5

Months passed from when Baralai acted "odd". He seemed to have been doing better, well at least since Paine had a surprisingly good influence on him. They were living together, kind of. She moved around a lot, leaving for a week, then returning and continued as if she was never gone. Yuna and Tidus had been married and most of Spira was able to watch. They really did want a small wedding. Gippal and Baralai weren't on a speaking terms, and hadn't since their little scuffle. Really, Gippal didn't seem to be getting along with anyone. He hadn't spoken to Rikku as of their last meeting either. Speaking of Gippal, he was to be in for the shock of his lifetime…

Gippal sat at Djose temple, bored out of his mind. Diggings at the Bikanel weren't really going as planned and hoped. He hadn't been able to recover anything of his interest. He returned to the temple because of such bad luck. At least it wasn't as hot as Hell there. He chuckled to himself, that thought didn't help him feel any better. He was still bored, and still single. All his little bedmates left him in a matter of weeks and he hadn't really been in a meaningful relationship since… Gippal frowned, thinking of Rikku again. He switched hands that he resting on, his hand falling asleep.

"I haven't really done anything but sleep and eat," He whined under his breath.

He chucked his stomach again, making sure it was still flat. It was, much to his happiness. He had had little exercise in the recent weeks. Sitting on his ass all day would make a person fat. He smiled; it must have been his "teenage metabolism".

Gippal stood lazily. While he was thinking about it he might as well do something to make sure he didn't become fat. He looked over at his boots in the middle of his floor, the shook his head. He continued from his room shirtless and barefoot. He pulled up his loose black shorts and continued from the temple. Once outside her took off at a swift run. He took enjoyment in running. He felt healthier within moments. He was starting to feel like shit with all the junk food he was eating.

Not until he neared the Thunder Plains did Gippal stop running. He chuckled, more out of breath then he normally was. He ran the back of his hand across his forehead, taking in deep breaths so he could take control of his breathing once more. He stretched quickly and then started to run back to the temple. Maybe he wasn't as fit as he wanted to be. He normally wasn't as breathless at the end of his run as he was at this one. He shook his head, pushing himself to run faster. As he saw the temple in the distance, he slowed to a walk.

"Ue!" He heard someone call, "Gippal!" He heard footsteps, causing him to look up. One of his men was running towards him.

"Fryd?" Gippal replied in an almosing whining tone. He had just gotten back from a run and he was already being pestered. He just wanted to take a shower.

"Oui ryja y kiacd," The other Al Bhed said, "Fryd cruimt E tu fedr dras?"

Gippal groaned. Guests? That meant he had to talk. He didn't feel like having to make himself presentable. He just wanted a fucking shower! He sighed angrily, running his hand over his hair. He must've not replied for some time, for the man said his name once more to catch his attention.

"E tihhu," Gippal said, still thinking, "Ryja dras fyed 'dem E's tuha fedr so crufan un cusadrehk."

The man nodded and started to walk away, then stopped. Gippal didn't seem to be in the brightest of moods, but he had to ask, "Frana, cen?"

"E tihhu ghuf!" Gippal snapped, his eyebrows furrowing angrily, "Ica ouin pnyeh; E's cina oui sekrd uha!"

He walked away quickly before the man could ask anymore more questions. Gippal ran a hand over his hair and started jogging towards the temple. He reached the heavy front door, putting his hand on the handle. He kept it there for a moment, wondering if he should open it. He wasn't in the mood for visitors. Gippal took a step back, pondering the thought if he should just leave for a while. His eyes narrowed, and shook his head. He had to face whatever it was. What met his eyes when he opened the door shocked him. It was Rikku. She was dressed a lot more subdued clothing then normal, which struck Gippal as odd.

"Hey, it's Cid's girl," Gippal said, his mood changing, "I didn't expect to see you so soon."

Rikku gave him the coldest look he'd seen in his life, causing chills to run down his spine, "Like I want to be here," She replied in a dangerously quiet voice, "It's your fault I am."

Gippal's eyes widened, his eyebrows rising as he took as step back. He wet his lips nervously; looking over his should at the other Al Bhed that were in the temple. They were looking, but didn't know what was happening because they couldn't speak the common language of Spira. He looked back at Rikku, gulping lightly.

"Fryd'c fnuhk drah?" He asked quietly. He was extremely nervous, yet he didn't know why.

"Is there somewhere else we can talk?" Rikku requested, "I can't talk to you in front of all these people."

Gippal stared at her for a second before nodding. He walked to his bedroom door, and lifted his hand up to grasp the handle. He looked down at his hand; it was shaking slightly. He opened the door swiftly, ushering Rikku in with a motion of his hand. She walked to the center of the room and waited for him to close the door before speaking. Gippal walked over to her, looking her up and down. She looked… different, yet he couldn't spot why.

"You might want to sit down," Rikku whispered seriously.

Gippal's eyes widened, but he shook his head, "No."

