A/N: raoa19305: Thanks for your kind reviews! I was going to mention this in the Gray chapter but I'm glad you enjoyed it since I know you said you wanted this interaction to happen! It was definitely a fun interaction to write.

xx.

"It's distressing, you have to admit that much Meredy."

It was a cloudy day, the sun nowhere to be seen. Meredy carried some branches that they would use to start a fire. She didn't look Jellal in the eyes as he spoke. She knew what he meant by that.

"When Gray said she was using magic...you're right that it's disturbing."

Gray had carried the toddler–who was by that point passed out–back to their camp in a frantic panic. He'd claimed that she didn't recognize him or the ice magic he'd done in front of her, but nonetheless, she recreated it perfectly after just one demonstration. He'd been so shocked he didn't even notice she'd passed out until she slumped forward in his arms. He didn't stick around much longer after that, only just enough to receive the mission orders from Jellal. Meredy had thought it might be good for Ultear to start interacting with some people outside their small circle. Perhaps, though, if those same people caused her to react in such a manner...

The main thing stressing Jellal wasn't the interaction, but the implications. Young children were not unknown to do magic, but one as young as Ultear was problematic; not just for her, but for everyone else as well.

"I know she was a talented mage Meredy, but right now, even a simple Making spell has her passing out. What if she attempts something larger? It could be dangerous."

Meredy shrugged her shoulders. "What do you want me to do then? Keep her away from people using magic? Because that's sort of impossible right now."

Jellal paused. "We could train her, give her some direction. When it happens again–"

"When? Isn't that supposed to be an if?"

Jellal stopped and heaved his shoulders. "Practically speaking, if something has the possibility of happening, it seems it will happen with this group. We can't take any chances on possibility."

A part of Meredy wished to argue with this. Maybe, if this was a few months back, she would have. Recently, she'd decided to no longer jump to dispute every little thing. It was both that she didn't want to and could no longer afford to. She was tired. They all were.

"Fine, but I'll be there to help you."

Jellal smiled. "I would be more surprised if you weren't."

Together they walked slowly back to camp, a chill winter breeze blowing the clouds across the sky, not quite enough to clear them away.

Too far away for anyone with normal ears to hear, a man stood up and also began to move back towards camp. He clicked his tongue in thought. He'd have to get to Sawyer and then intercept the two of them before they made their way back. It would be a tight squeeze. Since Gray carried Ultear back, he'd been wondering if it was the right time to put his plan into motion. Given the conversation he just heard, now might just be a perfect time.

He likely wouldn't have many other chances as good as this. At the same time, mess this up, and everything would be for nothing. He resolved to make everything right again as he marched on, his steps filled with no hesitation.

He'd use the two of them to strike a match on the oil-filled kindling set before him. All he had to do was not get burned himself in the process.