Setting: Pulse right after FFXIII. Differences? Fang and Vanille were spared from their crystal fates; Lightning wasn't summoned by Etro.

Star Wars themed AU. Graphic Sex & Language a little later. Lightning/Vanille

Disclaimer: I don't own rights to the characters from Square Enix's Final Fantasy series, nor do I financially profit from this composition.

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away . . .

New Bodhum (1:00 a.m.):

Vanille lay sleeping peacefully in her bedroom. Another day gone by, one of many following her encounter with the fal'Cie a few short months ago. At the age of 19, she would soon be titled the Academy's youngest senator.

While Academy researchers were exploring the Oerba ruins, they discovered an ancient oracle drive revealing the succession of a noble blood-line – the succession of the past and the future. Naturally, the future predictions intrigued scientists. It seemed all too fitting that the only remaining descendant of this revered ancestry be one of the vanquishers of the former tyrannical government.

The oracle informed the New Republic of the promising events to come. At the heart of the broadcast, Oerba Dia Vanille guides Pulse back to its former glory, solidifies international relations between Cocoon and Pulse, and introduces the advent for a golden age of prosperity. Focusing on the finer details, Vanille is to be entrusted with a large portion of legislative power.

Vanille considers this a tremendous honor, yet it's equally burdensome. She'd never imagined herself in such a position. She'd never been a leader.

Having the ability to see the future manifest itself is a curse. You know where you are, and you know where you'll end up, but the road to getting there is obscured.

Vanille had been fatally apprehensive since learning of her destiny, but she cannot hide. For if she does not fulfill these obligations, who will?

New Bodhum (2:30 p.m.):

That afternoon, Sergeant Lightning Farron, the 21 year old warrior, was called into base for the Guard Corps Security Regiment by her commanding officer, the newly promoted Sergeant Major Amodar.

"Good afternoon, Farron. Have a seat," Amodar requested.

Lightning grabbed the wooden chair and sat stiffly in the seat. She was curious about why Amodar summoned her so urgently, especially considering that New Bodhum was finally starting to settle down from the construction on Pulse.

What could be so pressing?

She watched Amodar fidget through a file with a disgruntled look on his face.

"Uh- Sir, may I ask what this is regarding . . .?"

Amodar looked up from his file, beaming, "Been working out, Sarge?"

"I suppose, Sir," the soldier answered simply.

When Lightning wasn't immersed in training, she had been spending her spare time lending her considerable strength to the efforts of building New Bodhum. Following the aftermath of her campaign against the Fal'Cie, the resilience of the Coccoon people spurred her to greater action.

Amodar chuckled, knowing his elite soldier wasn't fond of lavish praise. Suddenly, his expression turned grave, "Anyway, I won't waste your time, Farron. I paged you to discuss a matter of some urgency. We have confirmation that New Bodhum's impending senator is in peril."

Lightning's ears pricked up, "Peril, Sir?"

"General Blanche contacted me last evening on behalf of the High Council. The prospective senator's been getting anonymous, weekly letters for a month. The most recent letter details a heinous death threat. It's pretty disturbing, Farron. The situation can't be ignored anymore. They've ordered her into protective custody. An assignment of this scale requires a veteran . . . I'm depending on you to protect her."

"The prospective senator wouldn't happen to be—" Lightning had heard the rumors.

"Oerba Dia Vanille," Amodar confirmed.

Lightning froze.

Outside the GCSR Base (3:15 p.m.):

Lighting was shell-shocked. Vanille, the party member she was never very close to, was soon to be the youngest senator in the New Republic. Lightning rubbed the back of her head. The details of her assignment mulled over and over again.

She'd been so busy mapping, directing, and rebuilding Bodhum that she hadn't taken much interest into Academy affairs, specifically politics. To her dismay, she'd have to put her efforts into New Bodhum on hold for now. Her energy was now centralized on one mission—enforcing the protection and guardianship of Vanille.

Lightning briskly walked along the New Bodhum sidewalk until reaching her apartment.