She shrugged, "Suit yourself then."

He wanted to get her to the point, yet he didn't want to rush her. She seemed to be in a dangerously horrible mood, so he didn't want to push it. Gippal crossed his arms in front of his chest, putting more weight on one leg then the other. He wet his lips again, staring blankly at Rikku's shins. They stood like that for what seemed liked hours, though it was probably only a minute or two. Rikku took in a deep breath, causing Gippal's eyes to flick up to her face.

"Gippal…" Rikku said quietly, and looked up from the floor to his face, "I think I'm going to have your kid."

Gippal felt his legs give out under him, but he caught himself before he hit the floor. He pulled himself up against a dresser and didn't let go of it in fear of falling. He looked up at Rikku, blinking. He tilted his head to the side.

"…What?" He asked quietly, his voice oddly high, "You… What?"

"I'm pregnant," Rikku said. She stared at Gippal's face in disbelief, "This isn't funny," She snarled, "Stop smiling!"

Gippal chuckled and started to walk carefully to the bathroom, "I'm gonna take a shower… I'll be back eventually…"

Rikku stared at him for a moment before bursting out in Al Bhed. She whispered at him dangerously, but he didn't hear a word she was saying. The same word was running over and over in his mind. Pregnant? His eyes narrowed in thought as he reached for the door handle. How many times in the past had the done this, yet no fucking brat came out of it. He closed the door in Rikku's face with out knowing. He walked to the shower, dragging his feet across the floor as he did. He stood in front of the glass shower door, putting his forehead against the cold glass.

"What?" Gippal whispered, "This isn't right…" He shook his head and moved to turn on the water. He stumbled, but caught himself, "How many times…" He said, "How many times before now have we…?"

The water came down on him full blast. It was lukewarm, but he didn't notice or care. He stripped off his shorts, throwing them onto the floor in front of the shower. He felt his legs start to give out from under him, so he sat on the floor directly under the spray of water. Gippal put his head in his hands. His nose started to burn and he felt tears form in his eye. He shook his head. He was far too young to deal with this shit. Way too young.

"I'm not even twenty," He whispered, watching tears and water drip from the end of his nose, "THIS CAN'T BE HAPPENING!" Gippal yelled at the top of his lungs, "It can't be…" He shook his head, falling backwards and lying on his back. Water fell onto his stomach, "I can't deal with this…"

He ran the back of his hand across his eyes, shaking his head. He had no idea what to do. He yelled at the top of his lungs again and put his hand over his eyes. This wasn't fair for him. It wasn't his fault… Yes it was, actually. He groaned, rolling over onto his side. He closed his eyes and stayed like that for probably around an hour. He felt safe there, not having to face reality. He took in a deep breath, sitting up. He had to get up.

Gippal crawled towards the faucet, twisting them so the fall of water would cease. He kneeled for a few moments, trying to decide whether or not he should face the truth. He had to, he wasn't a child anymore and he couldn't run away.

He stood, supporting himself against the tiled wall. He stepped from the shower onto the towel that was placed on the floor so he wouldn't slip. Gippal allowed himself to air dry for a few moments and then moved towards some not-so-dirty jeans. He slipped them on and he walked towards the door. He reached his hand out, grabbing the doorknob. He didn't pull the door open though; he just stared at his hand. Gippal gulped, pulling it open.

Rikku looked up from the ground and stood from the bed. She stared at him for a moment and made a motion to walk over to him, but stopped. Her eyebrows furrowed sadly and she sat again. Gippal stared at her for a moment then looked down. Rikku made a small noise, rubbing her forehead with the back of her fingers. He chuckled.

"Wow…" Gippal said, still looking at the ground, "This is… awkward…"

Rikku nodded. She looked back up at Gippal and stood. Tears were forming in her eyes. She ran over to him, wrapping her arms around him. She dug her face into his bare chest, crying silently. He stared down at her for a moment, his arms out at his sides. She didn't hate him… that was a relief. He started to return the embrace, but hesitated. He looked down at her again and wrapped his arms around her, hugging her tightly.

"I'm sorry…" Gippal said to her, "I'm really sorry…"

Rikku said something in reply, but her voice was muffled by her arm. He doubted he would have been able to understand her anyway, she was cry rather hard. He ran his hand over her hair, rocking back and forth gently. Gippal held her closer, resting his chin on the top of her head.

Rikku sniffled, shaking her head. She looked up at Gippal, her cheeks tearstained and rather puffy. She took in a shuddering breath, putting her head against his chest again. She hugged him tightly once more, running her hands down his bare back.

"I still love you though," Rikku said with a sad smile on her face as she stared down at the floor.

Gippal coughed unintentionally, closing his eyes in something like a cringe. Love was… a strong word. He looked down at her with furrowed eyebrows, wetting his lips nervously. He patted her back apprehensively as he bit the inside of his lip. …Love?