Chapter Five

The rest of the trip to Scotland had been quite uneventful, considering that Lina avoided Gourry whenever she could. She took her meals at a different time, and pretended to be asleep when he came into the room. It wasn’t because he unsettled her anything. She decided it was his punishment for disobeying her and buying her clothes.

She’d had plans to explore Edinburgh by her self, as far from the tall blonde as she could get. Unfortunately, neither Zel nor Gourry had thought it was a good idea for her to wander the new city alone. If she was getting off the boat, one of them had to be with her... Or so they thought.

Dressed in boys’ clothes and her long hair tucked away in a cap, she snuck around the back of the boat and towards the gangplank.

“And where do you think you’re going, missy?” Zolf demanded, irritation in his tone. He had voiced his opinion of Lina being on the ship more then once in this last week. She thought he was just being a baby about having to give up his room.

“Zel said I could go ashore.” she snapped, crossing her arms over his chest. “He must of told you. Maybe you should pay more attention to your captain.”

“Funny, since he just told me you weren’t allowed off this ship without him or Gabriev.” he growled at her.

“That was earlier.” she insisted, glaring at him. “Like I said, you should-“

”Do you ever give up?” Gourry demanded, walking up behind her. She swore.

“You ruin everything.” she informed him and stalked on down the gangplank, giving him no choice but to follow.

As they wandered the city, Lina explored everything that snagged her interest. She’d convinced Gourry to buy her all sorts of things, deciding that he owed her for ruining her plans for the day.

"How come you're mad I spent money on you before, but it's ok now?" he asked.

"I wasn't mad that you spent money one." she countered. "I was mad that you did it after I'd told you not to."

“We’re supposed to meet Zel for dinner soon.” Gourry said, dropping the whole argumentas she dragged him into another bookstore.

“He can wait.” she replied, picking up a book and flipping through it.

“Have you decided what you’re going to do once we get back to London?” he asked as he watched her read.

“Of course I have.” she replied, refusing to look up from her book.

“Well, then what are you going to do?”

“It’s none of your business.”

“You have no idea, do you?” he said, a hint of laughter in his tone. Unknowingly taking the bait, she finally looked up and glared at him.

“I’m goingto find a ship to America and go there.” she snapped, setting the book down on the shelf and storming out of the establishment.

“I don’t think so.” he replied, following close behind her.

“I wasn’t asking permission.”

“Do you think being married to me would be so bad?” he wondered aloud.

“Yes.” she lied, ignoring the guilt that began to reside near her heart. He sighed.

---

They had met Zelgadis for dinner as planned and returned to the ship that night. They’d be shipping out at dawn and begin the return trip to England. Somewhat depressed by this, Lina stayed in her room, desperately trying to figure out what to do. It was true that she could move to America, as she had threatened, but she didn’t really want to. It’s not like she had much in the way of money, not counting the inheritance she could only get if she married.

The perfect solution hit her an hour later, just as Gourry walked into the room. He had made sure to return early enough that she wouldn’t be feigning sleep, intending to finish their earlier conversation.

“I know what to do.” she said before he could speak.

“So tell me.” he said, sitting on the floor in front of her.

“We’ll get married as soon as we return to London,” she started. “And after I get my inheritance, you’ll divorce me.”

He sat dumbfounded for a moment, unused to his emotions changing so fast. One quick moment of joy when she’d agreed to marry him, followed only a second later by the hurt of the rest of her plan.

“A dihorse? What’s that?” he asked, raising as eyebrow.

“Oh, God.” she muttered. “It’s ‘divorce’. It’s a legal end of a marriage.”

“No.” he replied automatically.

“What do you mean, ‘no’?” she demanded. “It’s perfect.”

“It just... isn’t done.” he responded, trying to think clearly.

“I don’t care about the ton and neither do you.” she retorted, crossing her arms over her chest.

“If we got a... divorce, you’d never be able to find another husband.”

“Good.” she snapped, not understanding why he was still rejecting her plan.

“Would it make you happy if I agreed to this?” he asked a while later, finally looking her in the eyes.

“It would save me from Rothschild and give me a means to live on my own.” she answered carefully.

“I asked if it would make you happy.”

