Standing at Felix''s gates was Xena-an utterly unexpected sight that exined his shocked expression. Despite their phone conversation, where she had threatened to block him again, she was there in the middle of the night. Could there be hope for reconciliation?


    With his heart racing, Felix rushed to open the gates. "Xena, what brings you here?"


    "Can''t I visit? How mean!" She pouted, giving him a reproachful look.


    After a moment''s hesitation, Felix followed her inside, then broke into a wry smile. "Delh, can we stop ying these games?"


    The woman about to sit on the couch looked puzzled. "What do you mean? Who''s Delh?"


    you don''t


    Felix shook his head. "Drop the act. Xena would never act cute with me right now-you know her at all. You almost had me fooled, though."


    He gestured toward her chest and added, "Plus, you''re a bit more... ample there than she is." Looking down at herself, "Xena"ughed. "Oh? You seem to remember my features quite well. Did you measure me while I was sleeping?" As she spoke, her right hand swept across her face, instantly revealing Delh''s true appearance-only her clothes remained different.


    "Come on! I''d never do anything that creepy," Felix protested.


    Examining the Shadow Mask, Delh tossed it to Felix. "This thing is truly incredible. While it can''t alter body shape, it can change appearances and mask any trace of martial arts abilities. It mighte in handy someday."


    She smirked as she continued, "By the way, N wanted me to tell you that except for her true face and most intimate areas, everything else you saw was genuine."


    Felix''s face darkened. "What''s that supposed to mean? Is she suggesting I owe her something? She came to me for treatment. I didn''t have any ulterior motives."


    Delh gave him a teasing look. "That''s not very gentlemanly of you. A woman''s body is sacred-the fact that she lets you see hers proves her sincerity. But hey, it''s your decision to make."


    Felix caught himself remembering treating "Queenie"-her perfect figure, her porcin skin...


    He quickly stopped that train of thought. This was N, after all. He could not let himself get drawn in.


    The next morning, Billy arrived at Felix''s house. "Felix, if you really cared, you''d treat me to a


    fancy dinner instead of just breakfast."


    His eyes widened as he saw the spread. "Seriously? You couldn''t even cook breakfast yourself? Just store-bought coffee, buns, and bagels? This is totally half-assed!"


    Felix sat down calmly. "I promised you could have a meal with Dreamscape, and I''ll keep that promise."


    Right on cue, Delh walked out wearing her mask, leaving Billy starstruck. He eximed, Oh, my god! It really is Dreamscape!"


    11


    Once they were all seated, the chubby man looked dejected. "She''s my idol, and we''re just having breakfast?"