[Author's Note: Well, I must say it's about damn time!!! Yeesh. Lately, writing has been the last thing I've been able to do, and that REALLY sucks because I love to do it so much. I have so many other stories I have to finish, so this one is going to be a long time in the writing, but it's here for your enjoyment. I know for a fact, I'm going to enjoy writing it. ^_^ This is the 2nd part to my Slayers Trilogy. This is Lina and Gourry's story. It's how these two people finally get around to getting officially together. Just so you know, I'm going to take a rumor from an acquaintance (he said something about something that happened to Lina in the manga that you never see in the series or movies) and blow it up and make it an integral part of this story. NOTE: This is a RUMOR. I have no idea if it's real or not, or if it was someone's idea or what. All I know is that he told me that it was true and I believed him. So…if any of you know the manga and know what I'm talking about through the course of the story let me know. I'd like more information if, or if not, the rumor he told me is true or not. ANYHOO…In the Xellos and Filia story I mentioned that there would be songs from "Slayers Try Treasury Vox", the Slayers Sing Along CD, and in that one Filia's song was the only one that came up. Well, just wait and see who is the poor sucker who gets to sing in THIS story. There'll be cameos from the movies in this story, as well as just general mayhem. Some of Gourry's family has been readjusted since their first appearance in my "Slayers Finally!" story. I don't own Slayers but I sure have fun writing about them (my disclaimer). One story down, two more to go! Woot! Here's the story of how the blossoming love of Lina and Gourry grows into an unbreakable bond of love, trust and understanding. (Yeah, yeah, I'm a romance novelist at heart, so sue me!) Enjoy the story! JAN!]

Lina and Gourry:

Love Conspiracies

Prologue: The Truth?! What Gods Have Got to Say!

Luna Inverse sighed as she entered the bathroom, closing the door tightly behind her. She leaned back against the door and locked it securely with a bit of magic. The door really had no other kind of lock other than the one she cast. And the last thing she wanted was someone interrupting her bathroom break.

She scratched the back of her head and yawned as she went to the mirror. She ran her hands through her puce-colored hair, and rubbed the red eyes staring back at her. She shrugged off her tired expression and went to do her business. Thank goodness they kept this bathroom clean.

Luna yawned again as she flushed and walked out of the stall stretching. She rolled her shoulders and approached the mirror again and fixed her uniform. She sighed at her semi-sluggish appearance. Maybe it was time she took a vacation. Waitressing was great money, she looked down at her large breasts, and the tips were a fantastic bonus, she looked at her exhausted expression and gave her reflection a crooked smile. But maybe she was working herself too hard. She hadn't taken a real vacation in years. She hadn't really cut loose and just had fun in so long. She needed to let out some stress.

Or so the boss had said.

Luna agreed slightly. If she was already blowing up customers just because they looked at her breasts the wrong way, then she really did need a vacation. Her cleavage was her livelihood. It's what brought in most of the local customers anyway…

"Luna Inverse…"

Luna looked around, startled, for moment before recognizing the echoing deep voice. She looked back at the mirror before her with narrowed eyes. "Cripes, you scared the bloomers off of me. How many times have I told you NEVER to contact me while I'm in the bathroom? A lady can't even have privacy from her own GOD nowadays."

The flaming red mirror only made a slight noise that sounded suspiciously like a cough. Luna sighed and shook her head. "Fine. What is it? And it better be good, if not, I'm not going to forgive you for contacting me in the ladies' room."

"It is time…"

Luna blinked. "Time? Time for what?"

"Tell Lina Inverse the TRUTH…"

"Truth? What truth…" Luna blinked for a moment, trying to figure out what the heck Seifiede was talking about. Suddenly, it hit her. "No! You can't mean that, do you?"

"It is time…"

"So you said, but this is too much. I can't tell Lina about that. It'll destroy her! Why should I tell her that? There's no need! …Or is there?"

"Go to her. Tell her. Obey, my knight…"

"That's all great and dandy and everything, but you still haven't given me a straight answer. Why do I have to tell her? You can't do this to her, not now, not after everything she's endured!"

"Go…"

A brilliant flash of light filled the bathroom and blinded Luna for a second. She brought up her arm to protect her eyes. The light slowly faded and Luna stared at her reflection, her jaw set with indecision. She didn't want to hurt her little sister that way. She liked to torment Lina…okay she liked to torment her a lot, but would never seriously hurt her. And this would hurt her, and in a way Luna wouldn't be able to fix… But she couldn't disobey either… Damn. Luna crossed her arms and grunted in frustration. How was she going to get out of this? Luna could find no way out of this mess even though she was racking her mind for an answer. DAMMIT! She had to do something! She turned around and blew up the stall. She was muttering curses as the dust settled around her. Blowing up something had not made her feel as good as she had hoped. She let out a profane curse and ran her hands through her hair. She knew right now she looked like a mess, but didn't rightly care. Her day had gone from bad to worse. She unlocked the door and stomped out of the bathroom.

She found her boss right outside, wide-eyed in shock. He probably saw the destruction she had left behind as the bathroom door swung shut. She scowled at him. "Boss, I'll be taking that vacation after all."