Chapter 10 – Redemption

"I'm going to be gone late today. I have to teach my students then go help out Fang." Serah informed.

"Okay, that's cool. I'll watch the house." Snow responded.

Serah looked skeptical. "You sure you'll be okay here by yourself?"

Snow put on an arrogant look. "I'm a big boy. I'll be fine."

Snow was really bored. It was getting late and Serah still hadn't come back. Lightning's condo felt empty without its owner in it. Light took care of the cooking, cleaning, and paying the bills, but now Serah did most of that stuff. Snow was now left alone to do some of those things. He was feeling hungry.

Snow went to the kitchen and looked around the pantry and fridge. He didn't really know how to cook. How would he do it now? He found some pasta. Better than nothing, he thought. Now, where to start? Where do we keep the pots?

Snow rummaged through some cabinets until he found one that was big enough to hold the pasta. Okay, now what? Do you put it in the pot?

He opened the box of uncooked noodles and poured them into the metal pot. Do I cook it now? Or does something go with it? Snow placed the pot of raw noodles on the stove. He wasn't sure how to work this either. After pushing a few buttons, he heard a beep. He assumed that meant the burner was on.

So I just wait? Snow sat on the counter and looked around the kitchen. He saw a few dishes in the sink. That reminds me, I still have to replace those dishes I broke…

After fifteen minutes of listening to his wandering thoughts, Snow smelled something burning. He leaped off the counter, rushed to the oven, then peered down at the pot to see blackening pasta. He quickly pulled the pot off the stove, the silver handle singing his gloved hand. He dropped the pot with a yelp. The flaming hot metal landed on his foot, sending dark pasta everywhere. Snow held his foot, screaming, "Ouch! Dammit!"

Snow sighed and looked at his mess. He removed his glove to examine his hand. It was red, beginning to form a blister. That wouldn't be fun to deal with when he fought.

Geez, he made a huge mess. How could he have been stupid enough to just cook the damn things!

Snow never felt so stupid. Not for the dirty kitchen, but for taking Lightning for granted. She did so much for him and Serah. She gave them a place to stay while they had nowhere else to else to go, even for free. She cleaned up any of their messes, no matter who made it. She cooked every meal they ate. She did all of this out of the selflessness in her heart. Light had always helped them. Snow never realized how much she did for him until now; when she wasn't here anymore. She may not even return at all.

One of the phones rang. Snow picked it up with his unharmed hand. "Hello?"

"Hi, Snowy!" Serah cooed. "Everything alright at home?"

Snow looked at the now unclean kitchen, thanks to his foolishness. "Uhh… Sort of. Hey, Serah?"

"Yeah?"

"Cooking is really hard."

"Did you make a mess?"

"Yeah, but don't worry, I'll – wait, is the stove still on?"

"Okay, you guys take Taejin's Tower. You all get the Sulyya Springs." Fang issued commands to her men often, but these weren't normal orders. They had to search for Lightning, or as Fang's operatives knew her, Captain Farron.

"Hey, Fang!" Sazh called. "Serah said she's done teaching her classes. She'll be here soon."

Fang still didn't get why Serah was a teacher. Sure, she loved kids and it was nice to have the younger generation receive a good education. But juggling that with the P.L.R. business must not have been easy. What a career combination, too: Teacher and combat specialist. Well, Serah wasn't really a specialist quite yet. She was good with a bow and arrow, but other than that, her combat skills had room for improvement. "Right."

Sazh watched the soldiers as they prepared to move out. He knew Fang would give them an earful if they didn't find any clues as to Lightning's whereabouts again. "Say, Fang," Sazh asked, "do you think Light's okay?"

What kind of a question was that? Of course she was okay! She was Lightning Farron: The only one among their whole group that was a trained professional in combat. She was rational enough to survive on her own. She could take care of herself. She traveled swiftly and carefully, easily beating any enemy that came her way. Lightning would be fine! Hell, she may be on her way home right now!

Or, at least, that's what Fang wanted to say.

