Disclaimer: Yah...Squaresoft.

Author's notes: Hey y'all again! Were you asking for a number three? Well, here you have it! Oh, and the last thing Gippal said was "You're Welcome." You don't need to download a translator -- you can simply search up 'Al Bhed Translator' and find a site that has it. Thank you all for liking my story.. cus I'm thinking it sucks. But I hope I'm doing everything right! Please REVIEW because your opinions help a lot! I know there's still not a lot of character involvement.. but there will be eventually!

P.S. If you check my bio, I'll let you know how the updates are coming along. Plus, remember anything between ** is Al Bhed spoken.

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It was late night and everyone around Home was dead asleep. Gippal laid in bed, fully awake, maybe thinking a little too much about things. The only noises Gippal heard were the little hums coming from the Machina outside his large room. The sounds he heard were like music to his ears though... he loved Machina so much, and being the leader of the Machine Faction fit him so perfectly. He had left his post at the Machine Faction and took half his men with him to help rebuild Home, but that wasn't most of his worries, since he had put Nhadala in charge. He figured he'd still need to check up on them, it's been nearly a year since he left. He'd drop a visit soon. Everyone was excited over Home almost being complete, and it was such a relief knowing that. Gippal put his hands behind his head and looked up at the dark ceiling, if he was so relieved over Home almost being finished, then why did he feel so sad about it? Rikku -- that's why. He knew it wasn't too long till he had to return back to the Machine Faction; he knew it wasn't too long till everyone would have to pack up to return to their normal lives once again, and he knew it wasn't too long until he had to separate himself from her once more...

Gippal sat up and then moved to the floor, leaning his back on the bed. He wasn't one to really like comfort. He felt so empty, and hoped that Rikku was thinking of him just as much as he thought of her. If she didn't, he felt like he was wasting his heart. He placed the back of his head on the edge and pushed back his ungelled hair with both his hands... too many memories were flooding back into his mind. He thought back to the times when he and Rikku were childhood friends and she always forced him to play 'house' with her -- him having to be the husband and Brother being the dog. He admitted liking to kick the dog while they played, but back then, being fed invisible tea then spitting it back out showed his distaste. Rikku was always a good sport though, she never cried or ran to her father whenever Gippal went overboard with pranks. He also teased her all the time when they were younger… "Cid's little girl!" He did it back then and he still continued to do it now. Gippal had a crush on her before and he was always afraid to show it, so he hid his emotions through teasing or ignoring her. Gippal was no prince charming on a white horse, he was the complete opposite, so he had to keep his reputation that way. By now, you figured he'd learn to grow up... but it was no use.

Gippal got up from the floor and walked to the door; he hated being still while he thought; he had to move around. He walked out his door and started down the dimly floor-lit hallway, not knowing where he was going. Rikku kept flowing through his mind and he couldn't stand it... he felt weak, needing her the way he did. And knowing he had to leave her killed him even more. It wasn't so bad when he left for the Crimson Squad and joined the Crusaders; he didn't need her then... he didn't love her then. They both had their own lives to lead. She had to go off with her cousin Yuna and save the world from Sin. They went their separate ways and he coped fine. Now, he was afraid he wouldn't be able to...

Gippal's been working on Home for almost a year now, and it was only two months ago since the day Rikku walked back into his life wanting to help him out. Unexpectedly, her performance and dedication to her work was outstanding and topped all of his other workers, and everyday she surprised Gippal with her amazing Machina abilities. What a turn on. Also, day by day, he found Rikku more and more beautiful. Recently, when Gippal would head back to his room to sleep, he would catch himself awake just like this night, realizing how much he missed her. Gippal had to knock himself out of it, every waking moment he reminisced about her and thought about her. Rikku even haunted him in his dreams. She was contagious and infected every inch of his brain. Gippal was afraid of this; having let himself go. He didn't want someone impacting him as much as she did. He didn't want to need her, see her, feel her... Too late.

"Damn that wonderful bitch." He whispered and then pounded on the wall. Gippal continued to walk around and then found himself outside of Rikku's door just like the nights before. He placed his hands on the door then turned his head to place his ear on the cold metal in hopes of hearing her stir around from the inside. Of course there was no way possible he'd be able to hear anything, but the man was miserably obsessed with Rikku. He wanted to walk in her room so bad and just sit there to watch her sleep. Maybe that way he'd relax a little bit. But would he dare? No, no, no. Gippal was simply going out of his mind. He turned around to head back to his room, it was incredibly late and hopefully he'd get some sleep now. There was a long day ahead of him.

