Hello everyone! Just so you know, I might be getting a tad bit slower with updating. I'm going to be busy with school clothes shopping and open house next week, but don't worry, I'll try to write as much as I can!

Disclaimer; I do not own Fairy Tail. It belongs to Hiro Mashima.

Pieces

x.x.x

Juvia felt bad for her beloved Gray. Even though that it was obvious that the ice mage had feelings for her newly acquired love rival, Erza, and that hurt Juvia but it pained her even more to see him so sad. The rain woman had been watching (not stalking) Gray closely for the past few weeks, ever since that faithful day she met him and was forced to battle him. While she had been observing him, not having enough courage to approach him, Juiva noticed how Gray's attention had been directed towards Erza's lately. At first, she thought it was the blonde, celestial wizard that was her rival but it seemed to be the Titania now.

When Juvia followed the fairy tail all the way to Honseka Town, she realized that was when Gray's feelings for Erza changed. Whenever that strange, evil man had shown up and was intimidating Erza, Gray had woken up. She knew then Gray was worried about her and his feelings had amplified that night, he wanted to protect her. Juvia could tell that Gray loved Erza.

Now Gray had been confronted by the same man, who tried to tried to kill him, and Erza admitted she was in love with the psychopath. The pain in Gray's dark, black eyes made Juiva's heart shatter. Juiva didn't want Gray to be unhappy. The ice creation mage than raced out of the apartment, leaving the two traitors to themselves. The rain women followed him all the way to the South Gate Park, his body collapsing down on a park bench.

"This is Juvia's chance." She whispered to herself, hiding behind a large bush near the bench. It was kind of selfish, Juvia knew that, but this was the perfect chance to win Gray's heart. To comfort him while he's heartbroken. Smacking her cheek lightly and letting out a deep breath, Juvia straighten up and approached Gray.

It didn't take long for Gray to noticed her presence, "Huh?" He was taken aback once he noticed Juvia staying beside the bench and his laying form. "You're Juvia Lockser from Phantom Lord's Element 4, aren't you?" Sitting up, Gray became cautious and alert as his eyes narrowed at Juvia. She looked the same from the time he first fought her; her blue hair was curled at the ends and she wore her dark, blue coat with the fur shawl. The rain woman wore winter clothes even though it was quite humid out.

"Yes, Juvia was. But since Phantom Lord disbanded, Juvia wants to join Fairy Tail." She said softly, poking her index fingers together in a nervous manner.

Before Gray could say anything else, she added as she took a seat quickly beside him, "Juvia can tell Gray-sama is sad. Juvia doesn't like it, Juvia wants Gray-sama to feel better."

Her dark, blue eyes gazed deeply into Gray's and a light, pink blush spread across her pale cheeks. After summoning all the courage that her body had, Juvia lend forward and embraced Gray. He blinked slowly, surprised, but he grinned and wrapped his muscular arms around the rain women. He found it a bit odd that she knew something was wrong but he just assumed it was obvious by the sorrow in his eyes.

"Thank you." He muttered, tightening his grip. J-Juiva is in heaven!

There was a long silence after Gray stormed off, the two were unsure of what to do. The immense pain from her throbbing head had gotten worse, Erza's breathing was more rapid and irregular. Concern was displayed in Jellal's eyes as he stepped forward, nearing the sickly Erza. Stress was only going to make her cold worse. Jellal's hand directed the scarlet haired mage back to her bed. He could feel the heat of her body through her loose fitting, purple pajamas. Erza would need another dose of medicine soon. Great.

"I meant what I said." Erza stated after she sat down upon her bed, brown eyes were directed towards Jellal. He let out a small chuckle, pulling the covers around her body.

"You're sick and stressed out, you don't know what you are saying." Jellal remarked. That comment seemed to irk the Titania as she threw the sheets away from herself. She stood up, looming over Jellal. He had taken a seat back in the chair next to her bed, that was the only way Erza could tower over him. The blue haired man only gazed up at her with blank eyes, unfazed by her attempt to intimidate him.

"I love you, Jellal." Each time she uttered those words, it felt like it took more of the tremendous weight off her shoulders.

"No you don't." As he stood up, reaching up to Erza's level, he fiercely grabbed a hold of her small, slender shoulders. His grip tighten as he clenched his teeth, causing Erza to wince in pain. She loves you, why not take advantage of that? The voice hissed in delight, Jellal tried to shut it out of his mind but it kept repeating itself.

Why not take advantage of that? She won't refuse you.

"Jellal?" Her smooth, sweet voice called him out of his inner battle. His eyes snapped back down to her face, his grip loosening, beads of sweat forming on his brow. Refusing the devilish thoughts from Zeref was taking a lot out of him, it wouldn't be long until he breaks. Jellal doesn't want to hurt her but Zeref dpes.

"I always loved you, from the day I met you and now," She then added with a scowl, "Don't ever say I don't."

