Chapter 15

Rikku's P.O.V.

Oh for the love of candyfloss! What are they doing? Paine and Baralai are just sitting there in the sand- talking. I just publicly broadcasted one of their most intimate moments and they can't even see it!!!!!!!!! Sorry about the italics but I'm just so frustrated!

"Still trying to get Baralai with Paine?"

"Huh, Nooj?" I said, turning around.

"I can help you."

"Yeah?" He handed me a sphere. "What's this?"

"A compilation of spheres I edited together for just such an occasion," said Nooj, the faintest trace of a smile on his face. "Have them watch it alone- all of it. Lock them in a room together if you have to. For tonight- just have fun."

"Hmph! I have a bet with Painey, okay, Nooj? It can't wait!"

"You'll risk missing the rest of the party," Nooj warned her, amused.

Rikku took a deep breath, "it's worth it. Will you help me lock them in Painey's room? On the Celsius, I mean."

"How are you going to convince them to get on board?"

"I was kind of hoping you had an idea…"

-

Narrative P.O.V.

"You left the cake on the airship?" said Paine, raising an eyebrow suspiciously.

"Yes, I know, I'm a ditz!" Rikku exclaimed, exasperated. "We stored it in your room- could you and Baralai go get it?"

"Why can't you?!"

"Because I'm partaying!" Rikku whined and Paine sighed.

"Fine, whatever."

"Coolness- everything's unlocked!"

Paine rolled her eyes and she and Baralai left.

-

"What? Where's the cake?" asked Paine, entering her room, confused, "and what's this sphere?"

The door shut quickly and Paine heard the lock click.

"I think we're supposed to watch it," said Baralai, noting Rikku's insane laughter outside the room.

Paine held a hand to her head, "whatever. How bad could it be, right?"

"Exactly."

The two of them sat down on the end of Paine's bed and Paine switched the sphere on.

-

Nooj's Painalai Compilation

Scene 1: Macalania Lake

(The camera is on the ground near Paine, who is lying on her back near the lake with her eyes closed.)

Baralai: (strides into view) Paine-!

Paine: Whatever it is- blame Gippal.

Baralai: He- you- someone stole my chocobo plush!

Paine: Okay, that was me.

Baralai: Well where is it?!

Paine: Chucked it in the lake.

Baralai: What?!

Paine: Jokes! For Yevon's sake! Jokes!

Baralai: (sits down next to Paine) Then where is it?

Paine: Relax- I've been keeping it from Gippal. He died and went to heaven when he found it.

Baralai: I'm doomed.

Paine: Yup. Y'are.

Baralai: …

Paine: (hands over chocobo plush) If it helps, I think she's cute.

Baralai: It's a boy.

Paine: No it isn't. (Takes the chocobo plush back and tips it upside down) Look, you can see-

Baralai: (blushes and snatches chocobo plush protectively) Fine! Fine! You're embarrassing her, then!

Paine: (laughs)

Baralai: (in high-squeaky voice) Well I never thought I'd hear miss stone-eyes laugh. (Makes the chocobo plush peck Paine with its beak)

Paine: (rolls eyes) I'm sure both you and the bird have heard me laugh before, Baralai.

Baralai: Firstly, it's not a bird- it's a chocobo. And secondly, I haven't heard you laugh in forever- I'm worry about you sometimes.

Paine: (looks away) Well that's stupid, because I'm just fine.

Baralai: (makes the chocobo plush peck her on the cheek quickly, then drops it in her lap) Take care of her, Dr P. I want her back when you finish brooding. (walks away quickly)

Paine: I am not brooding!!!

End Scene 1

-

"Whatever happened to my plush…" wondered Baralai aloud and Paine blushed. "What?"

Pausing the sphere, Paine stood and retrieved the bedraggled chocobo from beneath her pillow.

"You kept it?" Baralai laughed.

Paine looked away, "you can have it back…"

Baralai hugged the chocobo, then pressed it into Paine's arms firly. Unconsciously, Paine clasped the chocobo to her chest and smiled, closing her eyes.

