The Slayers: Lina Zelgadiss Xelloss Gourry Amelia Val Filia Sylphiel

~*~ Seyruun Summer High Jinx Special! ~*~

Part Twelve

Everyone started talking at once.

Filia glommed onto Val asking about his health, then finally unable to stop the flood of tears, she began to weep hysterically. Xelloss had one arm around Val and then wound his other one around Filia, holding them both close to him. A mutual support group of lost souls.

Gourry and Amelia moved close, but not touching, and simply observed the trio. They didn't want to disrupt the special connection the three were making for once.

Sirius, who had been hovering beside his brother's body in silent mourning, eventually rose, searched the sea of faces for the ones he needed, then latched onto Lina and Zel, "So, did you get it? The code?"

"Yes, one of them. I want to see how it works first, before transcribing the second one. What we need is a computer and an Internet connection," Zel explained. His attention was torn between solving the puzzle and dealing with what was happening with his other friends, Xelloss in particular. DARKSTAR, damn…

"Wait just a minute and I'll bring you one," Sirius said as he dashed back into the tunnels.

"Well, he's certifiable!" Lina announced. "Er, ah…Hi sis?!"

Luna wrapped her baby sister in a tight hug, "You IDIOT! Thank Cephied you're safe! Why didn't you listen and go back home like I told you!"

"Cephied had nothing to do with my safety," Lina grumbled. "And I did listen. Amelia got your message on the cellphone, the last time it worked. You said something to the effect…'just do it!' So, I did!"

Luna glanced at Amelia, who nodded, "There may have been more to the message, but that's all that I could hear on the train," Amelia said.

"So what are you doing here?" Lina asked her sister.

"Same as you, looking for Val and Xelloss, and you all of course. Although, I have spent most of my time rock climbing with that hot piece of male…Ah, Julian! Come on over and let me introduce you to my little Sis… What you've already met? Well…"

Just as Zel was about to say something to Xelloss, Sirius stepped out into the semi-darkness as the sun slipped behind the mountains. "Okay, I don't know how much more battery power there is…Oh, it's nearly fully charged. Internet? No problem…we traded up from that old, cell- tower-technology crap. Now we use satellites to bounce all our telecommunication signals worldwide!" Sirius smiled as the information, the possibilities flooded Zel's mind.

"Give me that!" Zel demanded.

So, while Amelia held her flashlight over his head, Zel typed. "Julian? What's the database name for you clan? Come here, you know some passwords? I'll figure them out if you don't, but it's faster if you do. There…now I enter these new instructions and…no…all right, try it this way…"

A few tries later and… "Got it! Hey, Val, Filia! Xelloss come here and take a look at this…Looks like coordinates for mines…mineral deposits…maps of… Whoa, Val you are one rich dude! Oil reserves, company stock in… well, some of these may be defunct but…the…"

"What's that stuff?" Val croaked as pages of words flashed onto the computer screen.

"Looks to be an inventory of gemstones, no, yes…diamonds loom large on the list. Ah…that's enough to run a small country, Val," Xelloss said softly over his shoulder.

"No shit!" Val chuckled slightly. "Well, I'd rather just have a beer and my bed right now."

"NO BEER!" shouted a chorus of kids, laughing away the stress at last.

Sirius wanted to copy off the code from the other side of the handles, "It should work the same way, except that it should reveal the hidden European clan holdings, which is of course, my property."

"Sure," Lina said, not caring a gnat's ankle. "Help him get that?"

Zel started to get up, when Gourry said, "Hey, ya don't need them, I did those rubbings, remember? Got copies made at the hospital, just in case. See? I got both sides…here the ones ya want!"

In the meantime and at the same time everyone was talking to everyone else. "Are you okay?" was the most often heard question. Detective McGywn finally laid claim to the computer and sent out e-mails requesting emergency police helicopters to assist with both evacuation and cordoning off the temple area from unwanted visitors.

Gravos and Jillas whispered nervously to one another, comparing notes. "Yeah, but we did steal that one staff!" Gravos reminded his friend. "That cop's gonna nail us fer that!"

