Hey you ! Here's chapter 10 ! Please leave a review, you'll make me a happy author ! Forgive me if you don't like this chapter ! (it's not my favorite).

Thank you to the lovely reviews you left me, Chloe NaLu4life, Leefruit, Anessa, Guest, Brielle H, meadmin, Mirai, MsKclare, and other Guest... i'm so pleased you like what i write :) Thank you xTernel for her help as an unofficial beta-reader (that's right 'body', i'm tagging you). And thank you Tilaah to defend me against xTernel's critical eyes haha !

There, i wanted to give special thanks because i'm not feeling very well for quite some time now, and writing made me feel better. A lot. I'll finish this story no matter what.

Enjoy :)

"No … I… am your father…" Darth Vader came closer.

"No… No… It's not true !" Luke yelled desperately. "That's IMPOSSIBLE !"

"Search your feelings, you know it to be true !"

"Now, you can't say Return of the Jedi is the best of the trilogy, look at this scene, it's perfect. The Empire strikes back is definitely great."

"I'm not saying the fifth isn't good, Jellal, I just prefer the sixth because it's the happy ending, there's a lot of action, and Luke isn't a child anymore... I can give you a lot more reason !"

"But the fifth has Han and Leia's kiss, I thought you girls loved this kind of scenes."

Erza rolled her eyes, but cuddled in her boyfriend's arms.

"We're not always fangirling you know… Besides, they kiss in the sixth too. Finally, there aren't Ewoks in The Empire strikes back."

"Alright you win." Jellal laughed. "Let's finish this without fighting every two seconds."

Fifteen minutes later, Erza yawned and stretched on her couch, while Jellal switched off the TV.

"What are you doing ? We're not watching the next one ?"

"No I can't." Jellal answered and stood up. "I have work to prepare for my biology class."

"Really ? But it's not even eight in the evening ! I wonder if 'vacations' is part of your vocabulary…" The scarlet haired teased.

"Look who's talking ! I barely see you, with your student council extra-work."

"You're right." Erza sighed. "At least we had this afternoon for us alone."

"More like three hours, since we left at 5 from Juvia's…"

Jellal put on his coat and his scarf, then leaned to kiss his sleepy girlfriend.

"See you soon honey. You can text me."

"Good." Erza smiled. "See you later."

The door made a creaky noise as it opened then closed. Now all alone, the red head had time to think about the recent events. She couldn't believe her excursion at Angel's happened only yesterday. She had tried to call Kagura to give her the news, but her voicemail had welcomed her again. Last time she heard about her was two days ago, she had to be patient.

Erza stood up and grabbed her laptop. She didn't have time to pursue her investigation yesterday on Angel, or should she say, Sorano Agria.

No facebook page. That would complicate things… She searched her sister Yukino's website again. In her little biography, she said she came from a city called Freesia, but now lived in Magnolia's suburb, in the west, at the exact opposite to Juvia's parent's town.

Erza would have to make further investigation about the schools of Freesia to find Sorano. But it would take some time to find her. And she wasn't sure it would be very useful.

Meanwhile, she thought about the cigarette she found… The fake brand 'E'… It had been a while since she last saw it. It meant Eisenwald was still on business. After all these years… What was the police doing ?! Kagura and Simon, like Erza, knew very well where to find thugs and gangs. They literally lived among them in their younger years. And yet... Mafia must have grown stronger. That was the only explanation. But how?

She felt an irrepressible urge to go there… Where she spent most of her childhood. She had the feeling she would find her answers to this Angel and Cobra mystery. But it was crazy. Completely crazy. Way more irresponsible than breaking into the white haired woman's appartment.

If she talked about it to Kagura… No she wouldn't let her do that. She would send a professional cop, with the proper equipment, guns, micros, GPS chip… But this would be a mistake. He would definitely be caught. People there were always on their guard, and could detect a cop from afar. Whereas a lonely person like her… Why would they suspect anything ?

