Special thanks to: TheAliceHuntt, swallowmysoul, CoSmO333, LovelyLovelyLove, LucyxAnyoneShipper, LittleMissInsomnia, Celestial-Dragon-Warrior, LadyAllyssa, Katelyn, yuzukikuran476, Akira Kuchiki, LucyxHeartfiliaxFan, Flamey Owl, Guest, leoslady4ever, KatieBoom, StingLuJelu4life1234, and kurahieriritr JIO.


I do not own Fairy Tail. Hiro Mashima owns Fairy Tail.


Another month had passed and Erza was furious that Jellal still had not tried to get in touch with Lucy. Together Erza and Mest trekked through a forest in hopes of finding Jellal; however, their chances were minimal because they didn't have much of a lead to go on. Even Master Makarov had not heard from Jellal since the day Jellal disappeared from Fairy Tail. She was so angry that she wished a monster would appear just so she could beat the crap out of it.

"Erza, it's getting late and we should probably rest for the night," Mest tried to say calmly to his girlfriend.

Erza spun around quickly and eyed him dangerously, "I don't want to stop though! I'm miserable because Lucy's miserable."

"She doesn't seem miserable," Mest added in honestly.

"And what would you know about a girl's heart?!" Erza snapped at him, "I didn't want you to leave and you left me. Now Jellal is pulling the same shit you did except Lucy can't just forget him!"

Mest looked at her and replied flatly, "Well she could."

"She wouldn't want that," Erza whispered out because she knew what Mest was offering.

"Probably not," Mest agreed, "But she is hiding her pain pretty well."

"It's because she grew up neglected. She didn't have anyone besides her spirits really to turn to, so she got good at hiding her troubles," Erza said sadly as she sat down on a tree stump, "I just wish that there was more that I could do."

Mest took a deep breath in as he took a seat next to Erza and replied, "Just being her friend will help her Erza. Maybe we should stop these crazy hunting missions for Jellal and just focus on being there for Lucy."

It was obvious that Erza was upset. She wanted to find Jellal for Lucy and beat him up, then drag his ass back to her…but they had no way of knowing where he was or a way of contacting him besides the lacrima that he had left for Lucy. However, he wasn't answering that either.

Erza inhaled deeply before she replied, "Very well, but if we get a hunch on where he actually is then we go no questions asked."

Mest let out an amused chuckle before he kissed Erza on her cheek. He loved watching the blush that would still cover her face every time he was affectionate with her, which was a lot. Then he said, "That sounds fine to me."

"Good, now I think I need a piece of cake to take the edge off," Erza stated before she stood back up and waited for Mest to teleport them to some cake.

"You're adorable," Mest smirked before he kissed her and took Erza to get her beloved cake.


Lucy and Plue were walking down the rainy streets of Magnolia under her umbrella. She was having Erza and Mest over for dinner tonight and she was thankful that Natsu and Gray already had plans, because the last time she had them all over for dinner Natsu had eaten all of the dessert and Erza had thrown her sword at him and broke her refrigerator door. At least she and Mest weren't stupid enough to eat Erza's cake. Then unfortunately Wendy and Carla had to cancel because they needed to help Porlyusica with a cold epidemic. Either way, she was looking forward to spending some time with her friends to take her mind off of things.

It had now been months since Lucy had heard from Jellal. She felt stupid, because somewhere in her heart she still had hope that he would come back to her. She harrumphed at herself at the thought. She hated how she still thought about him every day. She just wanted to move on and forget him, because the memory of him abandoning her like that was just too painful.

"Ms. Heartfilia," a man's voice interrupted her depressing thoughts.

Lucy turned around to see Captain Lahar staring at her from under his umbrella. She couldn't help but smile at him and said, "It seems that we always meet on rainy days. How are you Captain Lahar?"

He gave her a polite smile before he replied, "Well I'd probably be better if I didn't have to come all the way to Magnolia to speak with your Master about the new destruction Fairy Tail has caused."

Lucy sweatdropped at the brutally honest statement, but then Lahar added, "But clearly it isn't all that bad since I have bumped into you again."

"Eh!?" Lucy eeped in surprise.

"Well since I was stopping by, I was hoping to run into you in hopes that you would like to have dinner together again tonight," the Captain admitted as he took a step closer to her.

