A/N: Viewer discretion is advised.

Chapter Six

"You can take all the time you need. We're not in a rush Lightning."

Dr. Valka's soothing voice slipped their way into Lightning's mind, bringing her to ease. From the moment she laid on the couch, she spent her time staring up at the ceiling. She wasn't quite sure how to tell her psychologist that she slept with an underage boy (regardless if he was sixteen), and she just might do it again if left unchecked. She felt like one of those filthy cougars that you would see on the news that ended up with their own reality show. If her life came down to that she would ask Sazh to shoot her in the head. If that was the case, then what was the point of even coming here? She had to get this off her chest, even if it meant compromising her position in the Guardian Corps. Since there was privacy between her and Dr. Valka, she didn't have to worry about personal embarrassment. She could only imagine the things Lt. Amodar would say if he found out.

Lightning sighed before she finally opened her mouth. "I think Hope is in love with me. And you were right, I am obsessed with him."

Dr. Valka adjusted her glasses, not surprised at Lightning's need to get straight to the point. That made her job easier so they didn't have to waste time beating around the bush. She has seen plenty of cases like these, and it wasn't any surprise that someone like Lightning was admitting this problem about a boy who lost his mother. It was clear that this Hope was psychologically attaching himself to Lightning as a replacement for his mother. This need for an adult female figure only fueled Lightning's desire to protect someone who is more 'helpless' than she was, thus creating the obsession.

Lightning stared at the Dr. Valka, her eyes resembling that of a lost puppy. The psychologist frowned at the possibility of what Lightning was about to say.

"Hope and I slept together. Twice."

Dr. Valka paused for a moment, being careful not to show any signs of her inner emotions. How did such a reasonable minded soldier get herself caught into a situation like this? How does one go from a mother-like obsession to one of a sexual nature? There were actual parallels to parent/child and sibling relationships to that of two lovers. One of the most common beliefs is that one is more prone to become attracted to someone like your parents than the opposite of who they are. Now while Lightning cared for Hope like a parent like a child, the journey they traveled on together created a unique bond that is irreplaceable. Sometimes these bonds lack an absolute definition, lacking specific boundaries. This relationship between the soldier and the school boy fit the description perfectly.

"Dr. Valka?" Lightning's voice softened as she waited to hear the verdict of her situation.

The brown haired psychologist coughed and then began her analysis. "I feel that because of your past with Mr. Estheim, you've created a sort of mental dependency upon each other. You both use that dependency in order to escape the emotional anguish of your adventures as L'Cie. I've had the opportunity to speak with L'Cie who completed their focus and weren't crystallized. It's quite a traumatic experience...never knowing which day just may be your last. You feel that it is hard for you to find someone; therefore you connect yourself with those who suffered with you. The man you call Snow is married to your sister and the man named Sazh is like more of a father figure to you, so the most obvious male that you would bond with romantically is Hope."

Dr. Valka paused for a moment, gauging Lightning's expression. The woman was at lost for words.

"You are at the apex of your sexuality, while he is at the prologue. The both of you wield different mind sets and want different things in life. While he is more mature than boys his age, he still lacks the wisdom of a lover of your own age, Lightning. Then again, you regressed yourself thinking it was growing up...something that you have admitted yourself. Somewhere between adolescence and adulthood the two of you share common ground. That helps you and hurts you both."

"Yeah...I can see that..." said Lightning, nodding a bit. "I know this is wrong, as well as kind of illegal, but the first time he caught me off guard and the second time I was a little drunk." Lightning sighed. "I'm a terrible guardian."

"On the contrary, Hope is just at a particular age where shades of his manhood are beginning to show. There is a part of you that is attracted to that side of him." Dr. Valka jotted down some notes before continuing. "You just have to let him grow into that person before you decide to pursue any further. In fact, it's a good idea if he moved back in with his father. Try dating males your own age, and encourage him to pursue young women his own age. That will give you as chance to be able to relate to your own age group, and bring you closer to getting past what has happened in the past. Give it a couple of years and if the two of you think you are ready, then by all means, you both have my blessing."

"I wish it were that simple," Lightning said. "But I have to do what I have to do, right?"

Dr. Valka nodded. "Sometimes the hardest choices in life are the ones that are most beneficial to ourselves. To be honest, this case is a lot more common than you think. The two of you are at a perfect ages for this to happen."

Lightning sat up for a moment and stared at the wall. She was a little scared of being lonely after spending all this time with Hope, but they needed to get rid of the dysfunction in their lives once and for all. This dysfunction was born out of the madness of the world, an edge of sanity that they were able to grasp on to. Yes, Lightning cared for Hope, but she couldn't possibly provide for him what he needed the most. She wasn't mentally or emotionally conditioned to be there for him like a girlfriend his age should. It was the same vice-versa. While Lightning never really thought about the kind of man she wanted (her trysts were only spur of the moment), she knew that Hope wasn't ready to fill in those shoes, or if he ever would.

