A/N: Thank you everyone for your reviews as said in the previous chapter, I really appreciate them.

Chapter 4: Overs

"Damn sun, doesn't it ever give up?" Paine grumbled to herself, her hand outstretched to her face blocking the blinding light from her eyes in annoyance. Her black boots clumped on the wooden planks loudly, birds standing on the pier scattered to the cloudless sky nervously from the disturbance. Usually she was rather ecstatic arriving in Kilika, but today she was dreading this visit like a trip to the gynecologist. She was here to tell Baralai about her and Gippal and break the news that it was over between them. Paine wasn't sure exactly how she was going to do that, but she knew she delayed too much already and time was of the essence.

Since the sun was so unrelenting, Paine walked with her head down, staring at her feet. Anxious about her visit with Baralai, she wasn't paying attention to where she was walking. She was lost in thought, that is, until she heard an all too familiar voice squealing from in front of her. Knowing who it was, she was reluctant to lift her head up to face her. After all, she'd hurt her too. This new relationship seemed to affect everybody. "One person at a time." She muttered, lifting her head up to face Rikku.

Rikku had her hands to her hips, something she seemed to do more out of habit than actual anger. Who could blame her? She had many people that made her angry in her life daily, such as Brother, Cid and constantly Gippal. There was no breeze in the air, her hair sat still against her back, brushing the bareness of it lightly only when she moved. She glared at Paine, feeling the rage bubbling in her veins, pulsing her wrists causing fists to form and clench tightly as she moved them to her sides. This was it; she was facing the cause of her hangover. Rikku wouldn't admit it was herself that was really responsible for it, but she reasoned with herself that if Gippal didn't break up with her, she'd be fine.

The two stood yards away from each other as if they were to duel the old fashioned way, with pistols. They used to fight side by side, as allies and friends that would die for one another. Now they weren't sure where they stood as one eyed the other awkwardly. Rikku marched up to Paine and stopped just in front of her, folding her arms to her chest, continuing to beat into her with her eyes.

"Paine, you have some explaining to do." Rikku demanded, wrinkling her nose and kicking the dock. Paine rolled her eyes and sighed. She wasn't proud of what she had done, and it bothered her that Rikku was so hurt because of her.

"I don't know what to say." Paine expressed, a hand thrown up in frustration. She really didn't know what to tell her friend, she didn't even know what she was going to tell Baralai. "I'm sorry. Things happen, and it wasn't intentional. I wouldn't betray you deliberately, that's all I need you to know." Paine couldn't look at Rikku but she could feel her eyes burning into her mercilessly. What she said was just so lame, but the right words were hard to come by at the moment.

Rikku turned around and took a few steps away from Paine, her arms still folded, and she lowered her head dejected. "You were my best friend Paine, how could you do this to me?" She asked in a low, saddened tone. "Did you even think what this would do to me; or Baralai for that matter? I thought you acted with your head, not the space between your legs. I'm really disappointed in you." She wiped tears from her cheeks, still not facing the warrior. Paine was really hurt by the last comment; it wasn't like Rikku to talk like that, especially to her.

"Come on, you know I'm not like that." Paine scoffed. "That was a low blow, even for you, Rikku. Maybe if you would have grown up a little, Gippal would have never come to me in the first place." Paine herself turned around, facing the water. They were now back-to-back, like bookends, holding up the anger and the hurt between them.

Rikku gasped in shock at Paine's reply.

"I am so sick of you people insinuating I'm immature!" She screamed, her face turning red; she turned around, thrusting her arms downward with resisted hostility. "This is not my fault! I refuse to be the patsy for you and Gippal! I suppose you're going to blame Baralai for this too! He loved you Paine and this is how you repay that love? You're pathetic." Rikku was going to wait for a reply, but instead she walked passed her to the boat departing Kilika.

"I'm outta here. Good luck breaking the news to Baralai. FYI he's already pretty upset that he had to find out from me, so go easy on him. I hope you have a better explanation for him than you had for me." She hopped onto the boat, it rocked side to side from her impact and she headed to the front, leaving Paine to stand there speechless in her wake.

The boat departed and Rikku sat on a bench, the water splashing against the sides causing little mists to hit her face like that from a spray bottle. She looked out into the sea; tears made their way down her cheeks again. She didn't think she had any left, what with all the crying she'd done yesterday alone. Rikku regretted the things she said to Paine, but she knew she was just in her actions, she would never say such things if she wasn't provoked. Did everyone really think she was so immature? It really bothered her. She was twenty-one, she thought she'd grown up; maybe she was the only one that thought that. She couldn't be that delusional, even if she was a blonde.

--Meanwhile, on the dock—

Paine was still reeling from what Rikku said to her. Her hands were sweaty in her gloves; she took them off and wiped her hands on her shorts. As upset as she was at Rikku, she knew she had a point. Paine never really gave Rikku much credit for anything and she figured Rikku had finally had enough. Fighting tears of her own, she spun around and headed towards Baralai's house. "Round two." She thought as she strode through the town, her stomach was in knots already and this last battle took a lot out of her. Walking up the stony path leading to Baralai's home, she breathed deeply and put a fist to the door, knocking five times against its wooden surface. Paine waited for him to answer, playing with her nails uncomfortably.

