AN - You get TWO chapters this time Flight fans, I am on a roll (TBH I am actually about finished writing this one, though what I've published thus far is less than half way through the story OH I AM SO MEAN). Content warning- some super violence!
"So to say Jihl's pissed would be the understatement of the century…" Rygdea shrugged, as he and Lightning drank a coffee in a café back in Eden. Two weeks had passed since their impromptu trip home and already the Warrens were seeing the aftermath.
Pathways were starting to be paved, houses in the main square had construction scaffolding all over, bricking the walls to replace the hovels ramshackled together from scraps. They had even hollowed out an abandoned building to convert to a hospital for free access to healthcare.
NORA was becoming a welcome name in the district, much to the chagrin of Psicom. The locals in the Warrens weren't blind to the goings on of Fang and her crew, but they turned the other way and accepted it as a small price to pay for the betterment of their lives and their homes.
"Why? I thought this would have made her happy to have taken out one of the biggest gang banks in Eden." Lightning frowned, swirling the black coffee around in her cup. "Is she just being a jealous idiot because we effectively stole her thunder and I've made her look incompetent yet again?"
Rygdea looked unsettled. "I think there might be more to it than that Claire." Cerulean eyes glared at him.
"Don't call me that."
"What, you prefer Lightning or whatever it is you're going by now?"
She nodded. "I do actually. Feels more comfortable." The handler scribbled notes down in his book.
"Cl-Lightning... This is some serious deep undercover work here love. I need to make sure you're still on the right team."
"What the fuck is that even supposed to mean?" Lightning snapped at him, her voice unintentionally growing louder and causing other patrons to stare.
"I don't mean anything by it, I don't wanna cause offense," Rygdea whispered, keeping his voice low and leaning in, "There's protocols, psychological impacts of playing up an identity for so long. You've been by Yun Fang's side constantly for nearly two months now, you've robbed a bank, taken lives of other gang members. That kind of thing isn't natural for anyone let alone a GC officer, and can likely cause no end of stress. You sound like you're getting too close."
First Serah and now you.
Lightning growled in warning, anger affecting her demeanour and becoming more threatening without her realizing she was doing it.
"You're not here. You're not spending almost every hour of every day with a time bomb. Every lie gets me deeper, and the deeper I go the more brutal my inevitable death will be. You even said, make it believable. So I am."
The Psicom agent raised his hands in defence. "You'll get no arguments from me girly. But you need to tell me the moment you're not, or if you think you're being compromised and we will pull you out immediately. This is a huge case but it isn't worth your life."
He slid his hand across and placed it over hers. "In just need to know that you're ok."
"I'm fine." She replied through gritted teeth and withdrew her hand, pulling a hard drive out of her bag. "I swiped this from the bank manager's office from that heist. It's heavily encrypted, which means there's likely to be some amazing information on it that will put a few people behind bars. Do you know of anyone that might be able to break it?"
Rygdea took the drive and stashed it in his coat. "There's a couple of people down in the data archives that may be able to assist. I'll keep it on the DL."
"Extreme need-to-know only Rygdea, we don't know whose names are going to turn up in that data."
He nodded and slid something across to her. "Found your next target. The Seraphim gang have a shipping yard under their territory and control, and they use the port to engage in a bit of human trafficking. This will hurt the trade, hurt the gang and save a whole lot of lives in the process."
"Is this another scrap on the bottom of Jihl's list?" Lightning queried with a growl. He nodded in response.
"I'm going to do some more digging but I have some concerns that she's being paid off to turn the other way. One of the agents in the cyber division approached me looking for info on the Seraphim gang, and I've been working with her over the last few weeks to gather as much as we can to try and end their trafficking.. But my instinct is giving me a lot of warning bells about the fact that Jihl appears to be deliberately ignoring these cases." He stood up to leave. "I'll get the drive down to data recovery and see what they can pull up for us."
