A/N: Hey hey hey I'm baaaack with a new chapter! Sorry for my long absence.0 . Things are going bad in my shitload life and I can't find any spare time to write and edit my story but don't worry, I DO plan on finishing this fanfic even though we're still at the beginning of events. (seriously I can't believe we're like 5chapters in and nothing has happened yet. Hail for being a slowpoke!).

Chapter 5: Interception

Lightning opened her eyes slowly; strong light instantly blinded her sight. Her mouth felt dry. She swallowed a few times before looking around to discover that she was laying on an unfamiliar bed. A sweet yet burnt scent filled her nostrils making her senses numb. The young woman heaved herself up on her pillow and pushed the blanket away. That's when she realized that someone placed scented incense sticks on the bedside table… maybe that was what had woken her up. She was, for as long as she remembers, sensitive to any type of burnt, combusted, char smell…you name it; that's partially connected to a memory of Serah's first tries in the kitchen. Oh dear! How terrible she was back then: everyday Lightning would go back home after her patrol shifts to discover with horror her house in black smoke and Serah greeting her with overcooked corn buns.

Drifting back to the old days brought a smile to Light's face. While distracted in her thoughts, someone came over.

"Thank goodness you're awake!"

Startled, Lightning looked up to see a voluptuous middle-aged woman with a pair of vivid green eyes checking her up and down, occasionally tapping gently her cheeks. After a thorough check-up, the older woman let out a deep sigh and grinned wildly.

"Good! Looks like the poison was completely liquidated. We were worried whether you would wake up any time sooner. We had to inject systematically 3 bottles of antidote into your organism." The woman puffed. She was cladded in white uniform, a tag on her breast indicating her name. It was pretty evident she was the local nurse.

"W-hat… happened?" Lightning inquired anxiously, her voice sounded craggily like she haven't used it for days. "How…did I get here…?"

"Oh dear you don't remember?" the old lady scratched her chin and sighed "You have been asleep for a little over two days. We were quite taken aback when this young lad rushed into our clinic with you half-conscious in his arms. Your injuries weren't quite severe but it took us great efforts to take out the poison from your body."

"I… yes. We were near the woods when…" Lightning paused, thinking hard "… the poison… I don't understand…"

The woman raised her eyebrows, a small smile twisting her lips. She took a seat at the edge of Lightning's bed - well not exactly hers but the clinic's. Gently, she held up Light's bandaged wrist to verify it "You were intoxicated with Chimera's venom. Those are capable of producing venom in their fangs to immobilize their prey. In your case, it injected directly to your wrist's arteries… although mysteriously we couldn't find any signs of Chimera bite."

The rose-haired patient flinched as she recalled Noctis' cure treatment to close her wound. It was a generous move, but it only delayed the pain she felt afterwards. She couldn't blame him though, since at that time none of them knew she was already tainted with poison.

"Thank you," Lightning leaned back all relieved. It felt good to have gotten rid of those hallucinations she had and yet… "N- Noctis!" She suddenly gasped, "What about him?"

"Oh! Just thinking about your friend's face makes my heart ache" Lightning's vivid blue eyes narrowed as she looked at the nurse . "The second we told him that we ran out of antidote's ingredients, he stormed out and went searching for the herbs in the woods, looking all grim and somewhat… guilty, like he did something unforgivable."

She can't mean the forest we escaped from right?, Lightning thought. It took them great efforts to escape from the hunters and the idea of returning there alone sounded like suicide. The young woman rubbed her forehead with one head. She refused to believe such thing occurred, but then again, given the nurse's account, why would Noctis look grim otherwise?

"We did try to stop him but he was persistent. He went as far as to demand the list of ingredients.", the older nurse continued as she noted Lightning's grimace, "It didn't take many guesses to know that you two have been through a big ordeal. Especially since the herbs only grow not far from Chimera's nest, per lady Nature's law, where they are the most efficient."

And so, it was as she feared. Lightning looked at her hands in wonder. There she was, healed. It meant Noctis succeeded despite the risks. However, she couldn't comprehend why he went that far for her. She was just a foreigner to him and it didn't matter whether she slept for four or even five days more. The poison merely left her in coma and she was in good hands the moment he laid her on the clinic's bed. The health center's staff would eventually provide the antidote as soon as it was accessible. There was no need to rush into the woods for a small pile of leaves. The man was reckless, she would give him that but she knew that he wouldn't act like that for no reason, mainly because of his situation. He was no oaf after all.

"I need to see him." Lightning sat up quickly, stumbling forward out of the tiny bed. The nurse immediately moved to the side to avoid being bumped to the floor. "Please tell me where I can find him."

