A/N: Thank you everybody for taking time to give me feedback throughout the course of this story! You don't know (or maybe you do) what it means to an author. I appreciate it tremendously. Thanks so frigginmuch!

Can you please do me a favour and tell Pops and Brother that I've always loved them and will visit them in the afterlife? Then, can you tell Gippal that I will bring him into the afterlife?

I leaned on the rail, looking down at the happy twosome talking below me.

I can feel all my energy and life being sucked right out of me. I think the Gippalitus is making its finishing destructions on my body before leaving me to finally rest in peace. I sure hope it is; I don't know how much more of this can I take. It was bad enough seeing the two constantly together back at the temple, but why oh why did it have to be her, the female worker? I knew she seemed familiar.

Actually, maybe it wouldn't be so bad if she was still the bitch.

When Gippal had announced that she was to join us on our final leg of the trip to Luca, I could feel the blood rush to my cheeks in absolute anger and maybe just a tiny little bit of jealousy. I mean, hello! What was he thinking? We didn't need her. We had six men and a me to load the supplies – which weren't going to be much anyway. The crew however seemed to have other opinions on her coming.

"Miss Khlana," Rleyd spoke as he took her hand gracefully into his. "It's a pleasure to have such a lovely woman as yourself with us today."

"Do you need me to help bring your belongings onboard, Lady Khlana?" Jhard asked, shoving Rleyd to the side.

Cjole came up behind her and whispered gently, "Do you need me to help bring you onboard, oh Princess Khlana?"

Vyne suddenly appeared and gave her his one of a kind flirtatious smile. "I can fly really well, Mistress Khlana."

Then (Drum roll) I waddled in, carrying my heavy bag, hardly able to see anything under my nose let alone be able to enter through the narrow door of the airship in which they were blocking.

Oh angelic Khlana saw me and instantly pointed out to the crew, "I think we should help Miss Rikku out." She quickly rushed over to me and pulled the bag into her own arms with ease. "Where would you like this, Miss Rikku?"

I stared at her in disbelief at her posture considering the weight on her shoulders. "Uh, over there would be fine, thank you."

"No problem," she replied and walked into the next room.

ARG! How can someone who's partly responsible for ruining your love life be so sweet and caring at the same time?

The men were about to immediately chase after her when Gippal arrived and ordered that he wanted the airship to take flight. One by one they dispersed miserably, some showing the horror of realization that their absence would result in me and Gippal being left alone. Once by ourselves, an uncomfortable sensation settled in but that did not stop me from asking him,

"Why did you invite her?" My voice sounded much more bitter and colder than I would've preferred.

He shrugged his shoulders and simply replied, "She offered to help."

"We don't need her help."

"Home does. She wants to help with the rebuilding too." He cocked his head to one side and glanced at me with a complacent face. "Why? You don't like her?"

I replied in the same tone, "You don't like Chuo?"

"Gippal! You're here!"

We both glanced beside us at the sound of her voice.

She casually strolled over to Gippal and threw her arms around him. "It'll be so much fun - you and me!"

I swear he paid her to make me jealous.

She turned to face me. "Oh Miss Rikku, I'm so excited to see the work that's being done on Home's reconstruction. I feel so ready to help out everyone!"

I hope she dies in the heat.

She averted her attention back to Gippal and slipped her hand into his. Then she added in a low whisper, "There are so many memories there…"

Gippal gave her an uneasy smile and then turned to me. But by then, I was already long gone.

I wasn't going to stand there and watch them flirt with each other in front of my eyes. No, I was going to go up the stairs and watch them in secrecy.

So here I am, with you, me and them below. I know it's rude to eavesdrop on people but I'm not. I'm just listening to them without their knowing.

I placed a hand underneath my chin and observed the two talking to each other below. It was obvious there was something going on between them.

"Hey, Rikku," a voice called out from behind me.

I didn't turn around. "Hey Chuo."

He stood beside me and leaned on the rail as well. "What's wrong?"

I didn't answer.

He followed my gaze and replied with an, "Oh…"

"Yeah," I said. Sighing, I collapsed on the ground and buried my head in the pillow of my arms miserably. "I can't compete with her, Chuo."

He kneeled down and patted my shoulder lightly. "She can't compete with you, Rikku."

Oh, what a line.

A tiny giggle escaped my lips, and I shoved him playfully. "Don't lie."

He shook his head. "I'm not. Rikku, you're a great person; don't be so hard on yourself."

I gave him a weak smile. "You are too, you know."

He rolled his eyes. "So why do I keep getting dumped?"

I frowned. "Personally… well for me… It's just…" He deserved to know. "You're real sweet, Chuo, and you care about a girl so much. You give her so much attention – too much attention for me personally..."

He nodded understandingly. Then he got up.

