Hi! I've been volunteering this week, so I am very tired! The kids are amazing though, so I'm still very happy!

I don't own Fairy Tail; if I did there would be a love potion episode. (Wait, there was a bit of one wasn't there?)

Esther POV

Esther sat with Cana in a booth at the bar. Cana had already ordered them both some fries, and enough bear for the town. Esther wasn't really the heaviest drinker, but she took one to be polite. Cana talked happily, telling Esther about some of the shopping she did in Magnolia. It was hard for her though, her memories were a bit muddled. Esther guessed that Damien hadn't focused too much on her memories in Magnolia, probably wanted to skip over them as soon as possible so Cana didn't think too much about it. Esther smiled, listening to Cana laugh, as she swung another bottle. Even though Esther hadn't really talked to Cana in years, it felt refreshing to see her happy. She had been scared when Cana had first left. She had been only 8 years old, and had left alone, with nothing more than her dog.

"Essie, Essie wake up." Esther slowly opened her eyes. She looked up to see Cana, standing over her. Damien was sleeping in the room next to them. They were at Esther's house, having a sleepover. Cana hadn't left since her mother died, other than to visit her grave.

"Cana?" Esther asked sleepily. "What's going on, I'm sleepy."

"I'm leaving." Cana said simply.

Esther frowned. "Leaving? Leaving where? Going to get food?"

Cana shook her head. "I'm leaving town."

Esther frowned. "What? But why?"

"Because I'm afraid that he's going to find me."

"Esther!" Esther blinked in surprise. "Esther you ok? Gosh, I thought I was drinking too much."

"Oh, no I'm sorry Cana, I was just thinking. What were you saying?"

Cana raised an eyebrow. "You sure you're ok?"

Esther smiled. "Yeah, I'm fine!"

Cana frowned. "Ookk? Anyway, I need to ask you something."

"What do you need?" Esther asked.

Cana was silent for a moment. "What was Damien talking to you about earlier at the bakery?" Esther was silent. She grabbed a bottle and took a swig, Cana just watched her.

"o-oh that? It was nothing! Just some catching up nothing important!"

"I'm serious Esther." Cana said slowly. "You can tell me. If something's going on I have the right to know." Esther bit her lip. Even though Damien had replaced most of Cana's memories, there was still a lot about Damien she didn't know. A lot about this town, that Cana had missed. "Err; I don't think Damien would want me talking about it." Esther replied.

"If Damien has a problem with it he can come talk to me. He shouldn't be hiding anything from me anyway." Cana replied quickly. Esther stayed silent. After a moment of Cana studying Esther, she spoke. "You like him, don't you?"

Esther practically jumped from her seat. "h-huh?"

Cana lay back in her seat, holding onto her bottle with her right hand. "It's not like you hide it really well. Damien's an idiot, so he couldn't see it from a mile away, but I'm not that stupid. I can't believe I only figured it out today, how could I be so stupid?"

"That's because all your memories are from Damien." Esther thought, wincing. "I, um, no, you got it all wrong Cana, I, I'd never..."

"What like someone?" Esther's mouth closed. "There's no crime in liking someone, even if that person is taken."

"You-you aren't mad?" Esther asked

Cana grinned. "Heck no, girls before guys remember? Esther, you're my best friend, I'm not going to get mad at you just because you like my boyfriend." Cana smirked. "But don't take that as surrender, I'm not going to hand him over to you like that, got it?" Esther gave a shy smile. "And if Damien does pick you," Esther was surprised at how easily she said it, "then I'll just threaten him that I'll destroy him if he hurts you!"

Esther bit her lip. "No, you can't Cana. You aren't strong enough."

Cana frowned, and turned to her. "What's that supposed to mean? I'm defiantly strong enough to beat Damien he's not that strong."

"He's a lot stronger than you think." Esther said, not looking at her. "And he's done a lot more then I can bear to say."

Cana narrowed her eyebrows. "I'm insulted at your lack of trust in me! Damien may be strong, but there's no way he could possibly be strong enough to..."

"Cana I really don't want to talk about this right now, alright? You don't know anything!" Esther snapped. Cana was silent for a moment. Esther put a hand to her mouth, regretting her words. "I, um, I" fortunately, Esther didn't have to say anything. Just as Esther opened her mouth to apologize, both of them heard a door smash. They both turned towards the sound. Standing in the front entrance, was a man Esther had never seen before.

