Dear Readers,

I am really excited for this one! Let me know what you think in the reviews/comments!

For my guest reviewer that keeps providing me with validation... I love you :)

Don't forget, Desna owns the Pradesh Family, Hiro Mashima owns Fairy Tail, and my beta is an alpha among betas. Woo GoddessxNyte2!

Enjoy!

For all her training and travelling and growing up, Lucy still found herself fidgeting nervously as she awaited the arrival of her friends, her teammates that she'd long-since betrayed.

She might not have set them up to be attacked, like she had led them to believe, but she'd lied to them. Brutally, if she was being honest, and they had every reason to hate her for it. To feel pissed off, and hurt, and genuinely unhappy that she hadn't trusted them enough to keep them in the loop. She had her reasons, but she wasn't sure they would see things her way.

Recently, she wasn't sure she saw things her way.

Then again, that was easy to say when she was on top of the world. Riding the high of rescuing the world's most attractive gladiator and bringing a king of torture and slavery to justice. It was easy to claim - while she was filled to the brim with confidence at her own abilities - that she should have stayed and relied on her guildmates more, should have believed that they could take their enemies on together. Because now she felt like she had the world at her feet.

In reality, the situation she was in over thirteen months ago was very much not the same. She'd been weak, not able to even keep her body up physically to the standard set by her magic. Hurt, recovering from her most recent, and most gruesome, torture with one eye and a lot of healing to do - physically and mentally. Guilt-ridden and self-loathing, assured that she was the cause of her family's pain, and the one putting them in danger. Convinced that it would be selfish to stay and rely on them.

In that moment, Lucy realized that she was behaving exactly as she had when she'd dug her heels in and convinced herself she was guilty for Aquarius's sacrifice. No, she wasn't throwing herself into battles she couldn't win in her grief, she was doing the same thing she'd done after. Wallowed in her own self-appointed guilt, and spent more time and energy than she had available on feeling sorry for herself.

So much for everyone else giving her pity, she was doing it to herself.

When she left the guild, she let go of her guilt. She remembered the exact moment she'd done it, hand on the Mark of Aquarius as she apologized to the celestial realm itself, saying she was sorry, but that nothing she did would change what had happened, and vowing from that moment not to let Aquarius's sacrifice stop her from living her life.

Now she's realizing she'd traded one source of guilt for another, but the facts remain. It happened, she left, and she can't change it.

And as hard as it was for everyone? After everything she did in the last year, she was stronger. Stronger than she'd ever even imagined she could be. And she'd grown up.

This was the person she was now, and she decided she would be proud of that, of the things she'd accomplished, and she wouldn't apologize for anything she'd done or why. She would only be sorry for the pain her decisions caused. She would never again apologize or feel guilty for the person she'd become, and she wouldn't stand around second-guessing decisions that had already been made.

It was a conclusion she reached just in time, as right after she spoke her promise of doing just that through all her bonds, a bright white light, and golden yellow light flashed in front of her, fifty paces in front of the doors to the Pradesh Estate, signalling the arrival of Fairy Tail members.

She didn't know what she expected when her family arrived, but being tackled by a heavily armored Erza Scarlet wasn't it.

Well, maybe, but not a hug-tackle. She'd imagined something more intentionally violent. She still remembered the words she had spoken to Titania after all.

More surprising, still, was the fact that, while she'd expected Gray, Erza, Jellal, and Wendy, she had not anticipated the rest of what made up her dog-pile on the front lawn.

Erza had gotten there first, and had knocked a sheepish-looking Lucy into the ground without a moment's hesitation, leaping at her. The steel of the requip mage's shoulder armor now dug painfully into the scar on her midsection as the scarlet-haired mage sobbed into her shirt. Not a second later, Wendy latched on doing much the same thing, her face buried into the side of Lucy's neck taking in her scent.

When Wendy made contact, she felt a frayed piece of her soul warm and mend, and felt happiness spread through her being. Her kin bond with the sky maiden hadn't been damaged beyond repair, after all.

She didn't even get the opportunity to embrace the two females before she was suddenly crushed under another person's body, and she was shocked beyond belief to find that it… wasn't Gray. Or Jellal.

