Disclaimer: FFX, FFX-2 – neither of them belong to me, I'm just a poor, starving fan : )

A/N: Hey – sorry for the late update but I do actually have legitimate reasons! First, there was the fact that I started a new job on weds – 9hrs a day is killing me. And secondly, my A Level results (British exams) came out today – so it's been a hell of week. Oh and for anyone that's interested, I got: 2 A's and 3 B's – which won't mean a lot to you unless you're English.

Okay – uninteresting blurb over with and on to the story!

Oh and this chapter is dedicated to oceanbang for joining us at this late stage and STILL reviewing every chapter ; )

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Rikku's Story

By: JoeyStar

Timeframe: Set a month or so after the 'good' ending of FFX-2

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Chapter 8

It seemed as if Gippal's actions back at the bombsite had benefited the Al Bhed after all; something that he was insufferably smug about in the days that followed the news report. The media – and apparently Baralai's New Yevon investigators – were still no closer to finding out who had been behind the bombing and speculation was running rife in Spira. Predictably, the Al Bhed had been the first to be accused but with no hard evidence, the authorities had dismissed such claims as supposition only.

And so our investigation continued, or didn't continue in my opinion. But I couldn't complain about it because things between me and Gippal were … difficult. Two days had passed since we had come to Djose Temple and the only time I had seen him was in meetings with the rest of his Al Bhed friends. I have to admit that this suited me – it meant I didn't have to think about the changes brewing between us – but it was also really annoying. No girl likes to be ignored, you know?

And that was what he was doing, even though he would never admit it to me. It wasn't that he was nasty to me or anything; I mean we did speak to each other in the meetings. No it was more like he was distancing himself from me. He was polite, but he didn't go out of his way to talk to me.

By the end of the second day it was driving me mad. I knew what had happened had left him as confused as me, so why didn't he show it? How could he act like we were nothing more than friends – and not very good ones like that?

Wait a minute … wasn't that what I wanted? But if it was, then why was I complaining?

Spira, I don't think confused was a strong enough term to describe my emotions. I was beyond confused. I was venturing into the realms of insanity. I could really have done with some female advice on this matter but even if the Gullwings had been here, I could just imagine their reactions.

Yunie would squeal with delight and throw her arms around my neck, telling me how sweet it was and how perfect Gippal and I were for each other. And Paine? Well I could see her doing one of two things: taking away all of my respect points for shear stupidity, or laughing herself sick.

Thinking about my friends made me wonder how everyone was back in Bevelle. In our haste to remove the incriminating Al Bhed evidence, neither Gippal nor I had actually told anyone where we were going, or even why. Looking back, that was probably a really stupid move and though none of our friends were foolish enough to say anything to the authorities, they were probably worried sick about us.

Now there's a worry; I wonder whether Baralai has made any connections between our disappearance and the attacks. He probably has; I don't know him well but Baralai's always struck me as the most mature of Paine's Crimson Squad companions. Then again, he did attack us without provocation back during our quest to defeat Vegnagun, so it's not like the guy's some kind of saint … Still, I guess we have to rely on his good judgement otherwise things are likely to get even more difficult between me and Gippal.

If that's even possible. We're doing a good job of it ourselves at the moment, and that woman isn't exactly helping …

Elhandra.

Spira, if things between Gippal and I are bad, things between me and Elhandra are even worse.

You know when you meet a person for the first time and you take an immediate disliking to them? And you can't explain why you feel like that but you just do? The other person doesn't even have to have done something to upset you; but you still feel like you want to give them a slap?

Well that's how I felt when I first met Elhandra. And it was also how I felt the throughout the first day of knowing her. And how I feel today. And no doubt how I'll feel tomorrow …

Somehow, I don't think we're meant to be friends.

It's not even the way she shamelessly flirts with Gippal, although that is sickening to have to watch. The way she runs her hands over his shoulders in a friendly fashion … damn, if Elhandra treats her friends like that then being her enemy won't be half as bad as you might think.

Not that I care. Gippal's perfectly welcome to have friends other than me or Lreav. It isn't like I rule his life, you know?

I just wish Elhandra would keep her filthy little hands to herself. I don't appreciate having to watch her paw the man I … I am … that I am …

"Rikku?"

Dammit – that was Lreav calling me inside for yet another pointless meeting where we would no doubt discuss exactly the same things as we had on our first night at the temple. I graced him with a smile all the same as he ran over to me. After all, it wasn't Lreav's fault that I was in such a bad mood.

"Hey – are you okay?"

Now here was something I could appreciate: my developing relationship with Lreav. While everything else in my life had suddenly become incredibly complicated, I often found myself seeking Lreav out several times during the course of a day, just so that I could relax. He became my confidante, my companion and he even relaxed enough so that the 'Lady' Rikku became a thing of the past.

