The Summons Chapter 5 You knew that at first I didn't trust you. I guess I'd been hurt too many times. But you wouldn't take no, You wouldn't let go. You were determined to change my mind. Maybe you look at me as a challenge, Some new kind of game you can play. Whatever your motives are, You've succeeded this far, My resistance is down, my feelings just beginning to sway. After calling the hospital twice, and trying to find out which limousine service had Filia which little success, Val resigned himself to merely pacing and waiting. She got off work at seven, and when nine o'clock rolled around with no sign of her, he began to grow frantic. Nine-twenty, he heard the locks tumbling, and yanked the door open just as she was turning the handle. "Oh!" Filia exclaimed, surprised. "Where have you been?" He ushered her into the house, and shut the door behind her. "What's all this?" He raised an eyebrow at the roses. "I've had a marvelous morning! Here, put that in my bedroom, will you? I want to get these into water." Val blinked as she dumped a large box into his arms. "And be careful with that!" He watched Filia carry the roses into the kitchen, hesitating a moment before following her. "Filia, what's going on?" "I have a date tonight!" Val froze. "Filia, you've never gone on a single date." "And you've tried to get me to see people, now I am!" She was in buoyant mood, carefully arranging the flowers in a vase. "Who is it?" "It's marvelous! He had a limousine pick me up! And there were Eggs Benedict and tea waiting for me, and that! And the flowers!" "Filia, it's all very nice. Who are you seeing?" Val almost dropped the box he still held at her answer. "Why, Mister Xellos." "Filia, you can't be serious!" "Why not?" She finished fussing with the flowers and turned to face him. "He's Mazoku!" "So?" She snatched the box from him and walked to her bedroom. "'So'? What do you mean, 'so'? You're going to get hurt!" he said, following her. "Mister Xellos has never wished to harm me, Val. You should realize this after all these years. If he wanted to harm me, he would have done so a long time ago. He wouldn't have spent all this time and energy over the centuries keeping me safe when things went wrong." "He's been handy, I'll admit, but Filia, he doesn't love you. He can't love you." She didn't reply immediately, setting the box down on the bed, running her fingers over it. "I know." "So, what...?" He leaned in the doorway, pinching the bridge of his nose for a moment. "Filia, all this, the flowers and limousine, it's not real. It's not genuine." "On the contrary, it's perfectly genuine. So what if he doesn't love me, he's treating me like a lady," she retorted. "Filia, c'mon, don't get like that. You can find somebody who'd treat you like a lady and can love you." "Who? Where?" Her blue eyes were clouded when she looked at him. Hurt. "I can't be like you, Val. I want to meet someone and fall in love, but I couldn't bear it, watching him grow old whereas I hadn't aged a day. I can't do it over and over again. And I sure can't have a new romance with every new season." "But Filia? Xellos? Why?" She looked wounded. "He's been here, Val. He has always been here. He helped me, protected me, and gave me back the memories I'd misplaced over the years." "Filia..." "Let me have this! Damnit!" He jumped in surprise as she flung a pillow at him in a sudden fit. "I can't be like you, so can't you be happy for me at what I do find?" "Filia, that wasn't what I was trying to do!" He tossed her pillow onto her bed, crossing over to her. "I'm worried about you!" "And a lot of good your worrying has ever done me!" she snapped, and covered her mouth with her hand, her eyes widening. Val stared at her, feeling like he'd been verbally slapped, and looked away. "Oh, Val, I'm sorry, I didn't mean that, I'm sorry," she said quietly. "Forget it, it's fine," he said curtly, turning away, walking to the door. "Have fun on your date tonight." The sound of her whimper made him stop. "No, don't. Please, please don't go. I'm sorry, Val, I don't want to fight. I don't like it when we fight." He made the mistake of looking back at her. "Aw hell," he muttered, returning to her and pulling her into a hug. "Don't cry, Filia. Shh. I'm not leaving." "Please, just try to be happy for me this once?" she whispered, sniffling. He looked down at her, her eyes still brimming over with tears. "I'll try," he said quietly. "Just...shh." He