I've decided to change this story from first POV to third POV. I should have done this since the beginning, but I guess I wasn't thinking straight. And now I realized the story tells better through third POV.

hope it won't bother anyone!

Beta By: Skymia

Chapter 11: In the Elevator

A chauffeur-driven black BMW Chocobo Edition pulled up to the crib at Luca Garden Place. Tidus gracefully stepped out and surveyed around. A bunch of commoners walking mindlessly around with no purpose; just as Tidus expected from such a place, but he thought it would be easy for Rikku to meet him here. He noticed a few people staring at him, but he just glared back until they walked away.

So what if he was standing a little differently! This is how the wealthy dressed! Tidus thought he looked just fine with his trademark yellow and black jacket and his black jean pants. Sure, maybe his chain necklace looked too big, but it was priceless. Maybe they were staring at his hair; he did make it extra spiky to show off his fierceness.

He looked down at his watch. It was still thirty minutes until one.

"I'm a little early," Tidus grinned to himself before quietly reverting to a frown. "But...If she's late, I'll kill her."

He walked towards the statue that stood at the center of the plaza, and waited.

"Rikku, aren't you going to met him?" Yuna asked.

"Of course not!" Rikku exclaimed. "It's our day-off together, and we hardly go shopping together like this."

"Even so, are you okay just ditching him without saying anything?"

"Why should I feel bad about him?" Rikku huffed. "I declared war with him. So I don't care."

"Well-"

"Let's have fun! Just you and me, Yunie!" Rikku said, but something shiny caught her attention. "Oh wow! Look at that!"

Rikku and Yuna walked into stores and window shopped around Luca's cheapest areas. When they walked into a hat store, Rikku looked up at the sky and noticed rain clouds were gathering. She looked down at her watch and it was already one. Tidus must be at Luca Garden Place right now...

Tidus looked down at his expensive watch.

1:15

"I'm going to punch her!"

It grew very dark within a few minutes. Rikku tried her best to ignore the weather, but when the rain came down she felt a pang of guilt growing inside her. It was already an hour past one and it didn't look like the rain was going to stop. Slowly, Rikku couldn't enjoy shopping with Yuna, who was playing a game of Catch the Butterflies. It was as if everything in the stores were reminding her of Tidus.

A yellow hoodie...a Zanarkand necklace...a blitzball...

"Look, Rikku! I won!" Yuna smiled. She reached inside the vender box to grab her prize, and she pulled out a miniature doll of Vincent Valentine.

"I didn't know they give out those," Rikku mumbled.

Yuna gently brushed away the long doll hair to reveal Vincent's full face, smiling.

"Well, what do you know," Yuna chuckled. "He does have a gentle smile. Just like LeBlanc said."

Rikku's thoughts went back to Tidus...

"Such a lonely man to have such a warm smile...makes you want to know him better, right?" Yuna said.

The guilt building inside Rikku burst. She looked down at her watch and it was already three o'clock. There was no way Tidus would still be there after this long...would he? Did Tidus...really wanted to go out with her?

"I'm sorry, Yuna!" Rikku said, and dash out of the store.

She pulled out her umbrella and ran as fast as she can to Luca Garden Place. It has been raining for three straight hours. Rikku was 50% sure that Tidus had already left, but something in the depths of her heart, someone was still waiting. Surely, not...right?

Rikku was panting when she finally arrived. She remembers this place whenever Yuna wanted to shop here, and it usually is crowded. However, the rain scared the people away inside, and only a few who dare to dash forward.

Except one man, who was standing alone and soaking in the rain. He looked so miserable and lonely. His hair, once spiky, was sagging on his face, limp and pathetic. The great Tidus has degraded to this...

"No way," Rikku whispered. She slowly walked up to him. His head was down and staring at his yellow boots, and his hands deep in his pockets. She didn't know how to explain herself. Finally, she was standing only a few feet from him. "Ummm..."

Tidus looked up. Rikku was expecting him to look grateful, or relief. But this was Tidus she was talking about.

"Rikku!" He yelled, angrily. He aggressively marched towards her, and Rikku reflexively turned her back.

But Tidus caught her, and wrapped his arms tightly around her. Rikku dropped her umbrella, and they stood there frozen under the rain. Her heartbeat was beating in her ears, and then she felt him trembling.

