Chapter 1

Angel, was waiting for the perfect shot to take pictures of a Lionesses and her two cubs. She has been siting there quietly in her little hut. She didn't want to be seen by the Lions and she didn't want to scare them off. Angel, has been working as photographer since she finished College. Which has been for the last 6 years. Most of her time is travelling around the world. At the start of her career she was able to go home and see her Brothers, Grandpa and The Fullbuster. Now, she hasn't been home in four years. They have tried to get her to come home. She always made up a excuse. Mainly, she didn't want to see a certain person. Her former crush, who she has know since she was little. She couldn't no longer stay at the Ranch. Her life now took her away from what she use to enjoy.

"Come on, Mother Lion. Let me see your babies. Been waiting for two days now. One or two shots is all I need." She was looking through the view finder when the Lion and her babies ran off. A loud noise cause her to miss the shot. "Crap, why now? So close." She knew what the sound was, she got out the hut to look up. A large black Helicopter was coming towards her and descending towards the ground. She wasn't please at this outcome. "How dare this person ruin my work." She waves to the pilot to shut off the engine. Once the Helicopter was shut off, three men step out. They where all wearing a business suit. She had gut feeling as to whom they belong too. "Do you guys mind. You have cause me to miss my shot because of that thing behind you." A man with pink hair spoke. "Sorry, Miss we have come to take you back." "Take me back? Back where?" "Your presence is require to attend The Wedding of Lyon and Juvia. Please come with us." The other two men where packing up her things. "No no no. You wait one minute here. I turn down that invite. I said no on that slip of paper they gave me. I have no time to attend such functions due to my work. Now can you all leave my stuff alone so I can get back to what I was doing." "Sorry Miss we where told to take you back regardless of what you say. Plus the Fullbuster have made contact with your Company. They have allow you to attend and also gave you three months off. Now step this way, please." "I am not going anywhere with you. You can tell Sliver and Ur, that I will not be showing up. Now leave!" "Again sorry Miss, but I have my orders. He grabs Angel and hulls her over his shoulder." "Put me down right now, you brute.!" She hits him on the back and try to wiggle free. "I am not a brute, Miss. Name is Natsu, I am a personal bodyguard for the Fullbuster." "Of course you are. Unhand me, I can walk on my own." Natsu didn't listen to her. He put her in the Helicopter and buckle her in. Put headphones on her head. He sat next her, and did the same. "We will be going to the airport and taking a private airplane home. Is there anything you need before take off." "Yes, I am going to contact my boss."

They reach the Airport and Angel was rush through the terminal. She had about 15 mins to make the call, before the airplane left on departure. She was waiting for her boss, Lucy to pick up the other line. "What is taking you so long? Come on pick up already." She hears her voice. "Lucy speaking, how may I help you?" "Lucy, thank goodness I reach you." "Hey Angel, What is up?" "I need you to get me back on my assignment. I was so close to capturing a picture of the Lion and her cubs. When these men took all my stuff in put into Helicopter and drag me to the airport." "No can do. You haven't had Vacation in two years. Time for you to have one." "I don't want one. I enjoy my work." "Sorry Angel, I was ask by The Fullbuster personally for you to have some time off and to go the wedding." "How much did they offer you?" "I don't know you what you are talking about." "Oh really, If you don't tell me how much. I will be letting the printing department put a picture of you and the C.E.O son Loke on the front cover." "You wouldn't dare." "Don't temp me. Now tell me, Lucy." "Fine, they made a donation of 2 million dollars to the Wildlife fund. They ask me to give you 3 months off." "Those little..." "Now you will not print that picture now, right? I can give you more time off. Say a other three months off with pay." "I want the whole time I am off, with pay. Also, you will not reassign my assignment for here or the other two places I have to go." "I'll let payroll know to still send you checks." Angel, sees Natsu waiting for her to end the call. "Got go now, I will talk to you later bye Lucy." "Bye Angel. Please enjoy your time off. You do need it."

