Ah, another chapter for your reading pleasure. It takes a long time to write this story, for some reason. Nooj is so abstract to me, but he's getting a little clearer and understandable.

I don't own FF X-2 or any of her characters. Just the words are mine.

"You planned that, didn't you, Nooj?"

Nooj looked up as Gippal spoke, having ignored the younger man when he entered the room.

"I have no idea what you are talking about, Gippal." His response only made Gippal scowl at him, but in a playful manner. He watched him sit down, still scowling absentmindedly. "Why are you here? I am rather busy at the moment."

"Three reasons. One, I wanted to annoy you. Two, I wanted to ask you why you were hiding Rikku here."

"I was not 'hiding' her, Gippal. She wished to be left alone, so I allowed it. What is the third reason?"

"Rikku said if I didn't shut up she'd throw up in my boots. At least she isn't running away again." Gippal was still scowling.

"A gruesome fate. I'm glad you fancy my company more than vomit filled footwear."

"I don't 'fancy' anything associated with you, Nooj. Or do you swing that way in private?"

"There are any number of places you might wait for Rikku to get over a hangover. Why must you be in my office?"

"Cause you're more fun to annoy than Lucil. Less dangerous, too. She might try to court marshal me or something."

"Don't be ridiculous." Nooj said, going back to his paperwork. "You are not a member of the Youth League. Captain Lucil has no authority over you."

"Sweet! So I can call her Carrot Top and get away with it?"

"She would skewer you instead of court marshal you."

"Right. I forgot she uses a sword. Scary woman." Gippal adjusted his position in the chair, slouching in a way that make Nooj's spine protest at the mere thought of imitating. "You know, Noojster, I'm still mad at you for hiding her."

"Are you really."

"Yeah."

"I am quite happy for you."

"You really don't give a shit that I'm mad at you, do you?"

"No. If you are that angry, then leaving my office would elevate your mood substantially."

"I'd be wandering around alone if I did that. I want some company."

Gippal managed to spend the better part of two hours pestering Nooj while he worked, or attempted to work. The Al Bhed man would stay silent for a while, leading Nooj into thinking he could concentrate, then ask a question right when his pen hit the paper. Just before Nooj was about to physically throw the younger man out the door, said door opened and shut. Rikku stood in front of his desk, tight lipped and frowning at him. Her skin was pale, almost green tinted, hinting at the severity of her hangover.

"You planned that."

"Do I come off as such a devious person? I planned nothing of the sort."

"Right. And I'm a Hypello."

"While most Hypello are blue, I'm sure there are a few whose skin is the same green as yours is at the moment." Her eyes narrowed at him, but he ignored it. "Are the two of you going to begin using my office as a lounge?"

"Damn it, Nooj, I-"

"Shouldn't you be talking with Gippal instead of me?" Rikku flinched as though he had hit her. She started to visibly shake while clenching her hands into fists. Gippal sat motionless in his chair, afraid that calling attention to himself would make Rikku run off again. After nearly a minute spent in total fury, Rikku regained her composure and relaxed her hands. She walked to the door, pausing before turning the handle. Gippal was watching her, the emotions clearly visible on his face. The longing Nooj saw there was almost tangible. Rikku turned to look at Gippal, not giving him time to change his expression.

She simply held out her hand to him. Gippal was out of his seat in a heartbeat, taking the outstretched hand in his own before following her out the door.

Nooj tossed his pen down and leaned back in his chair, frowning at the now empty office. He had been trying to get Gippal to vacate that chair for hours, and Rikku did nothing more than hold out a hand and Gippal was gone.

At the very least, I now have a way to remove Gippal from my presence without causing bodily harm.

For the next two days, Gippal followed Rikku around like a puppy. Nooj imagined his ears perked up whenever she spoke. Rikku tolerated this behavior for some odd reason. Before, she avoided him at all costs. Now Rikku would look over her shoulder at Gippal, making sure he was still there. Her eyes would hold fear in them until they settled on his face, and disbelief when they found him standing or sitting beside her.

Gippal took any and all opportunities to touch her. He would hold her hand walking down a hallway or slip an arm around her waist as they rounded a corner. Anyone that chanced by the room they shared might catch a glimpse of them on the bed, apparently napping.

Nooj knew this because the rain forced everyone indoors and their company was often forced upon him. Rikku was outside his office, taking measurements and looking at blueprints. Gippal, as always, was beside her, helping in some manner or another. Nooj had taken to leaving the door open for short periods of time so that he could watch them interact.

"The only thing missing, is a violin playing in the background."

"Yes, sir." Lucil had handed him the day's reports and orders with her usual precision. Never a minute late, those reports would be on his desk whether or not he was present. "Here is the expense report submitted by Rikku for the modifications as well."

"What does she think we are, a bank? This is preposterous. Rikku, a word with you, please."

"Yeah?" Rikku walked in, followed by Gippal. She looked as exhausted as the day she first arrived, but there was one difference. This exhaustion was not caused by anything detrimental. She was simply losing sleep because of Gippal instead of the nightmares in her mind.

"Is this price accurate?"

"Yeah."

"Ridiculous. You are modifying a floor, not building a new wing."

"It'll take me one week to fully install. The pegs have to be hand made and I need to replace parts of the floor frame as well. I gave you a discounted rate, too. It's normally twice that for this amount of work."

"Tell me why this is worth the price."

"Neither of us will be able to shakey-shake our way in here through the door. I don't know what you're complaining about, Nooj. It's not all that much."

"You say that because you do not have as many expenses as the Youth League."

"I say that cause you're trying to barter. No way. That's the price for it, take it or leave it."

"Very well. I expect it to be done before the week is over."

"Don't be an ass, Nooj. Or I'll leave you with a huge hole in your floor and take that safe with me."

"Remind me never to haggle with you over anything."

"Sure. Anything else?" Nooj shook his head and she and Gippal left. Lucil watched them go with an odd expression.

"What is it, Captain?"

"I was wondering how that young woman can continue being awake and functioning with little or no sleep."

"One gets used to it, Captain."

Ah, I can just see Gippal as a little puppy, wagging his tail as Rikku pets him. What a cute doggy that would be!

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