SHARING IS CARING

LIGHTNING

We left the black submarine by the dock, and headed towards the port city of Palumpolum. The city was the commerce capital of Cocoon, and shops were everywhere. James, Hope and I crouched behind a large stack of wooden cargo boxes that were due to be loaded onto one of the departing ships, and made a quick plan.

"I need you to get me some clothes." James said, passing me a handful of gil.

I pocketed the money and looked at him.

"Where did you get this?" I asked suspiciously.

He shrugged.

"There was quite a bit at the base. Probably some poor soldiers change."

I rolled my eyes, but had to give him credit for taking the initiative to take the gil. He did stand out in his ripped PSICOM uniform. My eyes lingered on the brand that covered his shoulder, and slid down to his bare, muscular biceps – I forced myself to focus.

"You stay here, then." I ordered, heading towards the nearest shop which held a promising display of clothing.

Hope and I browsed the different selections thoroughly. In truth, any item of clothing would do – as long as it had sleeves to cover his brand – but I knew that James wouldn't appreciate a simple tee.

My eyes lighted on a black, long-sleeve, zip-up top with white primal decorations. I quickly grabbed it and took that, and a pair of light gray pants and black boots to the counter.

I paid the lady at the counter, and moved on before she could get a good look at me. We weren't sure if PSICOM had leaked our descriptions to the public yet.

I made my way back to the crates and handed the clothes to James.

"Not a bad choice." James said appreciatively, shrugging out of his uniform with unabashed boldness.

I quickly turned around, and heard James snigger.

"I'm not naked under these, you know." He said, and I heard the distinctive sound of his uniform hitting the floor.

I waited until the scuffling behind me had ceased, then I turned around.

"It's a good fit." James said, rolling his shoulders. The top fit him snugly, emphasizing his muscled chest and shoulders. He wore it with the collar up, and the zip partially down, revealing a high-cut white top underneath. "Thanks." He said. "I would've preferred a jacket, but this is much more practical."

I nodded as he strapped on his rifle holster to his back. There wasn't much we could do about that, but James could always just explain to any curious civilians that he was a soldier.

"Where to now?" Hope asked.

I looked up at the sky. The sun was just setting beneath the horizon, casting a red hue on the city.

"Hotel." James said. "All transport out of the city is closed after night falls, and we won't make it to a station in time."

I looked down at Hope, this was his home, after all.

"Where does your dad live?" I asked him, thinking that maybe we could spend the night there.

Hope shook his head.

"My house is too far from here; it's much farther north, but the closest hotel is that way." He pointed down the road leading west, where more shops and stalls were interspersed amongst the homes and other buildings.

"Lead on, then." James said, gesturing for Hope to go first.

Hope nodded and started down the road, James marching animatedly behind him. I followed silently, lost in my own thoughts.

I couldn't get the memory of this morning out of my head. Particularly when I woke James from his obviously deep sleep.

"This is my dream, Light," he had said. "And you're wearing considerably more clothes than last time."

Those had been his words. He had clearly thought he was still dreaming, but what confounded me was that he had been dreaming of me.

I felt a strange sensation in my stomach as I expanded on that thought. It reminded me of the time I had felt during my recruitment test. I recalled the similar experience of butterflies I had then.

"Light?"

The voice broke me out of my reverie. James was staring at me with a puzzled expression.

"You okay?" He asked.

I nodded.

"I'm fine." I said, trying to maintain the facades I was known for.

"Good, because we're here." He indicated the tall building to my right.

The building had a plain, simple style, yet it was polished and still looked very inviting.

Hope led the way through the doors and to the desk, where a short, portly man stood hunched over a leather-bound book.

He looked up as we approached, and I tensed, ready to silence him if he recognized us.

"How can I help you?" The man asked kindly, and I relaxed.

James took the lead.

"Hi there." He said in a friendly tone. "We need a room."

The man's face fell. "We're actually pretty booked up. Did you know that PSICOM's been crawling all over Palumpolum? A lot of people are booking trips out of the city."

"Really? What's going on?" James feigned interest and concern, and I felt a surge of pride at his acting skills.

"Word on the street is that there are l'Cie around." The man said, leaning closer and lowering his voice. "The soldier's have been searching for them since yesterday."

"Is that so?"

The man nodded impressively.

"So I'm afraid all we've got are a couple of doubles and one single at the moment."

James looked at me, and I nodded. We could have rented all three, but that would definitely attract too much attention, and the impression we gave was probably that of a family, and I knew the image would help.

"That's fine." James said, handing over several gil."

"Names?" The man asked, a pen quivering over a blank spot in the book which I recognized as the hotel's register.

"Aiden Mason." James said, not missing a beat. "And this is my wife, Jean, and our son, Van." He indicated Hope and me.

The man scribbled down the names and handed James a key-card.

