Hi Everyone,

Wow, taking a month off has really seemed to help me out. I'm hoping to get back to writing more and more, but I won't make any promises for now. Anyway, I will say that I do have a goal to be halfway done by the end of this month, which is definitely doable. As always, I hope you enjoy it and feel free to comment and review.

- Singed.

Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail.

Lucy

Lucy's march home was uneventful and she was beginning to think that taking it easy the rest of the morning would be to her benefit. She had specifically scheduled nothing to do today and while she wanted to see her fiance, she also hoped he wasn't at her apartment just yet. He could be … draining on a tired soul.

Unlocking her apartment door, she heard the shuffling of feet as someone came to a stand from her couch. A smile came all on its own and she sighed. She had wanted some downtime, but her heart wanted Natsu. "Hey Natsu," she called as she closed her apartment door. "It's a bit early for you to be here, but I imagine you want some breakfast."

"That won't be necessary, but thank you for the offer." The voice more than the words stopped Lucy before she quickly took the last few steps into her living room to see Erza standing there. She was dressed in her armor like always, but she looked different. She appeared … haggard, which was odd for the requipt mage. Even in the hardest of fights she always seemed so put together.

"Erza, what …" that as far as Lucy got as the other woman suddenly knelt and hung her head.

"Lucy, I am here to apologize and to ask for your forgiveness. Upon further thought and soul searching, I have come to realize that I was in the wrong and you have every right to be angry with me. I acted selfishly and tried to manipulate a situation to my benefit where I had no such right or power." She stayed kneeling while Lucy's head reeled from this turn of events.

"Ummm," Lucy started. Erza suddenly lifted her head and Lucy saw her resolve strength as she swallowed hard.

"I can see that my words are not enough. How can they be? I who was of the utmost fool. Thus, I will cut my hair and give you the locks in the ancient tradition of atoning for shame and remorse." With that Erza grabbed her knife and hair and swung.

"Stop!" Lucy yelled and grabbed Erza's wrist just in time. "Erza, stop. There is no need to cut your hair." Lucy took a deep breath as Erza simply stared at her. "How about we discuss this over a cup of tea?" Lucy smiled and Erza nodded, a look of relief slowly spreading over her face as Lucy sat her on the couch and went to her kitchen.

"What kind of tea Erza?"

"Do you have jasmine?"

"I do. Any sweetener?"

"Just sugar." Lucy had the water boiling in no time and brought out their tea once the water and tea bags were in the cups. They sat in silence for a moment while sipping, collecting their thoughts.

"Well," Lucy said. "I guess we should start. I actually went to your place this morning so we could discuss what happened last night." Erza sat her teacup down and nodded.

"Yes, I guess that makes sense. I did not go home last night. After my outburst, I stormed off to the beach and fought the waves for some time."

"You fought the waves?" Lucy was imagining Erza punching and kicking the water, or perhaps slicing the water with her swords.

"Yes, it is the most relaxing and a great workout. I must admit that it had the calming effect I needed, only it also cleared my head and I spent the rest of the night realizing what a horrible friend I was. Of course, you want your wedding the way you want it, just like I would want mine." A look of great sadness passed through her eyes and Lucy sighed.

"Erza, talk to me. Why did you act the way you did? What is bothering you?"

"I suppose you have a right to know." Erza steeled herself and announced. "I am in love with Jellal." Lucy just nodded and sipped her tea, which confused Erza.

"Is that all the response I get? No gasp of shock, no exclamation of wonder?"

Lucy scoffed a giggle and shook her head. "Erza, everyone already knows. We've known for a long time." Erza looked completely shocked for a moment, before nodding.

"Yes, perhaps it has been rather obvious."

"So, you not having seen him in a few months has you on edge?"

Erza stood in agitation and paced. "More than on edge. Oh Lucy, when last we met we finally, finally said some things to each other and I thought … but then he disappeared for months. I know he was on a secret mission, but even the messages I've sent him down our secure line have gone unanswered. I have begun to wonder if perhaps he regrets telling me how he felt, or worse if he realized that he never felt them at all."