"Where are you going?"

"I'm not caring about you; I'm not paying attention," he replied, covering his ears.

I laughed and ran after him. "I didn't mean it like that!" I reached up and pulled his hands away, both of us sharing a refreshing laugh, until (Insert Very Dramatic Music) Gippal and Khlana appeared before us.

We stopped and I immediately backed away from Chuo.

Silence…

"DIE! DIE YOU PYCDYNT!"

…Well, except for Rleyd.

Gippal then said, "We'll be arriving in 5 minutes. Get ready."

I crossed my arms. "We're already ready."

He looked at me with a blank expression. "Chuo's ready, but you look like hell."

I balled my fists in anger and was about to unmercifully disfigure his face when I felt Chuo's hand fall on my shoulder.

"No, Rikku, don't listen to him. You're always beautiful," he said, making weird movements with his eye.

I heard a gasp from Khlana as I gave him a confused look.

He leaned close and whispered into my ear, "Play along. He's getting angry." Then, he pecked me softly on the cheek.

But Gippal remained unchanged. He just stood there with a straight expression on his face, waited 3 seconds, and then turned, and left.

Khlana was hesitant as she stared at Chuo, her fingers fidgeting. "I'm sorry; I never got your name."

"Huh?" Chuo turned to her.

She looked down andswung her foot back and forth shyly. "That was real nice what you said to Miss Rikku."

I smirked, feeling like the matchmaker sister with her little brother and an infatuated girl. I gave Chuo a big shove towards her. "His name is Chuo. You guys talk. I'm going down."

I knew they were staring at me as I left them behind. But c'mon, how more obvious could she get? Already she had forgotten about Gippal and fallen smitten for his opposite. It's alright with me. She's become a real nice person, and so is Chuo. She seems like she needs a guy that'll appreciate her and spoil her with romantic words. He needs a girl who likes him for his oh so kind self. Can you find a better match?

Suddenly the whole airship shook and I realized we had landed. As I made my way towards the door, I felt someone yank me back. Gippal.

"Whhut?" I asked him in a cold tone.

"We don't need you, Cid's Girl. We have six men and Khlana. You just sign the papers and then go shopping or something."

"What!" My jaw dropped in disbelief. "Go shopping? I can do more than that you know!" I reached out and stopped Rleyd from leaving the door. "You guys need my help, right?" I asked desperately.

He shrugged his shoulders simply. "Not really. We have Khlana."

Vyne bounced in. "Yeah, Khlana's greatt." And then he bounced out.

Rleyd then folded his arms and with a sly smile on his face asked, "Besides, Miss Rikku, aren't you pretty tired after last night?" He glanced momentarily at Gippal.

I glanced at him too. "W-Why would I be tired?"

Gippal instantly shoved Rleyd out the door. "Man, shut up."

I blinked. For as long as I live I don't think I'll ever understand the male mind.

I watched the crew leave unperturbedly until there was only me left standing by the door. Sighing I rested my head against the wall and slumped down with my self-esteem.

You know what? It's because I'm younger that's why. It's because I'm not as gorgeous, that's why. It's because I'm not like them – like Khlana – that's why. If I were all those things, Gippal would be on his knees begging for my forgiveness for his idiotic self.

… What? You don't agree?

… No, I doubt it. Gippal's not like that. He just likes a girl because of how she looks; what she's wearing – or not wearing. That's men; I know at least that much about their empty minds.

… You honestly think too much of him. Fine, I'll prove it to you!

I untangled my shirt knot and pulled the garment off to reveal my actual thief outfit. Tossing it aside, I rearranged my hair and regained my composure, ready to march outside and verify Gippal's shallow personality.

Suddenly, he popped in from the door, his head frantically turning in every direction until his eye settled on me. His whole body seemed to flinch in revelation as he stood still unable to move. Then, finally he shook his head and snapped out of his trance. Putting on a subtle smile he said, "I-I was just… I wanted to come in and… What I wanted to say was-"

I crossed my arms. "Yeah?"

"Sorry."

My heart sank to the pit of my stomach and my eyes softened like marshmallows. "What?" My voice was barely a whisper.

He chuckled gently at my changed attitude. "I'm sorry for getting on you and Chuo's case, for picking on you, for making you feel bad at all for anything. I'm sorry, Rikku. I'm sorry for everything. Truth is…" He reached out and took my hands into his. "All I ever wanted was… for you to be mine."

…

That was the sweetest, most romantic, most UNBELIEABLE LIE I HAD EVER HEARD IN MY LIFE! See! I told you so!

"LIAR!" I shouted in his face and stormed out of the airship.

Faces turned as I made my way through the marketplace, my red hot face comparable to the sun that hung in the sky that day, warding off anyone who even thought of messing with me.

