Rae: Hullo, friends. I'm not entirely ahppy with this chapter, but I want to get it out of the way for bigger and better things. Before you panic this IS a Xelloss/Filia story, don't worry. Anyway here we go.

Filia woke up the next morning with a headache that pounded in her temples. She was so mad and upset. She never wanted to see that namagomi mazoku again. She went into the next room to check on Val, he looked as though he had just awakened, as well. She picked him up and cuddled him.

"I can't believe I ever trusted him to watch you. I'm a real dummy, huh? Well, mommy won't make that mistake again. Let's go eat some breakfast. Then I can open the shop and just forget all about Xelloss and his stupid games."

That she did. It took her awhile took get him off her mind, but she had a busy day and after closing she went shopping and did some laundry. By the time she remembered she had a date, she was forced to rush to get ready.

She wondered if it really was such a good idea to go on this date. Well, it had to be better than last night. As she went through her wardrobe, she wondered if she should wear a short dress, it was getting chilly, fall seemed to be rushing into winter and - Xelloss. Xelloss once again plagued her mind. Their stupid date that he told her not to wear a long dress on. Oh, but what does it matter? She thought as she chose a longer dress and put it on. She wasn't going with Xelloss anymore and hopefully he would stay away for at least a little while.

Hope is always the prealude to dissapointment. Filia sensed him and turned to glare at the mazoku. "I can't believe that you have the-the audacity to come here! I told you to stay away from me! I don't care what you have to say-just leave! Right now!"

Xelloss sat down on her bed. "It never ceases to amaze me, Fi-chan."

"What?" Filia asked, curiosoty hitting her before she remembered she wasn't speaking to him.

"That you have the...what did you say...audacity to yell at me. Every other Golden Dragon cowers in fear before me, or at least meekly grants me whatever request I have. But not you. No, you, my dear, sweet Filia, totaly ignore the fact that I could kill you this instant and continue to shout-and usually throw things-at me. I guess that's why I find you so fascinating."

"Are you threatening me?" Filia asked, boldly.

"Of course not," Xelloss smiled.

"Good, than you can leave, now. I have a date."

"Yes, you look quite nice," Xelloss frowned. "You should put your hair up."

"I thought you said...?"

"This...Jet doesn't deserve your best."

"Oh and you do? I don't think so! Besides you've never met him-"

"Neither have you," Xelloss reminded her.

"Oh, whatever, Xelloss, just go away," Filia sighed.

"If that's what you want, fine. But before I do, I feel I must appologize."

"You?" Filia laughed. "And what is it that you're appollogizing for, exactly?"

Xelloss stood and tilted his head to the side in confusion, "For whatever it was that I did last night to upset you."

"Uh-huh," Filia looked at him angrily, " 'For whatever it was,' Xelloss you can't be sorry if you don't think you did anything wrong."

"Well, I know I must have-"

"You know what you did! You used me and-and I'm not speaking to you so get out of here right now!"

"Filia, I-"

"NO! No. Xelloss, I put up witn you all the time, but I don't feel like dealing with you right now. You allready ruined last night, so can't you just leave me alone?"

"You are unbelieveable. You think last night was about sex? Well don't flatter yourself! Silly dragon, you're the one with your mind in the gutter. It's not very becoming. In fact, I think you're a bad influence on me, so I'll just be leaving," with that, Xelloss promptly dissappeared, leaving behind a very flustered Filia.

She sat where he'd been sitting and took a few deep breaths, managing to calm herself down a little. She jumped when she heard someone knocking on her door. She quickly went down stairs and opened the door. Wow. A tall, thin, handsom mand stood before her. It was obvious how he got his name; both his hair and his eyed were as dark as the jem for which he had been named. His eyes were like reflecting pools, gentle, large, and full of emotion; exactly the opposite of Xelloss's. She liked him already. His dark hair was long and pulled into a que, but his bangs and some loose strands hung in his eyes and about his shoulders. There was a small braid hanging behind his right ear, which had an earing; a chain that hung from a hoop with a cross that was probably made from jet dangling from it. He was wearing all black, pants shirt and cloak.

