When Jellal woke, feeling slightly nauseous, he saw the same red haired angel from his dream the night before. A dream? Was it? Jellal wasn't sure. Her back was turned to him, so he couldn't see her face. He groand unintentionally, and she froze.

She turned, and he sucked in a quick breath. Was this...still a dream? Why was she here?

"Erza...is that...?" He whispered. She leaned over him, a concerned look in her gorgeous brown eyes. "Jellal," she breathed. "How are you feeling?"

Jellal, although feeling terrible, pushed himself up to rest on his elbows. That much movement sent a shock through his body, but he gritted his teeth and continued. He looked at Erza, crouching next to him, wearing her white shirt and navy blue skirt.

"Jellal, please! Don't push yourself, you idiot! Your fever hasn't broken yet!"

He looked at her. "Erza...why did...you come? Your...in danger! Please, leave...me, take Meredy..." He gasped, before sliding down to lay on the ground once more. Erza reached forward and caught his head before he could slam down. He inhaled her sweet strawberry and vanilla scent, relaxing under the soothing smell.

"Meredy's guarding outside right now. I know we're in danger, but we are not leaving you. Id...I'd rather die that leave you here," she murmured, tears forming in her eyes. Jellal saw and his own widened. "Erza..." He murmured, wishing he could pour out his heart to her, to confess his love for her and to hold her tight, never letting go. But he reigned himself in. Not her, not now, and not ever. He just couldn't do that to her. No matter how much he wanted to.

He coughed a little, and Erza reached over him, grabbing a water bag and turning back to his head. With a bit of effort, she raised his head and let him sip water from the bag. The refreshing coolness ran down his throat, easing his thirst. He stopped sipping, and Erza pulled the bag away.

She stared at his face for a few minutes, and he stared back, memorizing every detail of her shape. Her eyes, her hair, her mesmerizing lips.

"Did that man tell you anything? Like why he wanted you dead?" She murmured. Jellal shook his head, wincing a little in pain. "No...all he said...was...that I needed to be...exterminated," he ground out, clenching his teeth. "He attacked us without...without warning. I couldn't... I was completely powerless."

Erza gazed down at him. "I encountered him in the woods...Jellal, what is his magic?" She asked.

He tensed. "You met him? Erza-"

"I did not face him," she said, interrupting him. "I am not stupid. I can tell a powerful mage when I see one, and he seemed, different somehow. I saw him, and when he walked by I felt as if my life force was draining right out of me. He also stunk of foreboding, despair and something else I couldn't think of... who is this mage?"

Jellal clenched his teeth. "Meredy and I broke into this old...temple, looking for...supplies. We found, an ancient...manuscript speaking...speaking of this magic." He stopped to catch his breath. He looked up at Erza. "it's ancient, forgotten magic, almost as old...as the First...First magic."

Erza's body went cold with dread. "What is it?" She asked, her voice quiet.

"Death Magic."