Chapter 54: Ruki Island

May 27, 0004

The ferry chugged through the open ocean as Riggs stood on the deck. He was alone up there, with only two or three other strangers that had already been aboard when he had been picked up.

Sure, it was a break from Bolton, but he was wondering if it was the right time. While he had regained his ability to function, he was still greatly hurting inside.

His family was gone, and just a year shy of his release.

He had been so close, and yet so far away.

Now, he had no family.

One fire was all that it took. He then turned, and saw Miranda appear on the desk.

"Hey, you!" she greeted. "How come you're up here all by yourself?"

"I dunno," Riggs answered.

Miranda frowned.

"You're still hurting," she observed.

Riggs nodded.

"I can't tell you not to hurt," she said. "But I can tell you I'm here for you."

"Thanks," Riggs said.

"Thanks for coming, by the way," Miranda said as she hugged him.

"Don't mention it," he replied as he hugged her back. "Thanks for talking me into it. I think I need this."

Miranda smiled.

Riggs did as well, though he still knew there was most definitely something she knew about this trip that he did not.

LATER….

They docked at Ruki Island and checked into their hotel. Cloud and Tifa roomed together, as did Riggs and Milton. Miranda roomed alone.

The rest of the day was spent getting to know the island.

There was a shopping complex with a theater and arcade, and a tourist office with all the nearby attractions.

Riggs found it perfect in the event that he did not really want to do anything away from the hotel.

Of course, Miranda would not allow such a thing.

May 28, 0004

On the second day, the five of them went shopping in the morning. Riggs found nothing of interest, and neither did Cloud or Milton. So the three guys went to the arcade to be guys.

Miranda and Tifa thus continued their shopping, as the former had wanted some girl time with the latter. Namely, they were things Miranda could not say in front of Riggs.

Riggs, meanwhile, began to feel slightly better, but not much. That said, he found it still better than nothing, and he began to appreciate the fact that he came. So he, Cloud, and Milton took turns disemboweling each other at the arcade; it was a good first step.

That afternoon, the five of them decided to go horseback riding. It was a small excursion on the northern end of the island, where the horses would gallop through the fields and also through the shallow water.

But none of them knew how to ride a horse.

Thus Cloud, Tifa, Milton, and Riggs found themselves on horses that meandered around meaninglessly for a while. It looked stupid, and did not seem worth the time and money.

Miranda, on the other hand, was quite more daring.

"Trot!" she shouted.

In cue, the horse began to gallop. He galloped to the left and to the right, carrying the delighted Miranda the whole time.

This isn't so bad! she thought.

"Come on, you guys!" she laughed. "You're really missing out!"

Riggs was about to give his horse another try.

Then, without warning, Miranda's horse made a sharp left turn. He started galloping faster and faster.

Miranda, who had worn a cowgirl hat for the occasion, began to wave it around, hooting and hollering.

And then, Riggs saw in horror the trouble his friend was actually in.

A hundred or so yards away, a herd of bulls was grazing peacefully.

"Miranda, get back here!" he called out.

The horse was galloping toward them.

Miranda herself then noticed her peril.

She noticed the size of their hooves.

She noticed the size of their horns.

Oh shit!

She squeezed the horse with her legs and pulled on the reins, but the horse did not stop.

"Whoa!" she called out, but it was no use.

The bulls grew closer and closer.

"She's going to get killed!" Milton exclaimed.

Miranda desperately pulled the reins to the left.

"Turn!" she cried.

The horse did not turn.

The bulls drew closer.

Unable to look at the bulls any longer, Miranda looked to her left.

Oddly enough, her horse turned at that moment.

She realized the horse followed her head.

She turned it again, and, soon, she was riding away from the bulls.

Miranda sighed in relief as her horse moved further and further away from the bulls, eventually stopping in the water at the edge of the beach.

"And I thought the ski slope was bad!" Miranda laughed.

And then, the horse suddenly stood up on its hind legs, causing Miranda to slip backwards and fall off, landing in six inches of ocean water.

Riggs immediately ran to her side and helped her to her feet.

"You okay?" he asked.

"My butt hurts," Miranda replied honestly.

She the. thought about how the horse backed up and knocked her off.

"So that's reverse cowgirl," she laughed out loud.

Riggs laughed in response.

Only Miranda can make light of a situation like this in the dirtiest way possible, he thought.

He was starting to feel much better.

