Hello everyone! Well, I am so glad to be on break for a while; finals were hell, but I think I pulled through nicely. Hopefully my productivity will increase now. Hope you enjoy, and have a happy holiday season.

            Zelgadis looked up at the clouds, a drop of rain landing in his eye. He flinched and looked to Lina, who looked back at him with a smile. Last night when he had told her about the accident, he felt as if the world were suddenly off his shoulders, that he could finally find a way to relax. He couldn't understand why, but somehow when Lina was with him everything seemed to work out, one way or another. What was this he was feeling?

            "What are you thinking?" Lina asked as she reached out and took his hand and entered the school.

            "I'm not, that's the problem," Zelgadis poked, "Isn't it hard to comprehend that we only have a few months before we graduate?"

            "I guess so," Lina agreed, "Hey Zel, what did you think of the performance last night; I mean, did we really blow them away?"

            "You heard it yourself," Zelgadis nodded, "Plus Milgasia Ryuzoku talked to us about a future performance with a executive talent agent attending."

            "Help, Mr. Zelgadis, Miss Lina, help!"

            They looked to the voice and saw Miwan, hair flying wildly about and panic streaked across his face as he charged to them. Once he had stopped he tried to speak, only to have it come out as frightened giberrish.

            "Lina, Zel, Xel, I mean, Zelgadis…"

            "Wait, Miwan, slow down," Lina held his shoulder and forced him to take a deep breath, "Now, what's wrong?"

            He paused a moment before answering, "Xellos is in trouble with Valgarv. They're just down the hall."

            Zelgadis had heard all he would need to hear. Ignoring Lina's quick exchange with Miwan, he sprinted down the hall where Miwan had pointed. He hadn't gone far when he happened upon the scene, Valgarv standing over a fallen Xellos.

            "What, you can't handle anymore of this, you uppity little queer?" Valgarv taunted as he kicked Xellos in the ribs, not the first time Zelgadis could see by the way Xellos curled with the impact, "At least that will teach you not to fucking talk back to me!"

            Inside Zelgadis though something boiled, something hot and thirsty, and it threatened to boil over and consume him. He advanced forward slowly.

            "Good thing your little boyfriend got out of here, otherwise I'd be showing him how I treat uppity queers."

            "You've bothered me long enough Valgarv," Xellos managed to choke out, "But don't you even think about…"

            Valgarv's boot collided with Xellos' chest again, "Shut up, you stupid faggot. You know, maybe I should kick that pretty mouth of yours so that no one will ever want head from you again, cum guzzler!"

            As Valgarv pulled back his boot once more though, Zelgadis sprang, sending the surprised Valgarv into a set of lockers, banging the back of his head, smacking a shoulder, and delivering a nice bruise against the spine.

            Zelgadis wasted no time; the moment he could see Valgarv's face again, he punched him in the jaw, feeling the sting of Valgarv's teeth as they sliced open a couple of knuckles. After hearing the thud of Valgarv's head against the lockers he stepped forward to go for another strike.

            But a swift elbow from Valgarv coming down on his shoulder halted Zelgadis, who felt Valgarv follow up the elbow with a semi-clumsy punch that connected with Zelgadis' left temple. The flash of pain was momentary, but Zelgadis brought his left fist into Valgarv's ribcage, just short of the point that would leave him winded. He quietly cursed, and Valgarv's made a grab for Zelgadis' throat.

            "Graywords, you've crossed me for the last…" Valgarv was silenced by Zelgadis' well-placed blow, head-butting Valgarv in the chin. Valgarv reeled momentarily, and then slammed his knee into the area just below Zelgadis' rib cage. With this move he was certain to knock the air out of Zelgadis and have enough strength to walk away.

            Through a groan Zelgadis laughed, "That's it? You've got nothing compared to lying broken and bloody on the concrete." He shrugged off the air rapidly leaving his muscles. If he could just hold out for another 30 seconds…

            "You're a freak, Zelgadis, and you friend's a queer. They should have killed you in the hospital; it would have been more merciful." He narrowly dodged Zelgadis' fist sailing toward him, only to feel the contact of Zelgadis' other connect with his nose, which erupted with blood. Zelgadis, hardly fazed by the spray of blood, brought in a low punch that caught Valgarv in the stomach. Despite the solid mass of muscle, he felt Valgarv's body give and fold in half.

