A/N: Hey guys, I am back with another chapter, and I know it's fast but I have reason. I know myself and if I allow myself to prolong updating chapters I will never finish the story and I do not want that. I have tons of unfinished stories waiting to be published but that's not it! The best way for me to finish it is to get it out of my head and onto the white screen and for that I need your encouragement! Let me know what you think of the new chapter.

Afternoon at Fairy Hills was mostly silent. Fairy Tail moved back into dormitory and things slowly returned to normal regarding occupancy. Juvia was sitting in the shared bath with knees bent and hugging her legs, right across her was Lucy, mimicking her action but instead of looking down at reflection on water surface like Juvia did, Lucy's eyes were fixed upon her. She was worried and it was quite readable on her face. Indeed this was worst day for Juvia and no amount of time would mend this gap in her heart, she knew that well. Her chest clenched at every fragment of memory. Juvia doesn't get to decide for me, understand?! A memory flashed before her eyes and her hands suddenly clenched her leg, pressing harder against her chest… It is becoming annoying, you are becoming annoying another flash came and Juvia's face twitched and twisted, eyes squinted as lips parted slightly… Finally the flash of her hand connecting to Gray's cheek. She surrendered completely and started sobbing again, tears falling down her cheek dripping on the surface of hot water.

All the while Lucy was watching her, not knowing what exactly to say in situation like this but she already knew that. Instead, she simply stood and walked over to Juvia, sitting beside her and leaning against the rocky wall of the bath.

"He really meant a lot to you, did he?" Lucy asked as Juvia wiped her wet cheeks with equally wet back of her hand

"Juvia never loved anyone before like she does Gray-sama" Juvia sniffed looking at her own reflection, a pitiful sight she thought "Juvia probably never will…"

"Why Gray?" Lucy suddenly looked toward her, leaning her chin knees "I mean there were more guys, there are more guys even now who would be love to be beside you"

"Before Gray-sama came into her life, Juvia was all alone. Gajeel-kun was there for her but Gajeel-kun cared for Juvia in his own special way… Juvia didn't have this many close friends like Lucy and every day was endless wish for night to come and fall asleep. It was torment, no one liked Juvia, they only feared because Juvia was strong wizard… but then Grey-sama came" Juvia smiled a bit at the thought of their first meeting "Gray-sama was strong, stronger than Juvia and he defeated her but he didn't gloat, he didn't mocked Juvia's weakness… Gray-sama showed her a way where Juvia can be free, to be loved by so many friends. Every day was like a dream, even if Gray-sama would just brush away Juvia… it was still a dream"

Lucy could only imagine how it would be like, she was in love before but this was another level of love, something that only Juvia could feel. Her hand moved over Juvia's shoulder and pulled her closer. It didn't take long until Lisanna and Levy came, entering bath and sat on other side of Juvia. She became even more uncomfortable at this point, having the feeling that she might be even more of a burden to them all she could think is about turning into water and escaping but the firm grip from Levy one and Lucy on other side of her oddly gave her some comfort. Topics suddenly changed, shifted from one to another and soft laugh was heard, even to a point where they almost missed Erza's appearance.

"I have returned" Erza said with loud, firm voice.

"Welcome back Erza" Lucy greeted her "How was the mission?"

"It was more difficult than we anticipated" She continued, taking breath and closed her eyes and with a bright shine her armor disappeared completely from her body, revealing beautifully chiseled curves and ample breasts as she walked into the water "However Gajeel has proven to be exceptionally resourceful and we managed to complete it before deadline"

"That is great to hear" Levy said cheerfully "I am glad you both returned safe and sound"

"And I am glad to be back" Erza nodded holding her hair up and placing pin to hold it "Has everything been in order in my absence?"

"Yes!" Lucy said quickly, the small fidget on blonde became all too noticeable for Erza to miss "Everything is in perfect order!"

"Lucy? What is going on?"