She nodded and walked him to the street. Before he got in his car he turned to the pinkette with a sad expression. "Farron, please be careful, I don't want to see your body floating through the waterways here."
Despite her reaction towards Rygdea's concerns, Lightning had to admit they were valid. She had been getting progressively closer to the Pulsian woman over the last few months, especially after the kiss in the motel room. While it hadn't been brought up again, the pinkette knew that Fang was true to her word. She was patient, and not to mention calculated. The more time went on the more Lightning struggled with her feelings and her position.
Seeing this side of Fang, the jovial nature and the surprisingly honourable code she lived by was not anywhere close to how the reports described her. But then she had seen Fang become rapidly violent and aggressive and everything that the reports said she was. Lines were muddling heavily for the pinkette, and it reminded her of something Fang had said to her that night in the cavern she'd found.
The line is going to blur sometimes between right and wrong, but as long as we're always mindful of that line, we'll come out on the right side.
She had hoped that would be true. Especially given the feelings that were starting to surface between them. Touches lingered longer, shoulders and hands brushed, glances became stares. Lightning was growing concerned that she was losing control of herself in this situation, but she wasn't willing to admit it out loud and lose everything she'd been risking her life for over the last several months of undercover work. Lightning couldn't even recall the last time she'd been with anyone, it would have had to have been well before she enlisted with the GC. She had thrown herself into the role, at the expense of everything else.
Conflicting feelings were arising regarding her role there as well. How many times had she had enough evidence to take out a drug dealer or a serial arsonist only to be bound up by red tape and bureaucracy? Or for them to walk because of some serious wheeling and dealing from a well-paid attorney? In a matter of months she had managed to take out a major crime financial source, and then use the money recovered to help clean up the Warrens.
Gone were the shacks and poverty, and in its place stood a thriving vibrant community. Families were healthier, people were happier. NORA had become less a dangerous violent gang as the media portrayed them but a defender of the community.
It's done wonders for their image really.. Lightning thought as she punched in the access code to take her into the HQ underground.
"Hey Sunshine!" Fang called out as she entered the main hall. The Pulsian was bent over a desk by some scaffolding that had a map sprawled over it. She scribbled furiously on a pad, her low cut button shirt was open at the top that gave Lightning a clear view of her tanned cleavage as the pinkette approached the desk. Swallowing hard and forcing her eyes elsewhere, she cleared her throat and passed over the envelope.
"Uh, my contact was back in town today. Met with him for coffee. Gave me some goods on how to mess up the Seraphim's human trafficking trade." The silence in the hall was instantly noticeable. Fang's sharp gaze met Lightning's and she snatched the envelope quickly out of her hand, scanning over its contents with darting eyes.
Paine and Rikku appeared next to the Pulsian, the shorter blonde woman looking shaken. "What's it say?" She asked with a catch in her voice. Fang held up a hand while she still read, silencing any further questions.
"Where did you get this Lightning?" She asked, looking her dead in the eye. There was obviously something more going on here, so she didn't mess around and figured the safest route would be one not far from the truth.
"I have a contact that works as a paper pusher in the Eden GC archives. I supplied him with drugs back in the day and saved his ass from his employer finding out before I wound up in prison. So the guy owes me a few favours. I asked him if he ever gets anything through the filing requests that pertain to any major gang activity to give me a call."
"You have a contact… in the police? You were going to tell me about that when exactly?" Fang's eyes flashed dangerously with the question.
Paine straightened up and sneered. "Yeah I bet she has a contact in the GC…" Lightning didn't flinch and growled in warning.
"How many contacts do you have Fang? Do you tell us all of their positions and life history? He's a glorified clerk in the GC, not Psicom, so it leaves your sister well out of harm's way if that's what you're worried about. I keep my contacts identity secure regardless of who I am talking to because that's how I stayed in business and kept my ass out of a grave."
Rikku snatched the papers out of Fang's hands and ran out of arm's reach to read it. "It's not going to get her back is it.." She said sadly. Paine approached her and wrapped an arm around her.
