Disclaimer: Don't own FFX-2, Squareenix does...


What did I do?

That day…it was supposed to be the happiest of my life…It turned out to be quite the contrary.

The idea had come to me a few weeks ago, when I walked past a jewellery shop in Luca, the rings were shining and glittering, trying to tell me something. I love my ruby-eyed warrior; it would be the perfect present for our anniversary in a couple of weeks right? She loves me too, so I didn't see a problem, not then anyway.

After a few days I became more and more nervous, I found myself stuttering in her presence, I avoided her quite a bit, I spent more time pacing up and down behind my desk dreaming about the day, our day, our anniversary. I'm good at keeping secrets but she always knew when I was hiding something.

That fateful day came, but little did I know that it wouldn't be as happy as I thought it would be…

I was pacing up and down behind my desk yet again, when a part of my brain registered the sound of some high heeled boots clicking down the hallway. The noise did not fully register; I was, as usual, in my own world, oblivious to the real world surrounding me.

A few seconds later I heard a small cough and I turned around so fast I thought I was going to fly off the floor. There in front of my desk was Paine, my crimson eyed warrior, my silver haired angel clad in black leather…She looked more like an angry angel now, her arms crossed over her chest and her eyes lit with a hidden determination.

"H-hi, um… I didn't hear you knock" I said to her apologetically

"So I guessed." she replied in a neutral voice. "Are you busy? I need to talk to you."

I winced, although I think I hid it well, I was used to her bluntness but she wasn't normally this blunt.

"No, I'm not busy. Please take a seat and make yourself comfortable" I replied as I sat down in my chair.

"Thank you, but I would rather stand "

"Oh, in that case…" I stood up again. "So, what did you want to talk about?"

"I'm leaving"

"…" What did she just say? I was rather taken aback for a moment. "Oh, okay. Where are you going? I can take some time off and come with you if you like."

"I said I'M leaving, meaning me, by myself" Paine answered in a cold voice. Okay, now I know something's not right here.

A flash of hurt showed in my eyes. "Right then, where are you heading?" I asked.

"That is none of your concern" the leather clad warrior replied coolly.

My face must surely have been showing the hurt I felt. I have no idea what I've done for her to be like this with me …

"Paine…?" I asked cautiously. "Have I done something wrong?"

"No."

"The why are you …"

"I said I'm leaving for Yevon's sake!" her voice was like ice now, and just a little desperate.

It can't be… can it? No… I must ask, even though I fear the answer

I whispered the one question I shouldn't have asked.

"Wait…are you leaving…me?"

"Took you long enough." No…no…

"…"

I had no idea what to say, I knew I had to say something, anything, my brain just wasn't processing the information, it wasn't accepting the words that my ears had just heard. I managed to pull myself together enough to say one word:

"Why…?"

By the look on her face, Paine seemed prepared for the question, her features were harder than marble, her eyes guarded, her expression indifferent. Something made her wall crumble, and for a few seconds, I saw a trace of pain and hurt in her ruby eyes, it came and went so quickly I thought, maybe I had imagined it.

Her lips parted to say four the words that would destroy my world forever…

"I don't love you"

I couldn't see myself, although I'm pretty sure that the blood drained from my face and my vision was blurry. I could only just make out Paine's back heading towards the door. My mind was screaming Come back Paine!! Wait… What the hell are you doing? Go after her you idiot! I didn't do anything, I couldn't, my knees started shaking and just gave way, collapsing into my chair. I leant forward to rest my forehead on the desk Why didn't I do anything? I just let my whole life walk out that door! Baralai, you are officially the most stupid, idiotic fool in Spira!

I think I was going into shock, because a few minutes later everything went black.

When I awoke it took me a few moments to remember what had happened. Then it all came rushing back. I opened my eyes so wide I thought they were going to jump out of their sockets. When the realization of what happened hit me with full force, I thumped my head against the desk yelling "Dammit!" in a very un-Praetor-like way. Of course that left me with a dizzy spell. As if I wasn't stupid enough I jumped up quickly, thinking I have to go and get her back making my dizziness worse.

It was then that I noticed that one of the drawers in the desk was slightly ajar. I bent down and took out a little box covered in black velvet. I flicked it open and stared at the ring sitting inside.

It was silver with rubies and onyx set all around it. Red and black. Crimson eyes and black leather. That night I was going to propose to the only woman I had ever loved, oh what the hell, still love, but in a matter of minutes my whole life had shattered.

What's the point in moving on if I'm not going to be happy with any other woman? She is unique; no one could ever take her place in my life. My life… ha! My life isn't worth living if she is not here to complete my heart, no one can live with a heart that isn't complete.

These were the thoughts running through my head as I left my office, walking out of Bevelle with no intention to return.