A/N: Hey guys, I'm finally back! I'm so so so so so sorry for keeping you waiting, but I've been having a few problems in my life lately and writing was not a priority… I'm sorry anyways.

Da KeR MysTeRr: You're right, it's horrible what happened to those kids but it's even more horrible to think that it happens everyday in our "real world"… If only it could only happen in fiction… Well, thanks anyways and here's your update. ;-)

tidusXyuna637: Thank you for reviewing and liking this story, it means a lot to me. I hope you like this chapter too.

Sum1special: Okay, here it goes. Yes, Jecht was drunk when he had the accident (tell me when's the moment that he's not drinking…). Yes, of course Shuyin's sad about his father, but his emotions are mixed right now, you know… I'll try to explain his feelings in this and in the next chapters. As for Yuna, well… It's clearly obvious that Tidus has still some kind of hold on her (you can say that even though he's not present in the story, he's not quite absent because he's always brought to mind by someone or something). Shuyin's different ― he's the big brother she never had and she tells it to Paine on chapter 4. Baralai… Well, let's wait and see, okay? But I don't think they're a bad couple, do you? Okay, I think I answered all your questions, but if you have more, you know what to do, just click the review button. Thanks.

LennesLostSoul: Well, you probably haven't read the whole thing so far but, as I'm answering all of my reviewers (first time I do that), I just wanted to thank you too.

Okay this was my first time answering all of my reviewers (I found some spare time to do that…) YAY! So thank you and enjoy the chapter…

Chapter 7

Options and concerns

After Shuyin had told me the whole story, I had called Lenne. He had been against it, but I assured him that she was the one who had asked me to keep her informed, so he finally accepted it, even though still a bit reluctantly. Not even half an hour later, Lenne was entering through the hospital's double doors and Shuyin and her seemed to momentarily forget about all the problems that kept them apart, falling into each other's arms and holding as tightly as they could.

"I'm so sorry, Shu…" she whispered, running her fingers through his golden hair.

"I'm just glad you're here…" he responded, his hands caressing the small of her back.

They were so into themselves that I silently left them alone and went to see if I could find a doctor that would give me some more information. Eventually, I got all the answers I wanted and I even got the chance to see the hurt child and Jecht, who was in a room full of machines and electronic devices which were somehow connected to him, controlling his vital signs. He seemed so helpless, lying in that bed, his body inert and his eyes shut, maybe even forever… I just didn't know if I thought he deserved such punishment or if I pitied him. I think it was a little bit of both…

For one instant I thought I saw in Jecht's sleeping face a resemblance to Tidus… I blinked hard, trying to put away that thought. I really didn't want to think about Tidus right now. It just made me wonder how he would react when he discovered the state his father was in. That reminded me… someone had to tell him. Someone had to call him in Zanarkand and let him know. He couldn't be left out of this one…

That was precisely what I told Shuyin a few moments later, when I went back to meet them in the waiting room. Lenne agreed immediately with me, but Shuyin didn't seem very happy with the idea. I couldn't blame him. Tidus had been away for so long, not even caring in sending a letter to ask how we were doing and now, out of the blue, he should be informed… But keeping him in the dark was simply not right!

I looked at Shuyin once again. "Tidus has the right to know, Shuyin. No matter how hard that is for us, he has the right to know…"

"I know." He ran his fingers through his hair, staring at the linoleum floor so he wouldn't have to face us.

"So… Are you gonna call him?" I asked, sitting by his side.

He was silent for a few seconds. Then he took a deep breath, as if he had made up his mind, and looked at me. "No."

"What!" Lenne and I asked in unison.

"Shuyin," Lenne proceeded "Tidus is Jecht's son, too."

"He must know what happened to his father." I put in.

"I know that!" Shuyin almost yelled, standing up. Some of the people who were in the room glanced at us, but no one said anything.

"But still, you won't call him?" I asked again, lifting my head to face him.

"No." he repeated. "One of you can do that, if you want it so much." He added before any of us could say anything else.

Lenne and I exchanged looks and she must have seen the helplessness in my eyes, for she sighed and shrugged, giving us a small smile. "Okay, I'll do it. I'm gonna see if I can call from here."