            The next few moments were little more than blurs of motion and pain for Zelgadis as Seigram and Glavos got involved, laying punches on his shoulders, neck, and back as they tried to drag him off. Still he kept on Valgarv, intent on destroying him as he slumped against the locker.

            "Hold him," Glavos grunted, a little intimidated that someone this much smaller than he could pull with such ferocity. Seigram only held on, not sure of what else to do.

            Zelgadis watched as Valgarv came toward him, flinching painfully as he readied himself to punch Zelgadis once again.

            "Mr. Valgarv, stop this now!" The figure that commanded the strong voice stepped between Zelgadis and Valgarv, and Zelgadis saw, with much amazement, Rezo grab Valgarv's wrist and twist it tightly, pinning Valgarv face-first against the lockers, "And the two of you, release him."

            He felt Glavos and Seigram let go, and he turned to see what was going on. His knees shook slightly, and he saw Lina rush over to him.

            "Zel, fuck, are you okay," Lina asked, "Tell me where it hurts."

            "A little bit everywhere," he replied as he felt his injuries swell, "How is Xellos?"

            "Miwan is taking him down to the nurse's office."

            "Zelgadis," Rezo said sternly as he stood between he and Valgarv, "You, Glavos, Seigram, and Valgarv are coming with me."

            "Stupid queer and his freak…" Valgarv started.

            "You open your mouth one more time, Mr. Valgarv, and I'll call the police to deal with this, rather than just talking with the vice-principal. Now boys, move it."

            Lina kissed Zelgadis on the cheek, "It's not much, but good luck."

            Zelgadis nodded, cracking a small smile at her. This was probably going to suck in the end, so he might as well count his blessings in this case and get some satisfaction out of this for as long as he could.

            "So, how are you feeling?" Zelgadis asked Xellos as he lay on the bed across from him in the nurse's office.

            Xellos smiled, a small spot of dried blood on the corner of his mouth, "Well, other than the split lip, some bruised ribs and a wounded pride, I should be alright," He looked over Zelgadis, who still needed medical attention, "So, what did they punish you with?"

            "They were going to give me a week's in-school suspension for fighting, but instead gave me a week's worth of detention because I was helping to defend you."

            Xellos nodded, "Well, at least I proved to be of some use. Maybe you should save me more often." He laughed at his own joke, and then grimaced in pain as the laugh hit his ribs. Zelgadis looked upon Xellos with pity; if he could take some of that pain away, even if it came to him, he would.

            "What has Valgarv been bothering you about? I mean, you really aren't a queer, and I'm not a freak." He watched Xellos' face contort for a moment before he slowly opened his eyes, smiling with a tenderness he'd only seen on rare occasions.

            "Well, actually Zel, to be perfectly honest with my best friend, Miwan and I are an item," Xellos said, pausing for a moment, his voice a slight choke as he continued, "Zelgadis, why do people have to hate us this much?"

            Zelgadis shook his head, "I don't know."

            The nurse came out, "Mr. Zelgadis, Miss Lahda and I are ready for you."

            "Damn Zelgadis," Xellos remarked as Zelgadis rose to his feet, "First Lina, now the nurse AND Sylphiel to top it all off? You must be one of the horniest…"

            "Watch it Xellos, you're not in traction yet," Zelgadis shot, but secretly smiled inside, "Just take care of yourself for now, okay?"

            Xellos nodded, "I plan to. By the way: nice ass."

            "So, how is he doing?" Lina asked as they left the school and made their way to the parking lot.

            Zelgadis titled his head to the side, "Well, he is beat up, but from the looks of it he should be okay. The lip will heal quickly, but his ribs are probably going to take a while longer."

