(((.-)) Zel |||^.^||| Xelloss |{{^.^}}| Lina |((.^)|| Gourry ((^.^)) Amelia |))-.-((| Val
Chapter 55
THE SLAYERS
Xelloss swatted away Zel's hand and tore open the note and read it, eyes glued to the message. He shut his eyes a moment then met Zel's penetrating gaze. "I've got to do one more thing…then, it will be all over…"
Zel grabbed the note out of his hand and read it over, "Who's this? What does this mean?"
Xelloss closed his eyes, "Please, promise to drive me someplace tomorrow. I'd do it myself but…"
"The hell you will! I'm not even sure I should be out driving around, and I KNOW you shouldn't be. This is nonsense, Xelloss. Whatever it is, if it has waited this long it can wait another week until you're doing better. What?"
"I must do this one more thing. I must do it tomorrow," Xelloss met his eyes. "I'll do anything…Do I have to beg? I will, if I have to…"
Zel sank onto the bed beside his tortured friend, "Go…but only if I go with you."
"But you don't know what I'm going to do!"
"So? If it has ANYTHING to do with that bottle, I'm not letting you out of my sight!" Zel said sternly.
"Okay."
"Okay, what?"
"Okay, you can come with me and meet Mr. Saygram."
"SAYGRAM!? I thought he was dead?"
"That was Saygram Jr. This is Saygram Sr., his father, Phibrizzo's grandfather too, by the way," Xelloss raised an eyebrow. He wasn't sure that Zel could understand how much he needed to go.
"This is a closure issue, isn't it?"
Xelloss nodded.
"Personal or syndicate orders still left undone?"
Xelloss closed his eyes and made no motion to answer the question.
"That's what I thought," Zel said curtly. "I don't like this, you know. Oh, I'm still going with you, but I just wanted you to know, I object strongly to you're continued involvement in ALL this. WHEN will it all END?"
"This is it. It ends with this. I promise." Xelloss opened his eyes, "And I always keep my promises."
"All right. How long do you think it will take? Oh. Then, tomorrow, after breakfast we'll leave after I check on Lina. We don't want her worrying about being left out of something…I know, there's an anime she wants to see, but it's not at our local place. We'll go looking for it across town. It won't be a lie, and she'll buy it, if we bring back lunch as well,"
"Lunch? As a goodwill offering? Okay, it IS Lina. Thanks, little brother. This is…very important. I'll owe you lots…I already owe you lots…However am I going to repay you?" Xelloss asked.
"You can't. My goodwill can't be bought. But you can do me a favor and get your mind on the near future. Think positively and start thinking about the band and playing music and making something of yourself, just for the summer. No further out than that. All right?" Zel looked at his friend beseechingly.
"Tomorrow. Ask me-- remind me tomorrow. Not tonight. Too much to think about tonight," and Xelloss closed his eyes and turned his head to the wall signaling the end of the conversation.
"I won't forget. Goodnight. Try to sleep," Zel whispered and stepped silently out of the room, up the stairs, and into his own room. He collapsed onto his bed wishing the next day were over.
Zel pulled into the parking lot of the Whispering Oaks Retirement Center and turned off the ignition. Xelloss had not said a word the entire trip over. He was clearly delving into some private hell, drawing on some internal strength to pull off his next performance. He was like a man in a trance.
"Xelloss? Time for you to lead the way," Zel prodded gently.
"O-KAY, DO-KAY!" Xelloss grinned and exited the car nimbly, considering the bandages wrapped around his chest and abdomen.
Together they entered through the front doors, and approached the reception desk. Several of the workers recognized him and greeted him warmly, offering him condolences on his losses. They were clearly pleased to see him again. "Yes, Mr. Saygram has been expecting you for some time. We tried to explain that your injuries from that car accident were too serious for you to be out and about visiting crabby old men. Yes, you'll find him in the same place. Here, take this chessboard," the young woman explained.
"Thank you, Nancy," he said pleasantly and carried the game under an arm.
A few hallways later and Xelloss stopped. Seated near a window at a small table was their target. Saygram looked up, "Eh? Oh, it's is you at last. I thought it would be you. I told him…well. You look fine. I was told you were dying in the hospital."
"Exaggerations. You know how the press is. Dress it up to make a better story. I'm fine now." Xelloss smiled and set the game on the table. "A game?"
"If you want. Set them up."
While Xelloss removed the chess pieces from a small zippered bag and placed them on the board, Saygram attended to the quiet, intense boy standing to the left and behind Xelloss. "So, you're a grim child and not terribly attractive either. What's your name?"
"Zelgadiss Greywords."
Saygram's eyes sparkled with recognition, "Yes…son, no…grandson of the Red Priest. I met him once. Taller than you, dark hair, handsome…"
Zel looked down at Xelloss. The pieces were in place and he was waiting.
"Shall we begin? You may have the first move, if you like," Xelloss smiled in a relaxed manner.
Zelgadiss was nervous. He could feel the evil and power emanating from the old man like a tangible creature, a demon ready to strike. He wanted to bolt, dragging Xelloss along with him to safety. The feeling grew stronger, nearly overwhelming him. Then it passed, and was replaced by a calm certainty, like euphoria, but Zelgadiss-style with more control. He looked up and met the old man's eyes.
"Yes a good-looking man, but weak, unlike you," Saygram grumbled and moved a pawn.
Zelgadiss looked back at the board and watched the game unfold. He wondered at a couple of Xelloss' choices. He appeared to make careless errors, losing an essential piece here, a valuable one there. Zelgadiss was practiced at hiding his emotions, though, and so, remained unmoved and nonjudgmental. He could have as good a poker face as there was. His eyes may have dilated when he thought Xelloss made a grave error which placed his king in peril. Then he saw it. The trap was placed, so well disguised that he nearly missed it.
Did Saygram see it too? Did he have a counter move to protect his players? Saygram moved a piece without pause. Was he so astute a player to have guessed it all along? Did he have a trap of his own that I have missed? Zel tensed.
Xelloss moved his chessman. The trap was set, the bait-- the queen herself—in place.
Would he go for it? Oh, he must see what's going on! He'll back off and try another tactic. Zel blinked.
Saygram smiled. "You've given me your queen? That weakens your game tremendously."
Xelloss leaned back, "Ah, well…it's just a little game of chess, right? Care to stop?"
"Hah! You'd like that, now that I have the upper hand. No, Mr. Metallium, we'll play it out to the absolute end," Saygram smiled with satisfaction.
"If you insist, then, to the absolute end," Xelloss smiled easily and leaned forward choosing a piece and placing it. "Check."
Saygram frowned and studied the board. He moved his king to safety, pressuring a knight and bishop. A good move. He smirked, "Take your pick. Which to save and which to lose…"
Xelloss nodded. He picked up a piece and set it on the board, "Checkmate. I lose the queen and a few inconsequential players, but I save the king and those that matter, and the game. The game's over Saygram."