Plue was shaking against her leg and Lucy felt like shaking herself. She didn't know what to think about this. Was he asking her on a date? Was she even ready to start dating again? Then he asked her, "Would you like to have dinner with me tonight before I leave tomorrow?"

"I-I can't tonight," Lucy admitted with a sad smile.

"I see," Lahar said coolly but somewhat standoffish before he added, "Perhaps another time."

Lucy didn't know if what she was about to do was a good idea, but Lahar was already walking away when she called out to him, "What I meant was is that I can't tonight, because I am having Erza and Mest over for dinner. However, I'd love for you to join."

Lahar had stopped walking and replied, "Doranbolt and I didn't leave on the best of terms."

"I understand," Lucy said with a faint smile, "But maybe you guys could catch up. He did what he did out of love for Erza and even though it's hard to picture you two being friends…I know he misses you."

Lahar turned back around to look at her with his intense purple eyes before he replied, "Since it is you that asks, I would love to attend your dinner party."

Lucy couldn't help but laugh and said, "Please, it's not that formal. Let me give you my address. They are coming over at 6:30 p.m. so feel free to show up anytime. Dinner will be served at 7 p.m. and tonight's menu is Shrimp Scampi Pasta with a tossed salad and garlic bread. Of course Erza is bringing the dessert."

"Very well, I suppose I will see you tonight then," Lahar replied warmly as he took the slip of paper with Lucy's address on it.

She gave him her dazzling smile and said, "I can't wait!"


Lucy had just finished setting the table when there was a knock on the door. "Come in!" Lucy called out as she took off her apron.

Mest and Erza came in with Erza carrying two boxes of cake; one for herself and one for Mest and Lucy. "Hey guys!" Lucy said excitedly.

"Hey Lucy, thanks for inviting us," Mest smiled as he took his and Erza's coats.

"Are Wendy and Carla running late?" Erza asked before she put the cake boxes down on the coffee table.

"About that," Lucy began to say nervously, "Well Wendy and Carla couldn't come, because Porlyusica asked for their assistance because a lot of Mages are coming down with cold like symptoms that isn't really a cold—so they offered to help."

"So it's just us three?" Erza asked before she added, "I guess that means more cake for us."

Lucy and Mest both sweatdropped then Lucy turned towards Mest and said, "N-no I may have invited someone else..."

Erza and Mest looked at each other because their first thought was Jellal. Neither of them wanted to see Lucy get hurt again or watch her hopes get dashed. Nor did Mest want Lucy to lose her apartment because Erza destroyed it while she kicked Jellal's ass.

Then before the couple could ask Lucy who, there was a knock on the door. Lucy looked at Mest as she ran to the door and whispered, "Please don't be mad at me."

Mest and Erza looked confused, then their eyes widened in shock when Lucy opened the door and said happily, "You made it!"

In walked Lahar who then handed Lucy a bottle of wine. Lucy's eyes widened as she said, "I haven't had this vintage since I lived with my Father! It was always my favorite."

Mest and Erza stood dumbfounded when Lahar replied, "Yes, well I like to do my research."

"You only had a few hours' notice and you figured out my favorite wine, but not my address?" Lucy laughed.

"Well I may have figured it out before, but this was the perfect opportunity to present it to you. I also could have easily received your address as well, but that would be improper," Lahar added in a stern and authoritative tone.

Lucy was impressed and then she felt a pang in her chest as she thought about how she wished Jellal was here presenting her with a present. She supposed that he was just a painful memory now; however, she knew she would always ask herself 'why' because she didn't understand any of it.

Lucy then smiled at Lahar warmly before she said, "Thank you, Lahar. This is a wonderful present. Can I take your coat?"

However, before Lahar could reply, Mest spoke up and said, "I'll get it Lucy! That way you can check on the food because Erza is famished."

Erza's mouth fell open because she was not famished; however, Lucy just smiled and went to chill the bottle of wine. Erza did follow Lucy into the kitchen area so that she could ask Lucy what the hell was going on.

Mest and Lahar looked at each other and Mest took Lahar's coat and asked in a lowered tone, "What the hell do you think you are doing with Lucy?"

Lahar's facial expression did not change when he replied, "She invited me to dinner."

Mest looked at his old friend and added, "But you HATE Fairy Tail. You pretty much shunned me when you found out that I was a Fairy Tail Mage. I would have never betrayed you because you were my best friend, but I also had to protect the people I loved."

