A/N: OMG! I'm on Chapter 20! Who would have thought I make it to chapter 20? Ill tell you know I never thought I'd do it.. I thought I'd get bored with it.. But I didn't! nice! I can't believe it! And I owe it all to my reviewers who I love sooooo much and of course Lenna who has me want to update! O maNn I still can't get over that I'm on Chapter 20.. me… who would have thought!

Well I'm going to have to dedicate this story to Lenna because she is soo cool.. and Thanks for Stay with muh thru the chapters (well since 9 newayy lol.. totally awesome)

and well juss wanna Say Happy Bday NaNneRzZ! Lol

Disclaimer: I'm not saying it… there is now way your gonna get me to say it… :square places Gippal in front of Kerri: "Say it for me.. please?" :Wink: .. Kerri:drools:… I dun own nothin…

The After-Math

Kerri rolled onto her side and slowly opened her eyes. The room she was in was bright. She blinked a few times to regain focus. She looked at her surrounds. Where am I? She continued scanning the side of the room she could see, until she spotted Gippal. He was sleeping on a chair beside her bed. He had a blanket over him and his head drooped causing his blonder hair to cover his emerald eyes. Kerri smiled to herself. Why did he sit there all night? Where's Tidus and Wakka?

She sat up quickly and immediately regretted it. She grabbed her head. My head! What the hell? I feel like I have a horrible hangover. She slowly and carefully got out of the bed. Once she was sure she could stand, she walked over to Gippal and pulled the blanket up, so it covered him more. She put her hands on his cheeks and kissed the top of his head. "Thank You," she whispered.

She slowly made her way out of the bedroom and went downstairs. When she came downstairs she found a sleeping Tidus, Wakka, and Lulu. Tidus and Wakka were on a pullout couch that took up most of the living room. Lulu was sleeping on a bed that was mad up on a couch.

Kerri looked over to an empty recliner that had a blanket carelessly strewn over it. Kerri wondered who had occupied that chair, but she didn't have to think long because soon enough Yuna came in. She had a cup of what Kerri assumed to be Coffee. She looked horrible. She had bags under her eyes and her hair was a mess. Her face was sun burnt and she looked like she was ready to collapse. She came in the room and sat back in the recliner and watched Tidus sleep.

"Have you been up all night," Kerri asked her.

Yuna's head jerked up. When she saw Kerri, she simply nodded and looked back at Tidus.

"Is he okay?"

Yuna didn't break her gaze from Tidus when she said, "He's fine, I just really wish he would wake up. I'd feel better if he told me he was fine."

Kerri nodded she knew what she meant. She knew what it was like to sit around waiting, wanting to do something, but unable to. "Yuna, you look exhausted- I really think you need some sleep."

Yuna looked at her. "I'm fine."

Kerri walked over to the chair Yuna was sitting in and said, "Well, if you aren't going to sleep. Then we can talk…"

Yuna looked away from her and said, "If your going to ask if I'm still upset – then I don't have an answer for you. My mind is filled with so many different things, that I'm not sure how I feel about anything." She looked down at the floor and then up at Kerri. "Maybe if I sleep I could clear my mind."

Kerri smiled and said, "I think that is a good idea. I'll watch Tidus for you, okay?"

"Alright." Yuna then exited the living room and went into some room to the right with her blanket and pillow in hand.

Kerri then sat in the recliner and looked at Tidus and Wakka. It's my fault they're hurt. She sat in silence for a few minutes before she heard Gippal's voice call her.

"Kerri?"

She got up and went to the bottom of the stairs and said, "I'm downstairs, but be quiet everyone is sleeping."

He then appeared at the head of the stairs and said in a loud whisper, "Then come up here."

She held the banister as she slowly made her way upstairs. When she got there, Gippal looked her over and said, "Are you ok?"

She smiled and said, "I'm fine… I think."

He smiled, "Well that spell you did last night was pretty awesome."

Kerri smiled and said, "Well it really wasn't anything special."

