The first time Lightning's cellphone rang, she was outside helping Sophie gather her toys and school supplies from her parents' car before waving the couple away for the weekend. Later, when she was helping Sophie with her homework, it rang again.

"Hi, Lightning. It's Aerith. Have you talked with Fang recently?"

"No, not today. Why? Is something wrong?"

Aerith sighed heavily through the phone. Lightning could picture her dragging a hand through her hair. "We had a... talk this morning. Now I don't know where she is, and she's not answering her phone. I'm worried about her."

Lips tightening, Lightning watched her niece doodle on the corner of her paper. "I'll see if I can get ahold of her."

"Thanks, Light. Could you text me when you do?"

"Sure."

Checking her phone's history, the first call she'd missed had been from Fang. Redialing the number didn't get her an answer, but after sending a text she received a single word back.

"Let's take a break, Sophie. Want to go to the beach?"

Sophie hopped out of her seat with a cheer, and it didn't take long before they were pulling up next to Fang's car at the beach-side parking lot. Noticing a solitary figure sitting in the sand, Lightning sent a message to Aerith as she walked with Sophie down the stairs.

Before getting too far, Lightning crouched next to her niece. "I need you to do me a favor. I'd like you to stay in my sight and out of the water, okay?"

Sophie made a grumpy face, looking like she was about to stomp her rubber boot. "But I wanna play."

"I know." Lightning put a hand on her arm. "And you can, I just need you to stay where I can see you while I talk to Fang."

"What's wrong with Fang?"

Lightning glanced past her niece to where Fang sat hunched over bent knees, forehead on her arms. "I don't know yet."

Turning on her heels, Sophie made a beeline toward Fang, colliding with her side and wrapping small arms as far around the woman as possible. Fang's head popped up and twisted toward them. She gave a weak smile as she lifted an arm and tucked Sophie under it.

"Aunt Light said something was wrong," Sophie was saying as Lightning drew near.

"She did, huh?" Fang glanced at her and patted Sophie's back. "Well I'm feeling better already, thanks to you."

Lightning touched Sophie's shoulder. "Why don't you find Fang some nice seashells?" In an instant, Sophie was out from under Fang's arm and hurrying along the sand. "And remember what I said," Lightning called after her. Fang chuckled softly.

Taking a breath before she sat down, Lightning said, "I missed your call."

"S'fine. Looks like you were busy."

They listened quietly to the waves and seagulls, watching Sophie run up and down the beach in front of them, holes and footprints left in her wake. There was a small pile of shells at Fang's side by the time either of them spoke.

"Aerith broke up with me."

The sun was easing lower in the sky. By then Sophie was building a sand fort near the shallowest waves and decorating it with seashells.

Lightning looked over and saw the furrowed brow and tight jawline of her friend. Her own heart ached in response, and she placed a hand on Fang's shoulder, gripping it firmly. Fang turned her chin toward the touch, leaning slightly into it.

"Come here," Lightning said, tugging and sliding her arm across Fang's back. "Come on." Fang offered only a small amount of resistance before she caved and dropped herself into Lightning's side. Her head nestled into Lightning's shoulder, tucked under her chin.

Fang released a long-held breath, and Lightning felt her heart tear at the frailty in her friend's voice. "What am I doing wrong, Light? Why does everyone keep leaving?"

Lightning tightened her hold, turning her lips to Fang's hair. "You've done nothing wrong."

Fang sniffed and shook her head, sinking further against her. "For a while there I was afraid you were leaving me, too."

Guilt bloomed through her. Lightning squeezed her eyes shut. "I'm here," she said, willing her presence to comfort Fang while she gently rubbed her shoulder. "I'm not leaving."

She thought she heard Fang swallow before turning her face into her shoulder and neck. "M'sorry. I didn't mean that."

Lightning gently rocked her a few times. "It's okay."

Fang sniffed again and turned her head to look out at the ocean. She sighed, shifting closer to Lightning's side. She mumbled, "You must be tired of having to pick me up every time this happens."

Lightning shook her head, only realizing after a moment that she was combing her fingers through Fang's hair. "Of course not. It's not like I'm keeping track."

Fang grunted. "Probably too high to count, anyway." She tilted her chin up toward Lightning. "And you never give me a chance to repay you."

