Hey guys and girls! I'm already back with another chapter. And it's only over Lightning and Noctis. So you won't have to skip any part and will be able to read to your heart's content. Just kidding. I really hope you'll like it, since I think it is a little weird. But with the latest even, I think it was kinda bound to happen. I seem to love to show Lightning has a social drinker. And that's all I'm going to say about this chapter. The rest is for you to read!

Oh, just to answer my reviewer, yes, Noctis has gotten terribly strong. And he doesn't control it! He thinks he's learning, but he's still pretty unstable. And I hope that things won't get out of hand. Because a lot of people could get hurt. And he doesn't need that now.

Well then, have a nice time reading!

Episode I – Soldiers and spies – Part XII

Date: 19 027 A.D. December 17th

Location: Planet Earth, flying over Argentina, post-wedding airship

Mission: Getting intel on Seymour Baldin, a mafia's baron who've never been caught up in anything before. Still known only as a drill instructor and trainer for the army, he's a harsh and independent man.

Agents chosen for the mission: Agent Lightning. Agent Raven. Agent Stella.

Warning: A malfunction has happened on the airship but no casualty taken to any passenger. Still trying to find out what happened.

Latest report: Raven mentioned discovering a certain link between Baldin and a spaceship in construction, known as the Antlion…

Message from G.I. six. End of transmission.

…

Lightning was sitting next to Noctis, in the last restaurant standing in the whole airship. They were alone, Rikku had sealed herself in her own room while Seymour was threatening to court-martial the people that had let this terrible ship malfunction happened. The principal responsible, our favorite spy, was shifting uneasily on his chair as only a few people where talking, laughing or dancing around. Lightning hadn't eaten much lately. She was pretty worried, as everyone else. The engineers hadn't found any way to explain what had happened. One piece of the main engine had been destroyed, taking all the ship's stability down with it. They had almost crashed down, but the pilot and the mechanics had managed to save the day, replacing the broken piece with a spare one in the blink of an eye. Noctis had been acting weirder than ever since the accident and Lightning had some doubt about his whereabout. She knew he had been sneaking in Seymour and Rikku's room to get some clues. He had had some, terrible clues of what lied ahead. But the fact that the ship broke while he was away from her sounded strange. Why this precise moment? And why had he come so quickly to find her, as if he'd known something was happening? He wasn't panicking at that time, at least, not for all the commotion. As if he knew everything all along. And what if he did?

"What's bothering you, Noct?" she asked him.

"Wha… Nothing, Light. I'm just a little… on edge."

He felt so bad for lying to her. And for doing something like that to all those innocent people just to keep up his cover. What was he thinking, really? They both sighed. The news of Seymour's plans was a pretty heavy weigh to carry. He was preparing a large scale operation. The whole planet seemed threaten. But what could they do? It was just a getting more intel mission. They weren't supposed to work on the making things right part. That would come after, in another mission, for other agents, maybe...

"I guess it's only natural. After all that happened…"

They didn't really feel like eating and Noctis forced himself to finish his plate. Lightning pushed her dish away from her and looked around, trying to find something that could occupy her mind. She needed to do something, anything.

"What time is it?" she asked him suddenly.

"What? Huh… About seven, I guess. It's already dark out." he replied.

His watch was broken since the little incident in the engine room. Heck, the damn thing was in pieces! He hadn't noticed it at first. His shockwaves were so quick there was almost no rebound to them once they destroyed their target. Sadly, he didn't know how to aim this kind of weapon. He would have to ask more over it to Stella. At first, he didn't want to hear anything over Radiant powers. He was so disgusted at the feeling of being a stranger to his own kin. He couldn't be different. He had already missed two years of his life, wasn't it enough?

Lightning looked back at him, a little smirk on her face.

"How about a drink, Noct?"

And her smirk gave him the chills. Lightning wasn't a big drinker. She'd got herself drunk only when she knew some guy she could trust was there to back her up. And he wasn't sure if he was ready for a drunk Lightning.

