Author's Note: I'm not sure if I'll post any additional chapters for this story or not. I do have a couple of random scenes written that didn't make it into the main story, so maybe I'll get inspiration to continue it. Who knows.

If you're a XelFi fans, I do have a very (very) smutty companion story to this one on AO3 - same handle (Belfast Docks). I obviously can't post it here, because the FFnet police will blow up like they always do and pitch a huge fit. It's nothing BUT smut. No plot. Enemies with benefits kinda thing.

Disclaimer: This chapter has implied sex but not explicit sex so I'm still well within my rating. (And if Bridgerton can be rated whatever the hell it is on Netflix, by God, I should theoretically be able to to post bloody well anything on FFnet.) /eyeroll

Chapter 11

If Filia's outfit was... a bit slutty, in Lina's personal opinion... there was also something rather slutty about Xelloss's outfit. Though, she'd never say that to his face or he'd probably make some leering suggestion that she had the hots for him.

He was wearing black slacks, a dark purple button-down shirt, and a black sports jacket. But the shirt was unbuttoned halfway down his chest, showing plenty of smooth skin. Lina was certain that more than one person in the room was wondering if Xelloss and Filia had shagged like rabbits before even coming to the party. However, Filia's hair and makeup were absolutely perfect, so if they had, she'd obviously warned Xelloss not to mess up her look.

As for Filia, she seemed to be enjoying the crowd's stunned attention and the hissing whispers. She spotted Lina and the others almost immediately, gave Lina a brilliant smile, waved her fingers, and started walking towards them without even going down to the first level. Xelloss never did take his arm from around her waist, but he fell into step beside her, maneuvering both of them through the speechless crowd. And yes, Lina thought, the entire crowd was stunned speechless - it had never been a secret that Filia had loathed Xelloss for the past three years. Why she'd suddenly changed her mind was beyond Lina's comprehension. Xelloss was the most irritating asshole in the school. What on earth did Filia see in the guy? How long had the whole thing been going on, anyways?

Lina glanced nervously towards the first floor. Valgaav glared up at his ex for a moment, before the simmering anger melted to a look of boredom. He went back to conversing with Gracia, who was probably the only person in the room who didn't look shocked that Filia had showed up to a wild New Year's Eve bash with her archnemesis.

Zelgadis and Amelia seemed frozen as Filia and Xelloss stopped at their table.

"Hello!" Filia said brightly. "Mind if we sit with all of you tonight?"

Xelloss had already grabbed two chairs and hauled them to the edge of the booth. "Only if Lina doesn't hit me anymore," he said, giving Lina a pointed, evil look.

Lina arched an eyebrow. "Only if you don't spread anymore rumors around the school that I'm pregnant when I'm definitely not," she warned, flashing him a dangerous smile.

"So, we can sit here?" Filia asked again.

Amelia was nearly as pink as her dress. "Oh, um... Of course! That's fine."

Zelgadis said dryly, "Only if Xelloss buys us all drinks."

"Yeah, Xelloss," Lina echoed. "You're loaded. Go get us drinks."

"Now really, Lina," he said cheerfully and apologetically. "I don't know where you get that idea, but -"

"Can it, Metallium. You drive a brand new Corvette," Lina said, cutting him off. "So don't act dumb with us. I want a double bourbon on the rocks."

"I'll help you, Xelloss," Gourry said quickly. "Amelia, what do you want?"

"White wine," Amelia sniffed.

"Champagne," Filia said, her voice still overly cheerful. "Thank you," she added, smiling up at Xelloss.

"A coke for me," Zelgadis sighed.

"Well, I guess we all know who the designated driver is tonight," Xelloss snickered.

Zelgadis flushed. "Shut up, Xelloss. Just go get the drinks."

Xelloss and Gourry disappeared, and Lina and Amelia both looked at Filia. She blinked back at them, nonplussed.

"Is something wrong?" she asked. "Is my dress okay? My hair?"

Lina gave her a thin smile. "You look stunning, Filia, and you know it. You also know that's not why we're looking at you like we've never seen you before. Come onnnnn," she wheedled, when a faint pink blush spread over Filia's nose. "You're going to have to spill the beans at some point. May as well go ahead and tell us."

"What? Oh, you mean bringing Xelloss?"

"So...the two of you are friends now?" Amelia hedged.

Lina rolled her eyes. "Guess again, Amelia."

Filia's blush turned the color of Amelia's dress. "Lina, really...!"

