Hey your guys! Here is the newest.. and longest chapter of my fanficcy. I hope you enjoy it! Oh, dear me! I don't own slayers… okay so don't soon, now on with the Fic!

Mariah Sunshine

At the sound of Amelia's screams, Zegaldis's head turned and faced the door. Phil was already on his feet and he reached behind his chair for his sword. Zegaldis had his attached at his waist, and nodding to each other, took off for the West wing of the palace. When they entered the first hallway, they tripped over flower stands, and knocked over vases. Since Phil was leading Zegaldis managed to always have something in his face. From flower roots, to posted documents, everything that Phil knocked down came to him. Phil, however was too much on a rampage to find his screaming daughter to really care. Her life was at stake and he'd be damned if any priceless artifact kept him from getting to her.

They rounded corners, and dashed up stairs, breathing and panting heavily. It seemed like palace life was really starting to slow them down. Zegaldis hadn't run for weeks, and it seemed like his thighs were on fire. It wasn't until they got to the top of the forth landing that they slowed down. Zegaldis dodged in front of Phil, knowing just how crazy he could get in these situations. Pulling out his sword he inched his way to the cracked door, kneeling low. His breath was low and in short pants, as he tried to be quiet, and his hands shook slightly, swaying his sword from side to side. He stealthily backed himself against the side frame of the door, and finally, with a great push forced it open and took stance in the doorway. Before Zegaldis could react, Phil pushed in front of him, and screaming fell to the floor beside his daughter.

Zegaldis looked down at the father daughter pair on the floor, and shaking his head put the sword away. Amelia was on the floor screaming over a vase that was broken. She had bought in Disnia on her last conquest. Phil had joined in on the tears seeing as how that damned vase was valued at just about half their kingdom. Zegaldis, stepping over the crazed parent and child, made his way to the bed, and sat down on the edge.

Gourry was laying across the bed, legs dangling over the side. His hands were behind his head and the baby was sleeping soundly on his chest. It looked as if he was preparing for bed, because his shirt was strewn across the floor, and his boots and armor were put away. His face was etched with a content sleepiness that could only be described as Gourry. The sleeping baby also seemed quite happy to be where she was. Her tiny toes were curled up, and her hands in fists on Gourry's chest. She had a tiny fleece nightie that covered her arms and all the way to her ankles. Her head was facing the door and tiny bits of drool spilled from out her mouth. Zegaldis was moved by the sight, but taken back by the drool, and turned to look for Lina. She emerged from behind him, in a nightgown of her own. It was a long spaghetti strap nightgown that was the color of gold. Her hair bounced heavily around her shoulders and a few wisps were taken aback by her movements. Beads of moisture rested on her arms and around her shoulders. Zegaldis was surprised she managed to get a bath in, and that the baby was not screaming her head off. Or for that matter… neither was Lina. She would more than likely have to pay for the damage that was putting Amelia and her father in such distress a few feet from her bed. Gourry barely acknowledge that Amelia was on the floor, and for that matter neither did Lina. He stood up, turned to Gourry and began rubbing his face agitatedly. He then spoke loud and sternly.

You guys do realize, your gonna have to pay for the damage.

Gourry paid Zegladis no mind. He was delighted by a small feather floating about the room. Lina was sitting at the vanity of course, brushing the tangles out her hair. Zegaldis's was suddenly taken back with anger at how much they were ignoring the Royal family. Lina from the vanity mirror was watching Zegaldis's face turn from tired, to dismay, to angry. She spoke before he had time to wake the baby with his yelling.

Yeah, Zel, we know we'll pay for the damage, but you guys are the ones that have to pay for the vase.

After she spoke, Zegaldis's face turned from pleased, to shocked, and he turned to Lina, silently demanding an explanation. Lina laughed to herself. His face was really more animated than she last remembered. She really needed to thank Amelia, cause she seemed to be growing on him.

Zel you see, it wasn't us that broke the vase, it was Amelia. We did however break the picture frame. Zegaldis looked at the floor beside the bed. Sure enough there was the picture frame with the entire crew smiling. Even that damned bastard Xellos. Lina continued on. Amelia, your wife, was the one who broke the Disnia vase, after she came storming in here like the king of Twisnia.

Zegladis's face fell and continued to fall as Lina spoke. Gourry who was watching the feather caught sight of Zegaldis's face, and silently began laughing to himself. Suddenly Zegaldis's face turned a bright shade of red, and he turned aggravated towards Lina.

She is the Princess of this palace you know! She has every right to go running about anywhere she pleases.

