Disclaimer: FFX, FFX-2 – neither of them belong to me, I'm just a poor, starving fan : )
A/N: Wow – I've broken the 300 barrier! For the first time on any fic EVER!! And I couldn't have done it without you guys so HUGE thanks to everyone who has reviewed so far and I seriously hope you're enjoying reading this as much as I am writing it!
On the story front, it came as a big relief to me last night when I finally worked out not only the end of this fic but who's going to be the 'big bad' and why they're blowing up good old Spira! ::wipes brow in relief:: seems I can finish this fic after all - hehehe
As for the 'we hate Elhandra' club, the number of members is slowly increasing so here's a little challenge for you. The person who comes up with the funniest/craziest/most amazing way in which Lhan could die or be killed will get a cookie, an Elhandra plushie to stab to their hearts content and also the next chapter dedication. Not much of a prize, I admit, but seeing as everyone wants to kill her it shouldn't be too hard : )
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Rikku's StoryBy: JoeyStar
Timeframe: Set a month or so after the 'perfect' ending of FFX-2
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Chapter 10
"Under arrest?" I echoed in disbelief, staring at my cousin's stern face in amazement. Where had the fun-loving, happy Yuna that I'd spent the last year with gone? "As in jail and a trial?"
"It's usually in the reverse order," Gippal pointed out, the tension in his grip around my fingers the only indication that Yuna's news had upset him. "But yes – that's what bein' under arrest normally means."
He seemed so calm; it made me want to shake him. "Yunie, have you gone mad?"
My cousin wouldn't meet my eyes. She looked horribly unhappy but I didn't feel the least bit sorry for her. She'd just said she was arresting Gippal!
"Yuna!"
"Rikku, it's okay."
I turned at Gippal's words. "Okay?" I said incredulously. "How is this okay? You're being arrested! By my cousin!"
"Rikku, Yuna's only doing what she has to." Paine spoke quietly and the hint of pity on her face only infuriated me more.
"No!" I shouted, yanking my hand away from Gippal. I rose to my feet and glared at all three of them. "Have you all gone completely insane? You!" I thrust a finger in Gippal's direction. "How can you just sit there and accept this? After everything we've gone through to try and prevent it, how can you just give up?"
Before he could reply, I rounded on Yuna. "And you, how can you do this to Gippal? He's our friend, Yuna, and he's no more behind the bombing than I am!"
"I know that Rikku," Yuna beseeched me, "but I have to look like I'm taking action. I don't have any choice; I have to arrest Gippal."
"No," I argued stubbornly, scowling at her. "That's just an excuse. You just want to salvage your damn reputation by sacrificing an innocent man!"
By Yuna's sharp intake of breath and Paine's, "You're out of line Rikku!" I knew I had gone too far but I didn't care. Some part of me felt as if the world had been turned on its head. Here I was defending Gippal with every inch of my being, even going as far as to purposefully hurt my cousin, but something about it just felt so right. It wasn't that I didn't recognise what Yuna was trying to do – I could even understand it to some extent. And if it had been anyone but Gippal then I probably would have supported her. I was used to doing things for the good of Spira, you know?
But this was Gippal ... and he was different.
"Rikku." Gippal stood up and took me gently by the shoulders. He drew me away from the CommSphere slightly, so that we were afforded a little privacy. "Rikku – it really is alright."
"No ... no it isn't," I disagreed in a subdued voice, all the fire going out of me in the face of his calm acceptance. "But nothing I say is going to change anything, is it?"
He shook his head, a wistful smile brimming around his lips. "The fact that you tried ... it means a lot Rikku." I must have looked unconvinced because he reached out with one hand and touched my cheek fleetingly. "Seriously, it means a lot."
"But you're going to be arrested." I tried to make him understand where I was coming from. "You're going to end up in jail!"
He smiled and ruffled my hair affectionately. "It won't be first time. Besides, I hear those cells are pretty comfortable these days. It'll be just like a holiday."
"Please don't joke about it." Unpleasant memories raced through my mind and I shoved them aside with difficulty. "It's not funny."
He cocked his head to one side. "Maybe it isn't but Rikku – it's for the best. I know we wanted to do this ourselves but ... well you must see that things have changed."
"Of course I have! I just ... its just that ..." I sighed, finishing lamely, "I don't want you to end up in prison."
Gippal shrugged, apparently uncaring. "It won't kill me."
