I apologize for any character abuse/alterations I have made. Please forgive.

Rezo set down his papers and sighed; Zelgadis had once again gotten himself into detention, and Lina had arranged to meet him there. Valgarv had been given an in-school suspension and made to assist the janitors to help pass the time.

"Ever since my little secret got out, I haven't heard the end of it from Lina or Zelgadis." He thought on his last date with Naga and grinned dreamily; she was such a little minx, but so clever too. No one ever saw the down-to-earth woman she could be.

"I guess I'm the only one other who'll ever understand her."

"Um, Mr. Rezo," came a timid voice from the doorway. He looked up and saw Eris, a notebook clutched to her chest.

"Yes, Ms. Eris, what is it that I can help you with?" His eyes felt tired, and he pulled off his glasses to rub his eyes.

"Is it true that you are dating Ms. Naga?" Her eyes were wide with curious concern. Rezo pushed the glasses farther up his nose.

"Why do you ask, Ms. Eris?"

Eris blushed and looked to the floor, tracing paths with her left foot, "No real reason, just curious, I guess."

Rezo leaned forward on his desk, "To be honest, Ms. Eris, I am dating Ms. Naga. We have been dating for about three months now."

"Oh, I see," Eris said, sounding unimpressed, "Well, how do you think things are going between the two of you?"

Rezo frowned, "I'm not sure if that is any of your business, Ms. Eris."

"Oh, of course not," Eris replied, "I didn't mean any offense."

Rezo held up his left hand in a peaceful gesture, "That's perfectly fine, I understand you didn't intend to offend me; young women at your age are curious to the more mature emotions you are beginning to feel."

Eris smiled, though she felt like screaming, "Yes, of course…how are Zelgadis and Lina doing?"

Rezo shook his head, "In detention, like always."

"That must worry you."

"A little. But I think that she's good for him," Rezo added, "Despite the trouble he's been involved in, this is the happiest I've seen him in years."

"Are they going to the prom this year?"

"I'm not sure, Lina doesn't seem the type to ask Zelgadis, and I'm not sure Zelgadis is even aware of it."

"So, do you want to go to prom this year," Lina asked Zelgadis as she hit him in the head with another crunched ball of paper.

"Why would you want to go," Zelgadis grumbled, "Dresses and tuxedos, spiked punch, and a popularity contest…what's the point?"

"Well, Amelia's taking Hyui Einberg."

"The sculpture guy?"

"Yeah, and of course Filia is taking Sarina with her."

"The foreign transfer student? Guess I had Filia pegged incorrectly." Zelgadis chuckled; he'd never have imagined that Filia was into girls, but it was okay with him. Of course, he could think of few young men who would be opposed to the idea of two girls romantically involved.

"They're probably just going stag."

"It's possible," Zelgadis nodded.

"Xellos is taking Miwan,"

"Big surprise there," Zelgadis interjected.

"And Gourry is taking Sylphiel,"

"Boy, you are just full of surprises today," Zelgadis continued to poke.

Lina pinched his arm, " My points being; it's our senior year, and everyone else is going. I guess we should probably let ourselves go with the flow this time and do what's expected."

Zelgadis laughed, "You, go with the flow?"

Lina grinned, "I know it sounds like I'm on something, but just maybe we can try this 'normal' bit just once," Lina looked him in the eye, "Please."

"Alright, we'll do it. So which one of us is wearing the dress?"

Lina punched him in the arm, "You're a jerk, you know?" Zelgadis only shrugged.

"Maybe," he said, "I couldn't believe it though when we found out about Naga."

"The fact she's sleeping with Rezo or the fact that she's Amelia's sister," Lina inquired; the news about Rezo couldn't be that stunning after Amelia's revelation.

"The latter; how could the two of them be related. They just don't fit together."

Lina shrugged, "The both have the same color hair,"

"How does hair translate to being related," Zelgadis chimed in incredulously, then blushed when Lina nodded to his own hair and a picture of Rezo came to his mind, "Oh…But what else?"

"They both are rather well built," Lina suggested.

"Yeah, but Amelia's rack couldn't be used as a weapon of mass destruction," Zelgadis jibed, and then kicked his feet up onto the desk in front of him. Lina laughed and smacked Zelgadis on the shoulder.

"Good one, but your angle is rather harsh."

Zelgadis shrugged, "Well, no matter how we look at it, Amelia told us herself, so there's nothing to guess about." He thought to Counselor Philionel and shuddered; how could a man who looked like he was a professional wrestler before settling into academics produce two offspring who looked nothing like him?

"That's true," Lina nodded.