He had a strong aura that was unmistakable. Esther felt like she had just walked into a lightning storm just by him walking into the room. His hair was spiked up, and was a striking shade of yellow. He wore a simple red t-shirt, and blue jeans, along with a large brown coat with fur edges. His coat was practically forgotten, merely draped over his shoulders almost like a cape, the sleeves hanging loosely by his sides. Despite his well toned features, and his attractive face that shouldn't have been legal, that wasn't what caught Esther's eye. It was his large scar, running down his right eye, in an unmistakable lightening shape. The man was breathtaking, and mysterious, and deadly. Esther felt shivers run down her spine looking at him. She could easily picture this guy standing outside in the middle of a tornado, just because his presence there would piss of the storm.

The man looked a bit tired, his eyes had the slightest bags underneath, but he still held himself tall. Even with most of the bar starring at him, he acted completely at ease, as he walked over to a corner and took a seat. Slowly, conversations started again, but most people still kept a wary eye on the man.

Esther starred at him for a moment, before turning back to Cana. "Err- sorry, what were we talking about again?"

Cana didn't answer. Her eyes were still trained on the man. "Who's that?"

Esther blinked in surprise, surprised that Cana had transferred subjects so easily, but was grateful for it none the less. "I don't know, he's not anyone I've seen around before." Esther turned to look at the man, watching as he took a drink of his beer. "It's strange to get visitors in town; we don't get visitors more than once every three months. Maybe he's passing through?" Cana was silent. Esther glanced at her, and noticed, just for a second, a small flash of purple in the center of her eye. Esther knew that sign, she had seen it on many other people that Damien had used magic on, and it was never a good sign for things to come.

Cana smirked. "Well, we should make him feel welcome then shouldn't we?" before Esther could protest, Cana grabbed one of her bottles, and walked in the direction of the new guy.

"Hey wait, Cana!" Esther called after her, but Cana just ignored her. Esther bit her lip. Maybe Cana had known that guy before; would his presence here be enough to break the spell? What would happen then? Esther's hand shook, but she stayed quiet. For all she knew, Cana had only briefly met this guy, and it wouldn't be enough to break the spell.

Laxus POV

Laxus frowned; annoyed at the eyes he could feel boring into the back of his head. Was it so hard to get a simple drink in this town? After defeating the bandits, Laxus had split off from Freed and Bixlow to search around the town. There wasn't really much to look at, since the place was so small, but eventually, he had made his way to Joe's bar, and decided to get a drink. Laxus had regretted his decision as soon as he stepped into the bar. Laxus was fine with people staring at him when he was beating the crap out of someone, but when he was out getting a drink? Not cool. Laxus scowled in annoyance, before taking a swig of his bottle. Just then, Laxus heard a voice call, "Hey wait, Cana!" Laxus looked up, and he almost dropped his glass.

A girl was walking towards him; she was wearing a blue tank top and blue jeans. She had long chestnut brown hair that flowed down halfway down her back. She had a blue bag hanging from her shoulders, resting on her hip, and two blue bracelets, resting on her biceps. But what struck Laxus most wasn't how pretty he thought she looked, but that she looked exactly like the girl from his recent dreams.

Laxus watched as she over to him, placing her hand on chair next to him, leaning slightly on it, holding a bottle of beer in her other hand. "Hey, mind if I join you?"

Laxus snapped himself out of his trance, and shrugged. "Be my guest." He said, waving to the chair.

The girl grinned with gratitude, before sitting down in the seat. She propped her elbows on the table, holding her head up with her right hand, studying him. "I haven't seen you around before, you new to town?"

Laxus nodded. "I'm in town for business." Laxus stated simply.

"Business? What kind of business would you come to a small town like this for?" the girl asked.

"You'd be surprised, I travel a lot." Laxus answered. Laxus was silent for a moment. "Have we met before?"

The girl blinked for a moment, then laughed. "Jeeze, if you're going for lame pickup lines I guess you take the cake."

"I didn't mean it like that." Laxus said nonchalantly, like it really didn't matter either way.

The girl rolled her eyes. "I'm just messing with ya'. Man you gotta lighten up a little!" the girl's face seemed serious again. "Seriously though, have we met before?"

Laxus raised an eyebrow. "Seems to me like we did."

