Disclaimers: I do not own Slayers as those who have read my other stories already know.

Zelgadis's present.

Amelia was walking through the forest when she felt a sword tip touch her back. She froze with an "eep!"

"Are you Amelia Serrune?" asked a raged voice from behind her.

"Yes." She answered, for justice warriors don't lie.

"Then die!" she felt the sword poke her hard. She fell with a yell.

Zel stood behind her and watched her fall. She really believed that he was an enemy and this little plastic sword had killed her.

'More stupid than I thought.' Zel thought to himself.

"Relax Amelia, you're okay." He said aloud in his normal voice. She stood up and faced him with sparkle eyes.

"Oh Mister Zelgadis you scarred the evil man away!"

"You mean this man?" Zel said, making his voice sound like it did when he poked her. Lina snickered as Gourry starred at the sword. Xellos popped up beside Zel and started laughing his head off.

"Mister Zelgadis! That was not justified!" Amelia yelled.

"So?" he replied.

"You wouldn't really want to kill me right?" she asked with hopeful puppy eyes.

"No." Zel answered while drawing his real blade.

"I knew you were justified!"

"I wouldn't want to bloody my blade on you. It would stain it." He looked at it lovingly then sheathed it.

"Or the pure justice in it would act as acid and eat right through your sword." Xellos said.

"Exactly, if not for that I probably would. Well, that and I don't want to be chased around till I die by your father."

"Yeah, he'd unleash his 'justified wrath' upon you." Lina said.

"Can I see the sword?" Gourry asked.

"No I get to see it!" Lina said as she grabbed it. She managed to grab it where the only two spikes were located on it.

"Ow!" she yelled as she let go of it.

"Yeah, you may not want to grab it by the spikes." Zel said, giving the sword to Gourry.

"Thanks Zel!" Gourry said then he ran off.

"Get back here with my sword!" Lina yelled as she ran off after him.

"Miss Lina you're hurt! We have to tend the wound!" Amelia took off after her, leaving Zel and Xellos in the dust.

"Great show Zel." Xellos said.

"Thanks." He replied. The two of them walked down the path the others ran down. Xellos took Zelgadis' hand in his own. This time though, Zel made no attempt to stop him. He simply grasped it back.

"What's this?" Xellos asked.

"None of the others are around. So it's okay."

"Ah, a secret. I'll keep it well." Xellos winked at him. Zel blushed and murmured a thank you.

Merry Christmas Lindsey! Hope you like!