Lucy sighed and stood, taking her taller friend by the shoulders, and looked up at her. "Erza, listen. I've known for a long time how you have felt about Jellal, but I have known just as long how he has felt about you. He loves you too, but I think he has many demons to work through. Perhaps he knows he needs to work on these before he can fairly ask you to be more than just his comrade and friend?"

Erza thought for a moment before nodding. "Yes, yes you are probably correct. I just wish that he could understand that I don't care about any of that. I just want to be his and he mine." Lucy smiled and walked over to her desk. She pulled out a stack of tiny cards and flipped through them before finding the one she sought.

"Well, then perhaps you will have your chance to convince him of it this Saturday." Lucy handed Erza an RSVP card with Jellal's name neatly written on the line with a check in the box next to gladly accepts the invitation. Erza stood with the card for a moment before standing all the firmer and throwing her head back.

"Yes, this Saturday will be the day I will confront Jellal! I will demand that he listen to me and answer my questions!" Lucy had heard many an Erza speech but even after all these years, she was still mesmerized by her friend. Thus, neither noticed Natsu climbing through the window. "I will say what I have to say and I will not be denied! I have every right and wedding or no wedding, I will be listened to!"

Natsu was halfway through the window during this last part of the speech. He had heard voices, but over the years he had become very good about not listening in, but even the most absent-minded person can not un-hear everything. So, there he was, half in Lucy's apartment, dropping what he'd just bought her onto the bed, and half out, watching a firm and irate Erza appear to be yelling at Lucy. He was fully through the window and had Erza pinned to the wall before she could utter another syllable.

"Natsu!" Lucy exclaimed as he glared down Erza's shocked expression down.

"I thought," he said through gritted teeth, "that I'd be able to apologize to you today and have all of this behind us, but if that is how you are going to treat Lucy, then you can forget it."

Erza's shock turned to angry confusion. "I have come to apologize, Natsu. Why should this anger you?"

Natsu's own anger turned to confusion, and he turned to look at Lucy who had her head in her hands. "This true Luce?"

"Yes Natsu, it is. Please let Erza go." Natsu did as requested, neither embarrassed nor annoyed, just relieved.

Erza brushed herself off as she stared Natsu down. She wasn't mad at him, she understood protecting someone you cared for at all cost, but she also wasn't used to having him stand up to her. Falling in love with Lucy had most definitely changed him, and for the better, as she could see, but it didn't mean she couldn't feel raw about it. Suddenly feeling more tired than she had in a while, Erza yawed and sighed, her shoulders slumping uncharacteristically. Natsu watched, with his arms folded wondering at his older sister figure. This issue with Jellal was starting to cause her to crack and now Natsu's anger was slowly turning to Jellal. When he had the chance he was going to have a nice little talk or battle with him, whichever one it took.

"Erza," Lucy said as she came to stand next to Natsu. "Why doesn't Natsu walk you home?"

"What?" Natsu asked in shock, turning to Lucy who gave him the look. He sighed and realized that he'd better do it. "Yeah, sure. I'll take you home Erza."

"That would be appreciated Natsu. Just one more thing Lucy. If it is not too late, I'd like to be a bride's maid again and I'm even having my dress altered to your specific directions."

"Of course you can be a bride's maid again Erza." Erza smiled, nodded, and marched to the door.

"Natsu," Lucy said, grabbing onto his arm as he went to follow the taller woman. "I'll have breakfast waiting for you when you get back." Natsu nodded, only to be surprised by a quick but meaningful peck on the lips.

"What was that for? I thought you were angry with me."

"I am, but that was also very sweet of you." Lucy smiled in such a way that had Natsu warming and he quickly left before his emotions caused him to forget Erza all together.

Lucy watched as they left and sighed. He always kept life interesting, that was for sure. It seemed odd she thought, that one of the things that had always attracted her to Natsu, his protectiveness of her, could also cause some of her biggest head and heartaches.

