Author's Notes: Thank you for keeping up with the story, adding this to your alerts and favorites, and sending in reviews! I really appreciate the comments that were sent in about this story and also about supporting this story along with my others stories. I'm really glad to hear that people like them. It makes me a little less nervous about posting chapters and putting up more stories.

So is this chapter going to serious? With this one, I was actually going to post up a warning. All I can say is that this chapter is going to get intense. How intense? It's up to the reader to see how they feel after.

Chapter 4: My Last Goodbye:

Inside of Hope's hospital room, the nurse that came in finished checking on him. Soon after she was done, she turned to Lightning. "He seems to be fine now. I'm not sure what caused the reaction you described earlier." Lightning's eyes traveled over to Hope. Maybe it was true that they reacted at the same time because of the same thing. The nurse held onto a chart in her hands. She gave a smile of comfort to Lightning. "I'll be back to check on him later." Afterwards she walked toward the door.

Lightning watched as she left the room. Soon she turned her attention back to Hope. She walked over to his side. When she thought back to what happened, she didn't understand what was going on. How was it possible to see Faith and H.J. in her past? A few seconds later, she heard a loud exhale. Below her, Hope opened his eyes halfway. She was a little surprised that he woke up just a few minutes after his unexpected reaction. "Hey." She stepped closer to him. "How are you feeling? Any better?" He didn't respond much so she was unsure. Her eyes lowered disappointed with herself. "I'm sorry."

He shook his head as much as he could. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw that his hand was moving, trying to lift up. She grabbed onto his hand. His fingers tightened around her hand and pulled her as much as he could toward him. She followed his pull and walked over toward where his head was laying. She placed her hand on her hip. "You need to get better soon. I don't know how much longer either one of us wants to be stuck in a hospital."

In response, Hope nodded. Lightning leaned in toward him and wrapped her arms around his neck. More of her concern started to show through as she closed her eyes. "I should have been there."

Hope turned his head more toward her which made her lift her head. He shook his head. He didn't want her blaming herself in any way nor did he want her to get hurt. His fingers touched the strands of her pink hair. After some time, he placed his arm down tired. "Just rest. I'm not going anywhere." Through his mask, he tried his best to display a smile. Before she could sit down, he pushed himself to grab her hand one more time. She was surprised by his movement. It didn't matter how much pain he was in, he just needed to say one more thing. His fingers tugged at her glove. Trying to figure out what he was doing, she pulled off her glove. He was glad that he guessed the right hand. Around her ring finger, he placed his fingers on the golden band, twisting it around on her finger. She was still curious as to what he was up to. He pulled her hand toward him and placed it on his chest. She followed the direction of his hand. She was still confused as to what he meant.

Seeing the confusion on her face, he attempted to try again. He touched her ring again and placed her hand against his chest again. She realized that she was touching over his heart or at least somewhere near where his heart was. She sighed playfully with her eyes closed as if she was fighting against him, but finally decided to give into his request. "Fine…" She pulled her chair closer to his bedside as much as she could, allowing herself room for her legs. She sat down. In front of him, she crossed and rested her arms on the bed as she laid her head on his chest with her face turned toward him. There was a smile to her lips. "I'll admit it. I love you too."

Immediately she saw his reaction change into a happier one. His smile grew bigger. She shook her head and closed her eyes. Inside she was glad that she could make him smile. She started to relax against him. He began to relax as well with his eyes closed.

Suddenly Lightning heard a woman's scream. Instantly her body jerked up and looked toward the door. She got up and peeked out of it. In the hall, she saw security guards for the hospital lying on the floor not moving. The nurses were running away from the guys dressed in dark clothing. The guys were heading toward Hope's room. She started to get defensive wondering why they were there. The guy walking in the front of the group pointed forward. "His room should be that way."

Less, Lightning questioned why they were there. She stepped out of the room with her gunblade in hand. The group of men stopped once they saw her approaching. The leader of the group smirked. "Well this lets us know we're in the right place."

Lightning stopped, wondering what they were up to. "What are you doing here?"

The leader placed his hand on his hip. "We're here to see how the Director is doing. Wish him personally that he will get well."

Lightning looked serious. "Well he's not taking any visitors right now. I suggest you leave."

The leader flipped opened a knife that he had in his hand. "No. I think that this would be a good time to see him. You should move out of the way before you get hurt."

