A/N: The first version of this story was written and heavily influenced by songs I was listening to at the time, and because I was an excited first-time writer, I wrote the lyrics into the chapters. That was before I learned about how adding them tends to interfere with the flow of the story. There are still going to be song lyrics in some chapters, but they will serve a purpose, not just be thrown between the text. For example, the songs Paine sings are actual words to a song which I'll put at the bottom of the chapter for credit. I own nothing! NADA! Enjoy?

Chapter 2:

Kilika: Baralai's house

Baralai had trouble falling asleep that night. Lying alone in his bed, all he could think about was the bonfire that Andra had spoken of at his office, the announcement he made, and the friend he lost.

~X~

flashback two weeks ago, Besaid beach.

Every so often since they saved Spira, the seven friends (and Tidus) would have a bonfire where they would reconnect with one another despite growing responsibilities they had all inherited. It was a pact they had made, to make sure no matter how busy they would get that they would never forget all they had gone through together.

As it was getting towards the end of their evening, Baralai rose to his feet along with Andra to share some happy news with everyone.

"I just want to announce that I have proposed to Andra and she accepted!" Baralai blushed, wrapping an arm around his fiancée, kissing her forehead tenderly. "We would be delighted to have you all be a part of it, if you're willing."

Everyone rose to their feet and tipped their drinks to Baralai and Andra...well, all aside from a certain warrior who was not actually sitting with everyone. She had been distant the entire evening, preferring to keep the shoreline as company over her friends. Rikku shot a glance over at Paine and frowned at Gippal.

"just look at her!" she said with a pout. "She probably feels like a ninth wheel."

"I think you mean 'third wheel' Cid's girl." Gippal corrected her, poking Rikku's nose with his index finger.

"No!" Rikku protested, counting on her fingers. "There's nine of us!" and Gippal rolled his eyes, refusing to argue with her at that point. "Anyway I think she kinda feels left out, ya know?"

"She shouldn't feel that way among friends." Nooj said sourly. "Besides, it's not like LeBlanc and I are exclusive" He had earned a few icy glances from the blonde, but Nooj didn't seem to notice and pointed to Baralai. "Maybe you should go over there and talk to her- see what's going on with her lately"

"Yeah!" Gippal agreed, taking a swig of his beer. "You two were pretty cozy during our squad days; she'll talk to you." He trailed off, watching his friend stare off into the dark, pounding sea before her.

"Then I'll go over and speak with her." Baralai declared, and with an approving nod from Andra he made his way down the dune and to the shoreline where Paine was sitting. He thought of their evening together wondering if Nooj or Gippal ever found out about it, and hoped that she wasn't the reason she was avoiding him. It had happened so long ago; there was no way she could still feel any residuals from it, right?

Paine could sense him standing behind her but refused to turn around. She had known Andra for as long as everyone else had; Baralai started seeing her the previous year, once he was sure he was no longer a threat to Spira or anyone else. Paine saw how his eyes grew soft around the young woman, and how smitten he was with her. Everyone was- Andra's father Adler was the main Chairman of New Yevon; a well respected man about Bevelle. He helped bring Baralai back into the fold after Vegnagun's defeat, and noticed his daughter and he taking a shine to one another. It was a great match and Paine knew that, but she still felt a bit…well, she wasn't really sure how she felt at that point. Her train of thought was interrupted by Baralai asking if he could sit beside her and she shrugged, not taking her eyes off of the water as it crashed along the edges of the shore.

"She's a good match for you, Baralai." Paine broke the silence, leaning herself closer to her knees; her chin resting a top them.

"Yes. This will be great for Bevelle. It needs a reason to celebrate." He added, sitting himself Indian style next to her. He didn't notice Paine's sudden glaring at him.

"I said she was a good match for you…not Bevelle. How do you feel about this?" Baralai's brown eyes finally met her red ones but he quickly darted them back down to the sand, hesitating on the question. "You don't sound convinced."

"I am, and I feel great, otherwise I wouldn't have asked her…" He paused. "Besides, It's about time I had anyway." Somehow his tone didn't match with the words he was trying to say, and Paine immediately picked up on it-another thing he knew she would. "Why do you seem so defensive?" Baralai knew he was going to receive backlash for that question merely by seeing the fire burning in her already smoldering eyes. He braced himself for its burn, but on the other hand, he felt it was worth it because he loved it when her eyes lit up. Immediately he dismissed the thoughts as she spoke up.

"I have no idea what you're getting at. I merely asked you your feelings, which don't seem like you're really sure this is what you want." She rose to her feet, brushing the sand off of her backside and lower legs angrily.

