Liliana

Atem and I descended the staircase to the cells. Not really a jail, but sort of a holding place we use for criminals until the Magic Council can send someone to pick them up. Right now Gajeel-Gahiji- and Bakura-as Atem called him when I asked who he is- are locked up down here. Atem has constantly looked at me in concern then at my wrists. Kamilah and I decided the magic canceling cuffs were the lesser of two evils as the only other option-rather than getting the Magic Council involved- was to be locked up down here too. I wonder if Atem has realized that when I said 'I want to be with you' I meant that I don't want to leave his side through this whole thing. After he walked out of Makarov's office, I looked back at my family and they knew what I wanted.

("Go to him, Lili. He needs you and you need him." Lucy had pride and sadness and love in her eyes.

"Yes, I know how he feels about you because I feel the same way about Luce. He doesn't want to be away from you. I think that's how he lost Kamilah back then, so he doesn't want to make the same mistake again. Stay with him. You can always call us or stay with us if at any time you need the extra protection."

"Or you guys can stay at the apartment with us. You are my family, but so is he. I cannot choose between you guys, so don't make me."

"Okay, Lili. Stay with him. We will meet you at the apartment with a home cooked meal ready."

"Oh, Kamilah told me before we put the cuffs on that Atem is deathly allergic to strawberries and nuts."

"Thanks for telling me Lili." Lucy kisses my forehead and Natsu gives me a bear hug. "We will see you later."

"I love you." And I ran after Atem before he got too far.)

"Atem?"

"Yes, Liliana?"

"You can call me Lili, you know? Everybody does."

"Your name is too beautiful to shorten it."

"Thank you, but that's not the only thing."

"What else did you wish to say, dear?"

"Lucy and Natsu sent me to you and they are going to stay at the apartment with us." Atem looked at me with surprise. "I couldn't choose between the members of my family. Kamilah hasn't been awake for long, but she was awake long enough for me to know how much you mean to her- to me. Even though we just met, I can't stand being away from you. That's how we lost each other back then. Let's not make the same mistake. Okay?" Atem kissed the back of my hand and gave me a nod making his promise to me.

"Yes. We shall stay together. Are you ready?" We have arrived at the cells where we are keeping Gajeel and Bakura for the time being.

"So, the Pharaoh and his queen are reunited and have graced us with their presence. How wonderful."

"I am not-"

"What do you two want with us?"

"WE don't really want anything with you two- just our lives back- and our new ally is going to grant our wish if we helped him with something first."

"And what is that?"

"Kill you, Pharaoh, and make your whore of a queen obedient to all men," Gahiji said with a lustful look and an evil chuckle that sent a shiver down my spine. Atem pulled me closer to him.

"My father and I should have never given you a choice that day. I knew you would always try to degrade Kamilah every chance you got. We should've sent you to the Shadow Realm then. So, that is what I am going to do. Mind Shat-"

"Wait, Atem. You can't, not without sending Gajeel too. Levy would never forgive me if I let you go through with that spell and Gajeel went to the Shadow Realm too. We need to figure out how to split them apart before you do that spell."

"Very well. Your life has been spared, for now. But you, Bandit King Bakura, you will be sent to the Shadow Realm after you tell me who your ally is that has you doing his dirty work."

"He is someone who has an ally within Fairy Tail and works for the Magic Council in the shadows. Have fun figuring out his identity." Bakura laughed maniacally.

"Mind Shatter." Atem raised his hand and a small black and purple ball of smoke shot forth and hit Bakura in the head. His eyes turned black then back to normal, but without the glossy color. His head rolled to the side and he fell over- dead.

"Let him be a reminder of what awaits you once you and Gajeel are separate beings." Atem gave my hand a light squeeze to gain my attention as I was still staring at Bakura's dead body. "Let's get out of here." I gave him a nod and let him lead the way from the cells. Halfway up the stairs, he stopped and pulled me in for a hug.

"I'm sorry you had to see that. I'm sorry."

"Atem, thank you for sparing Gajeel for the time being, but was killing Bakura necessary?"

"That's how Gahiji knows his place. I know it's not right -unnecessarily killing- but I will if it means you are protected and safe."

"I know, but no more unless absolutely necessary, okay?"

"Okay, Liliana." We continued back up the stairs and out the doors to the apartment, stopping at the bar to bid Mira, Lisana, and Kinana good night on our way.

"Good night, Lili. Atem, take care of her or you will have a whole guild to deal with." Mira threatened.

"Do not worry, Miss Mira. I have promised to protect her and even though I failed before, I do not plan to do so again." We continued on out of the guildhall and down the street.

"So, where is your place?"

"Just down the road there." I pointed just ahead of us at the building where I live. It's a quaint little building with the first floor being made of brick and the upper two floors being made with a yellow paneling. As we got closer, I noticed my bedroom window was open. I gave a big sigh and put my head in my free hand because Atem is still holding my other hand. Not that I mind. It feels perfect in my hand.

"What's wrong?"

"See that open window? That's my bedroom. It was Lucy's before she and Natsu got married and I got scared one night from a nightmare and I would always go to her room and climb in her bed. She raised me after Mama died when I was 4 and she was 8. Anyway, out of habit, I went to snuggle with her and forgot that she wasn't there anymore, but the smell of her shampoo was still on the pillow. It did the trick. It comforted me just as if she were there. So, I moved into her room the next day. The first time they visited after that, I was sick and Natsu climbed through the window, not knowing I had moved in there and almost fire dragon punched me. Lucy came through the front door and stopped him before he could land it, but my powers go haywire when I'm ill."

"How so?"

"She absorbs the elements around her, especially if they are magical. She nearly killed Natsu that day because he is a baka." We turned around and saw Natsu, Lucy, and Happy- who flew straight to my chest. I had to let go of Atem's hand to catch him once he released his Aria spell.

"Lucy's chest is still bigger."

"HAPPY!" Lucy yelled at him.

"Sis, it's true so stop yelling at him for stating the truth— and the obvious."

"Stop it. You are beautiful. Mama would tell you the same thing and you know it."

"But I don't have guys trying to break down my door to ask me out like you did.

"And I had the one guy who scared them all away continuously until I realized I had feelings for him, even though he is a baka."

"Hey! I am not an idiot."

"Yes, you are, but that is why you have two Heartfilia girls who love you,"

I said with a smile. I grabbed Atem's hand again after I saw his sad face. He looked at me. "He is my brother-in-law, of course I tell him that I love him. Now," I turn back to my siblings- "I believe we were promised a home cooked meal when we got home?"

"Yes we had to get groceries for fire noodles for Natsu, but there's some chicken ramen and veg stew already cooked. Let's go."

"Wait." Natsu stopped us.

"What or who do you smell?"

"A stranger is in your apartment."

"Right now?" Natsu nodded.

"Dark Magician, come forth." A purple puff of smoke later and there stood a tall man dressed in all purple armor with a purple staff that had a green gem embedded in the tip.

"Mahad, it's good to see you again."

"My queen." Mahad bowed.

"Mahad go investigate. That window there." Atem pointed to my open window and Mahad jumped up there and looked in.

"There is someone in there." Mahad confirmed Natsu's suspicion.

"Lucy, get Lilli back to the guild. Atem go with them."

"I'm not leaving you here alone. Open Gate of the Lion, Leo! Help him get the invader out of Lilli's apartment." Lucy grabbed my one hand that was supporting Happy, making me drop him- thankfully he activated his Aria spell before he hit the ground and flew over to Natsu and lifted him to my window as Lu and Atem pulled me back to the guild hall.