I'll Be There For You – Chapter 4

Thoughts

It's been three days since the explosion, and Gippal hasn't even moved. The doctors at Djose say that his head impacted with the floor pretty hard, and so did his back. Even if he did wake up, they would be surprised if he was entirely all right. They're expecting some kind of memory loss, or at least a concussion. And for his back, they even think that he might have some disabilities…

No, I refuse to believe that. Gippal's strong, all he's gonna have is a concussion, no memory loss or disabilities. I don't know how the Faction would be able to take the news…

But the thing that blows my mind is that I was fine a day after the explosion. One of the doctors told me that he must have protected me, especially my head for nothing serious to have happened to me. I tend to favor my left foot, but it's not that bad, even the docs say so. The thing is… I know exactly what he did, I wasn't unconscious yet… I blush at the memory. Now that I know for sure that he did something to protect me, it brings up questions that I thought I wouldn't face again, at least not in a very long time.

Why did he do it? Did he care about me enough to want to protect me? Or did he do it because he didn't want to face Cid when I was injured? Maybe it was instinct, or that he didn't want to see me hurt?

It all boils down to this: Why did he do it, and does he care about me more than I think?

I've been trying to piece it together. Comments about his ladies don't bother Gippal, but when Amy accused him of having a fling with me, it made him boil over. Now, if that just makes him mad because he finds it disgusting, or if he really can't imagine doing something like that, I don't know. I like to think that it's the second one, but I'm not going to get my hopes up… but I really can't help it. He told me before the machina blew up that's why he was so angry.

Which in itself is another question! Why did the machina explode? Nothing was wrong with it, I checked, Gippal checked, and just about every other person there checked. So, how did it happen, and more importantly, why? Did someone want to hurt me, or Gippal, or possibly both of us? My first thoughts jump to Amy, but that's low, even for her. Besides, I don't think that she would risk endangering innocent lives, even if she is cold hearted.

Since Gippal's been out of commission, Djose's been like a ghost town. Everyone moves around in a daze, and the relaxed atmosphere has been shattered. Yuna and Tidus came to visit. They wanted to know if they could help with anything, and check up on me. Gippal's second in command sent them away, saying that the Faction could handle itself with their leader unable to be walking. After all, they had managed very well during Vegnagun. Even Paine and Baralai visited. The thing that struck me as funny was that they arrived almost at the same time, and tried not to end up alone together. I so can tell that they're going to get together soon, and there's nothing that either of them can do about it. Perhaps I could push it along it's merry little way… oh no. I don't do matchmaker very well, I've learned from experience. What experience that was, I wish to keep to myself… eh heh?

Gippal was still unconscious for both visits, and seeing as I've had three days to mull over my thoughts, I was about ready to lose it. I was walking aimlessly along the halls of Djose, until I found myself outside of Gippal's room.

Now, this wasn't my intent. It seriously wasn't my intention to go to Gippal's room. I quietly opened the door, just to see if he was still sleeping (I knew he was)… but that's not what I saw.

Gippal moaned and tried to sit up. I rushed into the room, and kneeled by his bed.

He saw me, and gave a pained smile, "Ruf oy paah, Cid's Kenm?" ((How ya been, Cid's Girl?))

I glared at him, "E's veha, pid ruf yna oui tuehk? Frah tet oui fyga ib?" ((I'm fine, but how are you doing? When did you wake up?))

"E drehg E fuga ib y vaf sehidac yku. Yc vun ruf E's vaamehk, E cfayn E ryja Spira's pekkacd raytylra..." ((I think I woke up a few minutes ago. As for how I'm feeling, I swear I have Spira's biggest headache...))

I laughed despite myself. "Famm, dryd'c ihtancdyhtypma. Oui tet red ouin rayt bnaddo rynt." ((Well that's understandable. You did hit your head pretty hard.))

"Oui bucedeja dryd oui'na ugyo?" ((You positive that you're okay?)) Gippal asked me seriously, and when I nodded, he smiled. "Ur kuut. Ed'c hela du ghuf dryd ouin vydran ech'd kuehk du lusa gemm sa... oad." ((Oh good. It's nice to know that your father isn't going to come kill me... yet.))

I busted out laughing, "Oayr, Bubc lyh pa y meddma ehdesetydehk..." ((Yeah, Pops can be a little intimidating…))

Gippal looked at me in shock. "Y meddma? Y meddma? Rikku, ouin vydran clynac dra lnyb uid uv sa!" ((A little? A little? Rikku, your father scares the crap out of me!))

"E kiacc ra tuac dryd du baubma..." ((I guess he does that to people…)) I gasped out, wiping tears from my eyes.

"Tysh nekrd ra tuac!" ((Damn right he does!)) Gippal said, and began to laugh along with me. Then, he stopped. I looked at him worriedly, and he gestured for me to lean in closer. I swallowed, and did as he asked. Then I realized it was so I could hear him better. I blushed at my misunderstanding.

