(A/N)

Okay, I'm a day late. But it's done and here it is! The finale of my two part Christmas special is finally upon us! (In my head that sounded so dramatic… sigh…)

A quick clarification. When I said a friend bet five bucks I did not actually make any money. Between me and this dude it's the equivalent of I double dog dare you to do, insert dare here. So I did not make money off of this.

I did however make a sandwich with everything, and I mean Everything, on it. It tasted like crap but hey I won the bet/dare so I'm going to eat my just rewards.

Disclaime: Since I haven't found anyone (stupid) enough to loan me an Austin Martin Square Enix still has the rights… but one day though shalt be mine Final Fantasy XIII!... Even if it's only in my head…

The sound of Lightning's alarm clock, which had the high pitched noise of a heart monitor, filled the small bedroom. A single blue eye peeked out of the covers at the incessant device.

"Six in the morning?" Lightning asked aloud. "Stupid clock…"

Lightning's blue eye roved around the room, eventually stopping on the calendar. The twenty fifth was the last date that didn't have an X over it, meaning that was today.

Why would I want to get out of bed on Christmas? Lightning pulled the covers back over her head, ears already tuning out the alarm clock, when her eyes caught the picture of Hope and herself. Wait… Hope's here. But does that mean I really have to get out of bed?

After a quick mental debate Lightning threw the covers off herself. They fluttered in the air a moment before settling down on her bed in heaps.

She then pushed herself to her feet and got dressed for the day. Warm pants, since Bodhum was fairly cold that morning, a dark red T-shirt with a warm white jacket over it. And of course her signature combat boots.

Lightning took a moment to examine the abused pair of boots before pulling them gruffly over her socks. The boots had taken a lot of punishment since Cocoon fell. Her right boot had a large patch of leather that had been torn away in a fight against a pack of Gorgonopsids. The left one had a small hole on the top, just over her big toe, because Snow had dropped a pike on it.

There were dozens of other injury's and general scuff marks. Lightning decided she should probably get another pair. But that would mean shopping, and shopping wasn't something she particularly enjoyed.

Well I kind of enjoyed shopping with Hope yesterday. Lightning stood and started for the door. Especially getting him into a dress… I never thought he'd look quite that good in one though… wait never mind that's a perverted thought.

Perverted or not she had decided that hope looked far better in a dress then she did. Not that she'd tell Hope that, she had more respect than to embarrass him like that.

Though there are far better ways to embarrass Hope. Lightning closed the door behind her and set her face in its customary soldier look.

The few neighbors that had been in the hallway when she walked out quickly scattered. Lightning didn't cast them a glance as she briskly walked down the hallway and towards the few people she passed she gave quick glares, leaving most of them shaking in their boots, before walking past them.

As she came to the elevator she gave the crowded device a glare, emptying it off people as though she had drawn a weapon. Lightning then walked in and hit the ground floor, about twenty stories's down.

The slow hum of the elevator filled her ears and she let out a soft sigh. It was starting to feel strange, going from Hope's best friend to fearless soldier. The change was getting harder and harder to maintain.

I guess. Lightning smirked lightly. That eventually Lightning will cease to exist… but I wonder what I'll be when she does?

It was something Lightning had started to think about a lot. She had built her world around being a soldier. Around protecting Serah and providing for her.

But then Hope came. He lost his mother and in a moment of weakness followed her, followed Lightning the soldier. Hope had been sweat and kind no matter what she did to him. Even when Lightning tried to leave him behind Hope hadn't given up.

It was strange. Normally after people had known Lightning for a little while they gave up and looked at her like a soldier. But Hope was different. No matter what she did to him those eyes always looked at her the same; though sometimes they looked to her for different things they always saw the same person.

And that person wasn't Lightning the world knew and it wasn't the Claire that Serah knew.

He always looks at me like he's just now seeing me, like I'm the most interesting thing he's ever come across. Lightning sighed in an emotion like contempt. But what is it he sees? The answer was an easy one. To Hope I'm Light…

The elevator door opened breaking Lightning's train of thought. As she stepped out several people in the apartments lounge gasped, and she paid them no mind. After all if Hope was going to keep seeing Light then these people are eventually going to have to get used to her smiling.

