Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in this fic, only the situations and storyline. Square owns the rest. So don't use please. Constructive criticism is accepted also. :)

The sword cut through the cold morning air, almost as if it would slice through the sun itself, as she ran through her training once more. She paused to let the cool breeze of the unawake world sweep across her features, savouring the peacefulness she could find up on the deck of the Celsius.

The deck in the mornings was like her, cool, calm and peaceful, and isolated. Well, usually.

This morning though, Paine sensed a difference. The sun was a little higher, and the breeze was less than it used to be, this day would be different. Heck, it already was. It was That day. Paine heard the faintest of movements she turned with her sword up against the intruder's neck, and froze when she heard he thick pleading accent of the Al Bhed begging her to put the sword down. Paine did so immediately, dropping it to the floor in haste.

"Oui luimt'ja gemmat sa!" The thick Al Bhed accent came once again, but this time with anger.

"Tuh'd chayg ib uh baubma drah." Paine returned to her non-committing gaze, leaning on the hilt of her sword as the point touched the deck.

"E qych'd chaygehk! Calsa qrah tut E haat du chayg ib rana du cyo kuut sunhehk?" Rikku's anger was beginning to fade, Paine noticed, to be replaced by her usual bounce and bubble. Paine looked at the sky again, noticing it was, on this rare occasion, clear; another definite sign something was different.

"Since when did you come up here to say good morning to me?" Paine felt relaxed as a small smile threatened to taint her lips. She began to think the young Al Bhed was becoming attached to her. Paine watched carefully and almost unconsciously as the seventeen year old suddenly gained an ever-so-slight change of colour in her usually golden cheeks. Was she blushing slightly? If so, why?

Furrowing her brows, Paine tried to work out why there was a blush on Rikku's cheeks, and came to no conclusion at that moment.

"Since…since I wanted to! We are good friends after all!" The blonde stuttered, and Paine raised her eyebrows in a disbelieving manner. It was amusing watching the scantily-clad thief become tongue tied, but she wouldn't laugh, that would be hurtful towards the thief. Since when did that bother her?

"You and Yuna are better friends than we are, so why haven't you greeted her yet?" Paine knew from instinct Yuna was awake now, and that Rikku had been careless enough to be the loud one to wake her, before rushing straight to the deck. She had a knack for being loud and clumsy.

"She was asleep, and I wanted to see if you wanted to hang out in Luca or Besaid today?" Rikku leaned forwards in a questioning look to her friend, with her hands behind her back. Paine noticed her eyes were an emerald colour, and turned, coughing as she realised she was staring. It wasn't in her nature to stare as if she was interested in something, much less Rikku's eyes. Paine only ever let the guard down on her eyes for Rikku, knowing Rikku wouldn't laugh, but she still wouldn't cry in front of anyone. Yes, she did cry, but only when she was positive she was in solitude, and that it was sufficient enough a reason for her to do so.

"I suppose we could go to Besaid, seeing as we're always in Luca. And I thought that maybe you could catch up with your friends in Besaid, the ones you talk about, but have never seen since joining the Gullwings." Paine lifted her sword with ease and slid it into the sheath. Normally in battle, her sheath wouldn't be present, but as it was only a practice, she brought it out.

"Awwww, Paine! You're so sweet!" Rikku almost danced and Paine flinched.

Sweet? She thought, cringing alone at that before Rikku engulfed her in a hug.

Paine didn't move as the thief wrapped her legs around her waist and her arms around her neck. Rikku didn't let go, and she assumed she wouldn't until she got a decent hug back.

Paine checked for anyone else on the deck carefully before she lightly placed her arms around the blonde's waist, and rested her head in Rikku's shoulder. She felt Rikku's mouth curl into a smile as Paine showed some affection for the thief. Paine? Affection? She could throw up at the thought, but she didn't move, continuing to let the thief hug her, and she hugged back.

"Hey, don't you think we should be getting something to eat? I'm starved." Paine broke the silence, pulling her head back to look at the grinning Al Bhed. She nodded and let go before looking at Paine, waiting for the second reason. "If anyone finds out about that…well, you understand?" Rikku nodded, before skipping off towards the elevator. Paine followed and soon they were heading towards the Cabin in search of something remotely edible.

Al Bhed Translations-----------------

Oui luimt'ja gemmat sa! - You could've killed me!

Tuh'd chayg ib uh baubma drah. - Don't sneak up on people then.

E qych'd chaygehk! Calsa qrah tut E haat du chayg ib rana du cyo kuut sunhehk? - I wasn't sneaking! Since when did I need to sneak up here to say good morning?

A/N: Reviews are lovely things aren't they? So be lovely people and review please, I love mine and always respond with new chaps from lots of good reviews! Neways, enjoy! N hope my Al Bhed was good enough. :)