I was losing and I knew it. I tried one last ditch attempt to get him to change his mind. "What about this being an Al Bhed problem?"
Gippal paused and considered me silently for a few moments. "Nothing's changed there. All that's happened is our happy little band of investigators are down to three."
Me, Lreav and Elhandra. Somehow, I wasn't looking forward to leaving Gippal behind in Bevelle.
"But ... but I hardly know Elhandra or Lreav." My protests had become pathetic, even to my ears. "How do I know I can trust them?"
"I trust them," Gippal returned, as if that solved everything. For him it probably did, but I'd learnt long ago that it paid to stay on guard. After all, I'd never liked Seymour. Or Grand Maester Mika. Or any of those un-sent guys that had thrown us into those dark, dank, lonely prison cells ...
"Everything will be okay, Rikku," Yuna assured me from the CommSphere. I glanced at her sharply, having forgotten that she and Paine were watching me and Gippal from the bridge of the Celsuis.
I wished she hadn't spoken; I had just mastered my anger and her words caused it to flare again. Furious, I turned on her. "This is all your fault!" I accused, needing something or someone to take my frustration out on. "You've got all this power - you're supposed to make things better, not worse!"
"Rikku!" Yuna looked hurt and she actually took a step back as if she had been physically struck.
Apparently I had pushed Paine too far because she rose up out of the chair, her red eyes flashing. "Stop acting like a child, Rikku! And stop taking your own anger out on everyone else."
"What? I'm not –"
She cut off my protesting with one hard look. "Yes you are. This isn't an ideal situation by anyone's standards but crying about it isn't going to help anyone."
"Aww, you're cryin' over me?" Gippal mocked, ducking when I automatically swiped at his head. It frustrated me how relaxed an uncaring he could appear when everything around us was falling apart – but it was also rather endearing. Nothing seemed to faze Gippal.
"Gippal's arrest will be better for everyone," Paine continued relentlessly, her eyes never leaving mine. "We all know he's not responsible for the attacks, so having him safely in Bevelle's custody will mean he can't possibly be implicated in any further attacks."
Her words shocked me. "Are you expecting more attacks?"
Yuna folded her arms across her chest. Her face was still slightly pale and her eyes distant when she looked at me. I began to regret my harsh words and wished I was standing next to her on the Celsius so that I could throw my arms around her and apologise.
"We don't know what to expect," my cousin admitted. "But we don't want to take any chances."
"Which is why we're gonna fly over to Bevelle and I'm gonna come quietly."
In the face of Gippal's resolve, there was really nothing I could say. "I guess you're all agreed then." My tone was childishly sulky but I was determined to let them know that I wasn't happy about the situation.
Paine nodded bluntly and though Yuna looked sympathetic, she didn't disagree. Gippal slung his arm around my shoulders and hugged me to him.
"Come on, Cid's girl, it won't be all that bad. You'll get a break from me for one thing!"
Sometimes Gippal's flippancy could be really misplaced. Between his joking, Paine's stern looks and Yuna's sympathy, I was feeling stifled and struggling to control my anger. I needed some air and some time to think away from the others before I said something I regretted.
I shrugged Gippal's arm off and stepped away from him. "I'm going outside - I need some air. Besides, I don't think anything I've got to say will make any difference here."
Before any of them could stop me or call me back, I turned and almost ran to the temple's entrance, throwing the heavy doors open with energy fueled by anger and plunging into the bright daylight outside.
Unfortunately, my plans for solitude and peace hadn't taken into account the fact that I barrelled into Lreav when I was barely a foot away from the temple.
He fell to the ground with an 'oomph' of surprise and I pressed my hands to my burning cheeks, wondering if this day could get any worse.
"Dammit! Oh Lreav, I'm so sorry!"
"It's alright," he said easily, picking himself up off the dusty floor and inspecting his clothes for any signs of damage. "No harm done."
"I'm such a clumsy idiot!" I berated myself, all my helpless frustration at Gippal's predicament rising up and threatening to overwhelm me.
"Hey – don't worry about it. Nothing's broken."
"That's not the point!"
My irrational reaction obviously alerted Lreav to the fact that something was wrong. He reached out and took me gently by the shoulders so that he could get a good look at me. I kept my head lowered, blinking furiously.
"Rikku?"
His voice was so soft and gentle. It had an amazingly soothing quality that I'd never noticed before.
"What's wrong?"
In the face of his kindness, I couldn't keep the truth to myself anymore.