I couldn't believe what had just occurred. He actually proved me right. He had dug deep into his stupid skull and pulled out the corniness, cheesiest string of words and laid them on me as if I were that dim-witted to not see through his plan.

"Rikku! Rikku!" I could hear him shout behind me.

"Ku zisb uvv dra suuh (Go jump off the moon)!" I shouted back, and quickened my pace.

His footsteps quickened as well. "Rikku!" He sounded angry.

I turned around and yelled, "Ku zisb uvv DFU suuhc! (Go jump off TWO moons)!" But to my horror, some greater power had irresponsibly blessed him with super running skills. And before I had the chance to escape, he threw his arms around me, and locked me tight.

"What the hell is wrong with you, woman?" he asked, keeping his grip steady. By now, most people had stopped to watch us.

"YOU!" I replied, and pounded against him.

His face was as red hot fuming as mine. "I just embarrassed myself, telling you how I felt and you call me a damn liar?" he shouted.

I quickly looked around at the circle of people that formed around us. They all gave me accusing glares as if I were the wrong doer. I turned back to face Gippal. "Cause you ARE, GIPPAL! You DON'T like me! You'll NEVER like me! The ONLY reason you say so now is because of how I look – how I'm dressed! SORRY Gippal; SORRY I'm not pretty enough for you!"

A gasp evolved from the crowd and whispers indicated the shift in sides from his to mine.

At my words, he had frozen, and I managed to wriggle my arm out. I faced him directly and gave him a nice, sharp, slap.

He blinked and rubbed his sore cheek, as I pushed my way through the bunch of eavesdroppers.

Oh, wow that felt good. It was like the weight of the universe and everything else was shoved off my shoulders. My heart had climbed back up to my chest and a cooling sensation engulfed my body. (Breathes in a Yoga breath) I was cured.

"Rikku."

I'm sorry, Gippal; this is the part where I don't speak to you.

I continued to walk with my head up high, unbothered by the watchful eyes of everyone around me.

"Rikku," he repeated, his tone still calm and sturdy.

Mmmm… Look at those yummy rolls for sale. Oh, and the chocolate cake looks absolutely scrumptious! The perfect thing to bring Paine back alive!

"Rikk…ku…"

But then Yuna would want something too. Maybe I'll get her one of those strawberry flavoured biscuits… But the flavouring – ouu bad bad food chemicals.

"Rikkkkkuuuu…"

Does Pops like banana muffins?

"RIKKU!"

I whirled around, "WHAT!"

SMACK!

I paused for a few moments to recollect what had just occurred. Suddenly, a sweet taste slid into my mouth. It tasted like… pie.

Bringing a hand to my face, I wiped off the soft layer that had impacted my face and examined it with one eye. Cream.

I blinked.

He had thrown a pie in my face.

"What the - "

SPLASH!

I shivered severely as the cold, sticky, juice dripped down my hair and seeped into my clothes. I looked up at him and the empty jar in incredulity. "You – You –"

THUD!

And then out of the blue, I waslying in a puddle of mud, fingers pointing, eyes watching, and mouths laughing at me. A face of white dessert, juice malting my hair to my head, and mud coating me like a thick blanket of brown goo. I was a clown. I was a fool. I was the main display at the loser's convention. Even the sun laughed hysterically.

I stared at Gippal's emotionless face. He was so declaring war. But at that moment, when I had every right to blame him, to punch him, to SKIN HIM ALIVE,

I didn't want to. Only one word echoed in my mind. "Why?" I whispered.

He slowly began to approach me, each footstep sending frightful ripples throughout my body. He shook his head in disgust. "Look at you now. You're a mess, Cid's Girl." He gestured towards the crowd. "Everyone's staring at you. They all agree. They feel sick just looking you."

I dug my nails into my palms in hopes of creating such a pain that would stop the one he was creating. Did he have to hit me where it hurt the most? Did he have to let the whole world know?

I rapidly glanced around at the amused crowd again. They were observing closely, waiting in anticipation for his next move.

I could feel my hands tremble.

He wasn't being mean. He was just being honest.

He finally stopped in front of me, and I impulsively inched away as if to lessen the next blow. He shook his head and grunted. "Rikku, you just look drop dead ugly."

I could feel water spill from my eyes.

And then, to everyone's surprise, his knees dropped to the ground and he sat in the mud puddle with me. His lips curled into a mischievous smile and with a simple shrug of his shoulders, he said, "But I don't care; never will."

He instantly tackled me into the murky, liquid, puddle beneath us and kissed the cream off my lips.

…Now that was romantic.

A/N: One more chapter left – more like the epilogue. It will explain any questions you guys ask and also Gippal's questionable behaviour during this and last chapter.

Thanks for reading. Please Review.