Lightning packed away her gunblade in her carrier. She felt she didn't need it with what she was up against. "We'll see who gets hurt." The leader rushed for her, but she quickly moved aside from his attack. She grabbed his arm and forced the knife out of his hand. The man cried out in pain. Her knee met with his stomach forcing him to kneel down to the ground. The man struggled to breathe. She kicked the knife aside out of his reach. Soon she turned her attention to the other men that were with him. "Now if any of you don't want to end up like him, you better leave now."

The men were a little worried, but decided to try fighting anyway. They rushed toward her. Quickly Lightning pulled out her gunblade again and fought against them, switching between her sword and gun to stop them. One by one, they fell to the floor. As she was fighting, a woman was walking nearby. She spotted her opening. Lightning was too distracted to notice her. She smirked deviously and headed toward Hope's room. Once again, she slipped pass Lightning to go after her target. She stepped inside to see him with his eyes closed. "Hello Director." She closed the door behind her so that they could be alone.

Lightning continued fighting against the men and managed to knock all of them down. She stopped, breathing hard. Once she thought about what happened, she grew suspicious. "Something's not right… Those guys were almost too easy to take out where as the person who attacked Hope earlier killed the soldiers quickly. What if-?"

All of a sudden she heard a gunshot. Her eyes widened. Hurriedly she rushed back to Hope's room. She wasn't sure how someone could've sneak passed her. When she got to the door, she tried to pull the handle, but it was locked. She struggled, but couldn't get it open. Finally she shot the handle off and kicked the door in. Once she ran in, she was stunned. By his bedside, she saw the woman who attacked him before standing in the same shining armor she wore. She spotted Lightning in the doorway. Lightning looked down and noticed blood through the blanket. Hope had suffered an injury to his leg. Lightning remained as calm as she could, but inside she was worried that the woman would kill him.

The woman observed her. "I know who you are. Did you come to try and save him?"

Lightning felt on edge about what the woman might do. "Why are you trying to kill him?"

"Why? This is something personal. A long time ago I needed his help and he didn't come to help me. He let me be taken away. He didn't care about what happened. I just got left behind. I was close to imprisonment, but I escaped," the woman explained.

"Still that gives you no reason to hurt him." Lightning moved her hand which had her gunblade in it, but the woman lifted the gun that was in her hand just as fast and pointed it toward Hope's head. It made Lightning flinch. "Don't move or I will kill him."

Lightning listened and put her hand back down. "Who are you?" She looked over at Hope whose eyes were squinting in pain. He glared toward the woman.

"He knows who I am. Don't you Director?" The woman reached over and took off his breathing mask. Hope gasped for air. His chest was rising more up and down. Lightning struggled to keep herself back. She knew that he needed that mask to help him breathe. She clutched her teeth together. She had to move fast. Her hand grabbed tighter onto the handle of her gunblade. "I was the one who had always been there for him. I did everything that he asked me to and even more. I didn't want things to be this way. All I wanted to do was exist in time." She glared over at Lightning. "But your family had to interfere. Your sister, those guys that she was with, they messed everything up. The Director sat by and did nothing. I thought he cared about me, but I see that wasn't the case. He just left me behind in time." More, she became angry with Lightning. "But you got lucky didn't you? All this time, he was looking for you. Searching for you nonstop. Then both of you would just live happily ever after."

Lightning was tired of hearing the woman talk. Her eyes kept shifting back and forth between her and Hope waiting for an opening to help him. "I asked you a question. Who are you?"

The woman smirked. "Does it matter anymore? Everyone will pay for what they've done starting with him." She quickly raised her gun back up to his head.

Lightning's eyes widened. At that moment she was afraid that this would be the end. She extended out her hand. "Stop-!"

Then she heard the shot. She saw it happen in front of her eyes. Her eyes began to shake. Slowly her arm lowered to her side. Her back fell against the wall in shock. No words could come to her. She wished that it was just a bad dream, but right in front of her was reality. What lied in front of her now was a lifeless man.

The woman walked toward the door. "Hmm… I changed my mind. I guess since he can't tell you now I could let you know who I am. About one hundred years ago, I was the Director's assistant." She shrugged. "I guess former Director now." As the woman strolled passed, Lightning tried to go after her, but her body wouldn't respond. It was unusual, but she was still in shock. After the woman left, Lightning stood frozen for a few seconds longer. She continued staring forward. Finally she got her legs to move forward. She walked over to Hope's bedside. She checked his pulse, but couldn't feel anything. Her eyes lowered in grief. Her fingers brushed against the skin of his cheek which was starting to lose his warmth.

