Disclaimer: I don't own FFX or X-2…

Thanks to those of you who have reviewed. It means a lot to me!

The next day as Rikku packed her things, she thought how annoying it would be to work with Gippal. He was such a pompous ass!

It then dawned on her that he never used to be one. Not until that day eight years ago. When they both saw Sima die, and when he lost his eye from the debris that the Guado had caused. Everyone in their clan had changed that day. They had no more home then, and it took years to re-build, especially in a new secluded area in the dessert. It wasn't enough because three years ago, the Guado came again and attacked, again destroying their HOME.

The one that saved them, was Yunie, her beloved cousin, whom she helped protect as a guardian during her long, hard pilgrimage. She was there when they fought Yunalesca and Seymour. She was there when Jhect and Yu Yevon were there. She stood by her cousins side, and protected her with her will.

Then there eternal calm came, and Spira was finally free of fear. Yuna also told them that she was half Al Bhed, and that they weren't people to hate. She told them that the teachings of Yevon were false, and hidden within them were lies of deceit. It was her words that finally brought peace to everyone in Spira. No more attacks on the Al Bhed. Everyone had respect for all the different races and clans. No more hatred.

Peace was still out of their reach though. It was then when she saw Gippal again. When New Yevon and the Youth League were fighting over Spira. It was then when she finally saw the face of the one that had protected her. She hadn't seen him since she 12. Five years had definitely changed him. His personality was cocky and rude. It made her stomach turn sour.

He was there to help against Vegnagun and Shuyin. So seeing him actually being helpful had made her re-think his attitude. Except she then changed it after the defeat of Vegnagun and Shuyin. He was in the lime light, and totally became full of himself.

Which brings her to the now. Almost two full years of absolute peace. Almost two years since he came back into the arms of Yuna. Almost two years since Yuna got married. Things had changed so much. It was crazy, but that's how things worked.

Sighing, she closed her garment grid, and her sack of orbs. The orbs were other outfits that she could wear. She just had to exchange one orb outfit from the grid with the one she wanted to use. It was an awesome invention that Shinra had made. It made so many lives in Spira more convenient.

If only her life were more convenient. Sadly that wasn't her case. She was stuck with working with the machine faction instead of working on her airships and neato gadgets.

With another hefty sigh she sagged her shoulders before leaving her room, her feet dragging on the smooth floor. She was so enthused to be going that she was moving at the pace of an obese Shupuff.

As she continued to walk through the corridors of HOME, her thoughts were interrupted by Buddy. She looked up, a very agitated expression on her face. "What do you want Buddy?" she asked, her voice low and gruff!

"Just saw ya and wondering why you're moving around like sludge."

"I don't wanna go." She mumbled before releasing a huge sigh of discontent.

"Go where?" he asked. He stared as her head popped up, and her eyes digging holes into his head.

"I'm being sent to work at the Machine Faction with Gippal." She said, not to pleased with the idea.

"Wow, well, hope it goes well." He said. He remembered that their relationship had changed shortly after the first invasion of HOME.

She lifted her gaze up to Buddy's and saw that he actually looked concerned. "Thanks." She said on a sigh. "I'll cya." She said as she continued to slouch and drag her feet down the hall.

By the time Rikku go to the Machine Faction, it had already become dark. She thought that maybe Gippal might have gone out to do something, for some odd ball reason. So then felt like it was safe to saunter into the Djose Temple, which was the headquarters of the Machine Faction.

"Cid's girl where in Spira have you been?" he demanded when he saw her walk in all cool.

Rikku looked up, amazed that he was actually there. She could only blink, because she couldn't think up a valid answer. "Uh." Was all that came from her mouth.

"Yeah that's not a good answer brat." He said before running his fingers through his honey colored hair.

"Excuse me Gippal. If I'm not correct, there was no specified time for me to arrive today." She said as she flipped her long blond pony tail behind her back. She grinned when she saw him stutter. "Yeah go think on an answer." She said. "I'm going upstairs to my room." She said knowing that the Chamber of the Fayth was the "guest room."

"What about…" he began to say but didn't know what he was trying to do. "Go do what you want." He said, kicking an old rusted knut across the room. "See if I care." He mumbled.

Once in the safe confinements of the room, Rikku dumped her stuff on the table before turning around quickly to kick the door. "He really pisses me off!" She stopped herself and told herself to take some deep soothing breaths before she got too worked up.

When she was finally calmed down, Rikku smiled, and stretched. She noticed the hole where the statue of the Fayth had been was replaced. When she went over to it, she noticed it wasn't Ixion anymore but the emblem of the Machine Faction. She was annoyed that she had to work here with them. She walked over to it, and decided to vent her frustrations out on it. She walked over on top of the bronze metal and began to jump up and down on the hunk of junk! "I HATE IT I HATE IT I HATE IT!" Rikku screamed. After about her 10th jump, she her body was jerked. She looked down and noticed that there were some rusty pieces holding this thing down. "Fuck." She said as she felt it caving in. She tried to side step her way off of it, but it was too late. She fell along with the emblem down the hole, which lead to the farplane glenn.

As she fell she screamed "GIPPAL YOU ASS, WHY DIDN'T YOU WARN ME!"

A/N: Okay leaving you there. I'm sorry it took me so long to update. I've been kinda in a relationship and stuff… and my knee is still messed up… I've been kinda depressed and have really come quite attached to sleeping. -- I know bad excuse. Well please read and review, and I promise to be more on top of things.

Love to you!

Teri