"It is alright Lucy, Juvia doesn't mind telling, Erza is a friend after all" Juvia said, suddenly changing into her sad tone. As she explained, Erza's stern and strict face slowly received tone of shock and Juvia missed no detail. The story however extended further than just that day, it has started even earlier ever since Juvia managed to "ruin" another job for Gray, suddenly revealing the client Gray was supposed to escort out of Magnolia in secret. Client of course was a woman in thirties, as beautiful as she can be and without knowing full extent of it Juvia believed that Gray is going out with her. Her "attack" if it can be called like that but more of an outburst of jealousy has caused same client to become exposed to publicity and her attackers, making Gray's job considerably more challenging and though he thrives under such circumstances he was not pleased. Juvia's apologies proved to be insufficient however, making him even more agitated than before at her presence around guild hall.

As the story finally reached part of confrontation in Hall that Lucy was present to witness, Erza's shock was more and more obvious. Her eyes squinted frowning heavily and lips parted, showing clenched teeth… Erza was angry, almost to point of being livid. She told him that he should come out open with her but he clearly failed. Suddenly she stood up, water dripped down her skin and preparing to exit bath.

"I shall go and speak to him" Erza said in her angry voice but before she even turned Juvia stopped her

"Please don't… Juvia doesn't want to cause more problems"

"Do not be silly, this is something between me and Gray"

"Juvia knows that but Juvia also knows that Gray-sama and Erza have been childhood friends… she wishes not to ruin friendship or make things more difficult" Juvia looked at her, pressing both of her hands against her chest "Juvia will find a way bear this pain but Juvia wishes to do it on her own…"

"That is very brave of you" Erza carefully listened her and looked down at Juvia, sharing her sad expression as she carefully kneeled and hugged her "We will be here for you, we won't leave your side"

It didn't take a single word or twitch of finger for Lucy and Levy to realize what needed to be done and they moved closer to her as well, hugging her tight. Juvia felt that she indeed is luckiest girl alive for having friends to be beside her.

Gray on other hand was all alone in his apartment. Who would he have to count on right now, Natsu? Firebrain would probably beat the living shit out of him and perhaps he should but for the moment he could not care less. The memory persisted, every minute laid heavy on his mind. He would have to face everyone tomorrow at the guild hall and they would probably gang up on him for what he said. Gray realized that it would be completely justified to receive their beating because now he realized full extent of his words and he regretted saying them out loud. He hurt his friend; he doesn't deserve to be forgiven for what he said.

New day came to town of Magnolia but no sleep visited Gray and his eyes were both bloody red and bag formed under them. Soft warmth of the sun reached Gray's window and he looked outside, taking big sigh… time to face the music.

As soon as Mira unlocked the front door and opened them she spotted Gray, standing just outside waiting, with hands in his pockets. He looked up at her and she nodded toward him, moving inside, allowing him to follow to the counter.

"You look like you need coffee" Mira spoke, she was trying to be cheerful but the emotion eluded her and instead there was forced smile on her face

"Thanks…" Gray simply stated. After few minutes of silence he finally received his coffee and took a long sip not minding the scorching sensation on tongue "Well? Lay it on me, I can take a beating"

"No need Gray" she smiled again, this time genuine "your face shows that you already had hard enough time"

"That bad huh?" Gray looked at her with his tired eyes and she returned the gaze, he could feel at least small bit of sympathy

"You had it worse"

"Tell me Mira…" he started but suddenly stopped, looking down into his coffee, spotting his reflection "Am I really that bad of a guy?"

"Nah, you are just a prick" familiar voice reached from behind his back and owner of it took a seat beside Gray "What happened to your face?"

"Well I decided to take up modeling career and someone told me that 48 hours straight without sleep gives you this amazing young look" Gray chuckled sarcastically as he looked at pink dragonslayer beside him

"I heard that one before, they are just lies" Natsu said and turned toward Mira "Can I get some breakfast? I am starving!"

"You are always starving Natsu, can you at least focus for a minute?" Another voice came from behind Gray and like this one, owner sat on other chair… on other side of Gray. They seem to be piling up

"Hey Lucy" Gray greeted her

"I am focused!" Natsu exclaimed "Now I am focusing on food and after breakfast I will be focusing on handing Gray his own ass"

"So how bad was I in your eyes?"

