So yeah I know I'm a terrible person for updating so late, but...well I have no excuse...O well. Enjoy and review please! I know about as much as you do on where this story is going do feel free to insert your ideas. I'm open to all comments.

All attention was drawn to the small hallway by the staircase. Two figures stepped out of the shadows.

"Jellal!" the two former fighters shouted.

Juvia ran towards Meredy and was met with a fierce embrace. Miliana and Kagura froze. Eras put her hand on Milliana's shoulder. The younger girl handed Carla to Wendy. Erza made eye contact with Kagura across the room. She nodded and waited for Erza and Milliana's to reach the bar before walking to Jellal and Meredy. Jellal had just release Lucy from a hug. She piled the fight-ready Natsu along with her as Lucy gave them space. Erza took Kagura and Milliana's hands in her own and took a deep breath before speaking.

"This is Kagura," she moved their intertwined hands, "She was Simon's sister."

"Forgive me," Jellal pleaded as he dropped to his knees in front of them.

Kagura's hands and chin trembled.

"Erza told me it was her own weakness that killed Simon, but Milliana's told me you delivered the fatal blow."

"The blast was intended for me, Simon leapt in front of me." Erza explained softly.

Milliana looked between Jellal andErza horrified.

"I just the truth; the whole truth," Kagura voice trembled as she spoke.

"It all started with our failed escape attempt," Jellal began. "Erza took the fall and was tortured for it. I went in to save her, but was caught."

"I started a rebellion to save him and everyone else. If only I'd been stronger..." Erza muttered half to herself.

"No. It was my choice. When the guards ran to silence the rebels, a dark spirit overtook me and I broke free. Erza came rushing to my aid moments later only to turned into the one that needed saving. The demon used me to attack her. I wanted to stop, but I no longer had control of myself. That is why I did all those terrible things. Years later, I forced Erza to return and we fought. I tricked the council into helping me and nearly destroyed the world. I brought Erza to her knees, but Natsu still stood in my way. I readied a fatal blast I knew he couldn't stop in his weakened state. Erza moved between us."

"I thought he might stop if he knew it was me he was killing, but-" Erza's voice broke and her hair shadowed her eyes.

"I fought the darkness, but it held fast. I couldn't stop..." Jellal voice shook. "shot right at them, and Simon jumped right in front of them at the moment..."

"If only I'd been stronger...,"Erza started.

"I know you hate me...And you have ever right to...but please, don't hate Erza for my actions. She has forgiven me, and I pray you two, Sho, and Wally might one day as well."

"No amount of apologies can bring back my brother..."Kagura started.

"Or give us back those years..."Milliana said.

"But I will try to forgive you because Erza has and Simon OAU dnt want me t bear a grudge that would only bring me down." Kagura finished.

Jellal's head shot up and his shocked eyes met Kagura's.

"I'm with Er-chan and Kagura-chan," Milliana agreed.

Jellal looked at Milliana and stood with a smile. Je wrapped all three girls in a hug with Erza in the middle. The girls were startled at first then wrapped their arms around each other in a group hug.

"I'm so happy..." Jellal said.

The guild cheered.

"Now lets party!"

"Fight me, Jellal!"

"Shut up, baka!"

"You wanna go, stripper?!"

"Bring it on, ash breath!"

"Drinking contest, ice princess!"

"You're on, flame brain!"

The four former enemies separated. Erza found her eyes watering nd threatening to spill.

"Er-chan...," Milliana started concerned.

"Erza, what did I tell you about that?" Jellal scolded tenderly and placed a hand on her cheek.

Erza blushed as he wiped a stray tear with his thumb.

"About time, you tsundere!" Meredy shouted as she grabbed his free arm.

"Erza, you still want your strawberry cake or Jellal all you'll be eating tonight?" Mira teased from her place at the bar.

Everyone but the aforementioned couple laughed as Jellal quickly retracted his hand and Erza turned the color of her hair. Meredy ran off to join Juvia and Gray as Cana reclaimed her "drinking partner". After Milliana ran to where the exceeds now sat with Romeo and Wendy, Erza noticed Jellal had disappeared.

"Your cake m'lady," Jellal said from behind her.

She whirled around it find him in a low bow holding the cake out to her. She laughed and blushed a little. He straightened and she planted a kiss on his cheek. Erza darted away with her cake in hand. Jellal touched his cheek and stared at her dumbfounded. When he regained his senses, he smiled and followed her to the empty booth she'd chosen. Meredy smiled a bittersweet smile and said, "I wish Ultear were hear to see this..."

"I do, too," Gray agreed placing his hand on hers.

Juvia squeezed his hand under the table and smiled at him which he returned with a thankful one.

"Kawaii!" Meredy proclaimed.

Lucy watched a little ways off from where she sat across from Natsu. 'If only...' she thought. 'Nope. Nope. Nope. Stop this, Lucy. He doesn't like you like that.'

"Wass wiff da fass?" Natsu asked with his mouth full.

He startled Lucy away from her thoughts.

"Chew and swallow," she chuckled.

He obeyed.