Saygram sat back and sighed. "I see."
Xelloss reached into his pocket and withdrew a small vial, "This is for you. Consider it a gift, a consolation prize for the loser. It's better than you would have given me, I'm sure."
Saygram reached out, snagged the bottle in his claw-like, shriveled hand, and chuckled deeply in his throat. "Compassionate bastard, aren't you?"
Xelloss didn't answer. He simply extended a hand and said, "Thank you for the game. I can't say I enjoyed myself, however. I'm leaving now. Oh, and I understand it tastes best in red wine, though I don't know first hand. I don't drink. I'll be checking the obituaries tomorrow morning." Xelloss stood and smiled, "Goodbye."
Zelgadiss nodded and followed Xelloss to the reception desk.
"Goodbye, Nancy. My work experience here is done now. I'm afraid I won't be able to return due to other obligations, but thank you for the kind recommendation. Good-bye now," Xelloss smiled and shook her hand.
She smiled and said something nice, and then they left.
They walked briskly out to the car as if in a race against time. "Backseat!" Xelloss gasped, stumbling a little.
Zel opened the back door and Xelloss slid in, then stretched out, shaking with released tension and exhaustion.
"Home?" Zel asked, starting the car and heading out to the street.
"Do your errands. I just need to unwind," Xelloss said in a whisper.
Zel drove on to several video rental stores until he found the multiple volumes Lina wanted, then stopped at an Italian bakery for pizza-bread and Limonata sodas to take home for lunch. When he parked in front of his home, Xelloss was asleep. He labored over whether or not to wake him, when a purple sparkle from a half-opened eye signaled his was waking up on his own.
"Home, already?" Xelloss smiled and struggled to sit up.
"Yes. I thought we might picnic in the front room and watch some of this series. Can you get there on your own? Good. I'll get Lina and come back for the food if you can get the VCR started. Thanks. What?" Zel asked.
Xelloss wrapped his friend in a very brief hug and whispered, "Thanks, Zelgadiss. You are the best…person I will ever know." He scooped up the tapes a walked up to the main house, before Zel could say anything.
"You're welcome," Zel said in a low voice and took off the other direction. "…big brother."
Lina accepted the invitation and clamored into the wheelchair without help, "I'm gonna be able to walk over tomorrow. That's my goal. Hey, if I don't have a goal, I don't make any headway, right? 'Course I'm right! Hey, Xelloss hand me one of those pizza things. Okay, now listen to the theme song. The Record of Lodoss Wars' theme music is great, huh? Do you think we could do it Slayers style? Well, think some more and we'll talk about it more later."
"Hah, hah…see Xelloss, it's you. Okay, so he's a bit chubby, but Etoh's a priest and has your hair, purple pageboy! Cool, huh?" Lina laughed.
Zel agreed, but Xelloss didn't see ANY similarities.
KNOCK, KNOCK
He was saved any further teasing by the arrival of his psychiatrist. Zel answered the door, "Hello? Yes, Xelloss is here. Come in. We're just watching movies. Ah, this is our good friend, Lina. Lina? This is a doctor to see Xelloss. We should go."
But Xelloss wanted them to stay. His spirits were soaring, as if a great burden had been lifted from his shoulders, and he wanted to share this with his two closest friends.
"So, you seem more cheerful today," the doctor noted.
"Yes indeedy!"
"How about the uncontrolled anger?"
"Only once this week!"
"Anxiety?"
"Nope, all gone."
"When are you going to see Dr. Adams next?"
"End of the week, right Zelgadiss?"
Zel nodded. He kept track of the dates and times, as suited his nature, for the entire household. He found that coordinating five busy lives was easier that way.
"You'll be getting out from under the wraps soon…taking off the bandages. Have you given any thought about returning to school?" the doctor asked.
Xelloss shook his head, "I'm afraid, frankly. These two plus a handful of others are the only ones I can be myself around. I've been putting on an act for so long. I don't want to go back and start all over, pretending…"
"Pretending?"
Lina, unable to contain her silence for long, piped up, "We ALL have gotta go back and we're expected to be part of a CIA cover-up and play charades around the truth! He's not the only one with that problem. All of us are! Poor little Amelia is so disheartened I can't stand it. And if you think HE'S scary when he gets out of control, I have NO qualms about using ALL my powers to blow up the entire city of Seyruun! Well, not exactly…guess I've been watchin' a little too much anime lately." she smiled wanly, backing down at bit. "But ya get the point, huh?"
The doctor smiled, "I understand. The pressure must be making the idea of transitioning back into normal life difficult."
"NORMAL LIFE? WHAT about that guy's life, not to mention mine and Zel's here, do you think is gonna be normal? He's an 18 year old boy with no parents who lost his innocence to more than one tortuous relative, and who's spent more time in the hospital than in school? Are you going to help him pull a NORMAL life out of that? I can answer that…" Lina ranted.
"She's good. She can pose the questions and answer them herself…" Zel whispered to Xelloss with his trademark smirk.
Lina knocked Zel onto the floor with a well-placed kick from her wheelchair. "I WAS THE ONE TALKING! The answer is… no, you aren't. Not you, not his teachers. It's gotta be us, his friends!"
"Oh, Lina, I KNEW you cared after all!" Xelloss cried out then fell into a giggling mass of purple on the couch.
"Zel, YOU find some spot on his body to pound for me, will ya? Now, where was I…yes, thank you Zel, getting on with our lives. So…what are you for? Xelloss? How much are you paying this yokel? I can ask asinine questions for free!"
"You cannot dispense drugs, Lina," Xelloss smiled, amused by her antics to push the cool doctor's buttons and get him riled up.
"Not legally, but you don't need those either. You need to get your ass over to the practice room and set up your drums and pound them again. Zel needs to stop playing our servant and start playing our lead guitarist! Hmm, that was pretty clever, wasn't it? True also. And if I don't move out of this insane asylum, I'm gonna be a permanent member!"
Xelloss straightened up and grinned.
Oh, no… Zel shook his head. Lina left herself open for what's coming.
"That was true! It wasn't a dream! You DID promise to marry me if I survived, didn't you? I KNEW I heard that!" Xelloss folded his arms smugly.
Lina blanched then blushed in furious succession.
"Ah, am I interrupting anything here?" the doctor asked, flipping over a page on his chart and scribbling a note or two.
Zel broke his silence, "No, not really. Anything you can do to get this back on course would be appreciated. I can tell you that Xelloss has been improving this week and …oh, hello, Beast. Lonely or hungry? Little of both? Well, join the club, have a seat…NO! Not on ME! Get off…oh, just move over some then…"
"Why do I get the tail end?" whined Xelloss, pushing the soft, feathery tail out of his face. "And why do animals always stick their feet in your…ah…private parts…like people are simply uneven pillows?"
