A/N: I'm back with the next chapter! Wow, number twenty-six. I've written way to much. Well, the next chapter will probably be the last. Yep, this fic has got to end. But, I will more than likely write a sequel because I like to write and people have requeasted one. Anyhoo, here is the chapter and I must thank you all for the geat reviews! I love 'em!

Disclaimer: Nope, FFX is not mine. I'm just using the characters for my own (and hopefully for your's) amusement.

Chapter 26: Final Encounter

Now this is way better than that play, Rikku thought as she got her groove on in the middle of the highly populated club.

With a 5,000 sq. ft. dance floor, speakers that were taller than she was, a very talented DJ, and a completely seperate section for the bar, this place had quickly became one of her favorite places.

As the fast-paced song died down, Rikku turned to her right to find Lulu with her arm's wrapped around Wakka'a neck, a big smile on her face as she swayed with the music.

"I knew you'd have fun if you came!" the young Al Bhed said, moving closer so she could her Lulu's reply.

"I suppose," the mage answered with a roll of her eyes. It was fun, actually. Being in the midst of all these people, dancing with her fiance; it was all exilarating and highly unusual for her, yet Lulu found herself enjoying it.

"Where's Yunie?" Rikku asked, scanning the dance floor. Last time she'd checked, Yuna and Tidus was dancing right beside her, yet now they were nowhere to be seen.

"Over there," Wakka answered, removing one hand from Lulu's waist to point towards the bar. "With your man. How come you ain't with him?"

" 'Cause I wanna bug you." Rikku grinned and pushed past him playfully. "But I guess I'll go see what they're doing."

"Thank Yevon," Wakka called after her, unable to hide the playful note in his voice.

Giving a slight wave over her shoulder, Rikku shoved her way past the mass of people until she could finally breath again. It was so crowded out on that dance floor that she could see why Auron had declined her offer to dance.

"Now where are they?" she muttered to herself, surveying the bar area. They weren't sitting at the counter, so they must be in a booth. Which sucked really, seeing as how there were about hundred of those. Exhaling loudly, she bagan her search of weaving through table and trying to find her friends.

After about five minutes of unseccessful searching, Rikku was ready to head back to the dance floor when she saw Yuna waving her arms and motioning her over.

"Hey," she said breathlessly, dropping into the seat beside Auron. "I didn't think I was ever going to find you guys."

Yuna smiled and took a sip of her strawberry daiquiri. "I know. This place sure is packed."

Tidus threw his arm around Yuna's shoulder and drew her to his side. "But your having fun, aren't you?" he queired with a grin.

"Yes, I'm having fun. You win." She hung her head in moch defeat. "Happy now?"

"Yunie, you're such a drama queen," Rikku said, rolling her eyes as Yuna and Tidus shared a quick kiss.

"Where's Wakka and Lulu?" Yuna questioned, pulling away from Tidus and taking another sip of her drink.

"Dance floor." Rikku pointed to the highly populated space. "Getting their groove on."

Yuna followed the path Rikku had drawn out, but couldn't distinguish Lulu or Wakka from all the people. "I'll take your word for it." Finishing off her drink, she added, "I'm going to order another one of these. Do you want anything Rikku?"

"I dunno. What did you have?"

"A daiquiri."

Rikku scrunched up her face. She wasn't one for daiquiris. "What are you having, Honey?"

It took Auron a minute to realize she was addressing him; it was still odd to hear Rikku call him anything but 'Auron'. Though it wasn't as if he minded the change. In fact, it was nice to hear the term of endearment. "Uh-"

Before he could answer, Rikku grabbed the glass that sat before him and downed it's contents.

"Whoa!" Rikku managed to breath out. Whatever had been in that glass was hot! "What was that?" she croaked, her eye's watering.

"It's bourbon."

"It's good," she said, recovering from the initial shock of the liquor. Waving a waiter over, Rikku ordered two more for herself and Auron, while Yuna bought another diaquiri and Tidus took a beer.

"Rikku, are you sure you want what I'm having?" Auron queried, wondering if she could handle it. The last time she'd had anything to drink, it had only been a couple of beers, and she had been a little more than tipsy.

