SNOW

"It's been two weeks she's been acting weird, I'm worried about her." Snow swirled his glass watching the whiskey skim over the ice cubes and sighed. He was sitting on a bar stool in the empty pub while Yuj set up and cleaned tables and chairs and Lebreau dried and polished glasses from the dishwasher behind the bar with a cloth.

"What do you think it is, boss?" asked Yuj from behind him.

"Hey, I told you to stop calling me that." Snow spat back at him, before he continued, "I thought maybe it was, you know, just that time of the month-"

"Oh, you did not just say that!" Shot Lebreau, whipping Snow's arm with the cloth before she went back to drying.

"Hey, hey, hey! I dunno. Like I said, it's been two weeks, so I've ruled that out anyway." Snow said as Lebreau cocked a brow, clearly unimpressed.

Lebreau pursed her lips, "She's clearly still mourning her sister. Just talk and listen to her Snow."

"I thought I had been, but she's getting worse, not better. The last few days I've found her going over old photos of her; over and over. It's like an obsession…" Snow trailed off and took a sip from his glass, "and she keeps muttering to herself 'there's something wrong, there's something wrong'."

Lebreau frowned, "Have you thought about her, maybe, seeing a professional? Just to talk through it?"

"It has crossed my mind. I'd need to convince her, and I'm not sure I would be able to. She keeps asking me if I think she's crazy or not to think she's crazy, so suddenly suggesting she speaks to a therapist might seem like betrayal." Snow downed the last of his glass in one last mouthful, appreciating the smoky warmth as it slid down his throat. He pushed the glass over to Lebreau and got up from the bar stool.

"I'm going to head off and check on her. Call me if you need anything. Thanks for listening." Snow waved and walked to the door and out of the bar.

It's was windy outside and the air carried with it signs that winter was approaching. The leaves on trees were already turning brown and cluttering the gutters along the road. Snow pushed his hands into his jacket pockets and walked the short way to his car. It was a short drive back home, but the Saturday traffic was already filling the streets as people moved to make their way to early dinner reservations and head home from days out shopping. The sun was already beginning to dip toward sunset when Snow pulled up at their apartment.

"Snow!" Serah called from another room when he entered. She sounded surprised, "Are you not working tonight?"

Snow took off his jacket and placed it on the coat rack by the front door as Serah emerged to meet him.

"Nah," he said, "They've got it under control and besides, I'd rather spend the evening with you." He threw her a grin and she came over and hugged him, nestling her face into his shoulder.

"Well, I'm not going to complain." She said.

Snow embraced her and didn't let go until she pulled back. If his attempts to listen and talk with Serah weren't helping, he could at least provide comfort through this. Judging by the length of time they embraced, Serah needed the comfort.

When she did finally pull away she smiled up at Snow and said, "You're just in time. I was just figuring out what to make myself for dinner, but now I can make sure to cook enough for both of us." She spun on her heel and playfully entered the kitchen in the next room and Snow followed. She seemed happy and he hoped that meant she was finally feeling better.

"What's on the menu?" He asked, leaning on his elbows on the kitchen bench. Serah opened the fridge and thought, placing her finger on her lips in the way Snow so loved.

"Hmm… nothing too exciting. I'm just going to be throwing together something based on what we already have." She pulled out a jar of half used pesto and some leftover roast chicken before heading over to the pantry and digging out some gnocchi.

"Chicken pesto gnocchi, how does that sound?"

"It sounds amazing if you're cooking it." Snow replied. Serah smiled back sweetly and began cooking. As she was distracted Snow looked over to her laptop sitting open on the kitchen bench.

"Finishing up some work?" He asked as he spun the computer around. Serah looked over startled, lunged forward and spun the computer back, pulling it away from him, and closed the lid.

"Yeah, marking assignments and entering scores into the system. You know how it is. Nothing exciting." She said, laughing awkwardly.

Snow noticed the alarm and guilt in Serah's actions and voice. She went back to cooking and seemed to avoid looking at him. He knitted his brows; she was lying to him. He saw the screen, if only for a moment, before she took the computer back and it wasn't work. It was the social media profile of someone, and he was sure it was a man. He didn't think Serah would be sneaking around behind his back with an internet lover. She wasn't the type. Serah was compassion itself and would never think of hurting another by doing something so selfish. But if that wasn't it, he couldn't determine why she wanted to hide it. Was she worried that he would think she was cheating? Or, like everything in the last couple weeks, did it have something to do with Lightning?