"What? Fira is a second level magic spell… for a beginner that's phenomenal."

Kerri gave him a confused look. "I did a Fira spell?"

"Yea totally chased those jerks off… then you passed out- you had me scared."

Kerri thought back, the events of that night flooded her mind. The last thing she could remember was a surge of energy running through her body before she casted the spell- then it skipped to Gippal's face and then darkness. What the hell? I can't remember casting the spell. And how did I cast Fira? That's way more advanced than I am, I only just learn Fire. She put her hand to her head. Ow my head hurts.

Kerri then shook her thoughts and said, "Enough about me, what about you? Are you ok?"

"As good as I'll ever be. Yuna used cura on me, so I'm pretty good."

Then there was silence again- they stood there staring at each other, until they heard a groan from downstairs. "Ugh, my head."

"Guess Tidus is up," Kerri said to Gippal.

The two made their way downstairs. Tidus was sitting up holding his head.

"Morning sunshine, how ya feeling?" Kerri asked him.

Tidus looked up at her. "I'm ok- I think, what happened last night and how did we get here?"

Gippal sat down next to Tidus and said, "Well, Kerri here got rid of those jerks from yesterday, then she passed out and I called Lulu, who came there with Yuna, Paine, and Cid's girl to pick us up. We all came back here except Paine and Rikku who went home."

Then Tidus' stomach growled, Kerri laughed and said, "Least I'm not the only one hungry here."

Gippal laughed and said, "There's food right over there in the kitchen."

Kerri quickly walked over to the kitchen. Gippal and Tidus on the other hand, lingered back.

Tidus looked over at Gippal and aid, "You really like her- don't you?"'

Gippal sighed and said, "Well, I didn't think I did- or at least I wouldn't let myself, but after last night… I realized… I really care about her."

Tidus smirked and said, "I knew it all along."

Gippal threw a pillow at him and said, "Shut up man, you knew nothing." He then got up and walked into the kitchen being followed by Tidus.

Meanwhile back in the living room Wakka was waking up. He rolled over in the bed, only to be acquainted with the floor. Umph. "Ow."

This caused Lulu to wake. She looked at Wakka and smiled. "Why are you on the floor?"

"I don't know, ya?"

Lulu let a soft laugh escape her lips. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm okay, I think." He said as he got off the floor and sat back down on his bed.

"You had us worried last night…"

"You were worried?" Wakka asked her.

"I was especially worried – you were beat up pretty bad, you're lucky Kerri knew that spell or it might have been a lot worse," she told him.

Wakka scratched the back of his head, "Sorry, didn't mean to worry ya."

"Its ok as long as you all right now."

"I'm fine," he took her hand. "Hey, Lu, there's something I've been wanting to ask you."

She looked into his eyes and said, "You can ask me anything, Wakka."

"Well, as you know- the winter formal is coming up, and well I was wondering if you would like to go with me…"

Lulu smiled, leaned over closer to him, kissed his lips softly and said, "I'd love to."

Meanwhile, Tidus took a seat at the table and asked, "So, Gippal, where are you taking Kerri tonight?"

Gippal merely shrugged it off and said, "Surprise."

Kerri tugged on his shirt and said, "Com'n Gip, I hate surprises! Please tell me."

"No… you'll just have to wait."

Kerri pouted and sat back in her chair defeated. "You suck."

After they ate Kerri got up and said, "I have a slight headache- I'm going to go lay down for about an hour." She then left the kitchen and headed upstairs.

After she left Gippal turned to Tidus and said, "You know, Yuna was really worried about you. She stayed up all night watching you."

Tidus looked up from his food and said, "Where is she now?"

"Kerri told her to go to sleep, she looked a mess. And she finally did go to sleep," Gippal responded.

"What room?"

Gippal pointed to the living room and said, "The one across the living room."

