So after I started this, I realized that for a decent transition, I'd probably need a forth chapter. So sorry, especially since I took so long to get this out to you. However, I PROMISE that the next chapter will be the last. Until than, please enjoy this and let me know of any suggestions you have or points that caught your attention. Now...on with the story!

Warning: Some Jeltear.

Disclaimer: As much as I'd like it to, Fairy Tail does not belong to me, it belongs to the one and only Hiro Mashima.

Together we Grow, Together we Fall: Defeat
By lightning_storm

Jellal frowned as she fell against his body, exhausted from his transference. He hadn't meant to give so much, but as he touched her, it was like their energy had a mind of their own, wishing to meld with one another, to consume, or fill up on what had so long been denied. It was frightening, yet exhilarating, and he had lost himself, causing her energy to do the same. Jellal cringed as he remembered the moment her energy had flowed into him. It had not been expected, and what she had revealed, irritated him just a bit.

Looking down at her flawless skin, Jellal resisted the urge to give into his temptation as he brushed her hair out of her face.

"Gomene, Erza," he said as he stroked her scarlet locks. With a final kiss, he removed his arms from about her and gently slid her on the bed, covering her up before making his way to the entrance.

Pausing once more to look back at her as he took the handle in his hand, he shook his head before disappearing into the night. "So long Erza, " he whispered, "I shan't be bothering you again."

The stars seemed to wink out in sadness in response to his words.

By the time Jellal arrived at his room, he was so weak and exhausted that he collapsed onto the bed, perspiration dotting his forehead. Erza was strong.

When he had decided to reveal his secret, he had expected that it would hurt her, and that with it she would finally understand his stance. However, he hadn't counted on how much her transference would affect him. Unintentionally or not, she revealed the full relationship she had with the Ice Mage, and he had not been pleased.

Jellal was angry at himself, which was nothing new, angry at her, which he had no right, and angry at the ice mage for touching her so intimately, especially since he had so recently tasted her himself. He had wanted to hurt that man, steal Erza for himself and swiftly disappear. It was irrational, illogical, unreasonable, and completely uncalled for.

He shouldn't have been surprised, not really. Erza was beautiful, passionate, warm, strong, just and deadly. Hundreds of men could easily be attracted to her. When he found out however, he had lost it, completely utterly lost it. He wanted her to claim her all over again, make her know that she was his and he would not tolerate any other lovers in her life. He would take, hide and possess her, just like he had so long ago.

Perhaps he hadn't changed at all.

When Fairy Tail had disappeared he had been heartbroken. Once his memory returned six years ago, he had been horrified. When Ultear and Meredy had broken him out he knew that this would give him a chance to atone for his crimes and honor the great guild. He had decided to cut off everything from his past, especially Ultear, and dedicate his life to finding Zeref and destroying dark guilds. However, the girls refused to be cut off, saying that they too wished to atone for their crimes. They wanted to join him in his endeavors, to find Zeref and destroy all those dark guilds. It took a bit of persuasion, mainly the sensory variety. The things they made him do still made his stomach turn at times. Jellal shuddered at the memory.

When Erza showed up again, he forced himself to push her away, lest he forget his crimes. If Erza was happy, that'd be enough. She would live her life, continuing to walk in the light as she found someone to cherish, and he would watch. Or so he thought. After today, he wasn't so sure.

Jellal sighed before pushing his face into his pillow. "Erza," he groaned, "How can you affect me so?"

"Rough night?" cut in a very familiar voice, a teasing lilt on her tone. It was the voice that had been affecting him for as long as he can remember, his partner in crime, Ultear.

Jellal growled as he snapped up his head and turned towards her. "What are you doing here?" he bit out. He was in a foul mood, and now was not the time. Ultear laughed, actually had the gall to laugh as he sat there, tormenting himself in his self-loathing.

"Wow," she smiled smugly, before putting her hands on her waist and leaning over him. "Did someone have an intimate run in with a certain scarlet haired warrior?" she teased

"WHAT?" he shouted, taken aback. Realizing his overreaction, Jellal cleared his throat before turning away from her. "I mean...of course not." He said in a much more composed manner.

Ultear stared at his back for a long moment before shaking her head in disbelief. "Youv'e always been a terrible liar Jellal." She said, a short chuckle escaping her lips.

Jellal blushed slightly, before walking across the room and quietly taking a shirt from the closet. "Its nothing," he said seriously, "Its not going to happen again anyway."

"Is that so?" she asked skeptically, a curious look in her face.

"Yes," he said hesitantly, "As I said before, we can't allow ourselves to get involved with those who walk in the light."

For a long moment, no one spoke, basking in solemn silence before a slight shuffling was heard from behind. Glancing towards her, Jellal noticed as she looked him over, a snake like grin on her face. He didn't like that look.

"Actually," she said mysteriously, as she stood up and brushed off her leotard, "If I remember correctly," Jellal felt all the hairs on his skin stand on end as she stalked towards him, her hips swaying seductively, "We can't fall in love with those who walk in the light."

