Hello again!

Before we get started, a quick reminder that if you haven't sent in your nominations for Quite The Couple's "Best of Rikku/Gippal" awards, the deadline is here. Get in there and give your opinion, even if you only nominate for one or two categories. For those of you who don't know what QTC is, there's a link in my profile. It's a Rippal fan's dream, I tell ya!

Dirty Deeds

Chapter Three: The End Of The World

Rikku merely gaped at her father, eyes wide. "You're kidding."

"I'm not kidding." Cid answered, still giggling over his earlier conversation with the Faction Leader.

"Oh Spira. I need to sit down," she replied. She did exactly that.

"What are you so upset about, Riks? This is perfect. I told you we were wearing down on him." Dachi's smile was nearly as wide as Cid's.

She narrowed her gaze at the darker skinned Al Bhed. She could swear he was almost dancing. Though she did have to admit, he had been right. Gippal had resorted to calling her father for help. He had to be desperate, "What happens now?"

"Now you head to Djose." Her father said, and Rikku grew worried again. It almost sounded like he had a plan. And anyone who had been around for the whole Zanarkand tourism thing could tell you that his plans almost never worked the way they were supposed to.

"But, if you're right, and he is alreadyjealous.. Then why bother doing anything else?"

"Because he never admitted anything. I just know the boy. And this is the only way you're ever going to reach him."

She gave a little shiver and nodded. She was in too deep to back out now. Besides, if it worked Then Gippal would be her Gippal.

Her smile returned. "You're right, Pops. I'm headed for Djose."

"That's my girl." He patted her shoulder, "And Dachi's going with you."

Rikku's mouth fell open a full six inches. "Pops! There's no way Anikki's going to let Dachi run off without him! And there is no way in hell I'm doing anything with anyone with Anikki sitting there. He'll kill me. Or Dachi. Or Gippal. Or himself." She added the last bit as more of an afterthought than anything else.

"You just leave your brother to me. He'll be tied up for at least another two or three days with his excavation trip. I'll make sure of it."

Dachi nodded, "Then I guess I'm headed to Djose with you."

"I guess so." Rikku leaned her head back against the chair. "This is going to be a long weekend."

"Just remember, Gippal thinks you're there because I sent you to pick up something for my birthday. He doesn't know I've gone all double-agent on him."

Both Rikku and Dachi nodded that they understood.

"Now git."

And so they did.

By airship the trip from Bikanel to Djose took less than an hour. And an hour wasn't nearly enough time, in Rikku's opinion.

"Just remember, no matter what he does to piss you off, stay calm. Follow my lead. And for Spira's sake, don't freak out." Dachi reminded her.

Rikku merely nodded. They had gone over this fifty times already, "Wait.. Why would I freak out?"

"Because I'm going to do this."

And he kissed her.

Not just a little peck of a kiss either. A 'back em up against the wall and pin their arms behind their head' kiss.

At first, Rikku was shocked, to say the least. She wasn't even entirely sure why she was being kissed.

Dachi knew, however, and once the door was fully open, so did she.

Someone cleared their throat.

Instinct screamed at her to pull away, but she did as she had been told, and allowed her partner to back away from her first. Dachi's hand released hers, and she dropped her head against his shoulder shyly. She took a moment to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear before turning to the doorway.

She wasn't surprised to find Gippal standing there.

Judging from the wink he shot her way, Dachi wasn't surprised either.

Gippal, however, did seem surprsed.

And not at all pleased.

"Get a room." He fired off without thinking. Rikku gave a small sigh. Nope, he definitely wasn't a happy person..

She opened her mouth to speak, but Gippal was quick to cut her off, "Bad choice of words. I take it back. Don't get a room."

Dachi backed away from her, and she straightened her clothes a bit before walking over to where Gippal stood, and giving him a large smile. "Well, you know, you really should've knocked."

Gippal's gaze wandered back over in the other man's direction, "Cid said you were dropping by. I didn't know you were going to have company."

"Well, Pops never said what exactly I was coming by to pick up." She gestured her head toward Dachi, "So I brought my muscle with me, just in case."

"How clever of you." Gippal almost laughed at himself. This was definitely not going as he had planned. "You're picking up a new engine for the Fahrenheit. Wait, I thought this was a birthday present?"

Rikku merely shrugged in reply.