"Gippal's been arrested!" I blurted, finally looking up at him. "And he's not even going to try and fight it! And they're going to lock him up in the Bevelle dungeons ... and he's going to be there forever and I'll never see him again!"
Upon hearing my news, a flash of anger the like of which I have never seen before, darted across Lreav's face. Then in the next moment it was gone and he drew me to him, wrapping his arms around me, providing me with the comfort that I hadn't even known I had been looking for.
"Do you want to talk about it?" he asked me quietly.
My immediate reaction was to decline but then I realised that I actually did want to talk. And with Gippal busy planning which of the grimy cells he would be spending the rest of his life in, Lreav was the perfect choice to share things with. After all, he was a good friend of Gippal's, you know? Surely he would share my opinion that the whole world had gone completely mad!
So I nodded and he took me by the hand.
"Come on, let's go and find somewhere more comfortable. Then you can tell me everything and we'll get that beautiful smile back on your face."
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"... And they were all staring at me as if I was the crazy one!" I threw my hands up in the air, the motion making my braids dance. "But I'm not the one who's planning on putting Gippal in jail!"
We were on the deck of the Melatha – Lreav had entered the ship using access codes I hadn't even realised he possessed – and he was now sitting in one of the pilot's chairs while I paced back and forth, spilling my thoughts out to him. It was wonderful to be able to talk without fear of judgement or interruption; Lreav simply listened and patiently waited until I finally ran out of words.
"What do you think?" I asked finally, slightly fearful of his reaction. "Are they right? Am I the irrational one?"
Lreav cocked his head to one side and when he spoke, his words sounded carefully chosen. "It seems to me that your friends are doing what is right by the people of Spira, but not necessarily what is right by themselves."
I continued in my pacing. "I'm sick of always putting Spira first," I muttered petulantly.
Lreav smiled. "That is what happens when you become famous. The public can be your biggest fan or your worst enemy."
I scuffed my foot across the deck, considering his words. In my heart I knew that Lreav made perfect sense – as did both Yuna and Gippal – but I was becoming sick of finding my feet only to have the carpet swept out from under them again. How was I supposed to cope with my new feelings for Gippal with everything else that was going on?
"Gippal could at least have the decency to by a little upset," I complained at last, finding a familiar outlet for my raging emotions. "He's acting like he's going on a picnic or something. He's going to end up in jail!"
Lreav peered at me. "That's something that really concerns you, isn't it Rikku?"
"Of course! We're talking about jail! I can't understand why no one else sees how serious this is!"
"This isn't just about Gippal, is it Rikku?"
Oh he was shrewd – too shrewd for his own good. Once again I had forgotten that behind Lreav's shy exterior was a very insightful young man who could apparently read me like a book.
I stopped pacing and whirled around to face him. "What do you mean?"
Lreav remained calm. "I think there's more to what you're feeling. This goes beyond Gippal and his imprisonment."
"I'm just worried about him," I blustered. "You don't know what it's like in there ..."
"But you do, don't you?" Lreav leant forwards so that his hands were resting on his knees. "Don't you Rikku?"
How could he have known me for so little time and understand me so well? How could he pick up on something that my own cousin hadn't even noticed? That my objections weren't just due to Gippal's impending predicament, but had a great deal to do with my own life as well.
And a certain group of memories that I had fought long and hard to suppress.
"I don't like prisons," I acknowledged softly, eyes distant as I recalled the time that I had spent inside of one. A time which had been one of the most frightening of my life. A time in which I had been certain that I was going to die. "They're dirty, small ... and lonely. And the ones in Bevelle are the worst."
"Via Purifico," Lreav murmured and I nodded. It never occurred to me to ask how he knew the name of Bevelle's secret underground prison.
"All the scary places I've been, the terrifying things I've done ... none of them were as bad as that prison."
"Not even the Thunder Plains?" Lreav asked with a smile.
I shook my head slowly. "No. I knew there was a way out of the Thunder Plains. And besides, I wasn't alone then." I shivered, remembering the terror that had struck me when the waters of Bevelle's underground tunnels had closed over my head. I had never told anyone about my intense fear that day and how I had almost cried with relief when Wakka and later Tidus had be thrown in to join me.
Something in my demeanour must have troubled Lreav because he rose from his chair and hurried across to me. "Rikku?"
