3rd POV

Jellal sat comfortably next to Emei, tightly squeezing her hand as the echoing sound of her heart monitor beeping pumped his blood faster. Gray was leaned against the wall at her feet, leg propped against the wall and arms crossed comfortably.

"You shock me. I never expected to see this side of you; all emotionally unstable and finally not magically in control of every single thing around you. Vulnerable and empathetic? You remind me of a bipolar." Jellal shot him a glare without moving his head from its spot against Emei, his contrasting eyes and hair made him stand out to those around him, seem borderline mythical. It was something everyone liked to see, maybe another reason why he was so intimidating and easy to get what he wanted.

"I'll kill both of you." He put simply, whispering next to his friend. Gray nodded in understanding, trying his best to seem unfazed when in reality he had forgotten the fact that this man vulnerable before the woman he might have loved was the second strongest in the country, at least. He tried to sympathize with the psycho. If Gray was in Jellal's shoes, he would be in a terrible spot right now. Especially with what he didn't yet know about Erza, even now he was being this open about his feelings. Or at least, this was open for him since he never bothered to show anything but control in every situation until it had to do with Erza. Even as he ran maniacally towards his enemies, he knew exactly what to do.

"I know that." Jellal's eyebrow twitched in disbelief. He placed Juvia's hand against his lips and left a small kiss for one of his best friends.

He cared. He did.

Emei knew that. She was one of the few people who knew him front and back without even trying. It was so comforting. If it weren't for the constant expectations from everyone else to be the perfect criminal, he almost thought he could be himself around her. It was magical. It felt like she had almost been able to replicate the figure of his once lost younger sister. He couldn't let people know how he felt about her. It would weaken him. It would weaken everything and everyone. "Of course, I'm not a fan of this situation in anyway, but I appreciated the fact that you care about her. I'm sure you knew this, but she needs it. You know who else does, too." He glared at Jellal's fingers still wrapped around Juvia's palm. Jellal noticed this glance and ignored it completely, beginning to rub her thumb as a way to anger him.

"You love her, huh?" Jellal questioned.

Bingo.

He knew he got Gray and he was enjoying it. Gray was silent as he clenched his teeth and shifted uncomfortably in his spot.

"I don't." Gray said. Jellal raised an eyebrow, he didn't believe him. "Do y-" He opened his mouth to speak but a second before he could, Jellal was already standing, gripping Gray's collar tight in his hand and forcing him against the wall. He enjoyed the flash of fear visible in his eyes.

"Listen to me carefully." He hushed threateningly. "I hate to be that friend who give you the 'if you hurt her I'll kill you' speech but I don't care. If you ever lay your hands on her in a way that she doesn't like even slightly, I will crush your fucking windpipe. I will hurt you so badly that you are going to wish you never even saw my face. So be sure to make your decision. Unless you want your flimsy little neck snapped in half, protect her. Don't go crying to mommy after you couldn't make her happy." He threatened Gray, slapping his neck and dropping him to the floor. With one last goodbye to the asleep Emei, he walked through the door and left

"What the fuck do you mean, 'they'?" Jellal roared at Phoenix's doctor.

"I said they'll both be fine, sir. The kick did mostly superficial damage so the most injury they sustained was a bruise on the waist and the shot wound should heal in a month; two at latest." The doctor spoke, typing something on his computer and stealing glances at the assassin.

"I fucking asked you what you mean when you say 'they'! I want to know about Bethel, who is 'they'!?"

"Jerome sir, I am simply telling you of the situation, please do not raise your voice." Doctor Maduro said calmly, typing a few last words in to his old fashioned computer and removing his glasses. Jellal scowled and firmly gripped the roots of his royal locks. "At the moment I do not have the necessary medications or prescriptions for your girlfriend-"

"Woah. Girlfriend? Who the hell told you that?" He asked firmly, glaring at the doctor.

