Coco: ...Hey, guys. I know it's been forever. I want to apologize so much for keeping you waiting. I know this story is taking me forever. It was the first one I published after starting this new profile and a clean slate. I can't believe I've made you all wait for so long, but I hope to pick things back up. I'm sure those of you who have been with me for so long know I just get in the funks where writing seems impossible for me and I just kind of drop off the face of the planet. Or I just seem to get inspiration for one story and focus on it and neglect my others. I'm truly sorry about that. But thank you all so much for putting up with me and sticking with me for so long.

Also, Hina714, I am even more sorry to you because I know you made a request of me over a year ago that I have yet to fulfill. I'm sure you've probably given up on me at this point, and I wouldn't blame you. However, if you're still around, I'd like to announce that I have FINALLY written the first chapter to that story I promised you and it will be posted today right after this update. It's the Gajeel/OC story you asked for and the OC is a dragon slayer as you requested. I hope you're still with me and I hope you like it.

Moving on, I hope you all like the chapter and please do look forward to more as my week vacation is coming up (starting Oct. 23) and I plan to give all my neglected stories some love.

Thanks, everyone!

"Listen up, everyone, we're taking on job requests again," Mirajane called out to the group. "Starting today! You'll have to excuse the mess while we're under construction, but at least you can get back to work."

Many of the guild cheered and rushed to the board at the news as Rizzo gave a chuckle from where she sat with her brothers.

"Looks like they're ready to go," Sven commented as he momentarily looked up from his book.

Craylee hummed in agreement as he was stitching up a tear in one of Breccan's old shirts. Said man was sitting across from the redhead shirtless while lighting a cigarette with the flames of his magic.

"Let's go get a job, Bastet!" Jaser told his feline companion eagerly. "I'm off sick leave and ready to go!"

He was then gone towards the job board with Bastet flying after him to go see what they might find.

"It's good to see him back to normal," Sven said as he returned to his book. "He really had me worried there for a while."

Rizzo had been too. Even after Jaser was kicked out of Porlyusica's house, he had some relapses for another few days, but it seemed as if he was as good as new now.

"Maybe he's learned his lesson," Craylee said. "Though knowing that idiot probably not."

He then tossed his finished work at Breccan who caught it in his hand as he thanked his younger brother. He set his cigarette against the ash tray in front of him and put down his glasses to pull the shirt over his head to cover his bare torso. He picked up his cigarette once he was done and placed it back between his lips. He also set his circular sunglasses on top his head where they belonged.

"I'm honestly ready to get back to work myself," Breccan said. "I'm not used to sitting around for so long."

"But it is a nice change of pace," Sven said after taking a sip from his tea. "You might as well relax before Master starts giving you a bunch of jobs again."

Breccan scratched the back of his head while guessing Sven had a point, but still…he felt antsy just sitting around. Rizzo herself was ready for a new job, but she also didn't want to pass up time she could spend with her brothers. They weren't home often—especially Breccan and Sven—so she should enjoy their company while she can. Though the peaceful atmosphere was soon broken by Erza shouting out.

"Why don't you tell the others how you feel?!" Erza demanded as she was glaring at Laxus.

Rizzo frowned as she hadn't even noticed him return. Funny how he comes back after everything is said and done. Strangely Amara wasn't with him or was the Thunder Legion. Laxus smirked at the glaring Erza as he leaned back in his seat.

"I have no problem telling them what I think of them." Laxus said. "This guild is filled of nothing but losers and weaklings."

Rizzo felt her jaw tense at Laxus's words as the blonde turned to look at the still injured Jet and Droy who were sharing a table with Blaze.

"Especially the two of you morons." Laxus said to the two present members of Team Shadow Gear. "You were Phantom's personal punching bags. You know, I'm glad I never bothered to learn your names. Which brings me to the worst of them all the rich little princess wannabe wizard. This was your fault."

Rizzo was about to stand and go over to shut Laxus up but Mirajane and Breccan were the quicker draw.

"Laxus!" Mirajane shouted in anger as Breccan was suddenly in front of the blonde.

Breccan was leaning in with a threatening look in his eyes as he had on foot up on the bench Laxus was preoccupying.