"So," Zelgadis started.

"So?" Lina raised an eyebrow, the hoop catching the light.

"Does this mean I have to dress in a tuxedo?"

Lina grinned, "I think you'd look hot in one."

"But that means you have to wear a dress," Zelgadis added cheerfully, watching Lina blush under her confident smile.

"Or maybe it'll be the other way around," Lina stuck her tongue at him.

"Thank my luck that I won the coin toss," Zelgadis let out a sigh of relief as he tightened the red bowtie, knowing full well that Lina would have had him wear the dress. Still, he looked himself over the mirror: black pants and shoes, white shirt with black button studs, red vest and his white jacket hanging from a hanger on the bathroom door.

"You look good," Rezo piped in, and Zelgadis turned to look at him. A small tear formed in Rezo's eye, "It's truly amazing how well your father's tuxedo fits, a perfect fit in fact."

"Yeah," Zelgadis said, and he looked at the floor as a hard smile came across his lips, "Rezo, do you think dad would be proud of me?" He looked up, feeling a little silly and at the same time feeling a tug in his chest. Rezo only smiled broadly, his own classic black and white ensemble looking crisp and neat, until it wrinkled when he reached out to Zelgadis and patted him on the shoulder.

"As your father would put it, 'you're a little worse for wear, but you're the best you can be'. If he could be here to talk to you, he would be proud of all you've accomplished, like I am."

Zelgadis lunged forward, suddenly hugging Rezo, who froze momentarily before wrapping his arms around Zelgadis, having been three years since Zelgadis had done anything like this.

"Hello, is anybody here?" Lina's voice broke the silence. Rezo let go of him, "You're date is here," he noticed the tear in Zelgadis' eye, wiped it away, and gave him a clap on the shoulder, "Best of luck."

"Of course," Zelgadis blinked, "See you and Ms. Naga at the dance." With that he threw on his coat and walked into the dining room where he knew Lina was waiting.

Before him stood a princess in pale pink; the dress was cut to look like it had three skirts and low enough to expose Lina's shoulders, the cloth bunched just above the left breast in a rose pattern. The material that covered her arms showed off her arms while granting them a surprising elegance. Her hair was loose except for two pale yellow flowers tied in. From Lina's neck hung a silver necklace with a blue-green gem as its pendant.

Lina noticed his gaze and commented, "Borrowed from Luna on grounds of death if I lose or damage it," She blushed and, in a moment of embarrassment, curtsied and winked, "How do I look?"

Zelgadis could only allow his jaw to drop, no words forming for several moments, "You look incredible in that." His heart beat rapidly as he approached, then kissed her lightly, afraid that any contact heavier than that would destroy her looks.

"Only in this?"

"You always look incredible," Zelgadis, "But you look even more so in that."

Lina blushed even more, "We better get going, or we'll be late for dinner."

Zelgadis turned, "Rezo, we're out of here!"

"Just be careful, and have fun, I'll see you at the dance," Rezo's voice crept out of the bathroom.

As Zelgadis followed Lina out, she looked back to him, "Rezo's chaperoning?"

"And Naga is his partner," Zelgadis added, "Which means some interesting things are going to happen tonight. Maybe after the dance we can go back to your place?"

"No problem," Lina said as she opened the Shelby's door, "Luna's not going to care, and my folks are used to you being over," she slipped inside, and cocked her head at Zelgadis as he slipped into the passenger seat, "Do you really think Rezo and Naga are anything more than…?"

"I don't really know, and at this rate I'm not sure how far I want to probe the issue." Zelgadis cringed with the thought of Rezo and Naga getting up to anything. All he wanted to concentrate on was the evening just ahead.

Hey, don't write yourself off yet.
It's only in your head you feel left out or
looked down on.
Just try your best, try everything you can.
And don't you worry what they tell themselves when you're away.
It just takes some time, little girl you're in the middle, it'll up the ride.
Everything will be just fine, everything will be alright.

"Hey, you know they're all the same. You know you're doing better on your own, so don't buy in," Lina and Zel sang together along with the radio.
"Live right now," Lina started the next line.

"Yeah, just be yourself," Zel finished, and the two sang again in harmony.

"It doesn't matter if it's good enough for someone else. It just takes some time, little girl you're in the middle, it'll up the ride. Everything will be just fine, everything will be alright." The two of them laughed, and Zelgadis allowed himself to fall back against the seat.

"That meal was delicious," Lina beamed, "Oh, I wish I could have eaten more."

" And put the bill in excess of 200," Zelgadis groaned, "Rezo would kill me."

