My first ever attempt at a final fantasy fic. It will be Rikku/Paine definitely. No I don't own Final Fantasy.

Paine sat on the deck of the Celsius. It was a beautiful day. The sun was shining there was no chance of rain in sight. She especially enjoyed the quiet. Why because for the past week she had been dodging Rikku left and right. It seemed now that the young thief had gotten even more determined. If such a thing was even possible Rikku was more intent on spending time with her. Paine sighed a little enjoying the peace. Just how long would it last she wasn't sure. For now she would just enjoy it. When she heard some footsteps she quickly closed her eyes. "Nice try Dr.P I know that you're awake."

Crimson eyes opened instantly. She knew that it wasn't going to last. There Rikku stood smiling at her. Paine couldn't help but notice that contagious smile. Rikku's smile happened to be one of her best features. Her smile seriously seemed to light up the room. "Hello again Rikku." Paine spoke.

"You know you should just give it up. And stop trying to hide from me."

"Oh no why would I do a thing like that." Rikku turned her attention to the sky. It was a really beautiful day. Maybe she should find something to do. Something that she and Paine could do together. Although she knew that the warrior wouldn't go for it.

"Its such a nice day we should do something." When she received no reply she figured that it was just Paine being her usual self. Soon the silence was getting to her. So Rikku turned around only to see that Paine was gone. "Hey now where did she run off to."

Paine began to think of possible places to hide. The bridge would of course be too obvious. The cabin another obvious place. And going up on deck wouldn't work anymore. "The engine room." She thought to herself. So she made her way over to the engine room. She really didn't know why she was running. Would spending time with Rikku be that bad? Maybe she should just give in. Or else this would never end. It was clear that the blond would never quit. "Hiding from Rikku again." Paine heard.

She looked up to see Yuna. Not that she was surprised. Yuna was now currently in the middle of this hide and seek game. And to be honest it was getting rather tiring. "How could you tell?" Paine spoke with sarcasm. Yuna smiled a little. She could tell this thing had been going on for about a week now. Besides Paine was starting to run out of places. Where else could she have gone besides the engine room?

"She'll find you eventually you know."

"Yes I know. I suppose she would chase me all over Spira just until I give in. Maybe I could lose her somewhere in Macalania woods." Yuna laughed at this. Thankfully she knew that it would never happen for real. Then again anything was possible. Perhaps there was a such thing as trying to hard. It would probably be best if Paine went along with it. Although it wasn't something that she would normally do.

"Hey Paine maybe it wont be so bad. I think you should give it a try." Paine thought it over for awhile. She decided to go along with it for one reason. That reason was to save the sanity that she had left. If this game of hide and seek were to continue. She was sure that she would go crazy. Paine folded her arms then nodded slowly. "Yeah I suppose it's worth a try."

"Ah hah I found you Paine. Oh hey Yunie." Rikku smiled.

"Hi Rikku." Yuna smiled back. Knowing that this was her cue Yuna left the engine room. Now it was just the two of them together. Paine knew that Yuna had done this on purpose. She would be sure to get her back for that one. Rikku stood there as she tried to think of something to say until Paine had spoken first. "Rikku this game of hide and seek has been pointless. So I have decided to just spend some time with you. Did you have anything in mind?"

Paine knew that she might regret asking that. Suddenly Rikku's face lit up. At least she was happy and that was a good thing. But the look in her eyes told Paine that she had already planned something. As if she somehow knew that this day would come. Rikku reached over and took Paine's hand. "Ooh thank you Paine. We're going to have so much fun. There's a magic show happening today in Luca. I already asked Yunie to come okay let's go."

"Magic show?" Paine thought to herself.

Before she had time to back out Rikku was already running up the stairs. Somehow dragging Paine along with her. They were gone before anything else could be said. Paine soon found herself in Luca. Rikku was still holding her hand. She glanced over to the younger girl. Rikku soon noticed that she was still holding her hand. Rikku blushed a little then let her hand go.