"Things are looking that bad?"

"Alright then, how about ONE drink?"

She wouldn't fool him with just that. She hated to lose control, but when she was giving up and starting to drink, it was hard to stop her. And would he know when to stop himself?

"One drink, huh?"

"Oh man, and you were a mercenary once in your life? Even if I did get drunk, it wouldn't be that bad!"

Alright, now she was playing with his pride. As if he wasn't game for a drink or two. Then again, hadn't Stella told him he shouldn't drink too much? He couldn't recall anything like that in her few recommendations considering his health. And he wasn't really listening to the few she had done, so far. Not overusing his powers. No exaggeration in physical efforts. His last training sessions had been easier, but his legs were always hurting a lot when he would get to sleep.

"Alright, Light, we'll have it your way."

A moment later, they were in the ship's bar, which was almost empty at the instant. The barman looked surprised to see people, and the DJ was almost shocked. But after two beers and three shooters, Lightning was asking for music to dance on and Noctis followed her on the dance floor. More people joined in, deciding they should take things lightly even if they had been scared a moment ago. It would make it easier to release all of the stress. Because it was all it was really about for Lightning. The usual pattern started, as Noctis noticed, a drink, a dance, a drink, a dance, and so on. An hour later, there were so much people on the dance floor; it was getting hard not to be crushed between two persons.

They had to be so close not to lose each other in the crowd it was hard to bear it. But it was good, oh so good. Noctis felt light as a cloud on a sunny day. His mind was clear of worries, which he was thankful too and in this state of mind, he couldn't see how he could put anyone in danger with his powers. They wouldn't work unless he was really angry or confused. And he was anything but that. Oh, slightly confused, maybe. Not that he mind. Lightning was confused too, by anything that wasn't him. Noctis had never like to dance, not that much, he was too shy usually. But to lighten up his Lightning, there wasn't much he couldn't do. And with a few beers down, it was getting easier, as most things.

The lights and shadow switching in the air were hypnotic and Lightning had to focus only on Noctis to forget the other bodies brushing sometimes against hers. It felt as if they were one with a human wave, just moving to the groove, loosing their mind. She liked that feeling. She never had a chance to surrender to it when she was a teen. Too busy working in part time jobs and taking care of Serah. Looking after her. Going down in bars to find her if she was running off and bringing her back home, to give her the telling-off of her life! Cloud often helped her, playing the dad's role. It hadn't been easy. Though they'd share joy, she still felt bad for playing the strict mother as she did. Serah didn't seem to resent her, but somehow, a guilty feeling lingered.

And right now, she felt so pleased to let go of all her worries, to forget about everything connected with reality. Only listening to music, letting the beat run through her. It was so loud, so overwhelming. Not to think about what she was doing, about people looking at her. Pressing herself against Noctis' chest, forcing him into an embrace that was permitted only by the fact most of the place wasn't always lighted. His hands were on her, all on her. And at this moment, friend or faking husband, she couldn't care less. It was Noctis. It was all she needed to know.

"Light," he managed to whisper in her ears.

He had to yell to cover the volume of the music, but it sounded as a whisper, really.

"What is it?" she yelled back.

Her throat was dry and her lips felt sticky from the beer. Not to mention the sweat all over her body. Suddenly, she realized that the people around looked strange. They had two or three heads. Funny, she thought. Alien had joined the party.

"Let's get out." he suggested her.

Getting out? But she was having fun for the first time since so long!

She swung around, to look at him and make him understand they weren't going anywhere. She almost lost her balance and could have been stamped over by the other dancers if Noctis hadn't been with her. He dragged her out of the crowd. He felt that he was losing his self control and that was bad. His mind was going in all kind of directions. Most of them implied getting Lightning naked and he still knew he couldn't do that with a public around. He tried to shake himself back to reality, but reality was nothing but chaotic music and Lightning grabbing on his neck to keep herself steady. She had left her brown coat at their table and was wearing a white top and a tight black jean. Her breasts were round next to his chest and he could tell all their "dirty" dancing had awakened something within her. He was aroused too. She smelled beer and sweat and even that seemed appealing right now. He held her as close as he could, trying to find the exit of the bar. She was giggling a bit. Stroking his biceps in awe. Dammit, she was drunk. And so was he!