Princess of Seirune, but NOT King of Twisnia.

Zegaldis had had it. He walked over to Amelia, and peeling his poor crying wife off the floor, stood her on her feet. She blubbered about how daddy was gonna kill her, all while Phil was on the floor blubbering himself. He wrapped a heavy stone arm around Amelia, and taking Phil by his princely foot, dragged them both out the room, before anymore damage could be done. Lina who watched the whole thing from the mirror suppressed a laugh until the door was shut and the party was down the first flight of stairs.

Ha! Gourry did you see the look on his face when he realized that the damage done was by his own wife.

Ha, yeah Lina I saw. He seemed pretty sure it was us too.

Lina stood and shaking her hair out quickly walked over to the bed.

Yeah, well you know how beautiful sorceresses always get blamed for other people's mistakes.

But a lot of the time you really were the one who committed the wrong Lina.

Lina after making her way to the bed, lifting her ankle length dress up, and crawled onto the bed. Se proceeded to knock him across the head for his last comment and then she lay beside him. His hair was all over the place, and mingled with hers as they lay side by side across the bed. Lina looked down at the sleeping baby that laid across Gourry's chest. She looked so tiny and peaceful. Gourry looked so cute with a baby on him. So sweet and handsome. Who would have thought that Lina would be tied down with a baby so soon in the game? She got married only a year ago. She may as well have been knocked up on her wedding night. Gourry seemed to have been taking this so well. He changed the diapers, and always managed to put them on backwards, or get attacked by the baby. When he fed her, her bottles it seemed there was always more milk on him than in the babies mouth. And baths? Forget about it. He was always twice as wet as Mariah was. It was funny, but that never discouraged him. He still kept on going, even if that meant total embarrassment, and pain for weeks. She didn't realize she was staring at the baby so long, until she felt Gourry's hand slide across her cheek. Taken aback, she looked up at Gourry who was smiling at her.

You okay Lina?

Yeah Gourry, I'm fine.

You sure? I mean, I know this is a big transition to make, and that... you weren't quite ready for it. As a matter of fact I expected more yelling, and anger from you. I just want you to know, I wasn't ready for it either… and that I'm here for you, to help you with whatever you need. I'm your protector, anything you want you got it.

Lina smiled wholeheartedly. She loved when he spoke like that to her. It always touched her heart. He rarely knew what was going on outside, but he always knew what was going on the inside, in her mind and heart. She nodded her head and laid her head on his shoulder. He managed to slide an arm under her. And wrap it around her shoulder. Lina's hand reached out, and gently stroked the baby's back. Gourry watched as the baby's back rose and fell, and as Lina's hand rubbed and patted. When just about an hour went by, Lina's hand stopped and her head slid into Gourry's neck. After a few seconds Gourry, very gently lifted the baby, and laid her on a pillow at the head of the bed with his long arms, and when the baby was laid, turned on his side to face Lina. She was knocked out with just as much drool on her face as the baby. Lifting them both off the bed. He managed to get her into both his arms without waking her. Laughing to himself, he noted how wonderful his skills were, as he laid Lina beside the baby. She mumbled something in her sleep about a stinky diaper, and Gourry had to suppress a laugh. Once both "mommy" and baby were tucked away, he went off to take his bath.

Lina had left the bathroom in disarray. Her soaps were all over the place and pools of water sat on the floor. He looked inside the bathtub. It seems she made a bath for him before leaving the tiny bathroom. Smiling to himself, he sank into the now cold water, and scrubbed himself vigorously. He wouldn't wash his hair tonight because Lina wasn't up to help him… maybe tomorrow. He put his shampoo on the other side of the tub and picked up his soaps. She had even put out his soaps he laughed to himself. Don't get him wrong, soaps were soaps, but to walk around smelling like flowers was a bit too… feminine to him. He scrubbed and scrubbed and scrubbed some more, until the water in the tub was a dark mess. It had been a while since Lina and himself, were able to bathe. Sure they wiped down, but it wasn't the same as a soul tingling hot bath. The baby always seemed to be crying, or hungry, or something. Suddenly his thoughts were broken by the cry of the baby in the next room.

Speaking of the devil!

He stepped out of the tub, and pulled the drain, thank god for the indoor plumbing he said to himself, and turned and grabbed two towels. He wrapped one around his waist, and the other, he dried his arms, back and chest off, as he briskly made his way to the room. Lina was awaken and tiredly holding the baby, rocking her as best she could. She had terrible bags under eyes and it looked as if she was about to collapse of exhaustion. Gourry shivering made his way over to the bed, and took the baby from Lina. She instantaneously dropped back to the bed, and fell back into a deep sleep. He smiled at Lina and then turned back to the baby who looked as if her face was about to crumble in tears again.