"But we helped take care of Val, did what da boss asked, hey…yer could be a hero fer saving the cop and all!" Jillas added hopefully.

"But what if he don't back us up?" Gravos looked at Xelloss. "We ain't friends or nothin'. He don't owe us."

"Yeah," Jillas said sadly. "With his connections, we ain't worth nothin'. Shit… and I just thought he was a wimpy nerd…"

"Detective McGywn, the ambassador from the Overworlders would like to speak to you, please," Zel called out. "I don't see where that Sirius guy went off to…"

Later, the detective made a few more calls of his own, then satisfied with his next decision, waved Sirius back to his side. "Okay, seems your people have beena talkin' to mine an' since I canna hold yer here or in Seyruun, we wait until there's a 'copter fer you and…yer comrades. I'm sorry 'bout him, yer brother? Sad thing, this. And all fer a few scraps o' paper."

"Sad, yes…but these scraps… well, they were worth it to them," Sirius nodded to the two bodies of his fallen comrades, then disappeared again.

Xelloss noticed the helicopter carrying his mother and father was circling around the valley, getting its bearings, his supposed. It was about to come into its nearest orbit looking more like an insect than ever. Unaware of his movements, Xelloss was standing alone at the far side of the overlook, watching the blinking lights of the aircraft approach.

Lina's attention wavered between the group near Zel and the computer and Luna with her Golden Clan admirers, then she spotted Xelloss looking forlorn. Perhaps she should say something to him, but what? "What's that?" she wondered.

Up on the temple roof-- where once Xelloss had sat with Milgasia and Val at his feet pondering how to break through the secured doors—a figure moved in the shadows. Her mind raced, taking count of who was present and who was missing…Sirius! Lina stepped to the left a few feet, changing angles, then caught a glimpse of a large weapon, a rifle…no, bigger that that... on a mounting aimed up at… at what? The only thing up there was the helicopter and it was pretty far away by now. No it wasn't! It was circling back! In a few seconds, it wouldn't that far off at all!

Using her quick wits she flew into action and screamed at the top of her lungs, "G E T D O W N !"

Zel and Gourry pitched themselves on top of Val and the girls without stopping to think. McGywn, seeing them move, shouted additional orders, not knowing what the threat was, but trusting in Lina's finely honed survival instincts.

Everyone seemed to obey and move into crouching, protective position, except Xelloss. Only Lina seemed to notice where he was, standing precariously out in the open like that. There was no time for further warning. She ran then jumped, launching herself on a collision course with the unsuspecting boy.

Xelloss spied the flicker of movement a split second before impact, enough time to turn and catch most of her with his arms and not his abdomen. The force took them both down, Lina in his arms and he on his back.

The rapid-fire from the weapon sent a stream of armor-piercing bullets from the tail to the fuel tanks. Two bullets penetrated the casing, ignited the highly flammable engine fuel, and turned the dainty insect into a brilliant fireball.

The dark sky lit with flames from the exploding gases. Shrapnel and bits of flying plastic not consumed in the blaze tore through the air and fell around the huddled people. Xelloss, with Lina clasped to his chest rolled over as a blast of hot air, dust, and rocks tore over them. He opened an eye to see a bit of propeller blade winging over their heads and smashing into one of the supporting columns. Scraping Lina off the ground, Xelloss carried her to safety as the overlook's roof shattered and fell on top of where they had been lying. He held her tightly and rolled a safe distance away.

"Lina? Lina, please be okay…" he whispered.

"Ah…right…" she gasped. "Um…you can get off of me now, Xelloss."

"Are you sure? I mean, are you okay, nothing broken?" he asked urgently, but not releasing his grasp.

"Yes…but if you don't watch it, you might not be," she said glaring at him. She met his concerned gazed and hesitated, then looked away. A sparkly object snared her attention. Lina struggled to free one arm and reached for the shiny metal…a ring.

"What's this? Oh…" she muttered as she recognized the delicate markings of Zelas' syndicate ring.

"Keep it," Xelloss said softly.

