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

Chapter Fourteen

The best laid schemes o'mice and men Gang aft a-gley

"It's soo not fair, Chauncey! Why'd he have to come back for? I'd thought he wouldn't return until…at least 3 years! All my plans, everything's in a big pile of Shoopuf droppings!"

"Okay Rikku, calm down!" Chauncey said, gently patting Rikku on her bare arm. "I'm glad you didn't retreat again, you look lovely. The blue silk looks amazing on you!"

"Thanks very much Chauncey. You look superb as well." Said Rikku. She banged her fist against her dressing table and her hairbrush jumped and slid onto the carpet. "He told me it was guilt that brought him back! Guilt my a—

"Come on, Rikku, let's go downstairs. The guys'll be waiting. Just imagine what we'll do if Gippal comes upstairs and starts dragging you down?"

"Just let me try! Agh! Chauncey, stop laughing! None of this is funny! Oh, very well, let's join the precious guys!"

Delaney, a slender, somewhat narrow-minded young man, was standing next to the fireplace, speaking in his measured way about anything that so happen to pop into his mind. He'd said nothing about Rikku's transformation. He was a gentleman. Still, he couldn't wait to observe Rikku and Gippal together.

He droned on about the Shoopufs outside the temple.

"Good evening, again." Chauncey said merrily, sweeping into the drawing room. She trusted that Rikku was following her. "Del, honey, could we have something to drink please?"

"No problem." Said Delaney, not daring to look at Gippal's face.

Rikku looked so lovely it was like staring directly into the sun. Gippal felt something deep inside him tighten, but he was easily able to ignore it at the sight of two angry spots of her cheeks and the wary, irritated look in her eyes. His eyes fell on her bosom. "You look very nice, dear Rikku." He said, his voice honey smooth, his gaze moving reluctantly from her breast back to her face. Rikku merely nodded, and let him hold unto her hand. He held it and she shot him a look that could kill were it a dangerous machina weapon.

"All too true." Delaney agreed, nodding to both ladies.

"Looks like Rikku has outdone me." Chauncey said provocatively, her eyes twinkling at Gippal.

"More like she's outdone everyone." Gippal said to on one in particular.

Rikku knew her hands were sweaty and she rubbed them on her clothes. She looked up to see Gippal gazing at her with such a knowing look that she wanted to strike him.

"Ah, Otis!" Her relief at the butler's presence was as obvious as a monk being saved from fiends.

"Dinner is served."

"Rikku." Gippal said after everyone sat down at their places. "Has beyond a shadow of a doubt ordered up my favorite dishes. She's just so happy at my coming back."

There was dead silence. Otis hovered. The three footmen looked blank. Otis had trained them well. In fact, he had particularly threatened them for this evening.

"Aren't you, Rikku?" At her grim silence, he added: "Delighted to see me, that is."

"I hope you all will enjoy this soup. Made it myself." Rikku said, ignoring him.

"My favorite type." Gippal said fondly. "Such a caring wife."

"It's Delaney's favorite." Rikku said.

"It sure is." Chauncey added, and quickly spooned a mouthful to keep herself from giggling. Poor Rikku!

Only the sound of spoons dipping in and out of their bowls broke the silence.

"Delaney was telling me all about the problems he has at home." Gippal said.

"A subject no doubt close to your heart." Said Rikku, her voice acid it would have curdled the soup.

"Definitely." Gippal said blandly. "I'm always interested in problems, any problems. There're usually so many answers to just one simple question. It's just the choice of selecting the right one, don't you agree, Rikku?"

He is doing me in pretty well, I can't let him continue.

She raised her face and met his eyes head-on, saying in a clear, honeyed voice: "I've found that to be true, particularly in running this Faction. Carruthers…" her voice softened markedly. "He's such a help! Such intelligence from a man so young!"

Gippal froze, frowning before he could stop himself.

Chauncey said quickly: "Just how is old Laz? I haven't seen that old fella in quite a long time."

"He is as he always is." Gippal said easily, gently setting down his fork. He looked toward his wife. "When the old tar finally finds himself a fiancée, I'm sure he'll treat her very well. And he wouldn't be lying and cheating on his soon-to-find fiancée, cause you need trust in a marriage. Don't you agree, Rikku?"

Rikku quietly sipped her wine.

"Rikku?" His voice soft, almost intimate.

"I think." Rikku said, her voice hard and impersonal. "That husbands are…" she broke off, realizing that she had to curb her tongue, at least in front of Delaney and Chauncey.

"Yeah?"

"Husbands are…um…husbands."

"Hm, an accusation or a compliment?"

It was too soon for Rikku to rise and leave. And if she did rise, Gippal would all likelihood leap across the table and strangle her.

Damn Chauncey, she was enjoying herself greatly!

"I've heard so much about the pleasures of Luca." She said to the table at large. "I'm soo excited about visiting with you, SIR."

She saw him scowl and grinned at her dinner.

"Holy Chocobos! Just think of all the balls, parties, music performances— isn't that what you called them?"

"Yes." Gippal said.

Damned little minx! Trying to turn the tables on me, was she?

"About traveling to Luca, my wife, maybe…your health won't let you?"

Delaney looked up from his plate, clearly startled. "What Rikku, I had no idea you weren't feeling up to snuff!"

"I'm feeling very well, Delaney." But her eyes were wary on her husband's face.

Gippal said in a tender, most caring voice. "Rikku, you're not too sick yet in the mornings?"

Chauncey cried out in excitement. "Rikku, you didn't tell me! How exciting!"

Rikku gritted her teeth. "I'm not pregnant, Chauncey. My husband obviously means my…ah, Al Bhed fever I occasionally catch."

"Do I? Not with child yet? How depressing. As I said, a husband has so many duties and responsibilities."