Tidus got up and made his way over to the bedroom. He looked at the bed and saw Yuna lying in the fetal position, shivering. Tidus walked over to the bed and pulled the covers up. He sat on the side of the bed admiring Yuna. He pushed her chestnut hair out of her face and he studied her features. She really is beautiful. I owe her so much. She's not only my best friend, but also has been my savior on numerous occasions. He leaned down and gave her a kiss on the cheek. This cause Yuna to wake from the gentle slumber she was in.

She turned her head and her face was two inches away from Tidus'. She smiled and said, "I wouldn't mind waking up like that every morning."

Tidus smiled back and said, "I wouldn't mind waking you up either."

"I'm glad you ok…"

He sat up and said, "Never been better."

Yuna sat up and said, "Tidus, what happened last night? Gippal was so panic stricken- what he was saying in Spiran was incoherent and then he'd slip into Al Bhed."

Tidus sighed and told her everything he remembered- all the way to the part where Kerri punched Graav in the face. "I passed out after that."

Yuna clasped her hand over her mouth and said, "Thank Yevon you're ok. I was so scared I might never be able to speak to you again. And I'm sorry I do believe you about Kerri, I asked Paine. I just don't know how to apologize."

"Well just say you're sorry, she'll accept it- trust me."

Yuna smiled slightly and said, "Ok."

Some time later Kerri woke up. She got up and made her way out of the room and into Gippal.

He looked down at her and said, "I see sleeping beauty has arisen- how was your rest?"

She stretched and said, "Refreshing…"

Gippal looked at his watch and said, "You have to get ready for tonight, right? So I'll drop you off at Tidus' and pick you up at 5, okay?"

Kerri yawned, "surely."

After Gippal dropped Kerri at Tidus' she ran to the bathroom to shower. When she got out of the shower, she wrapped a towel around her body and made her way to "her" room. Upon entering she found Tidus and Yuna sitting on the bed.

"Oh… hello," Kerri said a little startled.

Yuna looked over at her and said, "Hi."

Then everything went quiet again. Kerri shifted a little uneasily. Ok I wouldn't mind them here if I wasn't only in a towel. This is a little weird. Finally Kerri said, "Um, if there isn't a reason you guys are in here – can you leave so I can put clothes on?"

Yuna stood up and said, "Well I do have a reason for being here."

Kerri stood there silently waiting for her to continue, but instead she started pacing around the room. "Well…?"

Yuna stopped pacing and looked at her. "Well, yea, you see, I uh… I'm… um… Sorry…"

Kerri smiled and went to talk but Yuna continued instead.

"I understand if you don't forgive me I just…"

"Yuna! Stop! It's ok I forgave you two periods after it happened."

Yuna looked her in the face and said, "Yea, I heard. Thanks for sticking up for me. It means a lot to me."

Kerri smiled and said, "Our friendship means a lot to me."

Yuna had tears in her eyes and she jumped at Kerri and pulled her into a hug. "Oh, Ker I'm so sorry!"

Kerri struggled to keep her towel up and said, "I would hug you back, but I'm trying to keep myself covered."

Yuna laughed, "Heh, sorry."

"Light bulb! Yuna, can you do hair?"

"Not really, but Rikku can, and I can do makeup," Yuna responded.

"Ok, well, how would you and Rikku like to "beautify" me for tonight?" Kerri asked.

Yuna jumped back from Kerri and said, "I'd love to!"

Tidus finally made his presence known again by standing up and laughing. He then said, "Ok, well I'm not needed here anymore and the conversation is turning a little to girly for me… so I guess I'll go do some uh manly stuff."

Both girls giggled and Kerri said, "Sorry, Tidus."

The Yuna ran out of the room saying, "I'll call Rikku now!"

Fifteen minutes later Rikku came bouncing through the door carrying a box that looked like it was about 10x her weight.

Kerri laughed and said, "Rikku what is all that for?"

She smirked. "We gotta give your hair some attitude," she said as she held up a comb and a pair of scissors.

Kerri eyes widened in horror. "Um… Rikku… I, uh…" she started as she inched towards the door.

Rikku jumped in front of the door and said, "Yunie! Hold her down!"

