AN: Wow! I cant believe all the nice reviews i got for the first chapter! I hope this one doesn't disappoint you!

Chapter 2-

Mr Davden, oblivious to Erza's discomfort, scuttled out of the room after giving Jellal the room key and telling them that dinner would be served in an hour. Silence settled in after the echo of the door being shut died down. Jellal tried not to be amused at the way his partner in this mission was frozen in a state of red cheeked disbelief. He stepped around her and locked the door.

"J-jellal," Erza said shakily, "What are you doing?"

He glanced back to her as he explained, "We can't have anyone barging in here, they might see and recognise me."

As the woman's face flushed again, Jellal had to turn away and busy himself by placing his backpack on the bed in order to stop himself from being affected by her. Erza almost hated the way being locked in a room with him made her entire being light up, though she certainly did hate the blush that came with it.

She cleared her throat and then set about moving her luggage into empty corner of the room so that it wouldn't take up so much space.

"Erza."

She turned to see Jellal sitting on the edge of the perfectly made bed; he rested his elbows on his knees so he was leaning forward slightly and he had pushed back his dark hood.

"I know this," he gestured to the two of them, "isn't exactly ideal and if I could change it, I would."

She thought she didn't react to the pain those words inflicted, but he had watched her expression carefully, as he always did.

"Don't misunderstand," he quickly added, "I only mean it can't be easy on you to have me around…a constant reminder of our past and my sins."

"Good save," she muttered, sighing a little in relief.

"If it helps…" he started and then he frowned, "No, never mind."

She took a few steps and stood before him, staring down at his head of soft looking, shaggy blue hair. She clenched her fists to stop herself from reaching out to touch him.

"What?" she asked softly, "If what helps?"

He sighed and then looked up at her; meeting her eyes and making her feel a tingle throughout her body.

"When we were children…" he said slowly, glancing away for a second and then returning his eyes to hers, "We always used to sleep together."

He abruptly tensed, his eyes widening, "You know what I mean!"

Erza surprised him by chuckling, "I do."

Then she added, "I'm sure we'll be fine…unless you snore of course, then I'll have to take some drastic measures."

A faint smile curved his lips, "I seem to recall it being you who snored."

She thunked him on the head with her fist.

"Erza!" he grumbled, rubbing the sore spot.

"No more cheek from you, Mister," she ordered, moving away from him and heading towards the bathroom on the other side of the bed.

He continued to massage his head as he watched her disappear behind the door, then he shook it in amazement at what had just happened. They had seemed so…normal, like friends. It was a miracle in his opinion, and probably one he didn't deserve.

On the other side of the door, in the bathroom, Erza rested her forehead against the cool wood. Her limbs were barely there, she felt so weak, surprised at her little interaction with Jellal, at how bold she had been.

This is good, she reassured herself, to become comfortable around one another is…good. Damn, my heart is racing.

She took several deep breaths to calm herself and then decided she should freshen up and change her outfit for dinner. But what should she wear?

And there goes my sense of calm…

She turned and glared at her reflection in the rectangular mirror on the wall. Take one thing at a time, that's what I need to do.

The dress she requipped into was black and had a plunging neckline. She considered it for less than a second and then tried several other outfits.

This mission hasn't even officially started and it's already killing me…

Eventually, after she realised she had been in the bathroom for over fifteen minutes, Erza settled on a pleated black skirt, her normal boots and a dark purple turtleneck. Her hair was up in a ponytail and it tickled her back as she moved back over to the door. She hoped Jellal didn't think she was a weirdo for staying in the little room for so long…she then growled at herself for caring and yanked open the door.

He had taken off his cloak and was resting on the bed, staring up at the ceiling. She leaned against the doorway, folding her arms as she watched him.

"You seem to be having deep thoughts there," she forced herself to remark, "Something troubling you?"

To her surprise, Jellal turned faintly pink. She thought maybe she was imagining things but then he sat up slowly and she could indeed see his blush.

