In Oerba now in the game. Almost done with chapter 11. So SinisterPurr…you wanna race to chapter 12 still? : ) I might just win the race to Eden ya know.

With the OOC comment last chapter, I was just trying to over myself for anybody that might tear it apart. But it's true, nobody acts like their normal self when they find themselves falling in love.

Wedding Date

Chapter 6

I examined myself one last time in the mirror. I was satisfied. Light makeup, hair drawn back into a ponytail with a few shorter strands framing my face. "You look better with your hair down." I smiled softly at Serah as she peeked into the bathroom. "Fang will like it better."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes I'm sure." She reached her hand up to pull my hair out of its ponytail, then ruffed it a few times to give it some volume. "And unbutton the top two buttons. Giving a view always draws them in."

My eyes narrowed to small slits as I watched her reflection in the mirror. "I don't think she needs any help being drawn in."

"Hmm…true." She turned me around to unbutton them anyway. "Might make people around you notice, therefore making Fang more possessive."

I turned back around to face the mirror, giving myself one final look. "Remember when I used to do this with you. With all your dates growing up?" She smiled.

"But it's been so long since you've been out you need some help." She poked at my shoulder which only caused me to sigh. "You just have to relax. Remember that there are more people out there that don't care you're with a woman then that do care."

Before I could respond she ran off to answer the door when the bell rang. I guess she was right. Nobody looked at us funny at the bar. Not a soul turned to pay any mind to us at the shop earlier today. I do need to relax. But how can I? I have no clue what to do when I'm with Fang. I guess it's all the same as if I were with a guy. It's just the anatomy's different.

"Light, promise you won't have a heart attack when you come out here." Why would I have a…heart…attack…? I swallowed nervously when my eyes landed on Fang as she stood in the living room. I will admit it, the woman looked amazing in anything she put on. And her long white skirt, navy blue shirt and tan colored blazer simply proved it. I stopped mid-stride to take in her appearance. She had on a light amount of makeup just like I did. Nothing too extravagant. Just a small bit of eyeliner and light blue eye shadow. "I told you not to have a heart attack…breathe Light!"

I came back to reality when she started beating on my back, reminding me to breathe. "I'm not having a heart attack Serah." After smacking her hand away from me I stepped closer to Fang and smiled. "You look nice."

"You look nice too."

I felt good about the clothes I wore. They were simple, just a pair of solid black slacks, with my crimson colored button down blouse. "I'll be home later tonight." I picked up my wallet and house keys from the table near the door before putting my shoes on. "Oh, if Snow's here when I get home, he's going to be spending his wedding day in the hospital."

I handed my menu to the waitress and watched as Fang did the same thing. There were two bags sitting under the table, against the wall so there was no risk of anybody walking off with them. "Why exactly did you bring me along to go lingerie shopping?"

"I told you I had to get something for Serah. I guess you could also say it's for Snow too." The truth was that I wanted to bring her along for her opinion on something for myself.

"Why did you want my opinion on everything though?" She smirked at me. "It's really for you isn't it?"

"Why on earth would I bring you along for something so intimate?"

"To make sure it's something I'd like maybe?"

"You'll never find out if you keep it up." I took a deep breath before standing up.

"Where are you going?"

"Scoot over."

She did just that, giving me more than enough room to sit on the booth seat next to her. I felt like being close to her. The whole evening I've kept at least a two foot gap between us. The few times we did brush up against one another, I looked around, and nobody noticed, nobody cared. Just as Serah said. Fang respected my boundaries all through the shopping center, but now, in the dimly lit restaurant, I felt comfortable with bringing myself closer to her. To finally feel the touch I had been longing for. The comforting that I needed.

"What are you doing?" I felt her body tense when I leaned against her. "I thought you didn't…"

To stop her from talking I planted a small kiss on her lips. "I think I'll be alright…And thank you…for respecting my wishes today."

"Why were you so scared?" She rested her hand on top of mine on the table.

"I've spent a lot of time thinking about it. Thinking about everything. All of this, you, us…everything. I think the truth is…this should have happened a long time ago." I looked down at the table. This was going to be hard to admit to her, it was hard enough to admit to myself. "I wanted to ask you to Serah's wedding long before she begged me to….I wanted to ask you out to dinner, long before that. But I thought you'd laugh at me. You know…like you did when I asked you to the wedding."

"I was just in shock. A lot of people laugh when they're nervous."

I turned in time to see her tilt her head. "You also do that when you're nervous." She smiled. "I've never dated a woman before…"

"I think I figured that one out darling."

"Let me finish….I've never dated a woman before…and it's been almost three years since I've been on any kind of date." I let out a sigh. "People usually run the other direction once they start talking to me. I don't have the kind of personality that draws anything but friends."

"You lured me in." Her hand rested on my cheek to direct my face to look at her. "Light, you do have one of those personalities that screams 'I'm the queen, bow down or leave.' And I like the challenge, because I'll never bow down to you."