As far as the staff were concerned a smile was a good look on Lightning.

"…What'd you get me sis?" Snow asked for the seventh time as he made puppy dog eyes at Lightning.

Though it's hard to smile around 'that' A vein twitched in Lightning's forehead as every fiber of her being resisted the urge to tear Snow a new ass.

"If you keep it up I'll take it back!" She shouted at Snow, who brought his arms around his head defensively.

"Claire you're scaring him!" Serah tried to sound like she was scolding her older sister, but her soft giggles ruined it.

"Good." Lightning crossed her arms and looked defiant. "He should be scared."

Snow swallowed hard and sat as far away from Lightning as he could get. Lightning merely gave him a hard look before her eyes returned to the tree.

Sometime last night Snow and Serah had put presents out. Under the tree was full of gifts wrapped in all colors of wrapping paper. The bright, vibrant, color's kind of hurt Lightning's eyes when the sun reflected off of it.

The rest of the living room had also seen a spruce of Christmas cheer since last night. The coffee table and chairs had covers with Christmas designs on them, of which Lightning thought only the dark blue one with a smiling snow man wasn't overtly ugly.

Four candles had been set up on the mantle, which was by the Christmas tree. The candles filled the room with the smell of cinnamon and pepper mint. Neither of which was Lightning fond of.

However in all the Christmas cheer there was one thing missing.

"Where's Hope?" Lightning asked none threateningly. Actually compared to how she normally talked to her sister and brother in law it was a kind tone.

"He said he had to go to the train station to pick up your gift, something about Maqui coming in with it this morning." Serah said.

"Hey that's right. The whole NORA gang's meeting up at the bar tonight, I guess Maqui came over to spend Christmas with Yuj and Lebreau." Snow said, smirking the whole time.

Lightning remembered Hope telling her once that Maqui had a crush on Lebreau. Hope had said once Maqui was strong enough he intended to ask Lebreau out, seeing as she was single now.

Lightning's only advice had been for Hope to wish him good luck, he'd probably need it. Hope had agreed, but he said he'd need the same thing.

Lightning never did learn what he meant by that.

"You wanna' come sis?" Lightning threw one of the throw pillows at Snow.

"Hell no." Lightning said harshly. "The less time I have to spend with you and your thugs the better." Snow rolled his eyes.

"Aw come on, you know you secretly adore me!" Snow said, happy that Lightning decided to just throw another pillow instead of something heavy like a candle.

"Don't push your luck." Lightning warned, though in a strangely not so threatening way. "Making Serah a widow for Christmas would be a terrible gift."

Snow laughed a little bit, Sera joining him. Lightning didn't laugh, didn't smile, but her face softened a little bit.

"So do you know when Sazh is going to be here?" Snow asked a little light coming into his eyes. "And Dajh."

"He said he'd be here around ten." Serah seemed to be a little cheerier as well.

"You two sound like you're more excited about seeing Dajh then Sazh." Lightning observed. The married couple looked towards each other before nodding at Lightning. "You want children of your own don't you?"

"Yeah." Snow was a little more somber as he said this, even taking Serah's hand in his own comfortingly. "But we just haven't had any luck yet…"

"And not because of lack of trying…" Serah added.

"Gross!" Lightning shouted and put her hands over her ears. "Don't say shit like that!" Snow and Serah laughed as Lightning glared at the pair. "You know you're ruining my good mood." Snow rolled his eyes and Serah kept laughing.

The next hour and a half was filled with conversation. And for once talking with her brother in law wasn't pissing her off, as a rule. He had said a few things that were punch worthy but Lightning decided to let it slide. He could consider it her Christmas present to him.

Then the doorbell rang. Serah got up and went to see who it was. Snow glanced at his wife and then leaned forward towards Lightning conspiratorially.

"So what's the deal with Hope?" Snow whispered, face serious for once.

"What do you mean?" Lightning asked, confused.

"Do you two like each other, you know. Love like." Lightning would have thought Snow was trying to annoy her, but that look in his eye…

"It's none of your business." Lightning said, leaning back on the couch and crossing her arms.

"I knew it." Snow said happily. "Well if you do have like Hope, and I'm not saying you do, you should tell him."