Lightning and Serah's Apartment:

Serah was resting on the couch when Lightning stormed through their front door—immediately retreating to her room to pack her bags.

"Lightning?" Serah turned in time to catch a hint of the soldier's red cape disappearing down the hallway. She stood up and followed her sister to the bedroom. "Is something the matter, Sis?"

"I've been commissioned to oversee the protection of a High Council official," Lightning replied while grabbing her suitcase and throwing clothes in.

"Protection? Goodness, are they in danger? Will you be in danger?" Serah looked apprehensive.

Lightning paused with her packing to walk over to Serah. The soldier tenderly placed her battle-hardened hands around the slender girl's shoulders and kissed her forehead.

"I'll be all right," She reassured with a smile, "I'll be back before you know it."

Serah bit her lip, sensing that her sister was troubled with something.

"What is it?" the smaller girl inquired.

"The High Council official . . ." Lightning trailed off in thought.

". . . is Vanille?" Serah completed her sentence.

Surprised, Lightning asked, "You knew?"

"I didn't know about the protective custody, but I knew Vanille's been involved with the Senate recently."

Lightning wanted to ask more, but only looked at her sister and said, "I have to get going."

She went back to the suitcase and finished packing, lastly grabbing her gun-blade swords.

Luggage in hand, Lightning retreated to the living room with Serah in tow, stopping halfway between her and the front door, "I don't know how long I'll be, but I don't want you here by yourself, Serah. As much as I don't like him, you'll be safer with Snow. Please stay with him until I get back, okay?"

Serah ran into her sisters arms, wrapping her own around the soldier's neck, "Lightning, I'm afraid."

Lightning frowned as she cradled her, gently rubbing her back, "Why are you afraid?"

Serah pulled away from the embrace and replied, "Even if it's for Vanille, you'll be putting your own life on the line. What if I'm not ready to lose you again?" Serah lunged into Lightning's arms for another hug, "Won't you tell them no? . . . Please?"

It pained Lightning to think of being separated from Serah again, but not nearly as much as it pained her to know that this was hurting Serah. Lightning only hoped she'd come to understand that she's made an oath to serve and protect - an oath she'll not compromise with.

One last time, Lightning squeezed her precious sister before reluctantly striding away, "I need you to trust me, Serah. I'll be fine. I promise."

New Bodhum Council Building (5:30 p.m.):

Vanille and an assembly of senators were walking down a corridor. She was on her way to the conference room. Once there, she'd be put in the protective custody of her guardian. Protective custody was a condition the High Council insisted upon—a request rather unpopular with Vanille.

"Why must I endure this? I'm not even a senator yet, and I'm being sent away," Vanille said irritably.

"It's for your own protection, Milady," replied Hans, one of the eldest, most respected officials in the Academy Senate.

"Protection? I fought Sanctum soldiers, and I need protection?" Vanille retorted.

"We don't question your combat skills, Milady, but when it comes to your protection we mustn't take the matter lightly. You'll be fine. Guard Corps has sent us their finest guardian. Give us some peace of mind, won't you? Let us rest easy knowing you'll be safe."

Vanille held her tongue as they neared the end of the expansive hallway. A security guard opened the door for the entering party of politicians.

Lightning Farron stood waiting beyond the threshold, arms folded neatly behind her back. (Lightning was clad in something resembling Jedi Knight apparel from Star Wars. Her T-tunic uniform was sand-colored, and her boots were brown. Her gunblade was tied to her back from her matching brown belt.)

"Ah, here's our guard," Senator Hans beamed.

"Good afternoon, Council. I'm Sergeant Farron." Lighting announced, straightening her arms across her chest in salute before resuming her previous 'stand easy' position, "I've been assigned to the protection of Lady Oerba Dia Vanille."

The Council approached with Vanille trailing behind. Senator Hans stepped forward.

"Good day Sergeant Farron, I'm Senator Hans Jazin. Permit me to introduce your charge," The Senator motioned towards the group, which parted to make way for Vanille.

