Ok sea monkeys! I have spent the entire day in bed and I loved it. There is nothing quite like being lazy. Its just so much fun! Do you want to know something sad? I have over 280 hours logged on FFX-2. I only know this because I am playing the game again because I have an entire week of vacation and no money to go anywhere and I happened to see just how many hours I had. I'm thinking I should get a life or something. Nah. I'm having too much fun. Hehe.
So, Mr. Helpful is planning something heinous, and this Mardoc guy wants Rikku dead. What is the world coming to? Let us hope the world's cookie reserves are still safe.
And to poor Ellie the Ghostie, I hope you get better soon. Being sick both sucks and blows. Oh, and I didn't know that I couldn't get unregistered reviews! I'm so sorry about that. Thanks Kingleby.
On a personal note, vertigo sucks.
I don't own FFX-2, but if I did, I would find the cure for the common cold! (Chamomile tea with lots of honey in it works wonders, so you might want to try it!)
Chapter 16: A Catastrophic Moment
It took Rikku two full weeks to recover her strength. Most of that time was spent in her bed, sleeping. Either Gippal or So Muja slept with her, sometimes both. It seemed that Gippal had developed a taste for naps, but only when Rikku was napping with him. He did not really sleep unless she was snuggled against him, so it was just as well. She felt a bit guilty that Gippal spent nearly all of his time with her at the Sun Rose. She was sure that he had things to do that did not involve taking care of her.
At first, Rikku had slept for days on end, waking only to eat and go to the bathroom. Gippal made her eat every time she woke, even when she denyed being hungry. She was just so tired. Eating would take what little energy she had available. He always persevered though. Something found its way into her stomach despite her protests, usually soup or stew or anything sloppy and easily digestable. Then she would go right back to sleep.
Gippal was there whether she was awake or in dream land. It made her feel safe having him near. He had even told her that he would stay here with her until she threw him out. Not that it would ever happen. Rikku wanted him to stay with her. That way he would get plenty of rest and see her happy, shining face when he woke up.
"You realize that I'm never going to let you leave here, right Gippal?"
"Yeah. I know." he said, playing with her hair. She was lying on his chest, enjoying the sound of his heartbeat. "At least, I hope you won't toss me out. I like waking up next to you. You look so cute, drooling on your pillow."
"Hey!" Rikku glared at him, which made him laugh. "That's so mean. Saying I drool...see if you get any blankets tonight, mister!"
"Aw, come on. I thought you liked me being warm. I like me being warm."
"I'm sure you do, lover." she said, laying her head back down so that Gippal could continue stroking her hair. She loved it when he did that. It was so relaxing. "Although you've been behaving yourself too much for my taste."
"I figured you wanted to recover before doing anything strenuous."
"I'd just make you do the hard work."
"Gee, thanks honey-lips. Glad you have such a high opinion of my abilities and stamina."
"You're welcome." So Muja decided to join Rikku in using Gippal as a cushion. She rubbed her head against Rikku's cheek and curled up for a nap.
"What do you guys think I am, a pillow?"
"Well, you have been laying in bed for the last two weeks or so. Maybe you're getting flabby."
"Flabby? FLABBY?! I am not now, nor have I ever been flabby!"
Rikku giggled and pushed herself up to kiss him. He still frowned unhappily at her, so she kissed him again. This erased the 'flabby' comment from his mind and brought all kinds of naughty thought into Rikku's. So Muja decided to abandon her chosen nap spot for another one, probably down in the kitchen.
"Don't you think we should shut the door, baby?" Rikku, who was now straddling him, made a face and grabbed a pillow. With a well aimed throw, the pillow hit the door, shutting it.
"There. The door's shut." she said, leaning back down so that she could continue her earlier occupation. Gippal kissed her hungrily, as though he could not get enough of her. She felt his hands burried in her hair at the base of her neck, pulling her closer to him. Rikku knew that she could not get enough of him. It had been wonderfuly sweet of him to behave for as long as he had, but enough was enough. She was better now.
Her hands were already undressing him, pulling at his shirt so that she could feel the muscular chest under it. She smiled against his lips, delighting at the hot skin that met her fingers. Her touch made Gippal moan and start removing her clothes. This was accomplished quickly because she was eager to be rid of them, and his. Rikku could think of nothing that she wanted more than her bare skin against his.
Rikku found herself on the receiving end of a desperately passionate lover. His need for her was so great he was almost savage. Almost. Gippal would never do anything to hurt her. She knew that and loved him for it. Not that she did not love him already. He just did not know that yet.
