I've made it to chapter 10 :o!

Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to final fantasy X-2

It was time. He had decided. They'd known each other long enough, right? And clearly there was this chemical attraction between them. He loved listening to her and staring into her beautiful eyes. He wanted to declare to everyone else that she was his, no one else. He knew it was time to ask her to be his girlfriend. Straightening up, he walked over to her, smiling with her friends under their usual lunchtime spot. It was now or never.

"Um, can we talk?" He shyly asked receiving curious looks from her shining eyes. Walking away from the small group he noticed her nervous glances and those of their friends as they followed them with their eyes. He stopped suddenly, under the shade of a small tree.

"I'm no good at this kind of thing. At all." He started chuckling. "But for the first time in my life I know this is what I really want to say, so here it goes." She looked at him a little confused, her eyes sparkled with a small sense of excitement. "I think you're amazing. You're the highlight of my day, my first thought in the morning and my last at night. What I want to know is this, Yuna, will you be my girlfriend?" Tidus stuttered, amazed that for the first time in his life he hadn't messed something up or knocked himself out with a blitzball. A giant smile spread across her lips...

"Oh my Yevon! Painey! Tidus and Yuna! TIDUS AND YUNA!" Rikku yelled excitedly, staring across to where the two were hugging romantically.

"What did I tell you, Rikku. Don't ever call me that." The silver haired girl said through gritted teeth, appearing to be smiling at her friend's happiness.

"Hmm, Painey hey?" Baralai spoke up from beside Gippal. "Rikku would you mind if I adopt that one?" He teasingly asked a vigorously nodding Rikku whilst Paine looked about ready to tear his eyes out of their sockets.

"I think its sweet." Gippal piped up, lazing lounging with his back against the tree trunk, legs sprawled out onto the grass. "Maybe now me and 'Lai wont have to put up with lovesick puppy syndrome from him." He snickered, ignoring Rikku's glare.

"Who wants to fall in love anyway?" Paine muttered, lying on her stomach, legs crossed over each other, reading her book.

"Well I do." Rikku proudly said. "And clearly Yuna does and deep down I think you do too Painey. Just admit it..." Rikku teased, prodding her arm in an attempt for a confession.

"Uh enough love talk already. I'm outta here people." Paine answered, standing up suddenly and throwing her book into her rucksack. Without a statement goodbye she left, walking past the happy couple and into the student car park. She didn't know why Rikku had made her so mad. She was used to the jesting. She didn't want to hang around with Yuna and Tidus all in love and Rikku teasing her for not being in the same situation. Walking out of the gate quickly she took a back alley towards the next street, not really paying attention.

"Who wants to fall in love anyway." She murmured again to herself. She couldn't explain the sudden rush of jealousy she felt. She didn't want to fall in love. She didn't want a life dictated by what someone else wanted. She couldn't explain it, it was too much. In the middle of a trash ridden, dark alleyway, the tough girl broke down. Slamming her down down to the ground hard she let the tears cascade down her face. Who cares if it ruined her make up? Who cares if she just let down her guard? There was nothing in her life that made sense any more. And it all started with him...

"Need a friendly face?" Paine heard an unfamiliar voice ask. Startled she stood up, clearing the moist trails off her face and neck. Looking up she noticed a boy around her age, giant with large plate sized hands and blue torrents of hair.

"No, thanks." Paine murmured, attempting a small smile and walking out towards the end of the darkness. Before she could get away she felt a large force push her back to where she was.

"Not so fast." He said calmly, pushing Paine's arms against the wall as she attempted to struggle off. He was too strong. She was scared and didn't know what to do. A thousand thoughts ran through her head as her heart pounded faster.

"W-what do you want?" The ruby eyed girl asked, trying to keep calm and figure out a solution of escape.

"Hmn, how very bold." The blue haired boy whispered in her ear, looking deep into her eyes. "I want you to follow my instructions carefully, should you wish to live." He smoothly announced, shoving her further up against the wall and pulling a knife up to her neck. She couldn't contain her breathing any more. She was terrified. "You, I understand, are close and personal friends with Yuna. Is that correct?" He asked, not moving the knife. Paine whimpered a yes. "Good, in my hand I have a note. Deliver it to her." He growled in his calmly terrifying voice. "Should she ask where it came from you say you don't know. Should she refuse then convince her. You have until tomorrow. I know who you are, Paine. I know where you live. What you eat for breakfast. And I know about Baralai." A smirk spread on his face. "Not only does your life depend on this, but his as well. Make haste now. I hear a visitor." He grinned, smoothly disappearing into the darkness. Confused and terrified she slumped to the floor, breathing erratic and the note scrunched into her hand. Should she just throw it away and pretend it never happened? Surely her life over Yuna's was a better sacrifice. As predicted soft footsteps were heard approaching. Scared, she was unable to move. Instantly she recognised the voice.

