Disclaimer: Disclaimer: Fairy Tail and the characters are owned by Hiro Mashima. I own this story based on Mashima's work

The things I can control

A/N
This story has a 3rd person, omniscient (all-seeing) and intrusive (meddling) narrator. My profile has more notes on the narrative style in FTCC.

The narrator has been pretty meddlesome so far, but I thought in this chapter I'd experiment with pushing the intrusiveness further, till it sort of breaks the fourth wall. Please let me know how it goes down. It's an experiment.

"Ya might wanna wipe that drool off your face Lucy," Cana advised, paddling up to Lucy as they cooled down in the lake on Saturday afternoon.

"Wai-what, no! That's not what I'm- what? I'm not drooling," Lucy defended unconvincingly from her small inflatable pool ring. She was slumped lazily over it staring unabashedly an apparently very well-muscled Natsu as he emerged from the water. Still dripping with water, the boy threw his arms up in the air and shouted triumphantly.

He had just been yanked up a ramp slide and sling shotted a few meters through the air before landing flawlessly in the water. His glorious exuberance as he celebrated his jump pulverised any other thoughts in Lucy's mind.

"Well, well, well," Cana chimed on, "looks like the lake spirits are being especially benevolent today. Who knew the kid was hiding all of that under polos and shorts? Not bad. Not bad at all, Lucy."

"That's not what I'm looking at at all!" Lucy lied. "That was just a really good jump."

But lies weren't gonna work with these two.

"Oh, Lucy knew, Cana," Levy sang jovially, bobbing over to them. "Or did you happen to miss the whole stripping fiasco at yesterday's game? Our Lucy knows exactly what our fiery friend has been hiding." She winked at her red-faced sister. "I don't think this scene is news so much as it's icing on the cake," Levy added, emphasising her last words.

"Levy, you're supposed to be on my side, or don't you see who's up next?" Lucy said pointing to a familiar dark haired guy heading up to the slide.

Levy immediately flushed as she saw Gajeel getting ready to enter the slide.

"Gi hi," Lucy retorted, savouring victory.

"Oh, ho ho! So this is what you two do all day in this "internship" of yours," Cana came in, excited to have two juicy new stories. These sweet-hearted sisters of hers, she loved them fiercely but when it came to boys their lives were as exciting as traffic jams - boring childhood friends everywhere. Cana was glad to see them venturing out into more stimulating territory. And if their interests were this … ocularly satisfying … well then, that just gave her better material. Cana had her concerns given the huge differences between them, but these kids didn't seem snobby or mean. Cana looked over at Erza and Juvia sitting on the banks of the lake laughing and playing with Asuka. They seemed genuinely nice.

The siblings turned as Gajeel took off on the ramp. Levy's breath hitched as he slid up the ramp and flew into the air, his arms and legs flailing. All three girls flinched as they watched him fall. That landing was gonna leave a bruise.

Sure enough, Gajeel came up sputtering and holding his side, his hair falling flat all over his face.

Cana tsked. "It's all fun and games until someone gets hurt."

Levy and Lucy broke out in loud, uncontrollable laughter.

As Lucy swam towards the shore she thought back to the concert the night before and smiled to herself. Loke, Ultear and Jellal had joined them. Cana and Bora were the DJs for the night and several local punk rock bands performed live. Lucy'd had a blast rocking out with everyone. It had been a long time since she'd let herself go and had that much fun. Her throat was still sore from all the screaming, singing and shouting to be heard above the music. The rest of her body wasn't doing too good either, but it was all worth it. Nothing an afternoon in the lake couldn't fix.

She was happy to learn that she and Natsu were into similar types of music. Decent taste in music wasn't necessarily a must have for her but it certainly made a difference. They'd talked about the music and some of their favourite bands, albums and concerts when they got the chance, but mostly they'd just chilled with everyone, goofing around, laughing and enjoying being together.

The best part of the night was when Natsu casually held her waist as she leaned back to talk to him about a band onstage. And he didn't let go until the end of the set. Lucy's hopes soared to the moon. She tried to play it cool, she really did, but the blood rushed to her face every time she thought about all the signals Natsu's arm and their matching outfits were sending to everyone around them. Maybe it was the giddy reverie that his touch had sent her into but Lucy found that, even if she wasn't his girl, for those precious minutes she was content to let herself and the world think that she was. This is what it would be like to be Natsu Dragneel's girl.