"Please this way Miss. The airplane is all fuelled up and ready to take off." "Natsu, can you please stop calling me Miss. Angel will do just fine. Plus, it's a long trip back." "It's a jet Miss..." She lifts her brow at him and put her hand on her hip. "I mean, It's a private jet Angel. It will take half the time get back to Fiore." "That's better, I guess I have no choice but to go back with you." Natsu, takes her over to the airplane. They wait on the tarmac before take off. She looks out the window. "I don't like airplanes." "Why?" He asks "I get motion sickness." The plan takes off into the air. Angel puts her seat into laying position. "At lest I took some travel tabs. If I didn't have these. I would be in the bathroom the whole trip" Natsu laughs. "It's not funny. It's like throwing up after having a hang over from drinking to much the night before. It's not pretty." "It will be a smooth ride, don't worry. "Can I ask the stewardess to get you something?" "No thank you, thanks anyways." "How long is the trip" "I say about 14 hours." "I guess I better get comfortable".

Angel, enjoyed Natsu company. They played card games, talk about their career's. She raided the fridge. "So, Nat. How long have you been employed by Mr Fullbuster" He raise his brow at his name. She was having a other coke. "About 3 and half years. I, know Mr Fullbuster for a very long time." "How long have you know them?" "Since I was this big." She shown him how tall she was by her hand. "They have always been good to us, my twin brothers and myself? When my father passed away when I was young. We were sent to live with my Grandpa. We learn through him how to run the Ranch." "I met him, a nice man. What about your mother?" She shrugs. "She left sometime after I turn 2. I guess raising Three kids was to much for her. She couldn't handle being a mother. I barely remember her. Don't care to know where she is at." Angel, didn't want to talk about anything else and looked out the window. . The pilot came over the com. " We will be touching down a few minutes.

Again, Angel was rush through the airport. Natsu escorted her outside. There he was searching for something looking all around. He spot what he was looking for and headed straight for it. Angel thought that a black limo would appear. That wasn't what shocked her the most. It was her Jeep parked on the street. "Oh my word, Its all fixed up." "Fix up?" "Yeah it happen before you came. I got into a car accident. I was in the hospital for nearly a month. I wanted to keep the Jeep. I was told no. I wanted to get it fixed, and I had to parked it when started working, haven't seen it since" "Who ever made this happen. Knows a really good Auto mechanic I was told to bring you to your Jeep so you can drive it back home. I have to go and pick up my boss?" "Thanks Natsu. Well I see you around?" "Probably, we live at the Ranch." They say goodbye and Amber watches him leave. She gets into her Jeep and heads on home. First thing first she will do see her brothers and then go over to the Fullbuster mansion.

She turns off the main highway and head out of town. The view in front of her brings back memories. The top of her Jeep was down and wind blowing her long dark blue hair in the wind. Her eyes are cover by sunglasses. "It's been so long since I been back. I wonder if there is any changes. The Ranch not only house the workers that were hire by her family, but they had lots of Horses that Sliver and Ur own. As well their two sons Gray and Lyon. She turn off again and pull up to the entrance of the main gate. Beyond the Gate was a 3 minute drive to the Ranch first then you head over to the main house. Her stomach was doing butterflies. She push the buzzer to get access to come in. "Welcome to the Fullbuster Estates. What is the nature of your call please." "Uhh...Hi. It's Angel Fernandes, I am asking permission to enter." "I can't believe it. Angel is that you? Its Levy." "Oh Hey, Levy. How are you?" "Good, I am well. I can't wait to see you. I will open the Gate for ya." "Thanks." Angel, head back to her Jeep.

The drive to the Ranch was beautiful. The trees where covered in all of their green glory. She could see horses off in the filed to her left. She can see the main house on her right. It was slightly on the hill over looking the area below. The view always took her breath away. Being surround by the mountains, trees and a river. The Ranch was coming into view. Her two twin brothers where waiting for her. Angel, parked and came to a stop. When she got of the Jeep and before she had a chance of closer her door. Her brothers already had her in a massive hug. She gets left up in the air by her oldest brother Jellal. "So glad to have you home. I wasn't to sure if they could have convince you to come home." "They didn't convince me brother, they bribe my boss for me to take Vacation by donating 2 millions to the wildlife fund. I then bribe her to take more time off." It was Mystogan turn to embraces her. "How much do you have off?" "6 months with pay" "Will you be staying here all that time?" He asks. "I am not to sure. But there is something I would like to do while I am here." "Which is what?" "I want to go to the rock face of Caspers cove. I would like to take pictures and send them back to my boss." "That place to is dangerous for you to venture out there" Jellal said. Knowing his sister can be reckless. "I been in more dangerous places then the Cove. I been climbing these hills since I was little. I know what I am doing." He frowns. "You would have to get permission from Sliver or Ur." "They are the next people I am going to see. By the way, Thanks for fixing my Jeep" "We where not the ones that did it. Thought it was yours. We notice the Jeep gone couple weeks ago. We thought you got rid of it." Jellal, walk around the car as he spoke.

