When had Zelgadis become such an important part of her life, Lina wondered. When he had told her about his past, she had felt for him; not pity exactly, but something close to it. She had been determined then and there to make him happy, but when had that turned into her only goal?
"I think it was when he left after we defeated Shabarnigdo." she mused, "There was no one to talk to, and I felt so lonely. That's when I realised Zel was so important to me. With him gone there was a big empty hole I couldn't fill." Lina sighed. "I miss him SO MUCH when he goes away. I wish he was here now."
As she said this she looked up to realise the object of her wish had appeared in front of her.
She blushed bright red. "Zel! How long have you been here?" she asked, panicked.
"I only just arrived." he said and sat down. "We need to talk." he started, "I need to know what it was exactly you were hoping to find in that temple. I won't be able to help you if I don't know what to expect tomorrow."
"Just a book" Lina said shortly. If he finds out why I wanted that book he'll be furious, especially if the result turns out to be what I fear it might be. she worried.
"What did you hope to gain from this book though?" he asked. Lina blushed and looked down at the remarkably realistic grass she was sitting on. "That's PRIVATE!" she insisted.
What could be private about it? Zel wondered, blushing slightly, If I know Lina, she was probably trying to find a way to gain a few years in appearance. Zel smiled to himself as he pictured a possible result. Maybe it won't be so horrible, although an even younger-looking Lina would still be a difficult situation...especially if she reverted to childlike behaviour as well.
"Zel...?" Lina looked up at him pleadingly, "You won't go, will you?" The look in Lina's eyes simply broke his heart. It was so desperate for comfort and security that he leaned forward and hugged her awkwardly.
"I promise I won't go anywhere. I'm going to stay right here until we figure this out."
Lina hugged him back. "Thank you." She mumbled into his shoulder.
Finally, reluctantly, he pulled away. "Lina, I have to return to my body for awhile, but I promise you I'm right with you and we'll talk again soon." Zel thumbed away a tear which had started to trickle from her eye.
"Alright," Lina said with a trembling smile, "but make it soon, because in a few hours, whatever this reversal is will be happening." She looked at Zel sternly. "Get some sleep." she said, "I know you don't need much, but since we don't know what's coming, it would probably be a good idea."
"Alright, I will." Zel agreed, "But only for a few hours."
Lina smiled at him as he faded out, then grimaced in pain as another spasm wracked her physical body.
When Zel returned to himself he could feel his need to sleep. Lina was right, if he was to be of any use to her when this whole thing came to a head, he would have to catch some sleep now. He curled up behind Lina and went to sleep.
"He hugs me and wipes a tear from my eye and agrees to sleep? This can't be the real Zel, he's usually so distant!" Lina pondered, "I suppose the only way to know for sure is to wake up for a few seconds."
Shutting away as much of her awareness of pain as she could, Lina let her consciousness slip back into her body. The pain was unbelievable, but she managed to open her eyes. There was nothing in front of her, so she gingerly rolled over. There. He was here after all. His sleeping face was as relaxed and peaceful as it only was when he was too tired to dream.
"Zel." She whispered and reached out to confirm it wasn't a hallucination from the pain. The feeling of warm skin, slightly rough to the touch, reassured her.
Fast asleep, Zel reacted to that touch in a way he never would have been brave enough to if he were awake. He reached out and captured her hand, pulling it close to him. Lina felt her pain lessen somewhat as he did so, and , hoping it might be from the physical contact, she moved over so she was closer to him, then snuggled up against him. It was, in fact, the contact seemed to help quite a bit. Sleeping Zel put his arm around her shoulders and, now happy and with her pain much reduced, Lina allowed herself to separate from her body once again.