She back away from his hold and a sweet smile lighten her face, he returned the gesture. He somewhat wondered about her fellow guildmate but he thought he'd save that conversation for later. Bringing up that ice mage would ruin the moment. As Erza settled back down into her bed, Jellal walked to the kitchen to fetch her more cough syrup. Knowing she would resist another dose, he searched the cabinet for another kind of medicine. Sinus pills were the only other option he found. Not sure how she would reaction about taking pills, he dissolved it in a glass of water.

Returning back to the Titania's side, he noticed she was fast asleep. Her scarlet locks were sprawled out across the pillow, her lips slightly a gap as she silently breathed. His dark eyes gazed hungrily down at her beautiful features. Jellal bite down roughly on his bottom lip in an attempt to control himself. His inner voice suggesting things that caused a light shade of crimson to appear across his cheeks.

"I love you too, Er-chan." He muttered softly as he lowered his head closer to her sleeping form, his lips hovering over her exposed forehead, "I'm sorry about everything. I hope you will understand."

He gently kissed her brow, causing her features to move slightly but Erza continued to sleep. Jellal left the glass of medicated water on the dark, wooden nightstand before he headed towards to the door. He lingered at the threshold, looking back at Erza, but eventually left before she had a chance to wake up and stop him from leaving.

The heat from the steaming bath relieved her throbbing head as Erza lowered her body into the water. She had awoken from her slumber to find herself alone, disappointment and loneliness make her heart ache. Though the hurt was soon forgotten as she gulped down the water beside her bed, only to find out it had the disgusting tang of dissolved medication. Not long after she spent about half an hour choking on the foul liquid, Erza decided to run a bath as she hoped it would soothe her cold.

"I'm so sorry, Gray." Erza heard herself muttered. She shifted her body so that she was leaning against the side of the tub, her arms folded over each other on the rim. Her chin rested on her forearm and she gazed blankly at the rest of the bathroom.

It didn't take long for Erza to realize Gray's feelings for her, she knew ever since she young. The warrior would admit she felt something between the two of them, but she never acted on those feelings because her mind was occupied by Jellal. Now that he was back, she knew for sure that she was in love with Jellal. Though she regretted blurting out her true emotions right in front of the ice wizard. The pure look of hurt and betrayal displayed on his face was still fresh in her mind.

It had been near the middle of the day when Gray had shown up, now the sun was slowly setting. After sitting in the hot bath, thinking about whatever wandered into her mind, she finally drained the water. Once she stepped out, Erza grabbed a towel and quickly covered her body and another for her long, scarlet hair. A familiar feeling of vulnerability returned, the silence of her small home made it worse.

The Titania tiptoed back towards her bed, holding tightly on her towel. Just as she was about to requip into her usual pajamas to get some more rest, the door burst opened. Shocking the unsuspecting warrior, Erza nearly jumped out of her skin.

"Erza!" A dark, red blush crept along her face as Erza realized it was the dragon slayer and the celestial wizard.

"Oh, s-sorry, Erza!" Lucy apologized rapidly, jumping in front of the blinking Natsu. Erza embarrassingly requiped in to her armor, feeling too uncomfortable for pajamas now.

Lucy briefly explained the situation about Loke, that he was truly a celestial spirit named Leo, the news had mildly caught Erza by surprise. She sensed Loke had always been hiding something, but nothing like that. However, the main reason that they came to talk to Erza was that Loke had given them tickets to the Akane Resort, "So, how is your cold?" Lucy inquired.

Now that she mentioned it, ever since Jellal had forced her medicine, her cold seemed to slowly dissipate. Her headache was gone, thanks to the bath, and her nose was to longer runny, "I feel much better."

"Great!" Natsu cheered, "That means you can go."

Before Natsu had complete his sentence, Erza's apartment became more cramp than usual as the enormous pile of luggage just seemed to appear out of thin air. Lucy stared in shock and jumped back out of the room, not liking the tight shape.

"Let's go." Erza grinned. It was a refreshing thought to have another vacation so soon, she hoped this would lighten the tension that was forming between her and Gray. What about Jellal? Part of her wanted to find him and explain that she'll be going away on vacation, but she didn't have time to warn him. She happily followed her friends so that the rest could get ready for the trip.

The time has come.

"I guess so." Jellal frowned, it was inevitable and he knew it. He was standing on a rooftop, gazing into the window of Erza's apartment. Once they reach Akane Resort, everything will fall into place. He had tried to stop it but Zeref had too much control him, Erza was the sacrifice they needed for the Tower of Heaven.

"I'm sorry, Er-chan." He muttered, trying to block out the sadistic cackles deep in mind but to no avail. His frowned twisted into a malicious grin, his eyes narrowing hatefully towards the window. Zeref was in full control now ...

A/N ;; I was starting to feel bad for Gray, so I added a bit of Gray x Juvia to lighten his mood. Please leave a review and thanks for reading!~