My bed lies empty as I find myself transfixed by the news on the Sphere screen. A gentle breeze blows in off the desert and through my window. I think for just an instant I can smell Baralai, but it's just the rich scent of the Morat cactus. I miss Baralai so much, but the reports say he was lost in battle at sea. More than once I've cried here alone. Occasionally I call over Gippal to comfort me, but I stopped. I stopped when Gippal began to fall for me, because I can't fall back…

But now I find myself lonely again, and I reach for my communicator. "Gippal… Gippal, are you awake?"

A muffled voice comes from my communicator. "I'll be there in five minutes."

Silent tears roll down my cheeks as the smell of the night air fills the room. Baralai was always so clean, yet when he came with me to the desert, he always dug for the fruit of the Morat cactus for me, and picked Desert Lilies. He would smell of Cactus and his musky soap, and his hair like Forest Citrus. His hands were always so soft, despite all the needles he got stuck in them when he visited the Bikanel Desert. He said it was because I was so good at giving him first aid.

"Miko…" Gippal came in without knocking and sat beside me, wiping away my tears. I fall into his arms more easily this time, nuzzled up against his neck. He holds me and rocks me in his lap.

I cuddle closer, moving more into his warm embrace. He responds to this by taking me to the bed, where he pulls the blanket over us and pulls me against his chest.

I listen to his heartbeat and smile, breathing in his rugged scent. Maybe... maybe, someday, I could fall in love with you, Gippal.

"That's all I ask." He whispers, and I realize I was thinking aloud. My face blushes with embarrassment and I shift a bit closer.

"I miss him, Gippal… I miss him so much."

"I know, Love, I know… We all do" He runs his fingers through my hair as we lie together.

Gippal has called me 'Love' for about a month now, since he told me that he loved me, even if I couldn't love him back. He said he understood… that he would always be there.

We stopped doing anything too serious 2 months ago. Every time we do, I wind up moaning Baralai's name… at first, Gippal could take it, but now it hurts him too much. Instead, we just hold each other close and he kisses me and tries to make me feel secure… to make me safe.

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Though she murmurs his name in her sleep, it doesn't change the fact that she asked me to come. It doesn't change the kisses she gives me. When she cries in her sleep, it's me who is here for her, reassuring her, and when she's ready to love me, I'll be here.

Is it so wrong for me to be here?

Baralai loved Miko so much… he would give anything for her, and so will I. I just hope that he approves. I hope that he is smiling from the Farplane.

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"E muja oui cu silr, Miko. Oui syga sa y paddan syh yht y paddan Bnyadun. Oui syga sa fruma. Femm oui ramb sa pnehk New Yevon yht dra Al Bhed dukadran? Femm oui muja sa vunajan? ...Miko, Femm oui synno sa?"

"Oh… Oh yes! Oh, I love you, Lai!" I threw my arms around him.

"Oh Lai… you learned Al Bhed for me and didn't tell me? What a surprise! I love you so much."

My Lai… he held me tight and even cried. So excited… excited for us, and for New Yevon, and the Al Bhed. He asked Gippal to be his best man, and I asked Paine to be my Maid of Honor. We would hold the ceremony in Bevelle. All in Spira would be welcomed, and it would be on the Sphere broadcast, live.

New memories, fresher, of My Lai having to go to help with a battle. I want to help, but he asks me to stay behind. We push back the wedding… and then there is no wedding, because there is no Lai. He was swallowed by the Sea, and now New Yevon blames me. I can no longer safely walk the streets of Bevelle.

I wake with Gippal holding me tight, trying to soothe me.

"Shhhh, it's just a dream, Miko. Wake up… it's okay." His voice is gentle, but worried, and I kiss him, crying.

He calms me, stroking my hair, and I get up and dress for the day. As I brush my teeth, I notice my calendar, and I realize that THE week has passed… those 5 days of cred. I look at the 5 red frowning faces and realize I never started… it never happened….

I can't let Gippal know… not until I know for sure.

In the chest by Lai's side of the bed is a potion to test for pregnancy. A quietly take the bottle to the bathroom and do the test.

Pregnant…. Yikes. How do I tell Gippal? What do I do now?

"Miko, are you o… wow." Before I can even think to hide the test, Gippal has seen it.

"Is that what I think it is?" he smiles, stepping closer.

"It is… Yes, It is." I don't know what else to say. I set the test down, and Gippal embraces me, kissing my neck.

Tears begin to pour, and I don't know whether to be happy or scared. Gippal just holds me and sings softly, happy, ecstatic even, but still sweet.

He puts one hand on my stomach, then smiles.

"MIKO! MIKO, Come quick! You have to see this!" Rikku's voice breaks the peace in the house as she appears in the doorway, and I let go of Gippal and move toward her.

"What is it Rikku? What's wrong?"

"In the Desert… it's… He's… they found him… they think… they think it's Baralai!"

"Baralai?" Miko and Gippal Say in unison.

Oh I pray it's true! My Lai!