Chapter One

A Few Desperate Deals…

Xelloss phased in with a grin on his face, just in time to see the young Lord run screaming down the hallway, candles flaring up like torches following him. A beautiful yet dark laugh echoed throughout the manor and Xelloss phased bemused into a kneeling position beside the Lord as he hid behind a desk.

"Oh my!" He stated cheerfully as objects smashed into walls the laughter continuing. "It certainly seems like you're in some serious trouble here!"

The young lord screamed at the shock of him and yelped terrified. "Ahh! A m…m…monster!!!"

"Yes!" Xelloss replied with a grin raising his finger cheerfully. "And a rather powerful, too!"

The young lord blinked, fear making it hard to speak.

"p…p…Powerful?" He stuttered.

"Quite!" Xelloss agreed, nodding helpfully. "And if I may say so! It sure seems you could use a powerful monster to help you out right now!"

The young lords fearful green eyes lightened, hope shining in them. "You mean! You'd help me?!"

"Why yes!" Xelloss replied, his eyes cracking as his voice lowered meaningfully. "It's why I'm here after all…"

Xelloss closed his eyes quickly, rubbing his head with a nervous grin. "Of course… if I help you… then later… why you'll owe me of course!"

The young lord arched a brow suspiciously. "Owe you?"

"Of course…" Xelloss continued, rising to feet as if to leave. "…I could just leave and let you handle this… yourself!"

"No!" He practically screamed, grabbing onto Xelloss' cape. "Please! I'll do anything!"

"Hm." Xelloss replied, looking down on the pathetic, sobbing lord.

"Oh excellent!" He said grandly seeping out of the young lords hold. "I'm glad you agree! Well I'll just be off to get some suitable help then!"

"What!" He exclaimed in terror, the woman's laugher seeming to grow in his ears. "You mean you aren't going to stay and deal with this yourself?!!"

"No!" Xelloss voice echoed from after he already phased on. "But I'm sure you'll do fine!"

The young Lord suddenly found himself alone in the room and ran a nervous hand through his smooth black hair as the laugher grew even louder.

O O O

Meanwhile in the white magic capital of the world, Saillune… the Saillune princess early awaited the arrival of her long awaited guests. It was, afterall only right that her dear friends be here for this happy day.

"Amelia?!" Prince Phil asked opening the door to the study.

"Daddy!" She cried, hopping off the window sill and running into his arms.

"Daughter!" Phil replied wrapping her in a bear hug. "They've finally arrived, Mr. Zelgadiss as well!"

"Oh daddy!" Amelia cried, tears in her eyes as she clasped her hands happily. "Everything's going to be just perfect isn't it?!"

"Oh! My little girl's finally going to be all grown up!" Phil cried, tears also forming in his eyes as he gripped her shoulders.

Amelia's lower lip trembled. "Daddy!"

Phil's did as well. "Amelia!"

Two severally sever bear hugs later they headed down to the royal reception hall were Lina, Gourry, and Zelgadiss were waiting; eagerly catching up with all that had been happening in their travels. Zelgadiss' ears twitched and he turned to see them enter, his gaze softening. "Hello Amelia, you look well."

"Huh?" Lina asked, following his gaze and smiling. "Amelia good to see you!"

"Yeah!" Gourry chimed in happily. "It feels like forever!"

"Miss Lina! Mr. Zelgadiss! Mr. Gourry!" Amelia cried, running up and embracing all of them in a bear hug. "I'm so glad you all could make it!"

"Wow Amelia!" Gourry remarked as they separated. "You're almost taller than Lina now!"

"Hey!" Lina yelled, punching him hard in the arm. "Watch the short cracks."

She seems to have calmed down so much… Amelia thought with a smile as Lina proceeded to grab Gourry in a head lock to further emphasize her point. …I can't believe it's been two years since we all last saw each other…

Zelgadiss shook his head with a smile, thinking to himself a version of the same. He smiled at the cheerful princess, she was taller, and filled out her gown nicely. "How have you been, Amelia?"

"At first there was fear of the outer world invading but daddy and myself worked hard to keep that from happening. " She replied with a smile at her father.

"Yes!" Phil chimed in patting her on the back. "Amelia's experience with all of you really helped to aid in that! I was so grateful I decided not even to make you pay for the royal port!"

"Oh!" Lina replied, nervously releasing Gourry to rub the back of her head. "Well, gee! Thanks Phil! Heh…"

"Not at all Miss Lina!" Phil continued. "I'm just glad you all could make it here for my dear Amelia's birthday!"

"Yes." Zelgadiss agreed, smiling at Amelia. "You're going to be 18, right Amelia?"

"That's right!" Amelia agreed. "Which means it's time for the Coronation Ball!"

"What?!!" Zelgadiss and Lina both exclaimed and Gourry chuckled.

"Wow Amelia!" He stated cheerfully. "You really are growing up!"