May 29, 0004

On the third day, Riggs found himself sitting outside the hotel, wearing a shirt and swim trunks. He had been told they would be going to Dolphin Adventures, where, as the name implies, one could swim with a dolphin.

Riggs was not that interested, but did not want to be the odd man out, so he agreed to do it.

Soon, someone did come and join him outside.

But it was only Miranda, wearing a green summer dress.

"Where's Cloud, Tifa, and Milton?" Riggs naturally asked.

"They weren't interested," Miranda replied. "So it's just us."

Normally, Riggs would see this as a chance to bail out of it altogether.

But he knew Miranda wanted to go with him.

He knew he could not bear to say no to her.

So the two made their way toward Dolphin Adventures.

Riggs had not forgotten how Miranda had met with Cloud, Tifa, and Milton behind his back for an hour. The one thing he had most on his mind, other than the sting of losing his family, was the fact that they all obviously knew something he did not.

But he could not figure out, for the life of him, what it was.

"Penny for your thoughts," Miranda said.

"I feel a little young to be traveling," he lied. "Maybe it's because it's my first real vacation."

"I'm two years younger than you!" she laughed. "And I planned this whole thing!"

There has to be some way I can figure out what's going on, Riggs thought to himself.

Finally, they arrived at Dolphin Adventures.

"Two, please," Miranda requested, before covering them both.

"You didn't have to do that," Riggs insisted.

"Because I'm a girl?" Miranda laughed. "I don't believe in gender roles. I got that from my mom. It's the first of two reasons my paternal grandparents hate her."

"What's the other one?" Riggs asked.

"Because she's white," she answered sadly. "And I could tell they thought differently of me because I'm half and half."

"I'm sorry," Riggs said.

"Don't be," Miranda assured him. "It's their loss."

She then led them to the dolphin pool.

"Well," she began, "here we are."

Riggs slipped off his shirt and admired the dolphin in the pool. It seemed like a younger one, and also seemed full of energy.

He then heard Miranda's dress fall to the ground from behind him.

He turned around, expecting to see her in her purple one-piece again, and almost gasped in shock.

She was wearing an orange bikini, which quite flattered her body.

"I haven't worn a bikini since I got to Bolton," she said with a smile. "Four years."

Riggs was tempted to check her out, but she would notice for sure.

"Well," she said, "there's the dolphin pool. Last one in's a rotten egg!"

With that, she ran for the pool and jumped right in.

Riggs followed a few moments later.

"You're late!" Miranda laughed before playfully squirting her friend with her hands. "Come on!"

And so began their swim with the dolphin.

They petted him.

They fed him.

They even played volleyball with him.

Riggs and Miranda playfully squirted each other with their hands some more, and splashed each other as well.

Then, the dolphin began to approach Riggs.

And then, Miranda opened her mouth and began to scream.

FIVE MINUTES LATER….

Riggs sat in shock outside the dolphin pool as Miranda did her best to console him.

"I'm okay," he assured her. "I just didn't see that coming."

"I didn't know dolphins humped people," Miranda said honestly.

"Neither did I," Riggs admitted.

Miranda gave him a sympathetic look.

And then, suddenly, he started laughing.

"I thought it was just a dog thing!" he chuckled.

It was the first time he had really laughed since his family had died.

And then, Miranda began to laugh as well.

Part of it was because her best friend had just been humped by a dolphin. The other part of it was that she was relieved he seemed to be be coming out of his funk.

"I don't think we'll ever going to forget this!" he laughed. "Was this your idea, too?"

"I'll admit it," Miranda replied. "It was."

"I owe you, then," he said with a smile.

Miranda smiled back, and placed her hand on his bare shoulder.

She then looked outside of the dolphin pool.

There was another pool (for humans only), with a bar in it.

"You know," Miranda began with a sly grin, "the drinking age in Ruki is only eighteen."

"It is?" Riggs asked.

Miranda nodded.

"How'd you like to drink legally?" she offered.

"I'd like," he replied with a grin.

The two friends hopped over the fence and into the other pool, wading to the bar stools.

Riggs ordered a beer.

Miranda ordered a sex on the beach.

They did not even check their identification.

Their drinks were promptly delivered.

"Here's to our first drinks!" Miranda laughed as she clanked their glasses together.

Riggs took a sip of his beer. He found the taste odd, and much less than enjoyable. Of course, he was well aware that people did not drink beer for the taste, so he took another sip, and then a gulp.

"Well, now I know why they call this a sex on the beach," Miranda said.

"Why?" Riggs asked.

