Caught in the Tub

Author's note: It's my 'no sex' chapter, where I change the plot around a bit. Hurrah!


Morning came and Zelos awoke to the sound of his front door slamming shut. Cursing Lloyd and his little minions, he opened his eyes and gave his room a quick once over. On the table was a candle, burnt to the bottom as he hadn't blown it out last night. The window was ajar, letting in the sounds of another bustling Meltokio morning. On his chest were his covers, sticking a little bit. On his left shoulder he found the face of a beautiful, sleeping woman.

Zelos almost jumped. It had been awhile since he last woke up beside another person. After the initial shock, a feeling of general awe took over. She was still here, a strand of his hair being held tightly by one hand as she slept peacefully on his shoulder. He didn't want to move for fear that it would all end.

Several minutes later the two were still laying there, her warm breath blowing lightly over his chest, and his heart pounding more fiercely every time she exhaled. It was all he could do not to scream praises to a goddess he no longer believed in.

Restraining himself from moving was hard. He wanted so bad to hug her and kiss her. He also really needed to pee. As he lay in bed weighing the various options presented to him, he became aware of the noises in the hall.

Someone sounded upset. A few someones, actually. Deciding that laying in bed was no longer one of his available options, the chosen arose and, pulling on his night pants and a robe, went to his door, opening it and stepping out into the hall. He knew Sheena would have woken up at his movement, but he figured he could at least close the door quickly and quietly, in case she wanted to sleep a little longer.

In the hall Colette and Raine were talking excitedly, attempting now to keep their voices down. Seeing Zelos they turned and came closer to him.

"Zelos, have you seen Sheena? We woke up and she wasn't in the room! She didn't leave a note or anything!" Colette's eyes were wide with worry. Raine, too, looked very bothered by the predicament.

Thinking upon it, Zelos realized that telling them the truth would only win him enemies, either because they'd think he wasn't taking the problem seriously, or because they'd believe him and Sheena would end up hating him. So he quickly thought up a nice little lie that he knew they'd fall for.

"Ah, she didn't tell you? Every now and then Mizuho has their people report back to them in, um, secret places. I caught her sneaking out last night and asked her about it, and she said she had to report to that, uh, Orochi guy. Nothing serious. She's actually done this before but got back before anyone noticed. Anyway, she'll probably be here a little later so I wouldn't worry about it." He flashed them a devilish grin, hoping that his story was believable.

"How exactly did you catch her leaving so many times?" asked Raine, suspicion heavy on her voice.

"Ah, well, you know, I keep tabs on all my hunnies!" He hoped that they'd buy that, or at least be frustrated enough with him to just leave it alone.

The latter came true. Raine rolled her eyes, and Colette, still looking worried and confused, turned to her professor for more information.

"Do you think she'll be back soon?"

"Yes, Colette, if what Zelos says is true I would assume she'd be back by lunch time. We can continue to worry about her if she hasn't shown up by then." Raine was pretty good at bullshitting information, Zelos noticed. He'd never given any time limit.

The two girls walked down the stairs together and left through the front door, all the while talking about where to find Lloyd, who'd been up looking for the summoner.

Zelos let out a long wind of air when they were gone, and went to check out the guest room they'd stayed in. It was empty now, and mostly put back together. Zelos began searching for the remainder of Sheena's clothes. He was going to have to go back to the room and have a talk with her. He could at least bring a peace offering.

Finding her pants, boots and undershirt squished under the bed, he gathered them up and headed back to his room. Opening the door he found his love sitting up in bed, holding the covers around her body, a look of intense perplexion on her pretty face.

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Sheena had actually woken up in the very early hours, when the sun was just beginning to rise. There was a slight chill in the room that woke her, sending shivers down her lithe frame. She cuddled up into the source of warmth, pulling the covers up over herself and burying her head further into Zelos, trying desperately to warm up her cold nose.

Then it hit her.

Sheena felt a jolt rack her as she realized who she was lying next to. Next she realized that she wasn't wearing any clothes. Then she remembered the night before. Fear gripped her, fear of being found out by the others, but also a fear that he might turn out to be the sort of person she'd originally thought him to be and reject her. As she had actually enjoyed the night's activities, this thought became the more prominent fear. She did her best not to move, knowing that waking him while she was in this moment of shock could only lead to disaster.

