I am alive! With a half fried brain, but it's better than nothing.

I'm so sorry for the long wait, I appreciate everyone for continuing to follow this story. A couple heads up about where I'm going with this. I honestly think that it'll be finish in 25-ish chapters including an epilogue and I hope to finish it during summer if not by the end of this year. So rejoice or cry about that.

There's one thing that I would like you guys to keep in mind as this story climaxes and ends and that is, which characters should be the main ones? When planning this story, I didn't know how it would turn out so I would love to know who you think is a main main go to the poll on my profile to vote or tell me in your reviews.

That should be it. Thank you all for always supporting me, I hope you enjoy this chapter.

"Uncle, why have you called me here?" Loki asked.

"Have you been keeping Lucy with you lately?" he asked. Oh, so he actually noticed. Then again, he was on a business trip for a while. "I thought that I addressed this point before that if you were going to have Lucy stay with you that you at least needed to tell Capricorn in advance."

"What are you talking about Uncle? I've only come to Magnolia just this morning. I haven't heard anything from her since my last visit." Jude's facial expression didn't change but the aura around him did. It felt panicked and frantic, Loki could easily tell that. "I'm sure she's fine. Knowing Lucy, she's probably staying with Natsu for a project or something."

"Excuse me, I would like a search party. Yes I believe that it was a kidnapping-"

"Uncle Jude, that's too extreme!" Well, well isn't this an unexpected side to him? He's so worried about her that someone else would think it's a different person, but Loki knows well. He understands that Jude is trying in his own way to be a parent. That's why Loki had never badmouthed him whenever Lucy was frustrated, he tried to mend, but that didn't work out too well. Parents can't choose their children, just like how children can't choose their parents.

"What am I supposed to do? I should probably get the Department of Defense!"

"That's what I meant by extreme! Uncle, thinking about it logically, wouldn't she at least be at school?"

"That's right!" My, when people are worried they often forget about the simplest things, but would someone actually tell him?

"Master Jude, if you continue these actions then your health will suffer again," Capricorn stated as he entered into the office with two cups of coffee. "Loki-sama, it is a pleasure to see you again. I'm glad to see you in good health. Perhaps the Master should take a lesson from you."

"Thank you Capricorn. You're always the life of the house. I always tell him to take some time off to be with Lucy but he doesn't seem to listen. Perhaps, it's time that you take more of an interest in what Lucy has to say over what you believe is best for her," Loki suggested.

"She's still too young to do that." Ah, another set of words that parents will always spout out one day. The ones that are more afraid are the ones who are too used to stability, which will most of the time be the parents especially in cases like this.

"You may see it as that, but before you know it, she will be flying on her own like the beautiful dove that Layla hoped that she could become." Loki put down his emptied coffee cup and announced, "I will go see Lucy personally, it's better not to force her back but rather have her decide on what she truly wants."

"If she doesn't activate her cell phone for the rest of the week, then I will force her back."

Loki sighed. It's not like he can do anything when he's like this, adults can be as stubborn as children sometimes. "I'll be back soon Uncle. When I come back, we need to discuss one of the branches to the company. Someone's been embezzling in company funds again."

As Loki's car zoomed towards the school, it passed the train station where a girl in black was boarding while a semi-ignorant boy was looking at the ticket that he received in wonderment. How did he end up skipping school to go to some random place that Faye-sensei and even Master Mavis told him to go to?

"Do you think he went?" Mavis asked.

"Hm… Let's see, since it has to do with Erza-chan, I wouldn't see any reason why he wouldn't. After all, he's finally starting to care like your idiotic husband. It's like a cycle, he became softer after he drew a picture of you too," Faye remembered as she poured out the coco.

Mavis took a cup and smiled. "I still have it; I was surprised that he saw me that way." Zeref's picture posed her as a lively angel, filled with white and smiles but he knew that she had emotional scars so near her heart he faintly shaded in black to represent the pain her heart had once gone through. "Jellal's picture was beautiful as well, but it's missing an important part of Erza, the part that shaped her into who she is today."

"Don't worry, I'm sure they will find their answers soon."

"That's good. But… There's another pair that I'm worried about."

"The ones who the birds came to?" Mavis nodded. "Have you felt something strange? "

"Yes. From what they saw, something was strange with Lucy. Natsu forgave, but she distanced herself from that, isn't it strange? Now I can't really think of a possible strategy for them to progress nicely. " So even she's involved with that.