She glanced down, seeing the smallest hint of amusement in Fang's eyes. "You can do my laundry for the next week?"

Fang gave a short laugh, closing her eyes and snuggling into her. "Deal."

Watching her hand as she tucked hair behind Fang's ear, Lightning added, "The lawn needs to be mowed soon, too."

Fang grunted. "I can do that."

A corner of Lightning's mouth tilted up. "And the basement needs to be picked up."

There was a moment's pause before Fang answered. "Okay."

"And the bathroom needs to be cleaned."

"Hey, now," Fang whined. "I thought you didn't keep track." She made a weak attempt to pinch Lightning's side, who jerked and blocked the attack with an arm, amusement crinkling the corners of her eyes.

The pitter-patter of small boots on sand drew near. Sophie raced up to Fang's other side and hugged her, smushing her cheek against her shoulder.

Sophie's head popped up after a second. "Aunt Light, can Fang come with us tomorrow? Please?"

Lightning was back to drawing designs in Fang's hair with her fingertips. "If she wants to."

"What's happening tomorrow?"

"We're going to the mall. It's the one near Vanille's university, so we could invite her along, too."

Sophie started bouncing on her feet. "Please, Fang, please?"

Fang gave a light chuckle. "How can I say no to that?" As Sophie gave a victory cry, Fang turned her face into Lightning's shoulder, her tone more weighted as she said, "Thanks."

…

Lightning parked along the sidewalk where Fang waited outside her apartment complex. She dropped herself into the passenger seat with a tired sigh, startled when Lightning tossed a white paper bag into her lap.

"Food. This coffee is yours."

Fang grunted, going straight for the coffee. "You're a saint."

"Hi, Fang," Sophie greeted from the back seat, kicking her feet a little.

Pulling the coffee away from her lips, Fang turned and grinned. She reached a hand back and squeezed Sophie's knee. "Hey, sweetness. You ready to do some shopping today?"

"Yeah," Sophie nodded eagerly, a book in her lap and toys scattered along the seat.

"Good. I'm gonna take a nap on the way there, I think."

Lightning asked, "Did you call Vanille last night?"

"Yeah, she'll meet us there."

Lightning reached out and gripped her shoulder. Fang glanced her way and nodded once.

The drive was quiet. After finishing the breakfast sandwich and coffee, Fang tilted her seat back and dozed while Sophie read. They reached the mall parking lot in less than an hour, and Lightning had to shake Fang a few times to get her to wake.

"We're here."

Fang grunted, rubbing at her face as she straightened her chair. Shoulder slumped and eyelids heavy, she looked absolutely exhausted.

"You going to make it?" Lightning asked, honestly concerned.

Fang grumbled unintelligibly as she unbuckled and stepped slowly out of the car. They found Vanille inside, waiting on a bench. Sophie's running footsteps caught her attention, and she stood with a smile to take her in a hug.

"It's so great to see you," Vanille said as she released her. Then she looked up and all but leaped at Lightning to hug her tightly. Her strength and speed was still surprising, even after all these years, and Lightning barely managed to free a hand from her pocket and pat her on the back.

Then Vanille turned to Fang, her eyes drooping sadly before she latched onto her, burying her face in her chest.

"I'm sorry."

"Yeah," Fang said, hugging back.

Lightning took Sophie by the hand. "Where should we go first? Your mom said we should find you some new clothes."

Sophie nodded enthusiastically. After releasing Fang, Vanille smiled at Sophie and crouched down so their eyes were level. "Are you excited to have a baby brother or sister?"

Sophie's smile dropped immediately and she stomped her foot. "No! I don't want one."

Vanille directed a grimace toward Lightning who shrugged a rhetorical 'What can you do?' before tugging Sophie along and switching her attention back to shopping.

They drifted in and out of various shops, getting new clothes for Sophie and shoes for Vanille, Fang following quietly along. A little past noon, they took a moment to drop their shopping bags off in their respective cars before making their way to the food court.

"What do you guys want?" Vanille asked, looking around as if she were in a candy store.

Fang mumbled, "I'm not really hungry. I'll find us a table."

"You should eat, Fang," Vanille said to her, but Fang was already walking away. Vanille cast a defeated look to Lightning.

"Get an extra plate," Lightning told her. Vanille's eye lit up and she nodded before hurrying away to her chosen vendor.