"You did a number, Gray" Lucy said quietly, facing Mira who served Lucy her first morning coffee with a smile

"I know… I had a lot of time to think about this and I know what I did was wrong just… it's… I don't know, it was frustrating!" Gray lowered his head, grabbing his hair

"Popsicle…" Natsu started, holding waffle in his hand "it's not that we don't understand why you are pissed off it's that umm… Luce what was it again?" Lucy groaned suddenly at Natsu who already forgot what he was supposed to say

"What the idiot is trying to say is that we know that Juvia can be… difficult. Even for us sometimes but she is our friend, Gray. We need her as much as she needs us. We understand that you are probably stressed most about it, about her behavior and we are not judging you because of what you feel"

"Well what was I supposed to say? I love you too? Should I have taken love potion and force myself to love her?!" Gray became more and more frustrated

"No Gray!" Lucy smacked his shoulder with fist "You cannot force love! It was never about what you felt for her it was about the way you said it and you said it in a way that hurt her most"

"I got it, okay! I'll talk to her and apologize"

"No Gray" Lucy repeated her statement "For the time being it would be best if you avoid Juvia completely. Let her… well… give her time to fall out of love, ok?"

Wait, did she say fall out of love? Gray suddenly looked toward Lucy. Was Juvia really going to forget about everything? This thought suddenly created a pressure in his gut and he did not know why. Guild hall slowly filled with members and every time he heard door open he would glance over, waiting for Juvia to appear. Finally, she came with Levy and jolt struck Gray right down his spine. They said he should avoid her but damn it if he would do that now. Pair walked toward them and just as she was as close as within arm reach, Gray turned toward her

"Juvia, please lis…." He tried to reach for her but she merely passed by him, yet again not a glance, not good morning, not even a moment to stop "… ten" She was really going to avoid him and this terrified him to his very bones.

"I told you Gray" Lucy said as she took another sip

"Yeah you did…" he flopped down on stool and turned forward, leaning his elbow on counter and fingers of same hand pressed on his forehead "This day cannot get any worse"

Doors of hall suddenly opened with very loud thud, it would be more correct to say, they were kicked open making just about everyone look in that direction… everyone except Gray of course.

"Where is that degenerated snowcone?!" loud growling voice came, one belonging to Gajeel

"I had to say it, I just had to say it…" Gray sighed and after no more than three seconds he was grabbed by his collar of jacket and pulled up. Gajeel was completely pissed, his skin turned into metallic scales as he looked up at him

"What the hell did you do to Blue?!" Gajeel snarled at Gray who didn't even resist but didn't answer either "One thing I told you ice-freak! One fucking thing! Don't! Hurt! Blue!"

"Go ahead…" Gray finally said, his hands were limp and he closed eyes "I deserve it… throw your best punch at me…"

"You fucking prick!" Gajeel raised his right arm aiming to punch him straight into his gut but he couldn't complete it

"No Gajeel-kun!" Juvia suddenly ran and grabbed his arm, holding tight onto it "Please don't do it…"

"What gives?!" he snapped his neck, looking at her "You realize what this asshole has done to you?"

"Juvia knows… Juvia understands but Juvia doesn't want Gajeel-kun to hurt him because of her… Please…"

"Aaaaaghhhh!" Gajeel moved his arm out of her grasp and snarled again, he was breathing loud, the crunching sound of metal was heard as his fist tightened, ready to strike him but he couldn't and instead he just released him, making Gray fall down on floor on his butt "I can't believe it! You get to break her heart and she still defends you!" he was panting loud

"Yeah I am an asshole like that, I know…" Gray said, looking down, gaze focused at spot on floor between his knees "Maybe you should still take that punch"

"Oh you son of a b-" Gajeel raised hand again but yet again he yet again could not complete his intended action as he felt Juvia quickly hugging him from behind wrapping her arms around just below his chest. She pressed her head on his back

"Please… Gajeel-kun…" her voice was trembling "Juvia knows Gray-sama hurt her but she doesn't want to see Gray-sama hurt…"

"Damn it!" Gajeel's arms suddenly flopped down beside him, he surrendered completely under her grip and his skin lost its metallic state, reverting to how it was. Juvia released him and he turned in another direction "If I ever see your ugly face anywhere near her… I will kill you" he looked over his shoulder "Don't think I won't… even if it means my ass being kicked out of Fairy Tail"

