"Here. You need to rest."

Erza swallowed hard, her voice a little hoarse, and her back hurting terribly. She did not protest, however, and let Mirajane fluff some pillows under her. She rubbed at her eyes, flinching. Her face, arms, back. All of her was sore, and bruised. Uncomfortable, and a little bit embarrassed, Erza pulled a blanket further over herself, shivering, on a couch in the guild hall. So much for being an S-Class mage. Near her, Natsu was sitting in a barrel full of ice, wearing winter clothes to make the cold around him more tolerable. Lucy was also wrapped up in blankets, and kept trying to insist (primarily to Loke) that she was fine. He was not the only one concerned, and nearly at a loss for words. Natsu kept mumbling to Lucy, trying both to distract himself from the pain and to make sure she was alright. Happy was gnawing on fish, and nervously looking around the guild hall. Juvia was sprawled out in a pile of blankets and pillows on the floor. Gray, who had prior threatened to all but fully encase himself in ice, was curled up under a blanket, half asleep again. There were no way for them to escape the lectures from their guild mates and Makarov, who seemed barely able to contain himself. There were too many questions to imagine for him. It had been a long few days, not even a week. They have been through too much, Erza only twenty one, Gray just twenty...and Natsu and Lucy nineteen, only teenagers. Things were only marginally better than they had been the day they had arrived back at the guild hall, only two days prior.

"I can't believe this," Bisca remarked, crossing her arms and leaning against the bar. Cana eyed her strangely, cleaning out a glass, behind the bar, whereas Erza scowled at her. "Honestly," Bisca went on. "How did all of you intend to go on holiday and end up nearly getting killed?"

"We didn't think it would go this way…" Lucy coughed out. "We just sort of…walk into things, I guess."

"That I don't doubt," Bisca said dryly, sharing a look with Alzack. "Thrice. Three times before now, and within less than two years. You guys desperately need to take time off. And, this time, true time off."

"Duly noted," Erza raspily muttered. "How did you all fare?"

Alzack snorted. "Bisca and I nearly got in a fight with some street thugs on our job. We absolutely did not enjoy it, but, clearly, that was way better than what you all ended up having to deal with."

"My Gray acted quite gallantly," Juvia reached over and lightly patted his hands. "He always has to downplay it, but he really is an amazing wizard."

"I'm just glad we were able to save your life," Gray said, groaning when he rolled over onto his other side. "Actually, I'm just glad we all came out alive. We almost got killed by those people."

"It's a miracle you weren't," Makarov said, pacing. "To think you had to deal with the Oración Seis themselves and Jellal? You are all very lucky."

"Don't feel like it," Natsu groaned. "But at least we aren't Siegrain."

Erza sighed. "I never thought I would feel particularly bad for him, but I do."

Makarov raised an eyebrow. "I should think so. You agreed to testify at the hearing around his –"

"He's innocent," Erza said dully. "Siegrain was a moron for suggesting using Etherion, and he was even more of a moron for showing up, but he was not responsible for anything Jellal did, was trying to do, or the attempted destruction of the Council. It was all –" She broke off in a coughing fit. "– Ultear – and – Jellal's – fault."

Mirajane nearly dropped the tea she had been holding to help Erza sit up again.

"This cannot go unanswered for," Makarov said darkly. "The real question is: why? What was the purpose of all of this carnage?"

"Sounds to me like that's what the Council is trying to figure out," Cana remarked, flicking her cards in her hands. "All things considered."

Mira shook her head. "The only 'good thing' that can be said of this is that Jellal was ultimately unsuccessful, and the Council will probably leave the guild alone for a while."

"Sure," Gray rolled his eyes. "Like us doing something good has ever stopped them before. We did the right thing dealing with Lullabye and look where it got us! Erza and Stella got pulled for a show trial!"

"Can we not fight?" Lucy shuddered. "I know there's some level of poetic justice to Siegrain having to answer questions now when he forced it on Erza and Stella before, but still. Aren't things bad enough?"

"They are," Erza monotonously replied. "Which is exactly why we have to testify to what truly happened."

Natsu groaned. "I don't want to defend some Council jerk!"

Erza cast him a dark look. "Do you honestly think I want to either?"

Silence.

"Shit," Gray chattered. "We really are screwed over here. Maybe even ill prepared."

"You all aren't ill prepared," Cana said, waving a hand dismissively. "You just got unlucky. I mean, we're unstoppable! We are Fairy Tail, after all!"

The Magic Council is in turmoil, and likely will be until it's determined what Siegrain's involvement or lack of involvement was in the misuse of Etherion. The issue of Ultear Milkovich is another entirely, something they, by all accounts, have already stressed to Parliament.