Just then Laxus heard a voice. "Cana come on, it's getting late." He looked up to see a girl walking towards them. She had blond hair, braided to one side, a simple green v-neck and blue jeans held up by a white belt. She walked over to them, and stood by Cana. "You just got back, and you promised Damien that you wouldn't go out after 11."

The girl frowned at her friend. "Did I?" she waved her bottle in the air. "I must have been drunk." She looked back at Laxus. "This is my friend, Esther, Esther, this is," she frowned, then addressed Laxus. "Sorry, I don't think I got your name."

"It's Laxus." He said simply. "Laxus Dreyer."

The girl smirked. "Laxus," she said, enunciating every syllable. "I like it!"

Laxus glanced up at Esther. She was staring at him, with a mix of fear, and doubt. Laxus was used to people being scarred of him, but the way she looked at him just didn't feel right. He turned his attention back to the girl or Cana, as Esther had called her. She was acting exactly the opposite of her friend, talking to him like they had known each other forever. It put Laxus at ease, and he found it difficult to keep his scowl on his face.

"And you're Cana, correct?" he asked.

Cana nodded. "Ya, the name's Cana Alberona."

"Why'd you tell him that?" Esther asked. It was probably meant to be a hushed whisper, but Laxus heard it loud and clear.

Cana frowned at her. "Why shouldn't I? He told me."

Esther bit her lip, looking worried. "But Damien..."

Before she could continue, Cana waved her hand. "Relax Esther. Here, I'll go meet you outside in a moment ok? No more than ten minutes." Esther frowned, but nodded, and headed outside. Cana turned back to Laxus. "Sorry about that. Esther worries a lot, but she'll be fine." Laxus nodded. "So what business are you here for?" Cana asked.

Laxus took a swig of his drink. "I'm a mage; the mayor hired me and my friends to get rid of some bandits in the forest around your merry little town."

Cana frowned in confusion. "The mayor hired you?" her eyes turned speculating, as she put a finger to her lip thoughtfully. "That's strange,"

"Why's it so strange?" Laxus asked.

Cana looked at him. "Well, sure we have a bit of a bandit problem, but it's nothing really big, and we do have a few mages here that could have handled it. No offence, but I don't see why he hired you."

Laxus shrugged, taking a drink of his glass. "I'm getting paid, so I'm not complaining..."

Cana grinned. "Oh I'm not either. If he hadn't, I wouldn't have gotten to meet you."

Laxus sneered. "Now who's doing the cheesy pickup lines?"

Cana scowled at him. "That was not cheesy!"

"Sure it wasn't." Cana frowned. The two had a small stare down, before Cana burst out in a small fit of laughter.

"Man, looks like the alcohol had gotten to me!"Cana said, giggling. Laxus involuntarily smiled, her laughter made him feel warm, as if her laughter was the door to a little corner of paradise.

"Can't blame alcohol for everything." Laxus said.

Cana grinned. "Why not? It's worked for me up till now."

Laxus shook off the feeling of momentary nostalgia. "So you said there were other mages in this town. How many?"

Cana frowned for a moment thinking. "Just two, my boyfriend being one of them."

Laxus feigned a hurt look. "Boyfriend, man didn't need to hear that."

Cana grinned, "Aw, poor Laxus is a little late."

Laxus ignored the comment. "So who's the other?"

Cana grinned. "That'd be me. I'm a card mage."

Laxus frowned for a moment, remembering that the girl from his dreams was also a card mage. "That can't be a coincidence." He thought. "Card mage huh? You any good?"

Cana grinned. "Well I don't like to brag, but I'm pretty skilled."

"You from a guild?" Laxus asked.

Cana laughed. "In a small town like this you think there'd be a guild? There are no guilds within miles of this place, so wouldn't be ideal. What about you?"

Laxus lay back in his chair, relaxing himself. "I'm a mage from Fairy Tail."

"Fairy tail. That's in Magnolia right?"

Laxus nodded. "Ever been?"

Cana shook her head. "I've been to Magnolia, but didn't go to Fairy tail, my boyfriend wanted to get back early."

"CANA COME ON!" Laxus looked up to see Esther at the door, a scowl on her face.

Cana waved at her, annoyed. "Just give me a sec!" Cana turned, rolling her eyes, before giving Laxus an apologetic smile. "Sorry, looks like I've reached my limit." Laxus nodded, watching her as she stood. "Hey, how long you in town?"

