The Divine Comedy
Chapter Four
Moon in the Shadow

They pondered and puzzled, and puzzled some more. They continued to puzzle, until their puzzlers were sore. Yes, a blatant Dr. Seuss rip off. Stone me later. For now, let's focus on what's important, like the story, huh?

"Gippal," Rikku shrugged, incoherently trying to squirm out of his arms. "What are you doing here?"

"I was in the city and heard about the attack. I thought you'd be here for the concert. What? I was worried!"

"Thanks," she pushed him off. She didn't mean to be that way; it's just that physical contact with him felt…icky.

Everyone seemed to have made it out of the ordeal with little or no injuries. A couple of scrapes or maybe a relatively superficial claw mark. Nothing to be extremely worried about.

"So what the hell is all of this about? You think it was just an out of the blue thing?" Paine asked, shaking her head at the bloody chunk of metal lying on the ground.

"Random? Doubt it," Andrea sighed. "I get the feeling they came here on purpose."

"Like last time?" Rikku came into the discussion.

"Maybe. Not the same purpose, I hope anyway. But this is a new twist on things," and she gestured to the metal scrap.

"I think they're all fused with this sort of thing," Dennis said, dragging a Drake carcass behind him. Its arms and legs were plated in steel and electrical crap.

"Looks like Machina attachments." Rikku said, taking a close look at it. She gave it a little kick in the side of the head to make sure it was dead. Yup, sure was; rigor mortis all the way.

"Still, I think this is a new commission," Andrea continued. "There weren't any Behemoth's before. Certainly none equipped with this sort of thing."

"What do you think it is?" Yuna finally managed to open her mouth. It's just that there was so much blood.

"It's a heart." Gippal answered almost too quickly. "At least it looks that way. How do you think it was still able to move after that blast?"

Everyone nodded.

"Where did that come from anyway?" Dennis asked.

"Beats me, but that was one hell of an attack." Andrea scratched at the back of her head. "I haven't seen anything like that since…hell, the Mega Flare. And it was still bigger than that."

"Did you get a look at the caster?"

"I think so, but only a few glimpses. He had dark hair and wore black. I think he had a pair of big swords. One of them was huge. I don't see how he could hold it up."

Rikku's eyes shot to Andrea and she demanded to know where she'd seen this man.

"He's right over…where'd he go? He was there just a second ago. Hell, maybe he left. The excitement's over with, and I wouldn't really feel like staying either."

Regardless of Andrea's answer, Rikku took off like a bullet, jumping off the stage and making a dash for the dome's exit. Gippal's one eye showed confusion. Maybe even concealed hurt.

"What was that all about?" Paine wondered.

"Damned if I know." Andrea scratched her head again. "Anyway; I think it's a safe guess to say we're dealing with some screwed up Al Bhed. Only they could craft this sort of thing."

"But what would they want with half fiends?" Yuna inquired. "What could they accomplish?"

"There's no telling. Maybe they're trying to get back at Yevon for all the bullshit they forced on them for so long. We can only speculate at this point. Anyway, it seems obvious that they've figured out how to make these things, so they've got some sort of powerful magic user on their side. We're really going to have to step lightly on this one."

Everyone agreed on that. Yes, very lightly. Man, I hate pussy-footing around. Makes me feel like some tree hugging hippie wuss. Yes, I know that doesn't make any sense, just deal with it.

They agreed to go back to the hotel and think about this some more. They first thought about looking for Rikku, but Yuna suggested to leave her be. Something told her that this was best left to run its course. There was no argument.

(II)

She turned the city of Luca inside out and upside down. Her heart was wrenching with desperate hope and anticipation.

When Andrea described the man she'd seen, a picture in her mind immediately appeared and her thoughts flew all over the place. Her nerves tied in an instant knot and she thought to collapse right there. She just couldn't understand the possibility that…he had come back. Could it happen? I mean could it really?

"Jamie!" she called out so many times. She received no answer. "Jamison Black, you had better answer me right now or I'll….I'll," well piss. She knew this wasn't working. Her imagination was getting the best of her again. By the time she gave up she was on the pier. She felt her heart sinking to the deepest pit of her insides, and she wasn't thinking about her stomach.

Her head fell and her chin almost touched her chest. Once again she felt the pain of separation, of disappointment.

He was never there, she thought. Just a dream. She wiped a stray tear from her cheek.

Andrea said…things would turn out okay. But when? She was so tired of waiting.

What was the use?

(II)

Pissed was an understatement, and enraged still wasn't a good word to describe what he was feeling right now. He stormed back down the highroad from where he came, not knowing or much less caring where he was going or if he'd get there. No matter how hard he tried he couldn't shake that God awful image from his head. Why was that man hugging her? Had she forgotten all about him? No, that can't be. She wouldn't do that!

Jamie suddenly stopped, taking in a rough breath as he let his head fall back. He shrugged hard, trying to calm himself. Hell, after so long who knows what's changed. For all he knew she could be married…have kids. He shivered at the thought.

