A/N: Thanks to the many reviews I'm receiving! In response, I have another chap prepared. Thanks to my new ones, as well as existing ones, you all make it worth while.

Chap 4

Drinking And Delving

3rd Person Again

Paine sat in the bar part of the cabin, aboard the Celsius when Gippal walked confidently into the room. Paine acknowledged him and then turned back to her drink of Absinthe (a very strong, yet old alcoholic drink).

"Hey! Just the girl I wanted to see. I just wanted to tell you you could drop the act." Gippal sat next to her and ordered the same drink as she had from Barkeep. She couldn't help but wonder if he felt like it was a competition, but found it amusing to see his reaction to the drink.

"Drop what act?" The monotone vocals were back again, and Paine thought she'd earned the right to be mean today, toying with the ideas she could think of to do to Gippal. Her mind stopped in its trail of thoughts as the coughing of Gippal disrupted them, causing her to smirk. "Strong for you, is it?"

"What is this stuff?" He managed to make the sound audible before ordering a weaker drink from barkeep. Taking a gulp, he turned back to the amused warrior. "You know what I mean. The whole act that's supposed to convince me you and Rikku are together."

"I'll say it again; what act?" Paine looked at him and noticed how frustrated he looked.

"You and I both know she loves me, and that she wouldn't look twice at you because you don't care about anyone. You're heartless." Paine let the glass she was drinking from hit the bar with a thud as she looked down at it. "What's wrong? Did I hit a nerve?"

"Well, I don't think I remember her telling me that when she was telling me that I was the best she'd ever had." Gippal's face dropped in shock and Paine stood, causing him to do so also. The height difference didn't stop Paine from having the upper hand. "If you touch her, I'll hunt you down and feed you to Sin himself, understand? Stay away from my girl."

Paine began to walk towards the elevator, but stopped, before turning back to grab the bag Rikku had given her. Gippal looked at her and the silence between them meant that he wasn't going to give up easily. Paine glared at him and as the doors shut, she sent him one last warning look.

Rikku entered the deck later that night to see Paine wearing the items she'd bought her. Smiling, Rikku made her way over to the warrior who was sitting with her legs out in front of her. She sat next to Paine and they sat in silence for a while, before Paine turned to her.

"Do you think I'm heartless?" Rikku turned to look questioningly at the sudden question from her friend.

"No! Otherwise you wouldn't be doing this for me. Why?" Rikku sent a question back, as Paine turned her eyesight back to the clouds, watching as the sun began to set.

"It's nothing really. Just some dumb thing Gippal said." Rikku felt the anger begin to rise within her. How did Gippal have a right to tell her she was heartless? If anything, Paine had a huge heart to do such a huge favour for her. Rikku was ready to tell him, but that meant she'd have to break their cover, and she didn't want to do that until he got the message that she was unavailable. She looked at the warrior again, and shifted to sit between the warriors legs. Rikku was surprised when Paine welcomed the affection and slipped her arms around her waist. "He said I wasn't capable of caring for anyone."

"He doesn't understand what he's talking about. He's an idiot, anyone can see that you care about me and Yunie, and we care about our Dr.P!" Rikku leaned backwards, finding Paine's body supported her own.

"Thanks. For this, I mean. And for the shirt and jacket." Paine rested her head on Rikku's, and Rikku sighed contentedly. "Thanks for caring enough to be here."

"Anytime you need me Dr.P, I'll be here. That's a promise." Rikku smiled and she felt Paine's cheek move, indicating she was smiling, which just made her own smile grow wider, as she enjoyed one of the few rare moments she could get with Paine.