"Hello," he said in a deep voice that would send chills through most teenage girls. "I'm Jet and I'm hoping you're Filia."

"I-I am," Filia blushed, "Please come in."

"This is for you," Jet handed her a single red rose as he entered her home. Filia's face turned a darker red.

* * * * *

"Oh, gag me," Xelloss said aloud and rolled his eyes, no one to hear him, save the creame-coloured cat that was stretching at the end of his bed. He was watching Filia and Jet in what looked like a flat circle of water hanging in mid-air. "Isn't that just sickening, Cheesecake?" Xelloss asked his cat as he scratched her ears.

* * * * *

"Do you want a cup of tea?" Filia called to Jet. She was putting water in a small crystal vase for her rose.

"Sure," Jet called back. "I thought, if you want, we would go see the Atlas City Ballet Company tonight, there only performing this weekend. But we don't have to be there for another thirty minutes."

Filia came back into her living room, "You got tickets? Oh, I love the ballet!" She handed him his tea and sat across the coffee table from him. "So do you live here in town? I don't remember seeing you around?"

"Actually I'm about to move here," Jet smiled. "I'm just checking out the village."

"Oh. Where did you live before?" Filia smiled back. "Where Sue lives?"

"Uh, yes. We both grew up there. Nice village, but I need a change."

"I understand. I lived in the one place my whole life until I came here, too. How did you and Sue meet?"

"Um...we lived next dorr to eachother... childhood friends. That sort of thing."

"Well I'm suprised she doesn't go after you herself."

"Ah," Jet looked down and then back up, "Actually she's had her eyes set on this one guy for quite some time, but she'd kill me if I told."

They talked about family and things for a little while longer before leaving for the play. It was an out door theater and a bit chilly; Filia allowed Jet to put his arm around her. After the play the went to a small, cozy cafe near the theater to get something warm to drink. The talked for a while.

"I hate to do this, "Filia appollogized. "But I should probably be heading back, you know, check on Val and all."

"Oh, I completely understand," Jet said sweetly, "Let me at least walk you home."

When they got to the door Jet cleared his throat, "Uh....I had a great time."

"Me, too," Filia agreed.

"I was hoping that I could... take you out to dinner tomorrow," Jet gave her a charming look.

"Um..." Filia thought of Xelloss, not for the first time, unfortunately, that night, but pushed him aside. "Sure, Jet, I'd love to."

With that he kissed her on the cheek and left.

* * * * *

"Meeeoooow," Cheesecake whined as she hopped back on Xelloss's lap. He stroked her.

"I know," Xelloss agreed with the cat, as if she had just made a rude comment about Filia's suitor. "We're going to have to do something about him." Xelloss waved his hand over the flat pool of water and Filia's doorstep dissappeared from veiw, leaving only black water.

"Afraid of a little competition?" Xellas's voice mocked from his bedroom door.

"No." Xelloss said surely.

"Well, you did make the little dragon mad," Xellas smiled.

"I always make her mad."

"Yes but now she thinks you just want her."

"I can fix it," Xelloss said, with a defiant tone.

"Well just remember: one week down three more to go. And you already lost your date with her tomorrow to the little theif."

"Theif?" Xelloss said, ignoring her comments.

"Nevermind," Xellas said, closing the subject.

"Well, her birthday's in a week and I've got a real supprise for her," Xelloss grinned.

* * * * *

Filia woke up, sans headache the next moring to the smell of food. She opened her eyes and looked around. On her bedside table was a just-baked shortcake piled with fresh strawberries and whipped cream, a mug of hot chocolate, and an envelope with 'Fi-chan' scrawled in a beautiful copperplate hand that she recognized as Xelloss's. She lifted an eyebrow as she tore open the envelope and read the note inside.

Good morning Filia-chan

I hope all is well with you. Did you have a good

time on your date last night? As good as the party? I must

confess; I hope not. I figured since you are such a busy person

what with your budding social life and all, you may not have

enough time to eat right. So, out of the kindess of my...uh

heart (it's an expression ^^) I made you breakfast. Hope you don't

mind me coming into your room.