"Speaking of pillows…" Lina interjected, noticing the complete absence of the dozen or so cushions usually lying around.
"Re-decorating…" Zel began.
"Without me?" she wondered.
"I think the future little lady of the house would like to choose her own colors. What do you think, darling?" Xelloss smiled.
"I think…" Lina began in a very low voice.
"I think you and I should take the rest of our discussion into your room, so your friend and girlfriend can get dinner started and I can delve deeper into past," said the doctor, standing and pulling Xelloss to his feet at the same time. Beast moaned and slid onto the couch without waking up.
Zel agreed and stood also, completing the transfer of the old dog to the couch. "Lina, I'll take you back to stew in your room while I prepare a stew of my own for dinner. See, I can be clever too."
"Did you hear what he said, what he called me?" Lina croaked.
"Who are we screaming about now, Xelloss or the shrink?"
"Both! But Xelloss was taking advantage of his head condition, knowing I can't pound him and…"
"Lina, what do suppose he was talking about…that dream versus reality stuff with you making promises to him?" Zel wondered aloud.
"I…I have no idea! It's his head condition, I think. It might be a dangerous new side-effect, we should tell the doctor—"
"Lina, you're not convincing. But don't bother explaining. I don't even want to know. Don't even know what possessed me to ask….
"But…" he started again.
"Huh?"
"But you didn't really, did you?" Zel asked, quietly.
Lina looked askance at him. "Are you jealous?"
"No! I just want to know…"
"No. I didn't, not really. He knows it, too, he's just trying to push his luck. Now, you can't let them go on thinking that…Damnit, he called me his girlfriend! You can't let them THINK that, Zel! I'm—"
"Fine, Lina. I'll set them straight. Calm down, Lina. See you at dinner."
~*~
"So, what's really troubling you the most right now?" the doctor asked.
"I need to talk to Lina, but besides that…I have a box of stuff, sloppy term, a box of momentos from way back—I can't open the box. I can't enter the upstairs bathroom. I faint at the sight of my own blood still. I don't know what to do…"
"Stop with that thought. What would you like to do?"
"Right now? Have a girlfriend for real. But more realistically, I want our band to get going again and I'm holding it up most…"
"Why's that?"
"I can't remember our songs. Not a note. Not a word. So selective a thing, the mind is. But I can't play drums yet anyway so it hardly matters."
"Have you told them?"
"No. I keep hoping it's temporary, like everything else."
"Perhaps it is. What else would you like to do?"
"I used to work at the dojo. I'd miss that terribly if I had to give it up for good. I might enjoy dancing just as much though…but…"
The doctor nodded, "But…"
"I have enough trouble with my 'image' around girls without THAT added complexity. Also, it will probably take more work than I want to put into it to get back in shape. You see, I own the studio now."
"You have many skills. Running a studio may be one of them. Produce a show or…"
"A musical! That could be fun!" Xelloss brightened at the realization. "And I'd like to take a vacation with the whole band, no work and all fun. I've never done that! Well, Zel took Val and me to the beach one afternoon. That was really great, too!"
"That sounds like a good idea then. I believe you've made remarkable progress these past weeks. Dr. Adams told me that you were a fast healer. I sense other deep-lying insecurities we need to work on, though." The doctor turned back a few pages in his notebook.
"Oh, I've got those all right," Xelloss chuckled. "I'm smart, so I get labeled a geek. I'm a drummer, so I get labeled a loser. I'm different, so I'm a nutcase. I'm not tough and buff, so I'm gay. The list goes on and on, but those are the highlights. Insecure? Well, duh!"
"Being smart might be what saves you in the end. I understand your band was a local phenomena, so being its drummer, I'm sure YOU didn't feel like a loser when you were up on stage, true? Okay, now let's see…
"Most teenagers try to act pretty weird, but I know the label must hit too close to home for you. As your confidence grows, your personality will solidify more and you'll feel like you fit in better."
The doctor paused to let his previous words sink in. Xelloss rolled the words around a bit then nodded, "Go on."
"The last point, well frankly, when I first started meeting with you, I thought you were gay. So many young gay men were once boys who'd been abused. Only you know how you feel about girls or other boys for that matter, and if it's girls that interest you primarily, then fine. If not, then…that's fine too, just something else for us to talk about in the future. But, it seems you have a girlfriend now?"
"No, just a friend, actually. I'm currently unattached, but I definitely like girls!"
"Then that's a problem we don't have to address, just the image part. That will change as you mature more and spend time around other kids your age. How about some deeper issues…Let's talk about your mother."
Xelloss squirmed. "I'd rather not."
"I see. Then we've touched on the right topic," the doctor smiled imperceptibly.
Xelloss kept his mouth closed and looked to the side.
"I understand she was a well-thought-of woman in town, and donated her Wolf Pack Island holdings to the Cephied clan."
"That's correct," Xelloss replied curtly.
"Xelloss, I'm your doctor. Nothing you say here leaves this room, but you need to talk about her."
"She was all that, and more. What has Dr. Adams told you about the family? Well, then let me begin at time before I was born."
Xelloss led his astonished listener through an unbelievable story filled with illicit affairs, conspiracy, high drama, horror, and sadness. "So at least Val knows he's not a blood relative and now probably regrets his decision not to shoot her when he had the chance. Me, I handed her over to Mr. Death when I demonstrated the use of my syndicate pendant and then gave it to the CIA."
"So you feel it was your fault? You feel responsible for her death. Don't you think she knew it could happen at any time? After her plans fell through she had ample opportunities to get away. Instead, she went to the island with a very small squad of soldiers for protection. When that fell apart--and here I was thinking that she was hoping her husband would kill her in relative secrecy or that poor Val kid would break down and kill her-- she knew she had one last ace in the hole. You. If you turned over that key information, she knew it would be all over…at last."
Xelloss looked at his hands, "You mean, she expected me to do it so she could die and not have to suffer the consequences of all her lifetime of evil actions?"
"Yes, otherwise why didn't she demand the pendant's return after you signed up with Phibrizzo? She could have returned it to you after you had succeeded in that mission. However, leaving it in your possession bonded her to you…and linked you back to her, which ensured her a quick death."
Xelloss smiled and shook his head, "Possibly. I don't really want to go into her head. There were lots of other ways to explain her behavior, but yours is plausible. I certainly wasn't planning to kill her when I pulled out that damned pendant. I only wanted to tell the whole story."
"That makes a difference, but even so, after all she'd done, the game had been hers and she lost. You were just an unfortunate pawn."