"It's Sazh!" Serah called from the entryway.

"Coming." Snow called back. He gave Lightning a wink and a goofy grin before getting up and heading to the door.

Sazh and Dajh followed the Viller's back into the living room. Dajh's face was beaming with excitement as he pestered Snow about what he got. Snow deflected poor Dajh to Lightning.

The excited nine year old asked Lightning what she got him, repeatedly. Snow and Sazh exchanged worry looks as Dajh jumped around Lightning, never once shutting his mouth.

Both men were however surprised when Lightning just patted him on the top of the head and whispered something to him. Dajh nodded and with a huge smile returned to pestering Snow.

Snow didn't know what Lightning had told Dajh. He did however know the boy refused to annoy anyone else in the room. If anything Dajh was even more excited than before.

It was probably a good thing Hope ran through the door a moment later. He looked like he had ran a considerable distance, and when he looked at Snow he had a guilty gleam to his eyes.

"What happened?" Serah asked worriedly. Hope smiled sheepishly and rubbed the back of his head.

"Your car broke down at the train station and I had to fix it before I came here." Hope locked eyes with Lightning.

"What was wrong?" Lightning asked curiously. She was actually mildly surprised Hope had the ability needed to fix a broken down car.

"The fuel injector was fried. Probably because of the sparks plugs, those things were nasty…" As Hope said this Serah gave Snow a dirty look. "'Had to replace all of them, and they were in some pretty hard to reach places."

"Good job Hope." Lightning congratulated. She remembered having to do similar repair work when Serah was driving so Lightning knew that it wasn't a fun job, wasn't an easy job either.

"I told you something was wrong." Serah said harshly. Snow cringed at his wife's angry voice; Dajh even stopped pestering him when Serah stared in Snow's direction with angry eyes.

"Hey um… how about we have Hope wash up so we can start on the gifts?" Snow offered, swallowing hard.

"Good idea!" Hope said, running up to get washed. "Oh wait Sazh catch!" Hope threw a fairly large box to Sazh who caught it easily. "That's your gift!"

And with that Hope was gone. Lightning stared after him a moment before Sazh gave her a slight nudge.

"Go on, we'll start the exchange down here." Sazh gave her an encouraging smile. "Besides it'll give you a break from Snow."

"Thanks old timer." Lightning flashed Sazh a brief smile before getting up.

Sazh and Snow exchanged glances.

Good luck sis…

Lightning approached Hope's room, a package behind her back. A strange feeling of nervousness stole over her as she approached. It settled primarily in her stomach and made her feel like she needed to throw up.

It got worse the closer to Hope's door she got. Until, as she stood outside it, she had to grab her stomach with her left hand and lean on the doorframe.

Serah described something like this to me before… Lightning tried to remember what Serah had called it. That's right, butterfly's…

This feeling started to fade when she heard Hope's quiet voice. She couldn't make out what he was saying, but his voice was full of tenderness and love.

Lightning leaned towards the door so she could hear, and stopped dead in her tracks when she heard Nora's name whispered.

He's talking to his mom?

"…Sorry I had to leave earlier." Lightning could see Hope was sitting cross legged in front of a candle. "But I wanted to get Light's gift, and I think I did a good job this year. And I get to see the look on her face."

Lightning could just make out the content smile on Hope's face. A part of her mind remarked at how handsome Hope had become. The other, more dominant, part of her mind wondered if he did this every year.

"Though I bet its pretty stoic." Hope had closed his eyes and leaned his back against the bed. "I called dad this morning. He sounded like he was doing alright; he invited a few friends over and said they were drinking and playing cards. I don't know, dad never was good at holding his whiskey…" Hope chuckled quietly. "Sorry I didn't do this last night. I was just kind of surprised."

Surprised at what? Lightning leaned in closer, her butterfly's long forgotten, and listened intently.

"Light kissed me, it was on the forehead but still… actually come to think of it she did that to me when she woke me up to." Hope was wearing one of Snow's hero grins. "But I guess is was too tired for it to be that big of a deal. And then we went to the mall… and she got to me to try on a dress. Mom I really Hope you didn't see that. So embarrassing." Now Lightning was feeling guilty for talking Hope into it.

