"I'm all out of women."

Curiosity piqued, Rikku did an abrupt about-face, wheeling around to peek through the doorway from which the forlorn statement had issued.

"You," Tidus scoffed, "are never out of women."

While more or less true, Rikku was forced to admit that Gippal's steady flow of dates had slowed to less than a trickle as of late.

"I am," Gippal sighed melodramatically. "There is not a single female within a twenty-mile radius that'll have anything to do with me!"

"Ah, your reputation precedes you." Tidus chuckled as Gippal spluttered indignantly. "Really, now. There are plenty of good-looking girls around."

"Yeah? Name one."

"Well, there's Rikku," Tidus suggested.

Rikku's irritation rose as Gippal snorted derisively.

"Rikku's not a girl," he said.

"I beg your pardon?" She stepped through the doorway, folding her arms crossly, pinning him with a glare.

"What I meant was," he continued, seemingly unabashed at being overheard talking about her, "real girls have breasts and stuff. You know. Girly things."

Rikku took a quick inventory of her own assets. However small they might be, he couldn't really claim she didn't have breasts. "Last I checked, I had breasts, dorkwad. I also have a brain, which is more than I can say for you."

"But you're not like a real girl," he said. "I mean, real girls go on dates and stuff. And make out with their boyfriends. And wear lingerie."

"So I'm not a girl because I'm not sticking my tongue down someone's throat every other day?" She looked and felt utterly bemused. "And…and I do have sexy underwear!" Not that it was any of his business.

"Please. You wouldn't know sexy if it bit you on the ass." His lips twitched as he struggled valiantly to suppress laughter. "I bet you don't even know how to kiss."

Infuriated by his disparaging comments, she plunked herself down in his lap and proved him wrong, right there in front of Tidus.

Tidus cleared his throat a few times, before finally giving up and suggesting in a choked voice that Gippal might find it prudent not to stick his hand up Rikku's blouse in full view of everyone who might wander by.

Embarrassed, they both broke apart. Rikku's face plainly showed her surprise and shock.

"Well." Gippal smoothed the little frown that creased her brow. "I guess that decides it. You're hired." He lifted her off his lap, reached for a wrench lying askew on the table, and curled her fingers around it.

"I'm hired?" She repeated uncomprehendingly. "I already work for you."

"All right, then, you're promoted. Go fix something."

"Promoted to what?" She had no idea what he was talking about.

"My girlfriend. You passed your interview." He ran his tongue over his swollen lower lip, tasting her there. "With flying colors, I might add."

"What?"

"Now, now. There's projects to finish in the workshop. Head in around four and shower up. I'll take you to dinner in Kilika." He waved her towards the door.

"I have no idea what just happened," she mumbled to herself as she left the room. Gippal and Tidus listened until her confused mumbles faded away. Gippal held out his hand.

"Pay up," he instructed.

Sighing, Tidus extracted his wallet from his pocket, counting out the appropriate amount of gil.

"Let this be a lesson to you," Gippal said. "Never go in against an Al Bhed. We only bet on sure things."

"What can I say? I thought I knew Rikku. I never thought she'd go for you," Tidus grumbled.

"Are you kidding? She's been crazy about me half of her life." Gippal grinned, tucking the wad of bills into his pocket. "But, you know, thanks for that. It never would've worked if not for you. And this," he patted the lump of cash in his pocket, "should be just enough to take out my new girlfriend tonight."