Instert standard disclaimer here. Everyone should know that I don't own these characters. Except, of course, the original ones. Also chopped the story up into chapters. Sorry if the transitions are rough. If you want to read it without chapters, head over to vejiitasei.com.

Absolution- Part 1, Chapter 9
by the Prime Minister

Lina was slowly getting used to things on the island. She even had started to swim on occasion, liking the feeling of freedom that cutting through the water gave her. There were still days and evenings when she sat by her window, staring out to sea and wishing with all her might that things had been different, but the gaping pain in her heart had subsided to an ache she could deal with. She was taking dinner regularly with Xellos and her daughter, and their antics had even made her laugh on occasion. As much as she hated to admit it, she was beginning to find her life on the island quite comfortable. First of all, the weather was beautiful, like nowhere else she had ever lived. The sun was out nearly every day, and the wind was rarely harsh. On top of that, Xellos, although a Monster, was still an excellent cook, and she hadn't eaten so well or so often in quite some time. Then there were the books, the incredible number of rare and ancient books that Xellos would bring to her, pointing out this and that and acting as a sounding board for some of her theories. It felt so good to work again that she could almost forget about the circumstances that landed her in her present situation.

She was, however, still exceedingly uncomfortable around Lecia. Xellos, luckily, usually entertained the little girl, although sometimes she heard him wandering about the house, singing that haunting elven song to the child. Whenever she entered the room he would stop singing and begin to hum, and she had the presence of mind to wonder why. All these thoughts were running through her head as she stared out the window above the desk, watching the stars twinkle in the sky. Her train of thought was interrupted as she heard a squeal and small, thumping footsteps heading straight for her. She inhaled in surprise as Lecia barreled into the room and latched herself onto Lina's leg, holding on as if she was drowning. Xellos came in a few moments later, looking slightly harried and holding a towel out in front of him. Come now, little one, he said gently, gesturing with the towel. It's a bath and bed for you.

Lecia wailed and wrapped her fists even tighter in Lina's leggings. What's going on? Lina asked sharply, a bit distressed but not knowing how to shake the child off without hurting her.

I interrupted her play time to prepare her for bed, but she seems to have other ideas,Xellos explained, tones of exasperation in his voice. Now that she can walk I have to chase her everywhere.

Better you than me, she grumbled, scowling down at the child as Xellos put his hands around her midsection and gently pulled her off of Lina's leg.

Lecia whimpered and struggled against Xellos' grip, reaching her arms out toward Lina. A great cry came from her tiny lungs and tears formed in her large, dark eyes, tearing something inside of Lina's heart. She really seems to hate that, she said softly, frowning slightly.

She has to bathe, Miss Lina, Xellos said, trying to wrangle Lecia in the towel. Lina could tell that he was being gentle and trying to soothe the child, but Lecia seemed to flail about even harder no matter what he tried.

I know, but still...

It's for her own good, Xellos said through clenched teeth, trying to wrap the towel around the child to contain her.

But Lecia... Lina protested, alarmed by the ruckus that Lecia was creating.

She's fine, she does this when she doesn't want to do something, he explained. Come now, little one, please settle down.

Tears were rolling down Lecia's face in earnest as she howled her protests, twisting so violently that Xellos set her on the ground to avoid dropping her. The little girl immediately tottered over to Lina and clung to her leg again, pulling at the fabric of her trousers and looking up at her with large, pleading eyes. Oh, Xellos, Lina muttered, feeling surprise, distaste, and wonder all at the same time.

Come on, Lecia, Xellos said patiently, taking hold of the girl again and tugging gently.

Lecia screamed and looked up at Lina, eyes full of tears. She gingerly reached down and picked the child up, settling the baby in her lap. Lecia made a soft noise and burrowed against Lina's chest, and she felt her arms curl around her daughter as if by their own accord. Before long the child's mood had passed and she seemed to have forgotten what was in store for her.

Well, thank goodness that's over. Still, I think it might be best of you escorted her to her bath, Xellos said, throwing the towel over his shoulder.

