The three men traveled together back to Bickslow's home. The seith mage taking a moment to eye down the damage that Laxus had done to his front door. Aside from being knocked off it's hinges, the door was in more then repairable shape and Bickslow wasted no time in putting the door back to it's proper place. "You owe me a new door Boss." Bickslow said as he placed the door upright. Laughing, Laxus rolled his eyes and ignored seith mage and instead took a moment to appreciate just how cleanly he had managed to kick the door in. "You've got jewel. Go buy yourself a new door." Laxus said as he stretched out in boredom. Gajeel became more and more restless as the three men stood there. Shifting his feet continuously, Laxus became annoyed at the man. "Hey man. If you're that worried about what Levy is gonna do to you, you can just go." Laxus said as he gave the iron dragon slayer a heavy side eye. Gajeel shook his head subtly. "It ain't that. I ain't really great in social settings." the iron dragon slayer said as his painfully introverted self started running through everything he'd have to say to all of his other guild mates. Bickslow threw an arm over Gajeel's shoulder and let his weight drop completely onto the slightly shorter man. "Aww. Big bad Black Steel's shy. How the hells that work out for ya since ya tend to subject us all to your...amazing singing talents." Bickslow said as he tapped himself on the chin and dragged Gajeel forward as he started the trio on a power walk towards the guild. Again, Gajeel found himself resisting a bit as he used a bit more force to keep himself moving forward. Feeling the resistance against him, Bickslow immediately stopped and stepped in front of Gajeel. "Hey metalhead...look at me for a second. I got a good pep talk for ya." the seith mage said with a deadly serious tone to his voice. Gajeel looked up at the seith mage, curious to know what would cause Bickslow to become so serious. Bickslow smiled widely as soon as Gajeel looked at him. "Yer an idiot. And yer walkin to the guild willingly." Bickslow said as he laughed under his breath. Gajeel raised an eyebrow up in confusion. "The hell kind of a pep talk is that" the iron dragon slayer said before feeling his arms and legs go numb. The bright green of Bickslow's eyes now all he could see as he found himself moving involuntarily. Laxus laughed loudly at the sight. "Man, you've gotta be a real dumbass to fall for something like that from Bickslow. There's a reason I pretty much always have my eyes closed when around him." Laxus laughed out as he gave Gajeel a particularly hard pat on the back, knocking the man off his feet. "...fu...ck...you...both..." Gajeel said as his body lifted him off the ground. "That's just flat out rude Black Steel. Be a shame if ya decided to walk into the guild naked...or would it?" Bickslow then said as his totems happily repeated "would it, would it?"

Slowly, Gajeel found himself stripping off the clothing he had on him. His face torn between a blush and wanting to rip the seith mage apart. The guild hall coming closer and closer to the trio. The citizens of Magnolia averting their eyes as the nearly nude iron dragon slayer walked through town. Managing to clinch his fist, Gajeel attempted to turn his hand into an iron pillar. Bickslow's eyes widened as his smile grew even wider and his totems laughed. "Atttaattaa. Can't have any of that now, can we?" the seith mage said, then forcing the dragon slayer to strip entirely as the walked up to the guild hall. Laxus paused for a moment before laughing. "Looks like we got here just in time." the lightening dragon slayer then said as he walked behind the iron dragon slayer "...this is what you get for beating me to the 'knocking up your mate' game". Laxus then lifted a foot high off the ground and kicked Gajeel through the doors.


Lisanna sat in her room quietly as her sister tried to comfort her. "Come to work with me tonight Lisanna. It might be good for you. Besides. You've missed A LOT of shifts. Just because we have plenty of jewel, doesn't mean you don't need to work." Mira smiled out as she stood up and extended both hands out to Lisanna. The youngest Strauss smiled up at her sister, grabbing hold of her hands and being lifted to her feet enthusiastically. "Change your clothes while you're at it Lisanna. You're going out today, not lounging about." Mira then said. The oldest Strauss never one to be caught in lounge wear. Lisanna rolled her eyes at her sister as she began looking through her dresser for any outfits she might have had left over, or at least something she could work the bar in. She found a simple baseball t-shirt and shorts. Given the nice weather, the outfit would be more then passable, even by Mira's standards. "Hey Mira...where's Elfman and Evergreen?" Lisanna asked. Her brother wasn't one to simply ignore Lisanna coming home. "He and Evergreen left early this morning. I guess Evergreen said there was a job on the board she wanted to look over again." Mira said as she looked down the hallway at Elfman's unoccupied room. Lisanna snickered under her breath slightly, having a suspicion that the 'job' request was likely a very elaborate excuse. Lisanna quickly started to remove the bandages she had on her. Mira immediately jumping in to help unwrap any particularly tricky areas. The oldest Strauss turning her head a bit as the bandages and wrappings seemed to be covering next to nothing as far as injuries went. "Lisanna, what's with the bandages? You're fine so far as I can tell." Mira said. Glancing over her skin, Lisanna nodded and agreed. "Huh. Wendy stopped by and helped out a bit. That's probably why there's really nothing." Lisanna said as she changed into the shirt she had chosen.

