(Authors note: I realize I skipped through the rest of the FF X story but why retell it when you can play the game? I'm focusing this story on the Wakka X Rikku relationship so if you've never played the game and wonder how Sin gets defeated… I suggest you go buy it now! It's well worth the play time.)

Chapter 9 The Bombshell

Sin had finally been defeated. They had found a way to do it with out Yuna dying but not with out cost. Tidus was gone and Sir Auron had been sent to the farplane by Yuna. Now the party was down to Lulu, Yuna, Kimahri Wakka and Rikku. They all attended the speech Yuna made to the citizens of Spira. Rikku knew that Yuna was struggling with the loss of Tidus. Yuna's bold confession of love to him still lingered in the air around them all. It had been so unexpected… the way Tidus had begun disappearing. Why? Rikku could only imagine how painful it must have been for her cousin. She tried to imagine what It would be like if Wakka suddenly disappeared on her. The idea was so unbearable that Rikku had to shut her eyes and try to block out the thought. She had gotten so use to sneaking away with him and spending intimate moments alone. The thought that he would no longer be there for her was too hard to bear.

They had to attend the celebration party. Everyone was expecting them to. Wakka didn't want to think about Tidus and Auron being gone. They were his friends and he missed having them around. It was far easier to lose himself in a few drinks.

Yuna, Lulu, Rikku and Kimahri were sitting at a circular table with miscellaneous chairs curling around it. Wakka joined them staggering slightly. He wasn't that drunk but he sure felt giddy! Just enough to take the buzz off of the worries he had in the back of his mind.

Kimahri turned to Yuna and said "Yuna needs to smile, Kimahri dance with Yuna?" Yuna smiled at Kimahri and politely said "Thank you. I would be honoured"

It was quite a comical sight, seeing the big blue beast dancing with the very graceful Yuna. Rikku giggled as she sipped her drink. She wasn't old enough to drink alcohol but the smell of it was all around her. She nudged Wakka playfully in the ribs saying "He needs some dancing lessons, huh?" Then she exploded into fits of giggles. Kimahri almost tripped over his tail as he tried to turn Yuna under his arm.

"Maybe I could give him some ya?" said Wakka laughing with his deep voice. The sound of his laughter sounded melodic to Rikku's ears. She could get use to that! It stirred her to the core!

"You can dance?" asked Rikku amazed.

"Sure can" he replied then grabbing her hand he said "com'on I'll show you" Before she had time to say I'd love to Wakka dragged her to the dance floor. He took her by the hand and whirled her under his arm then pulled her firmly to him to dip her back dramatically. Holding her in a firm dancing pose he glided across the floor with her, spinning and turning rather eloquently and leading her in fancy steps that she had a hard time keeping up with.

"Wow you sure CAN dance!" Rikku said with surprise between spins and turns. "Where'd you learn to dance like this?"

"Blitz ball training." he said. "You gotta be graceful to play so I took dance lessons" Wakka then lifted her up in his strong arms and spun her around. Rikku laughed and smiled feeling a bit giddy. She couldn't figure out if it was just because of the spin they were in or if it was that now familiar feeling she got when ever she was in his arms. He's so much fun to be around she thought to herself. Life had been all business during the pilgrimage. It was nice to know that there was a fun side to Wakka. She could live with this. For the rest of my life. She thought gleefully. I have to talk to my Pop. Make him understand. I want to be with Wakka forever and ever. I don't want this to end.

The music slowed. Several other couples made their way to the dance floor. Rikku noticed that Kimahri and Yuna left. She wondered if they should leave as well. She started back towards the tables but Wakka grabbed her by the arm and pulled her closer to him. He wrapped his arms around her rubbed his prickly chin into her hair. She had worn it down for the occasion and it now cascaded around her shoulders. Several spiralling curls had carefully been placed there with a hot curling iron. Machina sure came in so useful! She had changed out of her usual attire to wear a low cut black dress of pure silk. The dress was very form fitting and revealed her back. It was short enough at the front to show off her shapely legs and flowed into a longer train over the side of one hip and around the back. Two sparkling emerald earrings hung from her ears setting off her equally dazzling emerald green eyes. In her hair she had worn a matching hair pin with emeralds sparking in under the light of the dance floor. Wakka traced the line of her spine as he slowly danced with her; his hips moving with hers in a sensuous display. Hot!

"Anyone tell you how sexy and beautiful you look tonight?" he whispered close to her ear. Rikku shuddered. The sound of his voice just had a way of mesmerizing her and making her forget that they were in a public place… right in front of the other guardians no less! But Wakka sure didn't seem to care. Rikku wrapped her arms around his neck and moved with him.