Gippal was busy kissing and biting her neck, but Rikku wanted real kisses. She brushed her lips on his cheek, giving him the hint. Always obedient to her wishes, he devoured her lips and tounge. All too soon, Rikku found that she needed to be released from all the sexual tension. Gippal seemed to sense this, and mercilessly brought her to the edge again and again, but not let her go over it. It was too much to bear.
"Bmayca, Gippal, syga sa lno uid ouin hysa. Bmayca." she said between her cries. "E lyh'd cdyht drec yhosuna." Rikku always reverted to Al Bhed when making love to Gippal. She could not help it.
As stated before, Gippal was always obedient to her wishes. The resulting orgasm was so powerful it shook her entire body. Gippal was right behind her. He collapsed on top of her, breathing heavily into her neck. Rikku wrapped her arms around him, one hand running its fingers through his hair. While it was short, it was also very soft. That never ceased to surprise her. She had always thought it would be sort of rough. Sweat made it slick and dark.
"I'm sorry, Rikku. I shouldn't have been so rough with you." he said into her neck, not having the energy at the moment to lift his head and look at her.
"Don't be. If I've been craving you as badly as I have, I can't imagine what you felt like. You gave me just what I wanted." Rikku kissed his forhead, which made him turn to look at her. He did not move other than that. He looked so different without the eye patch. Gippal did not wear it much anymore. He had not gone anywhere to feel the need to wear it. She liked his face so much more with out it.
"I wonder why Elizza and Raas haven't complained about all the noise we generally make."
"All the walls are sound proof. When Raas bought this place, Elizza had had enough of the noise of tinkering machina all day and night, so she made him renovate it and make everything sound proof. Besides, would you really want to hear what people do at inns all the time? We're a prime example."
"That was smart to do." Gippal said, still not moving. "And I know for a fact that we would make just as much noise in a house as an inn. Which means we'll probably have to do the same thing Raas did."
"Are you going to buy me a house, Gippal?" Rikku asked, laughing at the idea yet liking it too much to put it out of mind.
"Sure. Where do you want to live?"
Rikku could not tell if he was joking or serious. His face was serious, but his eyes were dancing with laughter. Her expression must have been very odd because Gippal finally lifted himself up and looked down at her.
"Well? Are you going to answer or not? Or don't you want to live with me?" Gippal gave her his most pathetic look, knowing that she could not resist it, just like he could not resist hers.
"Of course I do! But that's not something you should tease me about and get all my hopes up."
"I'm not teasing you. You want a house, I'll get you one. Unless you want an apartment with paper thin walls so we can annoy your neighbors. I'd prefer a house. Have a real home."
"A home. That would be nice. Can I have a big flower garden?"
"You can have anything you want, so raynd. All you have to do is ask. So I take it I can buy you one?"
"Yes. Yes you can." Rikku said, giving him a curious look. "What else are you going to ask me out of the blue?"
"Well, I could totally freak you out and ask you to marry me, but I think I'll wait until I have a sphere recorder ready to tape your reaction." Gippal said, chuckling at Rikku's expression. "Or I could ask you what kind of cheese you would be if you could be cheese. Squeeze cheese is not allowed as an answer. That stuff isn't real cheese."
"Blah. I hate squeeze cheese. Cheese isn't supposed to be squeezable. Unlike me, who was just made for being hugged and kissed and spoiled in general."
"You are already spoiled, and I can think of a lot more things to do to you than just hugs and kisses..."
"I'll bet you have all kinds of filthy, unclean thoughts running through that head of yours." she said, giving him a smile that was just on the safe side of seductive.
"Sure do." Rikku laughed and pulled him bodily down against her, kissing him senseless. Gippal gave her all of his attention and then some. They had to stop for air eventually. Gippal was grinning at her like an idiot.
"What's that grin for?"
"Nothing. Just thinking about how lucky I am to have you."
"You sure are one lucky guy. I'm glad you came to your senses when you did."
"Me too." He sighed, getting a curious look from Rikku. "I've got to go see Har tonight."
"Har? What for?" she asked, frowning.
"I've got to pay him for helping track that lunatic down."
Rikku shivered. Her memories were a little foggy, but the few clear ones she had of that night were terrifying. Being buried alive is not something one has fond memories of. Being rescued, now, is another story. Rikku had known all along that Gippal would come for her. Whether she would still be alive when he got there was another question. If he had arrived too late, at least she would have had a proper burial. Gippal would probably have ended up in prison for killing Mr. Helpful, and Raas and Elizza would be miserable and close the Sun Rose for good.
