The First

The Rangers were preparing for their next game against the Dodgers and Lightning's arm was still on fire. She hurled the ball downfield and struck the catcher's mitt, the catcher started rubbing his hand in pain. "Damn, take it easy Lightning. Save it for the game."

Lightning rubbed her shoulder, a little pain but nothing she couldn't handle. "You just catch the ball, Gadot, let me worry about how hard to throw it."

Gadot shook his head, "No problem, Ms. Badass, let me go and duct tape my hand shut." He walked off holding his hand and Lightning looked for some ice for her shoulder.

She found Fang at the batting cages watching the others swing, coaching them on better form. "Hey Light, still feeling good?" She punched her on the arm and earned a wince. "Are you alright, Claire?"

Lightning brushed her off, "I'm fine, I just need to get some ice. Want to walk with me?"

Fang agreed and shouted some coaching to one of the youngest batters before walking away with Lightning towards the dugout. When they were out of sight of anyone Fang gave Lightning a quick kiss on the cheek. Lightning grabbed a bag of ice and pressed it to her shoulder. "Are you sure you're all right. Maybe you should sit the next one out, I'm sure Hope would love to sub in for you."

Lightning adamantly shook her head, "No, I can still play."

Fang wanted to argue more, but knew that she couldn't break through Lightning's stubborn will. "Alright, but take it easy, yeah."

-DSOF-

The next day was the game, a home game against the Dodgers. The Rangers took the field and Lightning stepped on the mound. She felt good, the sun was high in the sky on a cloudless day, the weather was not too hot and the first batter stepped up to the plate.

Lightning wound up and threw a heater, and the instant her arm came around a sharp pain shot through her. The ball flew far from the plate and she couldn't hold back the shout of pain that tore from her like a banshee. Immediately several pairs of feet ran towards her including Coach Amodar, the medical boy Yuj, and Fang from the outfield.

Fang reached her first, "What happened? What's wrong?"

Lightning gripped her shoulder and practically shouted, "My fucking arm feels like it's gonna fall off. Fuck this shit hurts."

Yuj knelt down and started examining her, "It looks like a labral tear, I'll need to look closer."

Amodar called to the dugout, "Farron's out, Hope get warmed up. You're subbing this game." Amodar and Yuj helped her off the field. Fang tried to follow but Amodar waved her away, "She'll be fine, Yun, get back out there."

Fang cast one last worried look at Lightning before taking her place in the outfield. Her reaction did not go unnoticed.

Hope stepped up to the mound and threw a few warm up pitches, he was in good form but the Dodgers had a solid lineup and he felt intimidated. His first few pitches were good, but once they started hitting him regularly his confidence shattered and he started pitching badly.

Fang was able to cover some of the difference but the Dodgers still won 4 -2. After the game Fang made her way quickly to the medical room where Lightning lay on a bed. "How is she doc?"

"She has a minor labral tear, it's nothing serious but I've given her something for the pain. Also, she won't be able to play for the next two weeks." Yuj looked anxious, "I was kinda hoping you could tell her that last part, I don't know if she'll be happy to hear it."

Fang sat down next to the bed, "No, she won't be happy to hear it, but I'll make sure she follows it. Whether she wants to or not."

Yuj nodded in her direction and Lightning finally noticed that she was there, "Hey, Fang, how are you moving your face like that? It's all wavy."

She started making weird wavy noises and Fang laughed and patted her arm, "Come on, Light, I'll take you home."

-DSOF-

By the time they pulled up to the Farron house, Lightning's mind had cleared and left her relaxed. Fang went to help her out of the car and she was able to walk to the door, but not in a straight line. Lightning pulled out her keys and unlocked the door, Fang helped her to the couch and lay her gently on it before heading to the kitchen and pouring two glasses of water. She handed one to Lightning and sipped at one herself. Lightning took a sip and winced, "I don't like water."

"Well tough, 'cause you're going to drink it."

"Come on, Fang," Lightning whined, "let me have a beer at least."

"No, you're on painkillers and they don't mix with alcohol."

"Please." Fang recoiled at the look that Lightning was giving her, complete with puppy dog eyes and trembling lip. "Just one."

Fang's resolve weakened, "That's not going to work on me, sweetheart." The look only increased but she stood her ground. "Stop that, it's not sexy at all."

Lightning raised an eyebrow, "So it's like that, then?" She undid two buttons on her shirt and pulled it apart, revealing ample cleavage, she laid her head back and sighed, "Will you get me a beer, baby?"

