Standard disclaimer applies.

CHANGING

Seeing him was inevitable. She tried so hard to prevent any encounter for the past month, but she knew sooner or later they would cross paths.

After all, they share the same guild.

"Drip, drip, drop!" Juvia chanted, as if this was a prayer to calm down her nerves. "Drip, drip, drop," she mumbled once more as she stood in front of the Fairy Tail building. "Ooh-kay, I can do this!" holding up a fist to pump herself up, Juvia pushed the heavy doors.

She was greeted with the usual cheery, albeit drunken, atmosphere. Many waved at her as she entered. Juvia was obviously wearing a huge smile, as if nothing heavy was stored in her heart. She waved back at her guildmates and approached a table.

"Good morning, Gajeel-kun, Levy-chan~" her sing-song tune echoed throughout the hall. "Juvia hopes you gave the mission report to Master?" She sat down in front of the two secret lovers who were seated side by side.

The three of them just came back from a two-week-long mission from the south.

Gajeel eyed her curiously. "Umm, Juvia, are you lost?" He inclined his head towards the direction of the bar. Juvia didn't need to look where Gajeel was pointing. "Icicle boy is over there?"

Juvia hid her giggles behind a hand. To others it looked like typical coquettish Juvia, but Gajeel instantly recognized the forced cheeriness in her laughter.

"So, why aren't you in your usual stalker mode?"

"Gajeel-san!" Levy lightly slapped him on the shoulders. "That's very rude."

The water mage shook her head, "Don't worry, Levy-chan. Juvia is not offended. In fact, Juvia promises that she will stop her pesky habits from now on. No more stalking and profound love confessions, hee hee!"

The declaration was heard by many, including the ice mage who's been very conscious of Juvia's presence. In fact, this ice mage was confused why it felt like the water mage was ignoring him.

Gajeel and Levy turned to look at each other, unsure of how to react. Levy decided to change the subject instead. "Well, we've given the mission report to Master. Do you want to go on another mission or rest for a few more days?"

"Yeah Juv. For the past weeks or so, you've been going on missions nonstop."

Juvia waved her hand in front. "Juvia wants to keep taking missions to also improve her skills and earn more jewels. In fact, Juvia will go look at the mission board for a good one." She stood up from her seat, but a sudden feeling of dizziness blanketed her. For a split second, the place seemed fuzzy and dark.

"Whoa!" both Levy and Gajeel exclaimed when Juvia lost her balance and fell on her knees. Gray, who had been discreetly watching Juvia, instinctively stood from his seat. He wore a worried expression, debating whether to run to Juvia. Gajeel got up instantly and was beside Juvia in a flash, helping her get up.

"Juvia-chan, are you okay? You look quite pale," Levy exclaimed.

Juvia returned to her seat with Gajeel's assistance. "I've noticed you've been quite out of it for the past few days, Juvia," Gajeel added, not letting go of his best friend's arm, afraid she might fall again any minute.

It took some time before Juvia spoke due to the nauseous feeling surrounding her. Levy handed her a glass of water and Juvia gulped it down as if it was the best thing in the world. "I... I'm fine now," she struggled to say, patting the Gajeel's hand. She smiled weakly at him who seemed unconvinced.

"It seems Juvia's been under the weather for some time now," she admitted to them.

Gajeel frowned, refusing to leave Juvia's side. "No, we should go to the clinic and see a doctor." He had noticed a slight change in Juvia's appearance about two weeks prior, just as they were heading to their mission. Though Juvia tried to stay her usual cheerful self, signs of fatigue and weakness were slowly showing. There was something different as well, but he just couldn't put a finger on it.

Playing it off coolly, Juvia dismissed Gajeel's suggestion. Feeling a little better and stable, she bid them a goodbye this time. Unfortunately, Gajeel wasn't willing to let her leave until she promised to see a doctor; Juvia relented.

As she made her way towards the door, from the corner of her eye, she could see Gray staring at her. There was this yearning to go to him, wrap her arms around him, and just rest her head on his chest. But, Juvia willed her legs to keep going for the exit. She made her resolve, and she's not going to turn against it.

Once outside, she looked up the cloudless blue sky, quite surprised that her gloominess wasn't affecting the weather at all. She frowned, reciting a different chant, "Pitter patter, pitter patter!" Juvia wanted it to rain.

For when it rains, she could hide her tears.

The hunch was right, as much as she didn't want to believe it. She was not an idiot, after all. The signs were obvious, and she knew her body well. She wasn't an innocent girl who had no idea of the way the body works.

She's pregnant...

The visit to the clinic was just for confirmation. Nonetheless, knowing a baby is inside her made it so surreal. She walked back to her dorm in a daze, got in her room without turning the lights on, and sat on the floor unmoving.

How was she supposed to react? Cry? Squeal in delight? Panic? Tell everyone in the guild? Tell Gray-sama?

Just as the growing fear enveloped her, a solid resolution formed in her head. She already knew of Gray's feelings for her, or lack thereof. She wouldn't use the life growing inside her to trap someone who couldn't stand her. No, Juvia decided she could do this on her own. Eventually, she will tell Gray. He has the right to know about his child, but not at the moment.

For now, this is a secret Juvia will keep.

Or at least until she starts showing.

A/N: My deep apologies for the very late update. I went for vacation last December, and when I returned the amount of work that piled up overwhelmed. There was just no time to get some writing on the side.

Wow, the latest Gruvia happening in the manga just completely blew me away. I'm happy, but at the same time I've a feeling the story I concocted has now completely crossed AU universe. So, if you (the readers) still don't mind, I'll continue this story. Please enjoy.