Fortunately for her, Gippal had arrived in time, and not needed to kill Mr. Helpful. He had told her about wanting to do it, but felt the need to find her alive more important than killing him. All she remembered was being in darkness, with the walls of her enclosure horribly close and confining. Then there was a noise, and a light. A voice called out to her, one she recognized, and she turned her head to the light and the voice. The next thing she knew, every meal she had eaten for the past week (which was a lot) had been torn from her stomach. A pair of strong arms held her shaking body; the smell of the person holding her was comforting. Then her mind cleared and realized it was Gippal holding her, and crying into her hair. Gippal was crying. Never in her wildest dreams had she thought he would cry over her. This caused her to momentarily forget the recent events, not that she had a clear recollection of anything after the drug in the dart took effect. Rikku knew she looked like hell. Her eyes felt like they were burned into her head and her muscles did not want to obey her commands. She was just exhausted, mentally and physically.
Gippal took her out of that hideous place and tried to save her the grief of having to relive it, but the police were already there. They question both her and Gippal. They also tried to take her away, to question her alone. That seriously scared Rikku and pissed Gippal off. Needless to say it did not work like they wanted it to. For some reason, they just could not believe she did not remember what had happened. Not until they found the dart containing a powerful muscle relaxer that had been outlawed for use on humans.
The idiots kept persisting, saying they needed evidence. Gippal got pissed again and told them to tear the walls of the secret room apart so that they could find all the rest of the bodies. After that, they were free to go. A doctor gave her a clean bill of health, but stated that she must do nothing but rest until she felt unable to bear being in bed for another minute. Rikku liked this doctor. He made sense.
While Gippal had to go and give statements and other such nonsense, it was the only time he had left her side for more than a minute. She knew he had left, and felt so afraid at being alone she started crying. Elizza had heard her weak sobs and rocked her in her arms like a baby. Elizza had been beyond upset that Rikku had taken such harm, and touched that she was still staying with them at the Sun Rose. Only when he came back did she sleep again.
"Oh. You won't be long, will you?"
"Nah. Just need to meet him and leave. I'll be back before you know it."
Gippal brushed an errant strand of hair from her face. Actually, all her hair was errant, just some was more so than others. She was very glad indeed when Gippal made good on his promise to brush it for her. Not all the time, but enough to make it a treat.
"Good. You need to make us some reservations at Vinito's again. I want to wear that green dress you bought me."
"I guess. I do need to show you off, don't I? Maybe the men will be able to not stare at you like a bunch of teenage boys just learning the wonder of 'girls'. I swear, half the reason we left so quickly was because those jerks kept picturing you naked."
Rikku threw her head back and laughed. It was so like Gippal to get upset at someone's thoughts about her.
"I think they were getting even with their dates. All the women were drooling over you, you know."
"And that didn't bother you?"
"You were there with me, not them. Why be bothered about it?"
"I wish I could think like that. Men have dirty minds, baby. I know what I was thinking when I laid eyes on you that night. Therefore I knew what they were thinking."
"And what were you thinking?" Rikku asked innocently. "That I looked just heavenly, all for you?"
"That too. Mostly I was thinking about how much fun it would be to get you out of that dress and in my bed." he said, making her laugh again. "It was a good thing I was pretending to be a gentleman for you." Gippal stroked her cheek lightly, bringing a contented sigh from Rikku. "Speaking of food, are you hungry? Because I am."
"Yup yup! All that hard work you did gave me an appitite." This time Gippal laughed. Once decently dressed, they headed down to the kitchen to see what delicacies Elizza had cooked up. Rikku knew that Gippal was worried about her. She had lost a lot of weight over the past weeks. Even though she had gained some of it back, it was not enough by his standards. So he took evey opportunity to stuff her with food until she felt like bursting. Elizza was in on the conspiracy and kept a yummy and tantalizing stock of goodies for her. There was an entire shelf in the refrigerator dedicated to holding food for her.
Rikku was still thinking about what she was in the mood for when she heard very familiar voices coming from the kitchen. Elizza and Raas were present, but there were others in there too. Entering the kitchen quickly, she and Gippal found the table already occupied. It was none other than Wakka, Lulu and Vidina. They looked up at her entrance and immediate squeal of delight. Wakka laughed and Lulu just smiled, holding a squirming Vidina in her arms.
