A/N: I'm really sorry that this hasn't been updated in a while. But I've been really busy with birthday parties, family reunions, and graduation parties, so writing hasn't been something I've been able to do. But now I'm gonna sit down and write the next chapter. Don't forget to review!!

Responses to Reviewers

The Jack of Spades - Thank you for the great review. And I'll make an attempt to make the chapters longer, okay? Thanks for pointing that out!

Saturday, August 4th, 2003

8:11 am

Besaid Police Department; Chief Officer Gregory Walter's office

Greg shook his head as he turned towards the window behind his desk. He knew it would be a bad idea. He just knew it. But of course, he was swayed to go against his gut feeling. It wasn't the first time, but it would certainly be the last.

Rikku, who was seated in a rather uncomfortable chair on the other side of Greg's desk, watched him carefully. "Greg?"

He jumped at the feminine voice. He had almost forgotten she was even there. He turned back around and looked into her jade eyes. "Look, I really think it would be best if you resigned from Mr. Tidus's case. There's really no getting through to him."

Rikku's eyes widened and she rocketed out of her seat. "That isn't true! I was so getting through to him!" She winced inside at her immaturity. I was so getting through to him? What am I, five?

Greg was quick to reply. "Rikku, this isn't a game. I can't help but feel you're too young and inexperienced to be interrogating someone this sick anyway."

Rikku raised an eyebrow. "How do you expect me to get the experience I need if you don't let me try?"

This time, Greg was at a loss for words.

She tossed her blonde locks aside. "That's what I thought."

"I'm sorry if I offended you, Rikku. This guy is just really pissing me off. No one can get him to make any sense."

"If you let me go back out there, I know I can get through to him. Just give me some time. You can't rush these things."

Rikku's eyes looked deep into Greg's. Her eyes reflected the same amount of knowledge that were in his elder orbs. He saw that for the first time. She was definitely wise beyond her years. He sighed and submitted to her desperation. "Fine. But don't come crying to me when he shuts you out too."

Rikku smiled a little. "Trust me. I can do this. Just give me a chance."

Greg smiled back. He still wasn't fully sure about Rikku's abilities, but he was willing to let her try a second time at the least.

Saturday, August 4th, 2003

8:22 am

Besaid Police Department; hall

Rikku stepped outside Greg's office, glad that she had gotten her way. She turned and began heading for the door, but a male's voice calling her name caused her to turn back around.

She saw an unfamiliar man walking towards her. He has messy dirty blonde hair, and wore a police officer's uniform. Obviously, he was on the force. And obviously, he knew who she was. But she certainly didn't know him.

He made his way towards her, flashing her a small smile. "Rikku… right?"

She nodded. "I'm Rikku. And who might you be?" It was easy to see she was annoyed by not knowing who he was.

"Officer Mitch Langry. I'm on the Ghost Case."

Rikku's brow furrowed. "The Ghost?" She thought for a moment. "Oh, you must mean Tidus."

Mitch nodded. "Right. Tidus." He cleared his throat. "Anyway, I was just curious to see how things are going with him. You did get to talk to him didn't you?"

"Yes, I talked to him. But it's confidential. Only Greg sees my report." She turned and began heading for the exit again. This time, Mitch followed and walked beside her.

"Come on, Rik. I'm on the case too. Besides, Greg will probably end up telling me anyway."

Rikku stopped and looked at him incredulously. "No one calls me that. My name is Rikku. And if you and Greg are so buddy-buddy, why don't you ask him yourself?" She started walking again for the third time, hoping Mitch would take the hint that she didn't want to be bothered.

He didn't.

He put a hand on her shoulder to stop her. She spun around, glaring at him furiously. "I'm sorry… Rikku. I just really care about this case. That's all. And why would I want an old geezer telling me when I could be told by a beautiful girl like you?"

He grinned, but she didn't so much as crack a smirk. "Is that supposed to be a line?"

"Does it sound like one?"

"Yes."

Mitch sighed. "I'm only gonna ask you one more time. Will you please tell me what's going on with him?"

"I'm only going to tell you one more time then. No."

Saturday, August 4th, 2003

11:24 am

Besaid Criminal Asylum; cell block 8-C

As Rikku made her way towards Tidus's cell, she thought about how she'd acted with Mitch. Was she overreacting? Should she have just told him what she and Tidus talked about? She couldn't understand the difference in her personality before she came onto the case, and now that she was on it. She wasn't that same fun-loving, flirtatious, carefree girl anymore. She was so serious all the time. She didn't know if that was good or bad.

She stood in front of his cell. He appeared to be napping, but just as she was about to call his name, his eyes sprung open. A grin developed on his face. "You again."

She nodded. "Care to pick up where we left off yesterday, Tidus?"

He stood and sat at the bottom of the bed, facing her. "Of course, of course. Let's get right down to business."

Good, she thought. I don't wanna have to wrestle him to cooperate, like some people I know…

"So I asked you… what makes someone worthy in your eyes?"

Tidus rolled the words around in his mind. "You know… I don't know."

Rikku rolled her eyes. Looked like he was going to be difficult after all. "Yes you do. You know very well. You just want to be difficult."

He shook his head. "No, no. I really don't. I just look at them, and I know I can trust them."

Rikku decided to take a shot in the dark. "Do you feel you can trust me Tidus?"

His eyes darkened. "Do you trust me?"

She was taken back by the response she received. "I… I don't know."

He shrugged. "Then I don't know if I can trust you."

Dammit…

"We'll move on then. What about your childhood?"

Tidus chuckled. "Just like in the movies. Do you have to ask about that or something?"

"I know it's cliché, but yes, I'd like to know."

"You'd like to know… Well what if I don't want to tell you?"

Rikku sighed. "Tidus…"

He slammed his fist against the wall, looking at the new wound on his tan hand. He smiled, but it was an unhappy smile. Rikku saw that, but because of his violent outburst, didn't ask about it.

"I want you to go," came his quiet voice, low and quivering.

"Tidus, I'm not leaving until we talk some more."

He turned to her, looking her square in the face. "I don't feel like talking to you anymore."

Rikku kept her anxiety at bay. She didn't want to show it, but she was suddenly very afraid. "Tidus…"

"No!" he shouted, squeezing his eyes shut and gripping his skull. "Leave me alone Dad…"