I looked up at him and that familiar half-smile was firmly in position on his face. It was amazing how he could flavour the expression with so many different emotions. Right now I detected worry, sympathy and the need to make everything better.
"Things have really changed in the last few years. Now I don't claim to know your friend Baralai as well as you do but I'm certain that since he came to power he's changed things in Bevelle. Such as areas under Bevelle like the prison."
"You obviously never heard about Vegnagun's little hidey hole."
"Perhaps not," he allowed, "but even if Via Purifico remains intact, I doubt that Praetor Baralai would house one of his good friends there, even if that friend was under suspicion as Gippal is."
I brightened instantly at his words. "Yeah, you're right!" I often forgot about the intense friendship between Nooj, Baralai, Gippal and Paine – but here was one circumstance in which it was surely going to come in useful. "I can't believe I was so stupid. Baralai would never throw Gippal into the dungeon, you know? And besides, if he tries, I won't let him!"
Lreav grinned. "And if Gippal's in some kind of guarded room, it will be far easier to rescue him!"
"Lreav!" I elbowed him in the stomach, giggling at his audacity. I was supposed to be the flighty one, not him, and after a brief consideration I had pushed that idea firmly aside.
He held up his hands, instantly contrite. "Cunno." (Sorry)
"Ed'c ugyo. And look – you made me smile." (It's okay) I grinned toothily at him, proving the point.
Lreav laughed at my antics. "I'm glad you're feeling better."
"Yeah. I can't believe how badly I over-reacted! Thanks for putting things into persecptive Lreav." Leaning forward, I planted a chaste kiss on his cheek and then danced back again.
"Uh – you're welcome," Lreav returned, blushing furiously. "Are you – are you going somewhere?"
"To find Gippal," I said, rapidly sobering. "I guess we'll be heading to Bevelle soon and I ... I think there're some things I need to tell him."
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I found Gippal where I had left him, though instead of standing before the CommSphere he was sitting on the steps leading up to the Cloister of Trials, his head propped up on one hand. He appeared deep in thought and didn't look up when I entered the temple.
A quick glance to the right showed me that the CommSphere was once again silent. Evidently the discussion was over and my friends were expecting us in Bevelle.
"Gippal?"
My voice echoed in the shadowy confines of the temple and he started, removing his hand from his face as he looked across the distance between us and saw me.
"All packed and ready to go?"
"Gippal I –"
He rubbed at his eye-patch distractedly, as if it was irritating him. "We got everthin' sorted out so there's no need for you to worry. I'm goin' to Bevelle as soon as possible. Guess I'll get to see how good Baralai is as a host." He looked so tired and defeated; it almost broke my heart and I instantly regretted my earlier reaction to Yuna's news. Unfortunately, despite our talent with machina, we Al Bhed are still yet to develop any kind of time machine and I had no way of going back and changing what I had said and done.
All I could do was apologise.
Now there was something I was going to regret later on.
I walked across the empty temple hall, composing my apology in my head. However, when I joined him on the steps and he raised his eyes to look at me, all my words suddenly felt inadequate. Filled with nervous energy, I began toying with my scarf but I knew I had to say something. "I'm sorry about before," I said falteringly. "I just – I don't have a very good history with prisons."
Gippal's lips twitched. "Does anyone?"
I grinned, realising how silly my words sounded. "I guess not."
He sighed gustily. "Look Rikku – I get it." He held up his hands when I opened my mouth to argue. "No, seriously, I get it. I mean ... geez, of all the places in Spira I wanna visit, prison is definitely near the bottom of my list."
"But not actually at the bottom?" I couldn't help asking.
Gippal pulled a face. "Ever been to Baaj Temple? No thank you."
Having been unlucky enough to be one of the only people who actually had been to those broken and isolated ruins, I couldn't disagree. Although ironically, those ruins had actually seen the discovery of both the Celsius and Tidus, so I suppose I owed them something ...
Didn't mean I had to like the gloomy place.
"While you're in prison ... where do you want us to go?"
Gippal drummed his fingers against one knee. "Guadosalam," he said finally.
"Right," I nodded, seeing his logic. "To see if we can find any evidence that will prove you're innocent."
"To see if you can find anythin'," Gippal corrected. "Somehow I don't think a handy Gippal-didn't-do-it sign is gonna be waitin' for you there."
"No," I mused. "Still, that would be nice."