There was no way to tell if Lightning was near home or not. They weren't even sure whether she was alive at all. She was M.I.A., possibly lost without food or shelter, and maybe even dying at the moment. She had been gone for weeks! All because Fang couldn't go check out the strange portal herself.

"She better be." Was all Fang could say back.

"You're really worried, aren't you?"

"You shut your trap!" Fang snapped.

Sazh put up his hands in defense. "I didn't mean that in a bad way. We know how you're feeling. But thinking like that won't bring her back. The best we can do for Light is finding out where she is and bring her home."

"Yeah, you're right. But I can't shake the feeling that she may be in a place of danger. You know, like she could get hurt really soon."

"Just relax. You'll lose less sanity that way."

Fang chuckled, "Please! Too late for that! I've lived without my sanity for years now!"

The two laughed. Fang turned serious. "Do you really think she's safe?"

"Of course! You know what? I bet you two hundred gil she is in a nice, safe, comfortable place right now, where no enemy could get to her."

Lightning's eyes widened. His swords still circled her, keeping her from moving. "You… You did what?"

Noctis was silent. The blades receded away from Lightning. With a flick of his wrist, all the weapons vanished into thin air.

"Why would you…" Lightning trailed off. She had lost her parents when she was young. With no relatives to go with, she and Serah lived on the streets until she earned enough money for them to live somewhere. Still, they struggled to live then. Their budget was way too tight to do anything but get food and pay for their home. They never had any money. Not until Lighting was old enough to become a soldier and earn a higher pay. But this prince, who could get anything he wanted by snapping his fingers, killed his mother?

"It's not what you're probably thinking." His voice was emotionless, lifeless. It was as if he had to keep himself from falling apart from the inside out. "It… It was an accident. I- I loved my mother. We were very close. I would…I would never have killed her on purpose. She… She was the most important person to me then. After all, I was still a little kid."

Lightning wasn't sure if she wanted to hear this story. She knew it wouldn't be a pleasant fairy tale. This was a story of a death in cold blood; one that was done by a young boy with too much power.

"I was ten," Noctis began. "My powers were starting to become stronger. I practiced using them in the training center every day back then. I was making fast progress. Neither my father nor his father had gotten so powerful at my age. Both of my parents were proud that I could do so much with the crystal's power. Even then, I was one of the most powerful beings in the kingdom. Maybe even in the world." Noctis paused, letting Lightning soak in all he had said. "I was very skilled at using my weapons. My mother, no matter what she was doing, would always be there to encourage me. Until… one day… I lost control.

"My father and my mother were both watching me. They were always amazed by what I could do. I performed several tricks and maneuvers while using my blades. Sometimes they even applauded my work. Everything I did with my power was advanced for my age. I used to get tired after I trained for a little while. My mother would… always come over to me, take my hand, and escort me back inside to rest. But on that day, she came too close, too soon."

Lightning didn't want to hear more. She was scared. She beat him by using her skills out on the training field, but with his powers, she was sure he could have killed her in seconds. He could have as a small child. That was… outrageous. Lightning could never understand how hard that must be to compress your powers every waking minute of the day. How did he do it? Was it because of what happened in the story he was telling?

He kept speaking. "She came closer to me so she could take me in. But… something went wrong. I must have pushed myself too hard, tried a move that was too much for me, something that caused me to… snap. My eyes burned red, I could feel it. My head pounded in pain. The blades I showed you moved on their own, almost as if they were controlled by another force.

"When I lose control, my powers go into defense mode. The blades attack anything that is too close to me. They form barriers around me so I can regain control without being harmed. But it didn't do any good then. The swords headed straight for my mother. She had gotten too close when she came to get me. I tried to stop them from moving towards her, but I was… too weak." Noctis' voice shook. His fists were clenched so hard that his arms were trembling.

" I… I heard a shriek. I got some control back then. I tried to find where the scream came from, desperate to see who I may have hurt. One of the guards nearby covered my eyes though. He shouted, 'Don't look!' But I ripped his hand from my face."

