Author's notes:
Hi! Thanks for the reviews E.S. Simeon, KyraValo and firefoxillusion007! Wow, I'm such a procrastinator. Well, I'll try to pick up from where I left off and I'll finish up this story! That's about it, here goes…………..
Sheena woke up to the familiar smell of frying bacon and eggs in the skillet. She stumbled groggily out of the warm, comfy bed and looked in the mirror at her reflection. She glanced at herself, noticing the smeared mascara and makeup. She hopped in the shower and after she was done changed into her usual purple outfit with pink ribbons, did her hair, and trudged down the stairs to the kitchen.
Everyone was sitting down and eating the great smelling food Dirk had prepared for them. Sheena plopped into a seat next to Regal, loaded a bunch of food on her plate, and blinked at all the people sitting around her. She guessed that Zelos must be outside preparing for the departure. She talked a little with everyone about what they were going to do with their life from then on. No one was really sure what they would do. However; Lloyd, Genis, and Colette had to continue their schooling and Raine had to resume her job as a teacher. Sheena knew that Raine would definitely want to go on another journey someday to try to make the two worlds a better place. Raine talked about how she would like to study more ancient ruins someday, but now she knew that trying to end half-elf discrimination would be her main goal. To this remark Genis exclamed:
"Wow! Something more important than ruins! I didn't know such a thing existed! This is a huge breakthrough!" Raine slapped him and that was the end of that.
It turned out that Presea was going to go with Regal to Tethe'alla and he was going to get her a job at Altamira. He would resume his job there for the time being until something else came his way. Presea was happy that she would be able to see Regal often and she promised to visit Genis, Raine, Colette, and Lloyd as much as possible.
Everyone cleared off their dishes and helped Dirk clean everything. Sheena headed upstairs to pack the few belongings she had been carrying with her and made her bed. Some of the belongings included a spare change of clothes that were dark emerald green with yellow ribbons instead of purple, her favorite blue silk pajamas, Corrine's bell, some makeup, a brush and hair things, a mirror, more clothes, bathing things, and her favorite book: Poems of Tethe'alla. The Mizuho native packed all her belongings into a bag embroidered with small flowers that slung over her shoulder. She paused to smile at herself in the mirror and then went to meet up with everyone waiting outside.
She stepped outside and saw everyone hugging and reluctantly saying their goodbyes. It was a nice, sunny summer day that seemed full of promise. Noishe whined at Lloyd, wondering what was happening. He reassured him by patting him on the head. Sheena spotted the glare of luxurious red hair that was Zelos. Sheena hugged everyone goodbye and felt like she was going to start crying. She blinked it away and waved to everyone. She climbed onto the back of the Rheiard that Zelos was already sitting on, ready to go. They waved at everyone and zoomed off into the clear blue sky. Wind whipped at their face and Sheena held onto Zelos's slim waist for dear life.
"Hey Zelos," Sheena started.
"Hey Sheena," Zelos interrupted, swerving by a cloud.
"So where are we going to stop for the night? You know we can't go straight on to Mizuho in one day," she said.
"Yeah, I thought maybe we could make a rest stop at my place for the night. Sound good to you?" he asked.
"Sounds great, Zelos. I don't get to stay in a huge mansion everyday of my life," she replied.
They finally arrived at the front gate of Meltokio in the early evening. They walked down the cobblestone road to Zelos's mansion and he knocked on the humongous door.
"Hello master Zelos. It's good to see you home. And who might this be?" Sebastian said, looking at Sheena.
"Ah, just another hunny I picked off the street," Zelos grinned.
"Hey! Aaaaaaahhh!" Sheena smacked Zelos hard and he winced, clutching his arm. "My name is Sheena, I came here once before with a group we were traveling with a couple months back," she explained as she attempted a glare at Zelos.
"Ah yes, now I remember. Zelos has spoken of you quite often, Ms. Sheena," Sebastian smiled while Sheena swore she saw Zelos turn a bit red.
"Well then, now that we've all gotten re-acquainted, could you please take our luggage Sebastian and show Sheena to her room," Zelos said quickly, gesturing to the stairs.
"Certainly, come this way, Ms. Sheena," and the faithful old butler started walking up the highly polished staircase. Before Sheena followed him she looked around. It was still as she remembered it: the high-ceilinged living room with the lovely painting, plush comfy chairs, and a homey ornate fireplace. She noticed that there was still a chessboard out on his coffee table. She'd have to remember to challenge him to a game sometime. She followed Sebastian up the stairs and into the nicest guest room available, according to the butler. She stepped into the room and flopped down on the lovely four-poster bed.
"There's a private bathroom connecting to the room that you can use if you so desire, Ms. Sheena. Dinner will be served in the main dining room in approximately two hours. I hope you enjoy your stay," Sebastian bowed to her.
"Yes, thank you!" she replied. She put all her stuff in the drawer next to her bed and surveyed the room. It looked absolutely grand, probably the nicest room she'd ever stayed in. She loved the huge full size antique mirror on the wall, the cute vanity table, the pink flowered bedspread, the soft lavender carpet and the artistic pictures on the wall. Sheena wondered if Zelos had picked the décor out. Definitely not, she snorted. Well, Zelos did surprise her a lot…………………………….