Gippal walked back into his plain, but Machina filled room and went over to his bed. He sat on the edge, elbowed his knees, and then sank his head into his hands. He had to admit it, he loved Rikku. If he didn't, then why'd he always think of her, feel a rush every time she was near, and freakily stalk her in the middle of the night? Gippal realized how much deep shit he was in. He was sure Rikku wouldn't love him back. He was such a jerk towards her and who would love someone who teased and dissed you every chance they had? Gippal couldn't help it. Maybe doing that was his way of trying to escape her wonderness that he eventually fell for. No, that was the lamest excuse. Gippal knew that that wasn't the real answer. It was his stupid ego that blocked out his caring and sensitive side. He was afraid of rejection so he simply rejected the person first before they could've rejected him. That was one of the reasons why he fell for Rikku, she saw behind his mask. In a way, that was a good, yet a bad thing. After all the times Rikku's been pummeled to the floor by his comments, she still cared for him and was his friend. But why?

'Maybe she really does love me,' thought Gippal. No, that was the way Rikku was with everyone. How would he be any different compared to them? He knew it was no use. No matter how much of a manly man he was, he knew he wasn't man material when it came to loving Rikku. She needed more than he could ever give. Then again, he had to try. She's was too much of something for him to past up. She belonged to him and he belonged to her. Gippal laid down on his bed then really wished he had the guts to finally tell her the way he felt. For the first time ever in his life, he felt like he couldn't get something he really wanted. Damn that Rikku, damn her. He took in a deep breath and then closed his eyes. 'I need to do it. What's there to lose?'

...Everything.

The next night:

"Oo..fresh, fresh, fresh, fresh! E vaam cu kuut!" (I feel so good!) Rikku said to herself. After a long day of hard work, Rikku felt incredibly filthy, so she enjoyed every shower she took. Rikku was prancing around her new room half-naked with just her towel on, steam from the hot water still seemed to rise from her skin. Rikku was also glad that her room was finally finished with all it's touch-ups and there wasn't anymore building left to do in her part of Home. Cid made sure to that -- his daughter had to get the best privileges around. Rikku's room was still half-empty though; all that was in it were the necessities, no decoratives yet. Rikku blasted her music and then took out the towel from her head and started to rub-dry her long, blonde hair. While she was rubbing away, there was a hard knock on the door. "Hmm?" Rikku turned off her music and looked at her door, she wondered why anyone would visit her at such a late hour. Rikku gripped onto her body towel and rewrapped it around her chest, then tossed her headwrap on her bed. She walked to the door, still dripping water a little water. It was most likely Brother knocking at her door, coming to bother her about the Celsius. Brother was a pain in the butt and she groaned at the thought of having to hear him complain to her. Rikku then opened her door wide expecting to see Brother, but instead she spotted Gippal standing there. Gippal's shock was written all over his face when he first spotted Rikku.

"Rikku...I --" Gippal stuttered, surprised to see her in this fashion. Rikku saw the devilish look in his eyes as he skimmed her body up and down. Rikku screamed and quickly slammed the door in Gippal's face. She turned her back and leaned against the door, her chest huffed up and down from embarrassment.

"What are you doing here, Gippal?" She asked him through the door, a little panicked. Rikku knew she looked like a mess and she didn't want Gippal to see her.

"I, I need to talk to you, Rikku." The sound of his voice sounded serious, and Rikku freaked out even more.

"Uhm, hold on, Gippal. I'm a little nakey!!" Rikku ran around her room looking for something quick to toss on. Her spheres were no help, it'd take forever for her to transform. She then ran into her bathroom and grabbed a bathrobe and some slippers; it wasn't much, but it gave her more coverage and support.

She ran out back into her bedroom while wrapping the robe around her waist. She grabbed a quick glimpse in the mirror and rubbed her robe down. She tussled her hair and then decreased the amount of lighting, hoping it'd hide her a little bit. Rikku then went to her door, took a large breath inward and whispered some reassurance to herself. Gippal was standing just outside her door, and she was overwhelmed with excitement. Rikku wasn't one to be so self-conscience, but recently, she always felt like she had to be at least decent-looking to impress Gippal. It was a change, not exactly bad though, since it didn't bother her. She put on her smile and opened the door, slowly.

"Uh, hello, Gippal!" She watched him look at her again, he was enjoying this moment. Rikku was a little nervous, but she was pleased by the sight of Gippal. Since she had opened the door, Gippal still hadn't said a word, he had just stared at her. Rikku placed her hands on her waist and tipped her head at Gippal. Curiosity ran through Rikku's mind... why had Gippal come to visit her? "...Ahem! Gippppaalll."

