I like writing. It kinda gives you godlike powers. The characters all do exactly as you say, just because you said so. That's the beauty of writing, though sometimes you get it wrong… I think that's one of the reasons why authors write.

Anyway, here we are, at chapter 5. This is one of the shortest (if not the shortest) chapters in the whole fic, and admittedly, it might not go the way you want. But hey, that invokes feelings, usually…

Heh, this "out under the stars" romance is getting a bit cliché, but whatever, it's still romantic no matter how many times you do it… I should have made this longer… Future ExF romance chapters will be written longer, keeping this chapter in mind XD.

Disclaimer: see chapter 1

Now, enjoy chapter 5!

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"Uh, where are we going?"

Ein was being pulled along by Fia. Her light green dress flowed behind her and nearly tripped him several times. He felt her green hair brush against his face over and over, but oddly, he didn't become annoyed.

"Undine Spring," Fia replied. "Come on, Ein."

"Uh, can't I walk myse-ouch!" Ein fell down face first onto the ground when Fia let go.

"I don't think so," Fia teased, helping Ein up and brushing dirt off his face lightly. "Ready to keep going?

"Yeah," Ein said. "I should wash off at the spring too."

They made their way to the spring. Meute, Nono, and the other fairies were nowhere to be seen.

"How nice," Fia remarked. "It's completely empty."

"Awesome, but let me wash off my face."

As Ein dipped his hands into the water, Fia sat down on the grass near the rocks where they usually bathed. She blushed slightly, thinking of the times when Ein barged in "by accident," though it usually made her giggle, and tonight was no exception.

"What's so funny?" Ein turned his head towards her.

"Oh, nothing, just a few memories, that's all."

Ein finished washing and came over to Fia's side. "What memories?"

"Just you peeking at us while we were bathing, Ein."

Ein blushed. "I keep telling you, it was an accident!" Ein insisted.

"Once might be, but twice?" Fia winked. "Come on, you couldn't have destroyed a magic golem by 'accident' now could you?"

"Well, I guess not," Ein admitted, looking away. "Curiosity, okay?"

"You just keep making excuses, Ein," Fia giggled. "Maybe that's your most appealing quality…"

"Huh?" Ein looked at her in surprise. Fia turned back to the spring. The light of the moon and stars reflected off the softly rippling water, making it shimmer. The reflection of the moonlight seemed to make a path outwards.

"Isn't it beautiful…?" Fia murmured, gazing in wonder. Ein, confused, looked towards the spring.

"Sure is."

"You know… I don't mind if you peek… Ein…" Fia looked off into the night.

"What the heck? Why… wha…" Ein stammered, staring at her. He felt his heart begin to beat faster.

"I know I can trust you, Ein," Fia glanced back at him for a second, her face getting hot despite her best efforts to calm herself. "Just so long as you tell me you're there, I'm happy that you're nearby."

Ein turned red as a tomato. "Even if you don't mind, Fia, Serene's still there to give me a beating."

"Just keep out of her sight, I guess…" Fia laughed. "I shouldn't be encouraging you to peek, but I do trust you, more than the others seem to." Fia smiled up at him, blushing lightly, and found that his face was completely flushed. "Aw, Ein, you're so cute."

Fia leaned her head on his shoulder. Still in shock, he managed to not faint. He slowly put his arm around her, and she cuddled in further, putting her own arm around his waist.

"What a beautiful night… Ein, we should come out here more often, just the two of us. Okay?"

"U-uh, s-sure thing," Ein agreed, still recovering.

"You know… I've been thinking… about you… all the time, ever since you fell from the sky," Fia said slowly, turning her head back to the sky and the water.

"About me?" Ein was confused again. "What about?"

"Well…" Fia thought for a moment. "You're dependable, strong, and protective. You care about all of us, and fought to protect everyone from the demon threat. Thanks for everything, Ein."

"Uh, it… wasn't… much… was it?" Ein's head was spinning.

"Yes it was!" Fia exclaimed. "Your actions were everything to us! If you hadn't come along, we might not even be here! And I… I might not be here with you…" Fia looked down, her cheeks burning again.

"Oh, Fia… thanks. It's great to be thanked for that."

"Just like Ledah's getting his emotions back, you might get your wings back too…" Fia told him. "When you do, you can become a full angel again… and…" Tears ran down her face.

"Fia? What is it?" Ein looked at her with a concerned expression.

"I'm… a sprite, and… you're an angel…" Fia started to sob, and turned to Ein and started crying on his shoulder. "How can we… be together? sniff I… want to be with you…"

"Fia, it's okay," Ein put her hand on the back of her head, running his hand down her hair, soothing her. "Even if I'm an angel, I don't want to leave here. I want to be with everyone, with you. So don't worry."

Fia looked up into his eyes. "Really?"

Ein looked down at her. Her eyes were filled with tears. "Yeah. I'll be by your side, always."

The tears started streaming down even faster. Suddenly, Fia jumped into him, and Ein almost fell backwards in surprise. He quickly recovered, lying on the ground. Fia continued to cry on his chest.

"Ein, I… I…" Fia stammered. I love you! I really love you!

"Shhh, it's okay," Ein whispered. "You can always tell me later, so don't worry about it. I'm not going anywhere, anyway." He ran his hand along her hair.

"O-okay…" Fia said reluctantly, and continued to cry on his chest. There's always next time… but I'm almost getting tired of waiting… Why couldn't I do it! I just hope "next time" isn't too late…

After a while, Fia stopped crying and fell asleep. Ein gently rolled her over onto her side, putting her head in his lap, and stroked her face lightly. She's so cute when she's asleep, he thought. I'll probably have to carry her home tonight.

Ein sat with Fia sleeping peacefully on his lap for another few minutes, just looking at the sky and the water. After a while, he picked up Fia in his arms and headed home.

He entered the house quietly as to not disturb anyone. He was surprised to find that Rose and Ledah were gone and weren't in their rooms. Serene and Lina were gone too. He shrugged and entered Fia's room. Setting her down gently on her bed, he put the pillow under her head and pulled the sheets up to tuck her in. As he turned to leave, he heard a soft voice.

"Ein… don't leave…"

Ein turned around. "Fia?"

"Ein, stay with me… please…"

"Okay," Ein agreed. He sat down in a chair and watched her sleep. He didn't notice the faint smile that came onto her mouth. After a while, he dozed off too, and didn't wake until morning.

When he woke up the next day, he found the bed empty. Fia was gone, and no one had seen her leave.

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A/N: Some "aww"s invoked? I doubt there were tears though XD. Anyways, that last sentence was meant to be a cliffhanger-sort of tension bringer.

I think I might have disappointed some hardcore ExF fans out there… flame me if you wish. It might make me work harder in future chapters XD. Note I said "might," heh heh…

How well I write a chapter depends on what mood I was in on the day I wrote it. I guess this was one of my bad days. I wanted to build up for future chapters. Now, the next chapter preview:

Chapter 6: Fia's Gone? (Release on July 27, 2006)

Fia's gone, and a search begins. Ein searches the village while the others inspect Fia's room. They come across some interesting things to clue in to what happened. How does the inspection go?