"It's yours. It was your mother's! I can't!" Lina said as they both sat up.

"I wish you would," he said quickly. "To remember the time you saved my life, and I saved yours…please?"

She nodded and pocketed the ring. "We'll discuss this later…" she managed before Gourry, Zel and Luna stumbled over to see if they were unharmed.

Soon, more help arrived and transports arranged. All the kids and the detective and Luna were heading for Filia's settlement. McGywn's jurisdiction extended into the Ancient territory only temporarily, so he had Jillas and Gravos transported to Filia's settlement where Milgasia gave him free reign to arrest and try them.

"Milgasia has already been transported back there and I understand that Dr. Adams will be waiting there as well. What is it, Zelgadiss?" McGywn asked the disturbed kid.

"Dr. Lester and my father…they have to be there too," Zel whispered.

"Who's Dr Lester?"

Zel looked away toward Xelloss, "His shrink. He's going to need help and so is Rezo, when he learns what has just transpired."

McGywn nodded gravely, "I'll pass that request on, then. Amelia? Your father is meeting with some lawyers and playing spin-doctor. I told him to hold off until tomorrow for his visit. You kids need to recoup in peace at the clan's expense, where accommodations have been prepared for everyone. There will be plenty of time for statements in the morning with well-rested people."

~*~

Filia was tearfully engaged with her parents while Val was being ensconced at Milgasia's place with Dr. Adams on hand. Then Detective McGywn and Mr. Ul Copt left the house together to secure Jillas and Gravos in a comfortable, but guarded, temporary lockup. The two punks agreed that it was better than all the places they usually hung out and agreed to tell their side of the story after baths, food, and a good night's sleep.

Zelgadiss claimed Filia's mother for a few minutes to ask her if there was a private room for him to speak with his father.

Mrs. Ul Copt nodded graciously and said, "How about the den, you know the room? Good, because I hear someone at the door now and I think that must be him. I received a call earlier from his driver letting me know that they were approaching the settlement's gate. Will you be all right, my dear? You look bushed."

"I'm not looking forward to this, that's all. Excuse me," he said curtly and stalked off to round up Xelloss and Dr. Lester.

The psychiatrist was a close associate of Dr. Adams and had come with the doctor by choice and before Zel's request had been made. He sought out his person of interest immediately and stood nearby, listening to Xelloss' conversation with the shaken Filia, Amelia, and Lina.

"I think he's grown in just a few days! Oopsie! Ah, well you can have that pendant for now, but I don't think your parents will allow you to keep it. Say, Lina, could you slip the cord over my head before he strangles me here? Well, I would do it myself, but both my hands are full of baby boy… Ah, Miss Amelia, thank you. Um, Filia? Do you think it's okay if he chews the cord? It's silk and not dyed, but it has touched my skin…" Xelloss smiled.

"Gods, Xelloss will you lay off that?" Filia slapped him playfully on the arm. "You're the cleanest person I know. Well, not right now… Come to think of it, you are really grubby!"

"Why thank you, Miss Filia Ul Copt! I feel so much better knowing that. Did you hear that, Quinny? Your big sister—who could use a bath herself, I might add— called me grubby! Of course she can get away with it because she is so beautiful no one would notice, whereas I have to rely on perfect hygiene and good manners to be accepted into this community," Xelloss said mockingly.

Filia touched her face. She had caught a ride to city to meet Zelgadiss and Gourry without a thought as to makeup, hair, attire… and he had called her beautiful in spite of all that. How sweet, poor guy. "Want me to take him now?" she asked.

Xelloss was making faces and silly noises to entertain the baby when Zelgadiss approached him. "Yes he would, Filia. Xelloss. My father's here, would you come with me, please?"

Xelloss handed off the baby, who was still chewing on the wet cord and gripping the syndicate pendant in his chubby hands. "Sure, little brother. I-I don't know what to say to him though."

