I do not own any characters.
Chapter 3 - Complications
The very morning Erza woke up, ready to pack up the things she would need during finding Jellal. Once again she organized her schedule for now in the head, but when she sat down on the bed, she discovered feeling rather dizzy. Surprised, but determined to ignore it, Titania stood up and went to the bathroom. Brushing her hair crazy fast, and taking care of the dental hygiene, she tried not to think about her dreams and about what she'd been thinking before actually sleeping.
When she decided that she made herself look quite ready to leave home, she reequipped in a normal armor she was wearing all the time. On the second thought, though, she decided that she was not looking like going on the vacation at all. Erza sighed and reequipped in a dress with drawn flowers. At least for now she had to make an impression that was really going somewhere to relax.
Going for her bag to pack it up, the mage was thinking about where to begin. There seemed to be no perfect place to start with. Jellal could be everywhere. He knew where Ultear and Meredy were, since they had a connection on their bodies, called a body link. They could easily communicate with some signs they agreed on before parting.
Erza closed her eyes for a moment. She thought about the places he wanted to go to. The sea – no, he had had enough of that in the past. All his life with Zeref spirit in himself he lived on an island in the middle of the sea, so definitely no. The forest – it was too quiet and peaceably there. Not for the unofficial guild who eliminated the Evil.
Oh, right! She should go to the town's ranger bar and listen to what the people who travel around the country had to say. Well, maybe it was not the best option, but the only one quite wise she could have thought of right then.
Titania made herself a small meal and started to eat. After the fifth bit, though, she felt sick and dizzy again. The whole content of her stomach got up to her throat and she barely made it to reach the toilet. Throwing up was something she had experienced twice in her life, when she ate an old meal in some dirty little bar – the only place in a small town after one of her missions, and the second when she was small. That was rather a nasty surprise.
The nausea passed as quickly as it came. Erza sat down next to the lavatory seat, taking a deep breath. What the hell was that? She couldn't tell yet. Probably she ate something not fresh again and her stomach was punishing her for not respecting it. Still, it couldn't have picked any worse moment for that.
The Reequip mage stood up and washed her face with cold water, which obviously helped a lot. She returned to her meal, now feeling hungry. Another deep breath. She took one bite. Her stomach accepted it. Relieved, she ate till the end and got back to packing up.
Gray hadn't slept the whole night, angry with the world. He wasn't able to forget nor forgive Erza for what she said and did… And forgive Jellal was also impossible. It was not rational, and that woman never belonged to him, but he hoped for the best after Jellal's first betrayal, later the second disappearing and the rest of his actions.
But, was it even possible that she will find him? Even the council was not able to do so, and yet she decided to go on a mission of that kind… Silly woman. The hell was she thinking? She was not dumb, yet…
Gray had been thinking like that for the night, and now, with the sunrise he decided to find Natsu and Lucy to ask them for advice. He did not like the idea of asking that Flame Head for any advice, but he knew that Natsu was really dependable when it came to nakama. And about Lucy, he hoped for the wise and analyzed hint.
Not wanting to waste any time more, Gray took his jacket and run out of his house to find friends.
- Oi, Lucy, Natsu!
- And what about me? – sniffed Happy.
- I need your advice – said Gray, looking quite down and sick.
- Are you okay, Gray? – asked Lucy at once, as always pretty perceptive.
- No, I am not. Can we go to that furthest table in the guild? I wish we had some privacy… – and he rushed to that place. Natsu and Lucy looked at each other, concerned.
- Gray, what's the matter? – asked Natsu.
- Listen carefully. We don't have much time. Erza… – he swallowed and continued – She decided to leave us. And go on a mission of finding Jellal Fernandez.
- WHAT?! – cried Lucy – No way! Erza said she got over his decision already…
- No. I talked to her. She was preparing for leaving.
- But… Why hasn't Erza told us anything? – whispered Natsu.
- Because, you idiot, she knew we would stop her – Gray rolled his eyes – And that's why I came to you. Natsu, Lucy… Should I go with her?
- Of course – jumped Natsu, clenching his palm into a fist – We must follow her, and hit that crap out of her!
- Gray… – started the Stellar Spirit mage carefully – I bet Erza wanted to go alone. That man she is looking for is all her life. She's loved him since the beginning. Erza can't let go of him, with all the things they got through...
- You talk like her – rasped Gray with anger.
- Natsu – Lucy turned her eyes on the other boy – Can you leave us for a moment?
- What? Why? – he opposed.
- I need to have an important talk with Gray. Please. Just for a while.
Natsu looked her into the eyes, long and estimating. Then he nodded slowly, took Happy on his hands and walked away, sat further and waited there patiently.
The girl looked at the Ice mage with a grief.
- I know it's hard for you to accept it…
- What do you know? Nothing! – hissed the boy, pissed off. Seriously, he was just supposed to ask them for a one-sentence advice, that's all… He was not prepared for the lecture he was gonna get now.
