You Don't Know The Real Me – Chapter 13

Mulg Dryd kahdmasyh Eh Dra Lmucad! ((Lock That Gentleman In The Closet!))


That afternoon could have easily been the happiest day of Paine's life… well, almost. Well, seeing as he didn't kiss her… but he did managed to sweep her up in his arms and carry her inside, and demand that she have a room to a nearby acolyte, still carrying her around. When the acolyte hurried off to do as she was told, Paine and Baralai laughed so hard.


The sun was shining brightly into Paine's room, and she turned over with a moan. It had been a week since she had been here, and she still hadn't learned to shut the blinds before she went to bed. Unfortunately, someone was knocking on her door all ready.

"I'm coming, I'm coming… hold your chocobos…" she grumbled as she climbed out of bed, and put on a robe. She walked over to the door, and opened it a crack.

Baralai stood there all ready dressed for the day. He took in her tousled appearance and paled. "Oh, I didn't wake you up did I? I'm so sorry-"

"No, the sun did that for you." Paine said, flicking a strand of hair out of her face. She had put it back up in its usual doo, and Baralai frowned. Her brow furrowed. "What's wrong?"

"I liked your hair down…" he said sadly.

She smiled inwardly and opened the door a bit farther. "Who said it was going to stay up? So, what's up? I bet it's not even ten o'clock yet."

"I just thought that you would want to know that Gippal's here on short notice. Said he wanted to see me. The thing is, we've managed to keep the engagement a secret until you wanted to publicize it… so, Gippal doesn't know that you're here."

"You want to surprise him?" She asked, an eyebrow raised.

Baralai scratched the back of his head. "Well, I thought that you would want to see him… he would get a kick of seeing you in a dress…"

"Oh!" Paine said, grinning at Baralai. "You want me to come down and wear a dress because he won't believe you when you tell him!"

"No! That's not what I meant…" He said hurriedly, but drifted off when he didn't know what to say.

Paine rolled her eyes and put her hand on his arm. "I get it. Besides, you do really think I'm going to miss a chance to make Gippal speechless? Heck no! Is he here all ready?"

"Yeah, he's down in my office. I told him I had to talk to a priest really quick so I could come let you know."

"He's all ready here! How am I supposed to get down there before he leaves…"

Baralai laughed. "Don't worry. He told me before I left that he's trying to avoid work as long as he can. I think he's here to try to convince me to leave for another tour… fat chance."

Paine titled her head to the side. "Why?"

"Things are getting busy because I've been gone often for so long, and well, because you're here. What's the point if you're just sitting here?"

"Who says I couldn't come with?"

"Spira will know you as the wife of the praetor, not someone who travels with a single Al Bhed singer. Trust me, I've all ready thought about it numerous times, and I can't find my way around that small detail."

Paine nodded sadly. "That's a pretty good reason I guess. Well, move please."

"Huh?"

"How am I supposed to shut the door and get ready if you're standing there?"

Baralai blushed. "Oh, right, I'm sorry."

"It's okay. I'll see you in a few." She said, and quickly pecked him on the cheek before shutting the door.


"So… have you seen Paine lately?" Gippal asked as Baralai walked back into his office.

Baralai smiled and sat behind his desk. "I have actually."

"Really? When?"

"Not but a week ago actually."

Gippal blinked, and grinned. "Seriously? Did she tell you she went off to Besaid to see Yuna? As far as I knew, she hasn't left the island."

"Yes, I knew that, and she had to have come to Bevelle."

"Huh?"

"She was definitely here because there is no way that I imagined her in a dress."

Gippal's jaw dropped. "You saw her… in a dress?"

The door opened silently, and Paine slipped into Baralai's office. He saw her out of the corner of his eye and winked. "Yes I did. And I must say that the one she is wearing now looks even better than the last one I saw."

" 'The one she's wearing now'? What in Spira-" Gippal said, but Baralai pointed behind him. Gippal's jaw dropped all the way to the floor, and Paine busted out laughing at his expression. Baralai took the opportunity to look at Paine with appreciation without Gippal teasing him.

She wore a sleeveless, dark brown mini dress that went a little past her knees. Just underneath her chest was a silver circle, and the fabric was gathered there, giving the simple dress a touch of elegance.

""Fruy... Rumo Spira... ed'c y TNACC! Ur kaaw, HU UHA ec kuehk du pameaja sa! Fru eh Spira luhjehlat oui du fayn y TNACC!" ((Whoa... Holy Spira... it's a DRESS! Oh geez, NO ONE is going to believe me! Who in Spira convinced you to wear a DRESS!))

Paine smirked. "I did."

"You, of your own free will, WORE A DRESS!"

"Today, yes." She smiled, and did a small twirl for show, acting like some lovesick girl. "Do you like?"