"Nothing, I'll tell him. You just be there for me. If something comes into your head, which it most certainly will, then you can talk," Zel smirked. He nodded to Dr. Lester hovering nearby. "Thanks for coming…"

"No problem. It was my idea. As soon as Dr. Adams received the call earlier, he contacted me immediately and we both drove our together, although, I have to say, I don't know what the situation is…"

Xelloss pulled him aside and whispered, "Zelas had been alive all this time and had me try and recover some valuables from Val's inheritance before another denizen of evil arrived. Unfortunately, that guy came to rip off the goodies as well. I nearly killed him, but as luck would have it, Zelas shows up, tells me that the guy is my birth father then takes off with him in a helicopter that this other zealous guy blows up. So Zelas was actually alive, but isn't anymore so little changes, but Rezo should know, or so Zelgadiss thinks, right little brother?"

Dr. Lester used the wall for support as he flashed a worried expression in Zel's direction. Zel sighed and looked down, "That, in a nutshell, is correct."

"Zelgadiss?" It was Rezo followed by his graduate student helper, Vurumagen.

Dr. Lester took the student aside and asked him to wait out in the living room with the others for a few minutes, then the foursome entered the den and closed the door.

Zel had the entire story scripted out in his mind—what he would say, what he'd let Xelloss say, words expressing his regrets and sorrows and…

"They're both dead!" Xelloss cried out the moment the door closed.

Oh, joy…

"Zelas arrived just in the nick of time to stop me from killing the blackest soul on the face of this planet. Ah, the man who sired me, naturally, was this evil incarnate. But as they were flying off into the sunset, a man from the darker side of the clan nailed the 'copter with a submachine gun. FIREBALL! It was magnificent. You should have seen it! It's given me such a feeling of…closure, yes that's the word."

"So, Dad…" Xelloss danced across the room as Rezo sank, stunned, into a soft armchair, and planted himself on his lap, arms wrapped around the blind man's neck. Xelloss whispered, "I'm going to be okay. I'm a bit worried about you. Wanna talk about it?"

Zelgadiss fell into the matching chair beside his father blushing slightly and feeling embarrassed. Xelloss was much more open about his feelings, and demonstrative, when he was being himself. He cried and kissed, and hugged like…more than Zel thought was right for a guy who was an adult. Right now, Xelloss looked about thirteen, though, and in need of comforting. Well, he wasn't about to save his father. He'd have to learn to take it like…a father. Well, maybe he could help a bit…

"Could I get you a glass of wine?" Zel asked abruptly.

"Yes, that would be nice," Rezo said in a low voice.

As Zel walked out of the room, Rezo realized then, that he was both boy's final link with family and that their emotional stability relied, somewhat, on his example. He returned the well-meaning hug and was patting Xelloss on the back when Zel returned.

"Well, be warned, this is made here at the settlement. It's from last fall's pressing, whatever that means, and was aged in oak…a Chardonnay, Mrs. Ul Copt told me," Zel said, passing over his offering with an outstretched arm. "Xelloss, give the guy some space, huh?"

Xelloss released his hold and moved onto the couch, "O-kay, do-kay! So Doc, I'm all set!"

Dr. Lester chuckled then led the trio through some heart-to-heart discussions. After an hour, he set down his notepad and said, "It seems to me that you all have already been through a mourning process and now are drained emotionally. What would you say to some dinner and sleep?"

"Bath!" Zel and Xelloss shouted simultaneously. Xelloss giggled, "Do we share, or?"

"You may go first!" Zel coughed. "I'll see about clothes for us. Yours are particularly…dirty." Bloodstained and worse!

Julian had already collected clothes for everyone, gathering donations from the community. Gourry was at Julian's getting cleaned up. Luna, Lina, and Amelia were scattered at neighboring homes for showers and medical attention for their scrapes and contusions. Filia was soaking in her parent's tub.

Everyone but Val and Milgasia joined the group at Filia's house for a midnight dinner.

"Val's doing fine, considering. He's asleep now and will sleep most of tomorrow, so if you are planning to take his statement, Detective, your meeting shouldn't be scheduled until late afternoon," Doctor Adams said.

Then to Xelloss he remarked, "He told me you de-toxed him and…more. Sometime, I'd like you to share that medication with me."