For some reason, he doubted there was only alcohol in his last shooter. Or maybe the mix of beer and otherworld shooters. How should he know what a Shoopuf glass was, anyway? All that matter now was to find the way back to their room and fast! Lightning let him drag her all the way out of the bar, burst into laughter as she saw someone in a corridor and he couldn't help but think that her laugh was funny. She was pretty even now.

"Where are we going?" she asked him.

He had pushed an elevator button, waiting for the thing to arrive.

"To our room," he replied.

She started to laugh again. Her hands were under his shirt now. Oh she was going to drive him crazy before that they even get there, why did she had to put him through that right now? He needed the relaxing sensation of not having a care in the world for a moment, right, but this? Something deep deep within his brain knew this was wrong. It had to be. Lightning pulled on his hair and forced him into a kiss. She tasted a strange mix of beer and sweets. What had she eaten to taste like that? He pulled away from her, trying to focus. He didn't mind her taste now, not really, but he had to keep priority. First, they needed a room. The elevator doors opened. It was empty. That could do the trick. He pushed her inside. She lost balance and fell down on her butt. Started laughing even more. Gosh, she was way too drunk. He helped her up. Pushed every button of the elevator. As he tackled her to the elevator wall, he felt bad. This wasn't like him at all. And this had nothing to do with the Lightning he was used to.

"Noctis?" she asked, her face slowly turning red.

Was it from the alcohol in her veins or the heat from the dance floor, or his breath on her. Or maybe was it the lust in his eyes… He could see the reflection in her own irises… And this was wrong, really wrong. He wanted her, even while not drunk, but to get to her like that, it was a cheap shot.

He stood back, one hand on each of her side, to keep himself away from her. Apart from her warm body. His legs felt weak under his weigh suddenly.

"What's going on?"

"I think we're both losing it, Light."

"Losing what?"

"Come on, you know what I mean, deep down."

The elevator came to a stop. On the wrong floor. She pushed a button and had it closing on the exit. The good one this time. Nine floors away from where they were.

"Deep down," she repeated, letting her hands trail all over him.

Was she really drunk? Was it him who had gone too far? Was she testing him? Toying with him? Why would she be?

"Light…"

"I'm still angry with you, you know. It's just… Tonight, I think we can come to a truce. But only for tonight." she whispered.

Her arms laced around his neck. And her breath went down his collar, through to fabric and on his skin. Getting to their room seemed as the only good thing to do right now. Hell, was there drug in their food? He felt weird. Alcohol never turned him on that easily. And normally, he wouldn't even have the strength to go all the way till the act was complete and would just fall sound asleep before to know what had happened to him. He almost tripped as he rushed out of the elevator and into the corridor when they finally arrived on it. Lightning laughed and he joined her, letting the haze come over his eyes too. She had gotten him into it, this was what she wanted, surely. Or maybe not? Was he taking his own desires and dreams for reality?

She kissed him on the chin and went down to his neck, lifting up his shirt. He raised her in his arms, grabbing her butt, not caring from the fact people could see them anymore. There was a limit to what he could bear. Lightning's back hit the door to their room, gently, as he pulled her lips into a passionate kiss. It tasted salty, because of the sweat. She felt her stomach churned in protest. But her inner legs were heating up. His hands unclipped her bra under her white top and she gasped as he cupped her breasts. Oh, she wanted it to happen, disregarding everything else!

"Get us in." she asked him between two kisses. "In the room."