She glanced at her writing-table and then the kitchen. Eggs and toast took hardly any time at all, and she needed to get another letter done while she could.

Piece 23 - Catch me as I Fall, Support me where I Stand

Natsu,

One of these days, I am going to ask you how that walk went when you had to take Erza home. As it stands, you've just left to do so and I am writing to tell you about piece 23.

When Michelle came walking into our lives, I thought fate had given me another chance at connecting to my family and my father, however odd the link. In retrospect, I should have known that her entire story seemed fishy. There would be no way I could forget a cousin who had supposedly been such a large part of my childhood. If I had not been so desperate and so vulnerable, I would have seen her lies for what they were. I also think if she had not been in the same boat due to my abandonment, she would have seen the Seis's treachery for what it was as well.

When the truth all came out, I remember distinctly thinking that of course, there was no way I could be so lucky. I had been such a fool and in many ways, this hurt more than my father's abandonment and death. I'm not sure why, perhaps in the end we all expect death to touch us, but this situation was so unprecedented that no one can prepare themselves for such things. I guess, in the end, betrayal is more wounding than death. Death is honest grief, one we must all deal with, betrayal is dishonest and comes from those we should trust the most.

I think I hid my grief better than when my father died, but I remember the many nights afterward where my conscious thoughts were accompanied by tears. In all of this, the one major comfort I had, was that through all of it I saw just how protective of me you had become. You'd always had my back, but this was different. You made it clear that you would protect me from anyone you deemed a threat. From the Seis to Dan who was most persistent in his advances and finally to Michelle who had betrayed me so she could keep me.

I don't think I was fully conscious of just how protective you had become until I thought back on all those events. But thinking about it now, three instances stand out. The first was when Dan was trying to woo me in the underground chapel. At one point, through his many speeches, I happened to see your face. We were all annoyed over his actions and words at this point, but your face screamed annoyance, anger, and dare I say it jealousy. Shockingly, I actually picked up on the jealousy right then and there and I remember being oddly pleased that you were jealous. It actually helped when I had to pretend to be in love with him. I liked the idea that such play-acting might make you even more jealous. If it did, I don't know. You were a bit too preoccupied to do anything about it right then and there.

The second was when Michelle showed her real nature. You did not hesitate or even question what was happening. You simply threw yourself between us and didn't seem to care what happened to you. You were solely focused on my well being. At the time, I was too shocked by this new revelation, but now I see it for what it is.

What it is, is what also led you to fight McBeth and then run after me as I fell from the sky that night. You were determined to not allow me to fall without your arms to be there to catch me. The others I'm sure felt the same way, but you actually did something about it. When I came too in your arms and I looked you into your eyes, I saw that thing, but too briefly to know it at the time. I think you were already in love with me and though you did not know it then, you were doing everything in your power to protect not only your partner but the woman you loved. I think subconsciously you had begun to woo me and I think subconsciously, I was beginning to answer your call.

I guess all those wise people who claim the most beautiful of the flowers grow in the deserts have it right. Michelle's betrayal may have been one of the hardest moments of my life, but in it, something beautiful finished taking root and began to grow. It took a long time to bloom and only now, years later are we gaining a harvest, but if it took all that pain and difficult soil to grow, I wouldn't change a thing.

Love,

Lucy

Lucy sighed as she put her letter and the letter she wrote from earlier that morning into their spots. She'd have to hurry to get Natsu's breakfast done because if the clock was right, he'd be on his way back by now. Of course, unbeknownst to her, he was going to be taking extra time that morning due to Erza's over-enthusiasm.

Natsu

Natsu marched next to Erza, his arms crossed with a scowl deeply etched on his face. Once again his temper and tendency to act before thinking has gotten him in trouble. He'd be the first to admit that attacking Erza was never a smart thing to do, but under the circumstances, it made perfect sense as to why he was quick to misread Erza's actions. In all honesty, this was all Erza's fault.

Suddenly, Natsu realized that Erza was no longer next to him. Looking back, he spotted her in front of a store, window shopping. "Erza," he snapped, "come on! We need to get going. I need to get back to Lucy's!"

