Epilogue

"How do you feel?" Vanille asked, looking down at her.

Lightning gave a groan as she tried to move. "In pain."

"That's normal. Most people feel that way after breaking six ribs and getting the life choked out of them by the fal'Cie. You're lucky we helped in time." The young girl felt Lightning's face, checking her temperature. "You were in shock. Your boyfriend brought you after he found us. He was almost too late."

The last thing Lightning remembered was being in dark a cave, in Cloud's arms. But now she was in a bed, in a bedroom somewhere with daylight outside. Vanille was with her, as was a sleeping Sazh on a chair in the corner. Lightning felt tight bandages around her middle as well as some more on her arms and legs where she had received cuts and bruises. It hurt, but it meant she was alive.

"Cloud! Where is he?" She sprang out of bed, only to have her head spin.

"Whoa! Easy. Back into bed for you, little miss adventure. He's with Snow right now. He's been at your side for four days now. We convinced him to get some air for a few hours. You'll see him soon." Despite her young appearance, Vanille could get quite motherly when she wanted.

Lightning offered little resistance, lying back down. "Hope? Is he alright?"

"Oh yeah! The bump on his head is all healed."

"So he was hurt." Lightning said, recalling how the boy had tried taking on a fully manned Reaper on his own.

"Oh no, he didn't get a scratch from that. I knocked him on the head with my fishing pole after we rescued him. It was either that or let Sazh shoot him." The girl explained with amusement in her eyes. "I'll get the others. They'll be so happy to see you're better."

The slumbering pilot woke up as Vanille ran by him, his eyes red with fatigue. He yawned, blinked a few times, looking around the room in confusion, not sure of where he was. Finally his gaze rested on her.

"Ah, good to see you up and running." He smiled sleepily.

"I thought I was a goner. I…I saw Serah near the end. I thought she had come for me." Lightning cast her eyes down, looking at the bed sheets that covered her. "I almost wish she had."

"You don't mean that." Sazh waved his hand dismissively. "Remember that your sister ain't dead, and that we're doin' all this to get our loved ones back. No giving up, Lightning, no matter what."

She thought about that a moment, giving a determined nod. "Hm. I never will."

"Lightning!" Hope cried as he walked into the room, his face lighting up, Fang close behind.

"I'm beginning to wonder if anything can kill you." The tall woman remarked.

Lightning could only smile in response. She made it! And best of all, now Cloud was back into her life. A discussion followed about him. Sazh wanted to know where he had gotten his ridiculously large sword, Fang remarked on his fitness, Hope said how he wanted the same hair style, and Vanille…for some odd reason didn't say a word. Lightning answered as best as she could, but was too distracted to pay close attention. Just talking about him made her feel warm and safe inside. It had been a long time since she had felt that way.

"Vanille?" Farron asked as the others continued to talk.

"Yes?"

"I want to see him."

The young girl smiled brightly. "Alright. Wait here."

Soon everyone was gone, ushered out from Vanille. Lightning spent the time waiting wondering what she was going to say. Hi? What's up? How you doin'? Laughing at herself, she found that she wasn't the least bit nervous. Why should she be? She's spent a lot of time with him, in her dreams. She didn't know how or why they met. Was it planned for them? Or was it an accident? She was sure she would never find out, but what did it matter? They had met; they became friends, fell in love, and fought to be together. Everything had ended right.

For the first time since Serah became an l'Cie, Lightning was regaining control of her life.

He walked in, hesitant like a nervous school boy. His bright eyes filled with joy at seeing her up, days of worry melting away. Cloud hurried to her side, his arms around her in a strong, caring hug. Letting out a sigh, she hugged back, ignoring any pain she was feeling. For the first time, she really was with Cloud.

Lightning forced herself to her feet. She didn't want this moment to happen as she lay on her back. She wanted to stand in front of him, looking up into his face, her arms laced around the back of his neck, as she held her closer than anyone had ever before. The dipping sun shone through the window, giving the room a life of its own. Closing her eyes, Lightning brought her lips to his. Deep in her heart she knew that at that precise moment, everything was perfect.

Everyone else poured in, unannounced. The couple pulled away, each of them turning slightly red. Whereas the others smiled at them, Fang laughed full out.

"Farron has found herself a man!" She teased. "Don't drop him, Lightning. You won't get him back."

Feeling heat rising to her cheeks, Lightning tried to give the woman as dirty a look as she could. "Touch him and die."

"Then you'll be needing this back." Sazh handed Lightning her Blaze Edge, completely repaired and in pristine condition. "But could you wait until after we're free?"

Lightning nodded. "Alright."

Cloud spoke up, talking to all of them together for the first time. "I hear the whole world is out to get you guys. Would you like some help?"

"Seriously?" Snow asked, his large arms folded across his chest. "We would be happy to have you, but this isn't your war."

Cloud looked at Lightning, a determination in his eyes she knew well. "You are my friends now. I will never leave."

Five days later.

The Cie'th roared viciously, teeth slimy with drool, claws wet with blood from fresh victims. Lightning was running at it, sword mode on, leading the charge. Fang was already high in the air, her spear like a crimson bolt. Hope and Vanille were summoning their eidolons, while Sazh fired at it from a distance. Snow was on her left, the rune on the back of his jacket glowing brightly, letting out a battle cry as he gave the beast a terrific punch. Cloud was at her side, the new buster sword in his hands, ready to fight.

Lightning smiled, comforted at the thought that she was with friends and family. And that they would always be with her...

...TO THE END

AN: Thank you for the wait. If enough people like this one, I want to finish the story with a third fanfic, but it will have to wait until after I play FFXIII. Meanwhile I have several plans for a FangxVincent story. I'll like the idea of those two together.

Please review!