Salt and water filled the air, and Fang breathed deep. The smell of the ocean was a nostalgic one for her. Oerba, the city in which she grew up, sat on the shores of a massive saltwater lake. Though as large as it was, being out on that lake had not prepared her for the vastness of the ocean. While it was disconcerting to look out at the horizon and see nothing but water, the gentle rocking of the boat, the warm sun on her face, and the knowledge that she could turn around and see and out her at ease. After all, they weren't exactly deep sea fishing.

She, Vanille, Hope, and Snow were tagging along with the Farrons' on their annual trip to their hometown, Bodhum. Serah had extended the invitation to Vanille, and when Vanille told her about it, Fang immediately thought of Lightning. She had been concerned about Lightning's thoughts on having her along, considering what she had attempted to do to the pink-haired woman.

Ever since the day she had almost kissed Lightning, things had been understandably awkward between them. When they met to spar the day after the near-kiss, Lightning barely spoke to her. They didn't go to their diner afterwards, either. It took weeks for them to have a normal conversation, and even then it was about sparring. It took much longer fro them to talk about anything other than martial arts: they had only recently started getting lunch together again. At Lightning's request, Fang was relieved to remember.

Fang asked about the trip during one of their lunches. Lightning seemed indifferent, but said she didn't mind. Fang had gotten much better at reading the other woman, but even with her insight, she couldn't tell how sincere Lightning was being. Still, Fang decided to go, thinking it would be a great opportunity to repair their relationship.

"Need a hand," a rough voice asked. Fang looked around at Sazh as he clambered on the bench that stretched the length of the boat they were on.

"I think I got it, old-timer," Fang said teasingly. She hadn't spoken much with Sazh. Her time in his gym was spent with Lightning, who seemed set against interacting with others. Still, from what she had seen of him he was all bark and no bite. He put up a tough front with the fighters he worked with, but seemed to care deeply about them. He was a regular softie.

"Old-timer, huh? Guess they don't teach whippersnappers respect anymore," Sazh said easily. Fang laughed. "Everyone else is doing it," he added, nodding to the front of the boat.

Fang turned to look, and saw six people grouped in pairs at the bow of the boat. Snow and Serah had their heads together, giggling as he helped her with something on her rod. Hope was apprehensively eying his own as Vanille waved bait in front of him to get his attention. His face turned pale when she grabbed a thick, wriggling worm and impaled it on her hook. And off to the side, a small boy, about seven or eight with a striking resemblance to Sazh, stood between Lightning's legs, back to her with her arms around his shoulders, pointing to various parts of a fishing rod.

"I see what you mean," Fang said. "Well, hate to disappoint you, but I grew up on the sea. I've got fishing down pat."

"That's good news for me. Less work I gotta do," Sazh said.

"Is that why you're having Lightning show your son how to fish?" Fang poked.

"Hey now, fishing was invented as an excuse to be lazy," Sazh said defensively. "That, and she's a better fisherman than I am."

"Oh yeah? What makes you say that?"

"She used to work on my boat. Helped the tourists, showed them how to work a fishing pole." Sazh hooked his bait and cast, a long smooth motion that sent his hook flying to plop quietly in the water. Fang followed suit, though her line landed further out than Sazh's. She gave him an 'I-told-you-so' look, to which he rolled his eyes good-naturedly.

For a few minutes, absolutely nothing happened. The boat bobbed in the water, the waves gently lapping at the hull. The sea breeze pushed through her hair, sending it every which way. The muffled conversations from the front of the boat washed over Fang and Sazh as they sat in companionable silence.

"So Sazh," Fang said, curiosity getting the better of her.

"Mm?" Sazh sounded half asleep.

"How long ago did you and Light meet?" They looked at each other, Sazh considering her for a few long moments. He grinned.

"Me and Light go back almost ten years."

"You met on your boat, you said?"

"Actually she was working at the shop by the docks when I started captaining. This was when her mother was sick, you know."

Fang nodded. "I heard."

