It's Monday!

Much love to all of my reviewers last week. There were two anons who brought up some awesome points that I thought would be fun to discuss. For those who don't care for trivia and behind-the-scenes stuff, feel free to skip. :)

One of my uncredited references for this story is actually the old A&E Horatio Hornblower miniseries, which I bought on Amazon on a whim and then fell in love with. It's a series of eight live-action films about the coming of age of a British naval officer during the Napoleonic Wars. The protagonist goes from being this awkward, nervous kid to a captain commanding his own ship. We get to see a lot of (romanticized) Navy life during that time period. Aside from being where I learned all of my limited nautical jargon, it definitely influenced the creative direction of this story.

What really stuck out to me was the emphasis that was placed on duty, respecting the chain of command (and when it's acceptable not to), the responsibility of leadership and the bonds of trust between crewmates (both equals and subordinates). It's one of the reasons I chose to portray the interactions between our Navy characters the way I did. Some readers have noticed that this is different than what the character would have done in canon, or what they themselves (the reader) would have done. There are a ton of examples (Natsu complaining to Cana about the Graylu engagement instead of taking the fight to Gray, Gray giving Knightwalker as much leeway as he does, etc.) If anyone's curious, I'd be happy to elaborate on any of them, but this A/N is too long as it is, lol!

As far as what comes next... there's a ton of stuff that still needs to be resolved. I started with the wedding, partly because that was the easiest. It was also partly because I needed to promote Lucy from being plot-device-baggage to being an actual character who does something. Plus, that was the whole point of her narrative. (Seriously, what has she done in this story? She's been the victim of political machinations, cowered in front of her father, pondered the meaning of life with Gray, sought comfort from Natsu and felt generally powerless.) While that's probably not too inaccurate for the time period, I wasn't about to let her get rescued again.

And Juvia... we'll see her again next week. I needed to get us in Gray's head first. Keep in mind that no one knows that Gray's engagement was all an act. As far as the rest of the world is concerned, Captain Fullbuster's heiress bride just dumped him for one of his Gunnery Master (scandal of all scandals!) He can't very well go chasing after Juvia without settling things here first. Besides... isn't anyone curious why he'd take his little ruse so far as to say 'I do'? ;) But yes, we will catch up with our girl and get her take on the matter at hand.

- K. Chandler


Gray caught himself on the edge of the hull, knees giving out as a sigh of relief escaped his lungs. For a second there, he had thought Knightwalker and her lieutenant wouldn't come through.

"All right, there, Captain?" asked Cana quietly as she came to stand next to him.

"Never better," he said, still slightly breathless. "Although a little too close for comfort," he admitted.

Of all the scrapes he had gotten himself into, this had to be one of the closest. If Lucy hadn't spoken up when she did, Gray didn't know what he would have done. He owed her his gratitude and probably an apology too.

Cana arched a skeptical eyebrow at him.

"Quit worrying, Cana," said Gray. "Everything worked out like it should have."

Cana frowned at him, her brow furrowed. "You're really okay with this? I mean, your bride just ran off with your Gunnery Master," said Cana, she jerked her head at Natsu, who was comforting Lucy in his arms.

"Give me some credit!" grinned Gray. Then he shook his head. "Do you really think I'd be so shallow as to hook up my buddy's girl? Natsu's been making eyes at Lucy since we ran into her. This was all part of my plan."

"You and your plans," grumbled Cana. "You knew this was going to happen?"

"I suspected," said Gray somberly, pressing his mouth together. "I was wary of Heartfilia from the start, but I couldn't say anything. I need to buy enough time for us to get the evidence needed to put him away for good."

"You mean for us to get the evidence needed," corrected Captain Knightwalker, a superior smirk pulling at her lips. She had joined them, Jellal trailing behind her.

Gray nodded slightly. "Nobody else could have pulled it off but you," he conceded.

"But how did you know Lucy was planning on leaving you at the altar?" asked Cana.

"I didn't," he admitted. "That was just dumb luck. I was actually waiting for a different interruption. Somebody was supposed to say something," said Gray, narrowing his eyes. "Cutting it awfully close there, Jellal."

The first officer of the Heaven's Wheel shrugged. "I was waiting for the minister to say 'speak now or forever hold your peace'. Much more dramatic that way."

"Dramatic?" barked Gray. "I was one kiss away from being married!"

Jellal crossed his arms. "If you didn't want to go there, you shouldn't have said 'I do'," he said, entirely unsympathetic.

"I was counting on you to come through. But you didn't give me the sign! I swear, it's like you do these things on purpose!"

"You make it sound like I enjoy watching you sweat," said Jellal innocently.

"What are you whining about, Fullbuster? Worked out, didn't it?" Knightwalker said with a self-satisfied smile.

"I guess," said Gray with a scowl.

"Never mind that," said Cana impatiently. "Isn't there something you need to be doing right now?" she asked.

Gray frowned. "No?"

"Have another look," said Cana, steering him to face Natsu and Lucy. "Why don't you go clear the air? Maybe keep things from getting too awkward?"

Gray swallowed hard. "Yeah. I should, shouldn't I?"

Taking a deep breath, Gray strode deliberately towards his Gunnery Master and his former fiancée. He clasped his hands behind his back to keep from fidgeting.

Lucy noticed him first. Her posture stiffened, her hands seeking purchase on Natsu's sleeve. She swallowed hard. "Gray, I…" she started, cutting herself off with a shake of her head.

