Author's notes: Thank you for all those who reviewed my fic..really appreciate it! and for those who continue to support me... sigh why am I such a drama queen?... well..here's another... ahmm...blah chapter...

Disclaimer: err...i don't own them...simple as that...

same rules!

"" - conversation

italics- thoughts

err... i don't know..some crazy stuff OO; (referring to what if...)

Chapter 6: Taking Control of the Praetor

The next day, Yuna and Rikku went off early to make more investigations. Paine woke up only finding herself alone, no Yuna nor Rikku. She shove her blankets off and stretched her arms yawning lightly. that was a good rest... hmm... that was odd... no Yuna and Rikku... no wonder I had a good night's rest... She chuckled as she remembered the mornings with Yuna and Rikku. Often, the Gullwing's morning is consist of a very late waking up of Rikku, and when she wakes, it is followed by a couple of jumping up and down and wide smiles, an endless greetings of "good morning" by Yuna and an occasional nod, and sometimes, just a grunt (depends on the mood) by Paine. (A/N Nod is Paine's way of saying Hi or Goodmorning ') Better get moving now...

Paine entered the bathroom and took a nice shower bath to wake her up and to start the day...

Meanwhile...

"Hey... Rikku... uhmm... don't you think it's time to give Baralai his wallet yet?... I mean, you saw him, he's really depress and serious on finding that wallet..." Rikku paused for a while and thought about it when the Praetor passed by them. Baralai seemed to be 'not himself' today that he did not noticed the two girls. Yuna and Rikku looked at each other and then to Baralai and stared at him until he was no longer in sight. "that was odd..."

"see what I mean?"

"but... I'm having sooo much fun... I mean who could have thought that Baralai would be attracted to such a stubborn Paine..."

"oh..stop it Rikku...it's not nice to make fun of them you know... but I must admit... that too surprised me" The both of them started giggling and imagining a 'what if' situation, Baralai and Paine style.

What if...

Situation 1:
A fiend suddenly appeared into the scene destroying all things in its Path...
Paine: I'm going in! takes out her sword and readies herself to attack
Baralai: But Paine... sighs Before you go... walks near Paine Oh Yevon...please let her be safe and protect her...

Situation 2
Baralai: Violence is not the action... We must learn to weigh our alternatives first...
Kid: But mommy said... Do not let the enemy have his chance...
Baralai: sweatdrops honey...

end of What ifs...
Rikku and Yuna started laughing so hard that their eyes started to water down. "That is so hilarious..."

"what's hilarious?" The two stopped laughing immediately as soon as they heard Paine's voice. "ehe... nothing" "hmm...oh really... okay then... minus six respect points"

"why so harsh early in the morning" Whined Rikku as she addressed Paine.

"because...let's see... nothing..." smirked Paine as she turned around and walked away.

"no fair..."

"Paine's just playing with you..." chuckled Yuna as she explained to the whining Rikku. "and back to the topic... I really think you should return the wallet now... if you like... we can just leave it to his office or door and say its from anonymous... " She suggested hoping that Rikku would consider.

"you're right...and not that right Yunie!" "huh?" Yuna's face showed a confused look as she searched for a further explanation. "what I mean is..." She flashed a sinister smile before leaning to Yuna to whisper her 'plan'.

I know those two are up to something... and it's really bugging me... "oh hi there Paine" It was the praetor who greeted her. "hmm..." She nodded acknowledging the Praetor's presence. "How was your stay? I mean... I hope you're enjoying yourself"

"not bad... and you? found what you're looking for yet?" Baralai smiled before shaking his head "Not really... it's embarrassing to think that I, of all people, lost an important item like a wallet" "hey..don't sweat it... I'll help you find it..."

"uhh..." Paine winked at him before walking away that caused him to stop before finishing what he's going to say. He smiled inside, making him feel a lot better.

Did I just winked at him?... Paine blushed as she recalled the past event. Did he just blushed? or was I imagining it?... "you look red Dr. P!" huh? who was that? She turned her head only to see the familiar face of Gippal. "Lost in thoughts Dr. P?" Paine raised her eye browse and crossed her arms. "shut up Gippal"

"for a second there, you looked really red...what happened"

"that is for me to know and for you to forget..." Paine hoped that Gippal would just drop the subject, but knowing Gippal, she knew that it will be hard. Are all Al Bheds like that? She started questioning herself.

"If you don't leave me... you'll just end up with zero to zilch respect points..."

"i don't care... and plus...I'm such a goodie that I'm sure I can win them again!"

"Wanna bet?..."

"uhmm...Come on Paine..."

"Nice talking to you Gippal... "

I'm safe for now...but what of later?... I know Gippal won't just drop the topic... damn Al Bheds...

"Rikku! I still think it's bad to do this..."

"oh come on Yuna... please?... I promise that once it gets really bad...I'll stop okay?" Yuna sighed in defeat and just shrugged her off as they walk off towards Baralai's office.

Baralai's Office

"hello there Praetor!" Greeted the bubbly Rikku as she walked near Baralai.

"Oh... hello there...come in, please make yourselves comfortable" Baralai motioned them to take a sit. Yuna smiled and nodded, taking one of the empty seats. Rikku walked passed the seats and behind Baralai. Baralai was about to start when suddenly, Rikku flashed him the wallet, grinning. "where did..." Rikku raised his index finger, moving it left to right in unison with her head saying "uh...uh...uh..." Yuna didn't really fully support this but just stayed quiet to favor her cousin. "We'll return this for a price..." She grinned even more, at her 'clever' plan. He just sighed in defeat, desperate to have his wallet back. "name it..." "it's simple... you just have to obey our every instruction for two whole days... a total of forty eight hours..." She giggled before continuing on "and if someone asked what's going on...may it be Gippal or Nooj..or perhaps PAINE... just say it's nothing okay?" The emphasis on Paine's name made Baralai uncomfortable. Did they looked... I hope not... "and with that..here you go..." Rikku surrendered the wallet smiling, contented at herself for such a witty plan. Yuna, afraid to let Rikku say something else, rose up from her seat and grabbed her cousin's hands. "We must be going... good day" Before they can shut the door behind them, Rikku turned her head towards Baralai and said "Nice picture!" and with that, she shut the door.

they've seen it...

A/N whaah..its been months since i've updated...truth is... I'm so busy with my nonsense... I mean school and art... I've been busy working on developing the plot of my manga which i've been intending to do for months now. And I kind of had this writer's block for a long time that I don't really know where I'm going with this story...so really really sorry for the long time of no updates...

Being said that... uhm...how to say this... I need suggestions... if you want to contact me, you can email me at sleeplessmaidenyahoo.ca
also... If you want to know what my manga's about, you can email me and ask me for it

and lastly...R&R so i'll know whether or not to continue this... and please...again..don't be harsh on the flaming okay?... i know my grammar's not that good but please...As i said..i still have this Writer's block

Thankyou!