Disclaimers: I don't own Slayers. I do own Lane, Lina's reincarnation.
AN: I must apologize to all my readers for not updating this story for SOOOOOO long. Enjoy!
PS-I promise that it's gonna get really, really good from this chapter on. PSS-thoughts,*..*dreams.
Chapter 5: The Beginning
Driving downtown, Lane glanced at Xelloss. He looked incredibly handsome, and she was amazed at how good the black made him look. It brought out his eyes and hair. The only thing was that she felt that she should be worried about his eyes, slit as they were, but she couldn't figure out why. It was like a memory buried deep within her mind, the barriers protecting it impassable by her own mind, when it was obviously her own mind that had set them up. Sighing, she turned her focus back on the road.
Xelloss knew that Lane was looking at him, as he could feel her eyes upon him. He also knew that somewhere in her mind, she knew that he was bad news, from her memories when she was Lina Inverse. Xelloss mused, I know that it'll take a long time for her to break down her own mind barrier from when she put it there.
~flashback~
Lina was sprawled on the ground, covered in her own blood, which was running from multiple wounds. Amelia, Zelgadis, Sylphiel, and Gourry were dead, holes in their stomachs and chests the cause of death.
"Lina-chan, I'm sorry. But orders are orders. And those are that you must be killed in order to be resurrected as one of us."
"Well, that will never happen." Picking herself up on shaky legs, she cast the Ragna Blade and impaled herself upon it.
"Lina-chan, no!"
~end~
Xelloss shook his head. No, now things would be set straight, as they were meant to be.
"Well, Xelloss. Here we are, the House of Angels, the best wine bar in town. And," Lane paused, looking at her watch, "we're right on time, as it's 6pm." Grabbing his hand, she pulled him inside. Seeing Zane making drinks at the bar, she waved. "Where's Amy?"
Zane saw Lane waving, followed by an inquiry as to Amy's whereabouts. "She's in back, pulling out your favorite bottle of champagne." Seeing Xelloss for the first time, he narrowed his eyes. "And who's this fellow?"
"Oh, sorry. Xelloss, this is my childhood friend, Zane. We went to school up until college together. Zane, Xelloss is a visitor staying at my place."
"Oh, I see. So Xelloss, what do you think of Saillune so far. The governor of Saillune is Amy's own father, Philip."
"From what I've seen, it's a very nice area, and if Lane is any indication as to the lovely women, then it's quite a city."
Lane blushed at this, then smiled brightly as she saw Amy emerge from the back cellar. "Hey Amy, how are you? I see Zane's not being worked to death. This is Xelloss by the way. He's staying with me."
"Lane-san, that's unjust. You certainly didn't expect me to work my husband to death!"
"Okay, Amy. Maybe that was just a little unfair. So, where's our seats?"
"Well, actually, I put you right here so we can chat. I haven't seen you for so long, what with your work schedule."
"Well then, let's chat. Xelloss, you sit right here." Lane indicated a seat, and sat down on the one next to it.
~1/2 hr later~
"Well, we've got to go. Our dinner reservation is at 6:45, and I want to talk to Gary and Sylvie for a few minutes. It was nice talking to you guys."
"Actually Lane, we're closing now. We didn't realize you were going to Fire & Spice so early. Our reservation is at the same time. So if you'll wait a second, we can go together.
"All right, Zane. We'll be in my BMW 328i awaiting you. C'mon Xel, let's go." Exiting the bar, they saw Zane and Amy closing up and then heard Zane start his motorcycle.
Lane started the car and drove to the stop light. Glancing into the rearview mirror, she saw Amy wave to her. Waving back, she looked up, saw the light turn green, and revved the engine. Arriving at the restaurant ten minutes later, she grinned as Zane pulled up. "I beat you again old pal. And in a car no less. So, shall we go?"
Zane smirked at her. "Well, I was going slow on purpose."
"Sure, I believe you. That's why I pulled over twice so you could catch up."
Amy smiled. She could understand why Zane and Lane always teased each other, and she didn't mind at all. In fact, she enjoyed watching them taunt each other. Turning towards Xelloss, she knew that she had seen him from somewhere. But for some reason, she couldn't remember. It was like someone had set up a barrier in her own head.
Running up to Lane, she asked her whether she remembered Xelloss from somewhere.
"Actually Amy, I do. But it's like a there's some kind of-"
"mental barrier, right?" Amy and Lane stared at Zane. "I feel the same thing, but when I try remembering, it's like my attention gets purposefully diverted."
"Well, since all three of us are having the same problem, why don't you two come over tonight after dinner and we'll talk. Alright?
"Sounds good to me, Lane. How about you, Amy?"
"I think it's a wonderful idea."
Xelloss knew they were talking about him, but he didn't care. As long as he could have his Lina-chan back, nothing else mattered. Walking up behind them, he tapped Lane on the shoulder. Lane turned around, startled. "Well, shall we go in?" Xelloss asked as he held the door open for her. He waited for Lane, Amy, and Zane to pass before going in himself.
