A/N Finally have Word again, Yeah! I've been working to edit (not change) the earlier chapters of those annoying mistakes, and hoping not to create more in the process. Looks around, dang. Anywaz.

About the title, well, I have to admit I was beginning to wonder too, even thought of re-naming it, more than once, but I have an idea of future events, and will tie some in. But not yet. Thanks for the reviews. Sorry if the title was mis-leading, but I will tie some events in later. But things might get complicated, so it may take me a little bit to decide exactly what should happen next.

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Chapter 10

Baralia made a fire at the edge of Zanarkand. The only think keeping the two company were the monkeys. Paine looked up at the boy, his silver hair flowing slightly in the wind, his dark eyes, his soft tanned face, he was really cute.

P: "Baralai,"

He turned her attention to her.

P: "Where did you get this sphere?"

He gave her a soft smile, "I found it. I wasn't supposed to be in there, but something shiny caught my eye. It sounded interesting so I held onto it for a while. After I met you, it only seemed right to give it to you."

Baralia looked down at Paine, the fire was glowing against her skin, the leather she wore traced every curve she had, and her red eyes were amazing.

B: "Have you found anything?"

P: "Nothing." "I was so busy trying to figure out what happened when you went into that cave, I nearly forgot about it."

Baralia shrugged, "I'm glad that's over with," he sat next to her.

Paine played the sphere. Nothing could be seen it was dark and the person must have been behind the sphere, but there was a voice that was rather deep who began speaking,

(Man in sphere)

"I don't know if I'll make it back from my journey. I want to defeat Sin, so that you and all of Spira can live in peace."
"Last I heard you were in the care of Bevelle Temple. I'm sure they told you that your parents were killed by Sin, you mother was . . ." (his voice trailed off)
"but I'm not dead yet."
"Yevon likes to hide the truth, because you're my girl, I'm sure you'll learn this for yourself."
"However, I would be surprised if you ever get a hold of this."
"I was thrown out of the temples when I refused to marry your mother. She was pregnant and the temples were furious with me. If I would go ahead and marry her it would avoid a commotion."
"I loved that woman, but I wanted to protect her, and you, from Sin."
"So instead of marrying I journeyed."
"If I make it back alive I'll come looking for you."
"Your mother's last request was that I chose a name. I chose Paine," he gave a chuckle.

"You should've seen the look she gave me, That's not a proper name for a girl . . . "

"She didn't seem too happy with my choice, so I explained it to her,"

"If she's anything like me, when she has to face combat she will cause Pain to her enemies. My girl will be strong."

"She smiled at me then and gave a nice response - If it's a boy, I'll choose the name."

He paused . . .

"I never saw her again."

Another rough male voice is heard, "Hey are you talking to yourself, I thought you were asleep, your not drunk are you, I don't have any to be sharing . ."

"I don't drink and you shouldn't either, Your going to cause trouble."

The sphere was over.

P: "The only clue I have and hardly a clue at all." "It's funny how much you think you know, and then suddenly, one simple sphere changes everything."

Baralia wrapped his arm around her bare shoulders, "I know, it wasn't until I met you that things seem to calm down for me." He kissed her forehead; she leaned into him and rested on his shoulder. Remembering the past,

(A/N) Flashback time.

Paine's POV

I had been in the care of the temple for some time. Orphaned, and told my parents had been killed by Sin. I was a bit of a trouble maker and I'm sure the maestors were ready to see me leave.

Kinoc approached me. "I have a special project for you Paine; it will give you a chance to get out for a while."

I was glad to hear, it had been a while since I had any excitement, and I was getting bored.

Kinoc: "The Crusaders need guidance, and we intend to give it to them."

Paine: "But I thought the Crusaders denied the teachings, therefore, you would have nothing to do with them."

Kinoc: "That's true, but if we can send out a squad to unite the Crusaders with the temples, we believe the people will have a new hope again. We already know that we must rely on the summoners, but people need to know that we are making a stand as well. The Crusaders will be able to help him with that."