The woman kept walking, but then suddenly turned. In a flash, she saw Lightning rushed toward her with her gunblade in hand. She collided her sword with her gunblade. "I was wondering if you would come after me." She pushed Lightning back. "Come on! I've been doing this for years." The two began fighting. Their swords collided. With her magic, the woman moved her hand forward and knocked Lightning back.

Lightning's eyes widened. She didn't expect her to have magic and she was too late to dodge it. She flew through the wall into another room. Inside of the room, she managed to get up on one hand and knee on the ground. She was breathing hard. This was not going to be an ordinary battle. If she wanted to stop the woman, then she needed to use her own magic. The woman stepped through. She headed toward Lightning as she was still on the ground. Once the woman got close enough, Lightning quickly attacked with her own magic and knocked her back. She flew back into the hallway.

The two continued fighting, causing things to break through the hospital. During the battle, Lightning began to gain the upper hand. The woman started to worry. She jumped back before Lightning could strike and ran off. Lightning ran after her, but wasn't sure where she went off to. Her eyes searched around as she walked carefully. Behind a corner, the woman looked over noticing that she was coming. Her mind raced to think of what she could do to stop her.

Lightning continued searching. Suddenly someone ran out into her line of vision. She raised her gunblade, but then saw that it was a scared nurse. She held up her hands. "Please! Don't hurt me!"

Lightning stepped closer to her while still keeping an eye out for the woman. She turned her attention to the nurse. "You need to get out of here. It's not safe. Stay with the patients in their rooms."

The nurse nodded. She was still shaken. "Yes ma'am, but I have to warn you that-!" Suddenly the nurse fell as her eyes widened. She started falling forward as blood stained her clothing. Lightning wanted to react quickly to catch the woman, but then saw something move rapidly out of the corner of her eye. The woman managed to get close. Lightning tried to dodge, but the woman managed to cut the side of her stomach with the tip of her sword. Lightning's eyes flinched in pain. The woman placed her hand over the wound and used her magic to infect the wound. Lightning sighed in pain, but managed to push her away and slash her with her sword. The woman stepped back. She placed her hand over her wound and stumbled off as much as she could.

Lightning wanted to go after her, but she breathed out in pain loudly as she grabbed onto her wound. She tried searching around for the woman, but couldn't find her. When the pain got to be too much, she found a desk nearby and slid down against it. Her vision started to fade to black. A few minutes later, the nurses and doctors stepped out of hiding once things became quiet. One of the nurses noticed Lightning sitting on the floor unconscious. She looked worried. "Hey! Someone! Hurry! There's someone here that's badly hurt!"

Sometime later, Lightning opened her eyes. Above her, she saw a white ceiling. When she looked around, she realized that she was in a hospital room and lying on a hospital bed. She could feel a little pain going though her body. A few minutes later, a doctor stepped in. A relieved smile came to her. "Good. You're awake." Lightning struggled to sit up. As she tried, the doctor became concerned. "Please! Don't move too much. You've suffered a terrible injury." Lightning wondered what she was talking about. Finally her eyes traveled down and saw that bandages were wrapped around her stomach. Through her bandages, she saw some red bleeding through. "Oh no," the doctor replied.

Lightning wondered what was going on. "What?"

"Your wound. It seems to be bleeding again. For some reason, no matter how many times we try to reclose the wound, it keeps reopening. If it doesn't reclose soon, then you could bleed out and as a result… that could end your life." Lightning looked down at the wound. The doctor went over and began to work on it. "I don't understand it. No matter what, it won't close."

Lightning turned her head toward the doctor. Even though she remembered everything she went through, she had to be sure of one thing. "Can I ask you something?"

The doctor lifted her head curious. "What is it?"

Lightning almost didn't want to ask, but she had to be sure. "Director Estheim? Is he…?"

The doctor looked down as a sad look came to her face. "I'm sorry." The answer didn't surprise Lightning, but she thought that maybe there was a small chance she was wrong. "From the injury he took, he didn't suffer," the doctor assured her. Lightning turned quiet. Her eyes stared forward like an empty void and her body nonresponsive. The doctor continued addressing her wound. A few minutes later, the doctor left her alone.