No, the smooth, impeccable green hair tickling her face was most definitely Freed's. Lucy felt happy tears form in her eyes, "W-what are you doing here, Freed?"

He didn't answer, because as he gathered the breath to, Evergreen plopped down right on top of him, forcefully expelling the air from his lungs. And everyone else's (except Erza… Erza didn't notice).

"Holy shit, did the whole guild show up ...?" Lucy asked in a strained voice, not expecting an answer.

"Nah, just us. Freed has apparently been spying on Laxus, though, because he and Evergreen accosted us when your friends from White Sea came to pick us up," Gray answered, standing calmly off to the side next to Jellal.

"...Gray…"

He flashed her a smile, pretending not to notice the tear almost falling from his left eye, "Good to see ya, Lu."

In a show of strength she didn't know she had, she managed to push gently at the mages on top of her so she could slip from underneath them and heave a sigh of relief. They didn't seem to notice, but she promised she would come back to give them all proper (and individual) hugs.

First things first, though.

"Gray!" she shouted brightly, not even fighting the tears she'd been struggling with earlier. She launched herself at him, similarly to how she had with Erik nearly a year before. Just, more violently.

Gray couldn't bring himself to care when he felt bruises form almost instantly as the blonde woman he wasn't sure he'd ever see again tackled him to the ground, just as she had been moments before. She wasn't sobbing, but she did hold his shoulders tightly enough to be mistaken for Erza, "I missed you so much, Gray…"

He choked up and buried his face in her much longer hair, arms wrapped tightly around her newly toned torso, "I missed you, too."

Jellal looked down at them both, smiling. He cared for Lucy, and was immensely glad he'd been able to pressure Meredy into admitting the truth to him when Lucy had first reached out to Crime Sorciere. He was grateful that the pink-haired mage still relied on Jellal's underground contacts when searching for information. And that she was a terrible liar.

When the others started to notice that their pile of mages had a distinct lack of it's celestial base, the blue haired heavenly body mage reached down to tap Lucy's shoulder and give her a fair warning. She looked up, then back down at Gray. She ruffled his hair as she stood up and pulled him with her.

"Thanks, Jelly!" she gave him a blinding smile, and much to his surprise, jumped at him in a hug as well. At least he remained standing as she bruised him, before letting go and tackling Erza to the ground in an affectionate form of payback.

There was laughter from everyone as the requip mage went down.

Lucy, for the first time since she left these people over a year ago, was completely at ease. Fallen Star was lurking, Peregrande was likely less than happy with her, Natsu was still out there somewhere confused and hurt, and she still had more on her plate than she had ever had before, but... She finally, finally took a deep, unburdened breath and allowed herself this one moment of carefree happiness. Her brightest smile, one no one had seen since before Tartaros, lit her face as she reunited with her family.

"How did you all find out you were coming to meet me?" she asked incredulously, looking at Cris for answers from the middle of the most recent dogpile.

"Funny you should ask…"

*Flashback*

"Nice to meet you all. What information do you have on the dark guild in question?" Erza asked the three White Sea mages in front of her.

She stood next to Jellal, Wendy, and Gray, all of whom were listening intently. Master and Laxus had informed them that Team Natsu had been requested to take out a dark guild that had proven challenging. They'd not been given any information beyond that, and they were eager to hear details.

"We can explain in Bosco-" Cris was cut off by an irritated Freed Justine.

"You're here for Miss Lucy, aren't you?"

Van raised an eyebrow and Emzadi frowned, while Cristoff just sighed, "Freed. What are you doing here?"

"Better question is, Cristoff Randevere Pradesh, is what are you doing here? Do you know where Lucy is?"

Vander chimed in, "Evergreen, how lovely you look tonight. Still with that lucky bastard, Elfman."

She frowned at him, "That's none of your business. Are you going to answer our questions?"

"I don't know what you're talking about, Freed-" Cristoff was cut off by the fear for his life, as the tip of a sword found its way to his throat.

Emzadi growled, and Vander turned serious, but neither made a move as Erza Scarlet spoke, "I would suggest you start talking plainly. What information do you have on Lucy Heartfilia?"