Paine: "So, want you really want is to Use the Crusaders?"

Kinoc: Ignoring her statement, he went on. "This is your mission; I want you to accompany Nooj. I want you to record his actions. Stay with his group. He is a leader amongst the Crusaders and will be interesting to watch."

Paine: "Interesting, or do you just want to keep an eye on him?"

Kinoc: "You ask too many questions, Paine, accept the mission or don't, It's up to you."

Paine, "Well, then, I see you've grown tired of me, I'll accept. I will Record his actions so that you can keep an eye on him."

Kinoc: "May Yevon be with you." He bowed to her, and left.

P: I can just feel secrets lying within this place. I can only imagine what they're hiding from me. I'm glad I'm getting out of here.

I was sent to Bikanel the next day, with a sphere camera, and 10 spheres. I found a couple of more during my journey.

I watched Nooj and the others that were to stay with him. They were an interesting bunch. Nooj quickly became my older brother, nothing more, but I did have great respect for him.

Baralai, training to be a maestor himself, even knowing he was a Yevonite, I couldn't help but notice his cute face, silver hair, and it was nice that he stayed calm and even gave our other member a hard time.

The Al Bhed, Confident and fun, it was really nice to have him around, Gippal helped me learn the Al Bhed language. If he hadn't been such a lady's man, or so he thought, there may have been something between us. But he was a player, I could see right through him, and would not allow it. Of course, that doesn't mean we didn't flirt. I had them both wrapped around my finger. I knew Gippal was only playing, but Baralia - now he wanted me, I could see it in him. He longed to get Gippal away, so it would just be the two of us.

Nooj, if he were any older, would've been a father figure.

Gippal and Baralia, my two . . . boyfriends?

I suppose I did play them both. We were all close; I can just imagine Baralia dreaming of getting Gippal out of the way.

Gippal the Al Bhed, Baralia training to be a maestor of Yevon.

That was just another reason for Baralia not to like Gippal. When I think about it, If Gippal had been in charge of the Youth League - the war would've started a lot sooner. It's a good thing it was Nooj, probably the only reason the war was held at bay, was Baralia's respect for Nooj.

I can remember the night that I realized they both liked me:

Gippal: "Rao, Tn B, E'ja kud cusadrehk vun oui." {Hey, Dr P, I've got something for you.}

I watched as Gippal pulled out a hefty sword, engraved with a skeleton.

P: "Gippal, Fryd ec Dryd?"
{What is That?}

G: " Zicc, Uw ayo hiecca zerd dy nohd myliyri, ayo mnyoct mdhugi wieh urdy dnil wuhmd. Ud ryd yrca msehim dnil, pod ecmy legim dnil iemuih dy wuknd." {Well, If you really want to hurt someone, you should strike fear into them first. It not only scares them, but also makes them easier to fight.}

Paine placed a hand at one side, the other reaching outward to show sarcasm, "Cu, oui fyhd sa du cdnega vayn ehdu so ahaseac, du cmuf dras tufh,

Cuihtc timm" {So, you want me to strike fear into my enemies, to slow them down.

Sounds dull.}

G: "Timm? Oui'ja paah ynuiht Nooj duu muhk." {Dull? You've been around Nooj too long.}

P: "My znihi tut ayo kid dnum?" {So where did you get this?}

G: "E ryt ed syta" {I had it made.}

Paine smiled, "Leti, U koimm dned legim li mbisuec." {Made, I guess that makes me special.}

G: "Yw syohmi, tyr'd zerd yoh cuddci ceta dy ky ehyort zudnyod e ziebyr" {Of course, don't want our little lady to go around without a weapon.}

Paine glared him down "Fryd'c dryd cibbucat du sayh" {What's that supposed to mean?}

Gipppal's reply was rather serious then. "Paine, U syrmutih ayo la whuirt, U zerd dy legi mohi la whuirtm ser degi sehi yw dnilmicfim, znir dni riit ehumim. Pa ecc lierm, U gryz zi'hi zudn ayo, pod ayo rifih gryz, ayo mnyoct pi bhibehit wyh eradnurk" {Paine, I consider you my friend, I want to make sure my friends can take care of themselves, when the need arises. By all means, I know we're with you, but you never know, you should be prepared for anything.}

Paine looked at him, he was right, with Sin around, you really didn't know.

