Chapter 1

"Hey, Gippal!" Rikku called out loudly with a smile. All of the workers of the Machine Faction just laughed as their boss same rushing from his office to meet his childhood friend.

"What do you need now, Cid's Girl?"

"I need you to tell me where you want me to work." Rikku said with a smile.

"What are you talking about?" Gippal asked.

"Pop said he called you…" Rikku said with a confused look. She pulled out her mini comm, and took Gippal's hand, leading him to his office. She set the sphere on the desk, and called up her father, who answered quickly.

"Pops, you called Gippal to tell him, right?" Rikku asked.

"Sorry." Cid said. "A bunch of stuff came up and I forgot to call him. Just tell him the low down and I'll call him later." Then he disconnected.

"Ugh…" Rikku said, shaking her head. She looked at Gippal with a smile. "For the next month, I'll be working here. Just until Pops can find a couple more workers. So, for now, just tell me where I'll stay, and what I'll be working on."

"Well, we have a couple big projects that we started for the Youth League and New Yevon. I can put you on those committees if you want." Gippal said. Rikku nodded with a smile.

"Sounds good! So, where am I staying?"

Gippal sighed. "Well… I wish I had gotten some notice."

"Why?"

"We're doing renovations right now, so all the live in tenants have moved to the Youth League HQ. And right now, they're pushing the limits with the housing."

"Aw, man… Stupid Pops… now I have nowhere to sleep or put my stuff…"

"You could always sleep with me. In more than one way." Gippal said, wiggling his eyebrow. Rikku scrunched her nose.

"I don't think so. I'm sure my boyfriend wouldn't be very happy with that, and Pops wouldn't like it either."

Gippal raised his eyebrow again. "You have a boyfriend?"

Rikku nodded. "Do you remember Maroda? He's with the Youth League, but he was helping out in Bevelle for a while. After the whole Vegnagun fiasco, I did a mission for the Youth League and helped him out with the training. One thing led to another, and then we started dating."

"And how long has this been going on?"

"Um…" Rikku said, trying to remember, "a few months."

"How long is a few?"

Rikku laughed. "Does it matter?"

"Hm… I guess not. So, does Cid know about him?"

"Yeah." Rikku said. "He doesn't like it very much."

"I bet. Anyways, my room is a duplex, so I have another room connected by a bathroom. You can use that room if you want." Gippal said. "You just can't bring your boyfriend here and keep me up. I don't feel like hearing you two have sex."

Rikku blushed. "We haven't even done that!"

Gippal looked her up and down, then smirked. "If you say so."

Rikku pushed him. "Just show me to my room!"

Gippal swung his arm around Rikku's shoulder. "C'mon. I was just kidding! I'm not going to ask about your sex life unless it's with me."

"Stop being dirty!" Rikku blushed. Gippal chuckled as they walked to Rikku's temporary room.

"After Gippal showed Rikku to her room and her work stations, he decided it would probably be best to ask some questions. He was sure Yuna would know a thing or two. He sat down at his desk and called the High Summoner, who was at the moment, finishing up chores for the baby that she had had about a month ago. She picked up quickly.

"Gippal." Yuna smiled. "What a nice surprise."

"Hey, Yuna. How's the baby?"

"Oh, Bayla's asleep now. I'm so happy you and Rikku made that music box for her. She loves it, along with the chocobo plush toy Rikku got her. Anyways are you calling for Tidus?"

"No, actually, it's you I want to talk to." Gippal said.

"Oh?"

"Can you tell me anything about Rikku's boyfriend?"

"A little jealous, are we?" Another voice asked. Gippal saw Lulu in the room as well.

"No, just curious." Gippal said.

"Well, he's a former guardian, like Rikku. He's got his cocky side, but he gets the job done." Lulu said. "He's actually a lot like you."

"Then she can date me and save some grief."

"Well, that might have happened if SOMEONE actually said something to her about SOMEONE'S feelings." Yuna said in a sing song voice. Lulu nodded.

"She does have a point."

"Yeah, yeah. Whatever…" Gippal said. "Now, what do I do? It's like having the best machine in Spira in front of me, and some inexperienced dunderhead is trying to play with it. It's ridiculous!"