“Yes, it would.” she answered as she looked away.

“Fine. We’ll marry as soon as we return to London.” Gourry said quietly as he got to his feet.

“Thank you.” she replied as he left the room.

---

“Don’t you think you’ve had enough?” Zel asked with a smirk as Gourry took another swing of ale.

The blonde man considered the question for a moment before responding with a very slurred, “No.”

“Why don’t you just marry her and refuse to divorce her later?”

“‘Cause... that would be... not right. A gentleman would never... it’s wrong...”

“Well, then I guess you’ll have to do want she wants. After all, Lina always makes sure to get her own way.” the sober man responded, waving the bar tender away when he came to refill Gourry’s mug.

“Why should she always get her own way?” the blonde suddenly demanded. “What about me? What if I want to get my own way?”

“Then I’d say to do what you want.”

“I want her to be happy. She won’t be happy if I don’t divorce her.” he sighed, swallowing the last of what was in his cup. Zelgadis sighed.

“Not that you’ll remember this later, but here’s what it comes down to. What’s more important, her happiness or her safety?”

“I have to keep her safe. I promised.” Gourry said very sternly.

“Alright, then. Do you think she’ll be safe from Rothschild and her mother if you divorce her?”

“No.”

“Well I guess you have your answer.”

---

“What the hell?” Lina muttered as two people stumbled into her room.

“Help me get him into his hammock.” Zel ordered, struggling to pull Gourry into the room. She got out of bed and did as he instructed. After several minutes they managed to get the large blonde man into his hammock.

“What happened?” she demanded as she covered him with a blanket.

“He got very drunk and passed out half the way back here.”

“Why’d he do something that stupid?” she demanded, fighting the urge to kick the unconscious man.

“Don’t act dumb, Lina.” came the reply. “I’m going to bed.”

Before she could question him further, Zel had already left the room.

“You’re a moron.” she muttered to Gourry as she leaned over and wiped the sweat from his brow with a soft cloth.

“I’m going to make you happy, Lina.” he mumbled in his sleep. Having no idea what to say to that, she only sighed and pushed the hair out of his face.

“Good night.” she told him finally and returned to bed. Sleep was long in coming, but when it finally arrived, it dragged her down into her memories she'd tried her best to forget.

---

“Heaven’s, child! I’ve been looking for you. Your mother demands your presence in her parlor.” Mary said, startling the girl of thirteen. The young red-head looked up, a look of dread spreading across her features. She’d been in the garden for the better part of the day, hiding from her mother and her tutors alike.

“I didn’t even do anything bad today.” the girl said, getting to her feet. “I’d better get it over with.”

She took her time walking to her mother’s parlor, putting off the ‘getting it over with’ part as long as she could. The red-head was at her destination far too soon. She took a deep breath and entered the room.

“Your father is dead, Lina.” Leila said as soon as the girl had entered and didn’t even try to hide her smile. Everything is Lina’s world slammed to a grinding halt.

“What?” she whispered slowly, praying that she had somehow she had misheard, but in her heart she knew she hadn’t.

“Both your father and Lord Graywords were lost overboard in a storm near Ireland.”

Her frozen world shattered and she knew that nothing in her life would ever be the same again.

“But... how...?” she whispered, unable to find the words. She was too stunned even to cry, let alone form a sentence.

“It doesn’t matter.” the woman snapped. “Fortunately for you, your father has strict instructions in his will about me continuing to raise you.”

Lina nodded numbly and left the room and ran to the garden, the only place she was ever safe. She wasn’t sure how much timed passed. Suddenly the numbness began to fade and the thirteen-year-old began to sob.

---

She awoke in tears, fresh waves of grief for the loss of her father. Despite the years, his death had never grown any easier to bear. Mostly, she tried not to think of it. Glancing over at Gourry when the tears would not stop, she was thankful of his impaired state. She didn’t think she’d be able to handle him and the feelings he inspired in her tonight. Rolling so that her back was to him, she forced herself to stop crying.

---

She’d had a hard time getting back to sleep and had spent the rest of the night tossing and turning, wisps of her dream coming back to haunt her. It was late in the afternoon when she finally gave in to loneliness and went to the deck to find Gourry. The sky was overcast, the dark clouds looming above with a promise of rain.