Our eyes met and we both burst out laughing. With the laughter came a great release of emotion and when our humour had faded I finally let go of my anger and managed to quash my fear for Gippal's future. I became relaxed enough that I even allowed myself to lean back so that I was resting against Gippal's chest. Anyone could have walked in on us in this uncompromising position but to be honest, I didn't really care.
Gippal toyed with the lose hair of my ponytail, wrapping strands around his fingers and then releasing them again. Whereas such an action would have irritated me in the past, now I found it strangely soothing and even went so far as to lean in to his touch. I swear, if I had been a cat I would have been purring.
At that moment everything seemed right with the world. Maybe, just maybe, everything would turn out okay. I wanted to believe that - I needed to believe that.
At length Gippal spoke. "Rikku ... it's goin' to be okay, you know."
I closed my eyes and tipped my head back so it was tucked neatly beneath his chin. "I know," I breathed. "I know."
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The journey to Bevelle passed by so quickly that it was over before it had really begun. It was weird, everyone was quieter than normal and there was a distinct air of uncertainty to the crew of the Melatha. Even Elhandra kept her thoughts to herself after her initial outburst about the fact that this situation was all my fault and Gippal was having to compensate for my inadequacies by going to prison.
Whatever else you could say about Elhandra, there was no denying that the woman was eloquent.
As for me and Gippal, we spent the majority of the journey together, marking it as distinctly different to the journey that had brought us to Djose Temple all those days ago. We talked about stupid, inconsequential things and before I knew it, the call came from Lreav that we were coming up to Bevelle and needed to get prepare for landing.
"Well here we go. Time to become public enemy number one."
For the first time I began to realise the full implication of what was happening to Gippal. Even if we did prove his innocence – and I'm sure that we would – his reputation would forever be marred by this accusation and arrest. I wondered what it would mean for his future with the Machine Faction.
A solemn group of people awaited him at the base of the Melatha's landing ramp. From our vantage point I could see Yuna, Paine, Baralai and Nooj, and beyond them, numerous reporters and television crews. Was Gippal's arrest going to be broadcast live to everyone in Spira?
Nervously I reached for his hand and was rewarded when his strong fingers wrapped around mine, squeezing them reassuringly. "Well, this is it."
"Yeah."
He took my other hand and held me at arms length. "You'd better look after my ship."
"Your ship will be fine. I can't say the same about Elhandra."
"Play nicely with the other kids, Cid's girl," he jested. "I'm relying on you to get me out of this mess."
I shook my head in mock-amazement. "Why do I spend my life getting you out of trouble? First Vegnagun, now this ...?"
He tightened his grip on my hands and stepped forward so that our noses were almost touching. "Better start getting used to it."
"Is that a threat?"
"A promise." And with that, he kissed me, hard. In full view of everyone who was waiting down below. Any lingering hope I had been holding that my blossoming relationship with Gippal would remain private, died – but suddenly it didn't seem all that important anymore.
I didn't want the moment to end but finally, he pulled back. His fingers grazed my cheek, he murmured, "Have fun," and then he was gone, clattering down the ramp as if he hadn't a care in the world.
I watched him go, my heart sinking. He greeted Baralai, then Nooj, but I was too far away to hear what was being said. I wanted to stay there, to watch as everything unfolded, but as Gippal turned to talk to Yuna, her eyes flickered up to where I was standing. The pure, pitying emotion in those duel-coloured depths stung and I stepped back quickly, slapping the ramp release so that it began to lift back into place. I didn't want Yuna's sympathy or pity. I was no longer angry with her – and I didn't really blame her either – but I couldn't stand to see her look at me as if she was a frightened puppy afraid that I was going to kick her.
I breathed a sigh of relief when the ramp clanged shut. It was a relief that was short lived because footsteps behind me heralded the approach of Lreav and Elhandra, the former of whom looked apologetic and the latter, resentful.
"Rikku, the Bevelle authorities want us to leave. They say the crowds are getting nasty."
Oh Spira, what had I just abandoned Gippal too? What if someone tried to hurt him? He was innocent but no one believed that and they might –
I squared my shoulders, suppressing my errant thoughts with difficulty. "Well we don't want to upset the Bevelle authorities." Even I wasn't sure whether I was being sarcastic or not. "And we've got no reason to stay. So let's go."
"Who put you in charge?" Elhandra asked rudely.
"Gippal," I responded coolly. "And if you're even the slightest bit interested in saving him, then you'll listen to me."
Lreav stepped between us before a fight could develop. "Where to Rikku?"
