Disclaimer: I do not own anything from Final Fantasy x-2.

A/N: I'm in such a hyper mood at this very moment. I think maybe its cause I'm eating spaghetti! Yep, eating spaghetti while I'm typing up this new chappie.

Oh yeah, this chappie has some, er…some, 'lemon' in it. Is that how you use that term?

Nwaiz, let's go on with the story!

Chapter Eight

Great souls suffer in silence

"What're you doing here? What do ya want?"

Her voice rang out shrill and hoarse. Gippal saw her outline in the bed from the dim corridor light. She was sitting up, the covers pulled to her chin. He pressed the door panel, sliding the door back into place and calmly walked into the cabin.

"Get outta here, sir! You shouldn't even be in here, this ain't your bedroom!"

He could hear her breathing—fast, nearly gasping. "Rikku." He said, trying to sound reassuring. "I'm just here to continue with our marriage. It won't take long, that's a promise. All you gotta to do is—

"No! Get out!"

"…lie quietly. I'll try very hard not to hurt you."

Rikku heard the determination in his voice. She stuffed her fist in her mouth at the sounds of him undressing. When his boots hit the floor, she nearly shouted" "No way, sir! I'll—

"Gippal." he said. "Now, now Rikku. No need to get feisty with me. Come on, let's just get it over with, alrighty?"

She couldn't believe that it was happening so soon! She'd hoped that he believed her ugly enough to decline this whatever-it-was for a tiny bit longer.

"I really don't feel so good." She tried, and flinched at his chuckle.

"What? Did you drink more from that vile?"

"No, but I wish I did."

He suddenly sat down on the side of the bed, and Rikku scrambled away. He reached out his hand and touched soft, slightly damp hair. He wondered, not at all amused, if she wore one of her ridiculous caps to bed.

He could hear her breathing again, nearly felt her fear. He wished there was at least some dim light on, but imagined ruefully that he'd be unable to do it if he had to look at her.

"Rikku." He said, his voice still calm and gentle. "You gonna have ta trust me, okay? I know that you're…worried about this, but it won't be so bad. Don't worry a single bit, cause I know what I'm doing, and if you'll just cooperate, it'll be soo much more easier for you. Don't fight me, Rikku."

Rikku thought suddenly of the dreams she'd had as a girl. Dreams of a man who'd love her and woo her and respect her and want all of her. She closed her eyes, knowing well enough that there was no hope for it.

"Alright." She managed in a thread of a whisper.

"Just lie still."

"Alright." And she did, on her back, her eyes tightly closed even though the room was completely dark. She felt him draw back the covers, felt him lightly touch her cheek with his fingertips. She flinched away.

I had more fun fighting fiends in a cave.

Gippal quickly grasped her night gown and pulled it up to her waist.

"Hold still." He said, his hand coming down on her stomach. He felt the nest of curls between her thighs amd paused a moment. He heard her suck in her breath, and quickly moved down and parted her legs. Her flesh was soft, her thighs slender. He paused a moment.

"Rikku, you do know what we're gonna do, right?"

We?

She wanted to spit at him, tell him to go to the hell, but the words stuck in her throat.

Gippal waited a few more moments for her to answer, then said: "Rikku, I understand that it's 100 natural to be afraid of something you don't know about—

"I understand." She whispered, just wanting it to be over with and him gone.

"That's good." He said for want of anything better.

His fingers stroked up to find her and he realized at that moment that he would hurt her if he came into her now. Not just because of her virginity. She wasn't ready for him. She wasn't fighting him, but her body certainly was. How did one make one's wife ready? He certainly couldn't caress her; it'd embarrass her horribly and make matters worse. He shook his head, wishing now that he'd thought to cover his member with cream to ease his way into her.

Still, he touched her lightly, his fingers gently seeking her entrance. Her flesh was soft and cold. She jerked away and made a soft, frightened cry.

I can't do this, not like this.

"Lie still, Rikku. I'll be back."

He quickly pulled on his trousers, then he was gone.

Rikku jerked her nightgown down, then lay back again, not moving. Where'd he go? What's he doing? She looked wildly toward the area where the window was and considered jumping off the airship. She swallowed, her body tense, her mind whirling.

There's nothing you can do, save bear it. Nothing at all. He told you to lie still and that it'd be over soon.

But where had he gone?

The cabin door slid open again, then closed.

"Rikku?"

"Yes?" she managed on a croak.

"Just stay there."

What'd he expect? That she would be cowering in the corner? That she would have jumped from the window? That she had her twin daggers and would slash him to a gillion pieces? She had a sudden picture of him pulling her out from the bathroom.

