Lie In The Sound
Chapter 14: Beauty In The Breakdown


After my doctor had come in to give me my last consultation about what I was and was not allowed to do once I left the hospital, I was completely ready to leave. Paine folded a few items and stuffed them into my old travel bag, listening as I complained about the bruises that covered my arms and hands. "Couldn't they have… I dunno, hooked them all into one? Or three? Instead of ten?"

"No, otherwise I'm sure they would've done it." She rolled her eyes at me as I sighed, swinging my legs over the side of my bed. Then, she tossed me a bundle of clothing and pointed at the bathroom. "Go get dressed."

I groaned as I pushed myself off of the bed. My back was sore, my legs were sore, my butt was sore… everything was sore. "I hope you all didn't bring me huge clothes. I may not be back to my normal weight, but I'm definitely not pregnant anymore."

"Just put them on."

I shook my head and walked carefully into the bathroom, closing the door behind me. Hesitantly, I unfolded the little bundle. I smiled as I pulled on a pair of warm looking pants and a normal white t-shirt. Not bad… I thought, as I looked at myself in the mirror. Being in a coma had already caused me to lose a lot of weight. I was sure that I'd be back to… well, close to normal, at least… without many problems. I put my hair up to keep it out of my way and sighed at the sight of the bruises on my arms once more.

When I emerged from the bathroom, I met a shocking visual: Paine was rocking Telan, singing to her to keep her quiet. She blushed when I met her eyes. "She… I spent a lot of time with her while you were asleep. She was getting cranky, so…"

I smiled and sat back down on the bed, reaching for my shoes. "I don't mind. It was just strange, is all. I know you like Vidina, but you can actually play with him. She's tiny, you know… you stayed away from him until he learned how to crawl."

She nodded. For a few seconds, she watched the baby with a strange expression on her face. Then, she looked at me, shifting her weight from foot to foot. "I guess that when I saw you the way you were, I got scared. She reminded me of you, and I missed you… so I latched onto her. You're one of my best friends… I haven't been as scared as I've been the last week or so for years." Paine then quieted and turned to the window, rocking my child as she looked out over the city.

I smiled to myself as I pulled on my boots, occasionally glancing up at my friend. Coming from Paine, those words meant a lot, and I was touched.


Rikku was tired already, I could see it in her eyes. She'd insisted on trying to walk most of the way back to the house, but when I'd noticed her wincing, I'd forced her to sit back in the wheelchair and let me take her home. Paine had left us at the hospital doors, saying something about needing supplies. Telan was snug in Rikku's arms, wrapped in a warm blanket for her first trip outside. When we finally arrived at the Faction house, I heard Rikku sigh with relief, and I grinned.

I helped her to stand, and she gave me a look of gratitude. "Want me to take her? Your arms have to be tired by now." She nodded and carefully passed our daughter into my arms, smiling at her lovingly.

"Dryhgc, Gippal." I nodded and knocked on the door. We didn't wait long for an answer. Cid smiled as he pulled the door open and hugged Rikku tightly. I laughed as she rolled her eyes. "Re, Vydran…"

He pulled her inside and down the side hall. I grinned as voices sounded in the living room. A moment later, Brother emerged with a smile on his face, and he looked to me expectantly. "Haat ramb fedr yhodrehk?" I looked back outside and nodded toward the wheelchair and her bag.

"Ev oui luimt kad dryd cdivv ehceta, ed't pa knayd. E tuh'd fyhd du fyga Telan..." I walked down the hall as Brother went outside to get everything. When I turned into the living room, I saw Rikku sitting uncomfortably on the couch with Tidus and Cid. Yuna was in an armchair in the corner, but she jumped up as soon as I walked in the room. Wakka was on the ground, playing with Vidina, and Lulu sat in another chair.

Yuna looked down at Telan excitedly. "They're finally here!"

I glanced at Rikku, who was looking at the floor distractedly. I nodded to Yuna. "Yeah, I know. I brought 'em."

She rolled her eyes and reached for the baby. I pulled back with a little laugh. "No, she's asleep! And it took forever to get her that way!"

Yuna sighed and walked back to her chair. "Fine, I get her first when she wakes up."

Oh joy, now we get to play 'Claim the Baby'. What fun. I nodded in agreement and sighed quietly. I knew everyone was happy to see Rikku home and well, and to greet Telan into the circle of friends, but I could also plainly see that Rikku was exhausted and that if I didn't remove Telan from the room, she'll be woken up sooner or later anyway. "Rikku… let me show you around the house."

"Oh, yeah, that'd be great!" With a little too much enthusiasm, she pushed herself off the couch and walked through the doorway. "I'll be back in a little bit, guys…"

I took her hand and led her silently down the hallway toward our little bedroom. Once we got inside, I closed the door and she leaned on me with relief. "I knew you'd be exhausted."

"I just need a little nap, that's all. I'm not exhaust-" She grinned as she saw the little bassinet and rocking chair. "When did you do all this!"

"The other day while everyone was up at the hospital with you. Yuna helped, with the stuffed animals and stuff… but Cid and I put it all together." She grinned and watched as I crossed to the bassinet.