"Hey Mira...I thought you hated Bickslow...why would you stick up for him?" Lisanna asked as she buttoned up her shorts.

"Lisanna, I don't hate anyone in the guild. Why would I?" Mira responded.

"Well, you've been really, REALLY mean about everything that revolves around him."

"To be perfectly honest with you Lisanna, I would do that with you and any guy...I may not be mom or dad, but I've had to play mom and dad. I chewed out your brother too if it makes you feel any better." Mira then said as she chuckled to herself.

"So...you don't think Bickslow's really all that bad?" Lisanna then asked.

"I...I didn't say that...I think what he is...what he does...I think it's wrong...really wrong. But it isn't his fault that he was born into that type of magic I guess, and I highly doubt he'd be in our guild if he had any real intentions on causing destruction. He's more like a painfully loyal friend. He'll follow his captain down on a sinking ship. I just don't want HIM to influence your morals and conscious decisions. He teeters on a really fine line between being a criminal and being..."

"Normal?" Lisanna said as she cut off her sister.

"Yeah. I guess you could put it that way. I know he's one of Laxus' closest friends, and I can see why, but that doesn't change how I really feel. Especially with everything that Laxus told me...and the things that Bickslow has hidden away in his home. How he keeps himself alive is just...I just wouldn't want you exposed to things like that." Mira said as she stared at her sister.

"Yeah...I don't think I wanted to see those types of things either...but I guess we all have to do what we have to do, and I guess I was bound to see it eventually. At least if I'm going to be with him." Lisanna responded letting out a small smile.

"I hope you don't think that anything he does is by any means normal. Are you still considering being with him?" Mira said cautiously.

"He made it a point to let me know it's not. He actually said to never think of it as okay either. And I'm thinking about it...I'm mad at him, but like, it's weird." Lisanna said.

"He's so odd in both looks and personality though Lisanna." Mira then said turning her face slightly.

"And Laxus is what exactly? He always looks really really mad. And his temper? Gez. I know you like bad boys, but did you have to pick the baddest boy?" Lisanna said as she picked fun at her sister.

"Oh what ever Lisanna. At least Laxus doesn't talk to toys."

"They aren't toys! They are his 'babies'!" Lisanna then said jokingly.

"Speaking of babies Lisanna..." Mira then said as an awkward air sat in the room.

"You'll be the first to know if something happens Mira!" Lisanna said quickly dashing out of the room. Her face as red as it possibly could be.

"I'm not opposed to it Lisanna!" Mira then said chasing her sister down the stairs.

"Oh my god I don't want to talk about this!" Lisanna said laughing as she ran away.

"I just don't want to feel that old yet!" Mira shouted out as she started to laugh.

Lisanna stopped running and turned to face her sister, nearly causing the oldest Strauss to run into her. She moved within and inch of her sister's face as she placed a single finger under Mira's chin. An ear to ear grin covering Lisanna's face as she stared her sister down, a tiny bit of her tongue sticking out of her mouth. "At least you'd make a gorgeous old lady." Lisanna said as she winked at her sister and ran out of the front door. Mira stood a bit stunned for a moment. She could pinpoint actions like that anywhere. It wasn't like Lisanna to do something like that. It was purely Bickslow. The seith mage was rubbing off on her sister, regardless of whether or not she wanted to admit it. There wasn't a damn thing she could do about it either.