"That's what you think…I seem to remember somebody chasing me down the streets of Bodhum earlier today. Who wouldn't take no for an answer when I told her to leave me alone..." I smirked just as the waitress brought our food to the table. She simply smiled at us and told us to enjoy before leaving us alone again. "And besides, you've got a similar attitude."

"But you've already given in to me…Just think about what would have happened-"

"Finish that sentence…" I pointed my fork at her. "…and you'll never see the contents of that bag again."

"So it is for you?"

The grin on her face as she chewed her first bite of her meal made my heart melt. "Maybe…You'll just have to wait to find out now won't you?"

"I'm trying to picture you in it now." Her grin grew wider. "And I like the picture I'm seeing."

"Be nice Fang!" I swatted her arm. If it wasn't for the soft light in the restaurant she would surely see the blush on my face. "You have to be patient with me. It's been a while since I've done any of this."

"Any of what?"

She's doing that on purpose. I know she is. She just wants to hear my say the words. "This…dating, being with someone…"

"Making love to someone?" She added in with a soft voice.

"That's a totally different story…" I bit my lip and used my fork to push around the mixed vegetables on my plate.

"What do you mean?"

"Nothing…It's nothing."

She tilted her head as she watched me. "Have you never…?"

"Never what?" I suddenly smirked. How would she feel about the favor being returned to her.

A laugh came out before she spoke. "Never made love to anybody."

"I…have…" I hesitated. I didn't want her to know I was lying. I think I was just so desperate for it to happen that I made every attempt for her to take advantage of me. My body was ready for it, but I was still unsure if it's what my heart and head wanted. "It's just been a while is all…"

"And how long is a while exactly?"

"Just a while." Not many people were still a virgin at the ripe old age of 23. "Can we talk about something else?"

"Oh my god…" She put her fork on the table and took my hand in hers. "That's why you've been so nervous and tense around me…isn't it?"

"It's just that I like you…a lot…and I don't want to rush into anything is all." I couldn't bring myself to look at her.

The grip on my hand tightened some. It was like she was reading my mind. I wanted to take that moment to flee the restaurant. Her grip kept me seated though. "Why didn't you try to stop me earlier?"

"I wanted to, but your touch makes me melt. It's like I can't control anything I say or do when we're that close together." I finally looked at her, our eyes locked as I continued speaking. "Nobody knows, and I'd like to keep it that way. Not even Serah knows I've never been close to anybody. And with what she saw earlier today, she probably thinks I'm a whore who will give it to anybody."

"Well at least I'm not a stranger you were in the process of giving it to." I picked up my fork again to take another bite. All of a sudden I had lost my appetite. "Hey, look at me." I did so. "If you're not ready, make sure you tell me…alright?" I nodded and turned my eyes down, I felt them starting to mist over with tears.

"All of my past relationships…all they wanted was sex. When I refused to just give it to them whenever they wanted, they'd leave for someone that would. I saw my opportunity closing, and it was closing fast. It got to the point where I was going to be willing to the next person that showed interest. The days passed by, then the weeks and months, then it turned into years. I had started to give up hope. Then you…You showed interest in me. But I felt an attraction to you that I never felt before….Excuse me." I pulled my hand from hers and stood up to retreat to the restrooms before she had a chance to react.

When I returned to the table I resumed my seat across the table from her. I told her all of my secrets. "I'll wait until you're ready Light."

"Thank you." I reached for the bill that was placed on the table by the waitress only to have my hand swatted away. "I asked you to dinner, it's my treat."

"No it's not. And I dare you to try and stop me." She grinned as I watched her leave enough gil for the bill and some extra for a tip. "I'm ready when you are."

Most of the walk to my home was quiet. Fang wouldn't let me carry my own bag, she was being the nice 'gentlemen' that I had always searched for. "I had a wonderful night Fang." I stepped onto my front porch and turned to look at her, she only smiled and stood in front of me.

"So did I. So…I'll meet you here tomorrow afternoon before the wedding?"

I nodded and took my bag from her. "The limo is going to be here at 2 to pick us up, be here before then." I found myself leaning against the door, her body was only an inch or two away from mine. I wanted it closer. I couldn't control myself as I grabbed her by the hip to pull her closer to me. "Promise you'll dance with me at the reception?"

"I'd love to promise that, but honestly, I can't dance."

"Everybody can dance Fang. If you can sway you can dance, trust me."

"Alright, I promise to dance with you tomorrow. Good night Lightning."

I met her halfway to capture her lips in a soft, sensual kiss. "Good night Fang…" I pushed open the front door. "Oh…" I leaned up to whisper in her ear. "…call me Claire."

I found two variations of Lightning's real name...Eclaire...and Claire...I like Claire so I decided to go with it. This chapter turned out a LOT longer then I originally thought it would. But I don't think anybody will mind.

Oh yea, Review! :D