"Sorry Dr.P"

Paine just nodded and they walked on. Following the crowds of people led them to the magic show. Paine wasn't one for this type of thing. She wasn't really interested in a magic show. Rikku pushed threw the crowd finding them all a spot front and center. Soon the crowd began to cheer loudly as a woman with red locks came onto stage. They all noticed her eyes. A strange but fascinating blue and silver mix. "Hello everyone I' am the great, the wonderful, not to mention beautiful." She stopped. "But you can just call me Isolde I will supply the entertainment for today. For I am the greatest magician." She spoke proudly.

"Someone sure is confident." Paine spoke to both Yuna and Rikku. Isolde turned to look at Paine. Her eyes locking on to hers. She had heard Paine whisper. She figured that it was time to show her a few things. "Um I'm going to need a member from the audience." Rikku turned to look at Paine there was a smile on her face. Paine could see what she was thinking. She didn't agree to humiliate herself. She would not go onto that stage for any reason.

"Paine you gotta go please." She nearly begged.

"Yes how about you. The woman in black." Isolde pointed to Paine. Before she knew it Paine was being lifted on to stage. There was nothing that she could do now. Hopefully this "magician" wouldn't make a fool out of her. If so then someone was going to get hurt. Actually a whole lot of people were going to get hurt. Rikku for one. If it weren't for Rikku they wouldn't even be here. And Isolde for another because of this so called show. And also all of those fools who had dragged her onto the stage.

"So what's your name gorgeous?" the red head spoke.

Paine flinched gripping her sword. The magician was asking to get hurt. She then remembered where she was standing in front of all these people. Besides how long could this really take?

"Paine." She spoke in her monotone. Isolde pretended to put her hand over her heart. Acting as if how somehow Paine was hurting her.

"Paine." She repeated. "I got it I'm going to call you Red because of those gorgeous eyes of yours."

"You'll regret that." Paine spoke.

"Oh really come and get me take your best shot." Paine wondered what this was all about. Yet the magician was indeed asking for a thrashing. First of all she had called her gorgeous. And then there was this new nickname "Red". As if she didn't have enough nicknames as it was courtesy of Rikku. So Paine had run forward with her sword. The crowd stopped for a moment. Paine realized that she didn't hit anything. There was no one standing there.

"Yoo hoo over here Red." Paine turned around to see her. Soon there were three images of Isolde. Of course one of them had to be the real one. Paine gripped her sword again. "Well I'll just have to slice all of you until I find the real one."

"No Paine don't." Rikku called out to her. She looked over to Rikku then turned her attention back to Isolde. She was no longer standing there. Instead she was now leaned up against the wall drinking something and reading a book. "Hurt time." Paine whispered.

"Oh really and what will you hurt me with? Certainly not without this."

Isolde was now holding onto Paine's sword. Paine looked to see that she was holding a very large broom. The crowd began to cheer and clap. Paine then threw the broom on to the ground. Isolde smiled at her she could tell that she was ticking the warrior off. But Isolde wasn't done she had one more trick up her sleeve. She took Paine's sword and threw it to her. The silver haired woman quickly grabbed her weapon. When she looked up again Isolde was standing before her. There was a seductive smile on her face. It was a good thing that Paine had shown up to her show.

"Here Red this is for you." She leaned forward capturing her lips in a kiss. The smile of Rikku's face quickly faded. Suddenly she was not having so much fun anymore. Isolde let Paine go then smiled for her again. "We'll meet again. Goodbye for now Red."

Isolde disappeared into a bluish-white smoke and was now gone. When the smoke cleared somehow Paine was standing there with a red rose in her hand. Somehow that silly little magician had done this. Paine wanted them to meet again. So she could pay Isolde back for this mess. Paine threw the rose on to the stage and walked off. Rikku hadn't said much either. Her mind was still on that kiss. Isolde had kissed Paine. Rikku could feel a little jealousy coming on.

"Yunie what was all of that?"

"I'm not sure. But it looks like our friend Paine has an admirer." Yuna answered.