No, Erza had to go. She knew this place by heart, even if she left it 6 years ago. The scarlet haired girl stood up and ran to her wardrobe excitedly. This was so crazy. She fumbled in her large amount of clothes, until she found exactly what she needed. Faded black large pants, and a dark grey old hoodie.

Her old clothes she never threw away. They were still large for her, and had some holes, but it was perfect for this new excursion. She traded her flat shoes for her old sneakers she kept as well. Looking at herself in the mirror, she nodded approvingly. She would just have to tie her hair, hide it inside the hoodie, wear a scarf, and then she would become almost invisible.

She took her phone and hid it in a spare pocket she sewed on the inside of her sweatshirt a long time ago. She was about to leave, but she stopped and frowned. She had to be careful. If anyone thought she was nosy, she could be in trouble. She went back to her closet and fumbled deeper through her clothes until she found it. Her rusty knife. It brought back memories…

She shut them back in her mind, and put the knife in her hidden pocket. She had to go now, for she needed a good hour and a half in public transports to arrive there. And first she had to leave Fairy Tail campus.

Erza locked the door and walked down the stairs. She got out of her building and headed towards the entrance of the campus, which wasn't very far. At this moment, her heart skipped a beat and her eyes widened. Him. Again.

'Dammit !'

Cobra was leaning against a wall, texting on his phone. Despite what it looked like, Erza was sure he had seen her. Why didn't she hide her hair in her hoodie ?!

She continued to walk. She was a bit shaking but kept her composure, and did not pay attention to him. She wouldn't panick this time.

If he followed her, she would have to outpace him. And she knew exactly how to do that.

Lucy was curled up under her blanket on the couch, eyes closed and smiling. Music filled her ears and relaxed her, like a sweet lullaby. She could stay like this for ever. An air flow and a sudden mass collapsing on the couch next to her indicated the blond that somebody joined her.

"Levy-chan, you finally decided to watch the movie with me ?"

The bluenette didn't answer. Lucy opened her eyes, to no avail of course.

"Levy-chan ? What's wro- AAAAHHH"

"How can you mistake me for Shorty ?"

"N-Natsu-STOP-HAHAHA-Tickling !"

"I'm disappointed in you, Luigi, I thought you have superpowers and you know when it's me…"

"Please ! Please, BWAHAHA tickles too much !"

The pink haired man was satisfied, he stopped torturing his friend and sat back on the couch.

"I don't have superpowers, I just know when somebody is next to me, like everyone actually ! And most of the times, it's you trying to surprise me."

"And this time I did it. YOSH !"

"It's because you're not supposed to be here at night ! I assumed it was Levy-chan, you know, my roommate ? The one who lives here officially and uses the door to come in ?"

"I don't know whacha talking about. And it's not night, it's barely eight."

"I mean you're here most of your free time, and always sneak in by my bedroom window."

"Again, it's the only way to avoid your Catguy ! Oh hey Plue, you missed me ? Come here."

Natsu grinned and tapped on his lap. The golden retriever didn't waste time and jumped on him, partly landing on his mistress.

"No, not on the couch, he loses his hair !"

"Oh come ooon, let him watch the movie with us. By the way… Why are you watching a movie ?!"

"It's been a month and you never saw me watch a movie ?"

"Actually I think I did, but you seemed to sleep every time. Or I was distracted by your fridge. Not my fault."

Lucy laughed and stroked Plue's head. Natsu smiled and came closer to her.

"I listen to movies. Usually Levy-chan is here to describe me the actors expression when it's needed to understand. We avoid films where there's not much talking, because I get bored and fall asleep."

"Why isn't she here then ?"

"Because she has work to do -even if i'm practically sure she's sleeping on her computer- and because I know this movie by heart."

"Gone with the wind ? Yak, so girly." Natsu cackled.

"It's not girly ! My father loves it. It's a deep and sad story, but also a story of hope. Whatever bad things life brings to you, you can always fight to reach what you want. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger. "

"Pretty moral, although quite basic." Natsu nodded.

"There is a wonderful scene with an awesome music where Scarlet, who just became poor and miserable, screams 'I'll never be hungry again !'. It's so powerful. I want to be strong like her."

