Chapter 14 – Goodbye

Prologue

Fang and Vanille stood at the front gate of P.L.R. Vanille asked, "Do you think we can trust this Trinko? I know he and Serah are close and all, but isn't it a little risky?"

Fang responded, "Maybe, but he did what none of us thought of. He actually found out where Lightning was. I'd rather stick with him instead of trying to manage without his expertise in fighting and investigating. That's what PSICOM did, right?"

Vanille said, "I think so, but I'm not too sure on the investigating part."

"Whatever. We should –"

Fang's communicator beeped. She took it in her hand. The long, skinny, phone-like communicator was similar to the one she used to talk to Snow in Palumpolum three years ago. She flipped it open and brought it to her ear. "Yeah?"

Static. No person was speaking.

'The hell?' "Who is this? Hello?"

Vanille asked, "What's wrong?"

Fang heard a crackling voice. "Fang… soldiers…for us… get ready…. Fight."

That was all Fang could hear between the static. "What? You're breaking up?"

It was clearer now, "Fang, it's Snow. There are some armored soldiers coming straight for New Bodhum. They're armed! We need to get ready for a fight!"

Fang dropped the communicator. "Vanille, let's go!"

Vanille ran after Fang, who started to run into the base. "What's going on?"

Fang said, "It looks like we're under attack!"

Fang thought, 'Why do I feel like they could have come from the other side of that portal? That guy, Noctis, better not have been lying to us about knowing Lightning.'

Chapter 14 – Goodbye

Lightning couldn't believe it. Why was she forced to go to a damn ball? She wasn't even dressed up, not that she minded. She ignored all of the puzzled or appalled stares from the party guests. They were all snooty nobles anyway. Gladiolus put his arm around her shoulder to force her to the middle of the room. "Well, Light, don't you think you should stay for a little bit? Even Noctis over there was willing to attend for a short time."

Ignis said, "He doesn't like all the attention he gets from social events. That's why he didn't dress up; he'd rather get out as soon as possible without having to dance with anyone." Of course, Ignis knew he would be dancing with someone anyway. It was all part of the plan.

Prompto, on the other side of the room, addressed the king with a bow. "Good evening, Your Majesty. Having fun?"

Solis said, "Yes, but why so formal tonight?"

Prompt shrugged, "Dunno, just feel like being all fancy."

Noctis rolled his eyes. "Come on, I don't want to be here much longer. Let's get out of here."

Prompto glanced over at Gladiolus and Ignis. They were gradually working Lightning to the middle of the dance floor. 'Phase one, complete. Commencing phase two.' Prompto grabbed Noctis by his shoulder. "Actually, we promised someone they could dance with you."

Noctis glared at him. "You did what?"

"Don't worry, you'll like it!"

"Prompto!" Noctis was forcing Prompto out of his way to the door. Prompto did the best he could to push Noctis over to Gladiolus and Ignis. 'Come on, Noct! This is all part of the plan!'

Gladiolus and Ignis weren't having much luck either. They were almost to the dance floor, but Lightning was strong. It would take forever to get her there! Luckily her boot slipped, allowing the men to usher her faster. They met Prompto in the middle of the dance floor. With a final shove, Gladiolus and Prompto caused Lightning and Noctis to bump into each other. The two stared at each other awkwardly for a moment.

"Have fun!" Prompto declared before disappearing into the crowd of eager dancers. A song was starting.

"Wait a minute!" Lightning shouted.

Ignis put Noctis' hand on Lightning's waist. He took Lightning's and put it on Noctis' shoulder. "Don't forget your dancing posture."

With that, the boys left. The party goers around them started dancing. Noctis and Lightning stood there, in shock of what just happened. Lightning, ready to get out of this awkward situation, let go of Noctis to try and finally leave. She was stopped by Prompto. "Where are you going!"

Prompto pushed her back to Noctis, who caught her clumsily. Ignis set up their posture again. With a friendly push, Gladiolus got them to start moving with the rest of the dancers.

Noctis understood what was going on; It was a set up! His stupid ass friends planned this! They were going to make him dance with Lightning… which wasn't a bad idea.

Noctis began to move his feet in a gracious matter. He hated it, but he was used to dancing. Lightning, on the other hand, was foolishly slipping as she tried to figure out what she was doing. She moved in her own directions, ignoring Noctis' steps. "Let me lead!" He whispered.