Delaney sent his wife an agonized glance. He was extremely uncomfortable. He wanted to leave and let the two of them fight it out. Chauncey had been joyful about the evening. Even she looked uncertain now. Delaney wondered briefly if Rikku would leap out of her chair and bury her fists in his face.

As for Rikku, she had had quite enough. "Chauncey, should we leave now? I know you don't love this pudding. But it's my husband's favorite, so let's leave him and Delaney to feast on them."

Gippal merely stared at Rikku down the length of the table. His look promised full vengeance, but she tossed her head and marched in full-blown royal manner from the dining room.

"My, my." Said Chauncey. "Gippal is in a rare talking."

"He is an obnoxious brute." Said Rikku, so furious that she could barely gather her woefully scattered thoughts together.

"You did deceive him, Rikku." Said Chauncey in a very cautious voice.

Rikku looked positively fierce. "I hope he chokes on the pudding!"

"He looked so outrageously handsome in his evening togs, don't you agree?"

"Chauncey…" Rikku said in a warning voice. "You're giving me a headache."

Chauncey tripped onward. "His hair is so thick and shiny, don't you agree? And his beautiful green eyes." She gave a delicious shudder, daring a sideways glance at Rikku's glacial face. "And he is so very…virile and strong."

"I'll strangle you, Chauncey!"

"He is your husband." Chauncey said reasonably. "And I like pudding." She added.

"Chauncey! Whose side are you on?"

"I think I'll play some ballads. You listen, Rikku, it will sooth your savage, er, feelings."

The guys joined them all too soon. Gippal strolled to where Rikku sat in splendid loneliness and moved behind her chair. She felt his hand on her shoulder, and froze. She felt his fingers curl and uncurl in her hair.

"Leave me alone." She hissed between her teeth.

"Nah uh, I'm not gonna do that. Not until I want to, at least."

Delaney and Chauncey escaped. That was the only word for it as Rikku and Gippal walked with them to the front doors. Chauncey gave Rikku a quick hug. Otis hovered, to Gippal's frustration. He took Rikku's hand and drew her back into the drawing room. He closed the door firmly and leaned against it.

"Now." He said, grinning at her. "We're finally alone."

"And..?"

"You present an attractive picture. I can't wait to see more of the picture, maybe with less…paint."

He spoke in a most normal tone, but it took Rikku a few seconds to scrape together his meaning. She stared at him, her eyes widening.

"I hate you intensely." Rikku said.

He arched a blonde brow, but said nothing.

"I'm going to bed!" She squared her shoulders and walked toward him.

"My idea exactly." He said. "I wanna begin my facts on the real Rikku."

What do I do? He's standing in front of the door, blocking my way. Ah! I know. Pretend. Yeah! Pretend!

She said in a very shy, frightened voice: "I…well, alright, sir."

"Gippal." He corrected, smiling down at her. He felt a surge of lust so strong it startled him. She was his wife. And now she was finally listening to him. He stepped aside. "I'll be up shortly, Rikku."

"Very well, si…Gippal." She said in that same shy little voice, darting him a quick embarrassed look.

"Rikku." He said, touching his fingers lightly on her shoulders. He felt her tense, and hastened to comfort her. "It'll be different this time, that's a promise."

She lowered her head and stood silently. He leaned down and lightly pressed his lips to hers.

He raised his head and studied her face. "You are very lovely." He said almost absently.

She said nothing, and he allowed her to walk from the room.

He walked into the entrance hall and watched her progress up the short flight of stairs. He pictures those long legs of hers wrapped about his hips and swallowed. How could he have been so blind? He shook his head. He wondered if he would have approached her sexually in the same manner had he seen her the way she was now on their wedding night. He didn't know.

Ah, Amalie. Tonight I'll follow your instructions to the letter.

He thought of Rikku squirming with pleasure in his arms, perhaps crying out softly, and he shook again with lust.

He drank his brandy, then quickly made his way upstairs to his bedroom. Grunyon was there, fussing about, with nothing in particular that Gippal could see. "It's alright, Grunyon. You can sleep now if you want."

Grunyon darted a quick glance toward the adjoining door, a glance filled with concern that was not lost on Gippal. Damnation, didn't he have anyone's loyalty? "Grunyon?"

"Yes, Mr. Gippal." Grunyon walked as slowly as a snail across the expanse of the bedroom.

Gippal waited only until the door was firmly closed before he stripped, donned a dressing gown, and softly knocked at the adjoining door. His hand on the door panel was shaking a bit.

He pressed the button. There was a lamp on her dressing table, flickering dim light.

"Rikku?" He looked toward the bed, and smiled. She was burrowed under the covers, in all likelihood embarrassed and a bit frightened. He would soothe her, make her comfortable with him. He would forgive her charade, maybe.

"Rikku." He said softly again, and eased down beside her. His hand touched her shoulder and froze.

He jerked back the covers and stared with vehemence at the same damned bolster.

"Rikku!"

He bounded off the bed and strode across her room. He halted suddenly, frowned, and lowering himself, peered beneath the bed. Nothing. Not even dust balls.

He pulled himself together by a thread. He couldn't go yelling through the temple for her. It would awaken all the people, and he could just imagine the resulting disaster.

"I'm going to murder you, Rikku." He said, his voice deep with building rage. Where could she be hiding? His mind was set. He would search every damned room! Oh yes, and when he found her…

He approached a small room, crookedly set off the corridor, facing the main entrance to Djose Hall. He opened the door, and peered about.

Then he saw her, huddled near a pile of broken machina pieces. There was a bin nearby, and tables. It was the damned pervious machina workroom! Had she hidden from him in here the last time?

Rikku looked up and stared at him.

TO BE CONTINUED…