"You mean to tell me the old man ordered this freaking engine himself?"

"Well, think about it, do I look like the type of girl who would order her dad an engine for his birthday?"

Gippal took a moment to glance over the girl in front of him. "Kid, you're wearing a tank top and overalls."

She puffed up indignantly, "What's wrong with my clothes?"

"Not a damn thing from where I'm standing." Dachi spoke up, and Gippal's eye narrowed to a slit.

It just kept getting better.

"There's nothing wrong with your clothes, kid. I was just saying that yeah, you look a lot like a girl that would buy her dad an engine for his birthday. And then help him install it."

Her smile returned, "Yeah, maybe you're right."

"Of course I am. I'm Gippal, I'm always right."

"Well then, Mr. Right," She gave a small laugh, "How about you show us to that engine? Then we can get it loaded and get out of your hair..."

"Slight problem, Kiddo. Most of my mechanics got pulled off to Bikanel. Nhadala said something about some big find out in the Central Expanse. I've only got one squad here working now. I hate to say it, but it won't be ready for another day, at least, probably more like two."

"Oh. Well, should we come back then? Because i know you're probably busy and all. We wouldn't want to bother you."

"Psh. Like you've ever cared if you were bothering me." Gippal winced. That hadn't come out exactly how he had hoped it might. "What I meant to say was you can stay if you want."

Rikku smiled, "Sounds like a plan."

"Great, and Dachi can come back and pick you and the engine up in a couple days." It was all he could do to hide his smile.

"Not a chance, man. Anikki's off salvaging somewhere in the middle of the ocean. This is pretty much the only time I've got to spend with her without prying eyes. You want her to stay, you had better find some room for me, too."

Gippal gave a frustrated growl before finally just giving in, "Whatever you say. Follow me and I'll find you a couple rooms."

Dachi's smile widened even further, "We could share a room, if it makes it easier."

Gippal rounded on the other man, and for a moment, Dachi was honestly frightened. "Not in my temple." He stormed off ahead, leaving the two other Al Bhed to stare after him, dumbstruck.

Rikku's eyes were as wide as saucers. "I hate to say this, but.. this might actually be working." She gave a little squeal and proceeded to dance around the room.

Dachi laughed, "Tell me about it. Man, he's gonna kill me before this is all over." His gaze drifted over to Rikku then, who still hadn't let up on the dancing, "But, if it all works out in the end, I guess it's worth it."

Gippal was furious.

Not a simple 'The guy's overstepping his boundaries' angry. This was more of a 'Going to rip someone limb from limb' pissed.

If he found out that Rikku had been anywhere near a bed, and that son of a bitch at the same time, he would kill him. Plain and simple, Cid or no Cid.

For the time being, he set about the task of finding them seperate rooms. Very seperate rooms

In seperate hallways.

On seperate ends of the building.

And honestly, if he could've figured out a way to manage it, they would've been in completely seperate time zones.

Dachi quirked an eyebrow as he surveyed his surroundings, "Gippal, why am I sleeping in a room filled with machina?"

"Because, wouldn't you know, I only had two rooms left in the whole place. This one, and Rikku's."

"And why did I get this one?"

"Because I don't want to share a bathroom with you." He replied, as though it were the most obvious thing in the world.

"Let me see if I understand you correctly. You put me in a workshop, on a cot, because you want to share a bathroom with Rikku."

Gippal gave a little smirk, patted the other man on the back, and turned to leave, "Pretty much. Sweet dreams."

Dachi fell back onto the cot with a sigh. Man, that guy was going to be the death of him.

But he just made it so freaking easy.

It was all Gippal could do to keep from dancing. Sure, there had been ten or fifteen empty rooms available, and sure, he might've had to kick a worker out of his room (his Gippal-adjoining room), just so he could give it to Rikku.

But that hardly mattered at the moment.

What mattered was that there was no way in hell Rikku was getting out of her room, or Dachi getting into it, without him being pretty well aware of it.

Of course, that led to a whole new line of thought.

What, exactly, would he do if the situation did arise?

What if Dachi did sneak into Rikku's room? What if he fell asleep, and didn't notice? What if- Spira forbid- He woke up in the middle of the night, and was confronted by sounds that no ex-boyfriend should have to hear?

Maybe giving her the room beside his wasn't such a good idea.

