Approaching the hospital, Erza felt herself get nauseated despite the fact that she had barely even eaten. It was the next morning and the scarlet haired girl had passed out at Evergreen's for the night, she ended up waking up early and notifying the older woman that she would be heading out. A quick flashback of Evergreen complaining about how she never stayed long enough made her smile.

The underground fighter had only spared about a half hour back at her apartment to change into a pair of white ripped up skinny jeans and tight and black high-neck halter tank. She was cautious enough not to disturb Juvia's sleep and she noted to speak with her later, their much needed conversation was long overdue. After entering the large building, Erza was instantly greeted with a rush of cold air, causing goosebumps. She mentally slapped herself for not bringing a sweater with her. She checked in with the polite brunette secretary at the front desk before heading up to the room Jellal was recovering in.

As the scarlet haired girl made her way through she found herself peering into rooms and stealing glances at patients and their conditions, she was careful not to look for too long, she didn't want to come off as disrespectful. Images of her younger self in this very hospital began to flash through her mind, the life of an underground fighter wasn't a luxurious one and when she was starting out she didn't always come out of the ring with a victory. The fights she did win at first didn't come easy either and since she was a rookie she didn't get payed as much for her efforts. Even though Erza was only thirteen when she was just getting into the business, she often found herself in and out of the hospital weekly due to new injuries on top of old ones. Often being over exerted, and fighting with previous injuries didn't help much either. Some fights put the teenager in the hospital directly, she was thankful she didn't lose any teeth.

Overtime the underground boxer improved due to a change in diet and better training methods, instead of stepping away from pain she would step into punches and counter harder.

Finally approaching the room Jellal was in, Erza walked in since the door was already open. A smile slowly formed on her face when she saw him, his ruffled a hand through his messy blue hair and he was dressed in practically regular clothes. He was in much better condition than what she saw merely a few days ago.

"Well look what the cat dragged in." He said with a slight chuckle that gave off his usual cocky tone. He glanced up at her and made eye contact, something he hasn't done in the past four days considering the scarlet haired girl was practically MIA. "Glad to see someone is feeling better." She took a seat beside his bed and flipped her ponytail from her shoulder to rest down her back.

"Yeah should be out of here rather soon actually, should make it back to school within the next week or so." Erza's eyes went wide for a couple seconds at that statement. "You sure that's the best thing for you?" Jellal rolled his eyes, "I'm not made of glass sweetheart." The underground fighter mentally slapped herself again for even asking such a thing. Jellal was way tougher than she was and just as self reliant, she would have probably done the same thing if the roles were switched.

"So where have you been off to lately?"

Erza shifted in her chair uncomfortably, she had only confided in Evergreen about her violent endeavors. She was trying not to think about it too much, because she knew overthinking would stress her to the max and probably make her do some crazy shit. Which she already has, taking out an underground leader was risky and if she wasn't careful she would have made herself a target. Who knows how many business deals Irene had left behind, Erza knew how people in the underground were with money, they'd do anything for it. With Irene finished, there were definitely people in power who are grade A pissed about how much they just lost. And if they found out that she was the one who took out their boss, she'd have a bullet through her brain by morning.

"Don't ever say a word about what took place here tonight, you don't know me, you don't know what I look like. You know nothing. You were unconscious while this happened, if you say a word and try to come for me. You better hope I never see you again, am I clear?"

The flashback of herself saving that man's life scattered through her mind. She knew how harsh certain people will go to get the information they need, what if she made a mistake? Erza's greatest weakness was that she was merciful, she didn't have it in her to take another life. What if the guy was pushed into giving information? What exactly would he tell them? She knew her fate would be sealed if the man even uttered the name 'Titania'. She was champion and well known, easily recognizable in the business, her only way out if she was exposed was to be off the grid completely and giving up everything.

"Erza."

The sharp sound of her name snapped the teenager out of her thoughts, maybe she was overthinking the situation. She tried brushing it off, what's done was done. She had killed two people recklessly, important people, of course people would know about it. All the girl had going for her was if people didn't make the connection that it was her who took them out.

Erza tried masking her worries with a laugh, "I'm sorry, must have spaced out." Jellal stared at her straight-faced, he wasn't buying it. "You must really think I'm an idiot." He replied in a serious tone. Her face grew hot in embarrassment, she should have known better. "No actually...it's just..." He cut her off, "Listen...I don't know where you been but you don't have to tell me everything. Just tell me one thing, are you in any trouble?" She didn't know how to answer that without giving the full story, she didn't know if she was or not. The red head gave out a sigh and decided to just bite the bullet anyway, she trusted him.

"I did something.." She began, the memory of herself crying to him while he was unconscious flashed through her brain. She remembered apologizing for disappointing him and feeling so guilty, she still carried that with her of course, but now she felt even worse with everything else that had occurred. Jellal raised an eyebrow, he felt his own heart beat rapidly, but he kept his poker face.