There was emergency in her voice. He tried to remember where his keys were. She helped him search out his pockets. Let her hands wonder under his pants, under his boxer. He groaned. The keys fell to the floor. Noctis grunted this time, angry at himself. Let go of Lightning's breasts and slowly, slowly got down, letting his head brush against her chest and lower stomach till he could grab the stupid keys. She laughed a little, putting her hands on his shoulder to keep herself steady. He was driving her mad! She was shaking a little. And as he raised himself up and stood tall before her, he felt dizzy. They both laughed as he fought with the keys to open the door. She finished removing his shirt and he would have stripped her naked right there if she hadn't asked him to wait till they were in.

Noctis managed to close the door with his foot, to push her on the bed and to land on her before to lose all that was left of his balance. She huffed under his weight. Groaned as he moved over her.

"You're heavy," she hissed, trying to push him away.

He rolled on his side. Missed the end of the bed and fell on the floor. She burst into laughter. Noctis felt something like rage building up inside him. Tried to hold it back. He had no idea why he should hold it back, he just knew it, but he was pissed now.

"Damn, I'm too drunk!" he said.

"Ha ha ha, ha ha ha, oh, oh…"

Lightning laughing turned into strangled breaths and he fought against gravity to sit up, suddenly worried about her. She was holding her stomach, her bra barely hanging to one of her shoulder under the white top. He tried to avert his eyes from her chest, not to let his body think about it.

"What is it?"

"I don't feel really good."

"How surprising…"

He didn't feel that much better right now, but as long as he didn't move, he could stand it. She tried to get up, only to fall back on the bed. Rolled to the floor, moving carefully. Brought a hand to her mouth and half ran half crawled to the washroom. Noctis rolled his eyes, before to feel the content of his own stomach going all the way up because of the noises his partner was making in the other room. Yeah, really, drinking with Lightning was a bad idea. Especially when he wasn't able to stop himself from drinking…

This was even worse than before they went to the dance floor. Noctis leaned with his back on the wall, trying to focus on the ceiling and to forget that his head was turning and that his stomach was churning and that Lightning had tried to make a move on him just a moment ago. To believe that one or two glass less and she would be his right now… Maybe was it better this way. How would he have faced her if they had woken up in the morning, with him having taken advantage of her in this state? Oh, she would have killed him, surely. So he would still live tomorrow morning. If he could hold back his urge to vomit until she was done herself. Dying seemed like a nice option for a moment. And he knew that tomorrow morning would be even worse…

…

Fortunately, for once, Noctis was wrong. As he woke up the next morning, he discovered that Lightning was out of sight. His neck was painful, and he realized that he had been slipping in the bath. Still wearing all of his clothes. Alright, so basically, after that Lightning went to throw up and he'd kinda lost count of what was going on, nothing bad happened. His mind was still a mess, he couldn't understand why he felt reassured to still have his clothes on. Well, only his pants. Lightning had taken off his shirt after all. His shoulders were numb from the hard cold ceramic. He got out of the bath, moving slowly. His head was a battleground.

Strange pictures were running through his head. Lightning in a mix of flashing lights and shadows. Stella's face. Words ringing in his ears, while the world was silent all around. And Rufus talking to someone, while he was imprisoned behind transparent walls. He remembered the time when he woke up from his coma. Naked and confused. It felt slightly the same, but at least, he had his pants on. He forced himself to chase his boss out of his mind. But the pictures imposed themselves to him. As he got on his knees, he felt hands running over his body. Nasty, unwanted hands… Pain, as needles plunging in his flesh. But he could tell nobody was around. It was only memories. Or the remnants of a bad dream. He shook his head. Curse under his breath for doing so.

"He could die any moment, all he can do is breath on his own. Take whatever you can from him so that we don't lose everything we had." a man was saying in his mind.

