AN: There will be glurge. There will be a little bit of Zel/Amelia glurge and a lot of Lina/Gourry glurge. Sorry to the people who like plot and not glurge. You have been warned. And sorry I've not put as much Zel/Amelia stuff in here as I originally thought I would. And ugh, this chapter took awhile, especially considering how short it is. I was traveling last weekend, and weekends are when I do the bulk of my writing.
The parlor was bathed in the radiant glow of Lina's light spell as she explained to her parents and Zelgadis about the Eternal Queen's plan to avoid a war with the Elmekian Empire. Occasionally Gourry, Amelia or Luna would interrupt to add a point, and Lina would wipe her sweaty forehead as she wished that the parlor got more of a draft. She was sitting right by the open window and was still burning up!
"Damn," Han swore after Lina finished talking, "I see the need for expediency, but, I mean, I haven't even done my first field camp with them. That's not for a few more weeks! I wanted them to have a bit more practical experience under their belt before we turned them loose in the world."
Lina nodded as she privately wished that she hadn't have gotten pregnant. Then she could trail her students and help ease them into the transition. "We're not happy about it either. But what could I say? The Eternal Queen had made up her mind."
"The nobles are starting to get restless." Luna explained, "Sure, they sit on their asses all day and get rich off the labor of the peasants tilling in their fields, but they see a commoner get all of this land and money and they want to know how it benefits them. This is a strategic move from multiple angles, and it shows how much confidence she has in this project and your students. Not to mention you as their teacher."
"I'm happy that the Eternal Queen has confidence in us and our students, but that's not the issue." Lina said, "I don't like the idea of sending children who aren't fully trained into battle with powerful magical beings."
"Owen and Nerys are both older than you were…"
"I chose to leave!" Lina shot back. "You may have planted the idea, but I still made the decision. You didn't make me."
"I'm sure Owen and Nerys would like a chance at some prestige." Luna replied, "And we wouldn't want anyone to think that you wouldn't want to share the baton."
Lina reddened as she straightened, "What the hell are you implying by that!?"
"Oh, knock it off before you two destroy another house!" Leia said.
"She…" Lina started, and then she gulped when she saw the look that her mother shot at her, and settled for folding her arms under her breasts petulantly.
"Luna, look," Leia said once her daughters were quiet, "They have some valid concerns about sending these children off. I know Lina was young when we let her leave, and I know we let you two travel together at an even younger age, but we'd taken you both on so many travels with us we knew you could handle your own. And Luna, you remember, though now that I think of it, Lina, look, I don't want you to get mad, but Luna, you remember that your father did covertly check in on Lina at times. Who is going to be watching over these kids?"
"What!?" Lina yelled.
"Do you really think it was a coincidence that the three of us were in the same general area when you met Gourry?" Han asked.
Lina blushed a little, "Um, you don't know much about my adventures with Naga, do you?"
"No comment."
Lina groaned as she started fanning herself and her mother said, "Anyway, I'm thinking, perhaps we could have people check in on them?"
"Who could we send to check on them, though?" Gourry asked. "Most of us are needed here to keep the school running."
Lina thought for a moment. "There were the Ceiphied Knights that Sis sent to the border during our honeymoon. Sis?"
"I'll send them orders." Luna said, "Watch. Assist. Let the kids have the glory."
"That's a start, we need more though. Hey Gourry, you were trained by the Gungeniel Knights. Could some of them help?"
Lina was never sure how he would react to a door opening on his past. That his face remained impassive gave her few clues as to how he felt about it. After a moment's thought he said, "I have some people I could try to contact."
"There could even be benefits to working with people within Elmekia. It would build trust between your countries." Amelia said.
"Somehow I don't see how changing a few minds will cause the change we need to see." Zelgadis countered.
"Always a storm cloud." Amelia said as she held his hand.
"What, are you his silver lining?" Lina asked.
Zel smiled affectionately as he wrapped his wife in a sideways embrace and planted a kiss on the crown of her head, "You could say that."
Amelia smiled sappily at him as Lina shook her head while Gourry leaned over and started tracing his hand along her back. "Well, I feel a bit better about this. I mean we could put guides on their path, help them a bit." He said.
"Right." Lina said as she put her hands on her knees, "I guess now we have to break it to Owen and Nerys."
"When are you going to do that?" Leia asked.
"In the morning." Lina said, "I'm going to compile a dossier tonight with all of the information that they need."
Lina was glad to see that Alona was still there and in her room turning down the bedsheets when she came in with Gourry. "If you could draw me a bath, but not too hot?" Lina asked.
"Yes, milady." Alona said as she went off to the bathroom, and Lina sighed as she sank onto the couch and took off her shoes.
"You've been pretty hot." Gourry commented.
"So is Amelia." Lina said as she rubbed her belly with a smile, "Comes with the territory."
"You're feeling okay otherwise, though?"
"I'm fine!" Lina said as he sat beside her, "Sylphiel knew what she was doing. Not so much as a twinge of a cramp."