Well it seemed like a good idea at the time. Lightning had to stifle a laugh at the memory of Hope in the dress. And it isn't my fault he looked pretty good in a dress…

"But at least I got her to smile. It was all worth it… even if Snow saw it…" Hope sighed sadly. "But he now has black mail for the rest of his life…"

Hope grumbled a few minutes about Snow and his ever growing folder of black mail. Then he talked sweetly about his life, even saying something being promoted. And then Hope said good bye and blew the candle out.

It was at this time Lightning decided to nock gingerly on his door.

"Come in." Hope called. He smiled when Lightning swung the door open and calmly walked in. "Hey Light, sorry I must be holding everyone up…"

"They're starting without us." Lightning said, that butterfly feeling returning.

"Figures." Hope was smiling at Lightning in much the same he had smiled at the candle. "I bet Snow couldn't wait to get into his gifts."

"Yeah." Lightning pulled the long box out from behind her back and tossed it to Hope. "Though I know you can't wait either."

Hope had a child like smile on his face as he caught Lightning's gift. With that smile he looked just like he did when he was fourteen.

I guess something never change…

Hope opened the gift gingerly. Lightning could tell he was suppress the urge to open it like a little kid.

"Hope that's not how you open a present." Lightning said, smirking the whole time.

"Yeah." Hope said. "I guess your right…"

A moment later the light blue wrapping paper was torn and tossed into the air, landing around Hope like snow. Hope's next task was opening the taped box, which took longer than it should have.

But finally Hope got the box opened. He dug around in the packaging for a moment before pulling out a smaller box. This one just flipped open and Hope's face became surprised at what he saw.

"It's the knife…" Hope pulled Lightning's knife out of the box and stared at it amazed. "The one I gave back to you."

"I think I can trust you with it." Lightning said. "Just remember operation NORA's over…"

"No it isn't." Hope pulled Lightning's gift off his bed. "The objective's just changed…"

"Does it involve revenge?" Lightning asked a bit harshly.

"Nope, right now it just need patience."

Lightning sat down next to Hope, who handed her the gift. A small jolt of excitement ran through Lightning's body as she took the gift.

The excitement had nothing to do with getting a present, but rather the on giving it.

Lightning started to carefully open the package. Which was when Hope took her hands in his.

"That's not how you open a present Light." With his hands still firmly on hers she tore the package open.

It was a shoebox. Lightning gave Hope a curious look before opening it.

Inside were a pair of heavy black leather boots. They looked exactly like Lightning's, except the soles seemed thicker.

"Me and Maqui have been working on AMP boots." Hope explained when Lightning looked at him. "Basically, without getting into the scientific crap, they make you run faster, longer and further. Kicks delivered with these will be more powerful and jumped higher."

"Thanks." Lightning smiled at Hope.

"No problem, I just thought you'd probably like something more utilitarian." Hope reached a hand into one of the boots and pulled out a small digital camera. "But I figured some sentimental value would be good to…"

Hope wrapped a hand around Lightning's shoulder and pulled her towards him. He held the camera out with his left hand and the pair smiled up at it.

"Wow that flash is bright!" Hope exclaimed, rubbing his eyes. Lightning hit him lightly in the arm.

"I'll say, you have to warn me before you do that next time." She scolded playfully.

"Yeah…" The two sat that way for awhile, Hope's arm draped around her shoulder. Lightning allowed him to hold her as she took off her old boots and put the new ones on.

Most girls would be pretty mad at you for getting them boots. Lightning stole a glance at Hope's content face. Good thing I'm not most girls, actually I like them already. Lightning thought as she felt how comfortable the new boots were.

"Come on, let's go before Serah decides we're doing anything." Lightning said, Hope face turning a little red

"Y-yeah." Hope followed her out of the room, attaching the knife to his belt as they went.

The pair came down to a sea of wrapping paper. Snow was quite literally buried under the multi colored paper, the only thing sticking out being the top of his black bandana.

Upon a quick visual sweep of the room she attributed most of the mess to Dajh who was playing several large new toys.

"You know you're spoiling him right?" Lightning asked as she went to stand by her sister, who was out of Snow and Dajh's ear shot.