gently brushed away the tears with the pad of his thumb. "It's okay. Don't cry anymore, please?" "I'm sorry," she whispered, looking at him. "I know." He studied her face, studied her, and wished he could stop feeling so nervous about the idea of her on a date with Xellos. There was something wrong, but he couldn't put his finger on it. He'd bet anything the Mazoku was behind those records, but why bring him up here if only to do this? But he couldn't make himself say the words, words which he knew would bring the hurt and loneliness back into her eyes. Val gently kissed her forehead, and hugged her. "You better get some sleep," he said quietly. "You don't want to be tired for your date tonight." She nodded. "I will. I just need to hang up the dress and take a shower first." Dress? He looked at the box. She pulled away, opening it, and he looked over her shoulder as she pulled out shoes, a shawl of sorts, and a dress that matched her eyes. "Isn't it the most beautiful thing you've ever seen?" "Yes," Val replied automatically. It wasn't until she walked away to her closet that he realized he never noticed the dress. Well, of course. Filia was easily one of the most beautiful women around, he'd known that for years. But she was family. He felt a sick twist of...something...when she showed him the jewels, and he forced a smile to avoid damaging that happy light of euphoria which was returning to her face. "Thank you for understanding," she told him, walking to the bathroom. She paused in the doorway, turning to face him. "I'm content with this possible arrangement. I know he can't love me, but that's okay. I'd rather have his companionship than to be alone anymore." Val stared at her, shaking his head slightly. "Filia..." He rested a hand against her cheek, stroking it with his thumb. "You shouldn't have to settle." Her smile became a bit sad. "Maybe not... but it's how things are." Val wasn't certain what happened, but the next thing he knew, their faces were mere centimeters apart, their noses brushing lightly, lips all to aware of another set close by, and eyes open, blue ones meeting his own whiskey-colored ones. He could barely breathe, and for a heartbeat, they were back in Charleston, South Carolina. "I am never letting you talk me into seeing another movie again," Filia sulked, and he laughed, putting his arm around her, partially to protect her from the chill of the cool March night air. "It was just a movie, Filia. Can I help it that Hitchcock is a genius at horror?" "That man's a Mazoku, to come up with something so..." She shivered. Val carefully slid his hand up her arm. "That shower scene! I swear my heart--" She cut herself off with a hysterical scream, jumping a foot in the air, batting at her neck where his fingers had been tickling, far too lightly. Val doubled over laughing. "I'm sorry!" he gasped, trying to breathe. "I couldn't help myself!" "You jerk!" Filia swatted him mightily with her purse, and he toppled over onto the pavement, unable to keep his balance while laughing breathlessly. She pummeled him with her fist a few more times, and all he could was shield his head, trying to catch his breath between bursts of laughter. She punctuated her final hit with a solid kick to his shin, making him yelp even while laughing, and stalked off. A souped up convertible T-bird roared by, local teens driving the strip, with last year's Ricky Nelson hit blaring from the radio. They slowed down to cheer Filia, and Val exchanged a few good natured insults with them as he got to his feet, wincing and laughing as he caught up with her. "Aw, c'mon, Fi, don't get like that, I was only playing you," he said, catching her arm and pulling her back. "We got started just a little bit late. Hope this won't be our last date. Look up, look up, is that the moon we see? Can't be, can't be, looks like the sun to me. It's late, it's late. I hate to face your..." The music faded out as the teens drove off, turning the corner. "You scared me," Filia said. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done that." He held one arm around her waist, his other hand brushing her cheek. "Forgive me?" She rolled her eyes but nodded, looking back to him. "All right." "There. All better now," he teased, kissing her forehead, and drawing back to look at her. Maybe it was just the lighting, the way she seemed bright even in shadows, but he had an almost overwhelming urge to kiss her. What am I thinking? She raised me, for pete's sake! She's family! Quickly, he stepped away --they both stepped away from each other, looking around at the scenery. "How about next time, you pick the movie, would that make up for this one?" "Yeah, and it'll be a musical!" she taunted. "Oscar Hammerstein the second!" He groaned, and she spun around, arms outstretched, laughing for a moment before singing a favorite. "Shall we dance? Shall we then say 'goodnight' and mean 'good-bye'? Or perchance, when the last little star has left the sky, shall we still be together with our arms around each other, and shall you--" He moved toward her and then their eyes met as she turned around, mimicking the dance scene, and her footsteps faltered. A deep blush crept over her face and she remained a few steps ahead of him, turning around, her back to him, changing her tune. "It's a grand night for singing, the moon is flying high, and somewhere a bird who is bound he'll be heard is throwing his heart..." "Take your shower," he said gruffly, stepping back and releasing her. "It's getting late as it is. What time will he be here?" "Um..." Filia blinked, looking bemused for a moment. "Right, uh... seven. He'll be here at seven. We have reservations for eight." "Where at?" "He didn't say..." Val nodded. "If you're not awake at what, five? I'll get you up." "Better make it four, just to give me a bit more time." Filia was glad she pushed the wake-up call back an hour, because it took nearly that long to make her hair cooperate and smooth into an elegant french twist to hold the jeweled comb. It was almost seven when she stepped back from the closet mirror to study her reflection. The dress fit her perfectly, and he was right: it was to her taste. The lines were elegant and simple, and the skirt tapered out to delicately hint at a bell shape. The black wrap made the blue seem more intense, and the jewelry matched, elegant in its simplicity. Or it would, once she could get that blasted necklace to clasp. "Val?" she called out, plucking it off the dresser before heading into the living room, "can you help me with something?" He turned around she stopped, feeling awkward at his expression. "What is it?" He closed his eyes with a slight shake to his head. "You look lovely," he said softly. She blushed. "It's the dress. Mister Xellos did a marvelous job of selecting it, don't you think?" He seemed about to say something else, then gave another slight shake before nodding. "What do you need?" "Can you fasten this necklace? The clasp gives me trouble." She turned around as he took it from her, carefully laying it over her collarbones. After a moment, she felt his fingers lightly trace it around her neck, gently smoothing it out. They lingered on her skin for a few moments more than necessary, and her breath caught. It was what she imagined a lover's touch might feel like, gentle and electrifying. Swallowing hard, Filia forced herself to remember it was Val, to remember she had raised him, that they were family. It was a good thing Xellos had returned to her life when he did, she surmised. Otherwise... Otherwise, she wouldn't feel such a pang of loss when Val moved away. "There," he said, but his voice was husky. The chimes rang before she could reply, announcing someone at the door. "I'll get it." "Hello, Mister Val!" Filia heard Xellos say. "I must say it's a surprise to see you here." "Yeah, it makes things interesting, wouldn't you say?" Filia could hear the barely muted aggression in his tone. "Oh, quite!" Xellos wasn't the slightest bit put out by it, and stepped past him. Lord, he always knew how to look stylish. He wore a black suit -- modeled after the height of Italian fashion she supposed by the apparent cut -- with just the barest hint of violet in its sheen. She could see his eyes glitter through the tinted lenses of the glasses, and shivered at the way she could tell they traveled over her before settling on her face. "It would appear that the dress is the perfect accessory to accentuate your loveliness," Xellos said, approaching her. "You, my dear, are a vision." The door seemed to shut just a little too loudly, and she jumped, looking past him at Val. He shrugged. "It slipped." Xellos paid him no mind, and bowed low. "My dear Miss Filia, I must thank you for the honor of this evening. I'm sure it will be a delight for all parties involved." Filia blushed, and the bloom of heat in her cheeks