Disclaimer: I do not own FFX-2!

"…" character's speech

'…' character's thoughts

(…) my rambling

Note: Hello everyone! I hope you are enjoying this fic as much as I enjoy writing them! Thanx for the wonderful reviews, written by Back of Beyond, rikku-is-da-best, oOoRikku4EveroOo, asga, voicelord, oOoDancingQueenoOo, green-eyed-blonde, Black RoseReina, Jezzi, nyta, NatichaN, Jen, and Female Wakka.You areall such sweeties! Thanx again!Well here is theupdate and I hope it's long enough! Hopeyou enjoy and good reading!

Chapter 3

Gippal looked down at his watch before looking back up at the locked door in front of. He couldn't believe it. Rikku had been in the room for about one hour now, while he had only taken 15 minutes to change. What was she doing anyways? It wasn't that hard to get into the dress right? Besides he had asked one of the Al Bhed girl to go and buy the dress, since he didn't understand anything about female clothes.

Sighing in frustration, Gippal raked his messy blond hair back from his face before knocking for the fifth time onto the door. "Hurry up Cid's girl, we are going to be late!" He called out.

"Wait. I'm almost ready." Gippal heard her muffled voice from behind the door.

Gippal only sighed again, before pacing front and back in front of the door, waiting impatiently for the Al Bhed girl to come out so that they could leave. Looking back down at his watch, he noticed that they were already late, normally he wouldn't care, but he promised Nooj that he would be on time.

"Cid's girl come on!" He knocked once again.

"Ok. Ok. I'm coming!" She replied back annoyed.

Gippal just grabbed a nearby chair and dropped himself carelessly onto the seat. There he sat waiting once again, while staring at the locked door impatiently. Suddenly he heard the door unlock and it slowly opened. Gippal sat up.

"Finally your..." But he didn't finish his sentence when he saw the Al Bhed girl.

There stood Rikku, beautifully presented in front of him, as she twirled around once and smiled softly. Gippal couldn't help but to stare at that angel. She was amazing in that emerald dress that generously showed her curves and complimented her swirly eyes. Her blond hair was put down, making it cascade down her back and twirl up slightly at the end. Her angelic face had simple and few makeup that only emphasized her eyes and lips. All in all, Gippal had to admit that she was glamorously beautiful.

"Gippal, did you hear me?" Rikku asked as she waved her hand in front of his face.

Gippal coming back from his thoughts, quickly smiled. "What was that Cid's girl?"

"I asked if I looked adequate for this formal party." Rikku explained.

Gippal couldn't believe that she was asking such a question. "You look perfect. In fact I think you'll be the most beautiful girl in that boring party."

Surprised, Rikku found herself blushing, he never did compliment her that way before. "Thank you." She replied with a smile.

"Alright then, lets getting going."

...o...

They arrived 20 minutes late, but that didn't seem to make a big difference since they both sneaked in quietly, unnoticed into the party in Bevelle. The ballroom was beautifully decorated with the color gold, which was complimented with golden roses displayed around the place. Everything was splendid, with classic music being played, drinks and food carefully served, and the room brightly lightened. The ballroom was packed with people, and they were actually dancing in the large dance floor, but those who weren't dancing were chatting.

"Would you look at that. This party isn't that dead after all." Gippal whispered into her ear.

Rikku laughed before gazing around to find the drinks being served at a nearby table. "I'm thirsty. Lets get us some drinks."

Gippal nodded in agreement, before both of them headed toward the table. As they walked, Gippal suddenly noticed how some of the men slightly gazed at Rikku with interest and awe at her form. Their gazes slowly followed her moves. He couldn't help but to feel a tinge of jealousy at them. Slowly, he then found himself wrapping his arm around Rikku's waist and gently pulling her near.

Rikku feeling his soft touch, felt a shiver flow up her spin, but ignored and continued her way toward the table. When they reached there, Rikku gladly grabbed a drink, but before she could even put her lips upon the glass Gippal suddenly pulled the cup away.

"Hey!" Rikku complained as she frowned at Gippal.

"No champagne for you young lady." He answered with a smirk. "We don't want you drunk now, would we?"

Rikku pouted and folded her arms in front of her chest. "This isn't fair."

Gippal only chuckled. "When you're of age you can have as many drinks as you wish, but for now, the only drink you're aloud is water."

Rikku sighed in disbelief and grabbed the cup of water Gippal was offering her. The truth, Gippal didn't want her drunk, making it easier for any of these men to approach her and take any advantage. Besides, Rikku was now his responsibility, if anything happened to her Cid would surely kill him in the spot.

"Rikku?" Spoke a very familiar voice from behind.

Both of them slowly turned around to find Yuna dressed up in a formal, but yet extravagant white kimono. Her hair was put up and held by a large golden pin in a form of a Sakura flower, while her bangs softly fell upon her forehead. She smiled to see them both in the party she had taken part in helping organize.

"Yunie, you look beautiful!" Rikku greeted her dear cousin in a warm embrace which was returned.

Yuna smiled, "And so are you Rikku. I never saw you so properly dressed. You look wonderful in that formal emerald dress." She complimented in awe to see her usual childish cousin look like a woman.

