Bleep. Bleep. The sound of it woke Vincent up, much to his disgust. He reached lazily over to his bed stand until he felt his cell phone, which was still bleeping loudly. He sat up in bed and put the phone to his ear. "Hello?" His voice was even rougher in the morning.

"Hi Vincent! Did I wake ya?"Yuffie said. Vincent could tell that she was smiling even though he couldn't see her.

"No. What do you want Yuffie?"

"Damn! You're even grumpier in the morning, Vinnie!"A growl was her reply. "Anyway, is Rikku there? We're supposed to go shopping today. You know, a thieves' day out,"

"Yeah. Just let me get her," He placed the top part of the cell phone on his shoulder as he yelled, "Rikku! Phone call!" In less than five minutes, Rikku came running into his room, eagerly holding out her hand for the cell. He handed it to her. "Hello? Yuffs?" Rikku asked.

"Yeah, it's me! Just called to say that I'm on my way! Ohh, that rhymed!!"Both Yuffie and Rikku laughed.

"Hey, after we're done shopping, can we talk?" Rikku's voice was lowered when she asked.

"Sure! About what?"

"You'll see. Bye!" Rikku closed the phone and handed it back to Vincent. "Get dressed, Vincent. You're coming along whether you like it or not," Vincent growled within his throat as Rikku innocently smiled and went back to her room. 'You're gonna let this thief drag you around the mall?' Chaos asked.

'Shut up, Chaos,' Vincent responded, standing up.

"Come on, guys! We don't have all day!" Yuffie yelled.

"I'm coming, I'm coming!" Rikku yelled back and came running out of the house, pulling Vincent along behind her. Yuffie giggled. "You're bringing Vincent along?" Rikku nodded triumphantly.

"Whether he likes it or not!"

"Hey! Get yer asses up here or I'm leavin' without ya!" Cid yelled down to them.

"Alright, alright!" Yuffie yelled back and scurried up the ladder. Rikku took Vincent's hand once again and led him to the ladder, climbing up after Yuffie, Vincent soon following them.

Rikku stood in the store in the mall, browsing around. Something black and leathery caught her eye. She turned and looked at a pair of black finger-less gloves. "Ohmigawd…," She blinked and looked at them, taking them off the rack. "Yuffie! Look at these!" She ran over to the ninja and showed her the finger-less gloves. "I am sooo getting these!" Exclaimed Rikku. Yuffie smiled and pointed at the wall, showing her two red daggers, just like Rikku's, but only a tad bigger and could take more damage. Rikku's jaw practically dropped at the sigh of them. "Wow…Vincent! Look at these!!" Vincent walked over to the ninja and the thief. Rikku pointed at the daggers. "I want those! Please?"

"Don't you have your own money?" Vincent gruffly asked.

"I'm already buying these," She held up the pair of gloves. Vincent shook his head. "Meanie!" She frowned and stormed away from him. Yuffie let out a small giggle and followed after Rikku, leaving Vincent next to the daggers. He just stared up at them.

"Why'd you bring Vincent along, anyway?" Yuffie asked Rikku as she bought the gloves. "Tifa wanted to see him, so I thought that while we're out, we could drop him off there and then head back to the mansion where we can do our girl talk,"

"Does Vincent know that Tifa wants to see him?"

"Nope!" Rikku picked up her bag and headed out the door.

"Vincent, we're leaving!" She called back. Vincent looked behind him and followed after the two girls. "So, we're done for the day?" Rikku nodded. "Oh, and, Vincent, Tifa wants to see you so we're dropping you off over at her place, 'kay?"

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After Vincent was dropped off, Rikku and Yuffie walked into the mansion. "Let's put 'em in my room for now, 'kay?" Yuffie nodded and followed Rikku into her room, placing the bags on the floor. "So, what'd ya want to talk about?" Yuffie asked.

"Okay. So, you know how you asked if I was pregnant a few days ago?" Yuffie nodded. "Well, at that time, I wasn't exactly sure. But, about 4 days ago, I took the test and it came out…Positive," Yuffie's jaw dropped as she blinked.

"Have you told Vincent?" Rikku shook her head. "So, I'm the first to know?" The blonde nodded. "You should tell him. Tonight."

"W-What?"

"Yeah."