"You looked happy when you were staring at ice freak, Juvia, and Meredy; then, looked wistful. Then your face scrunched up like you ate something bad. Then you looked sad," Natsu explained. "Why?"

"It's nothing. Don't worry about it. I was just thinking." Lucy said giving him a smile.

He looked at her critically. Her explanation had only furthered his suspicions.

"Don't tell me you have a crush on Gray?" Natsu questioned with disbelief and hints of anger in his voice.

Lucy looked at him stunned, then laughed so hard she cried. Natsu pouted.

"It wasn't that weird..." he muttered dejectedly.

"No, no. It's just like we're siblings. It'd be weird," Lucy said catching her breath, "Where would you get an idea like that?"

Natsu just looked away and continued eating.

"Don't mind him, Lucy. He's just jealous," Happy said as if he were only confirming the weather.

Lucy blushed and looked at Natsu questioningly. He stood up quickly and grabbed Happy by the tail. He muttered something bout getting some beer and disappeared. Lucy him go, then looked don at her hands in her lap. Her thoughts ran in circles as she played 'He loves me/He loves me not' with her keys as the petals.

Meanwhile, Natsu argued with Happy in the back hallway.

"How could you?!" Natsu whisper shouted.

"How could you not?" Happy responded.

"She's just gonna laugh at me like she did with Gray..." Natsu said putting his face in his hands.

"Lucy isn't like that, Natsu. She-"

"You're right. She would try to let me down easy."

Gajeel, Levy, Jet, and Droy were sitting at a table nearby. Because of his dragon-like hearing, Gajeel heard it all as they continued to go back and forth. Jet and Droy were fighting, but about what he had long forgotten. As they got louder, Levy shifted closer to him. He looked down at the small woman and gave a small smile.

"Why don't you let your fists decide whatever it is you're fighting about?" Gajeel suggested.

"You're right!" Jet shouted.

The two got up and soon started a traditional Fairy Tail brawl. Gajeel chuckled at his own genius. He slipped an arm around the bluenette and set his chin on her shoulder.

"Whatcha readin', Shrimp?" Gajeel asked softly.

He heard her breath hitch and he smiled.

After getting 'He loves me' for the sixth time, Lucy put her keys away with a sigh.

"Guess I'll get that beer myself," she muttered standing.

She deftly dodged displaced furniture and stray magic alike with practiced ease as she made her way to the bar.

"One beer, please, Mira," Lucy asked when she got there.

Both Kagura and Cana were flat drunk. Lucy had to hand it to Kagura: she could really hold her liquor. Lucy thanked Mira for the drink,then turned back to the guildhall. Elfman sat with Rajinshu, Meredy with Gray and Juvia, Milliana with Romeo, Wendy, and the Exceeds, Jellal and Erza eating cake together, Gajeel with Levy. Lucy took a sip of her beer and frowned when she couldn't find Natsu. She nearly dropped her drink when Happy flew full speed into her chest. She brought her free hand up to pet the Exceed's fur as he proclaimed Natsu was a "meanie". Lucy smiled down at the cat and offered to buy him a fish as sheesh down her drink. Natsu watched from the shadows of the stairs. He blushed as he tried to chase away the desire to be the one mashed against Lucy's boobs. He took a deep breath as he started walking towards them. Lucy laughed as Happy flew over Carla with a fish in hand. Strong familiar hands wrapped around her waist and pulled her against a toned chest. She blushed and looked up to fond Natsu grinning down up at her. She couldn't help but smile back. Lucy arms on his and leaned into him. This caught the dragon slayer off guard. 'Now or never' he thought. Natsu kissed her neck tenderly. Lucy's breath caught and she leaned into his shoulder. The world seemed to slow to a stop. He kissed the underside of her jaw. She reached behind her and ran her fingers through his hair.

"Got more cake," Jellal said proudly as he sat across from Erza again.

"Hey Jellal? Can I ask you something?" Erza asked cautiously.

"Fire away," Jellal answered, taking a swig of his beer mug.

"Why did you lie to me about having a fiancé?"

He choked and looked at her stunned.

"How did you-Who told you?!"

"Did you honestly think I was stupid enough to believe that? I mean...if you didn't want to kiss me and really don't like me-"

Jellal silenced her with a kiss. She could only stare at him as he pulled away.

"Don't think I don't love you. I was only trying to protect you! You deserve better than me! And imagine what it would do to Fairy Tail if our relationship ever came out. The Council would never stop hunting you and the guild's reputation would be irreparable!" Jellal nearly shouted.

"Do you think I can't take care of myself?" Erza's eyes hardened.

"I do, but-"

"Do you think my guild mates would ever tell a soul?"

"I don't-"

"Do you doubt Fairy Tail?"

"Never."

"Then what are you concerned about? I would only act with the utmost stealth if I were to meet with you," Erza's voice took on a lighter tone. "And you could always play Mystogan for a while."

Jellal could only smile and shake his head in defeat.

"You win," he said.

"Of course I do," Erza responded with a wink.

Lucy turned in Natsu arms to face him. She put one hand on his neck on the other on his chest. Natsu leaned in to kiss her. Then the woman in his arms vanished. He swiveled around trying to find her.

"Luce?! Where are you?! Lucy!"