A/n: So I had a couple people mention how this sounded like 1984. Can't say I would know. I never got past the first three pages. I put it down out of sheer boredom with it. But I am glad it is coming out as well as it is. I was inspired to write my own little mental story after reading another one. Though I dare say mine hardly compares to the other one. Anyway, don't own the characters or the story. But I will leave you with a tidbit of advise. Don't write after drinking... (That little note had to be hardest I ever did. Couldn't type to save my life.)

--

The days passed along quickly and Rikku found herself enjoying the company of the new doctor more and more. She felt as if he was starting to take her more serious each day. The fact he trusted her more meant a lot to her. He never put shackles or cuffs on her when they left her room like Doctor Yevon always did. Instead he allowed her to walk on her own just as he did.

In order not to betray his trust, she made sure to do everything he had asked. However, as much as she began to enjoy him, she had a plan. It would take some time before she put it into effect, but if she could wait three years, surely she could wait a few months. Her conscience plagued her the entire time, but if she was to get out, it had to be done.

Three weeks later, Doctor Auron came to her cell and knocked just like he had been doing lately. "Rikku, are you ready?"

"I will be in a moment!" She shouted back to him. Gathering herself together, she stepped up to the door. "Okay, ready!" She tried to act cheerful, but it was becoming harder and harder.

The door opened, and Doctor Auron stood on the other side wearing a gray suit and red tie. This was the first time she had seen him in anything other then black.

"Gray today? You feeling alright?" She teased him.

"I ran out of black." He answered with a shrug. He placed one hand behind her back and guided her down the hall. "You have a guest today."

Rikku's face brightened as she thought of all the people it could be. But she suspected it was Tidus or Yuna. She skipped down the hall in front of him and into the visitor's room. She stopped short as soon as she saw who it was. It wasn't Yunie or Tidus at all.

"Doctor Seymour." Auron greeted, but it was laced with hidden venom. "When Yu told me to bring Rikku here, I never suspected you would be the one requesting her presence."

"Auron, you should know by now. I love to delve deep into the mind of those deemed most insane. Rikku's case was brought before me, and I simply could not stand the thought of never having the chance to speak with a true Al Bhed. Plus I thought it would be good for you to detach yourself from her. I will take over her case so you can have more time to relax. You overwork yourself way too easily."

Rikku hid behind Auron's body. This Seymour person bothered her. He did not seem to care about her at all. More likely about her being crazy then anything. Auron could tell she was frightened and refused to move as Seymour came closer.

"Come on out, Rikku." Seymour spoke softly. "I will not hurt you. I would only like to talk with you. You can talk, correct?" He leaned over until he was face to face with her.

Rikku knew she must have appeared childish, but she felt safer behind Doctor Auron. Instead of answering Seymour's question verbally, she simply shook her head.

Seymour stood up again and addressed Auron. "When I called Yu, he said she was a most interesting case. I never thought the stories were true."

"I would rather we not talk about it." Auron answered with a sneer. "That information is as classified as Rikku's files. How have you come across them?"

"I have connections that you do not." Seymour taunted. "But since you refuse to share, I will simply be on my way then." He bowed low before speaking to Rikku once more. "And miss Rikku, should you see Cid again, give him my regards."

Rikku sucked in a breath and did not let it out until he was gone from the room. She was frozen to her spot. Her hand was gripped tightly to the back of Auron's suit. He frowned before trying to pry himself free.

"Rikku, what was he talking about when he mentioned Cid?"

Her eyes were wide when they snapped to meet his. Her lips were still slightly parted as if she wanted to speak, but could not. Then as if nothing happened, she composed herself and smiled. "I have no idea! I've never heard that name before in my life!" She chirped.

"Rikku." He warned her, but dropped the subject. He stared down at her before leaving the room. He waited for her to join him in the hall. "Come with me." He ordered as he lay one hand on her shoulder a little harder then necessary.

Rikku squeaked and flinched but had no choice but to go with him. He left no room for escape. She found him going down a hall she had never known about. Rikku took in every detail of the layout, perhaps now was her chance to leave.

A set of glass doors met them at the end of the corridor and Auron was quick to exit through them.

"Where are we going?" Rikku asked. He had closed himself off from everything and it scared her. She noticed her did not have his briefcase with him, and wondered what he had planned. The answer was given seconds later when he stopped beside a dome covered hovercraft.

"We are taking a day trip. Step inside." The door opened on its own, and Rikku was amazed to see plush burgundy seats inside. This was not a cheap vehicle at all. Careful not to ruin anything, she stepped in. Auron closed the door behind her before coming around and sliding into the driver's side.

"I want you to see what is outside in the world. In order for you to get better, you must see what you are missing." He explained after they were moving.

Rikku scratched her cheek. "But I already know what is out there." She said. "I still have my memory."

