Hello again! I had to borrow a muse (thanks, tagg!!) in order for me to start writing again, for I fear my muse died. It's sad, I know. However, this muse was an overachiever and kept smacking me with the Pen of Serendipity to get me to finish this fic, and it happened all right; in three days. This is my first fic based on Rikku and Gippal...When the idea of the story popped in my brain, I was orginally going to use Gippal and Yuna, but as some things unfold, using Rikku's reactions and some smartass comments from Paine made the story a lot better. This first chapter is more dramatic than anything, but this is actually a humor fic. I just had to lay out the setting and plot. I hope you enjoy this, because I have had quite a few laughs with it (although it is possible that I am overtired and everything is humerous to me) and I have enjoyed writing it. Now, I have to dedicate this story to some dear friends of mine--Ying Ying 54, Angel Taisha, TheCalligrapher, Taggerung0524, BatousaiX. Steel Balrog, and Lai17--because without thier neverending support I wouldn't strive for the best. I 'lurve' you guys, you're the best!!

Oh, dear me, here I have gone rambling again. Once again, I hope you enjoy reading this and R and R!!!

1. This Is The Night

Okay, this night has to be perfect! Gippal thought to himself as he hurried around his house. Tonight was the night that he was going to pop the big question to Rikku. They had only been officially dating for several months, but he felt that he was ready to spend the rest of his life with her. They grew up together, so he figured that a long courting session wasn't needed. Instead of going to a really fancy restaurant, he decided to make it more romantic by having a candle lit dinner. He even called up Yuna for the recipes so everything would be ideal. I'm just thankful that I didn't burn anything!

He moved the candlesticks to the left a little, then realized he didn't like them there so he moved them back. It's only quarter to seven, and I told her to be here at 7. She'll be here at quarter after, so what am I supposed to do for a half hour? He exhaled as he walked back to the kitchen counter where the bottle of wine sat. He contemplated pouring the wine now, but he didn't want it to sit for a half hour. Leaning against the counter, he looked at his romantic display again. The flickering of the candles emitted a warm glow around the room, causing shadows against the wall. He was slightly upset that you couldn't see the bedroom from the kitchen, because that was set up as well. Satin sheets, more candles, and of course, Rikku's favorite—massage oils.

A smile crept on his face as he thought of her voice as they talked on the phone earlier. She could've been screaming at him in Al Bhed (which did happen from time to time) and he still would've been in love with the sound of her voice. He chuckled as he thought of her face twisting and turning red when she's mad at him. Her voice would gradually become higher pitched too. Oh, my Rikku…He thought with a slight chuckle. Excitement began to take over again when he remembered how she said, "You need to tell me something? Okay, good. This works out because I need to tell you something too." I wonder what she needs to tell me? It'll probably be something in her bedroom voice because she knows that makes me crazy…

Gippal nervously played with the small square box that contained the ring as he started to think. It's just a random question, it's not that big of a deal! Yes, it is. I'm going to marry her. I can't believe I'm doing this. Uh oh, what is Cid going to say? Maybe I should've asked him before I bought the ring! What am I going to do!?

The doorbell rang, interrupting his train of thought. He jumped in surprise and placed his hand over his heart as he looked at the clock. It was only ten to seven; she was surprisingly early. Gippal was well aware of how punctuality was not a gift that Rikku was blessed with, so he usually planned his schedule according to "Rikku Time." In other words, if Rikku asked him to come over at noon, she really meant 12:30. If he came over any sooner, she would get frustrated with him because she wouldn't be ready. Her hair would still be disheveled or her makeup wouldn't be completed. Not like Gippal cared anyway, he was love with who she was under the makeup and hairspray. No matter how many times he informed her of this, she would roll her eyes and giggle at him. Then she tells me that I'm 'cute.' Cute, eh? I can live with that…

With a gulp, Gippal smoothed out his shirt and ventured toward the front door. He wasn't one to dress up, but he figured that this was a special occasion to go in his closet and dust off the dress clothes. He didn't realize that he actually did have a lot of dress clothes. Most of them he bought for award ceremonies back when he was in the Crimson Squad and also for meetings of the Machine Faction. After trying on about six shirts and three pairs of pants, he decided on a white shirt, brown pants, and brown shoes. He even bought a new eye patch because the one that he had definitely looked like it went through one too many sandstorms from the Sanubia Desert.

He exhaled again as he opened the door, revealing his beautiful girlfriend. She was wearing a lavender halter top with a short black skirt, her hair fell down her back in delicate waves, and a serious look was on her face. Gippal was confused at the look, but brought her into a kiss anyway.

"Hello, beautiful," he said as he ran his fingers through her hair. He loved when she wore her hair down instead of the ponytail that she usually had. Rikku always complained that it was too long to do anything with, but Gippal begged to differ.

"Hi." A sigh escaped her lips as she broke out of his embrace and walked a few steps away.

"Hey, you okay?" He walked over to her and placed his hands on her hips. She didn't turn around so he couldn't see the tears that were forming in her eyes.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I'm just, I don't know, excited or something to see everyone again next week." The Machine Faction, The Youth League, and New Yevon were having a peace treaty signed in Luca the following week, meaning that Baralai, Paine, Nooj, and Leblanc would be there. Yuna, Tidus, Lulu, Wakka, and little Vidina were going to be there as well to see everyone again, and also applaud the speech that Baralai, Gippal, and Nooj were planning on giving.

