Chapter 10:

Jellal stood, shaking, tears pouring down his face. He remembered it all. Everything he'd ever done, all his memories…everything was back in his head. And it was terrifying. His heart was beating a mile a minute, and it felt as if something had hit him hard in the throat. His knees were shaky, and his eyes were wide. He was almost unable to breathe, let alone make words.

"How…could I have done all that…Why…"

Jellal looked down at his shaking hands. These were the hands that infiltrated the magic council, forced children into slavery, attempted to awaken the greatest dark mage in history, killed Simon and tried to use Erza as a sacrifice. These were the hands that ruined so many people's lives.

It felt as if his brain was going to burst out of his head.

Simon's calm and collected expression turned to that of sorrow and pity. He closed his eyes, and took a deep breath, before begging to speak. "Jel-"

"Shut up!" Jellal demanded, his voice echoing. The light mage was clearly still emotionally unstable from the recent, massive memory gain. He looked down, his face shadowed.

"Why haven't you killed me? Why hasn't anyone tried to hurt me? I'm horrible! I'm a monster! I…I killed you!"

Tears continued to pour down Jellal's face as he fell to his knees.

"You're here to take me to hell, aren't you?" Jellal's voice shook, as he faced towards the ground.

"No! That is not what I came here for."

The blue-haired man looked up, slightly surprised. His voice was shaky and confused. "Then why? Why am I here?"

"I always loved Erza." Said Simon quickly as he clenched his fists. Jellal looked up at his friend as he spoke. With his memories back, he was able to remember how Simon confessed his love for Erza right before he died.

Simon took a deep breath before looking back at Jellal. "That's why I died for her, so she could be the one to live out her life to the fullest. I was nothing special compared to Erza. But…even so I still loved her. The way she smiled and kept hope even when we all thought we were going to die back then…I couldn't help it, even if it was obvious that she was falling for you. To love someone is to want to best for them, to wish for their happiness. That's why you need to be there for her, always, so she can keep smiling. That's why you need to go back, Jellal."

Jellal stared back at him, nearly breathless. "To go….back…"

Simon nodded. "Stay with her, forever. She needs you Jellal, just as much as you need her."

The turbaned man suddenly started to disappear, his body slowly beginning to fade away into the clouds. A small smile peaked out from under then metal plate that covered the lower part of his face. "That is my last wish Jellal, I'm counting on you to keep it. It's another reason why I came here, I still had one more regret. I couldn't continue to protect her….but you…you've always managed to come back to her, right? So promise me…Jellal…that you will keep my promise."

Suddenly, Jellal felt himself back in his own body. He felt covers over him, a bed beneath him, and bandages all over. He squinted and slowly opened his gold-green eyes, blinking up at the creamy, popcorn style ceiling. "I'm back…" Jellal whispered, although he was not exactly sure where he was. His face felt sticky and lightly wet, as if the tears he shed in the 'white world' were real. Were they?

Jellal's unharmed and unbroken body was no more, everything hurt- from his head to his feet. One of his legs cringed with numbness. I guess I really got beat up back there...

Jellal turned his head to the side, to examine where exactly he was. The apartment he was in was clad in pastel yellows and blues, and looked like it had about two or three rooms. Across from him was a couch and coffee table, and to his right was the kitchen.

Jellal relaxed as he recognized Wendy's house. He had gone here once before to pick up some food that she made to bring down to the guild.

She must have been taking care of me…Wendy…

Suddenly, he felt something squeeze his hand. What the…?

Jellal slowly turned his head to the right, only to see Erza, curled up next to him and clutching his taped up fingers, holding them on her heart. She sneezed lightly in her sleep, and bent her head towards her chest, as if to cradle his hand. Her long, scarlet hair draped over the blanket and reflected the sun coming through the window.

Jellal blinked in surprise, as he was not expecting her to be here. Erza… you've been taking care of me too, haven't you? The light mage smiled softly and gazed at her with his gold-green eyes. Everyone says that Erza's always scary, and that's true…to an extent. But, she is cute when she's sleeping.

Erza, almost as if she was hearing his thoughts, mumbled something under her breath. Jellal couldn't help but chuckle a little bit. Sleep taking? That's a new one!

"D….d….don't leave me…Jellal…"

Erza mumbled quietly, causing Jellal to have to strain his ears, just to listen.

"I-I…. really need you in my… life. Don't ever think… for a second that I don't need you…"

Jellal squeezed Erza's hand back.

"I've gotten all my memories back…I realized the truth about all the horrible things that I've done…and not a moment ago, I felt as if I deserved to leave this world, to leave you. But even if I can never fully repent for my sins, even if I can never take back what I did, I still have to live. For your sake, at least. Erza… isn't it strange? Like Simon said, I've always managed to come back to you. No matter how many times we were separated, I always ended up by your side somehow.

Funny, huh? How destiny works? What would have happened if we didn't meet? It scares me, to think like that. In all honesty, I don't think I'd be alive."

Jellal barley whispered the words, so maybe, maybe she'd hear.

Just maybe.

"Myself and Fairy Tail as a whole thank you for you service here, even if it was only for a short time."

Master Mokarov, along with the majority of the guild, stood outside Fary tail's tavern, as they said goodbye to their guests- Crime Sorcire. A week had passed since Jellal had woken up from his coma-like state. The light mage had a bit of trouble healing, and according to Wendy it was a miracle that he even survived. The small, independent guild had decided that they have better be moving on to the next town, where a small group of bandits had been stealing magical items from passing travelers. The guild didn't want to see them go, but knew it was only a matter of time before they had to leave. Even the ones who had been suspicious of them in the beginning, were saddened by their leaving.