Jellal put a calming hand on her shoulder, and physically reached across to lower her weapon for her, "I'm sure they will tell us what they know, Erza. Threats against our allies won't get us anywhere."

"R-right… Sorry."

Emzadi was the one who finally answered, "I'll tell you what, why don't you tell us what you know, and we will go from there."

"I find this acceptable…" Erza said after a long moment.

Gray was hesitant, but when Wendy looked up at him expectantly he spoke up, "Shit. Fine. Lucy left here last year because that guild that attacked was after her, and she didn't want them using Fairy Tail as leverage. But I swear, I don't know anything else, so don't even think you can use me to find her," he glared at the group from Bosco.

Erza spoke up next, looking at Gray with confused eyes. She hadn't known he was aware of the situation, "Jellal and I found out from Crime Sorciere that she'd last been spotted in Iceberg, and that she was trying to track down Fallen Star, the same guild that attacked us last year. From what I'd heard, she'd had little success."

Freed spoke up next, looking smug. He loved when he had the most up-to-date information, "I know that Lucy went to Peregrande to save Zen Pradesh from the Gladiator Pits at Sky's Reach, along with Cobra of Crime Sorciere, and that she's been under the protection of White Sea and Arman Pradesh for the last several days. What I don't know, is why we aren't on our way to see her yet."

All three mages from Bosco just looked at them. "Well, I guess Lucy doesn't have to worry about what to tell them, anymore," Van stated lazily, grabbing up Freed and Evergreen and flashing back to Bosco through the voids.

"Shit. Fine. Guess there's no reason to sit around here," Emzadi stated, walking up to Erza and Jellal. She clapped them on the shoulders and disappeared into a bright light.

Cristoff just rubbed his temples, "Well? You two coming or what?" he said to Gray and Wendy, who immediately approached him. He put a hand on each shoulder and they were off.

*End Flashback*

Once they'd all settled down, Gray and Erza split off with Lucy as they walked in the house.

"Fuck, Lucy," Gray teased, "What did you do, lift mountains for a year?" he asked her lightly, rubbing at the bruises on his upper arms.

The old Lucy would have looked sheepish, and softly apologized. New Lucy, the one she'd embraced fully once everyone finally got enough of squeezing each other tightly, just smiled wryly, "Not whole mountains, but maybe that should be my next challenge?"

Gray and Erza smiled at her, seeing a confidence in her they'd always known existed somewhere deep down, but they'd never really gotten to see (well, unless she was pissed off).

"You'll allow me to join you, I hope?"

Lucy slapped Erza's shoulder… harder than she needed to. What? She'd worked hard… If she wanted a little casual payback, she was going to get it.

"In all seriousness, Gildarts was a fucking terrifying instructor. But I am glad…" she trailed off, looking out over the Grass Sea. They were seated at a small side table, Jellal next to Erza and Gray and Lucy sitting in the two remaining chairs, on the back deck of the Pradesh family home.

"You're glad…?" Gray prompted when she didn't continue.

"I'm glad I was able to do what I always wanted to."

"What's that, Lucy?" Erza asked her curiously.

"Make you both proud. Hopefully, Natsu will be proud too, when I track him down."

"Lucy."

At the sound of Erza's voice, Gray decided it was time to get out of there. Lucy sighed, standing up and beckoning the requip mage to join her as she went to the beach.

When they got there, after several minutes of uncomfortable silence, Lucy spoke.

"You want to talk about it?"

Erza nodded, "I… am sorry, Lucy."

Lucy just looked at her incredulously. Was she missing something…? "Huh?"

The requip mage apologized again, "I am sorry. Will you forgive me?"

"What? What in the world are you talking about? Shouldn't I be the one apologizing?"

With a head shake, "No. You were doing what you thought was right, to protect us."

The celestial mage approached her long-time friend and role model, "...Erza. Why are you apologizing?" she asked, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder.

Erza looked up from her downcast expression, and blinked, "For believing you, of course," she said, as if apologizing for being lied to was any sort of normal, "I would insist you hit me for my lack of loyalty and faith in you, but…" he expression turned proud and she shot Lucy a grin, "I fear that it may actually hurt if you did so."