Hisui glanced through her emails, but kept coming back to one from her father. About the Magic Council. About Etherion. About the contentious state of foreign relations because of it, as well as the federal investigations internal to Fiore. And it was exhausting. What was more exhausting, however, were the conversations with her father, which had become almost daily. She glanced back at the email from her mother. It was almost comforting to hear something so normal. But then there's how father has reacted to me telling them about my relationship with Laxus… Her mind began to spin again. Hisui sighed, closing her computer screen. Her eyes, growing tired, began to flutter faster. Her fingers tapping up and down on the desk, she tried to focus. Hisui, what do you mean you are in a relationship with Makarov Dreyar's grandson? Are you...dating? The word had not come easily to him. She closed her eyes, resting her forehead against the palms of her hands. The only reprieve had been the few, calm interruptions from her mother. It had only been a few days at home, but they had felt to be much longer. There's not much curious around the palace. There's not much interesting around Crocus, either. Not where I'm allowed to be, that is. She opened her eyes again, turning back to her computer. Then, she began to type:

It's a relief to know things are well at home. Being able to see you and mother was a welcome reprieve from the hectic trips, and time spent with the local and state authorities. I appreciated being able to sit in during a session of Parliament, as well.

I know you have been taken aback by my relationship with Laxus. I don't blame you for being apprehensive. You have nothing to worry about, however. I have never been able to have a natural romantic relationship with anyone before, and being able to experience this now is incredible. More than that, I find Laxus to be very good company. I don't feel that I put on airs, or any type of façade the way I do at state events, or balls. It's not that I have not liked some of the men I've met at those events, please don't misunderstand me, but it is not organic. I much prefer being able to, for at least the time being, explore this. I promise things won't move too quickly. Laxus may very well be more hesitant about being in a romantic relationship with me than I am with him. His family is quite complicated. Please never mention this to him, but I feel you might take some comfort in knowing about his family.

Laxus, Riley, and Esseca do not have a relationship with either of their parents now, and haven't for a long time. Laxus barely remembers their mother, and Riley and Esseca were very, very young. I believe Riley was a baby at the time. Riley is vehement – whenever the subject is brought up – their mother did not abandon the three of them, but to my understanding that is not true. The relationship between all three siblings and their father is completely nonexistent at this point, for many reasons, not the least of which being Ivan's severe mistreatment of Laxus as a child. They have been in the care of their grandfather for the majority of their lives, at least, in the cases of Riley and Esseca. Laxus fell into his grandfather's care – with them – when he was about fifteen. He and I haven't discussed much beyond that, though Riley was willing to babble on about family after she had a beer. I suppose…

Hisui paused, her fingers tapping on the edge of the keyboard again.

Then, after a long hesitation, she picked up her communications lacrima.

Dialled.

Waited.

The line clicked on.

"Oh, Hisui, I wasn't expecting to hear from you!"

"Hi, mother," Hisui's voice wavered. "You wouldn't, per chance, be with father right now, would you?"

Heather laughed. "Your father's examining the latest family portrait! He's probably going to be staring at it for at least another hour!"

"That's a relief," Hisui sighed. "Mother, may I ask you something?"

"Of course, darling! What is it?"

"Did you or father ever…see yourselves with someone else before you married?"

Heather fell silent. "You know your father and I were an arranged couple. If you're asking for your relationship with –"

"No, no it's not about my relationship with Laxus," Hisui said, standing up and beginning to pace. "It just occurred to me that father mentioned –"

"– Oh! Your father might have mentioned a former close friend he had met at one of the state events before he and I married," Heather started laughing again. "I forgot he had brought that up. I wish you had asked at the time, though I know some of the conversations we had over the weekend were rather…well, confusing for lack of a better word!"

"It was hectic," Hisui took a look out the window, smiling when she saw the still active night life on the streets of Magnolia. "So...you were saying?"

"We fell out of contact ages ago, but your father, I think, mentioned an old family friend," Heather said, almost bitterly. "Irene. I don't know what happened to her, and, to be frank, I am not sure I want to."

Hisui frowned. "What do you mean?"

"She tried to kill your little brother," Heather's voice darkened, and her daughter flinched. "Your father didn't believe me, still doesn't, and I don't think I quite believed myself for a long time, either. But, after your brother disappeared, I knew she had a hand in it. There's no proof, of course –"

"Mother," Hisui nervously cut in. "Are you…jealous of this woman?"

"Am I jealous of her?" Heather snapped. She took in a deep breath, and then softened her tone. "I'm sorry, Hisui. I know it's irrational of me, but I always suspected she was in love with your father, and he with her. I felt that way for too long to be healthy, I'm sure. I'm ashamed to admit it, but I did not feel secure that your father had begun to reciprocate my feelings towards him until I was pregnant with you. And that did not happen until we had been married for five years. It still stuns me that we had you and, then, so soon after your brother."

Silence.

"Are you going to be alright, mother?"

"I'm perfectly fine, Hisui. I'm rather tired. I hope I satiated your curiosity, and I don't recommend you broach the matter with your father."

"Of course," Hisui said quietly.

"Please don't take any of this as commentary on your relationship with Laxus," Heather continued. "You seem to be happy, and I look forward to the day your father and I get to meet him. You needn't worry about that, either, dear. I'll ensure he comes further around to the notion soon."

