Lightning's PoV:

I checked, and checked, and checked again. The building seemed to be at a low activity level. There was nothing conspicuous—nothing worth a double-take.

Arriving back at Vanille's floor, I knocked on the front door three times. She appeared dressed in a sophisticated green night gown. Her shoulders were revealed, but the gown was long. The material was almost mesh-like and soft. My lips parted slightly at the vision before me.

She smiled, and lingered in the doorway a while. I waited. Gracefully, she stepped back to let me in. I entered and closed the door securely behind us. She stole a glance—like the ones in the elevator—before turning around and proceeding towards the bedroom. After a few steps, her strides shortened and her pace slowed.

Vanille turned back to face me. Her manner had changed. She looked almost as if she were afraid—of me?

"Is everything okay, Milady?" I enquired.

"Where . . . where would you like to sleep?" she asked.

"I don't sleep."

"We have a busy day tomorrow. Won't you be tired?" she asked concernedly.

"I'm to guard you. Until you are safely in New Sunleth, I won't be resting."

"What'll you do with all this time on your hands?"

"My duty. Patrol . . . ponder . . . protect you."

There's that look again.

Vanille's PoV:

I'd felt it before, ever since we first met. Now with her standing before me, those azure eyes piercing through me, the feeling became undeniable. There was nothing fake about Lightning's tone, whose eyes spoke of an undying will. It was a familiar feeling, one that I used to cherish. I let myself be embraced by its power.

It made me feel safe. Yet it also petrified me.

Without replying, I opened my bedroom door and walked in. I went to close it, but I had an inclination to speak, "Hey, Light . . ."

Having remained in the same position, Lightning tilted her chin up, as if accepting what I wanted to say.

"I'm glad I have you here . . ."

Another intense stare . . . She opened her lips to speak, but no words came out. I waited patiently. She bowed and replied, "Happy to be here, Milady."

I smiled, "It's Vanille, Light."

She stiffened, "My apologies . . . Vanille."

I stifled a giggle from her solemness and bade my farewell, "Goodnight, Sergeant Stubbornhead."

Lightning almost grimaced at the sound of my endearing nickname for her. I heard her mumble, "It's Light."

"Sleep peacefully," was all my guardian said as I closed the bedroom door.

Lightning's PoV:

The night was half-way over. I spent most of my time in front of a large window with yet another city view. The lights from the buildings illuminated the developing city before me. It was tranquil, and it calmed my senses.

Perhaps I should do another round? No, everything is—

Suddenly I heard a rapping sound on the front door.

Who could be knocking at this hour?

Gripping my sword, I cautiously made my way over to the door. I gazed through the small peek hole. On the other side, I saw a middle-aged, door attendant who I'd passed on my rounds.

I opened the door abruptly, which made the attendant jump. "Yes?"

He timidly replied, "I—I apologize for disturbing you at such a late hour, Sergeant. I've received a letter from Lady Vanille's fiancée. I was told it's urgent." The doorman extended the envelope to me.

Vanille . . . engaged?

I took the envelope and sent him on his way. Closing the door behind me, I took a closer look at the letter. The envelope was blank on the front, and the back was sealed. I stood idly for a few moments. The attendant said it was urgent.

I should check on Vanille.

Vanille's PoV:

I know I'm dreaming a lucid dream. Where's my mind taking me? A swirling scene of pink clouds encircles the atmosphere. I see myself so clearly.

"Fang . . . ?" She appeared before me.

Fang approached me slowly. She knelt and placed her hand on my right foot.

". . . This is odd."

I tried to manipulate my lucid dream again but nothing happened.

Lightning's PoV:

I opened the door to Vanille's room and peered in. It was a bit dark, but nothing unusual seized my attention. I averted my gaze to the large window-pane.

My eyes widened in alarm.