"Not exactly. I knew what I was doing. I was working for her. Then I was working for myself. I just wasn't thinking clearly in the hospital, I didn't think through the consequences of MY actions thoroughly enough. Heh, heh… my friend, Zelgadiss, always harangues me about that."
The doctor smiled. He was making some headway with this kid at last. "So the Island give-away was your idea?"
"Yes, I really want the truth to die with her. For Rezo and me both, it's better that she dies a respected lady, agreed?" Xelloss smiled.
"Yes, I do."
"You going to make me talk about my fathers now?" Xelloss smiled.
"Gaav and Dubois? I don't even know where to start!" the young doctor chuckled.
"I could start with Rezo. He's turned out to be the best. My real one, well, I really don't remember him. I used to fantasize about him, turning him into the ideal man. But…I've read his journal. He was from another time and place. Brilliant but flawed and in the end, weak. He could have taken me away from her, saved me and himself, but he drank instead, fell into a depression, stopped his cancer treatments…essentially gave up. Rezo, on the other hand came through for me, putting both himself and his son at risk for me. Rezo, saving the best for last."
"Interesting. Have you told him that?"
"No. I've been a real prick to him," Xelloss frowned.
"It might go a long way in your healing, if you affirmed his importance to you…face to face," the doctor urged.
Xelloss nodded, "Who's next?"
"Me. It's time for me to go now, Xelloss. But first, I just wanted to say, as a friend and not a doctor now, I just want to say that for all you have been through, you're quite a remarkable survivor."
"Me? Thanks, I guess. But I never would have made it without my friends," Xelloss grinned.
"The 'Slayers', huh? Maybe the 'Survivors' is a more appropriate name?"
"Or the Shrine 'Destroyers'!" Xelloss chuckled. "Hey, I'm a priest now so I can joke like that!"
~*~
"Amelia, what would I do without you?" Sylphiel sighed as the two girls worked, hunched over a large work table. Amelia had cut out four kimonos that afternoon and was starting the fifth.
"You'd just have to call these people and tell them about your broken arm, silly! Oh, you know I'm glad to help. It feels good to be doing something worthwhile!" Amelia insisted.
"There! Val's gift to Sano is done! Like?"
"Oooo, that's gorgeous, Sylphiel. He'll love it, I'm sure."
"Amelia?"
"Hmmm?"
"So…you've been spending time with Melvin lately. I think he likes you a lot," Sylphiel giggled.
"I guess so, but…"
"But?"
"He's nice but so…"
"Young and ordinary compared to someone who'll remain nameless," Sylphiel giggled.
"Well, yes, but…"
"But…he will talk to you…"
"About nothing of importance…" Amelia finished.
"And he's not afraid to ask you out…"
"Although I haven't said I will yet…" Amelia sighed.
"You are so in trouble, Amelia," Sylphiel sighed as well.
"So are YOU! You were making your feelings pretty clear to Xelloss the other day. And rather shamelessly I might add! Really! Practically undressing in his lap!"
"I took off my sweater! I had a top under it! I think he unclasped my hair on purpose anyway. Amelia! I was just trying to get him to notice me!" Sylphiel insisted.
"He noticed you, all right. You know if you get too aggressive, you'll scare him off. Think of Kiki. They only talked together. He's not very experienced with girls, so if you come on too strong he'll balk!"
"You're thinking of the-one-who-must-not-be-named."
"Him too! Similar mold," Amelia agreed. "Ah, hah! Another one done, what's next? Oh, pretty, I might cut one out like this for me. No this one!"
Sylphiel looked up at the silk cloth Amelia was holding to her cheek. It was aquamarine, Zel's-eyes blue. "Gods, Amelia, choose something less obvious, would you?"
~*~
Rezo was listening to the evening news when he heard a soft rustle of silk kimono. "Xelloss?"
"Yes…sir. Do you have a moment? To talk, please."
Rezo turned down the sound and faced up to the origin of the Xelloss noises, "Certainly. Have a seat on the couch. What's on your mind?"
Xelloss kneeled close to Rezo's chair, "I need to…I want to thank you for all you've done for me. I was talking to the doctor, shrink, this afternoon and realized that you've been the best father I've ever known. That you've done so much for me: stood up for me, risked your life for me, entrusted your son and family heirlooms to me."
Xelloss moved closer, resting a hand on the chair for support. "And I have been very disrespectful to you. So I wanted to let you know that I do appreciate everything you've done and apologize for my poor behavior."
Rezo was stunned. He was completely unprepared of this outpouring of emotion from Xelloss, or anyone for that matter. He put an arm around the boy's shoulder and croaked, "It's okay. I always understood you…up until now, that is…"
Xelloss perked up quickly to catch a twinkle of good humor in Rezo's voice. "I meant all I said, you know!" Xelloss reassured the man.
"Of course. I…just don't know quite what to say in return. You are a very odd boy, but my son thinks the world of you and you have proved yourself courageous and loyal to your friends. I wish I knew what I could do for you to help."
"I don't want to be alone. When you move back to your house, Zelgadiss will go with you and…I know Val has his own complicated life to explore," Xelloss explained.
"I see. Well, now I have your expectations to live up to, do I?" Rezo chuckled. "That's just as well. My own son asks nothing of me. I have not yet worked out all the details, but I'm considering various actions. Xelloss, I promise you'll have company—yours to drive out by your own actions, perhaps, but I won't leave you here all by yourself. All right? You're not crying now are you? Here, take my handkerchief, I hear Zelgadiss coming. You don't want him to see you like this, do you?" Rezo smiled and shook his head.
"Oh, he's used to me falling apart by now," Xelloss grinned, waving the cloth with a flourish.
"Oh, Xelloss? I was just going over to check on Lina. Wanna come with?" asked Zel. "And give my father back his handkerchief. Don't you know it's not nice to tease a blind old man!"
"OLD MAN!" snorted Rezo.
Xelloss thought that was very funny and laughed so hard he cried.
~*~
She wasn't sure how it got in. Luna must have left the loft window open for some air or something. Regardless, there it was, staring at her with its shiny black eyes.
It was almost the size of a cat, sleek and aerodynamic, shuffling its feathers and edging around on the back of her wheelchair that it claimed as its perch.
It cocked its head at her.
"What? What're you looking at?" she demanded. But the bird didn't answer. "Shoo! Shoo, you big thing!" Lina was running out of creativity.
The bird continued to stare at her, fluffed its wings, stretched its neck.
"Damn it, I'm sick in bed and I can't reach you! You're doing this to torture me!"
Silence.
"You remind me of Zel. I scream at you, and you just look at me like you know better. Well, you don't! You're just a dumb bird! I won't let you psyche me out!"
Silence.
"So, you wanna fight, eh? Well, to hell with being injured! I can get you from here," Lina reached down and peeled off her socks. "I'm a pretty good shot these days!"