"It's fucking close to water!" she replied.

Both Riggs and Miranda laughed in unison.

LATER….

By the time they made their way back to the hotel, both Riggs and Miranda were quite drunk.

"I don't think I can walk straight!" Miranda laughed.

With that, she grabbed his arm.

"This your first time drunk?" she slurred.

"Yes," Riggs answered.

"Mine, too," she admitted. "This is amazing!"

And then, Miranda began to crack up loudly.

"What's so funny?!" Riggs slurred.

"I can't believe that dolphin humped you!" she replied.

"You're not going to let that go, are you?" he slurred.

"Nope!" she giggled.

Miranda then stumbled.

"Shit," she groaned. "I don't think I can walk."

She then turned to her friend.

"Can I have a piggyback ride?"

"Sure," Riggs agreed.

"Thanks!" she giggled as she went behind Riggs and wrapped her arms around his neck.

Riggs wrapped his arms around Miranda's legs, lifted her up, and carried her the rest of the way.

"Whoo-hoo!" the intoxicated Miranda exclaimed. "You're strong!"

Soon, Riggs arrived at the hotel, and gently placed Miranda on the ground in front of her room door.

And then, Miranda placed her hands on Riggs's bare shoulders.

Despite her drunkenness, she was still concerned about his well-being.

"I'm really glad you're okay," she said.

With that, she pulled him in for a hug.

Riggs hugged back.

The feeling of the bikini-clad Miranda's skin was new to him, and it was something he wanted to relish. It made him feel….closer to her.

"Thanks for this," he said.

"Don't mention it," she replied.

The two friends continued to hug as they lost sense of time.

But all good things must come to an end.

"Riggs," Miranda then began, "I would like to keep hugging you, but I really have to pee!"

She then darted into her room.

May 30, 0004

On the fourth day, the five of them explored the emerald caves on the northeastern end of the island. It was, of course, an organized tour, and everyone had to wear helmets with lights on them, but it certainly paid off in the end.

The cave walls were genuine emerald. Its origins were a mystery.

"I wonder what kind of Materia lurks down here," Tifa said.

"Or summons," Cloud pointed out.

Miranda was particularly quiet during the tour.

The time was drawing near.

THAT EVENING….

Cloud, Tifa, Riggs, Miranda, and Milton had dinner on the boardwalk on the western side of the island. There were several shops and restaurants, as well as an arcade.

It was not nearly as crowded as Costa del Sol, though. Tifa preferred this quiet atmosphere, and was surprised that she never even knew this island existed. In the present time, it was indeed under her jurisdiction.

Miranda was quiet again, and Cloud, Tifa, and Milton knew exactly why.

They made small talk and finished their dinner.

Tifa then looked back on the open ocean.

The moon was full.

The beach was deserted.

The crickets were chirping.

It was a perfect setting.

"Miranda," whispered Tifa, "I think it's time."

Miranda nodded, indicating she was ready.

Tifa squeezed Miranda's hand and smiled at her; it was the most support she could give.

"Riggs?" Miranda then asked. "I was wondering if you'd mind taking a walk with me on the beach?"

"Just me?" he asked.

"Just you," she replied.

"Is everything okay?" Riggs then asked.

"I just want some time with my best friend," Miranda replied. "That's all."

"No problem," Riggs agreed, though he knew something was obviously on her mind.

He had a strong feeling, correctly, that it was now time to discuss what had initially been kept a secret from him.

Both Riggs and Miranda stood up, and pushed their chairs in.

"We'll be back," Miranda announced.

Riggs and Miranda then disappeared down the boardwalk stairs and onto the beach.

For a moment, the three of them sat in silence.

"What do you think's going to happen?" Cloud asked.

"I have no idea," Tifa replied. "We'll have to wait."

For a few minutes, there was more silence.

Cloud tapped his fingers on the table.

Tifa cracked her neck.

"This feels like the longest few minutes of the trip," Milton sighed. "How long is this supposed to take?"

"An hour, at least," Cloud replied.

"Imagine how Miranda feels right now," Tifa pointed out.

Nobody bothered to look back and wait for Riggs and Miranda to appear from below; this would take quite a while.

"We could play Kings to pass the time," Milton suggested.

"With what cards?" Cloud pointed out.

"Dammit," muttered Milton.

"We just have to be patient," Tifa said. "This will take as long as it needs to."

The three then spent another couple of minutes in silence.