"Guadosalam," I replied, remembering Gippal's wish. I shot Elhandra a quick glance, expecting objections, but she was inspecting her nails with a bored expression on her face and didn't appear to be listening. So I decided to ignore her and focused solely on Lreav. "We're going to find proof that Gippal's innocent," I told him, sounding more confident than I felt. "And we're going to catch whoever's really behind these bombings."
"It's a lot to do." Lreav smiled. "We'd best get started then."
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Okay – advanced warning: don't expect any Gippal in the next chapter. This fic is, and always will be, written in the first person (Rikku) and seeing as she's off to Guadosalam and Gippal's left in Bevelle ... he definitely won't be in the next chapter – unless I sneak him in somehow – and it's unlikely he'll be in the one after that. But don't worry, I haven't forgotten about him!
On to the thankyous:
simpleandpink: hehe – great timing on your part! And congrats – you're the first member of the 'We Hate Elhandra' club : ) As for killing her in some imaginative ways, I'm always open to suggestion although I can't promise anything ...
punkygal: I did consider having Gippal run away but it works better plot-wise if he actually agrees to being arrested. And besides, then it's more angsty for Rikku because I've just got them together and now I'm tearing them apart again!
Letselina: heh – glad you liked my evil cliffie. I thought I'd dropped one in seeing as the fic had been cliffy-free for a while : ) Oh and don't worry about Leblanc. You'll find out what happened to her and her house in the next chappie.
Lady D3ath: Sorry! Gippal had to be arrested – but don't worry, you don't think I'm going to let him languish in jail for the rest of the story, do you? And you're the 2nd member of the 'we hate Elhandra' club so welcome to the group and discuss away : )
Al bhed Princess: well you're the 3rd official member of the 'we hate Elhandra' club! ::everyone cheers:: and hey, don't worry about your Sats. Yeah, they suck but they'll be over before you know it : ) ::takes galaxy:: mmmm .... I looooove chocolate. ::takes Tidus plushie:: Yay – my collection is immense now!
Back of Beyond: oh yeah, I can DUN DUN DUN with the best of 'em : )
Tamelia: ::takes Lreav plushie:: wow – I'm running out of space from all my plushies! I need a bigger shelf ... God YES – being a secretary is boring. But it pays well so who am I to complain? And yup, I am going off to university so come September I'll be relocating. Wish me luck! Oh and thanks for the 300 congrats!
CaptainRikku: hehe – Mascot dresspheres ::snigger:: : ) That's a really good idea, which I would have used if Gippal hadn't been arrested! Sure, I can take a look at your fics and I'll try and be as honest as possible. I know how irritating a vague review can be : )
Limewings: wow – thanks for your lovely words! I find that maintaining a character is always the hardest thing to do in a fic, particularly when your using ones that people already have a strong pre-conceived idea about ... so it's great to know I'm doing okay! Please let me know if I suddenly slip and my characters become totally OOC : )
Wannabe-Pansgirl96: heh – you're not the first to want to kill Elhandra. Unfortunately, I need her alive at the moment so you'll have to put up with her for a bit longer!
Crazy Katy: thanks and it's great to see a new reviewer at this stage! I hope you continue to read and enjoy : )
Xtreme Nuisance: oh yeah – Gippal's life is pretty crappy right now ; ) And Rikku's isn't much better. If only they could work out who's behind the bombing ... hehehe
sinner saint: woohoo – another convert to the story! Hehe – thanks for such a cool review and I'm glad you're enjoying the story!
heather: that's exactly how I feel about Gippal/Rikku's relationship. Everything's too new from them to jump straight into love. And as for Elhandra and Gippal? Well, you'll have to read on to find out what kind of a character she is ; ) Thanks for the review!
rikkufan: hehe – don't worry, I'm not going to abandon you on that cliffie! I'm not THAT evil! I'm glad you like the ups and downs of the story – I worked hard to make it as realistic as I could, which is why it took 9 chapters before anything concrete happened between them! And welcome to the 'we hate Elhandra' club as member number 4 : )
Paperback Rider: sorry if I confused you! You're right about Gippal taking all of the bombs from the Bevelle explosion but Yuna's referring to the Guadosalam bombing. The same Machine Faction bombs were used at both, but because Gippal didn't know about the Guado bombing, he didn't know to confiscate the bombs and therefore, the authorities found them and recognised the symbol. Is that any clearer? If not, try re-reading the end of the last chapter, because it's explained there : )
poplollyblues: yup – you should have learnt by now that as soon as Rikku and Gippal are happy, I'll do something to tear them apart again : ) I'm so evil – hehe!