"After I came to visit you a few days ago, you were still unconscious. I felt so guilty, as if I was the one who put that bullet in you myself, which I might as well have. You wouldn't even be here if it wasn't for me, it was my idea to go that night and look what happened." She took in a deep breath and released it, Jellal rolled his eyes again. "Look, it was in fact my decision to follow your lead that night. And it wasn't your fault, you couldn't have possibly known what would've happened. I'm fine, and I'm glad it's me here and not you."

Erza felt herself blush again, she never would have thought a few months ago that this boy would ever say such a thing to her. Heck, she never thought that anyone would ever say such a thing to her. She felt her heart practically stop and fall into her stomach, she didn't even know how to answer or how to even describe what she was feeling. "Jellal I want you to know that what I'm about to tell you might make you think differently..." She trailed off again, what if him knowing what she had done would change his views on her? What if he saw her as a murderer. Quit overthinking it Erza and just tell him... She said subconsciously.

The boy scoffed. "Oh please, hit me with it."

"I shot and killed Irene and another guy that worked for her." She said it bluntly and she knew her tone made her sound like a complete sociopath. Erza was never good with confessing things like this, she always thought that if you just ripped off the bandaid faster than the conversation will be a lot smoother and to the point. Jellal remained silent, all he did was ruffle a hand through his hair and glance at the wall in front of him. He was speechless.

Erza felt her heart sank, what had she just done? Did she make his demeanor suddenly change, did he view her differently now? I knew it... She had ruined everything now, she had severed her relationship or whatever it was with him.

After what felt like forever to the teenage girl, Jellal finally spoke. "You mean to tell me, that you risked your life to save that of your friends?" Her brown eyes widened, So I take it...he doesn't hate me...

He looked at her, "You feel the need to take on the world for other people...you're selfless. I know you feel guilty right now but you did what you had to do to save yourself and your friend. Doesn't matter how much you resemble your mother or that you're blood related, you're nothing like her."

The scarlet haired girl didn't even wait to process what he said, her instincts did the work for her. And without thinking, she suddenly got up and practically lunged at him, crashing her soft lips onto his. He kissed her back and felt herself grow hot once more, she knew it was cliche to think this, but when she was with him she felt as if her worries faded and that she was no longer truly alone.

Erza felt Jellal's hand cup her cheek, she wasn't experienced but somehow she knew exactly what to do. She bit his lip softly and he chuckled a bit before turning the kiss into an all out make out session.

It was going well before they heard the door open. "Bad timing?" The kind nurse smiled at the two teenagers. The woman looked young herself, maybe late twenties. Her highlighted brunette hair was pulled back into a high bun and she held a clipboard in her hand.

Erza instantly pulled away from him, mortified. "U-uh should I go?" She spat out, she felt herself blush all over once more in embarrassment. Real classy Erza, real classy She thought to herself, ashamed of being caught in action-well mild action. The woman giggled softly with her fingertips over her lips, "Of course not, I'm just going over a few routine things with Jellal before he leaves today."

The scarlet haired girl sat there for a minute, quietly. I know he said he was leaving soon...I didn't think he meant today She let out a short breath, knowing that the transition might be hard. He wasn't fully recovered yet and she didn't want him to overdue it. Erza listened for a minute as the nurse went over the basics, like how often he should change his guaze and make sure it's sterile and all that.

Within the next hour Erza and Jellal were already making their way out, "I think I'm good to drive." The scarlet haired girl scoffed at his statement, "You mean to tell me that you didn't schedule for someone to drive you home?" She couldn't even comprehend the headassery of this situation, Boys are so reckless

He burst out laughing, "I'm just messin with you, Natsu is parked over there." He flicked his head up towards the direction in which Natsu was, he drove Jellal's jeep and was on his phone in the driver's seat.

Jellal tapped the window and Natsu practically jumped, he unlocked the car and Erza took the back seat and Jellal took the passenger. "Damn Natsu didn't think I could scare you that bad." Natsu flicked him off before tossing his phone in the glove compartment. "Looks like someone's doing better." The pink haired boy said with a smile before starting up the car and taking off. "At least I can truthfully say I took a bullet now."

"Soo Erza, where have you been?" The red head chuckled softly, "Man that question is popular today." She folded her arms and answered plainly, "Just taking care of a few things, nothing major." Understatement of the century but oh well

"Sounds like a drag." He answered with a fake yawn. Erza rolled her eyes but smiled afterwords anyway, seems like forever since she had talked to Natsu. She had always viewed him as an imbecile, but she knew she'd practically crumble if she lost him. "Yo Erza, the hell are you smiling at? You look stupid." She glared at the pinkette's comment, Why doesn't this dumbass ever let me have my moment?

"SHUT YOUR MOUTH NATSU!"

...

I swear...my computer crashes and then restarts...every ten minutes.