A/N: Hope thinks he's the luckiest boy in the world cause of his own personal meet and greet, isn't he? Well, his luck's about to change on the next day. I guess you could say the universe likes to balance people's good luck and bad luck. Just like it's bad luck he lost his mother but it's good luck he found a loving family.

Day 11

It's early in the morning, at about five AM. The sun is starting to rise over the horizon. It's only two days until the Fireworks Festival. Lightning and Serah, and Vanille sometimes, are asking Hope if he's gonna go to the festival with them. The kid's decision is still undecided, but he can see his chances are greater then it was a week ago, since he's feeling much better about his loss.

Lightning is the first one to awake. She didn't feel like dressing up at the moment so she just stays in her bedtime clothing, it's a good thing she woke up pretty early, two hours before she had to leave for work.

Lightning wonders down the hallway, she was by the stairs when a strange noise captures her ears. She can hear it's on the second floor hallway, Lightning turns back, moving away from the stairs. She follows the noise to the bathroom. At first, she feels a bit disturbed, wondering if that noise would be...an embarrassing business. But after five seconds, she listens carefully, noticing the sound is really someone vomiting.

Lightning knocks on the door, wondering who it could be. She doesn't know which to hope it isn't: Serah or Hope. The vomiting noises stopped for a brief moment, after that, there's nothing but silence, then an answer. "Occu...pied." Then the sound of vomits continues.

The voice was hoarse and rough, Lightning can barely make out who it is, thought it does sound a little boyish. Lightning looks down at the knob, she knows the lock is still broken, so she turns it and opens the door, only a little to stick her head in. Just as she thought, the person who's in here is Hope, face in the toilet.

Lightning opens the door all the way. Hope heard the door opening, but didn't bother to look who it is. He's too busy with a more serious problem. Lightning walks up to Hope, kneeling down beside him. She waits for Hope to finish vomiting, though the sounds and smell is really displeasing for her. She's starting to have second thoughts about waiting outside.

Hope's vomiting ends. He slowly retreats his face from the toilet, taking a moment to make sure his lungs and stomach is empty of fluids. "Hope. Are you okay?" Lightning asks.

"N...no." Hope mutters.

Lightning barely heard his answer, but she still caught it. Lightning puts a hand on Hopes cheek, making him face her. She can tell just by looking at him he's in bad shape. Eyes lids are dark with small bags, rosy cheeks and a red nose, and taking deep, rusty breaths that shows signs of congestion.

Lightning puts a hand on Hope's forehead, and her eyes shot open the very moment she feels his temperature. "You're very hot."

"I feel...worse..." Hope starts coughing, Lightning seems worried seeing him coughing. When he's done, he looks dazed, then starts leaning forward.

It takes a brief moment for Lightning to realize he's about to collapse. At the last moment before he could hit the solid bathroom floor, she catches him in her arms, allowing his head to meet her soft skin. Lightning is surprised to feel that his entire body is overheating. Clearly, Hope's feeling much worse then he looks.

Lightning tries to help him up. Lightning moves her arm under his legs, positions the kid on her lap, his head resting on her shoulder. Lightning slowly, carefully stands up. On her feet, Lightning carries Hope down the hallway. All the way, he's still unconscious, breathing heavily and coughing. Lightning frowns as she looks down at the boy, she feels bad about him being sick. Who wouldn't feel bad that they're close friend is suffering an illness?

Lightning carries Hope all the way into his room. Lightning can see Hope's bed is a mess. She doesn't really want to put him under the covers, he needs to cool down. Lightning sets the boy beside the bed, his back laying against it. Lightning spreads the sheets, straightening out. When she's done, she hears a quiet voice calling her name. She looks down to see Hope looking up at her.

Lightning bends down, wrapping an arm around his back, under his legs, trying to lift him again. "Try not to talk." She whispers. Lightning lifts him then lays him on his bed. "Save your strength." Lightning brushes the loose line of hair from his forehead. "You need to rest."