She didn't get the reaction she was looking for. Fang went from sitting next to her on the couch to throwing herself on top of Lightning, their lips met and suddenly neither couldn't think of a reason not to. Their kissing deepened and Fang's tongue invaded Lightning's mouth, her hands felt their way up Lightning's tight abdomen to cup her breasts. Lightning ran her hand along Fang's spine earning a shiver from the tanned woman.

Fang started kissing on Lightning's neck and unbuttoned her shirt. Lightning pulled at Fang's shirt until she took it off, tossing it behind her. Fang finished unbuttoning Lightning's shirt and pulled it open kissing along her pink bra. Fang shifted her weight and Lightning winced, Fang immediately stopped and sat up still straddling her waist. "Are you okay?"

They were both breathing hard, Lightning caught her breath and replied, "So, how about that beer?"

They both laughed, Fang got up and put on her shirt then went to the refrigerator and grabbed a beer, handing it to Lightning, "I suppose you've earned one, but just one."

Fang sat down and Lightning put her head in her lap, "Just one, what do I have to do for two?"

Fang grabbed a nearby remote and turned on the TV, flipping thorough the channels and not liking what she saw. With her free hand she ran her hand through Lightning's pink hair, "You'd have to get past first base, sweetheart. Do you have any movies? There's nothing good on."

Lightning pointed to a rack of Blu-Rays and Fang browsed through them, nearly hopping in excitement as she put one in the player, "What did you pick?"

Fang lay down next to Lightning and put an arm over her, leaning her head on the armrest. "Die Hard, it's a classic and one of my favorites."

By the end of the movie Lightning was falling asleep being comfortable in Fang's arms. A thought occurred, 'I wonder where Serah is?'

Serah happened to be in Snow's apartment. Specifically, she was in the bathroom of the apartment trying to psyche herself up. "I can do this. Our relationship is in a good place and we're ready." She exhaled, "I'm ready."

She sauntered over to the couch where Snow was waiting for her, "Hey, babe, you okay? You were in there for a while."

Serah sat next to him and put a hand on his thigh, "We've been dating for a while and I think we're ready for this." Snow looked nervous, his eyes widened as he saw the name of the movie that she had put in the player.

A chick flick, oh hell.

-DSOF-

Lightning had fallen asleep so Fang carried her gently to her bed and pulled the blankets over her. She kissed Lightning on the forehead, "Goodnight, Claire."

She went to leave but a hand reached out and grabbed her own, "Stay with me."

Fang didn't need to hear that twice, she took off her shoes and slipped under the covers next to Lightning, throwing an arm over her. She was asleep before her head hit the pillow.

It was sometime in the night and Fang was awoken by the sound of the front door opening. She tiptoed to the bedroom door and peeked into the living room to see Serah put her handbag on the couch. She opened the door and Serah nearly jumped out of her skin, "Fang? What are you doing here?" She noticed that Fang had come out of Lightning's room. "Were you and my sister...?"

Fang shook her head, "No, she threw out her shoulder and I stayed with her, that's all."

Serah grabbed a glass and poured some water into it from a pitcher in the refrigerator, "Is she okay?"

Fang sat down on the couch, "Yeah, but she's not happy. They won't let her play for two weeks."

Serah sat down next to Fang, "No, she wouldn't be happy about that. Baseball was always her life, her passion. You know she almost had to give it up for me?"

"Why?"

"Just out of high school I got accepted to UT and I was thrilled, but at the same time Claire had gotten signed to the Dodgers. She didn't want to move and leave me with nobody, so she quit them and stayed here. It wasn't until years later that the Rangers signed her and I always felt bad that she had to wait that long because of me."

"She did what she had to do." Fang looked sympathetic, "Moving from Australia to here was hard and I didn't want to do it. Vanille was so anxious to come and when she asked me, I couldn't say no. I did it because I love her, and I can tell that Claire feels the same about you. Sometimes that just how the dice land, you know. Nothing you can do about it."

Serah chuckled, "You and I are the only people in the world who call her Claire. She really likes you, and I can see why. I think you'd be a great sister in law."

"Sister in law? Isn't that a little far-fetched?"

"Is it? How many others do you think have sat here and talked to me like this? She let you close, Fang, you have to know that's huge. She barely lets me close and I'm her sister. That and I like you, that goes a long way."

Serah stood up to go to her room, "So what kept you out all night? Out with that blonde character?"