But what about the times they had together? What about their love for one another; what about…everything? The edges of his eyes burned with tears that were threatening to come out. He let his head fall and he looked at the ground, feeling hopeless. What was the point? If not for Rikku then why was he brought back here? He didn't understand it anymore. Maybe if he let a Chocobo rip out his intestines and use them for streamers he'd feel better. Then again, maybe not; either way, he just shook his head and continued walking with his hands stuffed in his pockets.

The Highroad was dark with the exception of the moon. It was at half full, or half new, depending on your optimism level. Jamie could care less at this point. He felt lost, betrayed, alone and angry. He didn't know where to go, who he could turn to. And the day had started off so well, what with the fiend slaying and all. Things liked to turn to shit on him at the drop of a hat. Maybe he would have been better off staying in the slammer. He shook his head again.

A second time he stopped walking, and made a half turn so he could look at the moon that was looming over his shoulder. He glared at it coldly, feeling a sense of mockery from it. Just for no reason he gave it the finger. He hadn't done that in a while, it almost felt comforting. He looked at the moon for only a few moments longer before making an attempt to resume his aimless path. He looked ahead and found himself stopping again, for the last time.

It moved so fast, he couldn't react. A black mist, having a misshapen, ethereal shape about it, had barred his path for a split second before lunging at him. It was so sudden. Something heavy slammed into his chest and pinned him to the ground. He was slightly dazed at first, but when his blurred vision cleared he chanced a look at his attacker.

It was just a black fog, having four legs and standing on each, two of which weighed down on his arms, prohibiting his movement. Jamie pulled against it but found it no use. He felt claws pinching into his skin through his dust coat.

The shadow had two pairs of eyes, one seeming to protrude from each shoulder, with an empty space between them, as if something was missing. Then the shadow had teeth and started snarling. It even began to salivate. Out of impulse Jamie shut his eyes, only for a moment.

He didn't feel a thing.

(III)

Andrea was sitting on the bed in the hotel room, thinking hard on what had happened today. She was positive there was something going on behind all of this. Somebody was being targeted during the attack, but the fiend forces were so disorganized you couldn't tell. And who was that guy with the giant sword? Some of the answers she sought were on the tip of her tongue, but the rest were nowhere in sight.

Her knuckles started to get sore from resting her chin on them for so long. She just switched hands and continued to ponder some more. No, no more puzzling.

The door suddenly opened and Andrea looked up, and eyebrow lifting itself in slight confusion. In came Dennis with Rikku clinging to him for support. She was positively smashed beyond recognition. Andrea could smell the liquor on her breath from her side of the room. She even cringed at the odor.

"Whoa," Andrea waved her hand over her nose. "Did she pickle herself in beer or what?"

"I don't think she went that far," the White Mage put her on the sofa. "But I agree in that she went just a little over board."

"A little bit?"

"At least I didn't let her pilot this way. She was insisting on going back to Bikanel right this second."

"Bikanel; on what, an inner tube?"

"Apparently she came here on her own in an airship. She kept going about 'her' airship, so I guess she built one. There's no telling."

"With her," she paused a moment. "She very well may have made another. Well, either way, she sure as hell isn't driving right now."

"No," Dennis shook his head with a grin. "I've considered that ever since she tried to explain to me who Choogie was."

"Who the hell is Choogie?"

"He's my-hick-pet! He lives in my belly-button!" Rikku slurred rather loudly. "He tells me to…to…um," she paused a second. "He tells me to pet the pigeons and to keep unplugged plugs plugged, and to make sure that the plugged in plugs don't get unplugged again." And then she passed out, mouth open and snoring.

Andrea and Dennis both just shook their heads.

"You know," Andrea began, keeping her voice slightly low. "I've never known her to drink. Especially not so much."

"Well," Dennis sighed. "I can feel that she's in a lot of emotional turmoil. That much is obvious. The rest is just a wad of…stuff." And he gestured that "wad" largely with his hands. "Do you sense anything?"

"Now that you mention it, I do." Andrea got off the bed and walked over to the window. She could see the moon from where she stood. "I can't really put it into words though. Something has just happened."

"That's obvious."

"No, I mean…well; I'm not sure what I mean."

Dennis saw the serious look on her face and walked over to stand behind her.

"Is it starting?" he spoke quietly, as if afraid to mention it.

Andrea thought about it before answering. She couldn't lie about it. That would be pointless.

"I think it is. I'm not sure."

Dennis nodded. He gently put his arms around her shoulders and hugged her, kissing her on the temple. She placed her hands over one of his and continued to stare at the bright moon. It gave her a chill that crawled up her spine, giving her goose bumps.

"So what do we do now?" he asked.

"All we can do for now is wait. Maybe I'll have a vision." She shrugged a little.

"You're usually asleep when they come, aren't you?"

"So far."

"Want to get a head start?" and he nipped at her earlobe teasingly.

It tickled her a little and she laughed quietly. He started kissing down her neck and she pulled out of his embrace.

