A/N: Standard disclaimer, no rights of ownership, etc. etc. If you like this story, make sure to check out its sequels. There are a whole crazy mess of them now. Also view the accompanying fanart at my website, www.vejiitasei.com.

You can view this story in its un-chaptered form at my website, also. I went back and broke it up into chapters because I was getting complaints that it was too long. Sorry if the chapter divisions seem awkward in places, or if some chapters seem too short or too long. That's what happens when you write a story without chapter divisions, and then later chop it up.

Reviews are welcome!!

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Lina didn't know if she was ready to face them or not as she stood on the promontory overlooking Seyruun. After all, it had been a year and a half since she had seen them last, and things had changed. She hadn't changed so much, although she definitely felt a woman now, but her situation had certainly changed. Well, her situation with Gourry, to be more precise. She knew that he was only a few yards behind her, having wandered off into the woods to relieve himself. In the brief moments she had to herself, though, she found herself remembering how the new situation had begun.


It had started innocently enough. She had been with him for years and years, after all. They knew one another almost as well as they knew themselves, and had become very close. Gourry had told her that he was going to spend the rest of his life with her, and she had never questioned his devotion, only his motives. She often wondered how she felt about him, but never found the answer. Even as she stood remembering she wasn't sure what her feelings for him were.


Of course, the trouble was that she knew there was an attraction. That was what had gotten her in this whole mess in the first place. Once again her mind strayed back to the night when everything had begun. She and Gourry had been mobbed by bandits on the road, and during the fight they had fallen into a stream. Lina blamed Gourry, since his airborne body was the reason she had plunged into the water in the first place, but at least they had won the battle. However, most of their supplies had been carried away, and they were too far from a town to make it to an inn. They took stock of what they still possessed and found only one blanket, which they immediately set out to dry. Night had fallen only half an hour later, and with the darkness came the cold. She had tended the fish by the fire while Gourry shook out a roll of canvas and constructed a shelter nearby, since the sky told of rain coming during the night. After eating and talking a while, they had grown weary and decided to retire. Gourry, ever a gentleman, had offered her the only blanket, which she accepted greedily. She wrapped herself up in it and snuggled into a ball on the ground under the shelter, aware of the large man huddled a few feet away. Sleep, however, did not find her, since she could feel Gourry's shivering and hear his teeth chattering. Rolling over, she asked him if he was cold, and he denied it several times. Finally giving up, she lifted the edge of the blanket and invited him in. He stripped of his armor and shirt, and when she demanded to know why he was bare-chested, he replied that his shirt was damp, and he didn't want to make her cold. Besides, he explained, body heat conducted better without clothing. What he said made sense, for once, and so she permitted him to cuddle close to her. That was her first mistake.
Her second mistake was to snuggle back, oddly comforted by the feel of his long, warm, tight muscles against her body. The sheer size of him made her feel very safe, and she had actually turned and rested against his broad chest. His arms, hardened by a lifetime of wielding a sword, wrapped around her and pulled her closer, and soon they were both very warm. Then she noticed how he smelled, and that was what did her in. The next thing she knew, they were lovers.


She shook her head to rid it of the memory, which she considered a sappy sentimentality. Of course, that wasn't the only time she and Gourry had made love, that was for certain. In fact, she often looked forward to their nights together and had come to enjoy the physical aspect of their relationship. Still, they had been lovers for a while now, and the bonds they shared were beginning to chafe her. It was a bitter, bitter feeling to know that, on some level, she wanted to be free of him. She slipped a few strands of hair into her mouth and chewed angrily, scowling out at the horizon. There wasn't time to be dwelling on such things; she and Gourry had a duty to get to Seyruun and help their friends. She wondered how things were going between the Chimera and the Princess, since she hadn't seen either of them in about a year and a half. The last time the four of them had been together she could tell that Zelgadis had wanted to be on his way again, but he also obviously didn't want to leave Amelia. That was a pair that seemed improbable, unless one knew them well. They complemented one another, gave one another a reason to keep succeeding. A pang of jealousy twisted her gut. What sort of success was Gourry granting her? He was certainly a warm pair of arms, but he didn't challenge her on any level, and wasn't that what she needed? A challenge?


As if in answer to her thoughts, she felt the heaviness of the hair down her back lifted and cleared to the side as two hands gently gripped her shoulders and broke her balance to the rear. A soft voice whispered into her ear, the breath warm and sweet upon her lobe. Hello, Miss Lina.


