Disclaimer: I don't own Slayers and I don't wish to make any profit from this story

Author's Notes: I've been writing some Slyaers drabbles for the LJ 31days community and I figured it would be easier to put them all in one place here.

"Tossing and Turning"

"Twenty-five times."

Lina halted from taking a large bite of her sausage as she stared at Gourry across the table. The man was peeved, but Lina had no idea why. Since she had woken, Gourry had been silent, except for the occasional grunt, and his mouth was set in a firm line. Lina didn't think much about the swordsman's unusual behavior until they went down to the restaurant and ordered breakfast. Gourry barely spoke as he gave the waitress his order and he ended it with an irked growl which seemed to be in Lina's direction, but she was certain it was just her imagination. When the food arrived, Gourry merely poked at his fried eggs and bacon with his fork, still giving her the same frown. Lina had deduced that her partner must not be feeling well, that was the only rational explanation. At least, that's what Lina had thought until Gourry's sudden statement.

"Come again?"

Gourry placed down his fork and sat straight up with his eyes narrowed. "Twenty-five times," he repeated. "This is exactly how many times I have woken up on the floor since we got married last month."

"Uh...Gourry?" Lina asked, tilting her head.

"Do you have any idea how cold the floor is in the morning?" he continued, ignoring Lina's confusion. "It's freezing! Not to mention how sore my back is getting..."

"What are you talking about?!" Lina yelled back, hoping to bring some order to the situation.

Gourry ceased his ranting, leaned forward and said in a serious tone, "You toss and turn too much."

Lina blinked, then she folded her arms glaringly back just as fiercely. "I do not."

"Yes you do!" Gourry slammed his hand on the table. "I thought Amelia was exaggerating a bit when you two had to share a room, but apparently that's nothing compared to sleeping in the same bed with you." He leaned back in his chair. "You keep moving from one side to the other and you keep kicking me out of the bed."

"Oh really," Lina scoffed, raising an eyebrow. "If you keep falling onto the floor, why hasn't that woken me up?"

"That's what I keep wondering," Gourry sharply replied. "And don't you dare ask for proof. I've got plenty." He held up is arm. "Do you have any idea how many bruises I've gotten from you?"

Lina stared, stunned. "Wait, those were from me? I thought those were from when we fought bandits and you were just being careless."

"I'm not," Gourry growled.

Lina sighed. "Okay, okay, relax." Lina wasn't totally surprised. Her sister had always told her that she tossed and turned too much in her sleep, although, she never thought she slept this violently. "So, Jelly-fish brain, what do you suggest we do about it?"

Gourry slightly smiled, relieved that the issue that had been plaguing him for a month was finally going to be remedied. "Well, we could just tie you down, that's what Amelia..."

"Do that and you're dead," Lina said, stabbing her sausage with her knife

"Hmm...sleep in separate beds..."

"Gourry, what's the point in being married if we're sleeping in separate beds?"

The swordsman thought hard. He refused to go through another night of having his sides and stomach kicked by Lina's uncontrollable feet and legs. "Well, to make people stop cursing don't they have to give away money or something."

"You mean a cursing jar," Lina added, nodding. "The idea is when a person curse, they have to put some money into a jar. It doesn't always work, but if the person is really cheap they won't want to give their money away and, therefore, will eventually stop cursing."

"Well, let's try that. We can have a tossing and turning jar."

"We don't have a jar, Gourry, and even if we did, I doubt it would work. It's not like I can control how I sleep."

"Normally, yes, however, this is you we're talking about. When it comes to money and food, you'll unconsciously do anything to get your hands on them. Remember when I tried to borrow money when you were asleep and you slapped me, without waking up."

"...You may have a point."

Gourry thought for another moment. "Okay, then how about this. Each time, I find myself sleeping on the floor, you have to pay for all of our meals for the day, but each time I'm not on the floor, I pay for all the meals."

Lina stroked her chin. "All the meals? Including dessert?"

Gourry grinned, pleased that Lina was intrigued. "Including dessert."

"Deal!"

The next morning, Gourry found himself waking up on the bed and not the very uncomfortable floor. He was pleased. Even if he ended up paying for Lina's meals for the rest of his life, it was worth it for a good night sleep.