Author's note: This chapter was pretty easy to write, since I based part of it on the first episode and partly it was in my mind the whole time.

Ishy-Chan: Yes, I agree with you that Filia wouldn't have accepted Lina right on the spot based on what Amelia told her. I was thinking more on the lines of "lip service". Filia obviously has her reservations, that's why she's planning to get the portfolio and ask her boss (who is he/she?!) for permission. As for Xelly-poo, he's the playful type as you say, but I thought he might have his own darker side. He obviously doesn't care for whoever he sleeps with.

Geewon Floor: Martina and Xelly-poo are sleeping together because . . . . .it's a secret! Don't worry, you'll find out next chapter. Or the chapter after the next . . . . I forgot which one I wrote it in. (^-^)

Cookie & sESAme~gURl: Thanks for the reviews! Dark scenes dark scenes . . . . .will come along a little later.

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Chapter 3: Who's that guy?

Lina watched as the models walked on to the sets and struck different poses with confidence, not skipping a single beat to the music that was playing in the background. I could do that too, she thought wistfully, but shrugged the idea out of her mind. Absentmindedly chewing her pen, she looked back down on to her clipboard, and called out the next name on the list. "Okay Gourry Gabriev, you're next." She expected the model to come up and report to her, but when she didn't get a response, she called again. Still no response. So she tried to look around for him ¡V something she did not normally do, but maybe he couldn't hear her from the loud music. "Hello? Is Gourry Gabriev present? Hey, have you seen Gourry Gabriev?" The other models shook their heads.

"I think he's over there, Miss Inverse." One of them pointed out helpfully. Lina turned, and saw a tall man with long blonde hair standing behind the mirrors, surrounded by a bunch of girls who were cooing and giggling at him. Although he stood with his back to her, but she could see from the reflection that he was a remarkably handsome young man and wore a goofy smile. Yeah, he was kinda cute. . . . wait, he was still late! She felt extreme annoyance rise within her, and she stormed up to him, pushing away the fawning girls. "Hot water, hot water, out of the way," she shouted, and they quickly got out of her way to find that there was nothing of the sort.

"Hey," protested one of girls, "That's unfair! Line up and wait until it's your turn!"

Lina ignored her and stood in front of the tall model with crossed arms and a look of heavy disapproval. A whole minute passed, and they stared at each other. It was a rather amusing scene ¡V a tall well-built blonde with a clueless blank expression and a very pissed off redhead who barely came to his shoulder, facing each other. Finally, the man broke into a smile. "Hello! I'm Gourry Gabriev! Nice to meet you!"

"Hello! I'm Gourry Gabriev! Nice to meet you. . . . . . MY ASS!!!" she whacked him with her clipboard.

"Hey, what did you do that for?"

She poked him in the ribs with her pen. "Listen here, buddy," she growled, "I don't mind plus sized models, tall models or even short ones," she threw a death glare at some of the girls who were snickering at her last remark, "But I hate late models. Now get your ass over there RIGHT NOW."

"Okay okay." And without hesitation, Gourry went over to the set and took off his robe, showing a slightly muscular body. Lina rolled her eyes as the heard sighs coming from the female spectators. Like they'd never seen a half-naked guy before. Didn't they go to beaches? He was obviously a favourite amongst everyone. Even the camera men loved him. "Very good, Gabriev!" one of them called out, snapping more shots. Gourry gave a good-natured smile and waved at Lina. Then, there was that warm rush to her cheeks. Ack! Must get out now before my face becomes a tomato, she thought. "Hey Luke," she tapped her colleague on the shoulder, "I think I'll take a rest now. You take over."

"Sure Lina. You alright? You don't look too good."

"Umm. . . . . .yeah of course! Just feels a little hot here," she handed over her clipboard and pen to him and went outside to get a drink. She frowned when she pushed the buttons and nothing came out. "Damnit why is nothing going right for me today?"

