Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy XIII. Square Enix owns it. I do not own anything. Do not sue me.

Authorial Notice: Thanks to Haruka-Chan 212 for the edit. She said it's missing something at the end but I don't know what and neither does she. So here you go. If you think you know what it is, let me know. Anyhow, enjoy the update.

Lost Then Found
Chapter Seven

"Happiness is not in our circumstances but in ourselves. It is not something we see, like a rainbow, or feel, like the heat of a fire. Happiness is something we are."
--John B. Sheerin

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Lightning's Apartment
1820 Hours (5:20 PM) - Thursday

"Home sweet home!" Fang said as she placed the bag of medication on the coffee table.

"My home, not yours," Lightning said, limping to the couch. She gritted her teeth as she sat down. As she looked around the room, she noticed Fang was nowhere to be seen. "Fang?" No answer. Lightning sighed and lay back on the couch, left arm across her stomach. She heard something from the kitchen. "Fang, what are you doing?" Lightning asked loud enough so she could hear.

"Getting you ice."

"I don't want ice," she said as she saw Fang come out of the kitchen with an ice pack in her right hand. "No. Really, Fang. I don't want the ice."

Fang got closer and gave it to Lightning. "Doctors orders, sunshine."

"Well, I don't want it, Fang," she said as she closed her tired eyes.

"Shut up and take it," Fang demanded, pushing it against Lightning ribs softly. She hissed as her left hand went to grab the ice pack. Her bruised fingers landed on top of Fang's. Their eyes locked for a moment before she blushed and pulled away.

Lightning looked away, then back at Fang with a small glare; "you're going to make my life a living hell, aren't you?" she scoffed.

"You manage that part pretty well by yourself, darlin'," She smirked, grabbing the soft fleece blanket that was hanging over the back of the couch.

Lightning mumbled incoherently. "It was a rhetorical question."

"No, it wasn't."

Giving up, Lightning sighed. "Fine; I'll take the damn ice!"

She grinned as she put the blanket over Lightning. "I'm gonna get a small pillow from the closet so we can get that arm of yours out of that sling for a while."

"Thanks…" Lightning said as Fang walked away. She sighed and moved the ice pack to another part of her hurt ribs. She clenched her teeth as she reached for the remote. After grabbing it, she flopped back on the couch. 'That was a workout.'

"If you wanted that, you could have asked," Fang said as she came back into the living room with two pillows. "Sit up."

"I just did that. Give me a minute," Lightning moaned before frowning. "I feel so…"

"Helpless? Hopeless? Stupid? " Fang started, "I'd say the latter two."

"Why is that…?"

"For one, you were stupid for going after those men alone. Two, you are hopeless because you never ask for help… or anything for that matter," she continued, lifting Lightning's head up so she could place a pillow under it, "you wouldn't ask for help if your life depended on it," she took her sling off gently, causing Lightning to hiss, yet again, in pain, "and three, you're too stubborn for your own good. But don't worry. I think it's cute."

"Cute? You're kidding, right?"

"Nope. In the three years I've known you, I haven't seen you this defenseless – ever. You're hard headed and won't take no for an answer. Just. Like. Snow," she said, pronouncing the last three words slowly. Lightning's eyes went wide as Fang put the pillow beside her, resting the wounded arm on it.

"That is so not true," she said as she turned the television on. She turned it on the local news as Fang sat down on the love seat diagonally from her.

"It is. Don't deny it because even you know it's true," Fang continued.

"Can you stop getting on my case, please?"

"See! You do know it's true. You're won't even acknowledge what I'm saying," she said as she put her feet on the coffee table, crossing her legs.

Lightning mumbled and turned her head away.

"Yesterday afternoon, there was an explosion in the market district. According to police, Sergeant Lightning Farron from the SWAT division was on vacation when she saw four fugitives suspected in the recent robberies in the area over the last couple of weeks. She was caught in the blast and was immediately transported to Bodhum Hospital. We have acquired a security tape from a bank across the street, catching the explosion on tape. We warn you, it is graphic," the newscaster said, cuing in the footage.

"Turn it off," Fang ordered as she saw the look on Lightning's face. It was blank of expression or emotion – completely empty. "Lightning," she got up and tried to grab the remote, but Lightning's eyes were fixed on the television, watching the footage.

"I want to remember what happened," was all Lightning had said. Giving up, Fang sat down on the couch and watched it.

The recording started as Lightning ran down the alleyway to catch the fugitives. It was clear. You could see every detail. The video started to lag as the blast hit. She flew through the window and the footage cut out – a blue screen. She started to remember the pain. A flashback of what happened hit her like a sack of bricks. "Lightning?" A hand was on her cheek, as if trying to deter her eyes away from the screen.

"Yeah?"

"I'm… glad you're alive," she said as she pulled her hand away slowly, allowing her fingertips to graze along Lightning's jaw line.

"I…" Lightning started, "I can remember everything, everything up until I turned the corner." She looked away, her eyes tracing the design of the cushions of the couch. She missed the contact that Fang had earlier – the soft fingers trailing her skin.

"Don't think about that now. You gotta relax and get better. It's no fun when you barely fight back," Fang grinned.