"She was trying to get more work; or at least better paying. No one else wanted to take her on. A lot of fishermen are, uh, old fashioned."

Fang raised an eyebrow. "But not you?"

"Give me some credit. Poor kid lost her father young, had a sick mother. I could appreciate that."

"Yeah. So what happened with her?"

"You wanna hear the whole thing?" Sazh asked. Fang hesitated, unsure whether she should pry into Lightning's past. But discretion had never been her strong suit.

"Let's hear it."

Sazh leaned back, stretched as if her were about to start some strenuous task. Fang began to wonder what he meant by 'the whole thing'.

"Me and my wife came to Bodhum for our honeymoon. She loved it here, wanted us to come back every year. I had a job lined up, as a mechanic back in Eden, but I did a little looking here, too. I uh, I used to be in the military, flying supplies and doing vehicle maintenance. I left after the wedding, wanted to settle down, you know?"

Fang nodded even though she didn't know.

"One of the guys at the fishery is former military too. He said he had seasonal work, fixing boats. Said he'd be happy to take me on next season. When we got back to Eden, I left the shop, and found a spot with another buddy running a gym, the one you and Light use. The gym was more flexible with letting me go for the summer."

Sazh stopped and looked at her, maybe to check that she was still listening. She was. Sazh had an expressive voice, rising and falling with his words, his feelings. And considering when he had known Light, she was bound to find out something good. She nodded for him to continue.

"The next year I started working on boats. That's the summer I met Lightning. I didn't see her too much, but I heard a bit about her. About her mother, and how she wanted to help out. There was nothing I could do then, but by the end of the summer they were letting me take out one of the boats. Come the next year, I was piloting full time, and I took her on as one of the crew. Some of the guys were skeptical, but she proved herself. She lived up to her name, that's for sure."

"She still does," Fang said, a corner of her mouth pushing up. "What happened next?"

"My wife had Dajh. That fall. It was the best moment of my life." Sazh looked over at his son, pride shining in his eyes. Dajh was happily chattering away to Lightning, who had a small smile on her lips. Their poles rested in holders in front of them, the lines drooping down to the water.

"When we came back here her mother was dead." Sazh's mouth drew down into a line. "She was always a serious girl, quiet. But after her mother died- I don't know, she turned into a robot. She'd be at the dock before anybody, cleaning, setting up, getting everything ready. She'd do a shift on my boat, then when we got back she'd clean, pack everything up. I know she was looking after herself and her sister, but I thought she was pushing herself too hard. I tried talking to her, but…" he shrugged.

"I can imagine even back then she was stubborn," Fang said.

"Like a mule." Sazh smiled a little at that. "She spent the whole summer like that. Work, work, work, day in and day out. By the end of the season I was tired for her." He sighed.

"Next year when we came back, it was the same thing. I don't know what she did in the off season, but it must have been just as hard as boat work. Even she was starting to look worn out."

They looked over at Lightning. Somehow her line had tangled in Snow's. From the look on his face, he was getting thoroughly dressed down by Lightning as she untangled the lines. The others could barely contain their laughter.

"So what did you do?"

"There was a regular around the dock, a police lieutenant. Amodar. Good man. Me and him talked here and there. He knew about Lightning- it's a small town, everyone knows everyone else. I told him how dedicated she was, how disciplined. I thought it would be a good fit for her, to join the force. A couple days later, she tells me she's leaving, heading for the police academy." He sounded proud.

"You were right. Could you imagine Light in an office?" Fang joked.

Sazh chuckled. "No ma'am. I'm glad it worked out for her. Her and Serah've had a rough life. Too rough, for such good kids. They were a big help after-" Sazh cut himself off. His face stilled. Fang could guess what it was about. She frowned.

"Your wife," she prompted softly.

"Yeah. It happened the year after Lightning joined the force. Drunk driver, just..."

"I'm sorry." Fang gripped Sazh's shoulder. His lips tightened and he nodded in acknowledgment.