There was a small, clean cut on the glass, almost as if a laser had done it. Instinct took over. I drew my weapon and flipped the lights on. A most repulsive slug-like creature was crawling up Vanille's bedsheet-covered leg. I spent no time admiring it. I sprang to her bed and slashed it in two.

Instantly, Vanille jolted from her sleep, chest heaving. I sheathed my sword and knelt down beside her.

"Are you okay?!" was my first reaction.

It took a moment of staring at the mutilated creature, before her lovely green eyes met mine, "I-I think so."

I peered down at the mangled creature. It was morbid red, with disgusting tentacle-like legs. From the looks of it, it was poisonous—extremely poisonous.

Vanille spoke again, "What was that thing?"

"I've never seen anything like that before, but I guarantee it was no mistake for it to be here."

"What makes you so sure?"

I pointed to the square incision in her room-length window.

". . . You saved me."

I stepped off the bed, "—Part of the job."

"Thank you . . . What time is it?"

"Around 5:30, would you like to go back to sleep?" I offered.

Vanille threw her covers off and stood up, "Actually—"

Vanille PoV:

I wanted to go one more place before leaving. Lightning was pretty grumpy about it, but I was grateful she understood. I knew it could be weeks before I returned, so I needed to experience the New Bodhum sunrise just one more time.

A hint of sunlight gleamed on the horizon. At nearly 6 a.m. in New Bodhum, Lightning strode stoically beside me. We walked through the sparkling mounds of warm beach sand—just the two of us.

Lightning's PoV:

Her steps were light. We were silent, but it wasn't awkward. It was peaceful . . . Although, something was troubling me.

I couldn't stop my proclivity to ask, "So . . . I hear you're engaged."

She shot me a quizzical look. "Who told you?"

"That impish door-man," I replied humorously.

She looked down at her sandals, pausing before she softly responded, "I am."

I sighed, "Who?"

I'm not even sure why I just sighed.

"It's Fang," Vanille uttered.

"I see," I responded ambivalently.

"Did you know Fang's the senator for Academia?"

I shook my head.

Vanille clasped her hands in front of her. "Well, it's been comforting having someone who knows what I'm going through."

"—There are other legislators who could've just as easily helped you along, but you have to marry one?" I responded more harshly than I intended.

What am I saying?

Vanille began slacking her pace. She turned to me with a questioning look. "No, I don't have to marry one. I agreed to her proposal because it's nice to know I'll have support when taking office."

This is a different person than the Vanille I knew—or thought I knew. More forceful? . . . Or more desperate.

"So you want to marry her for power in the senate?" I inquired, as we both climbed the short, wooden staircase to the nearby pier.

"I want to marry her because it would make the people feel secure knowing that the New Republic is cooperative," she stated firmly.

Once at the edge of the dock, I sighed deeply before uttering "But it's not what you want, is it . . . ?"

Vanille's PoV:

Lightning's really putting me on the spot. It's sad—I couldn't answer her, even if I wanted to.

I ignored her question, and she was considerate enough to leave the topic. We silently surveyed the sparkling blue ripples of the New Bodhum ocean. The infantile sunrise gleamed modestly for our viewing pleasure.

"Watching the sunrise . . . It never grows dull with me," I confessed.

Lightning remained silent.

I nudged her in the ribs, "Say something."

Lightning didn't budge. Her body stayed rigid.

Is she purposefully ignoring me?

"I said say something, soldier!" I yelled playfully, shoving her broad shoulder.

On contact, she swiveled with my momentum. I went flying forward, squeezing my eyes shut. I was headed for the water, but nonetheless, Lightning caught me and pulled me back to balance. Stabilizing myself, I stood upright on my feet again. I blushed slightly from embarrassment.

"Need I say anything about that?" Lightning teased, a rare grin adorning her lips.

We shared a brief laugh before returning our attention to the breaking sunrise. "I'm really going to miss this place while we're gone," I murmured.

Author's EndNote: Revisions for this chapter courtesy of 'mooncanvas'.