Hello everyone! I'm sorry that this has taken so long to get out. Real life has caught up with me and it can make it difficult to make timely updates. I am also sorry that I have not yet replied to your wonderful reviews (and trust me, they were great, you all made me very happy) but I do not have a ton of time in the morning, so I'll be responding to them later today instead. But thank you all for them! There were so many, and they made me smile each time! I'm glad you are enjoying the story. This chapter is a bit short, but it sets a very important stage. Don't worry, chapter 5 is a whopper!

I hope this is okay, regardless. I don't want to disappoint you guys! Thank you all for the wonderful reviews and other support!

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Lightning could only watch as Hope broke down in front of his father's grave, her heart feeling heavy at the sight. It had gone on for some time now, and her legs were going numb from being in the same position for so long. They had each tried to comfort him, but he had remained unresponsive to anything they said or did, and eventually they had to resort to giving him a silent comfort. The worse of the storm however seemed to be calming down, and the sobs had subsided. While his body still trembled, Hope was no longer the unstable mess that they had seen earlier. Now was the time for Lightning to say something...but what?

"Hope..." Lightning tried, trying to find the right words.

"It's okay Light." Hope said, still not tearing his eyes away from the gravestone. "I'll be okay..." he said, barely above a whisper. Lightning could only disagree. Hope was pale...far too pale...and the look in his eyes was so dead and empty...how could she help him?

"No Hope...you aren't-"

"Lightning." Lightning stopped and turned to look at Lt. Amodar, surprised to see Serah and Snow standing beside him as well. They both looked apprehensive which only put Lightning on high alert. What was this about? "You have to give him time...besides...I have to talk to you."

"But what about-"

Again she stopped, but this time it was from the hand on her shoulder, and she turned to see Sazh there, a dark look on his face. "Don't worry Lightning, I'll keep an eye on him with Colin over there." Sazh tilted his head toward the bright haired man, giving her a strained smile, "I already talked with Lt. Amodar...so it'll be fine." Lightning looked Sazh up and down, trying to see something that she wasn't even sure of. She didn't want to leave Hope alone for long, even in the hands of someone she knew, but she supposed it would have to do. Eventually she gave a slight nod before turning to Lt. Amodar again.

"Very well Lieutenant." She said, trying to bury her worry again. Amodar nodded and turned around to lead them to a small vehicle. Lightning followed them at their brisk pace but cast one more look at Hope and the others before getting inside. She still didn't know how she was going to help...but she'd do anything to bring the life back into his eyes.


Sazh watched the others leave, feeling at a loss of what to do himself. Hope had been here for a long time now...the evening was approaching. And whatever was going through his head, it couldn't be good. And being in front of his father's grave was only going to make it worse. But what could he do to get this kid to break out of his funk, if only for a while?

"We should...go out for ice cream." The man named Colin said. Sazh had to do a double take at this one. Ice cream? Had he really just suggested they go out for ice cream? Sazh was about to reprimand, or at least find out why, when Hope stood up.

"Uh...Hope?"

Hope paid no attention to Sazh, moving to stand in front of Colin instead. His legs wobbled, still numb from their last position, but there was an aura about the boy that made Sazh more than nervous. Hope kept his head bowed and his arms straight at his sides, although one hand was clenched. He simply stood in front of Colin, barely even breathing.

"Ice cream? That's your suggestion? We go out for ice cream?"

"Affirmative."

Sazh was about to step in, sensing the direction the situation was going, but Hope had already raised his fist. The next thing any of them knew, Colin was bent double, clutching his stomach and gasping for breath. Hope let out a heavy breath, glaring at Colin with angry eyes.

"Hope-"

"It's fine..." Colin said, stopping to catch his breath. As soon as it was back, he let out a heavy exhale and stood straight, giving Hope...a respectful look? "You hit hard..." Colin said ruefully, touching his stomach gingerly. "Way harder for a normal civilian...but I suppose you technically aren't huh?"

Both Sazh and Hope froze at the supposedly off hand comment, but the look Colin gave them suggested that it was anything but. Before either could respond, Colin continued.

"Hope Estheim, son of deceased parents Nora and Bartholomew Estheim. Known former Pulse l-cie. Fourteen-years old, exactly five feet tall, hates sour things, right-handed, summoner of Alexander, and known to have had a hand in the take down of Orphan. Accompanied by Sazh, Lightning, Snow, Fang, and Vanille. Fang and Vanille are in the center of the new Cocoon. Hope Estheim is currently under the care of Snow Villiers, Serah Farron, although soon to be Villiers, and her older sister Lighting Farron...otherwise known as Claire."

Sazh could feel his heart hammering in his chest and how dry his throat had become. It was a moment before he was able to speak.