She was already thinking of every possible way to keep him there after the set ended; even making up stupid comments to share with him just so his hand would linger a little longer. But as soon as the last song ended he, Loke and Gray ran off, shoving their way through the crowd to the front where a huge commotion was happening to close the set.

Stupid, stupid, glow in the dark paint filled balloons, Lucy had thought at the time, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips as she watched her goofy crush elbow his way wildly through the crowd.

This too is what it would be like to be Natsu Dragneel's girl, she'd thought dreamily.

Before they left the park everyone made plans to join the Conbolts at the lake to cool down later that day. They'd exchanged numbers then. Unfortunately, the Strauss' had left the concert early since they had to work on Saturday which was a huge bummer. Lucy had wanted to get Mirajane's number.

And so here they were on Saturday, all together again. Well, except for the Strauss' who had work.

Juvia watched as Lucy and her sisters exited the water. Asuka immediately ran off in their direction to show them all the stuff she, Juvia and Erza had found while exploring.

"I really like it here," Juvia murmured, as Lucy, Levy and Cana pounced on their adorable niece and tickled her. Asuka's jovial laughter could be heard as far as the oak tree.

"Yeah," Erza exhaled, smiling with understanding. "It feels good."

Erza caught sight of Jellal and Ultear out of the corner of her eye. They were coming back from their walk to the town. Unwarranted, Erza's chest squeezed tightly. Jellal didn't seem to have changed. He seemed to be the same boy who played so openly with her and Natsu all those years ago. She had never let herself believe it. She always believed that the expressions he's showed them and the laughter they'd shared were all lies; that a more sinister face had always been behind them. But, unless he was lying to the Conbolts as well, the person she and Natsu met was the real Jellal.

How could that boy do something so vile? How could he stand in front of these people smiling like that after what he's done?

In a bitter answer, Erza heard Asuka squealing in laughter.

"Jelly Bean, Jelly Bean, help, Jelly Bean."

Jellal took off immediately. He ran towards Asuka, grabbed her from Lucy and the others and ran away with her, carrying the giggling girl high over his head.

Cana, Levy and Lucy took off after them.

"Give us that girl. That little explorer stole from us. She must pay. 1000 tickles."

Asuka, no everyone, seemed so overjoyed.

This is wrong. This is very wrong. This must be wrong.

Erza must have stood there a while because when she looked up Natsu was by her side, following her gaze.

"It's weird, isn't it?" he said distractedly. "It's too…" Natsu paused, trying to find the right word. "Wrong."

Yes, Erza answered to herself, it doesn't fit. Everything's …. misplaced. Something's missing.

Erza thought for a long time. A part of her wanted to be heard amid the clutter in her mind. That part told her that she wasn't meant to be in the offices. That he hadn't intended for her to be there. He didn't know she was in there. It was a terrible, awful, painful accident. It was unforgivable. But it was an accident.

Erza quickly squished the voice.

Regardless, it happened. He did what he did.

"Erza, Natsu," Gray called from under the tree where a foldable table now stood covered with snacks and sandwiches. Towels, beach chairs and coolers were scattered in every direction around it. Gray waved them over. "Everyone's coming in for snacks. Come on."

With that, Erza and Natsu let their memories sink back to the place where they hid them. Both felt too good with these people to let those thoughts stop them.

§§§

"So Levy," Annie asked, innocence lacing her voice. "Did you eventually find out who sent the message?"

All the company winced, some a little too visibly. This was just too brutal.

Let narrator-san explain. Last night during the concert there was a large screen by the stage that displayed messages to the audience. People texted a number and their text appeared onscreen for all to see. Kids used the screen to joke around, to send sweet messages to their friends about being together forever, or, more courageously, to confess. Droy, still on a high from his soccer success earlier in the day, thought that last one was a great idea. He also thought it was a great idea to sign the confession 'from a secret admirer'. Yes, he really didn't think that one through. At all. It was both hilarious and excruciating watching Levy try to work out who the message could be from with Droy standing right beside her. With every new name Levy considered the boy shrank that much smaller. Jet, ever one to rub salt on a man's wounds, kept bringing it up, even dropping hints; "maybe it's someone closer than you think," he'd said. And Levy still didn't think of Droy. Not once. Not even now, 12 hours later.

"No," Levy answered, "there's no one like that. It must be a joke."

Drinks spluttered all around as everyone tried to suppress their laughter. She was so oblivious. Gray cringed for the man who would one day have to confess his feelings to this girl seriously. Nothing but the direct approach would work with her. In a way, Gray liked that about her. She was no-nonsense and straightforward. He was starting to appreciate that kind of openness.

