OMG, my last chapter of fanfic. :') I want to apologize for taking FOREVER (FOREVER) to finish this story, but here it is, the last chapter. And the last Rikku-Hoshi fanfic. It's been a lovely run. I've met some great, great people through fanfic, which led me to meet my best friend and multiple wonderful trips to Japan. Thanks to writing FFX2 fanfic, I started listening to Gackt, which basically shaped who I am today, believe it or not. Writing fanfic gave me a fantastic outlet that honestly helped me get through some heartbreak (especially this story!). And overall, I want to thank all of the wonderful comments, PMs, and reviews I've received over the years. You guys are all great and pushed me to become the writer I am today.

Also, I want to put it out one more time-if you're interested in reading my novelized "Combined Yards" along with the sequel, please-PLEASE!-PM me your e-mail address. I have recently read through Combined Yards and I'm going to glance through Combined Yards 2 and then I'll be sending those out to all who have sent me their e-mail addresses. So, last call! Send me a PM if you're interested!

And with that, I bring you my last chapter of The Internship. ENJOY!

Chapter 21: Protests

I wake up the next morning still wearing my ridiculously expensive dress. My mother's pearls are still around my neck. And as I sit up and catch my reflection in the mirror, I see mascara dried all down my cheeks. I thought I hadn't cried, but I must have done so in my sleep. For some reason, this angers me. I grab my pillow and chuck it hard at the mirror—only to miss and almost knock my laptop off my desk.

I throw my body back down on the bed, my eyes on the popcorn-textured ceiling. I'm trying to take deep breaths. I'm trying to stay calm. But there are tears welling up in my eyes and the lump in my throat is so large that it feels like it's going to tear its way right out of my throat. I sit up again and carefully remove the pearls from my neck. Then, I stand up and put the pearls carefully in my jewelry box. I take my earings out and run my hand through my hair, which has mostly fallen out of the extravagant updo it had been in. Then, I close my jewelry box and latch it.

Last night was, after all, my last night at this hotel. Thank Yevon.

I walk into the bathroom then and carefully wash my face, glad to have all of the remnants from last night removed from my face. A bit of glitter remains on my cheeks, so I wash my face again, scrubbing hard, almost scraping, to make sure there is no remnant of last night's—or this entire summer's—mistake. Then, with my shoulders pushed back and my head held high, I begin anew, applying my foundation carefully onto my face as though it can conceal more than the blemishes on my face.

I know I'm supposed to go into the office. I have some things to finish up before I take the train back to Bevelle, which, unfortunately, isn't until this evening. But it's almost noon and I'm still in my room, packing. My phone is blinking, but I haven't looked at any of the texts. I'm sure one is from Baralai, undoubtedly asking me if I'm coming into the office. And if there are anymore missed calls or texts, I'm not going to hold out hope that they're from Tidus, or even from Cetan.

But soon I'm all packed and it's almost noon. As much as I want to avoid my phone, I know I can't any longer. I walk over in an almost huffy manner and look at it, my eyes slightly glazed over. Sure enough, the first text is from Baralai. All it says is, "Coming in today?" I quickly respond, "I'll be in around one." As soon as I send it, I wish I could take it back. I wish I could say, "Actually, never mind. I'm getting on the train back to Bevelle as quickly as I possibly can." Alas, duty calls. What kind of intern would I be if I missed my last day?

The next text is from my dad, asking me what time he'll need to pick me up from the train station. This makes me smile momentarily. Finally, I can go back to my old life. The life I had before this Tidus nonsense interfered. I thought of all my friends back home. It all seemed so familiar and nice.

But I felt my face fall. I honestly hadn't thought I would be going home empty-handed. Especially not after coming so close. There are tears in my eyes again, but I quickly brush them away and respond to my father to pick me up around 8:30.

And the next text message… was from Tidus.

I immediately put my finger on the "delete" button, but even as my finger hovers over the option to delete, I know I can't do that. As much as I wish I was strong enough to just delete his text without looking, I know I'm not.

And so, I read it, telling myself that I will glance through it and then delete it.

Hey Yuna. Can we talk?

Really? That's all he's going to say? I roll my eyes and delete the message. Of course, my heart is suddenly pounding. I roll my eyes and shove my phone in my pocket. Then, I grab my bag and march to the door. I need to get to the office, finish up, and then check out of Zanarkand for good.

