Chapter 6

Lightning spent the rest of her evening alone, eating burnt chicken and rice while watching TV, though nothing that she watched really sank in. She hadn't expected the night to go this way. But who had she been kidding? A serious relationship? A few days before, she had thought it possible. But now she was wondering how she could have been so stupid.

This was obviously not how Lightning worked. Since when did Noctis come over, just expecting dinner to be made? What was this business of sleeping over almost every night? These were foreign concepts to her. She'd fallen into the trap of the "serious relationship" but luckily had enough sense to get out before it was too late. One month anniversaries? Were they both in middle school? And meeting his parents? Please. She'd sooner spend a month alone with Snow. And that was torture.

It took Lightning a good hour to realize that she was being pathetic. An idea struck her, and she called up Serah to ask her to go out for some drinks, something Lightning barely ever did. She wasn't the type to get irresponsibly drunk, because if there was one thing Lightning didn't like, it was not being in control of herself.

She called her sister twice, both times ending in the familiar voicemail – "Hey, this is Serah! I'm busy right now, so leave me a message!" Resolved not to spend the night alone on her couch, Lightning bucked up and got ready anyways. Better to be alone and drunk than just plain alone.

She rummaged through her closet for clothes, stopping on a black dress that her sister had gotten her for last year's birthday. "Something special that will make you feel special. :)" The card was even still attached by ribbon. No, tonight was not the night to break that out. Something told her that she'd never actually wear this thing. All she ever did was pull it out, stare, and shove it back in.

Settling on casual shorts and a black shirt, Lightning made her way to her car and down the driveway. Whether she had a good time or not, she figured the only way tonight could go was up.

Lebreau was not the type of woman who liked to be alone. She'd had a few boyfriends over the years, even dappled in a little after-work action with Gadot, but nothing very serious. For a while, she prided herself on her ability to keep the men guessing, and wanting more than she ever allowed them to have. Sooner or later, they'd start to get a little too clingy, and she'd always drop them.

But now, as a woman in her mid-twenties, she was starting to realize there was more to life than just keeping men wrapped around her finger. Sure, it was nice to have some boy toy to play with once in a while, but she was starting to want something... more. And even though she'd never admit it, she was starting to get a little lonely.

Wiping down the bar counter, she paused and looked around at the room filled with people. All she did was spend every night at her bar, serving drinks to either desperate or alcoholic men. And if there were slim pickings out of her patronage, there were even less in her group of friends. These men had sexy bodies, she'd admit, but she'd known them for far too long to think of them as potential lovers. Kissing them would be like kissing her brother! And more, well... she couldn't even think of that.

But as her eyes scanned the room, she caught the eyes of one familiar blonde-haired man in the crowd, and her heart fluttered a little before she forced herself to turn away.

What was it about him that got her to feel like this? She hadn't felt "butterflies" in years, but here they were. She grabbed some clean glasses and pretended to stack them, casting a sly glance in his direction. Was it his perfect muscles that got her, or that gorgeous smile that he so often threw her way? Or perhaps it was the way that he remained mysterious, even under that cute personality...

Okay, so she liked Snow a little. But who wouldn't? He had everything a woman could want, and he was a well-known hero for what he did a few years ago. That was when she first realized that she felt something for Snow. So she'd tried out her cat-and-mouse game that she always played with men, but instead of playing along, Snow acted indifferent. And that just made Lebreau want him more.

She spent the evening serving as usual, avoiding him whenever possible so she didn't have to feel those weird chills again. But sooner or later, she knew his drink would be empty, and he'd have to come up for another. When this moment finally came, she put on her flirty smile and watched him as he approached the bar.

"Hey, Snow," she said casually. "Need another?"

"Just a beer, please," he said, setting his empty glass on the counter and smiling. Oh, that smile. She turned away quickly and went to grab the brand she knew was his favorite. "You know, you should take a break," he added, behind her. "I can fill in for you if you want. It is your birthday, after all."

Lebreau smiled triumphantly. "You remembered?" she asked, turning around and handing him the beer. "How sweet! But no, I'm okay. Gadot should be taking over in about a half hour. If he's not too drunk, that is. Would you do me a favor though, and do a couple birthday shots with me?"

Snow chuckled and agreed, so Lebreau poured out the shots and they took them together. As the alcohol haze started to fall over her eyes, she felt her courage increasing a little. A plan for tonight was slowly forming in her mind, something she'd been wanting to do for a long time now.

Just as these thoughts were running through her mind, she caught sight of a pinkish mess of hair making its way through the crowd. Damn, of all the nights for Serah's sister to show up, it had to be tonight? These sisters would be the death of her. Not only had that midget of a girl married the man Lebreau should be with, but her sister would surely kick her ass at the first opportunity.

"Hi, Lightning," Lebreau said as the soldier sat down at the bar, faking cheeriness. "What can I get you?"

"Surprise me," Lightning replied, and Lebreau could sense a feeling of somberness.

"So something strong then?" she asked, and both of them laughed. She served Lightning her drink, but avoided her as much as possible for the next twenty minutes, until the clock hit 12 am and Gadot arrived to relieve her of her shift.

She grabbed her coat and started walking to the door when she saw Snow doing the same. Those unfamiliar chills came again, and prompted by the shots in her system, she called to Snow and said, "There's some big guys in the corner who have been giving me looks all night. Would you mind walking me home?"

"Of course," Snow said, slurring his words a little. He was still such a nice guy, even being drunk. Lebreau knew Serah would give him hell for being late, but maybe this would be the breaking point this marriage needed. It was on the rocks anyways, it was only a matter of time before they called it quits.

Snow opened the door to let Lebreau out. As she stepped out of the bar, she took one last look in Lightning's direction and saw that the soldier was watching them with a frown on her face. Lebreau was scared of Lightning, but whether it was the alcohol or the smell of Snow as he walked close to her, she didn't know. But either way, she was determined that her plan for tonight would come through.