Author's notes: I'm soo sorry for the late updates... i'm so taking my time lol XD

I wrote another chapter!!! after suffering from a serious pain...(tooth ache...from eating Nougat..oO) and it still hurts!!!!

one more thing...

Tamelia: eheXD i bought my poster on this chinese store and one on this store called "animal world" where they sell Japanese/Korean toys and some anime merchandise and thanks for your offer!! i'd love too!! i'm so glad that you offered to a beta reader for me XD though... i don't know how to contact you, i mean, i can't find your e-mail add...oO; just tell me and i'll email you the next chapters okie tnx

DIsclaimer: I own a poster! XD but not Paine, nor Yuna nor RIkku nor any of the FFX-2 characters....

Chapter 5: thoughts... flashbacks...more thoughts

Today was their fourth day of stay in Bevelle. The girls have met almost everyone in Bevelle and has gotten along with them, well, no really in the case of Paine, who seems to just to mind her own business. You know her, straight to the point. Never dilly dallying. A knock from the door was heard that woke Yuna up. It was one of Baralai's attendants, serving their breakfast in bed. She explained that the Praetor Baralai wanted to apologize for not being there on breakfast for he has something to do. "I heard it has something to do with his documents of some sort, personal item I suppose?" That made Yuna turn to the sleeping Rikku. I have a hunch that Rikku knows what's he looking for thought Yuna as she smiled and gladly helped the attendant set their breakfast.

Rikku woke up from the smell of the sweet Bevellian food that was just brought by the attendant. Stretching, she said "good morning Yunie! what's for breakfast?" Yuna pointed at the tray of neatly arranged foods naming them one by one starting from the famous Bevellian Egg and Waffles (A/N just pretend) to the pancakes with maple syrup made from Macalania woods. As Yuna described them one by one, the more Rikku drooled over them. Paine stood up and picked up some waffles, poured in some syrup and sat herself on her bed. "ooh! Paine! that looks soo good don't you think?" Rikku stared at Paine's chosen foods and ran towards the tray to get one too. After having such a satisfying meal, they placed the tray near the door wherein the attendant can easily pick it up.

"Rikku... I think you caused Baralai a little trouble..." Yuna broke the silence.

"huh? what trouble? me...?"

"What did I tell you Rikku, behave when you're in someone else's place... minus hmm.. six respect points" Paine taunted as Rikku rose from her seat and walked to Yuna.

"Yunie...you serious? what trouble then?..."

There was a sudden knock on their door. Yuna stood up and opened it only to see three familiar faces. They are the 'former' candidates for the Crimson Squad who were now acting as the three leaders of Spira, Nooj, Baralai, and Gippal. Rikku ran up to the door to see who it was only to be teased again by her co-Al Bhed. "heiya Cid's girl, you up early, what a surprise" "how many time do I have to tell you, I have a name! it's R-I-K-K-U" she spelt her name, voicing each letter loud and clear. "still Cid's girl to me" Gippal gave her his Al Bhed smile with an addition of a wink that made Rikku froze up for a minute.

"Oh hi there Dr. P! not in the mood to greet us?" Gippal waved at the warrior who was sitting back there.

"what for, Rikku and Yuna already did the greetings" she said in her monotone voice

"same old Dr. P..."

"why are you here Gippal?" asked Rikku as they all went in and sat on the girl's bed.

"Baralai asked us to lend him a hand. He said he lost something really important. Turns out, he lost his wallet."

"oh..." was all Rikku's response as she walked to Yuna. "is that why I'm in trouble?" she whispered. Yuna just nodded.

"so, if any of you have any information about it, please let me know. I have some important things in there" Baralai said as he motioned his team mates to leave.

"see ya later girls" waved Gippal goodbye and the three men left.

"from the looks of you two, it seems that you know something about it..." Paine crossed her arms as she eyed the Yuna and Rikku. Yuna just smiled while Rikku stood up and tried to explain herself.

"well, uhmm... it's not like what you think..." Rikku started. "you see... uhmm... we don't know anything about it! right Yunie? right?" she elbowed Yuna into agreeing with her. Lucky for her, Yuna was fast to understand what Rikku's trying to say, and so, she nodded.

"whatever... I am still not convinced" She rolled her eyes and started walking to the bathroom. "I need some refreshments" she simply said, closing the bathroom door.

=...Inside the bathroom...=

Paine was undressing herself up, getting ready to take a shower when she heard Yuna and Rikku talking. She didn't intend to listen but their conversation seems to get her attention, and so, to hear clearly, she walked towards the door and lean forward.

"So maybe Baralai likes her!, that's a possibility..."

"Do you really think so? aww, that's so cute! I know they will make a cute couple"

"Just like you and Tidus!"

"and you and Gippal?"

"Yunie!... we are not a couple! you know I hate the guy..."

"right..."

Who is "she"? Baralai likes somebody? who?...it's not that I care... I'm just curious... yeah, that's it...curious. Paine looked at her reflection in the mirror as she thought about things. but who is she?... cute couple? as if... hmmph! am I jealous? No no no! I shouldn't be... She shook her head hard trying to convince herself that she's not, as she say 'jealous'. "I should rest it..." and with that, she entered the showers and took a nice long bath.