Hope slowly nods, and mouths an 'ok'. "Sit tight, I'll be back."

Lightning heads into the kitchen. She gathers a few things she needs to take care of Hope. A glass of water, a wet rag, some pills to help with his congestion. Lightning remembers a tea that Hope made for her when she was weak, she wonders if she can engineer it, or at the very least try to find the recipe to make it, so she thinks Hope wrote one down.

Lightning had to make a phone call to her General Amodar. She had to tell him that she needed the day off cause her friend is sick and needs some close attention.

Lightning starts the kettle for the tea. Someone rings the doorbell, Lightning heads for the door and answers it. Behind the door is Vanille.

"Hello." Vanille says with a cheerful tone and friendly smile.

Lightning smiles a little as well. "Hey, Vanille." Vanille walks right in, looking from side-up to side-up. Lightning closes the door behind Vanille. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm here to see Hope." Vanille says.

"Well, you picked a bad day." Lightning says. "Hope's sick, real bad."

Vanille gasps as he puts her hands over her mouth, then lowers her hands to speak. "Oh no. That's terrible. Poor, Hopey-wopey." Lightning snickers, she still thinks that's a funny nickname for Hope, even if it's suppose to be a cute couple thing…and with Vanille in that couple. "So, where is he?"

"In his room." Lightning answers. "Try not to disturb him, he needs his rest." Vanille nods, then heads upstairs. Lightning didn't bother to stop Vanille from seeing Hope, she knows she has to get some stuff for him.

She returns to the kitchen, by the time she arrives, the kettle is whistling. Lightning attempts to make the special tea. She thinks hard, trying to remember what she tasted in that tea. Lightning has a special sense of taste, she can pretty much tell what's in whatever she drink or eat. I bet all the food critics envy her.

When she's done, Lightning tastes it. It's not exactly how Hope did it, but it's close. Lightning adds the tea onto the tray. She carries the tray upstairs, then heads to Hope's room. When she arrives, she finds Vanille sitting on the bed side. She's looking down at Hope, gently stroking his cheek and smiling.

Hope smiles as well, even miserable and in pain, he's happy to be with Vanille. He ain't kidding when she always makes him smile. Lightning walks to the nightstand next to Hope's bed. She sets the tray down on it. Vanille and Hope's little moment becomes interrupted, they both turn to look at Lightning.

Lightning hands Hope the two pills and the glass of water. "Here, drink these." Vanille helps Hope sit up, Lightning places the pills in Hope's mouth, then offers him the water. As he drinks, Lightning reaches for the wet cloth. After drinking, Hope lays back own, then Lightning gently pats the cloth on Hope's face, then lets it rest on his forehead.

Vanille holds on to Hopes hands and smiles. "Do you need anything?" Vanille asks sweetly.

"Hungry…" Hope whispers.

Vanille nods, then she skips off. When she's gone, Lightning adjusts Hope's pillows, so he's both sitting up and laying down. When that's done, she hands him the cup of tea. "Here. This should help." Hope accepts the cup, he knows it's tea. Just looks at it for the moment then back at Lightning. "It's that special tea you made for me. I did a little engineering to make it."

Hope looks back at the cup, he wonders if he should drink it. He decided to at least try it, after all, he can't get anymore worse then he already is. After taking a sip, he looks at Lightning, gives a single nod with a small smile. It's just like how he and Nora made it.

Lightning smiles, she's glad that he enjoys it. "I take it I got the recipe exactly right." Hope's smile disappears, he's not really disappointed or anything. He raises a hand in between him and Lightning, shakes it side to side. Lightning sighs, she can clearly tell what that means. A bit rocky or sort close. "Critics."

Hope softly laughs at Lightning's comment. Lightning sits by as she watches Hope drink the tea. When he's finished, Lightning takes the cup, sets it on the tray. Hope yawns, his yawning catches Lightning's ears, she can tell the kid's tired.