Juvia watched Gajeel walk, kicking chair in the process and her gaze now turned down toward Gray. She held her hands together not knowing what to say, but Gray broke the silence

"Juvia I…"

"Juvia knows that Gray-sama didn't mean it, and she knows that he wishes to apologize but… Juvia cannot forget Gray-sama's words" she interrupted him and spoke, not wanting to give him a reason or moment to speak "Juvia was convinced not to leave guild, Juvia loves Fairy Tail but for now… Juvia just needs to be away from Gray-sama…"

"I… bu… I understand" Gray nodded, closing his eyes. Damn it can this girl be any more forgiving? He would punch his own guts out if he was in her place and yet she still cares "I won't bother you but… I won't give up either…" he looked up at her "You still are my friend Juvia, no matter how big of an dick I am"

"Juvia knows… Juvia hopes one day she can be friend again with Gray-san, but for now… please give Juvia some time" she bowed toward him and slowly walked away. Suddenly it struck him like lightning. Did she just called me Gray-san?

"Tha wee befe tha efefe" Natsu spoke with mouthful of waffles

"Natsu, what did I tell you about speaking with full mouth?" Lucy narrowed eyes at him, she was slightly agitated by his continuous habit but more than that she was utterly disgusted at how fast he managed to swallow all that food

"I said…" Natsu stared but burped loud "That went better than expected. At least your icy ass is still safe"

"Yeah" Gray said wiping his forehead, there was a small relief… she wasn't going to quit and that was all he cared now "I think that it went somehow better than I expected too"

"Gray!" doors kicked open and 20 meter tall fire breathing, steel scaled, ground shaking, earth breaking, mountain-consuming, colossal monster with scarlet hair walked in, shouting loud… or at least it sounded like that

"Well, I'm dead" Gray suddenly looked forward "It was nice knowing you people"

"Oh crap!" Natsu lost all color on his face as he looked toward the door. Erza was pissed, her hair was dancing slightly as she held door open, eyes flaming red, glowing like two portals from hell "Erza is here!"

"Do you mind if I have a word with you?!" Erza walked toward them and every step was earthquake that overshadowed previous one

"Erza!" suddenly voice came from another direction, making her snap out of her rage

"Oh, master Makarov" she spoke, changing her voice from titanic into calm "I see that you are already here"

"Yes, and I want to hear details about the mission, would you mind coming with me?"

"Of course master" she bowed head and glanced once more toward Gray, this look he did catch and his entire body jerked backward toward counter. In the meantime Makarov merely looked toward Gray, letting out a slight disappointed hum.

After Erza disappeared from their sight they all allowed themselves to let a long sigh of relief. They haven't seen her this angry since… well… it was long since she was this bloodthirsty. Gray stood up and wiped his pants, taking seat at stool and finished his coffee that already cooled down. Conversation somehow continued, taking another turn to another topic as they seem to have concluded that this has somehow been resolved… that or Erza might turn up if they so much as whisper her name.

Day progressed, wizards came in and out, some to pick job, some for lunch, some for simple joy of socialization with fellow companions. Everything was somehow the same… everything except the obvious rapture between him and her. Time… give her time she said. How much time? Week, two weeks? Month? Gray had no motivation to even stand up and look for another job today, figuring it would be easier to allow this day to just sink into his head and keel over. After finished coffee, came large glass of beer, and another, and one more after that one. Several wizards who talked to Juvia also came to Gray, trying to initiate any kind of conversation but with little to no success.

Finally, sun slowly started setting down. Many left while some still lingered inside. Natsu and Lucy attempted to agree on job to take but since their difference of opinions led them nowhere, they somehow decided to postpone it for tomorrow. That however did not postpone his desire to lock horns with someone and since Gray would probably just take the beating, he decided that "accidental" spilling of beer into Gajeel's lap would set him into the right mood. Natsu was a genius… in his own worth… Though most of his plans ultimately failed this one worked perfectly and 0.38 seconds later they were beating each other into the pulp.

"Fire-breath!"

"Metalbutt!"

"Idiot!"

"Moron!"

"I'll beat you into scrap metal!"