Lolo: I hope this chapter fulfilled your Rikku angsty moments! And don't worry, the next few chapters will also be filled with them as poor old Rikku tries to clear Gippal's name.
killkikyopeople: yay – fluffy goodness : ) but please don't get angry because I split them up again! And you're right, angry Yuna is totally scary. It was fun to play around with some other characters now and again but too much scary Yuna is bad for me so we won't be seeing her for a while!
Bree-2006: wow – thank you THANK YOU for a lovely review : ) : ) Seriously – it really made my day and it's so great to know you're enjoying my story so much! I hope you won't lose track of it again!
Phoenix Felor: thanks sooooo much for your great review! I don't really know what to say in response except thanks and I hope you keep on reading the story because I really appreciate your input : ) Hope you enjoyed your time in D.C and that this new chapter is waiting for you when you get back!
Dawn: thanks for the lovely compliments and I hope you enjoy this chappie!
Bulma BriefsYue Lover: aww, damn the weather. School's bad enough without having to stay behind because of a stupid thunderstorm! Anyway, I hope you're having a good time and I also hope the weather's better!
missaw: yeah – join the club! You'll be the 5th member if you do : )
Lttlwings: hehe – yup I'm evil! Glad you like what's happening so far and you're totally right about the ups and the downs. Hmm ... I wonder which class this chappie falls in to? I guess the down one because I'm slitting Gippal and Rikku up again : )
i won't tell: yay – you're the 6th member of the club! Hmm ... maybe I should burn Elhandra ON a pile of lion bars ... hehehe. And yes, pick axes and handsaws are always welcome : ) Maybe some stakes as well ...
ying ying 54: welcome to the club – you're member number 7! And thanks for such a cool review – it's always so great to hear what people are thinking : )
kingleby: hey – congrats on your excellent GCSE results! Seriously – you did great : ) And great results especially in English – bet I can guess what subjects you'll be studying at A Level!
Fire Spirit: I probably shouldn't admit this, but I've only just worked out who's behind everything myself! And I'm gonna keep you in suspense until the very end : ) : )
Kiwifroot: thanks for the review : ) and as for an eventual jail-break, well my lips are sealed. I don't want to give anything away either way ...
Taryn: yup – I felt it was time to let Rikku and Gippal finally get together! But then of course, in true JoeyStar fashion, I had to tear them apart again by arresting Gippal – hehe : ) Thanks SO much for your great reviews – I look forward to them each chapter because they always make me smile. In answer to your question, I'm off to study Drama and Creative Writing at university and I definitely hope to become a writer eventually. Fingers crossed for the future : )
Erenriel the Elven Canuck: wow – glad someone finally appreciates my plot! Actually, that was one major problem when I started this story because I only had a vague plot in mind, but now things are looking up and I'm really glad you're enjoying it : ) On the subject of Lhan's character, to be honest, I don't know what a Mary Sue is but there's far more to Lhan than meets the eye. I can't say anything more without giving stuff away, but Lhan is really important in terms of the plot – and I'm sure she'll surprise everyone by the time this fic is over!
Hella: hey, Nooj is all well and good but Gippal and Rikku are the way to go! I hope I can continue to convert you and I also hope you continue to enjoy the story : )
angelicmayuka: thanks a ton for your great review – what you said about characterisation is really cool to hear : ) And sorry about the cliffie but I didn't feel as if I had tortured my readers enough recently – hehe
Sariah Loire-Valentine: not so much fluffiness in this chapter, or in the next few, but there will definitely be more in this fic so please stick with me!
Unknown Yuna: hey – don't worry about it. I know it sounds lame but homework IS more important than reviewing : ) And hey – you're now the 8th member of the 'we hate Elhandra' fanclub!
JesiLee: yup – I thought I'd torture you all a bit more with an evil cliffie : ) Enjoy!
oceanbang: Paine was interesting to write because she's so sarcastic – and it was fun to write other canon characters for a change, instead of just Rikku and Gippal. Maybe we'll see more of her in the future : )
Riyue: poor Guados! We find out more about them in the next chapter but you know, one of your comments in your review wasn't so far off the mark ... but I'm not gonna tell you which one!
As always, read, review and enjoy : )