Serah blushed a little, "Maybe, what's it to you?"

"I just want to make sure he's right for my future sister in law." They smiled at each other, "Goodnight, Serah."

"Goodnight, Fang."

Fang sat for a while in the quiet living room. I wonder if Claire is that serious about our relationship. I understand that this is new for her, but I've become really attached to her and it would painful to let that go. What can I do, though? Just wait and hope I guess. At least I have her sister's blessing.

She got up and slowly opened the door to Lightning's room, slipping carefully into bed next to her. Lightning pulled Fang's arm back around her and, her voice drowsy from sleep, she asked, "Where'd you go?"

Fang rested her head on the pillow, "I heard the front door open, but it was just Serah."

"I wonder where she was."

Fang smiled, "She didn't say." She closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep."

-DSOF-

Vanille woke up in the morning in a bed that wasn't hers and a room she didn't recognize. A tuft of silver hair stuck out of the blankets beside her and she smiled at the memory of the previous night. What had started as an innocent sleep over had turned into a night of passionate lovemaking. She was sore, but in all the right ways.

She got up and Hope stirred, "Vanille?" His voice was thick from sleep and she smiled at it. 'I'll have to make a point to hear it more often.' "You're still here? I thought sure it was a dream and you'd be gone when I woke up."

She leaned over and kissed him, "Nope, still here." She checked her phone and didn't find any messages. That's weird, Fang should have been looking for me. I wonder why she didn't text me.

Around the same time, Fang woke up to find Lightning sitting on the edge of the bed. She popped a couple of pills into her mouth and downed a glass of water. "Does your arm still hurt?"

Lightning winced when she tried to rotate her shoulder, "Yeah, it hurts worse than yesterday. I can barely move it."

Arms snaked around Lightning's waist and Fang pressed against her, "Then I guess I'll spend another day with you."

"You don't have to."

Fang pulled her nightshirt down a little and kissed her bare shoulder, "You don't think I want to?"

"I don't know, maybe you have things to do at home."

"Nothing that can't wait."

Lightning got up and started fishing around for clothes, "I need a shower."

Fang bit her lip at the thought, "Want some help, sweetheart?"

"Help bathing or help out of these clothes?" Lightning asked with a smirk on her face.

"Whichever you prefer, I wouldn't mind either."

"Make yourself at home, Fang, I'll be right out." Lightning left the room and Fang found herself aroused at the thought of a naked Lightning in the next room. I need a shower myself, a cold ass shower.

She headed for the kitchen, where Serah was already making herself some breakfast. "Morning, Fang, how'd you sleep?"

"Who wouldn't sleep fine next to your sister?"

"Yeah, she's really cuddly. When we were younger I would always use her as a pillow, but she would get mad." A knocking sound ran through the house and Fang looked confused, "She knows I'm talking about her."

The bathroom door opened a crack and Lightning shouted out, "I am not cuddly."

The door closed again and Fang balked, "How the bloody hell did she hear you?"

Serah shrugged, "I don't know, but she always seems to know when I'm talking about her."

They chatted about nothing for a bit until the bathroom door opened and Lightning entered wearing a pair of shorts and a tank top. Fang inhaled the scent of her, Perfect. She sauntered up to Fang who put her arm around her waist, Lightning didn't rebuff her. Serah asked, "How does your arm feel, Claire?"

"It hurts like hell."

"I told you to sit one out, but you don't ever listen to me." Lightning elbowed her in the ribs the walked over to the fridge and pulled out a sandwich, taking half for herself and giving half to Fang, who thanked her.

They ate together until Serah had to leave for class. Afterwards Lightning and Fang settled down onto the couch and watched TV. Fang's phone buzzed, a text from Vanille. Where are you?

Fang responded, At the Farron's, taking care of Claire.

Her phone buzzed in response, That was fast, was it good? ;)

Fang chuckled, Wouldn't you like to know?

The response, Oooh, so it was really good then.

Shut up. I probably won't be home until later tonight or tomorrow morning. See you then.

Fang sighed as she ran her fingers through Lightning's hair, "Lightning, you know that I really care for you and that I want you to be comfortable with the pace of our relationship, but if things get hot and heavy like yesterday, I may not be able to hold back."

"I may not want you to." They spent the rest of the afternoon together laughing and watching TV until nightfall when Fang left for her own house, only after Lightning promised to call her if she needed anything. Fang gave her a kiss before she left, neither of them heard the click of the camera shutter or the patter of feet running away from the house.