Chapter 2: Jidoor or Bust!
                      --------------------------

   As scheduled, Baram met the informant the next day at the Marandan
pub.
   "Well? Do you have the 10,000 GP?" Began the mysterious man.
   "No, not yet...But I have to talk a few things over with
you...What's your name, to begin with?"
   "No, my name's not 'To begin with,' but thanks for asking anyway."
   Baram darted his hand across the table and firmly grabbed a fistful
of the man's shirt. He jerked him foward across the table so they were
eye-to-eye.
   "Don't get smart with me, wise ass."
   The man seemed more offended than anything else.
   "Alright, alright, cool it, huh? Can't ya take a joke?"
   "I'm not in the mood for jokes, and time is of the essence. Now,
what's your name?," inquired Baram, who still had a firm hold on the
man.
   "Borris," the man sputtered out with difficulty.
   "OK, Borris. How do I know I can trust you?"
   "Well, you don't, really..."
   Baram tightened his grip, and Borris gasped for air.
   "Alright, then...But I'm warning you," Baram pulled out a
razor-sharp pocketknife and held it at Borris's throat, "if I find out
that you're lying to me, if I find out that I'm doing this for
nothing," Baram grinned under his helm, "I can make the rest of your
life very, *very* miserable."
   Baram threw Borris across the table into his chair, and he fell
backwards into the wall behind him. He crawled up from the splinters
that remained of his chair onto his hands and knees and greedily sucked
in air.
   Baram nonchalantly exited the pub and walked to the Marandan General
Store and bought provisions for his upcoming trip to Jidoor. He then
walked to the outskirts of Maranda, put two fingers up to his lips, and
blew a shrill whistle. At the whistle, his chocobo came into view on
the horizon and reached Baram in a matter of seconds. He mounted the
the flightless bird and and rode to a small forest due west of Maranda,
where Gina rested in a small makeshift cabin.
           *                       *                       *
   The chocobo slowed from it's fast-paced run to an easy trot as the
cabin drew nearer. Baram jumped down from the chocobo's back and
proceeded to the cabin door. As he entered, he noticed Gina sleeping.
She hadn't done much besides sleep ever since she fell ill. Baram took
off his glove to reveal a scarred hand, and gently touched Gina's
forehead.
   <This is *not* good,> he thought to himself. Her fever was running
higher than usual.
   "Ba...Baram? Is that you?" She asked groggily.
   "Oh! Gina! Yes, it's me. Sorry to have awoken you..."
   "That's OK, Barry." she responded with a weak smile.
   Baram smiled back and noticed her eyes. Such beautiful, intelligent,
caring brown eyes. But...there was something different. They were
so...glassy...They seemed so distant, so detached...
   "Go to sleep, honey." Baram said with a tinge of concern on his
voice. Gina noticed that he seemed to be getting ready to go out
somewhere.
   "Barry? You're leaving?"
   "Yes Gina...I'm sorry to say I may not be back for a week or so...
Do you think you could take care of yourself until then?"
   Normally, Baram would not think of leaving Gina alone to fend for
herself with such a sickness. However, he had given her a Cure Ring
that he had stolen from an Apokryphos at the ruined remains of Kefka's
Tower. While it could not thwart her sickness, it remarkably slowed it
down and gave her much energy and vigor. Even so, he knew that his trip
to Jidoor had to be a quick one...
   "I'll be fine, but where are you going?" she asked weakly.
   "Out to find another potion, of course..."
   "Oh...well, come here for a sec, OK?"
   Baram, who had finished packing, walked over to Gina.
   "What's up?" he inquired.
   "Come closer. I have a present for you."
   Baram bent over so that he and Gina were face-to-face.
   "Take off your helm, silly!"
   Baram obeyed and removed his helm. Gina kissed him gently on the
cheek.
   "For good luck!" she said surprisingly energetically for her current
status.
   "Heheh...Thanks..." Baram blushed as he exited the cabin.
           *                       *                       *
   Baram could see Jidoor on the horizon. He was very pleased with
himself. He had cut a potential six day trip in half. He had precious
little sleep, and he wouldn't be surprised if his poor chocobo
collapsed from exhaustion, but all in all the sacrifices were worth it.
He didn't like the idea of leaving Gina alone at all, especially with
her condition and the Secondary Sight breathing down their necks...It
was bad enough that he rode to Maranda every day, but at least he was
never gone for more than a day at a time.
   Baram decided to stop where he was and rest. It was only about noon,
so when he would wake up, it would be night. At that time, he would
betray Gina's trust and steal the 10,000 GP. All of a sudden, a great
anxiety built up in Baram's chest, and it seemed as if he bore a great
burden on his back. All of a sudden, he just wanted to ride back to the
small cottage and live there with Gina forever. But he knew that this
was unrealistic. The current circumstances forced his hand. It was
either this or watch Gina waste away into nothing...
   <Damn it, Baram, get a hold of yourself!,> he thought over and over,
but it did no good. This would not make his goal easy...
   With these sour thoughts dancing through his mind, Baram fell into
an uneasy sleep...