"Please. You've been banging him for a while, haven't you? Since exams, at least... though I'm starting to think it was before that."

When Filia sputtered, Zelgadis sighed and added, "Lina and I saw you get in his car after exams."

Filia's color didn't change, but she did straighten her shoulders. "It's a bit hard to explain," she snapped.

Amelia took it to the extreme, as she almost always did. "You're not in some kind of trouble with him, are you?" she asked, looking horrified. "Having to pay him off with your body or something? Oh my God...! There are laws -!"

"No! Of course not!"

Lina mused, "You know what I think? I think you've been seeing him since you and Valgaav started fighting. Or before."

Zelgadis stammered, "Wait... You were cheating on Valgaav with Xelloss? Seriously?"

Filia rolled her eyes. "Honestly, there's far more to it than you make it sound like, Lina. Stop judging me. Valgaav and I agreed we don't need to date anymore, and as for Xelloss..." She suddenly smiled mischievously. "He's, well... very talented." She tossed a long blonde curl behind her shoulder.

"Oh God, gross," Zelgadis muttered.

"As if you two aren't having sex?" Filia asked coolly, glancing between him and Amelia.

Amelia looked alarmed. "But that's private -"

"My love life is, too."

"Except it's not," Lina said, tilting her head. "Valgaav is a football player and you're a popular cheerleader. So people are naturally going to scrutinize your choices."

"The same can be said for you and Gourry," Filia reminded her. "Besides, I don't care what anyone says. Football season is over, I graduate this coming semester so I won't be a cheerleader any more, and I'm quite happy with things as they are right now."

Lina shuddered. "You're not telling me that Xelloss has magically changed into some kind of nice, doting, kind -?"

Filia laughed sincerely. "No, that's not it. He's the same as he always was. It's rather hard to explain but... let's just say... I reevaluated him a bit."

"Reevaluated what, exactly?" Zelgadis looked disgusted. "If he hasn't changed... I mean..."

She shrugged. "Maybe I've changed. But it's a good thing, and we both enjoy it."

"The sex, or something more?" Lina asked sarcastically.

Filia's eyes sparkled. "Both, I guess."

"I can't believe you're having sex with Xelloss," Amelia whimpered. "That's just..."

"Amazing," Filia answered matter-of-factly.

A small part of Lina wanted to throw up. Filia had always struck her as being a very sensible person, but if she had been running around on Valgaav with Xellos for any length of time, that theory was blown out of the water.

"But seriously," Amelia begged, obviously thinking the same thing. "What happened? I thought you and Valgaav got in a fight because he was being overly possessive again!"

Filia paused, her eyes suddenly simmering. "That's not... quite it." She took a deep breath. "Valgaav cheated on me."

When they all stared at her in shock, she just shrugged lightly and continued, "It's no big deal now, but that's actually why we broke up. I was already tired of him being possessive and demanding, and when I found out that he'd shagged one of my cheermates... several times, apparently... well, it was time to end it."

"Are you kidding me?" Lina gaped at her.

Filia gave her a slightly resigned smile. "No. The first time was back over the summer. I didn't find out until November, though. I even have proof - someone sent me the photos. And no, they weren't Photoshopped."

Zelgadis frowned. "So...when did Xelloss come into the picture?"

"Oh, um..." Filia blushed again, but she was saved by the arrival of Xelloss and Gourry, who were carrying everyone's drinks.

"I've never been to this party before," Xelloss admitted, completely unaware of the previous conversation as he sat beside Filia, and Gourry slid in by Lina again. "Though not for lack of trying."

"You tried to gatecrash this party before?" Filia asked curiously.

"Of course. It's a challenge. And you know how much I love challenges." He gave Filia a knowing, secretive smile that rather made Lina cringe.

"So Filia was a challenge, then?" Zelgadis grumbled under his breath.

"Hm?" Xelloss glanced at Zel over the rim of his martini, while Filia made a scathing noise. His arm went around the back of her chair, his fingers brushing her bare shoulder. "Yes," he said. "But then, I was a challenge for her too, so..." He trailed off and shrugged.

"Definitely time to change the subject," Filia huffed. "So, how did everyone do on finals?"

"Aced them all," Lina said, though that had been rather a surprise to her, in all honesty. She had been so distracted about Gourry through that final week of the semester that it was a wonder she managed to pass her tests.

"Same," Zelgadis replied.