Mystogan look at his sister and back at the car. He wish she didn't have the thing at all. The car crash had shatter the two brothers back then. There Grandpa had to pull both men out of it. It was a close call, almost losing her. She had a long recovering and once she was better she finish collage. To explore the world that she wanted to see with her own eyes. They hardly saw her these past years. Angel wouldn't come home, we made the trip to see her. We figure it hand to do with a tall, blue eye raven. There relationship wasn't the best one. She had a crush on him and he had at times acted more of big brother towards her. Mystogan, remember when Gray found out about the accident he was traumatize like the rest of us. He remember that he stayed by her side for days, holding her hand. Waiting for her to wake up. She never knew that he did it. Gray, told us never to tell her. He was glad to have her home again.

"Where is Grandpa?" She was hoping to see him before she went to the main house. "He is out training some of new hire hands. You can see him later." "I guess I should head on over to the main house. I'll come down in a bit to see the horses. Is Chance still here?" "Yeah, he is. Do you want to ride him. You are the only one besides Gray, that allows him on his back." "I am thinking about it. Can I saddle him up?" "We can get one of the new guys to do it." "That is fine. See you two in a bit."

A long black limo came down the road, drove past all three of them. Angel, recognize it was Natsu that was diving the car. She couldn't see who was in the back. She got into her Jeep and drove to the main house. Outside of the house, Levy was waiting for her. She dash down the stairs, gave Angel a hug when she got out of the car. "Angel, so glad to see you again." "Hey Levy, sorry I haven't been around." "It's OK. Are you here to see someone." "Yeah are they in?" "You mean Sliver and Ur. They are in the den waiting for you. What me to bring some tea?" "Nah, I am fine." Levy leads her through the house. Angel always enjoy coming up here when she was younger and playing. Now, that Lyon and Juiva are getting Married. It would be there kids soon. They reach the door. Levy Knocks. "Sir, Ma'am May we enter." Angel hears Sliver beckoning them to come in. Sliver and Ur stood up from their seats. "Angel, Darling. It's so good to see you again." Ur comes and gives her a hug and a kiss on each cheek. "You look so lovely Angel. My your hair has gotten really long." "Hi Ur." Sliver, gives her a big squeeze and a kiss on the forehead. "Hi kiddo. Long time and no see. You are finally here." She hugs him back. "No thanks to the both of you." Angel puts her hands on her hip. "I had a conversation with my boss. You bribe her to get me to come out. I told you I as busy with my assignment. I can't just drop it." "Now now. Don't be so upset about it. We haven't seen you in four years. Lyon was disappointed that you wrote back saying no. We did what we had too for you to make it." Ur gives her a big grin. "Lyon will be thrilled to see you. He should be here shortly with Juiva. You do remember her?" "Yes, I do Sliver. The girl that talks in the third person. The first time I met her. She gave me headache. Wait hold it. Don't change the subject. I still not happy about this." "We can discuss that for at other time. How was the flight on over." Ur points for her to sit down. "Not bad. Your bodyguard Natsu. Distracted me through most of the flight so I didn't get bad motion sickness." "Oh yes, he is such a good employee. He arrived after your car accident." Sliver rubs his chin. "Speaking of car. Thanks for fixing my Jeep." They both look at her with confusion. "We didn't fix your Jeep. I thought we told you to get rid of it." Angel starts playing with her hair. "If you didn't fix it and my brothers didn't do it. Then was it Grandpa?" A masculine voice behind her speaks. "I was the one that got it fix."