"Stop your complaining Natsu. If you hadn't been so quick to misread the situation this morning you'd be having your breakfast with her right now instead of here with me."

Natsu grumbled as she continued to look at the shiny baubles in the window. Looking again, Natsu realized they were tiaras. His eyes involuntarily rolled at this. Even Lucy wasn't going to be wearing a tiara, and it was her wedding! Unfortunately for Natsu, Erza saw the eye roll. Her exhaustion, coupled with her annoyance for her guild brother caused her to punch him much faster and harder than she'd meant to. He flew back a few feet, obviously stunned. People exclaimed in alarm and Erza decided that when she returned to her rooms, she'd go to bed. Obviously, her judgment was still impaired.

"What was that for?" Natsu groaned.

"Don't judge in matters you don't understand Natsu. A girl can dream." With that, she stormed off and Natsu picked himself up before following her. He did not notice that his lacrima had fallen out of his pocket, but luckily it floated after him. They marched in relative silence for a moment or two before Erza glanced back. She was surprised and not surprised at the same time that he still followed her. Natsu had grown up more than most realized over the years and had learned when to stop taking orders or actions that were in no one's best interest. She truly needed no escort home as no one would be crazy enough to come after her, but it had been Lucy who had given him the assignment and Natsu wasn't stupid enough to go against her.

Her face softened as she gazed on Natsu. He really had grown up and in so many ways, he made her more proud than any of her other siblings. He was even beating Grey at the moment, but that would probably change when Grey finally asked Juvia to marry him. Perhaps if Jellal continued to ignore her, she'd turn her energies to convincing Grey to propose to his girlfriend.

At that moment, Grey dropped his glass of water, having a sudden dread come over his soul, while Juvia started singing in the shower as all her pipes burst in steam. Erza's musing came to a quick stop however when she spotted the floating device behind Natsu's head.

"What is that?" Erza asked.

"Huh?" Natsu inquired, turning his head. Erza rose an eyebrow when she saw an uncharacteristic blush spread over Natsu's neck and cheeks.

"Oh that, it's nothing. Just ignore it." Natsu grabbed it and stuck it back into his pocket. He was thankful that he'd spent the extra jewel on the anti-lose magic, but he hadn't realized how it worked.

"Nothing?" Erza firmed up her stance and pointed at Natsu. "Natsu Dragneel, either you tell me right now what that device is, or I will battle you until you give me the answer I desire." Even a sleep-deprived Erza was a scary one and Natsu was sure she'd actually go through with her threat. So, sighing he pulled the lacrima back out and held it up.

"Really Erza, it's nothing. Just a recording lacrima."

"I see, and why is it following you?"

"Uh, it does that if I tell it too or if I might lose it, like when it fell out of my pocket."

"I see, but why the blush? Surely if it were truly as plain and boring as you said, it would not have elicited such a response."

"Well, it's sort of a gift for Lucy and I didn't want anyone to know about it."

Erza's brows furrowed. "A gift for Lucy?" Erza was silent for a moment before muttering, "An embarrassing gift for Lucy?" She suddenly nodded and looked at the dragon slayer in the eye. "Natsu, you aren't recording yourself in lewd or illicit acts are you?"

"What!?" He yelled, putting the lacrima back into his pocket. "No!"

"Then why the embarrassment?"

"Because well," Natsu rubbed the back of his head and sighed, giving up. "Because I'm getting all emotional and mushy."

"I see. So is it poetry? A play of some sort?"

"No, more like I'm telling her all the moments from our past that meant something to me. Those moments that made me fall for her." Erza simply stared for a moment and Natsu was beginning to regret giving in so easily.

"That is a fantastic idea Natsu. Yes, one for the books. Very well, I shall help you." Erza announced grabbing his hand and pulling him towards a small deserted park nearby.

"Erza, I don't need your help. I'm doing just fine on my own."

