Part II Chapter 11

Gray,

Okay, enough's enough. The joke was funny, and we're all amused and everything, but you can tell everyone to come back. Hide and seek's over, folks!

So, I'm thinking of you on your alternative universe with everyone's counterparts being gender swapped, and I'm wondering who you'd date. Wouldn't it be funny if Lyon was Lenora there? So maybe she's your counterparts' girlfriend? Or maybe she can be yours? I don't know why I'm obsessed with shipping people when it's all made up anyway.

Maybe because it's fun? I'm thinking you and a girl version of Natsu might actually work. Let's call her Natzarella after that great nickname I gave him years ago. I think Natsu would look cute as a girl, and being a girl she'd probably have more brain cells, and maybe for once you can date somebody who doesn't drive you up the bend.

Yes, Lucy isn't the only writer here, because this would make a great story, right? And Lucy's counterpart is definitely Lucian.

But in all seriousness, I'm ransoming all your clothing if you don't get here by December 16th, X789.

And I mean it, because even if you are my best friend, it's rude to just leave like that and not come back.

Love,

Alexa

Crocus in July, and the members of Fairy Tail are assembled at the Honey Bone inn because we are gluttons for punishment. It's the Grand Magic Games X789, and we're pretending that we're not going to end up in last place for what is it - the third time in a row? I've lost count. At least we've got matching outfits, but did they have to be in teal? Whatever. I am so ready, and my big dream is to fight Rogue. Seriously. Let. Me. At. Him.

It's going to be a bit awkward with Sting, not only because Rogue openly dislikes me, but also because his master's rule for the games is no socializing with the enemy; i.e. the other guilds. It's another way to get back at Sting, but in in an indirect manner, since the rule is for his entire guild, but he never had this rule in place before this year, so it's obvious who this is really directed at. He can't get rid of Sting, because he's too much of an asset, but he's sending a message. Jerk.

Of course, that just makes me more intent on trying to break that stupid rule. It's not even a rule I need to follow. My guild master doesn't waste his time on idiotic stuff like this.

At the same time, I don't want to cause more problems for Sting. Things are a little fragile with us as it is. I've seen him maybe two times since that disastrous interview, and it hasn't been bad exactly, but both times were short, and Rogue was there glaring at me.

Our team consists of Bisca, Romeo, Laki, Warren and myself.

And I'm going to be taking full advantage of socializing with members of other guilds. Lyon is here also, so we're going to have fun. Rosie's fit in a show for me for right after the games so that's good.

I'm also meeting Merek's widow, Thalia.

It was all Lyon's idea. He suggested I put in an ad into The Crocus Times and Sorcerer Weekly. It said I was looking for relatives of Merek Rezell, and that they could contact L. Vastia during the week of the games at the Honey Bone inn for the Times ad and for the Sorcerer Weekly one which came out earlier, we put Lamia Scale. We used Lyon's name just in case Ivan sees it. I don't really want him doing anything stupid like bothering an innocent widow. He's probably forgotten Merek's name, though, but why take chances.

Thalia ended up contacting Lyon a couple of weeks before we left. Lyon and I are all set to visit her tonight. I'm going to meet her son who must be about seven now.

Lyon's been a total sweetie. He didn't have to come, but he is. It's helping him too of course; keeping him busy so he doesn't dwell on his last break up with the worst girlfriend he's ever had. We're talking the worst of the worst. Okay, so I'm biased, but why couldn't have Josephine broken up with him if she really wanted to be with somebody else, instead of stringing Lyon along like the naive guy he is, and then cheating on him in their apartment? And she knew he was getting back from a job that night. She knew.

Okay, so let's just say Josephine and I should never meet in person, because I'm not sure what I'd do. He has no need for revenge, but I do, and yes, it's not the best medicine really, and Julia was smart to tell Lyon to take the high road, but I'll take the low road if I freaking want to.

I'm glad that Lyon's with me, because I have no clue how this is going to pan out, and it's nice to have the extra support.

I've spoken to Merek, and it's weird talking to him knowing he's just a summation of everything in my head. I kind of preferred the idea of him as a ghost, but the real Merek won't have any clue this is happening. The imaginary Merek was excited about me going to see his apartment, only it isn't, because she's remarried and moved somewhere else. Here second husband owns his own business, and isn't working for a guild anymore. I hope she doesn't blame me. I'm wondering what the real Merek would think. I'm sure he'd want her to be happy. Like, I'd want Sting to be happy if I died. Well, as long as he wasn't with Mr. Frown. Okay. I'm not thinking of Rogue now.

Because Lyon and I are standing at the front door of a townhouse in what looks like a upscale section of town.

"Well. We're here." Lyon is smiling me. He looks excited. I'm just nervous.

But the young woman who answers the door holding a baby in one hand is happy to see us. And it's her. She must be around 27 now. I'm hoping she'll still be okay with me when I'm done talking to her.

She introduces us to Merek, her son. His son, and he is so sweet. He also looks so much like his father. At least there's that. He just celebrated his seventh birthday a week ago and he's polite, but clearly protective of his mother. He keeps looking over to her nervously and then at us with distrust. I almost want to cry. Merek lives on indirectly at least.

When we've been seated at the table with tea and cake, the conversation fully begins. She's wondering why I've sought her out. Now, I'm thinking, is the moment of truth.

"I'm the one who wanted to meet you. Lyon was nice and helped me out. It's because I'm indirectly connected to your late husband. I hope you forgive me." She gave me a look of surprise, but I continued without looking at her. I told her the whole story, from when I asked my father to let me learn ice make magic until his death, and about both lacrima implanted in me, and that I've spent the last seven years of my life with Merek in a sense, and how happy he'd be to see his son.

Then we're both crying, and I'm apologizing.

She hadn't really been told much about how he died, only that an unfortunate accident had happened, and that Merek had signed documents releasing them from any liability. They had paid her a small amount of money, but it doesn't matter if they had paid her millions; that didn't bring Merek back.

The good thing is she didn't blame me at all, and she wants to stay in touch. Merek and I went outside, and I showed him some of his father's magic, and Lyon made him some ice butterflies, which he enjoyed. Maybe it will give him some positive memories about magic. It's obvious Thalia is bitter about what happened. I don't blame her. Her husband went to Raven Tail a healthy young man, and he came back in a body bag.

I'm glad she was able to rebuild her life as well as she has. Maybe at some point she'll be able to make magic part of her life again, and maybe young Merek will want to learn magic. Who knows. And if they don't, does it matter, if they live life to the fullest.

At Bar Sun we're drinking to Thalia and young Merek and her baby girl, Dassa, and to Merek's memory. I hope somehow he knows about his son.