"What does it matter?" he said, a nervous twinge in his voice

"Plenty," Ultear claimed as she stood before him, an appreciative look in her face as she observed his well defined torso. "You see Jellal," she paused, taking a step towards him, "I 've been feeling rather lonely as of late, and I forgot just how GOOD you looked under those clothes."

Exhausted from the past weeks work, it took about one minute for Jellal to realize her intent, before Ultear slid her hands under his half button shirt and traced her fingers along the well defined lines of his abdomen.

Jellal couldn't get away fast enough. "Don't!" he commanded, making sure to keep her at arm's length.

"But Jellal, We used to do this all the time."

"That may be so," he said distantly, a stern look in his face, "But..., he paused momentarily, thinking of the right words. He doubted that saying he was struggling with the R-system, and needed establish his control over his slaves would go over well. Besides, the R-system was stressful and she WAS attractive. Jellal shuddered at the memories. How had he allowed him self to get so warped?

Knowing nothing about his inner dialogue, Ultear looked at him, a twinkle of mirth in her eyes, "Don't you find me attractive still?."

"Very Funny Ultear," he deadpanned. "You know my stance on that."

"Maybe so," she stated matter of fact,"But can't we just forget about Crime Sorcerie for a second and live in the moment."

"NO." He said more firmly, and Ultear pouted before turning away from him.

"You're no fun," she tossed over her shoulder, and Jellal breathed a sigh of relief before straightening his shirt and focusing back on the task at hand.

"Well Sorry for not being fun," he grumbled as he extracted the rest of his clothes from the closet, and headed towards the bathroom door. "Now, if you don't mind, I'd like to get cleaned up."

"You wouldn't resist if Erza was here." she teased and Jellal tensed up before turning towards her, and intense glare in his eyes.

"Don't you dare mention her again," he spit out, slightly offended by her comment. Choosing to ignore her for the remaining time, Jellal stiffly walked towards the restroom to shower and change. When he finally emerged cleaned and fully clothed, 30 minutes had gone by. He was surprised to see the slightly older woman still perched in her previous spot, breathing softly as her dusky eyelashes rested against her pale skin.

"You're still here," he exclaimed, a little louder then expected. The woman stirred slightly before opening her hazy eyes, "Shouldn't you be out helping Meredy find anymore traces of Zeref?"

"I haven't sensed anything yet," the woman spoke plainly, a bored expression on her face, "Besides...Meredy will be fine. She's a strong girl after all."

"True." He agreed. Though the pink haired beauty had always been strong, throughout the past few years her powers had grown exponentially. Before, her magic would never work on him, or any of those with his power level unless they were really close, physically and emotionally. However with her training, she was able to affect most anybody within 500 square meters from her location. For that reason, they were able to affect him in his fight against Jura. Jellal grimaced. Though he knew that they had done the right thing, he couldn't help but feel a bit put off about it.

"More importantly," she stated quietly, breaking him out of his thought process. "How long do you think you can fight?"

"What do you mean?" He paused, "You know the goals, of Crime Sorcerie."

"That's not what I meant Jellal," she said more seriously, and Jellal quirked an eyebrow, a curious look in his eyes.

"Explain."

"How long can you fight your rekindled attraction to Erza?"

The man's eyes went wide as he sought to respond, a bright blush on his face as he was reminded of the events throughout the day. Before long he held his neutral look once again. "I don't know what your talking about." he said firmly, "There is nothing going on between me and her.""

"Not NOW" she emphasized, "But what about in the future?"

"Nothing will get in the way, of our goal if that's what you are concerned about that." he stated plainly, and the woman snorted in response. Jellal narrowed his eyes before a sad expression crossed his face. "Besides...", he whispered, self- loathing hitting him full force as he remembered her horrified expression when he restored the incriminating memories. He never wanted to see that look on her face again, "Erza and I are... merely acquaintances now, nothing more."

"Oh?" She looked at him seriously. Noting the sad look on his face, she got up from her seat and walked towards him. "Is that what you truly want?" she asked sincerely, tapping his forearm with her own.

"Why wouldn't I?" he stated calmly, "You know what I did to Her, to Simon, to everyone." he said, his excuse even sounding weak to himself.

"Yes, I know what you THINK you did, but forget about all that for a moment" He was never very good at keeping things from her, but there are certain things he didn't like to talk about. "If someone else came along, some dashing debonair who swept her off her feet, would you be okay with that?",

Jellal paused for a moment. If she had asked him that 24 hour ago he would have said yes, no question...but a lot could change in a day. Jellal, paused for a moment, measuring out his words so he wouldn't stutter.

"Yes," he whispered quietly, "if that was what she wanted."

The woman frowned at his confession, before walking over and tapping his arm with her own. "What about what YOU want?" she asked sincerely and he hitched his breath, before opening his mouth to protest, "The TRUTH Jellal." she scowled, then pulling a lacrima out of her cloak, a sadistic look appeared on her pretty face," Or I tell Meredy."

Jellal looked green for a minute before he shook he waved her off. The last time they used the sensory on him to persuade him to agree he had diarrhea for a week. He looked at her seriously, an sorrowful look in his eyes.