"Paine? Oh my Yevon." Baralai gasped, finding her curled up in the darkened alley way crying. His head surpassed a thousand scenarios. Each as bad as the last. "Paine? Paine? Are you ok? Do you need help?" He cautiously asked, taking off his coat and wrapping it around her. She shook her head silently and allowed him to stand her up.

"Take me home." She croaked, allowing Baralai to huddle her close to his body like a bodyguard would, protecting her from harm.

"Promise you'll tell me what happened." He demanded, concern spreading on his face. She nodded silently taking a glance at the ally as she left. In the darkness a pair of shining eyes squinted at her, daring her to tell him. In the sunlight she made out the reflection of a blade in his hands. She looked up, taking the threat to the car with her as Baralai gently pushed her in, allowing her to wipe her tears off her face with his coat sleeve. As he turned back into the darkened street he saw nothing but a ginger cat running cheerily along the path. His suspicions were raised.

She'd never known Baralai to drive so fast in all the time she had known him. Calming down slightly she watched the speed gauge rise well into the sixties a couple of times. Within two minutes they were at his lavish home, door swiftly closed behind them.

"Go take a bath. It will make you feel better." Baralai insisted, showing her the bathroom and on the first floor. "I'll leave some old clothes out for you. They may be a little big though." He pondered. Walking away to fetch the said items for her. Getting into the deep bath Paine was indecisive of her actions. She could lie. After all her's and Baralai's lives were at stake. Or she could tell him, the blue haired man was surely bluffing. There was no possible way he could know anything about her. Her name was a given, after all if he knew about Yuna then he knew about her. Clearly he had heard about Baralai whilst passing a joking Rikku. She allowed the hot water to soak into her body relaxing her muscles. Her mind went blank, all she could focus on was the feeling of feeling powerless against the huge man and the fear she felt. Minutes passed and she focused on the present. The fact she was taking a bath in the house of a guy she had known for well over a month now. Time had seemed to run into one big day around him. Slowly she exited the bath, drying off and walking over to the room Baralai had pointed out before her bath. Walking into the room she noticed it must have been Baralai's own bedroom. It was huge. The walls were a soft blue with a cream carpet to complement. The bed was large too, probably king sized. Paine wondered if he ever felt lonely in such a large bed. On the right was a large writing desk with a tall stack of paperwork on top, nearly piled into one section. On the left side of the room was a white wardrobe, antique looking and charming. The room was plain but pleasant. On the bed Baralai had left her a pair of old jeans and a large t-shirt and jumper. The outfit looked very warm and comforting. Without question Paine changed into them and made her way downstairs in the oversized outfit. Baralai was in the living room with a worried look on his face. Two cups of a steaming liquid sat on the table ready for her to drink. Paine sat down on his right, staring into the cup suspiciously.

"Its ok, its only hot chocolate." Baralai chuckled, snapping out of his dazed expression. "Nice outfit by the way." He added, attempting to cheer her up. The bath and the warm clothes, warm drink and good company did have a welcoming effect. She felt sleepy and a little startled still but she sat there diligently.

"So.." He began. Paine didn't need any more encouragement. Unbeknown to herself as to why she told him it all. She showed him the note. She even let the tears run in front of him. It was complete and utter trust to him. He listened intently, tried to calm her when she was upset with little avail.

"Paine. Its going to be ok. We'll call the police and report it. I seriously doubt that he knows everything about you. And as for me, well I can look after my self. I have contacts." He said, muttering the last past under his breath. "I'll look after you. I know you don't like that kind of think but regarding the situation it would make me feel better. I think you should stay here tonight." Baralai added, looking around, a tinge of pink in his cheeks.

"I would like that." Paine whispered, fed up of fighting everything in her life. Fed up of fighting Baralai.

"Wow, I was expecting to have to tie you down in order to just get you to listen let alone stay." He chuckled, rubbing his neck nervously.

"I'm fed up of fighting you, 'Lai." Paine murmured to him, moving closer and looking him deep into his dark chocolate eyes. "I'm fed up of fighting with myself." She added, lips only inches away from his.

"So am I." He softly growled back.