Laxus frowned. "As long as it takes for us to get rid the bandits, why?"

Cana grinned. "Come to Mrs. Goodworth's bakery tomorrow at three o'clock. I'll give you and your friends a tour of our small little town."

Laxus grinned. "Sounds good, I'll see you then." Cana grinned, waving at him as she walked out of the bar. Laxus watched her go, the image of her smile still clear in his mind. There was no doubt that she was the girl from his weird dreams, but she had said that she had never gone to fairy tail before. Laxus smiled to himself, already looking forward to seeing her again. Suddenly it hit him. She had also invited his friends. If the Thunder Legion found out about her, and his dreams, he would never hear the end of it.

Esther POV

Esther glared at Cana angrily as they walked, Cana smiling, ignoring her stare. "What was that?" Esther asked venomously.

Cana glanced at her. "What was what?" Cana asked.

"That!" Esther said. "With that guy back there!"

"Oh Laxus?" Cana asked again, looking totally innocent. "What about him?"

Esther looked like she was going to blow something. "You have a boyfriend, in case you have forgotten. A POSESSIVE boyfriend, who is not going to be HAPPY." Esther said, emphasizing possessive and happy.

Cana just waved her hand. "I just talked to him, no big deal. Damien's not going to go crazy or something."

"You don't know that!" Esther protested. "That guy seems strong, what happens if he and Damien fight?"

"It won't get to that. Laxus doesn't seem like the kind of guy who'd get angry easily. Kind of like those stereotypical soldiers from England that don't move no matter what you do. I think Damien will be fine."

"It's not Damien I'm worried about." Esther thought, suppressing a shudder. "That guy is dangerous Cana; just keep your distance ok?"

Cana frowned. "Well that'll be hard, since I'm meeting him again tomorrow."

"YOU'RE WHAT?" Esther practically shrieked.

Cana winced at the loud noise. "Man Esther pipe down! It's not like I invited him to come with me down a dark alley in the middle of the night, all I did was offer to show him around town. Is that a problem?"

Esther clenched her hand, not saying anything, her feet planted firmly on the ground. Cana was saying this so easily, but she didn't even realise how terrible this would be, for everyone! She didn't realise what Damien could do, how detrimental it could be to get him angry! Esther took a deep breath, and let out a sigh. "I'm sorry Cana. I'm tired, and I think the alcohol's getting to me. I'll see you tomorrow ok?"

Cana watched her for a moment, but nodded. "Alright, sure, I'll see you tomorrow." Esther smiled, and waved, as the two parted ways.

Esther walked into her house, and found her father sitting at the table, drinking coffee, despite the late hour. "Dad, we need to talk."

The older man looked at her, before setting down his mug. "What's wrong Esther?"

"There's a new guy in town, his name is Laxus." She said simply. She hadn't moved from the entrance, though the door was shut firmly behind her.

Her father turned, to look at his newspaper. "I know, I hired him to come here."

Esther starred at him. "You what? Why?" she asked, aghast.

Ester then noticed how tightly her father held the paper, the slight tremor that was unmistakable. "I needed him to get rid of the bandits. I know they aren't a huge issue, but, I can't have what happened to that poor boy happen to any of them."

Esther bit her lip, the image flashing before her eyes. "He's from Cana's old guild isn't he?" she asked. Her father nodded slowly. "What if he causes the spell to break, worse, what if he's the one that Cana used to like? Have you even considered what will happen is Damien finds out?"

"I've thought of every possible scenario Esther." Said her father, a dangerous calm settling in his voice. "I've done my research on the man. He's extremely powerful, strong enough to beat one of the top ten holy mages. He made some bad choices before, and for all we know this could blow up in our faces, but I think we can trust him. It's just a gut feeling, but I feel we have no other choice." He looked at his daughter slowly, his intense gaze burning into her eyes. "I feel this boy might be able to save this town."

Esther said nothing, leaning against the door, as her father turned his attention back to the paper, his hands still shaking. This was a huge gamble; one Esther feared would not pan out. But there was nothing to do now. All Esther could do now was pray for the better.

I'm not going to lie. I am REALLY not happy with this chapter. I had been building this chapter up in my head for days now, and as soon as I get to it, I get a major case of writers block. UGH! So I'm really sorry that it sucked so much, I'm just as mad as you are. I hope the next one will be better. Please review, but no flames, (even though I probably deserve some)