Author's notes: Big shout out to angelspike15 for being my beta for this chapter! She is awesome! I wanted to get this out sooner but alas this plus work, plus going back to school, and writing two books as well as planning a wedding gets...hectic. But here it is!

Bewitched Chapter 9: "Broken and Beating Hearts"

Juvia slammed the door to her office open. She stomped over to her computer and turned it on. She wasn't completely sure how to work this thing (at least not how it was intended to be used in this realm) but she had inlaid some spells on the unit to help her along the way. The metal parts of the machine often had the result of making it hard for her spells to 'stick.' But they had quite a few plastic parts now and she was no magelet. She knew how to make metal's permanence and resistant nature work for her and help create spells that where difficult to change. Holding her hand over the screen she looks at it sternly.

"Show me the files recorded by the B.O.D. regarding the recent construction done on the aquarium as well as all backers that have arrived within the last year," she orders it, icily.

"Cannot comply. B.O.D. Files with both tags requested are location locked. Location requested is in-compatible with present location." Flashes up on to the screen causing the girl to frowns in irritation. Why would they keep all information on the new benefactors? As Director she should have immediate access to their information in case she needs to send out thank you notes and information on upcoming galas...In fact she had one coming up next month.

The Board of Directors secretary was due to give her a notebook of addresses and pictures isn't she?

Decisively she stands and after adjusting her skirt she strides up to the third and final level of the Aquarium. This level housed the meeting rooms and the office of the B.O.D's secretary, who she usually never had to deal with officially outside of the occasional inter-office email.

Stepping off the elevator she looks around in confusion. From beneath her frosty anger, the 'wrongness' of the area she entered. Walking through the first set of double doors she notices some changes in just the week since she's last been here. Her hand tingled on the door from spells of protection. Spells that where not there before...spells that she did not have a hand in. Nor were they of any mage she was familiar with. The doors themselves where heavier and balanced just so on their hinges to swing easily. The paintings where now inside various conference rooms, rather than being showcased in the hallways anymore. She saw all this in passing as she paced up to the desk with her best smile on. The young woman was fairly new to the Aquarium, like herself, sweet, but not too smart and apparently a recent graduate of college. She was packing up her things to head out. The Board had been keeping her over time for the past week and Juvia could see it beginning to wear on the girl. She was here on the weekend attempting to get ahead in her work load. Juvia secretly, felt for the girl as she was starting to look worn and tired. She barely got a chance to see her and then it was usually right before they both entered a meeting or were leaving one.

"I thought I heard movement up here, Laki, you're here even on the weekend?" she smiled. The woman smiles gently and pushes lavender hair back and away from her neck. "AH, Juvia! I didn't know you where here! Good thing you said something I wouldn't have known and set the alarm. Trying to work out all the extra bits too? Wow, you look great!" the girl's eyes widen from behind her glasses as she takes in the classy skirt and blouse combo. Juvia had even taken the time to put her hair up. She simply smiled.

"Yes, I am trying to get all of my plans together for the annual fundraiser gala for next month."

"OH! Yes! I...somewhere...where did I put it?" she began to shuffle around her lowest level of the desk. "I have that notebook for you ready. I had to add some last minute additions to the the guest list and their information." she hands Juvia a heavy binder. "The Board asked me to put them in order from oldest contributor to the newest. They request that you make a special acknowledgement for our newest supporters and the oldest. I tell ya, though. That Zentopia Realty...I don't know how they have that much to give but it's incredible! And they volunteer. It's all there though. I wish I had time to chat but I actually have some girlfriends to meet for a few drinks."

Juvia smiles and proceeds to walk with her towards the elevator. "You need to unwind."

"Yeah...my shoulders are just one big kink." She rolls her neck and shoulders her bag. "See ya Monday." She waves as Juvia steps out onto her level. She turns back to wave and stares down at the book. They where in here. Whoever it was was within these pages. They would pay. Opening the book she pauses. When she captured these people...but what then? Where did that leave her with Gray-sama?

Was she doing this just to clear up the misunderstanding?