Gippal sparred me the embarrassment and didn't say anything. "Luimt oui tu sa y vyjun, Rikki?" ((Could you do me a favor, Rikki?))

I blinked. He hadn't called me 'Rikki' in a very long time. "Cina, fryd ec ed?" ((Sure, what is it?))

"Lyh oui... muug yvdan dra Vyldeuh ihdem E's ib yht ved ykyeh?" ((Can you... look after the Faction until I'm up and fit again?)) He asked me softly.

I starred at him, dumbfounded. "Oui dnicd sa fedr ouin zup?" ((You trust me with your job?))

He smiled at me warmly, "Oayr, E naymmo tu. Tuh'd pmuf yhodrehk ib, ymm nekrd? Pacetac, E ghuf oui lyh tu ed." ((Yeah, I really do. Don't blow anything up, all right? Besides, I know you can do it.))

"E bnuseca." ((I promise.)) I said, smiling back.

Gippal winked at me, and then reached out a hand to lightly touch my chin. His gentle touch was like lightning touching my skin… it sent pleasurable shivers down my spine. I swallowed nervously, silently wondering where this was going. I met Gippal's gaze. His one eye was looking at me with an emotion that I couldn't name. He slowly pulled my face closer to his… and planted a gentle kiss on my cheek.

"Ed... ed naymmo gemmat sa... du mayja oui pareht uh Bikanel dryd tyo, oui ghuf? E naymmo teth'd fyhd du mayja... pid..." ((It... it really killed me... to leave you behind on Bikanel that day, you know? I really didn't want to leave... but...)) Gippal whispered.

"Pid fryd? Ev oui teth'd fyhd du mayja, fro tet oui?" ((But what? If you didn't want to leave, why did you?)) I asked softly. I wasn't expecting this, but then I realized that I really needed, and wanted to talk to him about this. Even though this wasn't under the circumstances that I would prefer, but it was better than nothing.

"Palyica..." Gippal began, and took a deep breath, "E fyhdat du cruf oui dryd E luimt pa cusauha, hud zicd ouin yjanyka kio dryd oui fuimt veht uh Pegyham. Cusauha oui ghaf dryd oui luimt pa cyva fedr, fru oui ghaf fuimt bnudald oui..." ((Because… I wanted to show you that I could be someone, not just your average guy that you would find on Bikanel. Someone you knew that you could be safe with, who you knew would protect you...))

I starred at him for a few seconds. That really wasn't the answer that I was expecting. But, I think I like this responce that presented itself much better. "Cemmo..." I murmured, "E ghaf dryd vnus dra tyo dryd E sad oui. Huf, kad cusa cmaab. E tuh'd seht nihhehk drehkc, pid E ghuf dryd E'mm hajan nih drec bmyla yc kuut yc oui. kad ib yht fymgehk cuuh, ugyo?" ((Silly... I knew that from the day that I met you. Now, get some sleep. I don't mind running things, but I know that I'll never run this place as good as you. Get up and walking soon, okay?))

Gippal smiled at me, and gave me another peck on the cheek, and released his hold on my chin. "Oac sy'ys." ((Yes ma'am.)) He said obediently, and leaned back into his pillows. I quietly left the room. Before I left though, I looked back.

Gippal was still awake, and he was watching me. He gave me a wink, then closed his eye for some much needed rest. I left the room, and gently closed the door. I headed to the doctor's office in the temple to inform them that Gippal had woken up and talked for a few minutes, then went back to sleep.

After all, I really did want him up and walking again. But, I don't think that it's just so he can get the Faction under control again. I want to see why he kissed me twice…

Oh… great. More questions, which means more thoughts.

Why can't anything in life be simple!

A/N: Yay! Another chapter up! Hope you guys liked it, and I'm happy to say that I'm done with Together At Last. If enough people complain about the ending, I might re-write it, but don't get your hopes up. Also, I would like to thank the following people for reviewing and giving me feedback…

for always x – Omg! That's the highest compliment I've ever been paid! You really love my writing? Seriously? ((blushes insanely)) I can assure you my English teacher can protest… but then again, all she reads is my boring essays… ((snickers))

Wind Seal – I'm glad that you like it so far! Short, sweet, and simple… yeah, that's the way I like stories. Although, I like the long chapters… oh hum dee dum… anyway! ((lol))

Kitsu Kurasei – Ouch? So, basically your computer is/was on the fritz? Yikes… that would suck for me… considering that I haven't backed the files for my stories… eek! Sorting through email, yuck! I could haunt you with stories of what I find in my inbox after I don't check my email for a long time… scary. ((lmao))

Thank you guys for reading, and a big thanks goes out to the peeps that review! I would like more reviews… but I know that might be hoping for a little too much… oh well. I can dream!

-Vincent's Angel of Chaos-