Ay! No, Mariah, please don't cry. Lina is tired now she needs some sleep. The baby listened for a second but once Gourry's mouth was shut her face crumbled again and tears began to slide down her chubby rosy cheeks. No, no nooo… please don't cry Mariah! He walked to the vanity and picked up Lina's bag. He pulled out a diaper, and proceeded to change little Mariah's dirty diaper on the vanity. She had been wet… so maybe now she would sleep. Mariah smiled for just a second before, her face crumbled into tears again. Okay, okay, maybe she's hungry he thought. Picking up Lina's diaper bag again, he searched and searched till he pulled out the last baby bottle with cow's milk. The bottle had cooled, and needed a way to warm it up. He looked at the bathroom. There was no running hot water… only drainage… so much for indoor plumbing. Then he looked at his tiny sleeping Lina. No doubt she had heat her spells yeah?

He walked over to the bed, and sat down beside Lina. Taking his free arm he gently pushed Lina. She roused from her sleep, only to roll over and curl up into a ball. Sighing to himself, he pushed Lina harder, and she went rolling off the bed. His face became a fit of laughter and he suppressed his cackling as best he could as Lina climbed back onto the bed and looked up at him. She was too drowsy to put two and two together and realize he was the one that pushed her off the bed, so she merely laid back down, and closed her eyes. Before she could sleep again, Gourry informed her the baby was hungry and held the bottle up to her. Without looking she cast a light spell, and heated the bottle with her own energy. Then rolling over returned to her deep sleep state.

It seemed Lina really did know what she was doing, cause the bottle was the right temperature. Gourry then placed it to Mariah's mouth and she hungrily drank. Her bright purple eyes searched Gourry's now tired face, and then the ceiling looking for something to look at. Her fingers curled and uncurled, and she kicked her feet as Gourry fed the poor hungry child. She drank and drank and drank until the bottle had only a few drops left in it. Then she closed her eyes… then opened them again, forcing herself to stay awake. After about an hour of drifting off and waking up, the baby finally fell into a deep sleep, and Gourry extracted the bottle from the baby's mouth. Placing it on the nightstand by the bed, he laid the baby down beside Lina, face up, and wiped at her chin with one of his wet towels. Too tired to really care what he slept in now, he dropped the towel he used to clean the baby's mouth with on the ground pulled back the sheets and slept in the now dry towel that was wrapped around his waist. Lina would have yelled at him had it been any other day, but today, they had a baby and today, they both were exhausted.

The sunlight rose, awaking Lina from her sleep. Judging from the height of the moon. She fell asleep around 10, and judging from the sun, she woke up around 10 as well. She had never felt so revitalized, and rejuvenated. The baby must have felt the same way because she kicked and screamed happily beside Lina. Lina looked over at the child, then at Gourry whose hair looked a great mess. It seems he really didn't have a great night sleep. Sitting up, Lina rolled out of bed, and picked up little Mariah with her. She walked to the night bag and pulled out a change of clothing. Normally she would have had a bath, but she needed to get some more milk for the baby before she started crying and woke up the palace. She pulled out a blanket from the baby bag surprisingly on the vanity, and laid it across the floor. Placing little Mariah on it, she changed her clothes quickly and quietly. Finally, it was her turn. She put on her leggings, and her tunic and what not. It had been a while since she put on her regular clothing and it felt really good. After dressed she sat down with the baby brushed her hair, and changed Mariah's diaper. Picking up her leather bag, she pulled out some paper and scribbled a note to Gourry. They would be at either the barn, or among the street vendors. She then wrote she would be back around noon. She placed the baby's bottles inside the leather bag to fill up while at the barn, and reminded herself to get the nurse to bring an icebox up there. Placing the baby in a little carrier that was attached to her tiny frame, she set out for the Palace barn, which was just about a 20-minute walk.

Lina hurried along the path and managed to get to the barn 5 minutes earlier than expected. She didn't like being outside around noon. Bad things happened like Rhina's death, and the ambush of their carriage. There was no doubt... someone was after her baby, and she needed to protect her, until she found out what was up. She suddenly stopped. Her baby…did she just say that? Shaking her head. She thought long and hard. Wow this kids really grown on her. But she wasn't Lina's baby. She was Rhina's baby. She was about to become someone else's responsibility. Sure she loved the child, but… how the hell could she and Gourry raise it? Gourry can't count to 20 without taking off his socks and shoes, and Lina can barely take care of herself with her lifestyle. How would a baby run from bandits, and shoot fireballs? Or for that matter, wield a sword. The baby picking up on Lina's thoughts began to cry bitterly. Lina looked down tenderly and soothed her.