But Light wasn't given any response this time.

The older lady mumbled a simple apology as her patient crossed her arms, a clear insistence on her face. It took the nurse minutes to announce two words:

"He left."

"What do you mean he left ?", the pinkette asked out loud. Never did she think such simple declaration would leave her feel so… dejected? Was she expecting something else? Of course he left. It all made sense to her at once. All he did was to ensure she was safe. She was slowly becoming a burden to him so he did what he had to repay her kindness and leave as soon as possible. She should be grateful that she got rid of him but oddly, it left her empty. It's the same as that time, she thought, that man whom we considered a father left the house and never came back. Not a single word, not a single letter. It was as if he never existed. Funny. To think that this feeling resurfaced after all these centuries just because of some guy I don't know.

The ex-soldier restrained the urge to show disappointment in her voice as she asked one last time "Did he say something before leaving?"

"Not to my knowledge, no. After one day, he came back with a bag filled with all the listed items and made the doctors treat you immediately. Boy, he didn't look good himself. The moment he stepped into this building, everyone thought they were seeing a ghost. Poor lad was bruised all over his body, he was completely drained out of energy. He must have bumped into a horde of behemoth if anything else. When we offered a room for him to rest in, he instantly refused and exited the building in a hurry.", the nurse shook her head and took a deep breath, "I'm afraid that was the last time we saw him. It hadn't been more than 10 hours ago, though."

Lightning Farron stiffened as she imagined the state Noctis was in when he returned from the woods. New questions rose to her mind. Did he encounter his enemies? How did he escape them? He couldn't have… killed them, right?

"Thank you again for the information" Lightning sighed and turned to the single window in the room, her eyes drifting to the cloudy sky above. "I'd like to be alone if you don't mind… Mrs. Maho" She had finished by glancing at the nurse's name tag.

Mrs. Maho consented and retreated to the corridor, mindful to close the door behind.

The doctors and the nurses turned out to be very friendly and generous. Lightning appreciated their eagerness to let her stay until she fully recovered her stamina. Later that day, she was escorted to a cozier room. A better view to cheer her up, as Mrs. Maho stated. It seemed as if the older woman took a liking for her and her situation.

Her new resting place was considerably different than the previous area. It was located on the 2nd floor in the building adjacent to the main entrance building. It looked nothing like the sickroom Lightning was used to; instead of pure whiteness, it was impeccably furnished and ornate. A mug with freshly brewed chamomile tea stood at the center of the room, suggestively placed for Lightning to drink it for relaxation. One of the nurses even brought over her suitcase, which ironically remained spotless despite all the road bumping and chimera encounter. On the other hand, the last 5 days mayhem didn't spare her travel clothing resistance. The once light-pastel colored shirt and pants were completely bathed in dirt and blood.

Lightning frowned at the sight and put them aside. Next, she proceeded to unlock her suitcase and change into a new set of clothing, anything to get out of the hospital gown as soon as possible.

Jammed.

Of course, after all Lady BAD Luck adored her so much.

Fuming, Lightning grasped the lip and tore it apart by force. It was then that she realized where laid the problem. A crumbled piece of paper found its way stuck between the metal springs of the opening. It was poorly tucked in, as if someone had the idea of pranking the ex-soldier in a rush before she could catch them red-handed, except that she was more shocked to find something scribbled on it.

Upon unfolding the note she read:

Get out of this country as soon as you recover. Please stay safe and forget about me.-N

N as in…?, Lightning wondered, could it be Noctis?

The young woman ran a hand through her long bangs, uncertain to what make out of this. Lightning dismissed the note and garbed herself in another attire. She paused as her eyes took notice of the black case containing her precious gift. The ex-soldier automatically untied the straps and withdrew carefully – what it revealed - the enhanced Blazesaber Edge. She contemplated how nicely it rested inside her palms as she flipped the weapon from its gun to blade form, back and forth. It was as if she was back in Cocoon with her sister.

"If only I had it with me back then" she murmured remorsefully. "Maybe I wouldn't be stuck here like an idiot."

The skillfully polished blade reflected perfectly Lightning's face and the streets below the window bustling with folks and trucks. Military trucks. Lightning snapped her head around and peeked out. She was apprehended with the sight of officers just below her room, not to mention the person who was accompanying them.

"We appreciate your cooperation Mrs. Maho" the officer said as he bowed to the nurse " Nowadays you never know who may abuse your charity. It's actually very reassuring that with the upcoming crisis we can count on upstanding civilians like you."

