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

Authorial Notice: Once again, special thanks goes to Haruka-Chan 212 for the help. :) I'm getting better in my updates! Anyway… Here ya go. OH! By the way, there's several scene changes. The story's gonna end soon. I don't want to drag out 2 months of nothing. :) Anyway, enjoy.

Lost Then Found
Chapter Ten

"Most people have a harder time letting themselves love than finding someone to love them."
- Bill Russell

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Lightning's Apartment
1845 Hours (6:45 PM) – Wednesday

(Two Months Later)

"Snow, if you say another word, I'm throwing you in the oven at 400 degrees," Lightning said, sipping her water. Snow, Serah, Fang, Vanille, and herself had been drinking for the last hour. The constant chatter was giving her a headache.

"Oh come on! It's funny! Especially when you-"

"Snow! I mean it," Lightning said harshly. "I'm gonna go get another beer… I'll be right back." She stood up on wobbly legs and made her way to the kitchen. As she reached for the beer in the refrigerator, she felt a hand on her lower back.

"He's just kind of drunk. You know how he gets when he's drunk. He doesn't listen," Fang said lowly into her ear, causing Lightning to shiver. Fang noticed this and moved her hand a little lower.

"He never listens." She paused for a moment before speaking again, "Fang… I have to talk to you. Can we go out back?" Lightning asked softly as she took a sip of the bitter alcohol.

"Sure thing," Fang said as her eyebrow rose. As they walked towards the door, Fang held it open for Lightning. It made the sergeant smile softly. She had recovered well. The bruises were gone. Her ribs weren't bruised up, the cuts had disappeared, and her wrist had healed. She didn't need the sling anymore. She physical therapy had been rough, but she could now move her shoulder without wincing in pain ever five minutes.

They sat down on the bench. It was a clear night, stars littered the sky. The moon was full, causing Lightning's face to light up. Fang thought it was beautiful. "So… what did you want to talk about…?"

"What is this?"

"What is what?" Fang asked, wanting her to clarify.

"This…" she said, motioning between the two of them. "What are we? I mean… I don't know…"

"We're whatever you want to be, Lightning," Fang said seriously. She took Lightning's hand and caressed it gently. "What I do know is… I want to be more than just 'this' with you."

'She wants to be with me…?' Lightning thought. It was hard for her to comprehend what the woman was saying.

"I want…" she pulled Lightning closer, "I want to be with you, Light. It's been nearly two months since that night in the bathroom… I've been doing a lot of thinking and..." Fang paused, thinking of what she wanted to say, "… okay. Hypothetically…"

"Is that word even in your dictionary?" Lightning asked, voice completely monotone.

"Did you just make a joke? Wow…" Fang played along. "Yep. It sure is. Anyway… hypothetically speaking. If someone were to ask you out on a date… what would you say?"

Lightning thought for a moment, "Well… it depends on who it is. Who is this 'someone'?"

"What… about me?" Fang asked, stumbling over her own words.

"What about you?" She asked, trying to hold in the smile that wanted to break free.

"Don't play stupid, Light," Fang said, leaning closer to Lightning. "How about it? You and me? Friday night?" When Lightning went to open her mouth to answer, she interrupted, "if you don't have a good time… then we can just be friends."

'I don't think we'll have a bad time, Fang…' Lightning thought with a smile. "Okay."

"Light," her voice was softer than usual, and it didn't have a sarcastic tone to it, "I want to do this right."

"Do what right…?" Lightning inquired, finally allowing her head to rest on Fang's shoulder.

"Us. I don't want this to be like any other relationship… that I've had… I want this one to be…" Fang stopped, as if trying to think of what to say next. The sudden pause caused Lightning to lift her head, and stare at Fang.

"Be what?"

She looked into Lightning's eyes as she spoke. "Perfect." She leaned in closer and placed her lips upon Light's. Her left hand came up and rested on Lightning's neck. To Fang, she tasted so good – her lips were soft and gentle. Fang pulled away slightly to move towards Light's neck.