Once Lightning saw that she was alone, she sat up as she closed her eyes and put her head down. Thinking back to earlier, the grief she felt came to the surface all at once. She placed her hand against her face. Her fingers tensed through the pink strands of her hair. Her body shook. A few tears escaped from her eyes as they were shut tightly. She couldn't stop Hope's death from happening and wasn't sure how she could tell everyone especially her children.

Abruptly her eyes flinched in pain. They traveled over to the wound on the side of her stomach. She saw red starting to spread slowly onto the white bandages. She pressed her hand on her wound. She tried to use her magic to heal herself. It caused her pain, but it helped a little. Seeing that it wouldn't heal completely, she thought back to earlier when the woman attacked and the magic that she used on her wound. She tried to heal herself again, but it couldn't heal her completely. "What did she do to me? Whatever she did blocked my magic from working." She leaned back against her bed as her eyes lifted to the ceiling. She went over the doctor's warning in her mind. So far, the doctors couldn't stop her bleeding and neither could she heal herself with her magic. If she couldn't figure out how to stop it, then she would have to face a worse possibility that she would have to prepare for.

Later, the sound of feet hitting the floor made Lightning turn her head. When she looked over toward the door, she saw a familiar little girl with bright green eyes and silver hair. A grin came on her face once she saw Lightning. She ran over to her bed side and began to crawl upwards. "Mommy!"

A smile curved at Lightning's lips. She placed the little girl on her lap and stroked her silver hair. "Hey."

Following behind her was the sitter caring for her. The woman smiled. "She's been asking for you all yesterday."

Charity gave a slight look of disappointment and concern. "You didn't tuck me in."

Lightning turned her eyes to her. She placed her hand on top of her head. "I know. I'm sorry."

Charity let out a excited smile. "You have to come back so you can read to me." Lightning wasn't sure what she could say. At that moment, she wasn't sure if she would be coming back. Charity searched around curiously. "Hey! Where's daddy?"

Hearing her ask that made Lightning stunned for a moment. She wasn't expecting her to ask so soon. She couldn't really come up with an easy answer. All she could give her was the truth. "Daddy he's…" Before she finished, she froze. She didn't want to place that on her daughter yet. Instead she came up with a different answer. "Daddy is going to be away for a little while."

Charity looked curious. "When is he coming back?"

It was getting harder with each question she asked her. "He's… He's going to be gone for a while, but you'll see him again."

Charity smiled. "I hope it's soon! He told me he would take me to the biggest, funniest park there is!" Lightning gave an uneasy smile. Behind it was sorrow. No longer could Hope carry through on any of the promises that he made to his children. Even if she tried to help him carry through on those promises, she felt that she didn't have much time left herself. Suddenly she felt a sharp pain at her side. She closed her eyes tight.

Charity leaned forward curious. "Mommy? Are you okay?"

The sitter became worried. "Mrs. Estheim?! Should I get the nurse?!"

Lightning lifted the blanket from her and saw blood covering over the bandages again. She hovered her hand over the wound and used her magic to heal it somewhat. She turned her attention back to the others. "No. I'm fine." More, she was beginning to realize that she didn't have much time left to do everything she needed to. She pulled her daughter forward and embraced her. "I need you to do something for me. I need you to be a big girl for me okay?" She separated from Charity, leaving her hands on her shoulders. "Listen to Faith and H.J. okay? Can you promise me that?"

"Mommy?" Charity started to look worried.

Lightning lifted her head so that their eyes would meet. "No pouty faces remember? Give me the big girl look."

Charity listened and made a serious face. "Yes mommy."

"Come here." Lightning moved in closer to her and hugged her again. "I need you to be strong okay?"

"You are going to get better right?" she could hear Charity's voice in her ear.

Lightning's eyes lowered. She didn't want to lie to her and tell her that things would be all right. The woman watching over them was worried. She could figure out what was going on without Lightning saying a word.

A nurse walked into the room. Once she did, the sitter came up with an idea. She smiled as best as she could toward Charity. "Hey! How would you like to get something sweet while I talk to your mother?"

Lightning looked at Charity and smiled at her. "That sounds like a good idea."

The sitter turned to the nurse. "If it's all right, could you please show her where the sweets are?"

The nurse nodded as she smiled sweetly. "Sure!" She looked down at Charity. Charity followed her out of the room.

Once they were alone, Lightning relaxed against her bed as she breathed out. The sitter turned to her worried. "Mrs. Estheim ma'am? Is Mr. Estheim…?"

