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, vejiitasei.com. Because I chopped it up, some of the chapter transitions may be strange. Sorry about that.

Reviews are always welcome and encouraged!

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Something inside him twisted when he saw Lina throw herself into the swordsman's arms, but he pushed it away violently, preferring instead to see how things played out. He was startled, however, when the swordsman actually called him forward. he said, revealing himself. It bothered him a tad that the big blonde seemed to have a better idea of where he was than most people did. Maybe the man had some elf in him- that would explain his uncanny instincts and the fact that he possessed Scundabran.

He watched as Gourry leaned down to kiss Lina on the mouth, both their eyes closing as they leaned into one another. Then Gourry took her hand and led her over to Xellos. I've been doing a lot of thinking, Gourry said softly, tears forming in his eyes. And I can't do this.

Do what? Lina asked, voice a bit unsteady. Xellos could see that she had Gourry's large hand in a sort of deathgrip.

Gourry looked at Lina and smoothed her hair out of her face. You have a little girl, Lina, he murmured. I don't think I could ever live with myself if I took you away from her. It's not right that you live with me if it means your daughter will grow up without a mother.

But I never wanted to be a mother! Lina protested, taking his hand in both of hers.

I know, but you are. That changes things. Sometimes you just have to do what's right, even if it kills you inside, the blonde man replied, tears rolling freely down his face.

Xellos was a bit startled when Gourry suddenly turned towards him and shoved Lina into his arms. His locked her in his embrace so tightly it was as if the action was done against his will, and he looked at the swordsman in surprise. What. . .

Take care of her, Xellos, and be a family. Lina and that baby are the best things that will ever happen to you. If you take them for granted or hurt either of them in any way, I don't care if I am just a mortal, I will find a way to make you pay, Gourry said gruffly.

Lina breathed, eyes wide and her knuckles white where she gripped Xellos' arm.

Gourry smiled through his tears and put his hand on her head. Goodbye, Lina. Do your best with your new family.

Lina choked, straining against Xellos' arms.

Don't you ever let her go, Gourry said, leveling his blue-eyed gaze at Xellos.

Gourry, I love you! Lina cried, struggling.

Gourry wiped his eyes with the back of his forearm. I love you, too, Lina. I always will, no matter what.

Then don't leave me!

I have to. Others need you more than I do, he said, and turned away.

Lina screamed, starting to cry.

Take care, Gourry said over his shoulder, and walked into the house. Xellos could hear the latch slide shut from the inside.

Lina screeched, voice breaking.

Xellos pursed his lips and held Lina fast as she struggled against him, trying to free herself. He couldn't believe that Gourry had done what he had just done. It was like a dream and a nightmare rolled up into one. There was one thing that was certain: Gourry did not intend to take Lina back, and no amount of her struggling would change that. Xellos recognized the steel in the other man's eyes, and there was no going back. he murmured, trying to calm her.

No, leave me alone! I want my Gourry! she sobbed, her struggling becoming a bit weaker.

He is no longer an option for you, he said as gently as he could. He has made a decision.

she moaned, and he could feel her heart crumble even as he held her slender body in his arms. Her aching was almost tangible, even to one such as him.

I am sorry, dearest Lina. I do not want to cause you pain, Xellos said, and touched his fingertips to the back of her neck.

Lina screamed and convulsed, then went limp in his grasp. Xellos picked her up in his arms like a child and looked down into her face. Closing his eyes, he pressed his lips against her forehead and exhaled slowly. It was done and there was nothing that could be undone. Only the future, only a new chance, remained.

Lecia, I'm bringing home your mother, he whispered into the night, shifting the slight body of the woman in his arms. He looked down at her one last time, then they both vanished into the night, without so much as the slightest breeze to mark their passage, with nothing to show that they had ever been there at all.