"This is nice," said Baralai, joining Paine on the cliff overlooking Besaid, "a truly spectacular view. I can see why you chose to live here…" he paused, seeing the look on her face, "…I see… you're leaving, aren't you?"

Paine nodded silently.

"Why?"

"I… joined the Gullwings because I wanted to know what had happened to you."

"Ah, yes, the Crimson Squad…"

Paine shook her head, "no, not the squad- you- just you."

Baralai gave her an odd look.

"Nooj… I had no desire find out what happened to him. I was young. It scared me. The fact that he had been in contact with something that had the power to control him so easily… I didn't want anything to do with it. Gippal, I knew would end up returning to the Al Bhed. You, you weren't so easy to pin down. I wondered… I never saw you as Praetor, I thought you would have quit by now, I hoped so, anyway," she began to walk away and, not sure whether or not he was supposed to follow her, Baralai hesitated before jogging over to catch up.

"Why?" he asked.

"You're just not happy, are you, Baralai?"

"Of course I'm happy," he replied- surprised, but just a little, "look how everything's turned out! Spira is at peace again! The Youth League- New Yevon- the Machine Faction… gone! All gone in favour of a united Spira!"

"Yes," Paine agreed, "Spira is in good hands. You could leave and they wouldn't fall apart- not this time."

"Why would I leave?" asked Baralai.

"Because this isn't what you want anymore," said Paine.

"Don't you see- Spira is at peace! Why shouldn't I be happy with the way things are?!"

"You are not Spira, 'Lai… There's more to you than just some politician, I know there is."

"But everyone's so cheerful and kind these days," said Baralai, confused.

"Not you," said Paine, "you're still not satisfied. You need something more."

"What…?"

Paine smiled, "I know you, Baralai. We're very much alike. It's why I'm leaving Besaid, after all."

"Even if," said Baralai, "I were to resign as Praetor, where would I go? What would I do? At least now I'm of some use to someone! To many people!"

"This isn't the same Spira that would have crumbled without you three months ago. Vegnagun and Shuyin are gone forever- we're safe now. We can take care of ourselves. This is the Spira that Yuna promised us and we don't need a Praetor anymore."

"But…?"

"You could come with me. We could get a ship- you me, Gippal and Nooj- it was our dream, remember?"

"Yeah, Paine… but we're different now- I'm different now."

"I don't think you're all that different, 'Lai," she walked over to him and kissed him lightly, "I can still make you blush."

Baralai opened his mouth, then closed it.

"…And now I can turn you into a wordless fool, it seems- that's new," said Paine playfully, but she fell back a few steps as Baralai's lips pressed against hers again. It had always been a joke between the four of them. Whenever Gippal spoke of Rikku it would always be 'Yeah, Right! Paine and 'Lai are just as likely a couple.'

This was different.

This was new.

And Paine liked it.

She kissed him back slowly, deeply- exploring this new feeling as carefully as possible. She touched at his soft, fluffy hair and tugged gently on a lock or two before pulling away.

"Paine…"

Paine's surprise quickly melted away in favour of a wide, cat-like grin.

"Happy now?"