Wow really, I'm kinda disappointed in myself that it took me this long to update, but writing 5k words (which is half the chapter) in two evenings...well it just goes to show-when you're inspired, sit yo butt down and make some magic happen. Thanks for all the alerts, favs and reviews...the constant flow of 'favs' were like little reminders that I had something to finish, hehe. This chapter was getting a little long, so the ending could've been a bit better (not the ending to the story, mind you, that's still coming up...lest I remind you that this is a LightxHope fic, which hasn't really been brought into play yet). It's not over until...well, I won't say that.
Oh, and how's XIII-2 treating you? I was close to finishing my first playthrough...and then, well I had to go back to university, where of course...there is no PS3 to be found :( Woe is me!
Read, love it again and review :D ( I also apologize beforehand for any typos or errors) and disclaimer! I do not own these lovely characters...well, except for Wright...that doctor's all mine.
A glowing orb in a sky strewn with ribbons of clouds, the moon was small and distant, its cold light illuminating the frozen snow, giving it a sheen of polished steel. Wary green eyes were visible over a thick blue scarf; they scanned the ethereal horizon. The world seemed empty. A northern wind sent ripples through silver hair.
Crunch, crunch, crunch…
Hope's footsteps were mechanical. It was the fourth night. They were debating whether to wake Lightning up from her coma, so she could be coherent for the visit back to Asnida. Wright was fully against it. Serah didn't want anyone to go. She'd expected him to be on her side. But Hope had remained quiet. Nothing had been resolved. For him, he didn't expect it would ever be resolved. It would freeze, like the night, and become numb. His pace was brisk. For the longest, he had waited beneath the doorframe, wanting to remain near a source of comfort. And yet that's why he left. He rarely had a moment to himself with Serah constantly at his side, but it was Lightning's presence he missed.
In the midnight hours, the lobby was quiet. A janitor came by pushing a cleaning cart, keys jangling on his belt, but even his coming and going was unobtrusive. Still severely under-staffed, the nurse on duty had her hands full in organizing patients. Most of the doctors were still being borrowed in other towns. She shuffled through the pages, tilting her head when a post-it note slipped out. What's this? She picked it up, gray eyes skimming the request for Lightning Farron to remain under Dr. Wright's care; in red it stated the name was an alias. Ahh he sure does have his favorites. She placed the woman's file on top of another patient's—a young girl the doctor had also requested to keep.
The black phone rang and reading the room number flashing on the screen, she quickly answered it. "This is Luella at the front desk, how may I assist you?" She nodded. "Certainly, I'll have someone bring it up right away." Her eyes widened and she hung up without asking the patient if they needed anything else. "Hon, you should be wearing a hat in this cold," she said, getting up to see him better over the desk. She frowned at his paleness. "Do you need to see a doctor?"
He shook his head and took a step closer, pulling down the scarf covering the lower half of his face. "I'm here to see someone." The dark circles beneath his eyes added a solemn urgency to his quiet voice. "Please."
"Well technically, I'm not supposed to let anyone up at this hour, but let's see if I can make an exception." Despite the alertness his eyes showed, he looked ready to drop from fatigue. "Patient's last name?"
"Farron."
It clicked. Luella smiled. "Oh, then you're Hope. You were admitted a couple days ago, right? Apparently, Dr. Wright likes you too; he told us there'd be a slight possibility you'd show up." She pulled up a file on the computer. "Visitors are permitted at all times in the ICU, so it shouldn't be a problem. I'll just need you to sign in here." She handed him a sheet and pen. She looked at the age he wrote down and her face fell. "Oh I'm sorry, you need to be at least 18 if you're by yourself…"
He stared at her incredulously. "…Are you serious? She's my…I need to see her, it's important…" He dropped the pen, grabbing his hair, taking a few steps back. "You don't understand, I have to..." He looked ready to break down.
What has this kid been holding in? Luella stood up again, forcing a smile for his sake. "You know what? I think it'll be alright. I'll give her nurse a call, ok? Just a minute, hon." She quickly shook the mouse, the screensaver disappearing. She picked up the phone. "Hello, Nana? You're assigned to Farron, right? I have a young boy here needing to see her. Can you escort him? No, he's not, but… Ok, thanks." She flashed the teen a smile. "Everything's ok. Have a seat until she gets here."
Hope couldn't stop himself from shaking. Age is a stupid factor. He unzipped his coat and waited by the doors; Luella didn't seem to mind.
There was a mechanical click and the doors inwardly swung open. Dressed in white scrubs with a thin short pink scarf tied around her neck, Nana beckoned him in, her brown eyes mild. "You're the one I'm taking to see Lightning?"
Hope nodded, tensing up when she placed her hand on his back.
"Then I'm sure you'll be glad to know she's doing quite well." She swiped her ID; once the light flashed green, the elevator doors opened. "She had us worried though. Her body was failing on the inside: lack of proper nutrition, rest and good judgment. She must've noticed the severe frostbite on her legs, they weren't all bruises. And her knee? It was fractured—poor thing must've been in so much pain. Thankfully it was a stable fracture, so surgery wasn't required…" She glanced down and noticed his paler face. "My goodness, I got carried away. I tend to go into auto-pilot when it comes to taking friends and family to see a patient," she apologized. "She really is doing better." She swiped her ID again in front of door 332.
Nana's voice registered as nothing more than white noise to Hope as she explained how many weeks it would take before her leg could support her weight and the probability of crutches, blending in with the dry wheezing of the breathing apparatus and the steady monotone beeping of the heart monitor; its green line consistently pacing every small spike. He took a step forward, hands reaching for her.
"Oh, she probably doesn't need the oxygen flow anymore. We had her on it just so it was one task less her body had to focus on."
Despite the deep state of sleep she was in, she still looked exhausted; dark circles against ashen skin. He remembered her serene face before. It's like she knows she's away from home. His fingertips grazed her hand, expecting it to be cold, but her palm held the faintest warmth—no different than room temperature. She can't even regulate her own body heat. He squeezed her hand, careful to not disturb the tubes. "You look so miserable Light."
He turned his head, green eyes watching Nana as she recorded the numbers on the monitor. "Since we've already broken the rules, I guess there's no reason to stick to the time limit. Can I trust you to be ok? No trying to wake her up?"
Hope nodded.
"Then I'll come get you when visiting hours are open."
He nodded again, shifting uncomfortably when she continued to stare at him; it was as if she knew what his intentions were.
"I'm going to advise you to not climb into bed with her because it's generally not allowed in the ICU." Though we had a hard time keeping her out of yours. She sighed. "Just please be careful."
He suddenly averted his gaze to the ground, an all-too-familiar redness creeping into his cheeks. "Ok," he mumbled. The door closed quietly, the panel next to it switching from green to red.