"Hey! Light! Fang! Where are you?" Serah called from the living room. Upon hearing her voice, Lightning pulled away from Fang. She stood up and looked at her.

"What time Friday?"

"Uh… Anytime you're free," Fang answered, feeling a little surprised at the sudden loss of contact.

"Well… I'm going to be taking Serah out for the day but… I'm free after," Lightning said as she started to walk back inside. "I'll call you…"

"I'm looking forward to it," She smiled. "See you then."

"Right… see you then," Fang smiled back. 'I… am taking Lightning out on a date? Oh Etro, what did I get myself into…?' The smile grew wider when she realized, 'Whatever it is… it's going to be good.'

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Bodhum Mall
1200 Hours (12:00 PM) – Friday

"Serah, remind me again why I agreed to this?" Lightning asked as she was being dragged through the Bodhum Mall.

"Oh, you didn't agree to it. I made you do it," Serah laughed. "Come on! The Big Sale is today and I'm not going to miss it because my sister's too lazy!"

'I hate Clearance Friday…' Lightning groaned and continued walking. "Fine, just don't spend all my money, okay?"

"No promises there, sis," Serah smiled.

"That damn husband of yours needs a job. I can't afford to keep up with your shopping addiction," Lightning said over the noisy civilians crowded in the clothing store.

"I told you he's looking!" She grabbed Light's hand and pulled her into a store and through the crowd of people. Serah pulled out a shirt and put it against her. "What do you think?"

Lightning grabbed the shirt and looked at the tag. "You're making me go through this just to save 2 gil? Serah!"

"Come on, Light! Pleee-ase?" Serah pouted. "You said my limit is 1000 gil! This shirt is only 198 gil!"

Lightning sighed, 'It's still expensive…' but then she smiled. "Alright."

"Hey, Serah! Over here!" A perky voice called from the other side of the store they were in. It was Vanille. Fang was just behind her with the same look that Lightning had just moments earlier. Before she had time to react, Lightning was being dragged through the crowd of people, yet again, and was now face to face with the two 'sisters'. "Heya, Light!"

"Hi," was all she said. "You going through this torture too?" It was directed to Fang, who just nodded, rubbing her temples.

"Why don't us grownups go get some coffee while the children go have fun? It's win-win," Fang said, handing Vanille a credit card. "Limits 2000 gil. Don't go overboard, Van."

Lightning did the same to Serah and gave her the credit card. "Have fun and please don't spend it all…"

"Okay!" Serah and Vanille went off in the other direction. Fang grabbed Lightning's hand and forced their way out of the crowd and into a small empty coffee shop.

"Thank Etro… I thought the crowd wouldn't let up!" Fang said, taking a seat in a booth. Lightning followed suit and sat down on the other side of the booth.

When the waitress came over, they ordered two coffees, one decaf for Lightning and one regular for Fang. "So…" Fang started.

"So…" Lightning repeated, tapping her nails on the table. She looked away for a moment when the waitress came back with their coffee, "thanks," then back at Fang. "I'm thinking about helping Snow get a job…"

"Aw… I knew ya had a soft spot for the boy!" Fang replied with a smile.

Lightning scoffed. "It's not that… I want Serah to be happy. I want her to go to school. And maybe Snow getting a job will help speed things up in the 'finally moving out' department…"

"What is he good at?" Fang asked, scooting closer.

"Being ignorant… but other than that, I think he'd make a good security guard. I mean, he fits the profile. He's huge. He's intimidating to others. He obeys the law," Lightning added, "and he'd do anything to protect his family."

"Like you?"

"Are you calling me fat?" Lightning glared.

"I meant the 'protecting the family' part, Sunshine. Didn't you say it the day Serah came home from the honeymoon?"

"Yeah… I guess," Lightning mumbled.

"So… how have you been feeling? I haven't really asked you that lately…" Fang said, taking a sip of her coffee.

"Better… Thanks. Doctor says I can go back to work in a few weeks," she said. "How about you…?"

