Notes: Here's the final chapter, short and sweet. For those who liked this story, I have good news: there is a sequel in the works. I actually hope to have the first chapter up very soon. Anyway, thanks again for all the kind words and support from all of you during this project. I feel like you guys have helped me improve a lot, though I still have a ways to go. Enjoy.

Chapter Thirteen

It was sweet, and strange.

"Have you even done this before?" Lightning asked breathlessly, her hands sliding down Hope's bare chest. She could feel his heart racing beneath her fingertips, her own pulse matching its speed.

Hope lifted his head and brushed his lips against hers. "No," he answered.

"Me either," Lightning admitted. "Shit."

"What?" He smiled against her mouth. "Not down for awkward, virginal sex?"

"All two seconds that it will last."

"Gee, thanks." Hope leaned back and brushed a stray pink strand of hair out of Lightning's face. "Just relax, okay? Do it for me, anyway. I'm nervous, too."

Lightning took a deep breath. "I'm not nervous."

"Well, you're making me nervous," Hope clarified.

"Alright, alright. I'm sorry." She brought his face back to hers and kissed him as he pressed the line of their bodies together.

Lightning didn't know what she was expecting, but it was unlike anything she had ever experienced. It wasn't a fairytale deflowering, but it wasn't awful either. Strange indeed, she thought as she gasped against Hope's mouth, skin gliding against skin, but good. Definitely good.

And afterward, she felt light. Any regret she may have had about the act had all but dissipated in the aftermath.

"Now what?" she asked, her face inches from Hope's as they lay in the guest bedroom, sweaty limbs entangled.

Hope kissed her forehead. "We run away and elope. No other choice."

"Ha, ha."

"Yeah." He traced the line of her jaw with his fingertip. "Wishful thinking."

"You're ridiculous," she remarked, batting his hand away with a playful smile.

"So how'd I do?" Hope propped himself up on his elbow.

"Ten out of ten. Bravo."

He rolled his eyes. "At least it was longer than two seconds. I wasn't hearing any complaints during, so I'll assume it was fine."

"Did I sound sarcastic?"

"A little."

"It was fine," she assured him. "It was more than fine. It was good."

They lay in a companionable silence for awhile, Hope's arms wrapped around Lightning's shoulders from behind. Her eyelids fluttered, but she refused to allow herself to fall asleep. She could tell that he was still awake as well.

"I wish things were different," she said after a time. She felt Hope stir, his head rising from the pillow. He nestled his face in the curve of her neck, kissing the skin.

"That surprises me," he responded.

She turned her head to look at him. "Why?"

"Because you're the kind of person who doesn't regret anything she does. Good or bad. Right?"

Lightning sat up, pulling the sheet around her shoulders. "I do. I have a lot. More than I can count, really, I just try not to dwell on it. But I've made so many mistakes, it's impossible not to have regrets." She paused.

"Was tonight a mistake?" Hope asked. "You saved Vanille, didn't you? You seemed to think it was worth it."

Lightning stared into the darkness. "Maybe. I will always wonder. But I always do." She gave him a wry smile. "Hindsight is always 20/20 and all that."

Hope relaxed against her, pressing his face into her side.

"If I could turn back time, though, I'd change," Lightning murmured. "If I could see the folly in my pride, I'd do everything differently. Or even if I could only change one thing…" Serah.

She didn't even realize there were tears welling up in her eyes until Hope reached up and brushed them away.

"I wouldn't," he said.

"Wouldn't what?"

"Change any of this. Because I wouldn't have been able to meet you." He sat up beside her. Behind him, the sky through the picture window was lightening, casting a soft blue glow on his skin. "Though if it would ease your pain, I would, but for my own sake - no."

"Hope-"

"Don't. I know what you're gonna say, but don't belittle my feelings. Because they're real." His fingers closed around hers. "We haven't been together long, no. And we went through some shitty situations, this one the shittiest of all because it cut our time even shorter. And yeah, you made some mistakes, but I don't care."

"Mistakes. We keep calling them mistakes." Lightning rubbed her eyes. "At the end of the day, I killed someone, Hope. Two people."

"I know that. And you don't get it, Light. I'm fully aware of these things, and I'm still here, aren't I?" Hope grasped her shoulders. "I'd be lying if I said that it didn't bother me, at least somewhat. But it doesn't really change anything. I know you don't really consider yourself as lovable or desirable, or even human sometimes. But you are. And maybe I'm crazy too, for feeling this way. But all the things you've done, good or bad, you did them all for a reason. And I respect that."

Lightning gazed at him, speechless.

"You're stubborn and proud, yeah. But you're strong and brave, too. Among other things." Hope smiled at her. "You've taught me a lot - about myself, about people in general. About how the world isn't as black and white as I tried to pretend it was. Lightning, I love you." No hesitation. His lips captured hers in a long kiss, his arms going around her.

Lightning couldn't remember the last time someone had told her they loved her. She was sure her parents and Serah had said it at some point, but she couldn't think of any specific occasions. It wasn't the same, anyway.

It felt good.

They broke away in time to see the sun rising above the buildings. Hope watched for a moment, then sighed, kissing her forehead.

"I guess it's time to go," he said. "Fang said to meet her around 11, and it takes a few hours to..."

"Yeah," Lightning answered. They met each other's gaze.

"One more time?" Hope inquired, pulling the sheet away from Lightning's body.

"One more time," she agreed.

...

The airstrip was quiet, save for the fine breeze that played through the grasses as it came off Lake Bresha some miles to the east. Only one lone plane sat on the runway, the pilot loading a few bags.

"Good tailwind," Fang noted.

Lightning looked west, brushing her hair away from her face.

"Where are we landing?" she asked. "Not at the base, obviously."

"No. Oerba. You'll like it, I think. Not too big, not too small. Not too busy, not too quiet. It's where I grew up."

"And I suppose you're the town hero."

The corner of Fang's mouth quirked. "Something like that." She pressed a thick envelope into Lightning's hands. She didn't have to look inside to know it was a substantial amount of money.

"No," Fang said before Lightning could protest. "I'm not sending you over there with nothing to your name."

Lightning closed her mouth and nodded. "Thank you, Fang. You have no idea how much I appreciate everything you've done."

Fang waved a careless hand. "It's nothing. The pilot will take you to the post office straight away so you can register. From there, I'm sure you can find a hotel to put you up until you find a more long term residence. Ah, hell." She pulled Lightning into a hug, clapping her back. "You'll be alright, love," she murmured. "I know you will."

"You about ready?" the pilot called.

"Just a sec," Fang answered.

Lightning turned to Hope. He looked down at her, rubbing his arm across his face.

"I'm trying to see you off with a smile," he said. "But…"

"I know," Lightning whispered. She leaned up to kiss him. He pulled her close, pushing his fingers through her hair.

"We'll figure this out," Hope spoke against her lips. "I don't think we're meant to end like this."

"Maybe." She drew away, her throat tight with unshed tears. "Maybe you're right, Hope. But…thank you. For everything. I…you mean more to me than anyone." Her throat worked. "I'll write you. And we can talk about everything. Figure it out, like you said."

"I love you," he said.

Lightning kissed him one last time, lingering. "Goodbye."

She turned away, her fingertips brushing his, and followed Fang to the plane. She passed a hand over her cheeks, but there were no tears to wipe away. She swallowed back the rest and lifted her head.

It was time to pick up the pieces and begin anew.

End