-1A/N: Hey there everybody! When was the last update? I've been very, very busy. Well…honestly I haven't been doing much of anything. I was just with my lovely girlfriend all summer for the most part, or working at a local radio station as per my internship for college (which I'm back at college at the moment). So to be frank, my computer sat in the basement all summer and yes there is some kind of fungus/mold growing on it. Anyway!…on with the story. (Finally)

Yuna stirred in her sleep. A toss and a turn, and another cycle of happening to her. Nightmares had befallen the poor maiden this night, concerning mostly the grisly tale told to her by Tromell. The image of demonic eyes and the poor fate of Amarant tormenting her made her erupt into this world. With a loud a huff she awoke.

Looking all around the dimly lit bedroom area, she found her gasp didn't seem to disturb anyone. Well, at least at first. She looked to her right and saw her blonde cousin sprawled out, hanging with all limbs this way and that over the mattress. Yuna let herself take enjoyment in this, in spite of herself. As she sat up she noticed that the first bed in the room was currently vacant. 'Paine must be in the bathroom, I'm guessing.' the young sphere-hunter thought to herself, 'and not a bad idea. I must shake these dreadful images from my mind, if I want to get any winks in.'. Slipping on her fuzzy blue slippers, Yuna shuffled across the room with a yawn and through the privacy curtain.

The curtain was recently installed, you see. Although, it was usually blatantly obvious when someone opened the elevator door to the bar/bedroom area, Brother had managed to sneak in on night. The only thing he got a peak at was Paine's fist. And it was a close peak at that. So it was done and Paine could sleep easier once again. Well, she had though that Shinra might try to hide a camera in here with his budding puberty starting to blossom…but she dismissed it quickly. He's never been interested in anything but technology, she had mused. Hell, if he ever gets curious, I'm she he could build his own girlfriend.

Speaking of sleeping easy, Paine was not doing that at the moment. She was sitting right down in her pajamas on the commode, quite a wreck. Her only saving grace being that she had taken off her makeup earlier when she was getting ready for bed, knowing well she would not see much sleep. "At least I'm not dripping mascara all over my favorite pajamas." She whispered to herself. With that she let out a muffled sob.

These lovely silk garments were a gift from her unrequited love on her last birthday. 'You said you'd always wear black as long as you can see what you are wearing….soooo I got you these pretty white jammies! If your eyes are closed, your rule doesn't matter!' the rambunctious thief had told her. And Paine did love them a lot! The beautiful ivory color on the already pale girl was actually a surprisingly good match. The similar tones made her look like a magnificent spirit and the simple floral patterns sewn into the fabric was the perfect touch, along with the sky blue trim. Apart from being lovely, it was very comfortable as well, as Paine much enjoyed. It offered the feeling of sleeping in the nude with the safety of not actually being in such a state of dress if Brother came crashing down through the air-duct (which the warrior was certain would happen eventually). Another feature was that it was pretty much see-through in dim lighting, which she had wondered if Rikku ever noticed…

Deprived of her lightning quick senses while in her personal little stupor, Paine hadn't noticed that Yuna had come downstairs and was heading down the hallway towards the water closet. There was a light rap at the door that snapped her back into reality.

"Paine? Are you in there?" a sweet voice whispered through the portal.

Paine froze in her misery.

"…Barkeep?" Yuna questioned almost expecting the ever-loyal servant to appear behind her and scare the crap out of her.

"No…no…it's me…Paine…" she answered back, pathetically softly.

"Paine? Are you all right?" Yuna questioned her sniveling friend. Any concerns of her previous problems left her as she focused in on Paine's concerns.

"…"

"…"

"…I'll be out in a second…"

Paine tried to collect herself for a minute by the door before pushing the open button. Her finger hovered over the green toggle as she waited, and she thought she would be able to cover her feelings (as usual). But as the door opened and she saw the worried look on her friend's face, the façade was over. Paine collapsed in Yuna's ready arms.

"What's the matter, Paine?" Yuna whispered to her fellow Gullwing.

Only a quiet sob was returned on her shoulder. Yuna thought of how strong the girl in her arms normally was, and how that strong exterior only serves to bottle her emotions up. And now the bottle was finally opened.

"Can…sniff…can we talk, Yuna?" she whispered into her ear, still holding on tight.

"Of course we can!" Yuna said, looking the upset woman in the eyes. The crying slowed and then stopped as the two popped a squat in the hallway with their backs to the cold steel walls.

A silence was starting to linger. The brown haired girl decided to break it.

"Sooo…what's on your mind, my friend?"

"Oh…nothing really…" Paine mumbled.

"Mmm-hmm…Well let me guess then. Hmm…

Paine sighed. 'How can I tell her without really telling her?' she pondered, 'I can't just come out and tell her I'm bonkers about her cousin. Her GIRL cousin.'

"Are you worried about something?"

"No, it's not that. Not really."

"Well, are you afraid of what we might find in Guadosalam?"

"Me? Afraid?". Paine flashed a smile to Yuna, who was glad to see it in the dim light.

"Hey! That is why I got up…but never mind me…umm…let's see. You're not worried. You're not scared. So it most be romance!" she said by counting her fingers, ending with a fist in her open palm.

GULP

"Oh, Paine! You were crying for an unrequited love, am I right?"

Paine tried to reply some how. But failed miserably.

"Well, I just will not stand for this great injustice! You deserve happiness just like any good-hearted person! I will not rest until this wrong is righted!" Yuna exclaimed with faux valor.

"Uhh…have you been wearing the Knight dressphere for too long again?".

They both let out a giggle.

"Hehehe…anyway, sweetie. Is it someone I know?"

Paine turned pale. Well, paler. She stared, wide-eyed, right at her best friend.

"Yes!" Paine squeaked, but couldn't manage another word.

"Ooo, let me guess who it is!"