"Perhaps, but if it's just you talking she is likely to get bored, you'll need to add some pizazz in there on occasion. Let this be one of those occasions. Now, you will sit here," she shoved him onto a bench, taking his lacrima from his pocket at the same time. She quickly had it floating facing him.

"Now, tell me what you had planned on talking about next." Natsu could have argued, he should have argued, but he saw that gleam in Erza's eye. The one that said he was stuck, no argument was going to weasel him out of this one.

"Uh, I was going to talk about the Starry Night Incident."

"Ah yes, a true classic. Lucy and the rest of us led on a wild goose chase only to find out that it has all been a rouse to capture our dear celestial mage. Betrayed by a member of her own family, or so she thought, to be rescued by her true and chosen family in the end. Little knowing that the one to catch her from her heavenly fall was to one day be her lover." Natsu gawked at Erza, both in admiration that she could spout off such speeches at a drop of a hat and annoyance that she hadn't thought to record it. It had been a pretty good recap if he said so himself. The thing was, she was recording, but she had the lacrima pointing in the wrong direction, so when Lucy watched a few weeks later, she heard the speech but saw nothing but a tree and a confused squirrel. Luckily, Erza caught her mistake at the end and quickly swung the recording side to Natsu.

"Now, Natsu please describe what you remember most about that time?"

"Huh, Erza do we have to do this? I don't mind talking about my feelings with Lucy or the lacrima but … it's a little embarrassing to say all this in front of you."

"Embarrassing? Natsu really, in five days you are announcing to the world that Lucy is your love and now your wife! Love must be expressed, now forget I'm here and answer my question." Natsu sighed and decided to just get it over with. He was starting to get hungry and he still had to get Erza to her apartment.

"Okay. Piece 23 - You have my support for Life. Um, well I remember the day Michelle first arrived. It was shortly after the ball and the loss of Lucy's dad and everyone forgetting who Lucy was. I just remember thinking how sad Lucy seemed when she thought people weren't looking. Hey, under those circumstances, I'd be sad too. So when Michelle showed up with that clock piece from her dad, I was so happy to see that spark of life and hope back in Lucy's eyes that I ignored my instinct about Michelle."

"And what instinct would that be?"

"I don't know how to explain it exactly, but something was off in her scent. I will say that it was the best fake I've ever come across. I've smelled a lot of forged scents in my day and that one almost had me fooled, but there was something just under the surface but not too deep where I'd check if I were suspicious. Thinking back on it, I think it was the smell of old stuffing. If I'd had the mind to identify it then, I might have figured it out before Michelle had had a chance to betray Lucy."

"So, in the beginning, you were happy that Michelle came into the picture?"

"Yes, especially for Lucy. She really needed something like that to happen. A mystery to solve, a connection to her dad, and a friend that could help with the loneliness." Natsu stopped talking. It was only a pause on the recording, barely noticeable, but his mind was racing. Had he been alone, he'd say what he wanted to but now he was in front of Erza and it just made it so awkward. Still, Lucy deserved to know everything so he steeled himself and pressed on.

"I'm her best friend, but in truth, I hadn't really been acting like it. I was trying, but I didn't know how to handle her pain and that made me mad and uncomfortable so I found myself really prickly around her. I just needed someone else to help come alongside me to support her so I didn't feel so responsible, yah know. But, now I realize Lucy never expected me to fix her or the situation, she just wanted me there." Natsu glanced up at Erza, who simply stared back and continued. "So anyway, when Michelle became her shadow I was a bit relieved but as I said, subconsciously wary."

"I see. And how did you feel when it became apparent that another adventure had started where Lucy was once again in extra danger or at the very least, at the center?"

Natsu sighed in annoyance, crossed his arms, and huffed. "Mad, really mad. I mean, can't she for like one adventure or mission go unscathed or at least be in little to no danger? I know there have been a few but it always seems that our biggest ones somehow involve more danger for her. I think she thinks it means she's weak, but she is anything but. Her strength just isn't in her arms."

"So this triggered your protective nature?"