Milton then stared at his bracelet, which reminded him that he still was, legally, at Bolton. Once this vacation was over, he would return to his prison until his twenty-first birthday.

Then, he finally found a way to pass the time while they waited.

"You guys want to know what I did to get into Bolton?" he asked.

"Sure," Tifa replied. "If you're up for telling us."

Milton took a deep breath, and sighed.

"I called in a bomb threat at my high school," Milton replied. "In Rocket Town. Multiple times."

Cloud's eyes widened; that was certainly not been something he had been expecting from Milton.

"Wait a minute!" Tifa exclaimed. "That was you?!"

Milton nodded sheepishly.

"You heard about that?" he asked.

"When I was a teenager!" Tifa replied. "The first time! I never thought I'd get to meet the guy who did it!"

"Thanks," Milton laughed.

Cloud was in disbelief.

"Why'd you do it?" he asked honestly.

"It all started when I had a trig test I wasn't ready for," Milton began. "At first, I was just going to pull the fire alarm, but there was a camera right by every alarm in the building. So I called in the first bomb threat. They evacuated the school and sent us all home."

"Why didn't you just study?" Cloud asked.

Milton sighed.

"My dad lost his job, so I was working until midnight after school everyday. I really didn't have time to study. Then, to make it worse, they rescheduled the test right the next day, so I didn't have time to study everything. I only got a couple of extra hours that day. So you'll never guess what I did then."

"You got me," Cloud said politely, though he already knew the answer.

"So I called in another bomb threat," Milton continued. "This time, I did it earlier in the day. So I studied until it was time for me to go to work. The next day, I felt ready. But then I realized something. I studied the wrong chapter. When you work from early morning to late at night, you can lose your ability to think coherently. So guess what I did?"

"Tell me," Tifa said.

"I called in another one," Milton informed her. "Again, in the morning. But, as soon as I got home, my boss got wind of the shutdown, and called me into work right away. So guess what?"

"What?" Cloud and Tifa asked in unison, though they knew.

"I called in another bomb threat," Milton replied. "And that was when I got caught."

"How'd you get caught?" Tifa asked.

Milton sighed.

"I couldn't use a cell phone, since you're too easy to trace if you do. So I used one of those old time pay phones on the street corner."

"Reasonable enough," Cloud observed.

"The problem was, and I didn't realize it at the time, but I was using the same phone each time. So they tracked it. And, on the fourth time, they were waiting by the phone booth, and they got me. The cops were all in plainclothes and looking all harmless. And then, when I was in the middle of my fourth and final threat, someone gave the signal, and they all went for me. So now I'm in Bolton, and I'm not getting out until 0007."

The three were silent; Milton did not seem like the threatening type.

"I'm not a bad guy!" Milton insisted. "I swear! I just didn't want to fail a trig test. I would never blow anything up. I don't even know how to make a bomb!"

He was visibly upset.

"We know," Tifa assured him gently.

Milton sighed, and looked back at the stairs that led to the beach.

"They sure are taking their sweet time!" he laughed.

MEANWHILE….

The waves crashed over the beach as Miranda and Riggs walked along it.

Nobody else was there; they had the whole beach to themselves.

Miranda was silent. She had anticipated the moment as soon as Riggs agreed to the trip. Now, it would soon come.

It was, at this point, obvious to Riggs that she had something important she wanted to talk about. But he did not say anything, knowing full well that she wanted to discuss it her way. So he decided to wait until she was ready.

The silent walk seemed to go on forever, with only the sounds of the waves, seagulls, and occasional small winds.

Finally, Miranda noticed she was a reasonable distance from the boardwalk or anyone else.

Nobody would hear what she had to say except for Riggs.

Now was the time.

"Hold it," she softly commanded.

Riggs turned to face his friend.

"What's up?" he asked.

"Riggs," Miranda began. "It's time we had this talk."

Riggs nodded. He knew she had something to say, but he still had no idea what.

"What's on your mind?" he asked.

"Riggs," she continued. "I planned this trip because I wanted to heal your hurt."

"And you did that," he said. "It's hard to describe how uplifting this is."

"Is it?" Miranda asked skeptically. "This trip is temporary, Riggs. I know you're still hurting. And when we get back, um…..you'll….."

It was here where she began to stumble.

"Riggs, I'm not sure how to word this without upsetting you. Give me a second."

"No need," he said sadly. "When we get back, I'll hurt again. That's what happens when you don't have a family anymore."

Miranda looked her friend in the eyes.

