Hello all! So sorry its been so long since I've released a chapter. So many things have happened, both good and bad... I got a new puppy, I bought my first house, Christmas, Thanksgiving... then I got hurt at work... :( so maybe I will have more time on my hands haha.

Anyway, here is the newest installment of MRNL; let me know what you think. Thank you to everyone who continues to read, comment and follow. A HUGE thank you to all those who gave me encouragement to keep writing during this time.

Song used: Say So (acoustic version)- My Favorite Highway

I don't own the characters or places or songs but I use them for my own shipping purposes mwah haha!

Enjoy!

A yawn escaped her lips as she walked down the open corridor pulling her suitcase behind her. Mira had woken the girls up by jumping up and down on them in the hotel room before rummaging through their suitcases and throwing clothes at them. Too tired to comprehend what was occurring, Lucy stood up and changed into the clothes tossed at her.

After all four girls had changed and come out into the living room area, Mira threw their luggage at the bellman waiting outside their door before waltzing them off into the van.

Here she was now following behind Mira and the girls as they sped-walked down the halls of an airport to who knows where. Mira frantically swung her head side to side looking for the correct gate number. Lucy guessed she found it since Mira's eyes lit up and she came to a halt. Erza stopped just as suddenly as Mira did but Juvia and Levy weren't as quick to react and slammed into Erza's back. Lucy, who was far enough back because she was slow, was able to react in time and slowly come to a stop.

"You girls wait here and I will go get you some coffee; I think I saw a little shop just a few gates back," Mira commanded. The girls gave their order to Mira before she skipped off through a crowd of people. "I'll go help her," Erza stated then she followed the direction Mira went.

"I don't understand how she can be so happy so early in the morning," Lucy commented as she slumped down into her chair.

"It's only 9 o'clock, Lu-chan," Levy commented.

"Which is early if you were up until 5 am," Lucy reasoned.

Lucy's eyes trailed over to Juvia who was scratching the wig a top her head. Mira handed each of the girls a wig once they got into the car and demanded they wear them. Mira chose a black bob wig for herself, a blonde Hime cut wig for Levy, a purple pixie cut wig for Juvia, a two long white wig with straight bangs and black tips for Erza and somehow she got the shaggy pink wig.

Juvia scratched furiously at the wig, causing it to move in the slightest and expose her blue locks underneath. "Umm… Juvia" Lucy began as she pointed at her head. The blunette gave her friend a confused look, not understanding what she meant until a single strand of her blue hair fell down in front of her face.

With a shriek, the girl disappeared towards the bathrooms, leaving Lucy and Levy to giggle at their friend. "Why are we wearing these again?" Lucy asked.

"I think Mira said something about 'laying low' until we get there," Levy answered.

"But where is there?"

Levy shrugged her shoulders, "Beats me." Levy reached into the bag beside her a pulled out a book. Lucy loved to read but her eyes were too tired to bother reading at the moment. She eyed the cover of the book; she guessed it was some romance novel based on the picture of the man and woman on the front.

The blonde couldn't help but chuckle; however, the chuckle soon became another yawn. "Here, looks like you need this," someone reached over Lucy with a large cup of coffee extended to her. As she grabbed the cup, she turned to see a male walk around the chairs and sit beside her.

"Natsu? What's with the hat?" she asked as she pointed as the beanie. Bits of pink hair pointed out of the bottom but just barely enough. He glanced over to her, his eyes just as tired as hers, "What's with the wig?"

"Mira said we had to wear it," Lucy mumbled as she held her hands on either side of her head.

"Probably best you do," Natsu mumbled back as he took a sip from his own cup.

"What are you even doing here?" Lucy questioned.

Natsu finished swallowing his sip of coffee before responding, "We were in line at the coffee shop a couple gates down when we saw Mira. I got mine already so she asked me to bring yours to you."

"Who's we?" Lucy asked before she saw a small group of people walking back over. Mira was smiling and chatting with a tall muscular man with black hair the man had a lightning bolt scar over his eye which gave him away. Lucy recognized Erza immediately because of her ridiculous wig and guessed the man with the orange hair next to her was Jellal. A tall hooded figure followed close behind the group.