"Is she not?"... Jellal didn't respond, huffing out a breath of irritation and sitting back in his seat with crossed arms. The doctor sighed and turned around in his chair, standing to leave the room. "However, I will get to work on a few new medications and contact you as soon as I have them available for you guys. Enjoy your day, Mr. Fernandes." He finished, exiting the room with a click of the door. Jellal slid the chair out from underneath himself roughly, standing suddenly and leaving the same way.

"So, Erza." Jellal began as he opened the door to Erza's room and sat down beside her. Flipping the chair backwards and leaning forwards, he stared into her tired soul. She looked so drained. So tired. So scared and so alone. It almost made him pity her. Almost. "Have you got anything to tell me?" He questioned sarcastically, his facade of a smile curving into a deep frown. Erza suddenly lifted her arm and wiped a stray tear from her left cheek, turning her head away. She shook her head, red hair splayed around her head shifting with her movement. She was heavenly, he thought. Even in this situation, he couldn't and wouldn't ever want to stop looking at her. His eyes were so irrationally glued to her; a strange sensation he didn't have control over. "Do you think I was born yesterday? I don't need your confirmation to know exactly what's going on in that little fucking brain of yours, Erza." Oh.

He was mad. Very mad.

"I can read you like an open fucking book. Did you think I wouldn't find out? Did you plan on ever telling me at all? You think I'm fucking stupid?" He snarled, though his tone almost sounded hurt. Betrayed. Her shoulders trembled and her lips quivered as she faced away from her ex lover and lightly shook her head again.

"That's enough... I'm sorry Jellal I, I was planning on bringing it up but... I'm sorry." She whispered, voice cracking and sniffles resounding throughout the small room.

"Did you really want to ruin my life again? We're you planning on keeping my own child away from me? Oh wait. Don't tell me, is it even mine?" Erza almost gasped, quickly turning and vigorously shaking her head.

"No!! No Jellal I have never once been unfaithful to you- I just, I was confused- and I-..."

"-So that makes it okay to keep it from me?" Erza was silent, staring at him with teary eyes and a vulnerable heart. "Well? Are you going to keep it? Or were you going to kill my child as- well?"

"-That's enough!!" Erza yelled, finally frustrated with him. Frustrated that he would bring up such a sensitive topic so lightly. As if he was the one who didn't care about their child's life. "You don't know anything!! I know I'm a piece of shit, okay!? I get it, I do!! Don't bring our child into your fucking arguments. Don't you ever-!! Just-... stop, Jellal." She inhaled and exhaled through her mouth in order to relax.

"My fucking arguments? Erza you don't even have shit to hold against me anymore!" He yelled back, getting defensive as he tensed up.

"Fuck you, Jellal. I can't believe you're still thinking about yourself!! I myself didn't even know I was pregnant!! The only person there for me these past few weeks has been Lima!! Where were you!? Sobbing over the past and regretting things that already happened??" She retorted, knitting her eyebrows together in frustration.

"Well fuck you too, Erza because I killed someone for you. The past does not forget. I gave you time, didn't I!? So I'm the selfish one, huh!?" Both parties huffed deeply in order to regain their lost oxygen. They relaxed seeing as the heated argument was mutually dying down.

"What do you want? Was this on purpose? Be honest." He hushed, too irritated to argue any longer.

"Of course it wasn't, I didn't expect to be vomiting every morning and then go to the doctor just for them to confirm my fear that I'm pregnant as hell with a child that you fucking put in me." Her eyes were red and puffy, she noticed as she sniffled away her tears and cleared her throat.

"Neither of us were careful, don't pin it on me, darling." He said, running a hand through his hair. She sighed and nodded, whispering a small agreement and apology. It was silent once more, Erza waited for him to ask the question she dreaded. One she had no idea the answer to. "Are you going to keep it?" She sniffed her fears away and wrapped her arms gently around her stomach. He watched her intently, knowing the answer by the way she traced her bellybutton. Thank god.