"Erza," Lahar stated coolly.

"Yes, Erza," Mest said between gritted teeth.

"Ms. Heartfilia explained the situation to me a little. I harbor no ill feelings towards you. I too miss your friendship," Lahar said in a monotone voice as he kept a blank facial expression.

Mest just sighed before he ran his hand down his face and chuckled, "You haven't changed at all." Then he just shook his head and said, "You still didn't answer my question about Lucy. You have girls throwing themselves at you all the time because of your station. Lucy's not like that and wouldn't do that, so why are you showing interest in her when you could have so many other girls? Plus if you hurt her in anyway then Fairy Tail won't stop until they've kicked the shit out of you."

"You care for her?" Lahar asked with an arch to his distinguished brow.

"She's like a sister and I don't want to see her get hurt again," Mest whispered out.

Lahar replied honestly, "She was agreeable to speak with, unlike the rest of your barbaric guild."

Mest rolled his eyes and asked, "So the fact that she is one of the girls that almost every male Mage wants to bed has nothing to do with it?"

"I'm shocked you think that I would be interested in someone based on their looks alone," Lahar replied in an annoyed tone.

"So you are interested in her?" Mest smirked.

Now it was Lahar's turn to roll his eyes when he answered, "You haven't changed either."

Mest just grinned then punched Lahar on the shoulder, which elicited a sigh from the Captain.


Erza was watching Lucy as she happily put tongues in the salad bowl. Erza hated salad, it depressed her. Then the scarlet haired made whispered, "Lucy, why did you invite Lahar?"

Lucy didn't look at Erza when she replied, "He asked me to dinner tonight first, but I didn't want to cancel with you guys."

"Why would he ask you out on a date?" Erza asked as she tried to keep her voice down.

Lucy just shrugged which made Erza sigh. Then she asked, "Are you doing this because of Jellal?"

Erza watched when Lucy nearly dropped what she was holding. The blonde had her back to Erza when she replied, "He forgot about me. I have to move on."

"With Lahar?" Erza asked in shock.

"No," Lucy replied quickly, "I just mean that I can't waste my life waiting on a man who wants nothing to do with me. I invited Lahar so he and Mest could talk, plus the night he helped me a month ago—he was pleasant to speak with. That's all."

Erza wasn't happy because it was clear that Lucy was still heartbroken by Jellal's actions. However, Lucy was trying her best every day to not dwell on the past, so the least Erza could do was to help Lucy in whatever way she needed.


Throughout the dinner, Mest did most of the talking and he continuously tried to get Lucy and Lahar to know each other better. Erza just watched her boyfriend in disbelief at how excited he was that Lahar was here. Erza was not excited about Lahar being here, because it should be Jellal. Jellal and Lucy should already be married by now, in her opinion, because they were perfect for each other.

When dinner was over Mest offered himself and Erza to take the dishes, because Erza was ready to cut into the cake. Lucy lost the argument to the two S-Class Mages as they quickly took the dirty dishes away.

She didn't know what to say to Lahar and thankfully he spoke up first and said, "Your dinner was delicious."

Lucy smiled warmly at him and replied, "Thank you, I'm glad you came."

Lahar couldn't help but smile back at her and added, "As am I. Actually there was something else I wanted to ask you tonight."

Then before Lucy could ask what, Mest came back in and said, "Hey! Let's play a game! Lucy do you have any?"

Erza was already taking a huge bite out of the cake that she had brought, because she needed to relieve her stress. Lucy was shocked by the sudden change in things when she replied, "Well Natsu and Gray destroyed most of the games I did have and I only have one left."

"That's ok! We will play it!" Mest grinned.

Lahar and Erza both looked at Mest because they both knew that Mest was just trying to get Lahar and Lucy to spend more time with each other.

However Lucy said nervously, "I don't know if we should, because it was a gift from Cana..."

Mest just waved off her concern before he popped open the bottle of wine that Lahar and brought and said, "It'll be fine. We will drink in Cana's honor."

Lucy looked to Erza for help, but the scarlet haired woman just said, "Let's give it a try."

Then Lucy sighed before she went to go retrieve the long slender box from her closet. She looked at them and said, "Well...it's called Cards Against Humanity."

Mest recognized the name, but Erza and Lahar did not. Then Mest laughed, "This will be the perfect game to play."