"It's...c-c-cold..." He whispered.

Somehow, the world was slowing down. He held her as if he was depending on her to survive, as if he would never part from her warmth. Rikku regained herself and pushed him away. He still had his glare on his face as she picked up her umbrella.

"What the hell?" Rikku said. "Why did you do that?"

Tidus looked a little flustered.

"W-well, I was...just glad to see you were safe." He finally summed up. "I thought something happened to you."

'He really did wait for me all this time...' Rikku thought.

"So!" He yelled again. "Tell me why you're late! If you have no excuse, I'll kill you!"

'Jerk!'

"Hmph! Who would accept your offer anyway?" Rikku snapped back.

"You came here, didn't you!" He shouted back. "Why else would you be here! You came to see me, am I right?"

Rikku tried to respond back, but she could only open and close her mouth. Tidus smirked.

"Perhaps...you love me?"

'Oh, no he didn't!'

"Who would ever love you?" Rikku retorted. "I'm going home!" She spun on her heels and stomped away.

"Hey! Wait-" Tidus sneezed, and sneezed, and sneezed...

Rikku looked over her shoulder and watched Tidus shiver alone again in the rain. He tried to rub his hands together, but he still looked cold. Rikku looked at her watch and there was still time before it gets dark. She walked back towards him.

"I guess...I can buy you a drink." She said. Tidus just clicked his tongue in annoyance.

"Of course you should! Idiot." He growled and led the way.

'Great. Now I have to follow him.' Rikku sighed. She reached for her small purse and counted only a few gils. She knows she couldn't buy him expensive food. He made fun of her common food anyway. She'd have to convince him to try something new.

He continued to walk in front of her even as the rain finally stopped. Rikku rolled up her umbrella in her bag and looked around the area. She saw a sign that read: "Tea and Beverages Only 5 gils per drink! Fifth floor..." The rest of the sing was smudgy because of the rain, but it was drawn to point at a building next to it.

"Let's stop here!" Rikku suggested. Tidus took one glance at the run down building and stared back at her, his eyebrow raised. "It might not look much, but the food will be good. Trust me."

"I'm not going in there." He sneered. "I will not shake my pride even if I'm starving."

"Come on, it won't be that bad." Rikku said, dragging him. It's here or someplace more expensive which she couldn't afford.

"You better not be lying." He said, and they walked towards the entrance.

The place looked almost abandoned, but Rikku was used to this kind of environment. She knew from experience that the upper levels would look much nicer. They entered the elevator and Rikku pushed the 5th button. The elevator slowly rose, but then it stopped.

"Hmm?" Rikku frowned. The light on the button went off. "What the-"

"Great. What now?" Tidus said.

"It won't work." Rikku said. She tried pressing different buttons, but nothing happened.

"Don't tell me you broke it!" Tidus yelled.

"I didn't break anything!" Rikku shouted.

Just then, the elevator shook as if it was falling, but then it abruptly stopped. The lights were still on, but the buttons wouldn't work. Rikku tried pushing the emergency call, but nothing happened.

"Is it out of power?" Rikku mumbled.

"Do you know any lightning spells?" Tidus asked.

"No, I'm not a mage-"

"But you're Al Bhed! You should know how to fix machina crap!"

"I don't know how to fix things! I can only take things apart!"

"So in short, you did break it!"

"No I didn't!" She stomped her foot. "It just malfunctioned."

"And there's no way out..." Tidus grumbled. He looked up, and then squatted down. "Here. Climb on my shoulders."

"What?"

"Maybe we can get out through the roof," Tidus nodded up.

"I'm not touching you!" Rikku crossed her arms.

Tidus looked up at her, annoyed, and suddenly swooped under her legs and easily lifted her up on to his shoulders. She yelped as Tidus stood up. Her hands pushed up on the fluorescent lights until she heard a loud pop. Rikku pushed the ceiling up until she could grab onto the edge and pull herself up.

The inside of the elevator chute was dark and dusty. The wires looked rusted and there was a long drop down that anyone could die from. Rikku looked back down at the elevator and pulled up Tidus. He was heavy and his hands were cold, but they both stood at the top of the elevator.

"Now what?" Rikku mumbled.

"I didn't think I'd die like this," Tidus said.

"What?" Rikku frowned at the stupid comment.