Keeping her head on his shoulder, Sheena tried to calm herself. It wasn't so bad, really. He was so warm, and he was holding her so tenderly. As the fear began to subside, her mind flashed back to the evening's events. He had resisted entering her even though she knew it was driving him crazy. The thought made her smile, not because she enjoyed teasing him, but because in a way it proved that she could indeed trust him. In his most vulnerable moments he'd stuck to his promise instead of going with what would please him most.

Sheena pondered her happiness over his new trustworthiness, and the more she thought on it, the more she came to the conclusion that she had actual feelings for him. She hadn't really wanted to have feelings for him, and she wasn't totally certain what these feelings were exactly, but she knew now that she had them.

She let out a small sigh and decided that she should probably try to go back to sleep. She knew full well that she could probably sneak out of the room and back into hers without waking anyone, and that this might even be the best choice. But he was just so warm, and the sweet look on his face as he slept forced her to give up any thought of running out on him. No, she would stay, and she'd deal with the consequences. She was still flying by the seat of her pants here, but for the first time in her life she didn't mind the mystery to her future.

Carefully reaching up and grabbing a strand of thick, red hair, Sheena closed her eyes. She softly stroked the hair as she drifted back to sleep. It didn't take long before she was in a deep slumber.

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It was a good while later when Sheena awoke with a start. She didn't really know how long she'd been in bed, or even which bed it was. She had been deep in sleep, dreaming about some faraway land with green grass and a bright sun and flowers and trees, with everyone happy and smiling, and even Corinne was there. It had been such a happy dream that she at first wanted to destroy whatever it was that woke her up.

Groggily attempting to open her eyes, Sheena realized yet again that she was in Zelos' room. This didn't surprise her as much as the first time she woke up, but it was still a light shock. She was able to catch on that Zelos was moving quickly about the room, and then that the door opened and closed, and for those brief moments the door was open she heard worried voices in yhe hall.

Sitting up and rubbing her eyes, she looked out the window and attempted to gauge the time. It was probably around 9, she figured, and more than likely her roomates were worried about her. That would be what caused the worried voices. Quickly her mind put together the fact that Zelos, her lover of the evening, was currently speaking with the worried voices about her. Preparing for the worst, Sheena wrapped the covers around her naked body, making certain that nothing inappropriate was exposed. She leaned back against the headboard, more than half expecting Zelos to open the door wide and show the group, with so much pride, that he'd finally bagged his voluptuous honey.

After a moment, when the voices faded, she realized this wasn't the case. Again, Zelos surprised her with his humanity. She sat up off the headboard and stared ahead at the wall, a new feeling taking hold. It wasn't the same as the happy realization she'd had earlier. No, this time the feeling was much lighter, much more exciting. Sheena was deep in thought, ruminating over the origins of this new, wonderful feeling, when the door opened. She only realized a moment later, when her lost clothes were carefully put at her side, that she was once again not alone.

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Zelos watched his dream woman intently as she came back to reality and reached over to touch her clothes, looking around to make sure they were all there. He helped her by grabbing her obi and bringing it over as well, before looking for the robe.

"I half expected you to show me to them," she started, figuring honestly truly was the best policy. Or at least, it made life a hell of a lot easier.

Zelos looked taken aback. Sheena instantly regretted saying it. He looked almost like she'd hit him. She should know. She hit him a lot.

"I'm glad, though," she said, more carefully this time. "I'm glad that you proved me wrong."

She smiled up at him, that sweet endearing smile that melted his heart. His face lost any hint of sorrow as he came closer, sitting on the bed. She expected to be kissed, or to be jumped, or, well, something physical. She was surprised yet again.

"Well, I'm glad I exceed your expectations, m'lady," he said. "For the record, you were giving some random harmless report to Orochi last night that took a long time. I caught you on the way out and you told me where you were going. I've also caught you a few times in the past."

Sheena was impressed; she hadn't realized how quickly he could come up with a believable lie.

"When am I expected back?" She was hoping he'd say something to the effect of 'whenever.'

"Eh, Raine decided on lunch time." He had stood up and gone to the mirror, now so intent on brushing out his hair that he didn't realize the small pout appear on Sheena's lip. She watched him for a moment, tempted at first to get up and wrap her arms around him, then tempted to throw the covers off and beckon him over. Oddly enough, she wasn't tempted to put her clothes on and leave. Not in the least.