Mira handed Levy a cup before she sat down and sipped her own. Laxus grunted as he sat down beside Mira and listened as she joyfully told him some story.

As the hooded figure neared, Lucy could see the glint of the many piercings on the persons face and knew immediately who it was. He sat down besides Levy, leaned his head back and slid the hood up over his face. Without looking up from her book, Levy chuckled at patted the man's knee.

Erza looked around the group, "Where's Juvia? I have her tea."

"Here!" a voice called and the group turned to look at it. Juvia came racing toward the group yanking the arm of a blonde guy with her. Poor Gray, she thought. "Doesn't Gray-sama look good with blonde hair?!" Juvia cooed. The group chuckled as he sat with a sigh.

Erza, Jellal and Juvia all took their seats so the group took up two full rows of chairs at the gate. "Can someone please tell us what's going on?" Lucy asked.

"You girls had a rough week with the competition and everything else behind the scenes…" Mira began.

"And you guys have worked hard with the album and recovering," Laxus nodded at Natsu.

"So…" Mira finished, "We thought you all deserved a vacation and what better place to bond than on vacation?"

"We get a vacation?!" Natsu cheered.

"I thought you enjoyed your work?" Lucy chuckled.

"I do but it's nice to have some time off once in a while."

"So where are we going?" Levy asked as she put down her book.

"Where all Fairy Tail acts go to relax… Tenrou Island." Laxus answered.

"Isn't that where we went for the retreat?" Lucy asked.

"We went to Tenrou Resort, that's in the mountains, remember?" Erza added. How could she forget… the ups, the downs, the breakdowns and breakthroughs, and who could forget that hike.

"So we have an island too?" Lucy asked.

Laxus nodded. "The resort is for all of Fairy Tail, but the island is for specific members of Fairy Tail only."

"How far away is the island?" Lucy asked.

Mira answered, "Well we are flying to a smaller airport and then to the island which has its own landing pad."

"It will take about three or four hours to get there," Laxus added.

"Sounds like fun!" Juvia cried.

"How long are we gonna be there?" Jellal asked.

"We scheduled the island for five days," Laxus answered.

"Yosh! I'm fired up!"

…

"So much for fired up," Lucy chuckled. As soon as the plane moved in the slightest, Natsu immediately became sick and ran to the bathroom in the back.

"So you knew we were traveling on transportation and you didn't tell him ahead of time so he could take his medicine?" Gray asked.

"He would have spoiled the surprise," Laxus growled back.

"Glad I'm not him," Jellal commented.

Lucy smiled at her friends before pulling out her earphones and putting them in her ears. She sighed and looked out the window at the clouds below. She hadn't travelled in a long time; her father and mother used to take her to all sorts of places when she was younger but that all changed when her mother passed. Her father would leave her home and go off to some foreign land.

To soothe her longing heart, she would drown herself in stories. When that didn't work anymore, Lucy began to write her own story; however, nothing seemed to stick. After years of 'writing,' she barely had a first chapter.

With a sigh, Lucy turned to stare out the window to watch the clouds roll by beneath her.

…

"Wow!" the girls called out as they walked up the pathway to the hotel entrance. The building was just as grand and beautiful as some of the palaces in her books. Palm trees and exotic flowers lined the walkway towards the giant arch way with the Fairy Tail logo on it.

"I'm fired up, let's go!" Natsu yelled before taking off towards the front double doors. Before Natsu could get too far away, Laxus grabbed the singer by the back of his collar and drug him back towards the group.

"Easy there, Flame Brain. We've got some rules to go over," Laxus replied.

"Rules? Seriously, Laxus?!" Gajeel sighed.

"Each band has been given their own suite. This will be your suite as long as you guys are a band at Fairy Tail." Mira started.

"No throwing, destroying, damaging or burning anything in these rooms. Am I clear?" Laxus asked while specifically looking at Natsu. When the group nodded, Mira continued.

"The hotel has a large restaurant on the ground floor, which is where most of the meals are eaten. There are other places to eat around the island but just make sure you don't go alone."

