Title: That's Gratitude For You
Prompt: #4. lost scene
Fandom: Slayers
Pairing: Zel/Amelia
Rating: G (That's a first)
WC: 584

AN: Thank you so much for all your kind reviews! I loved writing this one in particular, because this is how I see the Dragon Cuisine episode "CPR" scene happening if Amelia had really been the one to give Zel the kiss of life :)

Amelia knelt on the deck and poked cautiously at Zelgadis' chest.

"Lina-san, I don't really think I'm the right person to do this! I've never given artificial respiration before! What if I do it wrong?" Lina huffed in annoyance and narrowed her eyes.

"Well, no way am I kissing Zel, and Gourry doesn't know anything about mouth to mouth! You're a shrine maiden and a gifted healer, so you're going to have to do it." Amelia hesitated, biting her bottom lip in thought. "Before he dies would be nice, Amelia." Lina prompted, rolling her eyes at this ridiculous (and annoying) game that Amelia and Zelgadis played with each other. Amelia jumped at that remark and got to work.

She pounded a little ineffectively at his chest until Lina pointed out that Zelgadis' high collared shirt and cloak were constricting his airway. Lina begrudgingly helped with the shirt removal as Gourry lifted the unconscious chimera. Amelia tilted Zelgadis' head and repositioned him as best she could (with Lina's help) and began the terrifying and awkward process of saving her friend's life.

In the back of her mind she couldn't help thinking about that whole "kiss of life" part. Of course, when Zel woke up, he probably would be so grateful for her help he wouldn't mention how uncomfortable the situation was, or, even worse, her lack of kissing prowess. Amelia mentally chided herself for even thinking of a necessary life-saving technique as a kiss. Still, she reasoned as she trailed her fingertips over his broad and now very bare chest, if positions were reversed she would certainly notice if someone saving her life drooled in her mouth or something equally horrifying…

Amelia lowered her lips to his and closed her eyes so she wouldn't have to look at the very creepy, very dead look on his face. As far as kisses went, Amelia decided, this kiss was hardly romantic. He was very cold, and wet, and she had to keep pinching his nose. And his lips weren't even moving! It was a bit like kissing a slimy rock, she thought miserably. After a few minutes of breathing into his mouth and performing the chest compressions she pressed her ear to his defined chest (which she had to admit she enjoyed very much) and heard his heart thump back to life as the chest underneath her cheek began to rise and fall gently.

She returned her attentions to his mouth to make sure he was getting enough air, but this time his lips began to respond to hers. Amelia almost pulled away in shock. Zelgadis was kissing her. And he wasn't stopping. Her cheeks flushed and Amelia felt suddenly very pleasantly warm as they continued what must have been an almost kiss. Granted, it wasn't the passionate first kiss she had always pictured sharing with him, and he seemed to be sort of asleep, and he was still cold and wet and dead looking, but all the same her eyes fluttered closed and her hands settled on his face, determined to enjoy this moment. Suddenly, a hand was gripping her shoulder, and his lips were firmer on hers, more demanding—

Then Zelgadis rolled onto his side and threw up his breakfast.

Lina patted the distraught Amelia on the shoulder as the princess consoled herself with the fact that at least Zelgadis hadn't thrown up on her lap.