She then stood up and walked out of the room, leaving the two of us behind. I looked at Shuyin again. He was silent, his back turned to me, his arms crossed over his chest. I got up and approached him, placing a hand on his shoulder. "It has to be done, Shuyin."

"I know." He responded, turning around to face me. "It's just that… I don't know what his reaction will be, and I'm not sure I wanna know. I mean, what if he doesn't give a damn or if―" he stopped abruptly, as if he regretted his words.

I smiled sadly. "He does give a damn, Shu, you know it. We both do."

He bent down his head. "I know."

-----XX-----

"Yuna! What the hell happened!" Rikku shouted, vigorously waving her arms at me, from the other side of the street.

I crossed the street and met Rikku, Paine and Baralai seated at a table of an outdoor café. They greeted me with concerned looks, which made me understand immediately that Rikku had told them the whole story, or at least the part she knew. I pulled a chair and sat next to them.

"When Rikku called you and you said you were still at the hospital we thought you wouldn't come." Paine said, taking a sip of her coffee.

I smiled tiredly. "Well, your invitation came just in time. I was beginning to feel suffocated by that atmosphere…"

"How's Shuyin?" Rikku insisted. I could understand her worry; after all, when she had called me, a few moments before, I had only told her that Jecht had had an accident and he was in a deep coma. Now she wanted to know more and I couldn't blame her.

"Shuyin's gone home as well. There's nothing he can do at the hospital. Lenne's with him. He's handling it the best he can. He's tough and he'll get through this, I know." I shrugged and then added in a low voice "But I'm still worried 'bout him."

"I've just met Shuyin yesterday, so I really don't know him." Baralai said in his calm voice. "But I don't think he deserves this, I think no one does: having his father lying there without knowing if he'll ever wake up again…" He trailed off and shook his head.

I let out a sad smile. "Yeah, no one deserves it, especially Shuyin… After all he's been through because of that father of his, now he still has to endure another problem because of him. And those poor kids… I think what Shuyin grieves the most is the fact that his father was the one responsible for the accident…"

"Shuyin isn't very fond of his father, you see." Rikku explained to Paine and Baralai.

"Yes," I added "Shuyin has always had a very complicated relationship with his father. Let's just say that Jecht hasn't been a very good father and Shuyin resents that a lot. He and Tidus…" I stopped and looked down. It was the first time I talked about Tidus to Baralai and I didn't know if I wanted to reveal him more than what he needed to know; Tidus was a very private subject for me…

"Tidus?" I heard Baralai ask softly.

"Tidus is Shuyin's younger brother." Paine explained objectively.

"And he's also Yunie's―" Rikku started, but I snapped my head up, glaring at her and making her hush whatever she was about to say; and I had a pretty good idea what it would be.

Baralai looked at me, trying to understand, but he didn't ask anything and I thanked him silently. It wasn't like I was trying to conceal my former relationship with Tidus; I just wasn't in the mood to talk about that right now, especially not after Lenne's phone call to Zanarkand. As incredibly as it might seem, she had succeeded in reaching Tidus. She had called the information service and asked to call the Zanarkand Abes Blitzball Stadium. When the connection was made, a very nice lady responded from the other side and Lenne explained her that she had some urgency in talking to Tidus, since his father had had an accident and was badly injured. The lady had asked her a few questions, as if trying to make sure she was not another crazy fan who just wanted to speak a couple of words to her favourite blitzer, and then she had told Lenne to wait while she was going to inform Tidus, who took the call immediately.

Lenne hadn't exactly told me and Shuyin about her conversation with Tidus. From the time she had been gone, I could tell that they had talked about a lot more than what she told us. Anyways, at the end she had said that Tidus was planning on taking a license from blitzball and coming to Besaid to see his father. As it was expected, Shuyin didn't take it too well (and to be honest, neither did I), but he didn't grumble too much about it.

"He can do whatever he wants." He had said. "As long as he doesn't come to me, I don't care."

But I knew he cared. He cared a lot and that was the main reason why it was being so hard for him to accept it. That was why I was worried about him. Because I didn't know what was going to happen if his brother did in fact come to Besaid. It had been too long and a lot had changed since Tidus had left… Why was he coming? It couldn't be just to "see" his father… I mean, Tidus didn't hate Jecht as much as Shuyin did, but he didn't arbour good feelings toward his father either. What was he expecting to find in Besaid?