"I was thinking... I don't know, I think the most logical decision would be to..." She turned her head away ever so slightly; it was obvious to him by the way her body twitched and her held back sobs that she was having trouble keeping her tears inside. "To have an abortion." She said, not meeting his eyes in fear of what he would say. Had he gotten it wrong? Had he for once read someone— her wrong? She knew he would be relieved but she also knew he would be disappointed that she had made the decision on her own. Of course, naturally, she didn't want to get rid of her child but with the lives they were living, it would be far too risky to force it into a life of lies, murder and constantly being on the run and fighting. It wasn't fair. Neither was it to Jellal when she was the one who wasn't careful with her birth control...

That's when it hit her.

There was a solution. One that would break her heart but still keep her child safe. In fact, there were multiple. She sat in silence, thinking up all the possibilities.

1. She kills herself and the child, sacrificing herself in order to let everyone forget the incident.

No. That was her last resort.

2. She gives the child over to the police to keep it safe and kills herself or flees the country.

Hmm... A bit too much? Second to last option.

3. She flees the country with her baby and never turns back, keeping them both out of trouble.

It was ridiculous but out of the rest of the options she had come up with on spot, it was the best and safest option for everyone.

"Are you serious?" He whispered. There's no way she was being completely serious. She had to be pranking him... But if she wasn't, what was he to do? Could he even do anything about it? Could he convince her somehow? Was he deluding himself? Was this just him being emotional? It didn't matter, he couldn't lose her or the baby.

No matter the cost.

"Erza, please... just reconsider."

"W, what? I don't want to do this but I know how you feel about it and I know how the baby would feel about it when they grow older. I understand you might not like the idea of this but the baby is mine as well. I want to keep it. So badly." She shut her eyes and exhaled deeply." I don't know, Jellal. My mind is telling my no and everything else is telling me yes. This is hard and I completely understand if this is the last time you decide to speak with me. I'm just confused right now..." she stopped when he suddenly laced his fingers with hers, placing their joined hands atop her stomach and gently squeezing. His head fell to the mattress in front of him and he sighed, overwhelming relief washing over his mind.

"I haven't had a lot of time to think about it yet but... thank you." He said shutting his eyes quietly. And like that they remained, enjoying the moment and the comfort they brought each other.

About an hour of sitting in a comfortable silence, Jellal lifted his head and ruffled his hair to the side. He didn't hesitate to stand to his feet though he paused on his way out the door. "Get some rest, I'm going to speak with the doctor and head home. Be careful."

"Don't get the wrong idea, just because there's a child involved, doesn't mean I forgive you suddenly. The baby is my priority." Jellal said to Erza, stern and completely serious. He came to visit the next day, sitting in the same seat he had previously. Erza stared shocked at a small container of fruits and a fork placed on her lap, he'd given it to her. He knew she loved fruit. Of course he did.

"Thank... you..." she murmured, astounded that he would be so kind even after all of the drama. He never ceased to surprise her.

"The fruits are complimentary, I came to talk to you about the shit job you're doing so far and how you're going to fix it." He stated firmly, leaning back and crossing his arms.

"Excuse me?" She scoffed. "I think I'm doing the best I can, considering. My best friend is in a coma, my baby daddy hates me, I was shot, this is my first pregnancy and the entire segment is in imminent danger of being caught and sentenced to death and/or life in prison. So excuse me mr. hotshot but I'd like to see you try being in my position." He smirked devilishly, admiring the angry expression on her face. Baby hairs sticking to her forehead with sweat, knitted eyebrows, eyes shining and her skin glowing. He loved it when she got like this. It was just so... alluring.

"Im being completely serious, Bethel." He said, his smile vanishing completely as he repositioned. "What the hell do you think I'm here to yell at you about?" He scolded, irritation replacing his adoration. "I've had to think about it overnight and it isn't much but the thought that you decided it was a good idea to put our child's life in jeopardy for some shitty reason you came up with in your own head." He growled, not breaking the eye contact with her for even a moment. "You'd better start being more careful or you won't even get a say, I promise you that." She swallowed her fear at his words. "Don't make me lose my remaining faith in you because this shit can turn around quicker than you realize it."