Gippal finally came out from his daze and then looked at her in the eyes. "Hey Rikku." Were the only words that seemed to come out his mouth. Rikku stood there, anticipating for more, but nothing else came out. This moment felt really awkward to Rikku, why wasn't he talking?

"Hey Gippal... Is there something you wanted?" She gave out one of her innocent looks. Rikku saw Gippal open his mouth but then he closed it again. He obviously had something to say, but just couldn't say it. This wasn't like Gippal, because he usually spoke his mind. Something unique was about to come out of his mouth and Rikku could sense it. She was too impatient to wait, so she said to him, "Lusa uh, cbed ed uid...you know you wanna!" (Come on, spit it out...)

Gippal suddenly reached out and took held of Rikku's hands. Rikku felt a string of chills run through her body and she felt like her heart had just popped out of her chest and into his hands. This wasn't like Gippal... but she loved it. He was holding her hands gently and Rikku naturally warmed up to him and stepped closer. Her heart was beating at an untamable pace and it scared her in a way. Rikku looked up at Gippal, and found him staring deep into her emerald eyes. All of these new feelings were happening to her over him just holding her hands -- Rikku was feeling foolish. What if it didn't mean anything? Then again... when does Gippal ever do this?

"...Gippal?" Rikku whispered. Gippal was looking at her in the most foreign way. She could tell he had so much to tell her, but exactly what? The moment seemed to last forever until Gippal broke the sensible silence.

"There's something on your face." Gippal said randomly and in the grimiest way possible.

"What!?" Rikku touched her check and stepped away. He did all that just to say those cruel words to her? Rikku knocked herself back into reality and rethought her thoughts. Wait a second... what did she even expect from him in the first place? This was Gippal here... it seemed like he didn't love at all. Rikku's heart dropped and realized that she didn't mean much of anything to him, and he wouldn't ever feel for her the way she did for him. 'Maybe friends was were it's meant to be,' thought Rikku, so then she pushed aside her emotions. She learned that you'll never get hurt if you never expect much. Rikku forced herself to not expect anything from Gippal; if he didn't have love for her, she didn't want to struggled over a heartbreak and continue to have feelings for him. Yet, it was so hard. Sometimes she felt like he really loved her, then it came to times like this... where everything was a joke. Well, if it's a joke, you'd might as well joke along back. Gippal was still so much fun, and she wouldn't let her mixed feelings get in the way from having a great time. She didn't want to lose that special connection with him.

"Where?" Rikku questioned, criss-crossing her eyes trying to spot the mark on her face. Her usual smile reappeared on her face and the sparkle in her eye gleamed. Rikku was great at controlling her emotions, and she was wise enough to know exactly how to make use of them. She didn't want to get sad over Gippal when she knew he could make her happy if she was happy.

"Right there." Gippal pointed at a spot on her left cheek.

"Here?" Rikku placed her finger right on the smudge.

"Pimm'c aoa." (Bull's eye.) Said Gippal. Rikku rubbed away at her cheek with the palm of her hand, hoping she'd get the mark off. Ten seconds later she stopped rubbing.

"Okay, there." Rikku smiled, hoping she got the smudge off that the shower obviously missed and turned her cheek towards Gippal's direction. "Is it gone now?"

"Is that the best you can do? It's still there."

"What? It's still there?" Rikku was surprised. That must've been one deep-pored stain.

"You know..." Gippal spit in his hand and then lifted it towards Rikku's face, "I could always get it off for you."

"Ewww! Gippal! Get away from me!" Rikku pushed away his arm and shielded her cheek. She wanted to laugh at his sense of humor, but at the same time she was grossed out. He wouldn't dare touch her with that hand, would he? "I'd rather have a smudge on my face than your spit!"

"No, really... It'd be my pleasure, Rikku!" Gippal grabbed hold of her waist and prepared to touch her face. Rikku then struggled free and ran into her room, trying to avoid him. She couldn't help but smile and laugh, they were playing get away like the yonder years... and it made her feel so good, even if he was chasing her to spit on her face. They were running around the room, knocking a few things down here and there. Finally, Rikku backed up and bumped into her bed. Gippal was inching closer and closer, walking slowly, thinking he had trapped her.

"Gippal, you back off right now! Or I'll... I'll --" Rikku said, a little out of breath.

"Oui'mm fryd?" (You'll what?) Gippal asked, not worried. Rikku was stumped there; she knew there wasn't much she could've done to him.

"I'll...mess up your hair...!" She said in wise-crack voice. She then spit in both her hands and reached them out in his direction.

