This is a series, hence the strange title/numeration. There will be a set of "flashes" dealing with characters that didn't quite make it into Kingdom Hearts. You're welcome to leave your guesses (although it should't be too hard) in your reviews.

This is a reflection on an idea that crosses many peoples' mind... chance, destiny, whatever you call it. Say you met the love of your life while walking down the street... But what if they'd decided to take the bus instead that day?

37) flashes:
#1, happenstance (cid, ?)

Cid was irate. The reasons for this were enough to fill a book, but currently, one event was targeted in the crosshairs of Cid's temper. It was the fact that he was standing here, right now, in the Marketplace, getting groceries. Next thing, he'd be driving a minivan and dropping Leon off at soccer and Yuffie at ballet.

What was he, some kind of nanny? Cid snorted derisively and lit up a cigarette.

It didn't help that he was probably getting ripped off worse than a week-old Band-Aid. Haggling wasn't his forte; as if he knew what anything was really worth here. Aerith did all of the shopping, he did all the eating, and everything worked out just fine. Until Leon had to go and mortally wound himself, tying up Little Miss Healer for the foreseeable future.

Cid was currently picking over a selection of fruits overseen by a very pushy vendor, who was probably trying to stick the clueless idiot with the bad fruit that no one else in their right mind would buy. Cid grunted a curse.

"Here, what are you looking for?"

A woman appeared at his side, smiling good-naturedly. Cid grunted. "Some apples. Bananas. Peach or two. Dunno."

She laughed, and despite himself Cid found the corners of his lips twitching upward. "Let me guess: wife couldn't do the shopping today?" she teased.

"Somethin' like that." Cid turned his attention back to the fruit stand. "Got anythin' special you'd recommend?"

She launched into a very animated discussion of fruit, which Cid promptly tuned out. She was quite pretty, with hair a shade between black and brown and sparkling, mischievous eyes set off by a pair of simple drop earrings. Her sweater constantly got in the way as her nimble fingers picked over the various fruits. Cid wondered dimly where she'd gotten it; wool that nice was difficult to come by. Especially in sky-blue with a pair of wings embroidered on the back.

"Hel-lo?" She waved a hand in front of his face. "I asked if you'd prefer things to preserve or things to eat immediately."

Cid blinked. The girl gave him a rueful grin, and tossed in a handful of dates into his bag. It had somehow been filled while he had been daydreaming. "Well, that should cover you for a few days, in any case. Enough time for your wife to restock in a few days!" She paused and grinned. "You're a million miles away. Look into my eyes: you're-going-to-like-me!"

Cid chuckled. "S'pose I don't got much of a choice." He handed his money to the vendor, who looked glum at missing his chance to unload his poorer stock. "What's yer name? I got some people who'd like to meet yo—"

He stopped abruptly. The girl was gone, blue sweater and all. Cid blinked several times, checking his bag again. The fruit was still there. He turned to the shopkeeper. "Didja—ahh… I mean… Oh, fergit it."

Lighting another cigarette, Cid headed back to the house. Figment of his imagination or not, that girl had a little magic in her.

Interpret as you wish.

Reviews are wonderful. My story arc is chugging along; I have 10/14 chapters finished. Requests left in the last few chapters have also been filed!

Speaking of requests... Anyone have any idea for a Christmas Espy you'd like to see?

-Akiko