"Hey, I stopped myself," Lina excused herself, "Besides, Rezo didn't set a limit, and I didn't see you trying to stop me,"

"For fear of losing my hand to a wayward fork," Zelgadis replied, then tensed as Lina hit him in the shoulder, "What?"

"You're a jerk, you know?"

"Yeah, well, I'm your jerk," Zelgadis reminded. Lina stuck her tongue out at him, and then took the turn into the high school parking lot. A small fleet of vehicles was already parked, and they began looking for a spot closer to the building. As they rolled along slowly, Zelgadis spotted Xellos and Miwan. He rolled down the window and yelled to them, to which they turned and began walking toward them.

"Hey, what's going on?"

"Hey back," Xellos smiled as he hugged Miwan close, "Take the space next to us, three cars up, and we'll wait for you."

Lina pulled the Shelby into the spot and parked it, turned off the car, and leaned over to kiss Zelgadis on the cheek, "Thank you for doing this."

Zelgadis blushed, "To tell the truth, I don't feel like it's something so frightening anymore." He looked to Lina and smiled softly, "I'm glad you convinced me to do this."

The two of them drew close, the heat off their faces bathed in a rush of nervous excitement. Zelgadis could smell the rose perfume Lina had dabbed at her neck, and could feel her hot, shaking breath as they drew in closer to one another for a kiss.

The moment was interrupted by three thuds against the passenger window. The two, startled, broke from their position and looked. Xellos only waved through the glass, "Come on you two, no playtime before the dance."

Zelgadis and Lina blushed, and then laughed as they quickly got out of the car, Zelgadis going around to meet Lina. He took her arm in his, "Well, are we ready?"

"As ready as ever," Xellos remarked, "Now let's get inside before the party starts getting dull."

The four walked together toward the building, Miwan clutching carefully to Xellos' arm, and Lina hanging on Zelgadis' arm. Zelgadis felt like he was drunk; it felt like he'd never known Lina, and yet he felt the warmth of familiarity in his chest that had pervaded him for the past few months. What was it? Love?

"What're you thinking?" Lina asked, pulling Zelgadis from his trance. He shook his head, and realized the four of them were at the doors, ready to purchase tickets to get in.

"Nothing, just spacing," he reassured her. He purchased two tickets and opened the door for Lina as they stepped into the music-flooded gymnasium. Decorations in black, silver and gold disguised the scoreboards; the theme this year was "Lovers Among the Stars", and the hundreds of Cepheid Memorial students were already dancing to the tune "867-5309", being piped out by speakers from DJ Marlene Calvert, a private school girl whose father owned the popular Calvert's restaurant chain. If there was anyone in Atlas Heights who was more affluent than Xellos' parents, it was Marlene's father. Marlene was private educated at the Famille Girl's Academy. It was many a schoolboy's fantasy to sneak into the dorms in the evening and go looking for a fun sight.

"Okay folks, we're going to change our pace with a new request," Marlene said as the last song wound down, "Grab your partner and come dance to a new love song." She started it up, and the gentle beat filled their ears.

Xellos walked by with Miwan, flashing Zelgadis a grin "See you two on the floor."

"Looks like they're already started," Zelgadis shrugged. He turned to Lina, who seized him by the arm and started pulling him onto the dance floor, "Lina, what?"

"I'm not letting you be the wallflower. Come on," Lina laughed, "Let's show them how a real couple dances." She placed her hands in his and began to bop to the beat, the lyrics riding high over the crowd:

Last night I had a dream about you
In this dream I'm dancing right beside you
And it looked like everyone was having fun
the kind of feeling I've waited so long

Don't stop come a little closer
As we jam the rhythm gets stronger
There's nothing wrong with just a little little fun
We were dancing all night long

The time is right to put my arms around you
You're feeling right
You wrap your arms around too
But suddenly I feel the shining sun
Before I knew it this dream was all gone 2

As they danced, Lina and Zelgadis became looser, more natural in their movements, eventually intertwining with one another, the heat intoxicating, their faces close enough to kiss, when they were interrupted by a hand on Zelgadis shoulder. Zelgadis turned, and found a smiling face.

"None of that in here, mister," Rezo said, "Save that for later." He stepped back, resuming his position against the wall, Ms. Naga standing next to him. Zelgadis just laughed and continued to dance with Lina. Even though this wasn't her normal look, she was beautiful, her eyebrow hoop only adding uniqueness to her appearance. Compared to any other girl present that night, she was the only one whom he knew everyone was staring at.

"Well, look at us, Ms. Lina," Zelgadis poked, "The talk of the school. Everyone can't believe what's happened this year."