"I'm better… now that we're going out tonight," Fang chuckled. "You never told me what you did in the bathroom that day."

"Fang…" Lightning warned. "I'm serious. I was just relaxing."

"If you say so, sweetheart," Fang smirked. "Did you tell Serah that we're going out tonight?"

"No. If I told her she'd either flip out, or she would give me some type of 'makeover'. That's the last thing I want. She'll find out when you pick me up…" Lightning said as she used the stir straw in her coffee to stir some of the milk that she poured. "Where are we going?"

"That's a surprise. You'll enjoy it though. I promise," she winked.

"Any specific dress code?"

"Dress nice," was all Fang said. She reached over from under the table and grasped Lightning's hand on her lap. "Nothing too fancy though, just a nice pair of slacks and a shirt would be good."

"Okay…"

The only thing Lightning could think of was how good it felt to hold Fang's hand.

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Lightning's Apartment
1830 Hours (6:30 PM) – Friday

"And why are we looking like a woman tonight?" Serah asked from the bathroom door, smiling at her sister who was only in her bra and a pair of baggy shorts. Lightning returned the gaze with a glare.

"I'm going out. Is that a problem?" Lightning asked, putting a few curls in her hair.

Serah gasped. "You… you're going out? It's not for some undercover I'm a prostitute thing again, is it? Because… that was scary – seeing you in skimpy stuff like that… I still haven't gotten over it."

"No," Lightning said, biting her lip gently. "Um… I have a… a date."

"What? With who?" Serah asked, plopping on the bathroom counter.

"A friend," Lightning answered.

"Do I know this friend?"

Lightning grumbled, adjusting a few of the curls in her hair. "Yes, you do."

"Who is it?" Serah begged.

"You'll find out when they get here – move your ass," Lightning said with a smile as she pulled her sister from the counter to grab a few bobby pins. 'Now go away.'

"What time is the date?" Serah asked innocently.

"7. Why?" Lightning answered.

"I just want to make sure whoever it is, isn't late…" Serah said. Lightning rolled her eyes and cursed.

"God damn hair… How do women do this on a daily basis…?" She moaned.

"Here," Serah grabbed a can of hairspray and put a hand over Light's eyes. "Hairspray was a great invention, Claire. You should try it sometime," she smiled as she sprayed. "There. Better?"

"… Yeah… Thanks," Lightning turned around and leaned against the counter, crossing her arms.

"Something wrong?"

Lightning looked at her sister, "Serah. When was the last time I had a date?"

"I lost track, sis," Serah said, her eyes locked with Lightning's.

"Exactly. I have absolutely no idea what I'm doing… How am I gonna make this work if I don't know what the fuck to do?" She looked down and rubbed her temples. "I really want to make this work."

"Just relax and have fun. I think you still know how to relax… right?" Serah asked as she leaned against the counter near her sister.

"Yes, Serah. I know how to relax. I'm not that uptight," Lightning answered with a glare.

"Sometimes you can be," Serah said as she took Lightning's hand, dragging her into the elder Farron's bedroom. "We need to find you the perfect clothes to impress him."

Softly, Lightning answered, "… her, Serah."

With a smile, Serah asked, "would this 'her' happen to be the one you talked about before you walked me down the aisle?"

Raising an eyebrow, Lightning looked at her sister, "do you always have to know everything about me?"

Serah pulled out a white buttoned up half sleeve and held it up to her sister. "Yes, yes I do. You know everything about me."

"Fine," Lightning caved, "yes, it's the same woman I talked about that day." She snatched the shirt out of Serah's hands. "I'm pretty sure I can dress myself."

"Claire, you asked for my help. And I'm helping," Serah said, grabbing the shirt from Lightning.

"When did I ask for your help? I seem to remember telling you to 'move your ass' and 'get out of my way'," Lightning said, pushing her way through Serah to her closet. She started digging through shirts.

"If you had your way, you'd wear sweats and a t-shirt on this date," Serah laughed, "who is it anyway? You still haven't told me." As soon as Serah finished, she pulled the shirt off of her head that Lightning had just chucked at her.