He lost no time shrugging off his coat and throwing it over the back of the chair before going to the side where he thought he had the least chance of tangling himself in something. You wouldn't kill me for this, right? He hoisted himself onto the bed, nestling himself next to her side, resting his cheek against the softness of her breast. He wasn't surprised when the slight burn of tears started in his eyes. "I wanted to thank you for everything you've done for me… You said that…surviving you could help me with, but that you couldn't give me hope, that I would have to find the hope I was named for…" He closed his eyes, covering his mouth with the back of his hand. "And I did. You had it along, Light," he sobbed quietly, lifting his head. He inched closer, cradling her face, stroking her cheeks, "hope was the boy you believed in."
Silver hair brushed tickled her cheekbones as he pressed his lips to hers. His heart pounded against his chest. "…I love you Lightning."
"Wh-what? After injecting him with the blood of some creature, you're just gonna ship him off and run tests on him like he's some lab rat? You're no better than the bastards my patients rescued him from!" Wright gripped his hair as the doctors walked faster, trying to outpace him. He turned to Bartholomew, gesticulating wildly. "Come on Estheim, give Hope a chance to rest—your son needs stability, please there's no need to rush. Give the boy a break." He was at wit's end. The moment I get into bed, my authority goes to the dogs. "Bartholomew, you're making a—"
"A mistake?" the man finished briskly. "Hope is my son and I'm doing what I think is best for him. Stability is a new environment—"
"Stability is Light—"
"Don't you dare tell me that soldier," Bartholomew roughly wiped his red face with a shaking hand, "listen, I KNOW she risked her life for him, but at the end of the day, I AM his father and what I say GOES. Stability is a new beginning and that is why I'm taking him back to New Palum—"
"To have him experimented."
"To have him analyzed by the Sanctum in order to fully understand the changes undergoing in his body. You don't think that after being told my son could snap and destroy everything—"
Wright grabbed his shoulders. "He's not even strong enough to access it! William made a huge deal about it."
"Get your hands off me," Bartholomew growled. "I apologize, but I must get going. The helicopter won't wait forever."
Grasping at straws here…this is ridiculous. "Please, hasn't the Sanctum done enough? Just…let him be, don't let them mess with him."
"I…can't do that." Bartholomew stumbled away, looking torn. "It's bad enough that he was a l'cie, but now to think that he could be part cie'th…they won't even look at him as a human. It's because he's my son that they won't just lock him up."
Wright shook his head, giving a dry choke of a laugh. He pinched the bridge of his nose, counting to ten and slowly trailed after Estheim.
Upon opening the metal door to the rooftop, the seed of a migraine began to flourish in the fertile ground of chaos. The darkness of the sky, a flush royal purple, proved to soothe none as an overbearing sea of noise put everyone in a state of near-panic. Navigation lights flashed continuously, red, white and green signaling the aircraft's readiness to go. His white coat flapped from the gust created by the main rotor blades. A sudden wail of relief broke through the noise and a writhing body slammed into him, small fists pounding his chest. He swallowed heavily and awkwardly patted the mess of pink hair.
"Dr. Wright, they're taking Hope away! What's going on? We have to tell them stop, c'mon, now that you're here, they'll finally take us seriously." Serah sniffed, grasping a handful of his coat, trying to tug him along, but when she pulled, the fabric just slipped through her fingers. Now's not the time to just stand there! "Doctor!" she screeched, stomping her foot.
Ian backed away, leaning against the door. He lifted his hands in surrender. "I…I can't," he began, watching Serah promptly turn around and leave. She ran straight for the cluster of soldiers only to have them roughly thrust her back, instantly triggering Snow's wrath.
"HANDS OFF MY WIFE!" With bristling fury, he scooped her behind him, going chest-to-chest with a trembling soldier. He spotted Hope, wild-eyed and despairing, glancing around as if looking for a familiar face. "Right here, buddy! Hope, we're gonna take you home—"
"Sir, we're under orders to escort Hope Estheim to the base in New Palum."
"Yeah? Well fuck you, I've had enough."
Serah screamed when Snow barreled into the man. Sazh set Dajh down and quickly stepped in-between Snow and the seven guns trained at his chest. "Whoa there fellas, just take it easy." He took a step back, bumping into Snow. "Trench coat, this ain't worth it. It's obvious we can't do anything about this—you wanna let Hope and Serah see you get mowed down? Hope," he called. "We're gonna get you home, alright?"
"I am taking him home."
"Dad!" Hope tried to break free from the soldiers holding his arms. "You only said I couldn't go with them to Asnida…what's going on? I don't…I don't want to go with you." It was too familiar; one of the men tightened their grip and he whimpered. You have 96 hours. "Lightning," he cried. "Lightning! Don't let them take me—"
"Quiet!" Bartholomew grabbed his son's face. "I won't let them harm you."
"Why start now?" the boy cried, jerking away. "Lightning!" His scream was a raspy cry and when his father attempted to embrace him, he cowered back. "Lightning! Save me!"
"You're safe too."
It had been such a gentle, shy kiss, innocent almost—so Lightning had no idea why her body wanted to react so violently to it. Her back against the wall, she really didn't have anywhere to go. She turned her head, heart thumping erratically; she took shaky breaths in order to calm it. Hope was still on his hands and knees, inches from her face. Her fingers gripped the bed sheets in a feverish haste when she realized it was him she wanted to grab. His head dropped, silver hair brushing against her collarbone and she found herself arching the slightest. Hope noticed it too and he looked back up, moving closer, his wrist touching her hip.
He was so close, she could practically feel him on every inch of her, and oh how she actually wanted to; she finally turned her head, a quiet gasp of breath as two intoxicating green eyes met hers, his head tilted curiously. There was a growing ache inside her that was getting harder to ignore and she simply wrapped her arms around his shoulders, hoping that physical contact would be enough sate her. But she wasn't expecting him to respond. His mouth was suddenly against hers, warm and sweet, she pulled him closer and only when it was waist against waist, did she realize what she was doing to him. Gently and just once, she ground her hips against him, almost giving in when he groaned. Waiting several heartbeats, she closed her eyes and distanced herself. Discipline she could always fall back on, but as a woman, carnal control was not something she ever had to exercise.
He didn't move and she tried to not to feel shameful, pressing the back of her hand to her mouth. She waited until her breathing had returned to normal and she was sure she could speak. "Hope…you understand, right?"
Seconds passed.
He turned around, a soft smile on his face, eyes sleepy, content and playful. He scooted closer and placed a hand on her waist, sliding it over her hip bone, resting on the lean, powerful muscle of her thigh. "You'd break me," he acknowledged. A growl of displeasure sounded from her throat; his hand was abruptly brushed off and he received a light cuff on the head.