Shaking her head, Lucy gave her a grin back, "Erza, you can't apologize for believing lies I told you myself. That's just… ridiculous. We're okay, then?"

Sighing, Erza agreed reluctantly, "If you feel that way…"

"I do," Lucy giggled, then, "And do you mean to tell me that you always used to ask us for punishment for your actions because it didn't hurt?"

Erza got a gleam in her eye, and smiled triumphantly, "Of course not, Lucy. I asked you all to hit me because I knew you never would."

Both women chuckled as they made their way back into the estate.

The rest of the day Lucy spent catching up with her friends and family, allowing herself to forget about everything that was still ahead.

Once she and Erza had returned, she was whisked away by a very disappointed Freed. Who proceeded to lecture her. Though, it had nothing to do with her running off. He was more concerned with the fact that she'd found an entirely new way to contract with her spirits, and she'd never even called him to let him know, when she knew how fascinated he was with her magic.

She fought against rolling her eyes the whole time. If this was how he was processing everything, she would let him. Besides, she had missed him immensely.

When he'd finally finished ranting, she called for Virgo through the bond, who appeared with a worn journal in her hands before disappearing once more.

Freed stared at the leatherbound notebook in her hands, his own hands twitching, as if he was fighting snatching it from her grip. She smiled, and held the book in front of her so he could take it.

"What is this…? Miss Lucy?"

"I didn't forget about you, Freed. I've been cataloguing everything I can about my magic as I've learned more about it. This, it isn't everything, but it's everything I can share without putting the celestial realm at risk."

Freed's eyes lit up, and he nearly ran from the room before she stopped him, "Oh, and Freed?"

He looked back at her, though she could tell he was impatient about reading the book she'd given him.

"I've spoken to the King. The Starbringer, it's a title that has always existed but has very rarely been filled. I need to do extensive research to figure out all the things I am expected to do as a result, and the King agreed. If you help me compile that so I can perform my duties, he will allow me to discuss the full extent of my magic with you. You can't share it, or even write it all down, but you can learn everything."

The rune mage looked on the edge of passing out, but he turned back to Lucy and crushed her in a shockingly strong hug, "Oh, that is wonderful. I'll get to researching right away! Starting with this!" he held up her journal.

She nodded, shooing him away, but not before making him promise to eat and drink while he was researching.

The door to the den had barely closed behind him, before it was pushed open again, this time by Evergreen.

"You know very well he will eat only what someone shoves in his face," she told her, looking amused.

Lucy stretched, then turned to the side to lay out on the couch, "I know. I will ask Mr. Elan to make sure he doesn't die of malnutrition."

"Good call," the fairy mage conceded, making her way to the couch.

She raised a delicate eyebrow at Lucy, who lifted her feet to allow her on the couch, and lowered them once she was settled. Evergreen put a hand on her shin, seemingly deep in thought, but didn't speak.

"What's on your mind, Ever?"

Pulled from her thoughts, Evergreen's eyes flicked to Lucy's, "I missed you."

Lucy's features softened, "I missed you too. I am surprised you're not mad, though…"

"Oh," the fairy mage's features darkened, "I'm mad. I just can't blame you for lying to protect us. Maybe some of the others can, but I know Laxus. That man's unstoppable, especially when it comes to you. If the guild that attacked us managed to do that to you," She gestured toward the guildmark-covered scar on Lucy's exposed abdomen, then to her face, "and got away from Laxus after? I could see why you were scared of them enough to leave."

Lucy nodded slowly, "I wasn't scared for me, Ever. I was scared for you. All of you. You know that, right?"

The brunette rolled her eyes, "Of course I do. I know you, too. That's why I'm dealing with it, even if I'm mad."

"...I… appreciate that."

"You'd better," she scoffed, pinching Lucy's skin.

They lounged in their spots, just getting comfortable with each other again, for another hour. Lucy would be lying if she said it wasn't nice. She felt… at peace. It was unfamiliar, but not unwelcome, feeling for the celestial mage.

'That is because you finally stopped second-guessing yourself, Princess.'

