When we get to the guild hall we're met with a myriad of reactions. In the corner Ruby, Lydia and Ceila are entertaining the younger kids of the guild, the Conbolt kids, Ruben and Navi, Bickslow and Lisanna's son, Jax, Mirajane and Laxus's youngest, Beckett, and Simon and Emma, Erza and Jellal's two children. The group greet us all with smiles, the children looking vaguely interested in the newcomers, bright eyes looking on in curiosity.

Older guild members that have been here my whole life become pale, like they've seen a ghost. I've never seen anything intimidate these people. Elfman stares at Natsu, Gray and Lucy. I see the glass Mira is holding fall to the ground and shatter. Levy's eyes start to water and Gajeel downs the rest of his drink. Cana pours herself another.

Wendy makes her way to the group, timidly, like they're nothing but illusions, looking at each of them closely before wrapping them all up in a hug. "You made it home."

They all stay there in the hug, not wanting to end it, only pulling away when Lucy starts to speak. "Wendy, you've changed!"

Wendy's laugh echoed through the guild hall. "Well, I'm almost twice your age now. I hope I've changed." I can see the tears forming in the corners of her eyes. That's all it took for the three of them to be surrounded.

Paxton, Olive, Talon and I walk away, letting everyone catch up. Mira left the bar so Paxton went behind and fixed all drinks, beer for Olive and himself, a scotch for Talon, and a cherry vodka sour for me. "You know, Pax, if the whole wizard thing doesn't work out you could be a bartender." Olive is sipping her beer leisurely, watching the commotion.

"Aunt Mira taught me well."

The three wizards are surrounded. It would be impossible to get close to them. It's better to watch from a distance while they're being swarmed. "So, where's Erza?" I hear Lucy ask.

"Oh, she's on a job with Jellal. They'll probably be back within the next few days."

"I haven't seen Happy or Carla either! Where is my little buddy?"

Mira's sparkling laugh filled the room. "They went with them. They said they might need some air power, or something."

"Is Juvia out on a job too?" Gray asks.

The jovial mood darkens immediately. I look over at my companions. "I haven't heard that name before. Who's Juvia?" Olive asks us. I'm as clueless as her. Talon and Paxton seem out of the loop as well.

Laxus breaks the tension, speaking out over the guild members. "We've got a lot to talk about. Why don't you three join me in the back. Wendy, Levy, and Paxton's team come with."

I pick up my vodka and follow behind the others. I don't know why he would possibly need us here. Don't argue with Laxus, though. Many members have learned that the hard way. Laxus leads us up the stairs until we reach a door leading to a spacious room with a large table at the center. We'll all easily fit around it. We've never been allowed upstairs before. It's interesting to see what the guild has to offer the S-Class wizards. Laxus takes a seat at the chair furthest the door, Wendy on his right and Levy on his left. Natsu sits next to Wendy, Lucy sits next to Natsu and Gray sits next to Lucy. We follow a similar pattern, Olive sitting next to Levy, Talon sitting next to Olive, I sit next to Talon and Paxton sits next to me, taking the last seat available next to Gray. "So, I'm going to cut right to the chase. You three have been gone for twenty-five years."

"Yeah, we kinda figured something like that. Go away for a few hours and Wendy is twice our age." Gray was looking at Laxus through narrowed eyes. He was toying with his hands, cracking each of the knuckles on his hands. He probably didn't even realize he was doing it. "The real question is why did this happen?"

"When we were on the job a large hole opened up and the three of you fell in. Erza, Carla, Happy and I looked for you for a week before we came back. The guild spent a year looking for you guys. We gave up hope after three years. Juvia disappeared after that. She insisted that she keep looking for you. Two years after that Gajeel found her in the mountains. She was sick. She hadn't been taking care of herself..." Wendy trailed off, searching for the words. We could all figure out where this was going. Lucy looked like she was about to cry. Natsu had the first serious expression I'd seen since knowing him. Gray was the worst. He looked like he was in physical pain.

"Say it, Wendy. Please." His voice was strained. Gray looked like he was about to cry. I didn't know a guy that appeared so strong would even be able to cry. "Wendy, I need to hear you say it."

Wendy looked down at the table, unable to make eye contact with Gray. "We tried everything. My healing, Sherria came from Lamia Scale, Porlyusica, we all tried our best. Her grave is at the church." A small, sad, smile came across Wendy's face. "I think she was happy. She was saying she'd get to see you again, Gray."

Gray got up from the table and walked out of the room. The usually rowdy noise from downstairs was silent. We could hear the front doors of the guild shut. We sit there in silence for a few minutes, letting Natsu and Lucy take in what they just heard. Juvia's death looked like it affected them as well. A few tears rolled down her face and Natsu held his hand in a fist. I could see a bit of smoke coming from him, like he was about to ignite. The way Levy eyed Lucy I could tell she wanted to comfort her. Wendy looked guilty for telling them what happened. She shouldn't. They needed to know.

