You're The Only Place – Chapter 5 Part I

Do We Have A Chance?

I woke up with a groan. I did NOT feel like doing the paperwork that I knew was sitting on my desk. It's been a week since I told Paine about my childhood, and things have been going great. I haven't forced myself upon her, which I find very hard.

I know, I know… she's just such a magnificent woman, and I can't help myself. I wouldn't call it love exactly, but crush… definitely. Well, it was more than a crush… but I don't know what else to call it.

I've noticed the past week that Paine really misses her friends, all of them. I feel like that if I have to sign another piece of paper, I'm going to scream. Then, an idea hit me. What if I called a reunion? Everyone could come!

Then my heart sank. I would have to invite Gippal… I couldn't do that to Paine. But, I couldn't not invite Gippal either…

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"Baralai, what's wrong?" Paine asked me over breakfast.

"Well, I know that you miss everyone, so I thought that a reunion was in order… but…"

"You don't know what to do about Gippal."

I blinked up at her in surprise. "Uh… yeah… I didn't want to leave him out, but I didn't want to make you face him."

"Invite him, it doesn't matter to me."

"Huh?"

Paine laughed, "Okay, your absolutely cute when you're confused…" Paine cut off with a blush when she realized what she just said. "Anyway, I'm going to have to face him sometime. Go ahead."

"Are you sure?"

"Positive. So, what did you have in mind?"

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I rented a table at a famous club in Bevelle for the night. I was planning on dancing, singing, and just hanging out for the night.

But, seeing as I was the praetor, I couldn't go walking around like I did normally. I would be swamped with cameras the second I stepped into the club.

I was debating for a few minutes, and then gave up. I was about to just go in my robes when I heard a knock at the door. I walked over and opened it.

"PAINE?" I cried, not even attempting to hold in my surprise. She was wearing a black mini skirt with knee length black boots. Her top was a sliver color that shimmered in the light. "Holy Spira Paine! You look amazing!"

She blushed, "Thank you. Are you wearing your robes?"

I threw my hands in the air. "I gave up trying to find something."

"Let me try." Paine smiled, and I let her in the room. She went over to my closet and peered through it.

"What do you mean you can't find anything in here?" She called back out to me, "I can think of at least five hot outfits in here!"

"Hot you say? Then chuck it out here then!" I laughed, and clothes literally came flying out at me. When I looked at what she threw me, I realized that it was a pair of black slacks with a sleeveless white shirt and a sleeveless jacket.

"Uh… Paine… are you sure about this?"

"Yes, now put it on!"

I shook my head, and went into the bathroom. I came out, and Paine was waiting for me.

"Holy crap." She whispered.

"What?"

"Damn Baralai… why do you wear those robes all the time?"

"Because it's required of me?"

"You REALLY need to wear something like this once in a while!"

"Why?"

"You want the honest truth?" Paine asked me, and I nodded. "Because you are REALLY hot right now."

I blushed, "Why thank you Paine…"

"One problem."

"What?" I asked as she walked towards me. She reached up a hand, and undid my bandana.

"Paine!" I cried, trying to keep my hair up, but failing miserably. I finally gave up, letting my hair fall. Paine stared at me wide eyed.

"Whoa… I didn't know that it was so long…" she whispered.

"Nice to know, now can I have my bandana back?"

"Nope." Paine said smugly as she pulled a hair tie off her wrist. She walked behind me, and gathered my hair into a low ponytail that rested at the base of my neck. When she was done, she came to stand in front of me. She gasped.

"Okay, Baralai… you're going to have a hard time trying to keep the girls off of you tonight."

"Paine!" I cried, going red.

She just laughed.

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"Hey guys, over here!" I cried as I saw Auron and Rikku enter the club.

"Hey Baralai!" Rikku exclaimed as she and Auron joined the group. "Everyone else here?"

"They are." I told her, and greetings and hugs where spread around, and soon, the first round of beers came.

After a while, Rikku called a girl's song. I smiled when Paine was literally drug up to the mics by her friends. I was shocked that she actually agreed to sing, but even more shocked when I realized WHAT they were singing.

Yuna started out the song with her famous soprano.

Hey there boy did ya happen to know
Wherever you go I'll follow
Ooh babe you're like a cool breeze
On a summer day
When you're near me
I don't know what to do
I feel like a fool
Like a school girl
True blue girl
Who wants to know
Can you come out and play

Rikku took up the next part with her higher soprano. Baralai smiled when he saw Auron's face. Evidently the older man didn't know that his wife had a voice… which was actually pretty good too.

You make me feel the way
A woman is supposed to feel
Let me show you
Show you that my love's for real

I'll be the rain in your summer
The chill in your fall
I'll be watcha want
Anything at all
I've got a love for all seasons
A love for all time
I'll be the fire in your winter
The sun in your spring
I'll do what you want
Give ya everything
I've got a love for all seasons
A love for all time

My eyes easily went to the size of dinner plates when I heard Paine's voice. It was honestly the voice of an angel. Her alto voice rang out through the entire club, attracting the stares of many single men. That sent a flash of jealousy through me. Whoa, since when did this happen? Oh geez… here we go again…

I'll be there for you
Keepin you warm
Through the storm
I'll guide you
Stand by you until the stars
Fall from the sky
When you call me
I never hesitate
Makin you wait for my love
Never lie love
It's something that I just can't deny
I'll read your each and every feelin
When you need me to
So now I gotta let you know
This love's for you

The girls burst into their Songstress dress at this point. My eyes, if possible, went even bigger when I saw Paine. Wearing the beautiful white… all form fitting. NO! BAD PRAETOR! I focused my attention back to the trio.