'You may be right, Loke.'

'No… it is because you have achieved balance. Don't let the lion confuse you, Princess."

'I have… achieved balance in what, LIbra?'

The spirit of heavenly scales did not answer, and Lucy chuckled.

Evergreen inched away from her dramatically, "If you're going to start listening to the voices in your head, Lu, I'm out…"

Lucy laughed harder, "Just my spirits, Ever," she managed to get out between guffaws. Ever smiled. She hadn't seen Lucy so bright in years, and the sight made her happy, despite her inner frustrations.

Adopting her most haughty sneer, she stood up and looked down at the girl, "Right. I'm sure that's it."

She barely got it out before she was giggling as well.

"Come on, let's go get some food, you mental case." Ever suggested, hauling a giggling Lucy to her feet.

In the kitchen, Mr. Elan happily agreed to ensure Freed ate. Apparently this wasn't the Thunder Legion's first visit to the Pradesh household, so he was used to it.

Lucy had been very intrigued when she first found out that Bixslow was the son of Arman Pradesh, a man she'd always admired. She had wanted to scold him for not telling her sooner, but… she hadn't exactly been in a position to complain.

"Ah, okay. Thank you!" Lucy told the chef, leaving Ever in the kitchen to figure out the next person she was going to catch up with.

That next person found her about ten minutes later.

"Your friends are a lively bunch," Zen spoke up from behind her. Lucy had made her way to the beach once more, and was again playing with Aquarius's magic. She'd found the action soothing, and doing it with the waters of the sea, she had found, always left her feeling refreshed. She'd been doing it more often than ever.

"Zen," she said with a smile, "How are you feeling?"

He sat down, just out of reach of the waves, and draped his arms over his spread knees, "Things are… different. But it's been amazing. These people, my family, they are… more than I'd ever hoped they'd be…" he trailed off, lost in thought.

She splashed him lightly, smiling, "Hey, come back here," she said, referring to his wandering thoughts.

He seemed to understand, and gave her a smile of his own, "Sorry. It's just, sometimes it feels too good. Like this is some dream I'm having in my cell back in Peregrande."

Lucy laughed, "No offense, but you aren't creative enough to dream up someone like Vander. I think you're safe," she pointed out.

Zen chuckled, "I guess you're right."

Lucy allowed the water she was manipulating to fall gently back to the sea, and moved to sit next to him, "Besides," she continued, "What kind of dream would it be if you didn't get to behead the King yourself?"

Despite himself, he smirked at her, "Oh, I don't know. Watching a beautiful, avenging, golden Goddess take on an entire nation with ease, and then lop off the head of your biggest tormentor while he trembled with fear? That's not so bad."

Lucy blushed and he bumped his shoulder against hers, "Thank you for all that, by the way."

Lucy just nodded, and Zen stood up at her side, "Your friends have come to steal you away again," he gestured toward the blue-haired heavenly body mage making his way down the beach, "Guess that's my cue. Kaleb wanted to talk to me anyway."

"Oh, right. I'll, uh, I'll see you at dinner?"

He nodded, then summoned his wings and flew off, heading in the direction to the clearing East of the house that the siblings apparently use for training when they were home.

Lucy waived at Jellal, but didn't move, figuring the beach was as good a place as any to have their conversation. She wasn't sure how it would go, because he was usually a very forgiving person, but… Erza was the one who'd gotten hurt in all of it. People didn't hurt Erza without Jellal being… very upset.

"Lucy, can I speak with you a moment?"

The celestial mage rolled her eyes, "Sure, if you stop acting like a stick in the mud…" she muttered.

He chuckled and plopped himself down in the sand, where Zen had been moments before.

"I just wanted to say… there's nothing we really need to discuss."

She looked at him with a raised eyebrow, "What?"

He sighed, "I know you expected me to come find you, confront you about everything that happened or something, so here I am. But really, I just wanted to tell you that there's nothing you need to explain to me. I understand, and I'm not mad, and we are still friends. Agreed?"

"..."

Jellal looked at her in question, "...agreed?"