Lightning looked serious. "Yes. He died a few hours before you arrived."

The sitter's eyes lowered in sadness. "I'm…I'm very sorry-."

"Where's Faith and H.J.?" Lightning changed the subject. She didn't want anyone feeling sorry that she had lost someone.

"I don't know. I haven't seen them since yesterday. The last time I saw Faith, I had just told her that her father was in the hospital and she ran out." Lightning was surprised by the news. She had no idea where they could be either. "Ma'am? What did the doctors say about your condition?"

"From the looks of it, I don't have much time left. Can you look after Charity until Faith and H.J. come back? They can pay you for the extra hours."

The woman shook her head as she closed her eyes. "There won't be any need."

"Please. If you see Faith and H.J. soon, could you tell them about what happened if I don't get the chance to?"

The woman nodded. She would honor Lightning's last wish. "Yes ma'am."

Lightning gave her a sincere look. "Thank you for everything."

Soon Charity came in with candy in hand. The girl held up her hands. "Mommy! Look what we found!"

Lightning frowned. "Do not eat that all at once. I don't need your teeth rotten out. You'll look like an old woman," she warned her.

"Just like that time that daddy showed us." Charity retracted his lips inwards covering over her teeth in an attempt to look like an old woman. In response, she laughed the loudest as the sitter laughed as well. It brought a smile to Lightning's face to see her smiling and happy. It even brought a silent chuckle to her. Charity lifted her green eyes to Lightning. Her expression changed to surprise. As she watched her mom, she saw a tear escape and roll down her cheek as she was still laughing a little. "Mommy? Why are you crying?"

It came as a surprise to Lightning. She placed her hand against her cheek feeling the cold water that was against it. She shook her head as she closed her eyes. She didn't realize that she did. She wiped her eye with her finger. "No reason."

Charity became curious and concerned. "But why do you cry and laugh at the same time?"

Lightning smiled for Charity. "I'm just…It's because it was really funny." Inside, when she wondered about it herself, she figured it was because she thought about that memory when Hope was still alive. Clearly she could still remember his smile that she loved about him. She kept her emotions of grief back to stay strong.

"When are you coming home mommy?"

Lightning's smile faded. She turned silent and stared into the anxious eyes of the girl before her. What could she tell her? That she would be back in no time? Everyone in the room remained silent. "I…" She picked up Charity from off the ground and sat her in her lap. "I'm…I'm going to be somewhere else for a little while okay?"

Right away Charity's look turned to sadness. She hugged onto Lightning as she closed her eyes tight. Tears began to escape from her. "No! I don't want you to go!"

It was getting harder to tell Charity anymore. Gently Lightning pulled her apart from her and smiled as best as she could. She placed her hands on her round cheeks. "No crying remembering? It will just be temporary, but then you'll see me again before you know it okay? Okay?" Charity nodded a few times. Her cheeks burned with red. With her thumbs, Lightning wiped away the tears from her eyes. "Listen to your brother and sister and do what they say. Remember that I love you and your dad loves you too."

The girl nodded. "I love you too mommy and daddy too."

Hearing that brought a smile to Lightning's lips. "You guys should probably go now." She stroked Charity's long, silver hair. "It's almost time for your nap anyway."

Charity lied down beside her. "Can I stay here with you and sleep?"

Lightning shook her head as she gave a strict look. "No. You have to go sleep in your own bed."

Charity moaned. "Please! I'll go to sleep right away!" she cried.

Lightning shook her head. "I'm sorry, but my answer is no." Charity's lip quivered as her eyes began to water. "What did I say? No crying okay?"

"Fine…" Charity slid off of the bed while Lightning was holding her hand to help her down. She joined her babysitter. Lightning still held onto her hand. Charity smiled at her. "Bye mommy."

Lightning gave the best smile she could. "Goodbye," she whispered. It was hard, but she let Charity's hand slip out of hers. Lightning's eyes met with the woman's as they were walking away. They remained silent thinking all they had to say was covered. Soon both of them left the room. Lightning rested her head back against her pillow. Nothing inside of her liked what she had to say to Charity, but she was glad that she got to see her one last time at least. She closed her eyes as she placed her hand to her head. "I wonder if she'll even remember this. She's still so young. She might forget what Hope or I look like." Then her mind thought about pictures that were in the house of them together. At least that way, she couldn't forget their faces. Her mind cleared of that and went on to think of what she had to do next. She wasn't completely sure.

