Disclaimer: I do not own Slayers or it's characters I just like to write fanfics about them.
K here is the next chapter everyone!



~Chapter 1~



Twelve o' clock. Why was it that she could find peace at so late an hour? Maybe it was the quiet. There were no customers in the shop, and the others were sound asleep. He was asleep. Why did her thoughts always go back to him? How could she feel this way about one who was like her son? Sure he was not her real flesh and blood but still…
She would never understand. But a dark presence soon disturbed her silent reverie. A familiar air she knew all too well. She didn't even need to guess.
"You're above me aren't you?" She said as she stared blankly in the darkness waiting for the answer that she knew was coming. "Sore wa himitsu desu."
"Please leave me be, Xelloss." She did not need him and his mockery now.
"But why Filia-san? You look so sad and alone." The trickster priest slowly materialized in front of her with that cursed mask of his on. If he must bother me why does he have to have that awful grin on? But he was right she was sad and alone, lately it seemed she always was. He walked towards her stopping right in front of her face to where their noses barely touched. It was very uncomfortable.
"Do I really make you so edgy?" He brought his hand up to move a few wisps of her hair from her face. "Perhaps I can make you feel more at ease ne?" Why must he be so close? So dangerously close.
She turned her head away so as not to look at him. "Please stop Xelloss, I don't want this right now."
Xellos really didn't like what he was hearing. "What you mean to say is you don't want me. Am I right?"
"No. Yes. I mean I … I really could go for some tea, how about you?" She tried to get up from her chair to make some tea but Xellos stopped her from moving an inch away from him.
"Now, now Filia you know I don't want tea. But from the look on your face I can see that you do not want the same thing I do. Tell me this then is there someone who you do want?" This time his mask wasn't on, instead he looked at her with those cold amethyst eyes of his. Filia felt as if he could reach into her to touch her soul with those eyes, but she couldn't and wouldn't tell him whom she really longed for. She refused to give him a weakness of hers for him to abuse.
"I don't know what you are talking about, there's no one." The fidgeting she was doing gave her away though. Why was it always so hard to lie to him?
"I think you do Filia-san, and I know who but why don't you tell me anyway. Just to confirm it." His eyes. They were so hypnotic, as if making her remember the day everything changed…

-Flashback Past Summer-

The heat was awful. It was one of the hottest summers Filia had ever known. Not only was the temperature sky-high but also there was a horrible drought going on making the heat even more unbearable. The radio said that this was the hottest day yet. Filia couldn't take wearing her heavy clothes, it made her feel dirty and very sweaty. So she opted to wear just a simple slip dress which, when compared to her normal attire was a bit more than revealing. She didn't even bother to open the shop today for there would be no customers coming in this heat and gave Jillas and Garvos the day off. She was by herself save for Val who was in the kitchen making them some ice tea. Filia was surprised they even had ice in this heat.
Shortly after Val came into the living room with a pitcher of tea and two glasses. Since he couldn't stand the heat as well, Val decided to wear just a pair of shorts without a shirt. As he poured them each a glass Filia fanned herself with a small paper fan sometimes fanning Val to give him a little relief. He smirked at her and took a little bit of the tea onto his fingers and flicked them at her challenging her to do something about it.
Giggling, Filia jumped from her chair with her glass and started to chase Val around the living room. When she finally caught him she dumped the drink onto his head.
"Thanks that was very refreshing." Val said between his laughter. For a little revenge he grabbed her by the waist and started to tickle her without mercy. They ended up rolling around on the floor trying to tickle one another but gave up with Val on top of her. While both were recovering from their fun, a few droplets of tea from Val's hair dripped onto Filia's face. As Val gazed at her, he slowly wiped away the tea from her face very lovingly. Filia wrapped her arms around his shoulders giving his damp hair a gentle tousle. She grinned at his messed up hair but then her face lost all color. Val looked at her with concern not knowing that he was what was making Filia uncomfortable. Filia was shocked because of the sudden bulge she felt coming from between Val's legs. Quickly Filia shot up from the floor and ran upstairs into her room leaving a confused and hurt Val behind.

