It's here! Chapter 4 is here, sorry it took so long, but I always linger over writing things like this; making sure it's all well and good.

This story is about Gippal and Rikku, so please don't be confused about this chapter, it happens for a reason! I thought it would make it more interesting to throw a bit of Tikku into it as well, but the main couple is Rippal

Thanks to those who reviewed! If it wasn't for you guys, I wouldn't keep writing this, so thanks for your support!

Disclaimer: I own nothing

Rikku stepped awkwardly into the hut as Tidus opened the door wider to let her in. She fiddled with her scarf as he shut the door and gave her a puzzled look.

"What's up? You look worried," he looked concerned as she realised she was frowning and quickly smiled before sitting down on a chair.

"We need to talk," she was getting more nervous by the second, and she knew she needed to say it now, or she'd bottle it and run.

"Ok, so I take it this isn't a social visit," he sat down on a chair opposite her and looked at her, expecting her to elaborate on why she was there.

She sighed as she muttered "Oh, boy," and played with her scarf some more; she found it strangely comforting.

"I'm pregnant," she suddenly blurted into the silence. She looked at the floor, not wanting to see his expression. But her head shot back up again as she heard him laugh.

"I know you are, Yuna told me. Congratulations!" he was beaming at her, his eyes sparkling with excitement. Then his smile fell as he realised she wasn't smiling back, or showing any signs of happiness.

"Rikku? What's wrong?" he placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Is it the father? Did Gippal say something?" Tidus's face then hardened. "He hasn't rejected you, has he?"

"No," she said softly, "the father doesn't know yet."

Tidus looked taken aback, his eyes scanning her face for some sign that she was joking; that she was about to yell, "Fooled you!" and then laugh at him. But he saw none.

"But…he has to know!" he exploded at her. "He has that right!"

It was so out of character, for him to yell like that, but he barely knew his father. He wanted to make sure that this baby had two parents present throughout its life. He was so protective of it already; it was anyone's guess what he would be like when it was born.

"That's why I'm here," she was staring him straight in the eyes, willing him to understand what she meant, praying he would unravel the unspoken meaning.

"I can't tell him for you Rikku, it has to come from you" he shook his head dismissively. He was totally oblivious to what she was trying to say.

Rikku became impatient and decided to just dive in the deep end.

"It's you," she stated, like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "The father is you, this baby is yours," she patted her stomach to emphasis her point.

One Month Earlier

Rikku sat on the highest perch on the island that she could find, gazing out at the sunset, trying to keep the tears at bay.

She had just got back from Luca, where her father was receiving treatment at the best hospital in Spira. A machina had been incorrectly wired, and had attacked Cid, who had been standing nearby. If the workers hadn't acted so quickly, she knew her father would have died, and thinking this, the tears tumbled down her cheeks unchecked.

She didn't know what she would do if he left her, she didn't think she could go on living. She pulled her knees up to her chin and buried her head in her arms as the sobs racked her body.

It was then that a warm hand rubbed her back comfortingly, and she looked her to see Tidus sitting next to her. Quickly wiping the tears from her face, she smiled at him as she tried to act normal.

"It's ok Rikku," he took her hand in his, and held it tight. "We all know how hard this is for you, so I'm here if you need me."

The words were so sweet, and Rikku felt herself give in, the tears continuing to fall in rivers down her face. She didn't need to say anything, he knew she was hurting, and he gathered her into his arms, his body encasing her protectively. He murmured comforting words into her ear as he played with her hair, the golden strands shining brightly in the evening sun.

For over 30 minutes they sat like that, as Rikku's sobs lowered in intensity, and she began to hiccup and gurgle into his shoulder. She pulled away slowly, and looked into the face of the guy who had become one of her closest friends. It was moments like this that made her realise how much she had missed him.

She stared into his blue eyes as he pulled a lock of hair from her face and tucked it behind her ear, running a finger down her jaw line as he bought his hand up to cup her face.

"We're all here for you Ri," he spoke so softly she barely heard him, but his voice made her lean forward and brush her lips against his.

Strangely enough, she found he returned the kiss, running his fingers through her hair as he repositioned her on his lap.

The kiss grew deeper, and filled with longing as their tongues danced together, and hands groped to remove articles of clothing. Her scarf went flying through the air and Tidus ran his hand over her long, lean legs, pulling her under him as he laid her back on the ground. She moaned into his mouth as his fingers disappeared under her skirt, and set about removing her underwear.

The need to feed their desires became more hungry and desperate as Rikku clawed at his zipper, feeling his erection pressing against the fabric. His mouth kissed a line of fire down her neck, as she pulled down his pants, giggling slightly just before he plunged into her and she forgot all coherent thought.

They became one, as the rest of the world slipped away, all other sounds fading as they got lost in the sea of pleasure. Tidus holding dominance as he continued to thrust into her, slamming his body into hers, moaning and calling her name as he felt himself nearing the end. She wasn't far behind, pulling him into her, as she felt the heat melting away her fears and doubts; concentrating on the moment.

The earth seemed to shatter as they both climaxed, screaming into the sunset as their bodies shuddered with ecstasy, Tidus spilling his seed before falling into the grass next to her.

-

"Don't tell Yuna," Tidus said, breaking her out of her thoughts, a pleading look in his eyes.

Her head began to spin, what had she expected? That he would leave Yuna and live with her and the baby? He wouldn't do that; she didn't want him to do that.

She thought that telling him would make things easier, make things less complicated, but the whole thing was more messed up than before.

"Please Rikku," it took her a moment to realise that he had grabbed her hands and was squeezing them tight. "I only just found her again, it would break her heart."

His hands were clawing at her desperately, and she felt overwhelmed. Could she really pretend the baby wasn't his? Who else could she say it was?

"Gippal!" Tidus suddenly yelled. "You could say Gippal is the father."

He, like everyone else, thought the baby was Gippal's, so why not say it was so? It seemed like a logical idea.

"I…I don't know," she whispered, she felt exhausted all of a sudden.

They had both agreed after it happened that it would be forgotten; there was too much at stake. But it seemed fate wasn't letting go so easily and they couldn't forget about it now.

"I'll think about it," she rose quietly from the chair and made for the door. "But we do need to talk about this further, it's not just our lives we're dealing with anymore."

And with that, she slipped out of the hut, leaving a very confused Tidus, who collapsed onto his bed.