"Me, too." Xelloss beamed.

Amelia smiled. "I did fine."

Gourry shrugged. "I passed everything, so... there's that."

"Hey!" Lina pointed out. "You did really well on that algebra final. You made an 86.2!"

"And considering you had Rezo," Zelgadis said encouragingly, "that's pretty damned good for someone who doesn't like math."

Lina tossed her hair over her shoulder. "Just goes to show what a good tutor I am."

Xelloss started to say something but Filia elbowed him hard in the ribs and he winced, shut up, and took a sip of his martini instead.

"What was that?" Lina asked, eyes flashing.

"Oh...nothing..." Xelloss said evasively.

Filia changed the subject again. "So, what are you all taking next semester?"

Lina shrugged. "Zelgadis and I have to take a senior capstone mathematics course."

Zelgadis grimaced. "And I suspect it will be hell. Rezo is our advisor, after all."

"I'm starting upper level PoliSci classes." Amelia sighed. "But I'm taking two History courses, too. So tons of reading this semester."

Gourry leaned back and put an arm around Lina, as though it were natural and he wasn't even thinking about it. Maybe he got the idea from Xelloss, she didn't know. She tensed slightly, but she didn't react otherwise, and he didn't seem to notice her tension because he said blithely, "Upper level Psychology classes for me. I think I'm done with all my core, thank goodness."

Filia smiled at him. "If you need help, just let me know. I'm doing my Psychology capstone this coming semester. And otherwise, I'm taking another ceramics class for fun. The one I did this semester was so relaxing!"

"I'm taking a Phys-Ed class next semester for fun," Lina replied.

"Me, too." Gourry grinned. "I saw you had signed up for that when your schedule was out one day so I signed up for it too."

She sputtered. "Seriously? Why didn't you tell me?"

"Oh, it was gonna be a surprise." He laughed sheepishly. "Guess I just spoiled it."

"Isn't that cute," Xelloss muttered, but Lina definitely caught the slight sneer in his tone.

"Knock it off," Filia complained, elbowing him in the ribs again.

"I could switch to ceramics to be in a class with you," he suggested.

"Don't you dare."

Lina twitched. "Somehow, I can't see Xelloss in a ceramics class."

"I think I'd be pretty good at it," he argued.

Zelgadis snorted and Amelia said quickly, "Let's go dance." She grabbed her boyfriend's hand and pulled him out of the booth before he could argue.

Xelloss didn't waste any time; he slid into their seats and Filia joined him.

The idea of sitting around all night, chatting with Filia and Xelloss, was a bit nauseating. Lina wondered how fast she could finish her drink without getting terribly buzzed. It wasn't worth the risk to get too tipsy, though. She'd just have to endure Xelloss a bit longer.

"Soo..." She swirled her bourbon a bit.

"How was your holiday?" Filia asked.

"Fine." Lina wasn't keen on telling Xelloss that Gourry had come home with her for Christmas. "And yours?"

Filia shrugged. "I stayed here, as usual. You know my grandfather told me to never come home again."

"Yeah," Lina said, remembering. Filia's grandfather was a hardcore Bible-thumper who hadn't wanted her to go to college in the first place, but he'd officially disowned her when she started dating Valgaav. Something about him having a beef with Valgaav's family background and social status. Filia had refused to break up with Val despite her grandfather's insistence. Lina frowned and added, "But now you're dating Xelloss... so... has your grandfather...?"

Filia burst out laughing. "Oh, believe me, he'll disown me a second time if he finds out I'm dating Xelloss!"

"I sort of wish I could tell him myself," Xelloss said, a mix of wistfulness and malice in his voice. "Since he's such a bastard."

"What would he have against Xelloss?" Gourry asked curiously.

Filia was still giggling. "Everything, really. My grandfather would have matched me with someone he knew from my hometown. That's one reason he didn't want me to come to college. When I joined the cheer team here, he was furious. He had allowed it in high school, but he couldn't control me here, and that was exactly the problem."

"He sounds almost as fun as my family," Gourry muttered.

"You got disowned, too?" Xelloss looked mildly interested.

"I did." Gourry stood up. "Come on, Lina. Let's go dance, too."

"We should, too," Filia suggested.

Lina wasn't the world's best dancer and wasn't really in a mood to dance at first, but the dance floor was so packed that it didn't really matter when they got downstairs. And the plus side was that they lost Filia, Xelloss, Amelia, and Zelgadis in the crowd, for the most part. The music was upbeat and pounding, and it was all Lina could do to keep up with Gourry. She was glad they were both athletic; otherwise, she would have been exhausted after just a few minutes.