~1 hour, and a table full of plates later~
"Ahhhh. That hit the spot didn't it, Amy?" Lane asked, glancing over at the governor's daughter, one of her best friends since junior high.
"Yup, Lane-san. That did it."
"Well, it's still pretty early, so why don't you two wait while I pay the bill and then we can head over to my place?"
"Oh, no you don't, Lane." Zane looked over her head and spotted the waiter. Waving him over, he placed his card on the receipt. "Hah. Now just you try and do anything now."
"Ooooo. You dirty rat! How dare you try to pull that stunt on me! Well, if that's how it's gonna be, I challenge you, Zane Greywords, to yet another race. The start is the parking lot and the finish is the parking in front of my apartment."
"I accept." He reached his hand out and grabbed the card from the approaching waiter. Taking a pen from his jacket, he signed the receipt and slipped the pen back into it's place. "Let's go, my love. We'll show her who's on top."
"Oh, you think you stand a chance against my BMW? Well my friend, you are sorely mistaken. Come on, Xel, let's blow this joint." Exiting the restaurant, she walked with Xelloss to her car and got in. Motioning for Xel to do the same, she turned the car on, flipped the headlights and brights on, and revved the engine. Seeing Zane and Amy on his Harley, she waved to them and sped out of the parking lot. Down the streets they zoomed, neck-in-neck for most of the race. But just as they were about to reach the apartment building, Lane stepped on the gas even more and pulled ahead just enough to win. Smiling triumphantly, she got out and walked over to Zane. "So Mr. Hotshot, who's on top now?" she smirked, elbowing him playfully in the gut. "Okay you guys, let's head up the stairs."
~three flights of stairs later~
"So Lane, this is a pretty nice place you have here. Well, let's talk."
~2 hours later~
"Bye Zane, bye Amy. It was nice catching up with your two." Lane shut the door after them, and walked towards her bedroom, stopping by the guest room to check on Xelloss. "Night Xel."
"Goodnight Lane." Xelloss said without lifting his head from the tome it was immersed in.
Lane stepped inside her room and shut the door. After going to the bathroom and changing into her pajamas, she sighed and pulled down the covers. "Well, that was a very interesting conversation." Lane recalled what had been said about mental barriers that seemed to be protecting information about why Xelloss was dangerous. "Wow, it's already 10:15. I think I'll read for a little while and then sleep."
A/N: yes! Another chapter to go up on ff.net. Well, sorry for the cliff hanger. Next chapter's a big one though.
AN: I must apologize to all my readers for not updating this story for SOOOOOO long. Enjoy!
PS-I promise that it's gonna get really, really good from this chapter on. PSS-thoughts,*..*dreams.
Chapter 5: The Beginning
Driving downtown, Lane glanced at Xelloss. He looked incredibly handsome, and she was amazed at how good the black made him look. It brought out his eyes and hair. The only thing was that she felt that she should be worried about his eyes, slit as they were, but she couldn't figure out why. It was like a memory buried deep within her mind, the barriers protecting it impassable by her own mind, when it was obviously her own mind that had set them up. Sighing, she turned her focus back on the road.
Xelloss knew that Lane was looking at him, as he could feel her eyes upon him. He also knew that somewhere in her mind, she knew that he was bad news, from her memories when she was Lina Inverse. Xelloss mused, I know that it'll take a long time for her to break down her own mind barrier from when she put it there.
~flashback~
Lina was sprawled on the ground, covered in her own blood, which was running from multiple wounds. Amelia, Zelgadis, Sylphiel, and Gourry were dead, holes in their stomachs and chests the cause of death.
"Lina-chan, I'm sorry. But orders are orders. And those are that you must be killed in order to be resurrected as one of us."
"Well, that will never happen." Picking herself up on shaky legs, she cast the Ragna Blade and impaled herself upon it.
"Lina-chan, no!"
~end~
Xelloss shook his head. No, now things would be set straight, as they were meant to be.
"Well, Xelloss. Here we are, the House of Angels, the best wine bar in town. And," Lane paused, looking at her watch, "we're right on time, as it's 6pm." Grabbing his hand, she pulled him inside. Seeing Zane making drinks at the bar, she waved. "Where's Amy?"
Zane saw Lane waving, followed by an inquiry as to Amy's whereabouts. "She's in back, pulling out your favorite bottle of champagne." Seeing Xelloss for the first time, he narrowed his eyes. "And who's this fellow?"
"Oh, sorry. Xelloss, this is my childhood friend, Zane. We went to school up until college together. Zane, Xelloss is a visitor staying at my place."
"Oh, I see. So Xelloss, what do you think of Saillune so far. The governor of Saillune is Amy's own father, Philip."
"From what I've seen, it's a very nice area, and if Lane is any indication as to the lovely women, then it's quite a city."
Lane blushed at this, then smiled brightly as she saw Amy emerge from the back cellar. "Hey Amy, how are you? I see Zane's not being worked to death. This is Xelloss by the way. He's staying with me."