"Good," he said as he leaned forward to kiss her.
She pulled away and pressed her forehead to his. "What about you?"
"I'm not the one who is pregnant." He said.
"Idiot. Come on. I know you and your mother weren't close, but that has to hurt. And when you, the most noble man I know, are held responsible for her death…"
He put his hand over hers, "I'm good. You just focus on caring for you and Dimmy."
"It's not as if I have to concentrate to get him to grow or anything! And I'm not some weakling you have to shelter!" Lina snapped.
His face twitched, "Do I really seem like I'm struggling?"
"No, and that's what worries me! It's not normal." Lina said.
He ran a hand through his hair, "Look, I'm not going to say that it hasn't been hard. But I've been talking to your dad and he's been helping me through it. He's a man, he gets what It's like. I mean there are things you just talk about with your mom or Amelia."
"I guess I can understand that." Lina said. "And I'm glad that you and Dad are getting along so well."
He smiled a bit as he put his hand on her stomach, "Can we listen to the heart beat?"
"Sure." Lina said as she cupped her hands and chanted the spell. Syphiel had somehow been able to figure out the position the baby was in and was able to put her hands on the best spot to hear it the first time, but Lina always felt as though she playing a game of hide and seek with the baby when she tried to do it. After a few moments of searching she finally found it, and the room filled with the sound of a rapid fluttering.
"It's incredible to hear it." He said with a smile.
Lina nodded, "And reassuring."
"Have you felt him move yet?" he asked.
Lina shrugged, "I'm not sure. I keep feeling something, a bit of a flutter, but I'm not sure if it's movement or an active stomach? It still seems a bit early."
"You can't tell the difference an active stomach and a baby?" Gourry asked.
"It's not as easy as you think!" Lina said, "It's not like I've ever grown a baby before! How am I supposed to know what's what?"
"Because you're the smart one who tends to know what is what."
She smiled as she squared her shoulders, "Damn right!"
They pulled each other in for a kiss. The sound of the heart beat vanished as Lina moved her hands to wrap her arms around him. When Alona walked in, Lina didn't even bother to spring apart from him on the couch. By now she was starting to get used to being interrupted by the maid. She merely pulled away and calmly sat beside Gourry as Alona said, "Your bath is ready, milady."
"Thanks," Lina said, "Take it easy tonight."
"Yes, milady. Goodnight."
Lina waited until Alona had left before she looked at Gourry, "Care to join me?"
"Sure, I like the scenery in the bathroom."
Lina chuckled a little as they stood up and he added, "I like it even better when you're in the bath."
She wrapped her arms around his, "Really? Even though I'm getting fat?"
He looked at her as though she was crazy as they walked through the door, "Seriously, you're getting more beautiful every day! It's driving me out of my mind really."
She pushed him playfully, "You'd better stop. We still have another day before we can…"
He sighed as he pulled his shirt off, "One whole, long day."
"Good morning," Lina said as Gourry escorted Nerys and Owen into her office the next morning. "Take a seat."
Nerys' face remained impassive as she did, while Owen appeared nervous as he blurted out. "If this is about that fight…"
"Fight?" Lina repeated as she raised her eyebrow.
Nerys glared at Owen, "Idiot. Never give away information like that!"
"Well if you weren't so…"
Lina rolled her eyes, "Look, whatever bad blood is between you, you're going to have to move past it. We're putting you on a mission together."
"What!?" Owen and Nerys both exclaimed.
"There's a monster terrorizing the border of the Elmekian Empire and the Desert of Destruction. We want you to destroy it. And deliver its head to Duchess Gertude of Arapi."
"Who?" Nerys asked.
"All the information is here." Lina said as she handed her the dossier. "There's a lot riding on this. Complete this mission successfully, and you can avert a war with the Elmekian Empire."
"And you expect me to do this with him?" Nerys asked as she pointed at Owen contemptuously. "He doesn't even know when to keep his mouth shut!"
"That's why you're in charge." Lina said as she folded her arms across her stomach.
Nerys smiled smugly as Owen exclaimed, "What!?"
"Nerys has more street smarts, and she's killed a few demons. Therefore, Nerys is in charge." Lina said as Gourry smiled a little. "Or would you rather that I find someone else to go in your place?"
Owen straightened a little, "I'm honored to be chosen and will see this mission through."
In some ways Owen's eagerness was a relief. Lina wasn't sure what she would have done if either of them had protested the assignment. "You also won't be completely on your own. We have contacts who will be keeping an eye on you. And we expect you to check in at sunset every day using a vision spell to update us on your progress and to receive guidance." Lina explained as Owen started flipping through the dossier.
"When do we leave?" Nerys asked.
"Well, time is of the essence. After lunch. You are excused from morning classes to prepare yourselves." Lina said.
Nerys nodded, and then glared at Owen, "Well, I guess we better get packed."
