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 17
by the Prime Minister

Morning found him in the kitchen, hair tied back and apron wrapped loosely about his body as Lecia tottered around the room, pulling on cupboards that were tied tightly shut. Lecia growled as she tugged on the cloth that bound the cabinet doors closed.

No, little one. You aren't allowed in there, he replied softly, never breaking his attention away from cutting potatoes.

the child screamed, rattling the doors as she made noises of frustration.

Xellos sighed and frowned slightly at the potatoes, reaching over with a leg and hooking his toes in the fabric of her trousers. She gently fell backwards onto her rump and he pushed her away from the cabinet with his foot without even glancing in her direction. I said no, he said, tone firm but gentle.

Lecia bellowed, squirming away from his contact and heaving herself upright again.

Xellos sighed in defeat and put down the knife, placing a hand on his hip and looking down at his child. Well, you can't have them. You know that there are only pots in there.

Lecia screeched, face screwing up and turning red.

I won't give them to you. If I do, you'll just start banging them together and wake up Mama. Do you want Mama angry at you?

Lecia choked as if she was going to cry, but her eyes remained dry. Dada, want, she said, voice cracking.

If I give you the pots, and you make Mama upset, she'll blow up our house. She'll cast a big, scary spell, and then where will we live?

Lecia protested again, but she didn't sound quite as certain.

Xellos knew that she wasn't comprehending all of his words, but he was fairly sure she was getting the gist. Lina had tossed spells off at little things around the house that had annoyed her, namely blowing the back door off its hinges one evening because she could no longer stand the squeaking. Do you want to live outside, in the dark? he said softly, narrowing his eyes at her.

Lecia replied, voice finally pitched at normal levels.

If we have to live in the dark, we'll have to watch out for monsters, he continued, releasing some of his demonic energy and letting it swirl about the room. Lecia gasped and widened her eyes, little hands balling into fists. Crouching, he looked the child straight in the face, letting his slitted eyes entrance her. And we'd have to be very, very careful that the night monsters didn't come in the night and steal little ones, he said, voice barely above a whisper. Lecia's eyes began to fill with moisture and her lip began to tremble. Xellos closed his eyes quickly and smiled at her, standing with a fluid motion. He planted both palms on his narrow hips and cocked his head. So, little one? he asked brightly. Do you still want to play with the pots?

Lecia blinked at him from her spot on the floor for a moment, then tottered over to him and gripped his pant leg. she mumbled, voice wavering as she buried her face in the fabric of his trousers.

Xellos sighed and leaned over, gently patting her back. He kept forgetting how fragile and easily frightened humans were, especially young ones. Of course, life was fragile, and those who possessed it were capable of fearing it. He could remember that feeling from when he had no longer been immortal. I'm sorry, he murmured. I didn't mean to frighten you.

What the hell did you do to her? an angry voice said, and he looked up to see Lina leaning in the doorway.

Xellos felt sweat bead on his brow when he realized the baby's crying must have startled Lina awake. Putting on his most disarming smile, he looked up at her. Nothing, Miss Lina, he said sweetly. We were just playing a game.

Then why is she crying? Lina growled, glancing around the kitchen.

Xellos patted Lecia again and stood up. What would you like for breakfast? he replied brightly. I fetched plenty of fresh ingredients. Pastries? Eggs?

Lina's eyes glazed over slightly and he knew his distraction ploy had worked. Yes. All of those, she murmured.

Coming right up, he said brightly, going over to the counter and picking up his knife once again.

By the way, she muttered, coming into the room, I'm pretty sure that this room was blown out of existence yesterday. It looks pretty good now.

Doesn't it? he replied glibly, not turning around. He knew she was aware he was powerful, but he didn't want her to know the boundaries of his power. If she knew he could cast time spells she would undoubtedly want to learn them, and he was fairly certain that teaching Lina how to manipulate the flow of time was a very, very bad idea.

You know what I meant, she growled, walking closer and glancing down at Lecia, who had started to crawl across the floor. How did you repair this so quickly?

He looked over his shoulder and smiled sweetly. That's a secret.

Lina growled. You're impossible!

I try my best, he grinned, bending over his cooking once again.

Lecia crawled over to the cupboard and began tugging at the ties, occasionally pounding on one of the doors. she snarled, pulling on the handle.

What's her problem? Lina snapped. Can't you make her be quiet?

Xellos sighed. She wants to play with the pots and pans.

So? Let her.

Letting her play with them is counterproductive to maintaining peace and quiet, he replied evenly, turning around and watching the pair.

I don't care, Lina grumbled. I just want her to stop whining, even if it means I have to listen to her bang pans together. He watched as Lina struggled with the ties that held the cupboard shut, then reached inside and pulled out a pot and its lid. she said gruffly to the baby girl, handing her the cookware.

Lecia squealed, immediately crouching on the kitchen floor and examining the pan.

Xellos kept his expression carefully neutral as Lina stood and faced him, ignoring the hollowness that spread through his chest as he looked at her. She pursed her lips and glanced away, folding her hands in front of her. They stood there for a few moments, looking at one another, until he finally decided she wasn't going to speak and turned away. He took up his knife and began to slice potatoes once again, tossing his head slightly to clear the strands of hair from his face.