Angel hearts stops. She slowly turns around and sees her former crush comes in with a blonde tall women on his arm. Behind them was Lyon and Juiva. "A perfect ten." She says in her thoughts. She looks at the model in front of her. Makes her feel really small. "Son you did it? Why? We wanted that thing hull away after the crash. Why keep it Angel?" Sliver says looking at the two. "It was my first car. I loved it. It help be get to places that other cars can't off road." Angel turns her head to look back at the Sliver and Ur. "She was going to get it fix herself. Then her work took away from here. With the Wedding coming up. She needs something to drive around in." Gray looks at her while saying it. "Don't I get a thanks, Angel?" "Thank you Gray. It was very thoughtful of you." She didn't want to look at him at all. It was best to take her leave now. "I should get back to the Ranch still haven't seen Grandpa. I want to get a ride in before dark." "OK Darling, due come by tomorrow we can enjoy ourselves by the pool. Wouldn't that be nice Juiva?" "Juiva will be honour to spend time with Ur and Angel." Angel takes a step or two before turning back around. "I forgot to ask something." "Anything for you sweetie." Sliver says. "Caspers Cove, is it still accessible?" "Yes it is. We still use the trail for the horses. Why?" "I would like to go up there. In stay in the cabin? I want to take pictures of the valley." "Hmmm. Is not the raining season yet. How long do you want to be up there for?" "Until the Wedding." "OK, I see no problem in that. I can have our staff air out the cabin and get it set up for you" "I can do that all that Sliver." "Nonsense, it will be better this way. It will take at lest a few days for it to be ready. Until you go. We have you all to ourselves." Angel slightly cringe, she has know these two since she was small. Something told her they were up to something. "Thanks for doing that for me. I will see you tomorrow Ur and Juiva."

She walks past Gray, and he puts his hand on her arm. "You shouldn't go up there. Even going up there alone. What about your knee and rest of your body." His touch sent a wave up her arm from his heat. She removes his hand. " The knee is fine, so is everything else. You have nothing to worry about. It's not of any concern of yours." He was about to continue when the blonde talk into his ear. "Gray baby, can we go now and go to the pool. I am so hot right now." "Just a minute Michelle." He watched Angel talk to his brother. "Lyon, I am so happy for you. Your parents bribe my way here. Now I get to attend and have some time off. Lets catch up later OK." They both hug each other. "Lyon sama is very happy when he heard you could attend, Angel" "Yes, I am very happy that you are here. I wasn't to please when you answer No." "Work has me going to so many different places. I couldn't drop what I was doing. Sorry?" "It's in the past. I will see you tomorrow." He gives Angel a kiss on the cheek. He has always look at her as a little sister. He knew of her feelings for Gray. It slip out one time. Even now there relationship is rocky. He hopes having her here, they can try to patch things up? Michelle pulled Gray out of the room. Angel saw him go out of the corner of her eye. She says her farewells and to meet them tomorrow.

Angel, went out of the room and made her way outside to her Jeep. She didn't want to say a other word to Gray. What is the point. My body and looks will never be acceptable in Gray's eyes. She turns on the Jeep and heads back down to the Ranch. She parks her vehicle outside of the family farm house and walks over to the barn to the enclose fence where a quarter of the horses are. Angel, gets up on the fence. It bothers her right knee a little with climbing up and sitting down. She watches the horse gallop around. There are a few babies ones drinking from their mother. "Wish I grab my camera." She silently watches them, until a black male comes running over to her. He nuzzles his face close to hers. "Hello Chance, Miss me? She rubs the maine of his head." She laughs. "Want to go for a ride, it's still a beautiful day out. Lets go into the barn and get you saddle up." Angel gets off the fence. Chance walks beside her. Doesn't need to be told.

Once inside, she meets one of the new hires. "Excuse me, can you get his saddle on him please. I would like to take him out." A tall blonde with short hair, left his head from attending to one of the other horses. He puts down the foot and come out. "Only Gray rides that horse, now one else can't even try." "I can handle Chance he lets me ride him. Don't you boy" She pats at his side. Jellal, comes out of his office. "It's OK, Laxus. You can get him ready for her." He shrugs. "I am warning ya lady. He will not ride ya." She smirked at him. "Wanna bet?" She looks at his tall frame, lets her eyes wonder over him. He was fairly build. but not her type. She wasn't to sure if she had a type. Never dated, kiss or the other first things. He raise his eyebrow at her. "You wanted bet me, huh. Sure I will take that bet. I will get him set up and bring him out there." He points outside of the barn. "Alright, I'll meet you out there Laxus."