"You still haven't learned to keep that big mouth of yours shut." Breccan said as he rested his arm against his propped-up leg. "Someone who doesn't even come home to help doesn't have the right to be running his mouth."

"Besides, the Master said no one was at fault!" Mirajane added. "You should have returned when I begged you to!"

"Stop your whining!" Laxus scoffed. "That fight had nothing to do with me, but if I had been there, you wouldn't be drowning your sorrows in this pile of rubble right now."

After the words left his mouth, Lucy gasped as Breccan's fist shot forward without warning. Laxus disappeared in a small spark of lightning with Breccan's fist hitting the table, which splintered into pieces. Without missing a beat, Breccan whirled around to nab Laxus's coat when the taller man appeared behind him. Laxus only smirked as he sent out a wave of lightning at Breccan. Breccan deflected it with his flames while also jumping back. The two were about to clash again, but Sven, who set his book down and swiftly moved forward, touched the ground with his hand used his magic to break down the earth then covert into a thick stonewall between Laxus and Breccan.

"That's enough," He said calmly but with a firmness to his voice. "The guildhall isn't in any shape for the two of you to be fighting."

Breccan frowned though backed off as Erza placed a hand on his shoulder. Laxus just scoffed as he straightened back up.

"Whatever," He said. "I'm done here anyway. Just know your days here in Fairy Tail are numbered, kids. Once I take over, I'm kicking all you weak losers out!"

He was then gone in a flash of light as Rizzo's hands clenched into fists. Oh, he made her so mad sometimes.

"Man, I hate him," Natsu, who had been about to challenge Laxus before Breccan jumped in, growled from next to Erza and Breccan.

"Calm down, it's just a needless waste of energy." Erza said.

"Says the girl who was about to start swinging if Breccan hadn't beat her to it." Sven teased as he gave Erza a knowing look.

Erza blushed a bit at his jest as some of the other members of the guild chuckled. Erza then cleared her throat to continue on.

"Let's try to get your mind off him, Natsu." Erza continued. "What do you think about taking a job? And we can get Gray, Lucy, and Rizzo to come along with us."

Rizzo stiffened a bit at Erza mentioning her name as Lucy and Gray flinched in shock as well.

"Do what?!" Lucy asked.

"Hey, Gray, your clothes." Mirajane cut in as she and everyone else noticed Gray was suddenly stripped to his underwear.

Gray gasped in shock looking down as he wondered where his clothes had gone. Erza ignored the incident as it was a common one as she smiled at the three, she had mentioned.

"We've all been working together since the Eisenwald Incident, so I guess we're a team of sorts now." Erza said.

Rizzo rolled her eyes wondering if Erza was just figuring that out. Sure, they weren't an official team she supposed, and Rizzo wasn't sure if she could take all her jobs with Erza and Gray on board…though she wasn't completely against it either.

"It took her this long to figure this out?" Wakaba asked in disbelief. "We all knew."

"Yeah, those guys have been joined at the hip for a while now." Macao agreed. "And this is the first time she called them her team?"

"That's Erza for you," Cana joked.

"So, it shouldn't be so surprising." Craylee tacked on as he stood up from the table he had been sharing with his siblings.

Breccan, who moved to lean against the makeshift bar, and Sven had to agree with that one.

"So, what do you think about making it official?" Erza asked her guildmates. "The five of us working as a team. Well, actually six if we include Happy."

While Happy and Lucy looked stoked at the idea of officiating their team, Rizzo and the boys didn't look as thrilled.

"You saying I have to put up with you even more than usual?" Rizzo, who walked over with her hands in her jacket pockets, asked. "Am I being punished or something?"

Erza only chuckled at her words as she put an arm around the younger girl's shoulders. Then before Rizzo could protest, Erza hugged her even tighter meaning Rizzo's head crashed into the breastplate of Erza's armor. Her head was ringing at this point as the boys winced in sympathy.

"Now, now, Rizzo, you know you've enjoyed our last few jobs together." Erza said with her small smile still in place. "Don't be shy about admitting it."