"Vidina!" The baby looked around when he heard Rikku's voice, and his eyes found her running to the table toward him. He emitted a squeal remarkably like Rikku's earlier one when she gathered him in her arms. "You missed me, didn't you sweetums?" She laughed and started 'flying' him through the air. Vidina, enjoying this emensly, laughed and gooed every moment of it. Pulling him down so that he could get a hug and kisses, Rikku did not even notice the foolish grin that tugged at Gippal's lips. "Auntie Rikku missed you too! Have you been loud and ill mannered for Daddy? Have you?" Vidina gooed again, earning more kisses from Rikku.
"I'll say. That kid's been channeling you ever since you left!" Wakka said, turning to his wife for validation of that fact.
"He has. Although not as ill mannered as you are, Rikku." Lulu's soft voice was suffused with humor. She smiled fondly at Rikku, again thinking about what a good mother she would be.
"Hey! I'm not ill mannered. Can you believe what your Mummy and Daddy just said, Vidina? Imagine them saying that when they want me to baby-sit you! Humph." Rikku sat down at the table next to Gippal, who had seated himself while she was helping Vidina 'fly'. His head was being held up by a hand that was attached to the elbow resting on the table. He still had that foolish grin on his face.
"You still adore kids, I see."
"Don't say that in front of the baby!" Rikku said, putting her hands over his ears. "It would hurt his feelings to know I like other kids!"
"You are too much, Cid's girl."
"You like kids too! What's the big deal?" she asked, receiving only a head shake for an answer. "Big meanie. You still love me, don't you Vidina? You won't let their poor opinions of Auntie Rikku ruin our relationship, will you?" Vidina giggled and clutched at her shirt. "Glad to hear it."
Rikku continued to fuss and play with Vidina until dinner was on the table. Even then she would eat and play with him. Gippal rolled his eyes, and tapped her shoulder. When she turned to look at him, with a smile that absolutely turned his heart into fluff, he motioned for her to hand over Vidina. The baby looked at Gippal then, and held out his little arms toward him. Rikku feigned a scowl and reluctantly handed Vidian over to him.
"Don't you know you shouldn't play at the table? Talk about being ill mannered." he said, giving Rikku a significant look. She knew it ment she had to eat before he would let her have Vidina back in her arms. With a sigh, Rikku fell to with gusto. She really was hungry. Gippal was now playing with the baby, earning very surprised looks from everyone gathered at the table. Rikku smiled to herself. Not many people knew how good Gippal was with children. It was a well guarded secret of his.
"Never thought the Machine Faction Leader would be the fatherly type." Raas said around a mouthful of his dinner.
"Fatherly? Who are you kidding? I just like to play with kids. And be able to give them back to the parents when they start fussing."
Rikku choked on her drink, and snuck a look at Lulu. She had that 'I told you so' look on her face and then turned her bemused eyes back to Gippal playing with her son. He gave her an odd look, and then returned his attention to Vidina.
"Yeah, right. And I'm a son of a shoopuf. I bet your as good with a fussy baby as Rikku, ya?" Wakka said.
"You hear that kiddo? They think I'd be a good father. What a disturbing thought." Gippal said. He turned back to Rikku, who had choked on her drink again. "What's so funny?" It was Rikku's turn to shake her head and smile.
"Okay, I'm done. Gimme the baby." Rikku said, showing off a nearly polished-looking plate.
"You've still got dessert to work on, Rikku. Speaking of which, I want some too. What'd you concoct for us this evening Eliza -the-most-wonderful-dessert-and-breakfast-chef-in-all-Spira?"
"A nice fruit and brownie triffle. You can give your share of the brownies to Rikku, dear. I know you don't care for sweets overmuch."
Rikku felt herself begin to drool at the mention of a double helping of brownie. It was yet another thing to brighten her day. Dessert was finished in record time for Rikku, double helping of brownies and all. Soon, she had Vidina happily cooing and giggling in her lap.
Elizza suggested that they adjurn to the living room/lobby, where they could all be more comfortable. Eveyone agreed and began filing out of the kitchen. All except Wakka and Gippal. Wakka had held him back from the others. Gippal gave him a curious look.
"What happened to Rikku? That woman's cooking is too good for her to be so thin."
"You should have seen what she looked like before..." Gippal sighed. "She's just starting to recover. I mean really recover. So don't go asking her about it. She has enough nightmares already with out have to relive it."
"Fine, but you're telling me what happened."
Gippal sighed and sat back down at the table. Wakka joined him, watching him rub his face with his hands. He looked at the door leading out of the kitchen, debating what he should and should not say to Wakka. The man obviously cared about her, but he was not sure she would want him to know.
"Someone tried to kill her."
"Been done before. What's different about this time?"
