A/N: Haha, sorry, Ultear will only be friends with Jellal in this story. I don't plan to add more dramas in Jerza more than what I have planned. So Gruvion will be the only developing love triangle here. I always imagine Lyon as a cool guy who lost it when he's with Juvia becoz we all know how cool he was in Galuna Island and the Oracion Seis arc. But him being in love is so epic! XD

Chapter 14

"Gray, stop blocking my way!" Lyon scolded.

"What? You were the one taking too much space just to bring out a teapot!" Gray countered.

"It's hot! I need a huge tray to bring it to the table!" Lyon argued.

"Will you two stop fighting!" Ul shouted from the kitchen. "I just asked you two to bring the plates out and you still have to make it difficult!"

Lyon and Gray grumbled, glaring towards each other as Gray trudged past Lyon towards the kitchen.

"Here, bring this to the dining table," Ul pushed a hot pot towards Gray, which Gray obediently took. "Is Ultear and Meredy here yet?"

"Not yet," Gray shook his head, putting the pot down a bit as he glanced towards his teacher. He was still a little bothered about the fact that Ul miraculously nominated Jellal in the professor election. It wasn't that he did not trust Ul, but why must it be a vice professor who missed the conference of all the people?

"Is something the matter, Gray?" Ul asked, with her hands still busy preparing the dinner.

"No, it's nothing," Gray shook his head. "Why didn't you tell me you came back?"

Ul laughed. "I didn't plan to. But when I heard they took my suggestion and pick you for the Live Performance, I wanted to watch it so badly."

Gray groaned. "Yeah, so you can scold me later?"

"Any mothers would want to see her children grow, boy," Ul gave a proud smile that Gray couldn't help the warmth he felt inside. Ul had always addressed Gray and Lyon as her sons, even though they weren't related by blood. They never complained though. After all, Ul had always treated them equally with her own daughter, Ultear.

"Well, it could have saved me a lot if you were the one doing it," he mumbled still.

Ul looked at him reproachfully. "I wouldn't know you were having some difficult surgery at the same time. I never thought you were able to pull it off."

He scoffed, rolling his eyes. "Yeah, thank you for the compliment."

"Sensitive much?" Ul laughed again. "What I mean was, I never thought you would found a great team that would make such surgeries possible," there was a pause in her words as her gaze softened. "She is a very good comrade, Gray. Juvia Lockser I mean."

Gray could feel the warmth inside him crept up to his face. He wasn't sure why, but he felt so glad that Ul liked Juvia. "Thanks," he muttered unconsciously.

"Hm?" Ul couldn't help but to notice the blush forming on his angular cheeks. It was rare, even for her, to see Gray blushing. "Shall I expect a wedding anytime soon?" she said impishly.

Gray blinked, his blush turned a few shades deeper. "W-what? Why would you say that?"

Ul laughed, dismissing Gray's stuttering answer. Oh, her boys are so obvious. Gray hated how Ul's laugh rang like a mock to him. But he could notice the change inside him at the mention of the girl's name too. He didn't deny it. He didn't deny it to Ul like how he did to Jellal and Cana before. Even if he wanted to, his heart wouldn't.

"Speaking of which," Ul smiled knowingly, trying to ease the uncomfortable conflict inside him. "Your handling on the coronary cusp is still an amateur. You should improve more."

"Huh?" Gray grimaced. "Fine, fine," he decided to quickly left the kitchen with the pot.

"Call Lyon and help with these abalone slices and mushrooms!" Ul called out with a chuckle.

By the time they finished setting the table with the hot pot and steamboat ingredients, they heard a car parked in front of the house. Lyon had went to open the door as to let Ultear and Meredy in. But before Lyon can even open the door, it was swung open harshly, and a blue haired guy stormed in straight into the dining area. Lyon was flabbergasted, standing frozen in place as Ultear and Meredy calmly made their way inside.

"What is Jellal doing here?" Lyon asked the two.

"Sorry," Meredy looked at him apologetically. "We tried to stop him."

Jellal's steps were fast and stopped firmly in the dining area, surprising Gray and Ul who was still preparing the bowls and plates.