It was strange that we got on so well. I mean, he was Elhandra's brother and while they were clearly as close as siblings could be, that couldn't prevent the mutual disliking between me and that woman. I'd certainly never seek out her company like I looked for her brother's.

Lreav was everything his sister wasn't. For that matter, he was everything Gippal wasn't. He actually listened when I spoke to him. He considered my opinion on matters like the bombing and he respected my guesses on who the culprits might be.

Not like Elhandra, who sneered, or Gippal – who simply dismissed me. Lreav actually appreciated my input, you know?

"I'm fine," I told him, plastering a brighter smile on my face in an attempt to reassure him.

"Are you sure? You looked so sad, standing here all alone."

"I was just … thinking," I finished lamely, not wanting to even broach the subject of Gippal. Of course, the reason for that was I didn't consider it any of Lreav's business. It certainly had nothing to do with my own feelings on the topic.

"Thinking? Yeah – there's certainly a lot to consider these days."

A thought struck me then. "When we leave," – for I was sure we were going to leave either today or tomorrow; I'd be damned if I was going to spend another useless day in Djose Temple – "will you be coming with us?"

Lreav truly had one of the sweetest smiles I'd ever seen. It made me want to smile back, so I did just that. "I couldn't leave you and Gippal to handle this completely on your own, could I? You'd probably end up killing each other before the day was out."

Oh so Lreav had noticed the tension between us as well? I shouldn't have been surprised; after all, we hadn't exactly been subtle in our disagreements. And Lreav had known Gippal for a long time … hey – maybe that was the reason behind Lreav's comment! Maybe Gippal had said something to him about me!

I wanted to ask. I really wanted to ask but as I opened my mouth to do just that, I suddenly wondered whether Lreav would then return to Gippal and tell him what I'd said about what Gippal had said …

Stop it Rikku! Stop over-analysing things. Even if Gippal has said something to Lreav, it's not like Lreav's going to run back to tell him what you said, like some child. Besides, I can trust Lreav, you know? He's been nothing but good to me so far. Just ask him.

I would have done, but Lreav got there first.

"Of course, it won't just be me, you and Gippal like before."

Huh?

"Didn't Gippal tell you? Elhandra's going to be joining us. Isn't that wonderful?" Lreav grinned.

My heart plummeted.

I can been secretly looking forward to the day – hopefully not long in coming – when I wouldn't have to talk to Elhandra ever again. Where I wouldn't have to see her hatefully smug face or be subjected to that irritatingly superior smile that she seemed to reserve just for me. And now, the hear that that witch was going to be joining us on the Melatha – and more than that, that Gippal had decided this with out even talking to me – pushed me out of the realm of confusion and straight into anger.

"Lreav, do you know where Gippal is?"

"He's in the left anti-chamber of the temple," Lreav replied, still looking happy at the news that his sister would be joining us. "Actually, that's why I'm here. He sent me to find you."

"Oh really?" This news didn't improve my rapidly decreasing opinion of Gippal. Not only was he summoning me on a whim but he was sending Lreav to do the fetching for him!

"I think he wants to talk to you about something."

"I bet he does," I muttered darkly, earning myself an odd look from Lreav. I patted him on the shoulder. "I'd better go before his Majesty sends out a search party. I'll see you later."

Lreav waved as I stalked away from him towards the vast temple. I ignored the few Al Bhed who were grouped around the entrance and because they were tinkering with various pieces of machina, they ignored me too.

The left anti-chamber I knew, was the room in which Yunie had stayed during her pilgrimage and I headed there without hesitation. I paused on the threshold and considered the merits of knocking but decided against it. If Gippal wanted to be rude and abrupt then I could be the same.

I had expected Gippal to be alone. Certainly Lreav's message had led me to believe that the Machine Faction leader was waiting to discuss something with me - alone. So when I stepped into the room and saw that not only Gippal was there but Elhandra too, it didn't help my already growing anger.

Nor did the fact that she was leaning of his shoulder, dark braids brushing his cheek as she pointed at something on the table. And, damn it all, she was giggling! There was only one person allowed to giggle in Gippal's presence and that was me!

"Excuse me," I said flatly, not sounding in the least polite.

Elhandra and Gippal look up sharply and when the woman saw it was me, her eyes narrowed. "Don't they teach you manners were you come from?"

Her words were meant to wrong-foot me but I wasn't about to give that witch the satisfaction. Instead I grabbed hold of the anger that was rising in me and twisted it to give me a verbal edge that I normally lacked. "I could ask you the same thing," I retorted, arching my eyebrow in an insinuating way, "but I know what the answer would be."

"Rikku," Gippal said in greeting, apparently having taken the interaction between me and Elhandra as nothing more than playful comments.

"Lreav said you wanted to talk to me."