"Idiot," she muttered, blushing. She gave him another affectionate clout on the back when he wiggled closer, but readily held him.
Black faded to gray and too soon, it was eye-wateringly bright. Even with eyes squeezed shut, they burned and she tried to twist away. Words were suddenly being spoken, but they were a jumbled mess of vowels and consonants. Hands, stronger than gravity, were pulling her up, up, up and up with her came her stomach and the voices grew louder as she retched. The sourness stung her throat and she coughed, her vision clearing.
Wright rubbed Light's back, soothingly as well as hoping the constant stimulation would work to clear her head. He glowered at the PSICOM officials. "There. Happy now?"
"We need her to board in fifteen."
"She just came out of a coma, give her time!"
"Fifteen." After giving a curt nod, the two men left.
The harried doctor sighed, fitting a black brace around the soldier's knee. "Farron, I don't think I can take any more of this. You see this magnificent head of hair? It's turning gray. Why bring me in if no one's going to listen?" He placed her arm around his shoulder. "How're you feeling? Sick? Tired? In pain?"
"Where's Serah?" came a quiet slur. "If she ran off…with that moron…"
"Ah don't worry. She's outside, waiting to see you." He slid her closer to the edge, grunting quietly as he scooped her up. "Are you in pain?" She's not going to like this. He carried her over to the wheelchair, but as she soon as she realized he was lowering her, she looked down and instantly kicked out a leg. A flurry of flailing body movements ensued as the soldier almost rolled out of his arms; Wright lurched forward, holding tightly onto her torso and right leg awkwardly. "Damn it, Farron." Though it wasn't in her best interest, he wasn't going to force her—he didn't have the strength. "Fine, you win."
Lightning's eyes widened as she was swept up again and jostled until he had a good grip. "I can walk," she sighed, resting her head against his shoulder.
"Yes and I can crawl backwards as fast as I can run forward." He allowed himself a wry smile when a frown crossed her features.
Settled in the crew compartment, the thick black straps buckled across her chest smelled like stale sweat and worn leather. The seat next to her was empty; Snow and Sazh across from her. Serah leaned her head against the cool glass, small face apathetic, twisting the pendant at her neck. She had cried out all her tears last night and she hadn't thought to save any for Leviathan. There isn't anything for me to do except to just keep going. But it's far from being that simple.
Baby… Snow sat slouched, not yet buckled in. She was a sad sight; small and frail, caught in a tangle of black. Mittened hands motionless on her lap, eyes void of determined cheer, gazing lifelessly at nothing. Snow felt his spirit falter as he realized how disappointed Light would be in him. "Serah," he said. The absence of the smile that usually touched upon her mouth at the sound of his voice hit him hard and he hunched over as her eyes gave him a leaden stare as if say what? "We'll make it better," he assured, rocking back and forth.
"Is that the plan?"
Snow stopped; there was no mistaking the dead mockery in her tone. He opened his mouth, glancing at Sazh who put a hand on his leg. "Let her be," he advised quietly. "These are grieving times." Snow hung his head, but perked up at the call outside. He immediately lumbered over to the door, undoing the latch, and sliding the weighty door back.
Wright gave a tight-lipped smile. "Pilot said he's on his way; he's picking up some analyst." He held the limp soldier in his arms.
"Here I got her." Snow crouched down on the metal plating of the helicopter floor, reaching down as Wright lifted her up. He settled Lightning gingerly on his lap, blue eyes catching the yellow bandanna tied around her upper arm. Hope… "So that's where he went," he murmured. He looked down at the doctor. "Is she ok to travel?"
Wright scoffed. "No, but who listens to me, right?" He exhaled loudly, reaching up to rub Light's arm. "Unfortunately I'm still on duty, otherwise I'd come, but the pilot's a trained EMT. Farron should be fine. There're some blankets on the stretcher, make sure she stays warm." He leaned forward, sticking his head in. His intention was to give a little encouragement to the younger sister, but after looking at her, he decided not to. That's not what she needs right now. "I know it doesn't need to be said, but watch out for Serah. It's a ripe time for depression."
"Will do, Doc."
Sazh got up, stooping over so he wouldn't hit his head. "Let's get soldier girl on the gurney."
Serah leaned as far as the straps would let her. "Claire… Is she alright?" She was relieved to see her sister clothed in winter gear—even if it was just a different uniform. Both arms were covered in black, a thick sleeveless caramel coat tapered at the waist, though roughly the same length as her vest as to not hinder movement. Black leg warmers surpassed her boots and went up the majority of her thighs, but Serah was still irked to see a band of bare skin unprotected by skirt, shorts or fabric. Is it too much to ask? Really?
The three of them turned to the door as someone hauled themselves in. He was decked in black, only his mouth visible beneath a half-visor helmet. He turned around, helping up a young messy-haired brunette. He guided her to the cockpit before sliding the hatch door closed. "Afternoon folks, I'm your pilot Kensey. If you'd all get settled in your seats and follow the safety procedures listed on the door to your right, we can get this show on the road." He spotted the gurney in back and glanced at Snow and Sazh. "Is Lt. Farron aware of what's going on?"
Sazh shook his head. "She's in and out. And I got a question for you. How long you think this is gonna take? I got a son spending too much time with his babysitter and I think I speak for all us when I say we've had enough."
Serah sat up, tilting her head. "We've been more than willing to help you investigate—yet, we haven't been shown a single act of consideration."
He was hardly flustered. "I apologize…as far as I know, this is the last thing scheduled—Mhm." Kensey touched his ear. "No sir, preparations are being made. That is correct, everyone is accounted for. Roger." Head ducked, he strode to the back.
Serah narrowed her eyes. "How rude…"
The three could hear him conversing quietly, but Lightning's responses were too soft to make out.
Sazh leaned his head back and closed his eyes once the rotors started spinning. These old bones can't take much more of this.
Her scream pierced through the dense fog surrounding her mind. Serah! Lightning's immediate action was to shoot up, instead she struggled to sit up, wincing as she propped herself on feeble arms. "Serah," she called out, rolling her eyes when she quickly came to the conclusion that no one would've heard that weak rasp. Just hold on. Tentatively she pushed herself off the stretcher—her legs instantly rejected her weight, knees coming down promptly on the unforgiving surface.
The soldier tottered slightly, unconscious of the wet tears leaving streaks down her cheeks. Sniffling loudly, she hunched over, taking the weight off her bad knee. She gazed at the two unoccupied rows of seats, eyes widening at the familiar tug on her heart. No, no, no, not here and not now. He wavered as if resisting to obey what was being involuntarily commanded of him; she didn't have the strength and Lightning gagged, the feeling akin to the forceful contractions of dry heaves.