"But sir…"

Was it Stella's voice? She looked kinda scared. He closed his eyes. The pictures came back, and he was seeing himself lying motionless on the operation table, surrounded by scientists. What were they doing to him? He could feel their gloved hands on him, it made him sick. No, they weren't, they couldn't… ! He quickly opened his eyes, to get the images away. He'd consider the possibility of being manipulated during his coma, it had lasted two years after all. But something inside him couldn't let him consider every side of the question. It was too disgusting to even think about it. And now, it felt as if he was remembering. Or imagining? He held his skull in his hands, trying to get all the thoughts away.

To shut his mind off whatever could have been done to him while he was unconscious. To forget the sickening feeling. To focus on the present. On Lightning that must still be in the other room. He wanted to yell, he wanted to punch someone in the guts. Was his mind playing tricks on him? This looked real. It was possible, dammit, anything could have happened to him back there. Any traces of anything could have been erased by time and healing. But how could they… Why would they…? He couldn't put the thought into words, he couldn't, that would just break down what was left of his courage. And the rage, the rage at the very thought of it truly taking place. It filled him as he was starting to shake.

The shockwave burst out of his body, breaking the bathroom's mirror to pieces. Noctis tried to swallow it all back down, but he hadn't much strength left. He got up, slowly, his teeth clenched, his head throbbing in protest to his every move. The shards fell to the floor and cracked under his shoes as he walked out. It was hard to breath. Hard to think. He wanted to call Stella and ask her if what he'd just seen was right. But how could he even supposed she would have been involved in something like that? It was so low, so low and dirty to take advantage of an unconscious man. But then again, hadn't he almost did the same to Lightning yesterday?

"Nothing happened. Not yesterday, nor ever." he told to himself.

His voice was a strangled whisper in the dark room. And he knew the scientists hadn't gone that far. If the pictures still running in his mind were truly part of his memories, then, those men… Whatever they needed from him, it was in the name of science. For the Black Faction. But to think he'd been touched by them without knowing, to think they could take anything from him without his consent, just to save whatever could be saved from him… He felt used. And he didn't even know what he'd been used for!

The rage gave place to despair. He focused on the here and now, managing to see Lightning lying on their bed, all curled up to herself. He walked up to the bed and gently lay down next to her. He was shaking so much, he'd thought he would wake her up, but she was sleeping soundly. How could he face her in his state? He felt ashamed for yesterday. Even under alcohol's effects, he shouldn't have act as he did. Even if nothing had happened. She had toyed with him too, and that made him mad. But it was nothing compared to the feeling of this men and women around the comatose him.

He stared at Lightning, trying to think only about her, to remember all of their good moments together. So that he would forget. And suddenly, as his thoughts started to mix together, he remembered the terrible ordeal she'd been through because of Dysley and of his own fail at protecting her… She had been through the hands of some scientists at that time. She had been traumatized and that was why she had never been able to entirely forgive him for what had happened. And suddenly, he felt that he could understand her. How awful it had been for her. How terrible he was to resent her for resenting him.

His arms snaked around her waist and she immediately hugged him, holding him close. Her presence and warmth comforted him and ease his shaking. Even if these creepy memories were real, it didn't mean it would change him now. He was still Noctis. And Lightning was still with him. Still needing him. He sighed before to fall asleep.

As Lightning woke up an hour later, it was to feel something clutching at her. She slowly looked down, to see one sleeping Noctis, holding tightly to her. Somehow, he had managed to inverse their role and was lying with his face on her chest. She could feel his breath through the fabric of her white top. She had no bra underneath. And that's how yesterday's events suddenly came back to her mind. She couldn't believe what a fool she'd made of herself! And Noctis' naked back got her worried for a sec. If she was ever going to throw herself back in his arms, at least, she'd like to remember it. And not to be drunk while doing it. Her mouth was sticky, and they both smelled terrible. She needed a shower. And so did he!

And she couldn't remember what had happened after that Noctis dragged her away from the dance floor. She kinda remembered his hands on her. The lust in his blue eyes. His passionate kisses. How she laughed at him. Well, if her memory was clear enough, they hadn't gone and had sex, so at least, her pride over that fact was saved. She tried to have him letting go of her, to get up and have a shower, but his arms were strongly tied around her.