Mira and Lisanna entered the guild happily. Their arms locked as they walked in on a full house. "LISANNA! MIRA!" Cana shouted, wrapping her arms around the two Strauss'. "The hell have you been little girl?!" Cana yelled, the smell of mead and wine filling the air around them as the woman spoke. "Oh Cana. You know we've been busy." Mira said as she peeled Cana off of the two of them. Cana rolled her eyes. "Yeah. SURE." Cana then went back to her desired place at the bar. Kinana was beginning to look slightly overwhelmed as order after order came through. Without missing a beat, both Mira and Lisanna jumped in, pumping out drink after drink and filling all the early morning orders. In the corner, Lisanna spotted Evergreen happily seated on her older brother. Elfman seeming slightly uncomfortable as Lisanna smiled and shook her head at him. Wendy sat near Romeo in what Lisanna could have only described as an awkward teenage romance. Neither youngster knowing what to actually do. Their lack of conversation seeming to agitate Carla who was being adamantly harassed by Happy. Lucy was yelling at Natsu, who seemed far too interested in yelling at Gray. Lisanna was almost certain she could see Juvia hiding carefully behind a pillar spying on the nearly naked man. Jet and Droy appeared as though they were nearly in tears as they sulked to themselves. Erza was simply standing as steadfast as one would imagine, seeming totally carefree. Freed had been seated by Evergreen and Elfman, seeming far too dignified for the current state of disorder that was slowly unwrapping. The rest of the guild appeared far more alive then usual. Especially given what time it was.

Eventually, Levy walked into the guild. Pantherlily wrapped tightly in her arms. The script mage seeming a lot more on the edge of her seat then Lisanna had ever seen. Jet and Droy immediately surrounding her and whispering gods know what to the girl. Lisanna managed to catch Levy nodding and Jet and Droy seeming to fall to their knees. The small bluenette then appeared to try and comfort the two men. The moment Cana spotted the script mage, she quickly hopped out of her bar stool and dragged the script mage over to the bar. Lucy had given up on solving the issues occurring between Natsu and Gray and waved furiously at Levy. The script mage's face almost seeming as though it were begging for escape from Cana's grip. "Ah c'mon now Levy. Don't be like that. You know you love being man handled. How else could you handle ole Gajeel." Cana joked out "I assume you'll be drinking virgin daiquiris for a while as well?" Cana continued. Lucy pushed her way between the two of them in a small attempt at saving her friend from Cana. "Let her catch her breath before she drinks anything." Lucy said, embracing her friend tightly. Mira and Lisanna smiled at the trio of women. "Lisanna! I haven't seen you in a while. I saw Bickslow just the other day though. How are things?" Levy asked as she tried to take the focus off of herself.

"You know Levy, they could be a bit better. We got into a bit of a fight." Lisanna said as she filled a few mugs.

"WHAT?! What did that asshole do? Do I need to kick his ass?" Cana then said, suddenly extremely defensive.

"Oh please Cana. I doubt you'll get him twice." Lucy said in a snarky tone.

"He lied about a couple of things is all." Lisanna said as a smirk crossed her face.

"Ooo. About what?!" Lucy, Cana, and Levy said nearly in unison.

"Just some things." Lisanna said, a bit surprised.

"Did he tell you he's a virgin?" Cana said jokingly, throwing a beer back quickly "'Cause he isn't."

"Yes Cana. That's obviously what he told her." Lucy said, rolling her eyes "Seriously though. What happened?"

"Like I said. He lied about a couple of things, and I told him not to look at me ever again." Lisanna said almost regretfully.

"Aww. That's so mean. Do you really want him not to?" Levy asked as she felt an odd turning in her stomach.

"Of course she doesn't want that. She'd rather him take in an eyeful." Cana said loudly, earning a glare from Mira, being sure to wink at the oldest Strauss when their eyes met.

"It must have been pretty bad for you to say something like that to the guy who has a staring problem." Lucy said.

"It was...less than pleasant. But I mean...I can see why he did it..sort of." Lisanna said as she cleaned up some of the mugs that made their way to her.

"I say you mess with him as punishment for lying." Cana then said as she crossed her legs in the barstool.

"I'm sorry Cana, but how does one 'mess' with Bickslow. IT'S BICKSLOW. He loves being messed with." Lucy said

"Yeah I'm with Lucy here. I don't think there are many things that'll mess with Bickslow...he's really weird. No offense Lisanna." Levy said. Her mouth starting to water slightly as she bit her cheek.

"I'm sure Lisanna knows something that'll mess with him. Right?" Cana then said as she turned her attention to Lisanna with an eyebrow raised up.

"I know one thing that he doesn't like for sure." Lisanna said as she eyed Levy suspiciously "Levy...are you feeling okay?" she then asked.

"Yeah...just...kinda feeling off today is all." the script mage said.

"SEE WHAT YA DID GRAY?! YA MADE LEVY SICK YA NUDEST" Natsu screamed out, plopping himself heavily into Lucy and Levy.

"ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! IT WAS PROBABLY YOUR HOT BREATH IN HER FACE." Gray then shouted back as he flicked a chunk of ice into Natsu's head.

"It was likely neither of those things. So you two need to knock it off." Erza then said as she moved Natsu off of the script mage.

"ANYWAY. I'm telling you girl. You have GOT to mess with Bickslow. Let him know he won't be allowed to get away with lying to you. Nip that in the bud!" Cana said tapping her glass as a way of demanding more to drink. The other women around her nodding as they agreed with the statement

"We'll see." Lisanna answered before moving back into the kitchen.


Over an hour had passed in the guild as the girls all sat talking at the bar, catching up on the latest gossip and generalized nonsense. Makarov had eventually made his way to the bar as well, seating himself next to Mira as the oldest Strauss worked effortlessly to catch everything up. "How is Lisanna?" the master asked Mira quietly. The guild may have become quite loud and obnoxious, but Mira had become quite accustomed to speaking to the master in such hushed tones. "She's okay I think. A bit angry, but otherwise alright." Mira said as she handed the guild master a small tankard. Makarov nodded as he watched Lisanna walk around the room serving the other members of FairyTail. "Levy" Makarov then said, catching the script mage off guard. The bluenette immediately turning her attention to the guild master. "Yeah? What's up?" She said carefully, still fighting the twisting sensation in her stomach. "Was there something you needed to announce? Rumors aren't a good thing to be spread around a family you know." Makarov said, the slight pink glow of alcohol covering his cheeks. Swallowing hard, Levy nodded. "Good! Stand up on the bar. Let everyone know!" Makarov then said as he patted the bar top next to him as an ear to ear smile covered his face. Lucy squealed in anticipation as Cana began drinking yet another tankard of beer. Mira helped pull the small script mage onto the bar top. "LISTEN UP. Our very own Levy McGarden has some news to share with everyone!" Makarov shouted loudly, immediately silencing any and all parties in the guild. Far too many eyes upon her, Levy stood, looking almost knock-kneed as she swallowed down the twisting in her stomach. Pantherlily immediately flying over and seating himself in the young woman's arms, easily able to sense the anxiety coming off of her.

"So...um...I know...um..." Levy said, appearing to develop a sudden stutter.

"Out with it Levy." Pantherlily said confidently.

"I KNOW EVERYONE KEEPS TALKING ABOUT HOW I'M PREGNANT. WELL I AM." Levy shouted loudly, crushing the Exceed in her arms as the members of the guild shouted and squealed with delight. "ALSO...IT'S TWINS!"

Without a moment to even brace herself, Levy was being dragged off the bar top and smothered in hugs and kisses from nearly any guild member that could get their hands on her. The script mage feeling as though a huge weight had been lifted off of her chest as she giggled in relief. "Where is the proud father of said children?" Makarov then asked, scanning the room for Gajeel. As the door to the guild flew open, a nude Gajeel burst through. "His ass is right here." Laxus said, slamming the iron dragon slayer on the back hard. Bickslow wrapped an arm around the curled over dragon slayer, forcing him to stand upright. "Didn't think we'd let the man of the show miss his own baby announcements, did ya?!" the seith mage shouted. Suddenly free from being bound by Bickslow, Gajeel immediately turned his fist into an iron pillar, attempting to hit the seith mage with everything he had, only managing to pulverize a wall.

"Oh dude, that's disgusting Gajeel. How'er you gonna run around naked like that?" Natsu said with a smart ass grin across his face.

"Seriously man. And is that thing pierced? You really are a glutton for punishment." Gray said, standing completely nude as well.

"WHAT KIND OF A REAL MAN RUNS AROUND NAKED IN FRONT OF A BUNCH OF WOMEN?!" Elfman then shouted

"I ain't doin' it on purpose! These two freaks made me do it!" Gajeel then shouted, as he slung two iron pillars towards Bickslow and Laxus.

"Don't go blaming me man. I just pushed you through the doors." Laxus said easily dodging the attempted hit.

"I was just helpin to motivate ya was all metalhead." Bickslow said, easily bounding off of the iron pillar before seating himself in his usual spot.

"Holy crap Levy. How are you not dead?" Cana then said as she eyed down the nude dragon slayer causing the script mage the blush nearly every available shade of red.