Drained, Snow rested clenched fists on his thighs. "I'm alright baby," he panted. Damn, I feel like I've been pounded by a giant flan. He closed his eyes and grinned. "I'm…al—" A cool sigh hit his cheek with the sprinkled softness of powdered ice as Nix's head suddenly lolled back, and unable to support either of their weight any longer, slid into the crystal depression with the dead weight of a humanoid doll, leaving fine scratches along the bowl. Snow toppled after her and Styria went down with him, tumbling heavily into the shallow pit, blades of metal and rims carving out chinks of crystal. A disconcerting smear of dark royal-blue stained the smooth sloping side.
Shoulders against the pale teal skin of Nix's abdomen, Snow took a deep breath; Styria's weight was incredibly heavy on his legs, a prone tangled form of gold and dark blue. His fingers, tingling with barest essence of cura, ached to touch the gash on her back. Though she wasn't facing his way, Styria gave a reproachful huff.
"Snow!" Serah's worried face peeked over the edge.
"…Just need a little rest, babe."
The rigid contours of Brynhildr's frame dug into his back, but the overwhelming loyalty exuding from her even as she lay on her side, an arm horrendously twisted back, was a soul soother. Sazh patted the red shield, stretching out a cramped leg. "You did good, girl."
Kensey surveyed the scene slack-jawed. After grunting and grimacing, the two men had collapsed to the ground with their strange eidolon creatures spawning out of thin air. He turned his attention to the analyst when she started speaking. "So from what I've been briefed on, it seems like these Eidolons weren't given the chance to rest. They retained their battered state, which leads me to believe only on Asnida where their l'cie reach them, can they regenerate." Chloe tucked her brown hair back, musing over the monument of crystal and ice.
"Meaning?" At her sigh, he immediately grew defensive. "I'm a pilot—that's my job. Do yours."
She rolled her eyes. "Meaning theoretically, the ex-l'cie aren't exactly 'ex'. For some reason, Asnida's energy field ignores the fact that their focuses have been completed and initiates auto-summoning. And because the eidolons don't—technically—exist beyond this field, they're suspended in time in whatever state they were left in."
Sinuously sleek and cool like glass to the touch, Serah guided her hand along the cenotaph Leviathan had become; she missed the absence of slippery scales. The sun's reflection glinted off his unbreakable form, forever constricted around a pillar of hardcased light, unhinged jaw gaping at the sky. She closed her eyes, pressing her cheek against the rock. "We're both such fools," she whispered. A tremor ran beneath her feet. Huh? Wide-eyed, she stepped back searching the statue for signs of movement, but frantic voices made her turn away.
"Lt. Farron, it isn't safe for you out here!"
Her sister had managed to crawl across the frozen beach and was now upright on her knees, head tilted to the sky. "Lightning, what're you doing?" Serah rushed forward, arms jutting out for balance when the ground suddenly cracked around her. The fissure widened and forgoing her plan to jump, she lurched backwards, landing on her rear. "Claire!" she shouted helplessly.
The soldier slowly keeled over and instead of barreling from the heavens, Odin materialized beside her, a defeated kneel, shield and magnificent sword useless in hand. From the web of cracks, a faint mirage of a golden dome fortress fanned out, twisting and curling gracefully until a pulsating, glowing orb had encapsulated them.
With breathes held and eyes weary, they all observed the darkening of the orb, intricate inscriptions forming, gleaming with legends of honor and courage. Within seconds the soldier and her eidolon were erased from sight.
"Release Lt. Farron immediately or I'll be forced to shoot!" Kensey quickly pulled out his gun; a hand hastily shoved his arm down.
"What're you doing? You can't cause any complications, remember?" Chloe shot him an annoyed look. "We're just here to observe—or well that's my job. You're just a pilot."
Lightning stared at the golden wall of her sudden enclosure; no aches coursed through her muscles, no pain throbbed from her side, but an overwhelming exhaustion overtook her. Her warm breath fogged the crystal beneath her cheek. A delicate peal like a lightly rapped hollow bell sounded as a rose-tinted gemstone bounced into view, rolling to her fingertips.
Though this Judgment shall be erased from existence, this must not be forgotten.
Weak fingers lifted to grasp the pearlescent sphere. The struggle ended quietly and her eyes shut.
Their crystalized world turned a passionate hazy red as the smoldering sun sunk beneath the horizon. After the orb had disappeared, Lightning had become impossible to wake as had the others and Serah, left with nothing to do, sat at the shore, letting the frigid water lap up past her boots.
"Do you mind if I take a small sample?"
Serah continued to dab absentmindedly into the water, oblivious of how it swirled around her hand.
"Serah!"
Wide-eyed, the younger Farron turned her head. "Did you really have to shut my name so loud by my ear?"
Chloe blushed. "Sorry, I just didn't know how else to get your attention…talking didn't seem to work. Although I must admit, it's a pretty romantic spot to be daydreaming."
Did she really just call this a romantic spot? "I don't mean to be rude, but considering this is a place where lives have been destroyed and that people close to me are continuously suffering…I think it would be pretty selfish of me to be sitting here daydreaming."
Chloe leaned down, resting her hands on her knees. "Well…sometimes you need a break—especially when there's nothing you can do." She waited to see if she'd get a response. Nothing. "Anyway, I wanted to know if you'd be ok with me taking a small sample. I want to compare it to the sample I got from—"
"You mean you want a piece of Leviathan?"
"Precisely."
"I don't mind cooperating, but I'm sure you can understand when I say no." She wanted to help and had a feeling Leviathan wouldn't mind either, but she was getting tired and saying 'no'—and perhaps therefore making her job a little harder—felt good. She dunked her hand back in the water.
"Chloe! They're disappearing! Their…ei-eidolons are gone!"
Serah scrambled up, skipping over the cracks, relief intertwining with happiness as Snow pulled himself out of the pit.
Snow eagerly swept her up into his embrace when she jumped. Fragments of her despondency still lingered in his memory and he tightened his grip, knowing that he should've been more understanding. "Serah, if you need to let your anger out…I'm here, I can take it." He roughly kissed her cheek. "Give me all you've got."
She pressed her face to his, stroking the back of his neck. "What are you talking about? I have to support my hero." Her feet touched the ground and she looked up, wrapping her arms around his waist. "It's only natural that we're all going to have our moments, but if we stay together, there isn't anything we can't overcome."
"That's right, baby."
Gazing up into his grinning face, she pursed her lips. "Your face is all healed…"
He laughed, rubbing his chin. "Is it now? In all honesty, I feel great, refreshed—musta been a magic nap or something."
Sazh held his arms ready in case the wobbling soldier teetered too far, but Lightning managed to walk unassisted. Her eyes were half-closed and soft mumbles would pass through her lips every so often. "C'mon girl, it's been a long day for you," he said, guised affection leaking into the respect he had for her. The brace was giving her trouble and he attributed it to the fact that she probably didn't know she had it on; therefore, getting increasingly agitated by the limited range of motion her knee was giving her.