"So you say. But what if those memories are nothing more then dreams? How do you know what is reality and what is not?" It was a mind game he was using to test her with now. Much like Doctor Yevon used with her, but this was not meant to be insulting. He wanted her to learn to think on her own.

"I know what is real." She said softly. "My memories are not made up. They are right here where they have always been." She crossed her hands over her chest.

"And how can you know they are real. This world is full of many things. Some people will hear a story and assume it is talking to them, and them create an intricate lie about themselves to make the lie real."

Rikku gasped. How could he say those things? All this time and now he begins to bring up suggestions that hurt her deep down. "But.." She whimpered once unable to say the words she really wanted to.

"Relax, Rikku. It was a test. I have been working with you for almost a month now, and have learned more about you then Yevon has in the three years you have been with him. Something about you gets to me."

Rikku dropped her hands and looked up at his face. It seemed softer then ever before, but she knew appearances could be deceiving. "What is it?" She asked him almost too soft to be heard. She assumed he must not have when he did not answer her. He stared straight ahead until they arrived at the destination he was aiming for.

He stopped the vehicle and stepped out. "Wait here." He told her and locked the doors.

Rikku sulked as he left her alone. She crossed her arms over her chest before entertaining herself by playing with his radio knowing it would have no effect until he came back with the keys. When she became bored with that, she leaned back into the seat and closed her eyes.

A knock on her window made her jump though. She opened her eyes expecting to see Auron there. Perhaps he might have needed help. Instead she saw the blue haired man of before. Moving away from the door, she cringed knowing he had recognized her.

"My, my, what do we have here?" He spoke loud enough for her to be able to hear through the gap in the window. "Fancy seeing you outside this building. Where is your doctor? Did he leave you alone? You know I would have never done that to you." Seymour cooed at her knowing she feared him.

"Doctor Seymour, I would like to know what is the reason you are standing outside my vehicle and scaring my patient."

Seymour smirked at Rikku before standing and facing Auron. "My dear man. I have not a clue to what you mean. I am simply asking her where you might have gone. It is not healthy to leave a mental patient by themselves. Have you been out of school so long that you have forgotten?"

"I have not left her, Seymour. The girl was perfectly safe by herself. She is nearing recovery and this is merely one of the tests." He stated with authority enough to signify this conversation was over.

"Nearing recovery?" Seymour repeated as if he did not believe him. "I disagree with your assessment."

"But she is my patient to decide that fact, not yours. Now, if you don't mind, I have places I must be." Auron slipped into the vehicle and started the engine before taking off so fast Seymour never had a chance to retort.

Rikku waited until it seemed he had calmed down before asking the question on her mind after the little argument. "Did you mean what you said? Do you really think I'm almost recovered?"

"I don't know. I just don't know." he sighed before settling into the seat. "Perhaps you are the sane one and I should be the one locked away."

"What's that supposed to mean?" She asked as she tilted her head to the side.

Auron glanced over at her before taking his hand and ruffling her hair. "Don't worry about it."

--

"Doctor, may I ask why you followed them in the first place?"

"I have my suspicions, but I do not feel Doctor Auron is qualified to take care of his patient any longer. She is far from recovery and he has already left her alone."

Yevon stood from his seat and slammed his fist down on the desk. "He did what?" He shouted. "I'll have his job for that!"

"I would expect no less from you, sir. If there is anything I can do to help you, you will let me know. Right, sir?"

"Of course, Seymour. But, let us not say anything right away. I would like to see if he continues this behavior."

Seymour bowed before leaving the room. That didn't go exactly the way he wanted, but the seed of doubt had been planted. Doctor Yevon was sure to doubt Auron's capabilities now.

--

Auron pulled back into the parking area of the institute, while Rikku looked on with horror. She had secretly hoped that maybe he was trying to help her escape. Seeing her home of the past three years shattered that dream.

But now she knew what she had to do. Once they began the walk back inside, she would put her plan into action. Today was going to be the day she escaped. As soon as the door opened, she carefully stepped out and looked around. It was only the two of them here now. Tears spilled down her face since she knew that this would only hurt the doctor. She had truly began to care about him in the past few weeks. He treated her more like a person then a patient.

"Rikku, what is it?" Auron had seen her tears and could only speculate what the problem was. He had seen her look around but that did not give concrete evidence to what she was thinking.

"I'm sorry." She whispered. "If you were me, you would understand." She tried and failed to give him one last smile before taking off running.

He knew he would never catch her if he tried to chase her. Rikku was younger and quicker. Instead he pulled a packet out from inside his suit pocket. Carefully he took aim, and threw it so it hit Rikku in the middle of her back. The packet broke open and the fine dust inside spread over her quickly. She fell to the ground in the middle of her sprint.

He headed over to her slowly and with purpose. Too fast and the chemical would be blown over him by the wind. By the time he reached her, Rikku had rolled over to her back and was busy trying to suck air into her lungs.