I'll be the rain in your summer
The chill in your fall
I'll be watcha want
Anything at all
I've got a love for all seasons
A love for all time
I'll be the fire in your winter
The sun in your spring
I'll do what you want
Give ya everything
I've got a love for all seasons
A love for all time

Yuna: You don't have to search no more
Rikku: Baby you don't have to dream
Paine: Cause what I've got inside for you
All: It's all that you'll ever need

Yuna: You don't have to search no more
Rikku: My heart is yours
Paine: For real for sure
Yuna: You don't have to wonder why
Rikku: I'll never leave
All: I'll never lie

Yuna: You don't have to search no more
Rikku: My heart is yours
Paine: (echo) my heart is yours
Yuna: For real for sure

Paine: (echo) for real for sure
Rikku: You don't have to wonder why
Yuna: I'll never leave
All: I'll never lie

I'll be the rain in your summer
The chill in your fall
I'll be watcha want
Anything at all
I've got a love for all seasons
A love for all time
I'll be the fire in your winter
The sun in your spring
I'll do what you want
Give ya everything
I've got a love for all seasons
A love for all time

The club watched the trio as they went back into their normal dress. The crowd busted out in applause when they left the stage and returned to their seats. Yuna sat down in Tidus's lap, and Auron decided to be flirtatious with his wife. Everyone cheered, including me.

"Oh no, if the praetor is cheering, we've all had WAY to many beers." Paine laughed.

"Hey!" I cried, turning to face her. "I've only had two, and I'm not drunk! You need to worry about that when I start singing."

And that's when Gippal got the wonderful idea to have Tidus, Auron, and me sing as a trio to show the girls that guys can sing to.

As the music started up, Tidus leaned over. "Should we be afraid?"

"I honestly don't know." I told him. Then, TIDUS got the bright idea. He handed me the mic, showing me that I was singing first.

"I hate you both."

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I began to sing with a horrible feeling in the bottom of my stomach. I can't sing… I couldn't sing to save my life… but that wasn't stopping the group for watching me sing. I took a deep breath, and began to sing.

You're there by my side
In every way
I know that you would not forsake me
I give you my life
Would not think twice
Your love is all I need believe me

Obviously no one in the crowd thought that I was a horrible singer. Tidus picked up the second mic, and sang out in a high, but not squeaky tenor.

I may not say it quite as much as I should
When I say I love you darling that means for good
So open up your heart and let me in
And I will love you 'til forever
Until death do us part we'll be together
So take my hand and hold on tight
And we'll get there
This I swear

Auorn picked up the last mic, and sang on with his deep bass voice. Tidus and I just stared at him as he sang the second verse, completely shocked that Auron could sing.

I'm wondering how I ever got by
Without you in my life to guide me
Where ever I go the one thing that's true
Is everything I do I do for you

The both of us got our act together, and joined Auron for the chorus.

I may not say it quite as much as I should
When I say I love you darling that means for good
So open up your heart and let me in
And I will love you 'til forever
Until death do us part we'll be together
So take my hand and hold on tight
And we'll get there
This I swear

So whenever you get there
Just reach out for me
I'll never let you down my love

Tidus: And I will love you 'til forever
Auron: Until death do us part we'll be together
Baralai: So take my hand and hold on tight
Tidus: And we'll get there
All: This I swear

Baralai: And I will love you 'til forever
Auron: Until death do us part we'll be together
Tidus: So take my hand and hold on tight
Baralai: And we'll get there
All: This I swear

The club went NUTS. They must have thought that we weren't that bad…

I was going to sit down until I saw Auron and Rikku being romantic again. I know that it's not polite to watch… but they're just so… cute.

Rikku told her husband that he had attracted half of the woman in the club, and he blushed. When she kissed him, I couldn't help it, I had to say something.

"And all of those women just became disappointed." I joked, and the entire table busted out laughing.

When Paine controlled her giggles, she fixed me with her ruby gaze, hands on her hips. "Since when could YOU sing?"

"I don't know. I honestly think that I'm not that good…"

Paine snorted. "That's bullshit. You could make a career out of it with that voice of yours, I'm not kidding."

I smiled, "Why does it matter anyway?"

"Because I've had three beers, and I'm not done singing. Let's go buddy. You're my new singing partner."

I felt his horrible feeling in the pit of my stomach as Paine dragged me over to the stage, our friends cheering.

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A/N: I love you guys… and I love Baralai and Paine… ((sniff)) So beautiful…. Moving on! The songs are as follows…

((Gullwing trio)) Love For All Seasons – Christina Aguilera

((Baralai, Auron, Tidus trio)) This I Swear – Nick Lachey

P.S. Yes, I DO know that these are the exact same songs that they sing in Chapter 6 of Together At Last. I did this on purpose… yeah… If you've read both parts of Chapter 6, you know what happens, so yeah. Have fun waiting for another update!

-Vincent's Angel Of Chaos-

Thanks for always x for reviewing!