"Yes, you do remember the last time you had something to drink, don't you?" Yuna chimed in. She loved her cousin dearly, but when Rikku became drunk, she was even more hyper and even more out of control than usual.

Rikku waved off their concerns and downed the shot glass that the waiter had just sat down before her. "Don't freak out guys. There's no need." Turning to the waiter, she asked, "Can I get another one of these?"

As Rikku downed her third shot of whiskey, Auron and Yuna shared a concerned look. This was going to be a long night.

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"She's had how many shots?" Lulu asked in disbelief. She had just finished dragging the Al Bhed off the top of the table they were all sitting in- where Rikku had been doing her best impersonation of an orge, mind you- and she now had a good idea why.

"About twenty, I think," Yuna repeated.

"Twenty-one to be exact," Tidus confirmed, walking up behind Yuna, a drapping his arm around her. He popped the top of his fresh bottle of beer and took a long swig. "Man, this is good stuff."

Lulu watched Tidus with a look of disdain on her face. "Are we going to have another Rikku on our hands?"

"No way. This is only my fourth one," Tidus protested, holding up five fingers to indicate the amount of alcohol he had consumed.

Wakka chuckled as Tidus realized what he had done and tried his best to correct himself. He then turned his attention back to Lulu. "Say Lu, where'd Rikku go anyway?" the red-head began to question, but he was quickly interrupted by the sound of Auron's gruff voice.

"You lost her? I leave to go to the bathroom, and when I come back, this is what I'm greeted by?" He shook his head and heaved a heavy sigh. "Unbelieveble."

"We didn't lose her," Tidus said, taking another swig from his beer.

"Then where is she?" Auron retorted.

"I dunno." The young blond said simply.

"Smooth, Brudda. Smooth."

Yuna turned away from her intoxicated fiance and faced Auron. "Look, she couldn't have gone far. All we have to do is-" she would have continued, but the sound of a familiar voice over the loud system stopped her mid-sentence.

"Hey everybody! What's up?"

Auron slowly turned his head in the direction of the disc jokey station. Despite already knowing what he was going to see, he still groaned softly.

All the way across the room, through the massive dance floor, was Rikku, perched atop the DJ station.

"You know, I've always wanted to DJ, and now I have my chance! So, what do ya'll wanna hear?" Rikku asked to crowd. Her response was a mass of different voices, all shouting out different things, so she just grabbed a record and threw it on the turn tables.

"Alrighty!" she began enthusiastically, "Now, how do I work this thing?"

Upon hearing this, the crowd became irritated. What kind of a DJ didn't know how to DJ? Besides, they wanted to dance! So, because the crowd was denied music, they began to protest.

"Hey! You big meanies! Just 'cause I dunno what I'm doing, doesn't mean you have to boo me!" Rikku shouted. She began playing with the many buttons surrounding her, which resulted in some colored over head lights coming on, and some fast-paced music to fill the club once again.

"HA! I did it!" she cried happily, watching as the crowd resumed their dancing. She was in the middle of her own victory dance when she heard a familiar voice behind her.

"What do you think you're doing?"

Spinning on her heel, Rikku came face to face with a rather perturbed looking Auron. But, in her drunken state, Rikku didn't notice the death glare she was receiving. "Auron! Did you hear me?"

"Yes. The whole club heard you," he replied dryly. "Now, how did you get up here?"

"I walked, you big silly! How else would I get up here?"

Auron put a hand to his forehead. Well, that was kind of an answer. "Never mind. Come with me."

"Okay," Rikku agreed eargerly, already forgetting her little DJ episode.

With his hand firmly around hers, Auron began leading the way back across the highly populated dance floor. Getting through it was a trick though, seeing as how people kept pushing and pulling him away from Rikku.

"Auron, where are we going?" Rikku questioned, shoving her way past all the dancing people.

"We are leaving."

"Leaving? Why?" They were all having so much fun, why would they leave?

"Because you are intoxicated, and we can't run after you all night long," Auron told her, finally shoving his way past the last of the club patrons and emerging by the bar.

Rikku shook her head. "I am not imtoxicoted."

Auron shot up an eyebrow. "Say intoxicated."

