"So!" Warren smiled, dropping several files onto the desk in front of Laxus and Erza. "We used your report to check the security cameras closest to the shop. There's one by the four-way intersection just down the street. It did capture a girl fitting the description that old man gave. A girl with long red hair—and turns out she's very familiar…"

Warren flipped open the top file, "This is Flare Corona. You might recognize her as being a well-known associate of Ivan Dreyar."

"I knew it," Erza snapped. "So the hardware store was where Ivan got the materials for the bomb."

Laxus stared at the picture of the red-head girl. Flare… He remembered her. She had always had an unhealthy obsession with pleasing his father, but when they caught them both they hadn't been able to convict her of anything more than petty theft and drug possession. If Laxus had testified maybe she would have been convicted of more, like the heinous crimes he knew she had committed. But he also knew that Flare was misled and abused. She was the weak link in his father's little troupe.

"Flare has been out of prison for longer than my father," Laxus frowned.

"Yes," Warren nodded, "And since her release, she's been very, very careful. Up until now."

"She always did say she would do anything for Ivan," Laxus frowned.

"Warren," Gray asked, "Do we have an address on file for where Flare has been staying since she was released."

"Yes, and…" Warren grinned, holding out a slip of paper, "I already got you the warrant."

⁂

Congratulations! Have you thought about names?

No, of course not. Elfman's too shocked it's not a little man.

Hisui sighed, setting her phone aside. Her father had called her to come eat lunch almost thirty minutes ago, but she wasn't hungry. She kept picking up her phone, pulling up her contacts, and tapping Laxus's name—thumb always hesitating over the call button.

How can I tell him? How can I say this when even I don't know if…

She had daydreamed of this moment before—well, a moment like it. She imagined how happy they'd both be. Having a baby together… it seemed like a dream.

But now she felt such a jumbled rush of emotions that she only really felt anxious. Was she happy? Scared? And how can I feel all these things when I don't even know if I am or not? She didn't dare ask anyone for a test—if rumors spread that she was pregnant it would be a disaster.

"Hisui?" The familiar voice and knock at her door. "Are you coming down to lunch, dear?"

"I'm sorry, Father," she groaned, "I still don't feel very good at all." '

"This is terrible," Toma huffed. "I'll send for the doctor immediately."

"No, no…" Hisui gasped, "I have a feeling I'm on the mend. Let me take a nap, and if I can't join you for dinner then I'll send for the doctor myself."

"Alright, dear. Please get some rest."

She heard her father stepping away and moving back down the hall. Beside her, on the bed, her phone began vibrating.

❤️ Bear ❤️

Her heart skipped a beat and she took a breath before tapping the green answer button and pressing the phone to her ear. "Hello?"

"Hey," he sighed, his voice soothing even now. "I wanted to check up on you, Sui. Are you feeling alright?"

She shook her head, "No." Tears pricked the corner of her eyes. Tell him why. Tell him why, now.

"I'm sorry," he breathed, "Still sick?"

"On and off." Tell him why, Hisui.

"Maybe you should see a doctor."

"I told my father if I'm not better by dinner, I will."

"Good," Laxus sighed, "Listen, I called to tell you that we're close… and I'm going to be working late. I don't know if I can come tonight like I usually do."

Her heart dropped. "I understand," she whispered.

"Hey, shortcake," he murmured, "the sooner I get old dad back behind bars the sooner I get to call you my wife—right?"

"Right," she laughed a little, trying not to show in her voice that she was crying.

"Sui…" He sighed. "I love you. Try and get a good rest tonight, okay? You'll feel better tomorrow."

"Call me tomorrow?" She whispered.

"Of course. If I get Ivan maybe I'll even come in person."

"I love you."

⁂

"Was that your girlfriend?" Natsu teased.

"I'll have you know," Laxus snapped, "It was."

"Natsu, can you focus for one second," Gray growled.

"I am focused. Unlike Laxus, who was just taking a personal call on duty.

"We're literally in the car," Laxus rolled his eyes, glancing back to where Gray and Natsu were sitting in the back. Natsu looked a little pale. "Are you getting carsick, Dragneel?" Laxus snickered.

"Shut up, Dreyar!" Natsu snarled. "If you were back here you'd be sick as hell—"

Erza slammed on the break and they all jerked forward. "We're here."

"Ow! Erza!" Gray groaned.

"Let's go."

Flare's place was a little apartment on the second floor of an old apartment building downtown. Their small team made their way up the stairs. It was quiet. Outside the window by her front mat was a pot of sunflowers.

Erza took the lead, taking in a deep breath in and rapping her fist against the front door. "Flare Corona! This is Magnolia PD! We have a warrant."

Silence.

"This is SO BORING." Natsu groaned, "She's not here, get out of the way." The fire dragon slayer swung back his fist and smashed the door into bits.

"Was that really necessary?" Gray groaned.

"Quit bickering," Erza sighed, "Lets go. We're looking for any clue that can lead us to Ivan."

They stepped into the apartment. It was surprisingly clean and cheery inside. There were more flowers on the table, several plants hanging by the window across the dining room.

Natsu went immediately towards the living room, tossing magazines off the coffee table. Erza moved to the bedroom. And Gray took bookshelves. Laxus moved towards the kitchen, tracing his gloved fingers across the cool countertops. Nothing was left out. Her fridge was blank, besides a few magnets, a calendar. Inside there was barely any food, and what was there was going bad. It had been a while since she was home it seemed. He shut the fridge, glancing over her stove, her sink… a phone. Her landline was sitting on the edge of the counter, on the other side of her sink. Next to it was a little address book, and a pad of sticky notes. The pencil was laying across the sticky notes. Laxus frowned, picking up the sticky notes carefully.

There… He let out a breath. Something must have been written on the sticky note just above this one. Laxus glanced over to where Gray and Natsu were digging around. Erza was still in Flare's bedroom. He slipped the sticky note into the pocket of his coat. Time to pretend to keep searching. Whatever was on the sticky note… he felt like it would lead him to his father. This is something I have to do alone.