I open my door hastily, only to run smack into… Tidus.

"What are you doing here?" I cry, shoveing myself away from him, my voice somewhat shrill. I feel so many waves of emotion hit me that I feel as though I'm going to faint. Somehow, the predominate emotion is embarrassment. I know my cheeks are burning with anger and embarrassment.

"I-I, uh, I came to talk to you," Tidus says. He's looking me in the eyes, his eyes still with that soft, hurt look that I saw last night.

"Just save it," I say, closing the door and walking past him. "I don't want to hear it. You don't need to apologize, Tidus. Not if you're not sorry."

"But I am sorry!" he cries, walking quickly behind me. "It was all so stupid of me, Yuna. I realize that now!"

I just roll my eyes. A little too late, I think. I don't say anything to him. I've already decided he's not worth it.

I'm almost at the stairs before he finally catches me. He walks swiftly in front of me, so quickly that I almost run into him again. I don't bother to hide my annoyance.

"Tidus, I need to get to the office," I say, crossing my arms. I even tap my foot to show my impatience.

"I just… I had to go through with it, Yuna. I finally had Cetan and Leblanc right where I wanted them and I just thought…" He looks away from me, suddenly appearing sheepish again. "I just thought I could have everything I wanted."

"Right, Leblanc," I say. "But not me."

I try to walk past him, but he catches my arm and spins me around. I'm facing him, and our bodies are close. I'm feeling my resolve fading. But I won't let that happen.

"Last night, Yuna," Tidus says, his hand still wrapped around my wrist, "you said something about only you being hurt. But you don't know how much it hurt me to see you hurt. I realized it then."

I tear my wrist from his grip and spin back around.

"Are you even listening to me?" he cries.

I answer by continuing to walk down the stairs.

I'll be honest—it hurt to walk away from him like that. With every step I take, the lump in my throat feels closer and closer to bursting. I tuck my botton lip under my teeth and bite down rather hard, hoping that keeps the tears from coming. I want to turn around to see what Tidus is doing. Is he looking after me as I walk away? Is he behind me? Has he simply turned around and given up on me?

I don't know—because I never look behind me.

"You really didn't have to come in," Baralai says as I walk into the office and go to my little desk.

He has spun his chair around and he's facing me, leaning back, his hands clasped around his stomach. He's looking at me as though he expects me to say something groundbreaking. I suddenly feel like crying all over again—is he waiting to see if I tell him that I've decided I want him after all of this mess?

But right now, even if I was into Baralai, I'm too broken. I simply begin to organize my desk, tucking my file of projects for my portfolio into my bag.

"Wakka was hoping we could take you out to lunch," Baralai finally says. He has spun back so that he's facing his computer. "I told him I didn't think you would be up for that."

"Yeah, I'm not up for that," I say. I suddenly hate Tidus. If it wasn't for Tidus, I would have had a normal, every day intern experience. I would have let Wakka and Baralai take me out for lunch and eaten at some fancy restaurant while they cooed that they would be more than happy to write me letters of recommendation.

I doubted I'd be getting any letters of recommendation any time soon.

Silence falls before Baralai says, "What time are you leaving?"

"Around seven," I answer, my tone bland. "Is there anything you need me to do today?"

Baralai gives me a small smile.

"No. Unless you want to play golf with Cetan and I."

I don't know if that's Baralai's idea of a joke, but I don't find it funny. In fact, I full-out glare at him.

"Sorry, I know it's touchy," Baralai says. "I shouldn't have ever encouraged you to be around Cetan at all. He's like this with all the interns."

"Oh, thanks for making me feel so special," I say, gathering my belongings and standing up to announce that I'm leaving.

"Hey, wait," Baralai says, standing up quickly. "You are special, Yuna."

This makes me glare at him. I hate Baralai too, I decide.

"Yuna, you're the only intern—the only intern—who didn't go with Cetan just to go with him. I know you thought he really liked you, Yuna. That's not usually important to the interns. They just want the attention and they just want to sleep with him. But you were different."

"How do you know?" I say with an eye roll. "You know nothing about me."

"Please, Yuna. Cetan's my best friend. I know how hard he had to work for you compared to the others. I know that you barely gave him the time of day."