Then she heard a voice. "Commander!"

Lightning opened her eyes and looked over toward the door. There she saw the Director's assistant. She was surprised that he stopped by. He stopped nearby her. "Commander…"

"What brings you by here?"

The assistant's eyes lowered in sadness. "I heard about what happened to the Director. I'm sorry."

Lightning turned her head up toward the ceiling. "Word spreads around fast doesn't it?" She turned her head back to him. "Have you seen H.J.?" The assistant became worried which Lightning noticed and became suspicious. "What?"

He shook his head nervously. "It's nothing."

Lightning sat up. "You know something don't you? Listen. I don't have time to guess so just tell me what's going on."

The assistant was worried about saying something for fear of H.J. and Faith getting in trouble and he knew about it. Lightning sighed. She pulled off her blanket. The assistant's eyes widened seeing the blood that was on her side. "Commander?!" He froze for a second. "I'll-I'll get the nurse!"

She gave him a stern stare. "No. I don't have a lot of time so if you know where H.J. is, I need to know now."

At first he hesitated, but then a few seconds later, the assistant nervously explained that H.J. went chasing after Faith through time. Lightning was surprised to hear the story. She placed her hand to her head. "That might explain why I remember seeing Faith and H.J in my past. Maybe at the same time Hope saw them too. Maybe that's why we reacted at the same time." As she sat there, she knew that she wouldn't have time to speak with the two of them, and there was no telling if they would be back in time or what time they would land in. She couldn't wait. It was then an idea came in her mind. It was risky, but she had nothing else to lose. "Those things that they used to travel back in time…" She lifted her head to the assistant. "Is there some way that I can use them to travel back as well?"

The assistant was surprised. "I think I remembered how H.J. used them. Why?"

"I'm going after them," Lightning answered.

The assistant looked worried. "But Commander? Are you sure that's wise? I mean-."

"I'm as good as dead anyway. This is important. I need you to do this for me now!"

"Yes ma'am!" As the assistant rushed back to the Academy to get what they needed, she tried to figure out how to stop the bleeding, but nothing was working. As soon as he could, the assistant returned back with the device in hand. Lightning dressed back into her uniform from her hospital clothes as the assistant worked on the device and programmed the time into the device. He looked over toward her concerned. "Are you sure about this Commander?"

Lightning finished putting on her coat. "Yes." She stood up and went over to him. She took the device from his hand. "Tell me how this thing works."

"I have the time period they've been tracked in locked onto the device. All you have to do is press this button right here." The assistant pointed to the button.

"Good." Lightning was about to go, but then the assistant spoke.

His eyes lowered toward the ground. "Director Estheim…He was a good man…"

Lightning's eyes traveled over to him before she looked to the device in her hand. "Yeah…I know… I need you to do one more thing for me. Help H.J. as much as you can. Seeing that the Director is gone, he automatically takes over. Also I need you to go through the Director's contacts. I need you to contact Serah Villers and warn her about what happened just in case."

"Would you…also like me to inform her of what has happened to you and Director Estheim?" the assistant asked to be helpful.

For a few seconds she turned quiet before making her decision. "No. It would probably be better if it comes from someone in her family." Suddenly she closed her eyes in pain. Straight away her hand moved to her side where it was bleeding.

The assistant became antsy and worried. "Commander! Do you need anything!?"

Lightning shook her head. "No." She managed to stand up straight. "I'm fine. I'm going now." She pressed the button to activate the device.

The assistant was worried about her leaving. "Commander-!"

It was too late. She had already disappeared.

In the past, Lightning walked with her hand pressed against her wound. The bleeding along with the pain was starting to get worse. As she walked, she looked around at her surroundings. "Well this place looks familiar." Back in time, she was in a Fal'Cie facility in Palumpolum. There was no sign of Faith and H.J. being there. She hoped that she would find them before it was too late.

Further ahead, Faith and H.J. were walking with Hope and Lightning of the past. H.J. kept his eyes on his time traveling device as he was walking. His glasses were on as he tried to concentrate. He was still trying to figure out a way to get Faith and him back to the present. Faith had a smile on her face as she spoke with the younger Hope, but then noticed something up ahead. She stopped which the others noticed. H.J. looked over curious as he stopped. "What is it Faith?"

Her eyes widened a little more in surprise. "Mom?"

Right away, H.J. turned his head. He couldn't believe what she was saying. There was no way that she could be there. Once he looked over, his eyes widened as well. "Mom!"

