I'd like to thank everyone who's left me a review because, you guessed it (or you just...read the number above these words) I've reached 100 reviews! Excuse me while I go do my victory dance in the corner...

...Ok, I'm back. Thanks again. Here's what you need to know: everything that happens in this chapter happens in the castle that you can see in the distance in the celestial world in the anime (only for a little while). Basically, all you have to know is that they're in the Celestial Spirit King's castle…

Also, soak in all the fluff and love (AKA the purpose of this chapter :P) because nothing lasts forever…(unless you go back and re-read it over and over again)

~Jacin~

"Your spirits are really…" I began, but drifted off while I tried to find the word I was looking for.

"Crazy?" Lucy asked, "Yeah, I know." She smiled and took my hand, swinging it as we walked. I squeezed her fingers between mine.

"I was going to say special," I said.

Lucy nodded, "Of course you were, your spirits are just as crazy as mine."

I smiled, "That's true."

"But they're family," she added.

I nodded in agreement, "But they're family." I smiled and stopped walking, pulling her close to me and grabbing her other hand, "Fun fact…this is my first time in a magic, otherworldly, celestial castle." I could feel her clothes against my exposed chest.

Lucy smirked, "Me too."

"But you've been here before," I said, confused.

"I've never been in this castle, though," she said, shrugging.

I pulled her closer to me, "So, what? You just stayed outside the whole time?"

"Do you remember how I told you to warn Roawin that you were going to be gone for a while?" she asked.

I nodded, "You mean yesterday?"

"Yeah…about that. Well, time passes differently in the spirit world."

I frowned, my worry rising, "How long?"

"We've been here about an hour?" she asked. I nodded slowly. "A little less than a month?"

I didn't say anything; I just looked up at the diamond-like chandeliers that were floating above us, casting shimmering light down on us gently. I sighed and squeezed Lucy's hands tightly and then finally looked down at her.

"I did warn him," I said.

"He's safe, Jacin. He'll be ok. We'll just stay here for a little while longer and then we'll go home. I just wanted this to be a surprise," Lucy said, releasing my hand and bringing her gentle touch to my cheek. I nodded and kissed her palm, placing my free arm around her waist and pulling her against me. She rested her hand on my shoulder and I kissed her shoulder in return, resting my chin there.

"I miss him already," I said softly.

Lucy hid her face in my chest and sighed, "I know. Me, too." I raised my head and looked down at her. She reached up and brushed my bangs out of my eyes, just like Roawin. She grinned.

"You know that only made me miss him more," I said, grabbing her wrist.

She smiled, "But you liked it."

I nodded as I leaned down and kissed her. She wrapped her arms around my neck and rose up to meet me and I pulled her close, holding her tightly so that there was no way she could get away…because she was mine. I wanted to keep her close to me, by my side, forever. I hadn't really known anything like that feeling before. I mean, with Abigail I'd felt what I thought love should have been like. But, with Lucy, I couldn't look away for fear that I'd miss a second of it. I'm pretty sure that, should Lucy have left me, I would have been lost.

Someone cleared their throat loudly and intentionally. I pulled away from Lucy, raising my head and looking to my right. Othos stood there, his arms crossed over his chest. His usual blindfold concealed his eyes and his midnight hair fell over it slightly. His long coat rustled as he stepped closer to us.

"I'd like to speak with you," he said.

Lucy hesitated and then nodded, turning to leave. Othos grabbed her arm, "With both of you."

Lucy looked up at me questioningly and I shrugged. She wrapped her arm around mine, "Ok."

Othos hesitated, uncrossing his arms and then crossing them again, "Can we talk somewhere else?"

I nodded, confused, and answered, "Our room is right here."

"He said the master, right?" Lucy asked.

I nodded, "The Spirit King must really like you." When we'd rounded the corner, I opened the door to our room and stepped inside. Lucy gasped and my jaw dropped. The room was giant and the bed might as well have reached from one end of it to the other with magnificent curtains and drapes all around the room. There was a huge marble fireplace that already glowed with a warm, violent flame and an enormous diamond chandelier above us floated gently around the room. Elegant furniture scattered around the room, and a beautiful painting of the Celestial world adorned the area above the fireplace.

"I'm guessing by your reaction that this room is amazing?" Othos asked, "Because I've been in here before, but I've never seen it."

Lucy nodded and I smiled, turning to Othos, "She's nodding."

"No words, huh?" Othos asked. Lucy released my arm and sprinted across the room, launching herself onto the giant bed and laughing. I grinned and followed after her, (walking, of course).