intensified when he took her hand, kissing it. "Now, let us depart. I wouldn't want to rush our journey there. After all, getting there is half the fun, as the saying goes." She slipped her hand around his arm as he led her to the door. "Have fun," Val said, just a bit too tonelessly for Filia's liking. She gave him a small frown. "I'm quite certain we shall," Xellos said cheerfully. "And oh, dear. Miss Filia, don't frown so. It's hardly a becoming look for you. You mustn't worry about Mister Val. He's a grown Dragon, and quite capable of finding his own entertainment. Don't you agree, Mister Val?" "Try not to keep her out too late," was all Val said in response. Filia saw a cryptic little smile appear on Xellos' lips, and for an instant, she felt the first stirrings of fear. She quickly stomped them down; just because he was Mazoku did not mean he had any intention whatsoever of doing her harm. The years, the centuries had proven that. "I trust breakfast this morning was to your liking?" Xellos asked as they made their way down to the apartment lobby. "It was wonderful," Filia said, "but really, Mister Xellos? Don't you think making such a scene with a stretch limo was overdoing it a tad?" Xellos looked at her, tilting his head just enough to look over the rim of his glasses. "Unless I miss my guess, it has been far too long since anyone has lavished such attentions on you." "Well, of this sort, yes." "There is a saying, my dear Miss Filia, that unless a woman is reminded she is beautiful and desirable, she ceases to be either." Filia was still blushing furiously when they stepped off the elevator. "I am merely assuring that nothing of that sort of fate befalls you." It wasn't until they had left the building and were comfortably seated in another limousine that Filia could find her voice. "Mister Xellos?" "Yes, Miss Filia?" "You...Mazoku...can they love?" He smiled faintly. "Not in the slightest." "Oh..." "Is this a problem?" She shook her head, studying her bare hands. Fleetingly, she both wished she had painted her nails, and was glad she had not. They were stubby and short, so not to tear the latex gloves at work, and color would only have drawn attention to them. "No..." she said softly. "No, it's not." She looked up at him. "It's not important, not necessary." "Why do you say that?" "I'd be happy, content with just companionship. Someone to talk to, who I don't have to hide who I am, what I am from." She reached out, placing her hand over his, and he lifted it to his lips, kissing it. Filia smiled. "I would be very glad for your company. It's been..." She trailed off, considering how to phrase it, and shook her head. "It's never been," she corrected herself. "I'm tired of being alone, just as you are. There's no reason left for us to fight." "No," he agreed. "They've all died long ago." "Indeed." "So what you're saying, Miss Filia, is that you would be quite happy in a relationship devoid of passion?" "I can make myself believe this is passion." She gestured to the limousine. "Hmm." A cryptic smile tugged his lips, but he said nothing more. "Where are we going tonight?" "I thought that perhaps dinner, then the theatre," he said. "We can wrap up the night with dancing." "What's showing?" He did not answer directly, but produced two tickets from his jacket. She looked them over and her eyes widened. "I didn't even know it was showing anywhere!" "It is just for this weekend, a special production," he said. "I thought I might have recalled something about you being fond of the works of Rodgers and Hammerstein." "I am! Oh, and Xellos!" She looked up at him. "These seats..." "Best in the house." "You've had to have been planning this for a while." "Perhaps," he replied, smiling cryptically. "But..." She frowned. "Are you sure you'd be able to sit through Cinderella?" "It is better than some," he said, and beamed. "Lovely moments of angst with the step-family." Filia couldn't help but chuckle, and handed the tickets back. "Where else are we going? Dinner and dancing?" She slipped her arms around his, and rested her head against his shoulder while he named the establishments. Gently, he raised his hand and brushed his fingers over her cheek. It didn't feel the same; it didn't set her nerves on fire, but it was soothing. She felt comfortable and safe, and knew she could make herself be happy with that, make herself understand it was all that was needed.

to be continued...
Chapter Six