Hello, everyone! As per usual, I don't own anything, I'm just a fan writing some fiction. Please enjoy!

36- False Positive

Lyos groaned, pressing a wet rag to his forehead. He was sitting next to the wall in the hallway, curled up with his chin resting on his knees.

"Why me?" he muttered. "Why'd she have to leave me in charge?"

"Don't be embarrassed, Lyos." Shizuri tried to comfort him, though she was more concerned with controlling Pestis, who had pressed himself against the door, listening intently in an attempt to figure out what was happening in the room that Lina, Amelia, and Gourry had retreated to. "Get off the door. Someone's going to open it and hit you in the head."

"But I can't hear what's going on." Pestis whined. "I wanna hear about the baby!"

Shizuri took his arm and led the reluctant professor away from the door. "It'll be a long while yet. Give them some room."

Pestis sighed and sank to the floor next to Lyos. "But I want to see the baby now."

"You want to see a baby? Find a mirror." Lyos spat, causing Shizuri to give him a rough kick.

"Professor Nisery, you have to understand that these things take time and patience." Shizuri tried her best to comfort Pestis.

Pestis sighed and rested his head in his hands. "…are humans precocial?"

"What?"

"You know- like guinea pigs."

"I still don't-"

"Guinea pig babies are born looking like miniature adults." Pestis interrupted. "They've got fur, teeth, and their eyes open almost right away, at which point they can run around and function just like any competent guinea pig."

"I… didn't know that." Shizuri blinked. "But I'm pretty sure-"

"I just wanted to know whether humans were born like guinea pigs, or like rabbits, which are tiny and pink and helpless and gross-looking."

"Sorry to break it to you," Lyos spoke up. "but baby humans definitely fall under the tiny, pink, helpless, and gross-looking umbrella."

The professor was visibly disappointed. "That's too bad. But, then again, baby bunnies become cute and cuddly within a short amount of time, so surely that's what happens to human babies too!"

"Nope. They stay ugly their whole lives."

"Lyos!" Shizuri hissed. "I happen to think that children are very cute!"

"You should see Lina and Gourry's boy." Pestis chuckled. "Zara is small for his age- he very much resembles a baby bunny, all fluffy and smiley and cute."

"Sounds great. Now we have a family of rabbits." Lyos moved the rag over his face in exasperation. "In the meantime, I'm going to pretend that none of this is happening."

"Lyos, please. We need to think through what our plans are going to be." Shizuri joined Lyos and Pestis in sitting next to the wall. "Right now, things are-"

She cut off almost immediately as the opening of the door caught everyone's attention. Gourry had joined the group in the hallway, closing the door gently behind him.

"Ah! You're back!" Pestis jumped up to greet him, hovering around him as he bombarded him with questions. "How is the baby? Is it cute? I bet it's super cute! Boy or girl? Can you tell? Are you okay? You don't look very happy. Did something happen? Is there a problem-"

"The only problem is you asking me all these questions!" Gourry finally spoke up, shooing Pestis away. The professor looked stricken, but backed away obediently so that Gourry could continue. "S-sorry. Please don't worry. There's no baby- not right now, anyway."

"I don't understand." Shizuri protested.

"Lina just got excited because of everything that happened earlier. It was stressful, and she was in pain, an she panicked. But she's okay. She's not… uh…"

"It was just a false alarm, you mean?" Shizuri tried to help him finish the sentence.

"Y-yeah. That's it. Just a false alarm."

Lyos groaned loudly. "Now I feel doubly stupid."

"D-don't say that! You couldn't have known!" Gourry assured him. "I almost fainted too. It was a lot to handle at once." He helped Lyos to his feet. The knight said nothing, but gave him a bashful smile, at least. Gourry smiled back for a moment, but then looked around confusedly. "Where did Zelgadis go?"

"He went to find somewhere to get away from everything." Shizuri replied. "The whole ordeal really shook him for some reason."

"I understand." Gourry nodded. "I guess someone should find him and let him know that there's nothing to worry about."

"I can do that!" Pestis held up his hand and twirled around.

"No!" Gourry's reply was emphatic, and he seemed surprised by his own voice. "J-just… let me do it. Okay?"

Pestis slumped to the ground in disappointment, nodding his head sullenly.

"Is Lina okay?" Lyos asked. "What was wrong with her anyway?"

Gourry shrugged. "I couldn't tell you all the complicated details. Amelia said that there was nothing to worry about… though she said it probably wouldn't be long now before…"

"Before we go through this drama for real, you mean?" Lyos spoke up.

"Y-yeah." Gourry looked at the floor uncomfortably. "I need to stay with Lina until then. I can't leave her alone for too long, now that things are like this."