"Buddy system?" Gray asked sarcastically.

"Yes, because it should go without saying that you shouldn't wander off alone," Laxus replied sternly. Lucy couldn't help but gulp.

"The island is pretty big and the hotel grounds only cover a portion of it. There are other places and stores to visit but the rest is covered by jungle." Mira continued.

"That means you Blonde and Bozo," Laxus pointed at the two who jumped back a bit, "No wandering off!"

"Yes sir!" the two replied simultaneously.

"Here are your keys." Mira handed Levy, Erza, Juvia and Lucy each a key while Laxus did the same with the AOP boys. Lucy held her key delicately. It was a simple gold key with a label tied to the end. On one side of the label was the Fairy Tail mark and on the other was the number '707.'

"Dinner is in four hours at the main restaurant; everyone is required to be there," Laxus ordered.

"Let's go!" Natsu screamed as he raced past Laxus.

"Oh no, Natsu will not be the first to see the room!" Gray shouted as he raced off after the pinkette. The girls, Jellal and Gajeel raced after the two and into the hotel.

Mira giggled while Laxus sighed. "Remind me why we're here…" Laxus began.

"The girls have worked hard this last week not just with the competition but with all the other drama going on behind the scenes. You all, on the other hand, have all been slaying over that album and now this tour coming up. We all need a break. Plus…" Mira wound her arm around Laxus', "You promised me some alone time."

"We'll get there."

…

Room 707, Accidentally On Purposes' suite and one of 6 on the floor. Audio Uproar's suite was one floor below theirs and thank goodness because Lucy could already hear them running around downstairs.

Lucy was too excited to get her key into the keyhole so Levy decided to open the door for the others. As soon as the door swung in, the girls gazed upon the massive room before them.

The door entered into a large, open living room with a kitchen to the side and a round dining room table to the other. The suite had a room for each girl; Levy and Lucy to the left and Erza and Juvia to the right.

Straight ahead of them was the wall of the living room made entirely of glass. The girls dropped their stuff in the entrance and ran over to the window. They pressed their hands on the glass and gazed out at the beautiful scene before them.

The ocean wrapped around the hotel on the left and formed waves which crashed onto the beach beside the hotel. Along the shoreline were little tents which Lucy supposed were cabanas of some sort. There were various shacks and stands near those.

On the right side, Lucy could see the patio area. It had an outdoor pool, sauna, bar and more, all surrounded by trees. There were already some people out there sunbathing.

Lucy and the girls were excited to get to relaxing and that's exactly what they did. The girls all took a couple hour nap before getting up, taking a shower then venturing out onto hotel grounds.

Mira informed the girls their suite came with their own cabana which sat along the beach. The girls changed into their beach clothes and made their way down to find their numbered cabana.

"Here it is!" Levy shouted as she pointed to the blue tent with '707' written on the back. The girls walked around the back of the cabana to the front. Inside the cabana were four lounge chairs, their own towels, an ice chest full of drinks and hangers to place their bags on.

As the girls began setting up their space, they heard chuckling behind them. "Look who decided to show up." The girls turned around to see Natsu and Gray standing a few feet away from them. Not only were both of them shirtless, but they were also dripping wet as they were just swimming in the ocean.

Of course Juvia squealed and nearly passed out from the sight in front of her, causing the others to chuckle. Lucy had seen Natsu shirtless before but for some reason she couldn't help but oogle at him.

"What took you all so long?" Natsu asked, snapping Lucy back into reality.

"We took a short nap before coming out," Lucy answered. Natsu replied with a small scoff. "The whole point of this trip is to relax Natsu," Lucy snapped back.

"She is right, Natsu," Jellal spoke up from his spot in his lounge chair.

"Oh hey, you guys have the cabana right next to ours!" Levy cheered.

"Well I want to spend my trip having fun, not lying around doing nothing; who's in?!" A couple of others cheered with him before running back into the water.

Lucy chuckled at their child-like energy as she laid out her towel on her chair. She slipped out or her jean shorts and her pink tank top to reveal her white bikini with a pink flower on the chest piece.

