Chapter Three: Change

Change. You cannot stop it.

The entrance to the Cafe was bursting full of people. Patrons had started to sit on the sand, enjoying drinks and snacks, by the water.

"He must be in here, somewhere." Amodar grunted.

Lightning quickly scanned the beach. "Who exactly are you meeting here, sir?"

"Let's check inside." Amodar replied - completely ignoring the inquiry - and started his way up the stairs into the overly crowded bar.

Lightning kept close to her Lieutenant. Her hand set on the handle of her blade gun, ready to whip it out at any moment the situation required.

They patiently weaved in and out of the crowd, and in the mix of sweat and incessant background noise, she spotted him - in a white cotton shirt, his sleeves folded up above his elbow. He was looking out at the dark waters, obviously deep in thought.

What's he doing here?

Momentarily lost in her thoughts, she soon realized that he had turned to look in her direction. Overcome by a sudden panic, she quickly ducked her head between the other customers, and quickly stopped herself.

"What are you doing Light? Why are you hiding?" She chided herself.

She straightened up and remembered that she was here with her Lieutenant... if only she could figure out where he had gone.

"Farron!" A distinct voice rang out from the tables close to the front of the cafe, causing Lightning to spin around.

As suspected, the Lieutenant's guest was the ex-Captain. She watched as her Superior exchanged handshakes with taller man, and squeezed her way to the table.

The two just stood and observed each other in silence.

"Ah haha! Captain, this is my most trusted soldier, Sergeant Lightning Fallon." said Amodar, cutting through the seemingly awkward silence. "You might have heard of her."

"Ah, yes sir. I have. I've heard really good things in fact." He nodded at her.

"Yes, yes! She is exceptional!" Amodar continued, not sensing the slight air of tension between the two old friends. "And Farron! Meet Captain Rain Kalen of the -"

"92nd Advent Regiment. I have heard about him sir." Lightning politely cut in.

"Actually sir, with all due respect, the rank of Captain has been left behind in Capital Eden. I no longer deserve its title." Rain respectfully corrected.

"Nonsense, young man! You've worked hard to attain that rank, and we'd best give you, at the very least, the respect you're due." Amodar lightly rebuked.

To that, Rain had no further response, but instead changed the subject. "Please, take a seat. Tonight's meal will be on me." he smiled, motioning to Lightning and Amodar to take the two seats right across the table.

The meal went by relatively quickly, with Amodar and Rain engaged in a one sided animated conversation about the Guardian Corps. Lieutenant Amodar was as jovial as always, and excited about his work, while Rain seemed a little distracted, and always replied to the point and as politely as possible.

Odd conversation. Observed the pink haired sergeant as she fleeted between quietly observing her old friend and listening in to their exchange. She stirred her cold cup of coffee for the umpteenth time and took a sip, closing her eyes as she savored its flavour. Bodhum's special coffee blend. Her favorite.

But it's turn cold. She thought to herself and opened her eyes.

She watched the whole scene between the two men with minimal interest. Eventually, her eyes settled on the young man sitting before her, inadvertently gazing at his well defined, cleanly shaven jaw. Before she knew it, she was taking in every part of the 'new' him. From his short, disheveled jet black hair, gently sweeping over his calm eyebrows to his deep blue eyes glimmering under his long eye lashes.

Was he always this handsome? She pondered, taking another sip of her coffee.

It soon came to her realization that both her dinner companions were now silently watching her, as if waiting for a response. Lightning blinked.

"Farron," Amodar began. "Won't you agree that the Captain here would be a valuable asset to our team, should he decide to join us?"

Without waiting for a response, Rain interjected. "Sir, with all due respect, I would like some time to consider your generous offer. However, before I do give you my reply, please allow me to enjoy a little more of Bodhum. I hope you are in no hurry to pull a new member on board?" he said with a charming smile.

Amodar guffawed. "Alright soldier. Take your time to think it through." He energetically patted Rain's shoulder. "Not too long though. The team is excited at the possible prospect of you joining us."

"I will get back to you as soon as possible." Rain nodded in reply.

"Alright then! I'd best take my leave." Amodar chirped, glancing at his watch. "Thank you for the meal soldier. It was an honor dining with you." He said, standing up.

"The honor is all mine sir." Rain responded, standing up to see him off.

"Oh, and Sergeant,"

"Sir." Lightning stood up as well.