Xelloss nodded but couldn't stop eating. In fact, none of the kids said a word. They were so hungry and thirsty that eating encompassed the entirety of their attention, even Zelgadiss.

"Now, I'm going to lay down the law," Filia's mother said. "No more talk tonight. I want the girls on the cots in the guestroom and the boys on the fold out couch and rollaway in the den. Luna? I understand Julian's putting you and the detective up at his place, and you, Dr. Adams and Lester will be staying at Milgasia's? Rezo?"

"Mom, give him and his graduate student my room. I mean, it's got two single beds and will make sense. I'll crash with little bro on the daybed. If I don't crash right here," Filia offered graciously.

With all the sleeping arrangements finalized, the evening ended. It had been a very long day.

~*~

There was no breakfast, since no one stirred until after noon. Lunch was served outside, in a help-yourself buffet style. Xelloss ate lightly, then excused himself to go check in on Val and Milgasia. Lina, Gourry, and Amelia were back in feeding form, while Zel picked at a plate and sipped ice tea. Filia was last to emerge from her brother's room, Quinny on one hip.

"Don't ever have kids and try and sleep in the same room as one," She groaned and yawned in rapid succession.

"I'm not planning to!" Lina said.

"Someday I want two with a lovely nursery that I'd decorate with pictures from Alice in Wonderland," Amelia mused.

"You 'want to' what? Sleep in a nursery with your kids?" Lina looked askance at her friend wondering if Amelia was in her right mind.

"No! I want two kids! A boy and a girl. Doesn't matter which comes first," Amelia answered.

"Just the husband, right?" Lina said with a wry smile.

"Of, course!" Amelia said. "And we'll live in the cutest brick house with a garden full of flowers and… other things. And I'll be a lawyer, at first. Then a lawyer-mother, then maybe serve the community in office."

"Wow, you've been plannin'," Gourry said with admiration.

"Yes I have! Daddy always taught me to plan ahead for the future!" she cried out.

At the word 'Daddy', Zel froze. Damn, he would be coming over any minute. "I need to speak to my father…" he said in passing as he fled the patio.

He nearly collided with Rezo by accident inside the house. "Is that you running in the house like a wild thing?" Rezo snorted at his flustered son. "Time to make yourself useful and take me over to see Milgasia and Val."

"Oh, yes, sure, glad to…" Zel said, finishing the thought in his head, '…glad to avoid the mayor at all costs!'

Milgasia was in a wheelchair, both legs in casts, one over his knee requiring that leg to be supported straight out from the hip. "Hello. Hope you don't mind my remaining seated," he joked weakly.

"Looks uncomfortable," Zel winced. "I don't know if you've met my father yet. Professor Greywords, this is Mr. Milgasia, leader of this clan.

"Call me Rezo, please," the well-dressed gentleman said as they shook hands. "May I see Val?"

Dr. Adams, doing door duty, nodded and led the group to a spare room, which by the decorations appeared to be Val's half-time residence.

"Nice posters," Zel smirked at the wall covered with dark heavy-metal rock band pictures.

Xelloss had been sitting by Val in a chair, now stood as company arrived, and graciously allowed Rezo to have the seat.

Val gripped the older man's hand a moment, "Hey, it's DAD!" He chuckled and coughed. "Uh, Xelloss, pass me the water, will ya? Thanks, dude."

Rezo and Val chatted about how Val felt and how he was holding up. "Funny, I don't want none of that shit the fight was over, but I gotta do somethin' with it all, huh?"

"I believe that Mr. Ul Copt and Mr. Milgasia would both be excellent advisors. You should listen to their counsel before taking any action," Rezo said.

"You too? You'll help me too, won'cha?" Val asked.

Rezo nodded. He was 'Dad' to all three, in a way. It felt good, somehow, to be needed and respected by these young men when most fathers he knew were complaining about being unable to communicate with their teenagers. "Of course. I'm just down the street," he stopped abruptly realizing his error. That house was no longer standing. "…and around several corners…"

Val smiled, "Yeah, gotta get that place finished now."