Uh, okay, Lina said, hefting the child. Lecia squirmed and buried her face in Lina's neck, but was otherwise well-behaved.

Xellos said softly. It's not difficult. She just wants to be close to you.

Lina could sense that there was more he would say and held back, but the time didn't seem right to ask him. Instead she focused her energy on getting Lecia to the sink in the kitchen, where Xellos deftly stripped the baby of clothing and put her in the water. Lina breathed, relieved.

Would you like to help? Xellos asked, rolling up his shirtsleeves.

Lina froze in her tracks and turned around slowly.

Please help. I think Lecia would like it.

Lina returned to the sink, taking in Lecia's soft, pink skin. How helpless the child was. If she did not have everything done for her, she would perish. Suddenly the responsibility of having a child hit her full force, along with the realization that Lecia really, truly needed her.

Following Xellos' lead, she rolled up her own sleeves and began to help him scrub the baby, her hand brushing against his in the water. The skin of his hand was warm and slightly rough, and suddenly she was reminded of what his hands felt like on her body. She retracted her hand as if she had been bitten and looked away, blushing furiously. Xellos, however, either did not notice or elected to ignore her reaction, for he kept on bathing their daughter. She watched as his long fingers gently touched Lecia's perfect skin, thinking how ironic that the hands that had destroyed so much, had ended so many lives, were the same hands that had held her in the night and now cared for a mortal child.

Your mama's helping, Lecia, Xellos cooed, leaning down closer to the child. See Mama? See Mama help Daddy?

Lina growled, not wanting him to remind her.

See Mama? Ma-ma? Xellos continued.

Lina scowled and put her hands on her hips. All right, that's about enough of that, she grumbled.

But she'll never learn to speak if we don't try to teach her, Xellos replied.

Lina raised an eyebrow. You've been doing this for a while, haven't you?

Well, it's probably about time she learned to speak. See Mama, Lecia? Mama wants to hear you talk!

She can talk whenever she feels like it. Don't pressure her, Lina snapped.

Xellos said, putting his hand on Lina's forearm. See, Lecia? This is Mama.

Xellos, stop it! Lina protested sharply, blushing slightly at his touch. Just what did he think he was doing?

someone said, and Lina froze in mid-motion.

she whispered, staring wide-eyed down at the child.

Xellos crowed. She speaks! Say it again, Lecia! Say

Lecia blinked up at him for a moment, watching his lips. Lina growled, and then there it was again.

Lecia said, the word very clear.

Lina breathed.

Xellos echoed. She called you

You're her mama, Lina. You had better get used to it sometime.

Lina glanced at the child, unable to believe that she was Lecia's first word. Of course she suspected that Xellos had no small part in that. Most likely he had been trying to get the girl to say that for weeks. Still, something warmed inside of her, and she smiled in spite of herself.

Lecia's squealing interrupted her reverie. She looked down at the girl, who was giggling and hitting the surface of the water with her hands. Suddenly a spray of water came up and hit her square in the chest, completely soaking her blouse. Lina growled, scowling, and flicked water back at Lecia, careful not to frighten her. The child gasped in surprise, then seemed to catch on, smacking water back at Lina.

Oh, dear, Xellos murmured as Lecia included him in her attack, madly pounding at the water with her open hands.

Lina laughed as water flew everywhere, Xellos carefully joining in the fray. Lecia's bubbly baby chortling rose above it all, and the sound was sweet to Lina's ears. She felt happy for the first time in quite a while, and finally it dawned on her why Gourry had left her behind. It was this that he hadn't wanted her to miss, it was this sense of family that he didn't want to deprive her of. She wasn't sure what Xellos was thinking or feeling, even as a human he had been a complete mystery to her, but she knew then that Lecia really did need her mother. Lina knew it would be difficult for her to feel comfortable with her own child, the child she did not want, but it was done and all she could do was try to live with the consequences of her actions. If that included being a mother, so be it. It was too late now to try and change anything, anyway.