I looked at Paxton who placed a hand on my shoulder. We were all silently grieving her, though we never knew her. We'd ask more about her later. Mirajane would probably tell us all we wanted to know about her. It's apparent Natsu and Lucy need a break. There has been a lot to take in today. Paxton seems to notice this too. "Why don't we talk more tomorrow? Uncle Laxus, Talon and I can tell you anything you need to know about the job and finding them."

Laxus nods. "Yeah, that sounds good. Levy, why don't you take Lucy and Natsu back to your place. You've got a couple spare rooms, right?"

Levy nods. "Yeah." Levy gave a smile to Lucy, trying to bring a small smile to her friend's face. "You can stay with me and Gajeel. I'll tell Gejeel to wait here for Gray. We have plenty of room for all of you."

Lucy returns the smile her best friend gave her, giving a small sniff, trying to hide the tears. "Thanks, Lev."

Levy got up from the table and led the two of them out. I didn't miss the way Lucy leaned on Natsu for support, or the way his hand naturally slipped into hers. They supported one another. Maybe Juvia was Gray's support. "I'd like to hear how you found them, if you don't mind Laxus." Wendy said quietly from her seat.

He gave a shrug. "I don't care. Olive, Curly, you're dismissed. Paxton, Talon, tell me what happened."

Olive and I got up from our seats and left the room. A growl from Olive's stomach and we smiled at one another. It was relieving to be out of the tense room. The bubbly chatter from downstairs had resumed once again. "Why don't we go get something to eat?"

I nodded. "Sounds good."

We leave the guild and go out to sunny Magnolia. "It's been a hell of a couple of days, hasn't it, Ive?"

I nod. "Yeah. I can't believe those three were missing for so long."

"How did you know they weren't dangerous the other day?"

"Erza told me about them when I first came to the guild. I think she was trying to get me to open up."

Olive smirked. "Well, good luck with that." Olive's been trying to get me to tell her what happened since I met her. She hasn't been able to crack me. If she can't I doubt anyone can.

We walk to our favorite restaurant by the river. It has food that would normally be considered fancy but the atmosphere makes it appreciable for people our age. We sit at our favorite spot, a booth right by the window where we get a nice view of the people walking down the river. "What can I get for you ladies today?" A waiter comes up to us, a smile playing on his face.

"I'll have a green tea, and I'd like the cheese ravioli with the cream sauce." The waiter scribbles down Olive's order. I don't miss the hungry look he gives her.

"And you, beautiful?"

I look down at the menu deciding to get my usual. "I'll have the chicken marsala with fettuccine and a strawberry lemonade."

"As you wish." He gave us a wink and sauntered off. As soon as he did the two of us started laughing.

"He was totally checking you out!"

Olive shook her her. "No way! He was so into you!"

I laugh. "Wait until I tell Paxton! He's going to blow a fuse!"

Olive rolled her eyes. She denies anything is going on between her and Paxton but they hang out so often without either me or Talon we've both suspected something is up. Anytime we question them they both deny anything is happening in a way that's obvious something is going on. They act completely professional on jobs, but that's just the way both Paxton and Olive are. They wouldn't let something like romance interfere with the way they act around us.

"There's nothing going on between me and Pax, Ivie." A smirk started to dance across her face. "You and my brother on the other hand... why don't you tell me what's going on there?"

I feel my face heat up. "There's nothing between us, Olive." I don't think there is. "Besides, it'd be weird if I dated my best friend's brother."

Olive rolled her eyes. "I don't think it would be. You and I could potentially be real life sisters that way." I make a small ice cube in my hand and chunk it at her, hitting her in the forehead. "No fair! No magic allowed!"

I stick my tongue out at her and the waiter comes over with our drinks. On the napkin my drink sits on an address is written. "I told you he was flirting with you," a smug expression sits on Olive's face.

"I don't know why. You're the hottest one here." If I could wink I would.

"Please. I wish I looked like you." I really don't know why she wishes she does. I'm plain. Olive is so thin but has the chest of a goddess. Her face looks like pixies painted it themselves and the series of piercings she has makes her look badass.

"Well that goes double for me."

We sit there conversing with one another until our food is brought out. I happily eat the chicken marsala while Olive talks about some new thing she figured out to do with her shadows. A pang of jealousy hits me. She can do all this amazing stuff with her magic and I can chunk ice cubes at her. I wonder if Gray will still teach me? I wouldn't blame him if he didn't. The shock of that girl's death must really have gotten to him. I hope he's okay.

A/N

Thank you all so much for reading. I'm sorry this chapter didn't come out as quick as the previous ones. I had a death in the family, just got hired at a job, and went on a small trip, so it's been a bit hectic. I know y'all are probably mad I killed off Juvia, but please don't be. There's a reason and I think you'll all like the outcome. Thank so much to all of you who followed, favorited and reviewed. Please leave a review and tell me what y'all thought. It's the best indicator for me what to include in future chapters and what not to include.