Love,

Xelloss

P.S. I promise, it's not poisoned. ^^

Filia looked suspiciously at the plate of food, decided if Xelloss was actually going to kill her, he'd do it a bit more personally, then picked up the plate. It was actually quite good. You wouldn't think that someone who didn't have to ead would make good food, but Xelloss was a strange one.

When she finished her breakfast, Filia re-read the note and thought back over her date. Had she enjoyed it more than the party with Xelloss? Jet wasn't using her, but Xelloss said he wasn't either. Jet had been the perfect gentleman, but Xelloss...Xelloss had been smooth and devonaire and... affectionate. And while Jet was charming and handsom, Xelloss made her heart pound-but what was she thinking? Xelloss was a mazoku and, afterall, she had only just met Jet and tonights date would probably be even better. Xelloss was a jerk and taking a page out of Xelloss's book she lied to herself, saying outloud, "Of course I had a better time with Jet."

That night Jet took her to a lovely restaurant where they had a candle lit dinner in a private booth. The evening ended with another sweet kiss on the cheek. The two made plans to see each other again in three days. They were going on a picnic in the park. Filia felt happy, but...but something was missing, something she couldn't figure out.

Two days later, at the end of the hour in which Filia closed her shop for lunch, Xelloss showed up. Filia was doing the dishes, this is what we call bad timing.

"Hullo Fi-AHH!" Xelloss ducked as a tea cup came soaring at his head. "That wasn't very polite. I just-HEY! Quit it!" Another tea cup and a plate came flying in his direction, forcing him to teleport to dodge. He reappeared right beside Filia.

"Go away," she said bluntly and then propmtly dumped a pot of soapy water on his head and stormed out of the kitchen into her shop and gasped. Sunflowers. Tons of sunflowers. At least a hundred placed in different vases all over her shop.

Xelloss appeared beside her, drying his hair with a kitchen towel, "Clearly food was not a proper peace offering, so I decided to be a bit more cliche and try flowers. Since it is you, Little-Miss- Tempermental, I figured I'd need quite a few to mollify you. Sunflowers are your favorite, correct?"

"Uh...yes," Filia was in a slight state of shock. "But how did you-how could you know that?"

"Your room's decor was a bit of a give away," Xelloss smiled. "And to seal the deal; my most sincere appoloogy. I know I came on a...a bit strong the other night. I blame it on too much wine, your amazing looks, and my being a jack-ass. Am I forgiven? Or are you going to continue to hurl dishes at my head."

"I don't know if I'll go as far as to forgive you, Xelloss," Filia said. "But, I promise I won't throw anything else at your face...at least today."

"Good, I don't think I'm quite worth ruining your china," Xelloss smiled.

"You're right, you're not," Filia laughed. She realized it was the first time she'd laughed in days.

"Ano...Filia-chan?"

"Hm?"

"Do you think I could hang around for dinner?" Xelloss gave her an innocent look.

"Why?" Filia gave him a suspicious one back.

"Well, when I was in the kitchen I saw that pie in your window sill," Xelloss licked his lips. "Cherry right? Looks yummy."

"And what are you going to do with yourself for the next four hours?"

Xelloss shrugged, "Read. Play with Val. Bug you."

"You run to the town market and get me some things I'm out of and I'll let you stay. But you have to behave yourself. No popping in or out!"

"Gotcha," Xelloss said as he was walking out the door with the shopping list Filia had given him.

"And if you say one rude thing to anyone, I swear I'll kick you out!" Filia called after him. As she flipped the sign in her window to open, she sighed. How had Xelloss managed to worm his way back in? Were a few flowers (okay, not really a few) enough to sway her? No. It wasn't the flowers at all, really. It was the way he made her feel. Alive and happy and angry and energetic and nervous, all at the same time. She liked the way it felt, and that scared her.

Rae: Yes, Filia's not pissed at Xel any more. Yay! But now she has to come to terms with what it would mean to let herself fall for a mazoku, or maybe she already has fallen.

Next chapter: Birthday Blues: What's a Little Love Triangle?

It's our dragon's birthday and Xelloss has a suprise for her and Jet gets jealous. Oh, my what will happen?