            "Well, I'm glad there no serious damage," Lina said, "If I see Valgarv anytime soon I'll…"

            "Hey," Zelgadis said, "No need for both of us to get into trouble. I know he pisses you off too, but that's no reason to go and do something stupid." He put his arm around Lina's shoulder, which Lina reached for and gently squeezed.

            "I know, Zel. I just can't help but get pissed about it. Not only did injure Xellos, a band member, but more importantly he hurt both Xellos and you, my best friend and boyfriend."

            Zelgadis held up a bandaged fist, "Well, other than this and a somewhat sore back, I should be fine. Oh well, more scars to tally off." They reached the car and got inside, Lina driving, and Zelgadis flicked on the radio:

            Cut my life into pieces

            This is my last resort

            Suffocation, no breathing

            Don't give a fuck if I cut my arm bleeding

            This is my last resort…*

            "Turn this off," Lina said, "or change it please. I don't feel like listening to them." Zelgadis nodded and switched the station, stopping when he heard a familiar group:

            Eight o' clock Monday night and I'm waiting

            To finally talk to a girl a little cooler than me

            Her name is Nona, she's a rocker with a nose ring

            She wears a two-way but I'm not quite sure what that means

            And when she walks, all the wind blows and the angels sing

            But she doesn't notice me

            She's watching wrestling

            Creaming over tough guys

            Listening to rap, metal, turntables in her eyes

            It's like a bad movie she is looking through me

            If you were me than you'd be screamin' "Someone shoot me!"

            As I fail miserably trying to get the girl all the bad guys want

            She's the girl all the bad guys want…*2

            "That's better; at least it's got a better mood than the last one."

            "Sounds like something from some kind of teen romance," Zelgadis commented.

            "Yeah," Lina chuckled, "Those things are so predictable."

            Zelgadis laughed along with her, but was lost in thought. He could see Lina naked, the fire of her hair catching in the light. He remembered how they had done before; the kissing that started the heat between them, hands all over one another. Then when he had been able to touch her, the wet warmth and the softness of the small patch of fire that grew from it making his stomach tighten and his groin ache. Even now he could hear her voice impassioned, his own breathing heavy as she had clung to him.

            "Zel, Zel," Lina shook his leg, "Come back to me." Zelgadis shook his head; Lina's voice a soft echo that strained against his thoughts.

            "What?" He looked to her, "I'm sorry, I drifted off somewhere." Better to let her know that up front than to have her ask questions.

            "I noticed that. Man, were you ever spacing! What could have been so interesting for you to leave me so far behind?" Zelgadis looked at her, and he could hear moans in his ears again.

            He blushed, "Oh, nothing, really."

            "Oh, alright," Lina sighed, "So, we have an evening off tonight. What do you want to do?" She looked to him for a moment and caught him staring at her, his eyes hungry and dark.

            As Lina turned to look at him, Zelgadis averted his stare as subtle as possible, "I don't know."

            "How about me?" Lina set her trap casually. Would he honestly trip up?

            "That'd be fun, uh, I mean…" Zelgadis stumbled as he realized what he'd agreed to, "Lina, I wasn't paying attention."

            "No, you weren't," Lina laughed, "But that's okay; I know you want to do it again. At this rate, we're going to run out of condoms soon."

            "What? No I wasn't serious about what I agreed to…"

            "Zel, don't even bother trying to tell me different, I can read you like an open book. You know, it is okay for you to be horny."

            "Yeah I know," Zelgadis looked to the floor, flushed with embarrassment because he realized she was right; he was feeling pretty bothered today. Maybe it was the stress of having to fight Valgarv again that had him so excited, "It just seems embarrassing with you being the one that brought it up?"

            "Why does that embarrass you, it's something that happens a lot with people our age?" Lina smiled and put her hand on Zelgadis' thigh, "I understand how you feel. Most girls my age don't, and if you really want to do it again, I don't mind." Even talking about it was making her face grow warm, intimate memories rushing into her mind, the warmth of his hands upon her, his soft lips kissing every inch of skin, a tongue that was good for more than singing, and that body able to endure and perform very well.