"Whacha saying, you're strong Luce ! You're a published author and you deal with life in a better way than a lot of non blind people do !"

"It's different… Scarlet wants to live well so bad she looks aggressive and people don't like her. Sure she acts like a bitch, but this is how she struggles to live, and it works for her. She survives war, poverty... If we were at war, I don't think I could be strong like that."

"Why do you compare us to that ?! There's no war in Fiore and there won't be ! At least for a long time. You should enjoy these moments, instead of picturing a dark world like that, huh?"

"Yeah you're right, but it's hard to avoid thinking about war and misery when you grow up."

Natsu didn't answer immediately. Why thinking about sad things like that? He himself had lived painful moments, so he didn't understand the need to think more about that, especially if it wouldn't happen anytime soon.

"About your movie" He changed the subject. "Sure the girl is a strong person, who knows what she wants, blablabla… But on her love life… She got it aaaall wrong if i remember well right ?"

"Yes, Scarlet wants desperately a man she cannot have, and a man who wouldn't be good for her anyway. She is so blind because of this obsession she doesn't see until the very end that… what she needed was right in front of her."

"Yeah the man is badass. It's the moustache."

Lucy burst out in laughter.

"You're so funny sometimes. I don't know if it's the moustache, but Rhett sounds hot."

"I wish I had a moustache like that."

"Oh noooo eeww, it mustn't be really pleasant to k-" Lucy coughed and stood up abruptly, making Plue fall and bark.

"Sorry Plue. I'll go get a glass of milk, you want something Natsu ?"

"No thanks, I'm good."

He watched her walk towards the kitchen. He smirked, she was cute when she was flustered. But Natsu didn't understand why sometimes she was teasing him more than he was, and sometimes she couldn't even make an insinuation about kissing him. Maybe it was because she didn't plan on saying that. It was spontaneous, and it embarrassed her.

The pink head frowned as he thought back about the movie and what Lucy said about it. If he was in the film, he would definitely be the man Scarlet O'Hara wanted, but who wasn't good for her in the end. Yes, Natsu didn't consider himself good enough for Lucy. He shouldn't have gotten so close to her.

But it was stronger than him… he needed her so bad. Even just as a friend. Although his hormones were really unsatisfied and told him to get more. But he wasn't ready. He didn't want to have sex with her, then chicken out and ask her to remain friends. He would never do that to her.

Someday, if she still wanted him… He'd be ready. He would get closer for good. And he would share.

Just not now. He just hoped… He wouldn't lose her.

"You ok Natsu ? You're not anxious, are you ?"

'Damn her and her sixth sense…'

"Nope, I'm fine !"

"By the way, why did you come here tonight ? It's not like we didn't see each other like six hours ago." The blond giggled.

"What now, I have to ask permission to see my favorite weirdo ?"

"Well according to my overprotective dad, yes." Lucy smirked, and sat back next to him.

"Tchh Weirdo Family. Where are your folks by the way ?"

"At a hotel in the Center."

"The Center ? But it's far from D-Section !"

"Not so far… 20 minutes by car. And you come from there everyday, may I remind you !"

Fairy Tail Campus was indeed not far from Magnolia Center, and Natsu took the bus or his car to visit his friend.

"Yeah right. When do they leave ?"

"…Tomorrow."

Lucy answered sadly. Natsu rubbed her arm comfortingly.

"Did you spend the afternoon with Wendy ?"

"No I'll meet her tomorrow. It's one day late for Christmas, but she doesn't mind."

It was actually planned this way. They would take all day to travel to Hargeon and take a boat to reach Galuna Island… Where their Dad was. But he wouldn't say that to Lucy.

"Oh by the way, tomorrow night is club night, you okay with that ?"

"Hmm… Why not, it's been a while since last time." Lucy answered. "But two days after Christmas Eve… The guys won't be too tired ?"

"Naah don't worry, they're tough. And it's my last freedom night. After that, I'll have to work at Mira's cafeteria and at Gramp's pizza shop."