Lightning's face twisted in horror. He… he saw her after he had…

"When I looked for my mother… All I saw was pools of blood. Everyone around was scared of me. They looked at me like…I was a monster.

"I killed her instantly. My father made up stories about her getting sick so the public wouldn't panic. My father resented me for a few years after that. I killed his beloved wife. But soon he forgave me. But… but I haven't been able to forgive myself.

"That's why I couldn't see you. I… felt guilty all over again.

"That's why I said that, back at the watchman's post. I've been treated like a god for my royal blood. But… inside, I'm truly… nothing but a worthless, disgusting, terrifying abomination."

Lightning didn't witness her parents' deaths. She was glad she didn't. But… he was so young then. He murdered someone at that age, and then has to live with the guilt forever. Lightning couldn't even imagine the pain he was in. She felt angry at herself for causing him so much agony. She forced him to feel guiltier than he did before, just because Lightning was too worried about her pride to consider his feelings.

Noctis broke the short silence. "Lightning, I…" His voice was hoarse. Lightning never saw Noctis this traumatized. He usually tried to act cool. He joked around with her a lot. He tried to pass off for a strong, kind man. From Lightning's view right now, he was actually fragile, ready to break inside. Life hadn't treated Lightning well, but Noctis' life was no better.

Noctis finally continued, "I'm so sorry. You're a different person. I shouldn't treat you like you were my mother. I've always feared she would be angry for me… killing her." Noctis choked at the word 'killing.' "You deserve to be treated the same as before; when we were like close friends. I had no right to hurt you. I will keep my promise to get you home. I… enjoyed hugging you that night. Most of all, I'm deeply sorry… for putting you through so much pain."

Lightning was speechless. He told her about his darkest moment. But now he was sorry for her? He was in more pain than she was. She should be apologizing to him for overreacting. He may have looked weak to many people right now. Although, Lightning believed it took real courage and strength to talk about this, especially to someone he just met a little while ago.

Lightning knew it would be out of character, but she had to comfort him. It was the only way she could repay him for sharing all of his feelings. She couldn't stop herself from walking up to him. His back was still towards her. She wrapped her arms around his waist, to Noctis' surprise. She leaned her head against his back, listening to his breathing. Noctis gradually relaxed. Once he was calmed, Lightning let go of him. She took his shoulder so she could make him turn to face her. He looked down at her with his beautiful, deep, midnight blue eyes. "Noctis, I can relate to some of your feelings. But what's done is done. Your mother was obviously fond of you, meaning she wouldn't want you to feel this bad. She would want you to forgive yourself. I do…"

Noctis gawked at her for a moment. This was so unlike her. This was the soft side of Lightning he had never seen. He couldn't believe she understood. She even accepted his apology! He felt himself breaking apart from the inside. He needed her. She was all he wanted right now. He wanted her and her alone.

Noctis flung his arms around Lightning. He hugged her, holding her tightly, clutching her back. He knew he may have made it hard for her to breathe, but he needed this. His spirits were slightly lifted when she returned his hug. She was there for him, supporting him.

Lightning hadn't known Noctis long. He was still practically a stranger to her. Despite that, she had no problem with holding him in her arms. She even liked having him so close. She lead his head to her shoulder, letting him rest there while she let him regain his strength. His spikey black hair tickled her face. His smell filled her nostrils. Lightning noticed something then: I… I like being with him. I like having him by my side. I… need him.

Noctis couldn't release Lightning. He felt that nothing in the world could touch them while they were like this. Her sweet scent intoxicated him. He rubbed his cheek against her angelic pink hair. He felt her soft, pale skin. Her touch enchanted him. He didn't care that he barely knew her. He was sure of his feelings. And he embraced those emotions.

Noctis saddened when he felt her pull away. He did the same. He realized how much weakness he showed. He was ashamed to act so frail in front of her. He wanted her to think of him as strong or courageous, not weak and sorrowful. "Sorry," he muttered.