"I just did. Imtoxicoted," Rikku repeated, folding her arms over her chest defiantly. "See? I'm not drunk."

Auron had to stop himself from smiling. She was drunk, yet she denied it passionately. "We're still leaving."

Rikku pouched out her lower lip. "Can't we stay a little while longer? Please?"

"No. Everybody wants to leave, so..." he trailed off, wondering where the 'everybody' he had referred to had wandered off to.

"But Yunie and Tidus are over there at the bar, and Wakka and Lulu are dancing again. Why do we have to leave?"

Auron looked to the places Rikku had pointed out, and his friends were indeed where she had said they were. It looked as though they'd be staying at the club a little longer. "I suppose we'll be staying after all," he stated, taking her hand and leading Rikku away from the bar. She did not need any more alcohol.

"Auron." Rikku stopped dead in her tracks, causing Auron to stop with her. "Since we aren't leaving, will you dance with me?"

"You asked me earlier. Don't you remember?" Auron began cautiously. Perhaps if she didn't, he could lie and say he had already danced with her, and get out of it. It wasn't that he didn't want to dance with Rikku, it was just that he didn't want to dance here.

Rikku shook her head. "Nope."

"Well, you did, and we've already danced together. Now come along." He tugged at her hand, while guilt was tugging at his conscious. He didn't like lying, but he really didn't want to dance. He didn't dance.

"Oh," Rikku said, disappointment evident in her voice. After they walked about two feet, she stopped again. "Will you dance with me again?"

Auron stopped as well and turned around, prepared to politley decline her offer without hurting her feelings. But as soon as he turned to face the young Al Bhed, he knew that he couldn't. It was hard enough to decline a sober Rikku, but a drunken Rikku- that was a different story.

Drunken Rikku wore her emotions on her shoulders, and it was very easy to make her extremely happy, or extremely sad. Besides, she looked so hopeful, how could he tell her no?

"All right, Rikku." Auron moved his hand to the small of her back and guided her towards the dance floor. "I'll dance."

"Really?" Even in her drunken state, Rikku knew that getting Auron to dance with her was something very difficult to do.

Before she could really begin to fathom how she had persuaded him to dance with her, Rikku found herself in the middle of the dance floor, with Auron's strong arms around her waist. Instinctively, she draped her arms around his neck and allowed the music to carry her to a different place; a place where it was only Auron and herself.

0000

"Aww. Aren't they cute?"

Yuna turned to face her drunken boyfriend with a look of amusement gracing her features. "Cute?" she teased, finishing of her ice water and sitting in on top of the table they were sitting at. She was finshed with alcohol for the night.

"Yeah. Look at 'em," Tidus said, pointing to the dance floor with the tip of his bottle. "I've never seen Auron look so happy. Or Rikku for that matter, and that's sayin' somethin'!"

Yuna giggled and leaned in towards Tidus. "Yes, Sweetie, they are cute. But," she added, moving her hand to grasp his bottle of beer, "I believe you've had quite enough of these."

Tidus shrugged his shoulders as Yuna took his ber away from him. He was starting to have a slight headache, though he could still go for a few more. But if Yuna didn't want him to have anymore, then he wouldn't drink anymore. "If you say so."

Yuna put the beer on top the table and looked out towards the dance floor, trying to spot her friends. It took a few minutes, but she finally found Wakka, Lulu, Rikku, and Auron all dancing with mere feet of each other. She was getting ready to go see if they were ready to call it a night when she spotted something that stopped her in her tracks.

Not five feet from her dancing friends was three people she had thought that she would never see again.

"Uh, Tidus, I'm going to go get everybody. Stay here, okay?"

Tidus looked up at Yuna with a look of confusement on his face. "Your leaving me?"

Yuna smiled down at him. How he had got that she was leaving him out of 'stay here' was beyond her, but the look on his face was priceless. "No, Tidus. I'm not leaving you. I'm just going to go get everybody. Stay put, all right?"

"Oh. Okay," Tidus agreed, folding his hands in his lap and sitting up straighter.

Yuna rolled her eyes and kissed Tidus on the cheek. Turning away from him, she made her way towards the dance floor. She quickly spotted her friends and shoved her way past all the dancers until she was by Rikku's side.

