A.N.- Hello everyone this is chapter 1 of the Rikku and Gippal fanfic and I hope you like it. Now please enjoy the story and don't sue me I'm pretty poor okay.

Disclaimer- I know the characters belong to Square Enix though I wish they were mine…

Chapter 1

D'jose Temple

The Celsius had landed just out side of D'jose temple and YRP left the high-tech machina with the intention of completing their most recent mission. Rikku behaved her usual bubbly self and ran for the temple entrance with Yuna following close behind. Paine couldn't help but roll her eyes as the two ran like playful children but she soon followed suite with a little reluctance.

It wasn't long before they had arrived at the entrance, where Gippal had been waiting at the large doors with a smug grin on his face. He had been awaiting the Gullwings arrival for some time.

"Well if it isn't the Gullwings, welcome back to my humble a boad." Rikku rolled her eyes from the statement but quickly got to the point "Quit the greetings you know why we're here."

Gippal merely shrugged and turned to go back in the temple, but was quickly cut off when the young blond blocked his path "Hey quit taunting and tell us where the sphere is already!"

Rikku held the best stern look she could muster causing Gippal to cross his arms as he looked down at her with an obvious grin "What's your rush?...you act as if you don't miss me at all. Is this the new and improved Cid's girl?, If so I'd prefer a refund."

She gave a forced smile after staring him down for a brief moment "Alrighty then I guess I should try this one more time. Hand over the sphere now or experience my daggers so far up your shoopuff, even Yevon will feel it.

Yuna was shocked by her cousin's response, seeing as it just wasn't like her to be so aggressive. There was no doubt that Rikku had been behaving strangely towards Gippal the past few months but she didn't think much of it till this exact moment. At this point it was becoming pretty clear that this simple sphere pick up would become one big verbal conflict between the two Albhed's and she knew it would be up to her to end it. With this thought in mind she cut in just as soon as Gippal had made a motion to speak in an attempt to settle the two.

"Calm down Rikku, you know how Gippal is so don't stress it." Yuna stated this in a calm tone as she stepped between the two, now facing Gippal. "We'll take the sphere now if you don't mind."

Gippal was a little caught of guard when Yuna interrupted, but he was not quite done with Rikku just yet. He had every intention of handing over the sphere but now that the bubbly blond had insisted on irking him to a small extent, there was just no turning back.

"Nah I don't think so. Suddenly I'm not in the giving mood so I think I'll just keep this little treasure in my possession for now." He chuckled before walking off but soon found his path blocked by none other then Paine. She had stayed silent during the entertaining display but there was no way she intended to leave without the sphere just because of some tiff between the two blonds.

"We came here for the sphere, so if you know what's good for you, you'll hand it over. Any personal Vendetta you have Rikku should stay between you two alone…" Paine grabbed him by the scruff of his shirt sporting her usual nonchalant expression clearly ready to become aggressive if necessary which caused Gippal to raise his hands defensively.

"Easy there, no need to get physical" He grinned before reaching for a pouch on his belt and pulled out the glowing sphere "It's all yours, all I ask is that Cid's girl apologizes, then we'll forget the whole thing."

"In your dreams!" Rikku had blurted out the words as soon as the request had reached her ears; there was no way she would sink so low for his own amusement. However Yuna had developed an interest in the proposal and considering Rikku's recent behavior the idea would probably work out for the best. "I think an apology is a fair trade, but since Rikku won't apologize verbally, how about a day of labor instead?"

Rikku turned towards Yuna with a look of shock and confusion "Wait a minute wha…what are you saying Yunie?!"

Even Paine seemed surprised by the proposal but couldn't help but show a half smile from the thought of the idea. It wouldn't be the first time Rikku's big mouth got her into some trouble, but this time it would be more or less entertaining with plenty of opportunities to rag on her later. "Sounds fair to me…"



Rikku squeaked when she heard Paine agree and nearly began to panic right then in there "Not you too Paine, you guys can't be serious, right?!"

Yuna paid her no mind as she awaited Gippal's answer, which turned out to be a predictable yes with the slight nod of the head. Gippal's smug grin never left his face as Paine released her grip on him after receiving the sphere. The deal was done just like that and the two other wings had begun their travel back to the Celsius as soon as the exchange was made. Of course Rikku wasn't going to accept this and so she took off after them.

"Wait a minute, guys this isn't funny!" Rikku grabbed Yuna's arm in a pleading fashion just as Yuna was attempting to go up the ramp of the Celsius "You're not seriously gonna leave me here right Yunie?"

"Sorry but a deal is a deal. If you hadn't insulted him you wouldn't have gotten yourself in this situation to begin with. Still I think this is a great opportunity on your part."

"Huh?, and just why would you think that?" Rikku gazed toward her with disbelief.

"Well perhaps you settle whatever has been bothering you as of late. I don't know why you seem so behave so hostile towards Gippal lately, but this should give you two time to settle your differences. Or at least work out your problems."

Rikku shook her head when she heard this now becoming more desperate to leave by the minute "You don't understand Yunie, he is the problem!"

Yuna didn't pay much attention to Rikku's statement as she began to board the Celsius with Paine following close behind. Unfortunately before Paine could board she soon became victim to Rikku's groveling "Come on Dr. P you'll back me up right?"

Paine sent her a sharp threatening glare after hearing the stupid nick name Rikku had made up for her, after forming the Gullwings. It annoyed her every time and yet the silly blond had the gull to continue using it in her time of desperation. That was pretty much the worst mistake she could ever make "Rikku…that name…"

"Eh-heh sorry…I won't do it again, just talk Yunie out of this. Pretty Pppplllleeeeaaassseeee with fire flan jelly on top?"

Pain feigned consideration of the idea giving Rikku a short sense of hope, but had completely shattered that hope as soon as she presented a mischievious glare "See you in 24 hours Rikku…" She shut the door to the Celsius without hesitation leaving Rikku in a panic as she banged on the door calling out to let her in. Within seconds the airship was taking off, pretty much forcing Rikku to move back for a safety precautions as the ship shot out in a distance.

She was left standing abandoned at the home of the 'Machine Faction', and all that awaited her was pure misery. She sighed at the very thought, but even that brief moment was interrupted when she felt a familiar gloved hand on her shoulder. She shrugged the hand off facing the one eyed Albhed with a glare only to have her gesture returned with a cheeky grin.

"Don't look so upset, it's not becoming of you princess" Gippal teased as he lifted her chin with a single finger so that their gazes met. His actions were quickly put to a halt as Rikku smacked his hand aside and crossed her arms. "What do you want me to do?..."

Gippal smirked, reveling in the humor of her disturbance before he spoke "First you can call me boss, then you can go about repairing the malfunctioned machina around here. Simple right?...Have fun princess." He chuckled before giving her a wink and went about his business; all the while leaving behind a peeved Rikku.

"Boss?...try Jerk"

A.N.-so this is the first chapter hope you all enjoyed it, I'll have the second chapter up very soon promise ;o!!