Early morning rays of sunlight hit Filia's eyes, forcing her to roll over and try to shut them out. She was vaguely aware that her mouth was dry and cottony, probably the after effects of all her sweating over the past few days. She fought the urge to drink a gallon of water and stretched, hoping her body wasn't too terribly dehydrated. She settled back in, not opening her eyes, and was fully prepared to doze back off for a little while.

"So the little minx finally wakes up," she heard a soft voice chide from the other side of her bed, "Of course, I expected you to sleep longer, what with all the effort you expended last night..." She felt a cool arm wrap around her stomach from behind before she felt a cool body press against her back. Filia's eyes snapped open as she recalled everything that had happened last night. Her face suddenly turned hot as fire as blush spread across her cheeks.

"We... we...", she stammered, her thoughts having returned to normal, "We mated..." She thought she would cry for a second before she felt him kiss her neck.

"That's right," he chimed, smirking as he kissed her neck gently, "As I recall, you were rather eager to do so, too..." He was beginning to become quite amused with her conflicting emotions. On the surface, she seemed upset, mostly at herself because she knew what he said was true. But deep down, she really had enjoyed everything. It was quite a satisfying combination of emotions for him.

"And you... you stayed the night," Filia said softly, surprising him. He wasn't expecting her to say something like that. An accusation, or even crying he might have expected. But the tone of her voice suggested wonder and even... happiness?

"Ehh, yes," he said slowly, "I couldn't miss this opportunity to tease you. It's too perfect! And of course I couldn't pass up seeing you undressed one more time... I mean, as soon as you get up, I don't doubt you'll beat me with your mace..." His kisses traced down her neck and onto her shoulders, where he began giving her love bites. It satisfied him to put little round bruises on her perfect skin like that, marking her in some manner as belonging to him.

"No, I won't beat you with my mace," she said softly, relaxing against him, "I'm not angry at you. You... saved my life..." He stopped, seemingly considering her words.

"Why, yes," he responded after some careful deliberation, "I suppose I did." Filia sighed softly, wrapping her arm around the arm he'd slung around her waist.

"Your mistress will be angry with you," she yawned, "Mating with dragons and getting taken advantage of by them and all." He chuckled, returning to lightly nipping at her shoulders.

"I doubt it," he replied, "Although she might be curious as to why I didn't report in last night. I'd say you'll be in worse trouble with your elders. Mating with Mazoku... getting taken advantage of..." Filia gasped as his hand ran up to her chest, gently squeezing her. She got some of that warm feeling back and thought for a second that perhaps the heat had come back. No, this was different. Was this what being turned on was normally like?

"You mean to say," she asked, stunned, "That you just took advantage of my situation?" Xellos chuckled from behind her.

"Of course!", he said playfully, "Who would pass up that kind of chance?" Filia thought about being angry for a moment, but then realized that she had done exactly the same thing. She smiled, liking what his touch was doing to her.

"What if you had that chance again?", she asked suggestively, taking his hand and leading it down over her stomach and lower. She felt the nips again, shuddering at their sweetness.

"I still wouldn't pass it up," he replied, a dangerous, playful edge to his voice.

Filia poked her head into the dining room of the inn, looking for Lina and the others. Ah, there they were, still eating, even though it was already after ten. She smiled, tugging on her overly large pyjamas as she walked over to their table. She'd chosen a pair of pyjamas that were at least twice as big as her in the hopes of hiding her subtle new 'endowments' from the rest of the group. Quietly, she pulled a chair up to the table and took a plate, skillfully avoiding Lina and Gourry's forks as she shoveled food onto her plate. They didn't notice her return, but Amelia, and then Zelgadis, did.

"Miss Filia," Amelia said, smiling, "You came out of your room! And you're eating!" Filia looked up, then smiled shyly, blushing.

"Oh, yes!", Filia replied, "I feel much better this morning! My fever's gone away now, so I feel like eating. I'm so hungry! I've not had anything to eat in at least three days!" She began eating happily, noticing the relieved look on Amelia's face.

"So... You're not mad at me anymore?", Amelia asked sheepishly, watching Filia sit up straight and blink at her.

"What?", Filia asked, taking a drink of some orange juice, "Oh, no! Of course not! I just stayed in my room because I was sick, that's all." She blushed, totally unused to lying. Then again, she'd been doing a lot of things she was unused to lately. But it really wasn't a lie, was it? She had been unwell. That reminded her. She turned to Zelgadis, who was drinking his coffee. "And Zelgadis," she said shyly, "I'd like to apologize for the other day... I really had no idea what I was doing. I think it may have been my fever. Please forgive me?" He lowered his cup of coffee and nodded his assent.

Suddenly, Xellos appeared in a chair across the table from Filia. She noticed, but few other people at the table did. He quietly drank a cup of tea, acting as nonchalant as possible. He smirked, bringing the cup down from his lips.

"So, the prodigal dragon returns," he taunted, "Here I was hoping you would've left us in peace." Amelia turned on him, brandishing a fork with a bit of egg on it.

"Mister Xellos!", she exclaimed, "Leave Miss Filia alone! She's been sick and doesn't need your picking on her!" Filia smirked across the table at him before continuing her breakfast. It struck her then that he was a very convincing actor. At least she knew he wouldn't share her secret with anyone.

'Oh, Miss Filia?', she suddenly heard a familiar voice calling in her head, almost making her choke on her bacon, 'You know, if you're still not feeling well, I can play doctor for you later...' She took a swig of her orange juice to wash down the errant bacon and began to blush.

'Xellos!', she sent back, 'You pervert!' She thought for another few seconds, taking another bite of her bacon. 'Well,' she sent back thoughtfully, 'I suppose...' She watched him smirk again, taking another sip of tea.

'It's a date, then,' he responded, watching her eat and try to pretend as if nothing had happened.

"Miss Filia?", Amelia asked suddenly, causing Filia to look up nervously and smile.

"What is it, Miss Amelia?", Filia responded, picking up a piece of toast.

"Pardon my asking," Amelia said politely, "It might just be part of your fever, but... what are those bruises all over the side of your neck?"