"Oh my… Baralai, WHAT have you done with Paine?" Gippal cried, turning back towards the laughing praetor.

"I haven't done anything… well, not really. The dress was all her, and so was her coming here. I didn't even know she was here until she burst in on one of my important meetings."

"Huh? Did I miss something?" Gippal asked.

Paine smirked, and walked over to stand behind Baralai's chair. She wrapped her arms around his neck and rested her chin on top of his head. She winked, and Gippal sputtered for words. Baralai chuckled, waiting for a response.

"Just… okay, hang on. So, you're here to stay Paine?"

"Yup, I'm his fiancé." She said.

Gippal walked toward the sofa, and slowly sank down on to it. "Whoa… I'm behind… dang, you guys are getting married, and I haven't even seen Rikku."

"You've talked to her though right?" Baralai asked frowning. Gippal nodded.

Paine straightened up, "She's been making sure that I didn't do anything crazy over the last two months. All she really did was talk to me a lot and distract me, that kind of thing. It didn't give her a lot of time to talk to, or even see Gippal. I'm sorry about that by the way."

He waved it away. "Doesn't matter. But, I'm still surprised. It's almost been a month…"

"I'm sure she's got her reasons. Now, if you'll excuse me, I want to eat some breakfast sometime today." Paine said, giving Baralai a kiss on the cheek before leaving the office.


Gippal watched her leave and turned his gaze back to Baralai once the door was closed. "You have to tell me how you managed to get her to become your fiancé."

"I didn't. Remember when I said she busted in on my during an important meeting? That was it. I was about to sign the documents of resignation."

"No way! It came that close?"

"That close." Baralai said, nodding. Then he smiled. "I don't mind her interrupting my meetings much anymore."

Gippal shook his head. "Oh boy, here comes the love sick train…"

"Hey!"

"I didn't say anything… anyway. I came here because I wanted to ask you about throwing another concert-"

Baralai groaned. "I can't just leave every two or three months Gippal! I have a city to run! Now that Paine's my fiancé, everyone is going to get suspicious when she starts hanging out with a single Al Bhed singer. I can't have that, it would ruin both of us, you know that. So, if I'm going to throw another concert, it's going to be without Paine, which will never happen. I'm not going to leave her here for more than a month. Plus, if there's going to be another one, it's going to be the last, then we reveal who we are."

"Reveal ourselves? What are you talking about?"

"Don't tell me that you thought that we could do this for the rest of our lives! Gippal, I've got responsibilities, and so do you. It's time you focused on that, and maybe you would realize that I can't just leave and abandon my work whenever you want a tour. I'm sorry."

Gippal rubbed the back of his neck. "I… I just really want one."

"Yes, I know that. But I'm telling you that if we're going to have one, it's going to be our last."

"I can do that."

Baralai blinked. "Huh?"

"Let's throw one in, say Luca. The girls can sing a song, we can sing one as our characters, and then reveal ourselves. After that, we could sing the last one as a group. Three songs and we're done."

"Are you serious?"

"Does it look like I'm kidding?"

"What songs then?"

Gippal thought for a moment, and then smiled. "Spira doesn't know that you're engaged, do they?"

"No…"

"You could let everyone know at the concert."

"Huh- Hey, that's pretty good."

"Yeah, and the girls could sing whatever they wanted and we would sing some song that would make them blush like mad."

Baralai grinned. "I love it. Call Alvis. He'll be devastated, but he'll get over it."

"Right on!"


As soon Paine was far enough away from the office, she pulled out her comsphere. She dialed a number, and after a few rings, the call was answered.

"Hello?"

"Rikku, it's me."

"PAINE! Shiva, I haven't heard from you in almost a month! Where have you been? Yunie said you left-"

"I'm in Bevelle."

"Oh that's ni- YOU'RE WHAT! Wh… what are you doing there?"

"Doing something about my misery." Paine told her, smiling.

"What are you talking about? NO WAY! You guys fixed everything?"

"We did, and guess what. I'm engaged."

"YOU'RE WHAT! AND YOU DIDN'T CALL ME BECAUSE?"

Paine laughed. "Calm down Rikku, calm down. Now, I have a piece of good news for you. How fast can you get here?"

"Uh… I can be there by one. Why?"

"Gippal's here." Paine said simply, and hung up. She knew without a doubt that Rikku would be here in an hour or two tops.


That Afternoon...

Baralai, Paine, and Gippal were walking through the temple talking and remaining about their days in the squad when they reached the entrance to the temple.

"Hey Paine, remember when Baralai used to snore in Bikanel?" Gippal asked, grinning.

He scoffed. "I didn't snore."

Paine smirked. "So you say."

