Ocean waves swayed to the beach shore drowning a new bead of sand with each contact to the island. A gentle breeze became lost within strands of silver hair. Crimson eyes glared off into the distance losing focus to the outside world. Ears faintly hearing the crash of the waves. Sand grains softly forming footprints along the shore.

Paine did not turn around, knowing who it was approaching her. A soft sigh escapes her lips. Her eyes fall to the ground before her. The man hesitantly steps to her side. At that moment, emotions Paine did not even know existed swell up inside her forming a tight lump in her throat. She doesn't know if she should say something or will even be able to without her feelings getting the best of her.

"So you're leaving?" her voice cracks. She blinks the tears away. It is the first time in years she has come close to crying.

"I'm needed in Bevelle." Baralai says. Paine notes on how his voice is so calm and collected. This isn't phasing him? He is standing beside her, his hands folded in front of him. The gentle breeze playing with his white strands of hair. Paine refuses to look at him. She knew that no matter what she could say it would not change the fact the he was returning to the temple.

"The temple has Issaru to guide them." Paine states crossing her arms. A habit. He would have a explanation for leaving so suddenly. This she knew.

"As it happens Issaru is on vacation with his younger brothers." Baralai informs her. He is now looking directly at Paine to indicate that there was no possible way that he could be lying. He did have to do this for Paine knew when he was lying his eyes would faded away as if he was reading off a script.

"Then the temple needs to learn to fend for themselves." At this she receives no reply. She knew that Baralai realizes the priests in the Bevelle temple are unable to stand on their own two feet. Paine faces him for the first time since earlier that morning. Her eyes bare to his intensively. "You'll keep in touch, right?" Paine said so softly that she wonders if Baralai was able to hear her. Baralai reaches a hand out gently caressing her pale cheek. Paine closes her eyes to his touch. It is a simple jester but Baralai is writing his unspoken words with each light stroke. His hand reluctantly pulls away as the boatman roars:

"All aboard!" Baralai looks from the ship to Paine. Her eyes are silently pleading for him to stay. She does not know that Baralai is able to interpret the hidden meanings within her stares.

"I'll see ya." Baralai says. Paine bites her lips as she watches his retreating from. She wonders how many times does she have to watch as he disappears to the temple. She knows that she will hear from him scarcely. Baralai does not have it in him to let down the people of Spira. If they benefit at all from his work then he will waste no time on anything that does not involve working.

Paine closes her eyes trying to knock the handsome face of the praetor from her head.

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The rays of sunlight that are capable of seeping through the space between the tent flap and the floor, beam down on the sleeping figure. Aware of the morning light, the person turns in the bed. Nothing that simple would wake the heavy sleeper. At times like these, there is nothing that could be so important that would persuade anyone to jump out of bed. The only thing that someone should do is lay around, wasting the hours of the day. Paine indeed felt this way. Baralai had ran off to lead New Yevon, leaving her with no one to talk to. Nooj had his duties at the Youth League. Leblanc, not that Paine would even consider talking to her, was with Nooj. Now that the whole Vegnagun thing was settled, there was no reason for LaBlanc to carry on as a sphere hunter. Gippal was building machina in Djose. He hoped to create advance machina for the people of Spira to use, instead of that old out-dated machina the temples had aloud. Rikku was actually helping Gippal. Apparently, her and Gippal were now working together. Paine knows that it is only a matter of time before those to stop playing games and start dating. When Rikku had said when your heart starts beating like that it means that you and someone you care about are connected, Paine realized that Rikku was talking of her experience with Gippal. Yuna was living happily in Besaid with her love, Tidus. Tidus was the person Yuna was searching for. Yuna deservers peace. Paine is happy for her. Since Paine was staying in Besaid she could talk to Lulu, but she really doesn't know Lulu that well.

Her problems are her own. Paine would work through them herself.