Rizzo just shoved Erza away while looking ready to snap at her, but Breccan putting his hand on top of her head made her stop. It was his silent way of asking her to chill it. Though she wanted to yell, Rizzo bit her lip. Lucy smiled at the group while excited about the thought of joining a team with them, but something was kind of bugging her.

"But, uh, you sure you want someone like me on your team?" She asked softly.

The group turned to look at the blonde as she was looking down at the ground unsure.

"Not someone like you!" Natsu said as he leaned closer to her with a grin. "Lucy, it's gotta be exactly you!"

"Aye!" Happy said.

"It just wouldn't feel right if we didn't have you out there with us, ya know?" Natsu asked.

"Besides, Lulu, I need someone around to keep me from killing the streaker and the red terror here." Rizzo added as she pointed towards said people.

Gray threw her a glare before he and Natsu realized that meant they'd be working a lot together too. This realization had the two practically growling at each other in annoyance.

"Is there a problem, boys?" Erza asked causing them both to flinch in fear.

"No, we're absolutely thrilled!" The two lied through their teeth.

Rizzo snorted at both of them while knowing this team was certainly going to be crazy.

"I already got a job lined up for us," Erza continued. "Taking down an arcane cult in castle town of Lupinus. With me?"

"Yeah!" The others, but Rizzo, shouted in agreement.

Rizzo tilted her head guessing it really was official. Rizzo never thought she'd be part of an actual team, but she's interested to see how things go. She then blinked when something caught her attention in the corner of her eye. She turned her head seeing that Loke was watching everyone from afar. Her brows furrowed when seeing that he seemed more sickly and tired than he did before. She was going to go over and ask if he was okay, but Natsu throwing his arm around her shoulders and bringing her over to the rest of their team distracted her. By the time she looked back, Loke was gone.

'I wonder…if he's okay…' She wondered in concern.

A few jobs later, Rizzo and the others found themselves at Fort Term taking down a bunch of bandits who had decided to make the fort their home base. She sighed dodging another bandit as he swung his fist at her. She then punched him in the gut and he dropped like a bag of bricks. She frowned down at him before turning to look at Gray and Natsu who both seemed as dissatisfied as her.

"Man, these guys don't put up much of a fight." Natsu said.

"So, who did you losers steal from?" Gray asked them as he was pushing his boot into one of the bandit's faces. "Old ladies and little kids?"

"I don't even know if these guys could even manage to steal candy from a baby," Rizzo commented as she crossed her arms over her chest. "I don't even think I've used my magic once."

The boys nodded as they too haven't really used their magic against these guys either.

"Don't act like this is over," One of the bandits said. "You'll be sorry. Just you wait!"

"Yeah, Lord Devon is going to make you pay." His pal added.

Rizzo snorted at their threats as Lucy and Taurus finished beating up their last goon.

"We beat up that jerk a long time ago." Happy informed the bandits.

Yeah, Natsu had took him out first thing if Rizzo remembered correctly. Though considering how weak all these bandits were, it was hard to tell who was the damn boss. They all fought on the same pathetic level in her opinion.

"I'm all finished upstairs." Erza called down to them.

"Sweet!" Lucy said as she gave a thumbs up. "Nice work, Erza!"

Just then a bandit, who could still manage to move, tried to make a run for it to get away from the wizards. However, he wasn't fast enough.

"Get back here!" Erza shouted as she kicked the man down.

She then put her boot against his butt as she ground her heel into painfully. Though the bandit didn't seem to mind too much since he was blushing. Rizzo rolled her eyes at the entire thing as Erza gave him a lecture. Lucy sent Taurus, who was begging for some punishment himself, away and so their job at Fort Term was officially brought to a close.

"Well, that was a waste." Erza said as the group was walking away from Fort Term. "I was hoping they'd be a challenge."

Natsu, who was standing alongside Rizzo, growled in annoyance as he held up his fists.

"Ugh, I wanna fight some more!" Natsu shouted.

He didn't get near enough action with those bandits they just faced, and he wasn't the only one feeling like that.

"I know how you feel, but save it for the next job." Gray told Natsu.

"But I wanna fight now!" Rizzo whined as she jumped up and down.