"Don't put her in there unless you're sure it won't fall apart."

"Crid ib." I carefully took the blanket from my daughter's body and put her inside the bassinet, covering her up once again when she was comfortable. Then, I turned to Rikku and pointed at the bed. "That's yours. I decided to be nice and give it up for you."

She sat back on the bed and flopped onto the pillows. "You didn't have to do that."

"I know, I'm such a gentleman." I sat next to her and smirked. She reached for the blanket at the foot of the bed and covered herself up.

"No, I mean… nevermind." She closed her eyes and pulled the blanket up further. "Thanks for getting me outta there. I'm too tired to deal with all of them at once."

"Yeah, I know. That's why you love me." She nodded tiredly, not really paying attention as she drifted off into slumber.


Everyone had gathered around the table for dinner. I was happy to be among everyone once more, but I was developing a migraine from all the ruckus. Yuna had passed Telan to Lulu once she'd gotten hungry. Lulu had held her for a while, and then had passed her to me. My baby seemed to be developing a headache as well… she was fussy.

Gippal sat next to me, laughing at Tidus, who was currently stuck with Vidina. The lively toddler was taking handfuls of the ex-guardian's food, shoveling it into his mouth. I rested Telan's head on my shoulder, patting the tiny infant's back softly. "It's okay, sweetie…" I whispered, pushing my chair back and standing. I walked over to the counter and single-handedly collected one of the little bottles that the hospital had sent us home with. It was a bit difficult to balance the baby and try to open the can of formula by myself, but I managed.

I began to shake up the contents of the bottle as she began to cry… loudly. Gippal left the table as well and took over my bottle shaking, looking apologetically over his shoulder as the two of us left the dining area.

"She doesn't fuss like this all that often, don't worry." He smiled at me reassuringly. I sighed heavily as I patted her back.

"This is fussing? It sounds like crying to me."

He frowned, a strange emotion in his eyes. "You'll know crying when you hear it." With a sigh, he opened the door into the bedroom, holding it open for me as I entered. "Do you want me to calm her down?"

"No." I shook my head and sat back on the bed. "I have to learn how to take care of her on my own sooner or later." I made myself comfortable on my pillows and readjusted Telan in my arms. Gippal offered me the bottle and I in turn offered it to Telan. She drank willingly, and I smiled, running my fingers through her white blonde hair with affection. "There, that worked."

Gippal chuckled and looked toward the door. "Did you eat?"

"I wasn't all that hungry." He sighed heavily and stood, walking to the doorway. "Where are you going?"

"To get your food. You need to eat actual food, Rikku."

I closed my eyes and took a few deep breaths. "I'm having a hard enough time dealing with everyone else… don't you start acting like Mommy Yuna, too."

I've always known him to be stubborn, and he held true to the expectation. "I'll be back in a few minutes." He closed the door behind him as he trudged back down the hall. Silently, I shook my head and took solace in the silence.


I woke in the middle of the night, listening to Gippal's soft whispering, the back and forth swish of the rocking chair. I waited for a few minutes, before opening my eyes and watching him.

He had our daughter cradled in his arms, and he was smiling lovingly down at her, whispering quietly, calmly. I could hear her little infant cooing, faint from across the room. As I listened to both his voice and her voice… I couldn't help but lie in the sound of it. The scene brought a smile to my lips. I shifted under my blankets, attracting Gippal's attention. He smiled and held a finger up to his lips as he continued to rock her.

After ten minutes or so, he tenderly stood and gently set her sleeping form down in the bassinet, covering her tiny body with a warm blanket. After that was taken care of, he stretched. I must admit, I appreciated the sight… a shirtless Gippal hadn't yet proven disappointing for me. Then, he turned and walked hesitantly to my bedside, kneeling on the ground beside it, his arms crossed on the bed, chin resting upon them. "Sorry I woke you… Telan was yelling for attention."

I grinned. "I didn't hear her."

"That's because you sleep like a rock when you're exhausted." He smirked and I scooted over under the covers, patting the empty space beside me. He raised an eyebrow before crawling up from the floor and resting beside me.

"…you're really good with her, Gip." I yawned and pulled my heavy bedcovers over him. He settled in right away. Both of us liked heavy blankets… for a while at least. I had a tendency to kick them off.

He closed his eyes and rested his head on a pillow. I frowned as I watched him breathe deeply… he looked so tired. "I love her…"

"You have no idea how thankful I am for that." I tentatively reached out, wrapping my arm about his bare waist. He opened his gorgeous eyes and stared at me as I pulled him closer.

"I don't understand how you could have ever thought that I wouldn't want her… I know I said I wasn't ready for kids yet, but… I would have been excited even if I didn't think I was ready."

I hesitated. "I know… I… I know, Gippal."

"Then why didn't you just tell me?" I hadn't expected him to sound hurt when the inevitable question arose. I'd expected him to sound angry… the hurt tone in his voice threw me off balance.

"I… I just couldn't, Gippal." I closed my eyes and relaxed, comforted by his warm skin.

His arm snaked around my waist and upper back, and he gently pulled me toward him. His lips gently brushed over my cheek as he spoke. "Why can't you give me a reason?"