"...Yeah, I suppose," she narrowed her eyes at him, "that was surprisingly easy. From you and Erza both… Fuck. Did Meredy tell you?"

He laughed, "If it makes you feel better, she tried not to. She really did. She held out for like... three minutes at least."

Lucy considered this, "Three minutes… Stars, why did I ever tell her?"

Jellal shrugged, "You needed her help. It is okay to ask for help, you know."

"Yeah, yeah."

"You have a line forming."

Lucy turned to look and saw that… he wasn't wrong. Wendy was fidgeting, standing a few yards away, waiting her turn to speak with Lucy. Gray was standing a few feet behind her, leaning on a boulder, and behind him was Vander. For probably no reason other than to make it look like an actual line.

The celestial mage rubbed her temples, "Sorry, Mr. Fernandez. Looks like our time is up, I've got another appointment."

He laughed and stood, ruffling her hair, "It's really good to see you, Lucy."

Her sarcastic smile turning genuine, she nodded, "Right back at ya, Blueberry."

"I don't know why I ever thought it was a good thing that Cobra was with you…" he muttered, walking back to the house as Wendy walked up to Lucy. Gray moved to stand where Wendy had been. Vander moved to take Gray's exact position against the boulder. Lucy would have screamed at Van to go away, but before she did, Aries materialized in the same spot Vander had been standing, mumbling a shy apology.

Dragging her hand over her face, Lucy had to wonder why she'd ever thought Aries friendship with Ophiuchus was a good thing. Through her bond, she heard Ophiuchus laughing triumphantly.

"Wendy," she greeted her youngest kin, "I suppose you want to talk…?"

The sky dragon slayer didn't respond, only walked closer and hovered her hands over Lucy's seated frame and activated her magic.

"You seem to be doing okay…"

"Yes, Wendy, I'm fine. Are you alright?"

The blue-haired girl sat right in front of her and gave her a small smile, "I am now. The strained bond was pretty annoying, but it's all fixed up now!"

Lucy placed a hand on her head, "I am sorry you were hurting Wendy. I felt it too."

Wendy waived her off, "If I learned anything from you, Lucy, it's that people deserve forgiveness. Especially people who were just trying to do the right thing. I only came to talk to you because I missed you, and I wanted to check on you."

"I'm really proud of you, you know that, right?" Lucy said, looking at her kin with a bright smile.

"I've always known that, Lu."

Wendy stood, "I think Gray's going to be grumpy if he doesn't get to talk to you soon," she squeezed Lucy into a hug, "And your line is getting longer," she finished with a wink as she skipped away.

And sure enough, she was right. Van must have void-hopped all over the house, because he had somehow convinced Cris, Emzadi, and Xally (she knew that water mage had a devious streak) to come stand in a line with him. If that weren't enough, Libra, Virgo, Loke, and… Ophiuchus had all joined as well. Yes, Ophiuchus, as in… giant purple snake.

Lucy was starting to regret getting strong enough that now all her zodiacs could summon themselves…

"Hey Lucy, can I talk to you for a bit?"

Lucy turned her attention back to Gray, who had made his way over to her, "Gray!" she gave him a smile, "Of course. Let's just… do it somewhere else…"

He looked to where she tilted her head and rolled his eyes, "Yeah, let's do that."

They began walking away, only for the 'line' to follow step for step. They made it about fifty yards down the beach before Lucy gave up.

"Well, looks like we aren't getting rid of them. What's up?"

"Just wanted to catch up, really. I, uh… I'm glad you're alive. You had me really terrified, you know?"

Lucy looked at him sadly, "I know. Sorry about that. But enough about me, how are you? Bix told me you went off training? Did you ever confess to Juvia?"

Looking the other way, Gray responded, "I took Juvia with me… and yeah… I told her…"

"...What? You told her? What happened? Where is she? How long have you been together? How-"

Gray clamped a hand over her mouth, "Lucy, chill out. If I take my hand away are you going to be calm?" He asked her, giving her a stern look.

She nodded quickly, saying something past his hand that was muffled, but sounded like "Yes, sir!"

He pulled his hand away warily, and Lucy gave him a raised eyebrow. "So…?"