"Lucy, remember that we're guests," I reminded her.

"Come on, Mustache won't mind," she said, stretching herself out as much as possible. I caught a glimpse of her pale stomach and felt my face heat up. Lucy giggled again. Damn, why does she have to be so cute? I don't think she knows how hard it is to resist this…

"Jacin, Lucy," Othos said, "I've got to say something." Lucy froze and then sat up immediately, staring at Othos. I sat beside her on the bed and watched my friend shove his hands into his coat pockets.

"What is it, Othos?" I asked. Something inside me dreaded what he was about to say, and I could see in Lucy's eyes that she felt the same. The moment we were in felt pure, happy. For the first time after we'd gotten together, there were no worries at all. It was bliss, and I could tell that what Othos was about to say carried more weight than I wanted to deal with. I didn't want our moment to end.

"I want to apologize to you both," he said. There was a moment of silence.

"For what?" Lucy asked, clearly confused.

Othos bowed his head and shook it, "I said horrible things to you, Lucy. I said things that could have prevented you from saving Jacin…and I deeply regret it. For that I am sorry. I don't expect forgiveness, but I want you to know how deeply I regret it. Ever since Jacin was a child, my entire existence has been devoted to protecting him. I assumed, foolishly, that you were too weak to help Jacin. I felt that you would only hurt him further, and so I lied. I didn't know it at the time, but I lied."

I stood up, anger beginning to broil, "What are you talking about?"

"Jacin," Lucy said, standing up and putting a hand on my chest. She smiled warmly and turned to Othos. She approached him and sighed.

"I understand," Lucy said. Othos's head rose and he pursed his lips. "And I forgive you."

Othos clenched his fists, "How is that possible? How is forgiveness possible? I've wronged you so gravely that I-"

"Because I would have done the same thing if Jacin were in danger. I would do anything for him, and I appreciate that you would too. It's good that he has a friend like you…that I have a friend like you." Lucy reached up and put a gentle hand on Othos's cheek, "You made a mistake, but for all the right reasons…and so I want to thank you."

I smiled, all of my anger dissolving. I wasn't sure what the two were talking about, but it didn't really matter that much to me. If Lucy had forgiven him, so would I. Just watching Lucy with her spirits, and with mine, was a sight to behold. Her kindness and generosity, her love for them, was beautiful.

"Thank you," Othos said quietly. He shimmered away. Lucy's hand dropped and she turned to me, still smiling.

"What are you looking at me like that for?" she asked, crossing her arms.

"Like what?" I asked, sitting back down on the bed.

"Like…that," she said, gesturing to my face. I nodded and held out my hand. She took it.

"Come here," I whispered, pulling her closer. She smiled and sat down on my lap, resting her hands on my chest. I looked up at her and smiled, "Because you're perfect." I kissed her.

"And because I love you to the end of Earthland…and further," I whispered.

She leaned down and kissed me, then looked into my eyes. I tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear. "I love you…no matter how cheesy you are…" she said. I grinned. "And I have since the moment I laid eyes on you. That's one thing I've never doubted."

"Never?" I asked.

She shook her head, "I've always known in my heart, even if I didn't know in my head."

I sighed, inhaling her familiar sweet scent as I did so. I wrapped my arms around her and hugged her, resting my head on her chest. She laughed and put a hand on my head, "What is it?"

"Don't leave me," I said, hugging her tighter.

She took a deep breath, "Why all of a sudden…"

I didn't answer, remaining quiet. The only sounds were the flickering of the fire and Lucy's steady heartbeat. She slowly placed a hand on either side of my face. She lifted my face up and looked down at me.

"What's wrong?" she asked, concern in her brown eyes.

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes, "I just…don't want to lose this." There was a moment of silence.

I opened my eyes after a while, and when I did I saw something that surprised me. A tear was gliding down Lucy's cheek. "Why-" I began.

"I should be the one saying that," she said, wiping her tear away quickly, "I watched you die, Jacin. I thought I was past it, but I'm not. I'm still scared all the time. I still feel like any second you'll be ripped away from me again."

My heart dropped. I felt every ounce of her pain as if it was my own, and to some extent it was. After having lost Abigail I survived…numbly, but I survived and took care of Roawin. If I lost Lucy, I don't think I would be able to do that, no matter how much I wanted to. If Lucy felt anything close to how I felt about her, which I'm pretty sure she did, she must have lost a part of herself when I died, even if it was just for a few moments. My scar stung.