The past Lightning and Hope stopped as well. Up ahead, they saw the future Lightning walking with her hand pressed on her side. Her head was down as she was walking slowly. Faith and H.J. noticed her movements and started to get worried. Faith took off running first. "Mom!"

H.J. ran after her. "Mom!"

Faith met with her first and tried checking over her. "Mom? Are you okay?"

"Yeah," Lightning whispered. She couldn't lift her head to look at her face.

H.J. stopped in front of her and followed the direction of her hand that was pressed against her side. He was surprised and started to get worried. "You're bleeding."

"It's just a scratch," Lightning tried to get them not to worry so much about her.

H.J. observed the wound more, his concern never leaving. "No. It's more than just a scratch."

Lightning felt her legs starting to weaken. She leaned forward somewhat. Faith and H.J. managed to catch her before she fell. Faith looked worried. "Mom!"

"Come on Faith. We need to sit her down," H.J. told her. Faith placed one of her arms over her shoulder as H.J. placed the other over his shoulder. They helped her off to the side near one of the machines and helped her to sit down. Her back leaned against the control box. Lightning breathed out as she had her eyes closed. H.J. checked on her. "Mom? What's going on? How did you get here? How did you know that we-."

There was no time to answer questions. Lightning had to finish what she set out to do. "Listen. I don't have a lot of time…" Faith and H.J. were worried about her words. "I need you to return back to the present. I need you to watch over your sister."

H.J. became suspicious and concerned. "What happened? Did something happen to dad?" Once H.J. asked that, Faith became more anxious and concerned.

Lightning leaned her head back against the box with her eyes closed. Little by little, she was starting to lose consciousness. "Your father…Your father's gone."

Faith and H.J. looked surprised and worried. "Gone? What do you mean gone?" H.J. asked.

Lightning didn't want to explain what she meant, but she had to let them know. "The person who attacked your father came after him. She used a decoy to lure me away from him. While I was away, she got close to him and… I'm sorry… Your father-. Your father is dead."

Faith took a sharp breath in as her body jerk. Her eyes stared stunned. She felt that she was too late to save him. H.J.'s eyes lowered to the ground. He breathed out. "He's…gone… but… that doesn't explain why you're here."

"I needed to see you two one last time. Your father's assistant told me what you two had done." Lightning's eyes traveled between both of them. A faint smirk appeared on her lips. "Once again you two are nothing but trouble." They noticed the look on her face and could see that she was picking on them.

H.J. levitated his hand over her wound. "Mom let me heal you. We need to stop the bleeding so-."

Lightning placed his hand down. "You don't think I've tried?" H.J. looked surprised. "The woman who killed your father, I fought against her. You need to be careful. This wound that she gave me, no matter what I try to do, it won't heal. I've tried my magic and the doctors have tried to stop it, but it won't. As a result, I don't have much time to be here with you guys."

Faith gasped a little as her body jerked back. "You…" She leaned forward on her hands worried. "You can't be dying. Please. Let us try to heal you." H.J. and Faith placed their hands out and tried to heal her, but it wasn't working.

As they were doing so, the past Lightning stepped over to see what was going on. Once she saw her future self, she stopped stunned. Why did the woman sitting in front of her look so much like her? H.J. pulled back a little. His mind was running out of options. "It's not working."

More Faith became anxious as she looked over at him. "We have to keep trying."

"Save your magic," Lightning told them.

Faith and H.J. stopped what they were doing. Grief began to overtake Faith. She grabbed onto her knees tightly. She was trying hard not to cry. She held her head down as her bangs fell over her eyes. "You can't…You can't just leave us like this… We still need you."

Lightning lifted her eyes to her. "No you don't. You're strong enough that you can both take care of yourselves."

"I'm sorry," Faith cried out.

Lightning looked surprised. "About what?"

"I'm sorry about what I said to you before I left." Faith shook her head with her eyes closed. "I should have never said that to you. I didn't mean it. I was just upset. I was just listening to those rumors that people say, but still I had no right. I know you earned your way to being what you are today. If saving the world twice wasn't enough, then I don't know what is. I just want to be…as strong as you are."

Her words made Lightning's lips curve more into a gentle smile. She placed her hand on top of Faith's shoulder. "Faith you are strong. Maybe I did underestimate you and I had no right to do to you what I did."