She did catch a glimpse of Filia and Xelloss about thirty minutes later. If they had looked slutty walking into the party, they looked even more so now. Xelloss had sweat trickling down the front of his chest and along his temples, and Filia had a sheen over her shoulders, neck, and chest. They were pressed up against each other, and hell, the way they looked at each other was revolting. They probably wouldn't make it to midnight before leaving the party to go back to Xelloss's place.

Lina pulled her gaze from them and looked back at Gourry, suddenly startled to see he was unbuttoning his own shirt halfway down and was covered in a light shimmer of sweat, too. The sight of his chest was... attractive, she thought dimly. Maybe she did get Filia, after all. Shit.

"Come on," she said suddenly, grabbing his hand. It was slippery beneath her fingers. They needed to get off the dance floor for a while. She pulled him towards the bar, ignoring a couple of football players who whistled at him and told him she looked better in a dress than a hockey uniform, though she was still pretty flat. She nearly turned at one point to hit one of them, but Gourry grabbed her and pulled her up to the bar. He got a beer and she got another bourbon, and they slipped upstairs again. Gourry didn't go to their booth, though. Instead, he pulled Lina up another flight of stairs and then another, until he pushed open a door that led to a rooftop space.

The cold air hit her full in the face and she groaned in relief - she felt as sweaty as he was. She quickly threw back her shot of bourbon in hopes that it would keep her warm in the cold for a few minutes, at least.

"This is nice," she said, placing her glass on a nearby table that had been set up to collect such empty glasses and bottles.

"Yeah," Gourry echoed, following her as she walked over to the railing and looked down at the street below. "The last time I came to this party, I was a Freshman. I spent most of my time up here."

"Even with it freezing?"

He smiled. "I didn't have a date. And I didn't come for the last two years since it wasn't very fun without a date. I'm really glad you came with me tonight."

"So are Amelia and Zel. They appreciated my extra tickets."

"I'm glad they got to come, too." Gourry leaned against the railing and smiled. "They're both really nice. It's kind of strange, having friends, after three years of not having any."

Lina shifted uncomfortably. Whenever he said things like that, she was reminded of what a sad life he had before they crossed paths.

"I don't know about that Xelloss guy, though." His smile faded slightly. "He's the one that spread rumors about us, right?"

"Yeah." Lina twitched. "Because he had the hots for Filia and didn't want anyone to know. I mean... now I know why... because they were secretly running around with each other behind Valgaav's back..."

"I hate that for Valgaav, but... Filia's right, too. He was cheating on her. I didn't find out until the week of finals, when one of my teammates mentioned it in the gym and I happened to overhear him." He was quiet for a few seconds before he murmured, "I don't get that."

"Get what?"

"People who cheat on each other. Doesn't make sense to me. Just break up with them, you know?"

Lina suddenly felt flush, despite the frosty air. "Don't think you and I have to worry about that."

He gave her a smile. "Nah, I guess we don't." There was another long, awkward pause before he added, "Do you want to go back inside and dance some more?"

"We can go back in, but... these shoes are killing me," she grimaced. "So unless I take them off, I'm not dancing anymore."

Gourry laughed. "Yeah, they look like they would be hard to walk in. Want me to carry you in?"

"No!" She practically yelled the word; several other people around the rooftop space glanced over at them in surprise. Lina blushed, grabbed Gourry's hand again, and pulled him back into the stairwell.

"I wouldn't mind," he protested, sounding completely confused as to why she wouldn't allow him to carry her.

She snapped, "I would mind!"

They went back down a flight before she realized she was still holding his hand. On the landing between the rooftop and the second floor, Gourry pulled her suddenly into a shadowy side and murmured, "You know, when you wear those high heels, you're a little taller and it's not so hard to do this."

Before she could stop him, he leaned down and kissed her full on the mouth. Lina was startled only for a second, before she started kissing him back. Damn, she should be kissing him more often, she thought dimly. He was a really good kisser. Her arms wound around his neck and her fingers twisted into his hair, gripping the back of his head so he wouldn't move. She felt his hands sliding down, one sweeping over her arse. Two months ago she would have nailed him in the groin for that, but now... shit. Now it felt... hot. Unconsciously, she pushed her hips closer to his. She heard the deep grunt in his throat, felt the way his mouth changed, the way his kisses became sloppier and deeper, and she moaned against him. Her leg unconsciously hooked over his thigh and his hand went to catch it and hold her there. But then...