She walks down the barn to where she saw Jellal. She peeks into this office. "Grandpa!" Angel runs in and gives him a hug and kiss. "My child, Glad to you see you. How are you." "I am well. I almost ready to take out Chance." "Didn't take you long to ride him. When you only been back home for hour and half." "I can't help it Grandpa. It's a good day for a ride. You don't mind, do you?" "No no, child. You are more then welcome too." "Good, Well I just made bet one of your new workers that I can ride him. He doesn't believe me." "Oh witch one? Laxus, Elfman or Gajeel." "Laxus, the guy with blonde hair kind of spikey." The old man laughs. "I can't miss this. Jellal and Grandpa follow her outside. Laxus was holding on to his reins. "OK smarty pants lets see this." The other workers have gather. She sees some old and new faces. The ones that she has known, takes bet from the new workers. "You really want to loose this bet hey. You brought out everyone to see your suffering. Angel sees Natsu as well standing in the crowd. He waves at her. She waves back. "What do you want to bet? Five, ten dollars, Laxus?" "A $100." "Wow, pretty brave of you. You can back down, if you want. I don't want you to look bad in front of your other mates. He scoffs "Bring it on shorty" "Grandpa you are the witness. He has bet $100." "Aye, my child. Jellal. The money will come out of his next paycheck." "Yes, Gramps." Angel goes over to Chance. She puts her right foot into the stirrup. She pulls herself up but winces in pain and lowers herself down. "Angel?" Mystogan, comes over with Gray. "I am fine brother." She looks over at her brother. Great don't want to see Gray right now. She should be with what is her face. No she was wrong. The blonde was following them.

Gray stares at her. He knows exactly why she didn't get up on the first try. Her injured knee. The look on her face as she got back down. "Stubborn women he says to himself" He was about to go help her. Even if she refuses. When Natsu beat him too it. "Angel, need help?" "No!" She shouts. "I can do this, back away please." Natsu nods his head and walks over to Gray. "What is going on?" Gray asks him. "Angel, bet Laxus here, that she can get on Chance to ride him." "Poor guy will lose." Natsu looked over at him "How do you know that?" "Angel has ridden him ever since he was small. He has always have let her. Just her and I can ride on his back." Natsu turns his head and watches Angel to struggle a few times.

He was about to help the dark blue hair women out again. When Gray put his hand on his shoulder. "Don't, she will only get mad." "She needs help and looks like she is in pain." "Angel, got in the car accident 4 years ago. She almost lost her life. Her body was gravely damage. Took her a long time to get back on her feet. She had lots of struggles. She hated people helping her. We had to stand by, and just watch. Until she finally caves. With the size of group here. That isn't going to happen." Michelle, stands next to him. "This looks boring. I can get on that horse this will be over." Michelle crosses her arms and taps her foot.

Angel, could hear her speak. She rolls her eyes. She rubs at Chance neck. "OK boy. This is it?" She puts her foot back into the stirrup and heaves up with all of her might and hisses in pain. Her leg swings around and lands in the other stirrup. She pulls up on the reins, takes Chance over to Laxus. "See, I can ride him. If you excuse me and move out of my way. I'll go for my ride now. You can keep your money." She rides off.

Everybody breaks apart and goes back to what they are doing. Her brothers, Gray, Grandpa, and Natsu watches Angel put Chance into the a run. Gray looks at her brothers. "You saw like I did how she was struggling. What is going on?" "She has been having problems with her knee for awhile. She told us she got hurt on her last assignment, and it's still slowly getting better. You know how she is. Doesn't ask for help, want to do things on her own." Jellal rubs the back of his neck. "We have even told her to give up on being Photographer. It hurt her so much by what we said to her. She didn't talk to us for awhile, a long while." Mystogaon said. "We can only watch for now." Gramps said while patting his grandsons on the back. "We almost lost her once, don't want that to happen again. It's up to us to keep a eye on her. If something more happens. She will have to listen. I don't want to be harsh with her, I can only love her as Grandpa can." Gramps turn to Gray. "Do you need a horse, Gray?" "No, we have plans." He looks at Natsu. "Get the car, please." "Yes sir."