"But I thought you were going to help us fight Azarel." Pestis whined. "You can't do that if you're stuck playing babysitter."

"Plans change, Mister Nisery." Gourry sighed, sounding genuinely sorry. "I've got other responsibilities."

"You'll have us to help you. Lyos is a great fighter, and I've been able to fool Azarel with my illusions before." Shizuri offered. "Zelgadis is really talented too, not to mention that he's been able to fight Azarel on a level none of us have. And with Amelia around-"

"Amelia has to stay here." Gourry interrupted.

"Why? Doesn't Miss Lin have a lot of healers at her estate?"

"Yeah, but… they're all specialists of some kind." Gourry shifted his weight sheepishly, the way he normally did when he was ashamed to admit something he didn't understand. "I don't remember exactly, but they're treating some kind of rare disease that Miss Lin has. Not one of them has ever delivered a baby before. Amelia has at least knows about it through her training as a healer in Seyruun…"

"And Amelia is okay with that?" Lyos asked. "If I were her, I'd be terrified."

"Amelia has had lots of experience, or so she says." Gourry replied. "I trust her, and more importantly, Lina trusts her. Since we weren't able to get home, she can't be with the healer in our town that she's comfortable with. Having Amelia there would make her feel a lot better, I think."

Lyos counted out on his fingers. "With Zelgadis, Pestis, Shizuri, and me, that's four people to fight against Azarel. I'd say that we'll at least outnumber her."

"Number isn't the issue." Shizuri argued. "Amelia, Zelgadis, and I outnumbered her the last time, and look where that got us."

"Uh, didn't you win?"

"Amelia and I got knocked out and Zelgadis was stabbed!" Shizuri bristled.

"H-hey, take it easy. It's all in the past now." Pestis waved his hands. "While Shizuri is right, and our numbers don't give us quite the advantage you'd think, we're still a team that can take Azarel down a few pegs if we all work together."

Lyos snorted. "Work together? That sounds like some kinda insert-bullshit-motivational-speech-here."

"Lyos." Gourry warned, and the knight flinched and frowned sheepishly in response.

"What about the Banisher?" Shizuri asked, starting up the conversation again. "You can't use it to fight Azarel. It's too dangerous."

"I'll… find some other sword, guess." Lyos murmured, looking around. "Milady always liked collecting weaponry. I'm sure there's some around this place-"

"No need for that." Gourry stepped forward. "A powerful warrior like you deserves to wield a magical blade."

"And where am I supposed to find one? They don't just grow on trees, now do th-?" Lyos cut off abruptly. "Huh?"

"Take it." Gourry held out the weapon he'd retrieved from the hilt he still had attached to his belt.

"Th-the replica Sword of Light? I can't take that from you!"

"I won't need it. Not to be here with Lina." Gourry argued. "You're going to be the one fighting the battle. It's the final showdown- the better your odds are, the more likely you'll be able to pull off a win without injury."

Lyos placed the wet rag he was holding in his pocket so that he could reach out for the weapon with both hands. He cradled it gently, as though it could break just from the touch of his fingers. "How does it work?"

"The incantation is 'light come forth." Gourry explained. "But you have to pour your heart and soul into it. When using the sword, it becomes an extension of yourself- er, even moreso than normal swords. It's not just an extension of your arm, but an extension of your own emotions and consciousness. The soul of the sword functions as a mirror image of your own. Supposedly, the original Sword of Light was actually a living being, but I've never had any trouble getting the replica to respond in the same way. It takes practice, but I believe you can do it."

It took Lyos a few moments to respond, he was so busy staring in fascination at the sword. "I…I'll take good care of it. Thank you."

"Hey, hey. I'll take care of it isn't gonna cut it, buddy. Let's talk about the subject of your interest payment."

The whole group turned toward the door suddenly, surprised to see Lina leaning on the doorframe and peeking out at them through the cracked opening. "Lina!" Amelia was yelling frantically. "What are you doing? Get back in bed!"

Lina just waved her away dismissively. "I can't let Gourry loan out a piece of joint property without charging a reasonable amount of interest."

Gourry pulled the door open completely and put his hands on Lina's shoulders, leading her back to the bed. "Azarel has challenged our group to a final showdown. This is a matter of life and death. This isn't a business loan, Lina- I'm supporting my friend in the only way I know how."

"Doesn't make any difference." Lina shook her head. "Now, let's see… considering the monetary value assigned to the sword for insurance purposes-"

"You can't just put a money value on something like the Sword of Light!" Gourry protested.

"Where did she get that abacus?" Pestis was asking the real questions.

"I really don't think I have the money to pay any interest that Lina would come up with…" Lyos murmured, looking around at the commotion she had caused. "But I'll make a promise instead. I'll bring back Zara for you."

