The One Thing

Walking into the quaint magic shop, Zelgadis lazily turned around and locked the door behind him, switching the sign by the door from 'Open' to 'Closed' like he did every day. Zelgadis was married now, had been for several years in fact. He had a nice home and decent work as the librarian and researcher in a large town outside of Atlas City.

There were some days, like today, that made it difficult to come home and leave the weight of the world at the door. Lina was everything he wished for and he loved her dearly, but he felt remorse when he had to listen to his co-workers brag about their children.

Yes, children.

This was part of the reason that he couldn't help wondering if Lina was content with this life. She owned a magic shop and ran it well, but there was one thing he couldn't give her and on days like today it made him bitter.

"I closed the shop," Zelgadis called as he made his way past the trinkets to the back of the shop where their home was located. When Zelgadis entered the kitchen and common's area he found Lina staring out the window with her hands absentmindedly stirring something in a pot. She hadn't heard him come in. This wasn't the first time Zelgadis found her like this.

Slowly walking behind her Zelgadis rested his head against her shoulder and kissed her ear gently as he wrapped his arms around her slim waist.

She easily leaned back into him with a small smile on her lips. Even still she continued to watch the neighborhood children play.

Again that bitter weight pulled at his chest like an anchor.

The one thing he couldn't give her, Zelgadis breathed a soft sigh that no doubt tickled his wife's ear. He couldn't have sex with Lina without hurting her terribly and even then he was infertile. Yet he knew Lina wanted a family. In fact he wanted a family, always wishing to have a child to call his own.

Was there any way to give them both what they wanted?

"Lina? Do you want to have a family?" Zelgadis asked.

"Yes," Lina answered in a whisper.

Zelgadis frowned.

Realizing what she just said, Lina turned and scowled at her husband. "I mean . . . its fine. I don't need to have children to be happy." When Zelgadis didn't perk up she rolled her eyes. "We've been through this Zel, don't become a member of Gloomsville again," she kissed him on the nose successfully waking him from his misery. "Not after I went through all the trouble to get ya' out."

"What if we adopted instead?" Zelgadis asked with the hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his lip.

Lina's eyes went wide; obviously the thought had never crossed her mind before or at least not recently.

"We don't have to; it's not as if the children would have your gorgeous looks but . . ."

Quickly covering Zelgadis's lips with her hand Lina smiled.

"Actually, I think it's a wonderful idea."

The frown and weight clutching his chest swiftly lifted and Zelgadis found that all his worries really meant nothing when compared to this new hope beginning to bloom. For the remainder of the evening the two discussed plans and began to dream, wondering why they hadn't considered the idea sooner.

Several years later the Greyword's home had several children with more on the way no doubt.

Author's Note: This story shares some similar ideas to "Catching my Own" only this time it's an L/Z story. I'm a switch hitter when it comes to shipping Slayers characters, but no matter the couple I favor adoption, as some of you already know.