"Yunie! What are you doing here?"

"Rikku, we have to leave now."

"But why?" Rikku questioned, removing her arms from Auron's neck and leaning in towards her cousin. "I got Auron to dance with me," she told Yuna in what she thought was a whisper. "You know how hard that is, Yunie."

Yuna gave a small laugh as Auron rolled his eyes. "Yes, I know. But we really need to go-"

"Yuna!"

Hearing her name caused Yuna spin on her heel and come face to face with Tidus. "Tidus! I told you to wait for me at the table!"

"I know, but I missed you," the blond man replied, taking her hand in his.

Yuna gave him a loving smile despite the fact that she was more than a little annoyed with him. "I was only coming to get our friends. I was going to be right back."

"Oh. I thought you were leaving me."

Yuna rolled her bi colored eyes for what had to be the hundreth time that evening. She didn't know which was worse- her drunken cousin, or her drunken boyfriend. "I already told you that I wasn't going to leave you."

"Oh. So, you're not leavin' me?"

"No, Tidus," Yuna replied with an exasperated sigh.

Tidus responded by throwing his arms around her a squeezing her tightly. "Good."

Rikku, who had been standing by and watching the whole scene, leaned in towards Auron and whispered," I think Tidus is imtoxicoted."

Auron couldn't repress his chuckle. "So do I, Rikku." He took her small hand in his and turned to Yuna, who had somehow managed to pry herself away from Tidus' grasp.

"Now, why was it that we had to leave?" he questioned, surprising himself in the process. He realized that he was actually having fun, and that he didn't necessarily want to leave at the moment.

"Well-" Yuna began, preparing to tell him that she had spotted Lily, Kiki, and Amy, only to be interrupted by Tidus.

"Hey! Check out the shiner on that woman!"

Yuna buried her face in her hands as Auron and Rikku turned to the place Tidus was pointing to. Why hadn't he just stayed at the table like she had told him to? Was it really that hard just to listen to her?

"What's the matter, Yuna? Are you sick?"

Lifting her head, Yuna was met with the face of a concerned looking Tidus. "No," she managed to say through gritted teeth, "but we have to leave. Now." she added, grabbing his hand and moving away from the dance floor. If they walked fast enough, maybe Kiki and the others wouldn't notice them.

"Yunie! Wait up!" Rikku called after her cousin, though she was wasting her breath. She was to far ahead and the club was to loud.

"Rikku, come." Auron gave a tug on her hand, wanting to follow Yuna's path and get out of the club before anyone could recognize them. How they had all managed to wind up in the night club was beyond him, but he knew that he did know that he didn't want to see a repeat of what happened at the diner.

"But what about Lulu and Wakka?" Rikku questioned as she felt herself being propelled through the crowd. "And why are we running?"

Auron stopped in his tracks, and scanned the club. Where was Wakka and Lulu? He was on his second scan of the area when he felt a tug on his arm.

"Why are we running?" Rikku repeated, following Auron's gaze, though she had no clue what she was looking for. Whatever it was, it must be bad, seeing as how Yuna had ran off and Auron looked like he wanted to strangle Wakka and Lulu for not being around.

"Because, Rikku, the-"

"I thought I heard you over the loud speaker."

Turning on her heel, Rikku came face-to-face with a rather bruised looking Lily. It wasn't huge, but it did cover the upper half of her cheek. "So that's the shiner Tidus was talking about," Rikku said, more so to herself that anyone else.

"So it would seem," Lily replied curtly, her gaze traveling from Rikku to Auron.

"Is it sore?" Rikku questioned, moving a hand out as if to touch the bruise. She felt kind of sorry for her, and she was beggining to wonder why it was she had detested her so.

"Of course it is, you twit!" Lily smacked away her hand. "What are you, blind?"

"I can see fine thank you. You big meanie," Rikku replied, moving closer to Auron's side. Now she remembered why she didn't like her- she was mean!

"If you'll excuse us, we really must be going," Auron began, taking Rikku by the hand and making his way towards the exit. Never again would he allow Rikku to have whiskey. No more DJ-ing for her.

"Must you leave so soon? I do owe your little girlfriend something for that stunt she pulled the other day," Lily said, stepping in front of the retreating couple.