She walked into the huge bathroom and gasped. She fell in love, right there. It had a humongous bathtub that could probably fit five people comfortably, three gigantic mirrors, a makeup table, heated towel racks, everything. She stripped off her clothes and turned on the taps. It filled quickly with hot water and she added some scented bubble bath that was sitting nearby. How luxurious! She scrubbed herself with flower shaped soap and washed her hair thoroughly. Finally she got out and dried herself with the warm, soft towels. Damn, Zelos is rich! She wrapped her dripping hair in a towel, turban style and changed into her dark emerald green outfit with yellow ribbons. She found the hairdryer and as she dried it wondered how long it took Zelos to dry his hair, his hair was so damn long! She explored the cabinet and found a curling iron, nail polish, and some makeup. Why the heck would Zelos have this stuff? Maybe it was his mother's and he stuck it here so other people could use it, who knows. There was some ruby-red nail polish and she applied it onto her chewed on nails. Hmmm, not bad. She curled her hair and left it down for a change. She felt daring and applied a little bit of eyeliner, mascara, blush, and eye shadow. Not bad at all. She stepped back and looked in the mirror. She didn't want to brag, but she looked pretty good! All this for that idiot Zelos. She walked out of the steaming bathroom and glanced at the clock sitting on the bed stand. It was almost time for dinner.
She ascended the staircase and spotted Zelos pacing the living room. He looked dashingly handsome, wearing a dark blue tux with an aquamarine tie that complemented his eyes and had his hair in a loose ponytail down his back. She had to admit, he looked especially sexy even though she preferred his hair down. His eyes suddenly snapped up to her eyes and he smiled a warm, charming smile. She noticed his eyes linger on her as she walked over to him and she loved it. He held out his arm for her to take it and she linked her arm with his.
"Sheena, you look beautiful tonight," Zelos smiled at her.
"You look handsome yourself," Sheena smiled back at him.
Zelos led her into the main dining room complete with a sparkling crystal chandelier and candles set out on the table among the silver plates, glasses, and silverware. It was like a fairy-tale. They sat down across from each other and Sebastian came to offer them some wine. It was called "Verde Amos" and tasted quite different, yet pretty good. The butler brought them their delicious meal of roasted turkey and Sheena's mouth started watering.
"Oooh, Zelos, it's so good! This is delicious!" Sheena exclaimed.
"Thank you. Not as delicious as your lips, you know," he grinned at her and she blushed thoroughly. "I've been thinking about that ever since it happened, Sheena. Which is surprising considering how experienced I am in those matters," he smiled.
"I've been thinking about it too, Zelos. I'm surprised it never happened sooner," she looked at him.
"Well, we were both so busy with saving the two worlds and plus everyone else was around us, there really wasn't ever an opportunity. Although I thought about it more than you can count. And I didn't know if you liked me like that, considering that most of our conversations ended up in you slapping me," he grinned.
"That was your fault, you stupid Chosen! And I did like you, wasn't it obvious? I didn't know if you liked me though, because you always flirted with all your "hunnies". How was I to know that you weren't just treating me like any other girl you talked to?" she wondered.
"Yes, I did flirt a lot, but I was never serious with any one of them. In the past, before I joined Lloyd's journey, I had a few girlfriends but it never went anywhere. I'm always going to think about you more than any other woman, my voluptuous Sheena," he explained and searched her eyes. Sheena looked extremely happy and wanted to fling her arms around him, but restrained because of all the expensive dishes between them. She settled with squeezing his hand that was resting on the fine tablecloth.
"Zelos, I honestly never expected you to say that to me, but I'm so glad you did. I've thought about you every day since the day you joined up with our group," she paused and smiled at him. "At night when we all camped outside, I'd watch you from across the campfire and wondered if you were asleep yet. Then I'd try to get myself to go over and admit my feelings to you, but I was always too afraid," she said.
"I was always awake, I wish you would've come and talked to me. I loved those nights under the stars, and a couple nights when I was restless I'd come by your sleeping bag and look at your lovely face. You always looked so peaceful and I couldn't help but stare at you for a while," Zelos said. By now they were done eating and they walked into the dimmed light of the living room. They sat down on the comfortable sofa and held hands, looking into the fire slowly burning in the fireplace.
"Zelos, I want to be with you, I can't bear leaving you and wondering when you will come back to see me. Yes, I want to go to Mizuho but now I'm thinking it would be better for me if I accompany you on wherever you are going," Sheena looked up at him.
"Sheena, you are going to go to Mizuho and visit your grandfather and the others who miss you so much. I'm not going to be gone for that long. I just need some time to do something. I'll be back within no time, and then I'm going to come get you before you fall madly in love with Orochi," he smiled.
"Trust me, that will never happen. It better not be long, though!" she looked almost threateningly at him.
"I'm not going to disappear on you, Sheena. But you better not go away from the village and start looking for me," he grinned.
"Yeah, as if I'd do that," she laughed. Just then the clock chimed midnight and Sheena was startled by the sound. "Geez, does that need to be so fricken loud?" she glared at the grandfather clock. "Well, I'd better get to bed if we're going to leave for Mizuho tomorrow," Sheena yawned.
"Yeah, I guess. Goodnight, my lovely Sheena," Zelos said and kissed her lightly on the lips, putting his hand on the small of her back.
"Goodnight, Zelos," she almost whispered and walked up the stairs to her room.
Didja like it? I hope so! Please leave a review, I want to know how I'm doing! Thank you!