You really look nice in that apron, he heard her murmur behind him, and his entire body went rigid as he felt her hands dance up the shelves of muscle on either side of his spine. Cold dread followed her touch and he squeezed his eyes tight in an effort to control his flight response. A shudder of apprehension left him as he felt the corners of his shirt pulled from the waistband of his trousers, wishing for all the world that he was anywhere else but with her. Her cool, smooth hands traveled slowly up the ridges of his stomach, tracing the cleft of his pectorals. As her fingers gently teased his nipples he knew he couldn't go through with it again. Taking her when he felt nothing for her was too horrible a contrast to how it had been before. He did not want to be reminded that her touch, which has once nearly driven him mad with desire, now only sickened him.

Of course, she whispered against his back, placing her hands flat against his chest and pulling him to her, you'd look even better out of the apron.

Please, Miss Lina, he whispered, brow furrowing as desperation began to take him over.

Lecia's preoccupied. She'll be okay for a little while, she cooed, drawing her fingers down his sides and caressed his skin just below the drawstring of his pants.

He clenched his jaw against her misunderstanding of his hesitation, then set down the knife. Knowing that Lina would most likely take offense to any action that was less than amorous, he decided to throw caution to the wind and grabbed her wrists beneath his shirt, dragging her hands out into the open. Please, stop, he said gently, prepared to grip her more roughly if she tried to strike him, which, of course, she did immediately. A growl escaped her throat and her beautiful ruby-colored eyes flashed as she attempted to rip her wrists free.

she snarled, beginning to thrash when he wouldn't release her.

he said, tone more rough than he meant it to be, and crushed her to him. If she was pressed tightly against his body there would be less room for her to take a swing.

What's the big idea? she spat, breath coming in short, angry bursts. Too good for me now that you have what you want?

What are you talking about? he asked, gripping her tightly.

What is it? she cried, and he could feel her anger beginning to turn into alarm as she realized she couldn't free herself. Why don't you want me?

he said gently, but she didn't give him time to speak.

It's not fair! she hissed, glaring up into his eyes. Just when I decide that maybe this won't be so bad, that maybe I can live with you and our daughter, you turn your back on me!

Lina, if I could-

Shut up! I don't want to hear whatever line you're going to feed me! I want you, I want something from someone in the first time in months, and you immediately reject me! How the hell am I supposed to feel about that, Xellos?

Let me explain-

Would it make a difference? she ranted. You wanted me once when you were a Monster, back at that inn after Amelia recovered from her curse. How could you have wanted me than and not now, after all that's happened?

Xellos felt his frustration with her, himself, and the whole situation broke straight through his carefully-constructed mental barriers. He gripped her tightly around the upper arms and held her at arms' length, scowling darkly. I was different then, he said roughly. Listen to me. Do you think it pleased me to watch you fall apart? Do you really believe that I want to see you unhappy after all this time?

Shut up, you filthy Monster-

Don't start. Please, I need to know what you really think, what your heart thinks, not what your anger and hurt would have you believe.

His words seemed to have some effect, for she ceased her struggles and scowled at him. Why won't you touch me? she whispered. How can I believe what you say? You're not famous for being truthful and straightforward, you know.

I know, I know, he muttered, releasing her gently and leaning against the counter. He sighed and rubbed his temples. I suppose I'll just have to ask you to believe me.

Then you had better hurry up, before I change my mind.

He glanced at Lecia to make sure she was still happily occupied, then looked at Lina. She seemed tired and harried, and he wished he could smooth all her pains away with a thought. Well, his truths might not ease her pain, but they might clear things up a bit. He had best just blurt it out before some sort of diversion occurred to him. Miss Lina, he murmured, I can't make love to you when my heart is dead as it is now, especially when it was so full of you before.

She raised an eyebrow, but the corners of her mouth relaxed a little. And you expect me to believe you because?

Because when I was human I couldn't bear to keep my hands off of you. I wanted to be with you every second of my existence, holding you, touching you, hearing your voice...

And now?

He shook his head. Now I can't bear to do any of that. It seems a pale, cruel mockery of what was once there.

Something in her features hardened as she silently studied his face, and he thought for a moment she had understood what he was going through. However, a moment later her eyes began to flicker and her expression became soft as she smiled slowly. Come on, Xellos. It's not like we were in love or anything, more like friends with benefits. What do you really think was once there?

Xellos stiffened. Ah, Lina was as selfish as ever. She fairly radiated her wants and needs as she stepped forward and went back to her cloying game, her fingers plucking lightly at the fabric of his shirt. That's a secret, he said coldly.

His chilly response did not seem to deter her. Can't you tell me your secrets? she whispered, leaning against him and standing on tiptoe to kiss the side of his neck. He tried to move away, but she wrapped her arms around him, sliding a hand inside of his shirt and letting her fingers dance up his spine.

he breathed, trying to get away. He desperately searched for a deterrent. he said, frantic. Surely you don't want her to see. . .

See what? Lina murmured, pressing her chest against his ribs. Her hand began to fiddle with his trousers and he recoiled.

No, please, he repeated.

You're playing my game now, trickster priest, she growled, gripping him roughly.

He fought down the disgust he felt and shook his head, finally understanding that she would not accept his refusal to meet her human need. I am afraid, Miss Lina, that I play no one else's games, he replied, and disappeared from the physical plane.