A sock sailed through the air at the bird.
Quothe the raven: SQUAWK!!
~*~
The loud noises tipped Zel off that there was something wrong. He and Xelloss hurried to the door and threw it open, hoping that it wouldn't end with a slap from an indecent Lina—
"Get back here, you black buzzard!" Squawk!
They were met with the bizarre sight of Lina up and about, chasing something black that flew and emitted loud noises.
"Lina, what in hell are you doing?"
"Stop gawking, boys, and help out, damn you! This damn crow's got in my room and it was staring at me, and you've got to get it OUT!"
"Lina, you're up!" Xelloss laughed, and joined in the chase.
"You're nuts. Here, I'll keep the door open, and you guys can chase it out…" Zel ducked as the crow whizzed past his head, squawking all the way.
Lina and Xelloss cheered, and Zel closed the door. "How'd it get in?" Zel asked.
"I don't know…I think the upstairs window was left open or something."
"Xelloss, close it."
"Why me?"
"Just do it."
"Fine."
"Okay, Lina. So, you're up and moving. How do you feel?"
"Not bad, Dr Zel. In fact, that felt pretty damned good!" she grinned as she flopped onto a beanbag chair.
Zel said no more. He knew that it meant Lina would be going back to her own house soon, and the strange feeling he had concerned him. He SHOULD be relieved that he'd have less to do and happy for Lina's quick recovery, and he WAS, but…he was going to miss her, that he was.
"Sorry to disappoint you…" she began.
"Hey, Zel-gaaaaa-dissss! Give me a hand with this, okay?" came Xelloss' muffled voice from the loft above.
"Yeah…" Zel answered and left Lina.
From the loft she could hear his irritated voice telling Xelloss, "This is no time to be cleaning and moving boxes of crap, Xelloss. It's been a long and exhausting day for me and…oh, all right. Where do you want this?"
"Downstairs."
"Anything breakable in it?"
"No, I don't remember…" Xelloss answered carelessly. "Hey, be careful!"
His 30 pound box of momentos slid down the first ten steps. Zel nudged the box with his foot, and the box continued on, finally coming to a halt at the bottom.
Lina, Zel and Xelloss pushed the box to the center of the room and waited.
"Well? Do we open it or just contemplate its existence?" Lina asked.
"I want to, but I can't," Xelloss explained weakly.
"Then I will…" Lina threatened, and ripped off the tape.
"Wait!" Zel shouted. "What's inside?"
"My past. I need to do this, but I can't."
"So, you DO want me to open this? Yes? Zel, get outta my way," Lina pushed his arm away and pulled back the flaps. "Ooh pictures!" She grabbed a stack and spread them out. "Heh, heh, lookit that tough little kid with his hands in fists and the narrow frowning eyes! It's black and white, but I bet that's a purple crewcut!"
Zel looked askance at Xelloss to check his reaction. "Ah, Xelloss, if you take your hands away from your face you'll see better. So far, there are just a few pictures of you…about seven years old, would you guess Lina? Lina?"
Xelloss uncovered his eyes to see what had silenced Lina.
"Gaav didn't look so bad back then. This one's in color, but…you weren't very happy in this photo, either," she pointed out.
Xelloss picked up another picture. It was similar to the one of his father holding him as a very young boy that he stored in the dresser by his bed. "This was my natural father with me. Very formal. The series was taken at a photographer's studio one day."
"Yeah, here's one like it with…your mother too, all three of you," Lina said. "It's weird looking at other peoples' pictures. You see all kinds of similarities, like…Amelia looks like an aunt of hers, while her sister is a copy of her mother. Zel looks like his mother, or so you told me or Rezo or someone said, but also similar in mannerisms to his dad. Now your face is like your mother's…but your hair and eyes…your father's."
Xelloss nodded.
"You played soccer, Xelloss!" said Zel. "So did I, for a while…till I got to middle school. Baseball too. I was the fastest runner and a dead-on pitcher."
Xelloss blinked. He couldn't remember having heard Zel gloat about any accomplishments before.
"Yeah, even better than me, but no one else came close, of course," Lina smiled. "There's something else to do this summer vacation! I bet that Van kid, and Hitomi play soccer and baseball. Kagome still does, I know, and…there's a high school team! Nah, best not get them involved if it's for fun…"
"Whoa now, you were in lots of dance recitals, weren't ya? You looked pretty cute in those tights as a kid!" she grinned and winked at Xelloss.
He smiled slightly and shook his head.
"At least you got away from the crew-cut, pretty severe. You WERE in a school play! Which one is this? Let me see if I can figure it out…" Lina squinted over a couple of pictures.
"The King and I," Zel said, leafing through a play-list. "You had the lead?"
"Yes, it needed someone who could dance well and looked…remotely Asian. I had to sing too, but…well, you know I'm not great at that. But, I was fierce enough to pull it off. Funny, until now, I'd forgotten all about it!" Xelloss smiled in amusement.
"What school was that? You must have lived all over the place!" Lina noticed.
"While my first father was living, we lived out in the country. He drove into the University. But after he died, we lived around. I changed schools every year, I think. I was…a trouble maker. After Gaav…we stayed around Seyruun. This house belonged to Dubois originally…I found the deed changed over to my mother's name…regardless of what stories she and Rezo made up about the place."
Zelgadiss cleared his throat, "Well, there's very little left unbroken of his in the place anymore. The kitchen table and a couch? Couple chairs?"
Xelloss nodded, "That's right. I've just about gotten rid of the reminders. And when I can walk through the entire place and NOT feel his presence lurking around, then I know he's gone from my brain."
In an effort to deftly change the subject, Lina swung around a couple heavy books, "Here's a few year books. Guess ya didn't stay long enough in one place to pick up many, huh?" Lina sighed. "Want to look through them now or …later then…"
She pulled out a soft-green silk box that appeared aged and worn. "Should I open this? Okay… "
"This was my father's. Some old pictures he had of his first wife…your grand-mother, I guess, Zelgadiss. Weird. Here, take these two. That's her and your mother as a baby. That's your mother as a girl…" Xelloss passed the pictures over to Zel.
"Zel! Look how much you look like her! The same exact smirky-know-it-all grin!" Lina gasped.
"Looked. Not anymore. It's not in color, but her eyes look dark, probably dark brown," Zel said with no emotion. He no longer looked like anything but an accident victim. "Thanks, Xelloss. I'd like to have them."
"What's this? Another one of those syndicate seals, Xelloss?!" Lina hissed.
"Hers. My sister's. Her mother's. I should destroy it. Here, Zelgadiss…"
"Don't give it to me!" he rocked back in horror. "Just put it back where it's been all these years. We'll think about it later."