Ultear whacked Gray on the back affectionately, "Take care of yourself ok? And for the love of God, please just go out with that Juvia girl already! You realize she's been stalking you nonstop for the past three weeks?" Ultear raised her eyebrow at the ice mage. Gray, in return, turned away and mumbled something under his breath, while Juvia happily came up to him. "Gray-sama! Did you hear what that woman said? Let's make it official!"

As everyone was saying their goodbyes, Jellal's mind wandered. Erza hadn't showed up yet, and it was starting to bother him. In fact, the blue-haired mad was beginning to get a little worried.

What if she doesn't come?

Jellal moved his hand around in the inside of his pocket, fumbling around with a small box nervously. He'd never done anything like his before…it was quite frightening. He felt a drop of sweat glide down the side of his face, and his eyes shifted to the floor.

"Sorry I'm late!"

Jellal looked up to see Erza coming out from behind the back of the tavern. He scarlet hair trailed behind her as she ran towards her guild members who were saying their last farewells to Crime Sorciere.

He breathed a sigh of relief. Finally…

Jellal watched as Erza shook Ultears hand and gave Meredy a friendly hug before starting to make her way to him. The scarlet mage's pace slowed as she get closer and closer to the blunette.

She looked up at him with her big brown eyes, and smiled.

"So I guess this is it?"

Jellal looked back at her, "Yeah…it is."

The light mages heart sunk. It hurt him so much that he had to leave her again.

"Thank you Erza, for everything."

No….I can't do this. Not now.

"We'll be back sure enough in a few months or so." Meredy bounced over to stand beside Jellal, Ultear not far behind. "Bye bye!" The pink-haired mage winked and took Ultears hand, running off towards the road that would lead them to the next town.

"W-wahhhhh…!" Ultear let out a surprised gasp before going along with her team mate, only glancing back to give Jellal a quick nod.

The blue-haired mage sighed, "There they go again." The guild chuckled, giving Jellal a warm and friendly smile, a rare sight for him.

Maybe….maybe someday, Fairy tail will be my family too.

He gave one last look at her, his beautiful scarlet princess, before stuffing his hands in his pockets and walking away.

"Wait. Jellal."

Jellal felt something tugging on the back of his coat. He looked over his shoulder, to see Erza, her face shadowed, clutching the hem of his jacket.

"Erza…" Jellal's face softened as he turned around, taking her hands away from the jacket and gently taking them is his.

The equip mage's lip was quivering, and Jellal could tell it took everything in her to keep from crying. She still wasn't looking at him.

"Don't leave me! Who do you think you are, always leaving?" Erza's voice was desperate and cracking. She squeezed his hand and looked up at him, a single tear gliding down from her right eye.

"Erza…you know I have to…" Jellal looked at her guiltily, feeling a lump starting to for in his throat. Of all the times they had been separated, this one was the hardest. This one wasn't forced, or tricked or painful. It was somehow bittersweet, and chosen. But it had to be done. This time they would be parting, both in their right minds, and both in their right hearts.

"I'm sorry…I know this is your job now, but…I'll miss you…" Erza replied, suddenly feeling guilty for trying to make him stay. It was selfish, trying to take him away from his atonement.

"I know, I'll miss you too. But I'm sure, no matter what comes my way, I'll keep my promise." The blue-haired mage smiled, taking a strand of red hair and putting it behind her ear.

"Huh?" Erza lightly blushed, a confused look on her face.

"That promise we made when we were kids, I said that one day we'll be free together. When we've destroyed all the dark guilds, I'll come back to you, just like I always have. And…" Jellal watched as Erza's eyes widened, as if she was now recalling that day. Jellal then proceeded to shuffle around in the inside of his pocket, taking out a small blue box. From the look on her face, Jellal could see that Erza knew what was inside.

"Jellal…" The equip mage put her hands over her mouth, tears gliding down her face. It was rare to see the "Titania' like this, but with Jellal, it's like all her emotions are set free.

"We've been through so much, you and me. I couldn't imagine what my life would be like if you weren't there for me all lost times I'd nearly lost it. Before, I felt as if I didn't deserve you, but someone told me I had to let go of the past, and grab the future in front of me. It was you, Erza, your words have always been my light. When you were gone…when I was lonely…I would remember your kind words and smile…It helped me to grow stronger. It helped me to keep moving forward. And after all that's happened, I still have to keep it. That promise, I remembered how your eyes lit up when I told you that we'd be together, free someday. Erza…You taught me how important life is. I know the day I made that promise is far from over, but even so, when everything is finished, Erza Scarlet, will you marry me?"

Thanks everyone SO MUCH for reading a reviewing. This was my first fanfic in about two years, so I hope I did ok.

Now that the story is finished, It would mean a lot if you could critique the whole thing? Idk, i'm just so paranoid that it was OOC, and sometimes it's hard to tell, ya know?

AND I KOW IT TOOK 2+ MONTHS FOR ME TO UPDATE I A SORRY BLAME SCHOOL AND WRITERS BLOCK

Anyway, I hope everyone enjoyed! Hopefully some more Jerza coming in the future, although I think i'll just stick to one-shots for a while.

Thanks again! xoxo-TPH