"No!"

Noctis wished she wouldn't be so stubborn right now. When he went left, she went right. When she went back, she was supposed to go forward with him. It was starting to get frustrating. When the time came for Noctis to spin Lightning, she nearly toppled over another couple, who gawked at then with snobby eyes.

Lightning released Noctis' hand and began to walk away. Noctis just stood there, trying to comprehend what had happened. But she couldn't get away. Noctis' friends forced her back to Noctis, set them up to dance again, and kept them moving.

Lightning started to give in and follow his steps. She was starting to get it. She turned with Noctis, went the same direction, and even stopped fumbling around for a little bit. Noctis was proud. She had learned so quickly. "I didn't know you were a fast learner." He smiled down at her.

"Shut up."

Noctis chuckled. The finale was coming. He warned, "Okay, this next part will be tricky, pay close attention."

Lightning nodded. She was too busy concentrating to try and run now. The music became more dramatic. Noctis started moving faster. Lightning could barely keep up. "It's okay," He said, "Just follow me."

Lightning obeyed. He spun her around, only more carefully this time. He willingly grasped her waist to move her around. When the finale came, he dipped her down low and caressed her back. He held her face close to his. The dance was over. Noctis slowly brought Lightning back up. He never took his eyes off of hers.

Back at the king's throne, Prompto, Ignis, and Gladiolus shared a high-five. Their plan had worked. They would have to thank Wen for helping out later.

Noctis didn't let go of Lightning. He kept her close, just staring at her. Lightning couldn't move. She was too preoccupied with gazing into Noctis' eyes. She realized that she was feeling dizzy. Maybe from all of that spinning and dipping. "I need to get some fresh air."

Noctis took his arms from her. "Here, this way."

Noctis lead Lightning to a balcony, away from the rest of the people. His watching friends commented, "Ooo, they're going to comfortable now, huh?" Ignis just rolled his eyes.

The balcony was three times bigger than Lightning's. A gold curtain blocked the ballroom from the outside, probably to keep bugs out. Lightning walked to its edge. The rail came up to her waist. She sat down on it. Noctis sat next to her. "You actually did pretty well out there."

Lightning growled, "Your friends better not try anything like that again."

Noctis countered, "They're your friends too."

Lightning looked down. "It was still embarrassing."

"Yeah, maybe it could have looked better if we both dressed for the occasion."

Lightning glared at him. "Yeah, right."

Noctis complimented, "I'm sure you would look beautiful in a ball gown."

Lightning blushed. He reached over and took her hands. "I mean it."

Lightning answered, "You probably won't see me in one."

Noctis chuckled. "Probably not," he snaked his arms around her waist. "but you're perfect without one." He leaned down to her face and kissed her right on the lips.

Lightning was too shocked to do anything at first. She just sat there with her eyes wide open. But she soon relaxed, returning his kiss.

'What did I just do?' Noctis didn't know how he decided to kiss her, but damn, it was worth the risk of her killing him. Her lips were so warm and soft. He hugged her waist close to his body, as if it were longing for her. He felt her hug him back, returning the pressure of his kiss. That made him kiss her harder. He didn't want to make her too uncomfortable, but now that he knew she accepted his affection, he wanted more. He passionately deepened the kiss.

Lightning didn't think. She acted. She clenched his back with all of her might. She forced her lungs to go without air just so she could kiss him. She understood now; she cared for him. She couldn't deny it any longer. He was a part of her. Fate sent her to his world, his kingdom, so she may meet him. He was meant to meet her.

Even though Lightning was just figuring that out, Noctis was sure how he felt.

He loved her.

He needed her. He CRAVED her. She meant everything to him. In such a short time, she had taken over his life, taken over his heart. She was willing enough to take him with every flaw he had, every insecurity he housed. She didn't care that he was royalty or the most powerful man in the world. She only cared that he was himself. For that, he loved her. He knew it for sure. He had to repeat it to himself a million times.

I love you. I love you. I love you. It was all he could think during her kiss.

Noctis started to feel lightheaded. He realized neither of them had taken a breath since the beginning of their kiss. He hesitantly pulled back, sad to let her go. They both gasped for air. Noctis stared into Lightning's eyes. She was everything he could ever want. She was all he required to be happy. She was his everything. He was crushed when she sprang up from her seat on the stone rail. "I have to go."