"My father brought her here to escape the syndicate. Some things you just can't run away from. You just have to face the facts and deal with what life gives you, right Lina? Oh, more for you, Zelgadiss. A book of poems in Japanese, a mother to daughter thing, I think. We should take Japanese and try and read the inscriptions, eh?"
Zel nodded and opened the book. "It's very old. Some drawings too. All handwritten…beautiful. Thanks again."
"Soooo, what, no stuffed teddies or toys?" Lina asked peering into the box.
"No, I pretty much destroyed everything. Ah, some old albums my father played on the record player. Yeah, archaic, huh? Singing in the Rain…Top Hat…hmm…hav'ta find a record player… Val would know where to find old electronics, huh?" Xelloss asked Lina.
"Maybe. Well, that's about it, Xelloss. You don't keep much," mused Lina.
"Nor does Zelgadiss. When he moved over he only had his sword, clothes, one box of…"
"Crap, my acoustic guitar, and my computer. Now I've got…more computer crap, a beanbag chair, a portable CD player, ah, yes the guitars-plural…no cellphone any more. Now that came in handy! We need to replace those, and this time we'll get you one too, Lina," Zel sank back into his chair and closed his eyes. "Oh, and a car…"
"In fact," Xelloss started up. "WE should get Gourry and Sylphiel each one too!"
"A car?!"
"No, Lina, a cellphone."
"Well, then, what about Amelia and Filia?" Lina asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Well they can afford to get their own, but what the heck, maybe I can get a quantity deal!" Xelloss giggled. "I'll order those tonight and we'll hand them out as surprises…better yet, we'll make a quick trip to the mall tomorrow…"
"I'm going to bed," Zel announced. "You and your machinations should too. And Lina? Congratulations on your activity tonight. I think I forgot to say that."
"Why, Zelgadiss! How you've changed. Where's the famed cold-hearted bastard?" Xelloss chuckled.
"You'll see him again the next time we meet, I'm sure," Zel muttered. "Oh, yes. You two have something personal to settle. You should do that now." He stood to leave.
"Stay!" Xelloss and Lina gasped together. "…Please, Zelgadiss/ Zel!"
"Why? It has nothing to do with me and everything to do with the two of you. Personally, I'd rather not get involved."
"Help mediate, then…just in case I feel like drawing blood," Lina begged plaintively, until the last few words said with bit of fang showing for emphasis.
He stood with his back to them, and said softly, "All right. Make it quick."
Silence.
"I can see you need me to get this started. Sigh Lina was disturbed today by the certain … inferences… that you two were… closer than you really are… Shit, that's lame," Zel grumbled.
"What happened at the hospital was this…" Lina began, needing to purge her soul of the whole ordeal. "I was lying in bed worried about the fate of my friends. I didn't want you to die or become some vegetable, Xelloss… So…I just blurted out all kinds of drivel…including something to the effect that I'd even marry you if that's what it took to get you to wake up, all right? Get it? Now, how the hell that actually traveled through hospital walls and into YOUR thick scull to then get assimilated and puked out into your dream, I have NO idea!"
Xelloss made a face, "Eew, Lina you do have a nasty way with words sometimes. I don't either. But it was your voice in my dream."
"And that's it, right? I can go now?" Zel started to get up again.
"Right. Bye!" Lina let out her breath.
Xelloss laughed, "You two are so funny! You can talk for hours about any thing, but when it comes to the important things, like your feelings about others, you get lock-jaw and clipped-lines…as in cutting off the sentences as soon as you think you've made some point. Letting others know how you feel about them is important! We're best friends here, just open up!"
"That's…not easy," Zel balked.
"I don't always know how I feel," Lina declared.
"Nor do I, but I try! Let's see…I'll go first and set an example. Lina. I know you don't think of me as marriage or (even) boyfriend material-- or anyone else that I can tell-- but you like Zelgadiss a lot…and Gourry too. Course, that doesn't stop how I feel about you. I like you a lot, enough to shut up before I embarrass you any further.
"Zelgadiss. I think of you as my best friend and the one I'm closest to in the entire world. See? I love you both and I can say it and I don't turn into a toad or anything! Now your turn, Lina!"
"Gahh! Xelloss. I hate doing this stuff! All right. I like all of you but I don't need a boyfriend to make my life complete, get it? As long as we can all do stuff together, I'm satisfied. And marriage! We're all so young! Xelloss, how can you even joke about that? There are so few enduring ones out there! What do you even know about it?" Lina demanded.
"Well, I know SOME things…" he grinned.
Lina kicked him in the shins, "Idiot!"
"Ouch! I was just kidding…no, I mean I know those things, but I was just teasing you about…ah, okay, Zelgadiss, your turn in the spotlight," Xelloss smiled.
"You're my confidants and closest friends. I want you both to find happiness. I, um…" he stalled in mid air.
Before he regained altitude, Lina asked, "Why did you turn down the doctor's offer of a cure?"
Choke, sputter, need air…
"Zelgadiss? Oh, better open the door, Lina, and get him more air. Zelgadiss? Take deep breaths of that night air…" Xelloss crooned.
"And make it snappy, moths are getting in!" Lina shouted.
"You sure do have a way to get out of tense situations and avoid talking about how you feel!" Xelloss giggled at his friend.
"Shuddup, asshole," Zel gasped.
All right, back on cruise control! Zel glared at the other guy, "Have you had enough of this yet?"
"No," Xelloss smiled. "Luckily I can talk to Val about personal interrelationships. He's rather astute. What? Not like that! He's actually not very experienced with sex, not like you might expect from the way he talks at times. Zelgadiss! Stop that! It's just a word. Say it! Say: sex, sex, sex, sex Ack! You threw a sock at me, Lina! ANYWAY…"
"If you guys have settled your relationship for the night, I'm going. Actually, I'm going no matter what. You can stay here and explore the depths of your souls all night, if you want!" Zel snorted.
Lina retrieved the first sock and sent it sailing through the air, past Zel, and then hitting Xelloss in the head.
THWACK!
Zel made it all the way to the door before Xelloss called out, "Wait up! I'm coooomiiiiiing too!"
"And STAY out!" yelled Lina. "Ahhhhhhh! Males! Single-minded male animals!" She really wasn't terribly angry, just uncomfortable.
Oh, joy… "Thanks, Xelloss," Zel grumbled on his way back to their lions den. For what, you ask? For alienating Lina. Now she'll never want us back over there to talk!"
"I think you're wrong, Zelgadiss. I think Lina needs to talk to someone about how she feels sometimes, and you're her best friend and I'm only like her evil conscience!"
"But I'm a guy! She'll talk to Amelia or…Amelia's good for that stuff. Lina and I are not about that. Now good night. I'm going to bed and forget this day happened."
"I bet you wo-on't!" Xelloss giggled, and disappeared into his room.
The Next Morning.