"Believe it or not…" she answered him, speaking close to his ear, "You're the first." she turned her head to kiss his ear lobe hoping that none of the others would see. They moved across the floor in a slow waltz. Wakka was just as competent a dancer to the slower song as he has been to the more upbeat one. He guided her steps across the floor moving quickly here, and slower there in perfect time to the music. Rikku hadn't had that much dance experience, but she found it so easy to move with him. He held her in a perfect arc and she found it almost second nature to follow his lead. We're perfect together She thought happily as she rested her head upon his shoulder. She'd stopped worrying what the other guardians and Yuna must be thinking. She was simply so lost in the moment feeling so at home in his arms.

The song ended and the dancers turned to clap the performers politely. Wakka took Rikku by the hand and led her back to the table. She gazed at him in adoration as she followed him willingly. He pulled out the chair for her to sit at the table with Lulu and Yuna. Kimahri was standing protectively behind Yuna, arms folded in his usual way. Rikku felt just like a well bred lady being sat down like that. She wasn't use to it at all! Most people either treated her like a child or told her she was the scum of the earth just because she was Al Bhed. Wakka had been opening doors for her and treating her just like a princess. No one had ever made her feel like royalty before. She gazed up at Wakka with eyes sparkling as he kissed her hand.

"Thank you m'lady" he said winking at her. There goes those festive fireworks again. Tingles to the bone!

The Alcohol had given Wakka a confidence he other wise might not have had. He sat down beside Rikku and stretched his arm on the back of the bench behind her shoulders. Lulu and Yuna were sitting across from them and Lulu raised her eye brow in Wakka's direction.

"What's the matter Lu?" Wakka said, slurring his words slightly. He slid his arm around Rikku's shoulders rubbing softly and causing Lulu to glare at him even more. Wakka simply grinned at her with a dizzy smile.

"I feel unwell" Lulu said and got up, slamming the napkin she had in her hand down on the table and storming off in the direction of the ladies room. Rikku wriggled a bit uncomfortably and looked up at the ceiling.

"I hope she's ok" she said with a quaver in her voice. She thought about going to see… but she had a feeling that she was the last person Lulu wanted to lay eyes on at the moment. She seemed… almost jealous. Well it's her own fault Rikku thought to herself. She rejected him and he's mine now. Rikku snuggled up against Wakka putting her hand on his thigh as if claiming him for herself.

Yuna eyed them for a moment then looked in the direction Lulu had gone.

"I had better go and see how she is" she told the couple. She had a feeling that they wanted to be alone. She couldn't blame them. She'd had many secret rendezvous with Tidus during the course of the pilgrimage. Now he was suddenly gone, leaving a huge void inside of her. She sighed deeply. She knew in her heart that if she could only have the opportunity to dance with Tidus like that… to snuggle next to him like that… she'd have wanted a moment alone too. Besides, she was terribly worried about Lulu. She hadn't looked at all well and she'd been so quiet lately.

Yuna got up from the table followed by Kimahri who wasn't about to let her walk across the room alone. He waited outside the door for her.

After they had left Rikku turned to Wakka. "Are we going to tell them?" She asked.

"I think maybe we just did." said Wakka with a grin. He reached over with his other hand and stroked under her chin gently. He wanted so badly to kiss her… right here in public. Not caring what anyone thought. Controversial or not they were together. A man from Besaid and an Al Bhed girl. Who would have thought that was possible?

A new era was birthing. The calm was coming and it would be eternal. The battle was over now. Sin was dead and they were no longer considered traitors. He was willing to face Cid and tell the Al Bhed leader exactly how he felt about his daughter. "I want to treasure you forever" he said softly to Rikku giving her a tender kiss on the lips. She put her arms around him and held him tight, burying her face in his chest.

Yuna arrived back at the table to find them this way. Arm in arm… looking quite cozy.

"How is she?" asked Wakka. The drinks were starting to wear off a little now and he was less dizzy. He was concerned about Lu. She hadn't been herself lately. Heck she hadn't even snapped him earlier when he had stepped on the train of her dress by accident and caused her to drop her moogle. He'd picked it up for her and she had taken it from him with out so much as a snide remark. So unlike her.

"She wants to see you" Yuna said to Wakka. "She just went back to her room."

"I better go" said Wakka giving Rikku a light kiss on the cheek. He disentangled himself and stood up grabbing his cloak. Wakka headed off in the direction of the rooms leaving the two girls and Kimahri alone.

Yuna was not about to allow this to slide. She wanted to ask Rikku all the details. "Kimahri" Yuna said. "Could you please get me another drink?" Yuna glanced over to the bar and saw that it was really busy. Good that ought to keep him away for a while she thought. Kimahri just nodded and headed that direction, tail waving back and forth, almost knocking over several chairs as he went. Yuna slipped in beside Rikku.

"Is there something between you and Wakka?" she asked Rikku directly.