Ul straightened her back, facing the young man. "Fernandez, what are you-"

Ul's words were cut off when Jellal threw a paper on the dining table. She looked down, noticing the paper as the list of the nominees for the professor election. Raising her brows, she looked up to Jellal's eyes. There was a tint of anger in his eyes.

"What's the meaning of this?" Jellal's voice was low and gentle, but they can sense the heat emanating in his aura.

"What's the meaning of what?" Ul was acting dumb. She knew what Jellal meant. He was enquiring her about the reason for nominating him. But she wanted to remain calm, and Jellal, despite his exterior calmness, was nowhere near that.

Gray had stopped his work, facing the sudden unexpected visitor. Lyon had came into the area with Ultear and Meredy in tow, looking utterly confused. Gray actually had the gist of what was this all about. He had heard Cana and Levy talking about it. And just then Jellal had confirmed his thought.

"Why did you nominate me?" Jellal's voice sounded low, as if he was containing something very heavy inside. "I don't need your pity here."

Ul's brows rose higher at Jellal's speculation. "Excuse me?" she placed a hand on her hips in an intimidating manner. "Do you seriously believe that I, of all people, would nominate someone out of pity?"

"Why else would you nominate a nominee who didn't even attend the nomination?" Jellal argued.

Ul scoffed. "Dr Fernandez, I think you missed out a very important fact here. When you are nominated, you are eligible of becoming a professor. You have the chance to win and become one. You have the chance of standing on the same level as I do – as Igneel, Metallicana, Grandeeney, Weisslogia, Skiadrum, Makarov, Yajima and Jiemma do. You'll be at the same level as we are, Fernandez. Did you seriously believed I would carelessly put people on our level out of pity?" they are leaders of the medical world, it wasn't an easy position to fit in. They have responsibilities towards the doctors, patients, communities and even the government.

As if the argument hit him, Jellal stood quiet. His calm breathing resonated inside his chest, dismissing the bad aura around him. He knew Ul was an excellent professor. She was very well respected in their field, and Jellal had surely heard a lot about her skills even though this was certainly their first encounter.

"Then why?" Jellal couldn't help but to ask.

Ul sighed, glancing at Gray who was watching calmly. "I wouldn't have nominated you if it wasn't for Gray."

Gray blinked confusedly, looking at his teacher. "Huh?"

"I knew you were running for the election when I read the nominees, but you weren't there," Ul started. "It surprised me, of course. Because you even sent an unknown anesthetist to do the Live Performance. When Gray called me to do the surgery for the baby, I was surprised that you were there. But that was when I understood you as a person," she paused, staring at Jellal's face. "Why didn't you go to the conference? And why didn't you pick Gajeel in the Live Performance? These questions were the ones that lead me to nominate you."

Jellal was still quiet, trying to make sense of Ul's speech.

Ul chuckled. "You didn't come because you put the patient's life above your nomination, and you didn't pick Gajeel because you trusted in your friends and values the teamwork," she answered for him. "Am I not right, Dr Fernandez?"

"I... I didn't... Well..." Jellal tried to reason, though nothing actually came out of his head.

"You are the perfect type for a leader," Ul smiled softly. "I wouldn't want to miss nominating someone like you."

Ultear had walked up to Jellal, patting his shoulder in a comforting way. She nodded in approval when Jellal turned to her. In some way, she agreed with her mother, even though they rarely agree with each other, but Ultear knew her mother was always analytical. And she picked the right choice in this.

"Your subordinates are very good by the way," Ul said warmly. "At least Gajeel and Juvia are."

And Jellal couldn't help the proud smile forming on his face. "They sure are."

"Would you mind if you let me have Juvia-chan?" Lyon interrupted, partly to soothe the tension in the room.

Gray glared at him. "Jellal won't let you."

"Why do you always answer for people when I didn't even ask you?" Lyon glared back in a miffed manner.

Ul, Ultear, Meredy and Jellal turned their attention to the quarreling surgeons. Jellal was partly amused at the childish side Gray and Lyon showed in front of Ul, which he thought they were completely different at work. Ul blinked a few times, trying to rationalize the unusual quarrel before smirking.