"Oh Lucy," Cana said handing her phone over to her sister, "we got an awesome shot of you on Loke's shoulders from the stage last night, here."

Lucy reached for the phone. Sure enough there was a photo of her sitting pretty snug on Loke's shoulders rocking out to Quatro Puppy. Lucy smiled nostalgically, losing herself for a moment in the photo, the memory of the night before coming back in a wave. She'd been trying to get a good look at the stage. The next thing she knew Loke was kneeling in front of her signalling her to get on his shoulders. She didn't even know he'd been watching her. He'd held her legs so firmly and lifted her up so smoothly, a glaring reminder that her childhood friend was, in fact, a boy. The next thing she knew she was towering over everyone around her. It was just her and the stage in front of her. Sure, there were a few other girls who were on guys' shoulders in the crowd. Still, Lucy felt a little invincible. That was just like Loke, she thought, always there lending her his strength. A warm smile spread across her face as she thought about her friend. That smile stretched into an enthusiastic grin as she responded to Cana.

"That was totally fun!" she said, passing the phone over to the others to have a look. "Now I know why Asuka likes Jellal's shoulders so much. It's like being on top of the world."

"Where is Loke today, anyway?" Bisca asked. "Is he coming by the lake?"

"Nah, he said he wasn't really up for it today," Lucy answered. "He sounded a bit bummed when I talked to him this morning. Maybe he's just wiped out."

"I'll bet it's some girl," Cana threw in.

"Is it ever anything else with Loke?" Levy joined in, rolling her eyes.

"He is a real playboy isn't he?" Gray commented. "Girls were calling him out everywhere we turned yesterday. I've never seen anything like it."

"That sounds like Loke," Lucy said with a wry smile, "always the flirt." Lucy wasn't sure when it was that her childhood friend had become the centre of the girls' attention in Magnolia, but when it started a few years before it had put quite a bit of distance between them. Suddenly, she'd started learning about Loke's life from afar. She'd started feeling like a third wheel whenever she approached him. The growing distance between them had pained her. Everyone had said that Loke was growing up and it was something she needed to accept. But Lucy had always felt deep down that Loke had created that distance between them on purpose. There was no other reason for him to look away whenever she came close.

Then, just as suddenly as he'd started distancing himself, he came back into her life as if nothing had ever happened. He was still a flirt but at least Lucy felt like she was part of his life again. She was so happy to have him back she never questioned what had happened.

Further thoughts about Lucy's childhood friend were derailed by Romeo.

"C'mon Wendy," Romeo said to the little blue-haired girl beside him stuffing the last bit of his sandwich into his mouth, "let's go see the river."

"Romeo, be careful." His mom called after them, as mothers do. "And look after Wendy."

"Yes, mom," the little boy answered pulling Wendy along with him.

Gray looked up at Annie, "River?"

"Oh, there's a path just further down the lake that takes you up into the hills. The path runs alongside one of the rivers that feeds the lake. Further up, the path links up with the different hiking trails around Magnolia. But Romeo won't take Wendy up that far, don't worry. He's probably taking her where we go fishing. There're usually families with dogs playing there. We didn't bring Plue today so, trust me, they've gone in search of dogs."

Gray was just about to ask more about the path when Lucy, Cana and Levy grabbed Juvia and Gajeel and ran towards the lake. Bisca and Asuka followed closely behind. When Asuka was halfway there she turned around and stretched a hand out towards the group under the tree.

"Jelly Bean, come on."

Jellal looked across at Ultear from his perch on the oak tree and raised an eyebrow. Then without a word they both immediately started down towards the lake themselves.

Macao watched them go, a musing look on his face.

"He's turned into such a fine young man. If he does come to me asking for Ultear I'd have no problem giving her to a man like him."

"Mmm," Alzack agreed. "He's been by her side for as long as I can remember. I can't imagine there's anyone out there who'd take better care of her."

At this, Gray's eyes visibly perked. He had so many questions, but he gritted his teeth and kept them to himself. He and the other Fairy Tailers had found out that people were very protective of the Conbolts, shooting them deadly looks every time they showed interest in their new friends' family situation. For that, Gray was actually thankful. She'd found herself among people who safeguarded her and didn't judge her. These people, Gray found, didn't entertain any superficial curiously about their family. They were just family. Gray guessed that Ultear, surrounded by so much love and support, was able to excel even Ur judging from the display last night.

