Paine's POV

Sitting in bed the day after the disastrous outing, I started to think of ways to call out Deon. On anything at all. I felt guilt like a ton of bricks. I just didn't know how much longer I could put up a charade. Maybe he was secretly cheating on me with some blonde. (no offense, I'm blonde.) No, Deon was too nice for that. Disgusted, I crawled under my bedspread. Damn Baralai for putting these ideas in my head. Was the "The person I love doesn't know I exist" part too much? Did I have to just throw the fact I loved him into his face? The worst part? I had Bevelle Council tomorrow.

The Next Day

I found myself in the situation I was in only a few days ago. Bored out of my mind at the Council. Not that I didn't care. Really, I did. But, Baralai was here. I didn't look at him the whole time. And after spending two hours, nothing short of twiddling my thumbs for that time, Council adjourned. Walking out of the building, I took the least obvious way out. No need to bump into Baralai right? But of course I did. Just as I was walking down the stairs of the building.

"Paine, wait up."

"No." I said refusing to look at him.

"I'm sorry about the other day. Lets go out again, as an apology."

"I don't need your pity."

"I know that. But, please. For me."

I turned to him. He had me at please. "Fine, no screwing up okay?"

He smiled, the same one I had fell in love with. "Tomorrow okay."

"Say 8, at the Gold Fiend."

"The bar?!"

"Got a problem with it," I hear myself say.

"No, no."

And I left him there, standing in the middle of the stairs.

-Seven-Forty-Five-

Dressing casually in jeans and a shirt, with a light jacket thrown over it, I was about to walk out the door. Of course, Deon had other plans.

"Paine," he said just as I opened the door.

"Hmm," I turned to him, turning on the charm.

"Where are you going?" he asked me.

"Out." I said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"With who?"

He was acting awfully suspicious. Which made me awfully nervous.

"With...some friends."

"Yuna and Rikku are here? In Bevelle?"

"Um, uh, no. I have other friends."

"Oh, can I come?"

"Don't you have any friend's to hang out with. You don't always have to tag along."

Ohh, Need some snow for that burn?

"Are you mad at me?" he asked.

Only then I realized what a complete bitch I was being. "No, I'm sorry, just moody I guess."

"You would tell me if there was something bothering you? Right?"

"Yes," I said after a pause. "Definitely."

"Your not pregnant are you?"

"WHAT!" I screamed.

"Well, I know that women get moody. And..."

I cut him off. "When you start hearing me vomiting in the toilet at 5 in the morning, then you can ring the warning bell."

"Okay, okay."

I smiled, perhaps too bright. "See you later," and waltzed out the door.

Walking to the Gold Fiend with only my thoughts as my company. I had been mean to my husband, I was going on secret outings with the Bevelle Praetor, and on top of it all, my husband thought I was pregnant. Life had a weird way of dealing out its hand, huh? It was weird. I had made a major mistake when I married Deon. And unless I suddenly said to him: "Deon, I'm in love with Baralai, I've been going on secret outing with him and I'm leaving you to chase him around instead." Not gonna happen anytime soon. I laughed at the thought to no one at all. By now, I was only a block away. I picked this particular bar because it was crowded and the people there made me laugh. Something that had been recently as rare to find as a legendary weapon. Reaching the bar, I looked up at the sign on impulse. Or maybe not so much. The sign had the outline of a gold lupine with the Gold Fiend sprawled out in gold underneath it. This bar was the where I had my first beer. Smiling at the memories, I pushed open the door. Sitting at the seat reserved for me, I ordered a beer. I really didn't prefer girly drink like Rikku did. Hell, she devoured them, which made her a prime target for sleazy guys. Giving a greeting to the bartender, whose name was Jared, and saying hello to the women next to me. She was one of the few friends I had here. Her name is Natalie. After talking to her for a few minutes, I ordered another beer at the same time Baralai showed up.

"Sorry I'm late, some last minute papers need my signature."

I laughed at something Natalie muttered. "It's okay."

And, needless to say, I had a good time. I introduced Baralai to the regulars, and some of my friends. We played pool, and played cards with some people Baralai had recognized. Walking out around 12 at night, we were laughing and replaying some of the funnier moments. Baralai insisted on walking me home. Walking in silence, we were only a corner away. Baralai put his hand in front of me, backing my up against the corner. Before I could question, he put his lips to mine. He tasted so good, better than I had dreams. I was melting in his hands, literally clay. But it felt so good. I didn't think I had the willpower to pull away. Then, Deon's face flashed in my mind. I found some strength and regretfully pulled away.

"This is wrong," I said, trying to string together my thoughts.

"I don't know what to say." he said to me.

"I cannot believe I just kissed you."

"I can."

Shooting him a warning look, I frowned.

"You know..."

I was cut off. "You know, your married right?"

"Yes, I know, I'm reminded almost everyday."

"Then why did you kiss me?"

"I can't tell you."

"Yes you can."

"No really I can't.

"This makes thing way too complicated, I think we had too may beers, let place the blame on that." I said logically.

"No, we had like 3, not so many. Theres nothing to blame, or to blame. It happened. Are you sorry that this happened?"

I frowned. It was a two-sided answer. I was happy it happened. But, all I could think about was that I had cheated on Baralai. Some people say its not cheating unless you sleep with someone else. I don't believe that. So, I did the only other option. I ran. And even as I heard him calling me back, I kept going, and when I got home and slammed the door shut, I realized just how far I had fallen.

--

Chapee done! Yay. Sorry, I'm like fried, and I have another chapter to write. Note to self, never write three stories at a time. Although it does keep me busy.

-RKL!