"Would you just leave me alone? I'm stressed enough as it is. You'll find out when she gets here," Lightning grumbled as she threw a pair of black slacks on the bed. "Why don't you go bug your husband? You know, the one you married two months ago?"

"He's helping Lebreau with the café. She's doing some renovations. He should be home any minute," Serah walked over to the bed and picked up the slacks. "You need more color in your life. I swear, if you pick out a black top I'm gonna smack you."

Popping her head out of the closet door, she glared at Serah. "I never knew you were deaf… I'll wear whatever I damn well please tonight."

Serah smirked. "The way you're stressing, I don't think you planned on wearing these clothes for long."

"… Serah? Shut up," Lightning walked towards Serah, who just leaned against the front of the bed. "Get… Out. Now."

Serah crossed her arms. "Is someone PMS'ing today?"

"No. Someone's getting a little sick and tired of her little sister right now…" Lightning grabbed the slacks that were in Serah's hands and put them on. She then walked up to her closet and pulled out a dark red buttoned up shirt. "Make yourself useful, find me a tank top that matches this."

Serah did as she was told and Light looked in the mirror. She sighed and grabbed a black belt, looping it around the slacks hoops and buckling it. "Oh!" Lightning jumped as Serah ran out of the room.

"What the fuck…?"

"Here," Serah emerged a few moments later with a white camisole.

"Serah… You know your tops are too tight on my chest."

Serah grinned. "Well, that's the point. Maybe you'll have a good time and get laid."

Lightning sighed as she adjusted the camisole. "I'm not going out just for sex." She blushed at the thought. 'Though… that would be nice. Wait, what am I thinking?'

"Well, maybe she is. And if you like her as much as you say you do… How could you deny her?" Serah winked.

"Serah, do yourself a favor. Go out in the living room, and wait for her. Please."

There was a knock at the front door. "OH! She's here!" Serah ran out and slammed the bedroom door. "Oh… OH!"

'Must be Fang.' Lightning then counted. "Five… Four… Three… Two… One… Now." The bedroom door opened slowly, as if on cue, and in came a shocked Serah.

"Your date is Fang?"

"Yes, it is," Lightning buttoned her crimson top halfway and turned around. "How do I look?"

Serah smiled. "Well… if I wasn't your sister-"

"Finish that sentence and I'll kill you," Lighting stepped closer. "Also… tell your husband about this and you're both dead."

"Honey! I'm home!" A loud voice came from the living room.

"Too late. I'm sure he'll figure it out, sis," Serah smiled as she ran out of the room.

"Ok… here goes."

Lightning turned off the light in her room and walked out into the living room. "Whoa…! Light! Lookin' good!" Snow called from the kitchen.

"Haven't you learned by now to keep your comments to yourself, you big oaf?" Lightning asked. She turned her head and saw Fang leaning against the counter in the kitchen. She blushed slightly. "Hey…"

"Hey. Do I have to keep my comments to myself?" She smirked, one side of her lips curved upward.

Light's eyes grew wide as she came face to face with her date for the evening. She was absolutely stunning. Breathtaking if you will. Starting at the top, Fang's naturally curly, messy hair was tamed; it flowed smoothly down to the middle of her back. Her pendant necklace rested atop her baby blue blouse. She wasn't wearing her usual beaded necklace that evening. Lightning's eyes continued down, taking in every last one of Fang's luscious curves. Her tan slacks hugged her hips and flared out as they reached the ends of her legs. On the taller woman's feet, Light could see a pair of black heels, nothing too high though.

"You're fine…" Lightning smiled slightly.

"You ready?" Fang asked as she walked towards Light.

"Yeah. I am."

"Alright. 'Night, guys," She told Snow and Serah as the two walked out the front door.

"So… where are we going…?" Lightning asked as the two drove off.

"You'll see."

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So? Thoughts? You'll get a cookie if you review... just sayin'. I'm not like... trying to bribe you or anything. *WINK WINK*... *WINK*