Gray clenched his teeth and dug his nails into the metal bars of his fold out beach chair. He had to figure out what to do next. Natsu watched him, his and Gray's conversation from the night before rushing back.

"You alright man?" Natsu had asked, joining Gray at the back of the company making its way to the park after the fireworks.

"I've searched everywhere for her and she was right here in Magnolia the whole time," he'd said.

Natsu had just stayed silent, letting Gray work though his feelings. Gray was angry with himself for not finding her sooner. He was angry that she was right under his nose the whole time. He was blaming himself for not doing enough, for being too weak to do anything. But as he talked though his various emotions Gray finally settled on a single thought. Things might have worked out for the best given the circumstances. She was obviously surrounded by so many things he couldn't have given her even if he'd found her. She had so much love around her.

"So, what are you going to do?" Natsu remembered asking.

"I don't know yet," was all his friend had answered.

Watching Gray now, Natsu realised that he was still trying to work out his next steps, and Natsu was determined to stand by Gray whatever he chose to do.

"Did'ya hear they closed the community centre down in Oak Town?" Alzack said, bringing Natsu back to the present conversation.

"You're kidding," Macao replied. "Since when?"

"A few years ago from what I hear. One of the kids who used to spend a lot of time there just joined us onsite. We got to talking and I told him that Jellal's here for the summer and he's staying with us. He might come by one day to see him."

"Oh yeah," Macao smiled. "I heard that Jellal had volunteered teach some younger kids at the community centre when he moved to Oak Town." Macao chucked, his eyes following Jellal in the water. "That kid, he's the type to look out for others even before himself. He was only in kindergarten when he stood up for Ultear. Even when he got bullied himself, he never gave up or left her side. He only got more protective of her. He's got real compassion, that kid."

Alzack only nodded.

"So what happened to all those kids from the community centre?" Annie asked, concern and sadness lacing her usual cheerful voice. "What do they do now?"

Alzack's mood became sober surprising Natsu, Erza and Gray. He always seemed naturally happy and lively to them. The words that came through were low and tinged with resignation.

"I'm not sure where they go now to be honest. No one's really thinking about the kids from what I hear. Everyone's just following the money."

"Sho, the kid at the site," Alzack continued wistfully, "said the Oak Town bourgeoisie didn't like having the centre so close by. They didn't know anything about what went on there and they didn't even try to understand. They complained to the city council that the centre was really a meeting place for the kids to get involved in all kind of nefarious activities. Sports, art, music, dance, after school classes — how outrageous! They complained based on nothing, but just like that all those kids had nowhere to go."

Macao and Annie listened, their eyes sharing Alzack's disappointment. They'd heard this same story far too many times before. And it just kept happening. Their brewing bitterness was even reaching Erza, Gray and Natsu who were beginning to understand the situation they were listening in on.

"Guess what the community centre is now?" Alzack asked, pausing to get his voice under control. When the words came, though, they were dripping with acid. "A parking lot. A parking lot at the centre of Oak Town's urban regeneration."

Those last words cut through Erza and Natsu like an icy sword, freezing their blood solid. Suddenly, missing pieces in their memories started appearing - and their existing memories started to have new meaning. They didn't know the details behind the Oak Town project. They were only told that their faces would represent their companies and help smooth the negotiations. It was just another building. Another contract.

They never understood the Oak Town protests either. Their chaperones had told them that some rowdy people were creating a disturbance, but that everything would be fine. The city would give the dissenters some time to challenge the works but that wouldn't change the decision. It was decided, they would go ahead with the build. This was just a minor delay. Erza and Natsu didn't ask anything, they just did as they were told.

A minor delay. These people were fighting for a place that was like a home to them and the city never intended on listening at all, Erza thought. It was all a farce. And we played a part in it.

Erza thought about her mother. That is not what Scarlett Steel was supposed to stand for. This is not what her mother stood for.

The blood slowly returned to Erza's face as realisation dawned on her: this was what was missing. This is what has always been missing but Erza never let herself ask the question. This is what felt so wrong about all of this. Why? Why did Jellal do what he did?

Erza had never asked the question because there could be no justification. But Erza was starting to feel like she wanted to understand the full story behind what happened all those years ago. She felt she and Natsu had a right to know.

Erza glanced over at Natsu who was watching her with interest. His expression told her that he was thinking the same thing.