Lightning straightened up, making sure no one could spot her silhouette, and backed toward the curtains. Her ears certainly not enjoying what they were hearing.

"To be honest, I can hardly believe such a charming individual is THE dangerous spy from abroad." Mrs. Maho sighed as she climbed the stairs to the entrance. "She sure was very amicable when we led her to the private quarter on the 2nd floor. I made sure to inform my colleagues to lock the door until you arrive to retrieve her. I don't think she suspects anything. By now she must have drank the tea and fallen asleep."

The officers chuckled bitterly as they followed the woman. A couple of them stayed behind to guard the vehicles but none of them seemed to mind, knowing how easy today's capture would be thanks to the nurse's quick thinking. Back in the room, Lightning nearly gagged as she looked toward the mug of what now turned out to be tea with sleeping potion subtly mixed in. She drew a deep inward breath. Curse the gods or whatever deity she killed! She already had taken a sip the moment she saw the tea innocently put on the table. How strong was that drug anyway? Within minutes, she will be taken into custody for her idiocy and (just maybe) drift to unconsciousness yet again.

Maybe that was what Noctis meant, said Lightning's most honest self, he should have included something like 'beware of angelic-looking nurses'. That sure would sound more legit.

But that was not the moment for her to ponder peacefully as heavy footsteps echoed outside the locked room. Lightning hastily gathered any useful objects from her suitcase and suited up; gunblade sheath hanging loosely off her belt. Not wasting any second, she climbed on the windowsill and jumped down before any eyes could witness her audacious escape. To keep moving was the best way to make sure she stayed out of those officers' field of vision, but she still needed to rest. Unexpectedly, her body was still too weak to take reckless actions like bailing out through the window from the 2nd floor. To top that, the sleeping drug hindered her sharpness. That's what you get for lazing around – Snow and Fang were surely going to laugh if they saw her in this state. Growling, Lightning ordered her mind to stay awake. In return it led her through the narrow streets of the little town. She started walking carefully along the edge of the pavement, her unsteady body supported by the walls of the buildings. Each time a large truck roared by behind her back, she felt the surface of the road shake – or, rather, undulate - through her heels, as if she were walking on the deck of an aircraft. She'd made sure to hide her flashy pink hair inside a hood and keep a good distance whenever she caught a glimpse of patrol cars. She didn't know where to go. Heck! The further she went the more she realized she was going deeper into the town. Reaching the turnaround, she halted to see a taxi cab parked on the opposite side of the road, some ten meters away. Lightning thought for a moment before knocking lightly on the windshield until the driver took notice of her. Would he take her in?...A simple nod and the young woman let out a satisfactory breath. Not everyone were informed of the runaway pink-haired clinic patient, yet. The next process was quite simple: the driver was to take her to the nearest bus terminus where she would take an one-way ride away from the town.

Eyes closed, Lightning listened to the classical music played from the radio, allowing the lovely unison of the orchestra to sink into her brain. She could feel the effects of the sleeping potion wearing off after having dozed off for a bit. All this running had exhausted her mental state. If she wasn't Lightning Farron, perhaps, she'd lose her mind long time ago. Just then it occurred to her that while she has been relaxing in the backseat, a good dozen 40 minutes have passed. When asked to be brought to the terminus, any ordinary taxi man would try his best to reach the destination the fastest way possible.

"Is the bus terminus that far from here?" she asked.

Turning his head slightly in her direction, he replied "Why? Are you in hurry Ma'am?"

"Well I have to meet someone there. That's why I asked you to take the expressway." She lied, hoping to slightly pressure the driver.

"I'm sorry. From the looks of it, I don't think you'll ever make it in time."

"Is the backup that bad?"

"Looks like there's a major intervention by patrols up ahead. This is no ordinary traffic jam. We've hardly moved for quite a while." He explained "I don't know why but since 4 days ago, some special military forces have been gathering around the town checking up car passengers every now and then. I don't listen to radio reports much but it seems like big things are happening in this quiet town. "

"4 days already? Is it so usual for militia to block the road for so long? I heard that a peace treaty is about to be signed between big nations such as Lucis and Niflheim. Why would militia still lurk around? They should have withdrew by now if I'm not mistaken."

"I see you don't take much interest in politics either, Ma'am. I don't blame you. You can't trust them; Lucis, Niflheim…." he said with a hollow ring to his voice "Who knows which side is that militia on? We are just a little town who prefers to stay away from the political tensions. If you really want to survive in these times; you've got to use your own eyes and your own judgment."

"And your judgment tells you that we'll be stuck here?"