She wanted to keep walking, but a sudden barrier crashed into her waist. Disgruntled, she looked down, seeing the platform of the helicopter. How hadn't she noticed that? She narrowed her eyes, the expression quickly fading at the sudden chuckle.
"Need some help, Sis?"
Even if he didn't see the 'no' clearly written on her face, her frantic struggles—an elbow digging in his chest while an arm furiously worked to keep any part of him from touching the back of her thighs—should have conveyed the point as he rather unceremoniously picked her up. He tried to set her gently in, but as soon as she had room to escape, she twisted away. "You're welcome," Snow said, grinning when he received a dark look.
"Lightning." Serah leaned forward in her harness, catching her sister's eye. She wanted to say something, anything to alleviate the helpless feeling one got when everything was just…wrong. Before she closed her eyes, we were all together. Hope was by her side and it seemed like things would only continue to return to normal. But to awake, surrounded by turmoil that never seems to end and with a loved one once more taken away... She already looked so distraught, Serah didn't want to further upset her by focusing her attention on the obvious. She reached the short distance and squeezed her arm when Light didn't tear her eyes from the open hatch. Her own lip threatened to quiver and she quickly looked down, clasping both hands firmly in her lap.
A glimmering sparkle twinkled on her sleeve and thinking it was a tear, she brushed it off. The string of water latched onto her glove and she wiggled it around, gasping when it circled around her wrist. She pulled her sleeve back in time to see it soak into her skin. Leviathan?
Opening the door to dim darkness, a lingering scent of sheep stroganoff instantly aroused the wrath of Snow's empty stomach. He chuckled sheepishly, ignoring the pains when Lightning actually shot him a sympathetic glance before shedding her coat.
"Daddy!" A pajama-clad Dajh toddled out of his room and Lebreau hastily got up from the couch, turning on the living room lights.
Instead of chastising him for getting out of bed, Sazh lifted him up. "Hey Dajh."
"I missed you Daddy."
"I missed you too, son."
"I didn't know when you guys'd be back, but I made enough for everyone," Lebreau said, gesturing to the kitchen.
"You're a lifesaver Lebreau." Snow lumbered in the direction of the heavenly smell with Serah trotting after him, intent on serving him.
The dining area was ahum with small talk between the married couple and subdued conversation concerning Dajh's behavior. Serah swung back around, almost stepping into the small boy as he ran around the island counter. "Woops, careful hon," she said automatically. Handing Snow a beer, she looked around the table. "Where's Light?"
"I think she went outside," he replied solemnly. She lowered her eyes.
"We'll think of a plan, right? A way to get him back?"
Snow set his fork down, pulling her onto his lap, resting his chin atop her head. "If I knew where he was, I'd charge in there right now. Don't worry, before too long they won't know what hit them."
"Alright you two, I'm gonna go take Lebreau home. Dajh, get in bed, you hear?"
Fingers numb, she fumbled out of her coat again, not bothering to turn on any lights as she scooted her boots to the side with her foot. Hope, have I failed you again? She made her way silently up the stairs, an awkward limp slowing her down. Down the hall, light weakly permeated the floor from beneath the bathroom door; a faucet could be heard pounding the sink as one brushed their teeth. Turning left, she opened the door to her room, only mildly surprised when her bed already had a pink-haired occupant.
Undoing the claps on her vest, she let it fall uncharacteristically to the floor; her turtleneck going with it. Bemused, she watched her sister slide from the bed to pick them up, neatly hanging them up in the little closet. "Serah, I'm sure your being here means you want to talk, but I'm really not up for it tonight." Pulling a tank top over her head, she looked at the yellow bandanna around her arm and sat down. "I need some time to myself."
Serah shook her head, taking exaggerated steps to the bed. "Light, I just want to make sure you're ok. I won't say another word, promise." She joined her sister on the bed. Keeping her promise, several quiet moments passed and when she peered into her older sister's face, she saw she really wasn't up for talking. But she couldn't go without telling her anything. She wouldn't tell her how Hope had been screaming for her, but… I can't just not tell her what happened. She wrapped her arms around Lightning's shoulders. "I'm glad you're back," she started quietly. She felt her sister tense up. "Just listen," she said, resting her cheek on her shoulder. "I took good care of everyone while you were getting better. I suspect I even annoyed Hope a little." Lightning went rigid and Serah squeezed her until she gave in and relaxed. "It's painful, I know. But it's better than not knowing, right? Hope's back with his father. He'll be alright." She could only hope she wasn't lying. She just didn't want Light to feel any worse than she already did.
"…Was it his decision?"
If I said yes, Light would be torn, but…maybe then it'd give us enough time to come up with a plan of getting him back. 'No' would undoubtedly ensure a wrath and she'd get in a frenzy and ending up hurting herself. Serah nuzzled her shoulder. "You mean a lot to him, Light."
"Serah." It was short of a scold.
The arms around her suddenly loosened and Lightning looked back to see her down-faced sister pull away. I didn't mean it like that. "Serah," she repeated a little more gently.
"No no, I get it. It doesn't matter what I say—you're going to do what you do." She crawled off the bed. "I don't know why I bother trying to tiptoe around your feelings—hard and brutal, that's how you always want it. You want me to cut the crap, Light? Ok then. Hope was dragged against his will. He was terrified and screaming for you to save him. And to be honest, at that particular moment, he probably didn't know you wouldn't be coming." Serah backed away, breathe quickening before she dealt the final blow. "Because how could a simple little coma stop the great Lightning, right? How could you not hear him and come to his rescue?" She wiped her eyes, sniffling, hating how broken her sister looked—broken and still stoic. "Jeez Light," she hiccupped, "you're pathetic."
She wanted to downright cry and maybe that's what her sister's intention had been. But feeling helpless wasn't going to get her anywhere. "Thanks Serah," she mumbled, throwing herself onto the pillow dejectedly. "Just what I needed."
Travelling along the outside corridor and enjoying the mild breeze, the doctor nodded a greeting to the dark-haired gentleman who passed him swiftly; he then beamed as a particular favorite of his also came into view. "My goodness, I can't believe my eyes; it's going on a week and a half and you're still wearing the brace—I knew you were a good girl at heart. But really, if you try and run with it on…" The pink-haired woman passed him just as briskly; Wright waited to see if he really had been completely ignored and after a few needless seconds, he came to the solid conclusion he had. "It kind of defeats the purpose," he finished with a sigh. "When you get the chance, would you stop by my office?" he called.