"I know, but just look at how happy he is!" Serah exclaimed. Lightning just sighed.

Hope on the other hand went ahead and gave the boy his gift. Dajh tore into the wrapping paper like a starved lion would tear into a piece of meat.

When the boy had finally decimated the wrapping paper he stared amazed at the game before latching himself onto Hope in a tight hug, saying thank you several times.

"He's pretty good with kids." Sazh commented, having casually strollen up next to the other adults.

"I bet he is." Lightning said. A small smile crossed her face. "Doesn't surprise me one bit…"

"What about me Hope!" Snow shouted, standing up quickly and sending wrapping paper into the air. "Where's my gift?"

Hope looked up at the falling wrapping paper and shook his head slowly. And then with a look of utter patience he turned to Snow.

"Didn't get you anything." Hope said with a straight face.

Snow looked like he had been shot. His mouth hung open slightly and his eyes went wide. He then grabbed his chest and fell back down on his chair, seemingly dead.

"Are you okay mister Snow?" Dajh asked worriedly.

"He's fine." Hope picked up a small box from under the tree and threw it on top of Snow's chest. "But I thought you guys were opening presents without us."

"Well we actually just didn't get to yours yet." Snow said, attacking the wrapping paper like Dajh. "But if you two had taken a couple more minutes we would have…"

"Snow!" Serah scolded.

"I mean of course we were waiting for you." Snow amended as he caught his wife's glare. "So you guys want your gifts?"

The gifts were trivial. Ranging from a new bandana for Hope and, strangely enough, a box of chocolate for Lightning.

The same could not be said of Lightning and Hope's gifts to them, except Snow who's bandana was a little too large for him.

Hope had gotten Sazh a painted portrait of the family. Apparently Arder was an artist's store that had managed to make a painting on such short notice.

From Lightning the most noteworthy gift was a pair of tickets to see the new theme park in Bodhum, Chocobo Land. Dajh, who she had already told what she was getting, jumped high into the air and hugged his father around the neck with a squeal of glee. Lightning even smiled at that.

From there the group sat down and talked, save Dajh who was busy playing with his toys. Sazh talked about his work and the small towns he was always delivering shipments to.

Snow bragged about Nora and it's growing importance for the people of New Cocoon.

NORA's basic function in society was to act as police officers. Though it's stronger members were often called in to tackle the stronger monsters that approached the varying city's.

The Guardian Corps job was to quiet maintain peace. This was mostly tackling strong monsters and the occasional terrorist cell. Though they would be asked to act as police from time to time it was generally a bad idea when you saw GC officers acting as law enforcement, they were after all trained soldiers and not mild mannered civil servants.

At one point it was considered cutting one of these two branches or forming them into one. This idea was discarded when the Guardian Corp soldiers caught wind of this and threatened to disband.

Apparently for some reason NORA and the Guardian Corp didn't get along very well…

Snow also added that Hope was going to be the leader of NORA's New Palumpolum branch. This was met with more than mild surprise by Lightning who's eyes widened a little bit as she turned to Hope.

"Is he serious?" She asked, voice sounding slightly surprised.

"Yeah." Hope said sheepishly. "I'll officially be promoted some time next January…"

"Why didn't you tell me?" Where Hope's ears betraying him or did Lightning sound a little bit hurt.

"I didn't think you'd care much." Hope said bluntly. "Sorry for not telling you… I'll do better next time."

"Good." Lightning said with a small smile. "I'll hold you to that…" Snow whistled loudly, cutting Lightning off.

"I never thought I'd say the day that sis got all sentimental on us…"

"Watch it Snow." Lightning's soldier glare was back. "I really don't want to have to find a coffin to fit your bulk…" Snow swallowed loudly and everyone laughed, save Lightning who smiled lightly.

The adults talked for several more hours. Snow and Sazh were the most talkative, followed by Serah and Hope. Dajh would occasional participate, but he was having far too much time enjoying Chocobo Knight to pay the adults much mind.

And then there was Lightning. She said little, and every time she talked she found herself a little closer to Hope, or was it Hope who was a little closer to her?

Eventually the pair found themselves standing side by side next to the Christmas tree. They were silently watching their friends.