"Lina, wait," he muttered, suddenly reaching up to grasp her wrists and peel her off of him.

"Huh?" She looked up at him, flushed and confused. He was the one who wanted to kiss her in the first place, and she certainly didn't mind.

Gourry looked a little embarrassed. "Just... if we keep on..."

She turned bright pink at the sudden implication. If they kept on, they'd likely need to find an empty office or supply closet to hide away in. And even though she was suddenly very turned on, she wasn't certain she wanted her first time to be on someone's desk in the basement of an event venue. There was something forbidden and tantalizing about that, but still...

"Er..." She quickly distanced herself from him. "S-sorry about that."

He gave her a soft smile. "Nah, don't be sorry. It felt...really good. And I definitely want to...you know. With you."

He did?

"Should we...go back to our table?" she suggested, her voice more high-pitched than usual.

"Sure."

There was no one at the table when they got back, but that wasn't surprising. Gourry said he'd go get some more drinks and left Lina for a short bit. When he got back, he slid back into the booth beside her and kissed her again. This time, Lina shoved him away.

"What?" he asked, sounding completely baffled.

"Just...not here," she mumbled. "Everyone can see, that's all."

"Oh." He scratched his head. "Okay."

"And when midnight comes around," she added, not meeting his eyes, "I'd rather be alone somewhere with you. Instead of in the middle of all this." She gestured towards the rowdy crowds below and around them.

A cute blush crossed his nose. "I think we can do that easily enough. It's too bad we rode with Zel and Amelia..."

"Huh? Why?"

To her surprise, he leaned over and whispered close to her ear, "Because if we drove ourselves, then you could come back to my place for the night."

Lina swallowed. Yes, they could have if he had driven, but the fact was they did ride with Amelia and Zel, so they had no way to get back to their apartments other than walking several miles in the frigid air. And she hadn't worn a decent coat because the other girls insisted she wear some silly little fuzzy cape-thingy that didn't do the first damn bit of good against below-freezing temperatures.

"We could... you know... let Amelia and Zel go in first," she said thoughtfully. "When we get back, I mean. And then while they're inside, we could ride back to your place. Your truck is at my apartment."

"Hey, that's an idea. But... you don't have any clothes at my apartment."

Lina sighed. That was also true. Damn it. She shifted in her seat, an odd itch between her legs. There was no way for her to sneak off to Gourry's place without Amelia and Zel finding out - and if they did, she'd never hear the end of it. It was bad enough that everyone was acting the way they were just because she and Gourry had decided to date. If she was caught sleeping over at his place on New Year's Eve...

He interrupted her thoughts. "We'll figure it out. Don't worry."

Lina gave him a small smile. "Yeah. Guess you're right. Listen, it's way too loud in here. Why don't we find a nice quiet place to hang out for a while instead?"

"Sounds good to me."

They went back to the staircase, but instead of going up to the rooftop, they went down two flights into the basement area. It was dark and quieter there, though Lina was sure there were people lurking in closets, offices, and storage spaces. It would be tricky finding a place for the two of them to sit and chat that wasn't already occupied, but Gourry seemed to have a better sense than she did, because he walked past four closed doors before opening one and beckoning her inside a small room that had a couch, a desk, and some filing cabinets. She was a bit surprised no one had claimed this room yet. Gourry locked the door behind them as a precaution and turned on the desk lamp, and they both flopped on the couch.

"Man," Lina complained, kicking off the ridiculous heels Milina and Naga had insisted she wear. "My feet are killing me."

Gourry kicked his shoes off, too. "I hate dressing up," he admitted. "It's not very comfortable. But the party's been fun. And you look amazing. I enjoyed dancing with you."

"You did? I didn't step on your feet?"

"If you did, I didn't notice. So, what do you think that Phys-Ed class is going to be like?"

"Probably just jogging and weights," she said, twisting to lie across the couch with her head in his lap, so she could look up at him. She propped her feet on the opposite armrest, her dress riding a little higher than it probably should. Gourry's eyes flickered once to her legs and then back to her face, a light pink blush crossing his nose.

"Maybe you should keep sitting up."

Bemused, she asked, "Why?"

He flushed darker. "Don't make me explain it, Lina."