"Okay, I will. But you have to be there with me and come with me when I go to tell my father, for back up, since you're the first to know," Yuffie nodded. "I will! I promise." Rikku smiled and hugged her. "Thank you."

"You're welcome! Now, let's sort through our stuff, shall we?"

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It was around 5:30 PM before Vincent came back. Yuffie and Rikku were lounging on the couch. "Welcome back, Vincent!" Yuffie said and got a nod in response. Yuffie then nudged Rikku, slightly nodding. The blonde shook her head, mumbling something about telling him later. Vincent caught that and raised his eyebrow. "Tell me what later?"

Rikku sighed and closed her eyes. "Nothing ever passes through your ears, does it, Vin?" Vincent shook his head. "Might as well sit down. Scoot yer tosh, Yuffs!" Yuffie laughed and obeyed, Rikku following her movements, then patted the now empty spot on the couch. Vincent sat down and looked at the two. "Ugh, this couch is not made for three!" Yuffie complained.

"Well, then you sit on the floor," Rikku responded.

"No,"

"Then quit your whining! Gosh,"

"Ladies, are you going to tell me your 'secret' or not?" Vincent interrupted. Rikku nodded and looked at Vincent.

"I'll start with the customs of the Al Bhed, so you won't get confused. The Al Bhed aren't exactly royalty, but my father likes to think of that way. He said the oldest gets to choose whether or not they want to rule, and if they say no, then the next oldest or the youngest will rule; Depends on how big the family. If the oldest says yes, then they automatically rule. Brother didn't want to rule, so father asked me. I said that I'd think about it and it seemed he didn't have a problem with my answer.

"Gippal just happened to be in the room that day, and so began the Be-Sweet-To-Future-Queen-And-Try-To-Marry-Her junk. Gippal was the one who kidnapped me that day on the street with you. While I was there, he didn't just beat me, he nagged me about giving him an heir, since he planned on marrying me if I said yes to leading the Al Bhed. Every time I said no to him, that led to the beating. The day I was let go, before I was let go, he came in and asked me again, only he added that if I said yes that time, he'd let me free. So – neither of you will like this part – I accepted." She lightly closed her eyes, ready for any criticizing, but, surprisingly, she got none. Only when Vincent spoke did she open her eyes.

"So you're saying you let Gippal take your virginity?" Rikku nodded.

"Only because I wanted to see you guys again! If I hadn't said yes to him, then I'd still be there – or worse, dead…," Rikku closed her eyes again, biting her lip. Yuffie saw Rikku and decided to take over for her. "She told me that she took the test only four days ago and it came out positive," Vincent blinked at the words, staying silent, not really sure what to say. He mumbled something about going to his room, got up and went upstairs.

"He…left," Rikku said, opening her eyes and looking down at Yuffie. The ninja nodded, a wave of sympathy washing over her. Rikku sighed and smiled a bit. "Hey, I'm going to Yuna's. I have seen Lorrenne in a while. Wanna come with me, Yuffs?"

"Sure!" The ninja said, jumping up.

"Okay! Let's leave a note for Vincent though. He'll probably think I left for good." Both nodded and Rikku got up, getting a pen and pencil. She wrote the note and left it on the table for Vincent to see.

"'Kay. That's done. Now, let's go!" Rikku giggled and pulled Yuffie along with her out the door.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

After a while, Vincent came out of his room, heading back downstairs. 'It got quiet all of a sudden,' He thought. Not seeing the girls downstairs, he groaned. 'They left!' A growl came from his throat as he walked into the kitchen. A piece of paper caught his eye. Backing up, he picked up the note and read it.

Vincent,

Yuffie and I didn't leave for good, I had just suggested that we go over to Yuna's and see her and Tidus' daughter, Lorrenne. If you wish to come see us, then you may. You know where Yuna's house is; I know you do. I've taken you there a few times. Also, I have made a decision on what I'd like to do with the baby. If you'd like to know, I'll tell you. If you'd rather not know, then it will remain a secret between me and Yuffs.

-Rikku

Vincent sighed softly and set down the note. He walked out of the kitchen and towards the door. He opened the door and walked out of the house, shutting the door tightly behind him.

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Author's Note—

-Gasp- What will be Rikku's decision? Read the next chapter!...When it comes out xD R&R!