Rikku's voice awoke me from my thoughts. "Well, guys, I got to get going! Have things to do, places to go, people to be with… Well, you know what I mean." She rose to her feet and grabbed her purse and her small jacket, taking one last sip of her chocolate milkshake.

I lifted my eyes to her and tilted my head. "So you invite me here to leave me next?" I teased her, cocking an eyebrow.

"Oh c'mon, Yunie." She said, putting her jacket on. "I have an important date today. You do understand that, don't you, cous?" she batted her eyelids slightly, giving me an angelic smile.

I just laughed. "And may we know who this date of yours is?"

Her smile broadened and she winked at me. "Oh, you know who he is, Yunie, you've just seen him last night. Bye bye."

And she darted off, leaving the three of us looking at each other.

"Do you have any idea who she was talking about?" I asked, glancing at Paine and Baralai.

"With Rikku you never know." Paine said wisely "She may be talking about a person we know quite well or some random guy we've never seen before."

"Yeah." I agreed and nodded. Then I looked inside the café and stood up "I think I'm going to get something to drink. Do you want anything?"

They both shook their heads and I walked in the café, where I ordered a vanilla milkshake and a piece of apple pie before returning to the table on the outside.

"Hungry?" Paine raised her eyebrows, smirking at the vision of my pie.

"I didn't eat at the hospital." I answered simply, taking a little bite.

"We can see that." Paine's smirk widened a little and then she continued "I was telling Baralai what's coming for the test of Spiran History."

"Oh, that test…" I groaned. With all that had happened that day I had completely forgotten about it. When was it again?

"It's Monday. Second period, remember?" Paine continued, reading my expression. "You do remember, don't you?"

"Well, I do now." I rejoined, drinking my milkshake. "I guess I'll just have to spend the entire Sunday studying…"

"If you want to come over at Gippal's, we can study together." Baralai suggested, smiling at me. "Paine's coming too…"

"I'd love that, thanks." I accepted his invitation, returning the smile. Then my face turned serious once again. But first I'll have to pass by Shuyin's house to check on him; I'm worried… I want to talk to him without Lenne's presence.

"Okay, it's a deal." Baralai settled it.

Paine's cell phone began to ring at that moment and she picked it up, standing up and stepping aside so she could talk in private.

"So," I began, looking at Paine's back "you and Paine are okay now…"

Baralai followed my gaze. "Yeah, well, I think this is the best it can get for now…"

I looked at him and saw the sadness stamped in his eyes. Why was he so sad? What had happened between them to make them so distant in the present? I knew that they had been very close in the past, because Gippal had told me, but I never completely understood their whole story. Of one thing I was certain, though; it was a much longer story than we all thought.

Baralai's eyes met mine and he smiled. "I like your way of acting, Yuna." I blinked, surprised. "You're very subtle in your wonderings."

"It takes a lot of practice." I joked, punching his arm playfully.

"Yeah, I bet it does." He responded, chuckling. Then he added, his tone sad once again "Maybe one day I'll tell you my story with Paine…"

"Maybe one day I'll tell you my story with Tidus…" I replied, looking him in the eyes.

We stayed like that for a while, just looking at each other's eyes, until we were interrupted by Paine's voice. "Am I interrupting something?"

We both looked up at her and she arched an eyebrow, seemingly expecting an answer. Baralai gave it to her. "We were just talking… about you."

"And may I know what were you saying about me?" she continued.

"I was telling Yuna that maybe someday I would tell her how you were when you were a kid." Baralai responded in his calm voice. I admired his choice of words: he wasn't telling the truth, but he wasn't lying either.

"You never knew me as a kid, Baralai." She countered.

"Well, at the age of fifteen we all think we're grown ups, Paine, but I thought that three years later you would at least look back and admit that you were just a kid."

"And why on Spira would I admit that to you?" she enquired quietly, fixing her crimson gaze on his big brown eyes and it seemed to me that more was said in that exchange of looks than in the words spoken.

