A/N: Insert usual disclaimer stuff here. This is the sequel to Penance and Pursuit of Merit.

Again, I went back and chopped this fic up into chapters. If you want to read the thing straight through, with no chapter divisions, just head on over to my site, Because I chopped it up, some of the chapter transitions may be strange. Sorry about that.

Reviews are always welcome and encouraged!


Filia was busy polishing the last vase when there was a pounding at the door of the shop. "We're closed!" she shouted, not looking over her shoulder. There was a pause and then the pounding began again, more insistent this time.

"Mama, there's a lady at the door," Val said, peering out the display window.

"I know, dear, but we're closed," Filia replied patiently. "They'll just have to come back tomorrow."

Little Val blinked back at her, his large, golden eyes confused. "Okay, but she looks pretty mad."

"No one needs a vase or a mace that much," Filia mumbled, continuing her work on the vase. The pounding at the door became even more violent, then stopped. "See?" she told her child.

Val shrugged and looked out the window. "I think she really wants to come in," he said.

"Oh?"

"She's picking big rocks up out of the road."

"What?" Filia said. "Open the door, open the door!"

Val grinned. "Okay," he said, and trotted over to the door, standing on tiptoe to reach the latch. "Lady!" he cried, cupping his hands around his mouth once the door was open. "Mama says you can come in now!"

"About damn time," a familiar voice growled, and Filia turned, her mouth dropping open. Lina Inverse stood in the doorway, looking rather sweaty and disheveled. What was most alarming about her appearance, however, was her belly, swollen with child.

"Lina," Filia breathed, gently putting down the vase. "Oh my god."

"Do you know her, Mama?" Val asked, peering up at Lina with a dubious expression on his face.

"Yes, dear. She's an old friend," Filia said absently, going over and putting her hands on Lina's shoulders. "Oh, Lina, how are you doing?"

Lina's face warped in a twisted smile. "Well, for being as big as a house and not able to use magic, I'm doing okay. How are you? Is this little Valgaav?"

"Just Val," Filia said stiffly. "I will not have the names of Monsters spoken in my house."

Lina's face sobered instantly and she got a strange, pained look in her eyes. "I think that's a great policy to have," she murmured. "Well, he's sure getting big. Do you remember me, little guy?"

Val raised a sea-green eyebrow. "No," he said.

Lina laughed. "I guess it was a while ago, and you weren't really yourself at the time...it's probably for the best."

"Um, okay," Val said, and Filia watched as the boy's eyes moved to Lina's stomach. "Are you sick?" he asked, pointing at her belly.

"Sort of," Lina grumbled.

"What's wrong?"

"I'm going to have a baby," Lina explained simply, patting her stomach with a gloved hand. "And I'm not too happy about it."

Val cocked his head to the side. "Don't people like babies?" he asked, scratching his cheek.

"If they intended to have them, generally," Lina replied sharply.

"Dear, that's enough," Filia said. "Go get our things ready so we can go home."

"Okay," Val said, shuffling off into the back room.

Filia sighed and watched the child go. "He's gotten really big," Lina said. "Of course, the last time I saw him, he was a shiny egg-thing. Well, after he tried to destroy the world and everything."

Filia nodded. "Yes, he's growing up quickly, and I think he'll be a lot happier this time," she said softly, crossing her arms over her chest. "But what about you? I haven't seen you for years!"

Lina shrugged. "You know, the same old thing. Travelling around. Amelia and Zel got married, did you know?"

"No, I didn't. That's wonderful! I'm sure they'll make one another very happy."

"I think so. It was about a year and a half ago, actually. I wonder how they are."

Filia frowned slightly. "You mean you haven't seen them?"

Lina blushed, looking both embarrassed and angry at the same time. "Uh, no. I sort of left their reception early and haven't seen them since."

"But then what have you been doing?" Filia asked, leading Lina to a seat.

"I told you, travelling. I really don't want to talk about it."

Filia looked at Lina for several moments, wondering what on earth had happened. Lina was the last person she'd expect to have kids, and where was Gourry? "Lina," she asked tentatively. "Did the father of your baby die?"

Lina looked at her askance. "No, not exactly. I don't want to ever see him again, though."

"Did you and Gourry have a fight?" Filia asked, putting a hand to her mouth.

Lina scowled. "It's not Gourry's. I haven't seen him since Amelia and Zel's wedding."

Filia's jaw dropped open. If it wasn't Gourry's, whose could it be? It would take quite a man to compete with Gourry, and Filia couldn't think of any other man who would put up with Lina for as long. "Well, whose is it, then?"

"Didn't I tell you I didn't want to talk about it?" Lina snapped, and Filia blushed.

"Of course. Forgive me for prying. Well, it's great to see you, at any rate," she said.

Lina sighed and rubbed her temples. "Being pregnant is the pits. Do you know that I haven't been able to use my magic for almost nine months?"

Rilia's brow furrowed. "That is a terribly long time," she murmured. "And you've been alone that entire time?"

"Well, the last six or seven months."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be," Lina said with a wave of her hand. "Even without magic, I'm plenty capable of fending for myself. Besides, the father left me with plenty of funds. I haven't had to raid any bandit strongholds for months."

"Well, that's nice, I suppose," Filia said uncertainly, filling with concern for her friend. What a strange situation for Lina to be in! What on earth had happened?

Lina exhaled and shook her head. "Listen, Filia, do you remember when we parted ways after defeating Darkstar?"

"Of course."

"Remember how I said you could pay me back the next time we met?"

"Yes."

"Well, I need you now."

Filia met Lina's ruby-colored eyes, searching her friend's gaze for emotions. She saw uncertainty there, the pain of loss, and fear. "What do you need me to do?"

"I can't be alone when I have this baby. I don't know what to do. I have no idea how to care for children. If something should happen to me during the birthing, I couldn't even use enough magic to heal myself."

Filia smiled gently and reached forward, taking Lina's hand. "Don't worry about it," she said softly. "What are friends for?"

Lina smiled in return as Val burst into the room. "Mama!" he cried, holding aloft a large basket. "I'm done!"

Filia laughed as she stood, taking the basket from Val. "Good job, dear," she said gently. "Guess what?"

"What?" Val asked, eyes wide.

"Miss Lina is coming to stay with us for a while."

Val looked at Lina and blinked. "Her?"

"Yes, so you have to be on your best behavior and help me take care of her, okay? Can you do that, just like a big boy?"

"Okay," he said, grinning up at Filia. "Let's go home, Miss Lina."

"Er, all right,"Lina said, and followed him out the door.

Filia smiled after them, but it soon faded from her face. Lina was different somehow, and she wondered what could have ever possessed her to leave Gourry. Something had happened, and she was dying of curiosity. If Lina didn't want to have children, how had she ended up pregnant? What sort of man could have driven her so out of her head? She wondered if the father was still alive, and if he was, if she would ever meet him.

Filia exited the shop and locked up, turning around and plastering a smile on her face. "Shall we?" she asked as Val slipped his small hand into hers, and they walked off down the road to her cottage.