Pound, pound, tap, tap
Val answered the door, "Too early fer vis-ee-tors, what in hell do you want? Oh, Officer McGywn, come in…sorry…Zel an' me are eatin'. Can I git you some coffee or anythin?"
"Coffee sounds good, thank ye boy. Is Xelloss up as well?" the heavy-set man asked as he pulled out a chair at the table alongside Zelgadiss.
"No, he doesn't have tuh. I'm goin' tuh school, ya see, and Zel here…is a mornin' guy," Val answered comfortably. He had nothing to hide these days and McGywn had gotten him that clean record and drivers license, so he was polite to the man.
Zelgadiss, on the other hand, sat back, arms folded and scowled menacingly. "You have to go through me to get to him. What's your business?"
Val looked incredulously at his friend. Zel was being rude for no particular reason, he thought.
"I'd like to ask him a few questions," McGywn answered cagily.
"Sorry. He's not responsible for his answers or actions," Zel said curtly and left the table. He took a couple steps to a bulletin board he'd erected and pulled off an envelope thumb-tacked in the center. He returned to the table, flinging the paper from the envelope at the officer. "Psychiatric release form. I am the one you talk to."
"I see. Well, Mr. Greywords, we once were good friends, you and I, and I was a'hopin' we could just discuss this like friends." McGywn unfolded the obituary page from the morning's paper and pointed to one article in particular. "You can see how it caught my eye?"
Zel didn't flinch a muscle.
Val leaned over for a better view. "So some ole FOG (Funky Old Guy) died. Always do, don't they? What?" He read further to where McGywn was underlining the name: Xelloss Metallium. "Hey, Xelloss has another inheritance from a guy he played chess with? Some guys just can't lose!"
"Seemed unusual, since he'd only been visiting from the school for a few weeks. So I placed a few phone calls. Apparently both o'yer two kids-- by the description it was you with him-- paid the man a social call yesterday afternoon. They played chess, an' Xelloss beat him an' they shook hands. Yes, they sent me the video over the Internet. I've looked it over a few times. Now, something mighta been passed between them, but before I go an' waste the taxpayers' money on some overpaid technician to enhance the detail so I canna be sure… I thought I'd come ask yer."
Zel didn't even blink. "Xelloss got a note from the school, forwarded from the Whispering Oaks. I wasn't going to take him over, but he felt duty-bound… You saw what I saw. They played chess. One game. Xelloss won. They said their good-byes. We left. Now, Val has to leave for classes and I have Lina's breakfast to prepare, no small task. Excuse me."
The officer sighed, "I donna want to bring more grief into this house, son…"
"Then GO!" Zel admonished him.
McGywn tried again, "Trust me. What you say will go no further than this room."
"Trust you?!" Zel spun around to face the much bigger man. "I've done nothing else and look what happened? Val risked his life…my father did, too! And what for? So that you could let the CIA kill Xelloss' mother!"
Val grew rigid. Zel rarely showed this much anger to an adult.
Zel looked up at the officer with his icy-cold, scar-encrusted stare, and continued, "NO one helped us at Ridkou, or at the mountain pass. Gaav was torturing Xelloss and where were you guys? If not for Milgasia, Xelloss would be dead too! Who stopped Phibrizzo from killing Gaav…or kidnapping Gourry? Why couldn't any of those 'men in black' get us outta that shrine before Lina had to take a bullet? Why wait? Weren't they trained to save Gourry BEFORE we risked OUR necks?"
He gave McGywn no chance to answer, he just tore on, "The problem is, I DID trust you…I trusted you all along to do something! But then, Xelloss made ONE mistake. He gave away the secret to the pendant seals. Did Milgasia offer to tell you about the CLAN's use of THEIRs as a signature device? NO! Don't you think HE knew about them! The clan uses them as well!"
Zel swallowed and took another breath, before finishing his tirade, "But… Xelloss innocently did, and then they took it and with it betrayed his mother…and now she's dead and he knows he was responsible…and he has to live with THAT along with enough other baggage to fill a hundred mile long freight-train. So, from my perspective…I've trusted you enough and now I owe you nothing."
McGywn's face drooped with the weight of great sorrow, "Aye…the way ye tell it, boy, I dunna blame ye one bit fer bein' mad. Trouble is, you've got me mixed up with the FBI and CIA. Oh, I know yer thinkin' I'm agonna pass the blame. I won't do that. I dinna mean fer it all to turn out the way it did. I'da hoped to save his mother fer the court system, but… I underestimated those men, too."
"I gave him the vial from Dr. Adams. It was his decision to use it or not," Xelloss said from the entrance to the kitchen. "Zelgadiss, thank you, but let me say this, 'That man' was a dirty, vile old man who'd hurt many others. His son was worse and dead. His grandson…was dead as well. I had betrayed his grandson's trust and so owed him this last gesture of compassion. You see, he contacted ME. The syndicate's retribution for his poor judgement would not have been so merciful. Now, do I need to fill in the names? What are you going to do to me?"
"Ah…ye shoulda told me back at the hospital. We coulda brought the ole bird in," McGywn shook his head.
"No, THEY would have gotten to him first. Besides, I had to. It was in my contract. I am now released from the syndicate. All contracts are closed. Otherwise…I would be considered 'in active duty'…'on call'…bound to them. Now I'm free. Are YOU going to lock me up?" Xelloss met the officer's gaze, searching for an answer.
"No, son… in fact, it seems that I inadvertently left that video in the car window…melted that evidence. Eh, he was dying anyway. Ye did him a favor, as I see it. It's a case closed. Crazy ole coot gives inheritance to only person who gave him the time o'day, after mournin' the death o'his only livin' relatives. Yeah, sounds all right ta me. Well, thanks fer the coffee. And Zelgadiss? Thanks fer watchin' out fer my son and getting' him outta that explodin' buildin'."
Val looked confused a moment and Xelloss just gaped.
Zelgadiss gasped, "No, not…Zangulus? I've met his parents, and you weren't one of them."
McGywn motioned for everyone to sit down. "This will take a bit o'time to tell… To start, his mother remarried…that's why ye haven't seen much o'me. The rest…well, you, Xelloss enter into it. Funny how that is, eh?"
Zel leaned back but said nothing. Xelloss smiled. Val remained standing, hands fumbling in a pocket.
McGywn continued, "So, my son was about 10 when…I was the driver and lost control of the car. He was almost killed. I visited him in the hospital every day 'til he was well enough to carry home. I'd just brought him home that verra day when I got the call from the dance studio…"
Zel glanced at Xelloss, who looked down at his hands. Not a happy memory.
McGywn sighed then said, "When I saw that poor boy's body, Xelloss' here, I saw my own son, tortured to death. I was so crazy I nearly tore that Dubois monster apart with my own hands…We got that man, didn't we boys? But I lost my son. His mother never forgave me for the accident that nearly cost our boy's life. She left, and took 'im away. After awhile, he no longer wanted to visit me on weekends."
