LIGHTNING

"Miss? Miss? Are you okay?" said the first muffled voice.

"Did you see what happened?" said another.

"No, I just found her like this."

"Have you called an ambulance? Good."

Lightning groaned. When she opened her eyes her vision was blurry and she could only make out basic outlines of people leaning over her. She tried to call out, but her voice failed her. Before she could make sounds any more than incoherent groans another two figures appeared and began handling her, checking her pulse and her eyes and loading her into the back of a van. She was so disoriented that the whole experience was a jumbled blur. When her senses finally returned she was being wheeled out of the van and into a hospital.

"What's going on?" she asked one of the paramedics by the side of her stretcher.

"We're not entirely sure, but you're in good hands. The doctors here will give you a full run down."

The second paramedic briefed the receiving nurse before Lightning was wheeled into the ER.

"I don't feel like there's anything wrong with me." Lightning said to the triage nurse. The nurse nodded but didn't look up from the clipboard she was scribbling notes on. When finished she placed the clipboard at the base of Lightning's bed.

"A doctor will be here to see you shortly," the nurse said, and left Lightning in the corridor. Lightning sighed and looked around. There were a number of other beds in view with others waiting to be seen by doctors. Beyond the hallway where she was parked she could see the entry to the main waiting room of the ER. Ripping the IV drip from her arm and bolting out the exit crossed her mind but she didn't know what happened, and that concerned her. She decided it couldn't hurt to be checked out.

"Name and date of birth?" A young doctor pulled her chart from the bed and looked at Lightning.

"Lightning Farron, 13th May 21 BF."

The doctor raised an eyebrow. "Excuse me, can you repeat the year again?"

Lightning paused. She hadn't thought before she'd spoken. She had no idea what year it was, and what the implication of her answer would be.

"I'm not sure." she answered.

"Do you know how old you are?" The doctor asked.

Lightning thought for a while before answering, "21".

"Okay, good. Apparently you were found unconscious in the city Botanical Gardens, do you remember anything in the lead up that may have caused it? Blurred vision or flashing lights? Did you slip?"

"I don't remember before I woke up, and when I woke up people were fussing and before I knew it I was in an ambulance. My vision was blurred when I came too. That's all I remember."

"Okay. The paramedics checked you over for visible signs of injury but found nothing. If you don't mind, I'm just going to undertake a physical examination and just let me know if anything hurts, okay?"

The doctor pressed and prodded over Lightning, but she felt no pain and told the doctor as much.

"Okay, that's good, but we're worried you may have suffered from a concussion, we're just going to take you to have some scans and check you haven't had a more substantial injury."

Lightning nodded and the doctor motioned to a nurse who helped push her bed down the hall and into room. She was helped out of the bed and onto a bench of an MRI scanner.

"Just lie still, this won't take more than a few minutes." The technician said over speaker from the adjoining room. The machine began to hum as the bench slowly moved backwards. After the imaging was finished she was helped back into the bed and wheeled into a nearby ward.

"Based on your scan you don't appear to have any brain injury, which is good news. You are showing signs of mild amnesia, so we'll just hold you here for a little while to make sure you're okay but then we'll discharge you."

"Thanks." Lightning found the bed remote and raised herself into a comfortable sitting position. She looked around the room for something to use to pass the time, but came up empty. As she let out a sigh the curtain dividing her from the bed next to her began to rustle. The voice behind it let out an exasperated grunt.

"Oh man, come on!" It said.

Curious, Lightning slipped out of bed and pulled back the curtain.

"Long time no see, kid." Sazh said.

Sazh was the last person she expected to see, let alone prone on a bed in a neck brace. He followed her gaze and explained, "I fell off a ladder cleaning out my gutters."

Lightning nodded silently and climbed back onto her bed, facing Sazh.

"When did you get here?" She asked.

"Not that long ago, maybe an hour. They've run a few tests and whatnot-"

"No, not here specifically." Lightning cut off, "Here" she raised her eyebrows to hint at her meaning. Sazh nodded and thought for a moment before answering.

"Y'know, I'm not sure. It's funny. I remember a full life here and, you know, there. Had I not hit my head I don't know if I'd remember there at all. Could've been days, weeks, years..." He tried to shrug and winced, "Bad idea." He muttered.

"I remember you too, both here an' there." He continued.

Lightning cocked an eyebrow, "What do you mean?"

"We worked in the military together. I'm an airforce pilot here. I mean, we only saw each other sparingly but we had a few missions together." Sazh grimaced and added, "One of 'em you didn't make it back from."

Lightning frowned, "That's impossible. I just got here. I woke up in a garden somewhere."

"Oh, I don't doubt it," Sazh added hurriedly, "but you, or other you, I dunno I'm still trying to get my head 'round it, is dead. There was a funeral."

Lightning's heart lurched, "And you thought it was me?"

"It was you. I mean, that's what I remember. But now I'm not so sure. I can't have lived two full lives, which means some of those memories ain't real. Your funeral was 'bout a year ago, so that means I must've gotten 'ere sometime after."