"Zelos..." she began, not certain how 'the talk' should go but figuring that it should begin anyway. "We really need to... um... talk about... all this..."

He put down his brush and came to sit on the foot of the bed, his head laying back against the post and his legs outstretched so that his feet were up against Sheena's left thigh. He attempted at first to appear nonchalant, but that faded fast at the look on her face. Now was not the time for show, he thought, and decided that he should speak first.

"Sheena, look, I know so far all we've done is, well, get each other off. I mean, yeah, it's been all about the sex. But it hasn't been. For me. I mean, it... I..." A light blush suddenly came over his face and he looked down at his feet, as if they would tell him the right words to say.

Sheena waited patiently for him to continue, suddenly more interested in what was going to come out of his mouth than she'd ever thought possible.

"Okay, here goes," he started with a quick inhale and long exhale. "I've wanted you for a long time. At first it was just sexually, but now... now it's everything else. You're intelligent and beautiful and strong and mysterious, and there's something about you that just drives me insane. I love being around you and seeing you smile and making you happy and I just... I want to be with you."

Sheena stared at him in shock for a moment. He continued to look at his feet, actually afraid to look up for a good while. The thought of her rejecting him was nauseating the redhead.

After several very tense seconds of total silence, Sheena let out a little laugh. Zelos, again, looked taken aback, but she remedied this very fast by leaning herself forward to plant a small kiss on his mouth. She pulled back to look at him, her face mostly serious again, as his melted into a big grin.

"You're serious? Cuz if you aren't..." She held up a tight fist. Grabbing her fist and using it her pull her towards him, he stole another kiss.

"Yeah, I'm serious. It's all about you, okay? Not the hunnies, not anyone else. Just you."

"Can I hold you to that?"

"Have I ever lied to you."

"Um, yeah, the Cruxis thing..."

"Oh yeah. So you know, I really only considered that to be lying to Lloyd. But yes, you can hold me to that."

The two held each other for a minute, for once peaceful in where they stood. Unfortunately, they were quite uncomfortable in where they sat. The bedpost wasn't exactly supporting Zelos' back, and with the extra weight of Sheena on him, it was actually quite painful. And he still really needed to pee.

"Sheena? I hate to break off during this happy moment, but if I don't head to the bathroom soon..."

"Go," she instructed, sitting up and watching him run off in a hurry. She got up and grabbed his brush, pulling her hair out of its ribbon and beginning to brush it. She was just getting out the last tangle when the owner of the house came barging back into the room, a bright smile spread across his face.

"Eureka! I know how we can do this!" He cried out while closing the door behind him. No one was home but them and Sebastian, but just in case...

"Oh? How?" She hadn't actually thought through the logistics of a relationship herself. What would the others think? And her Mizuho comrades? Would she tell them exactly how they got together?

"Look, everyone will be reeeally shocked if we suddenly spring it on them that we're together, right?" He said, smile still plastered on his face.

Sheena knew this look. It was the 'I'm so smart, I came up with a plan!' look. She put the brush down and gave him her full attention.

"Okay, so, in order to prevent this 'sudden getting together,' I'm going to court you!" He smiled even wider, waiting for her to agree to his wondrous idea.

"Court me? Isn't it a little late..." She knew the steps to courting, and they were a tad past your typical first date stage.

"No, no, hear me out. I'll ask you out tonight, to that stupid play I've already seen, and we'll go and have fun and suddenly we'll be together, in the sense of two people suddenly being interested in each other. Then, we'll continue like that. We get to do the whole date thing, and on the side, we do the whole sex thing. What everyone sees is us slowly getting together in the 'normal' way, and while that's happening we can still meet up for, you know, fun time!" His grin grew even bigger at the last few words.

Sheena let out a laugh. His plan was both so very simple and so very believable. She doubted for a moment that everyone in the group would be duped if they tried to play a chaste couple, but that really wouldn't have to last for long. And besides, she'd get to know Zelos as a real person other than just as a lover.

"Alright, it's settled then. I'm gonna go wash up, okay? If you see anyone tell them that I got back. I guess later on we can just say that you asked me out now." She picked up the brush again to finish coming out her hair before she rushed off.