"Okay, where're Gippal and Rikku with a sphere when you need him!"

"Shut up," snapped Paine, shoving the chocobo back behind her pillow hastily. "If Rikku found out I'd never live it down."

"Why do you keep it with you anyway?"

It reminds me of you.

"For old times sake," said Paine, "now, just turn the sphere back on so we can watch it and get out of here."

-

Scene 2: Mi'hen Highroad

(Paine is holding the sphere, apparently in a large group of Crimson Squad wannabes marching down the highroad)

All: YOUNG CRUSADERS GATHER ROUND! WE'LL STOMP SIN INTO THE GROUND!

Paine: (to herself) I swear, if they make us sing this one more time…

Random in the crowd: And again! That's the spirit, folks!

Paine: For the love of crud…

Baralai: (out of the camera's view, but apparently walking beside her) Bored, Paine?

Paine: Definitely. But not as bored as those Yevon primates will be when they have to sit through the six hours of footage I've taped of the back of this guy's head so far.

Baralai: Revenge much?

Paine: Yup.

Gippal: That's our Paine- always grasping opportunities!

(The sphere camera wobbles a bit as Gippal slings his arm around Paine's shoulder.)

Paine: Hey! You break it you buy it! And I swear, this camera's worth more than the three of your lives put together.

Nooj: Is there any way I can pan for everyone?

Gippal: (jovially) Shut up, y'old goon! As if we'll let you leave us in this hell!

Baralai: No way!

Gippal: Paine and Baralai are so passionately in love that they can't quit bickering! It'll drive me insane if you're not here!

Paine: Fuck off, Gippal, you haven't got the slightest clue what you're talking about

Gippal: I know more about it than you two!

Baralai: You think you do.

Gippal: Back me up here, Nooj! Are they in denial or what?

Nooj: (monotonously) No comment.

Paine: That was obviously a 'no'.

Gippal: No way! He totally meant yes!

Paine: No!

Gippal: Yes!

Paine: No!

Gippal: Yes!

Paine: No!

Gippal: Yes!

Paine: No!

Gippal: Yes!

Nooj: What I believe I said, was 'no comment' and unless I am severely mistaken, that can't be accurately assumed a yes or a no.

Baralai: What would possibly give you guys the idea that me and Paine like each other? Gippal, you're more into girls than me anyway!

Gippal: Not necessarily. I'll bet that you like girls just as much as me- you're just too shy to ask them out unless you think you have a large chance of marrying them in the foreseeable future!

Baralai: Hey!

Paine: (irritably) Feeling like a piece of meat here, peoples!

Baralai: Sorry, Paine!

Paine: (to Gippal) Ahem? (waits for apology.)

Gippal: (nonchalantly) What?! No comment!"

End Scene 2

-

"Yevon, it's hard to believe that even back then they had us pegged together," sighed Paine, rolling her eyes.

"There's no actual evidence behind it, though," Baralai agreed determinedly, "you were just more familiar with me back then."

"True."

"And even now, we're just good friends. I mean, I can trust you with anything, right?"

"Right…"

"Are you okay, Paine? You look kinda distant."

'What if he does like me- like everyone's always trying to prove? Would it be a bad thing? Or… or not…? What if the reason I feel so right with Baralai is…? And he…? And I…? Oh, Fayth, this is so confusing! …But, really, what if Baralai is just shy like Gippal said. What if that's why I felt the way I did when we were dancing just now, and when we kissed…'

Paine reached for the chocobo plush again, hugging it and squeezing her eyes shut tight.

'No, no, no, no, no… After so many years of denying it… this can't be happening. It just can't.'

"Paine?!" Baralai seemed panicked now, knocking the sphere to the ground in his haste, he placed his hand on her shoulders and shook her gently. "What's wrong? Does something hurt?"

The sphere, landing on one of the complicated buttons on its side, began to play again. Baralai didn't seem to notice, but Paine's eyes opened a fraction at the tiny sound and travelled down to the sphere, lying by Baralai's feet.