He noticed she had become more withdrawn and ashamed of her obsession and it was his fault. He didn't understand and made some off hand comments to her when he found her pouring over the old photos for what must have been the third day in a row. Thinking back, he chastised himself over his behaviour. He needed to try to be more supportive so she could work through her grief. However, he still found it odd. Comparing her grief around the time Lightning died and following the funeral to now it was world's apart. Back then she seemed to handle it better. Sure, there were a lot of tears, even Snow cried a little, but nothing like this strange obsession.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Serah interrupted his train of thought. He had been staring blankly at the bench and looked up at her. She ducked down to collect two bowls from the cupboard and a couple forks from the drawer.

As she took them over to the stove to begin serving up Snow said, "You know you can talk to me, right Serah?"

Serah smiled slightly, but didn't look away from her task, "What do you mean?" She asked.

"About Lightning," Snow continued, "or anything, really."

Serah stuck a fork in each bowl and sprinkled some parmasen cheese. She walked past Snow and placed them on the small dining table and sat down. Snow followed and sat down opposite her.

"Did you see what was on the screen?" She asked.

Snow picked up his fork and skewed a piece of chicken. "I did." He confirmed.

Serah sighed. "It's not what it looks like if you think I'm…"

"I don't, don't worry. But you can talk about it with me. If you want to."

Serah chewed a mouthful thoughtfully. She got up from the table and retrieved her laptop, placing it next to her bowl. She opened the lid and woke it from sleep before turning it to face Snow.

"I got a message a couple weeks ago," she began, "from this guy. Hope Estheim. Read his message."

Snow pulled the laptop closer and read aloud, "'Hi Serah, I hope you are well. I'm trying to get ahold of Lightning, do you know where she is?'" Snow passed the laptop back, "Is he an old friend of hers or something? Or maybe an old flame?" Snow winked and Serah rolled her eyes.

"That's the thing," Serah said. She took the laptop and stared at the screen, musing over it as she ate more dinner. "I don't know who he is. I mean, he kinda looks familiar but I don't remember ever seeing him around. Either way, it's horrible isn't it? He doesn't know. What am I supposed to say?" She looked up at Snow with pleading eyes.

Snow was relieved it was something so benign, but it had to do with Lightning, so he wasn't surprised by her anxiety.

"How about this?" Snow said and skewered some potato, "After we finish we sit down and we can do it together." Serah smiled and nodded. Snow was glad that he could do something so simple that would support her, and he had to admit he was curious himself.

They finished their meals with light chit chat. When they finished Serah took the bowls and placed them in the dishwasher before sitting back down in front of her computer. Snow pushed a chair next to her and sat down. She opened the lid and clicked to accept Hope's friend request. She then opened the chat window and stared at the screen before pushing the laptop over to Snow.

"You do it." She said.

Snow shrugged, "Alright. You tell me what to say though."

"He's probably not even online." She mused, resting on Snow's arm.

Snow started typing, Hi. You know Lightning? And pressed send. Were you her boy-toy? He typed out.

"Oh stop!" Serah laughed and swiped at Snow's hand and pulled the computer back, deleting the second unsent message.

You don't remember me?

"He's online! He just sent a message." Serah exclaimed and tapped away.

I don't, sorry. Does that mean we've met? How long ago? She typed in reply.

Oh, it was a long time ago. Don't worry about it.

How do you know Lightning?

Serah watched the screen.

We were partners.

"Oh juicy ex-lover!" Snow yelled. "Called it."

Another message quickly followed.

I mean, we worked together. Work partners.

Serah raised a brow and looked at Snow.

"Wanna-be lover?" Snow quipped.

Serah bit her lip and began typing.

I haven't had the chance to speak to many of Lightning's friends. Any good stories?

Plenty, but I'm not sure she'd appreciate knowing I've been gossiping about her.

About that, Serah typed and rested her chin in her hand.

"It's best to get it over with" Snow said, "Don't string the poor guy along."

Serah began typing again.

About that. You may not be aware but Lightning passed away last year.

As she hit send Snow put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. It was a while before they got a message back.

"Do you think he's okay? He's taking a while to respond." Serah asked.

"I don't know how well he knew your sister." Snow answered.

Snow heard the computer chime and looked at the screen.

I didn't know.

After a pause another message came through.

If you don't mind. What happened?

Serah frowned and typed.

It seems weird to discuss it online. I noticed you live in the city. How about we meet and I can tell you and answer your questions?

I'd appreciate that. Are you free next weekend? I can make anytime and place that suits you.

How about tomorrow? We can meet for brunch, say 10 am? There's a nice cafe that Lightning and I used to go to. It's called Black Track.

See you then.

She closed the computer and let out a sigh. She looked up at Snow and said, "I feel better now that that's sorted. It will be nice to chat more freely, I've never really liked chatting online. Do you want to come?"

"Only if you want me to." Snow didn't want to impose if Serah felt more comfortable handling the meeting alone.

Serah thought for a moment and then said, "No, I should be okay. If I change my mind I'll let you know."