"Noctis…" she whispered, her tone turning harsh.

He started to shake and she couldn't add a single word. What was that? Why was he shaking?

"Noctis?" she asked worriedly.

"I don't want them to do this. I don't!"

And his voice felt weak. Vulnerable. Unlike him. He was having a nightmare. She gently shook him up. His eyes were red as he looked at her, but she ignored it. Instead to mind it, she stroked his hair and his head, even gentlier.

"It's alright Noct. It's alright."

He could have cried if it wasn't for his pride. To think she was the one comforting him while she didn't know a thing about the pain he was feeling. While he was lying to her on so many things. It was wrong. And it pained him even more. But at the same time he was glad. She still cared. So there was at least someone who still cared for real…

"I know…" was all he managed to say through his tight throat.

As to prove his thought, Lightning decided they both needed a shower. He was surprised at first, since she decided they would go together, but she suggested that they wear their swim suit and he finally complied. As she entered the bathroom, he remembered his little loss of control, a little too late to hide it.

"What happened in here?"

The broken shards of the mirror were shining on the floor.

"Huh… I don't know. Maybe that yesterday night got a little more out of hand than I remember it…"

Lightning could have argued that he never got that violent when drunk. But her head hurt too much to think about it. Now, he was sober. She let him clean up the mess and went to change to her swim suit in the room. They brushed their teeth in front of the broken mirror. As a weird couple. And before that he knew it, they were taking a shower together, trying to erase what was left of last night's "party". They had taken shower together before, but never with clothes on. Never on a hangover. They didn't drink that much together. None of them liked to lose control over their selves. The warm water was comforting as it poured on their skin. Noctis let Lightning watched his hair.

"I don't remember ever seeing you with such long hair," she observed.

He hadn't gotten himself a haircut for the last two years. Stella had told him his hair had been cut once, a year ago, but he was still in a coma, so, how was he supposed to remember it?

"Well, it's the first time you noticed it. So, does it look that bad?" he joked.

"No, it's just, weird. It's the only part that seems different about you…"

Saying that, she let her hands wonder over his face.

"I don't know where you're heading Light, but you're playing with my nerves." he warned her.

"How come you haven't changed in any way? Why do I feel like you've been missing me all this time and that nothing has changed between us? It's been two years, but…"

He'd never been good at fooling her. But he wasn't going to let her drive him on this track.

"I can tell there isn't much that has changed on your side either, Light. Otherwise, we wouldn't be here. You wouldn't have gotten drunk with me around yesterday. You wouldn't look at me like that. And I'm sick of this game."

He gently grabbed her hands and forced her to let go of his face. Damn, he wanted to kiss her now, but he couldn't without knowing what she thought. Not while lying to her on everything.

"Noctis…"

"Yesterday, you were pushing me to my limits. You've been testing me from the very first day we started this mission together…"

"I…"

He pushed her on the bathtube's wall. Kept his distance, only touching her wrists. The water was dripping down his shoulders and over his face. His hair was saturated. And his eyes were of pure gold as he asked her:

"Why can't we be as we were? Why must everything change? It's been two years, right. You don't know how fast time went for me while you were away. I wanted to come back if that's what you're going to say, I truly wanted to come back. But I was sure you hated me, Light. And I couldn't face that. I'm still not sure if I can now."

"But I…"

"No buts!" he cut her off. "Claire… Just answer me."

Hearing her real name in his mouth softened her even more. How could she let her pride seal off her feelings anymore? He was wide open before her, only asking for the truth. But she still wasn't sure of herself. She didn't know if she would ever be able to feel certainty while next to him.

"I've missed you, Noctis. I've missed you more than you could ever imagine. But that scared me. That and the feeling I couldn't trust you again. But I want to… And I don't want to at the same time."