Gray rolled his eyes at the two pinkettes as Natsu was nodding along with Rizzo. Lucy just laughed at the pair as Gray told them both to just calm down, which only got him more whining.

"Check out this gem I got," Happy said getting Lucy's attention. "Pretty cool, don't ya think?"

Lucy gasped seeing the gem in Happy's hold, which was about the size of his paw.

"Stealing from thieves is still stealing!" Lucy told him.

She was going to lecture him more, but Happy was distracted when seeing a familiar face down the road.

"Hey, isn't that Loke over there?" Happy asked.

The others looked as well and Rizzo had been pretty quick to snap her gaze over to see if Happy was right. She's been trying to talk to that guy for days to check on him, but he's constantly been brushing her off or literally hiding. He wasn't going to get away from her this time though, which is why she rushed over with the others following at a slower pace. Loke gasped in surprise as Rizzo practically threw herself at him.

"Ah, Rizzo!" He exclaimed as he had to put his arms around her to keep them from falling. "I've missed you too, Beautiful, but let's be more careful, yeah?"

Rizzo, who grabbed fistfuls of his coat, just narrowed her eyes at him sternly as the others caught up to her. No one questioned Rizzo's behavior as it was normal for the girl to hug other members of the guild who they haven't seen for a while or just randomly. What they didn't know is that Rizzo was on a mission to finally get some answers out of Loke.

"Hey, what's up, guys?" Loke asked.

"Just beating bad guys and being awesome." Natsu replied.

Loke chuckled at Natsu's words, but didn't expect any less from the pinkette.

"Same old, same old," Loke said then gasped when seeing Lucy.

He looked like he was ready to make a run for it, but Rizzo kept a firm hold on his coat.

"Oh no, you aren't getting away from me this time, pal." Rizzo said. "Something is up with you and we're going to be talking about it."

Loke paled as he looked between the smiling Lucy and the peeved looking Rizzo. Natsu and Gray exchanged a glance wondering what Rizzo was going on about.

"Can't we talk about it later?" Loke practically pleaded as he was trying to tug free.

"No, cause you'll probably avoid me if I let you go now." Rizzo said.

Loke sweat-dropped because she got him there, and his silence had Rizzo narrowing her eyes even more since it only confirmed she was right.

"Hey, um, I just wanted to thank you for helping get my keys back to me," Lucy cut in before Rizzo could grill Loke for answers.

"Um, you're welcome." Loke said as he was trying to pry Rizzo's hands off his coat. "But, I—uh—gotta go!"

He slipped from his coat them took off running while leaving the green coat, which was still in Rizzo's hands, behind. Rizzo stared after him in disbelief as her eye twitched.

"Loke, get back here!" Rizzo shouted looking as if she was ready to pursue.

Though she stopped herself while letting out a sigh. She knew she was being kind of pushy with Loke. Really it wasn't her business if he wanted to keep his problems private. It's just she didn't like seeing anyone from the guild look so troubled. They're family and family share their problems—even their burdens—together. Though Loke had always been the pretty private and kind of mysterious type.

—FLASHBACK—

Rizzo, who was laying along the bar on her stomach with her knees bent and feet, which were crossed at the ankles kicking back and forth, hummed as she watched Mirajane place the Fairy Tail seal on their newest member's back. She rested her chin into her hands as her elbows held them up.

"So, what kind of magic do you use?" Rizzo asked curiously as the boy pulled his shirt back on.

The boy—Loke—turned to look at Rizzo as she was staring back at him. His lips turned up slightly.

"I use ring magic." Loke said holding up his hand, which had a few rings. "Each one kind of has a different magic ability."

Rizzo tilted her head since that was a pretty vague answer, but she didn't push it.

"So, your name is Loke, huh?" Rizzo questioned again. "No last name?"

"Rizzo," Makarov spoke up from his sitting position on top the bar. "Stop being so nosy, child. I know you like getting to know the new members, but let the boy settle, will ya?"

Rizzo pouted at Makarov's words, but Loke didn't seem too offended as he chuckled. A grin even pulled across his mouth.

"It's okay," Loke said. "Yeah, my name is just Loke. What about you, pretty lady? What's your name?"

He asked this with a flirtatious wink, and Rizzo found herself smiling as she laughed.