"I see," Ul laughed. "So I can definitely expect a wedding in the near future. It's just that I don't know whether it would be Gray or Lyon."

Gray spun towards his teacher. "Of course not Lyon! There's no way he's marrying her!"

"That's not for you to decide, idiot!" Lyon yelled back. "And why are you even in the list?"

Gray lay on his bed that night, pondering about a lot of things – about Juvia. Juvia. Gray bit his lips. He had never think about a girl this much before. Sure, he had dated a few girls, but he had never been that much into it. Somehow, Juvia had occupied his mind too much before he even realized it.

Her soft wavy hair felt so nice and smooth under his touch. Her smiles and laughs were a melody he had always loved to hear. She looked very beautiful, and cute, and sexy at the same time that Gray wasn't even sure how that was even possible.

But above anything, Gray loved the very core of her. She was selfless and understanding. Gray remembered how she looked so attentive with Wendy's insecurities. She was the one who studied till night to find a possible way to help Evergreen and her baby. And even though she had her quirks, Gray always loved entertaining every side of her, like how she would easily cry and then laugh again. Gray smiled when he remembered her crying when she thought he was trying to bully her. She wasn't really that hard to please either.

Juvia was loyal, very supportive, and she trusted in him so much and Gray loved the sense of pride she gave him. She's strong, and she never blamed things on other people, nor waiting to be saved by someone. When she was bullied at the other hospital, she had fought all alone, and yet she never gave up and stood for herself. She's skillful, even though she needed to build more confidence in herself. Heck, Gray couldn't even list all her good sides anymore.

"Fuck," Gray breathed, placing a hand on his forehead as he closed his eyes. "I like her."

And he felt his heart beating calmly, and surely filled with warmth at the thought. It was a pleasant feeling that he wished would stay forever. He had never though that his heart would feel this good.

He sighed at the realization. And what makes matter worse, Lyon seemed to be interested in her too. He felt the pang of jealousy in his heart.

Damn, that bastard. He scrunched painfully. Why do they always want the same thing? Gray stared at his own palm for a while. He really wanted to hold her again. He could still feel the contour of her body when he hugged her in the dark lobby before Evergreen's surgery, and he remembered how soft she was.

Gray huffed and quickly pulled his blanket. He wasn't going to let his mind travel to the forbidden area - especially not in the middle of the night. He better get his sleep now.

Juvia trotted her way through the lobby, ready to go home after finishing her work. She clutched her purse, bowing at some nurses she met along the way. Just as she reached the main door, she saw Gray leaning on a pole nearby, twirling his keys between his fingers.

"Gray-sama!" Juvia greeted him, waving her hands cheerfully.

"Hey," Gray smiled at her, pushing his keys into his pocket as he approached her. "Have you finished your work?"

"Yes, Juvia is going home now," she nodded.

"Do you want me to send you home? I'm going back too," Gray offered.

"It's okay, Juvia doesn't want to be a bother."

Gray groaned inwardly. Why won't she get the clue? He just wanted to spend some time with her, now that Evergreen's case is no longer a valid excuse. "No, I insist," he placed a hand on her back, as a sign for her to come with him.

Juvia blinked innocently, letting Gray steer her to his car and carefully get in after Gray opened the passenger seat for her. Closing the door, Gray get into the car himself and drove off.

"Does Lyon still disturb you?" Gray asked, trying his best to mask the jealousy in his voice. To be honest, Lyon wasn't the playboy type. In fact, he rarely gave his attention to any girls. Why must it be Juvia of all girls? Gray felt annoyed.

"Juvia didn't feel disturbed. Lyon-sama was being very nice," Juvia replied politely.

"He's not being nice," Gray groaned at her indifference. Lyon was being far too obvious, and Gray didn't like it one bit.

Juvia smiled a bit. "Juvia thinks Gray-sama has a very warm family."

"What do you mean?"

"Being able to ask for help, and have a nice talk with a family like Lyon-sama, Juvia feels a bit jealous," her voice was soft, and sad at the same time.