"Room 307." The man said.

"Thanks." James said, taking it and shoving it in his pocket. "Let's go, honey." He said, grinning at me and holding out his hand.

I shook my head exasperatedly, but took his hand dutifully and let him lead us up the stairs to our room.

James opened the door for me with an exaggerated gesture, and I stepped over the threshold. It was, generally, a large room, with a king-sized bed in the corner with a door that led to the bathroom. A small couch was positioned next to the wall. All the furniture had been bolted down.

"This will have to do." I said, sitting on the end of the bed.

Hope took a seat on the couch, and stared around at the room, but James stood in the middle of the room, unmoving.

"James?" I asked, my brow creasing.

He peered down at me.

"We have a minor problem." He said, shifting his weight to another foot.

"Which is?" I asked, confused.

"Who sleeps where?" He asked, staring at the bed, then at the couch, then his gaze swept to the floor.

"It's obvious isn't it?" Hope interceded. "Neither of you can fit on the couch, so I'll have to take it."

A small smile played on James' lips, but only for moment.

"That depends." James said, looking at me.

I caught on immediately.

"I think I can handle sharing a bed with you for one night." I said. But my heart began to race in my chest, and the butterflies returned. I was afraid I would lose myself in the close proximity, but I agreed to the decision anyway. I didn't want to hurt his feelings by refusing, but I didn't want to reveal my own lurking emotions either.

James nodded, then went over to the large window next to the bed and looked out.

"I don't think any of us will have to keep watch tonight," he said, not turning away from the window. "PSICOM won't expect us to rent a room."

I nodded. "They'll probably assume we'll head into the city while it's dark."

"That's what I figure as well." James said. "But it's still early, maybe they have room service."

The hotel sent up several plates of food, most which were consumed by James. He seemed different since I first laid eyes on him, the cold, harsh soldier was all but gone from his personality. He had mastered his role, instead of allowing it to define him.

"Do you always eat like this?" Hope asked as James swallowed yet another healthy portion of the meal.

He swallowed and nodded.

"Pretty much, plus the fact that it's been a whole day since we last ate..." He tore a chunk from a piece of meat.

"I'm going to go shower." I said finally, heading for the bathroom. James stood up quickly, his head swinging from side to side.

"No way. I'm going first." He said, hurrying past me.

"Why?" I asked, grabbing his hand as it fell on the doorknob.

"Because," he said matter-of-factly, "women spend hours in the shower."

I rolled my eyes, but relented, knowing that if I let him have his way, I would be able to spend much longer under the hot water. I did plan of having a long, soothing shower after all.

But it was twenty minutes later that I heard the water stop running.

"Finally!" I cried, opening the door and barging through.

I stopped in the doorway, my hand still on the doorknob.

James was soaking wet.

And wearing absolutely nothing.

I stood there, gaping, at this man who suddenly appeared much more masculine than I remembered.

He had his back to me, and was in the process of wrapping a towel around his waist when I walked in.

James turned, saw me, and quickly fastened the towel.

I didn't move.

My eyes were taking in his body.

He was the embodiment of a soldier's physicality, with a muscular torso and defined stomach. His arms were large and toned, and they suited his figure. Scars crisscrossed his body, the many souvenirs of previous missions.

I could only stare.

"See anything you like?" He asked, smirking.

I blushed deeply, the heat rising to my cheeks, and turned away.

James chuckled, and quickly pulled on his new clothes.

"It's safe to turn around, now." He said humorously.

"My turn now?" I asked, trying not to look uncomfortable.

He nodded, still smiling, and left the room.

I stepped under the hot water and instantly felt relief as my muscles began the long, soothing process that a shower brought, but all I could think of was James.

I stripped off my white vest and boots, and clambered under the covers of the large bed, trying not to wake Hope who had already fallen asleep. James was already lying there, staring at me. He was dressed in the white tee I had seen him in earlier, and his pants.

"What?" I asked, my face reddening at his attention.

"Nothing." He said, smiling as if at some personal joke.

"Don't make this harder than it already is." I said, through clenched teeth, trying to ignore the mounting butterflies.

"Why is this hard?" He asked. "There's plenty of room."

I glared at him, but his innocent expression softened my own.

We lay in silence, the closeness between us was making my heart beat loudly, but as much as I tried to concentrate on other things, my thoughts always strayed to the man next to me.

"Are you comfortable?" James suddenly asked. "I can move over."

To my surprise, I found the idea repulsive, and shook my head. "No, I'm comfortable." I whispered.

He lapsed into silence, and I found myself recalling the first time I had seen him. He had looked threatening, professional... dangerous. Then he had surrendered, saying that he was on our side. It was amazing how much had changed. I remembered my conversation with Hope. Amra had appeared because James was afraid of the possibility that I might die, but James had told Hope the full story, and Hope had relayed it to me. Amra had not attacked James, the Eidolon had attacked me, and James had stopped it. He had saved my life.