"Well, I honestly don't know what to say." Yuna said. "If it makes you feel better, everyone thinks you'd make a better boyfriend than him. He barely makes time for her, because he's always busy. And all he does is complain. I mean, that's not all he does, but it's a lot of what he does."

"I think you should just show her how you feel." Another voice quipped in. A blonde man with a big bright smile come in and sat next to Yuna.

"Hey, Tidus." Gippal said.

Tidus waved. Yuna looked at Tidus.

"You know, that's a good idea." Yuna said. "Knowing Rikku, she really wouldn't listen to or believe you if you TOLD her how you feel. So, I guess you can just show her how you feel."

"Hm…" Gippal said. "I guess you have a point." He saw a beeping start on his screen. "Guys, I gotta go. Cid's calling in, and I don't want to be yelled at."

"We understand. Good luck." Yuna smiled.

Gippal nodded, and touched the red beeping button. "How can I help you, Cid?"

"I wanted to tell you why I have Rikku working with you for the month."

"Wasn't it something about getting new workers?"

"Well, that's halfway true. The other reason I sent her there was to get you to break up Rikku and her boyfriend. I just don't think he's the right match for her. He's a good kid and all, but something about him don't seem right."

"And it has nothing to do with him being Al-bhed?"

"I was actually expecting Rikku to venture out. Her aunt did it, her mom did it a little before she met me, and her brother's getting there. I don't care anymore. I just think he's with her cuz she's a pretty face."

"If that were the case, he would have broken up with her by now. Everyone knows the Al-bhed are hyper as hell."

"Damn straight!" Cid laughed. "But I still want you on this. And if she does end it, don't snatch her up."

"Oh… I can't promise that." Gippal said, playing with a pen.

"Why not?"

"Simple. She's my girl. And she'll be here for a month. You can't assume NOTHING will happen."

"Well," Cid started, "be careful boy. You know how she can be." Then he disconnected the call. A knock came to his office door.

"Come in." Gippal called, still played with the pen. The door opened revealing his old warrior friend. She sat on a chair in front of his desk, watching him play with the pen.

"I guess this is what busy is."

"You better believe it. What's up?"

"Nooj wants to know when his machine and the renovations will be done. So does Baralai."

"It's gotta be fun being a messenger." Gippal smirked.

"You have no idea." Paine replied dryly. "So, estimate time?"

"About a month for both the machines and renovations."

"Pretty good time estimate for someone who says he's understaffed." Paine mocked.

"Heh. Well I got a special helper for the month, so I'm going to have to use her talents."

"Who?"

"The Al-bhed princess we all know and love. Wanna see her?"

"Sure. Where is she?" Paine asked, getting up.

"Should be in the Cloister of Trails."

Paine got to the door, then turned around. "Call Nooj and Baralai to let them know when the orders will be done."

"But I've been on the commsphere all day!" Gippal whined.

"Do you want to get hurt?" Paine said before going to find her friend. She heard Gippal sigh loudly before she left, and laughed to herself, continuing on to the Cloister of Trails. There she found the little Al-bhed barking orders while working on the machine.

"So, how'd you become the leader of this project?" Paine asked. Rikku looked up and grew a huge smile.

"Oh, Paine!" Rikku said, running up to hug her. "I missed you!"

"It's only been a month. Remember, we were all together when Bayla was born."

"That's a month too long I haven't seen you!" Rikku pouted. "So, what are you doing here?"

"Work. I just wanted to say 'hi' before I left." Paine replied. "So how is everything? You and Maroda doing okay?"

Rikku looked around then smiled. "Why don't we talk outside? I can make up my work later."

Paine nodded and followed Rikku out to the bridge in front of the temple.

"What's up?" Paine asked, making Rikku just shrug.

"I'm thinking about ending it with Maroda…" Rikku said.

Paine held back smile. "Why?"

"He's becoming more and more busy lately, and all he wants to do is have sex. When I tell him no, he gets all mad and leaves in a huff, so I think he goes to cheat on me. And then he got real mad when I told him I was working here for a month. He doesn't trust me to work here without falling into Gippal's 'evil hands' and sleeping with him." Rikku ended with a sigh.