"aaaAAAAAAHHHHH!" He screamed.

"W-what?" Rikku squeaked. He looked over his shoulder at her, giving her a weird menacing look.

"I can't take it!"

He moved his way past her until he stood at the edge. Rikku heard him unzip his pants.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm taking a piss!" He yelled. "Look away!"

"Eww! That's so gross-" Rikku stepped back, but slipped and felt her feet gave way. She quickly grabbed onto the edge of the elevator, hanging on for dear life! "AAAHHH! Help me! Somebody!"

"Damn it!" Tidus grunted. He quickly finished his business and zipped up his pants before reaching out his hand. "Here! Grab on!"

"N-no! No way! That's gross! You didn't wash your hands!" She cried.

"Idiot! There's no time for that!" He shouted. Rikku continued to sob.

"Oh! Why me?"

"Come on!"

Rikku grunted her teeth and grabbed Tidus' hand, which was now warm. He quickly pulled her up so fast and so strong, she collided into his chest. For a brief second, they were so close to each other that Rikku could see the pores on his face. Then, with Tidus supporting hand still behind Rikku, he slipped on the opening and they fell back into the elevator. Tidus landed the hardest, moaning and grunting.

"Oh no, are you alright?" Rikku got up.

He was shaking, and his eyes were shut tight as if he was suffering more from the painful fall earlier.

"It's...s-s-so c-c-cold..." He shivered. Rikku gently touched his forehead.

"You have a fever," Rikku gasped, feeling her guilt coming back.

Her instincts kicked in and she pulled her bag closer to her. She searched inside until she found one decent Potion. It wasn't much, but it'll have to do. She unraveled the red scarf she wore and wrapped it around Tidus' neck. He didn't fuss or argue as she lightly lifted his head to rest on her lap.

"With this, you should feel better." She said, uncorking the Potion.

"I can't take that. Not without my doctor's prescrip-"

"Just shut up and do what you're told," Rikku said. And he did.

She tilted the bottle to his lips and he gulped it down. She took off her coat and lay it down like a blanket for him.

"I'm sure someone will come and find us in the morning." Rikku sighed, as she tried her best to keep Tidus warm.

It was quiet. After through all the nonsense chaos, it was actually peaceful. His bickering and authority voice stopped, and all was left was the soft sounds of them breathing. Rikku looked up through the opened elevator roof, and she was glad the light was still on.

"Why...why are you doing this?" Tidus finally spoke. His voice was soft and gentle, as if all his pride went out the window.

"Well, it was my fault to begin with." Rikku admit it. "You were right. We shouldn't have come here, and none of this would've happened."

"No, it's my fault." Tidus sighed, sounding extremely weak and tired. "I'm the one that's making you go through this."

"I can manage." Rikku smiled. "After all...I'm Rikku, the tough machina. Us poor folk can withstand through anything."

Tidus looked up at her. Rikku knew his blue eyes were something, but the more she gazed into them, the more she saw a spark in them. Something was fluttering inside him and Rikku suspected her eyes reflected back to him.

"I'll take it back," he said. "The Red Notice...this makes us even."

Rikku didn't know what to say, it was everything she wanted. Finally. She can rest in peace and live a normal life. The bullying, the teasing, everything...can finally stop. Rikku watched Tidus slowly drift to sleep, looking so comfortable under her coat and scarf. She couldn't help but smile down at his handsome face.

Rikku re-positioned him to rest on her bag than her lap. She made sure the coat was wrapped tightly and the scarf keeping him warm. She sat far away from him and drew her knees up, trying to get some sleep. Rikku laid down with her back facing Tidus. Then she tried laying down with her head opposite from Tidus, but she got tired of smelling his stinky shoes.

She finally laid next to him, who was fast asleep soundlessly. Rikku wanted some of her coat as a blanket and eased her hands inside. It was warm. First, it was just her hands, then her arms, then up to her shoulders were under her coat.

Rikku opened her eyes just slightly and saw Tidus face close yet again, but this time she didn't mind. Despite him being sick, under the coat, he gave off a warm scent that lulled her to sleep.

Little did she know that Tidus lazily dragged his arm over her shoulder and they slept there together in the elevator.

sorry, i haven't been working this as often. there has been a lot of stuff going on the RL. XD