A/N: Here's chapter two. It is decidedly shorter than chapter one, because I feel that I can write better with shorter chapters. ^_^;; Bear with me, and any criticism is accepted, if not welcome.

Disclaimer: I knew I loved the people over at Squaresoft for a reason. The own my soul. Therefore, I do not own the characters in this. Plot, I feel, is mine, and the last names belong to people I know, but other than that… Besides, there's a reason they call this fanfiction. ^_^;;;

Question

"…when we're knocking at the door…"

Wakka could hear the pounding of footsteps from his position on Rikku's front porch. Seconds later his younger friend stood before him, panting and slightly flushed. He thought it made her look cuter.

"Hi Wakka," she gasped, standing aside to let him in. It had been two weeks since Rikku had arrived, and already she and Wakka were paired up for a project in Chem.

"We can work in my room," she said cheerfully as she led him up the stairs. Once there, Rikku sat on the bed and Wakka pulled up the chair from the computer desk, and the two young people set to work. The assignment was relatively simple: a brief study of exactly why acids were corrosive. The report was not difficult, although it did require the help of a few web sites.

Rikku paused in her work, lying flat on her back in a stretch. Wakka chose that moment to turn from the computer to her, his mouth open with a question. What he saw left him nearly speechless. The girl had taken off her sweatshirt, and in her stretch the tank top she beneath was creeping slowly up her midriff. He was brought out of his hormone-induced thoughts when he saw the small, nearly insignificant tattoo just below her left ribcage. He leaned over to her.

"Rikku, what's this?" Wakka lightly touched the tattoo as he asked. Rikku froze for a brief moment before shooting upward into a sitting position, nearly hitting Wakka's head with her own. Wakka pulled back his hand, somewhat startled.

Rikku bowed her head for a moment before replying. "It's a…gift, of sorts." Her voice was soft and her eyes distant. "It's the Japanese word yume, or dream." She gave a short, bitter laugh.

"What do you mean, 'gift'?" Wakka asked. Rikku glanced up at him, her eyes almost frightened.

"My ex, he arranged for me to get it. I should have seen it sooner…" Rikku's voice trailed off.

"Seen what, Rikku?"

"That he was just a lying, cheating, horny bastard."

Wakka's eyes widened in surprised. "D'ya mean he tried to…?"

Again, a bitter laugh. "Yeah, he tried to get me to sleep with him. This," she gestured to the tattoo, "was part of my incentive. I'd wanted a tattoo for so long, and he arranged it for me. The Auron tried to get me in bed almost immediately after that… That's when I dumped him and asked my parents to transfer schools and move." Her eyes told him that there was more than that, but he didn't pressure her.

"Now," Rikku continued, her voice cheering up, "is there a reason you stopped work other than to pry into my past?" She grinned and winked at his slightly indignant expression.

"Ya, I was gonna ask your opinion on this site, but now…" he grinned wickedly at the lightly frightened look in her bright green eyes. Rikku made to run out of the room, but Wakka caught her quickly around the waist and held her tight against him. Rikku squirmed in his tanned arms, feeling decidedly uncomfortable.

"Wakka, please let me go." Rikku's voice had lost its levity and Wakka, startled, did as she asked.

"I-I'm sorry, Rikku," she stuttered, trying to apologize. She didn't sound right when she wasn't laughing, he thought. He didn't like to hear her like that.

"It's okay, Wakka." Rikku's voice was soft, her back slightly turned towards him. She took a deep, calming breath. When Wakka had held her like that, it had reminded her painfully of Auron, of the way he was so possessive of her. It frightened Rikku, and yet Wakka had felt safe. The situation was almost paradoxical.

Shoving those thoughts from her mind, Rikku smiled and turned to her friend. "Well, let's see what you found."

That night Wakka lay in bed. Sleep was long in coming as the teen's thoughts strayed to his newest friend. Rikku had such hidden depths to her. Wakka was sure what had really, really hurt her, but he hoped he could help her. They were confusing, his feelings for Rikku. She was so…different.

Wakka sighed. Wherever the Hell his thoughts and mind were wandering, he hoped they would eventually let him get some sleep.

TBC…

More A/N: Okay, first I would like to thank my wonderful reviewers:

That Cactuar Muse: I noticed that it doesn't matter if Wakka gets all three kills, just if they win the battle and are not someplace like the Zanarkand Ruins. That's his normal end-of-battle thing, like Tidus throwing his sword and such.

Vampirequeen02: Well, here's the second chapter, as requested. ^_~

Firestar9096: Thanks for the encouragement. ^_^

Evil Neko: You put me on your favorites list! Yay! ^_^ I'm glad you like the idea of the Rikku/Wakka AU. This story is the product of listening to the real song our marching band music was based on this year far too often. And please, if you see a grammar mistake, point it out for me. I'd like to know what I'm doing wrong! ^_^

Qui-ti: Nope, not abandoned, just had to write and then type it. I can't guarantee when chapter 3 will be out, seeing as how it's barely even started in my little notebook that goes with me at all times. ^_^;;

You guys rock my world! Second, I'll try to get chapter three out before too long, but I make no guarantees. And if you want an approximate timeline for this, chapter one takes place in late September, and chapter two two weeks later, so about mid October. Thanks for all the support, and please, I'll take any kind of comments for this, especially if you have any plot ideas. I have some, but I need to get there first. ^_^; Merry Christmas!