Lightning ignored the salutes she received from the two lower ranks as she stalked past them, her limp becoming more agitated as she tried to catch up with Col. Millay. He stopped in front of the facility doors. "Why can't you?" she gritted. "Logically speaking, there's no reason you can't." If you want me to chase you all over this damned base, you better believe I will and once I have you cornered, you'll wish you never avoided me in the first place. She was too close and she had to stagger back a step when he started to turn around. She instantly narrowed her eyes and held herself up straighter when he pointedly looked down at her.
"Lieutenant Farron—"
"Save the intimidation for someone weak-minded. You can show me the case because I'm a lieutenant." Anything that had involved Hope had been swept up and put in a file-a file she infuriatingly couldn't get her hands on. If I can get that file, I'll know exactly where he is.
He grinned, eyeing the leg that was being kept slightly bent. "Aren't you excused from the field anyway?"
She bristled at his tone. Argh, something about this guy just pisses me the hell off—every time he opens his mouth, it makes me sick! The past week's trials alone were enough to make her snap at just about anyone, but the way he was easily able to get under her skin was something else. "That has nothing to do with what we're talking about."
"You're right, you're right, I'm changing the topic—my apologies. You're entirely correct, my dear, someone of your rank would be able to view these otherwise confidential files had they a specific enough reason, and I would be at the liberty to show them. But," he said, and the intonation would not have been sickeningly sweeter if he'd given her a fatherly stroke on the cheek, "to you I cannot show them, because you are restricted."
She wanted to smack the smirk off his face so badly, she was surprised to find her hand already curling, but thankfully for her, he turned around again to enter the doors. "I was told you were the best in chaotic situations because of your cool head… Best watch that fiery temper."
Restricted? Son of a bitch… She wasted no time in going after him, halting when he suddenly turned around again.
He grinned, keenly watching her pupils dilate when the closing doors cut off the natural light.
"You waited this long to tell me?" Her voice was a constrained hiss. "No one told me that."
"You respond faster than most," he mused.
"What the hell does that mean?"
"Conflict of interest," he replied smoothly, pulling back. "And no one told you because the case is under me. It's my job to tell you." He grinned again as she closed the distance between them; he almost expected her to growl. "You're very aggressive; some might say it's a sign of pent-up sexual tension." He watched her miniscule reactions, the way her fury danced behind her narrowed eyes like flames from an inferno, the way her mouth twitched in disgust; he bumped her with his chest, his satisfaction only growing when she held her ground. In the badly-lit hallway, he made a tight circle around her, sensing her tense as if coiling for a swift attack. "Alpha females are so interesting," he ruminated, noting her focused glare straight ahead, "and so incredibly rare. For awhile, I thought I had finally come across one… Fiercely independent—you've got that in abundance—defiantly assertive, yet respectful and mindful of whom she's dealing with… But the thing that puzzles me…" he stood behind her, his lips close to her ear, she didn't shiver, "Alphas continually test males, searching for a real man and one thing she will not tolerate is the weak…so why?" In front of her again, he slid a hand to her stomach. "Why so keen after a little helpless child—especially when you've got a male ready to take you on?" He grinned. "Or is your aggressiveness just your way of foreplay?" He nudged into her again, this time hard enough to make her stumble; he felt a stir in his loins when she briskly closed the gap, this time bodily pushing him back. Only when she guided him against the wall did he realize she had a small blade against his neck.
"Are you finished yet?" She knew he had the potential to overpower her; it's why she already had the tip in the side of his neck. "Ready to take me on, huh? You sure about that? Because I don't leave any survivors." Grimacing, she looked down, giving a cough-like laugh. "And apparently you like that. Well listen up, you're not worthy enough to ever know what kind of foreplay I'll dish out—so don't mistake my 'aggressiveness' for more than it is. I'm just beside myself in debating whether I should kill you," she seethed, pressing the blade deeper, "because the problem is, I thought I already did." It clicked perfectly: Serah had told her of Hope's initial reaction to him and seeing how he was so easily able to get a rise out of her… I…have never hated a man so much. It only made sense—besides the obvious similarity of cunning dark eyes—this man was somehow related to Angeal.
Lightning, closed the gap, tears of hatred trickling down her face. Red seeped down silver. Though tightly grasped, the hilt was shaking horribly in her hand. Slowly, it began to rise. All that could be heard was the harshness of the soldier's short, uneven breaths and the man's halting chokes as his rib cage was being spilt.
"So you're going to hand over the case and I won't make you experience the same horrible fate." Slightly surprised at how much blood she'd already spilt, she loosened up her grip. Just then, a dreadful sound approached: footsteps. Damn, aggravated assault of a superior is sure to get me demoted and worse. She snapped her survival blade back, unable to hold back a cry when Millay suddenly kicked her bad leg, grabbing her forcibly by the shoulders to throw her down.
"Clumsy girl," he laughed, offering her a hand as the officers rounding the corner spared a brief glance before continuing the other way. The dim light made the reflection in her heated glassy eyes brighter and when she finally took his hand, the roundhouse kick that followed cracked a gaping jaw.
The evident pain on his face did little to satisfy her. Not allowing herself to calm her rapid breathing, she made a final threat. "Before tonight I want those files on my desk. Or you forfeit your life."
Loaded with a green mug of black coffee and a thick lilac folder of mysterious documents the secretary had handed him, Dr. Wright carefully used his elbow to push down the door handle. With a triumphant noiseless laugh and a hasty sip from his coffee, he immediately sobered up at the careworn figure sitting on his desk. "Farron?" he questioned gently, setting the mug and folder down on the little end table near the door before approaching her slowly. Her arms were around her waist, blue eyes hidden beneath closed lids and long lashes. The woman was visibly shaken.
"What's the matter, dear?" Whether it was the concern in his voice or his proximity, she looked up only to turn her head and reach for the lapels of his coat. Holding her upper arms lightly, he pulled her closer, swallowing heavily when she began to sob weakly into his chest. He glanced up briefly before embracing her completely: one arm around her back, the other cradling her head. In the years he had known her never before had she ever turned to him for comfort and while the experience was enough to make him weep—the fact that something had driven her to this enraged him more than he was aware of. "Shhh, just tell me who did this," he soothed, stroking her hair. "Someone, something? A series of events?" He rubbed her back using the heel of his hand. It's probably been the stresses of not being able to get anything done or answered. Maker knows she's been all over the place trying to find out where Hope's being kept. "You want to lie down for a bit?" He could feel the shake of her head.
"Okay…" He pulled her upright, his heart clenching when she resisted; he held her with a fierceness. "Damn it Lightning, what happened?" he growled. "Who was it? I'll castrate them with a butter knife."
She laughed tearfully and pulled back. "I want this brace off," she said. "I'll be careful enough without it."
He sighed. "If you wanted it off that badly, you could've just said so." Feeling he could get away with it, he ruffled her hair. She made a face anyway.
"I need you to tell Serah then that I don't need it anymore." She arched an eyebrow when he hesitated.
