Alright sea monkeys! Here is the latest version of The Darkest of Nights. I've been working on this for months now, and I think I have something passable now. Totally threw away the first version. Second was kinda 'eh'. This is the best so far, and the best I think I'll get. I might revise it. I might not. All depends on what mood I'm in. loo!

FFX-2 is the property of Square Enix, and I am only borrowing the characters to write a story.

Nooj sat in his office, the door locked and the lights dimmed. He gazed at the sphere sitting on his desk. It was a sphere that contained the evidence of a brutal crime, along with an equally brutal punishment. He had watched it entirely, not because he wanted to see Rikku being raped, but because he wanted to make sure he bore witness to the crime before acting.

Knowing what was on that sphere and actually viewing it were two different things. He had seen the evidence of the crime with his own eyes in the form of physical scars. He had seen the change in personality and behavior. Yet watching it take place was disturbing. Nooj had seen many brutal things in his life. some of them done by his own hands. Never once had he brought such harm to a woman. In battle, they were an enemy. A faceless entity that must be destroyed. There was never any cruelty either. A clean death was given, even if it was at a cost him.

The two men in the sphere had been prized members of the Youth League. No one had thought them to be capable of more than stealing a cake from the kitchens. They had gone through the ranks easily and had won the respect of many League members.

And he had just watched them commit a horrendous crime.

It did not matter that they were already dead by means of the young woman they raped. He could not in good conscience allow the crime to go unknown and unpunished. They would be known as the criminals they were, even if the victim was not revealed to the whole of Spira. It was none of his business if Rikku wanted to stay quiet about it. It was his business to keep the name of the Youth League clear of wrong doing.

Their bodies would not be exhumed, but all honors the men had received in life would be removed. Rapists did not deserve even a dog's death, let alone a proper burial. But they were already buried, and they would stay that way. Nooj disliked disturbing the dead.

The orders were written up already. They simply awaited his signature. Captain Lucil would carry the orders out quickly and efficiently. No awkward questions would be asked. That was the reason she was his second in command. Others might question his orders, but Lucil knew that there was always a reason why he did something, even if it was not revealed.

Nooj tapped his desk with the tip of a pen while perusing the papers in front of him. Everything was in order. With a few scratches of his pen, the reputations of two prestigious men were destroyed.

------------------------------------------------THE NEXT MORNING-----------------------------------------------

"Hey, Noojster! What's happening?"

"Not much that would interest you, Gippal."

"You're right there." Gippal seated himself across from Nooj and propped his chair back on two legs with his hands behind his head. "How's that new arm of yours? Looks like Rikku did a hell of a job on it."

"Indeed. I shall be giving her the business needs of the Youth League since you seem not to have the time or need the money. She is most productive. And less annoying."

"I can see that." There was a pause before Gippal continued. "And how's Rikku doing?" The words sounded casual, but Nooj was adept at reading Gippal's body language. He could see the concern and worry that the younger man tried to hide. Gippal had been in love with Rikku before he had joined the Crimson Squad. He had never acted on those feelings, and was regretting it now.

"Well, when last we met she was doing well. You could always ask her yourself."

"She won't talk to anyone."

"Really."

"Yeah, really. I worry about her. She works too much and too hard."

"Not to mention all of those so-called conquests." It was not very often Nooj got to tweak Gippal's nose about anything, so he was enjoying the moment immensely. His words had the desired effect on Gippal. He watched as the younger man's face hardened with anger and jealousy.

"How'd you hear about those?"

"Well, when Yuna accused me of being one, I got curious and asked Rikku about it."

"She accused YOU! HA!" Gippal sobered quickly. "You're not, are you?"

As much fun as it was to tease Gippal, Nooj was not entirely heartless about the situation. Gippal was in a state of turmoil over Rikku, and he did not want to add to it.

"No. Certainly not." The relief on Gippal's face was comical.

"So…what's got Elma and the others in a tizzy?"

"I suppose it has something to do with the criminal charges against two of their deceased comrades.

"Charges? What could they have done to make the Noojster charge them after death?"

"The rape and assault of a young woman. I would have done so earlier, had I known of the incident. As it stands it only came to my attention recently."

"Huh. And how'd you find out about it?"

"The victim came forward and told me. There is a sphere to prove her story."

"Well, that's cheery. Anyway, how about you lending me a hand with the excavation at Baaj?"

"Ask Rikku for a hand. I believe she saved the old one if you really need it."

"Did you just make a joke, Noojster?"

"No. But if you want men or supplies, I may be of assistance."

It was a few minutes before Gippal stopped giving Nooj a quizzical look.

"You sure you're feeling okay? Sure you're not sick or something?"

"I am quite well. Now, is there something else beyond the assistance for Baaj?"

"Ah…nope." Gippal righted his chair and got up to walk to the door. "Hey. Next time you see Rikku, tell her not to be such a stranger." With that he walked out, leaving Nooj in a dilemma.

As a friend, he should tell Gippal about what had happened to Rikku. Yet Rikku had told him in confidence. Where did telling Gippal fall on the narrow path of betrayal? Too far on either side, and he would be out a good friend or a new and talented acquaintance that did not want Gippal to know her personal affairs.

Dilemmas, dilemmas.

I still think I suck at writing Nooj. Its not as bad as I thought it would be though. Guess I'm not a hopeless case after all!