C-cute…

"No, not at all," he answered, staring determinedly in every direction but the one she was in. Seeing his skin tinged with embarrassment had completely wiped out Erza's mind, she couldn't even remember what she had asked him and so she just nodded.

Painful silence descended on them as they both avoided eye contact. After several minutes, Jellal found he couldn't stop his eyes from drifting over to her anymore. He gripped the bedding in his left hand tightly, where she wouldn't see, as his gaze roamed over her.

She stared her feet, and so he began there and then slowly travelled up her long, shapely legs before gliding over her flat stomach and up higher…

What am I doing? he thought in self-disgust, I have no right to look at her.

He tore his eyes away as guilt filled him and pressed down upon his shoulders.

"Juvia and Gray are together now."

He snapped his attention back to her, startled by her casual comment.

"Are they?" he responded interestedly, "How did that happen?"

The thought of the water mage melted away some of the heaviness Jellal was swimming in. She was an interesting and intelligent woman and it warmed him to hear she had finally gotten her 'Gray-sama.'

"Mira and I may have helped them along a bit," Erza spoke up with a hint of sheepishness.

Jellal quirked an eyebrow at the thought of Erza playing matchmaker and then asked, "And Gray…returns Juvia's feelings?"

The redhead smirked, "Yes, he does."

Folding his arms, Jellal told her, "Make sure to warn him for me."

Erza tilted her head in question, prompting him to explain.

"If he ever hurts Juvia, I'll have another sin to atone for because I'll make him regret his actions."

Tightening her muscles so she wouldn't fidget at the uncomfortable, dark feeling swirling in her gut, Erza said, "I never got the impression that you knew Juvia very well or were very close to her."

Jellal shrugged a little, "We had a few deep conversations during the first few nights of the Grand Magic Games."

"Oh," sighed Erza, "And I suppose she told you all about how wonderful Gray is?"

A small smile tugged at his mouth, "For a while, yes, but she also wanted to talk about the other members of the guild…you for example."

"Me?" questioned Erza, mildly incredulous, "You talked about me?"

Jellal rubbed the back of his neck, "Yes."

"Well, what was said exactly?" she asked, worried that Juvia had exaggerated things and made her sound like a complete monster.

She wasn't prepared for the answer she received.

"She said you were lonely," Jellal spoke quietly.

"Really," stated Erza, her expression hardening, "and what did you say to that?"

The blue haired man chewed his cheek for a moment, looking away.

"I said that there was nothing I could do about that."

"I see," Erza sighed, her chest tightening painfully.

The heaviness that was starting to become commonplace between them, settled in once more, filled with the words they would never say.

"Excuse me," came Mr Davden from the other side of their room's door, "Dinner will be in twenty minutes, come down when you're ready!"

Erza could just imagine the bright grin that accompanied the man's words and she glared, unfairly disliking him for being so happy when she was…not.

She listened to Mr Davden's retreating footsteps and clenched her fists, fighting the urge to punch something. Jellal slowly got to his feet and made sure he kept his distance, sensing her irritation. He grabbed his cloak and shrugged into it.

"Do you want to start going down now?" he asked hesitantly.

He then inwardly winced as some rarely used part of his brain conjured up a different meaning to those words. His body heated and forced him to add, "To the dining room that is."

She gave him a speculative look and he willed himself to be free from any sign of his perverted thoughts as she wondered why he had felt the need to clarify. She strode over to him and surprised him by reaching around him and pulling his hood up.

His eyes widened at her sudden closeness but he compelled himself to stay exactly where he was instead of giving into the urge to step away or to step closer.

"Let's go then," she said softly, letting her fingers slip away from his cloak. She turned and went for the door, remembering last second that it was locked.

Jellal mentally shook himself and followed her, digging his hand into his pocket and withdrawing the room key. He moved over to the door, expecting Erza to step aside. She didn't.

Oddly, she was staring up at him with large eyes; it was as if she was frozen to the spot, helpless like an animal caught in a trap. He couldn't stop himself from keeping his gaze locked intently with hers as he reached out to insert the key into the door, his movement causing his body to brush against hers.

