The princess gaped at his departing figure and exclaimed with a huff. "How can you keep secrets from me when you know how I feel about you!" She declared openly.

Lina turned an insipid shade of green. Why that little spoiled rotten, nosy...arrrghh!!! I don't know why I don't just say it. Zelgadiss and I love each other, you pampered little princess! So take a hike! She grumbled under her breath and stabbed at the mashed potatoes with such force, she almost cracked the plate in two.

Sylphiel frowned and rose form her seat. "Amelia-san. I think it's best you don't keep bringing up the awful subject. Whatever happened to them out there wasn't a walk in the clouds. Right Lina?"

The sorceress nodded vigorously. "Yes, Sylphiel."

Amelia folded her hands in her lap and sighed. "I'm so sorry. I guess I wasn't thinking. Lina?"

"Yeah Amelia?"

"Forgive me?"

"Sure, sure. Just don't bring it up again okay?" She finished off her twelfth plate of food and pushed the stack away in contentment. "Well, Gourry?"

"Well, what, Lina-san?"

"Wouldn't you say I've got my appetite back?"

The swordsman grinned. "Perhaps, but only if you have room for dessert."

Lina's eyes sparkled and she shot out of her seat and pointed to a man across the room. "That's right! Dessert! Waiter, menu please!"

Zelgadiss listened to the commotion from outside and grinned. He silently thanked Sylphiel for interfering. He paused a waiter and ordered a mug of coffee, then sat down on the bench, lifting the hood of his new cloak over his head. He hoped Lina would think of a plan to escape the sights of their intent companions just for one day, but they'd done nothing but smother them with dedicated attention since their return.

Thirty minutes later, the noise level inside the inn died down and the small circle of friends sat back in the lounge exchanging glances at one another for a topic of discussion, but inwardly they knew it would lead back to Lina and Zelgadiss' disappearance. Only Amelia was sitting apart from the rest, watching the door like a guard dog for her Zelgadiss to return.

Lina broke the long, awkward silence. "So whatever happened to Ash, hmm?"

"Oh, Ash, that's right." Amelia drew her attention away from the door. "Xelloss killed him."

Lina raised an eyebrow. "Did he?" She sat back in the seat and drew her legs up under her chin. "And you know, I think it strange the trash hasn't shown his face since the night we returned. I wonder where he is?" Her voice faded off as she lost her thoughts to the soft orange glow of the double fireplace. Damn, I want to be alone with him. But how? He was waiting out there for her, just like he had the last two days before.

Finally an idea popped into her head, a lame one, but she couldn't think of anything better. "Eh, guys? I'll be back, I just have to run upstairs and check something out. Okay?" It was the simplest of lies, but it worked like a charm.

"Yeah, go ahead Lina and don't worry about hurrying back. Looks like you have something important to do." Gourry replied with a smile.

Lina cocked an eyebrow at him. Did he know what she was planning? Well, there was no doubt he knew about her feelings for Zelgadiss. You aren't as dumb as you appear to be, Gourry. She returned his smile and waved at the others as she hurried up the stairs.

In nothing less than a heartbeat, Gourry took a seat on the couch next to Sylphiel and slung an arm over her shoulder. "Gourry-sama?" Sylphiel cooed and laid her head against his chest.

Amelia bit her lip and curled a lock of hair around her finger wishing she were in the exact same situation with Zelgadiss. Why did he always treat her so unfairly? Playing with her feelings! That's what he was doing. This final decision made her angry and she left her seat to sit closer to the fireplace and curled up on the sheep wool rug, brooding.

I guess she's not coming 'round... again. Zelgadiss sighed and shifted his position on the bench. Yet another sunset to watch alone... His thoughts were disturbed when a smooth rock hit him on the head. He cocked a stone eyebrow and ducked as another flew over his head. "What the?" The slightly annoyed chimera stood and moved over to the bushes beside the inn. A purple, gloved hand reached out and grabbed Zelgadiss by the collar and brought him low to the ground. "L-Lina!"

"Shhh! Be quiet! I just got away from them; let's go!" Her eyes flickered playfully in the shadows of the foliage.

Zelgadiss felt a knot rising in his throat. "Um... alright, but where exactly?" He jumped the hedge and crouched beside her.

"Anywhere silly." She threw her arms over his head and let him lift her up. "Take me anywhere..." She grinned and nuzzled him under the chin with her nose.

Zelgadiss felt a blush cover his face. "Lina, stop that! We are still in a public area..." Then he ray winged away from the inn and into the outskirts of town.

Wandering off into the beginnings of a small wood he let her out of his grasp. There they stood, back to back, analyzing the surroundings. Lina gave his had a squeeze and spun around in front of him. "You're 'it'!"