That earned him a slug to the face. Noctis stumbled back before catching his balance. "What was that for?" She totally ruined the moment!

"Because you have to snap out of it!" She yelled back. Noctis' furrowed his brow. She explained, "Quit wallowing in your self-doubt! You want to be strong? Move on! Fight for tomorrow! Yesterday can't help you, so make the future brighter than the past!" Lightning had to tell herself these words when she was a L'Cie. If she had her will to fight for another day, she could live on.

Her words spoke to Noctis. She felt so strongly that he thought she was speaking from experience. She probably was, since she fought the government and all. Noctis ignored his once again stinging face. He looked her straight in the eyes. "Thank you, Lightning. I…" Lightning gave him the same emotionless expression she usually had on. He wasn't sure if he should finish that thought. Not yet, at least.

"You…?" Lightning ushered.

"I'm glad I met you." It wasn't what he intended to say earlier, but it wasn't a lie either.

Lightning could feel her face flush. "Uh… Thanks, Noctis… I…" Lightning didn't say this not only return the kindness, but to express her feelings as well. "I'm glad I met you, too."

And there they went again: Just staring at each other, unaware of anything else in the world. Noctis was the first to break the trance this time. "So… yeah. I guess… this pretty much… worked out alright?"

"Looks like it." She bluntly said.

Noctis started to see reality now. I was late at night. He and Lightning were alone… in his bedroom… with little chance of interruption. His face burned at the thought of what could happen. "So…" he said, desperately trying to keep his mind out of the gutter. "What now?"

"Not sure…I'll just see you tomorrow." She started for the door.

"Wait." Noctis asked. He didn't have to grab her now. "We have a little… catching up to do." 'That sounded seductive!' "Uh! I mean… um…"

Lightning rolled her eyes. "Relax. I get what you mean."

Noctis smiled.

He invited her to sit on one of the chairs he had around. The two talked about what they did the past few days, hobbies, sometimes even nothing in particular. Lightning was happy to have him talking again. She missed his voice. She wanted to know more about him, just as he wanted to know everything about her. It was probably midnight when they started to run out of things to talk about.

Lightning let out a yawn. Noctis knew she should probably get some sleep, but he didn't want her to leave. He got an idea. "Hey, I'll be right back. I have to get something."

Lightning nodded. He got up and went to his closet. Now… where was it? He had it somewhere in here…There it is!

He grabbed a wad of cloth from one of his large closet's shelves. He hastily rushed out to give it to Lightning. It was a blanket he had had for a long time, maybe ten years? He thought she may be cold. Once he reached Lightning, he said, "I'm back."

She didn't answer. She didn't even move. Puzzled, Noctis looked down at her face. He grinned as he saw that she was asleep. He was gone for a few minutes, but she lazily sat in his chair, breathing softly. She was so peaceful; even cute. He just couldn't bring himself to wake her up and take her back to her room. Carefully, he hoisted her up, bridal style. He took her over to his bed and laid her onto his soft sheets. He stepped back to get a better look at her. She rolled over onto her side. Noctis giggled.

He thought this may have been a bad idea, but it wouldn't hurt to do it for just a minute. He laid down next to her, taking her head to let it sit on his shoulder as he lie on his back. She buried her head into the space between his neck and shoulder. He held one of her hands while he grasped her waist. He stared at her for so long that he could have sworn he had memorized her features.

He soon found himself dozing off before falling asleep.

Lightning ran. She dashed away from shadows chasing her. She had no idea where she was. She couldn't see anything. She looked for some light, any soul. But nothing. All of a sudden, time froze. The shadows disappeared. She was standing on Pulse, in New Bodhum. "Hey!"

She turned around to see who called her. It was Serah. What? She was just with Noctis. Was… was all that a dream? No, I couldn't be. Serah started running to her. Vanille appeared behind her, followed by Fang, Hope, Snow, and Sazh. "Hey, Sis, don't you think we should be getting home?"