"It's a pretty grounded reason." Paine said. "When are you going to do it?"

"We have a date tonight, so probably then." Rikku smiled. "So you and Yunie and everyone else can have a party."

"What?"

"I know you all didn't like me dating Maroda. I just don't know who you'd rather me be with."

Paine smirked. "Oh, you'll figure it out soon enough. And I support your decision as long as you aren't ending it because of us."

"Don't worry. I'm not." Rikku smiled. She looked down the bridge way and saw a familiar face. She sighed. "Speak of the devil."

Paine looked up and saw Maroda chatting with a pretty girl. She looked back at Rikku who looked at her and put a finger to her lips.

"I'm going to go pretend to work. I don't feel like talking about sex at the moment." She whispered with a smile.

Paine nodded and watched Rikku sneak off to the temple. When Paine looked back, Maroda was ending his conversation. He waved at Paine with a laid back smile.

"What's up, Paine?" Haven't seen you in a while." He said upon reaching her."

"I've been everywhere lately." Paine said. "Anyways what brings you to this neck of the woods?"

"Rikku and I have a date. So, I came here to pick her up. But I might be early… Do you know where she is?"

"Actually no. I didn't even know she was here." Paine lied. Maroda sighed.

"Yeah, for a whole month. I was less than thrilled about it, what with Gippal's reputation."

"Don't you trust Rikku?"

"Sure I do." Maroda said. Paine heard some uncertainty, however. "It's Gippal I don't trust. Rikku's young and naïve, and she could fall for anything."

Paine cut her eyes at him. "The way you say it, you make it sound like she's stupid. At least Gippal treats her with some respect behind her back."

"Of course I'm not calling her stupid! It's just-"

"Just stop talking. You've already shoved your foot in your mouth."

Maroda just shut up and followed Paine to Gippal's office. Gippal was just finishing a call with Baralai when she walked in.

"I have done your bidding, ma'am."

Gippal looked at Maroda with curiosity and protectiveness burning in his eye. "Who are you?"

"Maroda. I'm here to get Rikku we have a date."

Gippal looked him up and down, then smirked. "Wait outside for a sec."

"Why?"

"Cuz, this is my Faction, and I told you to do it."

Maroda glared at him and walked out the room. Gippal sighed. "Know him for 10 seconds, and I don't like him."

"Well, don't worry about hating him. You might be in luck some time soon."

"What do you mean?"

"You're too slow to get it." Paine smiled. "I'll go get Rikku."

Gippal nodded and watched her go. She passed Maroda who was trying to awkwardly deal with the Al-bhed worker looking at him and gossiping in Al-bhed. She rolled her eyes but did nothing about. If after four months of dating the Al-bhed princess you couldn't speak SOME Al-bhed, there was something wrong. She reached the Cloister of Trails.

"Rikku!" Paine called. "You up here?"

A worker looked at her. "Miss Rikku says she's hiding." He said in Al-bhed.

"Why?"

"She said she doesn't want Maroda to find her, just in case he saw her."

Paine rolled her eyes. "Rikku, Maroda didn't see you. You can come out."

Rikku popped her head out from behind the machine. "Really? Phew!"

"Plus," Paine added, "Gippal would have never let him up here."

"I guess that's true. I'll go say hi before I change." Rikku smiled. She interlocked her arm with Paine's and they walked out to the lobby of the temple. Maroda sighed with relief when he saw Paine and Rikku walk out.

"Hey, Maroda." Rikku said. "How's it going?"

Maroda leaning over and tried to kiss her, but she turned her head and he got her cheek instead. She smiled. "Not here. Too many eyes."

"Oh, yeah. Well, I'll wait while you get read. We're going to Luca for dinner."

"Sounds fun." Paine offered. "Let's go get you ready, Rikku." The two girls walked off to Rikku's temporary room and got Rikku dressed in a pretty fuchsia dress the stopped right above her knee. Before she left, she popped her head in to see Gippal, who sarcastically told her to have fun. Rikku giggled, which wasn't the reaction he was expecting.

"I'll try." She replied before leaving.

I have been working on this story for a while, and I wanted it to be long~! I hope that those who read it enjoy it~!