Natsu caught a glimpse of motion out of the corner of his eye. He may have been standing waist deep in the ocean but he could clearly see the blonde on the shore. He couldn't help but drop his jaw at the sight of her; he knew she was fit but seeing it was a completely different thing.

A splash of cold water hit his face causing him to jolt. The laughter next to him drew his attention away from Lucy and to the guitarist beside him. Gray was laughing as was Juvia who stood slightly behind him. "You look so stupid right now!"

"You ass!" Natsu yelled before tackling Gray into the water. The commotion in the water caused Lucy and Levy to look out at their friends. She chuckled again before settling on her chair.

"They seem to be enjoying themselves," Lucy stated sarcastically.

Levy chuckled before replying, "At least they're having fun."

"What? Are you not having fun, Levy-chan?" The blonde looked over at her friend who sat beside her.

"I'm enjoying myself, but Mira said we are also here to bond with the guys and we can't exactly do that if we are in here and they are out there."

"Care to join me, Shrimp?" The two girls turned to look at the pierced man standing in front of them, blocking their sun. "I would love to," the little blunette took the extended hand and ran off with her boyfriend.

Lucy watched as Levy and Gajeel raced towards the others in the water. Levy did have a point… and it looked fun. "Luce!" Lucy looked at the pink haired man calling to her from within the waves. "Get over here before I come over there and get you myself." Lucy chuckled at the absurdity but also in fear knowing he was serious.

She stood up and ran over to her friends to join them.

…

After hours of splashing around and dunking one another in the water, the girls of Accidentally On Purpose and the guys of Audio Uproar changed and now sat in a giant booth scarfing down dinner.

"This food is amazing!" Natsu yelled between bites.

"You should slow down or else you'll choke on something," Lucy pleaded.

"No matter how many times you tell him, he won't listen," Gray explained.

"Save some for the rest of us!" Gajeel cried as he flung a french fry at Natsu's face.

"Why you…" Natsu grabbed a hand full of fries and reeled back to toss them at the drummer but another hand grabbed ahold of his wrist. The pinkette looked up to see a very angry blonde with a scar over his eye staring down at him.

"What did I say about throwing things?" he grunted.

"You said not to throw things in the hotel rooms so I'm not disobeying you," Natsu grinned wildly. Laxus' brow furrowed greatly.

"Technically he's right," Jellal added.

Laxus slammed his hand down on the table, causing everyone to jump. "Shut it! The point is don't cause a scene!" The entire restaurant was silent for a few moments.

With a large sigh, Laxus sat down again. "Look, Mira and I will be busy tonight going over a few things so you all are on your own. Remember you represent Fairy Tail so behave, okay." Lucy noticed the last part almost sounded like a plea.

"Just be in your rooms by 11pm alright?" Mira stated to which all heads nodded.

"We will handle the check so just go." Laxus commanded.

Everyone started to stand from their table and walk out. Lucy jogged up to Levy and grabbed her sleeve, "Hey Levy-chan, want to go sit by the pool?"

"Sorry, Lu-chan, but Gajeel is taking me on our first official date!" Lucy glanced over the small bassist's shoulder at the pierced giant behind her. He had his arms crossed over his chest and was tapping a foot impatiently. "Go have fun, Levy-chan. I want to hear all about it when you get back to the room." Levy nodded in agreement before running off to towards Gajeel. The two took one another's hands and walked off into the night.

Lucy turned to see Juvia hanging onto Gray's arm. "But Gray-sama, you promised to take Juvia out on a date!"

"I don't know what you're talking about," Gray added.

"You-you called Juvia on the phone and asked to go out, and… and…" Natsu leaned over to Gray, "Remember when we were trying to get Gajeel to admit his feelings for Levy?" Gray looked at Natsu in confusion before his eyes went wide in shock.

Gray shakenly turned to the girl on his arm, "Juvia, I was only trying to show Gajeel it wasn't that hard to…" His voice trailed off as the girl's cries began to grow louder. He glanced around at his friends for any kind of help but was only met with hard glares.