"Do you honestly plan on fighting an intoxicated woman?" Auron interjected, stepping in front of Rikku. Usually he would allow Rikku to fight her own battles, but the look on Lily's face compelled him to step in.

"She's drunk?" Lily laughed loudly. "I never thought Sir Auron would put up with an alcoholic, but I guess you aren't interested in her because of her brains now are you?"

"You wait just a minute-"

Lily ignored Auron's gruff remark and continued, "At first I wondered what it was that you saw in her. I mean, look at the way she dresses. I spent those few days I was with you all wondering what it was she had that I didn't. I'm smarter that her, I'm prettier than she is- what more could a guy want?" She paused and then continued, "But then I figured it out. Seeing as how she dressed like a harlot, I figured she must act like one as well. That would explain-"

"Enough. I do not want to hear you insult Rikku anymore." Auron quickly snatched up Rikku's hand and moved towards the exit, but Lily was in front of them once again.

"Oh, come now. Surely she puts out. Why else would you-"

"I said enough," Auron practically growled, wanting nothing more than to throw the woman in front of him out a of a very high building.

Lily scoffed mockingly, though her eys burned with anger. "Excuse me, but where do you get off telling me what to do when you know I'm only speaking the truth?"

"Your truth is nothing but lies."

"Oh, please. I know I'm right-"

"You know nothing," Auron countered, taking a step towards the woman before him, "and I would advise you-"

"I don't want your advice," Lily snapped, placing her hands on Auron's chest, "and I would advise you-" she gave a small push- "to back off."

Auron bit his tongue, wishing beyond reason that Lily was a man and not a woman. Once again he reached for Rikku's hand, only to find that she wasn't by his side. He looked up to see her squaring of with Lily.

Or perhaps it was more like hitting Lily, seeing as how the lippy blond was sprawled out on the floor.

"That's for shoving my Auron." Turning on her heel, Rikku took Auron's hand and marched towards the the exit, once again leaving behind a battered Lily in her wake.

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Electric2-bitDemon: Thank you! I appreciate your comment.

Akimalynn: I probably will. I like writing, and I like you guys too!

Pyaara Wala: Thanks!

Sephiroth: A 5.5, eh? Thanks!

Cazzyrulz: Fav Author! Yay!

Motet: Thank you!

Darkestsoul: Musicals aren't really that bad...I kinda like them. But, anyways, I thank you for the review!

GiGgLyGaL: I liked my title as well! It was very easy to come with...I like easy things. Yep, well, Auron probably won't be putting a ring on anyone's finger unless I write a sequel...

The Dr: More than likely I will, but only if I write a seuel...Which I probably will do as well.

TidusxYuna637: Thankies!

Dstar504: Were there lots of laugh? You're gonna have to tell me!

Mysterious Digidreamer: Yep, Yuna and are married, but Auron and Rikku will probably not be engaged. But I do thank you for your comment! Suggestions help!

MandyFanForevr: Thanks!

Innocentenshi: It wasn't really a quick update...I apologize for that.

Yumemiruhana: Thank you for the reviews!

DJ Cara: I'll try to keep up the good work!

Cloudude: A sequel is like 97 percent go, 3 percent no. Go will probably win.

Rikku Highwind: Addicted! Well, here's your fix!

Chibi Sorrow: Never played Lost Kingdoms...Don't know if I've even heard of it. What's it about? Anyhoo, thanks for the review!

Auron's Fan: Thank you! I'm sure you have a brain- it just might not work all the time, eh?

CrazyCari: Ha! Thanks!

Rikku-Theif: They do dance! I had to make 'em do it a least once, you know? I mean, it's a club!

A/N: Finally! I got chapter twenty-six up! Sorry it took so long! You see, my good friend's grandpa died a week ago, so I've been spending time with them, and I've been staying at my Mom's a lot, and they don't have a phone or internet (no, they aren't Amish) so I have excuses! But, I will try harder to get the next chapter out sooner! Please leave me a review! I love feedback! Next chapter will probably be the last, but I will more that likely write a sequel. I'll let you know if I will for sure or not next chapter...Anyhoo, leave me a review!