A/N: Insert the standard "I don't claim the rights to these characters" spiel here. Beware, this story contains adult themes (i.e., big chunks o' lemon) and gets VERY explicit at times. Read at your own risk. Also, this story only covers the exploits of Lina and Xellos. Gourry, Amelia, and Zelgadis' adventures during the time frame that "Penance" takes place are detailed in a fic called "Pursuit of Merit", which is about halfway written but probably won't be done until '05. "Penance" is followed up by "Reckoning" and then "Absolution" series, all of which are available here on fanfiction.net.

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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After a month of uneventful days he felt like he was getting the hang of the work. He had turned out to be pretty good with the scythe, and his stamina was better than most of the other men. He attributed that to several years of running all over the planet after Lina. He set down his implement for a moment and coughed, aware of a scratchy sensation in his chest. It was strange, but it didn't hurt, and so he kept right on working, losing himself in the steady rhythm of operating the scythe as his working companion fell in behind him, gathering the harvested crop. They were nearly finished with the field and tomorrow they would begin to turn the soil for the following year. Let's take a breather, his partner said, and they both plopped down in the dirt, Xellos untying his shirt from around his waist and wiping his face with it. He pulled his knees into his chest and wrapped his arms around them, rocking back a bit and looking at the sky. The mornings were cold but the days were very warm, and after the first couple of sunburns his skin was darkening nicely. He hadn't known his skin could change color. He had never had a tan as a Monster. As he looked up he noticed the clouds were whipping by. The high winds might bring a change of weather soon, and he was glad that they were getting the crops out of the ground when they were. In fact, he was just glad in general. Sure, his body ached and was tired when he got home, but it was a good tired and a fulfilling sort of ache. He stopped rocking and stabilized himself as a thought occurred to him. Was he finally sort of enjoying being a mortal? Was he actually liking working as a human? He looked around at the harvested field and realized that yes, he did. He liked it very much, knowing that his work in harvesting would be appreciated by others. He also enjoyed being liked by the other humans; after the first day of hard labor they had silently given him grudging respect as they saw his skill with a scythe. Of course, he was used to hauling a staff around with him all the time, so wielding a scythe wasn't a whole lot different. Besides, he had always been a quick study. He sighed and pulled his hair back into a ponytail, readjusting his sweat cloth over his forehead.

Pretty day, his companion said, rising.

Xellos agreed sincerely, and took up his implement once again.

The next day a group of them were hoeing near the road by the fence, only a few hundred feet out from the farmhouse. Some of the men were working the fields with horses to turn the soil, but some of the vegetable gardens needed to be turned by hand. Xellos had wondered how large a vegetable garden could possibly be as they set out, his jaw dropping as they only walked a bit before stopping. Several acres of vegetable gardens surrounded the farmhouse, and he groaned at the thought of turning all that soil by hand. His fellow workers didn't seem too excited about it either, but they bent to the task without complaint and soon the day was nearly gone.

The sun was still relatively high in the afternoon sky when he heard a whistle from the road and looked up. Lina called, waving. He took a hand from his hoe and waved back, standing up straight and stretching out his back.

That your woman? one of the men asked, all of them taking the interruption as an excuse to rest for a bit.

Xellos blushed and cleared his throat. She's pretty, another said before he could reply. Real pretty hair. Don't see that color often.

She's a tiny little thing, isn't she? his scything partner asked.

Xellos agreed, smiling to himself. They wouldn't think she was so tiny and pretty if they had felt the awesome, awful strength of Lina's head lock.

I prefer mine to be a bit more beefy up top, one of the other men added.

Xellos winced, hoping that Lina couldn't hear the reference to her small breasts. I think hers are just fine, he returned gently. After all, if a woman has too much you're just going to end up spraining your thumb.

I agree, the man standing nearest to him agreed. Don't need more than a handful, really.

Xellos blushed deeply, unable to believe that he was standing in a field doing physical labor and talking about women with a bunch of other men. When had he become comfortable with his human lifestyle? It was such a far cry from where he had ever been in his life before that he had to laugh. The other took his laughter for agreement, and soon all of them were standing around, smiling. He grinned, closing his eyes, and shook his head.

Go say hello to the pretty lady, one of the men said. We can manage without you for a bit.

A happy woman makes for a happy home, another added, and the rest bent at their work.

Xellos muttered, smiling at the man's wisdom. He could just imagine what sort of hell living with Lina would be if she wasn't content. He adjusted his grip on the hoe and walked over to the fence, smiling at her gently.

How's work? she asked, leaning on the rail and beamed up at him.

Oh, it's fine, he replied, looking up at the sky. Suddenly he was taken with a coughing fit, his slender body wracked with spasms.

Are you okay? she asked, frowning and putting a hand on his arm.

He glanced down at where her glove had come to rest, then watched her eyes travel up his biceps to his shoulder. Her gaze traveled across his tanned skin and down the cleft between his pectorals before quickly surveying his abdomen. He managed to catch her eyes and she blushed, taking her hand away quickly and looking in a different direction. A blush deepened the color of his sun-darkened face. I'm fine, Miss Lina, he said softly. In fact, it has been a long time since I've felt this...normal.

She smiled at him, the expression genuine. she chirped. I was just wondering, since you never get home until late and don't talk much when you do.

I'm too eager to sleep in that lovely chair, he replied with a wry smile, and she laughed.

We really should buy a cot. I'll look into it in a moment.

he asked, watching her eyes lick across his shoulders and stomach once again. He felt an odd surge of pride as she surreptitiously looked him over. He knew he had been physically fit before he started working for the farmer, but he was especially proud of his stomach and shoulder muscles. Most of the men he worked with were solid and strong, but a little soft around the middle, and he knew he cut a tight, trim figure.

she said absently, quickly bringing her eyes up to his face. I'm on my way into town to order goods for the winter. We have a lot of room in that shed, and what I'm not filling up with books I'd like to stuff with food.

he replied, lazily reaching out and grasping a lock of her hair, turning its silky length between his fingers.

You've certainly gotten dark, she said, blushing faintly as she took her hair back. I don't think I've seen you in the daylight since you started work.

I suppose not, he said, glancing over his shoulder. I should be getting back now.

she said, casting a look over his shoulder. Have fun.

he blurted, remembering. I won't be home this evening. We're going to go into town for a few drinks, since we get tomorrow off. Just leave a note with the innkeep at the Piper and tell me where to pick up whatever you bought today. I can have them deliver it with me tomorrow.

She smiled at him and cocked her head. Thanks, Xellos, she replied, and moved off with a wave. Have fun!

he replied with a wave of his own, watching her slender legs and slim hips as she walked away down the road. His eyes followed her for a few more moments, then he strolled back to the others and returned to work, his mind turning over the way she had looked at him for the rest of the day.