"Yeah," he replied distractedly, running his hand through his hair as his eyes scanned something on the table that I couldn't see. "Could this wait a bit?"

I gasped inwardly at his audacity. How dare he summon me here only to dismiss me? Did he think that I lived at his beck and call? That good old Rikku would just come running any time he clicked his fingers?

"Look," I said bluntly, swallowing my irritation. "I was going to come and find you anyway because there's something we need to talk about. Urgently."

Gippal hardly raised his head. "Can't you come back later Rikku? Elhandra and I are in the middle of somethin' at the moment."

Oh I bet you are, I thought uncharitably, as that witch's face took on a definite sneer. She obviously thought she'd scored a point off me; as if this was some kind of competition in winning Gippal's affections.

Which was ridiculous because if she knew the kisses he'd given me, then she'd know I was about a thousand points ahead of her.

"No I can't come back later. This is important. I need to talk to you now Gippal." He'd better start learning that if we were going to be partners, I wanted to be treated like one.

Gippal sighed gustily and drummed his fingers on the table before cocking his head to look up at Elhandra. "Would you mind …?"

"Of course not," she simpered. "We can finish this later."

"Thanks Lhan."

Finally I had won back some semblance of power and I resisted the urge to grin like a mad-woman. Which was fortunate really because although Elhandra did finally step back from Gippal, it wasn't before she allowed her fingers to run along his arm in a feather-light movement that he hardly noticed. The triumphant grin she flashed at me from behind his head nearly shattered my self-control and I forced myself to remain calm as she levelled the playing field once more.

If this had been one giant game of Blitzball, Elhandra's team had just scored again.

Once I was certain that Elhandra was gone – I even glanced outside quickly to make sure she wasn't trying to eavesdrop – I pulled out a chair opposite Gippal and dropped down into it, curling one leg up against my chest so I could rest my arm on my knee.

Gippal leaned back in his chair and watched me. "What's this about Rikku? Seems you've been avoidin' me like a particularly vicious Behemoth recently."

Me avoiding him? What was he talking about?

"I think you'd be the one to know about the avoiding," I returned, my eyes fixing onto his. "And a lot of other things besides."

"Care to elaborate?"

"Elhandra." I spoke the name with as little emotion as possible. "Lreav tells me she's now a part of our bomb-hunting team."

"And?"

"And?" I echoed incredulously. "And why in Spira didn't you say anything to me about this? Why did I have to hear it from Lreav?"

"Because you've been avoidin' me so much that I didn't get the chance to tell you," he finished smugly, folding his arm across his chest. "Chill Rikku. What's the big deal? I was goin' to tell you now anyway."

"Oh well thanks for that," I said sarcastically. "Though it would have been damn nice to have been consulted in the first place!"

"She volunteered. I wasn't about to send her away."

"You didn't even ask me!"

"What, so I have to ask your permission before I do anythin' now, is that it?"

"Of course not! But we're meant to be partners in this and you didn't even consult me!"

He threw his hands up in the air. "Well I'm sorry your ego's been hurt Rikku but I've made my decision. Elhandra's a good friend of mine and we could use her help."

I glared at him across the table, hugging my knee. "I bet you could."

"What's that s'posed to mean?" he demanded, green eye burning.

I sniffed. "I think the meaning was pretty clear."

"Well I need a translation." The word sounded ugly and harsh but I didn't flinch.

"Fine." In a decisive motion I set both feet on the floor and braced my hands on the table so that I could look him directly in the eye. "She likes you. She's made that blatantly clear. And as you don't seem to be complaining I'd say there's an ulterior motive behind wanting Elhandra to come on the investigation with us."

In that moment Gippal looked so surprised that I almost believed his next words. "Elhandra … likes … me? I dunno what's goin' on inside that head of yours, Cid's girl, but it ain't right. I've never heard anythin' so ridiculous in my whole life!"

"I don't think Elhandra sees it that way!" I blustered.

"Don't be stupid," he spat scathingly. "She's my friend and you're pollutin' our friendship with your stupid lies." His look hardened. "Just because you're afraid of what I represent to you, doesn't mean you can attack my friends."

The breath caught in my throat and I almost swallowed my tongue. Of all the crazy and ridiculous things that Gippal had said in the time I had known him, this had to rate up there in the top ten. And for some reason, it made me furiously angry.

"What you represent to me, Gippal, is nothing more than an annoyance that I have to put up with during this investigation." I drew myself up as straight as I could considering that I was sitting down. "What you do and who you do it with really has nothing to do with me, as long as it doesn't effect the investigation – as your relationship with Elhandra may very well do."

Gippal slammed his hands down on the table, making me jump. "You know what Rikku, let's not talk about my relationship with Elhandra. Let's talk about my relationship with you." His voice was cool and there was none of the usual humour that so marked Gippal's everyday life.