"Maybe not but it's a start in the right direction. Fang, I'm taking her out back and going over some of the logistics while you sort out your girl's… Priorities…" Paine drawled with a glare at the pinkette.
Lightning bristled and stepped into Paine's space. "If you have a problem with me you better just come out and say it." She half expected Fang to step in but instead the brunette folded her arms and stood back, merely content to observe.
The silver-haired woman wasn't intimidated in the slightest. She shrugged and gave the shorter woman a once over. "Fang may be thinking with her pants when it comes to you…"
"Watch your mouth Paine.." Fang warned from the side of the room.
"… But I'm watching you." She continued, pushing Lightning back with each step forward she took. "I've seen the way you operate. Your reluctance to get your hands dirty? A contact in the GC? You're having a hard time convincing me you're not a viper."
Lightning's heart thudded in her ears and she narrowed her eyes at the insult. That derogatory term for an undercover cop made her blood boil. She opened her mouth to respond but Fang put a hand on her shoulder, firm and tight. "She was responsible for saving our asses when I busted Gadot from the court house. You were down in the safe while we were up top during the bank raid Paine," Fang said with an authoritative tone, "The raid that she has a body count under her belt for, which she supplied details for us to pull off. The raid that's allowed us to obtain the funds to get NORA back in action. What more does she need to do to prove that she's with us for the long haul?"
Paine stared the brunette down for a few seconds before puffing out air between her lips, making a small puttering sound. "I defer to your judgement, boss." She relented with a shrug, before taking Rikku by the shoulders and guiding her from the room. They were dismissed with an annoyed wave from Fang. Lightning shifted her weight from foot to foot, uncomfortable about whatever situation she'd unwittingly gotten herself into between the two of them.
"… Thank you, for sticking up for me." Lightning said quietly, head lowered. Her own gratitude sounded hollow in her ears, and she felt sick to her stomach that Fang had come to her defence over what Paine had truthfully deduced.
"I… Just wish I had have known Light." Fang said softly when they were left alone for the moment. "We could have helped in some way, or found other avenues to pool resources… There's a lot riding on these arseholes being shut down."
Lightning couldn't believe she felt guilt surging through her at the sad look in Fang's eyes. She gently took Fang by the hand, drawing the Pulsian's gaze to her eyes. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner Fang, it wasn't my intention to keep you in the dark, especially considering you're looking for Titan's son. He's just… dancing a very thin line to get me this information and the less people that know the better. Force of habit."
She felt her hand squeezed and a small smile grow at the edge of Fang's lips. "It's… It's ok Light. I understand that more than you'd think. This information though, it's good. We've been trying to break the Seraphim's slave trade for a long time, and this will get us in the door." She startled the pinkette as she enveloped her in a tender embrace, and Lightning willed her body not to react to the tanned body being so close. Shivers rocketed down her spine, clearly not intent on listening to her silent pleas for calm.
"Did… Did something happen with Rikku?" She asked. Fang nodded and moved back a little but still held onto Lightning's hands. She traced the lines on her knuckles with a callused thumb, and once again the Pinkette was internally trying to put the fire out that was being ignited in her abdomen.
"Yeah. It's how I met her. Early days of NORA. We were investigating why people in the Warrens were disappearing, people were losing family and friends left right and centre. We'd accidentally stumbled onto a global smuggling ring that was operating outside of Eden, where people were being kidnapped from all over to be sold into slavery and prostitution." Fang said with an expression of distaste.
"The Seraphim gang were at the forefront of it all, getting a foothold into the city. We found one of the higher ups and tailed him out of Eden, took him out and went to burn his house down, but found a slave in the basement. We freed her, got her patched up and gave her as much support as we could. She stuck around with us ever since."
"Rikku." Lightning breathed as she put two and two together. Fang nodded in confirmation.