She heard a whistle. Turning around, she saw six guys standing around her with predatory leers. They were dressed in chains and punk-style clothes. That is so last season, she mused to herself. "What do you want?"

"Nah. . . . .nothing much. Just enjoying the view," the fat one said, exchanging knowing glances with his friends. Lina resisted the urge to smack him into oblivion, but told herself to ignore those punk-wannabes. But as she kept jabbing the drink machine buttons, the group kept making very annoying and suggestive voices. She turned around again. "The room for the voice actors is down the aisle. Not here. Save your talents elsewhere."

They whistled again. "Nice body, girl. Though a little lacking in the chest area. Wanna do something with us tonight? We've got chains." They burst into howls and hilarity, giving each other high-fives. By this time, Lina was twitching, and clenched her fists. "Don't make me hit you all," she warned, glaring at them. But the warning only made them laugh all the more. "Ooooh, pretending to be tough, eh? C'mon, show me what you've got," one of them teased mockingly as he placed his gloved hand on her shoulder, "We want some physical interaction here, if you get what I mean."

"Get your dirty hands off my shoulder," she said quietly. Seeing the gleam in her eye, he raised his eyebrows, but only smirked. Yet in seconds, and without warning, she raised her fist and slammed it into his stomach. The impact caused him to collide against the wall, and rather painfully too. He swore and struggled back up. His friends gathered closer around her menacingly. "You want physical interaction? Don't say I didn't warn you," she cocked her head to one side with a charming smile. Then, she locked ankles with the fat one, causing him to topple over. The one with the heavy chains lunged towards her, but she ducked and kneed him hard in the privates. She was about to deal with the remaining three when she heard a familiar voice. "What's this? Ganging up against a helpless girl?"

It was that late tall model from earlier! He looked serious and disapprovingly at the six guys who, by this time, had stood up again and were ready to fight.

"Who the hell are you?"

"My name is not for the likes of you. Leave the girl alone."

"Oh yeah? Let's see if you can deal with us!"

Hey wait, this is MY fight, Lina fumed as she saw the tall model take the gang apart and apparently hurting them really badly. Oh well, I guess I'll just stand and watch. Am I supposed to act like one of those weak maidens from the fairy tales?

"Oh help~" she cried out in high falsettos and putting her hands to her face, "This is so violent! Oooh look! There's another body! Eeek~"

Those around her were watching her eyed her and edged away. "Don't go near her," a mother reprimanded her son, "That girl's a little loopy."

"HEY! I'm just doing my part in this story!" she protested.

Soon, the punk gang were thrown into a heap with very dizzy expressions. Wow, this guy really knows how to fight. Lina felt impressed. Normally, she didn't expect anyone to be able to take all six guys at once. Of course, she knew she had no problems in doing that herself since her sister had. . . . . errr¡K¡Kchange of topic! Well, I didn't really need the help, but I was brought up to be a nice and polite girl. So I guess I should thank him or something. She forced one of her cutest smiles on to her face and bowed. "Thank you for saving me," she said brightly. The tall blonde faced her and gave her a warm smile. "No need to thank me. It's. . . . ." He blinked twice and stared at her. Lina wondered why he was staring at her like that. Oh, probably because he's so stricken with my charm and beauty, she nodded with satisfaction, yes, that must be it. Ah, that's perfectly normal. Hee hee. . .

"You're that violent girl with the clipboard in the other room!" he exclaimed, pointing at her.

"Eh?"

"Oh man, and I thought you were some supermodel," he muttered to himself, rubbing his head in memory of the clipboard incident.

Hey! Does he think I can't hear or something!

". . . . . or at least someone with a really nice figure."

Well I didn't even NEED your help, mister!

"But oh well," he brightened up and extended his hand to her. "My name's Gourry Gabriev. Wanna get a soda?"

Well, at least he doesn't seem like one of those really horrible people. She shook his hand. "Sure."

"Let's get going then. What's your name by the way?"

"Lina," she answered, walking beside him, "Lina Inverse."

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