"H-How- How do you-"

"Because it was my Focus...to know. But I'm sure we can talk this over some ice cream."


"Where are we going Lt. Amodar?" Lightning asked, staring across to him. She, Snow, Serah, and Amodar had entered the car and were now driving aimlessly around Palumpolum. It had been quiet for some time, Serah and Snow finally growing tired of enjoying the sights through the window.

"Nowhere...really..." Amodar said, looking out the window with a wistful smile.

"Then what do we need to discuss?"

"Straight to the point as always...but I suppose you do have other obligations to fulfill. I'll leave the second thing for later...that's just between Lightning and myself. This concerns Hope Estheim..." The tension rose so fast a person could have choked on it. Lightning instinctively leaned closer, as did Snow and Serah.

"What is it?"

Amodar cleared his throat, clearly looking uncomfortable, "Well...as anyone could guess, Hope is now an orphan. We tried to find any remaining relatives...but none have come forward or shown up in our database..."

"Why couldn't Hope come then? I mean...it concerns him..."

"I'm getting to that. Anyway, since Hope has no current legal guardians, he'll eventually be placed in an orphanage. He's only fourteen...the officials won't let it go for long."

"Then we'll adopt him. No questions about it!" Snow said, looking deadly serious. It was unnatural on him...to be so serious and worn. Although Lighting did admire it too. And while she doubted they could do much for Hope at this moment, that did not mean he'd be better off somewhere else. Whether they were ready or not wasn't an issue. He was a part of this family and he was going to stay.

Amodar smiled at Snow's enthusiasm, but ii seemed sad, "You sure?"

"There is no question." Lightning said, looking determinedly at him. Amodar nodded, leaning back into the seat.

"That's good. The kid is really going to need it." Amodar sighed, looking up at the car's ceiling, "I'm worried about this whole incident. Bartholomew Estheim's death was unexpected...and with the Sanctum's recent upheaval...it's surrounded by conspiracy." Lightning could feel her heart beating faster...they had left him with the Calvary. It was possible for him to have been turned over to the Sanctum...

"And it is because of this...that an investigation is being run."

"What?"

"Yes...we can't just let something like this go. But, as you will soon be Hope's legal guardians...I will be releasing the results of the investigation to you. It will be your decision as to whether or not you inform Hope." Not good...Hope's reaction at this point could either be very mature...or very bad...and Lightning doubted she could willingly keep something like this from him.

"I-I understand."

"The next matter at hand...is the will of Bartholomew Estheim..."

"Will?"

"Yes...it seems he has left everything to his son. At the moment though, it is inaccessible. The remnants of the Sanctum are trying to withhold it and contest the will, claiming that a Pulse l-cie has no right to the earnings and possessions of a Sanctum employee...whether they are the man's son or not."

"What!" Snow shouted, Serah grabbing his arm to calm him down.

"I understand how you feel...and believe me we won't let this come to pass. We'll make sure Hope inherits what his father left him...it just might take a while. After that has panned through, you'll have enough access to take care of him. We'll let you draw out enough to really rebuild your homes, then to take care of Hope properly. It's stated in the will that once Hope turns twenty one that he is to have full access to the accounts. And after everything between the Sanctum is settled, his old home in Palumpolum and all the possessions within will belong to Hope as well."

"Phew..." Snow sighed, Serah nodding in agreement. "So...um...just how much will Hope inherit? Will it be enough to last him...?"

"Well, Bartholomew was a well respected, and well paid, Sanctum employee. And as you could tell from his home, his family was far from bad off. To be honest...if he's smart with it, Hope should have enough to last him his life."

"He won't want it though." Lightning said, crossing her arms and glaring at the car floor. "It won't help him. Not in the way he needs it."

"No...No it won't..." Amodar sighed, looking out the window, "But that's where you all come in...I suppose. Driver, stop." Amodar called. The vehicle began to slow down and eventually came to a halt. "I need to talk to Lightning outside. We'll see you two in a bit." Amodar said, opening the doors to reveal one of Palumpolum's parks. "After you."

Lightning nodded, putting up her guard, and stepped out of the vehicle. Amodar followed her, signaling to the driver to go around the park a few times. It took off, leaving Lightning and the Lieutenant alone.

They stood in silence for a few moments, watching each other, taking in every detail. It had been quite some time since they last seen each other and they were scanning them for the tiniest differences. Any hint to change. There were many.

"What is it that you wanted to talk about Lieutenant?"

"Always straight to the point...aren't we Lightning." Amodar chuckled a little, but it quickly died. He looked at her, more serious than Lightning had ever remembered him, and cleared his throat. "Lightning...how would you feel...if I reinstated your position in the Guardian Corp. Promotion and all?"