"Good to see you Yuna." Greeted Gippal with a smile.

Yuna turned and smiled back at Gippal. "Hello Gippal. I wasn't sure that you were coming."

Gippal chuckled. "I wasn't sure myself, until Nooj came up with this promise thing, and so I had to show up."

"You look charming." Yuna spoke. "Different from that usual Al Bhed clothes you wear daily."

Gippal smirked. "Can't look sloppy in this fancy party, can I? Anyway where is that boyfriend of yours?"

Yuna laughed. "You mean Tidus. He is over there chatting with Wakka and Lulu." Yuna pointed toward a table nearby.

"I'll go there for a minute Cid's girl, but I'll be back for that dance you promised me." Gippal spoke.

"Dance? What dance? I haven't promised you anything." Rikku complained.

Gippal only grinned. "Well then, will you save me a dance?"

Rikku laughed before pretending to be in doubt. "Well I don't know."

Gippal then softly kissed her check, startling her, as she suddenly found herself blushing. "Please?" He whispered huskily into her ear, causing her to blush even more.

"Whatever." She answered before turning around, hiding her face from his view.

Gippal chuckled, not really knowing what he had done for her to turn around so quickly away from him. "Ok, so I'll take that as a yes. See you then Cid's girl." He waved and left.

Yuna, who watched the exchange, couldn't help but smile. "You know, now that I noticed, Gippal seemed to have changed." Yuna innocently commented.

Rikku looked up at her cousin with an eyebrow raised, telling her that Gippal changing was an impossible possibility. Yuna only laughed before grabbing herself a drink and taking a little sip.

"So tell me Rikku, what's this story of you being Gippal's 'servant'?" Yuna curiously asked in amusement.

"It's no biggie, besides you don't wanna know." Rikku replied embarrassed before quickly changing the subject. "Tell me Yunie. How has life been now that Tidus is back in your life?"

Yuna blushed but then beautifully smiled to recall all the perfect moments she had spent with her boyfriend. Rikku who carefully watched her cousin, was surprised to see her eyes sparkle. Yuna was indeed in love and Rikku felt happy for her dear cousin, although she couldn't help but to feel a longing to know how blissful life could be when you had that special person.

Brushing away her feelings, Rikku gave a mischief smile and whispered. "Any juicy details you wanna share?"

"Rikku!" Yuna complained but laughed along with her cousin, as she began to tell her about her life with Tidus in Besaids.

'Gippal changing.' Rikku thought absently as her gaze slowly wandered toward the Al Bed man, while Yuna kept talking about Tidus.

There he stood, laughing and chatting with his old friends. Every male in the ballroom wore a tuxedo and looked elegantly dressed, but Gippal looked different. He was wearing a formal suite, but yet looked so casual and charming. He wore no tie, leaving the two first buttons of his shirt unbuttoned, while exposing his bare neck. Rikku couldn't help but to admit that he looked so different, but yet so beautiful and sexy.

Suddenly three gorgeous women from a nearby table approached, while they stared appreciatively at Gippal. They started to flirt shamelessly but Gippal talked back casually with them, not really interested at the three ladies, who really were beautiful. One of the ladies, who had her eyes tracing over Gippal's strong jaw, softly put her hand on top of Gippal's arm, causing Rikku to frown and quickly settle her cup down onto the table.

"Sorry Yunie, can we speak later? I have something to do now."

Without waiting for a reply, Rikku quickly started her way toward the little group. When she reached Gippal, she slowly linked her arm around his and put on a smile upon her face.

"There you are Gippal. I was looking all over for you." Rikku spoke, as she could feel all eyes upon her now.

The three ladies glared at her, but Rikku didn't care as she continued to fake a smile back at them. Gippal slowly then wrapped his arm around Rikku's waist and brought her closely toward him, surprising the ladies including Rikku herself.

"Well, I did promise this fair maiden that I would dance with her. If you ladies would excuse me, I shall show Cid's girl how great I am in dancing." Gippal spoke and winked, making the ladies gush.

Turning around toward the dance floor, Gippal brought his arm away from Rikku's waist and gently held her hand toward his lips. With a soft kiss, Rikku found herself blushing at his contact, and wondered how the hell he turned out to be such a gentleman.

"Thank you for saving me." Gippal whispered.

Rikku looked up and was glad to hear that he wasn't enjoying himself around those ladies. "I thought you liked the attention." She mocked.

Gippal smirked. "Yeah I do, but not with those kind of girls."

"What's the problem with them?" Rikku curiously asked.

"I could read their pitiful eyes lusting over me." Gippal spoke in disgust, which surprised her to know that he wasn't shallow after all. "Besides, they aren't my type."

Rikku raised a questioning eyebrow. "Oh, is that so. So tell me. What is your type?"

Gippal grinned before casually whispering into her ears. "That's a secret I won't tell you."

Rikku was about to insist in knowing the answer when Gippal looked at her with a chuckle. He then took her hand and started the dance, leaving Rikku distracted with the dance and making her forget what she was about to ask.