Ok, sea monkeys! I have discovered the secret of true happiness: COOKIES! Especially shortbread, but peanut butter cookies are a close second! (I had some cookies today, can you tell?) And something bad happened. I went to shake my bottle of apple juice, and the cap wasn't on tight, so juice went flying EVERYWHERE! Including on me. What a waste. Oh well.

So, the dinner is over, but the night isn't. Let's see what happens next in Chapter 6: A Guy, A Girl, and one piece of Pie.

Thank you bunches to all my reviewers! You people are the best!

(And just for the record, I make an awesome Chocolate Truffle Cake. It is one of my specialties.)

I do not own FFX-2, but if I did, I would have my very own massuse.

Chapter 6

Rikku led the way to the Sun Rose. Gippal had kept his arm around her waist, and she was happy about it. She walked slowly, not wanting him to let go and also because her feet were starting to hurt. The heels were killing her feet. Poor things, they've been so abused! She thought. Rikku did not mind the ache in her feet. She was on cloud-nine, what with having had a wonderful meal and an even better kiss at the end of it. She was smiling, hugging the memory of it to herself. Her expression was probably silly, but again, she did not care.

They walked up the steps of the Sun Rose, Rikku digging in her hand bag for her keys. Gippal was looking at the door, which had, surprisingly, a sun-rose carved on it. Seeing as that flower only grew on Bikanel, it caught his attention.

"Who owns this place?" He asked, still looking at the door.

"Raas owns the place, but Elizza runs it. Where are those damn keys? This thing is not that big, so where did they go?" she mumbled the last bit to herself.

"You have keys to an inn?"

"Well, I did have them. They love me here. I'm there favorite guest." Rikku kept digging and then gave a cry of triumph. "Ah-ha! There you are, you little booger! Hiding from me. Humph." She unlocked the door and opened it, motioning Gippal to come inside. She shut and locked the door behind them. Gippal chuckled.

"You locking me in, Rikku?" he asked.

"What? No."

"Pity. It could have been fun." he said with a grin.

Rikku popped him gently up-side the head. "There are valuable things in here. Raas and Elizza don't want to risk losing any of them." She led him in through the lobby, which he found interesting, but followed Rikku into the kitchen, finding her more interesting than the machina. He was pleasantly surprised at the kitchen. It was huge, even for an inn. Copper pots and pans hung from racks on the ceiling, and large expanses of counter-space lined the walls. Herbs hung from little racks and a refrigerator big enough to walk into were the only thing besides the oven that interrupted the counter. A built in desk sat in the opposite corner from the entrance.

It looked just like a kitchen from Home. The herbs had the right scent, and even the cook ware was of Al Bhed make. Fresh fruits sat in a bowl, inviting one to eat. A table and chairs was in the area next to the desk, and an island with a grill residing inside it stood in the center of the area near the oven.

"It's just like Home..."

"I know. Isn't it great? I always stay here when I'm in Luca."

"Why haven't I ever heard of it before? Is it new?"

"Nope. It's been here for years. No one knew about it cause it was owned by an Al Bhed. You know what the attitude was toward us then. The Blitz team stays here sometimes. Not too often though."

Rikku had plopped down onto one of the chairs at the table and removed her shoes. "Oh that feels so much better! Damn heels..." Rikku gave a mock glare at Gippal. "My feet hurt because of you, you know."

"How's that MY fault? I didn't step on your toes." he said, spreading his hands wide.

"You made me dress up with these shoes. They are not comfy in the least little bit."

Gippal sat down next to her, and took one of the heels in his hands. "If they're so uncomfortable, why do you women wear them?"

Rikku rolled her eyes at him. "Men like women to wear them because it changes the posture. The breasts get pushed out and so does the butt. Women wear them to get all the attention they can get."

"So, you wore them to get my attention, then." he said with that cocky grin back on his face.

"No I wore them because flats look awful with this dress. I didn't wear them to amuse you. Sorry." Rikku smiled at him. "But I'm glad I did get your attention."

"You've always had my attention, Rikku. I just never told you because I'm a big fat coward." Gippal put her shoe back on the floor and stood up. He walked over to a machina that was on the counter.

"You're not a coward." Gippal started and turned at her voice. She had snuck up behind him, not intending to startle him, but enjoying it anyway. "You're one of bravest people I know." She was standing next to him, hands clasped behind her back, looking up at him from a much steeper angle than before. Without the heels she barely reached his collar bone. Gippal gave her one of his rare, genuine smiles and kissed her. Rikku felt like a sun had burst into existence inside her. She had put his coat on the back of her chair, so when she reached up and put her arms around Gippal's neck, the sleeves of her dress slid away leaving her arms bare.