Now it was her turn to seem lost. He let go of her wrists, putting his hands on the ceramic wall behind her. So this was about trust?

"I'm stronger than I was back there, Lightning. I may not appear so, but I'm much stronger."

And this wasn't a lie. He was so powerful it was scary, but if it could reassure her to know he could protect her without failing this time.

"I don't want you to be stronger! I want the Noctis I had back then." she replied, her voice shattering in her throat.

Now he was at a loss of words. How could she say that after pushing him away so many times? He stared into her green eyes, trying to understand if the water pouring down her face was only coming from the shower or from her eyes. She turned the water off. Breathed deeply in and out.

"What I meant is… I never really resented you, Noct. And I wanted to tell you, but I was so mad at myself. Because it was my fault, for real. I should have told you everything, about the baby, about the mako in my blood. I shouldn't have put the blame on your shoulders for what happened. You've almost died back there and the only thing you could worry about was still me. And all I did to repay you was to crush you with my wrath…"

So she was really crying. And he wasn't sure he could understand a word of what she was saying anymore. So all this time, all this bickering… Yeah, of course, he'd known, but still… He was the man of every situation. He should have been able to protect her. And he still had failed her.

"It wasn't your fault, Light. Don't cry now, I…"

"But I was a real monster with you."

"I DON'T CARE! Crying over it won't change anything, right?"

His sudden yell had stopped Lightning's weeping. She blinked, looking even more confused. Even a little scared. But she had earned being shaken up a little.

"All that I want, that I ever wanted, is to be with you now. I know I should have came back before and I have no excuses. I guess we were both scared on our side, but now that it's all said and clear, won't you… won't you take me back?"

"But I just said I wanted you back!"

"You said you wanted the Noctis you once had back. And I haven't changed that much, but I've still changed. And I gotta know if you'll take me back as I am now."

She shook her head, unable to understand what he meant. His voice was cracking a little on the last words. How had he changed? She looked him all from up and down. There were a few new scars on his body. He was thinner, as if he hadn't eaten as much as always. She put her hands on his chest, raising her head to look up in his eyes as she closed the distance between them.

"What has changed Noctis? You had missions out there, without me, you got yourself into an explosion and you've had hard times, I can tell, but what's so different about you? You always were like this. Except for the hair. And you've lost some weight…"

"Well, so have you." he replied.

"Tell me what's on your mind, Noct."

"I…"

I'm a monster Light. A monster. Whenever I get angry or confused, everything around me starts breaking up or blowing up. I'm like a walking bomb. But how can I… How can I tell you that and still have you back in my life for good? he thought desperately.

"I want you back as you are, silly, don't get so worked up over the fact you've changed. I was just… I was crying because I thought I wasn't good enough for you anymore."

"What? Now, YOU're saying silly thing!"

She smiled. Her eyes were still a little red, but he could feel her heart beating fast and her finger gently grabbing his shoulders. In the storm of her eyes, she was telling her everything her pride couldn't hear. That he was meant for her. That she couldn't take it and keep on faking her love for him. Because she really loved him. As he was now. She muttered the three words. "I love you." And then she asked him:

"Is that silly?"

That made him smile and he quickly shook his head. Her wet body was pressing against his. Her hands slipped behind his back, holding him closer and he leaned his head down to her, to pull her into a deep, passionate kiss. And this time, it felt for real. Not an urgent feeling of tasting her before that the drunken feeling wore off. Not a need awakened by suggestive noises above their heads. Nobody was there to see them. There weren't any harsh words to be whispered between their kisses. And as he pushed her to the ceramic wall again, she welcomed his embrace. Shivered at the touch of the cold wall. He raised her in his arms so she could be closer to him. Their kiss deepened, taking away their breath. They parted at some point, as if the warm feeling building up inside them was too much to take.

"I've missed you Noctis. Every part of you. Your voice, your shyness, the way you dare, the way you joke at me. Your body. Your hands…"

"Don't… don't go telling me things like that now, Light. I'm this close to…"

"Does it matter now? We're married, aren't we? And this is supposed to be our honeymoon."