"I'm Rizzo." She said. "Rizzo Sweeney. Welcome to Fairy Tail. I hope we can be good friends."

"Yeah…me too." Loke said though his smile didn't seem to reach his eyes anymore as he spoke.

It was something Rizzo had noticed, but hadn't questioned at the time.

—END OF FLASHBACK—

Rizzo had to wonder if Loke's been dealing with something the three years he's been with them at Fairy Tail. Had they all really been blind for so long to one of their own suffering in silence? She frowned just thinking about it.

"Hey, you okay?" Gray asked as he placed his hand on her shoulder.

Rizzo looked up seeing it was just her and Gray left on the road, which had her wondering where the others went.

"They're just up the road a way." Gray said when seeing her curious look. "Lucy thought it'd be nice to maybe go to a spa instead of heading home immediately, so they started heading towards Hosenka."

Rizzo hummed guessing a nice day at the spa or rather night at the spa did sound nice. Maybe it'd help her ease her troubles away.

"Sounds good." Rizzo said as she folded Loke's coat over her arms.

Gray nodded then walked alongside Rizzo as he gave her a look. He wondered what was going on inside her head, and what was up with what just happened between her and Loke. Whatever it was, Loke definitely didn't want to talk about it.

"So, wanna talk about what just happened?" Gray asked as they walked.

"Not really, Frosty." Rizzo replied with a sigh. "But…thanks for asking."

Rizzo frowned as she was sitting underneath her favorite tree near the base of Fairy Hills. It was not far from the path that led up to the girls' dormitory building and has offered nice shade and a good place to think for Rizzo since she joined Fairy Tail. She liked to come here a lot when she was bothered or just needed somewhere quiet to work. At the moment she had her scorebook in her lap and was writing in some notes as a tune played in her mind.

Loke's coat was laying beside her as the ginger-haired male still hasn't come to claim it since he left it behind the day before. Rizzo kept it with her in case they crossed paths while also planning to apologize for her pushiness. She was still worried, but if Loke didn't want to talk about it, she wouldn't force him. As Rizzo went to move on to the next measure, her pen paused as the tune in her mind came to an almost screeching halt.

"What am I thinking?" She asked herself out loud. "That won't work at all. It doesn't fit."

She growled in frustration as she moved her hands back to pull at her hair. In doing so, she managed to get ink drawn against her cheek since she still had her pen in her hand. She groaned in annoyance as she set the pen down to try and get think ink off of her cheek.

"Having a bad day?"

Rizzo's head snapped up at the voice to see Loke was standing on the path across from her favorite tree. She noted he seemed even paler today and the bags under his eyes even darker.

"I guess you could say that." Rizzo said as she stopped trying to wipe at her cheek.

It left a smudge on her skin, which had Loke's lips turning up slightly. He walked forward to crouch down in front of Rizzo. He went to reach out to wipe it away for her, but when Rizzo pushed his coat into his chest, he paused. He slowly took the coat as Rizzo looked down unable to meet his gaze.

"Sorry for being so pushy these last few days." Rizzo said. "Your business is your business…It's just…you've looked so unhappy lately, so I'm worried. All of us are."

Loke looked down with a look of guilt on his face. He knew he was causing worry for everyone, and he felt bad. He just…he couldn't tell them the truth.

"I know and I'm sorry." Loke said. "I just…this is something I've got to deal with alone."

"No, you don't have to." Rizzo retorted as she looked up. "Fairy Tail is a family, Loke. We're family. No matter what is bothering you or what you're facing, you can always bring it to one of us. But like I said, it's your choice whether or not you say anything. Just remember that if you ever need to talk, I'll listen and help you however I can. You did the same for me one time—remember?"

—FLASHBACK—

Rizzo's jaw clenched tightly as she swung her fist at the wall in front of her. Her eyes were watery with tears, but she refused to cry as she hit the wall again.

"Dammit, how could I lose to her again?!" Rizzo shouted in frustration as once again the wall got her fist slammed against it.

She had just finished another fight with Erza, and like all the others, it was completely one sided as Erza wiped the floor with Rizzo.

"I'm not getting anywhere," Rizzo growled.