"Dr. Valka." Lightning stood, and stretched her arms. "Sorry to cut this short, but I think I need to mentally prepare for the inevitable. Once again, thank you." Lightning shook the doctor's hand and left the room.

Dr. Valka stared at the door for the moment, and then walked over to her desk. She placed the notes she had taken on Lightning, and placed them in the drawer. Lightning Farron was an interesting case, to say the least, and even with this 'L'Cie Love' situation taken care of, she wanted to know more about the woman who brought down the Sanctum.

My dear mystical sergeant, we have only begun in exploring what makes you 'tick'...

Dinner between Hope and Lightning was rather a quiet affair. Like yesterday's breakfast, there was little said, and the tension could be felt in the air. Hope had a feeling that she was still thinking about yesterday and most likely called his bluff. Lightning knew the little punk was stewing in his own juices, preparing for her to unravel his dark lie. Each time Hope stared at her, he quickly averted his eyes, as if to escape some kind of impending doom. She had him where she wanted him. She didn't want to be hard on him, but she had to play rough in order to get it across that they shouldn't be together.

After Hope put away the dishes, he walked past the table towards the living room without saying nothing. Before he could make three steps past Lightning, the female soldier's voice stopped him in his tracks.

"Why did you lie to me?"

Hope could feel sweat dripping past his brow, and it wasn't even hot. The knot he already felt in his stomach tightened, and he turned his head away from Lightning, making sure she didn't see his cringing face. She remembered what happened and caught him in his facade. He couldn't help but feel a shred of anger though; it wasn't his fault that she practically raped him while intoxicated.

Seeing the half-scowl on Hope's face, Lightning narrowed her eyes. She wanted to discus about what Dr. Valka had said and listen to Hope's apology and explanation. He had to admit he was wrong, then she would apologize, and then he would leave to live with his father. They would stay friends and maybe, just maybe one day they go out on a date. It was supposed to be easy enough, but Hope's stubborn attitude was beginning to piss her off.

"Does the accused have something to say?" she asked, taking a sip of tea from her moogle mug.

Hope turned completely around to face her. "As a matter a fact, I do," he replied, staring Lightning in the eye. "I don't feel that its fair throwing me under the bus like this. You're just as guilty as I was!"

Lightning paid no attention to the rise in Hope's voice. "I was drunk, you should have known better."

Hope clenched his fists. "You're the adult!" he yelled. "Maybe you should be setting an example or something!"

Lightning raised an eyebrow. "Are you yelling at me?"

Hope paused before answering the question. Taking in a couple of breaths, Hope calmed his self.

"Light...I'm sorry about doing what I did the first time around. I don't know what came over me. It's like every time I look at you, I want to just grab you and take you with every ounce of aggression in side of me." Hope leaned against the wall, his arms crossed. "I want to do things to you...some of them I'm too embarrassed to mention about, but I just want to lose myself in the desire of you. I can't explain why I feel this way...but I just do."

Lightning blinked once, while giving Hope a look over. She glanced at him closely, seeing shades of the man that he is morphing into. His eyes were a serious blue-green, his bangs hanging in front of his face like some kind of sexy celebrity. Sweet Maker was this boy hot.

"Hope, I completely understand everything that you're feeling. I should have been more responsible the other night, and for that I apologize deeply. Now, after saying these things, it just makes what I have to say next even harder..." Lightning turned to the picture of her and Hope on the wall. "I called your father. You're going to be staying with him now."

Hope stared at Lightning in disbelief. How dare she went behind his back and contacted his father without HIS consent! He started pacing back and forth, cerulean eyes watching his every movement. He wanted to scream at her, shake her, tell her how lowdown and screwed up she was. He wanted to call her a coward for running away from what could have been a beautiful romance. He finally realized that this wasn't about the matter of age...but the matter of intent. Lightning exposed a side of her that was rarely seen, and now she was playing Mrs. Uptight, with a dash of holier-than-thou. How could she try to play the passive aggressive game with him just to come out cleaner on the other side!

Lightning could only stare at Hope, who stormed upstairs. Finally, the storm was over. Barely being able to contain herself, Lightning refused to let the water works out until she heard Hope slam the door to his room. A river of sorrow carried itself down her face, her arms giving her shelter from the open world. She fought corrupt secret agents, vile monsters, and bio-mechanical gods, and came out on top. Today, she was defeated by Cupid and his stupid arrow. Her body shook involuntarily, her lungs becoming breathless as she began to hyperventilate. She felt tired...so tired, she wished she could sleep life away. It was too tiresome to her, with the constant coming and going of a regular day, the lack of any real direction, and the restrained feelings for the forbidden fruit that slept across the hall from where she lay. It was all too much for her to bear. She secretly wished things were back to the way they were before two years ago...when things seemed much more black and white to her. She wanted to-

"You lied to me."