"We aren't together-"

"What?!-"

"Lucy, calm down," he gave her an exasperated look, and she bit her lip to keep herself from speaking, "We dated for a while, but we both realized that it was weird. Juvia still loves me, but when we actually started getting closer, we both realized that it just wasn't… right. You know?"

"Oh…" her face fell a little, "You're okay?"

"Yeah, Lu. I'm good," he said, ruffling her hair. She grumbled a little and pulled him down in a headlock so she could ruffle his hair, too. Just… a little less gently, "Everyone keeps ruffling my hair like that and Cancer is gonna kill me," she complained, ignoring Gray's attempts to get free.

Finally, she released him, and he glowered at her while trying to fix his mussed hair. Lucy laughed, "It's good to have you with me, Gray."

"Yeah," he said, giving up on his hair, but giving her a cool smile, "I did manage to master my dad's magic, though. Now I can kick some dark guild ass with you, no problem."

Lucy gave him a sad smile, "It was never about you not being strong enough, Gray. You know that, right?"

He didn't answer.

"You know that, right…?" she repeated slowly.

He shook his head, "If I'd been stronger we could have gone after them together. Or you would have asked me to go with you to train. You don't have to spare my feelings, Lucy, it's fine."

She punched him in the arm, but then pulled him in for a hug, "No, dumbass. It wasn't about you not being strong enough, it was about me not being strong enough."

She held him tighter, "I'm glad you got stronger, really, I am. You needed to find a way to control your dad's magic, we both know that, but you not coming with me had nothing to do with you."

He hugged her back and sighed, "...alright…"

Pulling away from him, she grinned, "Now, are you ready to kick some ass? Because starting tomorrow, we are tracking those bastards down. We'll teach them what happens when you mess with Fairies."

"I'm with you, Lucy," He grinned.

Various shouts and cheers were heard from the 'line of jokesters' after that, and she glared at them. Only to find that every one of her zodiacs had joined them. Even Capricorn.

"My life is crazy as hell."

"Got that right, Tink!" Erik yelled at her from his spot next to Vander.

The shadowquip climbed to the top of the rock, "Alright everybody, joke's over. You're dismissed!" he laughed, but the wicked gleam in his eye told Lucy he wasn't quite done.

Gray left as her spirits disappeared, and joined the various Pradesh family members as they laughed and joked while making their way inside. Lucy and Vander didn't move though.

"What are you planning…" Lucy asked him, regarding him suspiciously.

"Oh, nothing major, Mia Stella. I did have a present for you, though. Stay right here while I get it for you…?"

"I'm not so sure about that…"

"Oh, relax," he said, disappearing into shadow and reappearing behind her, rubbing her shoulders. She hated to admit it, but he was very good at that… She only melted into him a little.

"I'd never do anything that would ruin my chances at taking you, little star. Never," he whispered the last word in her ear, and though she'd never admit it, she got goosebumps.

"Right!" he exclaimed excitedly, "So, you stay here, and I'll be right back with your present. Promise me?"

Cautiously, she nodded, "Alright… fine. I promise. But you better not be fucking with me."

He scoffed, turning her around so she could see his affronted expression as he held a hand over his heart, "Me? Why I'd never…"

He disappeared into the voids without a second's hesitation.

Lucy paced back and forth on the beach for what felt like forever, waiting for him to return. She'd cursed his name for the first ten minutes, but then spent the next fifteen just playing with the water as she watched the sun set over it. She was about to send a spirit to the house and have someone track Vander down when suddenly, he returned, appearing not ten feet to her left.

And he wasn't alone.

And apparently, this 'present' was a person. A flaming person, who's shocking pink hair was longer than it should have been, and his face more serious than it should have been, and putting off a heat more intense than she had ever known it to be.

A blue cat escaped from Van's grip, and before he received any sort of retaliation, Van winked at Lucy's stunned form and disappeared.

The fire burned hotter, and Lucy did the only thing she could think of in that moment. She doused him in water from the Grass Sea.

Slowly, he turned to face her, still steaming (literally), and his angry glare turned into a pained look of confusion, "...Luce?"

"...Natsu…?"

"LUSHIE!"