"That's what I wanted to say," she admitted. "I knew….this would be a hard discussion to have."

"I know," he said softly. "I'm still alone."

"Riggs, um…."

She looked down. Her palms were sweaty.

"Riggs, I know you're hurting, because I'm hurting when you are. But I don't want you to be without a family. You deserve one. That's why…..Riggs, I….."

She stopped.

She was nervous.

"What?" asked Riggs

Miranda took a deep breath.

She looked at Riggs in the eyes.

This was the moment.

"I'll be your family," she said.

Riggs tried to smile, but he could not. It was true that the five of them somewhat formed a family unit, but something about it seemed empty.

Not real.

"We won't really be family," he said sadly.

Miranda gave Riggs a sincere look.

It seemed as if Riggs was still not understanding what she was trying to say.

She realized she needed to spell it out.

She took another deep breath.

"We will if we get married," she said.

Riggs suddenly began to tremble.

Did she just say what I think she said? he thought.

"What did you just say?"

"We will be family….if we get married," Miranda repeated.

Riggs, despite how he felt about Miranda, found it too good to be true.

After three years of being just friends….she wants to get married. She can't be serious.

"Miranda," Riggs began nervously, "are you serious?"

"I'm very serious," Miranda said, still maintaining eye contact. "Ever since you befriended me on that ski slope, you've been nothing but wonderful to me. You befriended me after the others avoided me. You befriended me after you found out what I was in for. You twisted my arm and got me to star in that silly musical. And you even took me to the prom. You've done all these incredible things for me. Now, Riggs….please let me do this one thing for you."

Riggs was not sure what to think.

He did have feelings for her.

He did want to be with her.

But this was sudden.

There was one question he definitely needed to ask.

"Do you love me?" Riggs finally inquired.

"Riggs," Miranda began, "the short answer is yes."

"The short answer," Riggs echoed.

"Because the long answer is that I don't know whether that love is platonic or romantic," she continued. "I can't tell."

Riggs looked at her with empathy.

"I don't know what I'm supposed to feel," she continued. "But I feel safe and happy. I know that."

"Miranda," Riggs began, but he could not finish.

"I don't really even know the difference," Miranda admitted. "I didn't expect to live long enough to date. But I've taken a lesson from Tifa. In the end, does it really matter?"

I don't know, Riggs thought to himself. Maybe, or maybe not.

And then, another question presented itself.

"If we get married," Riggs began, "when will it be?"

"Tomorrow," Miranda informed him. "At noon. At the boardwalk gazebo."

"You arranged it already?" he asked in surprise.

Miranda nodded with a smile.

"I have a dress and everything," she said.

"Where did you get it all?

"I paid for it," she replied. "Along with the ceremony."

"And that was the purpose of this trip?" he asked.

"It was," Miranda admitted. "I wanted you to have a family again. You deserve it."

"But I feel terrible you bought all this for me," Riggs admitted.

"Would money do me any other good right now anyway?" she laughed.

She had a point.

"You didn't….you didn't have to…."

"Riggs," Miranda said, "I want this. I can't stand to see you alone."

She then took Riggs's hand in hers.

"You sorely wanted to see your family again," she began. "If you say yes to this, then, starting tomorrow, you can see your family every time you look at me."

Riggs was overwhelmed.

This sounds crazy.

But, hell, the whole world's crazy. We're friends with a couple from the future that had their ages reversed and are pretending to be a pair of cousins.

It seems crazy is a natural part of life.

And what would I have to lose anyway?

Why would I worry about what anyone else thinks?

I'm already in jail!

"All right," Riggs said. "The answer's yes. Let's get married tomorrow."

"Positive?" Miranda asked hopefully.

"Positive," Riggs answered. "Let's do this."

Miranda immediately placed both her hands on her heart.

Her eyes became wet.

And then, she threw her arms around Riggs and hugged him tightly.

"We're getting married!" she exclaimed. "We're getting married!"

Riggs hugged her back.

He was definitely not alone after all.

And then, suddenly, Miranda began dragging him by the arm.

"Come on!" she happily commanded. "Let's tell everyone the good news!"

THE STUFF THAT MIGHT HAVE GONE UNNOTICED….

With Milton admitting what he is in Bolton for, we now know almost everyone's offense.

Lynn: Arson

Matt (Cloud): Incest

Julie (Tifa): Incest

Riggs: Hacking

Amy: Paid Intern

Milton: Bomb Threats

Miranda: Unknown

At this point, only Miranda's offense remains unknown.