'Nother chapter! Now, for this chappie, I don't own Sara Evans' "No Place That Far" even though I wish I did. It's a really pretty song. For lyrics and Sara Evans singing it, go to http://www.sarahbrighteyes.com/noplace.html
Lina smiled up at him, her eyes bright. Gourry sighed, and said, "Great, it's a kid. Some flat-chested, wide-eyed little kid."
He and Lina were sitting at a table at an inn. An old man came up, and asked, "Would you perhaps be Lina Inverse, the renowned sorceress?" Lina laughed, and said, "Well, yeah..." Gourry stared. "You're a sorceress?" he asked in disbelief. Lina fell face-first into her soup.
Lina and Sylphiel were standing on a barren land, facing Kopii Rezo. Koppi Rezo was angry at Sylphiel for keeping Lina from casting the Giga Slave, and threw a spell at Sylphiel. Lina pushed her out of the way, taking the brunt of the attack. She fell to the ground, and didn't move. Bright red blood flowed across the rocks. "LINA!!" Gourry shouted. "Lina! Lina! Li- LINAAAA!!!!!"
Gourry was wrapped in a black cloud of magic, controlled by Hellmaster Phibrizzo. He struggled against it, but he couldn't escape. Below him, Lina was chasing him, her hand outstretched. "Gourry!" she shouted. "Gourry! Gourry!!! GOURRY!!!" She tripped then, and passed out after the effort it took to cast her Ragna Blade.
Lina just smiled at him, her eyes sparkling.
She ran ahead, calling at him to keep up.
They laughed together, just traveling like they always did.
She spoke his name softly, grinning. "Gourry..."
Gourry woke up, sweating. He'd dreamt about Lina. He looked around wildly, but didn't see her anywhere near him. He remembered what had happened. Lina was in trouble. Would he get her back? He had to rely on his brains, so he didn't know if he'd find her in time. To Gourry's shock, he felt a tear slide down his cheek. "Lina..."
I can't imagine any greater fear
than waking up without you here.
And though the sun would still shine on,
my whole world, would all be gone.
But not for long
Suddenly, Gourry brushed away that tear, and stood up in determination. He clenched his fists tightly, and started walking at a brisk pace. He'd get Lina back. No matter what it took, no matter where he had to go, no matter what he had to fight, he'd find her. And then he'd make the person that kidnapped her pay dearly for his crime. No one took Lina away from him. No one. Gourry would go to the ends of the Earth itself to get Lina back.
If I had to run, if I had to crawl.
If I had to swim a hundred rivers
just to climb a thousand walls,
always know that I would find a way
to get to where you are.
There's no place that far.
Gourry stayed near the lake, following the coast until he get to the river. As he let the waves lap over his boots, the only thing he could think about was Lina. He'd get her back somehow. True, they argued a lot, and she could lose her temper too easily, but he still needed her with him. It felt so right whenever Lina was around that without her there, he felt incomplete. There was a spot in his heart where Lina belonged, and without her near him, that spot became hollow. He had to get Lina back, and maybe tell her how important she was to him, so she'd take more care that something like that couldn't happened. Had she taken him with her, he cold have protected her, like he was supposed to. So after he told her that she meant the world to him, he wouldn't let her go anywhere without him.
It wouldn't matter why we're apart,
lonely miles or two stubborn hearts.
Nothing short of God above
could turn me away from your love.
I need you that much.
Gourry's thoughts took a strange turn as he reached the river and began following it to the end, where he knew it would become a waterfall. He knew Lina was important to him. He knew he'd go anywhere with her, and anywhere to get her back. But was that as deep as it went? Or did he possibly feel more for Lina than he let on. When Lina had nearly died those few times, his heart had been torn to pieces. If he felt that strongly about losing her, then did that mean anything? Even now, Lina wasn't dead or dying, yet he still felt that pang in his heart of needing her there. Surely just friendship and protectiveness wouldn't spur those feelings, would they? Could it be something more than friendship?
If I had to run, if I had to crawl.
If I had to swim a hundred rivers,
just to climb a thousand walls,
always know that I would find a way
to get to where you are.
There's no place that far.
Gourry heard the sound of water rushing loudly. He was nearing the waterfall. From there he'd find his next clue, for sure. Then, no matter how difficult that clue was, he'd figure it out. No matter where it told him to go, he'd go there. No matter how tough his adversary was, when he got to them, he would defeat them. And no matter how violent Lina was, he'd tell her about his strange feelings, and insist on accompanying her everywhere. He'd protect her as was his role. He'd follow her to the horizon and beyond to make sure she was safe.
Oh if I had to run, if I had to crawl.
If I had to swim a hundred rivers,
just to climb a thousand walls,
always know that I would find a way
to get to where you are.
There's no place that far.
Gourry reached the waterfall, and stood on the edge, looking down. The water tumbled down the rocks, cascading down into another lake, crashing into the water and foaming white. He'd made it. Now, to find the next clue. He had to find it. He had to find Lina.
Baby, there's no place that far.