"I don't know what I would have done without Dajh. I was… ruined, after it happened. But I had to be strong, for him. When summer came again I thought about not coming back. Didn't know if I could handle it, with all the memories we made here." He stopped. Fang waited for him to collect himself.

"It's what she would have wanted. So I did. And when they heard, Light and Serah did everything they could to help out. Can you imagine? Two young girls lose their parents, and still think about someone else." Sazh shook his head.

"Serah'd babysit- she wouldn't even let me pay! I had to sneak money into her purse," Sazh said incredulously. "She'd bring over leftovers, 'cept those 'leftovers' could feed a family of four." Sazh was smiling, but it slowly slid from his face. "They made things a little bit better."

"Serah's got a big heart," Fang said quietly.

"They both do," Sazh said. "She never said who cooked, but I saw her try it at my house, and there's no way she was making those leftovers. That was all Lightning."

Fang looked at him doubtfully. Lightning and domestic were two things she never would have connected. Sazh raised his hands.

"I know, I was surprised too. I thought you'd appreciate that about her though."

Fang perked up. Cocoon wasn't known for it's tolerance, and not only was she from Gran Pulse, she was also pretty gay. She had never hidden that fact, though she didn't advertise it either. It sounded as if Sazh had figured it out.

"Why's that?" Fang asked cautiously.

"You're interested in her," Sazh said simply. Fang slowly nodded.

"Yeah. I am. How uh, how do you feel about that?"

Sazh chuckled. "I don't mind, except as someone who considers himself close to Lightning. I'd say I'm keeping an eye on you, but I think you've been good for her."

Fang smiled, relieved to hear such a positive response from someone close to Lightning. She liked to think that she was having a good effect on the other woman, but to have it affirmed by someone who knew her for longer, eased her mind where the other woman was concerned.

"You don't know how happy you just made me, old man. I don't suppose you've got any advice you might be willing to share?"

"Not if you keep calling me old!"

Fang laughed. "Right, right, of course. Sorry. So, any advice?"

Sazh shrugged. "It doesn't seem like you need any. She's smiled more in the past couple months than she ever did on my boat."

"Yeah?"

"Well that's not saying much, but yeah."

"No insights, what she might go for? Things she might like to do besides beat me up?"

"Nope, sorry," Sazh said. "You'll have to just ask her yourself."

"Ask her what?" Lightning asked.

Sazh jumped a foot off the bench. Fang blinked and turned towards the front of the boat, to find her view blocked by Lightning. She was looking down at them with guarded curiosity.

"Hey Light," Fang said slowly.

"Haven't I told you not to sneak up on me?" Sazh yelled.

"No."

"Well it shouldn't have to be said!"

"What's up?" Fang asked.

Lightning looked like she wanted to ask what they had been talking about before, but shook her head instead.

"It's dead out there," she said, pointing a thumb over her shoulder to where the others were sitting. "There hasn't been a bite since we got here."

"I'll move us, see if I can't find a better spot." Sazh headed to the wheelhouse, grumbling about sneaky pink-haired women. Lightning continued to look down at Fang.

"You want to tell me what that was about?" she asked.

"Maybe later," Fang said. Lightning frowned, but nodded, and returned to sit with Dajh as the engines fired up and the boat kicked forward.

That evening everyone gathered at the Farrons' house for dinner. It was a nice, cozy one story house, a block removed from the beach. It was an excellent location, and, according to Serah, made good money as a rental for most of the summer. The sisters used the home as a source of income, though they reserved a week for themselves late in the season, when demand was lower.

Dinner was a lively affair, with childhood stories getting passed around. Serah and Vanille took great pleasure in sharing stories about their older sisters, though Fang and Sazh were sure to fire back with some of their own. Lightning refused to comment, aside from groaning when Serah started a particularly embarrassing one.

After dinner they moved to the living room. They arranged the furniture in a circle, though Lightning grabbed a chair just to the outside of it. Everyone settled down, passing drinks and snacks back and forth. Fang kept an eye on Lightning, waiting for an opportunity to talk. Eventually the other woman quietly got up and slipped outside. Fang took her chance to follow during one of Sazh's stories.