"You took two part time jobs ?!"

"I need money." He answered abruptly.

"Ok…" Lucy shut it when she heard him turn into a 'wall mode' as she called it in her mind.

"I always work at Gramp's and Mira's during vacations. I thought I told you."

"Maybe you did. I can't remember everything, you talk so much." She giggled.

"Yeah…"

"Thinking again ?"

"Yeah. Um… I listened to my voicemail."

"Oh… So you heard Lisanna's message… I… I didn't mean to-"

"It's ok. You can't undo it anyway. Thanks for telling me."

"Ok… Hey, thanks for the headphones ! I love them ! But why on earth did you buy that, it must have been expensive !"

"It's a gift, you don't need to care about how expensive it was, that's my business." He smiled.

"But my gift to you cost me nothing…"

"Tchh I don't care, idiot, it's the best gift I ever got ! Stop feeling guilty over nothing, or I break our truce."

"Is that a threat ?! Be careful Pinkie, or I'll call my bodyguard…"

"Catguy ? Haha I can beat him whenever I want."

"Reeaally… I'd love to see that…"

"…You couldn't."

"It's an expression dummie, you know what I mean !"

"Of course I know… It's just fun to tease you." He smirked. "Plue agrees with me, right buddy ?"

The dog barked happily and jumped on Natsu again.

"Hey what's in your mouth Plue ?... No way, Luce you gave him candy again ! "

"I told you he wouldn't eat anything else ! He became deflated, it was awful !"

"We should bring him to a vet shrink."

"I'm not sure that exists…"

"Well it should. 'Cause this guy has a SERIOUS problem."

They both laughed, while the oblivious dog curled up in their lap.

"Let's watch the movie now. Well at least, what is left." Lucy giggled.

"It's a three hour movie, there is plenty left !"

Lucy laughed again, then took his arm and wrapped it around her shoulders. He smiled and rubbed her arm, while she cuddled in his chest. His heart beated fast, as he watched her angelic face, smiling and enjoying the music of the film. She was so pretty and peaceful. Then his eyes landed on… her cleavage.

'Woops, not the time to peek !'

He stared with great focus at the TV to make the heat in his lower abdomen go away. He smirked at himself and rolled his eyes. Not a chance he would have done that a month ago.

'What did you do to me Blondie…'

He asked himself for the umptieth time. He couldn't lose her… He couldn't let that happen. But he was stuck. Between the truth that could scare her, even endanger her, and the lies that would eventually hurt her.

Stuck.

Erza had been right. Cobra had seen her, and he was now following her the least discrete way. As if he was trying to scare the scarlet haired woman. She smirked slightly. He could try to frighten her all he wanted, he couldn't do anything in the crowded streets.

Thankfully, on the 25th of December, there was the last day of the big annual Christmas market. Magnolia Center Place was so crowded, Erza could easily lose Cobra in there. But she had to reach it first.

Looking stealthily behind her shoulder, she gulped. Cobra was much closer than before. Maybe he anticipated what she was going to do. It was quite obvious.

Erza couldn't help being nervous and increased her walking speed. Why did he look so scary ? And why did he act like this ? Trying to frighten her… Didn't he care at all where she could be going with her odd outfit ? Maybe he didn't. If he wanted to, he wouldn't have let her know that he was following her.

'Completely nonsense… He shouldn't underestimate me.'

Finally, Erza's heart beamed with hope. Magnolia Center Place. A thousand people at least were buying all sorts of Christmas food, home made decorations, and other christmasy stuff, while some other people watched artists performances. It was crowded and loud. Perfect.

Erza watched again behind her shoulder, then accelerated. She pushed people on her way, and earned a few grumbles from them. She had to though, Cobra was following her close, and elbowing people as well.

At this pace she would never lose him. She was panting and sweating in her clothes, despite the cold temperature. Time to bring out the big guns. She looked behind her shoulder once again. His snake-like eyes were terrifying, Erza almost squeaked. At this moment, the scary guy's face disappeared behind a big tourist.

