Sorry it took so long to get this one up. You know how ff.n has been renovated and the Chapters stuff has taken forever to be fixed. Oh and, sorry, Lina Inverse the Dramata, for the length of my prologue. It's supposed to be that way! The rest is much longer, and now that I can put them up, it'll make a whole lot more sense. So now go back and reread the prologue, then continue with the story to get the full effect, kks? ^_^ Now I'll shut up and let you read the rest of what I have. (Not too much more; damn I hate chemistry homework. Lately I've had no time, but I'm sure no one wants to hear about my busy schedule! ~_^) Enjoy! And remember: Reviews are what I thrive on. (They motivate me to get my chem homework outta the way and get my lazy ass on the word processor! ^_^)

Chapter One
Sunlight streams in through the windows, penetrating the lace curtains of Filia's bedroom. In bed, the golden dragon lies on her left side, worried eyes gazing at the marvelous summer day that has just begun.
Suddenly, an arm snakes across her naked torso, interrupting Filia's thoughts.
"Morning, Fi-chan," a voice greets her groggily.
Smiling, the female places her arm on top of the other and replies, "Morning, Xelloss-chan."
The mazoku snuggles in closer to his love and starts kissing her face, nuzzling the tender spot on her neck.
Filia giggles, enjoying every minute of affection from her former-enemy, now her secret lover. They had been a couple for about a week now, spending every night together in Filia's pottery shop/home. Sometimes Xelloss would drop in for lunch or cuddle up on the couch with "his dragon" for a romantic evening in front of the fire. But he was usually out on some mission or other for the Beastmaster during the day, so he made up for it with passionate nights.
The priestess' thoughts drift to the...amazing events of the past week and then to the issue plaguing her mind.
Xel notices the abrupt change in Filia's mood and pauses his kisses to investigate.
"Filia-chan?"
No answer, Filia is deep in her own thoughts.
"Filia-chan?" he asks, louder this time, shaking her shoulder slightly.
"Huh?" She snaps out of her dream state and twists her head to look at her boyfriend.
"Fi-chan, what's wrong? You were out in space for a while there," Xel inquires, concerned.
"Gomennasai, Xel-chan. I guess I...I just have something on my mind..." she explains.
"What is it, dear? You can tell your Xel-chan anything."
"Yes, I know..." Filia gazes into the patient, amethyst eyes, open for once. She sees not the hatred and mockery that were there not even a year ago. No, instead, all she can detect is care, concern, and love-emotions she would have sworn were impossible for a Mazoku. Of course, after the last week, the formerly naive dragon's eyes had been opened. With that thought, she decides to tell him.
"Um, Xelloss..." she starts, then pauses, not sure how to go on with such important news.
"Yes, dear?" Xel watches her, absentmindedly playing with a lock of shiny, gold hair.
Filia turns around to face the lavender-haired man. He also turns to accommodate the body in his arms.
"Xelloss, I have to tell you something very serious."
"Aw, Fi-chan, when am I not serious?" Xel jokes, closing his eyes again and giving her his usual secretive grin.
"No, really. This is...so important. You really need to listen to me," Filia explains.
"I always listen to you, silly dragon."
"Please? Drop the act and be serious," she pleads.
Xel opens his eyes to stare into Filia's deep blue orbs, so filled with fear. His smile fades.
Taking a deep breath, Filia decides to just tell him. No beating around the bush. Straightforward and direct, that's the way to go.
"Xelloss, I'm pregnant."
Blink, blink.
"...What?"
"We're having a baby."
"..."
Filia looks at him, expectantly, trying to gauge his reaction.
"Oh...really...Well, that's..." Xel stutters, sliding out of bed and standing up shakily.
Filia sits up and clutches the sheet to her bare chest, watching the Mazoku wobble around the room, collecting his clothes.
"Xelloss, I-" she begins to apologize, but is interrupted.
"No, no, that's great...Congratulations..." he mumbles, pulling on his pants.
"What? You don't want to have a baby with me?" Filia asks sadly, getting up and wrapping herself in a fluffy, white bathrobe.
Xelloss looks at her and sits down with a sigh in a nearby chair, still looking bewildered.
"You do know it's your baby, don't you?" Filia jokes, trying to get a rise out of him.
Ignoring her attempt at humor, Xel finally looks up and makes eye contact.
"How could this have happened?" he asks, more to himself than to Filia.
"Very easily. We didn't use protection," the Ryuzoku explains gently, approaching the chair in the corner.
"You don't seem too happy about becoming a father."
"You don't seem too happy about becoming a mother."
"Oh no, I'm ecstatic to finally be a mom!" Filia cries, seating herself on Xel's lap and looping her arms behind his neck.
"Then why aren't you jumping around cheering and shouting? That would seem more like you..."
"Well at first I did. I was so happy I almost fully turned into my dragon form!" Filia chuckles. "Then Mrs. Grey, next door, yelled at me to quiet down. At that point I started thinking about the child and its future.
"I mean, it's half-Ryuzoku, half-Mazoku. What kind of life will it have? Sure, plenty powerful, but the powers would take a while to develop. Meanwhile, who knows what kind of evil creatures would want that strength on their side. It would be a life of constant danger.
"And what happens if the child can't control such immense magic? He or she might die! Many people might die! Who knows? Our baby might even be responsible for the apocalypse!
"Even if none of that turns out to be a problem, what about every day life? He or she wouldn't be accepted by the dragon community, and I doubt he/she would be welcomed by monsters. This world is so full of prejudice..."
Filia completes her train of thought and peers down at Xel's face.
After a brief silence that seems to last for centuries, Xelloss speaks.
"I don't think Lord Beastmaster would be very happy about a grandchild..." he says slowly.
"Right," Filia agrees. "So we have a problem..."
"I think I have a solution..."
Filia looks at him questioningly and says, "Do I dare ask what it is?"
The grin returns, growing wider by the second. His finger wags as the dragon sweatdrops and he quips, "Sore wa himitsu desu!"
"Come on," he tells her, standing up and catching her as she slips off his lap. He makes his way down to the kitchen, dragging her behind him.