She then stiffened when hearing someone behind her. She whirled around thinking it might be her brothers or even Erza. However, she was surprised to see Loke. He held up his hands in a surrendering manner when seeing her glare.

"Whoa there, Rizzo." He said. "It's just me. I came to check on you. You ducked out of the guildhall pretty quickly, so I was a little concerned."

His eyes then widened when seeing that Rizzo's eyes were glistening with unshed tears. When noticing his look, Rizzo quickly wiped at her eyes to get rid of the tears.

"I'm fine." She said as she tilted her head away from Loke. "Just peeved. Lost to that stupid redhead again. Guess I need to train a bit more, huh?"

She forced out a laugh as she said this, but it was obviously missing its usual lightness.

"It's okay to be upset you lost, ya know?" Loke said carefully as he didn't want to piss her off. "Beating Erza is a big deal for you, right? Because of what she said about your magic when you were kids."

Rizzo looked at Loke in surprise since she had no idea, he knew about that. That incident between Erza and Rizzo happened not long after Rizzo joined Fairy Tail. Years before Loke joined.

"I asked Mirajane about why you seemed so hellbent on becoming stronger than Erza." Loke answered her unasked question. "How you fight her is different from when Natsu or even Gray challenges her, so it had me thinking something was up between the two of you."

Rizzo frowned once more. No one has brought up that incident between her and Erza in a long time. It riled her up every time just thinking about it and making her loss from earlier sting even more.

"I have faith you'll get there someday." Loke said getting Rizzo to look at him in surprise. "I've seen how hard you work. There's no way Erza is going to keep beating you, so don't dwell on it, okay? How about to get your mind off of it we go get some ice cream? Mira mentioned you liked the frozen sweets from the town's local ice cream pallor. My treat."

Rizzo didn't reply at first, but she finally sighed while giving a nod of her head, which had Loke's grin widening. She walked forward to join him. Though made sure to lightly slug his shoulder as they walked.

"Mention this to anyone, and I'll end you." She threatened him.

—END OF FLASHBACK—

"You were a true friend that day and made me feel a lot better." Rizzo said. "Though Sven wouldn't quit grilling me about our little date for days."

Rizzo laughed as she said this, and Loke felt himself chuckle as well. He remembered that. Sven and Breccan both cornered him and threatened to end him if he tried anything funny with Rizzo. It took Rizzo explaining that Loke was just trying to cheer her up as a friend that they even went to get ice cream. But even after that Breccan kept giving him dirty looks for a while. He was going to miss those kinds of moments with his guildmates. A silence fell between the two after that, but it was a comfortable one. Though Loke soon broke it.

"So, what's that?" Loke asked pointing to her scorebook. "You writing some new music?"

He went to take a peek at it, but Rizzo was quick to move it out of his line of sight.

"It's not finished yet." Rizzo said. "But when it is, it'll be my greatest work ever."

She said this with a happy smile that made Loke even more curious about what she could be working on.

"I'll be sure to play it for everyone when the time comes." Rizzo promised him. "So, be looking forward to it, yeah?"

Her smile widened as she spoke, and while Loke felt a pang of sadness in his heart, he forced a smile on his face as well.

"Yeah, I will be." He said hoping his tone sounded light.

"What do you mean he quit?!" Rizzo demanded when she entered the guildhall late that night.

She had stopped by to get dinner since she hadn't felt like going back to Fairy Hills to cook. Though when she arrived many members of the guild were running out looking panicked. When she asked Mirajane about it, Mira gave her the bad news.

"He came in and told Master he was leaving the guild." Mirajane said while looking to Makarov who had a troubled look on his face. "Didn't even give a reason and before any of us could stop him, he ran out."

Rizzo's eyes widened as she couldn't believe what she was hearing. She knew something was bothering Loke, but she never even thought he'd leave Fairy Tail. She felt her teeth clench together, and he had acted so normally earlier today when they had been speaking. She then spun on heel to run out of the guild to help the others search for Loke. She'd be damned if she let him leave like this.

'Loke, what is going on with you?' She wondered as she ran through the streets of Magnolia. 'Why won't you let us help you? We're friends…aren't we?'