A minute later Erza and Natsu left to join the others in the lake. They needed to cool down. As they walked Erza told Natsu matter-of-factly, "I want to read the proceedings from the trial."

"Mmm," Natsu agreed, looking straight ahead. He was equally resolved. "I'll look for records of what happened on that build."

Erza glanced at him, slightly taken aback. It wasn't his seriousness that surprised her, she knew he was capable of it. It was what had brought it on.

Who would have thought that it would be this, this of all things, that got Natsu Dragneel interested in the company that would one day be his.

§§§

Gray sat on a large rock swinging his feet distractedly in the cold mountain water. He'd left the group to explore the path that Romeo and Wendy had headed for earlier. It was a beautiful, cool walk along tree-covered woods that got thicker the higher up he headed. Along the way he found a nice rock pool that was constantly serenaded by the sound of water rushing down the hill. It seemed a perfect spot to stop and think.

She was bullied, he thought. That was all he could focus on when he overheard the Conbolts' conversation earlier. Gray closed his eyes and tried to push the thought away. He'd decided that he would think only about the future, about what he would do from here; but the past just kept dragging him back.

I should be celebrating. I made a huge jump yesterday. I found her. That's the most important thing. Now I just need to think about what I'm going to do now that I've found her.

Gray chastised himself for not thinking about this before. He was so determined to find her, he never properly thought about what he was going to do once he did. It was just like his dad said, he was being a child.

His thoughts were interrupted by some footsteps along the path.

"Gray-sama?" Juvia called out to him. "The others said you might be here. Is everything alright?"

Gray turned towards her. Of course she'd notice if he was missing. She noticed everything about him.

"Yeah, everything's fine. I just wanted to explore up here a bit," he answered.

Gray caught the concern that flashed across her face.

"Do you want to join me?" he asked motioning to the space next to him on the huge rock.

Juvia was already waddling through the low water.

Gray smiled. Other girls might have hesitated, made a scene about wading though a cold, rocky, slippery river. They might have asked for help. Juvia though, she was ready to slice right though the water to get to him. She was always putting him first.

Gray helped Juvia up onto the rock and she settled quietly beside him.

For a long time neither said anything. They just listened to the sound of the birds above them and the water rushing over the rocks beneath. It was so peaceful there. Juvia was the first to break the silence, "Gray-sama, is something bothering you?" she asked tentatively.

Gray looked over at her beside him, gentle and kind. For all these years only Natsu knew. He'd found out when they were in Middle School. Natsu had come over to hang out and had found his notes. Natsu had listened to his story, the story of a boy trying to be a man, and never once judged him. Natsu had listened and encouraged him with that fiery passion that he put into everything.

Looking at Juvia now, Gray felt like he was ready to open up to someone else. This time, not as a boy but as a man.

"When I was little there was a young woman who looked after me at home while my parents worked."

"A nanny," Juvia completed.

Gray looked at her, disgusted. "A young woman who looked after me while my parents worked," he repeated emphatically.

A nanny, Juvia thought sweat dropping.

"Yes," she answered slowly, realising this situation required a bit of tact.

"She was my teacher, but she was also one of my first friends. Her name was Ur. She was an exceptionally gifted student working on an experiment funded by Ice Make. The experiment alone was something out of a story book, a crazy idea that only a high schooler with no restraints or sense of risk would come up with; but if it worked, it could change everything we thought we knew about time and space. She was offered a scholarship by Ice Make to turn her idea into proper research. Her tuition was covered by her scholarship but she needed to find her own living expenses. So my dad, impressed by how clever she was, hired her to look after me and to teach me."

Juvia looked at how Gray shined as he talked about Ur. He obviously cared for her a lot.

"We used to do all sorts of crazy science experiments at home. I think that's where my love for manipulating the natural world came from. Ur just made it so real. It was all fun and games to me back then, but looking back, I think she was teaching me stuff that I'd need if I wanted to lead Ice Make. She always spent time talking to me about how to use new knowledge responsibly and how to make good decisions. She taught me how to control my impulses and to channel my frustrations and failures into something new and creative."

"One day there was a terrible accident in the cryogenics lab at Ice Make. Ur wasn't supposed to be in there, but she ran in to help a friend. She- she didn't make it."

Gray gritted his teeth as he recounted the day he lost his friend and teacher.

