Lucy was beside herself with shock. She couldn't believe the horror that she had just witnessed. Not only did she watch an innocent man suffer a most cruel punishment but she also saw that so many people found amusement in watching him suffer. How could anyone laugh at such a horrid display? It made her sick to her stomach.

"Oh Father I don't think that I had seen anything so horrible in my entire life." She told Jude.

"It's over now Lucy so don't dwell on it."

"But I can't. Do you think other people are suffering like this?"

"If it is it is none of our concern."

"Father I don't like just sitting back and watching innocent people suffer."

"Lucy it is not our place and besides it's not like those kind of people matter."

"Father how can you say such a thing?"

"Lucy this is not important. Now start getting ready, we're going to join Captain Leonhart for dinner tonight to discuss your engagement."

"Yes Father."

Jude then left Lucy's room. Once he was gone she started to get unchanged when she heard a tapping noise. She turned and saw Natsu standing on a window sill.

"Hello." He said with a smile and a wave.

"What on earth are you doing here?!" She asked opening the window.

"Well right now I'm trying not to lose my balance and fall into those thorny rose bushes down there so could you help me because I'm slipping! Ahhh!"

Natsu started wobbling and he was just about to lose his balance when Lucy grabbed him by his shirt collar and pulled him into her room.

"Are you completely mad?" She said. "If my father finds you here he'll see to it that you get the guillotine."

"Well I tried to come in through the front door but apparently your old man thought I was a beggar because he shouted 'Listen you filthy beggar I don't give hand outs' then slammed the door in my face."

"Sorry about him, he's not exactly charitable."

"Yeah I kind of figured that out myself."

"What are you doing here?"

He held up a coin purse.

"You dropped it when that crowd ran by us yesterday."

"Oh...Thank you." She said taking it from him.

"You're welcome. Wow this is some huge house you've got here. Sure is better than my place."

"Oh really? Where do you live?"

Natsu blushed.

"Well uh...I live in a interesting sort of building."

"Could you be a little more specific?"

"It's... It's a brothel but it's not what you think! I'm not a perv I swear! I've never laid with any of those women! And I don't intend to! And...And I'm making this worse aren't I?"

"Oooookay...Why do you live at a brothel if you don't...intend to lay with a woman. Do you prefer men?"

"No! No! I don't swing that way! Let me explain those women are kind of like my sisters."

"I don't follow."

"Well you remember how I told you that Erza's job was considered questionable to some people?"

"Yes."

"Erza is a prostitute who works there, we met after she saved me from abuse and she and the other prostitutes at the brothel gave me a home with them and looked after me."

"Really?"

"Yes and believe me every time I tried something funny Erza would bash me over the head."

"Let me get this straight you were raised in a brothel by prostitutes?"

"It was always warm and there was always food on the table. So don't be judgemental."

"I won't it just never occurred to me that prostitutes could be the motherly type."

"There are a lot of things that never occur to some people. But that aside, what made your father so angry?"

"Oh don't mind him, he's always in a foul mood. Right now he's awfully eager to see me married."

"Married? You got a sweetheart?"

"I'm engaged."

"Oh congratulations. Who's the lucky fella?"

"Captain Loke Leonhart."

Natsu snickered under his breath.

"Oh man do I feel sorry for you."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing except...I don't think you should expect him to be a loyal husband. I've seen him at that brothel many times."

"Well when did you see him there last?"

"Last winter."

"Well that was before our marriage was arranged."

"So? Doesn't mean he'll keep it in his pants."

"How dare you speak of him like that. You don't even know him."

"Oh please. Like you know so much about him. I bet you've only known the guy for about a week."

"Sir you are too presumptuous."

"Okay then how long have you known him?"

"A week...and a half."

"Oh that makes all the difference...Barely."

"Be quiet. You don't know anything about our relationship."

"You're right I don't but neither do you apparently."

"Please go." Lucy said rolling her eyes.

"Alright. See you around."

He then jumped from her window and went about his merry way.

Meanwhile Wally had gone to the brothel for a little action and Jellal fearing that he would expose them to the authorities, went to bring him back. As expected the building was filled with attractive and flirtatious prostitutes.

"Hiya handsome, come to join the party?" Cana asked as she started to undo her blouse.

"Oh no ma'am." Jellal said looking away while blushing. "I'm just here to pick up my friend. Is there a Wally here?"

"He's upstairs being entertained at the moment. I'm afraid you'll have to wait." She fixed her blouse and took a swallow of liquor.

"Very well. When he's finished inform him of my presence if you don't mind."

"Alright."

Jellal sat down and waited for his comrade to finish up with his "personal affairs". Once he got his hands on his Wally he was going to make him sorry. He had told Wally and the other gypsies time and time again that they were to avoid brothels, taverns, and any areas where wild get togethers could take place and draw attention from soldiers.

You see about thirteen years ago he had broken a window and stolen a loaf of bread but he was caught and sentenced to prison for ten years. Luckily he managed to escape after serving only two years but he was a fugitive meaning he had to extra careful almost everyday of his life because if he got caught again then he would be locked up for life.

After waiting for three hours, Jellal lost his patience and decided to just grab Wally and drag him out of here. He had just reached the top of the stairway when he saw her. The gorgeous young woman with long scarlet hair counting her money then slipping it into a small pouch. It had been thirteen years, but she hadn't changed at all, at least not to him. In his eyes she would always be that sweet and beautiful girl he had fallen for all those years ago.

Erza. It was Erza. Both of them were a child of the streets, they became friends when they were children and they became lovers when they were teenagers. At age sixteen they had planned to marry and start a life but money was scarce, they both got jobs but the pay wasn't enough. Erza eventually became ill with malnourishment leading to Jellal stealing that loaf of bread in desperation. When he was arrested and didn't return, Erza was forced to believe that her lover had abandoned her, heartbroken and starving that was when she turned to prostitution. Jellal never thought that he would see her again so you can imagine his shock and joy when he saw her.

"Erza?" He said in a shakey voice as he approached her from behind. "Erza?"

"Yes what do you want?" She asked not turning around.

"Erza it's me!"

"Me who?"

"Jellal."

The very instant that name left his mouth she dropped her pouch and turned around in shock. At first all he could see in her eyes were complete and utter shock but that shock quickly turned to extreme anger.

"What are you doing here?" She asked.

"Well what are you doing here?" He asked.

"Isn't it obvious? I work here."

"You work here?"

"Yes, now if you'll excuse me I have to get to work."

"Wait a minute aren't you going to talk to me?"

"I have nothing to say to you."

"What do you mean you don't have anything to say to me? We haven't seen each other in thirteen years."

"And who's fault is that?"

"What are you talking about?"

"I have to go."

"Erza wait! Come back!"

She left, he went after her but she vanished into a crowd. He searched but he couldn't find her. She was gone.