Two hours later they were finally done. Her hair was still the same length, she made it stay that way (she threatened Rikku's life), but now she had side bangs, long angles and layers. The side bangs were straight and the angles and layers flipped out at the bottom. Yuna applied very little make up saying she didn't need any because Kerri had 'natural beauty.' She had a pair of stiletto heels that made her a good two inches taller. After Kerri got dressed, Rikku asked her where Gippal was taking her.

"I don't know- he won't tell anyone!"

"Well, it definitely has to be somewhere nice if you're dressed like that," Yuna said.

"Well, com'on, Ker, let's shakey-shakey our way downstairs and show you off," Rikku said as she dragged her out of the bedroom.

When the girls walked downstairs, Tidus was watching TV. Rikku went up right next to him ear and 'coughed.' He turned around.

"So, what do you think of Kerri?" Rikku said as she was jumping up and down.

"She looks great- lemme get my camera," Tidus said as he ran into the next room.

A few minutes later he came back with his camera and said, "Ok, Kerri, smile!"

She then took pictures by herself, with Rikku, with Yuna, with Yuna and Rikku, and with Tidus. When she took pictures with Tidus said, "Are we done?"

Tidus thought for a minute and said, "Yepp."

Kerri put a large smile on her face, and Tidus snapped a candid shot of her.

"Dammit, Tidus, com'on that's cruel!"

Tidus smiled evilly and said, "O well better rest you face not because when Gippal gets here, we're taking more pictures."

Kerri sighed and said, "Oh how wonderful…"

Rikku bounced over to Kerri said, "Ker, when is Gippie coming for you?"

Kerri looked at the clock and said he should be here any minute. And with that the doorbell rang…

A/N: Now if u don't know what the next chapter is going to be about… well then you are pathetic… lol and I'm not going to tell you what it is about – too back o well… and I added some Lulu in there for all you Lulu fans –sorry it wasn't much, but its hard to do her without making her seem bitchy or way to OOC soo I tried – hope it was ok.. :crosses fingers: Ok well I hope you guys liked it please REVIEW! Cause how awesome would it be if I reached 100 reviews? It'd be awesome I mean I never thought I'd reach 78 but here I am! It's awesome! Soo please Review

Thank you's

Lenna (and Linnea… lol Don't worry It's really easy to get the knack of FanFiction – especially if you have someone helping you) - You are the best reviewer I have and sorry bout the cliff hanger last time… It's awesome you and your friend are going to write stories together and everything, so when you and Linnea start writing I'll be sure to review excitement! so I update sorta quick .. ok well quick for me.. lol and well I kinda left u with another cliffy but not realle cause its not like omg what's going on its like omg I cant wait for the next chapter because (fill in interesting thoughts here) is gonna happen… lol and When is ur birthday so I can be like HAPPY BIRTHDAY LENNA! On ur birthday lol ok well thanks

The Earth Mystic: Thanks.. lol yeaa it ok to use to walkthroughs .. I mean I don't use them or nething… :pushes numerous walkthroughs books under couch:… yeaa like I sed I never had ever seen one of them in muh life…. :looks around suspiciously: and 7 o mann dun even get me started before I had a walkthrough.. it was a joke.. I couldn't find the chocobo farm or whatever lol.. it was really bad.. and 8 ha ha that was funny.. I finally found this stupid cave I needed to go to and I died.. lol.. I was like what the hell?.. and this was after playin Kingdom hearts so I was like… these graphics sucked.. lolol

loveable-M : Thanks I'm glad you like my story and to answer you question Yuna is 17 – the whole gang is in their senior year of highschool and I know Rikku's a year younger and whatnot but for all purposes of this story everyone is the same age range – because im too lazy to make em different lol

CeE CrOw: Hello0o – thank u col.. lol and I'm glad u review Lenna's stories.. I told u they were good! Now I would appreciate it even more if like u kept up with it.. pweasee ok well I'm going to call you and we shall go to the mall

KeR LoV3s Uu-