"Not unless I turn you into tiny charcoal!"

Those were the usual comments that could be heard coming from them. Lucy had no strength to even try to break them apart, instead she just observed her boyfriend, being smashed into the wall, repeatedly.

"Aren't you going to stop him?" Lisanna asked Lucy worriedly

"No" She waved head "Have you seen amount of food he can eat in a single day? This is his exercise and if he doesn't work out he's gonna turn out like Droy. I am not rolling him into the guild every morning.

Gray chuckled a bit as he watched Gajeel beat the living crap out of Natsu but as much as this would cheer him up he figured it was the time to leave and he stood up, going toward the door. One more loud cry was heard and he closed the door, sighing heavily as he looked down the almost empty street.

"Going somewhere?" Voice struck him right into his guts and head turned toward it

"H…h…hey Er… Erza" Gray choked on words as he noticed scarlet wizard beside him, arms folded and she was leaning against the wall "W…well I was just thinking that… you know… it's late"

"Let's talk" Erza ordered and pointed toward the bench. What was that supposed to be? Is she going to turn him into one or will she use bench against him? He knew this was going to happen and after everything that was done and said today, he felt his strength leaving him completely and he walked, sitting down on one side and Erza on other side

"What? Aren't you going to hit me?"

"I was thinking about it at first but then I watched you sitting at the bar all day and decided that you already received plenty of it" Erza kept looking in distance "What do you think I was doing all day?"

"Finding a way to hide body without being suspicious?"

"Please, Gray…" she sighed closed eyes "There wouldn't be any body left" his skin was crawling from the thought

"So… what do you want to talk about?"

"I heard everything that happened in my absence" she looked at him "It really is inexcusable"

"I know that already, ok?" he leaned back, hands hanging behind the lean of bench as he looked up "I already tried to apologize but she wouldn't take it… I… what was I supposed to do Erza?"

"I do not know Gray… Juvia was always fond of you, more so than she was fond of anyone else"

There was silence in the air for excruciatingly long several minutes, having neither of them speak a single word.

"I thought you talked to her about your feelings" Erza started, remembering their conversation during Grand Magic games

"We have talked" Gray followed, voice slightly raised "I already told her that I like her but more as a friend than as lover or boyfriend or however she felt for me. I thought she understood me"

"No Gray" why is everyone using this sentence today? "You understood it, you explained your feelings in a way you would understand but she obviously didn't understood it and because of it she suffered"

"Then what am I supposed to do Erza?" he suddenly looked at her "I cannot return the time and even if I could… nothing would change… if not today it would probably occur tomorrow or day after or day after that or maybe in a month! But…"

"But?" Erza asked him

"But after a day of her avoiding me I feel this… void… right here" he smacked his chest lightly

"It's because you started missing something that you never thought you would miss" Erza stood up and walked few steps before turning to face him "I do not doubt that you two will find a way to become friends again, Fairy Tail will need you to, but listen here Gray and I am talking to you dead serious" suddenly she glared at him

"Should you find yourself in need to be more than to her than friend, do not do it. Even if by some chance you realize you love her, do not try to win her back, you lost that chance yesterday. I am telling you this because you will hurt her again somehow and I will not forgive you that"

Erza finally turned and walked away, leaving Gray to sit on the bench to sit. He was suddenly lost in his thoughts, left to drift endlessly among sea of possibilities and scenarios over and over. Why is this girl not out of his head? He wanted to scream, he wanted for heavens to hear his roar, his piercing cry but he left no sound as he leaned forward… his elbows rested on his knees and hands tangled into his hair as he looked down… There was ache in his chest, strong but empty one.

"What have I done…." He uttered silently, waiting for dark veil to cover the skies.

A/N: I really took it a lot further than I expected, I never intended to make the guild confrontation scene with Gajeel, only Erza but I just thought that I cannot complete story without him pushing piece of his mind. Good parts are coming and yes you asked me what it means. At this point I believe it is safe to say that I will end the story in happy ending... or will I?

Maybe, maybe not, who is to tell but it is not spoiler to tell you that good lemony parts are coming and I am a bit excited over them. It is going to be a ride... literally in few scenes so please stick with me until the end!