“Gourry!” she yelled, crossing her arms over her chest, unnerved by the threat of the lingering clouds.

“Not so loud.” he replied, walking across the deck to her.

“It’s your own fault.” Lina snapped, ignoring the uneasiness spreading through her.

“What do you need?” he asked, ignoring her statement.

“I’m bored.” she answered as though it were obvious.

“Why don’t you read one of the books you made me buy yesterday?”

“I don’t want to.” she answered, refusing to admit that she desperately needed his company.

“Well then, what do you want to do?” he asked as he watched her carefully. Despite her attempts to hide it, he could she the sadness lurking inher eyes.

“We could play cards.” she offered with a forced smile.

“Zel said I was useless today, anyway.” Gourry sighed.

“Good.” she replied.

“Are you going to cheat?” he asked as they began to walk to their room.

“How could you ask me something like that! Of course I won’t cheat!” she protested, insulted.

“Zelgadis said you cheat.” Gourry answered with a shrug.

“Zel’s just a sore loser. Who are going to believe?” she said, giving him her best innocent look.

“Him.” the blonde man answered without hesitation and wasn’t surprised when her foot connected with his shin.

---

Five hands of poker later, Gourry scowled at her. She smiled innocently.

“Cheater.” he muttered under his breath.

“If you call me that one more time, I’m throwing you off the ship.” she threatened seriously. “It’s not my fault that you’re so bad at a simple game.”

He glared but said nothing. When he lost another hand, he thought seriously of sinking to her level, but then decided against it. At least winning was making her happy.

“Why did you get drunk last night?” she asked suddenly. Surprised, he looked up at her. She was still studying her cards.

“It seemed like a good idea at the time.” he answered simply. She wanted to press him for the truth, but had a feeling he wouldn’t crack, so she gave up for the moment.

“Well, it was stupid and it woke me up.” she muttered, discarding two cards and drawing two more.

“I’m sorry.” he replied and she nodded, still not used to being apologized to on a regular basis.

“Show me what you’ve got.” she said. Smiling, he laid his hand on the floor between them.

“A pair of kings and a pair of queens. Looks like my luck is changing.”

“Think again,” she replied with grin a she laid her cards down. “Royal flush.”

“You are such a cheat!” he protested loudly.

“What did I tell you would happen if you said that again?” she demanded, smacking him and then grabbing his arm and pulling him towards the door.

“There is no way I’m letting you throw me off this ship, little girl.” he said with a laugh and stood still. Scowling, she grabbed his other arm and pulled as hard as she could. The next thing she knew, the ship rocked violently causing both to lose their balance. Lina toppled over backwards, still clutching Gourry’s arms. He fell right on top of her, knocking the breath out of her small form.

“Are you ok?” he asked when he heard her gasp, rolling off of her and onto his side. She nodded, taking a shaky breath.

“The storm hit.” she managed. Gently, he slid an arm under her back and lifted her into a sitting position.

“I need to go help.” he told her. Her face paled.

“Don’t go.” she said very quietly. He took her face in his hands.

“I’ll be fine. I promise.” Gourry said, looking her in the eye.

“I’m going with you.” she decided, steadying her breathing. He gave her a smile, then leaned foreword and kissed her forehead.

“Stay here.” he said and got to his feet.

“Damn it, Gourry, I said-“ she started, scrambling to her feet. He was out the door before she get the rest of her sentence out. Fuming, she grabbed the handle and pulled. Nothing happened. The door was locked tight. Gods, was she going to kill him if the storm didn’t do it first.

---

After trying to pick the lock, kick down the door and several other resourceful ways to get out of the room, Lina gave up. Afraid that the lamp would topple over and cause a fire, she blew it out and sat on her bed, against the wall. She refused to huddle in fear because of anything, especially something like a stupid thunder storm. She would never admit to being afraid. So when the next clap of thunder came and the seventeen-year-old hugged her knees to her chest, she was glad no one was there to see.

---

That’s exactly how Gourry found her, hours later. Sitting on her bed in the dark.

“Lina-“ he began. She was on her feet in an instant and before he knew it, she was pounding her fists on his chest.