"That is troublesome for now, but maybe it was because she ate something strange…"

"Well that could be possible too, but…" Mavis sighed. "Maybe I should ask Cana for a fortune telling to help me with my plans. It's so frustrating when I can't think of something to change the probabilities!"

"Now, now, instead of biting on the chair arms, have a cookie instead," Faye-sensei offered.

Mavis bit into the cookie, slightly frustrated. "Faye, there's something else that I came here worried about. Did Gajeel seem alright? Something about his aura is off lately. There's somehow a killing intent, but there's also something soft behind it."

"It's rare that you're concerned about him." Gajeel's not the type of person that should be worried about, maybe Natsu or even Levy but… "He recently made both Juvia-chan and Levy-chan worried, it probably has something to do with his recent fighting, but it doesn't look like he's harming the weak. He has too many injuries, so if I had to guess, something from the past in haunting him. What's the probability it has to do with Grimore?"

"There's a good chance, but I can't be too certain. Unless, Jellal is also involved in that?"

"I've heard nothing explicit, but you can infer that. It wouldn't shock me if he was."

"Were we this complicated as teenagers?"

"If by complicated you mean you don't know what's going on with them at least 80% of the time then yes. Besides, when we have kids, do you honestly think we're going to know where they are the majority of the time when they're teens?"

"I haven't even thought about having children…" she admitted. Her children were the students here. Everyone who was a part of Fairy Academy was her family, that's what her father and grandmother always told her. "There are already a lot of children that we have to take care of now, so what's the point in rushing?"

"Wise decision."

"Excuse me?"A familiar voice called out.

"Please come in. Good morning Levy-chan," Faye-sensei greeted.

"Oh, I didn't know that you were here First Master. If you and Faye-sensei needed to talk to each other, I can always wait a little longer."

"No, it's fine. I'll be going back to work now, Faye" Mavis stated getting out of her seat, brushing the crumbs from her lap. "If you get any more information, tell me about it. Good luck Levy."

"Thank you?" What exactly did she need luck on? The career pathway wasn't particularly difficult for her. She doesn't have any confusion, she doesn't have any hesitations, she doesn't have any restrictions. "This might be irrelevant but have you seen Gajeel today?"

"No, but I think there was a call, something about him being too frustrated to go to school?"

"That idiot," she muttered under her breath.

"What was that?"

"N-Nothing!"

"Aw, young love is so cute!"

"Please don't become like Mira," Levy pleaded. "On the other hand, can we focus on what I'm really here for?"

"What's the rush? Do you want to get back to class that soon? From what I heard today's homeroom is a combination of Gildarts-sensei catching up on sleep and a deep talk about the true secrets of hamburgers. I swear there are some things that you just don't want to see, but you see it anyways and-"

"Sensei!"

"Oops. Um, your form?" Levy handed her the smooth, wrinkle free paper. "No doubts then?"

"None at all. I really want to be a translator for ancient languages, I know a lot of colleges don't focus on that or have that, but I'll do anything it takes. I love books and articles, I want to make a living out of it," she answered. It's so natural to pursue a dream when nothing stands in your way, but fate has never laid out a straight path.

"Well, at least you have a backup plan, if Lucy ever goes worldwide, I'm sure she'll need an editor. Any colleges in particular yet?"

"There's one in Freesia that I'm interested in. There're a lot of libraries there, so I'd think it'd be perfect, but I want to go to the same school as Lu-chan."

"She was interested in some schools in Crocus, but I don't think that there are any that are prominent in your interested fields," she informed. Levy bit her lip and tapped her fingers, thinking. "Are you that worried? Even if people separate, it's not like they can't still be connected like with texting and email."

"I'm just not used to moving to a place where I don't know anyone. Freesia is wonderful but at the same time not a lot of people get in."

"I'm sure you can pass the exam to get in, you're hard working and smart enough," Faye-sensei told her with an encouraging smile. "Of course, next year is when the staff members start to remind your grad about the application process along with other things that are mandatory and can help you get in."

"I see, but what if someone wants to get in here for college?"

"Fairy Academy?" Levy nodded. "We're not that much different from other colleges and welcome all students to join and we actually have your major available Levy-chan, but would you really want to come here when there's a better college for you?"

"You almost sound like you're not giving other people the possibility of here," Levy pointed out. At least, she never hears Lucy or that many people talking about Fairy as an option.