Is this supposed to make me feel better? Is it supposed to make me feel better that Cetan had to actually work with me?

"Cetan's a terrible, terrible person," Baralai says, laughing to himself as though it's some sort of funny inside joke. "And I thought you were like all the rest. So I let him mess with you. And I'm really, really sorry about that."

"Great," I just say. "I'm heading out. Please tell Wakka I say goodbye." Wakka. The only innocent man in this stupid blitzball organization.

"Yuna, I really mean it when I say you could make a great asset to this club. When you graduate, I want you to come back and take a job here."

"Ha," I simply say as I walk out the door. But I feel guilty immediately. Baralai basically just offered me what had once been a possible dream job, and I literally laughed in his face.

So, putting on the best smile I can manage, I duck my head back into the office.

"Baralai?" I say. He jumps slightly. He had been staring at my desk in a rather forlorn manner.

"Yeah?" he says, looking shocked that I haven't walked away yet.

"Assuming Tidus is no longer with the Abes, then yes, I'd love to take any position you can offer me."

Baralai smiles.

"Stay in touch, Yuna," he says.

"I will," I promise. I smile, and leave then, closing the door behind me.

I feel empty as I walk back into the hotel. I know I was hoping Tidus would be in the lobby, waiting for me. But he's nowhere to be found. Again, I straighten myself out. Obviously he's not willing to work very hard to convince me to come back to him.

But my entire body falters as I realize the reason he wasn't in the lobby is because he's sitting on the floor in front of my hotel room, his body slumped up against the door.

When he sees me coming, he stands up quickly, his mouth slightly agape. He looks so entirely sheepish that my first thought comes to me in an instant wave—Tidus is so cute.

But I shake that thought aside.

"I need to get to my room," I hear myself say. I sound like a robot.

"Look, I'm not good with words," he says, standing firmly between me and the door. "I can't say anything poetic or majestic or wonderful enough to make you think I'm sorry. I'm obviously not Cetan—I'm obviously not nearly as charming as he is." I hear the bitter in his tone, but it immediately dissolves. "I know you're not going to buy my apologies. And you shouldn't. I don't deserve that. But Yuna, I can't just let you walk away without hearing me out. I'll never be able to forgive myself if I do."

I suddenly realize I'm crying. The lump that has been in my throat all day has finally burst. I put my hands to my face, ashamed that I let my resolve down so easily and so immediately. And when I feel his arms go around me, I want desperately to push him away, to push him away as hard as I can and to run into the sanctuary of my hotel room and never leave it.

But instead, I melt into his arms. My forhead is pressed against his left shoulder, and I know I'm crying on the front of his blitzball jacket. But I don't care and he apparently doesn't care either. He's holding me tightly—so tightly—and I realize in the back of my mind that he doesn't plan on letting me go anytime soon.

"Why did you fight me all this time?" I manage to ask, my voice coming out muffled since I'm basically speaking into his shoulder.

"Huh?" he says, pulling away slightly—although his hands are pressed tightly on my shoulders. He looks at me—examines me—as though he needs to know what I asked him.

"Why did you fight me all this time? I made it clear from the beginning that I liked you."

He presses his lips tightly together and brushes a bit of hair out my face. He doesn't stop looking at me.

"I don't know," he finally says. "I kept coming up with excuses. I kept telling myself that I need to focus on blitzball, or that you're an intern, or that maybe you deserved someone more like Cetan. I just made excuse after excuse after excuse. And honestly, Yuna, I was embarrassed by the attention you gave me. Because it… well… you made me feel special. You're the first person since I started playing professional blitzball who made me feel like I was the standout. No one ever seemed to notice me until you came along. And that, you know, was really weird at first."

I stare at him, realizing I don't know what to say. I'm not even sure what I'm feeling right now. All I know is, I don't want Tidus to let me go.

"Not weird in a bad way, though," he says, giving me a small smile. "Just different. You made me feel different, Yuna. And I didn't know how to deal with it. So I was a jerk. And I'm really, really sorry."

"So what do you want to do?" I hear myself asking. I keep searching his face, wondering if this is some sort of joke. Maybe Cetan put him up to it? Maybe it's still an attempt to get at Cetan? Does it have something to do with Cetan at all?