Lina suddenly got quiet, dropping the abacus into her lap with a dull thud.

"You and Gourry are good parents- great parents- the kind every kid deserves to have, but so few actually do. Zara needs to be here, with the people who love him. I'll save Milady and him, and bring them both back here safe and sound."

"I suppose that settles it." Lina closed her eyes and sighed. "But that's far beyond the cost of interest. That means we'll owe you instead, and I don't like that."

Lyos chuckled. "How about we just call it even?"

"Even so, I'll owe you a favour or something…" Lina stared up at the ceiling, leaning back against the pillows on the bed. "Why can't Gourry just go with you?"

"Because I need to be here with you." Gourry replied.

"Then why can't I go with you too?"

There was a long pause. No one spoke right away, giving Lina time to continue.

"I'd rather be at Pestis' house than here, anyway. At least I know him. His house is messy, and it kind of smells, but it's warm and friendly. This place is huge, and all the rooms are so cold. That's not the kind of environment I want for my baby."

Shizuri took a deep breath. "…Amelia? You're the healer. It's your call."

"M-mine?" Amelia jumped a little. "I-I mean… it's a little over a day's journey, but I don't expect that to be a problem. I wouldn't forbid it, if that's what you're asking. But perhaps we should leave it up to Mister Gourry…?"

Gourry clearly hadn't anticipated being asked for his opinion. He looked around at all the others, trying to figure out what it was that he wanted to say. "If Lina went with us… then I could go too."

"We could fight Azarel together!" Pestis exclaimed with a smile.

"But… what if something happens while we're gone, and I can't be there for…?" Gourry stammered again.

"Don't worry about that." Lina reached up to grab his hand. "If that happens, so what? Your baby will be waiting for you to get home to congratulate you on kicking some serious Mazoku butt."

Gourry blinked in surprise. "…but…"

"Could you imagine a kid being prouder when he or she grows up? Yeah, my dad wasn't there when I was born because he was too busy beating up a Mazoku lord."

"That makes me sound insensitive."

"It makes you sound badass!"

Amelia broke away from the group, moving toward the door. "Since Lina is feeling better, I'm going to go find Zelgadis. I'll let him know what we're planning."

"That's fine. Go ahead." Shizuri waved.

"Oh, I was gonna-" Gourry began, but stopped abruptly. "-you're probably the one who needs to talk to him, though."

"I appreciate your help, Mister Gourry." Amelia smiled. "We'll be back in a few minutes. In the meantime, you all should work out what you plan to do. Whatever you and Lina decide, I'll support you."

"Thanks." Lina waved. "You're a life-saver, y'know that?"

Amelia secretly congratulated herself upon finding Zelgadis in the first place she looked. Of course he'd retreat to the library when trying to get away from people- anyone could've figured that out. But Amelia still felt good knowing that she understood how her husband thought.

Zelgadis was in one of the armchairs, hunched over a thick volume of some sort of encyclopaedia. He didn't acknowledge Amelia's presence when she entered the room, so she silently moved to lean on the back of the armchair, staring down at his book.

"What are you reading?"

Zelgadis jumped, dropping the encyclopaedia onto the floor, scrambling to regain his composure. "Amelia!" he yelled. "D-don't sneak up on me like that!"

Amelia gave a concerned frown. "I didn't think I could sneak up on you. Your senses are too sharp for that. You'd have to be pretty distracted not to notice me." Zelgadis knelt down to pick up the book, and Amelia perched on the arm of the chair to be closer to him. "Are you okay?"

"No, I'm not okay." he sighed. "…but, I'm guessing from the fact that you're here now, Lina is?"

Amelia nodded. "It was just a false alarm. She's fine- in fact, she was just up arguing and laughing with Mister Gourry a few minutes ago."

Zelgadis paused and closed the book, leaning down to rest his head in his hands. "Gods, I feel like such a fool."

"Why?" Amelia slid from the arm of the chair into his lap, and he gently put his arms around her waist. "At least you didn't faint."

"Yeah. I guess I feel bad for Lyos…" Zelgadis avoided meeting Amelia's gaze. "But I just panicked. Everything in the world stopped. She put her hand on my arm and told me first. She looked so scared and in pain, and just… reminded me of you. She looked the way you did, and suddenly… everything was happening all over again. I couldn't see someone I care about go through that. Not again."

"I see. You needed space. That makes sense." Amelia began running her fingers through his hair absentmindedly. "But you know that, even if she goes into labour now, the baby is probably going to be fine. Small, of course, and requiring extra care, but I'm sure that Lina and Mister Gourry are going to spoil the kid rotten no matter what."

"I know. But still… didn't any of this bother you?"

"I had expected something like this to happen, actually."

