Sleep is the property of Melissa Etheridge.
After your laughter like thunder
After your skin like coffee and cream
After it takes our bodies into the night
After we've come to the extreme
Lina picked dully at her food, and looked at it. A few weeks ago, she would have laughed at anyone who said that she would be eating that little.
She sighed, and took a bite of the chicken. It didn't have the same appeal anymore... Not after...
A tear ran down her face, and she stopped that thought. I won't think of Zel, or Amelia, she told herself sternly. I won't.
I want to lay down on your shoulder
Just inside your arm
I want to listen to you heart beat
And your breathing on and on
I want to lay down on your shoulder
Surrender to your peace
And go to sleep
Her eyes fluttered shut as she propped her head on her fists. Then, Lina jerked herself awake as she heard a voice above her.
"Hey Lina. I still think you should eat more."
Two dull eyes looked upward into the worried eyes of Gourry. "I'm fine," she muttered. "Just not hungry."
Two syllables were reflected in his eyes. The first was "bull" and the other was "shit." But the words that actually escaped his lips were more eloquent. "Lina, you have barely eaten anything in a week. I'm worried about you."
"Whatever," she mumbled, standing up.
After we've gone a million miles
Made true our dreams with sweat and bone
After we've built up with our bare hands
Made a strong place we can call home
The grave was as peaceful as ever.
Lina gently touched the ground, and bit back tears. "Hey," she said in a wavering voice. "Back again."
The flowers swayed slightly in the wind, and a few loose petals hit her flushed face. "Gourry's still trying to run my life," she whispered. "I still miss you."
A tear rolled down her cheek. "Even after... I don't have anything to remind me of you. I have all your things, but... Nothing in particular reminds me of you."
She started sobbing like crazy. "I miss you, Zel! Oh, gods, I miss you."
I want to lay down on your shoulder
Just inside your arm
I want to listen to you heart beat
And your breathing on and on
I want to lay down on your shoulder
Surrender to your peace
And go to sleep
Strong hands clamped down on her shoulders. Without turning around, she said wearily, "Go away, Gourry. Just... leave me alone."
One hand gently stroked her hair. A gentle, familiar voice spoke right into her ear. "Lina..."
The sorceress froze, and stilled her tears. "Z-zel?" She turned around slowly to see the eyes of the chimera she loved. "Oh, gods... Zel?!"
He stroked her cheek, and kissed away the existing tears. "Shh. Don't cry."
That only made more tears fall. "This is a dream," she whispered.
"Does this feel like a dream?" Zelgadis held her head gently, staring in her eyes. "Be honest, Lina. Is this a dream?"
Lina blinked, trying to clear her eyes of tears. "You're really here," she said in wonder. Then she hugged his passionately, tears falling freely. "You're really here, in my arms!"
And when the light in my eye is fading
When running water becomes too deep
Finally angels turn my fire to dust
And my soul's no longer mine to keep
Zel held her, whispering soothing words. Lina held on to him like a lifeline, and cried herself out. She started to fall asleep, spent of emotions. "Zel?" she whispered fuzzily. "Can I fall asleep in your arms again? Just one last time?"
He chuckled, and laid her down. She forced him to lay with her. "How are you?" Lina asked, her eyes already fluttering shut. "I haven't seen you in..."
"Shh..." he whispered, smoothing back a lock of red hair. "Just go to sleep."
She smiled, and allowed herself to lose consciousness for the last time. And that was how Gourry found her in the morning, lying peacefully on Zelgadis' grave. And if it wasn't for the fact her skin was waxy and she wasn't breathing, one would think she was simply sleeping with a peaceful, satisfied on her face.
I want to lay down on your shoulder
Just inside your arm
I want to listen to you heart beat
And your breathing on and on
I want to lay down on your shoulder
Surrender to the peace
And just go to sleep
And just go to sleep
Wee! And I have officially told a tale of Zel/Lina romance. Sure, it was sad. Sure, I killed off both of them. This is what happens when you look through all the lyrics you have, and you're reeeaaaallllyyy bored. Sad, ne?