The day Baralai left was right after Vegnagun's defeat party. Everyone was invited. Nooj and Gippal along with Leblanc stayed for a week afterward. As for Baralai, he had come knowing that he would leave the next morning. Even though Paine had not been in touch with Baralai for two years she knew that he had begun to distance himself from the world. It is as if Baralai is building a wall around himself keeping everyone away. With each stone cemented and put properly in place, Baralai was forcing Paine farer away from him.

Paine had once been so close with Baralai. She remembered the days of the Crimson Squad. Gippal and Baralai joking around having a hell of a time. Nooj shaking his head calling them brats but inside he was laughing. Herself standing off to the side watching their antics. She would turn her head hiding her smiles. Baralai would escape from Gippal and insist that she join them. Paine wished those days where back. She wanted to call him "Lai" again; to hear him laugh. But the past was past. What could be done? She could become a Rikku and annoy him into becoming more opened. No that would not work. Baralai, like Paine, is stubborn.

Baralai has changed and so has Paine. That doesn't mean that the Baralai Paine knew is not inside him sleeping. Paine has to find some way of waking that Baralai. Like Rikku and Yuna had awakened the sleeping Paine.

Paine sat up in her bed. There is no reason the keep sleeping if her body is completely energized. Paine stretched her arms over her head yawning. It feels as if her muscles have not been used in months. She would spend the day fighting fiends to make up on her lost exercise. Before Paine had time to get out of bed, the flap of the tent was opened harshly. Paine turned around to see Rikku standing in her doorway with a huge smile placed on her features.

"Hiya, Paine!" She said with a hand shoved in the air.

"Go away." Paine was only half-joking. She had missed Rikku but she currently was not expecting her to burg in here unannounced.

"Aw. Come on Paine. Didn't you miss even a little." Rikku wined sticking out her bottom lip. Paine shook her head. It seems that Djose hadn't changed Rikku in the slightest.

"Why are you here?" Paine ignored Rikku's question.

"To pass on information." Rikku stated. She began to scratch her cheek using only her index finger. Rikku's brows came closer together forming a small frown. Paine knew that Rikku was having a hard time remembering what exactly she was told to say. Paine crossed her arms; this would take a while. Rikku suddenly looked up smiling and clapping. Ding, she remembered. "Gippal and I were in Bevelle a few days ago..." Bevelle equals Baralai. Paine shook the thought from her head and continued listening to Rikku. "...There was a machina mishap but luckily Gippal and I were there to save the day. Anyway, so we fixed the machina and went to talk to Baralai. But when we got to his office he wasn't there. Issaru was there instead. When we asked him where the Praetor was he said that Baralai was at the Youth League headquarters. He said that Nooj is getting married to Leblanc and wanted Baralai to be the priest. So Baralai had to go up there because LaBlanc wanted to know if Baralai is qualified." Rikku stopped for a breath. "Isn't that exciting Paine! Nooj is getting married! Hee-hee!"

"Is that all?" Paine was disappointed. Upon hearing the word "Bevelle" she had hoped that Baralai had wanted to tell her something. After all he was going to keep in touch. But he has not sent anything and he left two months ago. She is worried about him but there is no possible way she would admit that to anybody.

"No! I wasn't finished!" Rikku said. "Gippal and I then decided to go see Nooj to congratulate him. Nooj said to tell you that you will be in the wedding rather you want to or not. And you'll have to wear a dress!" Paine froze. There was no way in hell they would get her to cooperate. The day she wears a dress hell will freeze over. Rikku giggled, she was enjoying Paine agony. "Oh! We met up with Baralai. We gave him a report on what occurred in Bevelle then he asked if we could give this to you!" she pulled out a envelope. On the front was Paine's name written in Baralai's handwriting. There was no mistaking it. From first glance it was very neatly written but Paine noticed that it was hurried. Baralai had probably written the letter between meetings and mountains of paper work. Paine took it from Rikku who said: "I had to keep Gippal from peeking in it so you better give me all of the details!" Paine glared at her. Rikku would not learn a word that the letter contains.

Rikku stayed for a little while longer, talking about her days at Djose. Apparently Gippal had went back to Bevelle with Baralai, They were to discuss the new machina the temple might need. Knowing Gippal, they would probably be at some sort of bar when this discussion takes place. Once Rikku was done talking she ran off to see Yuna or as Rikku said "Yunie".