"And I said I was fine with it. I love Andra, and I'm committed to her. Just because you may be clinging to any old sentiments does not mean I am…" Baralai winced as the words came out like vomit. Even he knew he had gone too far but it was too late. "Paine, I'm…"

"Just forget it." She stood with her arms folded above him, her eyes continuing to pierce him mercilessly. "For you to even assume that I am holding onto anything is complete bull. Enjoy your life, Baralai. Goodnight." And with that she walked off coolly, approached her friends and said her goodbyes. Paine congratulated Andra personally before leaving the bonfire, and promptly disappeared in the night without another word.

End flashback

~X~

No one had heard from Paine since the bonfire. She was very adept at keeping what she did in her personal time private, and no one thought much of it since she had always been that way.

Baralai turned to his side; the questions Paine had asked him echoed in his ears as he lie there, still unable to sleep.

"I said she was a good match for you…not Bevelle. How do you feel about this?"

At first Baralai scoffed at what Paine was implying as he brought the cotton sheets up over his shoulder. He was in love with Andra and wanted to spend his life with her…

…or at least he did want to at one time.

He spent the next couple of hours trying to justify his actions to an imaginary Paine at an imaginary bonfire, hoping everything he came up with would convince the disbelieving image. As he did that though, the image of Paine disappeared and was replaced with an image of himself, and found that this image wasn't buying any of his justifications either.

Why was he suddenly feeling like he was having doubts about his decision and his love for Andra? He knew that Paine hadn't felt anything for him regarding their evening together based on her attitude towards him alone the night of the bonfire, but a nagging voice in the back of his mind kept asking him what if she were hiding that fact? Baralai laughed with that thought, feeling a guilty for being so full of himself, but why was he secretly wishing that maybe there was some truth to that thought?

"I've managed to get myself over that night…haven't I?"

Needless to say, Baralai was awake for the rest of the night, unable to get the sudden thoughts of his former comrade out of his mind.

~X~

Meanwhile that same night in a crowded Luca club…

Rikku was enjoying a few drinks seated at the helm of the bar. She had been there a few hours, taking down Absolut and Orange Juice drinks faster than her battle with Vegnagun. The place was packed with all types of young people and races, all sharing the same purpose as Rikku; listening to the singers and bands that came to the stage and dancing to the DJ's in between. Occasionally the thief liked relaxing after a tough day of helping her people rebuild HOME, and this club had been her new favorite haunt, what with its inexpensive drinks and great bands. Rikku drank the last of her cocktail and slammed the glass onto the bar's surface, wincing at the strength of the vodka.

"Pyngaab!" She hollered to the barkeep in her native tongue; a usual first sign for the woman that she was getting a little drunk. "I mean…barkeep! 'Kai have 'nother one of these pleeeeease?" She asked, flashing her glazing spiraled eyes as she waved her empty glass up into the air.

The barkeep was drying off a newly cleaned glass with a paper towel; his eyebrow undulated as he looked at her quizzically. "You sure you can handle another one? You've had quite a bit tonight…" He stated, continuing to eye the now angering woman before him.

"Ish fine!" She hiccupped, placing her glass onto the bar. "I only had…" she counted on her fingers three times before giving up. "Maybe three or four…C'mon! just gimmie da drink already. I kin handle it!" She plopped some Gil coins next to her empty glass and the barkeep reluctantly complied, pouring Rikku another drink, this time putting in more orange juice than booze. Thankfully she didn't seem to notice as she sucked it down. The man wondered to himself if she even tasted them anymore as he walked away.

The lights had begun to dim once again to announce the arrival of the next performer to take the stage behind Rikku. The pianist began the song, and the spotlight was dark, hiding the singer at first as she sang; her voice echoed throughout the room, making its way to the inebriated thief's ears.

"Time cast a spell on you, but you won't forget me…"

Rikku sat up in attention, unable to believe what she was hearing at first, but in her disbelief didn't turn around as the voice kept singing.

"I know I could have loved you but you would not let me…"

She finally turned around, squinting her eyes towards the stage as the spotlight finally lit up the singer, making Rikku's eyes practically bulge right out of her head.

"I'll follow you down til the sound of my voice will haunt you..."

"No. frickin'. way…" she slurred, staring in shock as the person continued on.

"You'll never get away from the sound of the woman that loves you…"

Before Rikku could say another word, she promptly fell off of her bar stool, and the barkeep approached her from her left side, lifting her up by her arm.

"Okay girlie, I'd say you definitely had enough tonight."

"Get yer grimy hands offa me!" She shouted, trying to break free from his grasp. "I told ya I was fine! Get offa my back!" Once freed, Rikku shoved the barkeep, angering him.

He called out to the bouncers standing at the door and they approached, each grabbing Rikku by her arms. "Get her outta here! She's done!" and despite the woman's protests, she was flung out of the club and out onto her ass.

As Rikku sat on the pebbly pavement a little embarrassed, she continued to obsess over and ponder the identity of the person singing inside the club. With a hand to her now throbbing head she uttered one name.

"Paine?"

~X~

A/N: Words in italics lyrics to Silver Springs by Fleetwood Mac