"Her cousin, Yuna, was taken at the same time. She's been hunting for her for years. Paine grew up with the two of them, and got close to Rikku while they were searching. We have no evidence of whether or not she's alive but… This port could hold records that might prove useful in a search. We'd also take out their major trade route and disrupt them from taking any further victims."
Looking down at her hands, Lightning realised they were still being held by Fang. She seemed to notice at the same time as well and let go suddenly, the slightest colour showing up on her olive cheeks. Lightning couldn't help but smile a little at that; at least it meant she wasn't the only one struggling with feelings. Oh crap. That means she has feelings. That means I have feelings. Shit. Lightning's thoughts went into overdrive at the internal revelation, and she coughed nervously and looked at the map.
"So uh, yeah. When you want to head out?"
The information had lead them to Palumpolum, a coastal city south of Eden. It was a major shipping port that connected with various other countries such as Pulse and Spira, and potentially the hub where the trafficking connected. Fang, Lightning, Rikku and Paine were on the roof of a building across from the shipping yard, overlooking the layout.
"If we wait until after dark we will have more of a chance to get in there and do more damage before we're caught." Paine offered as she peered through a set of binoculars. She passed them to Lightning and asked for her thoughts.
"It looks like they have a slew of trained beasts in decent numbers judging from the amount of kennels scattered about the yard, so baiting them with something to make them sleep through the action is preferable. Guard rotation is pretty tight too. Their formation leaves little room to move undetected. We will likely have to create a distraction at one end of the site in order to draw fire and manpower away from where the victims are being kept."
Fang patted her abdomen as she spoke up. "We should probably go get some food then. No point doing this on an empty stomach." Lightning waved them off.
"You guys go ahead. I'm going to stay here and take notes."
A sigh escaped Fang's mouth. There was no arguing with her when she was in her tactician mode. She reluctantly left with Rikku and Paine, leaving the pinkette to her scribbling. The trio found a café and they sat by the window to keep a vigil on the nearby building.
"Alright out with it Fang. What's the go between the two of you?" Rikku asked after coming back from ordering their meal. The Pulsian's eyes darted around rapidly and she choked on the water she was drinking.
"Wha- whaddya mean?"
"Please. We've seen the looks you give her. And the looks she gives you when you're not looking."
Fang's eyes lit up. "She gives me looks?" she said hopefully. Rikku laughed at the goofy expression that came over the brunette's face.
"Wow. I've known you a while now and this is the first time I've seen you actually trying to suppress your natural charm.."
"Hey!"
The silver haired woman rolled her eyes at the banter and leant back in the booth. "I think Rikku means you're usually... Playing the game so to speak. But Lightning seems to have you off said game." Paine offered, "in fact I don't recall the last time you bedded a woman."
"It's just not a priority right now!" Fang snapped in defence.
"We never said it was a bad thing you know," Rikku said quietly, "Everyone deserves someone, and I think it's nice."
The waitress came over with the meals for Paine and Rikku and a bag for Fang. "Aye? What's this?"
"Idiot. It's lunch for you and Lightning. Takeout." Paine replied pointedly while motioning for Fang to leave. That was about as close to an apology for her earlier insubordination that the Pulsian was going to get.
"Oh. Right. Thanks Paine."
Fang stood at the doorway looking out at the rooftop. The way Lightning's hair fluttered in the breeze gave her an ethereal beauty that made Fang's breath catch. She watched the Pinkette gaze out to the shipping yard before turning back to her notes, the tip of her tongue poking out a little as she wrote. Fang found it positively adorable.
Azure eyes travelled from the notepad to Fang and then brightened. "Hey you're back sooner than I thought." Lightning called over casually. The Pulsian held up the bag of food and smirked.
"Didn't feel right leaving you up here to starve."
Fang sat down next to Lightning, legs dangling over the edge of the building as she fished around in the bag for lunch. They sat in companiable silence as they ate, and Lightning read over her notes. She leant in close to Fang and their shoulders touched when Lightning brought the notepad up for Fang to see.