"I can," Lina said, poking him in the ribs as she blushed, "but someone seems to insist on embarrassing me, jerk."

"Okay now, we're going to slow it down a little," DJ Calvert said into the microphone, "Grab a partner and get out on that floor." The melody started in low and soft, and Zelgadis hugged Lina close, Lina placing her head on his shoulder as they began to dance again.

How can I convince you what you see is real Who am I to blame you for doubting what you feel I was always reachin', you were just a girl I knew I took for granted the friend I have in you I was living for a dream, loving for a moment Taking on the world, that was just my style Now I look into your eyes, I can see forever The search is over, you were with me all the while Can we last forever, will we fall apart At times it's so confusing, the questions of the heart You followed me through changes, and patiently you'd wait Till I came to my senses, through some miracle of fate I was living for a dream, loving for a moment Taking on the world, that was just my style Now I look into your eyes, I can see forever

The search is over, you were with me all the while 3

"Zelgadis," Lina started as they swayed, "I know I asked this before, but what are we going to do after graduation?" She hugged harder, taking in his warmth, her own body suddenly shivering uncomfortably. Her throat was rapidly drying out, and her heart hurt as it thudded against her chest.

He felt the hard crush of Lina's grip and the hard beat of her heart, and his own began to pulse savagely against his own chest. A sudden fear overcame him as he tried to picture the future, of what things would be like without Lina. He shook his head; he wasn't going to let that happen.

"Well, it looks like the band might make it big, in which case we'd be together," he paused, not sure of how to continue, "But, if it didn't work out with the band, that would change a lot," he felt Lina start for a moment, and he swallowed, "But no matter what does happen, you and I are together in all this, as long as you're willing to have it that way."

For a moment, the two of them stopped dancing; staring at one another, the world around became a blur.

"Are you serious Zel?"

Zelgadis nodded, and he smiled. Lina threw herself into Zelgadis, hugging him hard. She felt a little silly, but when she heard what he said she felt like there was nothing else to do.

"Out of my way, faggot," came a familiar and hated voice. Zelgadis tightened his jaw and turned; Valgarv was pushing past Xellos and Miwan with Martina in tow. When he saw Zelgadis, he shot a glare, "Graywords? Damn, and I was hoping I'd only have to deal with one reject tonight!"

"Valgarv," Zelgadis started, his voice stern as he tried to hold down his tone, "I have no interest in starting anything tonight. Stay the hell out of our way and we'll all go home in one piece tonight."

"There's no peace with you around," Martina hissed, "You and Lina both are troublemakers."

"Martina," Lina said, "You'd best keep your mouth shut, or you're going to regret it."

"Isn't there some kind of restriction at this dance where ugly people can't attend?" Martina poked.

Lina snorted, "If that's the case, Martina, then…"

"Okay, the four of you," Rezo interjected, "I want no problems from any of you tonight, or else there are going to be some serious problems."

Valgarv's glare turned to a grin, "Of course Rezo. Martina," he led her away, Martina making a face at Lina.

"Don't let them get to you two," Rezo remarked as they disappeared into the crowd, "That's all they want to do; get you both mad so you'll do something foolish."

"Don't worry about it, Rezo," Lina assured him, "We'll be on our best behavior tonight." Rezo only nodded and returned to his post.

"Dancers please report to the cafeteria for the crowning of the king and queen ceremony," DJ Calvert said as she turned the music to almost a whisper. Lina and Zelgadis walked hand in hand together, joining Xellos and Miwan as they walked across the hallway from the gymnasium to the cafeteria.

The ceremony was quick and pretty; Amelia and Hyui were named queen and king, and then people began to return to the dance floor in the gymnasium. As Lina and Zelgadis made their way back, Martina plowed through them, sending Lina to the floor.

"Lina, are you okay," Zelgadis asked as he helped her up. He brushed her off, and noticed one of the sleeves on the dress was torn.

"Don't worry Lina," Miwan assured hopefully, "The tear will be easy to repair." Both Xellos and Zelgadis could see the fire burning in Lina's eyes.

"Zelgadis, let's go," Lina fumed, "Someone is going to answer for this." Zelgadis followed her quickly into the gymnasium, Xellos and Miwan quickly tailing them. Lina sought out Martina, who was dancing with Valgarv, and walked up behind her.

"Martina, you ripped my dress!"

Martina turned, "Ick, go away! It's bad enough you're here. I don't want to be seen around you."

"You knocked me down and tore my dress. I don't care what you think about me. I want an apology!" Zelgadis was amazed; Lina was demonstrating a great amount of control in the face of her incredible temper.