"Nope," Zelos stated, smile still plastered on his face. Noting the surprised look in her eyes, he decided to elaborate.

"I'll ask you out later. Like a gentleman. I'll pick up the tickets and pull you aside at lunch, and you'll maybe say no at first, but I'll convince you it'll be fun." He smiled in reverie, thinking of the times yet to come. Sheena's heart swelled at his words, and at the look of utter joy on his features.

"Oh, and Sheena?"

"Mmm?" She asked, still gazing at him through loving eyes.

"I call the bathroom first!" He was up and almost to the door before she realized what he said. As soon as it it her, lightning fast reflexes went into action and she jumped him, able to slam the door shut before he could get out.

"Na-uh! I called it first!"

"But my chest is sticky! And it's all your fault!"

"Dammit, Zelos! I'm sticky too! And I gotta get washed up before everyone comes back!"

"But my hair is all dirty!"

"*Sigh*, look, can't we just wash up together?" She gave him her best impression of 'bedroom eyes,' watching him melt.

"Well, I... suppose..." he was able to stammer out.

As the two came in for one more kiss, the sound of the door slamming downstairs was heard yet again.

"Damn," the lovers said in unison.

"Well, they'll see you go out into the hall. I'll go downstairs first to tell them you're here and you can sneak to the bathroom." He smiled at her, adjusting himself to meet his guests.

"Zelos? How long until we don't have to hide it?" Her voice was almost pleading. She noted to herself that this was a complete turn around from 12 hours ago, but pushed that thought to the back of her mind. She was a hell of a lot happier than she had been 12 hours ago.

"Well, uh, normally relationships go on for months before anything physical happens, but ours could be sped up a bit do to all the, um, stress we have to deal with." He looked to be figuring out a very difficult mathematics problem, his face contorting in thought as he took several factors into account all at once. "I think if we get steadily closer and closer, it would be believable that we'd be together physically in about two weeks."

Sheena nodded. Two weeks. She could do that. All she had to do was hide it for two weeks and then they could be together openly. Part of her still wondered at the thought that they couldn't just announce themselves to be a couple right then, but again, she pushed her thoughts down. It would be more fun this way, anyway. There would be dates and flowers and lots of fun, just like a real relationship. It would give her time to sort out these feelings she had for him, and to make sure the feelings he seemed to have for her were as genuine as she desperately wanted them to be

Zelos slipped out of the room, leaving the door cracked so she could hear what was going on outside. As soon as Sheena heard him greet everyone and lead them to the sitting room, she left his room, making sure to take all of her clothing with her.

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It was a good twenty minutes later when Sheena finally appeared, fully dressed and put together, explaining in non explicit terms where she'd been and how sorry she was that they were worried. As usual, everyone bought the story. As she was speaking, Zelos quietly left to go clean up. She missed his presence but was a bit glad he wasn't there. It kept her from blushing too much. Soon the group dispersed again, only to meet up a couple hours later for lunch.

Sheena, who'd been dragged along with Colette and Lloyd to a weapons shop during their free time, kept an eye out for Zelos. He hadn't shown up at the beginning of lunch, and with everyone eating as fast as they normally did, 'lunch time' was almost over. The summoner felt her heart grow heavy as. She was beginning to doubt he would show.

Before she could be faced witht the predicament of tears or insane rage, Sheena decided to leave the table, pushing her chair back and mumbling something about needing to write up another report. As she stood up, though, she heart a familiar voice.

"Well, where do you think you're going, my beautiful, Mizuho hunny." Zelos stood in the door, two tickets in one hand and a large bouquet of flowers in the other.


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Author's other note: I updated again! Well, I decided to change the plot a little bit and try to continue on with it like this. I'm going to try to have fun scenes in all of the chapters from here on out. This was originally supposed to be a pwp, but hey, I like this couple and I really wanted to see them together. So they're together now, only not totally in an official sense, but in sort of a "we'll see where this goes but I really hope it goes well!" kind of sense. Sheena's probably going to end up second guessing herself, and Zelos might try a bit too hard, but we'll see. I'd like to make this at least semi-believable, which can be a bit hard in something originally only written to be a pwp smut.

Thank you all so much for your reviews! They're pretty encouraging. Good to know my English degree counts for something. :)