I'll Be There For You – Chapter 8

I Swear

I opened my eyes slowly, and looked around. I was in a hospital room somewhere that was easy to tell. I attempted to sit up, but fell back down on the bed, gasping from the pain. 'I got shot…' I remembered silently, and grimaced. I had managed to get shot, and lose Rikku. So much for 'always being there' for her, huh?

"Gippal?" A quiet voice called from the doorway. I turned my head, and gave a forced smile.

"Hey 'Lai."

"How long have you been up?"

"Just woke up actually. Do we know anything new?"

Baralai was silent for a while, and then he spoke slowly. "Cid is still missing, and the group managed to take Rikku as well… we haven't gone back and found them yet. You needed help, and Yuna couldn't heal a wound so severe."

"What about you?"

He just shook his head. "I'm weaker than Yuna. I don't have to use my magic to save lives all the time. I learned magic because it came along with being praetor."

"So White Magic isn't you?"

"Not really. I heard Yuna has a friend who is a black mage. Who knows, I might learn a few things from her."

I grinned. "You really wanna learn?"

Baralai shrugged, "Is there a reason that I can't?"

"Because any of the girls can tell you how to use black magic. All of them have mastered that dressphere. Maybe you should ask Paine…" I said slyly, which made him blush slightly. Oh yeah, there is definitely something going on between those two. Question is how long it's going to stay in the dark…

"Baralai?" A woman's voice said, coming into the room. I realized that it was Paine, and she broke out into a genuine smile when she saw me. "Gippal! You're awake!"

"Naw, really Paine? I thought I was still sleeping!" I joked.

"Oh shut up." She retorted.

I struggled to sit up again, and nearly cried out from the fire in my stomach.

"Here man, let us help." Baralai said as he and Paine helped me to sit up. When I was upright and leaning against the pillows, I sighed.

"Well! Now that I'm finally sitting up-"

"You can be bombarded by hugs." Paine said teasingly, and gave me a gentle hug around the shoulders. I was shocked, but I managed to break out into an idiotic smile and give her a one armed hug in return.

"Who are you and what have you done with Paine?" I asked her seriously as she pulled away.

She laughed, "I locked her in the closet. I'll let her out again when I'm tired of being nice."

The three of us busted out laughing, and Baralai was the first to recover. "Come on Paine, Gippal's gotta sleep."

"Oh come on! I've been asleep for so long that I can't even stand the thought of sleeping again!"

"Don't make me drug you."

I blinked. "You wouldn't do that."

Baralai smirked, and pulled out a vial of something. "Oh really? Get some sleep Gippal."

"Yes sir!" I said quickly, and then grimaced. "Yeah… you guys are going to have to help me again."

We all laughed again, as Paine and Baralai helped me lie back down.

I've been awake for hours. I couldn't stop thinking. I can't blame the group for leaving the ruins. But I was mad… they didn't even look for her. I felt like I broke the promise I made to her.

"I promise I'll always be there. Whether it's someone to talk to, someone to make you laugh, or a shoulder to cry on, I'll be there. Promise."

I closed my eyes, and grimaced. I really did break it. I didn't promise her that I would come running to protect her… but to me, that's a part of the promise… a promise that I broke. I began to think on the current situation. Whoever the people were that had Cid and Rikku, they had the upper hand. Not only did they have one hostage, but two.

And that's right about when my thoughts drifted to Rikku. The only thing that we knew about her location was that she was in the Omega Ruins. I seriously felt like I let her down, and I was petrified for Rikku's safety. I know that man in the ruins was lying to me. She's not safe until she's back with me.

I honestly don't want to think about the consequences if this goes wrong, but I found myself doing so anyway. The worst in my mind would be that I would never see Rikku again, and that scares the shit out of me. I like her, a lot more than I let on… really. It's kind of weird, but whenever she smiles at me, my knees go weak, and her laugh lifts my spirit. She's like the sunshine that reaches the darkest recesses of my soul. I don't think that she realizes how much she lights up a room. She doesn't even have to talk, but the room adopts a carefree and laid back air when she's near. I love it… I love it a lot. I'm beginning to think that I love her…

WHOA! Slow down there buddy! You don't even know if Rikku's even willing to take it that far yet! As far as I know, she's just ready to be friends. But how I wish she knew how much she's loved, and not just by me.

"I need you… if you only knew how much Rikku." I whispered to the empty room, closing my eye. "I'll find you Rikku, if it's the last thing I do… I swear."

A/N: Yeah, I know this was a little short, and not so much of a cliffy, but expect BOTH of those next chapter!

Wow... I got reviews... wow... You're thinking, four? Four isn't a lot...
Well, it's alot when you get them all in a day! YES! I LOVE YOU PEOPLE! Now, I'm aiming for 5 reviews before I update ((because I have to type up Chapter9 still...)) Anyways! On to the Thank Yous!

Janey3377 - I'm gald that you're liking this! Thanks for reviewing, and keep it up!

Vemmie-Daezure - IT'S NOT CLICHED! YES! SCORE! ((does a little dance)) Ahem... yes, thank you. Yeah, I love reviews! I'm glad you're reviewing! ((glares at people who aren't))

for always x - Ah, my lovely reviewer. I swear I smile for EVERY single review I get from you. Yes, I would have to admit you're one of the most faithful reviewers. Go you! ((Gives you treasured notes to rest of the story.)) Don't get attached... I'm not following them. ((evil laugh)) And how dare you think I'd kill off Gippal! HE'S TOO DAMN HOT! ((lmfao)) Just kidding... I like it when people add their two cents, gives me something to say in the thank yous. Hehe!

marajade963 - I plan on having Gippal come in on a pink chocobo, wearing a leopard suit, and leveling the ruins with his Mortar, then whisking Rikku off into the sunset! Uh... yeah... not so much, but I will say this. Gippal doesn't get to crush the baddies... YET! Yes, I'm PLANNING A SEQUEL! YAY! Who wants to be my beta! You say you're addicted to this story? Well aren't you lucky? You're getting a sequel! ((giggles madly))

-Vincent's Angel of Chaos-

Disclaimer: You guys do know that none of this is mine... right? Yeah, cuz it's not... oh well. Onto new things.