Lightning looked at all of her friends. "Wait… where are we?"

Fang gave her a sarcastic look. "We're in Palumpolum. Where do you think?"

Snow crossed his arms. "Man, what's wrong with you?"

Lightning was dumbstruck. What was going on? Another voice called her, "Lightning!"

Her and her companions turned their heads. Gladiolus was waving to her. Prompto and Ignis were next to him. Noctis gave her a shy wave as well. Sazh furrowed his brow. "Whoa, who're they?"

Noctis and his friends approached them. Prompto asked, "Yo, Light, what'cha doing out here? We should go hang out at the castle."

Vanille questioned, "Wait, Lightning, you're staying with us, right?"

Hope added, "Yeah, we're your friends."

Gladiolus looked to her. "But you're coming back with us, aren't you?"

Ignis pushed up his glasses. "We were just becoming friends."

Noctis gave her a sad look. "Are you leaving?"

All her friends stared at her. She cared for all of them. But she couldn't be in two places at once. After she healed, where would she stay? She belonged with her close friends. Although, she didn't want to be away from her new ones, not to mention Noctis. 'I have to choose?'

'But… how?'

Lightning's eyes snapped open with a gasp. 'It… it was a dream,' she thought. But the message was real; where would she go after healing? Would she go back with her friends and family, or stay with a man she couldn't bear to be away from too long?

'Wait…' she hadn't realized she fell asleep. 'Where am I?'

"Did you sleep well?" Lightning saw it now: She was… with Noctis?

Lightning yelped and sat up, pushing him away, making her wounds sting a little. She nervously watched him sit up. Her surprise quickly turned to anger. "W-What were you doing?"

Noctis knew it was a bad idea. "I swear I didn't mean anything!" He held up his hands in case she tried to hit him. "You just fell asleep and I…"

Lightning hated when he stopped like that. "You what?"

Noctis blushed. "I didn't want to wake you up. You were so… adorable."

Lightning blushed back. She fell asleep? Most of all, he thought she was adorable?

Noctis felt guilty for making such a bold move. "I just wanted to make you more comfortable."

Lightning stared down at her hands. She was so embarrassed. The strangest part… she liked lying with him. It felt so safe and warm. But she couldn't do that. She had to keep her distance. He was getting too close to her. It was then she noticed the sun had already risen and the morning had arrived. She was with him all night?

Noctis directed his attention to the grandfather clock in the corner of his room. 9:30, time for work. He was even late. "I know this sounds rude, but I need to be getting to a meeting. Do you want me to take you to the dining hall for breakfast?"

She actually did. But never would she admit it. "I'm fine." She stood from the bed and straightened her clothes. She was still in her usual skirt and white shirt with the cape, she even had her boots on. Noctis got up as well, dressed in yesterday's clothes like her. She asked, "Are you coming, too?"

He yawned, "No, I'm late as it is. I've got to get ready to go."

He escorted Lightning out of his room. He was sad to see her leave. If he didn't have duties to attend to, he would certainly have stayed with her longer. They said goodbye before turning their backs to each other and walking away. Noctis didn't want it to end there. He turned and yelled, "Wait a sec."

She looked back. Noctis walked back up to her so no one could hear him. "Will you meet me at the watchman's post at noon?"

Lightning was starting to get used to his clingy behavior. She liked his idea anyway. She agreed, "Fine. I'll see you there then."

Noctis let her go. He couldn't wait until noon. All through his meeting, he couldn't keep her off of his mind. He never wiped the smile from his face during their conferences.

Lightning walked Snow across the fields. Instead of leaving her tied to a tree, Lightning brought Snow over to the watchman's post with her. They didn't go inside; Lightning just leaned against one of the pillars supporting the post's roof. She scratched the white chocobo as it ate some gyshal greens from the ground.

Lightning couldn't keep her mind off of her dream. It had a valid point. The decision she faced wasn't a simple one. Lightning knew she had to get back to Serah. She needed to help the P.L.R. as well. But she liked staying with Noctis. She couldn't leave him. At least, not for good. She had a flashback to the time Wen told her that she could come back to them after going home.