Gippal rubbed his manhood with the cream and approached the bed again. He cursed when he realized that she'd pulled down her nightgown. He worked it up again over her hips to her waist.

"Don't be scared." He said, his hands pulling her legs apart.

He was hard and ready. Surprisingly, considering this was the last woman on Spira he wanted to take.

Rikku felt him press against her. He was naked. She could feel the hair on his legs against her. She felt his hands clasping her hips and drawing her up.

"Just hold still." He said again, almost a litany now.

Gippal had never before had sex with a woman in the dark. It was damned difficult. He parted her quickly with his fingers, feeling her flinch, then guided himself forward. He eased inside her and stopped when she cried out. Had he hurt her already?

"It's alright, Rikku." He said. "I'll go slowly." And he did, just a bit at a time. He felt how small she was, how she was stretching to accommodate him. He wanted suddenly to thrust deep, but kept himself in check. Taking a virgin was a heady thing.

No, not just a virgin, for Yevon's sake. She was a lady and my wife, and she deserved to be handled as gently as I can manage.

He was glad he'd gotten the cream. He'd been thoughtful and spared her unnecessary pain. Why'd he want to drive into her, fill her with himself? He bit down on his lower lip. He was going just as he should be, and he'd continue to. Slowly, very slowly, no sudden movements.

Rikku felt frozen and tense, her hands fisting the sheet at her sides. She didn't feel any sharp pain, just a tremendous fullness and stretching.

But he's inside your body!

Then she felt a jolt of pain. He butted against her hymen.

"Rikku." He said, wishing yet again he could see her to judge if he were hurting her. Hell, she couldn't wear her spectacles to bed, could she?

"Yeah?"

She sounded calm enough, resigned, in fact.

"You're going to feel a bit…of pain. It's your hymen and I've gotta get through it. Just relax, okay?"

"No." she said very clearly. "No, please stop. Please, just go away."

"I can't." he said, and before she could catch her breath, he tore through the small barrier.

She screamed at the sudden tearing pain, her body bucking wildly to be rid of him.

He came down on top of her to hold her still with his weight. "It's okay." He said, his face pressed against hers. "The rest won't be so bad."

She hurt, deep inside, raw hurt. And he was the cause of that hurt and he was inside her, so deep. She hadn't known, hadn't realized that her body could allow for such an invasion.

She didn't want to cry, but besides the pain, she felt defiled and used and angry. And helpless. She stuffed her fist into her mouth, but the sobs broke through. She couldn't help it. She tried to shove him off, but her hands come in contact with his naked shoulders. She dropped her arms back to her sides and clutched at the rumpled sheet beneath her.

She felt him rear above her, felt him moving inside her. Back and forth.

It hurt, but not so much now.

"That's it, Rikku." Gippal said between gritted teeth. He felt himself ready to burst, and because there was no reason to draw out this damnable encounter, he thrust deep, letting himself go, spewing inside her.

She felt him tense, heard a deep sort of growl come from his throat. Then she felt the wetness, and knew it was from him.

She didn't move.

She hated him. This thing he'd done to her was vile, unforgivable.

Gippal caught his breath, feeling her flesh convulse about him, and quickly withdrew from her. He felt her flinch, and was sorry for the pain he'd cased her, but dammit, he'd done it quickly, as efficiently as he could.

"Next time, it's not gonna hurt." He said. He rolled off the bed and rose. His heart was still pounding from his release.

"You okay, Rikku?" he asked, suddenly concerned at her silence.

"Yeah." She said, her voice dull and utterly lifeless.

He frowned toward her, then sighed. Suddenly he wondered how little she knew. He cursed softly, then said: "When I came into you, I broke through your hymen. Don't be too worried if tomorrow you see blood. It's completely natural. There won't be any pain for you the next time, or blood." At least he hoped not. He'd never taken a virgin before, and was not really sure.

With those comforting words, he quickly dressed and strode toward the door.

"I'll see you in the morning, Rikku." He said. "Um, sleep well." And he left her.

Now I shall jump through that damned window.

But Rikku didn't move. She felt sore, her body ached. And there was wetness between her legs.

Blood? Sperm? His seed?

She didn't wanna know.

There won't be any pain for you the next time.

What! Next time! How long did it take to make a child? For surely that was his only reason for doing this to her. How many times would she have to put up with being used like an animal? She wondered if he had really hurt her badly, and only pretended it was her hymen.

She was angry with herself when she tasted salty tears on her lips. "I hate you." She whispered into the darkness.

She wasn't certain whether it was her husband she hated, or herself.

