Okay, just so you're all informed, to those of you criers, you might want to break out the tissues, 'cause you might need them for this chapter. It get a little emotional at the end, just so you know. This isn't exactly one of the happy chapters, just to inform you. But a lot does happen here, so get ready 'cause I'm almost done! Can you believe it? I doubt that there will be more than thirty six chaps. And in case none of you know, this is 32, not 35. The thing is wrong, and if you can't read roman numerals...man I really ought to change that, shouldn't I? Okay, well, just tell me if you'd like me to and I'll do that.

At most weddings, Rikku would have been ecstatic. She'd have a large smile on her face, and she wouldn't be able to keep still, as she paid attention to every long and dragged out word that the bride and groom spoke. It would have at least seemed that way to her. Nothing could have made her happier.

But at the wedding of her assistant, it was so much more. She was one of the only two witnesses that were watching, one on either side of the couple. It wasn't anything special, for they weren't even dressed up. The bride did wear a dress of white, the halter short with her back showing.

Still, this was nothing compared to her cousin's wedding. That one was on the Besaid beach, during sunset on the most beautiful of days. The wedding party had been barefoot, even, and the bride hadn't even worn a dress to the ground, or even a veil for that matter. Rikku still remembered braiding flowers into her cousin's hair. Not even one hundred people were present, but the camera crews that broadcasted it worldwide were enough for everyone to see the big event.

This one had only five people. There was the celebrant, who was performing the entire thing in Al Bhed, like the traditional ceremony of their people. Rikku was surprised to even recognize him, since he used to live on Bikanel before Home was destroyed.

They weren't official priests; since Al Bhed were still very weary of the Yevon ways, even if it was New Yevon that accepted them. Before that, they needed some way of marrying their people, so they organized some who didn't believe in a higher power, but would just perform the vows to make everything legal.

Those people were called either Lady or Sir, just because they took the time to train for the profession. It wasn't hard, but it wasn't easy either. They had the job of making sure people were legally married. The man who was reading from the book with the vows inside was Sir Yanu. He wasn't old, but he was older than her father. She was pretty sure that he was alive when her grandparents were still around.

They were in the Calm Lands. For a while, the things found in the Calm Lands became more of attraction areas. No one really lived there; it was a vacation spot, a place to go for fun. And, if you wanted to elope, it was the place to go too. The chapel, to the very far corner of the lands, had a number of ceremonies to choose from. There was even the old kind of Yevon ceremony, believe it or not. Those performing them probably could do it without being in the chapel, but just stayed for the business of crazy elopers.

It wasn't that Elhana and Sanron were crazy or anything… well, except for one another. Rikku was entranced in the way they looked at each other, both smiling and yet not looking away from each other's eyes. The two had been close when younger, and even closer since they started living in the same area. She hadn't a clue that they had actually been seeing each other for almost three years, no idea whatsoever.

She was really happy for them, she really was. If she weren't, she wouldn't have been standing there next to her friend. And the person standing with Sanron was Gippal. He was looking at the ceremony too, but didn't seem to be paying attention. She couldn't see his eye well, or that much of his face, but he was just staring, just staring into space.

Seeing him like that, she looked over to him, tilting her head slightly so she could see him. He seemed to have noticed and turned his head. For one instant, he grinned genuinely at her, and then looked away. His form stiffened and his shoulders stayed still. He knew she was looking at him, but didn't look her way.

Rikku remembered Nhadala's words, and how they struck her. She had known, really known about him. But hearing it from her was a plow to the stomach. It was like almost everyone knew that she was being set up with him, and everyone knew that he liked her, and yet she was blind to the entire thing. Why did she always feel so left out?

Still, since lately, she'd been just dying to touch him. Being this close was already tempting. She just wanted to feel his warmth, and the touch of his skin. She had no idea what had gotten into her. Her heart was swollen, and she knew there was something flying around in her stomach. Her hands ached to brush the hair from his eyes, and breath in his scent.

She caught herself and closed her eyes. What was happening to her? She couldn't think. Eyes wide, she looked off to the side, her breaths becoming short. Her hands clasped together, wringing with nervousness. When did she start having these thoughts? Was she going insane?

Rikku looked over to him, seeing him staring at her contently. Gippal had no expression on his face, as his eye looked to hers. She held back a shiver that went down her spine at his gaze. She was going insane. There was no other explanation.

When she finally heard the last few words of the ceremony, she looked up again. The two leaned over and kissed briefly, before Yanu closed his book and smiled. He stepped back a little and they stepped down, hand in hand. Shaking her head, Rikku went over and hugged her friend.

"I wish you happiness," she said, looking around as she held her.