'Yeah, right,' Lightning thought. 'I can't even get home, let alone come here again.'

Lightning sighed. She sat down on the warm grass. Snow set her beady eyes to her, then nuzzled Lightning's neck with her sharp beak. It was as if the chocobo could sense her distress. Looks like Lightning had more friends here than she thought.

Lightning felt a presence nearby. Without looking, she caught something that was thrown at her. It was an apple with deep red skin. She turned to see who had tossed the projectile to her. Noctis stood in the direction the fruit came from. He nodded to her, holding Cinis' reins in one hand and another apple in the other.

Lightning stood up. "You're late."

Noctis smirked. "No, you're early." He let go of Cinis so he could join Snow. Noctis approached Lightning.

"What's this for?" Lightning showed him the apple.

"To eat. What else?" Noctis leaned on the pillar next to Lightning. "I wasn't sure if you ate before you left, so I brought a little snack."

Lightning thought that was rather considerate of him. "Thanks." She was about to take a bite, but Cinis snatched from her hand and quickly gobbled it up. "Hey!" Lightning yelled.

"Cinis!" Noctis added. The black chocobo kweed in delight like it was laughing. Noctis offered his apple. Lightning would have refused if it weren't for Snow stealing Noctis' apple as well. "Damn birds!" he cursed. Lightning smiled lightly.

"Sorry," he glared over at the chocobos. "I should have brought roast duck!" The giant birds chirped in fear with a mortified look in their eyes. Lightning and Noctis chuckled at them. Noctis stared at Lightning as she gazed out to the fields. He couldn't help it, she was just so beautiful, clever, kind – when she wanted to be – passionate, and so many more things he couldn't describe. There was one thing that was off: She seemed sad. "Something wrong?"

Lightning missed hearing him ask that. It bemused Lightning how he always knew when she was upset. "No, nothing at all." She didn't want to talk about it.

Noctis tilted his head. "You sure?" He was positive she was holding something back.

Lightning answered in a slightly more irritated tone, "Yes, I am sure."

So, she wasn't going to budge this time, huh? Noctis wanted to know why she was distracted, although, he had a feeling he should let it go.

"Noctis?" Lightning mumbled.

"Hm?" He hummed back.

"Would you be mad… if I left here to go home?"

Noctis was dumbfounded by her question. "Why would I be? I know if I was in your shoes I would want to go back." She looked down. "Why do you ask?"

She didn't answer. He had to get her to speak. He moved so he could face her. He absentmindedly took her hands. "Lightning, I know you want to go home. I can understand how you feel like you don't belong. But I need you to know that it doesn't matter where you go in your life…" He was talking too much. Why did he trust her with his emotions? He wouldn't talk about them with anybody, but she was different. "…I'll stand by you all the way. I couldn't ask for anything more than for your happiness."

Lightning was frozen. He cared that much about her feelings? Did he really mean that? She looked up him. She could see in his eyes that he didn't want her to leave. Even so, he was still willing to let her go someday. He was so sweet and sincere. He was caring and funny. He was delicate. He was mysterious. He was handsome. He was… someone Lightning never would have thought she would feel this way for.

He leaned in closer to her. Lightning lifted her chin so her face was nearer to his. They slowly got closer, and closer, until they could feel their breaths blowing past them. Their lips were millimeters apart.

It was all ruined by a mechanical ring.

Noctis pulled back, deeply disappointed. They were so close! If he was just a simple man, not a lavish prince, maybe they would have met. Lightning let her chin fall back to its original position. She too was disheartened by the interruption.

Noctis pulled out a phone from his pocket. After a short "hello," alarm filled his expression. "What!... Just keep them safe, I'll be there as soon as possible!"

Lightning was preparing for action. "What's wrong?"

He swiftly grabbed Cinis and jumped onto him. "Monsters are loose at the castle!"