"But, miracles do happen. One day he came ta see me. We got to talking about his life and friends…yer band…fencin'. I gave him my Grandfather's sword, an heirloom sword related to that of the Gabriev's, by the way. I told him it wasn't a toy. He respected that. Then, months later, the day came for you boys and girls to leave. I told him that if the opportunity should arise that he should be required to use that sword, then he should take use it wisely and help. He didn't know what I was getting at, at the time, but when the opportunity arose, he acted courageously to save his friends. That's what I was talkin' about, Zelgadiss. Now I got my boy back safely and we visit on the weekends."
Xelloss grinned, "Have you met his girlfriend? NO? Oh…well…be prepared!"
Zel found his voice, "So you KNEW he was in that building and you STILL went to WOLF PACK ISLAND to capture ZELAS?"
"That was my duty! I trusted you and those 'men in black' to protect my boy, but I knew this other lad, Val, and your father were goin' off needin' me ta do my job. The fact is…"
"You got shafted by the FBI and CIA too!" Val interrupted McGywn.
"Yes."
Zelgadiss nodded, "I see. I owe you an apology, Officer McGywn. You've always been good to us…I should have known better. I feel better about Zangulus now, too. It always bothered me how he just materialized there with Sylphiel and her father on the way to the Sairaag Shrine."
Val nudged Zel and said, "He does play the saxophone in the high school jazz band, ya know." Figuring that Zel needed further prodding, Val said, "Shit, that new song of yers could use a wailing sax solo, right?"
Zelgadiss smiled faintly, "Perhaps. It's something to mention to Lina, but on that song I think it's all right."
"Ah, shit! I'm gonna be late!" Val yelled as he checked the time.
"My fault," smiled the officer. "Tell ya what, I'll give you a ride."
"Do I hav'ta sit in the back?"
"Well, you should…but just this once…" McGywn lead the way out the door to the patrol car.
"Front seat!" Val laughed. "I'll tell everyone I'm thinkin' of bein' a cop!"
"Not a bad job fer a smart lad like you, Val," McGywn said with a quizzical expression.
"Oh yeah? Well, maybe so… but I don't gotta do NO work if I don't wanna, ya know," Val smiled smugly.
"No, yer not a rich-boy type. Just think about it, son…"
~*~
So, another chapter closed on the 'terrible event' which marred the Slayers' spring break. And Xelloss was right; tension eased between Lina and her two male attendants. Xelloss teased her, but she knew he was not predatory. Zelgadiss ignored them, knowing it was harmless. And so, the bones knitted, the bruises faded, and the wounds healed. Time raced on.
~*~
Thursday Afternoon in Late May.
When the day came to remove the bandages, they all met at the doctor's office together.
Technicians cut off Sylphiel's cast, freeing her arm at last, "Oh, my arm looks so shriveled and pale, but at least it isn't so heavy!"
Amelia was never so happy than to walk again without restriction, "And to wear PANTS again!" she cried joyfully.
Gourry felt strong enough to pick up something heavy and…"PUT ME DOWN THIS INSTANT!" Lina screeched as he tossed her up and down a couple times.
"Just testin', Lina," he smiled. "In case I need to save you again!"
"If you don't watch it, buster, YOU'RE the one who's gonna need saving!"
Val and Filia had come along for the show, laughing and cheering them along.
"ME NEXT!" hollered Lina. "You said these could come off today, and damned if I'll going to wait ANY longer!"
Xelloss opened his eyes and grinned evilly, "Adams is busy. But if you're in THAT big of a hurry, I'll call Dr. Zel. Ho, Zel-gaaaaaa-disssss! Lina needs her… whoomph! "
Val silenced him with a wad of cotton balls and some surgical tape.
Dr. Adams was with Zel in his room, showing him where to snip the tape, which had held his ribcage together. Zel unwrapped his own ribs, and suggested that the doctor, "Attend to that idiot next for me, please. He claims to be ticklish and I'm NOT going to touch him!"
Dr. Adams chuckled, "I see. You've had enough of doctoring for awhile?"
Zel shook his head, "No. Only of that particularly difficult patient."
"Okay, I was intending to do it anyway," Adams said good-naturedly. When he was satisfied with Zel's condition, the doctor checked in on Xelloss next door. Zel had followed surreptitiously and opened the door wide.
As the bandages were unwrapped, dozens of rubbery vinyl toy bugs fell off, appearing to be crawling out of his chest. To add to the illusion, Zelgadiss recoiled in horror and Xelloss moaned and groaned. Not only the Slayers, but all the office staff came running into the room to see what tragedy was being played out inside.
Everyone, Adams included, were taken in by the joke for a few seconds. When the realization that it was unreal swept through the crowd, Lina had to be gently restrained from causing new damage to her practical-joking friends.
"It was Zelgadiss' idea!" Xelloss whined. "Pound on him, not meeeee!" he pleaded.
"That will cost you extra, Mr. Greywords!" warned the good doctor. But the twinkle in his eye and subsequent chuckles let them all know that he considered it a joke.
Lina was last, much to her chagrin. The doctor took his time to test her strength and set her straight about her reduced activity. "The wounds are healed, but you've lost muscle mass. You must work up slowly to where you were before. Here is a booklet with specific exercises designed to get back that muscle tone. Also, you'll need to see a physical therapist for the next two weeks. Now don't groan. She's very good and it will get you in shape that much faster! Expensive? Lina, all this is covered by your policy. Yes, Rezo assured me and Luna was standing there nodding her head. Now, get dressed and go join your friends."
It was Thursday evening and to celebrate they all went out for pizza, followed by ice cream. For Zelgadiss, however, it was a bittersweet moment. He was glad to have his friends healthy again, but it signaled time for a change.
Xelloss noticed his downcast demeanor, and flung a cherry at him off his spoon. "Don't think about that tonight. You have all day tomorrow to mope!"
Zel, caught the offending fruit in a lightening quick move. "I'll brood if I want to." He flicked it off a finger, propelling the red blob at Xelloss' nose. "Bingo!" Zel smirked.
"So…." Lina shouted above the din, "How about a song? One of ours," she grinned on their way out to the van. "We'll practice all the way home. Xelloss, you do the honors and pick one!"
"Ah…that's okay, Lina. Go ahead, you are the leader!" he smiled easily.
"Okay, name one. Xelloss? Anyone. What?" she stopped abruptly at the door to the van.
"I ah…can't seem to remember any. But I'm a very fast learner!" he smiled weakly.
(((.-)) Zel |||^.^||| Xelloss |{{^.^}}| Lina |((.^)|| Gourry ((^.^)) Amelia |))-.-((| Val