"It was a stupid idea, I know." She whispered, running a finger across her tummy and rubbing circles on her bellybutton. "I never would have imagined-"

"Right, you never would have imagined the baby would be put in danger as you walked out into a battlefield in the middle of gunfire but it was... The doctor said it was a shock that it didn't die as soon as that cop kneed you." Era bit her lip, staring down at her lap in shame. "Ashamed? Good; you should be. Listen to me red head, don't you ever put my child in harms way again. The only significance you have to me is keeping my child safe. Read a fucking book on parenting or some crap, Erza. I thought it was common sense to protect your own baby." He grunted before promptly standing up and walking out of her room, slamming the door on his way out. A sure way to show her how angry he truly was. How much he meant what he said as the room vibrated from the aftershock.

"I assume you know what I'm here to speak with you about." Jellal said monotonously, fixing the belt around his wait and adjusting the heavy metal resting on his shoulders.

"You knocked Erza up, you son of a bitch." He smirked, hair slightly drooped down the side of his head at the lack of effort he put in to keep it gelled in place as it often was. "Aren't one of the only rules I gave you to follow that you are not to have any romantic relations with your members?" He asked with that smirk he held fading slowly into a maniacal grin. In an instant, Natsu's arm was constricting Jellal's airway as he pinned the blue headed man against his wall. "Listen to me closely. Don't you go getting too comfortable around here. Outside of work, we're friends, sure. However, the moment you step into this building and the moment I give you an assignment, you follow my orders and you bow only to my command. You are not exempt from the rules just because we've known each other. Because you decided to knock up idiot number 3, all of our lives were put in jeopardy along with our confidential information and everything we have worked for. I saw where you were going with her and I let it go because I know the place you've been in for almost half a decade. Don't get cocky, Fernandes, trust me I will end you faster than you can get on your knees and apologize." And he let go, turning and heading for his desk as if nothing had happened. Jellal choked on the air rapidly entering his mouth in a failed attempt to keep up with his body. "I have good news for you." He said, removing his cloak and placing it on the chair, he handed Jellal a paper atop a big envelope. The moment he read it, his eyes widened to the size of saucers. He wasn't hallucinating. This was real.

'To: Nishio, Leader of the Phoenix branch

Hello, sir Nishio. Firstly, I'd like to let you know I respect you for your work and I admire you for you commendable acts. That's why, I'd like to inform you of some information that may be of use to you. Everyone had seen your missing posters all those years ago for the group of Quator members that had gone missing. Those on your side remember that notice well. And recently, I happened to see a group of people wearing dark cloaks. The wind happened to pick off the hood of a woman who perfectly fit the description of the First Lady on your poster. I was able to get a photo— but just of her hair after she pulled up her hood. I saw the six people walking together on Glenn Street at 10:30 yesterday. I hope this letter was of use to you and I wish you a well night or day.

good luck,

-Yarin Tagath'

"10:30 yesterday was when I had an assignment but couldn't go because of the invasion." Jellal murmured.

"Indeed it was. And guess what? Glen Street was the exact place I had assigned for you." Natsu continued for him and for a moment there was a pause.

"They're alive."

"And they know everything that we're doing." Jellal turned to him, lips parted in disbelief and eyes shining with hope. "On another note, the person who sent this isn't just anyone." Natsu added, tapping the name at the bottom of the note. "Tagath. The surname of the family branch under the kings rule who have a monopoly on the railroad systems, products and everything included."

"I know who they are, genius, but why would Joseph Tagath's son send a letter to help us? How could he help us if his family works under the king?"

"I don't know. For all we know he could be a part of our little fan club. The younger generations tend to rebel, especially when expectations are set high for them." Natsu looked conflicted, millions of thoughts crossing his mind at a time, few being reasonable possibilities. "Meaning?" He started for Jellal.

"I know where they are." He whispered, nearly gasping as his eyes remaining wide.

"We just won this game of hide and seek."

Okay bye not editing this pls tell mistakes