Gray and Michelle leave to go have dinner. The Fernandes brothers and Grandpa go back into the barn. Angel, continues with her ride. She rubs her knee as she slows Chance pace. "Good, boy. Lets go over to the river." Once they reach the river bed. Angel gets off. She lets Chance drink from the water. She hops over to the tree and sits down. "Should have wore my brace." She hisses every time she moves it. Angel looks at the view in front of her. "Just amazing place to be at. Can't wait to take pictures to capture this area at Caspers Cove. Lucy might use them. Yes there is a pictures out there are just as captivating, but there is nothing like your own back yarn. Right Chance." Chance dances around and comes over to her. "Lay down for a bit. Soak all this up, Chance. People don't get a second opportunity to do so." Chance nuzzles his head against hers. "You remember it too? I don't remember much. Only what they have told me and in my nightmares" She frowns. "I don't remember what made me get into my Jeep that day. It's still oh so fuzzy." "Neighhh" "You are right, Chance. There is nothing I can do about it now. It's all in the past." Chance goes and lays down until he knows she is ready to go back.

Gray comes back from dropping off Michelle, from the date. Michelle, told him she would come over tomorrow. He sees Jellal outside of the barn. Talking to some of the hire hands. "Natsu pull over, you can rest for the remainder of the night." "Yes sir. He pulls over and lets Gray out. He walks over to Jellal. "What is up?" "Angel hasn't come back yet. I am sending some guys out. I have told them the spots that Angel likes to go too. I am sure she is fine." "I'll go too. I'll use Sandy." "Gray, I don't think you should go. Let us deal with it." "I am going. Chance could be hurt for all we know and she can't get back here." "Alright, We will set up Sandy for ya." When everyone is together. Jellal, tell them where to head out. "I'll go to the river Jellal. That is one of her favourite places." "OK, I will go with you."

The horses they use, they put them into a full gallop. Lucky they are in a open filed all the way to the river. So they didn't have to worry about trees. They slow down for a bit. "Gray before we reach the river. I'll say this. Whatever you are planing or not planing to do. Don't hurt her. It's best if she doesn't remember what happen that day or before it." "I can't very well stay away from her. If there was no Wedding it would be different." "I am just warning you, Gray." "I understand your concern. Let me say this to you. I can't make any promises at what I do or don't. Got it, Jellal?" "Yeah sure."

They come closer to the river bed. They see Chance walking in the river. They get off their horses. "Where is she?" Gray says. "Look she is over by that tree." They both run over to her. Gray gets to her first. "Angel!" He kneels close by her. Angel wakes up and she rubs her eyes. "Where you sleeping all this time?" "Yes, I feel asleep. It was so peaceful. What time is it?" "Almost 9pm Sister." "Oh dear didn't realize how late it gotten. I just wanted to close my eyes for a bit. The jet lag was finally taking it's toll." Both men sigh in relief. "You should have rested when you first came back. Taking out Chance could of waited." "Sorry, Jellal, I just couldn't help it. " "Let get you back to the farm house." Jellal helps his sister up from the ground. She takes a step and hisses in pain. "Your knee?" "Yeah, I'll be fine. It's not as bad as it usually gets." "Jellal, why don't you hook up Sandy to your horse and I'll take her back on Chance." "That is not happening, I can ride on my own." She hops over to the horse. " "For once in your life you are going to follow what should be done." He goes up behind her and sweeps her up bridle style in his arms. "Gray, Put me down. Right now. Put me down" He walks over to Chance. "Hold still boy we got a wiggle worm here." He puts Angel on him. She pick up the reins "Now you stop moving." He gets up and sits behind her. He grabs the reins from her. He puts one arm around her and pulls her to his chest. "Gray, Come on. This is so on call for." "You know what it is on call for. Riding when you know that your knee is giving you trouble." She crosses her arms. "I have been use to this since the crash. What you have to say has no merit." "Stubborn." They ride in silence until they reach the Farm house. Jellal, looks over at his Sister. He nudges Gray, for him to see Angel. She had fallen asleep against his chest. They stop at the farm house. Gray hands her over to Jellal. He gets off the horse. "Thanks Gray I can take it from here." "If you need anything, just ask." "We will." Mystogan opens the front door, Jellal carries her in. The door is shut behind him. The horses are taken care of the trainers. "I have some thinking to do." He walks back to his house.