"Ur had a daughter. She always talked about her; how she was growing up, what she liked, all the things Ur wanted to do with her when she got the chance. The days she looked forward to most were the days she could visit her daughter. She wouldn't stop talking about it, she was so excited. She had her baby when she was very young. She couldn't look after her daughter and study at the same time, so Ur decided that she would leave her daughter with a good family while she finished her degree. By then, she'd be able to take care of her daughter and give her everything she'd dreamed of giving her. But Ur died before she could do that."

Juvia observed Gray closely. He always seemed so cool and relaxed. She would never have guessed that he, too, had experienced some of life's bitter realities when he was very young.

"I was six when it happened. I was devastated. I couldn't grieve properly, I didn't know how. I just poured all my energy into finding Ur's daughter. I'd look after her for Ur. I'd fulfil Ur's dream. But I felt so helpless. I couldn't do anything except ask mom and dad to help."

Gray smiled cynically as he recollected his past childishness. He didn't want to imagine what his parents must have thought about his determination to protect Ur's daughter. They must have really laughed.

"When I got older, I contacted some professionals to try to find her. Dad paid for it, but I arranged everything on my own. They searched everywhere. They couldn't find her. It was like Ur's daughter had dropped off the face of the earth."

Gray exhaled a long breath, not sure how to say what he wanted to next. Juvia slipped her hand into his. Not even realising it, he squeezed it until the girl's fingertips got pale.

"That girl, Ultear, she's Ur daughter," Gray finished. It wasn't as hard to say as he'd imagined it would be. And he felt lighter now that the words were finally out. "I think she's even working on completing her mom's experiment. She's that good."

There was a long pause while Juvia worked out what she wanted to say.

"What does Gray-sama want to do now?" she probed gently.

Gray looked defeated by this question. He looked at the crystal clear waters gushing forward beneath their feet. They knew their course and followed it relentlessly. Why couldn't he find his own way? How had he become frozen like this? At length, he turned to look up at the sky above them.

"That's just it, I don't know. I've been so obsessed with finding her all these years, I've never thought about what I'd actually do when I found her. I wanted to fulfil Ur's goal but I never thought about how I'd do that. I was just being a stupid kid."

Juvia looked down at their feet hovering over the water as she considered everything he'd said. Eventually she spoke, her eyes fixed on Gray's fragile profile.

"The last few years have changed so fast for Juvia. Everything moving faster than Juvia can think. Every time Juvia takes a few steps forward, everything around her changes again and she has to start all over. Juvia has no say in any of the things changing around her, she just tries to keep up. Juvia knows now that Juvia doesn't have any power to control all these changes. But there are things that Juvia can control. Always worrying about all the things that were changing that Juvia had no control over didn't help. Juvia just felt lost and felt helpless. Juvia has decided to focus only on the things that Juvia can control. Juvia is sure that if Gray-Sama looks only at the things he can control, he will find a way."

Gray stared at the girl next to him as he let her advice sink in.

Just the things I can control, Gray thought. The things I can do with my own power right now.

Gray's eyes pored over Juvia, taking all of her in. Had she really been around him all this time? Why was he feeling as if he was only seeing her now for the first time? As he thought, Gray's hand released the girl's tender fingers. Cautiously, he intertwined his fingers with hers. Why was she suddenly filling him with such awe?

And out of that weightless awe came a release. Gray allowed himself to close his eyes and let go of all the years he couldn't change but were tying him down nonetheless. It came slowly, but he commanded himself to accept that there was nothing he could do to change the past.

And from that acceptance came his answer.

The answer opened up to him as if it was always there, just waiting for him to see it amongst all the things weighing him down.

Gray realised he couldn't possibly make up for all the years Ultear didn't get to spend with her mother. But maybe that's not really what he wanted to do. Maybe, all this time, all he wanted was to meet Ur's daughter and to share his love for her mother with her.

Maybe, all this time, all he was ever looking for was a way to grieve.

Gray looked down at the hand intertwined with his. He suddenly felt that, no matter what, he didn't want to let go of this hand.

Maybe our answers are always with us but the things weighing us down keep us from seeing them.

A/N
Chapter nine mentioned Ur's research at Ice Make but very briefly.

I'm transitioning Natsu's personality in this story to his slightly more grown-up personality post-Tartarus. He's gonna need it. Mashima gave him a year to grow up. This story gives him a week. I've already started the transition hoping it won't be too stark a difference when it comes - I really hope it isn't.

Everything from here on out is full on, delicious Natsu/Lucy goodness. This slow NALU burn is about to get shot with a heavy dose of gasoline. Wait for it! Till next time!