"We never had a nice talk," Gray grimaced.

Juvia chuckled a bit, a little too soft to even make her feel happy. And then her smile curved into a sad one. Gray stole a few glances at the woman. He knew what Juvia meant though. The fact that he and Lyon were able to support each other – even though Lyon was a jerk – it was a relationship Juvia never had.

Carefully, Gray reached a hand, grasping Juvia's small ones that were resting on her lap. Juvia looked down at his hand holding hers, then she looked up at Gray. He was still concentrating on the road, but even in the darkest night, Juvia could see the faint blush on his cheeks.

"You have a lot of nakamas you can depend on now," Gray said, as if explaining his gesture.

Juvia smiled, grasping Gray's comforting hand in her own. Gray was so nice and kind, Juvia can almost feel the warmth of his heart reverberating inside her. It was as if the cold hearted surgeon Gray Fullbuster had never existed. She sighed contently, not letting his hand go, hoping deep inside that the ride would never end.

"Are you considering Lyon's invitation?" Gray asked quietly.

Juvia smiled a bit. "Juvia wouldn't mind."

"Working with him?" Gray felt his heart break a little. "You flatly rejected me when I asked you," he mumbled the last part.

"Juvia means helping him with his current patient," Juvia chuckled. "Juvia doesn't plan to leave ED yet."

"He already has Jura," Gray reasoned.

"But Juvia feels bad if she doesn't help people in need."

Gray groaned. She totally had no idea on what Lyon's intention was. Gray wasn't stupid. It wasn't that hard for him to realize why he was being overly possessive towards Juvia. No matter how much he tried to deny the tug in his heart, the fact was he couldn't help but feel insecure with Lyon's advances. What if Juvia fall for Lyon? What if Lyon propose to Juvia and she accepted? Gray couldn't stand the future of where he had to face Juvia as Lyon's girl whenever Ul gathered them in a family gathering.

"Thank you for sending Juvia home, Gray-sama," Juvia had a beautiful smile before reaching for her purse. "Good night!"

Just as Juvia was about to go out, Gray's hand shot up and grabbed her arm, stopping her on track. Juvia turned back to the raven haired guy with a questioning look. And Gray couldn't help but to adore her round dark blue eyes. He felt a pleasant turmoil in his chest, or stomach, or wherever that was, Gray didn't care anymore. It took him every strength not to just lean and kiss her.

"Gray-sama?" Juvia asked when Gray remained quiet, still not letting her arm go.

"Sorry, I was just wondering," Gray cleared his throat, blushing a bit. "Are you free this weekend?"

Juvia blinked. "Eh? Why?"

"I was thinking of taking you out."

It was Juvia's turn to blush, and Gray thought it was funny how they both sat there bashfully. "Does Gray-sama mean like a... A d-date?"

Gray wanted to deny the date part actually. But then he remembered their deal when they first talked. "Well, kind of. I promised to take you out on a date if you join the team, remember?"

Juvia gaped. "Gray-sama will take Juvia on a date?" she still couldn't exactly wrap her mind with the idea of going on a date with one of Ul's student.

"Yeah," Gray paused before cautiously curved his lips up to a small chuckle. "Can we please... Exclude the white horse part though?"

"Yes! Gray-sama!" Juvia almost squealed at the happiness gushing inside her heart.

"Great," Gray nodded, slowly letting her arm go. "Then I'll just pick you up in the morning this weekend. I'll see you later."

"Yes, Gray-sama," Juvia nodded obediently.

"Good night then."

Gray watched how Juvia happily went out of his car and walked into her door. And Gray couldn't help the grin that started to form on his face.

A/N: Too many Gruvia in this chappie. I'm a Gruvia mess now. XD I'll give some other scenes next chapter. ;) Thank you for those who reviewed and all those who had supported me in every ways; xgasai-yunox, KIM, Kotaru, Medaka-chan, BlackFish29, elle003, Mango, Yukari Hiwada, mgaa, gruvialover, superduperizee, nikkiwrites, animefan and the unnamed Guest. I love you all! :D