Lina instantly felt heat creeping up her neck at the implication. She sat up quickly. "S-sorry," she stammered. She hadn't realized how close her head had been to his crotch. When she twisted to sit normally, she couldn't stop her eyes from darting towards it, and was a little surprised to see a slight bulge there.

Oh fuck. He really did want to have sex with her.

She quickly looked away and pressed her legs together. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad to do it here on a couch, and follow it up with going back to his place that night... She was certainly turned on, too. Merely kissing Gourry a few times had seen to that. And now they were locked away in a basement office where no one could find them, and they still had an hour and a half until midnight.

She hesitated only for a second, before she stood up, twisted, and put her knees on both sides of his hips. The cushion sank under their collective weight and Gourry's blue eyes widened as Lina held herself over her lap by keeping her hands against his chest.

"Do you really want to do that with me?" she asked quietly.

His hands were on her waist, trying to keep her from sinking down against him, and she could see a flit of panic on his features.

"Well, yeah... I have for a while now. I think you're beautiful. But I didn't want to push you, and we literally just started... going out... officially..." He was stammering over the words a bit. "And this isn't really a good place for a first time, is it? You'd be more comfortable if we were in my bed, right?"

She shrugged. "Maybe, maybe not."

"Lina..." He tried to move her, but she dug in and refused to budge. Exasperated, Gourry said, "It's kind of hard on a couch anyways, and you're a lot shorter than I am."

"Then I can be on top," she suggested. And before he could argue, she kissed him. In his surprise, his mouth opened slightly, and Lina thrust her tongue inside.

Gourry pulled her hard against his chest, his hands moving down roughly to the back of her thighs and under her slinky dress. She gasped when he cupped her arse and splayed his fingers over her panties, and she wished briefly she'd bought a pair of lacy panties instead of wearing the plain black hip huggers she always wore.

Well. At least they weren't white or beige. Black was better than that.

"Are you always this determined when you make up your mind?" he muttered against her jaw, his tongue teeth grazing her skin.

She moaned softly. "Yes. I am."

He squeezed her arse again and she found his mouth once more. Undeterred now that she had made up her mind, Lina began unfastening buttons down his shirt, running her hands behind his neck and down his damp sternum, all the while battling his tongue. His own hands were busy kneading her bottom, thighs, and hips, pushing her dress to her waist. Not to be outdone, she pulled his shirt from his slacks and finished unbuttoning it, never breaking contact from his lips.

He finally broke their kiss, though - only to gravitate to the side of her neck and her throat. Lina gasped and pressed into him, whispering his name rather pathetically, but damned if she cared how desperate she sounded. After years of being ignored and made fun of, it was nice to have someone genuinely interested in her. And, a few moments later, when Gourry pushed her dress over her head and snapped her strapless bra off, he didn't seem the least bit concerned about the size of her breasts, judging by how he latched his mouth onto them eagerly.

oOo

Neither realized how much time passed until they heard shouting distantly above them, through the ceiling.

Lina, sprawled rather indecently over Gourry, glanced up in confusion. "What the...?"

Gourry fished his pants off the floor with one hand, not bothering to remove the other from Lina's arse, and found his phone. After a second, he said, "Oh, it's midnight. Didn't you want to make sure we were alone at midnight?" He gave her a slight, mischievous grin.

She burst into laughter. "I think we succeeded. And went a bit further than kissing at midnight."

He dropped his phone back onto his discarded pants and cupped her butt, pulling her against him. "A bit. You okay?" He looked momentarily worried.

Lina nodded, crossing her arms over his sweaty chest. "I'm fine. Better than fine. And I should apologize. I've been a bit of an idiot," she admitted sheepishly. "This was a stellar idea. We should have done it sooner."

"Nah, I wanted you to be sure," he replied. "I don't want you breaking up with me."

"Fat chance. You're a bit stuck with me now. Literally," she added, shifting against him. They did indeed feel stuck together from the stickiness between them.

Gourry sighed deeply and contently. "How much time do you think we have?" he asked. "Before Zel and Amelia want to leave?"

"No idea. Could be five minutes, could be fifty." Lina shrugged. "I suppose we'd better get dressed and go back upstairs, though. Otherwise they'll be texting me soon, wanting to know where the hell we disappeared to." She struggled to sit up on Gourry's lap, flushing as she realized her breasts were now in full view. It was stupid to get shy now, but for some ridiculous reason, she was. She ducked down to avoid Gourry's smile and fished her bra off the floor.