"I don't know…" Lucy murmured out, "It's pretty offensive…"

"Nah! It's perfect!" Mest said excitedly as he grabbed the box from Lucy and immediately started dealing the cards an explaining the rules.

Lucy grimaced when Lahar and Erza picked up their cards. Lahar's eyes widened in shock and Erza's face turned redder than her hair. "See this was a bad idea!" Lucy called out.

"N-no, i-it's fine," Erza stammered out as she reached for the first Read Card, "I'll go first."

Lucy looked at her cards and felt super awkward as she sat down next to Lahar. He must think Fairy Tail lived up to their insane reputation. Whereas, Mest couldn't have been more amused by the turn of events.

Erza cleared her throat as she tried to read, "What is my boyfriend hiding from me?"

The red head closed her eyes just as Mest slammed a card down. Lucy looked over at Lahar who looked very uncomfortable and she felt terrible. She'd have to pull him aside later and tell him that she didn't normally play games like this. Leave it to Cana to turn a normal dinner party into something extremely sexual and uncomfortable.

Once Lucy and Lahar put down their cards, Erza opened her eyes to read the three that everyone had played. Her face turned red from embarrassment when she read, "My boyfriend is hiding a big black dick from me."

Mest started cracking up and Erza shot him an angry look. Any normal man would have been afraid of Erza, but it just amused Mest more. Then Erza regained her composure before she read the second card, "My boyfriend is hiding a collection of shrunken heads."

Mest once again thought it was the funniest game ever and then Erza said, "This game is terrible. No wonder Cana likes it."

Lucy just sighed and nodded as Erza read the final card, "My boyfriend is hiding erotic cakes from me."

Mest didn't laugh at that one when Erza said, "I like this one. Whose is it?"

Lucy's eyes widened when Lahar begrudgingly raised his hand. Erza gave him an approving nod and then Mest yelled, "Damnit Lahar! How do you always start winning games right away?! I thought I could beat you this time."

Lahar adjusted his glasses before he replied, "It was the luck of the draw, plus observation skills."

Lucy giggled at his answer whereas Mest just rolled his eyes in annoyance. Then Lucy turned to Mest and asked, "So you are hiding a big black dick from Erza then?"

Erza choked on her cake and Mest started laughing and replied before he reached out for the next read card, "I thought that card would get her flustered."


Lucy was surprised at how long the game seemed to go. Erza had already cut into the next cake and Lucy and Lahar were actually tied. Mest was impressed that Lucy was just as much as a quick wit as Lahar. However, it was Lucy's turn to read the final card when she read, "When comforting a friend, what is never a good idea?"

She closed her eyes and waited for everyone to place down their answers. When she opened them she squirmed in her seat a little, but the night had turned out to be more enjoyable than she thought. Maybe Lahar wasn't such a stick in the mud.

Lucy read the first card, "Getting a colonoscopy."

Erza nodded her head in agreement and Lucy just sighed because the card had frosting all over it, so it was easy to see who it belonged to. Then she read the second card in shock, "Finger yourself."

Mest started laughing and Lucy just shook her head before she read the last one, "Watch tentacle porn."

Lucy couldn't hold back her own laughter at the mental image and then held that one up to which Lahar raised his hand. Lucy's mouth fell open and Mest yelled, "GODDAMIT LAHAR!"

"Congratulations on winning," Lucy said in amusement towards Lahar.

"Forgive me if I don't brag about this at work tomorrow," Lahar said flatly.

"One of these days I will find a game that you will lose at," Mest pointed at Lahar before he turned to Erza and asked, "Are you ready to go home?"

Erza had just finished off the last piece of cake before she nodded her head said, "Thank you for having us over for dinner Lucy."

"Yeah it was a lot of fun," Mest called back over his shoulder as he grabbed his and Erza's coats.

"Of course! We will have to do it again soon," Lucy smiled towards her friends.

Erza nodded in agreement before she bid her best friend farewell and Mest nodded towards Lahar before the couple left. Lucy looked over at Lahar and said, "Thank you for coming and I'm sorry if we kept you too late."

"It was quite all right. It was an odd evening, but your cooking was wonderful," Lahar admitted as he stood up to leave.

"Earlier you said that there was something else you wanted to ask me," Lucy reminded him kindly.