-

Scene 3: Thunder Plains

(Paine is holding the camera, following Baralai, Nooj and Gippal as they reach the Travel Agency in the middle of the Thunder Plains.)

Nooj: It's late. Let's stop for the night- we won't get anywhere in this storm if it gets any darker.

Baralai: You're right- we'll see if Rin can give us a couple of rooms.

(The group enters the travel agency.)

Rin: Famlusa! How are you all this evening?!

Gippal: Tired as hell- have you got any available rooms?

Rin: Only two, I'm afraid, but there are enough beds so that's not a problem.

Nooj: Who wants to share a room with whom? I have no opinion.

Gippal: Baralai can share with Paine! (makes kissy faces.)

Baralai: (huffs) Fine! But only because I don't trust her with you!

Paine: (mutters to self) Why am I never a part of these kinds of decisions…

Nooj: (Sarcastically) Yay, me- I'm stuck with Mr. Hyper. There is no way I'll be able to sleep tonight.

Gippal: Yd maycd E tuh'd chuna, oy pek tisso!

(Paine and Rin chuckle softly.)

Baralai: What? What did he say?!

Paine: I'm not telling, and Mr Rin, if you do, I'll never forgive you.

Rin: Okay, but why?

Paine: We're trying to motivate Nooj and Baralai to find the rest of the Primers, since the mywo-pisc won't learn it themselves.

Rin: (laughs heartily) Enough said! Here are the keys to the rooms.

(Baralai takes a key and he and Paine go one way, while Nooj and Gippal go another. They enter the room and Paine turns off the sphere.)

(…)

(The sphere is knocked as Baralai reaches in the dark for the light switch and turns itself on. The room is suddenly filled with light and Baralai gets up. It is still dark outside. Paine whimpers and Baralai walks over to her bed.)

Baralai: (softly) Paine, are you awake?

(Paine continues with the soft, whimpering sounds but doesn't appear to have heard him. Her eyes are shut.)

Baralai: You must be having a nightmare…

(Baralai sits down on the edge of her bed and strokes her hair gently. Eventually Paine falls silent and a more peaceful look crosses over her face. Baralai leans over and pecks her lips gently, then stands and goes back to bed.)

(…)

(Morning: Paine rises and sees that the sphere is turned on.)

Paine: What the hell…?

(The sphere switches off.)

End Scene 2

-

Baralai, having noticed the sphere being on just in time to see himself kiss Paines sleeping face, forced himself to meet her eyes.

"I…" he began but Paine shook her head, silencing him.

A few moments passed in silence. Baralai backed off a little and stood with his back to her nervously, while Paine sat on the edge of her bed, her eyebrows furrowed slightly in concentration.

'For the love of crud, Paine… let's be logical about this. Think back to that forced kiss in Lulu's hut- did you like it? Did you want it? ……Maybe just a little? Maybe a bit more than that… maybe a lot. Okay, a lot! Not even maybe! You loved it… that feeling that being near him gives you… you want to feel that way every day for the rest of your life! Loved and in love… safe and cared for… Oh Fayth! You love him! You really do love him!'

"Baralai," said Paine slowly, "why did you do it? …Kiss me, I mean. That sphere..."

Baralai turned back to face her, "I'm sorry…"

"I didn't ask for an apology," said Paine, her voice hardening a little. "I asked for an explanation. Why did you do it?"

"Because you were asleep."

"Excuse me?"

"I didn't think anyone would ever see!" Baralai held a hand to his head and sighed a little. "I know you were hurt by what happened back in that first training exercise… ever since that demon sword… well, you know. Ever since then you've been… I don't know… changed- and maybe I could have told the old you… but I didn't want to hurt you any more than I already had…"

"I don't understand."

"I love you."

'Breathe, Paine. Breath. Breathing is good. Breathing will keep you from going blue in the face and dying. Good, Paine. Keep breathing.'

"E muja oui duu…" said Paine softly.

"Dare I ask what that means?" said Baralai, taking a step closer.