"I've been sketching out the layout of the shipping yard and watching guard movement patterns over the last hour, and I think I've figured out where they're keeping the victims. There's a group of shipping containers stacked four high over on the east side, where the pathways force a bottleneck situation." She pointed in the direction of the crates and Fang tried to follow her line of sight. "It'll create problems if we get funnelled in there by the Seraphim crew."
Fang considered it for a moment as she looked at how beautiful Lightning was when she was focused. "So... Stealth is going to be key then. Seems now is as good a time as any to give you this then." She got up and grabbed a case from their stacked gear by the roof access door, bringing it back over to Lightning's inquisitive stare.
"I uh, wanted to get you something that showed how much I've... Valued having you here. You don't exactly strike me as the flowers or chocolates kind of girl so I got you something that is probably more up your alley." She slid the case over to Lightning and gestured for her to open it.
"Fang... What did you..." With hands that were slightly shaking she pressed the clips on the case and jumped as they flicked open. She slowly opened the case and then leant back with a stifled gasp. A beautiful blade was embedded within the moulded felt, curved and deadly. The mechanical looking hilt jutted out at an angle, and she noticed a trigger near the top of the handle. "This... This is a gunblade." She breathed, in shock of what she was seeing.
Fang nodded with a smile. "Psicom issued. After what you told me about getting kicked out of the GC I.. Yeah. It was hard to get my hands on but you deserve the best."
Lightning removed the blade from its case, trailing her fingers along the metal. "This engraving.. It's in Pulsian?"
"Yeah. Says 'Invoke my name, I am spark.' Uh, old tradition where I'm from to put something fancy on the chosen weapon. Brings good luck and victory in battle and all that." The pinkette tested the blade, the weight of it being surprisingly light in her hands. If she was being honest, it was far superior to the one the GC issued her upon graduation.
She moved it around her and tried a few formations, marvelling at how natural the movements were, the blade becoming an extension of her body. Fang whistled low as she watched her. "Damn Light, I was gonna look into finding someone to train you properly in its use but it looks like that isn't needed." Lightning pressed a button as she swung the blade around, and it transformed into a gun.
"I've used blades in the past. Never a gunblade or uh, anything as nice as this but the basics are the same." Lightning shrugged, downplaying her accomplishments. In reality she'd graduated at the top of her class and was never bested by anyone during training, even the coaches themselves. She was no stranger to this weapon but this felt far higher quality than anything she owned.
"Fang I... Can't accept this. It's... Too nice." The Pulsian laughed and stepped close to her, and Lightning was all too aware of the wild scent of her tanned skin. Fang's hand brushed her shoulder and ran down her arm.
"It's the least I could do for everything you've done for us. For me. Please. It would mean the world to me if you accepted it."
Lightning swallowed hard and dropped her head. "Ok."
"That's more like it," Fang beamed and moved to her side, wrapping an arm around her shoulder. "Now. What are you going to name it?"
"Name it?" Lightning asked with a raised eyebrow.
"It's tradition in our family to name your weapon. Important rite of passage."
Lightning felt the hidden meaning of the words sink in. "Your family huh."
She felt Fang's hand under her chin, tilting her head up to meet piercing jade eyes. "You are a part of my family Light. Of our family, I mean." Lightning felt her cheeks flush as silence stretched between them. Her heart started to speed up as Fang began to slowly close the distance between them, eyes darting between each other's' lips. She felt herself lean forward unconsciously.
Just as she felt the ghost of Fang's lips on hers, the roof access door slamming open startled them both. Lightning jumped back away from Fang, suddenly very aware of their surroundings. "We're back!" Rikku yelled.
"Perfect fucking timing as always.." Fang muttered under her breath. The moment was gone however, with the pinkette resuming her tactical stoic expression and laying out her plans for the other two.
Lightning's heart was racing in her chest, at how close she came once more to crossing that line. But then she stopped and looked around at where she was, what she was doing, and who she was with. She realised that whatever line she kept looking for was long gone.