I had loathed his decision to join me at first, but practicality made me accept that James would be helpful. Now, though, something else made me desire his company. I begrudgingly admitted that I might not be able to continue my mission without him.

"James?" I asked quietly.

The man turned to me, and was again reminded of how close we were, our faces were inches apart.

"What happened in Mantra?" I knew that Mantra was a small town near the rim of Cocoon.

James hesitated.

"What happened in Mantra was... extreme." He whispered. "About a year ago, we had reports of a group of rebels trying to usurp the PSICOM presence in the town. My team was sent in to eliminate them."

"You said they were innocent." I remembered his words to Aiden.

"They were. The soldiers there had been regularly looting the town for valuables. A few people decided it was time for the soldiers to leave."

"How did you find out?" I asked.

James sighed. "Aiden and I were captured by the rebels." He said. "They told us their side of the story, and I knew they were telling the truth. They asked us to go back and negotiate the soldiers departure from Mantra."

"And did you?"

James paused before continuing, and his eyes were full of pain and regret.

"They let us go... and we killed them."

"Just like that?" I asked, horrified.

He nodded. "Just like that."

"But they were innocent."

"Didn't matter. PSICOM doesn't need that kind of scandal on their hands: Soldiers stealing from the public."

"You could have negotiated." I whispered.

James shook his head.

"If we had tried, PSICOM would've killed us. Their view on traitors is pretty harsh."

I nodded.

"But you stopped the Purge," I said, trying to turn his sour mood.

He gave me a small smile.

"That I did."

I nudged him playfully with my elbow, and he nudged me back. My skin tingled at the contact.

"James?" I whispered.

"Yes?" He asked quietly, turning onto his side.

I was once again amazed by how much the white tee revealed. I felt a sudden urge to reach out and touch the muscles of his cordoned chest, desire for him to wrap those arms around me.

I cleared my mind. Such emotions were a weakness, I reminded myself. But they were there.

"Thank you." I said. "For coming with me."

He chuckled softly. "It was the best decision I ever made." He said.

JAMES

Day Five

I stared at the headstone, my father's faded name etched onto it. I didn't cry. I never cried. All I could do was feel the pain and loss.

The cemetery was empty, except for me. The last time I had come to visit my old man, Aiden had been with me. I could've used his company now.

"Am I doing the right thing, Dad?" I asked quietly.

Ever since Mantra, I had asked myself this question over and over again. I began to notice the two sides of me. Harsh and cold to my enemies, always professional, unquestioning of my orders, the perfect soldier; yet joyful and carefree when around my friends, when the pressure of a soldier's life didn't overwhelm me.

"Hudson?" My earpiece suddenly crackled to life, and I answered immediately.

"What is it?"

"There's been a spot of trouble down at Euride Gorge. We need you and your men to investigate."

"I'm on my way."

The conversation ended.

I sighed.

"Am I doing the right thing?"

My eyes slid open slowly, the dream already fading from my memory.

The first thing I noticed was the slight weight on my body. Lightning was cured up in the bed, her head and torso resting gently on chest. I smiled to myself. It was impossible to think that it had only four days had passed. She was beautiful, even more so when she was asleep. I longed to embrace her, to feel her skin against mine. I subconsciously reached out, and stroked her hair.

Lightning's eyes fluttered open, and I quickly retracted my hand.

"Good morning." I said, smiling.

She smiled at me, then seemed to come to her senses. She frowned as she realized her position, and quickly propped herself up on her elbows.

"Morning." She said self-consciously.

"I'll assume you didn't mind sharing a bed with me, then?" I asked, chuckling as she blushed.

"That was... completely unintentional." She retorted.

"Admit it, you were comfortable." I pressed, barely able to keep a straight face.

"I... that's not... we're not talking about this." She said.

I grinned.

"Hope's still asleep." I said, looking at the snoring figure on the couch.

She glanced at the boy fondly.

I leaned back, my head resting on the pillow.

"What now?" I asked.

Lightning looked at me.

"Now we need to find a way to get to Eden."

"Then let's go." But I couldn't bring myself to rise.

Before Lightning could respond, there was a loud knock at the door.

"You order anything?" I asked her.

She shook her head and slid off the bed, retrieving her gunblade and nodding at me.

I strode to the door.

"Who is it?" I called.

"James?" I knew that voice.

I pulled the door open.

Aiden was standing in the doorway, grinning from ear to ear. He was alone.

"You're alive?" I asked him.

Aiden nodded, and made to step into the room, but I blocked his path.

"Light." I said.

Lightning moved to stand next to me, her eyes narrowing as she saw who it was.

"How did you survive?" I asked, my brow creasing.

