Disclaimer: I do not own CCS!

"..." character's speech

'...' character's thoughts

(...) my rambling

Note: Hello everyone! I decided to update this chapter earlier, since I have a big test coming up, andI hope it's long enough! Wanna thank everyone who left me reviews: Back of Beyond, Da KeR MysTeRr, Nina Heart, oOoDancingQueenoOo, Jezzi, asga, Jen, and green-eyed-blonde(of course you did not offend me, by the contrary you made me laugh!). Thank you once again so much, you are all lovely people! Hope you enjoy this chapter and don't forget to leave me a review in the end!Enjoy :)

Chapter 5

Rikku descended the stairs that led up toward the Cloister Chamber above. As she walked, her eyes gazed around the temple, where you could see everything and everyone easily from the position she was. She made her way toward the ground, while she headed toward the Al Bhed man, who technically was her 'boss'.

As she reached him, she noticed that he was working on a large machina, that looked more like a giant robot. She grinned at the rusty thing, it reminded her of one of those machinas she had fought during Yuna's pilgrimage, in Bevelle. Her gaze then trailed down from the machina to the man who laid underneath the machine. Half of Gippal's body was hidden, except for his legs, while he fixed the system that was located under the machina.

"Hey Gippal." Rikku called, as she softly kicked his leg to call his attention. "Someone told me that you needed my assistance."

Gippal then pushed himself from under the machina, as he looked up to gaze at the Al Bhed girl. She then suddenly jerked her head away, as she softly blushed. There he was, without a shirt again, exposing his strong built body and those six packs she never knew exists . Rikku couldn't understand how she could lose her composer so quickly.

"What did you say?" Gippal asked, as he wiped his forehead with a small towel.

"Did you call for me?" Rikku asked, as she took a deep breath before facing him again, trying her best to avoid his body as she focused upon his face.

Gippal slowly then got up from his position and walked up to her. "Yeah, I did. Could you help me with this machina here." Gippal pointed at the giant machine.

"Sure." Rikku replied. "What do I have to do?"

Gippal smiled. "This machina right here has two system to make it run." Gippal began to explain. "One of its system box is located underneath, which I'm currently working on. The other one is located in its head. If you could fix that one while I'm working with the other one, we can complete everything in a much faster pace."

Rikku nodded. "Alright then. Hand me some tools and I'm off to work."

After a long time, both of them finally got the machina fixed and ready to run. They tested the machina to see if there were any flaws, but it worked perfectly. Gippal wasn't surprised that the machine had been fixed in a short period of time and having no defects, after all he was working with Rikku. He knew her abilities. Rikku was one of the few Al Bheds that truly understood a machina to its core and had the skills to fix it without any difficulties.

Gippal swung his arm around Rikku's shoulder, as they both looked toward the giant machina with satisfaction. It was finished.

"Great job Cid's girl." Gippal spoke. "We make a hell of a team together, don't ya think?"

Rikku laughed. "Yeah, maybe." But she knew they did. Gippal was an expert in machinas with a vast ability to fix any problems, and with her skills added, together they did make a hell of a team.

"Hey Gippal!" Called an Al Bhed, who worked in the temple as well. "You have some visitors."

Three men then appeared as they approached the group. Gippal slipped his arm away from Rikku's shoulder to greet them with a smile. Rikku stood afar, as she watched the exchange of greetings. She then noticed that the three men weren't Al Bhed, they were from Bevelle. All of them seemed to be much older than Gippal, and they were dressed formally with their colorful clothes that looked much like Baralai's clothings.

"So is this the one?" Asked one of the man who now gazed toward the giant machina, which they had been working on all day.

"Yep it is." Gippal replied with a smile. "You lot came just in time, since my partner and I have just fixed it."

They looked toward Rikku, since Gippal pointed his finger toward her, indicating and giving her some credit for the help she had given. The three man looked surprised at Rikku before raising a questioning eyebrow at each other.

"Is she a qualified person to be working with machinas?" He asked with concern evident in his voice.

Rikku felt insulted, how could they not recognize her! She was Cid's daughter and Yuna's cousin, not to mention one of Spira's heroine! But then she noticed that she wasn't really presentable since she had been working with the machina all day, maybe that was the reason why they couldn't clearly see who she really was, but that didn't ease her hurt pride. She only wanted a bit of recognition, was that too much to ask for?

Gippal simply chuckled. "Of course she is qualified, in fact she is one of the best."

Rikku couldn't help but smile. Gippal had just complimented her and that felt really good.

The three men only nodded, before they walked around the machina while expecting it carefully. Gippal suggested to give them a little demonstration, which they all agreed. Soon they were all impressed at the machinas' perfection and the ability the Al Bheds had in fixing machinas.

"Thank you Gippal." Spoke the man as he shock his hand. "You did a wonderful job."

"You should also thank my partner over there." Gippal replied as he gave Rikku a smirk. "She deserves as much credit as I do."

Rikku was surprised. Not only did he compliment her but also acknowledged her help and skills. He was really surprising her every time!

The man then slowly walked toward Rikku, intending to shake her hand. As he approached, his eyes roamed over the Al Bhed girl and found out that she really had a beautiful form. He then gave her a pleasant smile, while his eyes gazed at her attentively and appreciatively. Rikku feeling uncomfortable, inched back a bit as he stretched his hand out, but she then reluctantly shock hands.