Lahar grabbed his coat and pulled out an invitation and handed it to Lucy and said, "Next week there will be a Gala in Crocus for the Magic Council and high members of society and I was wondering if you would accompany me."

Lucy felt like her heart had gotten stuck in her throat. She looked down at the invitation and whispered out, "Like a date?"

"Yes," Lahar admitted in a lowered tone.

The first thing that flashed in Lucy's mind was Jellal's face and she nearly started crying on the spot. She missed him so much, but he was never coming back. Lucy put on a fake smile that she learned from when she lived with her father and warmly replied, "I would love to be your date, Captain Lahar."

"Just Lahar is fine," he said in a kind tone before he added, "I shall have a carriage pick you up."

Lucy's eyes widened when Lahar grabbed her hand and pressed his lips to it before he said, "Thank you for the enchanting evening, Lucy Heartfilia."

Then he left a dumbfounded Lucy standing in the doorway.


Two Days Later…

Jellal could feel Cobra's eyes drilling into the back of his skull. Ever since Lucy had been attacked, the children kidnappings had quieted down but Jellal and his comrades were not convinced that the perpetrator behind the disappearances was finished with his work. They had gotten no useful information out of the captives because they didn't even technically know who their "Boss" was, even though Cobra said that they had tried to intimidate Lucy with the unknown man. Either way, Jellal was on edge.

"You really piss me off, ya know that?!" Cobra finally snapped at him.

"Enlighten me," Jellal grumbled.

"Because you have a girl who loves you and you are acting like a little Bitch about it. I've seen Bit Tits plenty of times and what the hell you are doing with this keeping away from her to protect her is just fucking stupid. That girl is always getting into some sort of trouble so don't you think the SMART thing to do would be to make sure that you are there for her?" Cobra snapped at him before he added, "I mean for fucks sake. You mind fuck her enough in your sleep."

Jellal turned around and said, "Don't talk about things you don't understand."

The Poison Dragon Slayer snorted before he said, "I understand just fine. If you think she's just going to get over you, then you are even stupider than I originally thought. I saw her mind too and she loves you and you broke her goddamn heart."

"What the hell do you even care?" Jellal snapped back.

"Because I see a lot of people's minds. Most people in this shitty world are complete assholes who deserve every bad thing in the world to happen to them—including myself," Cobra admitted in a blunt tone, "That Fairy is not one of them. She is actually good."

Then before Jellal could say anything else, Cobra said, "Thank god you're back. Maybe you can talk some sense into him."

Jellal turned to see Meredy and Macbeth come out from behind the trees and Meredy said, "Jellal we need to speak with you it's important."

"What is it?" the blue haired man asked.

"There is an important Gala for uptight assholes in a few days," Macbeth yawned before he drifted off to sleep for a moment.

Meredy looked exasperated before she added, "We saw a shady looking man who said that the "Boss" was planning something big on that night to send Fiore a message."

Cobra and Jellal looked at the letter Meredy handed them and then Midnight snapped back out of his slumber and said, "And you aren't going to like who's on the guest list."

Jellal felt his hands start to tremble when he read the name; Lucy Heartfilia.

Cobra slapped Jellal's back and said, "What did I tell ya? Trouble finds her."


Lahar had just finished a boring meeting as he walked down the hallway towards his office. It would only be a few more days until he saw Lucy again and he was disappointed in himself. He was on a mission and he shouldn't have let his feelings get in the way. However, Lucy's warm smile kept appearing in his mind more often that he would ever admit to anyone.

But it didn't matter how much he was growing fond of her. All that mattered was that Lucy would lead him to Jellal. Lahar narrowed his eyes as he remembered the events after the Dragon Attack…

Lahar had just handed Cobra back over to some of the guards when he went to find Doranbolt; however, he froze when he overheard Doranbolt talking to Jellal about wiping the Magic Council's memories of the event.

Then he heard Doranbolt say, "I'm sorry to have to do this to you again Jellal, but for some reason you keep remembering that you care about Lucy and I can't allow that because I have to protect the woman I love." Then before Jellal could get away Lahar watched as Doranbolt wiped Jellal's memory of saving Lucy.

Lahar had remained hidden from his comrade, because he knew that someday that memory would lead him to Jellal so that he could lock him away for good. Now with children disappearing, Lahar knew that he needed to find Jellal and the only clue and hope he had was that Jellal would come straight to him because of Lucy.


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