A/N: Fast update, right? I thought so :D. I just felled like writing, so I did, and here's the result :P. But I have to disappoint some of you, the people who like this story that is, because...we're nearing the end! I know, I know, it's horrible, but every story has an end, even this one. But, nearing the end doesn't mean that the next chapter will be the last...I think that another 3 chapters will be updated after this one, then it'll finally finished :)

So enjoy the last couple of chapters, and please people...review!

Chapter 11

-Helpless-

'Just perfect.' Paine growled under her breath as the rain started to get worse and worse by the minute. The wind blew hard, making her almost sweep off of the road. Her both hands now tightly rapped around the ropes of her back and sword. Her eyes were squinted, and her head was facing the ground, trying to block the rain out.

What am I going to do now! The storm is getting worse and the travel agency is still far away!

Paine stopped walking, standing against one of the lightening towers. She shielded her eyes with one of her hands and looked around for something that could serve as shelter. She spotted the cave that the fiend made during their Gullwing days, right after Yuna's concert. She sighed happily and ran towards it, hoping that the fiends that were once there, wouldn't be there anymore. Or at least, not so many. She could stand her ground, but not against a large amount of fiends. Last time she was there, she didn't travel alone.

She decided to sit right at the exit/entrance of the cave, shielded behind a large rock, so the rain couldn't get to her.

Paine placed her bag and sword within reach, and she placed her head back against the cold stone wall behind her. Her legs were stretched out on the ground. She placed both her hands on her stomach and sighed deeply.

Oh Baralai…I wish you were here.

A single tear made its way down her cheek.

---

By that time, Gippal, Yuna and Baralai had reached the travel agency, right before the storm got really bad.

Gippal and Yuna were sitting at the table on the right side of the agency, while Baralai was yelling at the receptionist.

'What do you mean we can't go any further! Someone's still out there!' His voice sounded more desperate then angry. Although his face told otherwise.

The woman behind the counter smiled sadly. 'I'm sorry Sir, but I can't let you out in this weather. A search group is already out there, looking for stranded travellers. I'm sure that whoever is out there, will be found by our search group.'

Baralai shook his head. 'No, that's not enough!'

The woman bit her lip and looked around helplessly, her brown eyes scanning the room, landing on Yuna and Gippal. She gave them a pleading look.

Gippal noticed this and stood up, placing a reassuring hand on Baralai's shoulder. 'Let it go Lai. I'm sure Paine has found a shelter of some sort, she'll be fine.'

Baralai shook of his hand and backed away. 'No she won't, haven't you seen how bad the storm is getting?' He pointed towards the window, raindrops were blurring the view outside.

'Yes I know. But there's nothing we can do. We'll have to trust the search party.'

Baralai swallowed hard and buried his face in hand.

'Sir?' The receptionist looked at the young praetor with caution.

Baralai looked up and glared at her. 'Do you have any idea who I am?'

The woman swallowed and nodded softly, barely noticeable.

'Do you!'

She backed up a little. 'Y-yes Sir.' She managed to stutter out.

Yuna got up from the chair and walked over to the two men. 'Baralai, don't go there.'

Baralai shot her a cold glare and turned back to the lady behind the counter. 'Then why are you disobeying me! I need to go outside NOW!'

The woman started to whimper, not knowing how to handle this. She couldn't just say no to the praetor of New Yevon, right? She was a follower of New Yevon herself.

'Baralai!' Yuna yelled out. Startling the Faction leader. He looked at her, his eye wide and eyebrows raised. It also got Baralai's attention and he faced her with an angry look.

Yuna took a breath and slowly exhaled. 'Look Baralai, we'll just have to wait until the storm ends. Tidus and Rikku could be with her as well, they went after her remember? So don't worry, everything will be just fine.' Yuna's voice was calm and reassuring. She had placed both her hands on each one of his shoulders and studied his face while she spoke. Gippal had already told her about Rikku and Tidus and everything else that was going on, so she was well informed.

Baralai looked from Yuna to Gippal, then back to Yuna. He sighed shakily and backed away towards a chair. He sat down promptly, and held his head in his hands, elbows leaning on his knees. 'How can I just sit here…and do nothing…while the woman I love is out there somewhere, in this storm…carrying our baby?' He asked, voice but a mere whisper.

Yuna looked at Gippal and he looked back at her, both with sadness. Gippal walked to his best friend and placed a hand on his back, kneeling down beside him. 'It's going to be alright Lai.'

Yuna smiled slightly and took a seat next to the praetor. 'Yes…you'll see…'

---

Tidus looked around when they were at Guadosolam. Not much has changed. He walked towards the square, where the musicians were playing a soothing tune. He looked from them back to Rikku, his eyes confused. 'Hey Riks…these guys are new, aren't they?'

Rikku shook her head and grinned. 'Tidie Tidie, how long have you been back? They've been here even before the whole destruction of Vegnagun thingie!' She said, raising her hands up in the air.

He smirked sheepishly and scratched his cheek. 'Ghehe…'

Rikku shook her head, smiling. She folded her hands behind her head and walked over to the chateau. 'Come on cemmo.'

When they came to the doors, Rikku made Tidus knock.

Leblanc herself opened the door and stared at the two of them bemused. 'Well well, first Paine and now Rikku. Is Yuna coming later?' She said with raised eyebrows.

Rikku jumped up at the name of Paine. 'Oh! So Paine is here?' She asked hopeful.

Leblanc blinked at the bouncy girl and shook her head. 'No, she was here though. She left an hour ago.'

Rikku looked down at her feet in disappointment. 'Oh…'

'Do you have any idea where she was going?' Tidus asked her.

Leblanc looked at him, narrowing one eye. 'No…I don't…she just spent the night here. Why are so concerned about her?' She asked, Leblanc was always up for some good gossip, and the well being of the praetors girlfriend was 'good' gossip.

'Nothing, she owes us gill.' He said plainly and dragged Rikku away from the door. 'Thanks by the way!'

He shook Rikku by the shoulders, making her look up. 'Come on, let's go ask around.' Rikku nodded excitingly, liking the idea and jumped over to the first person.

After they questioned a few people, they came back together.

'She's at the Thunder Plains.' They said both at the same time. They looked at each other and smiled amused.

'Well, let's go!' Rikku exclaimed and she started to bounce over to the hallway that led them to the Thunder Plains, if not for Tidus who grabbed her wrist and pulled her back.

'Whoa, hold your chocobo's Riks.'

She looked at him confused and titled her head to the side. 'What's up?'

Tidus sighed and scratched his neck. 'Well…this old man told me that he saw her going to the Plains, but…'

Rikku narrowed her eyes. 'But…what?'

'But there's a storm going on there right now…a heavy one.'

Rikku's eyes widened with worry. She swallowed hard and glanced towards the way to the Plains. Paine couldn't have made it to the agency in time. 'But then…we have to go Tidus!' She released her hand from his grip and wanted to sprint away, but Tidus grabbed hold of her arm this time.

'Rikku!' He pulled her in a hug, so that she couldn't run away again, that'swhen she started to cry on his shoulder. He rubbed her back with his right hand, while his left arm was rapped around her waist.

'But what if…what if something…happens to her!' She said between sobs.

'We'll just have to wait Rikku…We'll just have to wait…'

So now what? Paine is stuck in the storm, no one can reach her...except maybe for the search party...will they find her? Read it in the next chapter of 'Hidden Truth' -dramatic music plays in the background-

Ghihi, sounds just like the end of a tv-show...or so I think :P.

Read and Review everyone, -pleeeaasse puppy dog eyes-