"Of course not, but some people give off the impression that they don't want to stay in this town while we don't offer every single major that some students are aiming for. Most of the time, people don't specifically ask."

"I see… Um…" Levy's face cringed ever so slightly with confusion. "I know I'm not technically supposed to ask, but did Gajeel happen to choose a college?"

"No, he didn't. He was angry and I was forgetful, but I'm not sure if he's started looking at any yet," she answered, writing something on a slip of paper. "But you are so sweet for being concerned about him. I heard that you were completely against the entire proposal in the beginning."

"Well, I guess that's because I realized that I didn't make any effort to be able to understand what he was going through after he stopped hanging out with everyone." Then again, they never really reconciled and just fell apart for nonspecific reasons at the time.

"Do you miss middle school?"

"It was less complicated back then," Levy decided. Sure, high school's great, but there's so much drama and complications that intensify over time, but… it's been like this since that last year in middle school.

"Do you think that you're getting closer to each other again?"

"A little with Erza and Juvia," especially with the whole Erza clothing thing, "but I've never been really close with Gray and Natsu, even though Lu-chan and Juvia would always be around them. Then I just meet Jellal this year, so I guess we're at least acquaintances."

"Then what about Gajeel-kun?"'

"He…" How was she to answer this? "Gajeel, I feel is opening up a little more, but he still feels a little distant from me." Levy's pondering face dampened with a frown. She wants to get to know him and understand him, she wanted him to have the guidance that she thought he needed, but… If he had the personality of harming people all along, then maybe she shouldn't have said that he would have been allowed to go here.

"Anything else?"

"Now I feel like he's either beating up people because they used to go to school with him or he's beating people up just for the enjoyment of it," she admitted. That possibility has been in the back of her mind since middle school.

"Levy-chan, who is Gajeel to you, or what is he? Even though his past is questionable, you need to judge on the present with your own eyes. Close your eyes for a second."

"W-what? Why?" Looks like she completely forgot why she was in the office in the first place.

"It helps with the mental visualization, so close your eyes." Levy obeyed and her eyes were shut. "Gajeel-kun's creations are excellent aren't they? You'd think that with such large hands, he couldn't possibly make any of those dainty sculptures that he's been obsessed with especially with that large body of his."

"Even though his hands are rough, they're still very careful with his work. He's really hard working and a perfectionist when it comes to it, but his works are amazing no matter what." Hands much larger and rougher than her own feminine soft ones. "He's so determined."

"Do his eyes match his determination?"

Red eyes came into her mind. At first, they appear to be nearly cruel, but there was a gruff kindness to them. "Yes. He looks intimidating at first, but his personality isn't so harsh, especially when you make him laugh at something stupid."

"You speak of him fondly. Do you love him?"

"W-what?! Faye-sensei, that's not something that you should be asking students!"

"So cute!" The red clashed with the blue of her hair. "So is it true?"

"That's personal!"

"Oh, to be young again." Though she and Mavis are still pretty young to begin with. "Are you going to confess soon?"

"It's not like that!"

"Be sure to treasure every single day, okay? Peaceful times can't last forever." From both her own experience and observing the other pairings, Gajeel and Levy were so… "You two sure are lucky."

"'Lucky'? What do you mean by that?" Levy questioned curiously.

"Nothing pertaining you, Levy-chan, so don't worry about it. Is there anything else that you would like to ask about while we still have the time? There're about 10 more minutes before someone else scheduled their appointment."

"No, I don't have anything else."

"I see. Then you are free to leave if you wish."

Levy stood up and walked towards the door, but before she turned the doorknob, she ask, "Faye-sensei? Before when you said that you wanted to prove something for that friend of yours, why did you think of me?"

"Besides the fact that you're short?" If it's someone short, there are plenty of other people who though aren't as short as Levy, would still fit the bill. "The person who was hiding at the time was kind of similar to you while the other person was kind of similar to Gajeel. Moreover, you two would have actually done it."

"Does that mean that you would have chosen someone else if they would have done it?"

"Why does that matter to you right now?"

"Who was it going to be?"

Faye-sensei looked at her for a minute, but she wasn't looking at her but rather something in the distance. "You are very lucky, Levy-chan. For many reasons," she whispered out in almost a longing tone. "I think other people would be jealous of you, if they took the time to think about what they truly wanted. Use your luck to help you in achieving what you want."