Xelloss had been staring out the window, listening. "Can Gourry really get it done before school starts?"

"Nah, but close enough. We got other places to hang while paint dries. Paint… So, how're we gonna chose colors and carpeting?" Val asked.

"I don't care," Zel said curtly. "Anything will do for me."

"Naturally," Xelloss smirked, then ignoring his disinterest, continued, "We could let the girls choose for us…" Xelloss smiled. That would get Zel's ire up if nothing else.

It did. Zel snorted.

Val frowned, "Ad-vise. They might ad-viiiise us. We get final say."

Rezo chuckled, "That's how you think it works? Which one is it you're so fond of, Filia? Oh, ho…well…"

Xelloss piped up, "Val can stand up to anyone! Except her…and Lina, of course, which leaves him Amelia and Sylphiel to lord over!"

"Oh, like yer any tougher!" Val growled. "You're the biggest wimp there ever was, worse than the poor scarred boy over there!"

"Leave me out of your childishness," Zel muttered, crossing his arms over his chest.

"I never claimed to be tough!" Xelloss retorted. "But after they all have had their say and leave I can buy whichever color I want and paint it myself, if needs be. They'll never know the difference."

"They might…" Val grinned, his eyes conveying meaning he didn't say with Zel's father in the room.

Milgasia rolled his eyes and said to the other men present, "I was stuck in the car with those two for hours at a time. They never let up! And now look at me!" He sounded beleaguered, but was smiling.

Rezo broke up the playful, verbal sparing with a question to Xelloss, "So…how are you doing?"

"Me? Oh, fine really. I've decided that as soon as Sylphiel gets back from Japan, I'm going to ask her out…on a date…with just me," Xelloss smiled.

"Oh?" Rezo chuckled slightly. "Well that's nice, but I was wondering more about your injuries. I should have known better."

Xelloss shrugged and smiled more, "It's time I lived my life and did something for me! I want to move on…get my life under my control…and, ah… Hey, it's just a date I'm talking about, Val-ly-boy!"

"I wasn't sayin' nothin'! Think her Dad'll approve?" Val smirked.

It was Zel that gasped, "Shit… he's here. I am so dead…"

Milgasia riveted his eyes on Zelgadiss, "Who? What?"

Rezo chuckled, then laughed, "Oh, nothing to worry about for the rest of us, Milgasia. He's in some trouble with the Mayor. Letting the Mayor's little daughter get into this mess, when he'd promised to send her home and keep her safe. Right, son?"

"He's not a forgiving man…" Zel groaned. "Whether it was my fault or not, he'll never blame Amelia. And I tried, I really did!"

"Save it for him! I couldn't care less. You're a good boy, I think, and that little girl is a strong-minded one. He's not likely to do much," Rezo said.

"He might! He could make her quit the band," Zel said gravely.

"That's right, I could!" boomed the voice of Mayor Phil from the door to Val's crowded room.

Oh, joy…

Zel stood and turned toward the giant bear of a man. Just kill me now and be done with it. To his credit, although he couldn't meet the man's bushy-browed eagle-eyes, he did greet him. "Hello, Sir."

"Zelgadiss! I was looking for you," Phil bellowed.

Gulp! "Ah, yes…I suppose you were," Zel said lamely.

"Let me refresh your memory, young man," the Mayor began. He withdrew a tiny tape machine and pressed 'play'. A muffled, nasal version of Zel's voice issued form the small box, "What? No, I promise not to get your daughter into some kind of trouble. Neither one of them! Oh, come on… I really need to… Gourry HAS to talk to Lina and the detective was needing to ask her about this, um… big axe we found. Okay, I promise. Thank you Sir. Yes, I will. Good bye."

"From what I understand, there are warrants out for your AND MY DARLING DAUGHTER'S arrest for breaking and entry into POLICE property and stealing a car! And that's just the icing on top of the dangerous mess you drug her through! Five people died on that mountain! She could have been one of them! Did you ever stop to think about that? She's just a little girl. She looks up to you and trusts your judgement, for whatever reason that is I do not understand."