Amelia laughed and blushed slightly. "You see, for the ball I need an usher and well I was sort of hoping that one of you would…"

"Oh I see!" Lina stated, winking with a big grin. "Amelia! You sly dog you!"

"Wait!" Amelia defended waving her hands in front of her with a sweatdrop. "It's not like that!"

"Oh my!" Xelloss stated cheerfully, phasing in as Lina was backing Amelia up against the wall. "Well how fortunate to find all of you here at the same time!"

"Xelloss!" They all exclaimed turning to him.

"Hello!" He replied with a wave.

"Xelloss?" Lina asked suspiciously. "What are you doing here?"

"Actually!" Xelloss replied, rubbing his head nervously. "It seems I need your help! Terribly unfortunate timing I'm afraid!"

"No!" Zelgadiss replied, glaring at Xelloss as he joined Amelia's side. "We're not here to get wrapped up in another one of your crazy schemes. We're here for Amelia, and only for that!"

"Mr. Zelgadiss!" Amelia blushed in shock.

"That's right, Xelloss." Lina agreed with a shrug. "I'm sorry but these days we only come by appointment!"

"Oh?!" Xelloss asked, cracking eye. "What if I was willing to pay you all the money Miss Filia was supposed to pay you… times two?!"

"D… double… the money… Filia…" Lina replied, looking ill.

Unh… no but Amelia... but all that money…Lina whimpered… what too do…

Xelloss grinned twisting the knife further. "What do you say Miss Amelia?!"

"What?!" Amelia and Lina cried at the same time.

"Me?!" Amelia asked in shock.

"Why yes!" Xelloss agreed, waving a finger. "You see I promised a young Lord I'd help him with his ghost problem! Unfortunately! I have no powers in exorcism!"

"That poor Lord…" Amelia whimpered.

"Yes!" Xelloss agreed. "The ghosts seemed quite vicious!"

"Oh Miss Lina!" Amelia whimpered turning to her still dumbstruck friend. "We should really help him…"

"But Amelia." Zelgadiss cut in, annoyed at Xelloss for crashing without an invite. "You're birthday is six days, and you have so much to prepare for."

"But Mr. Zelgadiss, this poor Lord needs our help." Amelia pleaded.

"Oh!" Lina growled finally putting herself back together. "It's your birthday Amelia! If you want to save some noble fine! But I want a cut of it!"

"What?!" Amelia gasped in shock. "But you don't have any powers dealing with exorcism either!"

"That may be!" Lina agreed, a smile playing at her lips. "But consider it a down payment for me having to wear a dress!"

Amelia's eyes lit up and she grinned. "Okay! We'll do it Mr. Xelloss!"

Zelgadiss shook his head in regret. "Well I can't just leave them with you, they might need protection and I doubt you'll offer it!"

"Yeah!" Gourry chimed in. "Besides, that's what I do best, sword or no sword!"

"Quite right!" Xelloss agreed, cheerfully pleased this was going so well. Beastmaster would pleased as well. "Well there is still one more thing I need to take care so I'll be off now! See you in the morning!"

O O O

The world seemed to grow small, just her and him, his staff pushed against her throat which pushed her into him both securely and unsettlingly. She swallowed the words flying meaninglessly by.

He was so powerful and she had goaded him so many times but he wouldn't really kill he would he?

…Believe me… there's nothing I'd enjoy more…

Filia gasped with a start and sat up in her bead, sweat drenching her forehead. So many times the same dream. It seemed she was terrified of him just showing up and finishing her off.

Filia moaned softly preparing to lay back down when she realized she wasn't alone…

Immediately, fear, anger, and anticipation gripped her.

"Xelloss?" She whispered questioningly into the darkness.

"Hello again Miss Filia." His smug voice replied as he phased into view, leading with his amethyst shards, his hair and body soon following. "So nice to see you again."

Filia's breath hitched and she held her blanket closer. "W… what are you doing here?"

Xelloss ignored the question, keeping her terrified gaze with his cool one. "You seem to be sleeping poorly. Bad dreams…"

The question came out more as a statement and Filia kept silent, hoping he'd remain peaceful. Unconsciously she cast a glance at the egg in the fireplace, the enchanted embers keeping it warm.

Xelloss gave a small smile opting to sit on her bed beside her. Her attitude to him both pleasing and mildly annoying but he paid it only a though, it was afterall the way he preferred to be viewed. "No. You needn't worry about that. Lord Beastmaster has no interest in such items."

Filia twitched at the thought of a dragon being called an item and Xelloss grinned pleased and eager to goad her more. "I'm here for you of course!"

Whatever reaction he was expecting it was not for her to go pale and faint. Xelloss pursed his lips glaring down at the unconscious dragon and shook his settling in, placing his staff behind his head.

Well, on a plus side, he did say he'd return in the morning!

Well there you have it! First 10 reviewers get a cookie!