The lock clicked and snapped them out of their trance. Erza quickly glanced away and stepped back as Jellal pulled open the door and strode into the hallway. He inhaled sharply to try and clear his mind and then he reprimanded himself for letting his control slip. He heard Erza behind him and so he continued down the corridor that would lead them back to the staircase.

The armoured mage lengthened her stride to catch up with him, even though she wasn't sure that was the best idea, her whole body pulsed and hummed, she felt unsteady and she didn't like the feeling.

Damn him for this!

She grabbed his forearm and he turned his head as they walked, his gaze cutting into her. He raised an eyebrow in question and her grip tightened. Unfortunately she had forgotten what she had been going to say and so she had to improvise.

"Um…how are you?"

If she could've kicked her own ass, she would've in that instant.

How are you!? Really, Erza? That's what came out?

Jellal stopped walking and turned to face her, tilting his head curiously even as badly suppressed amusement sparkled in his eyes.

"How am I?" he asked.

"Y-yes, how are you?" she shakily confirmed, "I should've asked earlier…"

"I'm…fine," he answered slowly, clearly trying to stop himself from smiling, "And yourself?"

"That's good because I, also, am fine," she responded.

His mouth curved into a half smile and Erza was temporarily lost as she tried to memorise his expression. Jellal Fernandes wasn't one to smile very often anymore. Heat exploded in her chest at the sight.

Then he jolted her out of her thoughts when he deliberately flicked his eyes down to where her hand was still clutching his arm.

She hurriedly released him as her cheeks turned pink. She began walking again.

"Hurry up," she said gruffly over her shoulder at him before she turned a corner and then started down the stairs.

He caught up to her as she entered the dining room and, for some reason, he couldn't prevent the words that came out.

"Erza, you look great."

She spun quickly around, nearly hitting him in the face with her long tail of scarlet hair.

"What?"

He closed his eyes and scrunched his face a little; cursing himself mentally for speaking. He forced his face to relax as he took a deep breath and stared at the top of her head.

"I should have said it earlier," he told her, "It's good to see you again, I'm glad to see you're looking…well."

She smiled slightly and gave a soft laugh, "Me too…you know, we're an awkward pair, aren't we? We never seem to get anything right…"

He nodded sadly and she turned away, stepping further into the dining room and attempting to calm her stampeding heart.

There were about eight tables of varying shapes and sizes scattered throughout the room, there were no other people present yet however. Erza weaved through the tables and chairs, heading towards the small table in the back corner.

Jellal followed her and tried his hardest not to stare at her tempting backside. When they reached the table, Erza slid into the chair that was against the wall and Jellal sat opposite her, self-consciously pulling at his hood as he tried to sit comfortably.

Being out in public was a weird, unsettling feeling for him these days. Excited voices carried over to the two of them and he resisted the urge to turn and see the source, knowing that Erza would be on her guard and that he didn't need to worry.

"It's just two old ladies," Erza told him quietly as she placed her elbow on the table and her head in her hand, her eyes briefly flicking over to the new arrivals.

"I told you not to worry, Maddy!" chided one of the women, a short, rabbit like one to her insect like companion, "We're not late or early, right on time I would think."

"Perhaps I should've just stayed in our room," muttered Jellal uneasily, "Or disguised myself…"

Erza frowned at him, "Don't be silly, there's a whole room of tables, what are the odds those two will want to sit near us?"

"Dotty!" exclaimed Maddy, "Look, there are people over there, should we go sit by them?"

Jellal's stomach dropped as he watched Erza's surprised expression.

"They're coming over here, aren't they," he sighed.

She nodded and he tensed as he heard the sounds of the old women knocking things about as they made their way over.

"Unbelievable," he groaned under his breath, slumping down in his chair slightly and pulling again at his hood.

AN: Ooh yeah and if you're on tumblr, i have a couple of blogs, one of them is a jerza blog that i run with my friend, the links are on my profile if you want to have a looksee :D i know some of you already have :D