The girl discretely made her way to Senator Hans' side. The older man placed his friendly, aged hands on Vanille's shoulders, saying, "This is the soon-to-be Senator Oerba Dia Vanille."

Lightning focused on the petite, red-headed girl before her. Her outfit consisted of a light gray blouse, with puff sleeves, drawn tightly at the upper arm to become long sleeves. Silver bands encircled the sleeves along the upper arm. The skirt was of a darker gray, and was pleated so it rippled. Over the blouse she wore a high-collared, double-breasted corset of a darker gray material. The front of the corset, where it overlapped, was decorated with fine embroidery.

Despite being richly garbed, this was definitely Vanille— the Vanille who tumbled and squeaked along on their crazy suicide mission mere months earlier, yet it now seemed like a lifetime ago. The slender girl raised her head. Her emerald eyes met Lightning's azure ones.

"Hello, Lightning," Vanille mustered shyly, extending her palm out.

Snapped from her reverie, Lightning did another salute, and gently took Vanille's hand. "We meet again . . . Milady."

"You're both acquainted?" Senator Hans interjected.

"Yes," both unintentionally replied.

"Splendid!" the Senator exclaimed. "We know you'll take good care of our young delegate, Sergeant."

A middle-aged woman, Senator Yaj Adias, went up to Lightning and confided, "Keep her safe, Lightning."

Lightning solemnly replied, "You have my word, Senator."

Senator Hans entrusted Lightning with a folder regarding protocols and the location of Vanille's safe house. She accepted the folder, and the Senators made their way out the door, leaving the stoic soldier and prospective senator alone.

Lightning wandered over to the large window and leaned against the railing, admiring the view of the developing city. It felt awkward for her to treat Vanille with such formalities. However, she recognized that Vanille was soon-to-be an elected official. Their days of adventure were little more than a distant memory. Lightning supposed she may as well get used to it.

Vanille observed Lightning's behavior closely.

"We never did get to know each other very well," the younger woman admitted.

Lightning turned to look at Vanille, "I guess we can now . . . Milady."

"You've changed," Vanille asserted.

"How so?"

"Your clothes." Vanille waved her finger towards Lightning's outfit. "They look comfy!" the girl chirped.

Lightning snickered, "Is that it?"

"And . . . You look stronger." Vanille noticed how the soldier's tunic draped over solid shoulders, and the way her body filled the soft fabric.

However, Lightning appeared unimpressed, and crossed her arms inside the tunic's loose sleeves. "Milady, we should really be going," the Sergeant said firmly. "I don't want to miss the ride to New Sunleth Waterscape. I'm ordered to get you out, immediately."

"Strange . . . A few months ago, I was Vanille, and now I'm 'Milady'."

Lightning advanced towards Vanille, halting a few feet in front of her, "I'm a soldier. We're respectful to our officials."

Vanille raised her hand to her chin, in thought, "I was wrong. You're not stronger. You're stubborner, Sergeant-Stubbornhead!"

Lightning knotted her eyebrows disagreeably as Vanille covered her mouth in a giggling fit from the soldier's reaction. Lightning felt reminded of that annoying, spritely girl, who always saw the brighter side of things, even whilst tumbling to their dooms. However, the red-head's amusement soon faded, and Lightning found that the girl had closed the gap between them. Now leaning against her, Vanille's hands made their way onto the soldier's still-crossed arm, latching on a little more tightly than the soldier would've expected.

"I must go home first. I need to finish gathering my things. May we set off then?" said Vanille, almost in a whisper.

Lightning looked down at her charge quietly. For a moment, the soldier wished the young girl could remain her cheerful self forever. Lightning placed a hand on Vanille's and replied, "After you, Milady."

Vanille chuckled softly as they departed together, "I will have to break you of that habit."

Author's Endnote: Vanille's outfit description is Padme Amidala's "Packing Dress". Revisions for this chapter courtesy of 'mooncanvas'.