Things that she should've noticed given all the time she worked here?

Was she really that narrow minded?

Flopping down into her chair she looks down at her feet, blankly.

No. She was not that simple. She valued honesty and she felt betrayed. On two fronts. From the Board of Directors and from Gray. And though she wanted him to value her...to...see her as a woman wanting a bit of attention from a man she found attractive...Instead she got all but accused of being a terrorist. Not only did he not trust her...he thought she was working for some of the most narrow minded disgusting people to walk either realm.

Clutching the area above her heart absently she bit her, still glossed lip. The dull, empty, ache she felt there was small...but foreign to her. She had never had a crush before. Neither she nor Lucy ever really had time for it between studying, practicing, and always checking over their shoulders for people hunting them. Perhaps that's why she was so excited? Maybe she had unknowingly put him up on some sort of pedestal as her symbol of everything she fantasized about. She had spent so much time getting ready. Lucy had even helped, she too believing that this was finally it. Juvia had secretly thought that maybe those silly little stories about true love and that fairy tails weren't all that crazy. She had a soft spot for such things. That she could finally prove to Lucy that she could be a bit more open about her feelings. That she didn't have to be so cold. She'd had the whole speech planned out. But,apparently, Lucy was right. Those stories where one thing:

Lies.

She had, on some level, expected as such. But somehow...somehow it had still hurt when it happened. Through out he entire date he had not acted like a man really interested in a woman romantically. But rather a jailer putting up with his detainee. And she had just chalked it up to him being nervous.

*You stupid, stupid, girl, Juvia.*

She refused her cry.

If he could only think of one way to question her, that she was not worth being upfront about his concerns...he wasn't worth one tear. But she would eliminate those that would willingly work with them that had targeted innocents. They would *not* bring such horrors here. These people may be magically ignorant, but they too are trying to live their life's to the best of their abilities, for the most part in peace.

No one had the right to take that from them.

*That* is why she was going to do this.

Not because she was unfortunate enough to be hurt by a liar looking out for the greater good. But she could thank him about somethings. Because he brought this to her attention. She could nip it in the bud. She should thank him really. If he couldn't handle it. If he couldn't get the proof, she would. She would do it alone.

So what if she had a glimmer of what 'love' may have felt like? If this is the other side of the coin she didn't need it. It would only distract her. She understood Lucy's dilemma now. Why she kept pulling back. If allowed it could be all consuming, all encompassing. When it was good, it was wonderful. When it was bad...

Picking up her coat, and a laptop along with the book she headed for the front door with her back straight and her eyes cold.

It would've been nice to have someone else to work with on this. Another insight. But she couldn't trust anyone else here. On one hand they might be working with the Rebellion and attempt to take her out. On the other hand would be Gray, a man who would be looking only for proof to send her packing with the very group she hated.

Perhaps Lucy would be willing to check into a few things for her? They made a good team. And she could be sure that *she* wouldn't betray her.

Natsu had paused to wince in writing his report as the door behind him slammed. This is why he hated working in the main office. Most of the other Enforcers had human senses. Such shows of temper didn't do more than startle them. But to he and the rest of his family it was similar to a large caliber gun going off at close range. Annoying didn't begin to explain it. Turning around in irritation he glares at the offending person.

Gray.

Go figure.

"Hey, Ice-hole. Watch it with the doors, some of us are actually trying to work."

"Like I give two sh*ts about what your trying to do. I ain't in the mood."

"Your date go that bad? Wait...what's with all the water?"

"I had to walk home like this."

"To anyone else, in this weather I'd say they where crazy but for you...? Eh."

"You think is *chose* this? Stupid b*tch threw me in!"

"Huh? Juvia? That chick would worship the ground you walked on if you asked her what did you...?" He stopped and stared harder. Juvia lived with Lucy...if he did something stupid...

"The hell did you do!?"

"Hey, I was doing my job!"

"On a date?"

"It wasn't a date!" Gray yelled back as he pulled off first one shoe then another and then proceeded to create mini water falls into his waste receptacle. Natsu turned to face him more fully.

"Did *she* know that?"