Rikku placed her head against his chest when the kiss ended, smiling to herself again. Gippal said something that she did not catch. "Hmm?" she said.

"I said, honey-lips, what does that machina on the counter do?" he said, causing her to blush. She would have hit anyone else that called her that, but she felt no desire to hit Gippal.

"Oh. It plays music. Raas found it and a bunch of spheres in a sealed chest at the market here. It's really neat. Watch."

Rikku reluctantly pulled away from his embrace and went to the machina and opened the lid to it. Inside were a depression that a small sphere would rest in and a few buttons. Rikku opened a cabinet just above it and looked inside. She stood on tip toes, trying to reach a rectangular box. Gippal was suddenly behind her, reaching up and pulling the box down for her. She could feel the heat of his body next to hers. Rikku turned around, clasped his face lightly and brushed his lips with hers.

The box, when opened, contained many spheres, all of them small enough to fit in the palm of her hand. She selected one and placed it in the machina. After pressing a few buttons, it began to hum and then music drifted out into the kitchen. The music playing was for dancing to, judging form the beat.

"I don't want to wake Raas and Elizza, so I can't play it loudly. Isn't it neato?" she asked looking at him. Gippal pulled her away from the counter and into the clear area of the kitchen.

"I never got to dance with you, at the restaurant. Shall we?"

Rikku giggled. "Sure!" With that, Gippal led her expertly into a turn. "I learned to dance to this, you know."

"Really. They taught you?" Gippal nodded his head upwards, indicating Raas and Elizza.

"Yep. Elizza taught me most of it. Raas just helped with the whole 'man leading' thing. Took me a long time to get used to it."

"Are you becoming a real girl, Rikku? Letting a man take the lead and wearing dresses?" he asked with a laugh so that she would know he was joking.

"I've always been a girl." she responded as he twirled her around. "It's not my fault you never noticed until now."

"Oh, I noticed, Cid's girl. I noticed. Or didn't you ever think it was odd that I liked sparing with you so much? Like I said before, no one moves like you." Rikku laughed out loud and found herself being lowered into a dip for the big finish.

"You'd better not drop me, Gippal." she said looking into his good eye.

"And what'll happen if I do?"

"I'll...I'll never wear a dress again!" She watched him smile and pull her up smoothly, which resulted in another kiss, this one deeper and longer than previously.

"We can't have that, now can we? I like you in dresses." he said with a smirk.

Rikku raised an eyebrow at that. "And why, pray tell, do you like me in dresses? More feminine?"

Gippal smiled wickedly and said "That too. But dresses mean easy access."

Rikku let out an exasperated cry and tried to hit him on the head again, but he dodged and got behind her, hands on her hips. She turned around and frowned at him, saying "Have I told you how big an ass you can be?"

"Not tonight, no. But I recall you calling me shoopuf vomit once upon a time."

She laughed in spite of herself. Gippal had always been able to do that. "I guess it's a good thing I don't wear them very often, then." Gippal frowned at her comment.

"But I like you in a dress. You look so incredible in them."

"Aww, poor Gippal! You'll just have to take me places so that I have to wear them, won't you?" Rikku smiled sweetly at him. He shook his head, smiling.

"You're going to cost me a fortune, you know that?"

"But I'm worth it!" she said, clasping her hands behind his head and pulling him down to kiss her again. She could feel him smiling against her lips. It made her smile back. When they parted, Rikku went to the refrigerator and looked inside for something to drink besides water. Meanwhile the music sphere began playing an upbeat song with a woman singing. Rikku was bobbing her head in time to the music, singing along quietly. It was in Al Bhed, surprisingly. Gippal listened, liking the song and also Rikku singing along with it.

Rikku was still scrounging around in the refrigerator looking for her favorite drink, root beer. Real beer was not all that bad to her, but she much preferred root beer. It was sweet and spicy at the same time. When she found her target, she said to Gippal "You thirsty?"

"So long as it's not juice."

"Ok, um, how 'bout root beer?"

"How did I know that's what you were going to say?"

"Cause it's been my favorite since, like, forever. You want some or not?"

"Yep. I like the stuff too. I like real beer better though." Rikku poked her head out and wrinkled her nose at him. Just when she was about to emerge from the refrigerator, something inside caught her eye. It was a plate, with a piece of paper with her name on it. Removing the paper, Rikku saw a slice of pie waiting for her.

"Ooooooo. Pie."

"Did you just say 'Pie'" he asked disbelievingly.