Lightning purchased a large and small plate of teriyaki chicken, rice, and vegetables. She gave the tray with the small meal to Sophie to carry, and they wandered through the maze of tables to Fang. Vanille found them soon after and set an empty plate in front of Fang, which Lightning immediately transferred some of her food to.

Fang scoffed at them. "Honestly, you two."

"Eat," Lightning said simply, sticking a fork in her rice.

Fang glanced across the table at her with a small pout and picked up the fork, using it to poke at the food.

After sitting quietly for a few awkward minutes, Vanille asked her, "Do you want to talk about it?"

Pushing rice around her plate, Fang thought quietly before she spoke. "I don't understand it, Vanille. I thought things were fine. I mean we had some arguments but... It's like this happens almost every time. I feel like things are working out and suddenly they're telling me they need to move on."

"Did Aerith say why?"

Fang sighed heavily, continually staring at her food. Vanille placed a hand on her back and rubbed comfortingly. "She said she felt like I wasn't letting her get close. We've kinda talked about that before, and I was trying to do better but-" Fang's chin jerked quickly and she stopped talking. Lightning busied herself with cutting Sophie's teriyaki chicken.

Vanille put her hand over Fang's on the table. "You've always struggled with being emotionally close to people. You and Lightning are both like that. Maybe Aerith wasn't giving it enough time."

Fang thought about that quietly before mumbling, "I guess I don't always feel like talking about some stuff."

"It's more than that, I think." Sympathy lined Vanille's face. "Remember in school you always had so many friends, but you never really let them in? The only person you ever invited to our house was Lightning."

Fang countered, "Well I kept worrying about having to leave everyone again. I had to switch homes so many times." Her eyes dropped right before her eyebrows lit up, and she looked at Vanille. "You think that has something to do with that?"

Vanille tilted her head, giving her foster sister her full attention. "You're afraid of losing people. If you don't let them in, it won't hurt as much when they're gone."

Fang stared at her untouched food. When she looked at Vanille again, she had a small, if sad-looking smile. "Look at you, putting your degree to use." Fang gave it another moment's thought before glancing across the table with a sigh. "We better eat. The little munchkin over there is beating us."

Knowing when to ease off, Vanille transferred her attention to her food as well as Sophie, engaging the girl in a serious discussion about some cartoon Lightning had never heard of.

Close to finishing their meal, Fang's shoe tapped against Lightning's shin. "Anything you wanted to get while we're here?"

Lightning nodded. "I wanted to stop by the bookstore."

Fang's mouth curved, eyes relaxing with something close to affection. "Figured you would." For a moment Lightning was caught by those green eyes and the soft smirk. Her cheeks felt suddenly warm, and she ducked her head to use a napkin.

After dumping their trays, they wandered toward the bookstore. Vanille took Sophie by the hand and led her to the children's section. Lightning mouthed a 'thank you' to her and went in the opposite direction to the mystery aisle.

"How are you feeling?" Lightning asked as she paused to scan a row of books, aware without looking that Fang had followed her.

"Better than if I were moping around at home, I guess." Fang pulled out a book at random and flipped it open. "You know, when I first invited you over I thought you'd say no. I didn't think you actually liked me."

Lightning raised a brow. "Then why'd you ask?"

Fang's crooked smile showed a hint of teeth, and she bumped Lightning with her elbow. "'Cause I liked you, of course."

"Hah." It was all Lightning could manage through the skip in her heart, the book in her hands suddenly unreadable. Of course Fang means it only as friends, she tried to tell herself.

Fang was still smiling at her. "I guess we'll have more time to hang out now, yeah? That doesn't seem so bad."

Lightning swallowed and huffed as she tried to hold on to her fraying composure. "Says you."

"Says me."

Lightning was saved when Fang diverted her attention to take another book from the shelf.

"Oh, you need to remind me to return all those books I've borrowed, I keep forgetting. I think I have a whole box of them now."

Lightning glanced at her friend from the corners of her eyes. "It's fine." She watched as Fang made a face at the book she was currently skimming, and felt herself smiling softly. She put her own book back and let her fingers trail across several book spines before choosing another.

They fell into a comfortable silence as Lightning slowly perused the aisle, taking her time. At some point Vanille and Sophie came to find them, several books clutched in their arms. After making their purchases, they left the store and wandered out of the mall, their errands complete.

