Title: Refuse to Dance

Author: Yugure

Rated: PG-13 for language

Disclaimer: Slayers still not mine.

Author's Notes: Finale, yo. Zelgadis is still weird. Don't mind him, he's still off his medication... Someone want to get this guy his refill...?

Part 4

The grand ballroom was packed with people. It was the biggest celebration before the actual wedding would take place, which would, of course, be even grander and more amazing. The Saillune family held nothing back when it came to throwing fabulous parties.

The orchestra poured music into the crowd, sometimes playing lively pieces for foxtrots, sometimes playing quiet background music as everyone took breaks from dancing for socializing and eating.

Lina hated it. She never really got on well with balls; for one, she hated the dresses, and two, she didn't care for the music. She was used to spirited jigs from a tavern band, not this box stepping and what have you.

She yawned, loudly, and looked for the nearest door. She wanted to leave; leave the party, leave the palace, leave the city. Not only did she not want to be here just in principle, but she knew she wasn't a welcome guest anymore. Amelia had "forgiven" Lina for her "slanderous remarks about Zelgadis", but she had also pulled Lina from the role of Maid of Honor and had not given any role in return. Lina could attend the wedding, just like every other citizen of Saillune, but she was no longer a Very Important Person.

Not that she felt like one anymore, anyway.

Not after that incident in her room, with Zelgadis, from yesterday afternoon.

Lina shut her eyes and tried to steady her racing heart as the memory flooded her senses. She breathed in, slowly, and exhaled, slowly.

Lips, soft lips; calloused hands on her arms, on her shoulders, cradling her head; a firm body against hers; two thudding, pounding hearts –

"Lina, you okay? You don't look so good." Gourry's voice shattered Lina's thoughts and her eyes flew open. Gourry's concerned face peered down at her. "Are you gonna be sick?"

"No, Gourry, I'm fine," Lina replied, irritated that she couldn't keep a grip on her emotions. "I'm just a little aggravated by the crowd. You know me, I hate crowds..."

"Well, there's a door right over there, behind the guy with the big nose and the lady with the funny hat shaped like a chicken..." Gourry pointed the way, and sure enough, a single door was tucked away in the woodwork. "You know, if you want some fresh air or something."

"Thanks Gourry," Lina said, surprised to find she actually meant it. She slipped in between a couple and weaved her way through the crowd. She was almost there when someone stepped up beside her and placed his hand on her arm to halt her progress.

"Cutting out early, are we, Lina?" Zelgadis asked as she turned to him, his eyes searching her face to gauge her mood. Lina held her face carefully blank. She was somewhat relieved to see that, although Zelgadis's words were arrogantly self-assured, his eyes were troubled and fearful of, Lina imagined, rejection.

"This really isn't my kind of scene," she said. "So I'll just be leaving now, if it's all the same." She tried to move onwards, but Zelgadis retained his grip on her arm. She turned fully to face him, her back to the door.

"Please dance with me at least once, Lina. At my request."

"Why should I honor your request?"

"Because Amelia is dancing with Gourry right now, and Sylphiel with someone else, and there's no one else I'd rather dance with than you."

"I'm not going to play this game with you, Zelgadis." Lina stared at him. Her body longed to feel his hands again; her lips, to feel the soft caress. Lina's stomach felt tight and the adrenaline shooting through her made her dizzy. She tugged on her arm to regain possession of it. "I can't dance with you. You know that."

"Yesterday – "

"Yesterday was a mistake and we both know that. We can't do this, Zelgadis. You can't have everything, and I can't give you what you want. Nobody can win in this situation. Nobody's going to."

"I'm sorry it had to turn out this way, Lina. I should have told you I loved you a long time ago." True regret echoed in his words and in his eyes. Lina's heart plummeted.

"Perhaps."

"One last dance?" Zelgadis held out his hand. Lina shook her head, sadly, as tears rolled down her face. She backed away from him and fumbled with the door handle behind her. The door clicked open.

"No. I can't."

"Lina..." Zelgadis took one step forward. Lina slipped one foot over the threshold.

"...I won't..."

"... please..." Zelgadis's face was resigned. He stood still. Lina disappeared into the hallway gloom, her last whispered words haunting the air.

"...I refuse to dance..."

Fin