-The Present-

Things weren't the same since that day. Filia kept her distance from Val even though she knew she was hurting him by pushing him away, but how could she face him now? How can she explain to him the feelings that were going through her? She couldn't even explain them to herself.
A part of her wanted to forget that day ever happened and go on with their lives. The other part of her longed for him to touch her again and everything that happened, even his arousal, felt right. But how could she do something like that with the boy she raised to be her son. True she never had him call her mother but it was still not right. Wasn't it?
And now here was Xelloss feeding off her emotions like they were a rare delicacy.
"I still don't know what you are talking about Xelloss, why don't you tell me who you think it is?"
"Better yet why don't I show you?"
Filia looked questioningly at Xelloss but was surprised to see his face slowly fade away morphing into…
Valgarv!
Xelloss had transformed himself into a replica of Valgarv. Every detail Filia remembered about Valgarv was there, right down to the scars on his body her people made long ago. Filia was beside herself, it was Valgarv but it wasn't. She tried to speak but her voice was caught in her throat.
"Speechless ne?" His voice was Valgarv's too. How can this be?
"I can be anyone you want Filia. I can take shape of anyone you have ever desired. Even those who you cannot have, but so desperately want." He was talking in a seductive whisper that sent shivers up Filia's back. She wanted to say yes, she wanted him, but he wasn't really Valgarv. It was the eyes. They weren't how Valgarv's eyes looked. No matter how much he could change his shape his eyes would always give Xelloss away. When Valgarv looked at her she saw nothing but pain; not the dark evil she would see in Xelloss' eyes. The evil she saw now. Filia felt as if her heart would break into a thousand pieces. She could never do such a thing with Xelloss even if he were disguised as Valgarv. The real Valgarv was beyond Filia's reach, but she knew she would keep a hand outstretched for him till they could finally be together in the way she dreamed them to be. Unfortunately Xelloss was having difficulty taking no for an answer. He would have Filia for his own one way or another and was not about to let her feelings for that damned dragon whelp, stand in his way. Xelloss decided that words were meaningless when actions were so much louder, as he slowly started to massage her right thigh.
"Please stop Xelloss!" Why must he be so cruel? Despite her newfound resolve Filia was having a hard time remembering that this wasn't Valgarv and that she shouldn't be enjoying these touches.
"No not Xelloss, tonight I'm Valgarv. I'm yours to do with as you please." He moved his fingers slightly upwards to caress the outline of Filia's breast.
"I'm telling you to stop, that I will hate you for it." Filia willed her eyes shut so as not to see his eyes anymore. The teasing he was doing was driving her mad and if she looked at his eyes anymore she knew she would give in to him.
"You've always hated me remember? So why not just let me please you." He brought his mouth to her neck slowly suckling on it and while she was distracted unbuttoned her dress.
When she felt gloved fingers on her bare flesh, reality came crashing down upon Filia. Valgarv never wore gloves, Xelloss did! Bolting out of her chair knocking Xelloss/Valgarv over she screamed. "I don't want this! I don't want you! Get out! Get out of my house and never show your face here again you filthy mazoku!"
Xelloss now back to his usual form sneered at her. "You could have had what you've wanted for a long time Filia. You could have been with Valgarv whom you desire so much. And don't think I don't know you do."
"You can say all you want Xelloss but you'll never be the Valgarv that I love. I'll never sleep with someone I do not love. And I do not love you."
"Well I really don't give a damn if you love me or not. Perhaps I should just take what I want from you and leave you here all alone save for the shame of a dragon being ravished by a 'filthy mazoku'. How does that sound Filia?" Xelloss slowly crept towards her with a look of pure hunger in his eyes as he grinned evilly at the sight of Filia cowering away from him in fear. Filia didn't know what she could do to stop him, he was so much powerful then her. If he wanted to he could have killed her anytime he wished, but she couldn't let him do such a horrible thing to her, she had to do something. Xelloss was towering over her now glaring down at her. As he was about to grab her by her hair someone let out a fierce growl from the dark. Turning in surprise Xelloss was knocked over from being punched very hard on the side of his face. Moaning in pain Xelloss looked up to face his attacker.
"I won't let you touch her." It was Val! Filia had never been so glad to see him as she was now. Xelloss stood up spitting some blood from his mouth. Recovered from his shock he put his evil grin back on.
"So does the little dragon whelp want a fight? Are you trying to protect her honor Val?"
"No just her." They were standing face to face and it reminded Filia of the times when Xelloss and Valgarv fought each other how intense they always were.
If Xelloss was intimidated by Val's confidence he didn't show it. He simply let out a "humph" and turned away from Val. He then bent down and gave Filia a kiss on her cheek before phasing out.
Although Filia was relieved that Xelloss was gone she couldn't help but cry the kiss had been the worst part of the entire encounter between them. It felt as if his lips were burning into her cheek, scarring her with his spite for her refusing him. She gasped as she felt warm arms wrap themselves around her and for a moment thought Xelloss had come back but looked up into the eyes of Val. "Shh it's ok he's gone. Did he hurt you? I swear if he did I'll hunt him down and kill him with my own hands."
"No I'm alright. As far as I can tell I am." Val tightened his hold on her as if he were afraid to let go of her. As much as she cherished being in his arms, feeling safe Filia frowned. Why can't I stop these feelings? My heart feels as if it will beat out of my chest. Trying to get her mind elsewhere she asked, "How did you know I was in trouble?"
"I had trouble sleeping, like I knew something wasn't right. I checked on Jillas and Gravos and they were ok but when I got to your room you weren't there so I decided to check downstairs when I heard you and Xellos talking. I was about to go back upstairs when I heard him saying those horrible things to you. I just couldn't let him do that to you."
"Thank you Val!"
"Oh you don't have to thank me Filia, I don't know what I'd do if anything happened to you. I don't think I could ever forgive myself." He drew her closer into his embrace with her head resting on his chest and softly smoothed her hair.
Why is this happening? How can I feel this way about Val? Filia decided not to dwell on the matter anymore and welcomed the comfort he was trying to give her. Awhile later she fell asleep in Val's arms.


To be continued...


Author's Note: Well I hope you liked this chapter as much as I liked writing it. Sorry to any Xelloss fans if they didn't like how I portrayed him, I always like him as an antagonist. Please review if you liked it or even if you didn't it helps me out a lot, and to those who already reviewed thank you so much. ^_^ And if you're reading this Mika-chan I hope you write your fic soon because I would love to read it.