Lightning could barely lift her head after hearing Hope's cold voice. She refused to turn her head, where he would be able to see her pitiful tears. "Whatever do you mean?" she managed to choke out between sobs.

"I just called my father. He has no recollection of you calling him at all." Each step Hope made towards her seems to add to her growing headache. "Why, Light? Why would you do such a thing...you know how I feel living with my dad. It brings back too many memories..."

Lightning felt a warm hand on her shoulder. It rubbed her gently, an invitation which she wasn't sure she wanted to accept. Another hand was placed on the other shoulder, and she was now receiving a shoulder massage. If this was supposed to be something she was avoiding, then why did feel just so right?

"Lightning, you can't hide from me. If there's anything I've learned on my journeys, it's how to read you like a book. This is much more than just the age. If it was, you wouldn't be like this...so hesitant. This goes deeper, to places you yourself probably haven't explored yet..."

Great, Lightning thought sardonically. Now Hope is my psychologist...

The massage was soon followed by kisses on the shoulder. Lightning shuddered at the feeling and tried to pull away but she couldn't. She closed her eyes, entranced by Hope's warm breath on her soft nape.

"You beautiful monster," he whispered playfully, in a voice Lightning has never heard, but grew to like very quickly. "You enjoy torturing yourself entirely too much..." Lightning felt a wet tongue teasing her earlobe. "That's my job."

Reviewing a million possibilities, Lightning's groans soon turned into a long and deep sigh. "Y-you're crossing the l-line Estheim..." She never thought she would be submitting herself to the silver-haired runt who attached himself to her two years ago.

"The line's already been crossed. We've finally made it to the other side..." Hope's hands lowered from her shoulders to her breasts. Lightning jumped a little when she felt them squeezed. She silently cursed seeing that the lactation was still active. Biting her lip, Lightning tried to relax, moving her body with the motions of Hope's groping hands. Her mouth hanged half open while her mind raced to consider the consequences of this situation. This would not sit well with the psychologist.

What did that uptight hag know anyway? She probably has no man to go home to!

And here she was, with her own personal lover. Yes, he was a tad bit 'younger' but his passion could match any random guy Lightning's age. And somehow this so-called 'newbie' knew exactly how to please her. Suckling on her breasts not too hard or too soft, his fingers working their way inside her like a skillful perverted surgeon, his other hand gently stroking her face. Lightning Farron was in 7th Heaven, and here was her guardian angel ensuring that her stay was a joyous occasion. She barely realized that they fell off the chair, and were now on the cold, damp, kitchen floor, their bodies wrestling about under the dim light.

The chains were now broken, and their destinies were for theirs to decide.

There's something I have to say to you, if you promise you'll understand...

Their tongues religiously searched for one another, longing for absolution. Their hands grabbed random clothing, either taking it off or tearing away at the cloth. Both parties didn't care, as long as their objective was completed. Hope pressed himself against his pink haired lover, his mouth never letting go of her own. Lightning surrendered (something that she would ONLY do with him!) to his aggression, becoming docile under his enticing transgression.

I cannot contain myself when I'm in your presence...

Hope wasted no time going into Lightning with such force, she had to dig her nails into his back to stay still. This only prompted Hope to continue is invasion of her being, with Lightning wrapping her legs around his, her eyes shut from the feeling that was quickly being to overtake her.

I'm so humble, touch me now...don't hide our love, woman to man...

With incredible lower body strength, Lightning flipped Hope onto his back, a playful grin creeping up the side of her face. Before Hope could let the shock set in, Lightning climbed on top of him, sliding back into 'position'. Leaning forward, Lightning began to show her lover why men to this day are still intimidated by the 'Scourge of the Sanctum'.

One thing in life, you must understand. The truth of lust, between woman and man...

Inhibited no more, Lightning began to thrash her lower body about in a rhythmical motion, exposing her minor experience as an adult to her partner, who fought hard to keep himself from being spent too early. She leaned back in, biting his earlobe, licking his lips. If Hope Estheim wanted her in such a way, he finally got his wish. If he couldn't handle it...well then it was his problem.

So open the door, and you will see. There are no secrets, make your move, set me free...

Feeling the inevitable drawing close, Hope sat up, holding on to Lightning for dear life. She returned the gesture, each passing moment feeling like a thousand years. Their foreheads pressed against each other, they found their way to perfect euphoria. Once spent, the lovers of the L'Cie fell to their backs, panting till sleep overtook their wet bodies.

Claire 'Lightning' Farron has finally given in. She was now his...and loved it.

A/N: That was something, wasn't it? Could have made this even longer, but then it would be like ten more pages added on. Need to save some for future chaps, right? Any who, now that the obstacle of 'Hoperai' was finally overcome, we now have mysterious NEW situations in our midst! What exactly is the drama that is about to knock on the door of our characters' home, and who will be doing the knocking? Find out on the next episode of Dragonba- I mean Duality!