Erza took her chance. She put her hoodie on her head quickly and crouched a bit. People gave her weird looks as she slid herself through the crowd in her awkward position. If people kept looking at her, she would be busted soon.

She couldn't risk to peek again. Thankfully, she spotted the subway entrance. She rushed to it and ran down the stairs the fastest she could. She didn't stop until she reached one of the many crossroads that led to different trains. She turned around and scanned the crowd, breathing heavily.

It wasn't really smart to expose her face like this, but no Cobra was in sight. Maybe she lost him. Hopefully. She had to be a hundred percent sure. Too bad, she would have to make a detour.

She took the first train she found, which was heading to B-Section. Erza looked around in the train. It was safe. She took off her hoodie, tied her hair in a bun, and put the thing back on her head. This way nobody could spot her scarlet hair.

Studying the train map on the wall, she pouted. A huge detour… She got off the train at the next station, and caught another one that led to F-section, where she would take a bus, leading her to her final destination. This was going to be quite a long trip.

"Yeah… Right, ok, see you tomorrow. Bye."

"Who was it Gray-sama ?"

Juvia sat down on his bed and played with the shirtless man's hair.

"Flame-Head. He sleeps over at Lucy's."

"Oooooh do you think they will-"

"Tsssk not a chance, why do you ask ?" Gray laughed a bit.

"Juvia doesn't understand how they work…"

"…Friendzone. Acting like young horny teenagers, then like an old married couple… He's too scared to open up to her." Gray rubbed his chin as he thought of the pinkie. "You know, he's my friend and roommate, but I barely know him. It must be hard for Lucy."

"Lucy-san is tough. She's always been ! When Juvia met her, she was bullied by mean kids who made fun of her blindness, but she cried only the first time in front of them. She never showed them weakness again. Juvia tried to help a lot, but she was too small…"

The bluenette made a pause, and fixed the wall. She was lost in old memories. She shook her head.

"Anyway, Juvia's point is, Lucy-san knows what she wants, and she will wait patiently until Natsu-san opens up to her. And she will put up with whatever secrets he keeps for himself."

"I hope you're right… He's been really happy since he met her. And more stable, more reasonable."

"Speaking of reasonable… Eerrr Juvia got a phone call from Lyon-san."

Gray stiffened and looked right in the eyes of his guilty looking girlfriend.

"What did he want ?" He asked coldly.

"News from you… He'll be in town soon, so he wants to visit you."

"No."

"Gray-sama he's your brother…"

"I said no."

Juvia sighed as she watched her annoyed boyfriend leave the bedroom. She never had family problems, it was hard to deal with the other's, and especially with Gray's problems. He never wanted to talk about it. Juvia managed to change him a bit over the years, to make him talk when he felt bad. But he was still closed to everything when it was about his brother.

He could say all he wanted about Natsu's secrecy, but he was no better.

'Maybe that's why he became friend with Natsu-san in high school… They fight all the time, but they know the other one won't try to break into their intimacy… God, why isn't life easy for everyone ?'

Erza got off the bus, and breathed in deeply. Painful as well as happy memories invaded her mind. The big city was almost part of the countryside. The wind threatened to take off her hoodie, the scent of trees, gaz and dirty streets mixed in an odd flavor, and the broken streetlights gave to the dark town an uncanny aura… The one that pushed 'honest' people to lock themselves at home.

The 'Town of Heaven'… The true paradise for dealers and crime gangs who gave it this unofficial name. It wasn't the only town giving a shelter to criminals, but it was the safest and the most recognized by the underground world. Also the most watched by the police.

Erza sighed. She hadn't put a foot in this city in six years.

'Home sweet home…'

A/N : this chapter turned out way sadder than i thought it would. I realized it after writing it. I put a bit of my own doubts about the world in there, that's why.

Also, i wanted to speak more about what happens in Natsu's head. I don't want you to think he plays with Lucy's feelings.

Next time, BADASS DETECTIVE ERZA MODE !

Please leave a review :)

Bisous,

Doublepassé

PS: I love Plue.