Again, Elhana was crying, this time with joy. She hugged her tightly in return, before she stepped away and holding her hands. "I am," she said. "Very."

Rikku couldn't help but see Gippal look at her once as he hugged his friend as well. Then she smiled at the younger girl with mischief. "Now you'd better get going." She leaned in a little to whisper. "This is your wedding night, go for it."

She laughed and turned when Sanron came over to her. Smiling, she took his hand again and then the two walked down the isle to leave. Rikku watched them go, and then looked over to Gippal, still standing with her.

He looked at her once, then down and headed out the door without a word.

"You know," came a voice from behind her. She froze at the sound. "I've seen many couples come through here."

Yanu walked down and next to her, smiling like he always had, even when she was little. His balding hair was streaked with gray, and his mustache and beard matched. He looked to her with those knowing eyes, his mouth unseen with his facial hair, but she was pretty sure he was smiling.

Rikku blinked as she turned her neck to look at him, eyebrow raised. "I would think so," she replied.

He nodded. "Lots of people are getting married nowadays," he said. "Lots of people are settling down. But," He held up a finger, "the thing is, whether or not they're younger or older, planned or unplanned, forbidden or accepted, they all look at each other the same."

Her face scrunched up. "The same?"

Yanu shrugged. "That look in ones eyes of love," he said softly. When he said this, she looked around aimlessly. "That look that says that no matter what, they'll always feel that way for the other person. You've seen it." She looked to him with surprise. "You saw it on your friends' faces a moment ago. You've seen it… in many places."

He took her hand and patted the back of it. "You'll know what I'm talking about."

For a moment, he started to walk away. But then, she thought of something and spoke up. "What is love?" she asked. In the middle of the isle, he stopped to turn and look at her. She looked about to cry. "What's the feeling? Why do people fall in love?"

The old man took a long sigh. "What is love, you ask?" he echoed, beginning to walk up to her. "Well, to tell you honestly, princess, it's a very strong feeling. It's passion and desire. You…love your family and friends, right?" She nodded. "Aren't you always there for them? Don't you like to spend time with them?"

She nodded. "But…what about, the romantic kind?" she asked. "That's different."

He laughed. "Oh, of course." As he stopped walking, he smiled again. "Though, they have very similar elements, just are expressed in different ways. A couple in love shares a bond of friendship, and a sense of family." He moved his hands to express his words. "It's a natural thing, to find someone else for you, to be with you."

For that moment, Rikku didn't speak, but let him continue. "And why do people fall in love?" he asked. He put a hand to his stomach to let out a deep belly laugh. "That's no question at all, for there is no reason, my child. It is something that just happens, and there's nothing behind it."

She was almost surprised at this answer, and looked at him as though he'd grown another head while standing there with her.

"I think the better question is, is 'how'," he replied, mischievously. He laughed again, but it was a chuckle this time. "How do we fall in love?"

Her eyebrow went up and she went along. "How?" she asked, almost daringly.

"It is because we've grown a very strong bond with that particular person," he said, simply. "And that grows from yes, sometimes attraction. Now, it's not always physical," he warned. "Sometimes it starts that way, but even if it didn't it would most likely follow. It's just instinct."

Rikku couldn't help but take it as if she was talking to a scientist. "As…creatures?" she asked.

He shook his head as his eyes closed. "No," he said. "As people."

For a moment, she was silent. She looked at the room she was in, with its rows of seating and its basic design and décor. Yanu looked at her, but didn't move or say anything. But then, finally, she looked at him.

"Thank you," she said.

She turned to head out the door, going rather quickly, but then she stopped and turned. "Sir Yanu?" she asked.

The older man, who had turned away, turned back again with an innocence. "Yes, princess," he replied calmly.

"If I…ever get married," she started, twiddling her fingers, "would you please perform the ceremony?"

He smiled. "It would my honor," he answered. "And I'd love to."

With that, she smiled and turned, heading out the door.

Rikku found him sitting at the edge of the cliff, though not completely. Their last brush with those kinds of things didn't go so well. She came over slowly, not exactly trying to be quiet, but she was anyway. Gippal sat to look out to the horizon. The sun was just setting and there was still that line of purple left.

She stopped next to him, but didn't say anything. "No, I don't know where they went," he stated. There was nothing in his voice. "They disappeared a few minutes ago."

He was talking about Sanron and Elhana. Personally, she had been planning on leaving them alone for the next few days. She thought he was trying to be a little funny, but it didn't come out that way. He sounded a little hurt.

"I …didn't come here for that," she replied.

His head turned only slightly. He sounded calm, not angry or happy. "Then what did you come for?"

"I wanted to ask you something," she said, briefly.

"Go ahead."

"Why did I wake up this morning on the floor without a top?" At the question he seemed to stiffen. He didn't speak at all. "Gippal."