"As if," Martina replied, "I don't need to apologize to you. Take your trashy, bony little board of a body out of here with your freak boyfriend, let people enjoy this dance."

Lina clenched her fist, "Listen here, you air-headed little pom-pom slut. If you want to talk like this, I'll give your trailer-trash mouth what it needs. I guess the only thing its good for is sucking up to and sucking off all the right people."

The next moment was a flash as Martina slapped Lina, the sound slicing the air and silencing the dancers nearby. Zelgadis felt the world slow down as he watched Lina recoil, holding his breath.

Lina stood, her head tilted aside for a moment, before she whipped forward and socked Martina in the face, which sent her to the floor. In a moment Lina was upon her, closing in for another punch. Valgarv interposed, knocking Lina away as he helped Martina up.

"Look what you did to her, bitch!" Valgarv cursed, "I should've known this was going to happen."

"Maybe if she'd apologized instead of insulting Lina, this wouldn't have happened," Zelgadis noted as he helped Lina up.

"Let me at her!" Martina screamed, "Red-haired little bitch!"

Zelgadis had to hold Lina back, "You want some of this? I'll tear your ass apart!"

"I suggest you just walk away from this," Zelgadis said coldly, "Or else something bad is going to happen."

"Fuck off Graywords," Valgarv spat, "Or are you too chicken-shit to fight me?"

The heat rose in Zelgadis' face, "I'll lay you out if you try it."

With those words, Valgarv moved forward to strike Zelgadis, but was intercepted by a speedy, purple-haired figure, which snatched his arm and twisted it, and caused Valgarv to crumple to the ground. In another flash of movement Xellos had Valgarv pinned as he pressed Valgarv's forearm into a very uncomfortable angle with his knee.

"Little fucking faggot, get off me!"

"No one hurts my friends," Xellos said, a small, vengeful smirk crossing his lips.

"Xellos!" Miwan cried out.

"Here comes the cavalry," Xellos quipped as Rezo and Ms. Naga came running up after Miwan. Zelgadis watched in amazement; he didn't know Xellos could pull off moves like that.

"Alright Xellos, release Valgarv," Rezo said as he seized Valgarv, forcing him to his feet, "You two are the source of the problem, I have no doubt. Valgarv, Martina, you two are leaving now, before I have to contact the authorities."

"This isn't fair, they're the ones responsible," Martina whined.

"You two will pay for this Graywords," Valgarv cursed as the two of them were led away, "No one fucks with me and gets away with it."

"Zelgadis, Lina, Xellos, Miwan," Rezo said, "Why don't you go home early, relax a little?"

Zelgadis looked to Lina, who only nodded, "I don't feel like being here anymore Zel. Let's go."

"But first," Xellos interjected, "A photo for posterity. Lina stand like this so that the tear and slap don't show up." He quickly arranged Zelgadis and Lina, handed his digital camera to another student, and pulled Miwan into the picture, protesting the entire way.

After the flash, the group assembled their belongings and left.

"Xellos, why didn't you tell me you knew martial arts?" Zelgadis asked.

"You never asked," Xellos shrugged, "Just a small thing I study in my spare time, something that's become significantly smaller thanks to my friends and significant others."

"Whose house?" Zelgadis asked.

"Lina's?" Xellos suggested.

Lina laughed, "Okay, but only as long as you guys are quiet until we get to the basement."

"Oh, don't worry about me," Xellos jibed, "It's Miwan who's the screamer."

"Xellos!" Miwan blushed.

Zelgadis laughed, "Right then, Lina's place."

Once Lina and Zelgadis had piled into the Shelby, Lina spoke again, "Think they'll try anything?"

Zelgadis shrugged, "If they can get their 3 brain cells together, they might find something to do," he patted Lina's leg, "But I wouldn't worry. They're idiots, and whatever they can come up with can't possibly be any good."

The cell phone Zelgadis had recently picked up rang, and he answered it, "Hello?"

"Mr. Graywords, this is Milgasia Ryuzoku from Dragon Valley Studios."

"Why, hello Mr. Ryuzoku," Zelgadis responded, "How can we help you?"

"Lord Of Nightmares plays soon, right?"

"Yes sir, three weeks at the Explosion Array."

"Good, looking forward to seeing the band in action again. See you then."

"Oh, okay," Zelgadis said as he hung up, "Lina, we have a date with Dragon Valley Studios at our next concert."

Lina grinned, "Well then, we'd best get started, shouldn't we? I guess this night turned out better than I thought it would."

"In The Middle" by Jimmy Eats World

2 "Digital Love" by Daft Punk

3 "The Search is Over" by Survivor