With a sigh, his shoulders slumped a bit. "Alright, Juvia…" he began and the crying paused, "What do you want to do?"

"Oh Gray-sama!" the girl cheered as she jumped on him, wrapping her arms around his shoulders. Juvia grabbed his arm and began walking him away as she listed all the things she wanted to do.

Lucy smiled, she was happy for her friends. She knew Levy and Gajeel would get together and seeing Juvia with Gray made her happy. Now if only Erza and Jellal would… Lucy turned around to see the back of Erza's head. Yes, and she was talking to Jellal.

She began to approach them with a large smile plastered on her face but then stopped in her tracks when she noticed Erza's shoulders slump. Jellal held up his hand before walking away with Natsu.

Lucy approached her friend, "Hey, Erza," The scarlet haired girl turned slightly towards her friend. "Want to go put our feet in the pool?" Erza nodded and smiled at her, "I would love that Lucy."

…

Erza swiveled her legs around in the water as she and Lucy talked quietly between themselves. No one else was at the pool so it was pretty serene.

"How long have you been at Fairy Tail?" Lucy asked.

"As long as I can remember. My parents died when I was really young so I was given to a foster family. They enrolled me in a music program and that's where I met Jellal and eventually the Headmaster. Then I was offered a position in Fairy Tail."

"Not in piano I presume," Lucy added.

Erza chuckled, "No, the Headmaster found my talents laid elsewhere."

The two remained silent for a while. Lucy mostly was silent, contemplating talking about a specific topic… or person.

"So…," she began, "you've known Jellal for a long time then."

"Since we were kids."

"Is that why you two get along so well?"

Erza shrugged, "I think that helps but. Ever since we met one another we've been inseparable."

"How so?" Lucy was amazed Erza was telling her so much, considering what she's heard about people bringing up this topic around her.

"Well, we were in the same program together but obviously he excelled and I did not. We were in piano together but when I kept breaking the pianos, I was moved to violin so he switched programs with me. Every time I was moved to a different program, he went with me even though he was always at the head of the class.

I was okay at the cello but I got so bored of all the classical stuff. That's when I met Makarov and he suggested I play the drums. I got so excited when I began to get better at it. I got into Fairy Tail and I loved it… then I found out single drummers don't really make it anywhere without a band.

Jellal had already been admitted to Crime Sorciere, the best classical music school in the nation, but we still kept in touch, despite his parents' wish. I told him about the predicament and he told me to have hope. Next thing I knew, Jellal had left Soriere and had been admitted into Fairy Tail. He learned how to play bass and we even talked about starting a band."

"That's amazing… but then what happened with Audio Uproar?"

"Well… the guys came together and it seemed right. When they played, it was something else and I couldn't take that from him. We still kept in contact and he was totally behind me joining you."

"That's good to hear… so he's your best friend?"

"Well… he's more than that." Lucy immediately blushed and when Erza saw it, her entire face turned red. "N-no, I meant he is my best friend but I feel closer than that to him… we're not dating or anything like that… it's just… umm…"

"Do you want more than that?" Erza stopped stammering and paused. The age old question which has swirled around her mind for years. "Not at the expense of losing what's there."

"Why would you think you would lose it?"

"Because…" All reasons and excuses left her mind. "Well… with our bands becoming popular will we have separate agendas."

"It seems to be you guys have dealt with separation before and that hasn't stopped you." Erza pondered Lucy's words as she continued, "You've been supportive of him and you just said he has done the same for you."

Erza glanced over at her friend, "But what if he doesn't feel the same?"

Lucy chuckled a bit and Era was unsure why. "Erza, he has followed you throughout each music group and guild. I've seen the two of you together… you have nothing to worry about."

A buzzing from Lucy's phone ripped her focus from her friend. Lucy saw the text on her screen was from Natsu. She slide her finger across the screen to unlock her phone and read the message.

'Heads towards the jungle ad follow the marked path (you'll know it when you see it) Bring Erza but don't tell her anything.'

Confused, Lucy asked, "Do you want to go for a walk?"

Erza nodded as she stood, "Sure, my legs are getting numb anyway."