"I'm sorry for asking so many questions." She didn't know why, but she could feel that she touched on a sensitive subject.

"Come back if you need anything and if possible, please tell Gajeel-kun that I would like to see him again soon."

"Gajeel-kun, why are you skipping school today?!"

"I felt like watching the newest episode of um… Magical Cutie Girls, yeah that's it." Just imagine him saying that with a straight face, if Juvia were in the same room and her concern wasn't as serious, she would probably be laughing to the point of crying.

"Juvia knows that Gajeel-kun is just trying to avoid Juvia again! Why can't Gajeel-kun tell Juvia about what's going on?"

"Commercial's over, I gotta find out what's happy with Dr. Megakins or whatever the guy's name is, later!" Without another wasted second, Gajeel hung up the phone and dropped it in the fish tank that he kept around for Lily's amusement.

"Gajeel-kun!" Seeing that she couldn't connect with him, she sighed and stopped trying. What was she going to do with that guy?

"Juvia, don't be so depressed," Meredy called out. "What's wrong?"

Juvia sighed. "It's nothing really Meredy, just something between Juvia and Gajeel-kun. Don't mind Juvia."

"Why not try dancing? It's a great way to get your spirits up. Come on," she said, grabbing Juvia's hands to get her to stand up. "Whenever I get upset or angry, I always dance to get it out. What kind of song would you like? Something upbeat?"

"Ah, sure?"

Meredy turned her Ipod on max and an instrumental piece blasted out. "I love this one. All you have to do is move to the rhythm, dancing is about expression!" Her movements were flowing and she smoothly transitioned from one step to another. Juvia saw beauty, she saw freedom within Meredy's dance. "Come one Juvia, I'll show you a step or two."

Juvia felt so stiff and clumsy compared to Meredy, but her smile was infectious and Juvia began to smile too. "Thank you Meredy!"

"Don't you feel better now?"

"Much, where did Meredy learn how to dance like that?"

"Ultear taught me a bit when I was younger, but then Faye-sensei arranged it so that I could take lessons a few times a month. Ultear taught me that dance can do two things, express myself and convince others to follow in my emotions." The pinkette's face was filled with admiration and happiness at the mention of the girl's name.

"Meredy, you must really love Ultear-san a lot."

"Yep! Just like how you love Gray, right?"

"Yes," she agreed with a smile. For the ones they love, their plan has to work, so that everyone can be happy.

Erza finished wiping the last of the dirt away, making the stone look new. She didn't know whether to smile at the satisfaction of finishing or cry in realization of how many years had passed. The pain still gnawed at her heart and her core. How many times will she come and question if she should be living at all? Even though the First Master told her that she should live, she would still wish for death to bless her with its temptations. No, she shouldn't think like that. That would be a waste of the precious life that was protected for her.

Suddenly, she could feel someone's presence behind her. Erza quickly turned around, shocked at the blue that she saw. Why… Why was he here?

Meanwhile the other was not shocked about the girl's reaction, but the person whose grave it was. Rob-jii was dead? How could a man who was so healthy and kind be dead? Old age perhaps, but he looked like he could live to 112! Moreover, why would she have such an expression of her face? Almost as though she… was guilty?

He breathed out a question. "What happened?"

"Jellal…You're skipping school?" Her mouth felt dry as she didn't know what else to say besides attempt to hide behind her façade. "That's bad, with your attendance record, you need to go to class as much as possible and-"

"Stop avoiding the topic," he demanded. Seeing her frightened expression, he withdrew by a step. In a softer tone, he asked, "Do you have any incense sticks?" With a clumsy nod, her trembling hands got said objects out of her bag and handed them to him in search of a lighter. "I've got it."

Once they were lit, Erza didn't know what to say. Literally, she just kept quiet. Now what? Their relationship still wasn't fixed enough. Maybe, he would just stay away from her, like before, yet she wanted him to know. She wanted him to hold her the same way like when they were children and cry, breaking her façade entirely, just to let that scared little girl grow up and move on from the past.

But she was too afraid to tell him, she was afraid of crying in front of someone who could easily slip away from her. Erza knows that their relationship is something fragile, being held together with that thin string of fate, she doesn't want him to disappear again, she-

"Are you coming?" her voice asked before she thought.

"There's another one?" With the small nod of her head, he knew it was a yes. Who else could- Jellal felt that time stopped once more, when he saw this gravestone. "Erza-" Once more he was silenced, she was crying and it didn't even look like she was aware of it. The tears fell down her pretty face stained with regret.