=...Baralai's office...=

The sun has just disappeared, and now the moon is shining just above the temple. Baralai is in his office alone, still working, doing some paperworks. His trusted friends, Gippal and Nooj has just left the temple for the night. They still haven't found Baralai's missing wallet. Baralai thought that it would do him good if he would keep himself busy instead of worrying his head off of finding his wallet.

"damn, how can I be so irresponsible? loosing something that important..." He cursed as he took a sip of his wine left by his attendants a while ago. "My ID's, important cards, calling cards, notes,..." he went on mentioning some of the important things in his wallet. "Paine's picture, the only picture I have of her..., I went through a lot of trouble just to get that" he chuckled as the memories of their squad days resurfaced.

=...Flashback...=

"May I take a picture of all of you...you know, for remembrance?" Baralai was holding a camera as he asked his comrades at dinner table. Nooj didn't say anything, or rather, didn't 'bother' to say anything while Gippal smiled and put a 'thumbs up' sign for approval. "sure Lai, just don't make thousands of copies of my photos and sell them on the black market... you know, I don't want publicity" Gippal joked as Baralai focused the lens to him. Gippal flashed a smile as the camera shot a photo. "thanks a lot Gippal" "Don't mention it."

Baralai approached Nooj and held his camera. "May I?" Nooj didn't say anything so Baralai assumed that it was okay. He clicked on his camera, capturing Nooj in his annoyed look. "thank you" "whatever, Brat!"

"Paine, may I?" "No" she said rolling her eyes. She stood up from her seat and turned around to leave. "but why? for remembrance?" "No thanks, you'll do fine without my picture" Baralai clicked on his camera at once, taking a snap shot of Paine. This really annoyed Paine that she tried to grab the camera from Baralai. "give it to me, or else..." "come on, you didn't even smiled..." Paine chased Baralai, trying to get the camera from him. Baralai found it funny that Paine's playing the 'chasing game'. He teased Paine as she ran after him. "what? can't catch me?" "You go Lai!" Gippal cheered on Baralai as Paine shot an eye at Gippal. "stop it you rascals!" Nooj was still annoyed and grew even more annoyed seeing his comrades acting like seven year olds. Paine quickly realized that she indeed is acting like a child and that Baralai is toying with her. She slowed herself down, and crossed her arms. "whatever Baralai..." Baralai and Gippal laughed.

Each day, Baralai would take a chance to take some snap shots of Paine, looking for the 'perfect shot'. And each time, Paine would try to grab the camera from Baralai. Until one day, at the Moonflow...

"free taste... free taste..." there was a new craze food that a company wanted to implement. They didn't say what it was, but instead, they are offering a free taste to the people. The four happened to be in that place at that time, and knowing Gippal, who loves to try everything, he grabbed Baralai by his sleeves and ran to the 'free taste' booth.

"what is it?" he said as he munched through the dish.

"what do you think sir?, how is it?" the chef asked as he stared at Gippal eating everything on the plate.

"It's really good! Baralai, you should try some"

"no thanks, I'm still full... and I don't know what's in it..."

"heh! who cares, as long as it's edible... and it's tasty, you won't die!"

Paine and Nooj arrived at the booth and saw how Gippal 'attacked' that thing. "you know what's in it?" Paine said as she looked at Gippal then, to the chef.

"yeah, what's in it sir?" Baralai inquired as he studies the contents of the plate.

"okay okay...if you really wanna know..." The chef picked up the dish and started pointing at the variety of foods in it. "This is... carrots, Macalania Mushrooms, Herbs from Mt. Gagazeth, oh they are exquisite..." Gippal's eyes watered, and so as his mouth as the chef enumerated them. " sauce, that originally came from Kilika, and lastly, the main ingredient... Shoopuff Ears." "Shooopuffff eaarrsss?" Gippal's mouth dropped as he heard the main ingredient. He began to run to the lake (A/N remember moonflow, that water area...that's what I'm talking about) and wash his tongue, trying to get rid of the 'Shoopuff ear' taste. The three watched as Gippal tries to throw all of it out. Nooj was annoyed again (A/N yes..again..) and cursed under his breath saying "brats". Paine, in Baralai's surprise, started to laugh, really laugh, and in quick response, he took out his camera and shot a photo of Paine, capturing her, laughing. "perfect" he said quietly to himself and joined her in laughing. "that was priceless Gippal!" teased Paine as Gippal made his way to join the group. "heh, laugh Dr. P!" Gippal, trying to hold himself together, gave up and laughed as well. That afternoon was spent with the three of them laughing all the way back to their camp, discussing Gippal's little free taste incident.

=...end of flashback...=

I wonder when will I again, see her laugh like that... he sighed and decided to call it a day and went off to bed.

A/N was it long? for me it was... eheXD I'm still bored and my thoughts are all scattered everywhere... I don't really know what's going to happen next... I just hope you enjoyed this...

please review? i luvv my reviewers!