Zel winced under the attack, but considered his words before responding. "He died then… the Supreme Elder? I did what I could, but it wasn't enough. I thought I'd stopped the bleeding! We couldn't move him out of the library, but…" Zel stopped and met Dr. Adam's eyes sorrowfully. "I thought it had missed any important arteries, but he was so pale and his pulse was weak. I had hoped…"

Dr. Adams started to say something to diffuse the situation, when Zel turned to the mayor. "I tried. I had a plan worked out to get her back home safely before, well, I did anything stupid. But, not to say you're wrong or anything, however… she's not a little girl, Sir. She's going to be sixteen on her next birthday, but in her mind she's eighteen-- I think that's what she thinks. She's got a mind of her own and is not afraid to use it. And no matter how much you think she listens to me, everyone here in this room can attest to the fact that she doesn't obey me at all! I do apologize for breaking a promise to you Sir. It was one I should not have made in the first place; the kind I hadn't a prayer in Seyruun to keep."

Zel stood waiting for his sentencing, knowing he had already been tried and convicted.

"Humph! Well, apology accepted, Zelgadiss. But…I'm not happy about this, you understand. There will be some conditions."

"Conditions, Sir?" Zel swallowed nervously. What could he possibly be considering? Oh, no…not the band, please!

"First of all, you may not date her until she is actually sixteen; that is, alone just the two of you. Secondly, I want no more…close intimate contact…" Phil hesitated briefly, as Zelgadiss looked confused for a moment. Then Zel remembered her kissing him.

Zel felt the blood rush to his face. DATE?? Oh, gods…what does this man think we do?

"I saw the security tape," Phil said in a low voice, for him.

Zel blinked.

"The sheriff department from the Ancient clan lands sent me a security log from the police impoundment lot, in order to help me identify the culprits who stole the Suburban out from under their noses," Phil enlightened him, although the twinkle in his eye told Zel that the worst was over.

"Remember, I was a hot-blooded young man once myself, so I know what goes on…but this…is my darling daughter we're talking about, understand? Good. Now we have all been requested to join Detective McGywn at the town hall is ten minutes…so…Professor? Nels Lahda just arrived as well, will you be joining us? Fine, I'll walk you over then while the boys stew."

Zel stewed all right, into a puddle of mush.

Val and Xelloss roared with laughter.

"Hot-blooded? Zel? That man don't know what he's talkin' about! It's his darling daughter who's hot!" Val teased.

Zel groaned.

"You should be happy, Zelgadiss," Xelloss grinned. "You just got the go ahead from her father to take her out in a few months. It's that what you'd been hoping?"

"I was hoping he wouldn't make her quit the band, that's all. Damn, I hope he hasn't told her the same thing!" Zel gasped

"He doesn't seem like the kind of father to hold much back," Xelloss said.

"You'd think he gave ya a death sentence. Lighten up, Zel!" Val admonished him. "Ya do like her, right?"

Zelgadiss glared at both of his friend's smiling faces. "I don't like being put on the spot, or having my private life being dictated to me…or discussed. Now, I am going. You can join me when you feel like it." And he left the other two snickering behind.

Dr. Adams insisted that Val travel in a wheelchair to avoid overtiring himself, and Xelloss, in turn, insisted that he get to propel the 'chariot', as he called it.

"It'll be the only chance I get to push him around, you know!" Xelloss smiled.

~*~

The interrogation, recapitulation, and statements to the police took all afternoon and well into the night to complete.

Each person added their input as the story unfolded, starting with Xelloss' notice to accept new orders.

"I wanted to think that if I ignored it, it would go away, but it didn't. When I saw how close to harming my friends she would go…burning down our house and all…I agreed. Zel I told, but no one else. Had she suspected any of my friends knew she was alive, she would have killed them instantly. So I kept that secret…until Zel made me…more than our friendship was on the line. WE were close to damaging the band as well," Xelloss said calmly.

"You should have told ME, that's who you should have told!" Lina barked.