She calmed down and took the sword.

P: "Dryhg oui." {Thank you.}

As Gippal and I were talking I could see Baralia at the top of the stairs watching us. Probably trying to figure out exactly what we were saying. I think that was when I realized that He DID feel something for me.

P: "Gippal, Nefi ayo ifih cyfit erayri?" {Have you ever loved anyone?}

Gippal scratched his head, "Yna oui eh muja?" {Are you in love?}

P: "Hu oui sunuh, E fyc zicd ycgehk." {No you moron, I was just asking.}

G: "Duilro, oac, uhla du y kenm hysat Rikku." {Touchy, yes, once to a girl named Rikku.}

He quickly let out his next statement, obviously trying to change the subject .

"E drehg drana'c cusauha ynuiht rana fru ryc aoac vun oui." {I think there's someone around here who has eyes for you.}

He slightly nodded to the silver head boy who was now walking away from them.

Paine shrugged.

G: "Famm, Ev ra tuach'd drah E tu." {Well, If he doesn't then I do.}

P: "Ys E caluhtc huf?" {Am I seconds now?}

G: " Hu, E zicd drehg dryd oui ryjah'd taletat padfaah ic oad, cu E fyc dnoehk du keja oui desa du taleta." {No, I just think that you haven't decided between us yet, so I was trying to give you time to decide.}

Paine gave him an angry stare again, "Fryd sygac oui drehg dryd?" {What makes you think that?}

G: "Ouin hud yc rynt du nayt yc oui drehg." He smiled. {Your not as hard to read as you think.}

P: "Ouin milgo E tuh'd ica drec cfunt uh oui." {Your lucky I don't use this sword on you."} She glared at him.

G: "E'mm keja oui cusa bnyldela desa mydan." {I'll give you some practice time later.} He winked at her.

I angrily left him there, even though he was probably right.

Later that night, Baralia found me, alone, on purpose I'm sure.

B: "Mind if I join you?"

His calm state seemed a bit off that night.

I smiled at him, "Sure, have a seat."

B: "I want to give you something."

P: "Well, you guys are just full of surprises today.

I'm sure I saw him flinch when the word guys slipped off of my tongue. I didn't mean to offend him.

He pulled out a necklace, and unclasped the chain; I reached out to him, so that he could place it on me. His arms reached around me, I noticed his smell then, it was so sweet, he had been using cologne, which was more proof he was up to something, he clasped the necklace, but he stayed there, I could feel his warmth, his breath against my neck, all he had to do was place his lips against my neck and at that moment, I truly wanted him to, but

"Hey, you two, what's up?" Gippal showed up.

Baralai pulled away from me, keeping himself calm, but I could tell he was frustrated, He had let his chance slip by.

B: "Gippal, How are you."

G: "Nooj wants to talk to us, about the special project for tomorrow."

Gippal turned to me: "Tet E ehdannibd cusadrehk?" {Did I interrupt something?}

P: "Banrybc." {Perhaps.} I shrugged at him, I too, was a little frustrated that Baralia did not take his chance. "Fa cruimt ku." {We should go.}

I soon lost them, all of them.

I was surprised to find Baralai well, and soon Gippal and Nooj, with Yuna and Rikku at my side. To find them unharmed was a shock, but confusion took over, and I felt angry. Still trying to figure out what had happened before now. Looking for my past.

The night I stayed with Baralia I longed to ask him about that time, but didn't dare to interrupt our time together, and neither did he. We went the entire night without even mentioning it. When I went to leave, he handed me this sphere, said I should watch it.

(A/N) Flashback Over.

Baralai: Paine? You seem lost in thought.

P: "I'm glad to have you back." She lay on him and he wrapped his arms around her.