Paine looked at the letter she had placed on her bedside table. Emotions swelled up inside her as they always do whenever Baralai is involved. She does not know what exactly these feelings are for she has never felt them before. She's known plenty of guys in her lifetime but not one, with the exception of Baralai, have stirred these emotions. She picked up the letter fingers shaking as she tore open the envelope.

Paine,

I realize that I have not kept to my promise. I cannot write in words how deeply sorry I am. I truly am sorry. Every day I thought of visiting you or use one of Shrina's Commspheres. I know that there is no good excuse but when I attempted to come in contact with you I was called away on temple business. I decided to write to you because I thought I could send some apprentice priest to Besaid with this letter. I'm sorry it's not sooner.

Bevelle is fine for now. I have gone a step up in the plan to ease Spira into the new age. We are now putting machina to better use. But I am not sure on how much the people can take before getting on edge about sin being reborn. Which I know will never happen. There are some who do not believe that the teachings had betrayed them. I have heard that some resistant groups have appeared through out Spira. They do not believe my way of leading New Yevon is affective. I do not think that this is anything to worry about.

Enough about myself. How is everything with the Gullwings? I have heard a rumor that the Lady Yuna is to be married to a blitzball player from Zanarkind. I thought only monkey thrived in those ruins. I know that Rikku is with Gippal in D'jose. It seems that Gippal in serious about this one. That's a first. Nooj is soon to be married to Leblanc. I do not harvested any ill feelings towards Nooj any more and I am very glad that the death seeker has found some reason to live. I can sense some disrespect from Leblanc for what reason I have completely no idea. Maybe it is because I am with New Yevon while she is with the Youth League. It seems that Brother and Buddy have been fixing abandon airships. They offered to sale me one. I turned them down, I do not have the talent to use machina without causing a malfunction.

How have you been fairing? Do you have any plans for your life now that the Gullwings have spilt up? If not you are always welcome in Bevelle. I am well aware that you will never excepted this offer. Bevelle is not your favorite city. How could it be? You could always join the Youth League. Nooj would enjoy your company. I know that you do not like Leblanc very much. It is only understandable. I am positive that you will think of something. You always were clever, Paine.

I must be going now, I have business which acquires my attention. I hope to see you soon.

Your friend,

Baralai

Paine read the letter over and over until she memorized every word. Baralai had a way with saying things and yet saying nothing at all. He gave information on the business end of Bevelle, nothing of how he was doing. He wrote of their friends mentioning everything Paine had already known. Paine knew the only reason Baralai had written the was to assure her that everything was fine and that she should not have to go to Bevelle herself. For some unknown reason Baralai did not want her in Bevelle. The tension in New Yevon was raising and Baralai was not sure if it is safe enough for visitors. He did not want her involved. Paine wondered if Gippal was learning about everything going on in the temple. If so, it would not come from Baralai.

Paine fell back on her bed. When did this get so complicate between them? She had thought that after Vegnagun was destroyed everything would be settled within the Crimson Squad. But Baralai had lost his will to trust. It had to do either with the shooting incident or Baralai being possessed by Shuyin. From what Nooj had told her seeing Shuyin's memories, feeling his regret, sadness, and agony was worse than dieing. Baralai had told Paine that he was over it but she had a hard time believing him. There was something in his eyes. Pain is all he felt. He must be pulling away to keep from getting hurt again. But doing this Baralai did not see the hurt it caused to his closest friends.

"Paine!" Rikku jumped into the one room tent. Paine looked up. Rikku was standing in the doorway with her upper lip quivering.

"Rikku, was is it." Paine had not Rikku like this before.

"..." Rikku collected her words." There was an assassination attempt in Bevelle. The targets were the chairman and the praetor. They were sent to a hospital." Paine felt her bodily functions forgetting their purpose. A lump formed in her throat. Tears threatening to come loose. The world crumbled beneath her.

Baralai had to be okay, right?