"We've come a long way haven't we?" Hope asked quietly. Lightning glanced at him out of the corner of her eye.

"Yeah, I guess we have." She looked back at Snow, who was exuberantly telling a story about how he single handedly took down a king behemoth.

"We're really all more than just friends." Lightning looked at Hope questioningly. "We're a family. A kind of weird family but still a family." Lightning snorted.

"What's Snow in our family?" Lightning asked as Snow slipped on a piece of wrapping paper and landed heavily in his chair, causing everyone else to laugh.

"The goofy big brother." Hope didn't even hesitate with his answer. "He has his faults, more than his fair share, but he really wants everyone to be happy. I know in a fight he'd be the second person by my side, and believe it or not he gives pretty good advice on occasion."

"Reasonable enough." Lightning's eyes traveled to Dajh and Sazh. "What about Sazh and his kid?"

"Sazh is the father figure of our group." Hope nodded his head, as though it would emphasize his words. "And Dajh is that cute nephew who can be way wiser then his age."

"How 'bout Serah?" Lightning was starting to get curious what Hope thought about her, but she didn't want to seem too eager.

"Um…" Hope thought for a few seconds before nodding his head. "She's like the older sister. She wants what's best for us and sometimes she puts her nose where it doesn't belong." Lightning nodded.

"So… what about me?" Lightning couldn't help that nervous clenching feeling her stomach did.

"Your…" Hope was stumped. "I don't know…"

"What about you." Lightning's voice was quiet and hurt.

"I'm nothing." Hope said. Lightning looked at him confused. "The better question is what are you and I in the family? Alone you're the angry teenager, ready to lash out at the world, and I'm a broken kid who just wants to hide." Lightning was about to scold Hope for selling himself short. "But together I think we're the glue. Maybe not directly but I think we hold the family together…" Hope was hit in the arm.

"Your getting all sentimental on me again." Lightning muttered, eyes covered by pink bangs. "Makes me wonder what I did wrong…"

Hope rolled his eyes and hit her back. They both chuckled lowly, not wanting the others to hear, and went back to watching.

After a few minutes Hope smiled contentedly and leaned back, foot bumping a box. Hope picked it up and saw that it was to Serah from Snow.

"Hey Snow you forgot to give Serah this one." Hope called.

"Thanks!" Snow and Serah walked over to the tree. "Can't forget my lady now can I?"

"You better not forget her." Lightning threatened. Snow swallowed hard again.

"Claire!" Serah scolded, Lightning just rolled her eyes.

"Just open it already." Lightning had an almost imperceptible smile on her face as she said this.

"Alright, here goes." Serah unwrapped presents very slow and methodical.

Hope quickly grew bored and had to stifle a yawn. Lightning, who was more patient, stood over her sister's shoulder and casually watched Serah unwrap.

A peculiar thing happened as she removed the paper which covered a nondescript cardboard box. Snow's face grew pale and his eyes went wide. Hope was the only one to notice Snow's horrified expression. Hope was however unable to figure out what that expression meant until.

"Snow!" Lightning's enraged voice shouted.

All eyes turned towards Lightning and Serah. Hope's sharp green orbs saw the lacy blank lingerie in the box. Immediately he looked away towards the ground, trying to banish any thoughts of Lightning in afore mentioned underwear from his mind.

"Wait sis we can talk!" Snow shouted as Lightning swung.

One thing can be said for Snow. He had gotten considerably faster at ducking over the years. To fast it seemed.

Lightning's left fist touched the edge of Snow's falling hair as the man ducked incredibly low, taking a knee in the process. But Lightning's fist had too much momentum to change direction, much less stop.

It was one of those swings you take when you want to seriously hurt or destroy something. A punch thrown with reckless abandon and what would have normally been impeccable accuracy.

However that Accuracy missed Snow's head and was headed straight for Hopes. There was a moment in Lightning's mind where everything seemed to just slow down, giving her time to properly appreciate what was about to happen.

Hope was staring at the carpet, looking away from Lightning. His face that embarrassed color that it only got when he was trying not to think about something inappropriate.