Sitting on the edge of the couch, she fastened it back on and found her panties, but then realized she needed to clean off before putting those on again. Embarrassed, she hurried over to the desk to find some tissue. Behind her, she heard Gourry sit up on the creaky couch (probably made a lot creakier by their recent activity) and when she had finished cleaning herself, she realized he was behind her only when he reached over her shoulder to grab some tissue, too.

Silently, Lina tried to ignore him as she pulled her panties back on and turned to find her dress. As she held it up, she breathed a sigh of relief that it wasn't too wrinkled. On the other hand, Gourry's pants and shirt definitely looked rumpled. She had tossed his shirt heedlessly to the floor in her desperation to get him naked and the garments had been lying on the old scrubby carpet now for an hour and a half.

Lina wished she had a mirror to see what her hair looked like. Ruefully, she remembered Milina had told her don't mess up my masterpiece and Lina had snorted and told her friend that the likelihood of such happening was practically zilch.

So much for that, she thought with a grimace. Gourry had raked his hands into her hair several times while kissing her, and she could feel the pins sliding out from their neat arrangement.

"I need a mirror," she muttered, as he started buttoning his shirt.

Of course, Gourry just looked confused. "A mirror? Why? You look fine."

"My hair, that's why," she hissed, feeling it gingerly with her hands. "I wasn't thinking, but you tugged it out of the pins a bit. And everyone's going to know what we were doing if they see my hair like this."

"Oh." There was a pause, then he asked in a dopey voice, "Is that a bad thing?"

Lina cringed. "It's not a bad thing we had sex, if that's what you're asking. But it is a bad thing if everyone guesses what we were doing down here! I wouldn't hear the end of it from Amelia, Zelgadis, Filia, or - heaven forbid! - Xelloss...!" That very thought was unnerving.

"Oh. Yeah, I guess that could be frustrating. The football team would probably rail on me, too."

"So yeah, we need to find a bathroom with a mirror. Preferably down here," she clarified.

It was fifteen minutes later that Lina felt she'd managed to redo her hair to some semblance of what it looked like before she and Gourry had sex on couch in the basement of an event venue. About the time she finished, Gourry commented that Amelia was texting her, wanting to know where they were.

Lina grabbed his hand and pulled him back upstairs, ignoring the couples they passed who were going downstairs or the whistles Gourry received from a couple of football teammates when they reached the first floor. Only then did she bother texting Amelia back, insisting she and Gourry had been on the dance floor the entire time.

Whether Amelia and Zel bought it, Lina wasn't sure. When they got back to the car ten minutes later, Amelia kept saying that she hadn't seen Lina or Gourry on the dance floor for at least the past hour. Lina swore they had, and she desperately hoped she and Gourry didn't reek of sex. All in all, she was dead grateful to get back to the apartment. She casually said she would walk Gourry to his truck while Zel walked Amelia upstairs.

Only when her roommate and Zel were out of sight did Lina sigh and lean against Gourry's chest.

"Cripes, but it's hard keeping shit from them."

He rubbed her back idly. "Well, eventually, we won't have to."

"True," she agreed. "Just not right now."

"Sure you don't want to come back to my place tonight?"

Lina sighed again. Truthfully, she rather did want to go back with Gourry, but that would definitely be a giveaway. "Yes, but I won't. My feet hurt and I'm ready to get this dress off for good."

"I liked it," he said, his fingers playing with the hem. "We'll have to go to some fancy place again so you can dress up more."

Lina flushed. "Maybe."

"See you tomorrow," he murmured, kissing her goodnight. "You should come over and we can watch the parade and then the football games."

Lina burst into laughter. "I'll watch the parade, but you're on your own for those stupid ass games. Maybe invite Val over to watch them or something."

"Eh." Gourry shrugged. "Maybe. We'll see." Then, kissing her again, he added against her mouth, "See you tomorrow anyways. Come early, maybe? Before the parade? If you aren't tired."

Lina smiled. "Maybe. See you tomorrow."

Thankfully, she got into her bedroom without Amelia or Zelgadis noticing - they were both in Amelia's bedroom, and she rather giddily stumbled out of her shoes and hurried to pull the pins out of her hair. Maybe it had taken her a while to get to this point, but it had worked out in the end. For better or worse, she had made her decision to date Gourry - and she rather thought it was for the best.