Aiden shrugged. "You forget that PSICOM Elites have manadrives, James. I activated mine just before the fire hit me."

"And now you've come to finish the job?" I snarled, but Aiden shook his head wildly.

"No! I've come to warn you."

"Warn us about what?" I asked.

He glanced behind him.

"They've found you." He said, his voice suddenly rushed.

"Who?"

"PSICOM. They're on their way."

I looked at Lightning.

"We need to go." I said.

Lightning nodded and moved to Hope's side, who was still asleep. She shook him roughly awake.

"What-?" Hope asked groggily.

"PSICOM's coming, we're leaving."

Hope looked at her, then at me, then at Aiden.

"How much time do we have?" He asked, getting up and gathering his few belongings.

"Ten minutes at best." Aiden said. "I'll hold them off while you escape."

I didn't move.

"What changed your mind?" I asked, suddenly suspicious of a trap or ambush. Lightning was sliding open the window. Our room was at the back end of the hotel, and the window faced a tight alleyway that led to the street.

"You were right." He said, smiling slightly. "Screw duty."

I grinned. Aiden had always been torn between duty and his own moral code. Many of us who knew him wondered why he had joined PSICOM in the first place.

"All units, be advised," Aiden said commandingly into his earpiece. "The l'Cie are heading for the front door."

he turned to me.

"The street should be clear." He said.

I nodded.

Aiden waited impatiently for me to move.

"Go." He said, as if to question my stupidity.

"You're coming with us." I said, but I knew he couldn't. Aiden wasn't a l'Cie, he had no real stake in this fight. Not like we did.

Aiden knew this too.

"I can't, James." He said, placing a hand on my shoulder. I returned the gesture.

"Good luck." He said, then he gave a slight push towards the window.

"James, let's go!" Lightning called, her foot on the windowsill. Hope was nowhere in sight, he must have already jumped.

I turned, and she leaped, sailing down to the ground.

I gave Aiden one last look before my breath caught.

Aiden's body convulsed as bullets slammed into his back. Blood coated the room, and my friend fell to the ground, revealing the mass of soldiers behind him.

"No!" I yelled, but the soldiers turned their guns on me, and I jumped.

Lightning was already leading Hope down the alley towards the street. I hurried after them.

"They killed him!" I yelled as I reached them. "They killed Aiden!"

"What!" Hope cried.

"Run, they'll be after us soon!" Lightning ordered, breaking into a run.

"Which way is the station?" I asked Hope.

He took the lead.

"It's this way." He said, turning down another street that was adjacent to the docks.

We slipped into the crowd, hoping to put some distance between ourselves and the pursuing soldiers.

"You! Halt!" A shout echoed from behind us.

I glanced behind me to see a group of PSICOM soldier's running in our direction.

"Head to the docks." I ordered my two companions, my voice calm and professional. "I'll be right behind you."

Lightning and Hope turned towards the docks, which was interspersed with crates.

"Hey!" One of the soldier's shouted as Light and Hope disappeared around the corner.

I raised my rifle and fired three, short bursts. Blood spurted into the street, and the crowd broke.

Several people screamed as they registered the fallen soldiers, and the street was overcome by panicking people.

More soldiers appeared, and they started swatting people out of the way to get to me, but the crowd was too many, and they made slow progress.

I unleashed my blades and charged, slashing left and right. Soldiers fell, and the crowd screamed louder, fleeing the scene of death.

Another group appeared from around the side of the hotel, and I swung my blades in a wide arc, summoning the wind magic and directing it at the soldiers.

A horizontal tornado formed from the whirring blades, and the soldiers crashed into each other, bowled over by the force of the wind. One was swept up and hurled into the air, and he landed with a sickening crunch.

The street was almost empty now, and I launched a wave of magic at the building next to me.

Huge chunks of brick and mortar collapsed to the ground, covering the street in a wall of debris as the magic assaulted it's walls. The soldiers couldn't get through.

I ducked around the corner and spotted Lightning and Hope crouching behind a crate. I ran over to them.

"So much for blending in." I said as I surveyed the dock. There were small groups of soldier's patrolling the dock; obviously the turmoil in the street hadn't caught their attention just yet, or it had, and they were searching for us. The latter seemed more likely.

"Which way, Hope?" I asked, turning to the young boy.

He thought for a moment.

"We need to get to the station, right?" He said, analyzing the situation. "We can't go back to the streets, so our best bet is through the dock."

"That won't work, there are too many soldiers." I said, shaking my head.

Hope's face contorted in concentration.

"There's a series of tunnels that leads underground. I used to play in them when I was a kid."

I looked at Lightning, and she nodded.

"Okay, how far is the entrance?"

"It's close." He said, a determined expression setting on his face.

I took a deep breath.

"Lead the way." I said.

Hope nodded, and we stalked from our cover, praying that his plan would work.