"Paine!" Baralai cried out in mock hurt. "What happened to the kind and caring woman that I saw this morning?"

She and Gippal looked at each other, and then busted out laughing. Baralai smiled, and wrapped his arms around Paine from behind and lifted her off the ground. With a cry of surprise, she managed to spin around in his grasp when he set her back down. Then they realized what position they were in. He had his arms around her waist, while her hands were flat on his chest. She blushed scarlet and pulled away.

Gippal tutted his disapproval, "Baralai, if you were waiting for the perfect moment… that was it."

Baralai looked aghast at him. "No it wasn't! You were standing right there!" Paine smiled, and looped her arm through Baralai's as they came to the center of the room. Gippal stood facing away from the door. A couple of seconds later, they were almost flung off their hinges.


((Gippal's POV))

I was having a good time talking about the good and bad memories with Baralai and Paine when I heard this big… bang. It wasn't a gun thank Shiva, but then I noticed it was the temple doors. I turned around, and my breath caught in my throat and my chest became tight.

Rikku.

There she was, standing there. And judging by her appearance, she just ran across the entire Highbridge. She looked amazing… beautiful and like a goddess, even through the windblown hair. Then I realized it was down.

Liquid gold strands fell to the middle of her back in many braids. Her scarf was a little askew, but it didn't matter. She was in her usual Thief attire, and I never knew that she could look so amazing in something I've seen her in so many times.

"Rikku…" I breathed, and took a few steps toward her, which turned into a full out run. "Rikku!"


((Rikku's POV))

"Rikku!" He cried my name, shattering my silent reverie. I was standing there thinking how wonderful it was to see him in the flesh. The numerous pads on his shoulders, the criss-crossing straps on his chest, right down to the eye patch on his right eye.

I saw him take a few steps, then begin to run. I sprinted toward him, and he caught me in his strong arms. He lifted me off the ground and spun me around a few times. I laughed, and he gently set me down. I looked up at him with unstoppable tears in my eyes. His gaze turned to worry.

"Rikku, fryd'c fnuhk?" ((Rikku, what's wrong?)) He asked me softly, pushing a few strands of hair away from my face. I tried to say nothing was wrong, that I was just so happy to see him… but it didn't work. Instead, I erupted into tears and sobs. "Rikku… pypa, fryd'c fnuhk? Bmayca, damm sa…" ((Rikku… babe, what's wrong? Please, tell me…)) He said rubbing my back.

"H-h-hudrehk'c f-fnuhk..." ((N-n-nothing's w-wrong…)) I sobbed into his chest.

He tired to laugh. "Rikku... oui syo muug payidevim frah oui lno, pid E ryda ed frah oui tu. Fryd'c fnuhk?" ((Rikku... you may look beautiful when you cry, but I hate it when you do. What's wrong?))

I lifted my head up and moved to wipe away my tears, but he beat me to it. I smiled up at him, and took a deep breath. "Hudrehk'c fnuhk… E's zicd, naymmo aqledat du caa oui." ((Nothing's wrong… I'm just, really excited to see you.))

"Oui lno palyica oui vehymmo caa sa?" ((You cry because you finally get see me?))

"HU! Pameaja ed un hud, E naymmo tet secc oui… oui pek sayhea!" ((NO! Believe it or not, I really did miss you… you big meanie!))

Gippal laughed and kissed my forehead. "Kuut, palyica E naymmo seccat oui payidevim..." ((Good, because I really missed you beautiful...)) he whispered. I blushed a bit, but managed a glare. "Fryd?" ((What?)) He asked.

"E tuh'd caa oui vun ymsucd DRNAA suhdrc, yht ymm oui tu ec keja sa y vneahtmo gecc.! Luimt oui bmayca mulg dryd kahdmasyh eh dra lmucad ymm nayto!" ((I don't see you for almost THREE months, and all you do is give me a friendly kiss! Could you please lock that gentleman in the closet all ready!)) I cried, a smile creeping over my face.

He threw his head back and laughed. "E drehg E lyh tu dryd..." ((I think I can do that…)) He whispered, and kissed me. I smiled against his lips until he made it impossible. I wrapped my arms around his neck, and he pulled me even closer.

"Okay, we get it!" Paine called from somewhere nearby.

"You win Gippal! Cut it out!" Baralai laughed.

We continued to ignore them.


A/N: AHAHAHA! Reunion is sweet! Only one more chapter left everyone!

marajade963
Angel-Light-Girl
Paine3
Flame of Bevelle
Lady Ari
mushimars
Kitsu Kurasei
xXpinkandblackemotionsXx

Thank you so much guys! One more, then you have TWO fics after this one! So, enjoy! Read and review pwease!

-Vincent's Angel of Chaos-

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