Meanwhile her fist was cutting through the air like a hot knife through butter. And as it hit Hope's head, right above his ear and slightly towards his nose, she could hear the loud pop of her knuckles and the clack Hope's teeth made, complete with the sound of him biting his tongue hard.

Hope's body lost balance and was sent air born towards the tree. His limbs flew out almost comically as his back went into the tree, making a loud sound as he hit the hard bark at the middle.

He then slid down and made a soft plop sound as he hit the bottom branches, his body was then covered by the branches as they moved back into place.

Everyone in the room stared stunned at the tree. This state of stunned awe and dread lasted seven seconds before…

"...Hope…" It was barely a whisper as it left her horrified lips. "Hope!"

Lightning practically jumped into the tree as she desperately pulled Hope out. Hope came out, eyes unfocused, in Lightning's arms.

"I'll call a paramedic!" Serah shouted as she ran to the kitchen.

"No time, I'll fly him there." Lightning yelled as she ran towards the door, Hope held bridal style in her arms.

"We'll see you there." Snow called as he ran to give Dajh, who looked like he was about to cry, a hug. "Sazh my key's are by the stove can you get the car started?" Snow said as calmly as he could, Dajh crying into his shoulder.

"I'm on it!"

Lightning burst through the door and with a speed she didn't know she had she mounted the velocycle and wedged Hope behind her.

"Hold on Hope." Lightning pleaded. "You'll be there in a minute…"

Hope had woken in some pretty strange places. But body wedged against Lightning's was a new one. Not that he minded very much.

Hope snuggled up against Lightning's back, wrapping his arms around her waist and resting his head on her shoulder. A content sigh escaped his lips and he had almost drifted back to sleep again.

Of course this was interrupted as Lightning came to a sudden and severe stop. Hope was thrown hard against Lightning's back and when he was thrown back from the force of the stop he hit the metal roof of the velocycle with his head very hard.

"Ow… Light why'd you stop so fast?" Hope grumbled.

"You're alright?" Lightning turned as best she could to peer into Hope's green eyes. "Your alright!" She exclaimed.

"No thanks to your stopping ability." Hope grumbled as he rubbed the top of his head. "And… ow! Why does my face hurt." Hope's hand moved from the small bruise on his head to the almost complete black fist sized injury on the right side of his head. "It feels like someone decked me…"

"Well I um." Lightning swallowed hard, looking for a place to land. "I accidentally punched you…"

"Why? Oh wait never mind…" When Hope thought back to the pain on the side of his head he remembered Lightning in lingerie. "I remember."

"Good."

An awkward silence settled over the pair as Lightning landed. The silence was interrupted by the one way communication between Lightning and one of the others. She confirmed that Hope was awake and lucid and that they should go back home.

While Lightning talked Hope looked around the beach they had landed on. White sands spread out for miles on both sides. And above them the sky was bathed in purple and gold colors, making the cloud looks strangely surreal. Hope's followed the sky down to the sun.

The very bottom of the sun was touching the water, like it was testing the water. It's golden light made the water sparkle and shimmer and seem like it was part of the sky.

"They're heading home now." Lightning informed as she walked up beside Hope. "You ready to go?" Her eyes were fixed on Hope's sitting form.

"Nah, I've had about enough socializing for one day." Hope said distantly. "Hey Light isn't it beautiful?"

Lightning looked up at the sun and had to admit, it wasn't that bad. She slowly sat beside Hope, shoulders touching.

They silently watched the sun set. It was probably the quietest time they had spent together all day.

"Come on." Lightning said after almost an hour of watching the sun set. "We need to get you going."

"What about my luggage?" Hope stood and offered Lightning a hand.

"I'll deliver it in a couple days." Lightning took Hope's hand and let him pull her up. "I'm still on Amodar's mandatory vacation time and I'm bored. Really I think he just doesn't want to pay me the overtime…"

"Nope." Hope said as they walked towards the Velocycle. "I think he just cares about you Light, a lot of people really do." Lightning looked at Hope, a strange expression crossing her face.

"Well I know one person that really cares." Lightning stepped past Hope and mounted the Velocycle. "And that's enough for me."

Hope smiled and slid in behind her.

"Yeah, same here." Hope slid his arms around Lightning's waste, for stability reasons of course. "And um Light…"

"Yeah?"