Fang wasn't sure what she would say to the other woman. She wasn't sure how comfortable they would be with each other. But she did know that she wanted to be able to talk with Lightning again, to laugh with her again. To be with her again. She found Lightning sitting on the steps that led to the front door of the house. She paused on the landing, wondering if it would be alright to join Lightning. Luckily, she spoke.

"I was wondering if you'd come out."

"Should I not have?"

"I don't mind." Lightning waved Fang down, indicating that she take a seat. She did.

"Bit loud in there, huh?" She asked.

"Yeah."

Fang fell silent. She would let Lightning lead the conversation. Just as the other woman was about to speak, loud laughter rang from the house behind them. Lightning pursed her lips and stood.

"Let's take a walk."

She left and Fang followed. She led them to the beach. She removed her shoes and socks, Fang took off her sandals, and they set off down the beach, walking next to the waves.

They walked for a long time at a leisurely pace. They walked in silence, but Fang didn't mind. It was the peaceful, easy silence of two people comfortable with each other. It was a good silence.

At one of the lifeguard stands Lightning stopped and climbed in. Fang joined her, and together they surveyed the horizon. Far away from the lights of civilization, the stars lit the sky. They stretched continuously, unbroken from one end of the beach to the other, and from the end of the awning above them to the dark line of the ocean's horizon. It was breathtaking. It reminded Fang of home.

"I'm glad you came out," Lightning said.

"So am I," Fang said, quietly.

"I've been… short with you, lately."

Fang glanced at Lightning. She was looking out at the ocean, jaw clenched.

"Well, I probably deserved it," Fang said slowly.

"No, you didn't."

It was Lightning's way of apologizing, Fang supposed. An indirect, unspoken 'I'm sorry.' Considering she thought she ruined everything with Lightning, she was happy to get even that.

"Were you talking to Sazh about that?" Lightning asked.

"Nah. I was creeping on your past," Fang said. Lightning gave her an exasperated look from the side of her eye.

"Did he give you anything good?" she asked sarcastically.

Fang thought before she answered. The details of Lightning's past were all new to her, but… there were no surprises. The big picture, the image she had of Lightning, remained the same. Lightning was Lightning, even as a teenager. Serious, diligent, protective, driven, and surprisingly kind-hearted with a hidden soft side. Perhaps over time her soft side had become more hidden; but it was there, in the way she defended Hope to Fang, and in the way she taught Dajh how to fish, and in the way she forgave Fang. Somehow, she had the idea that Lightning wouldn't like hearing about how soft she was.

"You never mentioned you could cook," Fang said lightly.

A hint of a smile formed on Lightning's face. "It never came up."

"You'll have to show me some time," Fang said.

"Maybe I will." They fell into silence again. Fang was happy with the way things had turned out. It felt like she had made great strides in repairing their relationship, just in spending time with the other woman.

"Anything else you want to know?"

"Hm?"

"I heard him say you should 'ask her yourself,' right? So, here I am."

A thousand possible questions flitted through Fang's head. Questions about Lightning's past, about her parents and her sister. Questions about how she felt about Fang, or even about two women together. There were tempting, provocative questions. But in the light of the stars and the moon, nestled on a small bench with the woman she liked, Fang knew those questions could lead nowhere good. The past was past, and Lightning was Lightning, and Fang knew Lightning now and as she was. She wanted something new, something she didn't know.

"Alright. I got one," Fang said. Lightning nodded for her to ask.

"Right now, more than anything else, what do you want to do?"

Lightning gave her a long, searching look. Fang did her best impression of the other woman, wanting to show nothing. Eventually she spoke.

"Right now?" She looked to the sky, perhaps looking for an answer. She found one. "Absolutely nothing. I want to relax on the beach."

Fang laughed quietly. "That sounds fantastic. Mind if I keep you company?"

Lightning's lips curled up as she looked at Fang.

"I'd like that."