"I'll write a note." The soldier nodded in assent. "Now…are you going to tell me why you were crying? Really, it was enough to break my heart."
She gave him a steady stare. Wright was someone she knew could trust, but never did she want to be in a position where she'd ever depend or come to rely on that trust. "No."
He nodded. "Ok." He moved around her, so he could get to his chair and she turned around to look at him.
"And you're ok with me not telling you?"
It was a toneless question and Wright had the feeling she was suddenly testing him. He took out a little pad from his drawer and a pen from the wire basket. "As long as you know that you can come to me anytime you need my help with something, even if it's not medical related and you sometimes exercise that right—yes, I am 'ok' with you not telling me." He handed her the note, which she glanced over and stuck in her maroon pack.
She offered a rare faint smile. "Thanks." She reached down to undo the brace and before she left the office, she handed him the coffee and folder he'd placed on the table.
Serah lifted herself off Snow's lap quickly and scampered into the kitchen; Snow already turned down the TV. "Hello?" She wandered back to the couch, reclaiming her spot, but opting to sit up this time.
"Is this the Farron residence?"
"It is, among others…" She shrugged when Snow looked at her. "May I ask who's calling?"
"Serah?"
She frowned. "Yes…"
"For your information this conversation will be recorded. Any lie told will result in a penalty. Your refusal to cooperate will result in a penalty. Anything relayed to your sister will result in a penalty—"
"Excuse me, I don't know who you are, but that's not—"
"This is simply for yours and her safety. We're going through every precaution in order to make sure you and your family stay safe."
Her eyes widened and she gripped Snow's hand. "Are we in danger?" She pushed her husband away gently as he tried to put his ear to the back of the phone; the man had only mentioned she couldn't tell Lightning anything, but didn't want to risk the chance that they were being watched—in which case they probably wouldn't take kindly to someone else trying to listen in.
"When was the last time you saw Hope Estheim?"
She pursed her lips angrily. "A little more than a week ago, no thanks to the Sanctum, PSICOM and every other jerk out there! Listen, if you think—"
"He has escaped from our facility in New Palum and we have strong reason to believe he may be headed your way."
Her heart fluttered with excitement until he spoke again.
"Under no circumstances are you to let him into your home. We have troops searching everywhere. If he still manages to get to you, all you have to do is pick up the phone."
Fear sunk into her stomach. Just what's going on? If Hope came home, there'd be no way we could protect him if all someone had to do was pick up the phone… "What's the danger?" she asked.
"Hope. His condition is wildly unstable. He managed to slip past surveillance and quietly kill 68 people before the alarms even sounded. It's why it's so pertinent you let us know as soon as you see him—a countless number of lives are at stake, including yours."
Hope killing people? She wasn't so sure she believed it and she was rather piqued at the man using Hope to threaten her life. "He's on foot?"
"Yes."
She tried to stifle her laughter. And they can't find or catch him? You go Hope! "What makes you think he'll even make it here alive? He might not have a map, New Bodhum is nowhere near close and the wilderness is infested with monsters." Of course she knew of the power said to be housed in him, but Wright and William had made it very clear that he simply wasn't strong enough to use it. "Why can't I tell my sister?" But as soon as the question left her mouth, the answer was apparent. If these people wanted to re-capture Hope, then it wouldn't do to have Lightning out there undermining their search. And if Hope was as 'unstable' as they said he was, she was pretty sure he'd be able to sense her and make a beeline straight for her.
"Do we have your full cooperation?"
Unfortunately, she didn't see a way around it.
"If you so much as try to hint the situation to your sister, we'll know about it and we'll have to take her."
Take her? "I understand," she said somberly. The line went dead. A hand smoothed down her side ponytail. Snow…he's probably dying to know what's going on and the guy only said I couldn't tell Lightning… But if she told him, then she'd have to worry about what he might accidentally let slip and as much as it hurt her to keep it from him, she couldn't risk the penalty it'd cause. The secret would be safer if only she knew. Her mouth opened slightly. But he heard everything from my side of the conversation. And no matter how dense her sister insisted he was, the puzzle wasn't that hard to piece together.
"Babe?"
She looked into his sharp blue eyes; they pulled her in just like her sister's did and probably her own as well. "Snow, I need you, ok? This phone call never happened." She held his hands. "It never happened."
His brow furrowed and with red cheeks, she realized with an out-of-place thought how sexy he looked when serious. "Serah…" For a spilt second, she thought he was going to make her tell him. "You know what you're doing?"
She smiled her relief, shoulders slumping. "I learn from the best," she assured.
Cradling her small heart-shaped face, he puckered his lips like a fish and gave her a small peck on the mouth, loving the way her nose crinkled when she laughed. There was no mistaking her uneasiness during the conversation, but she was a Farron after all and there was no mistaking her strength either. "That's my girl."
"I'd appreciate it if you didn't kiss my sister like she was your granddaughter."
"Lightning! We didn't even hear you come in!" Serah bounded off the couch, leaving a stunned Snow.
"Obviously." Lightning slipped off her boots. Her sister crept closer, her hands clasped behind her back.
"Light," she said, lowering her voice to a humiliated whine. "That was kinda embarrassing…I mean, we're married and—"
"I understand that, Serah. I'm just saying, see it from my perspective, when I first met the guy I thought he was three times your age—" she stopped herself, pinched the bridge of her nose and shook her head. "Never mind."
"Light?"
"Nothing Serah. Listen I had a really bad day today, keep Snow and Dajh downstairs, ok?"
"S-sure." Feeling she could snag a bonding moment, she spread her arms out, giggling when Lightning rolled her eyes, but leaned down to hug her. She had made it a point to secure a physical moment with her sister at least once a day; she was sure the time would come when Lightning would hug her automatically or even come to seek the attention herself. Serah glowed when a kiss was pressed to her temple, but it was her turn to roll her eyes when her sister brushed her hand against her mouth.
Making her way back to the couch, she found a very smug Snow. She laughed. "Out with it, detective."
He raised a finger. "Notice how she said 'never mind'?"
She pressed her lips together, not getting it. "Because anything to do with you still exasperates her?" she tried with an open smile.
"Maybe, but you're missing what she said. She thought I was way older, trying to pin me with the 'I'm an old dirty man', but the keyword is 'thought', which was why she stopped herself, because although I may look a lot older than you—compared to Hope, she is a lot older." His grin was monstrous. "Eh eh?"
Serah blinked wordlessly for a couple of seconds. She folded her hands neatly on her lap. "Oh wow, that was actually pretty clever. And kinda sweet since she actively stopped herself. But she shouldn't be thinking like that and I'm just so glad she didn't hear you. First of all, you're wrong if you're trying to 'pin' my sister into being a cougar because she isn't into younger guys—Hope's the accidental love and it's not like she's looking to ravage him. She's not even old enough to be one and the point is…" she trailed off quietly. "You know, this really isn't going anywhere. You got me completely distracted. I wanted to make tea for Light; she mentioned she had a bad day."