"And when I was threatening to kill Filia, would you have believed me if you knew I was playing both sides? It had to do more than just seem real, it had to be real…and everyone knows Zelgadiss can cover his emotions well, so it worked. But, I get ahead of the story…" Xelloss paused and looked around.

Luna and Nels Lahda were next to tell the group about their interaction with Almayce and his followers. Then, Vurumagen told how he got involved and was able to substantiate many of Milgasia's facts and guesses about what was going on.

The beautiful and deadly heirlooms were laid out upon the table for all to see and to be identified: Gourry's sword, Zelgadiss' sword, Lina's axe, the Red Priest's staff, and the hidden bow, now Val's. Zelgadiss was called upon to explain the markings and how the 'seals' fit together like a puzzle.

The sad story of the final destruction of all but one of the Ancient Clan was told by Xelloss, as he had been told by his mother. Lina described the diary-like book they'd found and scanned in the record's room, mentioning the term 'golds' and the fear that had brought the writer.

"And, Miss…Filia, you are right about one thing," Milgasia said. "I knew nothing about this… the destruction of Ancient clan by the Cephied Golden clans. I still have a hard time believing--no, stomaching the truth; that in order to get their lands and wealth that other human beings would resort to such…base criminality… and atrocities.

"That the Clan elders have kept it secret from me and, I'm sure, all the other up-and-coming young clan leaders, is abhorrent and a direct blow to all the clan laws. I am certain that in allowing the older generation to carry out the attacks, they had hoped the secret would die out in a matter of a few more years. Many of those men, I understand, live in the area surrounding the Ancient lands and keep guard to this day.

"Filia, I hope that in the next few weeks you can heal and reflect upon the good things our clan stands for and reconsider your decision to abandon your position as priestess here," Milgasia said. "I'd like the opportunity to speak to both you and Val, please.

Filia nodded, but said nothing. Val had already said he'd talk and listen. He was in no rush to brush off all the kindness the clan had showered on him.

Jillas and Gravos were seated after a dinner break. Xelloss absolved them of any cruelty toward Val and in fact thanked them personally for having assisted him voluntarily in every way to ensure Val's safety. Lina spoke up for Jillas leading her to Val, and Julian and Luna thanked Gravos for his timely save as well. In the end they came off very well, only having to perform community service to the White Shrine for stealing the Red Priest's Staff.

As to the charges laid upon Xelloss by the sheriff on the clan lands… His lawyer, Fribrizzo, explained what charges the White Shrine could apply to their office for false imprisonment, holding a man without due process, refusing medical aid to a visiting priest. The list went on and on. Charges were dropped and no mention of the 'mysterious helicopter' was made after a faulty gas line was discovered.

This followed over into Zelgadiss' unfortunate case. The Suburban shouldn't have been impounded in the first place, but he did destroy property and would have to pay a fine. Fribrizzo encouraged Zel to do it since, 'you certainly can afford it and it would go a long way to improving relations with their office.' Zel did. Xelloss felt generous and donated a handsome sum to the 'build a new police station' fund, just for fun.

No charges were filed against Lina, but Gourry and Filia had a huge bill to contend with concerning a particular neglected rental car. Val insisted that he pay for that, considering that they had incurred it while hunting for him.

Val recompensed many people and agencies for their time and help in saving his life, including: helicopter service, doctor bills, search parties, and ultimately, the restoration of the Ancient temple. The Ancient clan settlement was turned into a memorial with tours and markers. The tunnels were closed off and the library and records rooms were reconstructed above ground near the temple for the use of historians and researchers. This didn't happen overnight, but it did happen in his lifetime.

The story of the end was told by Lina, who seemed to be the only one willing to describe the events at sundown. It had been surreal, like a dream, and awful like a fantasy enactment gone badly. Xelloss stared vacantly out the window, silent and still. He didn't listen. He didn't need to. He'd been there.

When Lina stopped, everyone looked at him. He must have something to add, right?

"I'd like some ice cream, for dessert. Anyone else?" he smiled.

~*~ End, Seyruun Summer High Jinx Special, Part Twelve. ~*~