Her heart processed the situation faster than her mind and it was tired of the shields. It wanted to be comforted, to stop its guards for someone else to protect it, someone else to understand. Titania was the strong, flawless student president. Erza Scarlet was a feared, but admired teen throughout the school district. Just plain Erza… She was a weak child who always cried and she is the one who's standing in front of that grave right now.

She covered her face in shame, the tears not seeming to stop. Perhaps, they're the tears that she's suppressed over the years. "It's my fault… it's all my fault!" she sobbed out.

Jellal moved to wipe the dust from the stone. His eyes widen on shock once more when he saw the name. Simon… He turned back to the sobbing girl, unable to fit all of the pieces together. Something happened in which she was the survivor, but what-?

Unconsciously, he hugged her tightly to shield her broken pieces from the eyes of the judgmental. So she was still alive, his Erza, the Erza he had grown up with, the Erza that would cry until he would comfort her until she smiled again. It was almost like time never flowed.

"It's okay," he whispered to her gently.

It felt warm for Erza. This warmth… It's what she's been longing for. His arms had grown with muscle, his head was further away from her's, but this was warmth that no one else could fulfill. This was what Erza wanted, this comfort, this acceptance, this person. Years of tears finally spilled out because of the presence of one person.

When her tears began to dry out, she looked in front of her to see a large wet spot on his shirt. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to stain your shirt. Or cry this much but… I'm sorry."

He moved to wipe the tears from her eye. "Why are you only crying in one eye?"

She moved flustered. How would he not notice? "Um…"

He touched her right eye. "Is it fake?" Not trusting her voice, she nodded and waited for him to let it settle in. He could see some very light scars around her eye, something that he didn't notice before. He didn't seem to be thinking, just moving, forgetting about any potential consequences that could happen because of what was going on. Jellal let go of her and asked, "What happened?"

The question was sudden, Erza didn't feel ready to answer, but… this could be the only chance that she had to say something about that day to the one person who she thought would listen and understand the best.

"Can you help me clean?" she mumbled slightly as she grabbed a rag from her fallen bag. Jellal watched her every movement and noticed dark marks standing out from her bright scarlet hair. Did her neck have scars too? "So you're not going to help?"

Wordlessly, he took the cloth and she wet her own rag. "How clean should this be?"

"Clean enough," she answered vaguely. They worked in silence to make the stone shine until Erza said, "We were just going for a drive to get something for Simon's little sister- Kagura, remember? She always clung to Simon no matter what."

"Yeah, I remember."

Erza took a deep breath as she looked hesitant to continue. "It wasn't supposed to be… I- It wasn't-"She didn't know how to explain it simply, she didn't know how to explain it, it was just something that even now she doesn't know how to express.

"Erza, you don't have to force it out right now."

"If I don't say it now, then when am I? You might disappear again in a couple of minutes, then what am I'm going to do? I don't talk to many people about this, I thought that we could talk about it when you came back, but you changed and I didn't know who you were anymore and I was afraid that you weren't ever going to talk to me again and… And…"

Jellal was once again at a loss for words. He's so ignorant in so many ways, just how many times did he make her suffer and fear? The walls came down at once, her very core was seen right in front of him so shatteringly fragile. He felt ashamed to even look at her, because he knew that she would only break in front of people who were close to her. He felt guilty to hold her, but it was the only way he knew of to comfort that breaking girl.

"I'm here right now," he whispered out, only for her to hear.

The question is for how long?

"Lucy, as always you look gorgeous!"

"Loki! What are you doing here?" And how did he get in without security throwing him out?

"Well, there are some circumstances at home that I've come to help take care of. Like Virgo digging holes in the garden again, you're not there, Capricorn's over polishing problems, you're not there, and you're not there."

"You didn't have to repeat it three times," she muttered. Lucy was glad that no one was around to hear what he said.

"So? Why has the dear princess run off from her castle and turned off her phone?" he asked knowing how important her phone was to her.

"That's…" Could she tell him? There was a chance that Loki already realized what was going on and chose not to tell her anything.

"But if you're having a long term sleepover, I'm going to say that I disapprove of it if you're with Natsu even if you argue that Happy is in the room, but if it's with girls then you must have me around no matter what-"

"How did you get to those conclusions? And why the heck would another girl let you into her room?" Without someone like Erza kicking him out from the dorms rooms first.

