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!


Lina cried out as the ring that lay against her chest became extremely bright, filling the darkened room with light. Suddenly she was filled with Xellos, sharing his inner space. Relief washed over him as he saw she was all right, and regret filled him as well. Then, as suddenly as he had come, he vanished. She sat up in bed, clutching at the ring and panting.

Gourry dashed into the room and over to her, taking her by the shoulders and looking into her eyes. "Lina, are you okay?" he asked urgently.

She chuckled and leaned forward, planting a tender kiss on his forehead. "Of course I am," she lied. "Why wouldn't I be?"

Gourry frowned slightly and ran his fingers through her hair. "I saw a bright light. I thought something had happened."

She sighed and fell back on the pillows, still feeling abnormally warm from their recent lovemaking session. "No, nothing happened. I'm fine, really," she muttered. "Now go finish your bath. Your skin's all wet."

"You could come bathe with me," he suggested with a smile.

She smiled wanly in return but shook her head. "No, I'm okay. I'll just wait for you to get back. I'm pretty tired."

He stood and looked at her askance for a moment, but finally nodded and moved off. "Just call if you need me," he said, and was gone.

She threw an arm over her eyes and sighed, fighting back tears. Why did he have to come back after all this time? Lina hadn't been able to feel Xellos for months, and then to suddenly have all that thrown at her all at once. . . It wasn't fair. She loved Gourry now. The Monster had no business coming back into her life. She was happy and had a good home, even if she was bored quite a bit of the time. That didn't matter, though, because she was content. But is content really enough, Lina dearest? she heard Xellos' voice echo through her mind, words of long ago. "Yes, Xellos, it is," she whispered to herself.