"I just asked if she was free tonight and she said yes."

"That sounds like your asking her out."

"Yeah, well, I just needed her alone. I was hoping she'd slip up and tell me something but I screwed up. Got impatient and blew my cover. Gonna have to go find her..." He pulls off his shirt and wrings it out. Completely unaware of the young dragon rubbing his head in irritation.

"Ask her about what?"

"You know that crap I'm investigating at the Aquarium? Their starting to make some serious moves. Their actually inlaying spells all over the very top floor. She'd been placing spells through out the fish tanks and exhibits and they got rid of the last guy and where very excited to hire her. I even over heard them talking with some visitor about how they where sure she'd work out just fine. So I kinda got a little carried away...questioned her about it...and she got angry tried to walk away...I followed...and she tossed me into the lake with a spell."

There was a very long pause before Natsu finally said: "You are a...dumb-a$$."

"What?"

"You heard me jack-off! Did you even read her file!?"

"Huh?"

"Juvia's file? It's here, genius. If you had read it, you would know why it's pretty impossible that she's working with them." He leaned over and rubs his hand through his hair. Saving his report he stands up taking a jump drive with him. He had to try and stave off any negative consequences...Juvia would no doubt tell Lucy. He wasn't stupid. Lucy was used to playing all her emotional cards close. If this F#ck-up gets to her it could re-enforce that tendency. He'd made too much progress to let this screw him over.

Grey had pulled up her file and was glancing over it as he pulled at his pants. The fire dragon could tell when the light bulbs started pinging to life as Gray's already, in comparison, pale skin, drained even more.

"SH*T."

"Yeah. Congrats man! You just compared her to the people who murdered her and her best friend's family. Good luck fixing this, genius." Natsu's eyes were not laughing, though his tone was semi-jovial. "Now I need to go make sure your screw up doesn't set ME back months." He strides to the door, opens it and pauses to look back at him. "If it does...you will not like the consequences."

"Like I'll ever step down from a fight from you."

"Normally, hearing you say that would make me agree, but I would suggest you don't. Before I was simply fighting like I would fight a heart brother. This time I would fight like a dragon who's mate was upset. You don't want to see that." Gray blinks as Natsu's eyes started to glow like faint embers before he turns and walks out the door. The soft click that echoed in the room behind him was far more ominous than any slam that Gray would've ever imagined.

Lucy sat alone in a booth at Fairy Tail tapping on her mug absently as her mind wandered. She didn't particularly enjoy being busy but...some how she was just that as of late. She had a full time job, she was a Mage, hiding from a terrorist group, she was now a advisor to the local Draconian Embassy on all things Celestial AND was in a relationship with a surprisingly clingy man. Taking a sip of her drink she shakes her head. She wasn't sure she could keep all these things going. But she wasn't really cut out to work with the Embassy full time was she?

She certainly didn't have the linage necessary. Though her family had been very well off and a major power in business, they where not 'blue bloods' in the technical sense. Though she felt that Ms. Grandeeny did not seem to be the kind to care about such things. The young woman had found it hard to believe such a woman was a dragon. She seemed not nearly as aggressive as she was told they tended to be.

Maybe that was only the males?

Oh she wished they would have taught her more on Draconian traditions and manners. She felt woefully inept.

But something about her kindness had seemed familiar. But she couldn't quite put her finger on...

"Hey! Luce!" She blinks out of her thoughts and stares up at the grinning visage of Natsu.

No, wait.

She supposed he was more than that. He was her...'boy-friend.' Though how that was any different from a male/boy who was also a purely platonic friend, she was still a bit confused about.

"Natsu. What are you doing here?" She noted that he was carrying a drink and some papers. He shrugs causing Lucy's attention to drift towards his chest unintentionally. She silently scolded herself for being so easily distracted.

"I was looking for a quiet place, it was only a pleasant surprise that I met you."

"Oh, but if you are looking for quiet I'll only distract you..."

"I'll always make time for you. Besides I was wondering how you where today." he takes her right hand from the mug and kisses it gently.