He wiped a hand across his face. More importantly, what would he do if he found out that they were having sex?

Granted, the Rikku he knew, or at least, the Rikku he thought he knew, would never just jump into bed with someone. She would have to have some pretty serious feelings for the guy.

Lots and lots of feelings.

At least, that's what he kept telling himself.

Because, once upon a time, Rikku had jumped into bed with him. And honestly, until the last few days, he hadn't ever actually entertained the possibility that maybe she might be sharing her bed with someone else.

Then again, who was he to judge? How many women had he brought home? He didn't even want to start counting. Naturally, hoping to make her jealous, he had made sure she knew about as many of them as possible.

He winced as realization set in on him. He really had been an ass to her.

But somewhere, in the back of his mind, he couldn't help but wonder.

This stupid, nagging, achy feeling in his chest.

Did she ever feel it too?

Rikku gave a sigh as she collapsed backward onto her bed. Or at least, it was temporarily her bed.

She had to give Gippal credit, it was comfy.

It was at that moment that she decided there was absolutely nothing better in the world than comfy pajamas, and an even comfier bed.

She adsentmindedly wondered if Gippal had shown Dachi such good hospitality.

Somehow, she doubted it.

"Poor Dachi.." she murmured quietly before flipping over onto her stomach. Yeah, this bed was definitely..

"Comfortable?" A masculine voice from behind made her jump, her head snapping around toward the intruder.

"Oh, Gippal, it's just you." She replied calmly, though she would've sworn her insides had turned into a flan, all wiggly and jiggly. 'Man he looks good leaning on that doorframe.'

His gaze darkened a bit, "Yeah, only me. Were you expecting someone else?"

He was pleased at the confused look she gave, "No, should I be?"

He shook his head, "Nevermind. I was just checking in to see if you were getting settled." She nodded, and he continued, "And to see if you had eaten anything yet."

Her stomach gave a rumble then, and she smiled up at him sheepishly, "Not yet."

He chuckled a little, and Rikku's insides got that whole flan feeling again, "So I see. Come on, the kitchen staff's gone home already, but we'll see what we can find for you."

He left his place in the door frame and extended a hand to her, which she gratefully accepted. He pulled her to her feet in one fluid motion, and straight into his chest.

Rikku was quite proud of herself for not letting out the squeal that bubbled up into her throat. She stood there for a moment, one hand propped on his shoulder, the other still held firmly in his own.

After what seemed like an eternity, though in reality it had probably only been a few seconds, she backed away.

"Sorry about that." She muttered quickly before all but bolting to the door.

Gippal gave a small sigh. The chemistry was definitely still there, but she still seemed far too reluctant. 'Probably because she's dating someone else.' He reminded himself with a frown.

It didn't matter, though.

They had been good together once. He would just have to remind her.

Come Hell or high water, he would make her remember.

Rikku was suffocating.

At least, she was pretty sure that's what the tightening in her chest was.

Add that to the fact that she couldn't seem to catch her breath, and -poof- suffocation.

She couldn't help but smile, though.

Yeah, the boy definitely still had it bad.

But there was still that little nagging doubt in the back of her mind. What if things went exactly as they had gone before? Their relationship hadn't been able to hold up then. What if everything happened the same way this time around.

She snorted. Relationship, her ass. She had been fifteen years old when they had started 'dating'. They'd kissed, they'd hugged, and the night before she left to be Yuna's guardian, she had crept into his room and slept with him.

She'd been gone the next morning before he woke up.

She'd never even told him she was leaving.

Though, she had sometimes wondered why he had never told her that he was leaving to join the Crimson Squad.

Now, however, she was pretty sure she could understand his reasoning. Some things were just better left unsaid.

There hadn't been a fight, or a noisy breakup. Or honestly, any breakup at all. They both had things they had to do, and saving the world had to come first.

It still hurt to think about it, though. Once upon a time, she had been a naive fifteen year old girl who promised a sixteen year old boy that they would be together until the end of the world.

Granted, it had been a promise made when Sin still loomed over everyone's heads, so the possibility of the world ending had been pretty high then.

But she had personally assisted in kicking Yu Yevon's ass back to wherever the hell it was he came from.

She couldn't help but wonder if perhaps fate hadn't gotten the memo.

Because right now, she could almost swear the world had stopped spinning.

Review and I'll give you a cookie!