He grinned. "I get it, I get it—the point is you support her and I think you know we all do." He patted her leg. "I was just sayin'...not gonna report me, right?"
She giggled. "Of course not! Like I said, it was pretty clever." Her face dropped when the phone rang. Keeping his hand on her leg, Snow answered it this time, swiping it from the coffee table.
"Snow Villiers…. Yep." Sighing dramatically, he passed the phone to her. "No one ever wants to talk to me."
"Who is it?" she whispered, taking it.
"The friendly family doctor."
She smirked. "He actually used to be, you know. Well, until our mom died…"
"Hello? Serah? Why don't you try speaking into the phone? Make sure you tell him you girls never came to see me after she passed away."
"Hmm, but I remember you moved to Eden… What'd you want to talk about?"
"More sick people there. Can you get somewhere private?"
Snow glanced at the clock, hanging slightly crooked beneath the upstairs railing. "I've gotta go meet Sazh and Gadot at the bar."
She raised an eyebrow, but nodded, blowing him a kiss. She got up and went into the kitchen, pulling out a cup. Waving again as her husband put on his trench coat. "I am now," she replied, pouring water into the cup and setting it into the microwave.
"Have you heard the news about Hope yet?"
She carefully set the peppermint teabag down. "Yeah… Did someone call you too?"
"Well no, I was delivering a folder and overheard a couple of officers apparently assigned to the search party, then William sent me an e-mail, giving me a heads up. They told you not to tell Lightning, right?"
The microwave beeped and she opened the little door, worry etched into the corners of her mouth. "Yeah…"
"There's a reason for that. Remember how we figured out that even if Hope tried, using the power wouldn't work because it was way too much for him. His body wouldn't be able to handle its energy. Ok, there was supposed to be no way for him to access it and those morons over there decided that it would be in mankind's best interest to provoke the sleeping beast—"
"What?" So had the man been telling the truth? Did he really kill all those people? "So he can use it now?"
He's wildly unstable.
"Calm down, not quite. The results William sent are actually very remarkable to say the least. We can't say for certain whether it was intentional or not, but regardless, it was no doubt due to the bond he has with Lightning. Sometime after Mute's blood was infused with his—and I'm willing to bet this was completely unconscious, it was something his body had done to cope—he allocated a good amount of this 'guardian energy' to Lightning, which he can now siphon back from her. The thing is, she has it permanently, so as long he's in the same vicinity as her, he'll be able to access it…which might give him enough power to tap into his own cache. To make matters worse for the Sanctum, all of you probably, to some extent, have some amount of this stored energy."
"It all makes sense…he was just trying to scare me. If Hope had come back to us, he didn't want me to let him in because then...well. he'd be unstoppable, right?" Feeling giddy, Serah leaned against the counter, watching the steam rise from the cup. "Are there…are there side effects from…housing this energy for him?"
"None that we can detect, but if you're worried, I could run a few tests once you have Hope safe and sound back home."
"Wh-what can he do?"
"…That's what's dangerous. With the right amount, there isn't anything he can't. Under control, he's a one man army. If not, he's a ticking time bomb. The thing is, you can't tell."
She closed her eyes, imagining him lost and desperately trying to find his way back home. "He's probably so scared, Wright. We have to help him. If…if we could just…" If you so much as hint, we'll take her… "What're we going to do?"
"It's the waiting game now unfortunately. Slightly off topic, how's your sister doing?"
She remembered the cup of tea and quickly snatched the bag out, tossing it into the sink. "Actually, I was just going to talk to her when you called."
"You go do that; I'll let you know if I find anything more out."
"Ok…really, thanks a bunch." Putting the phone back in its cradle, a greasy feeling settled deep in her stomach. If I saw Hope…all I would have to do is lift the phone…
Your refusal to cooperate will result in a penalty.
Her hands grew cold and she continued to stare at the black phone. What makes you so sure it isn't tapped? "I'm not sure at all," she answered herself quietly. Rewarming the tea and stirring in a spoonful of honey, she whisked it upstairs.
She tried the knob slowly, opening it a crack. Seeing that her sister wasn't in bed, she dropped her caution and walked in. Lightning was pacing around, a cell phone to her ear. "What do you mean he already left?" she asked harshly. "Did I give you a job or didn't I?" She stopped and Serah could tell from her expression that the person was about to be let off the hook. "Fine, but I want a full report in the morning. Yes the morning, which means that's the time you have to get it finished." She snapped the phone shut and tossed with onto the table where it landed with a clunk.
Deep breath. Act normal. The ball's in play. We'll all know what to do when the time comes and I just have to believe that at this moment, there isn't anything I can do. Except be a good sister. "You're still in your uniform," Serah observed, holding out the steaming cup like a peace offering. With a fleeting smile of appreciation, Light accepted the cup, humming her approval at the choice of flavor.
"I was waiting for you this time, since you always seem to barge in here whenever I'm in the middle of changing out of it."
Serah looked down, blushing, only knowing how oddly true it was. It wasn't like she did it on purpose. After her sister came home from work, she usually waited an hour or so before going to see her and more often times than not, it would be that Light would be changing just then. "No, you just wait until you hear me come up the stairs," she countered weakly.
Lightning gave her a dry look. "Yes because I don't have better things to be doing then lying in wait to flash my little sister."
Serah quickly averted her eyes when she realized Lightning was undoing her vest.
"Serah, don't make it awkward. I've just gotten used to you coming in all the time. Don't make me start locking the door."
It's so nice when you let your guard down. Smiling, she leaned against the wall. "So what happened today? Someone get on your nerves?"
Lightning sat down in the chair, swiveling around to face her. "…You could say that." She took a sip of her tea.
Serah looked down shyly. "It was bad, wasn't it?"
Light smiled. Sister's intuition? "I'm ok. They'll find out sooner or later that they messed with the wrong woman."
"No murdering though!" Serah laughed lightheartedly.
The soldier brought the cup to her lips, gunmetal blue eyes focused straight ahead. "Right," she said deadpan.
Ooh, that omnious 'right'...has to be one of her most epic lines ever. Sorry if it seemed rush (to me it did, but that could be because only I know the amount of stuff I always leave out). I put in a little fluff here and there, but now I'm warning. What's coming will certainly be LightxHope, so if you're waiting for it, you won't be disappointed; if you see their relationship a little tamer than that, well I'm just warning you now because I won't mention it in the usual AN before the chapter :3 Leave love if you wish (I'll put it to good use, trust me) and maybe the next chapter won't take so long :]