"I can guarantee that" he said with a nod "When it backs up solid like this, the expressway is sheer hell!"

Lightning gritted her teeth. There really was no backup this time. She imagined herself locked in this cab until the military arrested her on spot. Outside, people continued to beep each other, whether it's to show their road rage or just because they had nothing else to do. The clanking of gunblade against its case came to the foreground as if to soothe Lightning's heightened anxiety. Of course, tearing through the front opening was NOT an option (unless there was a self-claimed stupid hero here to help her out). One way or another, she had to avoid meeting up with the officers.

"Time charges don't add up on the expressway," the driver said, speaking toward his rearview mirror. "So don't let the fare worry you. I suppose you need to get to your meeting, right?"

"Yes, of course. But there's nothing I can do from here, is there?"

The driver glanced at her in the mirror. He was wearing dark sunglasses. The way the light was shining in, Lightning could not make out his expression.

"Well, in fact, there might be a way, You could take the trolley car from here, but you'd have to do something a little… extreme."

"Something extreme?"

"It's not something very… sanitary."

Lightning said nothing and waited for a clarification with narrowed eyes.

"Look to your left. See between the red and the black car?" he asked, pointing. "There is a sewer cap."

Lightning strained to focus her sight on a space between the halted cars. She saw that the cap was highlighted with yellow straps for road constructors to know where it was located in case they had to repair the road in the night. It looked like Lightning could fit perfectly between the cars to open the cap and jump in before any vehicle moved forward.

"Down there, there will be indicative arrows on the walls. If you were to follow them until you reach the intersection, and climb up the ladder, you'd be near the upper streets of the market district. From there, it's nothing to the terminus."

"I didn't know taxi drivers were so knowledgeable about underground pipes and sewers' layout."

The man shook his head a few times as if trying to ease a stiff neck. The wrinkles on the back of his neck moved like some kind of caterpillar. Half-consciously watching the movement, Lightning couldn't help herself but shift uncomfortably in the backseat.

"To tell you the truth, in the past we had to use them in case of emergency when drivers had to abandon their cars to run away from occasional monsters attacks. Thankfully these days, the town's mayor used his influence to increase the local security and most of the dangerous beasts have been driven out to the wilderness." He said. "I know it's not my place to tell you to do that but it's up to you Ma'am.."

The ex-savior frowned and glanced at the rearview mirror, spotting nothing but the driver's faint smile – a smile that could be read in any number of ways.

"What tells you the soldiers won't be patrolling near the sewers?"

"Hah! As if those strangers knew the ways of local inhabitants!" he chuckled "If you just want to sit here and relax and enjoy the tune, I'm fine with that. All I'm saying is that there are emergency measures you can take if you have urgent business."

Lightning looked up and studied the surrounding cars. She thought deeply, arranging everything in order of priority. She needed hardly any time to reach a conclusion. Lightning pulled out of her pocket 700 gils and handed it to the driver "I'll get out here. I can't be.. late for this appointment."

The driver nodded and took the money "I wish the best for you." He said "Just be careful, it might be slippery out there."

"I will be." She nodded, almost automatically .

The driver said in a way as if choosing his words carefully: "And also, remember to cover those pink strands good. You don't want to be mistaken for the criminal on the run, am I right?"

Lightning halted instantly, shock unhidden in her eyes. She dared not to ask if he knew from the beginning. The driver directed his usual mysterious faint smile through the rearview window. Then, he pulled the lever that opened the passenger door "The door is open Ma'am" He reminded her slowly, as if shrugging off his earlier statement. Without further words, Lightning stepped out of the cab, gripping the straps of her gunblade case. She started walking carefully between the cars toward her personal exit.

Meanwhile, loud applause emanated from the car stereo. The music was undoubtedly a live record. The driver took out his glasses and adjusted the volume of the radio while glancing momentarily at the near distance, where Lightning's shadow could still be seen. He let out a proud smirk and whispered to himself: "With that my old debt is repaid, Savior."

A/N: Yup... Noctis turned out to be a douchebag (with a reason and you will find out in the next chapter!) and Lightning is struggling to stay away from his affairs but keeps getting into more troubles (no no gurl ain't leaving Noctis ya!). I realized that I couldn't find a better way to finish it than this way so please forgive me if my endings are repetitive... I still have a lot to learn!

EXPLANATION TIME:

I just thought about adding some post-LR elements since last year in Fiesta mag. we got to know that some souls still remember bits of a savior who brought them to the new world. The cool cab-driver is one of the people whom Lightning actually helped (aka quest to lvl up :D) and decided to help our dear wanted heroin.