Ten years now, and Lucy felt like the world had finally regained its balance. Team Natsu, while not a team anymore, was finally back to where they had been, close. They all still made her apartment a hang out they all broke into. Natsu and Gray had begun to sneak into her bed, despite her protests. Though, secretly she stopped minding after the first few weeks.

A year ago, Jellal was arrested. It was the scariest thing for all of Fairy Tail, but even more so for Erza. She made sure to testify as a character witness and did her best to support Jellal. If he was declared guilty, she would fight them. It was through her testimony (and threats) and Lucy's knowledge in law, Jellal was cleared of all charges due to the time that had passed and good deeds he had done to amend his actions while possessed. It was the sweetest thing, what he did immediately following his verdict. He pushed his way over to Erza and demanded she marry him on this spot. Erza had declared Lucy her maid of honour and Jellal picked Natsu. They were married the following minutes. Erza reequipped into that special wedding dress she had tucked away for the very occasion. Jellal, already in a suit for the trial, beamed at her. Lucy had Virgo bring some nice clothes for her and Natsu. There was a massive and long overdue party at the guild that day.

Shortly after, Gray and Lucy and Natsu, had taken a job. It was scary and rough and tiresome. It was to find and apprehend a group of dark mages who were terrorizing villages. She had easily tracked them down. They cycled though the same eleven villages, demanding protection money. They killed one person for every 100J that was short. There were few people when they had arrived. She felt sick to her stomach as the corpses lined the centre plazas of each of the villages. A glance at Gray and Natsu could tell you they felt the same. She quietly grabbed Gray's cool hand, seeking some sort of wake-up call that none of this was real. It was only after a few hours that they finally had their confrontation with the mages. She easily took out three of the seventeen with the help of Loke. Gray took out four and Natsu advanced onto the leader while Gray and Lucy dealt with the remaining nine. When there were only two mages, aside from the leader Natsu was dealing with, one cornered Lucy, her magic was beginning to run low and her arms and legs were heavy from fatigue. She had to be lucky enough to deal with the second-in-command. He was a tough nut, using a form of earth based magic. He trapped her feet and prevented her from running and told her to scream her last words because she was going to die. Gray swooped in at the last minute, shielding her in ice against the boulder hurtling towards her. Gray clashed with the man as Lucy freed herself and made her way to join him. Together, they took him out with a unison raid (Aquarius was willing). They quickly high-fived and looked to Natsu, where he was beginning to struggle and his breath was growing ragged. Without hesitation, Lucy ran to his side, whip in hand. She was not going to fall here. Loss of magic aside, she was going to keep fighting. With Natsu on her left and Gray on her right, they went all out and a solid hour passed before the leader finally fell. The three mages fell against each other, tired and relieved to be alive. Lucy let out a little laugh and hugged her two teammates. She was grateful to have them at her side again, to take crazy jobs and have insane adventures.

She'd never forget the words that followed.

"Thanks for having my back, Luce."

They had made it home more or less in one piece. Wendy nearly had a heart attack at the state they were in and had them treated immediately. She was bolder and more confident now.

Lucy recalled going straight to the bath when she got home that night. Despite Wendy's healing, her muscles were sore and she wanted nothing more than a bath to cure her aches. Gray walked her home that day and naturally made himself at home as per usual. Natsu went to check on Lisanna and Happy and told them he'd see them in the morning.

Gray lay down on her couch and closed his eyes. He lay still listening to Lucy hum quietly to herself as she went about her bath. He was humming along until her hums began to break and turn to sobs. Quietly, he walked to the bathroom and pressed an ear to the door. She was definitely crying. Opening the door a crack, he asked if she was okay. He knew it was a dumb question, no one cries like that if they were fine. When he was met with no answer he put a hand over his eyes and walked in. Trailing his other hand along the wall, he sat down by the tub and calmingly soothed her into a state where she could speak clearly.

"Talk to me, Luce."

It was after several deep breaths, she answered him. "If only were stopped them faster. We could have saved more lives."

He understood her guilt. It always crept its way in after a particularly rough job. He peered through a crack between his fingers to see her hugging her knees to her chest surrounded by bubbles. Pulling his hand from his face, knowing that is was okay (he had they bathtubs talks with her on several occasions) and gently ruffled her damp hair.

"Lucy, we saved their families. I think they'd be grateful that they didn't meet the same fate that they had."

She looked at him, her large doe eyes watery and haunted. "Are you sure?"

He nodded, "I think my parents and Ur are grateful I'm alive. So I'd imagine they feel the same."

She smiled to herself. "Thanks."

They sat in silence for another ten minutes before the water grew cold and Lucy kicked Gray out of the bathroom. He returned to his place on her couch and waited for her to exit. It was only a few minutes before he was graced with Lucy's presence once more. She hugged him tightly, knowing that he needed it just as much as she did. He returned her hug like he always had because he knew what it was like to not have her in his arms and he refused to have that happen again.

Unlike their usual hugs, this one was more intimate. Her head placed directly over his heart, arms wrapped around his ribs squeezing him tightly. His chin rested on the top of her head and he returned the tightness of her hug. This one was longer than usual, closer. She clung to him as if he were a lifeline, little did he realise he was doing the same for her.

After a few more minutes, she pulled away, much to his dismay. She gave him a small, sheepish smile. There was a small blush dusting her cheeks.

"What do you say to dinner, Gray?"

It was only a year later that they moved in together. They have a meal schedule and often share a bed, but they knew that this was okay. This is what their relationship was; late nights with deep talks, joyful dinners, and quiet walks through town. Though if asked, they would always deny they were a couple. They were at most, friends with emotional benefits. They were close. Gray had no current interest in any women nor did Lucy for any men. They were all they needed. She and Gray remain companions for the rest of their lives. they never officially date, nor do they marry. They just stay together, because they don't need the labels.

And that was okay.

Hey guys, so I hoped you liked the FINAL Chapter of this little series. this is it. Not that I don't want to continue writing it or whatever i just think that this is a good end. I am thinking about doing a sort of spin-off based on this story, like her adventures with Cana or something.

Anyway, leave me your thoughts. Thanks for everything,

-SnowFairyLove