"Oh?" Gippal then paused and laughed at her. "Oh, come on, you think I'm afraid of that?"

"Let's check!" Rikku then ran straight at him catching Gippal off guard just for the slightest bit, but he eventually dodged her weak attempt to rustle his hair. Rikku stumbled a little bit, and suddenly felt strong arms wrapped around her entire body. Rikku kicked and squirmed, but he overpowered her. He pushed her up against the wall gently and turned her around, still in full control. Rikku knew what was coming, so she closed he eyes and waited until it was over. It was awhile, and there was still no saliva covered finger rubbing at her face. Rikku loosened up and opened one of her eyes. She then saw Gippal's full face just centimeters away from hers; this caused her to open both her eyes in shock. Gippal was staring deeply at her and she felt his breath wrap around her face, melting her in everyway possible. A sexual sensation ran through her body and she felt as if she couldn't breath. 'Take me... just take me...' were what her emotions were screaming out. Her knees felt weak and she felt as if she was going to drown into his body. Gippal was still holding her up against the wall, but she didn't mind, as long as he was touching her. Rikku felt like she was dying, the sexual tension was so great it was killing her. Rikku stared at Gippal as he put one of his hands through Rikku's hair and placed it behind her neck, pulling her face even closer to his. This was it... Rikku closed her eyes and pouted her small lips gently -- It was really going to happen. Gippal was going to kiss her...

"RIKKU!!!" *Plamp!* Rikku found herself toppled all over Gippal's broad chest. He had suddenly jolted back the moment he heard Rikku's name being called out. Gippal had a reason to stop himself from kissing her though... it was Cid who was calling for his daughter. 'Noooo...' Rikku cried on the inside. 'No! This isn't fair! Why, dad, why now!?!' She looked up at Gippal who now had on a worried and scared expression; who knew what Cid would do to him if he caught him with his half-naked daughter in her room. Rikku didn't even want to think about it. As much as she hated to do it, she pushed Gippal off of her and lead him towards the bathroom door.

"Quick!" Said Rikku, shoving him into the bathroom. "There's a door on the other side that leads to my den -- once you're in there you can leave through the door that leads back into the hallway. Make sure my dad doesn't see you!" Gippal, standing between the crack of the door stared into Rikku's eyes one last time that night before she quickly shut the door in his face. Rikku then fell to the floor, feeling miserable. She laid in a heavy kneeling position, her butt heavy on the floor. The moment was so perfect... and it had to be ruined. Curse her luck. Shortly after Rikku closed the door on Gippal, Rikku heard her father walk into her room shouting at the top of his lungs.

"Rikku! *Good news! Tomorrow I'll let you visit Yuna to ask her --*" Cid stopped when he spotted his daughter on the floor. He asked in a worried tone, "*Is there something, wrong?*"

"Oo..*Everything father!*" Rikku whined.

"*Is it your room? Are you not happy with your room? I'll beat up the person who designed it if you want me to!*" Cid was starting to heat up with anger.

"No, no! *It's not that! I'm actually perfectly fine, Papa. Can you just leave me alone? I'll talk to you tomorrow about Yunie.*" Rikku's head hung low into her chest. She was still thinking about her spoiled moment with Gippal with clenched fists.

"*Are you sure?*" Cid squatted down near his daughter and place his hand on her shoulder.

"Yah, yah! Now go... please!" Said Rikku as she quickly got up and ran to her bed and flew onto it, digging her head beneath her pillow.

"Alright then..." Cid said as he turned his back and left her room. "*Hurgh...If only your mother were hear to comfort you... I simply can't do it.*" Cid rubbed his forehead and left for his study.

Rikku laid there in her bed underneath her large canopy and stuffed her pillow into her face. She then removed the pillow, sat up, and hurled the pillow against the wall. "Why me!" She screamed out. Rikku laid her head back down, angry at her luck, and figured she'd just try to fall asleep to get rid of her frustration.

"Hmm... Gippal." Rikku whispered under her breath during a dream she was having. She gripped her sheets tight in her palm and continued to say, "Don't let me go..." Little did Rikku know that Gippal was sitting there, next to her side, just watching her.

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Author's Notes: WOW! That took A LOT out of me... do you know it's 4:50 am in the morning and I finally finished writing the story to satisfy all you people! I hope my effort was worth the struggle I put into this emotion-filled chapter! I PRAY/HOPE/WISH that you liked it! Please ReVieW... and sorry about their "almost kiss." I just couldn't resist adding a little spice to the story. Love stories aren't all perfect! I'll update soon if you want me too! ^_^ THANKS for reading my story, much appreciation!