"It's going to have to be," he breathed out. After a long moment, he looked into her eyes, an intense look on his face. "She knows."

Ultear mouthed an 'O' before sitting back down. With a cool look on her face she tapped her thigh before looking towards the ceiling. "I suppose that does make things a bit more complicated."

Jellal blanched. "You don't say." he mumbled sarcastically.

"Jellal!" she said dangerously, an underlying threat in her tone. "Do you want me to hurt you?"

"I'll pass," he paused, a small smile on his face. Though Ultear was extremely strong, she wasn't quite as strong as him and could easily get bested in a fight. Over the past seven years, his power had grown exponentially. "I think I'm doing just fine on my own."

Ultear chuckled quickly. "True," She stood up from her position and headed towards the door. 'Well, I'm off to find Meredy now. She's probably worried." Jellal nodded his head in response, "But Jellal," she paused as she reached the door, a small smile on her face, "If Erza still wants to have something to do with you despite your revelation, don't fight her off too much."

"Ultear-"

"Just DON'T." she snapped, her eyes flashing with determination and unspoken secrets. "Please."

Jellal blinked momentarily,soaking in her words before a sad smile crossed his face. He doubted that would happen, especially after knowing his secret, but he had learned to trust Ultear's judgement over the years. If Ultear insisted, he would keep an open mind. "Aa."

Once Ultear had left the room, Jellal sat beside his bed and looked out the night sky, admiring the star speckled blackness before a shining moon beam inched across the floor. White, the color of purity, purity that he had long since lost. Purity that he could never forget. Jellal shut his eyes envisioning her scarlet hair as it spread about her form like a halo.

"Erza..." he whispered, his hand brushing across her face as his lips lingered just above her own. "I have to leave now," he said, placing a soft kiss on her lips, " but know this," another kiss, "I love you, and I will always find you."

"Me too," the woman said softly, an unspoken secret playing about her lips. Jellal smirked as he pulled her in for a searing kiss. Prying her lips open with his tongue, Jellal smiled as she slowly opened them up to grant full access to her mouth. The unusual sensation of their tongues wrestling with one another pushing her closer to her edge. "Jellal," she squeaked as the man surrounded her form like a blanket, slipping his hands just beneath her shirt.

"Mine, " he mumbled, and she smiled as she wound her arm around the back of his neck.

"Yes, Yours." she said contentedly, and Jellal felt his load lighten just a bit as he went in for another kiss. The moon seemed to shine in approval as it caressed her skin, causing her to look much like an ethereal angel fallen from the heavens. For a long moment they just stayed there, basking in the warmth of one another, until the sky darkened and the moon turned a rusty red. Startled, Jellal pulled away from her. Erza lurched beneath him, a knife protruding from her chest.

"Jellal," she breathed out, her hand bloody as she covered the wound in her chest. "Why?" tears flowed freely from her eyes, body disappearing as the bloodied knife clattered to the ground.

"No," Jellal whispered in horror, looking at his hands in shock as the thick ribbons of blood ran through his fingers, "No!" he cried out, then looking to the sky he let out an earth shattering scream. "ERZA!"

A cool wind seemed to caress his face as a white light pierced through the darkness. Looking towards the light he gasped as her muscular form materialized before him. Giving him a steady stare, she looked beside her before turning on her heal and fleeing the opposite direction.

Instinctively, he followed her, noticing as the inky blackness melded into the familiar magnolia sky. The moon shone a deep red as the night burned like fire. Giant reptilian bodies filled the sky and countless bodies littered the ground, many of them those he recognized. Chaos surrounded him as horrendous shrieks filled the skies. Frantically he picked up his pace, searching for the familiar scarlet head that he had come to adore.

"Erza!" he called out, looking in every which direction. "Erza! Where are you?"

Then he saw her, scarlet locks flowing around her body as she alone fought the multiple creatures that swarmed her. Jellal could only watch in awe, a she commenced her operation, destroying all creatures that dare come near. Like an angel of vengeance, she leaps into the air, equipping into heaven's wheel as her swords surround her. With an ease he couldn't begin to comprehend she sends the swords flying, destroying all in her way. Suddenly, a looming shadow appeared behind her. Recognizing it for what it was, Jellal let out a warning as he launched an attack. Too late. Time seemed to stop as the woman before him twirled around, a look of horror on her face as its giant claw ripped through her form and she fell to the ground, blood spilling out of her body.

"NOOOOO!" Jellal cried, his eyes snapping open as he fell out of his bed, entangled in the sheets that surrounded him. Panicked, Jellal looked to the window, the normally pure white moon appearing to be a rusty red.

"Er-erza!" he strangled out, terrified by the dream he just had. Then thinking of Future Lucy's words his eyes widened in realization. Without thinking twice, he stood up and leaped for the door. He had to see Erza!

To be Concluded in...Determination. For real this time, I swear!

There you have it! Shameless ship teasing, kind of a slow chapter with a lot of talk and little action...but hey, what can I say. Next time I'll finish this up and give you all the juicy goodness. :-p Promise. Now, please read and review! 5+ reviews per chapter gets this out sooner.