Hisui smiled. "I appreciate it."

"I know. Take care of yourself, Hisui. I'll send you photographs of the new family portrait as soon as your father finishes fawning over it."

The line clicked off. Silence.

Freddie disappeared years ago. It had nothing to do with whomever this woman was.

Did it?

"August the 9th, X786. Day thirty seven of the inquest into the matter of a since destroyed R-System known as the 'Tower Of Heaven,' as well as the attempted destruction of government offices in Era, and the attempted murder of the members of the Ishgar Magic Council present at that time. Please state your name, and occupation to commence today's proceedings in the issuance of this court's judgement on the matter of your potential liability and the potential of going to criminal trial."

The tension in the room could not be more palpable. To think I had assumed I would never have to present before a civilian court. Siegrain sighed. Five weeks. The hearings had gone on for just over five weeks, and were, supposedly, beginning to draw to a close. It could not come soon enough. Every day that passed, every hour spent knowing he was being recorded and scrutinised left the twenty two year old Wizard Saint more ill at ease than he had ever felt. From the stand, he took a look around the court room. Present, alongside the few members of the media allowed to attend, were those whom had been called to testify. Everything from his life had been brought forth, examined, discussed. Seeing their faces in the court room again, after having heard them speak for over a month, was unnerving. His colleagues on the Council. Erza. The Salamander. Fullbuster. Heartfilia. Lockser. There was one face that worried him the most. Anxious, and perhaps even paranoid, Stella Moore had let her thin reading glasses hang loosely around her neck from a delicate gold chain while she stared down at her hands. Siegrain bit his lip when their eyes met across the courtroom. I wish you had not been forced to be a part of this. His hands tightened around the stand when he leaned towards the microphone to speak.

"Siegrain Alastor Fernandes. Albeit under recusal, I am a member of the Ishgar Magic Council."

He looked over those present again, their words in their final statements ringing in his ears again.

"In my time working with him, while I believe he has been naïve at times, I have found Mister Fernandes to be quite reasonable," Org had frowned. "I have never felt any inclination that he would do harm unless absolutely necessary."

"Up until recently, I have never agreed with Siegrain," Erza had said. "We have fought on seventy five different fronts, but, when all is said and all is done, he has beliefs of which he is convicted. On the day in question, he acted to minimise damage if possible, and sought to save lives – including his brother's – while putting an end to Jellal's tirade."

"I have no doubt in my mind that Fernandes had honest intentions," Belno had shaken her head. "He is no more a criminal than I – or anyone else in this court room are – am."

Natsu had yawned. "Jellal was trying to kill all of us, not him."

"Sounds to me like he made a bad choice in who to date when he first was placed on the Council," Gray had shrugged. "He still trusted her even though they had been broken up for a while. Shouldn't be held against him."

"He could have left us to die," Juvia's voice had wavered. "But he did not."

Lucy had fidgeted with her keys. "I don't really know what to make of everything, but I don't think he was responsible for it."

"There are about –"

"Mister Fernandes, please stand," The judge ordered. He complied with no hesitation. "After lengthy review, and consultation of the law and the Constitution Of The Kingdom Of Fiore, I have come to the conclusion that Siegrain Alastor Fernandes was not responsible for what has happened regarding this incident."

Siegrain nodded shortly, but he fell distracted again when he saw Stella was smiling at him.

"I will recommend the Fiore Department Of Justice to investigate Ultear Milkovich and Jellal Fernandes, with cooperation with other governments on the continent, and internal agencies of Fiore," The judge continued. "As such, following clearance by Fiore and other relevant countries. Siegrain Alastor Fernandes will return to his position as a member of the Ishgar Magic Council, and will retain his title as a Wizard Saint."

Albeit exhausted, Siegrain let out a sigh of relief. He barely felt himself moving when he stood up, permitted to leave. It was almost overwhelming, it was…

"I'm so glad you're alright," Stella had just about thrown her arms around him the second he arrived back in Magnolia to see her. "Sieg, I…I was terrified something –"

"I know," He had sighed. "I thought it could be the end, too."

"Thank God it wasn't," Stella had gently kissed him. "I –"

"Sieg?" A familiar, warm hand took his. He turned around, affectionately squeezing hers. Stella squeezed his back. "I love you."

He stared at her in surprise.

"That's the first time you've said that."

Stella smiled. "It's the first time I've felt ready for it."

The two let each other's hands go before quickly tightly embracing each other.

"Hey," Siegrain whispered. "I love you too."

"I'm relieved to hear it," Stella softly replied. "Because I'm starting to wonder what I would do without you."

"I am as well," Siegrain hesitated. "Truthfully? I doubt I could have gone through this all without you by my side for it all."

"Really?" A voice from behind them said before laughing when the couple turned around. "I hate to say it, Siegrain," Erza said with a small smirk. "But you owe me."

"I'm sure I do," He muttered. "You never let anything go."

"Precisely," Erza said, stretching out her arms. "And you are going to owe me for this for a very long time…"