Beyond Words

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Notes: For You I Will is by Monica.

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(scene opens up in the Temple of Ifni's TV room) Duo and Suboshi are playing Mighty Max while Zelgadis stares at the TV, drinking coffee. Only he isn't watching the TV, but staring into the distance. He absently reaches out to the spot beside him and touches only empty air and couch upholstery.

When you're feelin' lost in the night
When you fell your world just ain't right

(flashback scenes start) Zel is pinned by Xel. Val kicks Xel into the kitchen and the two walk into the TV room.

Call on me, I will be waiting
Count on me, I will be there

(scene changes) Zel and Val are dressed like MIB and are blasting the Slimy Multiplying Semi-Intelligent Legions of Death Cooked by Xel. Val ices the one that almost gets Zel. Zel throws him the "V" sign and continues shooting.

Anytime the times get to tough
Anytime your best ain't enough

(scene changes) Xel, Duo, and Suboshi are doing the usual war over the Shining Force II game. Val and Zel sit in companionable silence on the couch, drinking coffee, and watching Mighty Max while the trio fight over who's gonna play.

I'll be the one to make it better
I'll be there to protect you, see you through

(scene changes) Val and Zel are in the music room of the Temple, sitting in one of the big bay windows. (scene moves closer) Val gets mad about something, and tosses the harp he's holding to the side, which Zel catches, cusses profusely, before crossing his arms and pouting. Zel sets the harp back in Val's lap, resets his unwilling fingers, and guides them along the strings. Val catches on suddenly and manages it on his own. (scene moves away) The two are haltingly playing a song.

I'll be there and there is nothing I won't do

(scene changes, on the airplane to Germany ...) Val leans against Zel, sleeping. Zel reads a book while absently stroking his hair.

I will cross the ocean for you
I will go and bring you the moon

(scene changes, in Germany) The harem is in the backyard of Steph's grandmother's house. Duo and Suboshi are sitting on the grass with Val, Xel is swinging on the swing, and Zel is leaning against the cherry tree, watching the trio on the grass.

I will be your hero, your strength, anything you need I will be the sun in your sky

Duo is braiding Val's blue-green hair into an intricate Shin'a'in braid while Suboshi arranges the aqua locks in the front. Val tolerates this attention, though his gaze darts furtively to Zel now and again.

I will light your way for all time I promise you ... for you I will

Suboshi picks a few flowers from the lawn and arranges them around Val's horn.

I will shield your heart from your brain I will let no harm come your way

Zel watches the trio with an odd look in his eyes while his fingers unconsciously twitch.

Know these arms will be a shelter Know these arms won't let you down

(scene changes) The harem is going through the fields on their daily "walk". Steph is rollerblading, hooked into the TRY CD. Duo and Suboshi are racing on their bikes while Xel floats between them, also racing. Zel and Val are walking a little ways behind the four.

If there is a mountain to move ... I will move that mountain for you

(view shifts to Val and Zel's view point) The racing trio stop, look both ways, and Duo kicks Xel into the road. Xel gets squished by a truck. Zel and Val smile as Xel pries himself off the asphalt, smiling like a fool.

I'm here for you, I'm here forever I will be your fortress, tall and strong

The foursome go farther along. Zel makes some sort of comment, Val pushes him playfully. Val suddenly picks a thistle blossom from the side of the path and sticks it behind Zel's ear.

I'll keep you safe, I'll stand beside you ... all along

Zel stares at Val, shocked, but Val has already turned away, blushing, and runs to catch up with the others.

I will cross the ocean for you I will go and bring you the moon

Zel absently takes the thistle out of his hair and twirls it in his fingers as he looks after Val with something like longing.

I will be your hero, your strength, anything you need

He looks down at the thistle and realizes that it alone, among all the blossoms on the plant, had been blue.

I will be the sun in your sky

(scene changes) The harem is climbing the tree at the playground. Xel is proclaiming his supreme climbing skills to all and sundry at the top of the tree. Steph perches halfway up, latched in a deathgrip to the tree, admiring the landscape. Duo and Suboshi are trying to get to Xel and do him bodily harm. Val is perched below Steph, trying to get Zel to climb the tree with them. Zel ignores Val and his attempts, leaning against the tree.

I will light your way for all time

Xel phazes in beside Val and kicks him out of the tree.

I promise you ... for you I will

Steph strangles Xel, yelling at him about being such an idiot. No one notices that Zel caught Val.

For you I will, ... lay my life on the line

Zel looks at Val for a long moment before abruptly putting him down and stalking off. Val tries to catch Zel's cape, but Zel pulls it away. (view shifts slightly) Val looks hurt as he watches Zel's receding back.