Shaken, I tried to laugh his comment off. "Your relationship with me? Oh please Gippal – we don't have a relationship!"

"And whose fault is that?"

"I – I …" Why couldn't I think of something to say? I looked beseechingly at Gippal but his expression was unforgiving.

"It's yours Rikku. This ain't about Elhandra, or the investigation. This is about me and you and what happened back on the Melatha."

So there it was, out in the open for everyone to hear. And yet there was no one listening apart from me and Gippal, staring at each other across a small tabletop.

And for the first time in my life, I could think of nothing to say.

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You know, in a perfect world, I'd have had no problems. I'd have been able to sit down with Gippal and discussed my feelings for him rationally, sensibly. There would have been no arguing, no raging emotions; everything would have been nice and civilised. And at the end of it all we'd both have known exactly where we stood with each other.

Unfortunately, life doesn't work that way.

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After a few moments Gippal sighed. "You know how I feel about this." He rose from his chair and began to aimless wander around the table towards me, walking his fingers along the tabletop like a child.

I watched him warily. "And you know how I feel," I shot back quickly, wishing I felt inwardly as confident as I outwardly sounded. "It was a mistake made in the heat of the moment. It's over with now. Done. We can get on with our lives."

He arched an eyebrow. "Really? You can just get on with your life as if nothing happened?"

Gippal was scrutinising me in a way that was making me very uncomfortable. "Well … yes," I declared defiantly.

He stopped in front of me. "So if I was to do somethin' like this, then you would complain?"

Sometimes I can be really stupid. I was opening my mouth to ask what he meant when he reached forward and grabbed my arms. I squeaked in surprise as he pulled me up out of the chair and wrapped his strong arms around me, pressing me against his chest. When I jerked my head up to stare fiercely into his single eye, he met my gaze squarely.

"Let me go," I ordered, but the words sounded weak even to my ears.

"Is that a complaint?"

"Damn right it's a complaint." I tried to sound authoritative but once again, my words lacked conviction. Perhaps it was that I was simply standing impassively – allowing him to hold me. Perhaps it was because my breath was coming in short bursts and I didn't have the strength to pull away.

Or perhaps it's that I didn't want to.

"Really? 'Cos you do so much complainin' anyway I sometimes find it hard to distinguish." His lips curved into a smile and once again they drew my gaze. What was it about his lips that fascinated me so? It certainly couldn't be his kisses; now there was a memory I would gratefully wipe from my mind, you know?

"This is a complaint," I insisted.

"You sure?"

I nodded, my braids dancing around my face and tickling the skin of my neck. "I'm complaining aren't I?"

"Are you?"

"Yes! This is a complaint! I'm complaining! See me complain –"

"Rikku?"

"Yes?" I asked breathlessly.

"Shut up."

And I did – but not because Gippal told me to. Oh no, I'd never give him that satisfaction. No, it was more to do with the fact that his lips were pressing against mine - a kiss that I was returning feverishly, all of my protests pushed to the back of my mind. I had forgotten how wonderful it felt to have Gippal's lips on mine and to feel his hands stroking the bare skin of my back, up and down my spine. I felt like the Spira's largest hypocrite but to be honest, at that moment, I really didn't care. My whole world had narrowed to this one moment and nothing my logical brain was shrieking at me could penetrate the bliss.

My heart had won.

I don't know how long I remained there in his arms. I do remember having growing concerns about air and when we finally broke apart I was gasping for breath like a beached Sahagin. Not an attractive picture.

Gippal didn't seem to notice – he was too busy grinning at me.

"What, no slap this time?"

I got my breathing under control with difficulty, his close proximity still making my heart race. "You've got my arms pinned," I pointed out, shrugging my shoulders for emphasis. It was an unfortunate move because it made my chest jiggle and brush against Gippal. Now, I'm not saying I'm as well endowed as Paine but I'm not flat-chested either and when he looked appreciatively down at my chest, I nearly died of embarrassment. I think I must have turned as red as the Celsuis when he looked back up to meet my eyes with a wicked smile on his lips.

"Oh and I s'pose you want me to let you go?"

"Er … " Be strong Rikku! "Yes," I finished lamely, sounding incredibly indecisive.

He glanced shamelessly down at her chest again and then smirked. "Shame. 'Cos I kinda like it here."

I flushed again, wishing I had thought to wear more clothes. Even the jacket I'd brought with me … but I'd discarded that back on the Melatha.

"This doesn't change anything, you know?" I told him sternly, determined to hold onto my morals.

"I know," Gippal agreed easily.

I eyed him suspiciously. "Well … just so we're clear on that."

"Yup."

There was a moment of prolonged silence.

"Um … Gippal? Can you let me go now?"

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As always, please read, review and enjoy :)