She was about to pull her hand away when he firmly kept his hold and brought his other hand to cover her hand over. "You are a very talented young lady. Fixing a machina must be a very hard task." Spoke the man.

Rikku felt like rolling her eyes. He really didn't consider her capable of such skills. Just because she was young and a girl didn't mean she didn't have a brain!

"Thank you for your work." The man continued on. "As a reward, why don't you come over to my place for a nice dinner." He spoke seductively with a smile upon his lips.

Rikku stared at him in disbelief. Was he really doing this! She couldn't believe that he even dared to think such thoughts! The man then slowly caressed her hands, making Rikku feel disgusted. She was about to pull away, when suddenly Gippal yanked the man's hand away from her.

"What are you doing?" Gippal questioned in a menacing tone. "Take your hands away from her now."

The man stepped back afraid to see such anger in Gippal's eye, but he maintained his calm and faced the young Al Bhed coolly. "I was just expressing my gratitude toward the young lady, of course."

"A 'thank you' would have been just fine." Gippal replied still staring at him in anger, which shocked Rikku, for she had never seen him so angry before.

"Well but I must reward her for such efforts." The man continued, as if his actions were innocent. "She seemed to be enjoying the idea." He added with a smile.

Rikku felt her blood boil in rage. Oh, he was so full of himself! How could he think that she was an easy target! Rikku felt her loath for the man increasing as she frowned deeply in anger. Gippal noticing her expression knew exactly what she felt. He stared back at the man while holding his fist to his side, preventing it from meeting the man's face.

"Get out." Gippal demanded vehemently. "Take the machina with you and never come back here again."

The man seemed to be offended as he stepped forward. "Who do you think you are, speaking to me like that!"

Rikku couldn't believe him! She should be the one asking that same question back at him. Not holding back her rage, Rikku stepped forward to grab the man by the collar, but Gippal stopped her. He quickly gazed at her and she understood his expression, it wasn't worth picking up a fight with these worthless people, but yet she wanted to give the man just a little scratch.

"I suggest you leave." Gippal spoke once again now staring at him with rage and anger.

He caught his look and felt himself tremble in fright. The other two men that accompanied him suddenly stepped forward, backing him up, as they stood up tall and frowned at Gippal. Gaining his confidence once again, he decided to confront Gippal again, even though he now feared him for that murderous look.

"You will respect me Al Bhed git." The Bevelle man spoke as he spite each word harshly, surprised that he even had the courage to say that.

Suddenly everyone in the temple stopped their work to stare at the man from Bevelle. Every single person in the temple were Al Bhed, and every single one of them stood up to help their friend. Each Al Bhed, men and women, stood up and walked toward Gippal and Rikku as they confronted the three men from Bevelle in utter rage in their swirly eyes.

Rikku couldn't help but to grin. Who were the gits now! She fought herself not to laugh at the trembling forms of the three men that now looked around in fright and horror to know that they were surrounded by Al Bheds. Rikku felt proud of her people, always united no matter what! They were indeed a family.

"Need help there Gippal?" Spoke one of the Al Bhed who approached and put a hand on Gippals' shoulder to show his support.

Gippal looked at him with a grateful smile but just shock his head. "No, it's ok." Then he directed his gaze toward the three men and his expression hardened. "As I was saying, I suggest that you leave."

The three trembling men only nodded their heads, before quickly cowering away in fright. Everyone stared as they left before turning back to work on what they were doing. Gippal sighed, he then gazed back at Rikku with a smile.

"You alright there?" He asked, even though they didn't hurt her outside, he wondered if they hurt her inside.

Rikku only looked up at him and smiled. "No, I'm ok." She answered. "Thank you for defending me. I really appreciate that, ya know?"

Gippal nodded his head. "You don't have to thank me Cid's girl. It's my duty to protect you, besides it infuriates me that he even dared to touch you."

Rikku gazed at him in utter surprise. He was really hurt. Gippal was feeling guilty that he even let them touch Rikku and suggest such ideas. All he wanted was them to know how skillful and amazing Rikku really was and not, instead, want to take advantage of her just because she was beautiful. Gippal felt frustrated.

Noticing his hurt expression, Rikku slowly held his hand. "Gippal it's ok, really." She spoke reassuringly, feeling somehow special that he even cared that much for her.

"I know, but I feel terrible. You don't deserve such treatments. Not you Cid's girl! You're more than that." Gippal spoke truthfully as he brought Rikku's hand to his lips and kissed it.

She felt herself blush, while feeling her own heart violently pound against her ribcage. Rikku couldn't believe how wonderful Gippal was. He was so caring and thoughtful, something she had never noticed before in him. Rikku smiled before kissing him back on the check.

"You are a true gentleman Gippal." She whispered into his ear, making him shiver and softly blush.

"You flatter me Cid's girl." He replied with a smirk. "But ya know, I kinda like that."

Rikku laughed, before playfully punching him on the arm. "Come on, lets go eat. I'm starving after a long day of work."

"Alright, food! It's about time!" Gippal spoke cheerfully.

Rikku laughed some more. "In fact I'll make a special dinner for everyone! It'll express my gratitude for the help you all have given me!"

All the Al Bheds cheered, including Gippal. Rikku smiled. She truly loved her people, after all it was good being an Al Bhed