Awww Mariah, don't worry, we are almost to the cows and I'll milk you some milk okay?

The baby however did not stop crying bitterly. Lina made it to the barn, filled up all the bottles, and even managed to get a pail for the room, but Mariah continued to scream and cry her pretty little head off. Lina really wanted to go to the market today, but the baby wouldn't stop and she would be damned if she would be seen with those uncontrollable children that these big-breasted women wield today. So dragging both the baby bag and the pail of milk, she hurried back to her room, hoping that just maybe Gourry would quiet the baby.

When they made it back, Gourry was already up, showered and dressed. He looked much better than she thought. Only a day's worth of bags under his eyes today. Seeing the distressed baby and the distressed Lina he took the pail from her hands and placed it by an icebox the maid had just brought up. He then took the baby from Lina's little baby sack, and cuddled her gently into his arms. She quickly calmed down, and clung to him for dear life.

What happened to her?

Your guess would be as good as mine Gourry.

Well, did you say anything to her; did you check for bug bites?

Gourry I think I would know if I were around a bug. And no I didn't say anything to her.

Well what happened Lina, don't tell me she cried out the clear blue sky for nothing.

Lina began getting very frustrated and angry. He made her look as the bad guy, as if she didn't know how to take care of a baby. Standing up quickly, and taking a still warm bottle from the bag she shoved it to Gourry's freehand.

HERE. Maybe the little brat is hungry.

At the sound of Lina's angry tone, the baby began screaming more. Gourry placed the bottle to her mouth, but the baby did nothing but cry and drool more.

Lina you upset her! What did you say in the barn?

I didn't say anything at the barn!

Well what did you think then!

Well father of the year, I thought that maybe it was time to move the baby to another family. I can't deal with this lifestyle anymore! It's been a couple of weeks since I've killed anything other than time, and I want my old adventurous life back.

The baby screeched and hollered more, and Gourry walked over to the bed and sat down. His eyes were expressionless and he looked at Lina as if she had just turned into Shabingingo.

Lina, you don't mean that do you?

Gourry, I really can't take this… I wasn't cut out to be a mother, okay? I have no motherly instinct, and I don't know how to raise no children.

But you're her godmother!

Godmother or no, we have to have someone else take care of her now Gourry, don't you miss taking care of bandits? Don't you miss the gold and the silver!

No, as a matter of fact, I don't Lina.

The baby was continuously screaming, and Gourry's face was expressionless, as if the entire world were ending. Lina's face was hot with anger, but her eyes showed desperation, and need. Neither one understood how the other felt that moment, and neither one wanted to. They stared at each other for a long time. With each second that past, Gourry became angrier, and Lina, more desperate and needy.

Lina, I can't believe you.

What do you mean! I can't believe you! How can we keep her!

She's only 2 months old... at the most! You're the only mother she's known so far and your gonna give her up? You're her Godmother for crying out loud! The only family she's got left.

Gourry… I really can't do it. I miss the old me... the old us. Lina sad sadly. Suddenly Gourry's face lightened up and he spoke sweetly to her.

Lina… I do too. Gourry stood up, and pulled Lina to the bed with him, and the screaming child. But she needs us more than you need your old lifestyle. She loves you so much right now. Here, I'll even prove it.

Gourry proceeded to take the screaming child and place it in Lina's arms. Initially the baby screamed even louder, and Lina looked just about ready to shove the child back. However, after a few moments, the baby calmed down, and clang to Lina as if for dear life. Lina's face crumbled and she turned her head away in tears.

I can't do it Gourry, I … I don't know… anything about being a mother… how will I do her any justice?

Shhh, I don't know anything about being a father, but I'm sure I can do it. All you can do is try your best Lina. No one is born a mother… you have to learn and grow along with the little ones.

Gourry pulled Lina into his side, and Lina didn't pull away. Mariah's purple eyes stared up at Lina, and Lina smiled down at them for just a second. Then, Mariah's face turned into a fit of tears, until Lina sighed and placed a bottle in her mouth. Mariah drank hungrily and happily.

Hey dearest Friends! What do you think of the newest chapter? I think maybe I made Lina a little bit too soft, and Gourry a little bit to stern with her. But I won't know unless you tell me in a review. Anyways, I'll get started on the next chapter real soon okay guys! Bye!