"You jerk! What was that stuff?"

Instead of answering, he reached into his pocket again and pulled out another packet.

"Oh no you don't! I'm not having anymore of that stuff on me!"

With a shrug he put it back inside his pocket. He squatted down so he was even with her. "Why did you run? It only served to set back your progress. Now we will have to begin again."

Rikku could hear the disappointment filling his voice. It was so much that she couldn't even look at him. Auron stood and waited until she got to her feet. She kept her head down as he led her inside and back to her cell. Once she was sure he was gone, Rikku began to weep. She had ruined his trust, and any other chances she may have had with him. Soon enough, she cried herself to sleep even though it was still early evening.

--

Doctor Auron sat behind his desk staring at folders and papers. He was trying to figure out and piece together all the parts of Rikku's case. To say it was an overwhelming task would be an understatement. There was just so much. Doctor Yevon had even gave him the files from before he took over her case.

The more he studied, the more something began to stand out to him. After three years and no results, maybe...just maybe, Rikku was right. He shook his head violently. That couldn't be right. After all the years he spent in this field, never had he a case like this. In addition to that, he just might be starting to believe her.

"I need a drink." He spoke to the room. Gathering his suit jacket from the back of his chair he stood to leave. Just as he touched the knob on the door, there was a knocking on the other side. He debated quickly if he should even answer it, finally deciding that he better. It was not a surprise when a blue haired man stood on the other side.

"Doctor Seymour. I trust you have a decent reason for your visit?"

"Actually I do. It has come to my, ahem, our attention that you just may be unfit to be Miss Rikku's doctor any longer. Yevon has asked me to take over in your place. So I have come to collect the necessary papers and folders I will need. I look forward to the study of one who truly believes they are of Al Bhed origin."

"I do not think so." Auron replied leaving no room for argument. "I will speak to Yu myself in this matter. If you will excuse me." He pushed his way through leaving Seymour shocked and stunned in the doorway.

He stormed down the halls making it known he was not happy at all. By the time he reached the other man's office, he was too angry to even bother to knock. The door was thrown violently on its hinges before hitting the wall.

"Doctor Auron, what is the meaning of this?" Yu asked as he glanced up from the paper he had been filling out.

"I have recently been informed of a change in patient care that was not approved by me."

Doctor Yevon stared at him before realization crossed his face. "You are referring to Rikku, are you not?"

"I am. I should be the first person informed of the change. And it should have come from you directly. Not by another."

"If you are referring to Seymour, he is more then willing to do what you might not be capable of."

"Did you yourself also not pass her off to me?" Auron crossed his arms as he challenged the older doctor.

Carefully setting down the tool in his hand, Yu thought over his response before speaking. "As true as that statement may be, it has been pointed out that you may not be able to continue as you have."

"I assume by Doctor Seymour?" Auron interrupted.

"I..yes." Yu answered with a sigh. "Apparently he has been watching you."

"I had guessed as much. When a man shows up suddenly ten miles from where he is supposed to be, it draws certain attentions. While some of my methods are not standard, I assure you they do work."

"Alright, Auron. I understand. Forgive me for doubting you."

Knowing he had won this time, Auron nodded once and left. He still wanted that drink.

--

Rikku was woken up just as the sun was rising. She moaned once as a putrid smell hit her nose. It almost smelled of sake. Rikku rolled over to get away from the smell and pulled the covers over her head.

"Rikku, wake up. We have a long day ahead of us." A hand found the edge and pulled the blanket away.

She moaned again as she forced one eye to open. The green swirl fell upon Doctor Auron's face and how close it was to her own. He breathed out and she realized it was from him the horrible smell came from.

"Go away. You stink." She mumbled and closed the eye.

"Can't. We must move before they notice us gone." He replied.

It was at this point Rikku noticed he was kneeling on the floor next to her bed. "Where are we going, and who is this we?" She asked as she stretched.

"Do not worry about that. Gather what you can. I will meet you outside in the hall." Struggling to stand, Auron left her to get ready.

Rikku rubbed the sleep from her face and stood. She scratched her cheek in confusion, but shrugged and gathered what little belongings she had in her hands. It was only a few clothes and while she knew she could carry them without much trouble, it wasn't until she was about to exit the door when she saw a black duffel bad on the edge of her bed.

"That must be for me." She said and shoved the clothing inside. When she left the room, Auron was leaning against the wall. He looked over at her and raised one finger to his lips. Rikku nodded in understanding and followed his lead.

He held his suitcase tightly in one hand as if he were afraid of dropping it, but Rikku said nothing. Only once they were outside did she dare ask the question that was plaguing her.

"Where are we going?"

"You'll see. For now just get in the car." He held the door open for her and then got inside himself. He glanced once in the mirrors making sure they had not been seen before allowing himself to relax. After today, everything was going to be changing.

--