Faith lifted her eyes to see her mother's smile. Unable to hold back, she moved in closer to Lightning and wrapped her arms around her neck. Faith closed her eyes. "I don't want you to leave me," she whispered to her.

Lightning placed her hand on Faith's back. Her head leaned on Faith's shoulder as she closed her eyes. "You won't be alone. I may not be here physically, but I'm never too far away." Lightning turned her head to H.J. who seemed worried. "The same goes for you. You're smart so I need you to be strong too."

H.J. nodded. He wasn't sure what he could say at that moment. All he wanted was her not to leave them. Lightning held out her hand toward him with a gentle, inviting smile on her lips. At that moment, he felt the need to be closer to her. He didn't want to shed tears, but felt his emotions come to the surface. He tossed his glasses off to the side on the ground. He moved over and buried his face on the side of her neck. He closed his eyes and placed his arm around her as much as he could. He tried to think of the right thing to say, but nothing seemed to sound right to him. He closed his eyes tight. "I'm sorry."

"You have nothing to be sorry about." Lightning rested as Faith and H.J. continued to lean against her. She opened her eyes and looked over to see her past self staring at her. She sighed as she closed her eyes. "Of course you two would find me. Your father would not have like this. You're not supposed to see your past self."

The past Lightning placed her hand on her hip as she frowned. "Past self? Right… How am I supposed to know-?"

"Whether you believe me or not, it's up to you. I could tell you anything about your past you want, but instead, I'll say this. There's going to be a lot of hard battles ahead of you. Some you don't know if you can get through, but you'll find out as long as you never give up, then you'll make it through. In the end…" The future Lightning placed her hands on the back of Faith's and H.J.'s heads. "You'll find that the result after was… something you never expected and for that…you'll find that peace and at last be…happy." She placed her head on top of Faith's as she closed her eyes.

With her fingers, Faith grabbed on tighter to Lightning's jacket. Her eyes closed tighter as tears began to escape. Lightning opened her eyes. When she looked over again, she saw Hope standing nearby. Her lips increased into a smile as she closed her eyes. "No matter how many years have passed, it's still hard to believe it was you." She returned her attention back to her children. She could feel her vision starting to black out. "Remember. Take care of each other all right? Your father and I…we both care about you very… much..." she whispered between the three of them. She leaned her head back against the box with her eyes closed. Slowly her hands began to slip from them and land on the ground at her sides. She had done everything that she had set out to do in her last moments. Peacefully she had accepted what had come to take her away.

A few minutes later, Faith lifted her head curious. "Mom?" She shook her a little. "Mom?" There was no response. Faith looked worried.

H.J. placed his fingers against her neck to check for a pulse, but felt nothing. He tried again for a few more seconds. Soon he turned his eyes to Faith. "I'm sorry. She must've bled out." His eyes traveled toward the side. "I should have done something. I should have thought of something-."

"No!" Quickly Faith turned toward Lightning and wrapped her arms around her neck again. "Wake up! Please! Wake up!" She shook Lightning along with herself, but it didn't get her to move. More Faith began to cry. Her sound became more audible to the people around her. "It's not fair. It's not fair. Both of them are gone." H.J. looked upon her with sadness. Faith continued to shed tears. "It's not fair…" her voice began to fade.

"Faith…" H.J. stood up. He placed one hand on Lightning's back and the other underneath her legs. Faith lifted up to see what he was doing. He helped her to lie flat down on the ground. He placed her hands one on top of the other at her waist. "We need to go back to the present. We can't leave her here and we have to get back to our sister. That's what she would've wanted. I need more time to find a way back."

"Is that all you can think about right now?" he heard a cold whisper from nearby. H.J. lifted his eyes to Faith who looked irritated through her sadness. Her fists baled at her sides. "Our mother and our father, they both are dead and you want to go back to the present? I say we prevent this from happening."

"No! What did I say about screwing up the past?"

"I'm not talking about changing the whole timeline! Just to that moment before dad was attacked. We can protect them both. We can save them!" Faith argued back.

H.J.'s eyes traveled to the side. "We will see. I need some more time." He got up and walked away. Faith's eyes lowered to the ground.

Nearby the past Hope stepped over to the past Lightning. "That woman…she looks a lot like you Light." Lightning was sure what to say. It was disturbing to watch what happened. To see her death before her eyes.

Thank you for reading. This chapter still makes me sad every time I read it. Find out what happens next time. As always, let me know what you think. I'll be back to update.