"Not now,"

"Why not?" he pouted at her. Oh, what a face!

"Not with Rikku in here! We should respect our guest,"

"She's drunker than a sailor, and don't worry," he kissed her lips this time. "I'll be quiet."

Andrea laughed again. "You're not the loud one,"

"Oh, you only say that to make me feel good," he snickered and put his mouth to her collar bone, having pushed the fabric of her shirt out of the way. She breathed out a little giggle, the sound mixed with slight arousal. He felt her fingers tangling in his hair and knew he'd ensnared her. Dennis knew it was what she wanted, and he wasn't about to let a little drunkard on the couch ruin it. No offense to Rikku, but this was their room after all.

Andrea got his shirt off before grabbing him by the shoulders and literally throwing him onto the bed, pinning him there.

"Feisty, aren't we?" he asked, laughing a bit. To be truly honest he really was surprised. This was new enthusiasm on her part.

"What can I say," she shook her head sarcastically. "Today was exciting. It was contagious."

"And your performance was excellent, by the way. The lyrics were a bit grim, but it was still very good."

"You think so? Well, I guess I just have that way about me. I'm glad you liked it though." And she started kissing him, seeing no point in more conversation. Talking could be done later.

Andrea made sure to keep him on his back. She felt like giving the little instigator a little something special since he seemed to want this so bad. But she wouldn't make it so easy for him; she'd tease him a little bit while she was at it.

Her kisses descended from his mouth to his ear, to his throat, and to his collar bone. His breathing hastened slightly as she continued lower. Her hands tormented him by tracing the grooves of his chest so slowly. It was driving him crazy. He reached for her hands but she shied away, telling him no touching was allowed unless she said so. Dennis whined in protest but she shushed him with a finger over his lips.

"Ouch!"

Andrea laughed at him as his back arched slightly. It couldn't have hurt all that much. She only bit him on the nipple. Oh well, she thought; I suppose guys are just as sensitive as we are. However, somehow she knew he liked it. Maybe he was into rough-and-tumble love, but wouldn't admit it.

When she kissed his stomach Dennis gasped. He squirmed a little when he felt Andrea's hands at the button of his pants, her lips lingering on the small scar just above his navel. Holy hell…was she about to do what he thought she was? Before he could answer himself his breath escaped his lungs and he struggled to catch it. His mind and rationality were hurled into a vortex of oblivion and he couldn't form words though his mouth was wide open.

His hands fisted in the bed sheets as he groaned. He had to keep them occupied; Andrea hadn't given him permission to touch her yet. Sweat began to form on his face, rolling down his forehead and cheeks. He was trying so hard not to moan loudly, but it was becoming so difficult. He felt on the verge of exploding, and he didn't mean that figuratively. Dennis' whole body trembled as he felt her moving up and down, her long hair tickling his bare thighs. This was too much.

Dennis couldn't stand it anymore. He sat up, grabbing Andrea roughly by the shoulders and forcing her to kiss him, permission or not. She feigned resistance when he forced her clothes off, trying to make it seem like she was still in control. Needless to say it wasn't working. In one movement he lifted her from the bed and placed her beneath him. She gave him a feral, anticipating grin.

Rikku slept through the whole thing.

(II)

Jamie opened his eyes, the sun in them. He blinked his vision clear, squinting at the bright light. He sat up, his head swimming a little. What on earth was he doing lying on the ground? And why was his rear hurting? Well, for the second one, he had a rock stuck in his left butt cheek. For the second one…that was a little fuzzy. When had he passed out? He never recalled falling asleep is why he wondered.

Jamie stood up, his knees shaking a little. He looked around…yep, still on the Highroad. Okay, so what in the name of the muffin man happened last night? Wait…he remembered a little. The black mist was the last thing in his mind. The mist with eyes and teeth. Then he recalled this weird ass dream that made crystal meth look like Skittles.

He saw himself, lying there on the ground, as if he were that shadow of a ghost. His body was being devoured. Blood was all over the place and it was like his body was dead, void of any sign of ever being alive. He watched it all, down to the last shred of leather that was swallowed. Funny, he didn't feel hungry.

It had felt so real, like he was there, but not in his own body. He put his hands to his chest, checking to see if he was still real. He pinched his forearm…ouch. Okay, he was awake. He was still him.

The only thing that really seemed to bother him was that he couldn't remember a lick of what happened yesterday before he saw the shadow. It was strange. Yet he had a strange feeling he should turn around. He never knew where he was headed in the first place, but something told him to go the other way. His head was still spinning a little as he faced the direction his instincts were directing him. Jamie just shook his head and started walking. It wasn't like he had anything else better to do.

Author's Note: Okay, just be patient and sit there. I said sit! Anyway, who knows what will happen next, and if you're lucky I might not torment you with more talk of Choogie and the plugs. We'll see. Yes, Andrea got naughty, and I'm sure that I'll be having my chops royally busted by someone I know…but who cares. Don't like it-I am addressing you readers-do what I always say…write your own!