He was the first one to turn away. "Because I admit to you that I was just a kid back then, and I'm two years older than you…"

She stood silent for a moment, her expression unreadable. Then her eyes softened a bit and she said, her voice cool as always, but gaining a joking tone. "C'mon, Baralai. Boys are known for their inability to grow up. Look at Gippal, for instance. He's my age and acts like a five-year-old…"

"I'm not Gippal." He muttered under his breath.

She eyed him for a few seconds, thoughtfully. "No, you're not." She then shrugged and turned her eyes to me. "It was Wakka on the phone. He asked me to go home asap."

"Why?" I asked, frowning.

"Something about Lulu, I didn't understand what. I'm not worried, though. I bet it's nothing, Wakka's just overreacting, as usual…" she rolled her eyes and grabbed her coat. "Anyways, I think it's better to check on them."

"Do you want a ride home?" I finished my pie and wiped my lips with a napkin. I knew Paine didn't have a car; Lulu and Wakka couldn't afford one right now, with the baby coming and all that… It didn't make much difference to Paine, though. When it wasn't Wakka taking her where she wanted to go, it was usually me or Nooj, or she just borrowed her brother-in-law's car when he didn't need it.

"If you wouldn't mind…" she replied.

"Dah, Paine. You don't even need to ask." I said, smiling, as I searched for the car keys on my bag.

"Paine." I heard Baralai calling. She must've looked at him for he continued "Could I go with you? I would really like to see your sister again…"

I turned my gaze up to see Paine's reaction to Baralai's request. I don't know if I was expecting her to say something harsh or ironic, but her mild response certainly surprised me.

"If you'd like to come along, I don't see why not. Maybe Lulu will enjoy your presence."

Baralai was just as astonished as I was, but he quickly regained his composure and nodded. Shortly after, we were driving down the avenue leading to our block. When we arrived, I parked in front of my house.

"So, I'll see you guys later." I told them as I started making my way to the front porch.

"You're not comin'?" Paine raised an eyebrow.

I shook my head and smiled at them. "I need to get some rest… Say 'hi' to Lu for me, 'kay?"

Paine nodded and then she darted off with Baralai on her tail. When they disappeared from my sight I opened the door and walked into the silent house.

"Anybody home?" I shouted, even though I knew I wouldn't receive any response. Uncle Cid was probably still working, Brother must have been on a date or something, and Rikku was definitely on one, according to what she had told me earlier.

I went upstairs and entered my room, taking off my clothes and stepping into the shower. After a few minutes of enjoying the hot water run down my body I turned it off, grabbing a towel and drying myself up. Then I put my pajamas on and laid down on my bed, covering myself with the white covers before I closed my eyes and fell fast asleep.

-----XX-----

Next Friday I walked out of school with a sigh of relief. The week had been horrible, to say the least. Firstly, my Spiran History test had gone terribly, even after spending the entire Sunday afternoon studying with Baralai, Gippal and Paine. Secondly, my Religion of Yevon teacher had given me an extra paperwork to deliver because she had caught me paying no attention to her class at all. But it was not my fault, not really. I just couldn't help the fact that my mind kept returning to Shuyin and Jecht and Lenne and… Tidus. I was just so tired of the whole situation!

Tired. That was the perfect adjective to describe me at the present time. Tired and sleepy, since I hadn't got one single dreamless and restful night since Jecht's accident. It seemed like every time I closed my eyes I started dreaming and I couldn't get any rest at all. The bags under my eyes and my constant yawning proved it.

To complete my "perfect" week, I hadn't had the chance to talk to Shuyin… alone. When I had passed over his house, on Sunday morning, it had been Lenne who had opened the door, wearing a large t-shirt that I was sure it belonged to Shuyin. It had surprised me to see her there and she saw it in my eyes, for she giggled a little, pushing back a strand of her bright brown hair. "I… I spent the night here."

"Yeah, I can see that." was my only reply. Then I collected myself and asked "Is Shuyin around?"

She shook her head. "No, he's out buying breakfast. Do you wanna come in and wait for him?"

I really didn't want to talk with him while Lenne was present, because there were many things I wanted to say to him that were only his concern and mine, but I was quite curious about what had happened between him and Lenne, so I nod and followed her inside.