Lightning helps Hope lay back down on his bed, flat as a rock. As soon as she does, she feels his forehead, he's burning again, even the wet cloth resting on his forehead is hot. Lightning removes the cloth, then she opens a nearby window, trying to get some cool, fresh air in. Then the soldier girl leaves without another word.

It's about noon, Hope was asleep the whole time, even Vanille put a hold on her cooking. She was gonna make some soup that'll help Hope feel better. Serah woke up and she was sad to hear what happened to Hope. Her response was even 'poor kid'. After hearing the news, Serah went to check on him. He was still asleep when she arrived, but noticed he was shivering. He's clearly freezing.

She wonders when was the last time Lightning or Vanille had checked on him. She's surprised the both haven't in a while, since Lightning is his guardian and Vanille's his girlfriend, they do care for him deeply. To warm him up, Serah pulls the covers from underneath Hope then lays them over his body, then slightly closes the window. She only left it open a crack just to keep the cool air coming.

When Serah was done, Hope wakes up. He opened his eyes only to see that Serah is out the door back turned. He was about to call for her, but remembered Lightning's orders to not speak.

Vanille walks in to check on Hope. "Hellooooo." Vanille skips up to Hope, she sits on the chair next to his bed, looking down at him with a smile. "How are you feeling?"

"Tired...weak." Hope whispers.

Vanille giggles a little. "Are you still hungry?" Hope nods. "Okay. I'll be back."

Vanille hops on her feet and leaves. Vanille goes into the kitchen, making some of that soup she meant to make before. Serah sees Vanille cooking and decided to help her. Lightning checks on Hope, just to see if he needs anything.

Lightning walks into Hopes room, to find the kid awake in bed, staring at the ceiling. Lightning sits on the chair next to the bed, she places her hand on the boys head. At first, to check his temperature, then she moves her hand back to his hair, stroking it. Hope tilts his head to the side, facing Lightning, then smiles.

Lightning notices that smile. "What are you smiling about?" Lightning says. "You're sick, you should be miserable."

Hope slowly shook his head. He slowly raises his arms from out of the cover, he reaches for Lightnings arm that's touching his hair. He grabs it, pulls it down to the side, he holds on to Lightnings wrist and smiles. Lightning smiles as well, she can tell what's going on, he's glad she's here for him.

Vanille walks right in, with a bowl of soup for Hope. When Lightning hears Vanille walking in, she helps Hope sit up. Vanille sits on the side of the bed. "I made you some soup." Vanille says. Hope accepts the bowl. He takes a couple of spoonfuls of the soup, then he looks at Vanille, giving her a small nod with a smile.

Vanilles smile widens. "I'm glad you enjoy it."

For the next thirty minutes, Hope eats his soup. Vanille and Lightning just sits by the boy, watching him. Vanille's watch on Hope was more excitedly, which made Hope a little uncomfortable, but he still loves her. When he's done, Hope yawns tiresome. Vanille giggles, she thinks he makes a cute yawn. Lightning stands and makes her leave, she figured she should give these two love birds some private time.

Vanille takes the bowl, sets it on the chair, then helps Hope lay down in bed. When he's down, Vanille pulls the covers up to his shoulders. "Rest up, Hope. You'll feel better soon."

Hope nods. "Hey...Vanille..." Vanille looks at Hope, tilting her head to the side. "Last night...I meet Yuna."

Vanille's smiling widens. "You did? That's so good for you!"

"Yeah...she gave me...two tickets...and backstage passes." Vanille seems pretty excited, but she tries to hold in her excitement so Hope can finish what he had to say. "Concert is tomorrow...you want to come?"

"I'd love too." Vanille says with an excited squeal. Hope smiles as he slowly closes his eyes. Vanille giggles, she can see he's clearly tired. She leans in and gives him a kiss on the cheek. "Sleep well, Hopey-wopey."

Vanille stands up then skips out of Hope's room. When she's out, she notices Lightning is leaning by the door, arm crossed with a smirk on her face. "What?" Vanille asks, innocently.

