Chapter 7: Dissident

The study was dark and quiet, except for the deep relaxed breathing of the two that occupied the floor in front of the fireplace. An old, fleece blanket covered them barely, but the warmth from the dying embers was enough to make them comfortable. As if there was an internal alarm clock inside her, Rikku opened her eyes cautiously and she blinked them, looking around wearily, clocking her surroundings.

She felt safe, a hand cradled her delicately, and her face was resting against a firm, but inviting surface that smelled like a subtle blend of citrus and eucalyptus, with woodsy and leather notes: very manly. She raised her head slowly and glanced at her body pillow recognizing it as Baralai. He lay on his back, his head facing the ceiling as he slept; a look of contentment draped across his tawny face and his hair was resting against his head, unlike the usual straight up manner in which he always wore it.

Rikku curled up onto her knees and put her hands to the floor, lifting herself quietly as to not disturb the sleeping praetor next to her. Even though they enjoyed talking and spending time together, the night before proved hard for Baralai as he revealed to Rikku he was still very much in love with Paine and that he wasn't sure he could live without her.

It was probably the amount of red wine he consumed, for he enjoyed his signature drink immensely. Alcohol can bring out the most intense of emotions in anybody, including a man who isn't used to sharing such feelings with anyone as Baralai was. As her thoughts traced backward to the previous night, she agreed with herself that she handled the situation with the utmost finesse, helping him to calm down and let his capacity to respond emotionally release him from the bonds that held him mercilessly.

---Flashback to the night before---

"I won't be the same without her Rikku." He said shaky as he sat there, his knees brought up to his chest, his arms encircling them in a protective manner. Rikku just stared at him sympathetically, putting her arm to his shoulder. The light from the fire reflected in the streaks that trailed down Baralai's face from crying so much that night. She rested her head on his shoulder now, trying somehow to make him realize that she was there for him and he would be all right.

"It's ok, Baralai" she assured, "It's only natural for you to feel this way, you were with her for a long time. If you just ignore what you're feeling you'll never heal properly." She felt his hands release themselves from his knees and wipe his face; he pinched his nose trying to eliminate the pressure that formed between his eyes that made his head pound.

"I'm sorry." He said apologetically, heaving a sigh and looking over in her direction. Her face was comforting, he could sense that she cared and wanted to try to alleviate any hurt he was feeling. Baralai smiled at her and he put a hand to her arm, gripping it firmly. Rikku shook her head at him and returned the smile, cocking her head.

"No need to apologize, you've done nothing wrong." Rikku said nicely. He looked at her, shame shining in his fawn colored eyes.

"Here we are enjoying a perfectly good night, we made a pact to forget and move on, yet I'm here bawling like a newborn baby." Baralai whined feeling embarrassed by his behavior. Rikku didn't care, that's what she was there for, to be a rock for him if he needed her, and him for her in the same way.

---End flashback---

As Rikku stood above him, she was worried that he wouldn't be able to handle being alone, but on the other foot, she needed to get home to finish the mess she'd made in her living room the day before. The marble floor felt cold on her bare feet as she made her way to his oak desk that was in the corner of the study. She could tell it was morning by the golden lining of light that bordered the beige curtains on the windows. Seating herself down in the leather desk chair, she adjusted it to her liking and grabbed a piece of paper from the drawer and a pen from the mug that was in front of her. She began to write, in hopes that this would help him to truly understand he wasn't alone and he will overcome the emotions that won't leave him be. Minutes later she grabbed an envelope out of the box and stuffed the note in it, licking the perimeter of it.

Putting his name on the envelope she carried it with her to his kitchen. The sun took over the living room and kitchen and her eyes had trouble at first soaking in all the light. She walked into the kitchen and set the envelope on the counter with a glass of water and some aspirin, just like he gave to her the first night they met up. Rikku decided to fix herself a cup of coffee before she left, it would help her to wake up and get her day started. She heard something that sounded like a motor from a hover pulling up to the house and turning off. Dismissing it as just a neighbor, she sat at his table and drank her coffee reading the 'Kilika Daily News' intently.

As Gippal pulled up to Baralai's house he spotted a familiar cherry red hover roadster parked behind Baralai's black one in his driveway. He frowned, not accepting the scene in front of him.

Meanwhile, Rikku glanced back toward Baralai's front yard again, this time seeing Gippal's hover parked by the curb. She too could not believe the sight she was seeing.

As if in perfect harmony performing a magical duet of disbelief, the two spoke at the exact same time:

"What in Spira is SHE doing here?" "What in Spira is HE doing here?"

A/N: Ok…this took on a different direction than I planned, sorry, I guess the next chapter will have Gippal and Baralai in it. For now- there is this, and I know its short, but it's necessary.