"Erza, can I talk to you?"

"Of course, Master."

He beckoned, and she followed him to the back staircase and up to the S-Class floor. With so few S-Class mages, the second floor usually was empty, and in fact was empty now. The Master sat on a table, folding in arms in his usual way.

"You seem distracted lately."

Erza chuckled wryly, then sighed. Staring nervously at the floor between her toes, she searched for the words.

"I understand if you can't say it, brat."

"Thank you, Master. The thing is, there is someone who I have feelings for, and I can't tell him because it will ruin our relationship even more. At the same time, I can't help but wonder if the feelings he seems to have towards me are real or not."

"I'm going to tell you to just follow your heart. That's all I can say on these types of things. After all, everyone is different."

"Of course. Thank you, Master."

"Hmm. Now go on a mission. We need to pay for what those two troublemakers have gone and done again."

"Aye."

Erza laughed softly, picturing Natsu running through a town screaming for everyone to come and fight him, or Gray trying to freeze Natsu into an ice cube. Her amusement quickly faded into irritation when she soon realized the consequences this would have on the guild.

"I have to whip them up when they return." She muttered.

"Erza, are you okay? You look a bit, um, what's the word? Oh, right. Annoyed."

"In fact, Lucy, I am. Natsu and Gray have done it again. They've destroyed a town and called upon us to pay for it."

"I know. I was there." The blonde mage seemed to shrink.

"I guess you got it worse, then."

"Yes, I got it head on."

Lucy grimaced, but walked over to the job board anyways.

"Erza, have you seen any good job offers lately? They all seem to be too danger-inviting for our team..." She trailed off, expecting that Erza would understand.

"I know what you mean. Fortunately, I have one that shouldn't be too much trouble, although we can never tell."

"Okay, let's go then!"

The two ladies visited Mirajane to check in, then set off on the journey to the nearby town of Clover on the train. They settled in their seats, waiting for the engineer to start their ride. Erza remained lost in her thoughts, and Lucy left her to it, brainstorming ideas for her novel.

Jellal came filtering back into her thoughts again. She tried not to think about him, but the more she tried, the less she could avoid him. There was one thing he had said that didn't sit quite right with her. He had told her he only needed forgiveness one last time. So did that mean he was going to...? That was too depressing to think about, so she directed her thoughts elsewhere. Maybe things weren't as morbid as they seemed, but when dealing with Jellal, she could never be sure.

"Follow my heart, eh Master?" She whispered to herself.

Jellal, still sitting on the tree long after Erza had left, folded his hands, deep in thought. What he was planning would put her out of danger from being involved with him, yet at the same time, misgivings were racing through his mind every minute. He knew that he would be keeping out of harm's way, but she would be devastated. Or would she? It was hard to tell with a woman like her.

"Jellal, don't be too hard on yourself yet." Ultear whispered.

"I know. I can't help it though."

"Well, if it helps any, I think she respects our decisions enough to see the logic in it."

"Thanks Meredy."

You don't have any idea. He thought.

And it was true. They didn't even know what he was planning, and they were offering advice to him. All the same, he apreciated the sensitivity they were showing. It seemed that having two female partners would be beneficial in these matters.

"Personally, I wouldn't tink too much over these matters." Ultear gave him a half-smile.

"We need you to help us still, Jellal."

"I know. Sorry."

Putting all thoughts of his red-haired angel out of his mind, he stood, brushing off his cloak, and strode resolutely out of the woods, leaving his partners to follow him.

"That's the Jellal I know."

As he walked, he focused on their next plan of action. After this last mission, it would be time for him to put his final devices into place. At the moment, his mission involved the wipeout of a minor Dark guild called Coyote Fang. Obselete and unknown besides to the villagers around that area, they had caused minor amounts of irritation in the far corners of the kingdom; not enough to make a fuss, but enough to drive people mad.

"According to my notes, the guild should be in a heavily wooded area just outside Onibus. We can take the train."

"Alright."

Throwing the hoods of their cloakc over their heads, the trio slipped in and out of the trees to make their way to the station. Jellal kept his face well hidden, for it was no secret that he was a wanted criminal and it would not do to have him captured at this rate. It came time to board, but he let Ultear lead to maintain an air of privacy for himself. Once inside the train doors, they found a compartment and ducked in. Now, Jellal felt it was somewhat safe to remove the hood, but kept a wary eye out for nosy passengers.

"So, do we proceed as usual?"

"Yes." Jellal answered.

"Then disappear after?"

"Yes."

Jellal smiled a small smile, staring out the window. Ultear looked curiously at him, studying his expression.

"What are you planning after this, Jellal?"

"I-I don't know."

He sighed, dropping his gaze, and closed his eyes. How could he explain?

"Are you thinking of... kil-"

"Do not say it out loud."

His head snapped up, and he glared sharply into the small girl's eyes. A small shake of his head further enforced his point, and Meredy nodded.

"Honestly, I think it's appropriate. I hope to die within the next few weeks, to spare Erza the pain of having to deal with me."

"Fool!" Ultear exclaimed in a choked whisper. "Do you not realize that by dying you cause more pain that you save her?"

Her tone made him falter, and his eyes widened a fraction. His heart skipped a beat as he realized the truth in her words. Yet, why did he feel that death was the smartest choice for him?

"I don't- how do I do this? There is nothing else I can do."

"Then at least hope to live. Never, ever hope to die." Her expression softened. "Meredy and I will support you the whole way."