For you I will fight alone, for you I will die

Zel stalks out of the playground before turning the corner to lean against the bushes that make a wall around it. He turns to look through the branches at the group in the tree. He looks almost ... sad as Val turns abruptly and climbs the tree, ignoring Zel's absence. Zel pulls back and with an obvious effort his face hardens into cold, emotionless lines as he turns to walk back to the house.

With every breath, with all my soul

(scene changes) Late evening at the house. Zel sits on the swing, his eyes on the thistle. He holds it up and casts a spell. The thistle seems to revive. Zel smiles and carefully tucks it away.

I give my word, I give it all

(scene changes) The harem is on a shopping trip to Augsburg, riding the train. Duo and Suboshi are pointing out towns and landmarks to Xel, while Steph smiles and reads the signs to them. Zel and Val are sitting in the seat behind them. Zel looks out the window. Val sighs in boredom and rests his head on Zel's shoulder.

Put your faith in me, and I'll help to set you free

Zel shrugs Val off and moves to the seat across from him. Zel ignores Val's hurt look and stares out the window.

I will cross the ocean for you

(scene changes) The harem is in Augsburg, trying on clothes at the store. Xel tries on some dresses while Duo and Suboshi look through the clothing racks. Steph picks out one thing, tries it on, likes it, buys it, and stands around looking bored with the whole thing.

I will go and bring you the moon

Xel tries to get Val to try on a dress, but Zel punts him.

I will be your hero, your strength, anything you need

Xel rebounds beside Duo and Suboshi. Val smiles gratefully at Zel, who looks vaguely jealous. Val doesn't notice, though, and suddenly pulls Zel over to a rack.

I will be the sun in your sky

Val pulls out a sleek, black suit and grabs a pair of sunglasses, pushing them on Zel, who looks startled. Zel nods warily, but then takes out dark blue slacks and overshirt, a weird bandage like thing, and a black sash. He hands these to Val, grinning like an idiot. Val knows payback when he sees it and agrees.

I will light your way for all time

Steph makes appropriate remarks and drools accordingly at Zel in suit and Val in blue outfit, while the two smile shyly at each other.

I promise you ... for you I will

(scene changes) They fly back home. Val leans against Zel, sleeping, while Zel strokes his hair. The plain jolts abruptly, knocking Val against the armrest. Zel notices and frowns.

I will, I will, I will, I will

Zel moves Val up, pushes the armrest out of the way, settles Val within the circle of his arm, brushes Val's loose hair out of his face, and continues to stroke his hair. Val purrs contentedly as Zel rests his head on Val's and continues reading his book.

I will cross the ocean for you

(scene changes) They arrive home. Steph practically kissing the Temple ground while Xel, Duo, and Suboshi look about happily and run off to see if everything's the same. Zel looks likes he wants to do the same, but is held back by something.

I will go and bring you the moon

Zel glances back at Val.

I will be your hero, your strength, anything you need

(scene shifts) Val watches Zel with longing and opens his mouth to say something but stops. He bites his lip, and sadly turns to go back to Ruaki's Temple.

I will be the sun in your sky

Zel turns to see Val leaving. He raises his hand and is about to call to him, but stops. Indecision wars openly on his face. The suddenly he nods to himself, determined, and looks over to Val, but it's too late. Val has already gone to far. He gazes after Val with sadness and yearning.

I will light your way for all time

Steph notices all this and walks over to Zel, putting her hand comfortingly on Zel's shoulder. Zel looks at her sadly, before sighing painfully and walking into the Temple.

I promise you ... for you I will

(flashback ends) Zel looks sad and glances down at the empty coffee cup in his hand. He sets it down, gets up, and stalks out of the TV room.

I will

Zel is at the bay window, in the sunset darkened, music room. He holds the harp he used to teach Val, leaning against the side of the window, gazing at the sunset. As the last rays of light fade, he looks at the harp with longing.

Promise you, For you I will

(scene fades half out, while another scene fades half in) Zel sits at the window, looking at the harp. Val's face flashes in. Val learning the harp. Val sleeping, leaning on Zel. Val having his hair braided by Duo and Suboshi. Val giving the thistle to Zel. Val falling into Zel's arms. Val leaning on Zel on the return home. Val … leaving.

I promise you, for you I will

(scene reverts to normal) Zel closes his eyes and plays the chords of For You I Will brokenly, his hands trembling slightly. A slightly off-key voice joins the harp music, singing the words to the song. Zel's head jerks up and he looks for the voice. Val smiles from the shadows of the closed doorway, moving into the moonlight, still singing. Zel brightens and plays stronger, while Val takes his usual seat next to him, still singing. Zel's voice joins Val's for the chorus and then hangs on the last line, drawing it out, while his eyes look into Val's, saying the words that Zel could never say in that single look.

"For you I will."

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