Levy lifted her head in surprise, "What?"
Jellal nodded, "I'll explain everything as soon as the rest of the group gets here. "
As soon as the words had left his mouth they heard gravel flying as cars pulled into the drive. Levy stood at the window, silently counting in her head. Juvia and Gray arrived in a dark blue Mazda RX-7 FD which surprised Levy, giving that Gray had seemed uninterested in the blunette as more than a friend. Next came Jet and Droy in a burnt orange Lexus IS-F which Levy cooed at, having never seen the car before. She grinned inwardly wondering if this was Jet's new car, giving his tendency to crash his cars. Rogue pulled in a few moments later, driving a jet black Equus Bass 770 and Levy's jaw dropped.
"Gaj?" She whispered. "Is your cousin loaded or something?"
He looked up in confusion, "Not really, why?"
She pointed at the car outside, "Then how on earth did he get that?"
He grinned, "Oh, that was a present from Juvs. She likes to get people big flashy presents. Well, she likes her parents to get people big, flashy presents."
Levy chuckled at that, watching as the group greeted each other and walked inside. She was trying not to appear antsy but she was really curious as to what Jellal was going to tell them. She waited for everyone else to sit before sitting herself in Gajeel's lap.
"Levy, you really shouldn't be here for this," Jellal sighed.
She glared at him, "This Sabertooth declared war on Fairy Tail, yes?"
He nodded, already knowing where the tiny girl was headed.
"Then they declared war on us. I'm not going to sit out and let my family fight without me."
He sighed, running a hand through his hair, "I suppose that there's no use in trying to talk you out of this."
She lifted her chin defiantly, "Just you go on ahead and try."
"Right."
He didn't try to argue after that, turning back to the rest of the group instead.
"Apparently our rescue of the lovely Cana has caused some bitter feelings on Sabertooth's end. They've declared war on Fairy Tail, announcing that Fairy Tail attacked them unprovoked."
Natsu stood, glaring angrily, "Unprovoked! They kidnapped a daughter of Gramps. How is that not provoking?"
Lucy placed a calming hand on her boyfriend's arm, "Natsu, we know. They're just saying that so that they can play the victim."
Natsu huffed before sitting back down, "Well, they're stupid for trying that. Everyone knows that Sabertooth is a bunch of crap."
Jellal shook his head, "Not everyone Natsu. Remember that a lot of people look up to the company for the good it's done and for its strength."
Natsu snorted, "It's not strength, it's bullying."
"Others don't know that."
Gajeel listened to the exchange intently. He hadn't been part of the group very long, but he could understand Natsu's anger. This corporation kidnapped a very important person of Fairy Tail and then accuses Fairy Tail of attacking them when really it was just a rescue mission. He also understood how easily the public would believe Sabertooth since this Makarov person never went public with the knowledge that Cana had been kidnapped by the enemy.
"I don't understand," He finally interrupted. "How on earth are we going to be able to help Fairy Tail. Yeah, we rescued the princess or whatever, but what are we really going to be able to do to help them now? This seems like a fight that we're better off staying out of if you ask me."
Eight heads turned to glare at the dark-haired man.
"It doesn't matter if our skill set isn't exactly useful," Gray said, slamming his fist into his hand. "What matters is that we go to Gramps and offer him our services. What matters is that we make a stand and say this is where we are, this is who we are for. If Gramps needs us, he can call on us."
Loke and Cana grinned from where they stood in the doorway of the basement, listening to Gray's passionate speech.
"And to think I thought you were the cool, level-headed one," Cana teased him.
Gray flushed, "I'm not allowed to have passion as well?"
"It's good," Cana reassured.
"As far as your skills go," Loke spoke up. "I think I have a plan."
The group turned as one to stare at this interloper.
"How do you even know what our skills are?" Lucy finally asked.
The ginger haired man grinned at her, "You don't honestly think that I didn't look you guys up, did you? I knew who each of you were the moment you walked into my house."
Lucy raised a questioning eyebrow at the self-assured manner in which Loke spoke.
"So you knew from the beginning who I was?"
His smile faltered, "Yes. I wasn't expecting you to remember me, though. The few meetings we had as children were so long ago I didn't think you would recognize me now. That was my mistake, I'm afraid that I expected you to still be the silly little girl I remembered and not the smart and beautiful woman you've turned into."
Cana coughed, glaring at her boyfriend.
"Of course, not nearly as beautiful as you, Cana dear," He quickly added.
The brunette rolled her eyes, "Will you please tell them the plan before someone chokes it out of you?"
He nodded, taking a seat by Jellal, "So obviously you've all had training in different areas, but right now what Makarov needs is a protection detail. Not just for him, but for his family. Gildarts, Cana, Mirajane, Lisanna, Elfman, Laxus - they need bodyguards."
"My dad does not need a bodyguard," Cana protested.
The group turned and looked at her.
"Well, he doesn't," She mumbled.
"We can't watch everyone," Jellal protested. "Makarov has too many people he loves, too many people for us to look out for."
Loke nodded, "That's why I isolated it down to these few. They've already gone after Cana once, so she should be safe with me. That just leaves the others I named."
The group looked between each other, even narrowing it down to those closest to Makarov the group would be stretched thin.
"Laxus is out of the question. He's not even in the country right now," Jellal finally said with a sigh.
Loke nodded, "Right, so knock him and Cana off the list."
"If we do that then there's enough that we can pair off to protect the rest, working in shifts with one left over," Levy said, quickly doing the math.
Erza looked around before turning and staring at her future sister-in-law, "You're counting yourself?"
Levy nodded, "I'm not without my own skill set."
Jellal opened his mouth to protest, but Gajeel quickly cut in.
"Whoever Levy is assigned to I will be there as well. I'll take care of her."
Rogue nodded, "And I'll be there as well."
"Then I suggest you three be assigned to Makarov," Jellal said. "Levy may be the weakest in this regard, but it's a little more protection than the rest."
"Absolutely not," Makarov declared the following day. "I don't need it. If you want extra protection I want it to be MiraJane. She's the most likely as far as the next target would be. If I must have protection I want you to switch the detail and I want her."
Erza nodded, "That would be Jellal and myself. Natsu has volunteered himself and Lucy for Gildarts. It seems that the man was once like an adopted father for Natsu. We had Levy, Gajeel, and Rogue assigned to you, they'll be assigned to MiraJane now. Gray and Juvia have Lisanna. Jet and Droy have reluctantly agreed to take Elfman."
Makarov nodded, "Juvia, Gajeel, and Rogue. I'm not familiar with these names."
"No sir," Jellal stepped forward. "Gajeel has recently started dating my sister. He was in another group, Phantom Lord, but left them for ours, bringing Juvia and Rogue with him. They're very loyal. Juvia is a med student and has already saved Gray's life once. She's very devoted to him. Rogue I cannot speak for but he's very attached to Gajeel."
"You have a man who's allegiance you are unsure of?"
"I know he's very caring and I know that he's devoted enough to stay. He was on the team that got Cana out of Sabertooth. According to all reports he actually saved Natsu's life, though neither boy will admit to such."
Makarov eyed the couple for a moment, "If you're sure of him-"
"Absolutely."
"Then he can stay. But if something happens to MiraJane it will be on your heads."
The pair bowed, "As you say sir."
AN: YES! I have internet again so I should be updating more now. I'm excited for the next chapter, when everyone meets everyone else ;) I hope you've enjoyed this one, it was part plot, part filler.