There was a sigh, but he didn't say anything. "What happened?" she asked, getting serious. "Gippal, I want an answer. I know I was drunk and you know how I get that way."

He stood up quickly and turned to her, his brow wrinkled a little angrily. "I did nothing," he stated. "Remember that, it was all you?"

She blinked for a moment. "Excuse me?" she asked, offended. "I was the one drunk! And you're taking a cold shower this morning?"

At this, he looked away unfazed. "Is that it? You're gonna blame this on me?"

"You attacked me!" he almost screamed, as he turned to her.

His gaze scared her. She'd never seen him like this. She knew he could be cold and tough; he was a member of the Crimson Squad after all. There was a warrior in him that he could make come out, but he had it under control. The look in his eye terrified her to the bone, as she almost gasped.

"What?"

"I put you to bed when you passed out," he said, calmly. "I did nothing. It was two in the morning when you woke me up, and attacked me yourself."

She took a step away from him. "I don't—."

"You never remember when you're drunk," he said. Again, he looked away, but then he turned his body halfway too. "What makes this any different?"

"Then why…?" Rikku answered her own question before she spoke it. "Oh my god," she breathed. She looked up to him, mouth gapping and eyes wide.

He…walked away from her attacking him, and not with the intention of hurting him. Was her attraction for him that bad that she said 'What the heck?' while she wasn't thinking? No wonder he'd been acting strange. And if he really did like her…and that happened, and he resisted…he really must have had it bad.

"Gippal," she said. "I'm really sor—."

"You don't have to be," he said.

She didn't respond, as he reached inside his jacket and took something else. He threw it to her and she caught it. Her eyes widened when she realized what it was. How did he get this? And if he had it, then…

"Did you…?"

"Yes."

Her eyes widened. "How much?"

"All of it."

She couldn't breath. Again, she started the squeaking, but it was less this time. As she stared at the cover, tears formed in her eyes, and then she looked up at him. "Why would you do this!" she screamed at him. Hot droplets fell down her cheeks as she shuttered with crying. "You've known forever you weren't supposed to touch it!"

"I don't know…" he started. "I found it in your office."

She almost laughed. "Oh, now you're looking through my stuff," she said. "What's the matter with you?"

He turned and the look came again. "You want to know why!" Gippal snapped, coming up to her. "I came to your office to tell you the truth about last night," he gritted out. "And I read it because you wouldn't tell me the truth!"

Rikku just stared at him, shaking her head. "What are you…?"

Suddenly he gripped her arms and pulled her against him. She gasped, her tears stopping. He really was scaring her. This wasn't her Gippal. "Walking away from you last night nearly killed me," he said, staring at her straight in the eye. "I have never wanted anything more than you for my entire life. I don't care what you say, or anyone else says. I know you better than you think. And if you're going to lie to me, then I have to find my answers somewhere else."

Tears came again as she moved to push him away. "Don't say it, please, don't—."

"I love you," he said. His eye was filled with a dominating passion. "I don't care if you don't."

The next thing she knew, he kissed her so passionately she thought that she wouldn't ever be able to breath again. Her diary fell to the grass as she clenched her hands into fists, resisting her urge. And even as she did, she matched his kiss, accepting it when nibbled on her bottom lip. Her eyes were closed and yet tears flowed from her cheeks.

And as he pulled away, she felt her heart wrench and a blow to her stomach. He let go of her, and she didn't even look to him as he walked away. As he stormed away, she opened her eyes, shaking from her tears. Her jaw trembled as she finally opened her eyes, and her legs fell from under her.

Rikku fell to a tiny ball, there on the ground, and just bawled her eyes out as she hugged herself.

Adedrea sighed, looking over to her roommate, who was sitting on the couch. She had an apple in her mouth, as she looked through a magazine. Nhadala was tiredly watching the sphere in front of her. She seemed annoyed as she was going through the channels. Both were in nightwear, as it was at least morning, with how late it was.

"There's never anything good on, is there?" the older woman asked.

"At one in the morning?" her roommate asked.

She shrugged. "Good point."

But they both looked up when the doorbell rang. They looked at each other, and Adedrea threw away her apple core. "Wonder who that is," she said, dropping what was in her hands and then past the furniture. She looked outside from the peephole and then gasped. Her eyes went wide. "Oh my."

Nhadala looked over as she opened the door instantly. Rikku stood trembling in the front doorway, her purse and a book falling to the ground as she fell to her knees. Her face was dirty, covered in tear streaks and running mascara. "Can…I stay with you two?" she asked, gulping. Her lip trembled. "Elhana isn't coming back tonight."

One word: Review! Please? (yes, I know that's two.)