An involuntary shiver ran through her and she freed herself from the touch, turning and backing up a few steps. Her ruby eyes narrowed slightly and took in the sight of the man in front of her. Good day, Xellos, she replied.


Xellos' charming face broke out in a grin and he gestured at the sky. Lovely weather, isn't it? he said brightly.


She glanced up at the heavens and shrugged. I guess. What are you doing here?


Aren't you happy to see me? he asked, tilting his head to the side, fine strands of his purple hair spreading out from his scalp as the wind blew through them.


I don't know. It depends on why you're here.


He sighed and shook his head, his eyebrows furrowed. Oh, dear. Miss Lina, he murmured, stepping closer and cupping her cheek with a gloved hand, What would it take to make you happy to see me?


She hesitated in answering for a moment, analyzing the enigma that was Xellos. She was fairly certain Monsters couldn't love, so what did Xellos want with her? What did she want from him? She knew he wasn't mortal, but every time he appeared something inside her quivered. Was it the fact that she didn't know everything about him, that he was, perhaps, the challenge she was looking for? Hey, Xellos! a deep, jovial voice said from behind the monster, and Lina watched as a brief expression of...something...crossed the trickster priest's face.


Master Gourry, Xellos said with his customary smile. Beautiful day.


Gourry planted his hands on his hips and looked up at the sky. Sure is. How are you doing?


Xellos turned a hand palm-up and shrugged. The same as always, I suppose. Thank you for asking.


Oh, no problem, Gourry replied, smiling at the Monster. It just amazes me that someone as old as you are doesn't have any health problems.


Xellos' eyebrows furrowed again and he cracked an eye open at Lina, who put her hand to her forehead and groaned. Uh, my health is fine, thank you, Xellos muttered.


Gourry came up to the black-robed man and smacked him on the shoulder. he chortled, then reached down to adjust his belt.


Lina moaned.


Xellos glanced between the swordsman and the sorceress. Well, I suppose I should get going, he said nonchalantly.


Lina scowled and darted forward, grabbing a fistful of his cape. Wait just a minute, buster, she growled. Why did you come here in the first place?


Ah, well-


If you tell me it's a secret I'll kick your face in.


Xellos chuckled. It's because I wanted to make sure you would reach Seyruun today. Amelia worsens with every moment that passes.


Is it that bad? Gourry asked, coming to stand beside Lina. The sorceress released the Monster's cloak as Gourry placed his large hands on her shoulders.


Xellos replied. So, if you'll please pardon me, I'll be going back now.


Hold on a minute, Lina interjected. Why do you care about Amelia's life so much?


The sly smile returned to Xellos' face. It would be disastrous for Zelgadis to let Amelia die, especially with two dear friends so incredibly close. That, my dearest Lina, is all I can tell you.


And of course I don't like it, Lina said sharply in return. Still, what choice to we have? Ill Amelia is ill Amelia; we can't very well abandon her and Zel at a time like this, regardless of what little scheme you have brewing.


Hardly complimentary, Miss Lina, Xellos replied archly.


That might be, but as a Monster I somehow don't think you're fishing for compliments.


Xellos smiled slowly. You may have a point there, but that doesn't mean that even my kind wouldn't like to be flattered once in a while.


Lina shrugged, the motion freeing her from Gourry's grasp. For some reason she wasn't ready to let Xellos know the new dimensions to her relationship with the swordsman. Well, give me a reason to flatter you and I'll do it, she said quickly, then wished she hadn't spoken when she saw the sly look that crossed Xellos' face.


Ah, you tempt me, Miss Lina, he whispered, his amethyst eyes cracking open and taking in the entire sight of her, somehow making her feel as if she was being absorbed.


Didn't you say you had to go? she asked sharply, crossing her arms and tapping her foot.


So I did, the Monster replied brightly. He bowed to Gourry and took Lina's hand, kissing it gently. Until tonight, then, he whispered, his strangely colored eyes boring into hers once again.


Gourry said with a wave, and the two of them watched as Xellos vanished with a dark shimmering in the air.


We'd better get moving, Lina said to Gourry. I think we should get to Seyruun and Amelia as quickly as possible.


Why's that?


Lina choked back the urge to strangle the blonde man, but took a deep breath and composed herself instead. Because, Gourry, I have a terrible feeling about all of this.