"Weeeellll…" Rikku started to say. Should she just tell her cousin the truth? It felt scary verbalizing that they were together. They had kept it all a secret up until now and even though Wakka seemed to be ready to tell everyone she still wasn't sure. I mean face it. He'd been drinking. He might change his mind when he sobered up. However, Rikku was tired of keeping this all to her self. It was exciting… the way she felt about him. She could trust her cousin surely!. Rikku reached into her purse and pulled out the chain with Wakka's family emblem on it and showed it to Yuna.

Yuna gasped and her eyes grew wide as she looked down at it. "He pledged to you?" she said astonished.

"Yeah" Said Rikku shyly giggling as she gave Yuna a cute little smile; her dimples rising youthfully on her cheeks as she blushed lightly. "It's not like we are engaged or anything. I guess it just means we're going steady or something"

Yuna gave her cousin a hug. "I'm so happy for you" she said. "When did this happen? How? Tell me everything." Yuna didn't care about the age differences. She knew how it was during Sins time. It wasn't that uncommon for such a young girl to begin a romance, even if it was with someone seven years older than her. Yuna was very fond of Wakka and knew that he was young at heart. She also knew that he was not the kind of man to take advantage of a young girl. He was honest and considerate, always reliable and very, very loyal. She knew he would take good care of her cousin.

"Well he gave me this at Rin's travel agency in the calm lands" Rikku said beaming with joy as she felt relief sweep over her. Finally she could confess her feelings to someone other than Wakka. Finally it didn't have to be such a big secret any more. She and Wakka could be together, maybe even start a family one day. Have lots of kids… settle down. Live where ever they wanted. Rikku didn't care. She'd gladly move to Besaid if she had to. She had promised her father she would help rebuild their home first though of course. Not many people were as good with the machina as she was. She could program and build anything. Besides… she and Wakka had already talked about that. He had agreed to come with her and help them rebuild. It was a gesture to show her father that he was past his old ways. He wanted to prove his worth to Cid before breaking the news that he was with his daughter. It was a good plan and Rikku knew it would work.

"But you must have been together before that" Yuna said. "Where did it start?"

"We kissed for the first time… at Lake Macalania. Before that we had … well we almost kissed but it never really happened til we got to the lake." Rikku told her.

"Lake Macalania?" Yuna said, her voice rising in awe. "That's where Tidus and I…" her voice trailed off as she remembered how Tidus has kissed her in the lake and how they had played and flirted in the water. She remembered the intimacy that had sparked up between them there. It must be something about that place she pondered to herself. Magic in the air or something.

"Yunie" Said Rikku with a more serious tone. "How do you think my father will take it?" she asked gazing at Yuna and noticing how her expression had changed. Yuna seemed to be off in a dream somewhere.

Yuna snapped back to her senses. "I'm sure Uncle Cid can be persuaded" she told her cousin, giving her a reassuring hug around the shoulders. "We can get him to understand! Wakka is a good man. He will take care of you I know this. Uncle Cid will learn that too when he gets to know Wakka. I'll go with you." She said suddenly. "I have to go back to Besaid first and take care of a few things but I'll sneak off and meet up with you. I'll be right beside you when you tell him."

"Thanks Yunie" chirped Rikku happily. "My Pop has a really bad temper as you know so I sure hope you're right" Then she became lost in her own thoughts.

………………..

Wakka climbed the stairs holding his head in his hands. Oooooh what a hangover he thought miserably to himself. It wasn't even the morning after and already he felt like shit! Wakka wasn't a heavy drinker and was not use to his alcohol. It affected him fast and wore off just as fast. He rounded the corner to Lulu's room wondering why the hell he hadn't packed some remedies. Wakka knocked lightly on the door. The noise seemed louder to his ears as he head pounded!

"Lu" he said to the closed door. "You wanted to see me?" There as no answer. Wakka checked the door and found that it was opened. He peeked around the side of it to see if he could find her. "Lu?"

"I'm in here" he heard the voice of Lulu say. It was coming from the bath room so he made his way across only to find Lulu stooping over the toilet and gagging. He dropped down beside her with concern placing his hand on her back. "Lu! You ok? You sick? What's wrong?" he asked. He knew that Lulu hadn't drunk any alcoholic drinks so it couldn't be that. He became very worried about her health.

"No Wakka I am not ok." said Lulu; her irritation very obvious. She spoke in her usual harsh tone turning to face him with a cold expression on her face. She looked him directly in the eye as she dropped the bomb shell by saying "I'm pregnant."

Wakka gasped! "Oh man!!!" was all he could say.

………………………..

(Authors note: I'm going to end this one here but there is a sequel. If you enjoyed this story stay tuned for my next story titled Love Is a Battlefield. It will move on directly from this one. I originally wrote them all as one story but decided to break them up for this sight. The next one will be moving to FFX-2 and beyond. If you've played ffx-2 then you're well aware whose baby that is! the plot thickens...

Ok all the sequel to this story is now up! To find it go to my profile, scroll down to the stories I've authored and click on Love is a Battlefield. Story ID is 3424878. It can be found under games, Final Fantasy X-2)