"Nothing." Lightning walks down the hallway with Vanille. "Hopey-Wopey?" Lightning trie to hold back her laugh saying that.

"It's my cute nickname for him." Vanille says.

"You two are one silly couple." Lightning says.

Vanille giggles at Lightning's little comment.

Hope spends most of the day resting. By evening, he starts to feel better, better then this morning that is. The poor kid is still in a bad condition. Vanille and Lightning has been a help for the kid to recover.

Snow and Serah are spending the night with team NORA, Fang dropped by to see how Vanille's doing, since she's been spending the day hanging out at the Farron house. Fang does find out the reason why: Her boyfriend is sick and she's just trying to help him. Since Serah's out, Lightning just orders some Chinese. She also had to include Fang and Vanille with the order since they haven't eaten, and Vanille's not likely to return home soon, not with Hope still sick.

While Lightning's waiting for the food, she goes to check on Hope. The kid is laying in bed, coughing and sneezing his brains out. Once the kid settles down, Lightning walks up to him, and removes the covers from him.

"Come on, let's get you in the shower." Hope seems both confused and worried as Lightning lifts him from the bed. "A nice hot bath should fix you up."

Lightning picks up some spare set of pajamas for Hope, then she carries the boy into the bathroom. Hope isn't sure he likes where this is going. Lightning strips the boy then sets him in the bath tub, turning the water on. It's just as the boy fears: Lightning is giving him a bath.

Hope has never been more embarrassed in his entire life. Only once has a girl ever bathed him: His mother, and it was during his toddler years. But now he's fourteen and Lightning Farron, a twenty-one year old soldier girl who he only just meet over a week ago, is bathing the boy. Can you blame him?

When Lightning was done with his body, she puts some shampoo in her hands and starts washing Hopes hair. Lightning can clearly see how embarrassed Hope is. She understands that he is, after all, Snow Villiers gave her a bad, and she's still pretty mad at him for it. Plus, she's not real fond with doing this as well. Lightning does care for Hope and they are close friends, but not THIS close. But she knows that he's not in a good condition to bath himself, the kid can barely stand, that'll be an issue on the water slipper shower floor. She really had no other choice.

Just wait until Vanille finds out about this, Lightning would hate to think how the girl will react when she finds out about this. Especially since she's a blabbermouth.

Hope is now cleaned up, Lightning lifts the boy out of the tub, she dries him, dresses him up. Hope didn't think it could get any worse, he just hopes it'll be over soon. Lightning now carries Hope out of the bathroom, she closes the door behind her. Lightning looks around the hallway, making sure the coast is clear, then looks at Hope.

"That never happened." Lightning says.

"Agreed." Hope whispers, nodding as well.

Lightning carries Hope down the hallway, into his room. She lays Hope on the bed, lays the cover over his body. Tucking him in under the sheets, then fluffing his pillow. When she's done, she faces Hope.

"Comfortable?" Hope nods slowly. "Good. Do you need anything?" Hope shook his head. "Okay, you just get some rest. You'll feel better in the morning. Good night."

Lightning stands up, and leaves. Hope mouths 'good night' even through Lightning couldn't see it. He closes his eyes for a good night sleep.

Lightning walks down the stairs, by the time she's at the bottom, the doorbell rings. Lightning goes to it and answers, it's her food delivery. She pays the delivery man, with a tip too, then carries the bag of Chinese food to the dinning room. Lightning, Vanille and Fang all sat down, eating.

"So, Lightning. How's Hope doing?" Vanille asks.

"Same as when you arrived." Lightning answered.

"Is he going to be okay tomorrow?" Vanille asks.

"Why do you ask?" Fang asks, curiously.

"Cause he invited me to the concert tomorrow." Lighting raises her eyebrows, surprised to hear that.

"I thought he couldn't get those tickets." Fang says.

"Yuna stopped my and rewarded him with tickets." Lightning says. "As for Hope...I'm not sure if he well. But he'll be fine."

Vanille nods and smiles.