(Paine's P.O.V)

I stood there with my arms folded as I watched Rikku on the ground. Sure the little thief was a bit of a klutz. Yet it was fairly obvious about what she had been doing. Clearly she thought it necessary to eavesdrop on my conversation. Not that it had been anything interesting. I looked into her eyes I could tell that she had many questions. I knew then that I would never hear the end of this. Eventually she would start to ask me questions. Not that I would answer her right away. Only this time I doubted that I even had any answers for her.

(Rikku's P.O.V)

I got up and dusted myself off. That fall had really hurt. I could see Paine staring directly at me. The way that she looked at me it made me feel suddenly awkward. I wondered why she wasn't saying anything. Was she just going to stand there and stare at me? Or was she waiting for me to talk first? Either way we couldn't just stand there. The silence was starting to get to me. The whole thing just felt weird. I wasn't even sure what I was going to say. "Oh hey doctor P I saw that girl kissing you." I mentally shook that thought out of my head. I couldn't say that. She would know for sure that I was jealous then.

Paine sighed to herself. She took her sword and placed it over her shoulder. She didn't want to just stand here like this. For once it seemed that Rikku wasn't going to say anything. But judging by the look in her eyes Paine assumed otherwise. It was only a matter of time before the silence broke. Instead of continuing to stare at Rikku she turned around looking at the water. Normally she wasn't one to start conversations. Somehow right now a conversation was needed. She knew full well that the thief had heard everything. It was still quiet except for the wind blowing across the waves. Paine decided to just ask her in al bhed. She knew that would get her attention.

"Rikku ruz sil uv dred tet oui rayn."

"E tethd rayn yhodrehk." Rikku exclaimed.

"You're a bad liar Rikku." She told her. There wasn't much that could be said right now. Paine was already aware that she had heard. Rikku wasn't really surprised by that. She practically gave herself away when she tripped and fell. The blond just sighed loudly causing the older girl to turn around.

"Alright fine you caught me. I heard everything are you happy now Dr. P." she smiled.

"Well there's nothing left to say. You know what happened just now it's not worth anymore discussion. Got it Rikku so we'll both just forget about It." before any more words could be formed Paine was gone. Rikku wasn't surprised by her actions. This was probably one of their longest conversations ever. And that's wasn't saying much seeing as how they knew each other for awhile now. A part of Rikku wanted to go after her. Yet she doubted if it would make any difference. As Paine had so nicely put it the conversation was over and there would be no more discussion. Instead she just headed the opposite direction. Maybe she would run into Yuna. She needed someone to talk to and she knew that someone was not going to be Paine.

(Rikku's thoughts)

I couldn't understand why I was so jealous. I never got jealous like this before. Sure there were times when I was annoyed but never jealous. It was just the thought of "her" kissing Paine. It just really affected me even more than I first thought. To have to see it twice in one day I think that's what hurt the most. Not to mention the way Paine had acted. She didn't seem to be bothered by it all. I bet if I had tried something like that it would be hurt time. Or she would just take away all of my respect points.

Maybe I was just freaking out because I didn't want to lose Paine. What? What am I thinking it's not like she's mine anyway. I admit that I feel an attraction for her. Do I love her? That's what it feels like. It would explain why I'm feeling so jealous right now. That's when I realized something. What if Dr. P already likes her?"

Rikku was so into her own thoughts. She almost hadn't realized that she bumped into someone. The impact was too great to be ignored. The next thing she knew she was on the floor. "Ouch." She shouted.

"Oh I'm sorry are you alright?"

Although the voice did sound sincere. Rikku looked up to see red locks and those strange eyes. That unforgettable silver mixed with blue orbs. It was the magician from earlier Isolde. Otherwise known as a "Paine stealer" just because of the fact that she had kissed her. Something that Rikku had yet to accomplish. "Its you." Rikku spoke up.

"Yeah I thought that you looked familiar. Are you a friend of Paine's?"

At first Rikku was not going to respond. Soon she just simply nodded at her question. There was something kind of off about Isolde. She asked this question knowing full well what the answer was. Because she knew that Rikku had been watching them. In fact if memory served Rikku correctly Isolde had a satisfied expression on her face. It was as if she were happy that she had been jealous. Or better yet if there was a reason behind all of this. For one thing why had she picked Paine out of everyone in that audience? Why did she have to pick the crimson eyed warrior? Her Paine, her Dr. P. Rikku just stood there holding on to her daggers.