"Oh. So you really were after my ass when you got me drunk." he realized.

"Hey! I never said that! Take it back, Noctis Lucis Caelum! And I didn't got you drunk, you do that yourself!"

She punched him in the shoulder and he slipped on the watery bathtub's surface, bringing her down with him in his fall. After the first pain and panic from the sudden fall was passed, Lightning couldn't help but started to laugh.

"Gosh… I'm not fit for romance, really." she said to herself.

"Hey, just because I made a stupid joke doesn't mean you have to forget your plans. I was just teasing you."

"I know. But I'm still mad at you!"

He looked worried for a sec, but soon understood she was paying him back for the joke with another one. She resumed kissing him, before that a loud bang a their apartment's door cut them short in their making out session.

"Hey, Lightning? Are you there? I gotta talk to you."

"Who…" Noctis started, furrowing his eyebrows.

"It's Rikku. She looked worried. Oh, can you believe it, you made me totally forget about the mission!" she hissed under her breath as she tried to get up and out of the bath.

"Oww. And, watch where you're putting that foot."

"Noctis, I gotta get out, let go of me!"

"Hey, it's not my fault this time, I'm stuck. How did we fell…"

"Lightning? Am I interrupting something?"

Lightning was sad of letting Noctis down on this one, but she had to be there for Rikku in case it could help their mission advance. There was way too many things at stake if Seymour was left to complete his terrible plans.

"No, just give me a moment, I was in the shower!"

"Don't yell in my ears," Noctis warned her.

"It's not my fault, if you would let me get up already."

"It wasn't a joke when I said I was stuck. This thing's been made for dwarves or something…"

"Well, it seems you haven't lost enough weight yet." she mocked him.

"What was that?"

"I'll come back later, I didn't mean to annoy you two." Rikku said from the corridor.

"No, no, just give me a sec, Rikku, I'm coming. Ah, where's my bathrobe?"

Finally, Lightning managed to find a way out, much to her brand new boyfriend discomfort.

"Oww!" he protested as she almost stepped on him and was finally out.

"Help me here Noctis, haven't you seen my bathrobe?"

"Why would you need one for a honeymoon trip, huh?"

"You…!"

To be continued…

Well, I don't really know what to think of this chapter. I liked the little fights between Lightning and Noctis. And Noctis' flash of memory. I didn't explain what really happened while he was in his coma, but things will soon clear up. I guessed I wanted to do a solely Lightis chapter this time, since I had talked about Cloud and Yuna so much. I'll wrap the first episode with next chapter, which shall be over our three couple. And then, I'll start episode 2, finally! I hope I'll finish the third chapter for this weekend. I'm writing a lot, since school has started again, and having something else to do, especially homeworks, gives me a lot of inspiration. Really. XD

I hoped you didn't mind me messing with Lightning and Noctis in the first half. I totally had to get them drunk. It helped Noctis getting back some of his memory from his coma and this will prove important in the future. At the same time, it raised question, since Lightning was quite daring lately for someone who wanted only to be friend. And even if somethings have been said and they're supposedly back together, things could turn wrong. After all, Noctis still hadn't told everything to Lightning. And Stella isn't far and could try to ruin everything. And Rikku has problems! What will happen in the next, exciting chapter of Black Faction? –I'm really sorry, I've been listening to way too much DBZ episodes with my sis and my lil' bro, I couldn't help myself…- So then, what will we have on program for next chapter? Romance, action, betrayal and maybe, epic fights?

I can't wait to write it. But if inspiration was to fail me, I hope that I'll have a few reviews to help me see how I could improve this chapter and those that should follow. If you think that my sense of humor is wacked, well, yeah, I'm weird. But I had fun writing this. Oh, and before to go, I wanted to ask you if you think I went too far with anything in his chapter. Criticism's always welcome! ^^