"Do you think we arrived at different times? I only got here today."

"Who's to say? Maybe I only got here today too. But both memories are as real as each other. I honestly can't say. This is really doin' my head in, that's for sure. If I wake up and all this is a dream I can't say I'd be surprised at all."

"You have two sets of memories. I don't. I wonder why that is?" Lightning pushed off from the bed and began to dig around in her pockets.

"What are you doing?" Sazh asked.

"I'm looking for my - here it is." Lightning pulled a small wallet out and opened it. "ID and money - the basics…" Lightning frowned, "I have one and not the other. A couple thousand credits but there's nothing else in here."

"I guess you're not supposed to be here. You're dead an' buried." Sazh said.

"The fate of Bhunivelze's puppet, eh?" Lightning laid down onto her bed. "I know I probably shouldn't be surprised, but… I didn't expect this."

"I'm not sure any of us knew enough to know what to expect. I've got my boy Dajh safe an' sound, so I ain't complaining."

"What about Serah?" Lightning asked.

"Your sister? What about her?"

"Did you go to my," Lightning paused. It felt weird having to say it, "funeral? Did you see her?"

"I did, but we don't know each other here so I didn't really speak to her except to give my condolences. Snow was with her, but I don't know much else."

"Was anyone else I know there?"

Sazh thought for a while, "No, I don't think so."

Lightning thought it weird no one else would attend. Did that mean everyone else had a second set of memories? And if she didn't have any false memories, what about Hope? He was as much a puppet of Bhunivelze as she was, if not more so.

The silence was was broken by Sazh as he asked, "What are you going to do now?"

"I don't know." Lightning paused, "I should find Serah, let her know I'm okay."

"I don't think that's a good idea."

Exasperated she said "Why not?"

"If I remember her, that means she's probably asleep like I was before I fell. I don't think her dead sister suddenly showing up is a good idea."

"So what? I never see her again?"

"I'm not saying that. There just might be a better way. Something more gentle; less guns blazing."

"I'm open to suggestions."

"Tell you what. You come back with me and we can figure this out. You ain't going to accomplish much on your own. Chances are you're gonna be out of here before me too. My neighbour is looking after Dajh, but I'd feel better with you looking after him."

Lightning was discharged shortly after. Sazh had provided her with the name and number of his neighbour and she had the hospital reception call them before she left and waited. The neighbour was high spirited and fast moving.

"Are you Lightning?" She asked. Lightning nodded. The woman outstretched her hand in greeting, "I'm Mae. I'm sure if you know Sazh, you've met Dajh."

Lightning smiled at the six year old but he showed no sign of recognition, "I do, but it was a long time ago, and I don't think he remembers me."

"Oh well, you'll be acquainted soon I'm sure." Mae said.

"I want to see dad." Dajh said, looking up at Mae.

"Oh, my dear. I'm not sure you can just now. I'm sure Lightning here will bring you back to visit but your aunt Mae needs to get to work, I'm sorry."

Mae turned back to Lightning, "Such an awful thing." She said, obviously hinting at Sazh's accident. "I was so shocked. Sazh is usually so careful and there I am just about to head off to work and Dajh is running over to my house yelling up a storm." She took Dajh's hand and lead them both to her car.

"Do you think it's serious?" Lightning asked.

Mae waved off Lightning's concern. "Oh, I'm sure he'll be fine."

It wasn't a long drive to Sazh's home. He lived a short drive out from the city in a row of adjoining houses on a leafy street. Mae pulled up out front and passed Lightning a set of house keys. Dajh shot out of the car and ran up to the front door eagerly. Lightning politely waved Mae off and followed, stopping short to examine the leaf filled gutter at the front of the property and the now discarded step ladder.

The front door opened in to a long windowless hallway lit by skylights. Three bedrooms and a bathroom broke off from it before leading out into a large and open plan kitchen, dining and lounge room.

"I'm hungry!" Dajh exclaimed, running for the kitchen. Lightning casually followed, eyeing the family photos on the walls. Sazh wasn't lying, he did have a whole life here. She saw a wedding photo, photos of Dajh as a baby and growing up, visits to tourist attractions and school photos. When she found her way to the kitchen Dajh was already busy making himself a sandwich, and she smiled at the kid's independence. Having some self sufficiency would help; not that Lightning was unaccustomed to looking after kids.

"Is there more for me?" She asked.

Dajh motioned towards the fridge and pantry, "Sure, help yourself."

Following Dajh's lead Lightning began to fix herself a sandwich. It was past noon and she hadn't eaten all day; she was starving.

As they both sat down to eat Dajh asked, "How long do you think you'll be looking after me?"

"I'm not sure," Lightning responded, "Your dad was still being fully assessed when I saw him. I'm sure he'll call to let us know or we'll find out when we go to visit."

There was a pause as they ate.

"Is your name really Lightning?" Dajh asked.

Lightning laughed, "Yeah, kid."