"Nani?" He sent her a confused glance.

Lina passed her hand under his chin, sending chills up his spine, then cupped his face in her hands. "You are 'it'. Come and get me..." She backed away and sprinted off ahead of him. When he didn't follow after her, she simply turned around and leaned against a tree trunk. "What is it? Don't wanna play?" She questioned, blushing slightly.

"Oh, so that's your little game... but you know you won't escape so easily, Lina Inverse. To be fair though, I'll give you a head start." His eyes flickered mischievously and the sorceress felt a sudden rising sense of panic. What was she starting? Oh well, too late to back out, or was it? "Lina? I said, head start? I'd run as fast as your little legs can carry you..."

Lina's attention was restored to the present circumstance and she nodded with a wink, then turn and fled through the brush, snapping back the limbs in her path. She struggled through the dense growth, catching her cape continuously. This wouldn't do, so she shed her garment and picked up the pace.

She thought back to a time where she and Zelgadiss had engaged in their first battle, but they had been enemies then. Still, that long ago incident was fresh in her mind now as she continued on, tripping and struggling through the forest foliage. Where was he? She should have been able to hear him pursuing her, but all was quiet behind her. She narrowed her eyes, wondering if he had cheated and ray winged ahead of her. As much as she wanted to escape the enclosure of the forest, she felt her insecurity rise as she happened upon a small clearing. She halted, gasping and bent over, trying to catch her breath. She could hide in the forest, but here? She shook off her wariness and stepped out into the glade. This was Zelgadiss she was thinking about. He would never do her any harm. Still, I hope he knows where to draw the line. She spun around slowly, searching the thick body of trees for a chimera form. Okay, Zel, where are you? Dam... just appear already! I don't want to be out here in the dark...

All it took was the single, shrill scream to disrupt the wildlife anywhere within a mile of the glade. A flock of crows cawed their warnings and took flight into the early night sky, and Lina watched them eyes wide as she laid her hands to the one that firmly covered her mouth. "Z-Zelgadiss! Don't surprise me like that again! You scared the hell out of me!" She breathed as he released his hold.

"No surprises? I thought that's what you wanted." He replied casually and seated himself on the soft grass beside her.

"Well, I guess it wasn't so bad." Lina chewed on her lip and kneeled next to him. "Zelgadiss?"

"Yes?"

"So, what do we do know?" She murmured and moved to sit in his lap.

Zelgadiss leaned forward and wrapped his arms about her, resting his chin or her shoulder. "That's up to you..." He replied softly and ran his fingers down the arch of her neck.

Lina shivered in delight, but furrowed her brow all the same. They had tried desperately to find a time to be away from the others, and now that they'd managed, she didn't feel much satisfaction from it. She wondered by Zelgadiss' reply if he felt the same. She cocked her head back and threw her arms around him, twisting herself to face him. "Zelgadiss Greywords, I love you..." Her lips trembled. She knew she did, but for some reason, the circumstances were all wrong for her. Something was out of place. Then it hit her. Amelia. Yes Amelia, the trusting friend and companion that had followed her along with the others, through the worst of paths. She had to come clean. She had to tell her.

Zelgadiss gazed long at her. "I know..." He pulled her close to him and rolled to his side so that they were stretched out on the grass. "What's wrong?"

"Amelia is what's wrong."

Zelgadiss looked away from her. "Lina, I don't love her. You have nothing to doubt."

"Then let her know." She almost snapped. "So that she doesn't go on expecting anything, look at me when I talk to you!"

Zelgadiss stared hard at the ground between them. "I can't; I don't want to hurt her feelings."

Lina jumped to her feet and waved her arms out in aggravation. "That's the lamest excuse I ever heard. You can't keep it a secret from her forever! Neither of us can. For heaven's sake Zelgadiss! It will only hurt her more deeply in the long run..." She cupped her hand over her mouth and turned away from him. I think I over-did it just then. Oh Zel, don't get mad at me.

She turned from the tap on her shoulder. She met Zelgadiss' gaze and reached out for him, but he took he hands gently and pushed them away. "I'll have to remedy the problem..." His voice was tinted in pain and he turned from her and disappeared into the dark of the forest.

"Zel!?" Lina stood stock-still and watched his form draw farther and farther away from her. She moved her feet to follow, but found she couldn't. She decided to wait for him to return. She would discuss things with Amelia separately in the morning.

Deep into the night she waited for his reappearance. What's taking so long? Is Amelia really taking it that bad? Oh, she will hate me for sure. Amelia... In the next few hours, dawn breaking, the sorceress finally gave up on her watch and nodded off to sleep. She would join up with the others later.