"I think if you were excited you would be the normal, hyper Rikku that I know, instead of being Ms. Gloomy Pants." He walked around her just in time to see a tear fall down her cheek. Gippal didn't know what to do; this was definitely not the way he thought she was going to be tonight. He wasn't prepared for this kind of reaction.

"I know, this is just a hard thing to say." She nervously played with her hair and looked down, avoiding eye contact with Gippal. "I mean, you look so good tonight."

"You look magnificent yourself," he said as he kissed her tear stained cheek.

"Stop! Are you making this harder to make this easier on yourself?" She said, slightly pushing Gippal.

"First of all, that doesn't make any sense because I have no idea what you are talking about!" He tried not to raise his voice, but he was so confused by the way she was acting and so eager to get dinner done that he wanted to know what was wrong with her.

"Gippal," she sniffled and took his hands in hers. "You mean so much to me, I want you to know that."

"And you mean a lot to me, which is why—" He started to lead her toward the kitchen, but her feet were planted securely on the floor. "Come on, Cid's Girl, I have a surprise for you!"

"Gippal, please." He stopped and the broad smile that was on his face was replaced by a slight frown.

"Continue then." His hands started to sweat as he waited for her to go on. He felt a slight twinge on the back of his head, but resisted the urge to scratch it so he could give her his full attention.

"I want to break up."

Gippal felt like he was socked in the stomach by a blitzball that was thrown at full force. He took his hands out of Rikku's and had to walk a few steps away from her.

"I'm sorry, I really am. But, I just feel like I'm not an independent girl and I miss being that way. I mean, that's how I was in the Gullwings, and I really miss it…" She trailed off when Gippal put up a hand to stop her. After a second, he faced her again and to Rikku's favor, he didn't cry. He was too hurt to cry.

"What, were you just running low on dramatic irony or something? Did you have to do this tonight?" Rikku cocked her head and blinked a few times at Gippal's outburst. He chuckled out of disbelief that she would break up with him on the night that he planned on proposing.

"I don't understand," she stated as she shook her head.

"This is what you wanted to tell me tonight? And here I was thinking that it was going to be something sexy or funny or just anything else besides the fact that you wanted to break up with me!" He looked at Rikku as another tear fell down her cheek. "Why are you crying?"

"Because this is hard on me too, Gippal! We've been friends for so long and I know this is making our friendship into a wounded chocobo, but I'm sorry. I can't do this anymore! I can't live a lie, it's not fair to either of us." Her tears were now tears of anger. Why doesn't he understand where I'm going with this? She thought as he placed his hands on his hips.

"What do you mean, 'you can't live a lie?'" He took a step toward her, but she took a step backward; almost as if she was afraid that he was going to hurt her. She knew that he would never hurt her, but she didn't want him to touch her right now. "Is that all this is to you? A lie?"

"No, I didn't mean it like that," she said as she looked up at him. "I can't go on with this relationship. I know in the long run that it wouldn't be fair to you."

"Then tell me something," he said as he looked into her eyes.

"What?" She asked softly, almost in a whisper. Gippal was surprised that he even heard her.

"Tell me you don't love me." Rikku bowed her head as she watched her tears fall to the ground and form a cluster of small puddles. He sighed when he knew that was her response. "If you still love me, why are you leaving me?"

"I can't explain it," she said as she shook her head. "I just know in my heart that it's the right thing to do."

"Just…just leave, Rikku." Her jaw dropped at his harsh tone, but then closed her mouth when she figured he was right. Nothing would change by her standing in the doorway reiterating what she already said, so leaving would be the best thing to do. He turned around and placed his hands against the railing of the stairs for support. "I'll see you next week at the treaty signing."

"Are you going to talk to me there, or are you just going to ignore me?" Her voice was quiet and full of hope.

"I'm not sure yet, but please leave and let me think."

Without another word, Rikku walked toward the door and opened it. She looked over her shoulder at Gippal and saw that he was looking at something in his hand. She couldn't see what it was and she didn't want to ask, so she walked out the door and shut it behind her.

The ring sparkled between his fingers as he looked at it. He turned it around, letting the princess cut diamond catch the light. It was beautiful. The second Gippal saw it, he knew it was the one for it sparkled like Rikku's eyes when she looked at him. He never thought that sparkle could be duplicated, yet he saw it in this ring. He fingered the perfect platinum band all the way around. It was solid, whole, continuous. Heh, why couldn't my relationship with Rikku be that way??

He put the ring back in the small velvet box as he walked into the kitchen. The candles were dripping wax onto the satin tablecloth, causing hardened pools to surround the candlestick holders. He knew that the tablecloth was now ruined and would have to be thrown out. He placed the box on the counter, flipped the light switch and walked over to the candles to blow them out. The smoke billowed up toward the ceiling and the pungent odor filled up the room, causing Gippal to cough.

Not knowing what else to do, he started to slowly clear the dishes, silverware, and other things off the table. He was going through the motions. He wasn't sure what to think. Never in his life had he felt so numb.

And it was all over a girl.

Something needs to be done here. I can't stand feeling sorry for myself right now…He started to place the crystal wine glasses in the cupboard when an idea flew into his head. He gasped when he thought of it, causing the glass to fall out of his hand onto the hardwood floor. Gippal watched as the glass shattered and flew to every corner of the room, realizing that it created a perfect metaphor for what just happened. Something once so beautiful and whole was able to shatter in the matter of a split second.

He shook his head at the sad thought and stepped over the shards, not bothering to pick them up. He had work to do.