"Please, for the love of pulse, take it easy…" Lightning smiled wickedly.

"I'm not going to make any promises…"

"Your father… I'm going to get him when I die." Hope stammered as he stumbled across the train platform. "You shouldn't teach someone how to drive like that…" Hope would have said more had he not ran into a pillar and knocked himself backwards.

"Careful." Lightning said as she caught his falling form. "If you get hurt how am I going to explain it to your father?"

"Whatever." Hope grumbled.

Lightning led him to a bench and set him down. Hope gratefully sat down, Lightning next to him.

"You know the train's going to be arrive in another or so right?" Hope asked.

"Yeah, but I don't really mind." Lightning watched Hope from the corner of her eye.

Sometimes it was hard to believe that this was the same boy from back then. He was almost as tall as her, well without the new boots on, and his eyes seemed wiser than anyone else's.

And of course this chest tightening, stomach constricting, feeling was something that had only started in the last couple of years. Lightning had wondered what it was for the longest time, which was when she went to see Armodar about getting a medical exam done.

Armodar had asked what the problem was and Lightning had explained it in great detail. Which oddly enough caused the old man to laugh.

Had Lightning not been so confused as to why he was laughing at what was clearly a medical problem she probably would have slugged him. Of course Armodar was a person well aware of his subordinate's lack of patience.

He was not however aware of the red color her face turned after he told her she was in love. He had also said to pursue it, after all someone who could make a stone cold soldier like her fall in love was a keeper.

Of course he didn't know that the guy I like is seven years younger than me… Lightning sighed and looked forwards. She could feel Hope's concerned eyes peer into the side of her pink hair. Sometimes I really envy Serah. As much as I hate… no I guess I don't really hate him… um… dislike? As much as I dislike Snow at least Serah had the courage to pursue it…

Lightning's train of thought was interrupted when Hope intertwined their arms. Lightning jerked back, not separating their arms, and looked at Hope surprised. Hope when he saw Lightning moving quickly covered his head with his free arm, not wanting to take chances on getting hit again.

What was that Snow said? Lightning thought, face softening. Just tell him? The oath, does he know how complicated this could make my life? 'Guess the worst thing I can is try… Maybe it's good advice for once?

"Hope…" The distant sound of a train whistle filled her ears. I guess it's now or never then… "Hope you know… I…" She looked down at the ground. "You know I love you right?"

"Yep." Hope didn't hesitate at all, damn him.

"And you know you love me to right?" Hope chuckled before kissing her arm.

"Yep." Hope said again. "Just waiting for you to realize it." Lightning shot him a mock glare before smiling happily at him. "You know it doesn't matter right now, not until I'm legal." There was a note of sadness in Hope's voice as he looked towards the train, which was on time for once.

"Yep." Lightning and Hope stood.

The pair walked to the train. Hope separated their arms and was about to walk inside when Lightning turned him around gave him a chaste kiss on the lips.

It probably couldn't be called a kiss. It was little more than a press of lips before Lightning pushed him inside.

But that touch of lips was enough to leave Hope staring at Lightning amazed.

"That's you're early birthday present." Lightning shouted as the doors closed.

"Can't wait to collect the rest!" Hope called back.

The two exchanged real smiles before the train left.

Nope, not yet. Lightning turned and headed back towards her Velocycle. But we will be.

The tightening in Lightning's stomach was gone. In its place was warm feeling in her heart. And as far as the stoic, sometimes scary, soldier was concerned that was how it should be…

Merry Christmas!

And that is my Christmas story. I'm sorry it wasn't up yesterday but I've only managed to get a couple hours of writing time since my last post. The only reason it's up this morning is because my dad's back hurts very bad and he decided we should stay home from church.

Also about the fish thing last chapter. Apparantly Fanfiction doesn't let you string together multiple symbols so that's why it wasn't there, not because I'm stupid or anything honest!

Okay now I have a question, do you guys (and girls) want me to continue this or leave it here? If you want me to continue it then I'll go until Lightning and Hope are officially together. If not then I'll resume work on my other story's.

Just drop me a line, as soon as someone says they want it continued I'll get to work on the next chapter, but until then Happy Christmas and a Merry New Years!