- Listen to me, you big head! – Lucy hit the tabletop with an opened hand – I know you love Erza. And that is why you can't stand her resolution… But if you truly love her, you should accept it. That is her fate and a chance for happiness.
- What? How do you know? – Gray blushed crazily, which even made him feel worse; that was like a banner which was telling everyone Yes! That's the truth, I do! – Nobody…
- Oh, Gray, I'm a woman – she waved her hand with a half of the smile – I can see such things. So, you do. I always knew.
- Whatever… But, Erza's going to chase after that man, although she doesn't know how it would be with me. If she could be happy? – said the mage bitterly.
- Of course! Imagine that: Jellal leaves Erza, brokenhearted. You are there… And she just forgets everything and falls into your arms? No way in hell! She would only lie, to you and to herself, that she loves or could ever love you. And sooner or later she would end it up, knowing it won't work. And, how would you feel knowing she's with you and she loves another guy?
- Shit… You're right – Gray laid his head in hands, feeling like collapsing any moment – I never thought of that…
- See? – sighed the girl.
Gray was truly grateful for Lucy's talk, even though he still felt pain in his chest. Right then it was Natsu who returned.
- Well, are we going? – he enquired.
- Going? Where? – Lucy blinked.
- With Erza, of course. This is her resolution, right? And we are her best friends, so we should be supporting her – Natsu shrugged his shoulders.
- Yeah… You're right – answered Gray.
- Wait a second… Are you planning on going with her?! – said the girl, surprised.
- Sure – they both answered, giving her an odd look.
Lucy sighed once again, that time with a surrender. Right then there was no turning back.
The summoner hurried to her flat and took some things she decided would be needed. Exactly an hour later she was under a guild's dormitories, where Erza lived. Lucy decided to pay her friend a visit before the boys actually got there. She opened the door and hurried to the room which she knew belonged to Erza.
Lucy knocked, but there was no answer. She quietly and carefully opened the door, but no cry of surprise or annoyance came from the room. What's more, there was not a single sound made, so she confidently took a deep breath and stepped inside.
The first thing she spotted was that Erza's room was… empty. Most of the things were taken away, there was no luggage anywhere, and her bed was made… Strange…
The blonde walked around the room. There was a strange smell, but she couldn't tell what was that. Well, anyway, it she could smell it, it must have been really strong. Maybe Natsu would be able to recognize it.
Suddenly, the door opened and Wendy came inside.
- Oh, Lucy-san, good morning – she said with a smile.
- Wendy! Good morning – Lucy smiled at a little girl.
- Is Erza-san somewhere here? She wanted to go out, but I told her to wait a bit after I cast a spell…
- W-what spell? – the blonde froze.
- Oh, you see, Erza-san was not feeling very well – explained Wendy – And she asked me to make the throwing up stop. So I helped her. She was supposed to wait a bit, because she was looking so fragile and pale…
- Did you ask her for the reason of vomiting? – asked Lucy.
- N-no… Should have I done so? – the Sky Dragon Slayer opened her eyes in surprise.
- Oh, no, there is nothing that you did wrong, Wendy!
- Uff, okay. That's a relief. But, you know, it was a little bit strange. Yesterday I was with Erza-san at the same restaurant, and we ordered different dishes… But we ate everything. You know, Lucy-san, she gave me half of hers, and I gave half of mine to Erza-san – Wendy frowned – So I don't think that the supper was a reason…
- Odd, really – commented Lucy.
- And she told me it was really sudden, and she felt dizzy…
Lucy stopped listening to the kid, thinking. Erza was really moody since Jellal left, and that was something she thought of as natural. She was upset. But this sickness… And the feeling of dizziness… And eating in a restaurant – that was not like Erza at all. Something was not right there. Unless…
- Tell me – she began – Does that spell work on the pregnancy sickness?
- N-no… That is the another spell I would have to put on… Why? – asked Wendy.
- Nothing. I was just thinking – Lucy pretended that she was joking, and winked at her – You know, just in case.
Wendy grinned and said she must go to Carla. She waved and went out, leaving Lucy being in a fix. She hoped that it was just a bad feeling, and nothing more, but she usually had her instincts right.
If Erza really had left before Wendy telling her she could have, she already felt better, which was – due to the information Wendy told her – impossible. So she had to feel better after a vomit. And it was not a normal sickness. Still, Lucy had no idea if she ever slept with a man, so…
The Stellar Spirit mage heard voiced of Natsu and Gray, arguing outside, so she closed the door and ran down.
- Oh, Lucy – greeted her Gray – we thought you were late.
- No – she panted – But we have a problem.
- What is it? – asked Happy.
- Erza had already left.
Erza was sitting in a ranger bar, listening to the rangers' news from the continent. There were some disturbing news from the North, but not on a big scale. So Erza decided to sit there until she heard something worth paying attention to.
She still felt sick, although the spell from Wendy should have cured her completely. The smell of food made her like throw up, and she was already after two visits at the local toilet. Erza did not understand why is her body reacting like that. She felt annoyed out of the blue.