"I already asked you what made you suddenly run, but since you don't look like you're going to say anything, I won't make you tell me." A wave of relief flowed through Lucy. "Just know that you don't have that much time before Uncle gets involved with this situation."

Well, there goes that relief. "How much time do you think I have?"

"A week at max. Probably less than that," he informed her as they slowly returned back to Lucy's classroom. "If you hold things up, then I don't think that you can keep up a façade for long." Unlike some people. "If you really can't say anything that's fine, maybe not that many people need to know-"

"Loki please, it's nothing. I just wanted to get out of the house for a while, it was getting a little too suffocating," she tried to persuade him, knowing that he'll see through it, somehow he always can, as if he's always with her. How much does he know about Natsu's situation anyways? If anything?

"Fine Princess, but other people are getting worried about you, even the ones who you think don't care about you." Lucy winced slightly from the nickname. She didn't think she had that much of a choice, she needed to read the documents explicitly to try to decipher what the heck was going on, but she still hasn't had a chance to read them without getting caught.

"What will you say to my father?"

"Hm…Maybe I'll just tell him that you've eloped with Natsu." Wow, he looks really serious. Does he want to be the priest that sends them off or something?

"Why are you even joking about that?!"

"Lucy!"

"What is it this time?!"

"Lend me a dollar, the stupid machine won't take nickels!" Well that's strange. Don't most machines do?

"You still haven't paid me back for the last time I lent you money!"

"But I'm hungry! And I don't want anyone to take that last bag of fire cracker chips!" But they're so spicy, it's not like anyone eats them, so why should he worry?

"No!"

"Here Natsu," Loki offered a dollar to him. "Just stop screaming at each other. There are people who are starting to look," he mentioned as other students from nearby classrooms were looking in the hallway with curious eyes. "It almost makes you two look like an arguing couple."

"WE ARE NOT A COUPLE YET! " She pointed to Natsu so fast that her finger could've broken off in that single movement. Forcing herself to speak in a quieter tone, she commanded," Just go get your stinking snack and get back to work before I tell Macao-sensei that you were the one who accidently set a table on fire last week."

Nodding obediently as he shivered ever so slightly, Natsu took the dollar from Loki and hurried back to the vending machines to retrieve his snack because… Lucy was damn scary when she got upset, she looked better when she wasn't popping blood veins.

Lucy sighed. Man, did she have a headache.

"Yet, huh?"

"Don't even mention it." It was a honest slip of the tongue, honestly. It's not like she's somehow hoping that after everything finally clears out, they'll be at that weird 'we're-friends-but-we're-more-than-friends' stage leaning towards…

"You still said yet," he sang out in on a cheerful note.

"And Aries said that she was interested in how far you went with your past girlfriends and other women. Oh, and I have her phone number memorized." A look passed between the two of them. Loki kept eye contact but was inwardly nervous. Lucy smirked slightly then dashed off to find a phone with Loki chasing after her!

"Oh, is something wrong? You look like you're being ignored by a certain swim captain," the dark haired cousin stated with a façade of amusement. "It's so rare for you to actually look for me."

"Did you have something to do with that?" Gray interrogated angrily.

"So what if I did? It's not like it changed anything." Ultear played with the pocket watch in her hands. The hands had stopped a long time ago and she never bothered to get it fixed. It's been stopped at that time for years and it never felt right to have it fixed.

"Why did you come to this school to begin with?"

"Lamia Scale didn't suit my style. Just look at what happened with Lyon, he went crazy. Then again you're both crazy." Ultear hasn't gone crazy but rather she's quietly fallen into the madness of Grimore. It's a passing phase to distract, that was all she saw it as before Jellal and Meredy had entered into her life.

"If you hadn't left home-"

"If you hadn't kept looking at me like you pitied me all the time, just because I look exactly like her, then maybe I wouldn't be like this." Stubborn and self destructive, but that's not only because of Gray but also because of her own choices. His eyes couldn't continue the staring contest with her. Ultear sighed in frustration and closed the pocket watch. "See, there you go again. Enough. You make me feel sick when you look like that."

"I can't fix my face."

"That's your expression, not your face. Anyone can change his expression, even someone like you," she stated, standing in search of another place to kill time. "By the way, if Juvia wasn't already at the hospital, then I wouldn't have told her this soon." On the other hand, helping her with that past is another matter.