"Aww I'm really sorry about earlier. If I knew that you were going to get jealous I would have never kissed her. Hey are you two in a relationship?"

"Hey um I gotta go." Rikku then ran off. The red head stared after Rikku. She could tell that she liked Paine. It was fairly evident just by the look in her eyes. It was true Rikku had been jealous. And judging by the situation it was clear that she had never told Paine how she felt. Knowing this information caused her to smile a little. Maybe just maybe she could have a little fun with this. She could see just how things would turn out. Isolde folded her arms and looked into the sky.

"Well Paine lets see how much fun we just might have." She whispered.

A day later while everyone was back on the Celsius Paine was sitting by the bar; while Rikku sat upstairs on the bed. Yuna wasn't completely sure but something felt suddenly strange right now. Her friend and her cousin were never really close or anything. They didn't have too many private conversations; well then again Paine never had too many conversations period. On the other hand they're behavior right now was quite strange. It was almost as if Rikku was trying to avoid Paine instead of trying to get to know her better. Perhaps seeing that show in Luca wasn't such a good idea.

"Um Paine is everything alright?" Yuna asked.

"Sure Yuna why wouldn't it be?"

"It's just you and Rikku are acting pretty strange." Paine kept her eyes on her drink. She did not look up at Yuna once. Unknowing to the two of them Rikku had been listening in to their conversation. Then again they were sitting right below her. It wasn't as if it were too hard not to hear their conversation. What she really needed was to talk to Yuna alone. Maybe she could get some advice out of her.

"Gull wing's report to the bridge." Brother's voice was heard.

Nothing else could be said as the three girls headed to the bridge. Yuna noticed Rikku stealing a few glances at Paine. Only she decided that she wouldn't comment on it until later. "What's the problem?" Yuna asked.

"Distress call coming from the Mi' ihen highroad. Someone down there needs help." Buddy answered.

"I suppose my relaxation time is cut short." Paine whispered.

"Ah don't worry Paine you've got me to keep you company remember?" the thief smiled. Paine just glanced at her. She couldn't really respond. Rikku was probably just kidding around like always. Soon the three of them were being dropped off along the Mi' ihen highroad. At first there didn't seem to be any real problem. In fact everything looked to be in order.

"What's the problem is it fiends?" the brunette took out her guns. Both Paine and Rikku looked up when they saw someone. That unmistakable red hair those eyes. Rikku just sighed to herself while Paine glared angrily. She knew that they would meet again. Yet she was hoping that it wouldn't have been this soon. "Oh thank goodness you're here. I could really use your help." Isolde spoke.

Paine nudged Yuna in the side this caused her to look at her friend. The warrior shook her head slightly letting her know that they shouldn't be here. That they really didn't have to help the magician. Knowing Yuna though she would want to help anyway no matter who the person was.

"Alright what can we help you with?" Rikku took her hand and slapped herself up against her head. She knew her cousin too well. So she wasn't really surprised that they had to help. On any other occasion she wouldn't have minded. This wasn't just an average occasion. Rikku didn't trust the magician.

"Well you see I'm looking for my assistants. They've somehow vanished on me. There are three of them I believe that I lost them here around the highroad. If it's not too much trouble Lady Yuna…" she was cut off.

"Of course it isn't Yunie wants to help don't you?" Rikku playfully hit her cousin.

"Right." She nodded. Isolde nodded too and then looked towards Paine. She had this sudden look in her eyes that could easily be mistaken for desire. Not only had Rikku noticed but Yuna noticed as well. Suddenly Isolde grabbed her hand casting her an seductive smile. "Come on Red lets get going." Before the silver haired woman had time to protest she was being dragged along by Isolde. All she had time to do was glare at Yuna. She made sure she knew that there would be hell to pay. Why couldn't she just learn to say no for once? Paine sighed as the red head continued to drag her along. Yuna just blinked curiously at what had just happened. Then she turned her attention to the shorter girl.

"Well I guess that we better go after them."

"Yeah you bet Yunie." Rikku wore her smile but deep down she was far from happy. She followed after her cousin. While several thoughts circled around in her head. "Oh boy I can tell that this is not going to be much fun after all." Rikku thought to herself.

Al bhed translations:

Ruz silr uv dred tet oui rayn- how much of that did you hear?"

E tethd rayn yhodrehk- I didn't hear anything