"I want to start over," Tidus says, his voice firm. "That's all I want right now."

I look into his eyes and he looks back into mine. I know he wants to kiss me and is just waiting for some sign from me that it's okay for him to kiss me.

But it's not okay

"If you don't mind, Tidus," I hear myself say, "I need to get my stuff. My checkout time is in twenty minutes and I'm hoping I can maybe get on an earlier train back to Bevelle."

I still sound robotic, and Tidus seems so shocked at my reaction that he lets me slip out from him and to my door.

I walk into my room, shutting the door behind me. I walk over to my belongings, which I had stacked neatly by the desk. I sling my laptop bag over my shoulder, balance my handbag on my arm, and pull my suitcase back to the door. Of course, Tidus is still standing there, staring at me incredulously.

"Please don't do this," he says. "Please give me a second chance."

"I won't forgive myself if I do," I say, dragging my suitcase over to the elevator.

"I won't forgive myself if you don't," he says. "I mean it, Yuna."

And then, he says the words I've desperately wanted to hear him say for what now feels like my entire life.

"I love you, Yuna."

This causes me to stop. I don't turn to look at him. I just stare straight ahead and the elevator. Then, I turn to him sharply, almost angrily.

"How can you say that to me?" I demand, my voice sounding almost hoarse. "You don't even know me."

I expect Tidus to look taken aback or even angry at this outburst, but he stands firm, his eyes rooted on mine.

"I know," he says. "I know I barely know you. But I know how I feel, Yuna. And I know you feel the same way."

I want to turn back to the elevator and walk away with my back to him the entire time, but I know my resolve is completely gone. Because I know, deep down inside, that Tidus is right. That I love him and I always have loved him and I always will love him.

And I also know that I'm lying when I say I'll never forgive myself if I give him a second chance. I'll never forgive myself if I don't give him another chance.

"So, if I told you I'd give you a second chance," I say, taking a deep breath as I speak, "what will you do?"

I know Tidus doesn't have to think hard before he takes a step towards me and says, "This."

And he kisses me.

We kiss so long and passionately that when we finally separate I feel a little flustered. He takes my hand gently in his and says, "Will you let me buy you dinner before you leave?"

I rarely ever curse, but I know the word that went through my mind when he mentioned me leaving was definitely "Shit."

"Well, remember how I said I was going to get on an earlier train? Maybe I can make that a later train?"

Tidus wraps his arms casually around my waist and says, "That sounds like a good idea."

There's a part of me that wants to tell him not to get too comfortable. I even want to explain to him that maybe it would be best if we kept a safe distance between us. But honestly, I couldn't help but feel as though maybe we were at a safe distance. As much as I wanted to deny it, everything suddenly feels… well… right.

"So we're, we're back where we should have been from the beginning, right?" Tidus asks then.

I look at him, suddenly conscious that my laptop bag is still around my neck, my purse still hanging loosely on my arm, and my hand still daintily around the handle to my suitcase. I suddenly remember how I felt when I first arrived in Zanarkand for the summer, staring at the large, grand blitzball arena in front of me. I had done this internship for one purpose—to make Tidus mine. And now, with the summer coming to a fast close, it appeared as though I finally had everything I'd come for.

"Yeah, I guess we are back where we should have been from the beginning," I say. And with that, I release the handle of my suitcase and kiss Tidus again.

Aaaaand, that's the end. I'm not gonna lie, the only reason I had Yuna end up with Tidus was because that was the original plan when I started this novel. Because, at the time, Tidus was kind of loosely based off of a real guy, you know, and at the time, I REALLY BELIEVED that NO MATTER WHAT, Yuna would always ONLY be in love with Tidus. So I went ahead and went with that storyline and made her get her little happy ending with Tidus. BUT, if I were to write this as a novel, she would probably end up with Baralai. He's the only nice guy, right? BUUUUT, my personal favorite, was Cetan. Even though Cetan is such an awful guy. He was my favorite character to write!

Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed this story and all my other stories. I'd love to hear from you all~! AND, just for one last reminder, don't forget to PM me your e-mail address if you'd like to read the novelized Combined Yards and its sequel. I promise to have those sent out before the end of the year.

THANK YOU EVERYBODY!