She rose slowly and padded to the bathroom. She didn't want to see anything, and quickly pressed the wet cloth against herself.

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Once in his own bed, Gippal stretched his arms over his head. All if all, he was pleased with himself. He'd treated his wife with all the respect she was due. He did hurt her, but it was expected that first time.

She'd been very small. He frowned as his body reacted to the image of thrusting inside her, filling her. He'd leave her alone for a couple of nights. She'd probably be very sore. After all, he was a man, and large, and she was unused to sex.

But did she have to act as if he was killing her? Abusing her, for Yevon's sake?

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

I can't face him. I simply can't. But what are you going to do, then, ninny, stay like a coward in this ridiculous room?

She drew a deep breath and pressed the door panel. She cannoned into the corridor while she still felt courageous. She cannoned right into her husband.

"Rikku!" His hand clasped her upper arms. "Are you alright?"

No, I'm not! She said nothing. She wished he would suddenly, magically disappear— from the face of Spira. To her utter chagrin, when he released her, her eyes fell downward, to his belly and groin.

He'd been so large the night before. Where was it? How…oh no, did he increase in size only when…?

Gippal chuckled, he couldn't help himself. Her thoughts were so very clear on her face.

Her eyes flew upward. Belatedly, she squinted.

But he was too amused to notice the small distorted eyes behind the thick lenses. He said, rumbling laughter still deep in his chest. "I thought you said you saw me naked in the Oasis."

"I did." She said, choking with embarrassment.

"I'm sure you realized that the water was cold, frigid actually."

What did that have to do with anything? "Yeah, I know. The water's always cold this time of year." She said, hoping her voice was as cold as that water. "I enjoyed watching you shiver."

As, that sounded nice and nasty.

But still that wretched smile was on his face. "Well…then you should know that men aren't always ready to…well, to, ah, prepare for—

"I-I didn't look at that part of you! Oh…stop it!" She flung up her hands to ward off further drawing comments from him. She quickly turned on her heels and fled to the elevator. She heard his laughter behind her.

"You miserable…meanie." She said under her breath. She met Grunyon at the Bridge, and flushed to her puce cap.

He smiled at her with grave understanding. "Good morning, Lady Rikku. Breakfast is served."

Gippal joined her some minutes later. He was no longer laughing—or smiling, for that matter. He was looking quite serious. "Rikku." He said gently, for he was now writhing in guilt for embarrassing her and baiting her. "Are you all right? No…aftereffects?"

"No." she said coldly. "I bathed. In the dark. After you took yourself off."

So much for my concern.

He seated himself. He looked with satisfaction at the array of food on the table.

As he chewed on the delicious food, he remarked upon the disgusting cap that covered most of her head. He could just imagine the reaction of the staff at Djose temple, much less his dad's reaction. He cleared his throat, wondering how to tell her that she looked deplorable.

He shook his head at himself. He couldn't bring himself to criticize her, not just yet.

"We'll go immediately to Djose Temple." He said after a lone strained moment. "Soon, I'll bring ya back to Luca. Big city, it is."

She said nothing, merely spread her toast.

He forged ahead, taking her silence as a positive sign. "There are, uh, very nice shops there. You know what I mean. The, um…clothes are nice there."

Rikku silently vowed to wear this dress and shirt until it rotted off her body.

"Maybe…maybe we could find a White Mage to give us some Eye Drops. Or maybe we could get ya some new, well…glasses. Is your eyesight really bad?"

She gave him a particularly vicious squint. "Yep." She said. "Terrible."

Gippal eyed her with growing impatience. Didn't she realize how very kind he'd been to her? He'd spared her all the embarrassment he could. Well, he corrected himself, he'd been a bit mean with her this morning in the corridor, but damn her, why didn't she say something, anything, to show that she was at least thinking?

Couldn't she at least be a bit social?

He downed some liquid, then slammed down his mug. "You ready?" he asked, his voice abrupt.

"You bet." Rikku said. She wished she'd something to bang on the table.

They rode another thirty minutes on the airship.

Then Djose Temple came into view.

Rikku's jaw dropped as the airship wended its way down the drive. It was a place for machina! She saw the machina pieces everywhere.

For the first time since she'd left home, Rikku felt a spurt of excitement. Why the hell hadn't her precious husband mentioned this to her?

Well, is I had to be dumped somewhere, this is the place to be dumped.

TO BE CONTINUED…

A/N: The story wouldn't be as interesting if Gippal finally saw what Rikku looked like yet, now would it? That'll come a bit later, but in the next chappie, Rikku will meet Gippal's dad and their workers.