"I just don't know everyone managed to wrestle a happy ending out of this situation," Rikku said, flopping back on Gippal's bed. "And I was *there*."

Gippal grinned at her. "What, the power of love isn't convincing enough?"

Rikku snorted. "Oh, please. I can see Yunie using the power of love, but you?"

"Hey!" Gippal raised his hands in mock offense. "I can love people too, you know! A deep, abiding love, rising from the depths of my-"

"Cock?"

"Rikku, such language! What would your uncle say?"

Rikku grinned. "My uncle would wash my mouth out in soap while cussin' himself. Luckily, he's not here. Only you are, you assbandit."

Gippal blinked, then howled. "A-"

"You heard me! Because you're banditing asses!"

"I suppose you'd know."

Rikku paused, then pointed at him. "Ooooh. Good one."

Gippal raised his hands, pleased.

"So... you doing both of them?"

Gippal examined his fingernails. "On a good day. You?"

Boggling, Rikku shouted, "Yunie's my COUSIN! Freak!"

"That doesn't answer the question about Paine!"

"Freak! Assbandit!"

Gippal raised his hands and wiggled his fingers in a pre-tickle gesture. "Okay, that's IT."

"EEEK!"

Baralai walked in and stared at them wrestling on the bed he shared with Gippal. They froze and gave him identical grins. After a moment he asked in a quiet voice, maintaining his calm, "Gippal... perhaps there's something you were planning on telling us soon?"

They blinked in unison, then broke into howls of laughter.