The morning sun shining fully on her face, she woke with a start. "Zelgadiss?" She jolted up and looked around her in slight panic. "Oh, that's right. He left to talk with Amelia. Then I guess it's now my turn to face the music." She yawned and drew herself to her feet. Passing through the woods once more, she hunted down her cape and threw it about her as she ray winged back into town.

She found her comrades in seemingly good cheer at a large table, downing breakfast. Even Amelia seemed to be in a livable mood. Her eyes darted across the room. Where was Zelgadiss? She timidly stepped up to the table and addressed the group. "Morning."

Gourry's face brightened up and he waved at her, as his mouth was crammed full of food.

"Morning Lina," Sylphiel began.

"So, where's that chimera gone to, huh?" Lina questioned as she took an empty seat and stole a sausage from Gourry's plate.

Amelia shrugged. "I don't know. When he went outside the other evening, he never came back in."

Lina swallowed painfully as the food logged in her throat. "He-he didn't? You mean he didn't come around this morning either?"

"I don't understand it either. He seemed in his usual mood yesterday, unless something disturbed him. I mean, sure he goes off on his own sometimes, but usually he hints at it first." Amelia pondered. "Why?"

Lina shrugged, the back of her neck burning like ice. "Just wondering. I was going to ask him something, but forget it now." Her voice trailed off and she left the table, an attack of nausea twisting in her stomach. I drove him away from me. I made him leave... She numbly dragged her feet up the stairs, while her friends looked on in confusion at Lina's uncharacteristic behavior.

"I don't think Miss Lina slept very well last night..." Amelia voiced and turned her attention back to her food.

"Why..." Lina lay sprawled out on the bed eyes burning with the threat of tears. "He's left me. He lied to me!" She shook with sudden anger. "The real reason he couldn't tell Amelia about us is because he also has feelings for her!" She declared in a soft, venomous tone. She glared threateningly at her reflection in the mirror across the room, then took one of her boots in hand and sent it flying. She watched the glass shatter in satisfaction. There now, Zelgadiss, you see... that broken mirror is me. You've shattered my hopes and dreams in us. With that, she gathered up what belongings she had with her and slammed the door behind her.

Gourry's gaze met her own as she managed her way down the stairs, her eyes cold and brooding. She turned stubbornly into the lounge and sat near to the exit, tapping her fingers impatiently on the lamp stand beside her.

"Lina?" Gourry called out. "Aren't you hungry?"

"No, Gourry, I ate earlier before I saw you guys." She lied. "Let's go now. Amelia will need accompaniment on her travel back to Saillune." She stood and shouldered a pack. "Well?"

Gourry stuffed a bread roll in his mouth and nodded. "Owtah... wemme get my theengs."

Lina managed a slight smile at Gourry's poor manners, and then realized she lacked in them herself. She watched her friends disappear upstairs and made her way to the door. "Why couldn't you have been honest with me?" She breathed and closed her eyes. "I loved you. I love you still." She turned to the sound of her friends coming after her and together they left the inn. Lina as usual led the way, with Amelia running after her. "Wait up!"

Lina turned. "Sorry, I guess I'm just in a hurry to leave this town."

Amelia jogged up beside her. "Why Lina?"

"Too much happened there, and I'd like to forget."

"Oh...Oh!" Amelia stopped her friend and threw her arms around her in a hug. "Lina-san. I know that you and Zelgadiss had a terrible time in that awful place and it will take some time for you to forget, but you have us and we'll help you." She smiled and stepped back. "Isn't that right?" She called to the others.

"Hai!" Gourry agreed and Sylphiel nodded also. "What are friends for?" He ran ahead and scooped up Lina in his arms and spun her around until she was dizzy.

"Oi! Yogurt for Brains! What's the big idea?" She knocked him over the head with her elbow and smirked, as he fell face first in the dirt.

Gourry lifted his dirty face, sputtering. "What do you think? I was trying to cheer you up."

Lina put her hands on her hips. "Well I don't need no cheering up!" She continued off again, putting on her best confident air. "Let's get moving people!"

"Lina-san! Wait for us!" Sylphiel called out after her. "Oh dear Gourry! Let me help you..."

Amelia sighed and sweat dropped. "Looks like things are getting back to normal." She looked up to see Lina's form diminishing into the distance. "Lina-san! Can't you wait one minute? Arrghh! Levitation!"

Not too far away, a cloaked form watched the departing group with a downcast heart. "I'm sorry Lina. I never meant to hurt you, but I need time to figure out what is best. Forgive me..." Then Zelgadiss turned his back on his friends and face hard set began his own journey. Where he was going, he didn't know for sure, but he couldn't follow them. Not just yet. He needed time to clear his head and consider his true feelings. "I'll make it right in the end, I swear..."