him."

"I know and what about that swimsuit, can you say tasteless?"

"That strawberry hair too. No way those drapes match the carpet."

Hope doubled-backed and pulled Lightning along faster. Putting more space between her and Lexie. "Let's hurry up before you do something violent."

"Why dose everyone think I'll get violent?"

"Because your right hand has been trying to grab a Gunblade that isn't there."

Lightning's right hand had been trying to grasp the reassuring cold steel. It was a reflex's action Lightning had developed when she was stressed. "You noticed that?"

Hope let go of her hand and folded his hands behind his head. "Yeah did. I like to think I can read you pretty well Light. But you really do know how to kill a good time."

"That Lexie girl is more trouble then good time. You should be careful around her."

"Lexie's a girl Light not a Razorclaw."

"I'm just saying she has a different kind of claws that could be just as painful."

Hope blushed a bit. "Well I plan to have her 'clawing' on me by the end of the week."

Lightning picked up her pace leaving Hope behind. 'Odd. I always thought I could talk with Lightning about anything. I guess my love life is one of those things she doesn't care about.' Hope thought not knowing just how wrong he was.

As they got back to the volleyball court their friends made Lightning saw a change in the rosters. It was now Fang and Snow as their opponents. Vanille sat on the sidelines looking sheepish. There was now a massive differences in the total height of the teams.

"You ready to go sis? Don't expect me to go easy on you."

"Snow why are you Fang's partner?"

"Well you know how you treat me more like a punching bag then a brother? Now I'm a gentlemen so I could never rise my fist to you but that doesn't mean I don't resent it." Snow held the ball high over Lightning's head his voice became as cold as his name. "This will be pay back for all the abuses you given me."

Before Lightning could talk back a flash of sliver that was Hope jumped between them and knocked the ball lose from Snow and then recovered it in midair. Hope landed as lightly as a leaf with the volleyball securely in his hands. "We'll serve first if that okay."

"No problem. You want a to handicap? Me and Fang will give you guys a three point lead. After all I feel bad playing an undersized team of a woman and a kid."

"No thanks Snow. I'm not doing you any favors by giving you an excuses for losing when his undersized team beats your ass." Hope said as he passed the ball to Lightning.

"Hope how long could you jump like that?"

"It took a lot of practice. Had to after this person ditched me because I couldn't jump as high as they could."

The game began with Lightning's serve that was easily returned by Fang. With Snow guarding the net and Fang's powerful shots form the back they had a commanding physical advantaged and took the first points. Their lead grew by 4 points and by then you could see what the Hope and Lightning's problem was. Lightning was hogging the ball, trying to guard, set, attack and doing was none of it well. Soon the game was a lopsided 8/2.

Snow sent the ball blazing down the court. Lightning turned and raced down the court to make a save but Hope had beaten her to it. He not only saved the ball but gave it a beautiful set and if Lightning had stayed in position she would have had a chances for a spike. As it was the only thing Lightning could do now was smash into Hope like an wild chocobo. The impact left both of them floored on the sand and down 9/2.

"You know this isn't a contacted sport Lighting?" Snow teased.

"Maybe you should have taken those three points. That way you could be at lest close to a double digit score when you lose." Fang add.

"Lightning…?" Her head ringing for a moment she couldn't hear hope's voice clearly. After Lightning shock the cobwebs out of her head she saw just where she was, sprawled out on top of Hope. "Lighting are you okay?" Hope asked again. She nodded her head slowly being keenly aware that only the thinness of her swimsuit separated her from her unrequited love.

"Then you can get off me, right?"

Lightning rolled off him and got to her feet. Hope got up and asked for a timeout.

Snow had no problem with it. "Sure all the more time to enjoy our victory."

Hope took a sport's drink from one of the non-alcoholic coolers. "Light, why did you even choose me as a partner if your not going to let me help you?"

The image of Lexie clinging to Hope like some parasite came to Lightning as the best reason but she couldn't say that. Hope counted talking not really caring what her answer was. "Look the two points we got weren't luck. Fang and Snow are slow to get to their feet after making a diving save. We can turn this around with better teamwork and accuracy."

"So how do you want to play it?" Lightning decided to leave the game plan to Hope. She owed him for the way she was playing and because she trusts him.

With a new game plan Hope and Lightning took the court with renewed confidences. They managed to get Snow and Fang off guard and rallied with four unanswered points. Hope saving even Snow's hardest hit spikes and giving Lightning the chances to score. However now matter how hard they played the point gap was just to big. Snow and Fang never gave up the lead they built.

It was 20/19 with Snow and Fang needing a game point. Fang's hard sever bounced off Hope's arms as he made an odd save. Lightning tried to get the ball for a return but it was to late and she missed. After rallying and playing so hard they came so close just to lose in the end.

Lightning just looked spitefully at the volleyball where it landed as if it was all the ball's fault. If she and Hope had played like a team at the beginning they probably would have won.

"Good game Light." Hope said clearly taking the lose better then his teammate.

"Good nothing, we lost. We would have won had we taken those three points handicap."

"True but we didn't so in a way this was a morel victory."

"But a practical defeat."

"I would rather play with you and lose then win with anyone else. Besides say what you want Light but I know you had fun. You have that look of yours."

"What look?"

"That look after you give that little sigh of a laugh with only the barest ghost of a smile. Then your eyes just light up as if to say, good job Hope. The look your giving me right now."

That ghost of smile then spread across Lightning's face as she flicked Hope in the forehead playfully. "Don't get cheeky just because I had fun."

Fang walked under the net and scoped up the volleyball. "So Lightning you work out all that aggression or should we have another set, best out of five?"

"No, I'm fine now Fang. It was a good game."

"Good I couldn't enjoy me vacation with you being pissed at me."

Snow ruffled Hope's hair teasingly. "Lightning being humble after losing? Now that's a first. How about you Hope up for a another game."

"No way, after blocking your spikes my arms are sore enough. By the way what did Fang say to get Lightning mad at her?"

"Hoh ho, you should have been there Hope. You see first we were all taking about you. Then Fang asks Lightning about…" Snow stopped his story and shifted into a Sentinel with enough time to block Lightning's right hook.

"Say one more word Snow and my sister will be a widow." Lightning said making a statement of fact and not a threat.

"Right, well I see you all for dinner at the hotel." Hope said and as he ran off not wanting to get dragged into the growing tensions on this side of the beach.

Serah walked over to Lightning completely ignoring the stand off between her sister and lover, something she's become use to. "That's right we have a formal dinner tonight. You do have something nice to ware tonight don't you?"

Lightning disengaged from Snow without landing a hit, he was getting better a dogging her attacks. "Of course I have some formal wear."

"Your dress uniform is rejected, So don't even think about wearing it."

Lightning's dress uniform was all she had that was close to formal wear. Serah saw that worried look in Lightning's eyes. She looked to Fang and Vanille. "You two will need dresses as well. The four of us can go together and Fang you can hold down Lightning if she tries to escape."

'Great dress shopping with my three favorite people.' Lighting thought sarcastically as Vanille and Serah where already talking about what to get Lightning.

-End-

How about this for serendipitous. I was going to name the girl with the crush on Hope after a car like Lexus or Mercedes but then I thought maybe something less automotive. So I went with Lexie and looking up her name Lexie is a feminine form of Alexander, Hope's eidolon. It all works out like this sometimes.

Don't worry this wont be a Hope/OC thing. Lexie is just a hook up girl for Hope and a rival Lightning could trash on without upsetting anyone. As opposed to a Vanille/Hope/Lightning triangle. After all I do like Vanille and don't want to have Lightning crush her.