“What’s the matter with you!” she shouted, still hitting him. “You locked me away like-like you owned me or something!”

“Lina-“

”No one owns Lina Inverse!” She yelled, shoving him now.

“I’m sor-“ he started again, reaching for her arm.

“Don’t you dare!” she growled, swatting his hand away. “You could have been killed!”

Without missing a beat, he’d pulled her to him and wrapped his arms around her small, shaking body.

“I’m sorry, Lina.” he said softly.

“Let go of me, now.” she warned.

Slowly, he let her out of the embrace, but kept his hands on her arms, forcing her to look him in the eyes.

“I fine, I promise. Zel’s fine, too.” he said and didn’t let her go until she nodded.

“I’m going to check on Zel anyway. Get into dry clothes.” she said coldly and swept out of the room.

---

“Are you alright?” she asked quietly when he let her in.

“Why wouldn’t I be?” he demanded gruffly and continued to towel his hair dry.

“Don’t take that tone with me.” she snapped and picked up a toppled chair. Setting it right, she took a seat across from him.

“I’m fine.”

“I know we’re thinking about the same thing.” she said eventually.

He scowled at her.

“I’m fine, Lina, now go away.”

“Do you think about him often? Your father?” she asked, unfazed by his order for her to go.

“Of course I do.” he said, throwing the towel to the floor. “Every day. If he was still alive, my grandfather wouldn’t have disowned me.”

“You never told me why he did it.”

“It doesn’t matter. I mean it now, go away.” Zel grumbled, and looked away.

“Tell me.” Lina replied, crossing her arms over her chest.

“No.”

“Why not?”

“Because it doesn’t matter.” he said again.

“It does too!” she protested. “It changed your whole life, not to mention Amelia’s.”

“Leave her out of this.” he ordered, glaring at her.

“I will if you tell me.”

“I should have never let you come on this trip.” he sighed angrily.

“Do you know how many times Amelia has cried because you won’t-“

”Fine!” Zel shouted, cutting her off. “Rezo thinks that I hired hit men to kill our fathers’ but since he couldn’t prove it and have me arrested, he did the next best thing and disowned me.”

“Why would he think something that terrible?” Lina demanded, hands clenched in her lap.

“He investigated for weeks after the accident. He spent a lot of money. He learned someone had hired hit men, but he couldn’t find out who. So he assumed it was me.”

“Murdered? My father was murdered?” she said very softly. “All this time you’ve known... and you never told me.”

“What good would it have done if I’d told you, Lina? I’ve spent a considerable amount of money on my own, trying to find answers.”

“I don’t know what to say to you.” she said blankly as she got to her feet.

“I’m not sorry.” he said with another sigh. “Losing your father devastated you and knowing this isn’t going to make his death any easier to deal with.”

“Did you ever plan on telling me?” she asked.

“I would’ve told you if I ever find out who did it.” he offered as she crossed the room. Saying nothing else, she left the room.

She rushed to her room, forgetting about Gourry and her anger at him. Once inside, she shut the door and sunk to the floor in front of it, her whole world spinning. She felt like she was thirteen all over again. So lost in her grief, she didn’t even notice the tears that were coursing down her cheeks.

Upon her entrance, Gourry had began to apologize again, but fell silent as soon as he saw the heartbreak on her face. Unable to watch her be in so much pain, he sat on the floor in front of her and pulled her into his arms.

“Leave me alone.” she managed to say and pushed him away. “Just go away.”

“I would if that’s what you really wanted.” he replied and reached for her again.

“Don’t talk as if you know me.” she snapped, hating him for being right. Gently, he pulled her back into his embrace and kissed her on the forehead.

“It’ll be ok. I’m here for you, Lina.” he whispered. The red-head sighed knowing that she didn’t have the strength to pull away. Slowly, she wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face into his shoulder. He held her like that far into the night until finally, she fell asleep. As gently as he could, he laid her on the bed and pulled the covers to her chin. He frowned as he noticed that she was still crying, even in her sleep. Silently, as he wiped her cheeks once more, he knew that he loved her.

End of Chapter Five.

---

So it's finally here! Thanks for all the reveiws on the last chapter and thanks in advance for all the reviews for this chapter. (hint hint).

-Ahria