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"Who knows? Why don't you bring it up with the one who suggested that she volunteer there in the first place?" She walked down the stairs to find one of the ones who created this mess. "Mira, I don't know if I should thank you or regret your existence."

"What is it that I did, Ultear-san?"

"Devising the punishment in itself an interesting idea but the effects are starting to wear off."

Mira continued to smile. "This was only meant as a stepping stone. I hope that you can enjoy the show as it continues." This was honestly the most that she could do for all of them. She didn't possess the power to conquer the fears that had tightly grasped onto her friends, but she can support them with this plan and maybe then, they'll be happy.

"I see. Then I'll continue to watch for Gray and Jelly." But more importantly she could feel something else bubbling up in the distance, a scheme by the tweo girls who she hasn't seen any sight of today. Just what were Meredy and Juvia thinking of?

"My, Ultear-chan, I thought that you wouldn't be coming. Would you like something to drink?" Faye-sensei offered as Ultear walked to her normal chair.

"No thank you. More importantly, Faye-sensei, you one the one who arranged that Juvia volunteer at that hospital weren't you?"

"I'm sorry, was there a problem because of that?"

"Not particular. I was just thinking that you enjoy being Cupid too." Well she won't deny it. Ultear can see her logic in that. "So shall we start?"

"On the matter from the other day? Have you made a decision yet?"

"I…"

Jellal moved a scarlet hair from her face, trying not to disrupt her sleep. So that time her eyes were red, it was because she woke up crying. Honestly, it was too much information to take at once, he still couldn't thoroughly process her entire story, but the gravestones were all the proof he needed.

Simon and Grandpa Rob died in a car crash and right when they had the chance to survive, they both turned to protect Erza who watched their bloodied bodies fall on top of her with bitter smiles and cuts after the cars rammed into each other. She watched as they dragged the lifeless bodies away in front of her very eyes as the blood stained her hands.

He can imagine it, but only vaguely, at the very least he could feel the coppery blood staining his hands like Erza's hands were stained. Back then, Erza was weak, if she's still haunted by it now that she's 'stronger', then how much torture did her young heart go through? Her mind was scarred, her body was scarred, her heart was scarred; just what could he do? He didn't know how to fix the broken girl, he… he shouldn't even be allowed to be around her.

He let the demons escape and they've grown too much for him to control. The demons control him now, if he moves, they move alongside him. If he stays near her, they'll know, but can he really afford to leave her at a time like this? Right now, he only sees two ways to protect her. The first is to separate his life, like a double life, to have a life centered around Erza yet to possess another life on his punishment and demons. Or do the other option which would be to leave that life completely and return to her side.

The choice seems clear, but the guilt of his memories remains tightly coiled around him while his walls are in the middle of crashing down.

"We are approaching Magnolia Station, all guests departing should gather their things and prepare for the stop."

"Erza?" he called out, tapping her cheek to wake her up. She grumbled slightly but opened her eyes. She seemed to forget her embarrassment and smiled just a bit for Jellal whose heart stopped in that second. He's really becoming soft. "Come on, it's our stop."

"Okay…" She rubbed her eyes and stood up. Getting past the crowd of the train station, Jellal silently offered to walk her back, taking her bag for her. "I'm sorry…"

"Hm?"

"I didn't think that I would sleep on you again, but I haven't been getting enough sleep lately. "

"Nightmares?"

She nodded. "Every time it feels like something's grasping my neck and I can't breathe. After that, I can't go back to sleep." Erza moved her hand to finger the back of her scarred neck. "Everyone sees me as a strong person so it's not like I can admit that I'm scared."

"That's weird. You're a human, obviously you've got your own fears too." She smiled bashfully, somehow it was comforting for him to say that. He stuck his hand out to her. "Give me your phone for a second." Erza did as he said and Jellal quickly pushed some buttons before handing it back to her. "If there's a problem, then call."

Erza looked at her phone and looked back up at him. She could hear her own heartbeat rising as she said, "Thanks Jellal!"

So that's his choice…

"Erza-san?" Juvia called out as she approached the pair. "Erza-san is back already? And with Jellal-san?"

"Well, some things just happened and we meet up on the way. Thank you for walking me back Jellal. If you need some help with anything then just tell me okay?" She waiting for Jellal to make some type of movement and with a faint reluctance he nodded. "Juvia would you mind lending me your notes from today?"

"Um, of course."