"Did you ever hear about the missing girls of Luca?" Wakka nodded. It had been all over the news and still was.
"Yeah, some nutcase kidnapped and killed a bunch of girls, burried them under his house."
"That nutcase didn't just bury them, Wakka. They were buried alive, drugged so that they couldn't move or speak or even try to escape. He thought that doing so would bring some god or another back into existence. The 'god' needed their souls to get into our world. Rikku was supposed to be the last one he needed to get here."
"You telling me that he took her? And you didn't do anything about it?"
"Don't start with me, Wakka." Gippal let his voice show the anger that still lived inside him. It startled the older man, but did not make him waver or back down. "I wasn't here when he took her. I had just gotten back in town from Djose. I got her back, safe and sound. The psycho desk clerk is in a max security cell. Bastard's lucky I didn't kill him on sight."
"Why didn't you, then?"
"Because I didn't want to kill him until after I had found out what he'd done to her. So I'd know just how much to hurt him before he died." Gippal paused. "Don't give me that look. You can't tell me that you wouldn't do the same if it had been your wife."
"Ya, ya. You got a point." Wakka sat down opposite him at the table. "But that guy's locked up now, right?"
"Yeah." Gippal looked out the window, noting that is had gotten dark already. "Look, don't ask her about it. I really don't want to see her crying again."
"Sure." Wakka looked disturbed at the recent revelations. "But Rikku's okay, right? Besides being traumatized, I mean."
"She's as well as can be expected." Gippal looked out the window again, frowning in thought. "Anyway, let's get out of here before they come searching."
"WAKKA! VIDINA'S CRAWLING!" This was Rikku, yelling through the door. Wakka rushed out of the kitchen to see the spectacle. Little Vidina was crawling toward So Muja, apparently thinking the kitten was some furry, moving toy. She stayed just out of his reach, examining him carefully. When he couldn't get close to her, Vidina started crying with frustration. "Aw, poor baby! Wait! I know!" Rikku ran up the stairs two at a time to her room. She was rushing back down with something held in her hands. "Here you go, Vidina. This kitty won't run away from you." She held her Luna doll out to him, which he took gleefully.
Everyone was making a big to-do, fussing over the baby; who was trying to stuff the doll into his mouth. Gippal thougth he might just be able to do it with enough time. He went over to Rikku, touching her shoulder gently. She looked up at him with that fluff-generating smile again. He stroked her cheek gently, smiling back at her.
"I'll be back." he said, and started walking to the door. He knew Rikku did not want him to leave, but she would be safe enough with Raas and two former guardians. Not to mention her cat. Gippal looked back at the room, drinking in the happy scene. It was something out of a holiday greeting card. All it needed was some decorations.
He turned back to the door and opened it, finding someone standing there he did not expect to see. Har. The man pushed him back inside and bolted the door behind him. Raas looked up at the sound, and growled something when he saw Har standing in his doorway. Everyone else looked up, including Rikku, who paled a bit at seeing Har.
"We've got a problem, Machine Man."
"It'd better be a good one for you to be in my home, Har." Raas had walked over to them, arms crossed and not looking very happy.
"Psycho desk clerk escaped, boys." Har said.
Both Raas and Gippal cursed, turning back to the women huddled around Vidina. Rikku walked over to Gippal, grabbing his shirt lightly, face pale and frightened. She knew what was wrong, even if she had not heard Har say it. The look on Gippal's face was confirmation enough.
"I won't let him hurt you again, so raynd." he said, his arms pulling her trembling body close and holding her tightly. She hid her face against his chest. She did not want it to be true. "I should have killed him when I had the chance..."
"Elizza, take our guests to the third floor." Raas said, going over to a wooden panel on the wall. He opened it, revealing several weapons, most of them guns. He took one out and handed it to Elizza. Apparently she knew how to use it, because she accepted it with a sure hand.
"What's going on? Who's out? And why did you just give her a gun?" Lulu, holding Vidina in her arms was advancing on them.
"Lu, take Vidina and go with Elizza. You're going up there too, Rikku."
"No." Her response shocked everyone. "It's me he wants. I won't let Vidina get hurt because of me. He'll leave them alone if he finds me first."
Oooo, another cliff hanger! Am I evil or what? Hehe. Anywho, I hope you like it! I'll see about getting another update this weekend. All this free time and what happens? Writer's block. I can't decide how or what to do next. Oh well.
R&R please! And thanks for reading this even if you don't review it. I want you to review it, but I want you to read it more than I need reviews. They are nice though.
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