I furrowed my brow, "I'm so sorry, Lucy."

She sniffed and shook her head, wiping her tears away with her sleeve, "Shut up, idiot. It's not your fault."

I reached up and wiped the corners of her beautiful eyes. "Stop crying or you'll make me cry," I whispered.

She put a hand on either of my shoulders and took a deep breath. She smirked a little, "You're cute when you cry, though."

I frowned, "I know I never should have cried in front of you."

"What? It's true! And I'm glad that you did, because it-" Honestly, at that point I didn't want to listen to her talk any more. She was sitting on my lap, for one thing, and, for another, her celestial clothes left little to the imagination. Oh, and also, she was just…being her…and that was enough for me. Ask any guy in love what they would have done in my situation, and his answer would have been the same. You kiss her. You kiss the hell out of that girl, because she's your world. Because you can't resist her any longer. Because…well, because you love her.

And I did.

I put my hands on her hips and felt her warmth seeping through her clothes. She leaned down to kiss me back, not the slightest bit mad at me for interrupting her. I'm pretty sure she'd been thinking about doing the same thing. Something about the celestial world spurred a feeling inside of me on…something that maybe scared me a bit. I was at the mercy of it.

"Jacin," Lucy whispered. She shivered beneath my hands, leaning even farther forward. She ran her fingers through my hair as I kissed her deeper, tasting her like I never had before. Her hands moved to my jaw and she held my face, kissing me intensely. Apparently she couldn't help it any longer, because her pale hands slid down my chest, resting above my heart for a moment before landing on my abs, exposed by my celestial shirt.

I relished at her touch. Every bit that she gave me made me want more, something that I was unfamiliar with. I'd wanted Lucy before, but not like this. Maybe it was the freedom I felt at being in the celestial world, maybe it was just that I'd fallen deeper in love with her…whatever made me feel this way, though…it wasn't going to let me stop. I was in a trance, as if my contact with Lucy was enough to keep me pinned in place.

Lucy's hands continued to glide over my muscles, tentatively and curiously feeling their way around my entire torso. They moved to my back as Lucy hugged me tightly, pressing herself against me. I kissed her neck and she gasped. Her grip tightened as I slowly slid my tongue along her jawline and then gently bit her ear. I couldn't fight the hold she had over me. Wave after wave of heat and electricity seared my veins as she got closer to me.

It was clear that she felt the same, because she pushed herself forward, forcing me to lie down on the bed, my legs still hanging off of the edge. Lucy sat on top of me, leaning over me. She didn't stop, either. She continued kissed me just as I continued kissing her. It was like, if we didn't need air, we wouldn't stop for anything. I pushed her back up and grabbed her thighs, pinning her against me. I stood up, holding her in place and continuing kissing her. She laughed and I smiled against her lips. She playfully kissed my nose and then returned to my mouth. God, I love the taste of her lips. It was my high.

I walked around the corner of the bed, carrying Lucy with me. She slid her fingers under my shirt, (which was really more of a vest), and slid it off of my shoulders. She tossed it to the ground as I set her down on the bed. I sat beside her and held her face, staring into her eyes for a moment. I stroked her cheek, wondering if my life could ever get better than this moment. If this was the peak of my happiness, it was a good one…one that should be envied.

I couldn't resist Lucy much longer and practically launched myself on her. I pressed her back against the sheets and kissed her again and again. Lucy unzipped her shirt, ripping it off almost as greedily as she had ripped mine off. She pressed herself against me and I neared my tipping point. Feeling that much of her against my skin was almost too much. I loved the feeling of her velvety soft skin against mine, of her warmth, and of her kissing on my chest. She was relentless.

Something suddenly appeared in the back of my mind. If this went any further, there was absolutely no way I would stop. I already wanted all of her, and I knew that, should I want it, I could just take it. Lucy could be mine, in a sense that she never had been before. I wanted that, but at the same time…something within me stirred. As I kissed her, steadily getting closer to the point of no return, the nagging in my brain grew. There was no one here to stop us this time. It was just Lucy and me. Did she…understand? Did she understand how much I loved her….how she was making me lose control? Because…it wasn't going to be long before I wouldn't stop.

I ripped myself away from her, gasping for air. "Lucy…Lucy," I said, breathing hard. She reached for me, but I grabbed her wrists. I closed my eyes, knowing that if I looked at her, I would be compelled to touch her soft skin. I could still feel the heat simmering between our bodies.