"Then I'll see you in a bit. I have to get changed."

"Juvia will come in soon. She wants to talk to Jellal-san first." Jellal raised a curious eyebrow as Erza waved him goodbye. "Um… Would Jellal-san happen to know about Gajeel-kun's recent activities?"

To tell or not to tell, that's the question. He didn't necessarily owe Gajeel anything but… he might get found out in the process with a location. "I don't know anything that Redfox has been doing. Why do you ask?"

"Well, Juvia just wanted to confirm something," she stated biting her lip slightly. "If Jellal-san knows anything, can he tell Juvia?"

"I thought the infamous Rain Woman was done. Are you going back?"

"No, Juvia just wants to make sure that Gajeel-kun isn't there anymore!" Her eyes were sincere and filled with worry. Gajeel has a good friend and so does Juvia.

"I can't promise anything."

"Even a hint would be enough!"

"Fine. I'll tell you a hint. Eventually."

Hey, it's better than nothing.

Levy knocked on the door of the apartment and wondered if she would make it back at the dorms before dinner. She didn't have to do this, but out of the goodness of her heart and for Juvia's dwindling sanity, she felt like she needed to.

"If you're selling something, then git-"The man stopped in mid-sentence and Levy was inwardly screaming if this was a good idea. He was tall, taller than Gajeel with more muscle and steel like features. No matter how you look at him, he's intimidating! "Wait… I remember ya. That brat's girlfriend."

"No, I-I'm just a classmate…"

"'Course you are! Come on in," he invited energetically in a gruff manner.

"So you're Gajeel's dad?"

"Name's Metalica Redfox. Taught the brat everything he knows about metal. And who're you?"

"Levy McGarden, Gajeel's partner at school. It's nice to meet you." Aw, she's so polite to her future boyfriend/husband's parent! "Um, where's Gajeel? I need to give him some make-up work."

"One second. Gajeel, that little cutie from before came so get your ever widening ass off the couch and get out here!" Well, now Levy knows where Gajeel picked up his potty mouth. "Ya want something to eat? 'm in the middle of cooking dinner."

"No, I'm fine. If I don't report back to the dorms by dinner, I get in trouble." And punishments enforced by Erza aren't fun.

"Pops! Stop your goddamn shouting! Lily thinks there's thunder again!" Someone's calling the kettle black~ "Shrimp? 'the hell you doing?"

"Homework and a copy of the notes," she informed, taking said items out of her bag to hand to him. "And Faye-sensei has a message for you, she wants to see you in her office soon. I think it had something to do with your career pathway."

"That damn-"

"Gajeel!"

"I was going to say teacher. " Sure you were…"Anyways thanks Shrimp. Hope my old man didn't scare ya too much."

"Like you ain't scary. How many times do you frighten that little guy on the 4th floor?"

"If the kid pees, it's not my fault!" But since you're scary, it's kind of hard not to make a 4 year old pee.

"Um… since that's all I'm here for, I think I'll just be going now."

"Then the brat'll walk you home, it's starting to get dark out. Wouldn't want you to get kidnapped."

"No, I'm fine," Levy insisted.

"Yeah Shrimp, you'd better go back soon," he agreed pushing Levy out of his apartment, not wanting Metalica to continue his hospitality. "Why did 'ya come in the first place? You know I don't do much of the homework in the first place."

"Because you seemed to skip out today because you were avoiding Juvia and lied saying that you were watching some shoujo anime for kids." Hey, Magical what's-its-name is for all ages! "If you keep her in the dark, she's just going to get more and more worried."

Gajeel ruffled his hair. "She shouldn't bother, it's not that big of a deal." No, of course its not, coming home at like 2 in the morning, half beaten is fun! "'Sides, she doesn't need to deal with this kind of stuff anymore. "

"Gajeel-"

"Meow~"

Levy looked down and a small black cat was nuzzling her leg. She picked it up, "Aw, it's cute. What's your name?"

"Lily, what are you doing!" Lily meowed as though he was doing nothing wrong. He likes her. Like owner, like cat as they always say. "Gimme my cat back, Shrimp."

Levy looked at Lily. "Sorry, but your big mean owner says I have to go," she told it as she set him down. "I'll come back and visit you again okay?"

"You are not!"

Levy laughed cheerfully at Gajeel's frustrations while unknown to them, a certain figure (stalker) was watching the two in the distance to solidify a plan that was playing out in his mind.