For once, Lina and her staff, as well as the Eternal Queen, ate lunch with the students. By then word that Owen and Nerys had been selected to go on a critical mission had spread through the school and everyone was talking about it excitedly, with a mixture of feelings. And as Lina looked up to see Maeve charging towards them she had to stop herself from rolling her eyes.
"Lady Lina," Maeve said as she came up to them, "Did I really do that poorly when I went with you to the Elmekian Empire?"
"Huh?" Lina asked.
"I just need to know why they were chosen and not me. I've been on one mission. So I need to know, did I blow it?"
Lina shook her head, "I need to let each student here have their turn. You had the benefit of going on an excursion with Gourry and myself, something that no other student will have here for a while. You performed well enough, now it's time to let someone else have their turn."
"But…" Maeve began.
The Eternal Queen put a hand on her shoulder, "You have privileges here that other students didn't. You will have another opportunity to prove yourself soon enough. But not today. Learn all that you can, and let the matter rest."
Maeve shook her head and looked unconvinced as she walked away. "How is she doing?" the Eternal Queen asked.
"She's top of the class." Lina said.
"And emotionally?"
Lina smiled wryly, "It's a tough age."
"Milady," Jeeves said, causing Lina to jumped a little in surprise as he handed her an envelope, "A letter."
"Thanks." Lina said as she opened it, "Oh for…"
"What?" Gourry asked.
"Peter's parents are writing again, wondering if the manor is cool enough for him and complaining about how he's so sensitive to heat. And they want to visit to make sure he's being fed enough and well cared for, yadda yadda yadda."
"Well, I can understand being curious about this place." Gourry said.
"It's not curiosity! They're so overprotective!" Lina said. "It's a wonder they ever let him out of their sight!"
"Peter?" Luna asked with a chuckle, "That was a tough sell! Fortunately they have big dreams for him and this proved their grandiose ideas about how special he is so they went along with it. His mother did ask if she could room here. Needless to say the answer was no."
"Are you going to let them visit?" Gourry asked.
"Well, I don't see how I can stop them. Perhaps it will calm them down for a bit." Lina decided as she polished off her dessert.
Shortly thereafter the Eternal Queen indicated that she was ready to talk, and Lina stood up, "Ladies and gentlemen!"
Gradually the talking subsided, "The Eternal Queen has an announcement."
Lina sat down as her sovereign stood up, "Today is an important day in the history of this school. Trouble is brewing with our neighbors in the Elmekian Empire, trouble that could lead to war. Yet there is an opportunity for us to pursue peace. To achieve that end, we selected Owen Deathstalker and Nerys Kira to be our first students to be sent on their own mission. Mr. Deathstalker and Miss Kira, please stand up."
Owen and Nerys stood up and the Eternal Queen led everyone in a round of applause as Owen looked impressed with himself while Nerys looked ready to flee out the door. After a few moments, the Eternal Queen indicated it was time that they sit back down as she made some concluding remarks about the vitality of this mission and bringing honor to their school and country before dismissing everyone.
Lina looked at Gourry, who nodded, and they stood up and walked to Owen and Nerys. Lina held back as several students came up to wish them well and exchange farewells. Once Ripley and Nerys had finished giving each other a hug, Lina said, "Let us see you out."
"Lady Lina," Nerys said, "Do you have any advice for us?"
Lina smiled a little. "Never doubt for a moment that you can do this. You can and you will win. This world is better because you are in it, and though there may be times where it seems that dying heroically is the only solution, remember, if the plan requires your annihilation then your plan is bad. Fight to win, and you will."
"Wow," Owen said, "I never thought about that. Sir Gourry, do you have any advice to add?"
Gourry grasped Lina's hand and squeezed it as they approached the door, "What she said."
"Take care of each other." Lina said.
"And stay on a noble path." Gourry said as they walked outside.
"We will!" Owen said. "Bye! See you in a few weeks!"
"Don't forget to check in tonight!" Lina yelled as they started to walk off.
Gourry wrapped his arm around his wife as they watched them walk away. "You know, I'm feeling pretty good about this all of the sudden. Somehow, it will all be alright. Maybe we really can avoid this war." Gourry said.
Lina leaned her head against his chest, "Just like I keep telling you."
"I guess I should get better at listening."
"It's about time you admitted..." Lina began, but stopped when Nerys started yelling.
"Oh don't you even think about it, Deathstalker! Lady Lina put me in charge for a reason and if you can't remember that I'll beat your thick head with it until it sinks in or caves in!"
Lina shook her head as Gourry said, "That's it, we're doomed."
"Perhaps I spoke too soon." Lina grumbled before she raised her voice, "At least get off the damn lawn before you two start having a go at each other!"
AN: Yes, I know surnames come first for Bajorans, but since this is in the Slayersverse and Nerys is not Bajoran I decided it would be confusing to use the Bajoran format so I listed her name as Nerys Kira, which sounds weird, but will be less confusing to the people who aren't Trekkers :-)