"Yup yup!" she said, closing the door and coming over to the table with the drinks and the pie. Gippal was already sitting, so Rikku just sat on his lap instead of a chair, just for kicks. She heard him inhale sharply, and then relax with a hand on her side. "You want some pie?" she asked generously. Elizza's pie was not to be taken lightly.

"You just ate a huge and expensive meal, how can you even contemplate eating pie?"

"Because its pie. I love pie. And there's only one slice left. So you want some or not?"

"Well, yeah, but where do you put all the food you eat, in a hallow leg?"

Rikku smiled and ate a forkful of pie, relishing the taste. She offered him the fork, which he took, and had a piece. From his expression, she knew that another Elizza's-cooking- addict was made. He took another, making Rikku say "Hey!" but he held it out for her to eat. This brought the smile back to her face, but it left when he pulled it away slightly. He laughed and let her eat it after a death-glare. The pie was eaten in this manner, until only miniscule crumbs were left, with a little of the filling. Rikku, feeling that there was nothing wrong with enjoying every last piece, licked the plate. Gippal shook his head.

"I wish that was me." he said, enviously. Rikku looked at him without expression for a moment, set the plate down and took his head in her hands. She smiled seductively, then turned his head to the right and licked the entire side of his face. "Arrgh! Rikku slobber!" Rikku burst out laughing and would have fallen to the floor if Gippal had not held on to her. Tears streamed down her face as she watched him wipe his face with the back of his hand. He glared at her, causing more convulsions of laughter. She clung onto his neck, trying to apologize, but not having sufficient oxygen to do so.

He was still holding her, so he was not truly angry, but the smile on his face told her pay back would come, whether she liked it or not. Rikku, having caught her breath, leaned against him, and Gippal pulled her closer to him. She was still wiping tears from her eyes. Every time she looked at his face, she started laughing again. Finally, she stopped, and could look him in the eye without laughing.

"Sorry. I just couldn't pass it up."

"I know. But just for that, you have no say in what I buy you when we go shopping. And you have to wear it, too. No matter what it is."

"We'll see about that. I am NOT walking around in public wearing lingerie, thank you very much, so get that out of your head right now."

"Who said it would be in public?"

This time it was Rikku's jaw that dropped. He closed it for her, smiling. Ok. Rikku, two, Gippal, one. I liked being in the lead. Pootie! "Ok, FINE. I'll wear whatever it is, but don't think you'll be getting lucky." she said, crossing her arms over her chest. Gippal just smirked at her.

"We'll see about that, in the future. But I didn't say anything about getting lucky. You brought that up all by yourself."

"Ohhhh, you meanie!" she said, hitting his chest lightly.

"And you say my mind is in the gutter." Rikku blushed scarlet, and he pulled her close to him again. "I have no intention of messing things up with you, Rikku. So don't worry about that. For a little while." That cock grin reappeared, making Rikku blush again and turn her head away when he tried to kiss her. "Aw, come on! I was kidding." She relented and kissed him, feeling herself melt against him.

"You be nice to me, Gippal. Or I won't wear your outfit."

"Whatever you say, honey-lips." He said it to irritate her and she knew it, but it had the opposite effect.

"At least you say my name now. But how many pet names are you going to make up?"

"As many as I can, the more embarrassing the better." he said evilly.

"That goes both ways, mister." Rikku poked his chest with a finger. "Just you wait 'til I say something that embarrasses you."

"I can't wait to see you try."

The happy, newly-coupled couple stayed up late talking and laughing quietly in the kitchen. When the clock in the lobby tolled mid-night, Gippal sighed and said he had better leave before he stays the night. Rikku giggled and got up from his lap, even though his hands tried to keep her there a bit longer.

"So," she said playing with a button on his shirt, "When do I get to see you again?"

"How about lunch tomorrow? My day's full of dull work-like stuff, so I'd like it ever so much if you'd come and take me away from some paper shuffling for a while." He smiled a real smile at her, earning one from Rikku.

"Sounds good. But do I have to dress up again?" she said with a pout. Gippal pulled her into another warm kiss, erasing the pout from her lips.

"Not unless you want to. It would be great if you did though. No one I'm here with from the Machine Faction will believe it. It'll be classic."

"Hmmm...we'll see."

Ok! There it is. I like the pie scene, because, well, I love any kind of dessert. Pie is right up there with cookies and CTC. Hehe. So, what did you guys think of it? Let me know, please! And yes, I did get some sleep, Kingleby. Thank you bunches for letting me sleep! And with that, I must get up at 5:30 and it is, what...1 AM? So. Bedtime! Byes!

Pls r&r!Thanks.