She hastily walked over to a stone staircase that went from the balcony to a garden. Noctis couldn't just watch her go. He leapt from the rail. He called, "Wait!" He ran into the dark garden. The moonlight provided little visibility. If Lightning hadn't been wearing white, it would have been difficult to find her. He grabbed her wrist as she walked away. "Wait, Lightning!"

Lightning held still. She didn't say anything.

"What's wrong?"

"I can't get so attached to you."

Noctis felt crushed. She had just kissed him. Now she was avoiding him. "But why not?"

She started to shout. "Don't you get it? I don't belong here! I'm a L'Cie! Something that doesn't exist here! I have things I HAVE to get back to! I'm sorry…" Her voice quieted. "But I just can't stay. I need to get back to Serah."

Noctis' heart was shattering. He just realized that he loved her. But he knew it couldn't be. He was a prince. She was a L'Cie. It couldn't work. "You're not happy here… are you?"

Lightning didn't answer.

Noctis let her wrist fall. "Follow me."

Lightning turned around. He was walking away from the castle. "Where are you going?"

He just said, "Follow me. I will take you home."

Noctis took Lightning to the outskirts of the kingdom. He didn't speak the whole way there. He was giving up the one he learned to love. He was letting go of his the one he cared for the most. His heart couldn't take it. He knew if he spoke he would start to have second thoughts.

He led her to the top of the hill that hid the chasm. He turned to her. "Look down there."

She stepped forward. She gasped at the sight. The portal. The same one that took her from her home. "That's it."

Noctis explained, "I found it the other day. Your friends were on the other side. Serah sounded worried."

Lightning stared at him. "You talked to Serah?"

"The ones who did most of the talking were Fang, Serah, and one more named Trinko."

Lightning mumbled, "He came looking for me too?"

Noctis said, "It seems like they were all frantically trying to find you. Fang wanted me to talk to her again later today, but I think it may be better for you to send you home now."

Lightning gawked in disbelief. "You're… letting me go?"

Noctis turned his back to her. He stared back at his city. "I fully healed you earlier. And you are not a prisoner here. You are free to go as you please. I won't stop you."

Lightning knew he was sad. He was speaking in a monotone, obviously trying to mask his hurt feelings. She felt bad for yelling at him earlier. "Look, Noctis, I…"

Noctis interrupted, "You don't have to apologize. I know you want to go. So just go." He didn't want to bear with his pain of watching her leave any longer.

Lightning continued, "That's not what I was going to say. I am grateful to all you've done for me. I don't know what may have happened if you hadn't taken me in. I can never repay you."

Noctis answered, "Don't worry, you don't have to pay me back. Just… promise me one thing."

Lightning waited for his request.

"Be happy over there. And… Never forget me." He could handle the thought that she was leaving for good, but him just becoming a memory to her… that was too much.

"I could never forget you." Noctis smiled at that. If only he was from her world. Maybe then he could be with her.

"But I can't make that promise." Noctis' heart sunk. So she would try to forget him?

"Why not?"

"I have a better one in mind."

Noctis was puzzled. "What kind of promise are you thinking of."

Lightning pushed her fist into his back, just as she did to Snow on Pulse. "What if I promise to come back instead?"

Noctis turned to face her. He looked down into her gorgeous eyes. "What?"

Lightning said, "If I can, I will come back. You know, to visit."

Noctis smiled. "That sounds better."

Lightning frowned. "So then, I guess… this is goodbye. For now."

Noctis' smile faded. "Yes. I guess so."

Lightning turned to jump into the ditch. Noctis called after her. "Even if you can't come back, I promise I won't forget you. You are… the most important person in my life."

Lightning's eyes welled up in tears. A few fell down her cheeks. She knew she may not be able to see him ever again. It hurt. She couldn't answer his call. It was too painful. She got a running start then jumped into the chasm.

Noctis whispered, "Goodbye, Lightning. I will always love you."

Author's Note: Fear not, this is not the end. In fact, this in the beginning of the end. You'll find out why in the next chapter!

Will Noctis just let Lightning go? Is something attacking the P.L.R? Will Lightning return home to find chaos? Find out in chapter fifteen!