Sorry about having to do that to poor Lord Eric, and I had to make Xel leave but don't worry, he'll be back, eventually. And now this ones for the Melzel fans!

Special Thanks to:

Story Weaver: Hee I like to think so! (nn) Nice to have you as a fulltime fan!

Mistress Dragon Flame: Yeah... it was gross to write... now worries about the late review sorry it took me so long to finsih that up, work, fun, and sleep are crazy right now... (n -)

SithKnight-Galen: Who needs luck when you have Lina Inverse master of deduction?! Just kidding! (n-) On behalf of the gang I thank you!

Icecrystal48: ... hmm... you are a strage person, and I'm honered to have you as a fan! (nn) Xelloss would love you, and don't worry, he'll be back... just in time to look dashing! (nn)

Ryu-Zero-Rei: Hee, nicely done, I did set it up a bit but was careful enough not to be obvious! There is one more giant pot twist on the horizion, so keeps you eyes open! (n-)

And now for chapter 11, the calm before the storm...

Enjoy!

Chapter Eleven

Party Preparations…

"Since she ate the food too, Amelia can't exorcise us." Lina stated matter-of-factly. "And so that just leaves you Filia."

Filia nodded softly before Amelia could protest. "Wait here, the fastest way to deal with this is to draw on the power of his body, since his soul…"

Lina grimaced. "Just do it."

Filia headed back down the stair chanting as she went. Moments later a brilliant light shot up the stairs, and the three grabbed their stomachs in pain.

"Amelia!" Zelgadiss cried, distraught as he comforted her.

"I'm okay!" She replied weakly. "I'll be… fine, Mr. Zelgadiss."

"Hey what happened to just, Zelgadiss?" He asked, a soft smile on his face and Amelia smiled softly.

"Sorry… Zelgadiss…"

"Lina!" Gourry grunted at the pained look on her face, not even noticing his own.

"Unh, Gourry." They latched hands and then just as quickly as the pain began… they… burped?

"Huh?" Lina asked confused as a cloud of purple-sparkled-smoke, exited Amelia's mouth, and she quickly covered it.

"Ooops!" She piped up with a blush. "Excuse me."

Lina blinked at her and then let out a purple belch of her own, going scarlet, causing Amelia to giggle and Gourry to stare, before they each let out a burp of their own.

After much burping later the smoke began to take on a form, the form of their host.

"Thank you." Lord Eric said with a smile. "The one thing Selene wasn't considering was that not all of you require food, and as I wasn't killed in her usual way, I am free now."

Lina gave a slight shrug; opting not to apologize for… well it was just to horrible to think about honestly…so instead she smiled. "Don't mention it."

"Ever, please." Amelia agreed, growing slightly green and Lord Eric nodded, fading away.

Filia exited the stairs just in time to see this and smiled, content.

Lina grinned, turning back to the group pleased. "Okay! Now that that's out of the way there is only one thing left to do!"

Amelia hung her head. "I'm sorry about this Miss Lina, if I had been more observant, than this wouldn't have happened. I'm the one supposed to be performing the exorcisms here."

"Well since Xelloss, left." Lina stated with a shrug. "We might as well be doing this for free anyway, and in my book that means one thing!"

She grinned and winked at them. "Do it as quickly as possible."

The others shook their heads and Lina laughed, pleased to be back in charge.

"Okay! First things first!" Lina began. "We have to get out of here, before Selene thinks of a new way to bind us before the ball tonight."

She grinned. "I'd say a restaurant of some kind!"

"Food!" Gourry beamed, jumping up excitedly.

Filia smiled, despite herself and the situation. "Okay, let's do it."

O O O

Amelia sighed, staring out at the twilight, the sounds of Lina and Gourry fighting over the remains of their dinner reaching her up here on the balcony from the dinning hall below.

This small bed and breakfast had been perfect for a spot to eat, regroup and prepare.

The moon was rising higher into the night sky as the hours ticked closer to midnight.

Even as the clinking died down Amelia stood there thinking about the new life she had in store for her once she returned home.

Zelgadiss watched the princess' silhouette from her doorway, the moon bathing her in angelic glow.

His breath caught in throat and instead of quietly turning away as he had always done before, something about how… regal she looked pressed him to approach.

Amelia turned her head as joined her on the balcony, her face lighting up in a smile that squeezed his heart as he gave a weak smile in reply. When did she become so beautiful?

Amelia noticed the softness in his eyes and smiled softly. "Have you come to pass the night with me, Zelgadiss?"

Hearing his name, so soft, so familiar, coming from her lips took his voice away and all he could do was nod just as weakly.

She smiled a radiant smile and slipped a soft hand into his, and turned back to the beauty before them.

Zelgadiss swallowed, attempting to find an excuse, a way to break away from this, to pull back… but oddly there was none, perhaps there never had been.

So he came to stand beside her and Amelia smiled, resting her head on his shoulder.

And the night moved on, only a bit slower now…

O O O

Filia sighed relaxing now that the teleportation had been complete.

Amelia swallowed hard, cast a glance at Zelgadiss who nodded back encouragingly, lifting her spirits.

Lina never tore her eyes from those twin oak doors, hearing the melody on the other side, it grinding on her nerves.

Gourry stood behind her resolute, and Lina gave one short nod.

"Let's do this…"

It's that time... time for the final battle! See you all then!