Lightning looked at her, a small glare in her eye. "You're such a bitch."

"Ah! Gettin' better already," Fang stood up. Lightning tried to hold the smile that wanted to be released. She bit her lip as her mouth broke into a half smile. "Is that a smile?" She chuckled. "I knew you liked me."

"I like fighting with you. There's a difference," Lightning said as she turned her head away. 'Shit… me and my big mouth….'

"But you still like me."

Ignoring her, Lightning sighed. "I just hope Serah doesn't see the news." She closed her eyes, handing Fang the remote before turning her head away. "I'm going to sleep…"

She placed the remote on the coffee table and looked at her. "I'm going to get your medicine. Do you want something to eat while I'm getting your water?" she asked in a soft voice. Lightning shook her head, trying to ignore the fact that Fang was so close.

"Right then… I'll be back in a minute," she said as she stood up and walked to the kitchen.

Lightning sighed in relief as she relaxed. Fang made her tense. She bit her bottom lip in pain as she tried to sit up. "Whoa there, sunshine. Let me help you," Fang said as she entered the living room again, placing a single white pill and small glass of water on the coffee table. A gentle hand was placed on her back as she helped her up. "Work out?" Fang questioned, making Lightning nod.

Fang chuckled, retrieving the pill and water to hand it to her. "Thanks…" Lightning muttered. Gratefully, she popped the pill into her mouth and took a small sip of water.

"That went down easy, yeah? Lie back down and rest," Fang said, taking the glass to place it back on the coffee table. When she turned around, she noticed Lightning hadn't lain back down as Fang had ordered. "Need help?" She didn't answer. Her eyes were locked on Fang's. "What's wrong?"

"N-nothing," she said as she looked away. "I think I'm going to sleep."

Nodding, Fang helped her back and sat down in the loveseat diagonally from her. "Sleep tight."

"… Yeah. Thanks."

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Hours later, Fang looked over at Lightning, who was sleeping peacefully on the couch next to her. She looked at the ice bag on her ribs and stood up. Walking over to Lightning, she grabbed the bag of ice and walked to the kitchen. The clock on the wall said it was a little past ten. She had to get home – to Vanille.

She emptied the contents of the bag into the sink and walked to the refrigerator, stuffing some more ice in the bag. She opened the freezer and placed it on a rack. She could see Lightning's slumbering form from the kitchen. 'She looks so peaceful…'

She sighed and walked back into the living room, kneeling down next to Lightning. "Come on, sunshine. I gotta get you to bed so I can head home," Fang said in a soft voice, shaking the slumbering woman gently. Lightning's eyes opened, blinking the sleep away.

"What time is it…?" Her voice cracked as Fang helped her sit up.

"A little after ten," Fang answered as she helped Lightning on her feet. "I can't leave Vanille alone at night. So let's get you to bed so I can go." Fang's hand was on the small of her back, making sure Lightning didn't fall over. She could feel the effects of the pill she had taken hours ago. She was dizzy, slightly nauseous, and unable to keep her balance.

Fang helped Lightning to the bedroom door. Lightning counted the steps painfully. It felt like the longest walk of her life. She turned to knob and flicked the light switch, illuminating the dark room. She helped her to the bed. "I think I'll be okay from here, Fang. Thank you."

"Call me if ya need anything," Fang said as she walked back towards the door.

"But what about Vanille?" Lightning asked as she tried to take her left arm out of the sweaters gray sleeve.

"I'll drag her along." She walked over to Lightning, grabbing the end of the sleeve, pulling it down past her fingers.

"What are you doing?" Lightning glared, pulling away.

"Don't want you to fuck up your collarbone more."

She bent Lightning's left arm, making it easier to maneuver it out of the sleeve.

When her arm was out, Fang's hands went to the bottom of the sweater and pulled up, fingers lightly touching the skin. Lightning felt herself shiver. Fang found herself wanting to caress the silky skin. Both found themselves wanting to deepen the touch – but neither acted on what they felt at that moment.

"Thank you…" Lightning said as the sweater came off easily and without pain. "I-I can take it from here, Fang… I really don't want to be a bother…"

Fang couldn't help but notice Lightning's toned stomach. Despite the bandages, cuts, and bruises, she could still tell Lightning had worked years on getting that form. And boy did it pay off. Shaking herself out of her thoughts, Fang looked into Lightning's eyes. "Promise me you'll call me if you need anything tonight." Her look was stern and serious as she assisted Lightning in lying down.

Sighing, Lightning nodded. "Okay."

Fang reached across her to pull the sheets up and under her right arm. She grabbed a pillow and placed it underneath Lightning's arm. 'She's tucking me in?' Lightning was slightly embarrassed. She was being treated like a five year old. 'I did act like one… I guess it's payback for all the times I hurt Fang.' Fang leaned down and placed her gentle lips on the other woman's cheek, catching Lightning by surprise. Pulling away, Fang smirked.

"Don't hit me this time, yeah?"

"Y-yeah…" Lightning felt a slight blush creep to her cheeks. 'Did I just…?'

"I'll be back first thing in the morning. Goodnight, sunshine. Sleep well."

"I…" She sighed. "You too, Fang."

There ya go. Enjoy the update. New chapter will be up soon.