"Of course, I may have needed a break from feeling emotionally responsible for her, but she is still my partner and I was not going to let anyone hurt her without me having something to say about it."

"And how did Dan Straight's actions and behaviors in this adventure make you feel?"

Natsu tried not to react to the name, but his eye did twitch a bit. "I don't see what he has to do with this interview?"

"Natsu, you are about to marry Lucy and this man tried numerous times to date her, bed her, or marry her and all right in front of you. I know that you may have been ignorant of your feelings towards her at the time, but now you must have some thoughts on it." Natsu had plenty of thoughts on Dan Straight.

"Fine, yes!" he turned his head to the side and sighed before standing and pacing. "I hate that guy and I hate that I hate him."

"Why?"

"Well, in the end, he was a pretty okay guy. Annoying and way too self-confident, but in the end, he turned out to be a guy who fought for his convictions just like the rest of us. And hey, I can't blame him for finding Lucy attractive and worthy of marriage. Yeah, in the end, he definitely wasn't ready to settle down since he changed his mind about the woman he wanted, but even after he turned his desires away from Lucy, I still hated him and continue to hate him."

"Because?"

"Because he was after my Lucy! Because even though I did not want to admit it, I wanted her in every way he wanted her but did not have even half his courage." Natsu suddenly sat and sighed.

"I'd do anything for Lucy. I'd fight for her, I'd be there for her when she needed a laugh, a cry, and a listening ear. I'd keep her company, I'd even share my food, but I couldn't tell her how much I liked her. I could never tell her how beautiful she was. I couldn't tell her that if I thought of the future, she was always there and if I ever thought of a family, she was always the mom. It wasn't serious then, just small moments when my mind would wander." Natsu stopped and sighed. "I guess I hated him because he got to say everything I wanted to before I even knew that's what I needed to say and to try and say it after him would just make me look stupid."

There was a long pause, the sound of the breeze and the birds the only noise. Finally, Erza ventured. "And you still hate him." Natsu just shook his head and sat back with a smile.

"Yeah, but only because I have to. I mean, he tried to take Lucy who is about to be my wife. I haven't seen the guy in like years but I always have a fear that he might just pop up and try to take her again."

"She'd never go with him."

"Oh I know, but still."

"I see. So, how did you feel when Lucy was in the machine and then as she fell out of the sky."

Natsu shrugged. "Angry, concerned, then terrified, but honestly, I really wasn't as worried as I should have been. We'd been in so many situations by then that I figured we'd get out of this one too. The only moment that really had me concerned was when she was fully inside. I wasn't sure how to get her out, but it took care of itself and as she was falling I knew that I wasn't going to let her hit the ground."

"You were so confident in your abilities."

Natsu shrugged and shook his head. "No, I just knew it wasn't an option. She was falling and I was going to catch her."

"I see. Well, any last words or comments?" Natsu thought for a moment before he shook his head.

"No, just that I'll see you in a bit Luce." He waved with his signature smile as Erza turned off the lacrima. Natsu stood and took it from her.

As he was placing it in his pocket, he said. "That wasn't quite as bad as I thought it'd be. I just hope Lucy will like it."

"I'm sure she'll just love it," on the last word, Erza's voice cracked and she burst into tears. Natsu's mind went white with panic and she just stood there watching Erza ball her eyes out.

"Uh Erza, was it really that bad?"

"No, you idiot! It was the most beautiful, heartwarming thing I'd ever seen or heard! You two are perfect! I'm just so happy that you two found each other."

"Huh, yeah. Why don't we get you home so you can take a little nap?" Natsu gently took her arm and spun her in the direction of home.

"Don't patronize me! I am simply overwhelmed with your love for her." However, Erza allowed herself to be led away as a nap did sound wonderful. They got a few stares and Wendy was almost beside herself when Erza was escorted through the door, but Erza reassured the blue-haired mage and promptly went to bed where she had the most satisfying dream of watching Natsu beat up Dan Straight in his wedding tux, while a bride Lucy cheered from the sidelines.