I sighed heavily, whispering, my voice shaky. "Why can't you stop pressing me for one?"

Both of us froze. It was almost like time stopped for a few precious seconds as we stared at each other. And then he pulled away, crossing the room to the little cot in the corner. "… goodnight, Rikku."

"Goodnight, Gippal." We were both silent for a long time. Once his breath was slow, steady, I let my fingers linger over my cheek, let my mind linger on the touch of his lips to my skin. How I missed him, in every way a person could be missed… and yet how distant I felt from him, as well.


As I towel dried my hair, I sighed deeply. Even though I'd taken a shower as soon as I could stand long enough to do so back in the hospital, I finally felt refreshed. We were leaving in the morning… everyone was going in their separate directions, returning to normal. I frowned, looking out the small window toward the harbor. I closed my eyes and listened, letting the sound of the waves against the nearby docks take my mind far out to sea, where there was nothing to worry about but the wind and the waves.

A knock disrupted my silent reverie, and I looked toward the door. Lulu stood there, Telan in her arms, blinking at the sudden light that was leaking in from the window. "Hey…" I said, with a tiny grin. "Just got out of the shower."

"Feeling any less sore?" she asked, coming to sit next to me on the bed. I nodded and moved my damp hair off my shoulder, taking Telan from her. I kissed her little blonde head softly, and then looked to Lulu.

"Is something wrong?" She was looking at me much too critically.

She sighed and continued to watch me… it was giving me the creeps, in a good way. I think. "I'm just thinking."

"About?"

"The trip home tomorrow. I must say, I wish we could take the Celsius, but if your brother has to work, he has to work." She shrugged.

I grinned. "I doubt Gippal will let him off."

She nodded. "Exactly. But at least you get a quick, comfortable ride."

I wrinkled my nose at her, confused. "I do?"

"Well, you're going to Djose, so you can take the airship back." Her deep red eyes locked on my green ones with a smile. I simply stared at her coolly, patting my baby on the back, until I became uncomfortable and averted my gaze.


It was late when I returned from Tidus' room. I yawned as I walked down the moonlit hall. I was exhausted mentally as well as physically, now. I quietly opened the door, finding myself hoping that he was asleep.

But he wasn't. He was wide awake, packing quietly so as not to wake Telan. He smiled up at me as I entered, and I weakly smiled back. "I was beginning to think you were raiding the kitchen."

"I'm not really that hungry…" I rested on the bed, avoiding his gaze. He didn't really seem to notice as he haphazardly tossed his clothes into a duffel bag. I waited for a moment as he continued to take clothing out of the dresser before I got onto the floor and emptied the bag, folding the items and tucking them back in a much more efficient matter.

He turned when he saw what I was doing and flopped onto the floor next to me, taking a pair of pants from my hands. "Don't worry about it. You need to pack your own stuff."

"I already did most of it… I didn't have time to bring much with me."

He nodded and looked over to the bassinet. "Need help getting all her stuff ready?" he asked, putting a hand on my shoulder supportively. "You look tired."

"I am tired… It's okay, though, I've got everything packed up for her, too. Except the blankets. And I figure we're just leaving the bassinet here?"

He nodded. "I like it, but… the place needs somewhere for people to put a baby, so it works out." I nodded and took back the pair of pants, folding them tenderly.

"Yeah… it works out." I heard him take a deep breath as he stretched over to the dresser, pulling more clothing out of its drawers, taking the time to fold them neatly.

"Are you excited about going back to Djose?" He asked, conversationally. I was quiet for a moment, until he stopped folding and looked up at me expectantly.

"I'm excited about going to Besaid." My voice was calm, but my heartbeat wasn't. I was certain that he could hear it from where he was sitting. Gippal's eyes looked confused for a moment, as he nervously ran a hand through his hair. Then, he steadied himself, nodding as if he knew that.

"Besaid… I hope it isn't too hot there, I didn't really think to bring any light clothes…" He made to push himself off the ground, but I reached out and grabbed his forearm, staring straight at him.

"I'm going to Besaid, Gippal."

"Yeah… you just said that." He grinned, acting nonchalant. I knew that he was getting edgy, though.

"No, I mean… me. Telan and I are going to go to Besaid." I was trying very hard not to hesitate, to sound firm, decided.

"And wherever my ladies go, I follow, no?" He'd dropped the fake cool attitude, now, and was looking nervously from Telan's sleeping face to my firm one.

"… I wanted you to follow me before, Gippal… but I don't think I want you to follow me, now." I pulled my hand away and returned to the door, avoiding his unbelieving gaze as I did so.


And there you have it, ladies and gentlemen… Lie In The Sound is now complete. Much thanks to all of the reviewers throughout the entire fic! Thank you, also, to FairyIce for beta-ing so wonderfully. I can't wait to see everyone's reaction to this chapter. Threw you a curveball, I think… Anyway, the first chapter of the sequel, The Echo, will be posted within a week and a half of today. I need to catch up on the rest of my fics, which I've been neglecting in favor of this one, before I post it. Thank you all so much for reading! I hope you enjoyed it! Please Review!

-Jezzi