Part Two: The Premise
by PrettyGothGirl
All Disclaimers Apply
Summary:Rikku is back safe and sound and Cid has some plans for our favorite duo.
Author's Note: So, this is potentially the only chapter like this. Or at least I hope it is. I dunno, perhaps we shall check in with Cid from time to time. Anyways, ideas are welcome.
Cid wrapped his arms around his daughter. Tears welled in his eyes. His little girl was safe and sound. He looked over her head at her rescuer. Gippal met his eyes squarely. Cid nodded. "Good job, son." He said hoarsely. Gippal nodded back and rubbed the back of his head. He looked slightly embarrassed. There wasn't anything to be embarrassed of. Praise was deserved for a job well done. Gippal noticed Cid's observation of this and tried to casually cross his arms. Cid repressed a smile. To have to be young, sure of yourself and in control at all times again. The old had the luxury of not having to worry so much about that. It was that growing old with dignity thing that he failed at all the time.
Rikku squeezed him tight once. "I'm all right, Pops. I'm fine." She pushed on his chest and he reluctantly let go. She wasn't seven anymore, no longer his little girl. She was seventeen and growing up so fast. Her mother would be so proud of her. She smiled up at him, bright and happy. "They didn't hurt me."
Cid hoped that was the case. He didn't see any marks on her. Yet, his little girl was so tough that he hadn't expected any. She did her old man proud.
Gippal tilted his head. "She probably could have rescued herself."
Cid silently agreed. He hadn't been willing to take that chance and Gippal had contacted him, volunteered and planned a mission to rescue her before Cid could contact Anikki or anyone else. He wasn't even sure how Gippal knew that Rikku was missing. The only way he'd known was the ransom demand.
"I was getting around to it." She glared at him over her shoulder.
"Sure you were. I think you wanted to be rescued by knight in shining armor." Gippal smirked, his voice implying that said knight was him.
Here they went again. Cid's lips twitched. Get them within spitting distance at each other and all they did was poke at each other, verbally and physically.
She flushed. "I did not."
"Then why were you still there?" Gippal wasn't going to let go of it. Cid bit the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing. Kids.
Rikku straightened and tossed her hair. "I was waiting, gathering information so I could escape at the best moment."
"Right." Gippal rolled his eye, not believing it for a moment. "Face it, you wanted me."
Cid shook his head. It was going downhill fast. He didn't fully understand the strange and childish courtship his daughter and Gippal were engaged in. He decided to interrupt before it turned into a full-fledged five year old 'do not, do so' argument. "You're both safe and sound. That's what's important." He slung an arm over Rikku's shoulders. He wasn't willing to let go of the daughter he'd thought he might lose. Call it an old man's paranoia. "Come on. I've got somethin' to discuss with you two." He walked off the bridge. Rikku matched her stride to his effortlessly, snuggling up into his side.
Gippal watched them for a few seconds, thinking and then followed.
Cid acknowledged the Al Bhed he passed in the corridors, just a friendly nod from leader to his people. They entered the observation lounge and he steered them to a window. He stared out it into the blue of the sky dotted with clouds for a few minutes not saying anything.
He organized his thoughts. Rikku's kidnapping had triggered thoughts about the state of his people. He knew his daughter was dedicated to bringing them back to glory instead of contempt. And Gippal, Gippal's goals of cooperation, neutrality and independence rang a chord within Cid. The two worked well together, knew each other, were close and hopefully they wouldn't kill each other or him. He looked over at Gippal. It was time to give this whole thing a fatherly push or else he'd never be a grandfather the rate they were goin', two birds, one bullet and so on. He'd be proud to be able to call Gippal his son for real. Someone with some sense had to come after him.
"I'm real proud of the way you handled the situation, boy. You didn't go to the humans or other races. If they even knew this was a problem, well," he paused and shrugged. "It's over now. They know that the Al Bhed can handle their own." He looked down at Rikku. She smiled up at him again. He figured the next part wouldn't come as a shock to her. "I suppose you've heard the scuttlebutt. Some of the Al Bhed don't think I'm good at my job anymore, don't want to follow me. I can understand it. Haven't made the best decisions, didn't always think things through. Can't blame them." Rikku sighed and looked sad. He glanced at Gippal. Gippal nodded slowly. Apparently, he'd heard the same. "Still here, still in charge. No one's demanded I step down. Things got to be done and someone has to do 'em." He paused. "Things done quietly, below the spherewaves, without notice. I ain't cut out for that anymore, wasn't cut out for it in the first place, too flashy then, too old now. That's where you two come in."
Rikku and Gippal exchanged a look. Cid knew that this wasn't fair of him. He was the Elder. There were some things that no one could refuse. Especially since he was her father and his leader and he was asking. He had confidence in them though. He wouldn't be delegating to them otherwise. Sin, the recent crisis, Rikku's kidnapping, they'd more than proved themselves capable. He pulled out a sphere from a pouch and pressed it into Rikku's hand. He smiled broadly as her fingers closed around it. That was his daughter, not afraid of a little danger. She bit her lip as she stared at the green sphere. He squeezed her shoulder and let go. He slapped Gippal lightly on the arm. He started towards the stairs, stopped and looked over his shoulder at them. He smiled broadly. "Just think of it as spendin' some quality time together." He walked down the stairs with a spring in his step, chuckling.
It was a good plan, almost guaranteed foolproof. Sure it wasn't the most subtle. Yet, he'd never been subtle in the first place.
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