"What's wrong?" she asked in between breaths. I listened to her breathing for a moment and to the pounding of my heartbeat.

"You're really pushing my limit," I said, laughing a little. Lucy didn't say anything. I opened my eyes to see that she was staring at me intensely. A fire shone in her eyes as she looked directly at me. Her brown eyes were suddenly that much more mesmerizing, and I couldn't look away. I fought to keep my hands off of her.

"I know," she said calmly. I tensed.

"Lucy, I-" I began, but she wouldn't have it.

"I'm not stupid, Jacin. I know what I'm doing," she said, staring at me. I loosened my grip on her wrists, my hands falling to my lap.

I felt her seriousness. I saw it in her eyes. It was me who didn't understand, not her. I took her hand, slowly. I stared back at her. "I won't stop, Lucy," I said.

She leaned forward, putting her other hand on my jaw. She kissed me gently, slowly. "I won't ask you to," she whispered. She kissed the corner of my mouth, her thumb stroking my chin.

The logs, engulfed in roaring violet flames, cracked loudly. I gave in to her and she to me. It was like, no matter what happened to us, we would always have that moment. I wasn't afraid for it to end any longer, because we would always have the memory of that night. I held her close to me, kissing every inch of her to show her how much I really loved her. She gave me something that night…I think that was when she truly saved me…when she showed me what it really meant to have each other. To be in love.

~Lucy~

I had good dreams that night. Happy ones. I was wearing a dress, a beautiful, white, flowing one. It flew around me in the wind, my hair swirling around my face. Wildflowers covered the field I stood in as far as the eye could see. I ran as fast as I could, feeling the earth between my toes and the wind in my face. I felt free. When I finally stopped running, I turned around and saw his face. Jacin held out his arms to me and I ran to him, engulfed in unending happiness.

When I woke up, I still felt the lingering happiness from my dreams. I smiled and stretched my body as long as it would reach, pointing my toes. I yawned and sighed happily, enjoying the feeling of sunlight against my skin. I reached my arm out beside me to feel empty sheets. The sheets were warm. My eyes snapped open and I bolted upright. The bed beside me was empty. A sense of dread hit me like a 1000 ton weight. I quickly wrapped the sheets around my body and launched off of the bed.

"Jacin!" I yelled out. "Jacin, where are you!?"

I ran to the bathroom door, about to wrench it open to see if he was in there, when it opened. I took him in. He was wearing only pajama bottoms…where he got them I don't know. Probably Virgo. That, of course, afforded me a full view of his chiseled abs and chest…which I didn't mind. That was my destination as I smacked into his chest, hugging him tightly.

"What's wrong?" he asked, sounding worried. I hid my face in his chest.

"You suck," I whimpered.

He chuckled and the sound resonated within his chest. I clung tightly to him. "I'm sorry I wasn't there when you woke up. I was about to get back in bed with you," he said.

"You scared me," I said, looking up at him.

He wrapped an arm around me and stroked my cheek. He looked down at me, his blue eyes glowing in the morning light. "I'm sorry," he said, quickly kissing my forehead. "I've got an idea. I call for a redo," he said.

I raised an eyebrow. "What?" I asked. He smiled and reached down, sweeping me off of my feet and carrying me across the room.

"Did I tell you that this sheet suits you? You should wear sheets more often. Very sexy," he said, kissing my shoulder. I laughed, resting my hand on his chest.

"Why thank you," I said, "You shouldn't wear a shirt more often. Very sexy."

He winked and, without warning, threw me onto the bed. I yelped as he jumped onto it beside me. I bounced a good foot in the air and landed laughing. "Thanks for the warning, ass."

"You're welcome," he said, pulling the blankets up over us. He lay down and patted the bed next to him. I smiled and lay down. He pulled me up against him and I rested my head on his chest.

"Close your eyes," he said.

"Seriously?" I asked, raising my head.

He frowned and grabbed my head, pulling it down against his chest again. "Seriously." He took a deep breath, "Take two."

I tried not to laugh, only barely managing to keep it to a mini-giggle. I closed my eyes and waited for my next instructions. They didn't come, though. He was quiet as he breathed slowly. His arms wrapped around me and I felt so safe and warm. I actually started to feel sleepy again. I suddenly felt Jacin kiss each of my eyelids.

