Thank you for the review. Chapter two is here and it is full of barikku goodness. Enjoy. I do not own Final fantasy X-2 ( well I do on PS2 but as a industry I don't) or any of its characters, including Baralai ( Sad face continued)

'oh I... I wanna be with you everywhere. Oh I... I wanna be with you everywhere ( wanna be with you everywhere) Christine Mcvie sang down the radio at the restless Praetor. Damn, some how the radio was taunting him...again. It had been almost three hours since the kiss and he couldn't get her out of his head. That kiss was scary to be honest. Not only had it shocked him but it had made him realise his own power, the power to resist her, was slipping away before his eyes. But Yevon wasn't going to stop on account of a kiss and paperwork still needed to be done and meetings still needed to be held. Rubbing the temple of his head Baralai looked up to the clock hanging on the wall opposite. 7.55 and still the notices on his desk seemed to be growing. Maybe he would rest his eyes for a minute or two. Yeah, just for a minute. Just close his eyes for a little while.

" Wakey, Wakey, Mr Praetor!" Rikku shook him lightly from his daze. He checked the clock. 7.57. Great. Two minutes sleep for the day. " Want to come to diner with me?" Rikku winked and then noticed the embarrassment on Baralai's face. " I mean, you don't have too. I thought you needed the company and..." Rikku trailed off into a slight mutter that made him chuckle softly. He looked deep into her swirling green eyes and was lost. Of course he wanted to go with her. Who else would he sooner go with?

" I would love to go to dinner with you Rikku." He smiled standing up and brushing invisible dust off his robes and onto the floor. He took her arm in his as they left his dimly lit office.

" So what made you change your mind?" Rikku inquired, poking Baralai in the ribs.

" Ow, I just though you might look a little stupid sitting there alone." He taunted back. How could he have found her annoying? Rikku was kind of cute and fun. Fun. Something he was currently lacking in his life. Everything was work work work. Not any more. He planned to have a little fun himself from now on. And Rikku was the best person to help him with this. She gave him soppy eyes and quivered her lower lip. He laughed softly.

" And I thought you didn't care"He said as rikku grinned back at him. She stopped mid-step and flicked his nose suddenly.

"Now less of that Mr. I thought I showed you earlier exactly how I felt." She mocked.

" Murderous by the looks of it." Baralai chuckled. "You nearly killed me!" He felt the boyish attitudes return back to him that he had abandoned for so long. Opening the door of 'Shiva's restaurant' in upper Bevelle, he let Rikku in first as she rushed towards the hostess to get a table. The woman looked her up and down before judging her as someone who wouldn't normally dine here. Baralai walked over to the Hostess to sort the problem out.

" ah, Praetor Baralai. Sorry miss I need to serve his Lordship first." She ushered Rikku out the way. " So sir, table for one today?" he shook his head and pulled Rikku to his side.

" No ma'am, Table for two. She's with me." He replied as they where led to a table in a secluded area. Baralai waited for Rikku to sit down before he too took a seat. " impressive?" he asked the stunned blonde.

" ah-ha, that meanie wasn't gonna let me in!" She pouted. " Looks like being the Praetor has advantages" She giggled as a waitress brought them a menu.

"What will you be having tonight, sir?" She asked Baralai directly. He looked over the menu thoughtfully.

" Well firstly we'll be starting with drinks, right?" he asked Rikku who nodded enthusiastically. Baralai pointed to a number on the wine menu and the waitress noted the number.

"And as for dinner, Rikku, I'm your guest you choose." He smiled at the stunned Al Bhed who had expected him to order for her like most of the guys she had dated. She had been given the power of choice.

" Well..."

As they made their way out of the restaurant, giddy from the wine, Baralai realised that this had been the first time he had really done anything exciting since Shuyin's possession. He liked the way Rikku made him feel. Not angry. Not annoyed. Not 'jump out of his office window' crazy but fun and like he was drunk with happiness. Although at the moment he was probably just drunk. No matter how much alcohol affected him, it didn't effect his manners and he graciously decided to walk Rikku back to her apartment she shared with Paine and another Priestess. As she reached her door she fumbled for her keys then turned to face him.

" wanna coffee before you go?" She winked.

Thank you everyone who was patient enough to read through that. R and R people please. I know very fluffy but hey!