Drawing strength from his weakness, Paine laughed, "I just said 'are you demented? Sicko!'"

Baralai baulked, "I am so, so sorry-"

"Do you have a thing for apologising or something, Baralai? It was a joke," Paine told him, rolling her eyes.

"Then what did you say?" asked Baralai.

"Can't you guess?" asked Paine, standing up.

"Nope," said Baralai, grinning, "Me and Nooj can't speak Al Bhed, remember?"

"It's not that hard to figure out, Baralai."

"I know," he replied, "but I want to hear you say it."

Paine rolled her eyes and sighed as though it were some big inconvenience, even though it wasn't, "well, I love you too, Baralai."

Baralai took both of her hands in his and leaned closer slowly but Paine ducked away at the last moment.

"What?" said Baralai.

"I'm not allowed," said Paine, "I made a bet with Rikku."

"You're joking right?"

"Nope," said Paine, then she laughed, "I bet her that I would never kiss another guy as long as I live."

"Yeeeeeeeah," said Baralai, "see, I think there's going to be a problem with that."

"Like what?" asked Paine innocently.

"Uhm, me?" Baralai made to kiss her again, grinning, but Paine just jumped aside.

"I'm serious!" she exclaimed, then she relented. "Okay, so I'm half serious! The bet closes in less than an hour."

"The party must be almost over now, mustn't it," said Baralai thoughtfully, settling for clasping Paine's hand.

"You've never been to a Rikku-orientated party before, have you," said Paine, chuckling lightly. "It won't be over for hours yet."

"Break the door down and dance with me again?" said Baralai loudly.

The door opened quickly and Rikku stumbled in, "don't break anything!" she cried, then blushed at being caught eavesdropping. "I was… uhm… just passing by."

Paine picked the sphere off the ground and lobbed it at her head- the two of them using Rikku's momentary lapse of concentration to get out the door and lock her in.

"Heeeeeeeeeeeeey! LET ME OUT! THERE'S A PARTY OUT THERE!"

"On one condition," said Paine, leaning against the door casually.

"Anything!"

"Close the bet early- as in, now," said Paine and Baralai chuckled.

"Ohmiyevon! Yes! Of course! You win! Just let me out of here!"

Paine opened the door obediently and Rikku tumbled out, squeezing her friends to death with a high-pitched squeal.

"I'm so happy for you two!" she gasped. "I mean, come on, finally! Can I tell everyone?! Can I?! Can I?! Please?!"

Paine rolled her eyes but gave a short nod, "whatever."

"Thankyouthankyouthankyou!!!" Rikku squeaked and she ran off.

"You owe me 200 gil!" Paine yelled after her but neither she nor Baralai made to follow. "Uhm…" she said, but she was cut almost immediately by Baralai's lips on hers.

Stumbling back half a step in shock, Paine fell against the door and gasped as it opened automatically and she was forced to struggle to regain her balance, flinging a hand out against the wall behind her to break her fall.

"Oww," she mumbled, a little put out, as she rested, her back against the wall.

Baralai grinned and advanced on her, putting his hands on the wall on either side of her head, effectively trapping her. Paine met his gaze squarely and he chuckled, "you must really not wanna kiss me," he said. "You keep running away."

Paine huffed softly and rolled her eyes.

Hands falling to her shoulders, then running down her side to rest at her waist, Baralai pecked her lips quickly before pulling away and turning his back to her, still grinning.

"Hang on a minute," said Paine, hands on hips, "that's not fair. Now that I'm giving you permission to kiss me you might as well… especially as I take permission away ten thousand times faster than I give it." She walked over to stand in front of him and put her arms around his neck firmly.

Baralai touched the side of her face gently and she leant into his hand, closing her eyes, "I really do love you," he said.

Paine smiled, "you had better," she said cheekily and she kissed him.

-

Dear Faithful Readers,

I was going to write more but I decided against it. So here ya go.

The End.

Fin.

Whatever.

They all live happily ever after.

Xx-Bex-xX