Zelgadis turned back to look at her. "I thought we had agreed to think positive about this. You're never pessimistic; I don't understand-"

"It's not pessimism." Amelia assured him. "It's just…" She paused and shifted her weight, trying to decide whether or not to continue. Zelgadis didn't interrupt, but stared at her for a few moments in confusion. "…twins typically come early. So…"

"Twins." Zelgadis didn't even question it. "That makes sense. Of course."

"She didn't want me to tell you- or Mister Gourry or anyone else. So please keep quiet." Amelia placed a finger on her lips.

"I could see that being an issue." Zelgadis nodded in agreement. "Twins mean more chance of complications. Gourry would be worrying more than he already is."

"And he doesn't need an extra thing to worry about." Amelia rested her head on Zelgadis' shoulder. "Not with Zara-chan's predicament."

"Do you think Azarel is really going to kill him?"

"I don't want to think about it." Amelia shook her head. "No, I can't think about it."

"It's a possibility. We can't get around that."

"It would kill Lina."

"It might, literally." Zelgadis murmured. "Even after fighting countless demons, there is no pain like the agony of losing a child. It would destroy her."

"What are we going to do?"

"I'm not going to let that happen." He tightened his grip around her waist into a firm hug. "I don't care what it takes- I'll bring Zara home safely."

"That's what Mister Lyos said too." Amelia breathed, running her own arms around her husband's neck. "And if Mister Gourry is there too, we probably won't have anything to worry about."

Zelgadis broke away from the hug. "Is Gourry leaving Lina here?"

Amelia shook her head. "Lina wants to come with us. She says that she'd rather be at Mister Pestis' house. She knows the danger of travelling, but I don't think she is comfortable here."

Zelgadis shrugged his shoulders. "As long as you think it's safe, I can't argue. Lina needs to do what's best for her and her family."

Amelia stood up- to Zelgadis' clear disappointment- and motioned toward the door. "We should probably join them. Everyone is worried about you."

"I appreciate the concern, and I'm sorry I made you worry." Zelgadis took the encyclopaedia back over to the shelf.

"We understand." Amelia assured him, and turned back toward the doorway, continuing to speak with her back turned to him. "Zelgadis… you're not jealous of Lina and Mister Gourry, are you?"

"Jealous? Of what?"

"Well, there's nothing to be jealous of, of course." Amelia shrugged her shoulders. "I just figured that, well, Lina and Mister Gourry have Zara-chan, and now two more healthy children on the way, and it's… I didn't know if that bothered you at all. You know you shouldn't feel that way."

"I don't feel that way." Zelgadis assured her, beginning to sense the reason behind her question as he joined her in front of the doorway. "They're our friends- I could never be jealous of them."

"…then you are… a far better person than I am…"

Zelgadis held out his arms and Amelia collapsed into them, sobbing into his chest.

"It's not just to be envious of your friends' good fortune! It's cruel and selfish! But I don't understand why selfishness just comes so naturally!"

"You are not unjust, selfish, or cruel. You're a mother who is grieving. That's all there is to it." Zelgadis rocked back and forth on his heels, trying to offer her comfort.

"I-I want to be a good parent, just like Lina! Mister Lyos told her what a good mother she is, and I know it's true, but I just can't help thinking about how… how… my son is dead, and I'll never see him again. I thought I'd gotten over it, and that everything was okay, but… oh, Zelgadis, I want my baby!"

Zelgadis didn't say anything in response. He clutched her tightly, with no sign of ever letting go. It was all he could do.

But it was enough.

After a few moments, Amelia pulled away and Zelgadis reluctantly released her. She spent a moment drying her eyes, and then looked up at him with a look of determination. "No matter what, no one should ever have to feel the kind of pain that we did. I'm going to promise to do everything I can to make sure that Lina's twins are healthy and happy. Will you promise to do the same for Zara-chan?"

"Of course. I made that promise long ago."

Zara leaned over the unconscious figure of the woman he'd never seen before. He was searching intently for some way- any way- to rationalise Azarel's bringing her here. Zara and Enrique had been put in charge of finding blankets and pillows around the small house to make the woman comfortable while Azarel and Xellos had a serious talk in one corner. The boy had had little success trying to talk to Xellos- he could almost never get the Mazoku alone, and when he did, Xellos claimed that all information was classified, from Azarel's true intentions to Lorelei's whereabouts. It didn't make any sense. Azarel was hiding something… but it couldn't be evil, could it? That was the thought up until now.

But now… now there was this woman. There was no reason for bringing her here. No reason that she would become their comrade. No orders given to speak with her or befriend her, only to make her comfortable and prevent her from dying. There was only one option left.

She was a hostage.

And that could only mean one thing.