"The same as I was yesterday...and the day before." she rolls her eyes and fights a blush.

"That can change at any time. Of course I'm going to ask."

The blonde smiles and shakes her head slowly. "What kind of man are you that actually *asks* about someone's feelings?"

"Yours." he smiles over the top of his lifted mug.

Lucy blinks staring at the tendrils of smoke curling about his eyes. Something about it tugs at her mind. She suddenly, processes his pronouncement and her blush grows to encompass the entierty of her face and neck.

"Don't say things like that so suddenly~!"

"What? It's true."

"It's embarrassing."

"Does it make you feel ashamed that I think about you in such a manner? That I see myself as yours and you as mine?"

"Ah..well..."

"It shouldn't...because it's the truth. I want you to feel that way with me. Its alright to be a bit possessive. I gave myself and my trust to you. I *want* you to come to me with your problems and concerns. There are some questions only I can answer. Just as there are some that only you can answer for me."

Lucy was staring at him, she wasn't sure *what* to say. What to *ask.* Staring at him she looks down not able to maintain such sincere eye contact. Her guilt weighed on her. Clapping a hand over her mouth she mutters out:

"I'd...need time to think about it. That's all. You can't come at me with all this so suddenly."

"I know. I wish I could say I'm sorry but I can't. It's just something about you..." He shakes his head and shrugs. "But that doesn't mean that I'm going to take any of that back. Just remember what I said." he lifts the hand he still held as a willing hostage to his curved lips.

"I will. Thank you."

"Oh yeah! I almost forgot...and my sister would kill me if I did...what are you doing next weekend?"

"Uh. Nothing so far...I didn't know you had a sister."

"Yeah...she's a junior in high school. She wanted to go to the amusement park, I was wondering if you and maybe even Juvia wanted to go? It will be a bit cold but going there when it's lightly snowed is a pretty romantic place...I'll even invite Ice-As~...uh Gray."

"Ah...a amusement park? I have never been to one of those...that might be nice. But it will be pretty chilly. Won't it be awkward to ride the rides?"

"That's why I'm here. My intense body heat is always ready to keep you warm."

"That sounds just a bit creepy."

"If the truth is creepy so be it. So...you'll come?"

Sighing in resignation she knew that if she didn't accept he'd just keep trying for the next few weeks in between bouts of moping. "Yes. Of course I'll go. It will be wonderful to meet your sister too. It would be a nice outing for Juvia and Gray too."

Natsu was thankful that he had taken a drink and could hide behind the mug a bit at her pronouncement. He just hoped that Gray attempted to fix the problem as quickly as possible. Though the likely hood of him being able to do so...was slim.

Juvia stepped off the bus and rubbed her hands together absently blowing in them. It was a rare cold that could get to a mage. She walked up the block towards her apartment and stops at the figure sitting on the steps outside her place. Sniffing she tilts her head up and proceeds to attempt to pass without acknowledging their presence.

"Hey." the voice floated on the cold air towards her causing her wounded heart to quiver just a bit but her stride never wavered. She passed through the doors and it was silent. Pressing the button for the lift she thought she had managed to escape until the door opened and he stepped through and with her came Gray. She bristled.

How had he hidden his presence from her? How was he so silent? Juvia was not happy. She raised her hand and Gray stepped to the far side of the lift with his hands raised. "I'm not here to cause trouble! I just wanted to apologize..."

"Don't. You did me a favor. I was letting my guard down. Lucy nor I can afford to do that. Thank you, for reminding me." Gray shudders a moment at the thought of Juvia and Lucy having a heart to heart and the possible negative effects that could have in their actions towards the guys. And Natsu's possible response to that. As much as he hated to admit it it *would* be a hassle to have to deal with a extremely pissy fire dragon about the office. "Look, I know I F*cked up and I'm here to try and fix it."

She steps off the lift and glares back at him, twin pools of blue, pinning him in place. She stood on the other side of the threshold long hallway stretching behind her. The doors begin to slide shut.

"Apology accepted, Fullbuster-san. However, the damage is done."

The doors shut and the lift descends.