…

Lucy walked along the paved path through the trees with Erza. She didn't know what Natsu was doing and she hoped she wasn't roping herself into some shenanigan that would cause them both to get into trouble. The message didn't seem devious but she couldn't help but be a little skeptical.

As they approached their destination, Lucy could see bits of light shining through the trees. The blonde glanced up at her scarlet haired friend; Erza no longer was focused on her but stared intently at the lights in the distance.

The girls rounded a corner and came to an opening, to a place that seemed very familiar to the drummer. An old gazebo was adorned in lights hanging from the roof and wrapped around the railings. The front doors stood wide open giving a clear view of the piano within. The soft sounds of a guitar could be heard coming from inside.

Lucy looked back towards her friend, who now stood agape at the sight before her. She gave her a quick elbow to the side while nodding her head towards the gazebo. Erza gulped and slowly began to walk forward with Lucy trailing behind.

Stepping fully into the gazebo, Lucy could see Natsu leaning against a pillar plucking away at the guitar he delicately held in his hands. He looked up and saw the two girls, giving them a happy smirk. He finished up his little melody before giving a nod.

Before either girl could speak, a male voice began to sing and Natsu followed soon after on his guitar. Erza and Lucy turned their heads towards the sound and saw Jellal standing across the piano from them.

It's like we're standing outside while they're looking out the window
Picking up pace, losing control
Of all the things we are, all the things we know,

Jellal walked around to the bench and had a seat at the keys.

It's like...hey it's like hey

Jellal began to accompany Natsu by playing chords on the keys.

It's like I just couldn't care less, but I'm wrapped around her finger
Started placing all my bets the day that we met
And staying up too late, the way you make me wait, it's like...hey it's like hey

Natsu held a slight smile on his concentrated face as he strummed along. Jellal placed both hands on the keys and began to play a series of beautiful notes.

Don't you know if you go
You'll go without me
Don't you leave me as if you never cared at all
If you go, don't go, go without me
Don't you need me?

Lucy smiled and looked at her scarlet haired friend; she appeared just as shocked as the blonde.

So say, you are my everything
Just say, I'm hanging onto every word that you said
A part of me will never be the same

Natsu paused as Jellal continued playing through the break. He joined back up when the verse began.

It's like she takes me up to ten, but she leaves me at eleven
Now you're telling all your friends everything you intend
All the things you do, I love the way you move

Jellal looked directly into Erza's eyes and smiled to her as he sang. He was starting to get into the lyrics a little more.

It's like...hey it's like hey
Oh you wear that little black dress, always simple, but it's sexy
And I need you in your best so I won't forget
All the way, say that you love me, gotta hear you say it eh yeah

Natsu started bobbing his head to the beat of the song. Jellal's playing became slightly more intense.

Don't you know if you go
You'll go without me
Don't you leave me as if you never cared at all
If you go, don't go, go without me
Don't you need me?So say, you are my everything
Just say, I'm hanging onto every word that you said
A part of me will never be the same

Natsu paused his playing again before he lightly strummed on the strings. Jellal matched the softness as he lightly hit the keys.

Say so, just say so, say so, say so, just say so, say so
Say so, just say so, say so, say so, just say

Jellal looked into Erza's eyes again, both getting lost in each other's gaze.

You are the light up ahead at the end of the road
When I look in those eyes, girl, it feels like I'm home
I need this night, yes it's late, but the morning will come
I know, and I know, and I know
As you fall fast asleep with your head on my chest
I watch you breathe in and out as you're finding your rest
I need this night, yes it's late, but the morning will come
I know, I know, I know

Natsu stopped and allowed Jellal to take over. Erza's eye softened and her shoulders relaxed just a bit. She couldn't help but let a content sigh escape her.

So say, you are my everything
Just say

Natsu began to strum away at the strings as Jellal worked his way into the last chorus.

I'm hanging on, hanging on.

Just say, you are my everything
Just say, I'm hanging onto every word that you said
Just say, you are my everything, baby
Say, I'm hanging onto every word that you said
 And part of me will never be…
No apart of me will never be…No apart of me will never be the same

Natsu and Jellal ended on the same note but let the tone linger just a bit.