Gajeel immediately turned to his tiny mate. The woman surrounded on all sides by various member of the guild. His eyes pleading with her to come and save him. With a smile on her face, the script mage looked as though she were going to be sick. Gajeel stood in silence for a minute as he gave a half ass attempt to cover himself up. Within a second, Levy had let loose the contents of her stomach. Gajeel stood in complete confusion. "Oh c'mon. I ain't that hard on the eyes." the dragon slayer then joked as he quickly made his way over to Levy. "More like morning sickness" Lisanna laughed out as she readied up a mop and bucket, gagging slightly at the ideal of having to clean up vomit. Scooping up his script mage, Gajeel sat with Levy in his lap. More then happy to see her, but absolutely hating the lack of clothing he wore. Makarov rubbed his eyes, already knowing he would be receiving a council statement for Gajeel's nudity and would now have to figure out where in the budget he would have to put jewel to fix the damage to the wall. Grabbing a clean rag from off of the counter, Makarov tossed it towards Gajeel. "Cover yourself up boy..."


Given a reason to celebrate, the guild was alive with mages and alcohol. They hadn't been quite this busy in a while and Lisanna, Mira, and Kinana worked like a well oiled machine to keep everything running smoothly. "I'm tellin ya girl. You need to mess with him." Cana whispered towards Lisanna. Mira leaned in and nodded. "I hate to turn our members against each other, but I agree with Cana. Take the night off. Do some damage. If not for yourself, then do it for me." Mira smiled out patting her sister before shooing her away "I have to disperse the bets in the pool anyway." Lisanna laughed, moving out from behind the bar and seating herself next to Cana. The brunette more than excited to see what Lisanna could possibly do. Disappointingly, all Lisanna did was stare at the seith mage. The action making Cana simply toss her hand up. "Well that ain't fun."

Lisanna stared at the back of Bickslow's head as she enjoyed drink after drink. To anyone else, it looked like absolutely nothing, but Lisanna could tell it was eating the man alive. Even Laxus watched as the seith mage began tapping his fingers in annoyance. Laxus then turned his eyes to Lisanna, giving the youngest Strauss a nod of approval. Bickslow's finger tapping soon turned to him rocking his leg as he began to fidget more. After half an hour, the seith mage removed his mask. Rubbing his eyes before he glared at Laxus. The dragon slayer doing nothing more then smirking cruelly at the seith mage before drinking. "Don't piss women off man." Laxus said as he laughed at the seith mage. Bickslow eventually lay his head flat on the table. Feeling as though the back of his skull were going to be blown off of him entirely. "Why not just stare back at her." Freed asked as he sipped his wine. "Because FREED. She told me not to look at her." Bickslow said as he clutched the back of his head trying desperately to rub away the feeling. Freed huffed out air as he laughed at his comrade's misfortune. Without much warning Pippi left the table and made it's way towards Lisanna. "TRAITOR!" Bickslow shouted as he threw his middle finger in the air at his totem, the seith mage nearly sweating at this point. "Hi Pippi. Wanna stare at your daddy with me?" The angry face painted onto the totems face being all Lisanna needed to assume it said yes. She leaned heavily onto the totem and continued her staring at Bickslow, now accompanied by Pippi's angry face.

After an hour, Bickslow finally cracked. He quickly rose to his feet and snapped his mask on. Tossing a few jewel onto the table, the seith mage marched quickly out of the guild hall. In her drunken state, Lisanna laughed at Bickslow. Pippi seeming to giggle as well. Hugging the wooden doll with slight disappointment she would now have to sober up. Her night with Bickslow wasn't over just yet.

Hello internet world! A big thanks to those of you who've been commenting these past few days. :D They certainly are a wonderful thing to read **tosses gold stars and glitter while taking a massive swig of beer**

Nicole, thank you so much for your comment as well, it really does mean a lot to hear that you are enjoying the story and think so highly of it :). As far as commenting goes, ya know. As much as I would love for people to comment, I would much rather them read and enjoy the story for what it is, then feel obligated to say something. :D. I mean, sometimes, no news is good news right? Haha. There is one thing that has always bothered me about some authors/writers/artists/etc and it's demanding likes, favorites and comments in order for them to continue. That, to me, just feels wrong. I want everyone who reads this to feel completely free to do all those things without the worry of me shutting it all down(although I did take a hiatus due to life because f**k me right?). I don't feel a need to beg for the comments, follows or favorites I get. It just isn't in my nature to do so and feels insulting to readers to demand such things. But if I could buy a beer for every person who has done those things, I totally would.

SO! Here's to all of you STILL following this incredibly long story! d[^u^]b -(me with headphones on because that is literally how I look when I write, stupid "u" shaped mouth and all)