~Chapter 5~


Shortly after dinner, Filia went about to washing the dishes, but was stunned to find she had a helper. Ailah stood next to her drying the dishes that Filia laid aside after she had washed them. Watching her carefully, Filia noticed that she dried the dishes to a perfect sheen that one could see their reflection in them. Filia was thankful for the help, since she never had anyone help her with the dishes, but she couldn't help but be curious about the strange mute girl.
"Why hasn't she gone home yet and not to mention when will she?" Filia muttered to herself as she continued her cleaning.
After putting the dishes away Filia turned around to see Ailah standing right behind her. Filia wasn't expecting her right there and was startled making her lose her balance. With a yelp Filia stumbled backwards into the dish cabinet, hitting her head on one of the shelves, while dozens of plates and bowls fell on top of her cutting in various places.
Filia's head spun from hitting it and everything became fuzzy. It didn't help that she was losing blood and before she blacked out, the last thing she saw was Ailah standing above her with the cheerful smile she always wore.


~Sometime Later~


Filia slowly opened her eyes, an enormous headache causing her to wake up. She tried to sit up but was forced back down by the pain that swarm through her body. Very carefully she lifted up one of her arms seeing that it was bandaged from her wrist all the way up to the elbow. Turning her gaze over she saw that the other one wasn't as bad but still had a bandage around her upper arm. Using her better arm she felt around her head gently and noticed that it as well was bandaged. If she could see her face she would have seen that it was covered in bruises and some minor cuts.
Flashes of what happened ghosted across her memory, but Filia didn't dwell on it too much because it made her head hurt even worse. Sinking back against her goose-down pillow, she let out a long sigh as her head slowly stopped throbbing.
Deciding it would be best for her to get more rest Filia closed her eyes but only to open them again as she heard someone enter her room. Glancing up wearily she saw Val bring in a tray with some soup and a plate of crackers. After setting the tray down on a nightstand, Val sat next to Filia on the bed gazing down on her with a worried expression.
"How are you feeling?" he inquired.
With a forced grin Filia said, "My entire body hurts!"
Val had to force back a chuckle but said, "I should think it would, you fell against the dish cabinet."
Filia nodded a little. "I seem to recall but who would have thought a mere dish cabinet could take down a gol… er "girl" like myself."
Val gave her a perplexed look but then gave a snicker and said, "You must have been hit on the head pretty hard, if you can't even say the word girl right."
"I suppose so." Filia gave a mental sigh of relief and scolded herself for almost slipping out the truth about her. Val didn't know that she was a golden dragon and he was unaware of his dragon heritage as well. She thought it better not to tell him because he might remember "other" things about himself and she couldn't do that to him. The pain and grief he once felt would come crashing down upon him in one fell swoop. And somewhere in the back of her mind a voice reminded her that she felt more for his past self than she should. They were both supposed to be bitter enemies and yet there was a deep understanding between them. Filia wondered when it was that she fell in love with the half-dragon, half-mazoku rogue. Was it when she first saw him? The time when he and Almayce attacked the temple? Or was it the time… when she first saw him smile?
That final smile, before she helped Lina and the others destroy him and Dark Star. That was the only time she ever recalled seeing him smile. And it was that smile alone that made her heart ache; wishing things could have been different for them. There were so many regrets she felt when she saw Valgarv's smile.
Filia wanted to keep Val smiling all the time, so that fueled her to keep their pasts from him. It was simple enough, with her white magick she was able to restrain him from transforming into his dragon form. She had to admit he was an adorable dragon when he first hatched but it solved so many issues to not let him transform anymore after he advanced to using his human form.
"So do you think you can eat a little something?" Val said breaking Filia's train of thought.
She gave a small nod, but when she tried to eat the soup herself, Val stopped her. "Sorry Filia but your arms were cut very bad, I don't think it would be a good idea to try to use them just yet."
"But then how am I supposed to eat?" Filia said with a confused look on her face.
Val couldn't contain his laughter anymore and let it all out from looking at her face. Filia was getting annoyed and when Val saw that look he knew he was trespassing on dangerous territory. With a cough he said, "That's what I'm here for silly," and when she still didn't catch on he added, "I'm going to feed you the soup."
All Filia did was let out a small "Oh!" with a bright blush on her cheeks. She tried to sit up but it took too much of her strength so Val grabbed her around the waist pulling her up gently and causing the blush on Filia's cheeks to get even redder. After she was situated Val scooped some soup onto the spoon and began to feed her.
With a serious tone to show he wasn't joking Val said, "Maybe I should check your temperature. Your cheeks are really red!"
Filia felt really embarrassed now that he saw her blushing and it only intensified. Trying to calm herself, she told him "Oh I'm sure it's nothing, I mean I don't feel like I have a fever or anything." Not believing her Val placed his hand on her forehead to make sure and placed his other hand on his forehead to see if they were the same temperature. Satisfied that they were, Val continued to feed Filia the soup.
Filia felt so content and at peace just having Val near her. He was so close she thought that if she were just to move her face an inch more, their lips would meet. But before she could another figure walked into the room, and Filia was shocked to see who it was.
"Ailah!" Val turned around and gave Ailah a small smile. Facing Filia now he told her that he sensed that Ailah felt bad for what happened, thinking it was her fault, and wanted to help around the house. Since it seemed Filia wouldn't be able to do the housework Val offered her to stay until Filia recuperated. Seeing that it was all arranged before Filia could have her say, she agreed to let her stay.
'But I'll be watching you, Ailah!' Filia said to herself.

A/N Gomen for taking forever yet again with this latest chapter. Let's just say things have been hectic in my life. Anyway I hoped you enjoyed this latest installment and please r/r!! Remember for the 50th person they will have their choice of either a teaser of an upcoming chapter or I will answer any question they may have even if it is a spoiler. If you are the 50th person please e-mail me at psychomouse604@aol.com. ^_^