Each of them gave Vanille a goodbye hug and waved as she went to her own car. The drive home was as quiet as the one to the mall, both Fang and Sophie sleeping soundly all the way.

...

"They broke up, huh."

"Yeah."

Tifa settled more comfortably into her seat. They were parked on the side of the road, watching traffic. "How are they holding up?"

Lightning shrugged. "As well as anyone. I've been helping Fang move her stuff out of Aerith's place. And Serah had lunch with Aerith a few times."

Tifa pondered this for a moment. She looked over. "How are you holding up?"

Lightning shrugged again and didn't answer.

"You still think this is your fault, don't you?" Tifa scoffed. "Look, if you feel so guilty about it, I'll write you a damn ticket. Then you can pay your dues and move on."

Rolling her eyes to her partner, Lightning's brow lifted slightly. "How much would I owe?"

Tifa pursed her lips, giving it serious thought. "Well, there's this leather jacket I've been waiting to see go on sale."

Lightning breathed a soundless laugh and shook her head. "I know it's not... entirely my fault, but..." She trailed off and stared out the window, thinking. "I spent so much time trying to distance myself. I guess I don't know what to do now. How to act. If I should act."

A hand was placed on her shoulder. "Just be there for her, like you are," Tifa advised. "You'll know what to do when the time comes."

The radio came alive, reporting a robbery at a convenience store near them.

Tifa gave her one more pat on the shoulder before turning on the sirens and guiding their patrol car into traffic. "Now let's go catch some bad guys. Nothing like fighting crime to liven up a person's day."

…

It was almost dark when Lightning made it home, parking next to a familiar car in her driveway. The lights in her house were on, and it gave her a warm feeling in her chest to know who was there.

She slid tiredly out of her car and trudged to the door, unlocked it, and removed her boots as soon as she stepped inside. The house was quiet save for a soft rumble coming from the laundry room.

"You know I was joking, right?" She called out when she spied the machines working. There was no answer.

She went further into the house, into the living room where she spied dark hair falling over the armrest of the couch. She walked up behind it and rested her elbows on the back.

Fang was asleep, one arm tucked under her head while the other loosely held a book now laying on her chest. Lightning recognized it as one she'd purchased at the mall. Smiling softly, she took the blanket off the back of the couch and gently draped it over Fang, careful not to wake her.

She went into her room to change before going to the kitchen. Noticing the pots sitting on the drying rack, when she opened the fridge she found a plate of spaghetti covered in plastic wrap. As it heated in the microwave, she also found a bowl of salad in the fridge as well as garlic bread sitting on the counter. After fixing up her meal, she sat at the table, able to see the top of Fang's head still lying on the couch.

It was... nice, having her there. Comfortable.

Fang stirred when Lightning was close to finishing her dinner. She sat up, glancing at the blanket, and then around until her eyes landed on Lightning.

"Hey," she said groggily, taking a moment to stretch and rub at her eyes. She picked the book up from her lap and set it on the coffee table, mumbling, "Sorry, I lost the page you were on."

"It's fine," Lightning said. She got up to put her plate in the sink, and then sat down on the couch. "Thanks for dinner."

Fang pulled the blanket tighter around herself, tucked her legs up onto the couch, and then plopped down on her side, head resting in Lightning's lap. "Wanna watch a movie? I put Bourne Identity in."

"Sure." Lightning put a hand on Fang's shoulder as she leaned forward to pick up the remote from the coffee table. She switched on the TV and DVD player and started the movie.

As the opening credits played, Lightning peered down, watching the glow from the screen flicker over Fang's face. Giving in to the temptation, she lifted a hand over Fang's head and let her fingers sink into her hair, scratching lightly along her scalp. Fang's eyes closed briefly.

"Remember the first time I came to your house? When we were in school?" Lightning asked.

"'Course. You hardly said a word to anybody. I dragged you into my room and showed you all my toys, hoping it would impress you. Then we played video games after dinner."

"Yeah." Eyes relaxed in a soft smile, Lightning watched her fingers trail through Fang's hair. "Fang?"

"Mm?"

"Thanks for inviting me."

With a faint smile Fang reached up to the hand in her hair and gently squeezed it.