            But what she couldn't puzzle out was this feeling under the lust, the steady warmth that flared when she was around Zelgadis, made her heart jump when she watched him fight, and made the sex all the more intense.

            "Not sex," Lina whispered, "Lovemaking."

            "What was that?" Zelgadis asked.

            "I'll tell you once we get back to your place," she gently slid her hand to the inner thigh of his pants, "Besides, we're going to have some fun, aren't we?"

            Zelgadis felt his body stiffen pleasantly at the touch, the rush making him a little dizzy, "With you touching me like that, I hope that we will." He leaned over to kiss her, but she gently pushed him away.

            "Wait until we get to your place, okay," Lina reminded, "I still need to drive." Zelgadis could only smile and nod in consent, sitting back in his seat and watching the road, his mind off in fantasy of physical desire.

            Once they arrived at his house, Lina turned off the car and leaned over, kissing him hard on the lips, sliding a hand into his shirt and taking a grip of his flesh. She pulled away and smiled at him, "Come on, let's go inside."

            Zelgadis wasted no time as he got out of the car and made his way to the door and removed his keys. He opened the door and let Lina enter first, his thoughts consumed with what the thin layer of Lina's clothing hid and how it had felt in his hands.

             They made their way to his room and closed the door, crossed to the bed, and flopped down next to one another. Laying kisses on one another, their hands began to explore one another, passion growing like a flame and clothes falling as leaves in autumn.

            "Zel," Lina whispered, her face heavy with blush, "Your touch is incredible."

            Zelgadis only nodded and continued, gently stroking Lina's midriff, raising the heat of their foreplay.

            Zelgadis started the slow arousal, using his touch to stimulate her, his fingers, lips and tongue played a sultry dance across Lina's body, his own excitement increased by the ever growing groans and heavy breaths from her. In this state her skin was warm and smooth, slightly taut but with a softness that made her seem to glow in the afternoon light.

            Lina gently grasped Zelgadis' face and pulled it in for a kiss. After the connection, she pulled away and slid underneath him, forcing him to flip onto his back. From there she used her own touch, using the warmth of her hands and mouth to pull groans from him, taking her time to increase sensations. Everything on him was tensed and warm.

            When she thought him ready, she stopped, "You have a condom, right?" Zelgadis nodded and motioned to the desk. She pulled away from him and allowed him to get up. He rolled over and got out of bed, crossed to the desk, and snatched a condom from the box he'd purchased. What an embarrassment that had been, particularly when the cashier was a girl he knew at school.

            Returning to the bed, Zelgadis took a seat and opened the package. Lina watched as he rolled the condom on.

            "Still is kind of an odd thing, don't you think, Zel?"

            Zelgadis shrugged, "Eh, I don't see it as being that odd, only the feeling that I'm pre-packaged every time I've put one of these on."

            Lina laughed as she wrapped her arms around his neck, "Well then, are we ready to continue?"

            "How do we…?"

            "I want to try it from the top tonight again," Lina suggested, "I kind of like having the control."

            "Sounds good," Zelgadis said, "And next time we'll try something different?"

            "Who says we won't right now?"

            Zelgadis paused momentarily, shrugged, and swung himself onto the bed so that he lay flat. Lina slid on top of him, positioning herself.

            "Ready?"

            Zelgadis nodded, and the phone rang, interrupting them, "Shit."

            Lina gently grabbed his head, "Let's just ignore it."

            "I can't," Zelgadis apologized, "If it's a client that wants to speak with Rezo, I need to get their client information at the very least."

            Lina shrugged, "Alright, but hurry up, okay?"

            Zelgadis nodded, a little annoyed at the ringing phone. He waited for the next ring before picking it up, wanting to make this quick and simple.

"Hello?"

"Zel," came a voice, barely a whisper.

            Zelgadis huffed, "Xellos, you better have a damn good excuse as to why you interrupted…"

            "Zelgadis," Xellos' voice was weaker now, "I'm scared."

* song is "Last Resort" by Papa Roach

*2 song is "The Girl all the Bad Guys Want" by Bowling for Soup