"I thought you and Shuyin weren't together anymore… Did you make up or somethin'?" I asked as I sat on the couch.

She sat next to me, smiling sheepishly. "Not exactly. To be honest with you, I shouldn't even have accepted his offer to come here yesterday. But he looked so helpless that I―"

"So you did it out of pity?" I was shocked.

"No, no." she quickly replied as she shook her head fiercely. "I wanted it too. I wanted it so much… It's just that now I don't know what to do."

"What do you mean?"

"I don't know how to tell him that nothing's gonna change between us. That we're still not gonna be together."

I frowned and said sincerely "I don't understand you, Lenne."

She giggled nervously. "Yeah, I don't understand myself either. But things are just…"

"Complicated." I completed for her.

Her face turned serious. "Yeah. You see, I've got this whole life that Shuyin doesn't understand and… well… I don't doubt his love for me, but sometimes it's hard to believe it." she paused and then looked at me. "Shuyin has always a lot of problems going on in his own life, but he tends to forget that I have problems too, you see. It's like I'm always here to support him, but when I need him, he's only almost there for me… And I can't take that, that's why I broke up with him and that's why I'm not with him right now…"

"But you just slept with him, Lenne." I replied, thinking of how Shuyin would react when Lenne told him that night had meant nothing.

She sighed and brushed her hair off of her shoulders. "I know, but… it was just a mistake, something that shouldn't have happened. I should've been strong and said no to him, but I just couldn't resist him…"

"Why don't you give him one more chance, Lenne?" I asked, placing one of my hands on top of hers. "You still have feelings for him and he's madly in love with you; if you'd talk, maybe things could work out between you two."

She opened up her mouth as if to speak, but the sound of the door opening shut her up. We looked behind us and saw a very happy Shuyin giving us a blissful smile. "Good morning, sweeties!"

"Hello, Shuyin." I replied, smiling back at him. In spite of the whole situation involving his father and his brother, it was the first time in a long, long period that I had seen Shuyin so cheerful. I just didn't want to imagine what his mood would be if Lenne told him what she had told me.

"So, Yuna," Shuyin said as he placed the bags he carried on the table "To what do we owe this wonderful visit?"

I thought for an instant, before saying nonchalantly "I just came by to see how you're doing, but I've already seen that you're pretty good, so I guess I'll be leaving now."

"Don't you wanna stay for breakfast?" Shuyin asked "The bread is still warm just like you like it, lil' sis."

He hadn't called me that in a long time, but instead of feeling happy, I just felt uncomfortable, for it brought back memories of past times of joy and happiness that I really didn't want to remember right now. So I just shook my head and walked to the door. "Sorry, Shu. I'd love to, but I got things to do. I'll see you around." Then I turned to Lenne "Remember what I said, okay? Think about it."

With that said I opened up the door and got out. I was heading towards the stairs when I heard a voice behind me "Hey, what about my goodbye kiss?"

I smiled at his childish tone and turned back, walking slowly towards him and planting a soft kiss on his left cheek. "Happy now?" I said, cocking an eyebrow.

"Only if you give me one more." He replied, extending me the other cheek with a wide grin. I kissed him again, playing his game. Then his smile faded a little and he asked "What did you say to Lenne? You sounded serious when you told her to remember what you said."

"I was. But it was no big deal." I added quickly "I just suggested her something, but now it's up to her to decide if she wants it or not."

"Hum…" his eyes locked with mine "And why don't you want to stay for breakfast?"

I gave him a small grin and winked. "Because I think you two need time to enjoy the moment… And I don't want to be the one to spoil it."

His grin broadened again and I couldn't help but to grin too, kissing him goodbye again before heading for the stairs and leaving his building.

I sighed, thinking that I hadn't seen him or Lenne for the past week, and unlocked my car, anxious to get home for the weekend. Maybe I could get some rest for the next two days… That is, if Rikku will let me, I said to myself, sighing again.

A/N: Okay, I know what you're gonna say: "There's no Tidus!". I know, I know. But… that's the reason why I'm giving you 2 chapters instead of one today. And I can promise you that if you just click and go to the next chapter, you'll have a little glimpse of Tidus. YAY!