Author's Notes: I apologize for the oh-so-short chapter but I haven't really been into the Christmas mood today. Gotta catch me in the mood. :D Well, finally it's time to answer some of y'all's reviews.

Aoshi & SithKnight-Galen: I hadn't forgotten about Valgaav however if you hadn't mentioned him I probably would have just said 'He hasn't hatched yet.' . Of course, that wouldn't be fun for Val fans so I'm putting him in, he'll make an appearance next chappy. Of course, I'm going to have to explain fast aging like I had to with Sollex because I don't want him to be just a baby, that'd be no fun IMO. . I'm thinking of rewriting this chapter though, so review with any thoughts about intro-ing Val, though, because I'm not too proud of my work in this chap.

Jillian: No, I didn't get your e-mail. If you can even remember anything about what it was about then just e-mail me again. That goes for everyone if you want to e-mail me about anything.

Gerao-A: Are you seriously 4 or more people?
Ramon: Skeptic. :P
Sunny: If you read my other story Time Warp it happened about 5 years from the time this fic is set in. I'm considering going with a trend and the next X/F fic I write will be of their actual . . . 'courtship.' shivers Xellos . . . courtship . . . shivers again
Alandra: I plan to, but I'm just trying to work out how to go about it. Any suggestions?
Maliska: I tend not to read Slayers fics unless they're predominantly X/F. I support all the cannon couplings but don't favor any more than X/F.

SithKnight-Galen: Most of your questions have been answered above but as for Filia staring, it was more or less noticing Lina's small breast size. ;

Review or e-mail me with all of your comments, suggestions, and questions.

---

Things Change - An X/F Christmas
Chapter 5 - Realization

---

After a grueling cleanup in order to make the den once again inhabitable the group was able to organize all of the gifts that had flooded the room.

"Honestly, your mother," Filia grumbled as she shelved a final brightly-wrapped package addressed to her daughter.

"What was that, Filia?" Xellos smirked.

"Nothing," The dragon sat their guests around the coffee table and poured everyone a cup of tea. Just as she was about to strike up a conversation there was a knock at the door. She sighed and went to answer it, "I wonder who that could be . . ." After several moments Filia returned and sat down once more, tearing the end off of an envelope delivered by a messenger.

"What is it, Filia?" Gourry asked curiously.

The ex-priestess scanned the letter quickly, a smile growing on her face, "It's from Val; he's going to try and come visit tomorrow."

"Val? Where is he?" Lina inquired, realizing she had forgotten all about the Ancient Filia had adopted during their past adventure.

"He's studying," Filia responded, setting the letter on the table, "I know next to nothing about Ancient dragons and I wanted him to know about his ancestors so we decided he would study with the silver dragons in the north. They're the most like ancient dragons and I have a friend who was willing to teach him," Filia smiled softly, "I wanted him to stay here but he really wanted to go and I feel it was for the best. But he'll be arriving tomorrow and you will all get to see how much he's grown!"

"Can't –yawn- wait," Lina stretched, yawning loudly, "Man, I'm beat."

"Me too," Amelia agreed along with the others.

"Oh, please, come with me, I'll show you where you'll be staying," Filia beckoned as they all stood up. As she led them down the hall to the rooms they used for the rare visitors she called back to Xellos, "Put Sollex to bed, Xellos, please."

---

"Sollex is asleep," Xellos reported from where he was donning his pajamas at the bureau as Filia came in.

"So are the others," Filia replied as she kicked off her shoes. They went about their nightly routine, readying themselves for bed in silence for a moment, "I'm glad Val is coming to visit. I'm sure he's grown so much. Aren't you glad, Xellos?"

"I suppose so."

"You suppose so?" Filia demanded, her anger rising. Several minutes passed as she stood there, waiting for a response. After a moment of watching the Mazoku go through his nightly habits she sighed, dispelling her anger, "What's wrong?"

"I . . . don't know. Something's different, and I don't know what it is."

"What do you mean?" Filia pressed.

"Everything's . . . different. Did you see them? Lina, Gourry, Amelia, Zelgadis, they've all changed, they've all gotten so much older."

"Of course, Xellos, they're human. Well, except for Zelgadis, but you know . . ."

"I know that, it's just . . . I'm old, Filia, I know that. I've lived a long time and the only people I've ever really known were immortal. I've never . . . seen my friends grow old," He sighed, then chuckled a bit, "Listen to me, I suppose I've changed as well."

Filia smiled warmly, "You've just missed them, that's all. Now, let's get some sleep, tomorrow will be very important."

---

Author's Notes Part Deux: If you go to my profile and check out my homepage I have a fanfic section I'm looking to populate with fics. You will of course get credit if you would like me to host some of yours. Just e-mail me or something like that, kay?

Many thanks, please review.

Oh, also, I'm working on a fic called Legacy of a Dark Lord and I would really like everyone to read it. It's pretty interesting if I do say so myself. Lol Really, at least try it out.