"Lane-san, that's unjust. You certainly didn't expect me to work my husband to death!"
"Okay, Amy. Maybe that was just a little unfair. So, where's our seats?"
"Well, actually, I put you right here so we can chat. I haven't seen you for so long, what with your work schedule."
"Well then, let's chat. Xelloss, you sit right here." Lane indicated a seat, and sat down on the one next to it.
~1/2 hr later~
"Well, we've got to go. Our dinner reservation is at 6:45, and I want to talk to Gary and Sylvie for a few minutes. It was nice talking to you guys."
"Actually Lane, we're closing now. We didn't realize you were going to Fire & Spice so early. Our reservation is at the same time. So if you'll wait a second, we can go together.
"All right, Zane. We'll be in my BMW 328i awaiting you. C'mon Xel, let's go." Exiting the bar, they saw Zane and Amy closing up and then heard Zane start his motorcycle.
Lane started the car and drove to the stop light. Glancing into the rearview mirror, she saw Amy wave to her. Waving back, she looked up, saw the light turn green, and revved the engine. Arriving at the restaurant ten minutes later, she grinned as Zane pulled up. "I beat you again old pal. And in a car no less. So, shall we go?"
Zane smirked at her. "Well, I was going slow on purpose."
"Sure, I believe you. That's why I pulled over twice so you could catch up."
Amy smiled. She could understand why Zane and Lane always teased each other, and she didn't mind at all. In fact, she enjoyed watching them taunt each other. Turning towards Xelloss, she knew that she had seen him from somewhere. But for some reason, she couldn't remember. It was like someone had set up a barrier in her own head.
Running up to Lane, she asked her whether she remembered Xelloss from somewhere.
"Actually Amy, I do. But it's like a there's some kind of-"
"mental barrier, right?" Amy and Lane stared at Zane. "I feel the same thing, but when I try remembering, it's like my attention gets purposefully diverted."
"Well, since all three of us are having the same problem, why don't you two come over tonight after dinner and we'll talk. Alright?
"Sounds good to me, Lane. How about you, Amy?"
"I think it's a wonderful idea."
Xelloss knew they were talking about him, but he didn't care. As long as he could have his Lina-chan back, nothing else mattered. Walking up behind them, he tapped Lane on the shoulder. Lane turned around, startled. "Well, shall we go in?" Xelloss asked as he held the door open for her. He waited for Lane, Amy, and Zane to pass before going in himself.
~1 hour, and a table full of plates later~
"Ahhhh. That hit the spot didn't it, Amy?" Lane asked, glancing over at the governor's daughter, one of her best friends since junior high.
"Yup, Lane-san. That did it."
"Well, it's still pretty early, so why don't you two wait while I pay the bill and then we can head over to my place?"
"Oh, no you don't, Lane." Zane looked over her head and spotted the waiter. Waving him over, he placed his card on the receipt. "Hah. Now just you try and do anything now."
"Ooooo. You dirty rat! How dare you try to pull that stunt on me! Well, if that's how it's gonna be, I challenge you, Zane Greywords, to yet another race. The start is the parking lot and the finish is the parking in front of my apartment."
"I accept." He reached his hand out and grabbed the card from the approaching waiter. Taking a pen from his jacket, he signed the receipt and slipped the pen back into it's place. "Let's go, my love. We'll show her who's on top."
"Oh, you think you stand a chance against my BMW? Well my friend, you are sorely mistaken. Come on, Xel, let's blow this joint." Exiting the restaurant, she walked with Xelloss to her car and got in. Motioning for Xel to do the same, she turned the car on, flipped the headlights and brights on, and revved the engine. Seeing Zane and Amy on his Harley, she waved to them and sped out of the parking lot. Down the streets they zoomed, neck-in-neck for most of the race. But just as they were about to reach the apartment building, Lane stepped on the gas even more and pulled ahead just enough to win. Smiling triumphantly, she got out and walked over to Zane. "So Mr. Hotshot, who's on top now?" she smirked, elbowing him playfully in the gut. "Okay you guys, let's head up the stairs."
~three flights of stairs later~
"So Lane, this is a pretty nice place you have here. Well, let's talk."
~2 hours later~
"Bye Zane, bye Amy. It was nice catching up with your two." Lane shut the door after them, and walked towards her bedroom, stopping by the guest room to check on Xelloss. "Night Xel."
"Goodnight Lane." Xelloss said without lifting his head from the tome it was immersed in.
Lane stepped inside her room and shut the door. After going to the bathroom and changing into her pajamas, she sighed and pulled down the covers. "Well, that was a very interesting conversation." Lane recalled what had been said about mental barriers that seemed to be protecting information about why Xelloss was dangerous. "Wow, it's already 10:15. I think I'll read for a little while and then sleep."
A/N: yes! Another chapter to go up on ff.net. Well, sorry for the cliff hanger. Next chapter's a big one though.