"I'm giving you a day off tomorrow." Amodar discreetly winked.

Lightning raised her eyebrows "Sir?"

"Why don't you take the time to show our Captain here around. Since he hasn't been back for awhile, it might be good to reacquaint him with the city?"

"But Sir-" she retorted.

"Lieutenant Amodar, I am thankful, but I am pretty sure I can find my own way aroun-" Rain interrupted.

"No buts! I insist, Captain! And I won't take no for an answer." Amodar waved them off. "Now you behave, soldiers." he chuckled and left.

Rain sank back into his chair. The change of events were a little too sudden, and a little awkward. "You sure have an interesting commanding officer." he sighed, gazing at the ceiling.

"That's Lieutenant Amodar for you. He's a fantastic soldier, but he's got a quirky humorous side. He's serious when the situation calls for it, and he always looks out for me. I respect him." Lightning replied, her face showing no signs of emotion, as she stared out at the moonlight shimmering on the surface of the still waters at the shore.

"Well, I'm happy for you."

"Hm?" Lightning turned her attention back to Rain.

"You seem to be really enjoying your work." a smile crept onto his face, "and i'm glad that you're happy." he continued, leaning forward and taking another sip of his beer.

"Its... rewarding..." a small hint of a smile appeared on her face.

Rain propped his chin on his hand and gazed into the eyes of his old friend. Always the ever purposeful girl isn't she?

"What?" She had noticed her companion's eyes literally stuck on her. "Is there something on my face?"

You haven't changed...

"You've gotten prettier." was what came out instead.

Shoot! That came out wrong! Damn it Rain. Now you sound like a pervert.

Lightning however, remained unfazed. "Thanks. You look good yourself."

That was not exactly the reaction I had expected. Rain laughed inside. "Well, thanks, I guess." he replied, rubbing the back of his head.

"Let's go." Lightning stood up abruptly and prepared to leave.

"O...kay..." Rain stood up as well. "Where are we going exactly?"

"I'm just following orders. I'm taking you around the city." She replied straight to the point, avoiding his eyes.

She sure is dedicated. And here I thought the Lieutenant was just joking.

"You coming or what?" Lighting called out to him from the cafe entrance. Clearly she intended to obey the Lieutenant's orders, and was not allowing Rain any escape; not that he minded.

God, that was embarrassing. I can't believe the Lieutenant set me up like that. Lightning folded her arms and patiently waited at the base of the steps leading up to the cafe entrance, and snorted.

"Hey Lebreau! Thanks for the meal!" She distantly heard Rain shouting from within the cafe.

"Come back anytime!" A higher pitched voice shouted back a reply.

"Sorry," Rain jogged up to Lightning. "Had to pay the bill."

"Friends of yours?" Lightning questioned, her eyes glued to the dark horizon.

"Sort of... they're more like acquaintances I guess..." Rain dug his hands into his pockets and smiled.

Tsk. When did he get so laid back about things? Lightning sighed. Wait, was he always this laid back? She wondered.

"Hey Claire!" Rain ran after the pink haired girl. She spun around with an indignant look on her face.

"Heh.." Rain chuckled, scratching his head and put his hands into his pockets. "You've gotta take a chill pill. Relax a little."

She rolled her eyes. "My name is Lightning."

"Well, I liked Claire better." He grinned.

She was always put at ease with his smile.

"W-well, go find another Claire then!" Lightning spun around and ran off in the other direction. "I'm Lightning! If you don't like it then-"

"Okay, okay..." Rain sighed, giving in with a smile still stuck on his face. "I'm sorry Lightning." He apologized, catching up to her.

"Hmph!" She stopped in her tracks.

"I think Lightning goes better with Rain anyway." He said, chuckling and grinning from ear to ear.

"Whatever." Lightning averted his eyes and walked back in the direction they came, brushing past him.

"You still need to chill!" He shouted after her.

Yes. He was always the laid back one, especially after Mom...

"What are you thinking about Light?" Rain's voice disrupted her train of thought.

"Nothing." Lighting spun on her heels and walked off. "Let's get going."

I've never let others know of my thoughts and feelings, and I'm not about to start with him. She thought, with a firm resolve.

Something was up; Rain just knew it. He had known Lightning far too long for it to just be a simple "nothing", but he knew better than to pursue the matter, especially since he hadn't seen her in the past five years.

Something might have changed after all.