Erza stood speechless, just staring at the blunette in front of her. Jellal's eyes locked with hers and the world around them seemed to fade away.

Lucy was just as locked in to the scene until a hand touched her shoulder. Lucy glanced over to her side to see Natsu attempting to pull her away. "Let's leave them alone, Luce."

"No, I want to see this," she whisper yelled back at him. He turned and got close to her face, "I've been waiting years for this, I don't want to be the one to mess this up… Mira would kill me." That seemed to convince her. Lucy followed Natsu out of the gazebo and back down the path she first came in on.

"I've never heard that song before," Erza said, cutting through the silence.

"Well there's a reason for that. Besides, I've been perfecting it for years so the words were just right." Erza softly smiled in response.

Jellal gave a simple pat to the empty space on the piano bench beside him. Erza hesitantly complied and took a seat. Jellal took Erza's hands in his own, "Erza, for as long as I've known you, I've been in love with you… but I never knew how to say it. Well… I didn't realize it until you went to Fairy Tail and I realized a part of me was missing… you. Erza, you are my everything and I don't want to keep living without you in my life."

"Jellal…" Erza began but was interrupted by Jellal.

"I've thought of different ways to show you and I was gonna say something but then I hesitated and the moment was gone… but I thought maybe this way you would know and I wouldn't be able to…"

Erza quieted his lips with her own. The kiss was soft and tender but had the perfect amount of fire stored up from years of romantic tension. Jellal released his hands from hers and moved a hand to softly cradle Erza's cheek.

After a few moments, the two broke apart. "Glad you understand then," Jellal remarked and the two laughed. The two of them sat on the piano bench together for the remainder of the night plucking away at the keys to create their own music.

…

"That's amazing!" Mira cried as she wrapped her scarlet haired friend in the biggest hug, "I'm so happy for you!"

"Us too!" Levy added as they all joined in a band group hug.

"Let's not make this night about me," Erza stated as they separated. "How was everyone else's night?"

"Gajeel and I had a nice stroll along the beach," Levy stated.

"Wow, that's romantic," Lucy remarked.

"Oh it was my idea," the blunette chuckled.

"How about you, Juvia?" Erza asked.

"It was amazing! Gray and Juvia went to the coffee lounge and talked all night."

"And I bet you and Laxus talked strictly business tonight, eh Mira?" Erza nudged their manager.

"We aren't here to talk about me… although we did mix business and pleasure," Mira winked.

"Well what about you, Lu-chan?" All heads whipped around to the blonde. "What about me?"

"What did you do all night?"

Lucy shrugged, "I walked Erza to her meet up with Jellal and then left."

"Yes, but you were with Natsu," Erza added in a matter of fact manner.

"Ooooh?!" Mira squealed.

"Nothing happened. I came back to the room and worked on a new song." The girls were silent. "You had a night off and you decided to work?" Juvia asked.

"I was writing a new song for the tour?!"

"We are gonna take you out tomorrow to fix this." Mira commanded.

Was it really that bad? She wanted to stay behind and spy on Jellal and Erza but Natsu had pulled her away. He had talked about wanting to take some time to clear his head… she remembered thinking it was odd but she saw it as an opportunity to work on some song ideas she had in her head.

But now that she reflected on it… Erza has Jellal, Levy has Gajeel, Mira has Laxus and it seemed to be Juvia had Gray. Would she be the one left out?

She had always had bad luck in guys; that's exactly what she got, guys not men. There were those who her father tried to set her up with for business purposes and then there were those who only wanted her for her money. Oh, and the one… the one she thought was THE one but he turned out to be just like all the others, a huge disappointment.

Since him, she decided she was going to focus on herself and her music. She was going to become stronger, mentally and musically. Music would be her focus and if love found its way to her great but she would not actively seek her out. She found family when she wasn't looking so why couldn't love do the same?

Lucy was excited to see where this life would take her. It's brought her more than she ever dreamed it would so maybe her dreams of the perfect guy would come true too.