Natsu narrowed his eyes as Gray approached, angling himself between Gray and Lucy. "Need something?" Natsu asked cautiously.

It was amazing how quickly Natsu had taken Lucy under his protection. Were the circumstances different, Gray would have laughed at how smitten Natsu had become. But, as it were, he wasn't here to antagonize his friend.

Gray he raised his hands in a gesture of peace. "I just wanted to say that I'm sorry," he said, addressing Lucy. "You shouldn't have had to see that, but I couldn't find any way around it."

Lucy bit her lip, her eyes lowered. When she finally spoke, her voice was soft. "I understand why you did it," she said finally. "But, Gray? Or is it just Captain now?"

Gray grimaced. "Well, it is Captain, seeing as we are on my ship," said Gray. "But I'd like it if you'd still call me Gray. If we're still friends, that is."

Lucy looked startled, her eyes wide. "You're not upset with me?"

Gray's eyebrows shot skyward. "Why would I be upset with you? I'm the one who—" Gray broke off, shaking his head.

"Because I—" Lucy had started to say, at the same time.

"I don't think either of us really had our heart set on this," interrupted Gray. "Truce?" he asked, extending his hand for her to shake.

"Sure. Truce."

Satisfied, Gray nodded, a grin pulling at his mouth.

"Take care of her, Natsu," he said. Then he turned to Lucy. "If this one gives you any trouble," he said, pointing at Natsu, "you know where to find me. I'll have him on deck-swabbing duty for a month," he promised.

"Oh, come on, Gray," said Natsu.

"That would be: Come on, Captain," retorted Gray.

"Get over yourself, man!"

"You mean: Get over yourself, sir. Don't forget, we're at sea. On my ship, might I add."

"And just where did you get this ship?" demanded Natsu. "If it wasn't for me and Cana—"

"Are you two good now?" interrupted Cana. "Sounds like you're back to normal."

"This is normal?" asked Knightwalker dryly. "The lack of discipline on your ship never fails to amaze me, Fullbuster," she commented.

"Why don't you let me run my ship the way I see fit," said Gray. "Or do you want me to question how you run yours?"

"And what would you possibly have to question?" snorted Knightwalker.

"Should I give you grief about your 'relationship' with your lieutenant, Captain Knightwalker?" he asked pointedly. "I'm not quite sure that's… appropriate. I'd hate to see you two assigned to different ships. You just seem so attached to one another." He looked from Knightwalker to Jellal, grinning when he knew he had the upper hand.

Knightwalker clamped her mouth shut, flushed to the tips of her ears.

"Thought so," said Gray. He knew he was playing dirty by bringing that up, but it wasn't like they were hiding it. Besides, after the grief they'd just put him through, he deserved a little payback.

"I suppose you deserve praise," said Lyon, ignoring the tail-end of the conversation as he joined them. "Much as it pains me to admit it. Well done, all of you. That was quite the risk you took, Gray."

"Well, I didn't do it for you," said Gray. "Not really…" he amended. "I would safeguard this kingdom and the people I care about just as quickly as I would defend my own ship and my crew. I don't care how far I have to go," he said grimly. "I never did thank you for the ship, though," he said. "The Fairy Tail II… She's a beauty."

"Well, I didn't do it for you either," interjected Lyon, rolling his eyes. "I was just sick of running into you in the castle on your way to visit your silent little strumpet. Figured I'd get rid of you by sending you back to sea."

Gray scowled at Lyon's nickname for Juvia. "She's not a strumpet," said Gray. "Has anyone seen her, by the way?"

There was someone else who deserved an apology. Gray felt particularly guilty for having neglected her for so long, necessary or not.

"Who?" asked Cana, absently.

"Juvia."

"Oh." Cana's eyes were wide and surprised. "Yeah, you should probably go talk to her," said Cana.

"Is that your girlfriend?" asked Lucy.

"Well, I don't know about that," said Gray hastily.

"Essentially," supplied Lyon as Gray sputtered. "Oh, come off it, Gray. Your closeness to Miss Juvia hasn't escaped my notice."

"And you still let me go through with the wedding?" said Gray, shaking his head in disbelief.

"You asked me to trust you. Said you had it handled," reminded Lyon. "What else was I supposed to do?"

"Did Juvia even come to the wedding?" asked Natsu. "I wasn't really paying attention."

"Oh, she's around here somewhere," said Lyon. "I saw her when I was speaking with Miss McGarden earlier. She came tearing by and took the Royal Scholar with her. Now that I think about it, she seemed to be in a hurry."

Gray frowned, a sense of foreboding prickling at his scalp. He grimaced.

"What's wrong with you, man?" asked Natsu.

"I don't like this." Gray shook his head, unable to dismiss the uneasiness that lingered like a dark cloud over the horizon.

"You know the ship's only so big, right? She can't have gotten too far," Natsu pointed out.

"I'm going to look for her," Gray said. He wasn't sure why, but his gut churned like the sea before a storm.


So... Gray finally goes after Juvia. Keep in mind the stunt he just pulled. Also keep in mind that she's counting hours at this point. That's going to dictate her priorities at this point.

Next time, in Silence: The Phantom Lord let out an unpleasant chuckle. "You don't look pleased to see me," he smirked. We didn't forget about our old friend Jose, did we? ;) Wedding or not, time's up.

Stop back next Monday for the next installment, or just follow me, Karine of R011ingThunder.