The mage looked at the newcomer, who just opened the door and walked inside, looking more like a cowboy than a ranger. Guy browsed around the place and came to the bar. He caught a glimpse of Erza, and turned his head. After a few seconds later he started to ogle her, what made the woman angry. The cowboy guy ordered two drinks, and nodded at her. Erza raised one brow and said nothing. But the creep moved his chair closer to her and said with a Casanova smile:
- Hey, lady. I got ya a drink, you won't refuse?
- Since you already ordered… – she murmured.
- I'm Jake.
- Erza.
- Ah, yea, I heard 'bout ya. Mage, eh?
- Yes, I am – she answered, then pointed her chin at him – And you?
- Oh, kinda farmer. Like the nature, ya know – said Jake expressively.
The barman brought them drinks, and both of them nodded in appreciation.
- Cheers – Jake winked at her and took a swig. Erza smiled and drank – So, Erza-chan, what are you looking for here, in a bar of rangers?
- Just hearing out what people have to say.
- Oh? And maybe you look for something more? Like – he licked his lips – the job?
- Well… Yes, I want to find out about something – she confessed, drinking her drink again. It was quite strong.
- Come to our house, then! – Jake laughed – My brother, who is a ranger himself just came back, and says he's seen some evil powers on the south. And ya could meet my people!
Erza considered that offer. Trusting that Jake, the sympathetic guy who bought her a drink was not any type of a pervert or murderer, she agreed to pay him and 'his people' a visit. The man just smiled and finished his glass and stood up.
- Comin'?
- Yeah – the mage also ended her alcohol and rose. Again, she felt giddiness, but she blamed it on the alcohol. Erza glanced at Jake and said – Let's go.
He came, as she ascertained, by a carriage. The Reequip mage was sitting at the back, listening to the wind moaning and the melody Jake was crooning. A horse was going briskly, the sun was shining on her, giving a beautiful color to her hair. Sickness went away again, probably because of the wind blowing into her face.
- We're almost there! – shouted Jake after an hour.
Erza smiled as she saw a farm nearby. It must have been his. It took them a lot of time to come here, but if the information Jake's brother brought were useful, she would travel twice as much as that. In fact, any information at all was priceless to her, desperate to find Jellal.
The carriage reached rich in fruit orchards, and later the green pasturage with many cows and two horses. Minutes later it stopped in front of the wooden house.
- Please, Erza-chan – said Jake with a smile of a seducer, giving her a hand to help get out of the transportation, which fazed her a bit.
- Thank you – she said, accepting it. She jumped, landing with grace.
- Oi! Lavinia-chan! Hinata! – yelled the man in a direction of the house.
- Jake! Welcome back – said a woman, Lavinia, who went out of the house first – Oh, who is this lovely lady you brought with yourself?
- She's a mage, Erza-chan. This is Lavinia-chan.
- Nice to meet you, dear – said Lavinia.
- You too – answered Erza with a smile. She scoped the woman in front of her; Lavinia was pretty, with a long green hair and a headscarf. And she was pregnant.
- Please, come in.
- Lavinia-chan, she came to talk with Hinata – rushed with an explanation Jake – But we will have her at dinner, right?
- Of course we will – she smiled, taking Erza under an arm – Come, now. It's windy here.
- So, Erza-chan, you're looking for some news at the evil? – asked Jake's brother, Hinata, who was a husband of Lavinia, after the dinner – Well, good that Jake took you here, because I met some evil forces southerly.
- Where exactly?
- Horima – answered Hinata – About five days from here. There was something wrong at the beginning. Later the darkness came over the town, people started to act like beasts. The mages from local guild were saying something about Zeref's power…
- Impossible – Erza cried – We defeated Zeref… A long time ago…
- Just sayin'. And about week later all the mages disappeared or were killed. Some turned sides, ya know, now they are those bad guys…
- Oh, my…
- Hinata, Jake-kun, go take the cows to the stables – ordered Lavinia, looking at her guest with an anxiety.
The woman were left alone. They smiled at each other and Erza asked:
- Which month?
- Oh, almost the last one – Lavinia smiled, and looked at Erza back – And you?
- E-excuse me?! – expectorated the mage in shock – I am…
- You are pregnant, my dear. I could tell by the was you look, and you feel. Sorry, but you do not look good at all – sighed the landlady – I mean, you look exhausted, you feel giddy and you visited the bathroom twice since you've come.
- But…
And yet it came on her.
Erza froze, and dropped her glass with tea.
No, it is impossible.
THIS IS NOT POSSIBLE.
And, yet, everything was too clear. One reckless night. And the consequence. That sudden sickness, dizziness, and feeling like eating some strange things… Changes of mood…
- Oh, sweet Lord – Erza whispered, terrified.
Hey, sorry for the wait.
Though it was quite fast ;D
I took your advises and made Erza pregnant.
But, don't worry. Not everything will be all right – but for that you have to wait. It's not gonna be in the next chapter, nor the another or even another.
It's long, I couldn't help myself, sorry :D
Cheers from the cold, snowy Poland.