Baralai was in his study, sitting in his favorite leather armchair. He held a picture of Him, Gippal, Nooj and Paine from their squad days. He eyed Gippal and Paine suspiciously, wondering if something was going on way back then. So many things plagued him relentlessly, driving him crazy. The air was still, the curtains were drawn and the silver sconces hanging from the brick wall in front of him lighted the room softly. His thoughts were interrupted when he heard the faint knocks coming from his front door. He stood up and feelings of distress swam over him. He could sense it was Paine and the moment he was dreading was fast approaching. He left the study and headed down the hallway to the living room. Putting his hand to the doorknob, Baralai sighed heavily before opening the door.

Paine stood there, her once erect, perfect posture was wilted; she felt her heart pounding so hard and loud it could wake the dead. Baralai looked her up and down, coldness was evident in his gaze. Opening the door all the way, he leaned against it as Paine walked passed him and sat down on the couch. He closed the door and sat across from her in the recliner.

"I guess you know why I'm here." Paine began, shifting uneasily in her seat, crossing her ankles in front of her. She didn't look at him. She couldn't. It was hard enough being there as it was. Baralai leaned his elbow against the arm of the chair, continuing to eye her without faltering.

"So…" Baralai started, leaning in towards her, his elbows now to his knees. "You want to tell me why? Was I not good enough?" His voice was so cold and unforgiving, so unparallel to his usual calm, loving tone. The iciness was piercing her heart, and she started to cry. She put her hands to her face and wept as he sat there, trying to keep it together as well. He hated more than anything to see her cry, even if she was the reason for her tears and not him. He had to fight the urge to comfort her though because she didn't deserve any remorse. Minutes later, she wiped her face and stared him in the eyes. She felt no compassion from him, not that she really was expecting any. It was just hard to be on his bad side, this hurt more than being wounded by a mega Ton Berry in the 'Via Infinito.'

"Baralai I'm sorry. It wasn't my intention to hurt you. Things just happened so fast, I really have no excuse." Paine stood up and walked toward the window, moving the velvet curtains aside as she stared outside. The town was oblivious to the events going on between them in the house. Baralai got up as well and headed to the window and standing behind her he put a hand to the back of his neck.

"But you did hurt me, you know? I thought you loved me." He said sadly, choking a little with the last sentence. She quick turned around until they were face to face.

"I did…I still do." She replied. "I didn't just turn off my feelings for you. I'm not that heartless. Gippal feels horrible about this as well. I shudder to think what this is going to do to the four of us now." Paine went to grab his shoulders but he retracted angrily and went to sit back down. Her touching him would've driven him mad with longing for her and he needed to focus.

"You guys obviously didn't think about that when you hooked up." He replied, sinking back into the armchair and crossing his legs. "I wish you would've told me first, maybe I wouldn't be so mad about it now. How long has this been going on?" Baralai was afraid of that answer. He'd hoped not for too long because then he wouldn't feel so stupid for not seeing the signs sooner.

"Two weeks." She blurted, looking to the wooden floor at her boots. He exhaled relieved that it wasn't that long. Paine's comm. Sphere began to ring. She pulled it out of her pocket and looked to see who it was. Baralai looked at her; he knew.

"It's him, huh?" he guessed. She nodded her head. "Go ahead, you can answer it." He sighed annoyed at the interruption. Paine walked outside and clicked her sphere on. An inaudible conversation ensued as Baralai waited inside. He was trembling as sadness took him over. After a brief moment, she came back in, putting the sphere back into her pocket. He looked at her questionably.

"You have to go?" he asked, standing up. She swallowed hard and looked at him sadly.

"Yeah, but I don't have to if we're not done here." Paine answered, pausing for his response. He shook his head and walked toward the door.

"No, you can go. I guess we're done here." He leaned his back to the door again, and Paine walked by him, brushing slightly against his chest. He grabbed her arm and pulled her to him. She looked at him confused, tears once again finding their way down her face. For a moment his gaze was like it used to be, full of compassion and love. He offered a half assed smile. Taking advantage of the situation she swung her arms around him and buried her head into his chest. He let a few tears of his own escape as he lifted his arms to hold her as well. In that instant, things seemed like they used to be, when the two of them was all they needed.

They separated and Baralai put a hand to her cheek, caressing it gently for one last time. "I'm sorry I couldn't be who you wanted me to be. I hope you'll be happy." He said, shifting his gaze to the floor. She turned around and headed out the door hastily.

"Oh, Baralai." She sobbed, overwhelmed by her emotions. "I was never unhappy with who you were, it was all me. I never expected you to be anyone but yourself. Take care." Paine headed down his walkway, trying to stifle her tears. He watched her walk back to the pier where the departing boats were docked. She was gone from his life like that and there was nothing he could do about it. Rikku's words held fast in the back of his mind.

"Don't do anything rash, be strong." He stood in the center of his living room fidgeting anxiously once again. He was afraid he was going to explode and he didn't know what to do. Baralai went to the kitchen and picked up his comm. Sphere. He dialed quickly and waited as the other end rang once…twice…third time…click. A voice happened at the other end of the line.

"Hello?" the voice said. Baralai cleared his throat nervously.

"Could you come over here? I could really use a friend right about now, I fear I'm going to do something bad if I stay here alone." He asked, praying his request would be honored. The voice spoke again.

"Sure, I'll be over in ten. Hang in there till then." The voice replied and hung up the sphere.