I slowly opened my eyes, looking up and him. He was smiling down at me softly, a comfortable laziness in his eyes. His golden eyelashes almost covered up is sea-blue eyes. He lowered his head and gave me a long, slowly kiss. His head finally fell against the pillow and he looked up at the colorful drapes above us. "I think that second time worked a lot better," he said, smiling.

I smiled. He looked back down at me, "How are you feeling?"

I rested my chin on his chest and closed my eyes again, "Happy…and strangely sleepy again…" I opened my eyes, "And I'm really thirsty." I only just then realized how much I wanted something to drink. My tongue felt dry. Jacin kissed me and wrapped a lock of my hair around his finger. He let it slid away as he eased away from me. I whined, my warm pillow disappearing. My head fell against the pillows.

"I'll get you some water," he said. He looked back at me and smirked, "Oh, don't look so lonely." I pouted and gave him puppy dog eyes as he disappeared back into the bathroom. I closed my eyes, curling up into a ball. As my thoughts began to drift, I remember what happened last night. My entire body thrummed at those memories and I had to bite down the beginnings of the hunger I felt for Jacin last night as they began to resurface. I directed my thoughts elsewhere and realized something. We'd slept in the spirit world.

I bolted upright again. "Hey, Jacin!" I yelled.

He appeared in the doorway again, bringing me a glass of water. He sat down beside me, "Jeez, patience is a virtue."

I gulped the water down and then gasped for air. He watched me, "Wow, you were thirsty."

I nodded and then took another deep breath, "We slept here Jacin."

His cheeks immediately turned a bright pink and he ran his fingers through his hair, "Uh, yeah…I know…"

I couldn't fight my blush. "No, that's not what I meant. I meant that we slept here last night. Meaning…we spent hours here."

He stared at me blankly.
"That means that months have passed in Earthland!" I shouted. Jacin's eyes went wide as realization slapped him in the face.

He stood up and bolted across the room, snatching his shirt from where it lay, still crumpled from where it had landed last night. He yanked it on.

"Virgo!" I yelled. She appeared within a few seconds.

"Princess? Punishment?" she asked immediately. I shook my head and stood.

"Clothes!" I said. She nodded and celestial clothes immediately appeared on my body.

"Will that be all?" she asked.

"Thanks!" I said. I ran across the room, grabbing Jacin's hand on the way and yanking him after me.

"Oh man, Roawin is going to be so pissed!" Jacin said worriedly as we ran. My heart hurt as I thought of little Roawin, missing his brother in Earthland. My heart sank when another thought occurred to me.

"My team is going to be SO furious," I said. Jacin and I looked at each other and then smiled. I held his hand tighter and he squeezed my fingers.

"But we'll see them soon," he said as we ran. We burst out of the castle doors and I nodded.

"We'll see them soon." Even though it had only been a night for us, so much had changed. My head was still filled with last night as we ran. We arrived, gasping for air, at the exit of the spirit realm. Our spirits were all gathered there.

"Come again!" they all shouted. I smiled and waved to them.

"Lucy Heartfilia!" a voice bellowed. I froze and turned. The Spirit King loomed over me. "Hold out your hands," he said. I released Jacin's hand and held out mine. A light shimmered above my palms and, when it disappeared, a letter floated gently down like a feather onto my hands. I stared at it.

"Read it when you return. If you have any questions, ask Johanne," said the Spirit King, "Now hurry, your family is waiting."

I opened my mouth to ask the first of zillions of questions that popped into my head, but before I could, the floor beneath us fell away and we were engulfed in a bright light. I screamed briefly and squeezed my eyes shut. When I opened them, I was sitting on my bed in my room. I looked to my right and saw Jacin sitting beside me, looking stunned.

"Wha-" he began.

I put the letter down on my desk and grabbed Jacin's hand, "No time to waste! Let's go see everyone!"

Jacin stood and followed after me, and he was soon dragging me behind him through the familiar streets of Magnolia. He was clearly very enthusiastic about seeing his brother…which wasn't surprising. I was just as excited, but my legs were also a lot shorter…regrettably.

We arrived quickly, but not quickly enough. We slammed the doors open, "We're back!"

*Fans herself* Whoa. Another good chapter on my part, (not to brag). I hope you guys really liked that, because I loved it. The feels! Don't forget to leave me a review! (I actually really want to know what you guys thought)
We'll see everyone again in the next chapter. :)

Also, it's like two in the morning right now and I was too lazy to edit this, so sorry for any typos. I hope it didn't take away from your reading, (though I usually have typos anyway). To my followers: Thanks for sticking with my story despite slow updates. I love you. Heehee.