After getting Rory a drink at the bar and pawning over her a bit to make sure she wasn't uncomfortable with...well everything. He caressed her back, leaned in and whispered, "I'm sorry if this is uncomfortable for you. I don't know how to alleviate the stress you might be feeling but I'm here for you."

Rory smiled shyly at Laxus. Her neanderthal dragon was more like a doting puppy at the moment, and she was quite content with the level of affection he was sharing with her so openly. She put a hand on his knee, which she just happened to notice was the same size as the palm of her hand. The size momentarily had her thinking other things and she became flustered. Who knew a kneecap could be sexy?

"Sure, it's a bit overwhelming but it will taper down with time. I want to find my brother before we settle on anything."

Laxus became worried. "Settle on anything?"

Rory sighed. "I don't really want to have this discussion here but...I'm officially a permanent fixture in your life now, right?"

Laxus grunted, "I don't like the word fixture. It sounds too impersonal, but yes we are permanently in each others live now." Laxus never felt nervous in his life but in that moment he felt like he was drowning and gasping for air.

"After we find my brother, we need to work out the living situation. I don't know if my brother will want to stay in Magnolia or not. But when Oric realizes that I'm not leaving he will probably need a place to stay also. Plus, after we save him. I...I want to officially become a member of Fairy Tail. I don't know if there is any special protocol to go about that but..."

Mira grinned at the two's conversation and intervened. "Rory, I think it's safe to say that you are pretty much a part of the guild already. The only thing missing is your Fairy Tail guild mark."

Rory smiled at Mira and thanked her before turning back to Laxus.

Laxus regained his composure in the moment that Mira intervened. He had momentarily thought the worse but she admitted the polar opposite had been on her mind. "So, you want to move in with me and become a member of the guild?"

Rory was confused. "Do you not want that?"

"Sheesh, of course I do. I just wanted to make sure that's what you were saying." He took a deep breath. "Did you like my place?"

"Truth be told, it is a little small."

"We can find a new place together." Laxus quickly changed the subject. The conversation had stressed him more then he would ever admit. "We need to get back to planning on saving your brother. Let's go back over to the Thunder Legion's table."

Ever and Elfman per normal were fighting over something or other. Their relationship always confused Laxus but in off moments Ever took on this quality that Laxus had never recalled seeing before. So he knew that despite their constant bickering that he made her happy.

Elfman jumped from his seat when Laxus approached. "If Ever is going on this mission then so am I."

Ever grumbled. "You act like I can't take care of myself!"

"I know you can, but a real man protects his woman."

For once Laxus could not deny the truth of one of Elfman's 'real man' declarations.

"I'd say the more help we can get the better."

Lisanna overheard this and hopped over. Sometimes Lisanna reminded Laxus of a bunny. She had an inner child exuberance that made pretty much everyone around them happy. "If big brother is gonna help out then so am I."

Laxus knew no one else caught it. But Bickslow had quickly covered his mouth to hide an eager grin that appeared there. So, Bickslow has a thing for Lisanna? Not sure, why I didn't notice it until now.

Rory smiled at Laxus. Because you are happy you are noticing things that will make your friends happy also.

Laxus got over his momentary shock of hearing Rory's voice in his head. The communication would become useful when needed in a fight. But he was sure sometimes he would have a hard time blocking her out.

Mira came over. "You know, if I can get Kinana to cover the bar I would like to join also. Having the whole Strauss family in your corner is never a bad thing."

Freed chimed in. "That is a sound judgment. I agree that having the whole Strauss family in our corner would bolster our resolve and unity of our team."

Freed might have everyone else fooled but he didn't fool Laxus for a second. He had actually known for sometime his feelings for Mira. But he didn't share this fact with anyone. That is until Rory mentally probed his mind.

Does Freed have a thing for Mira?

Laxus laughed in her head. Probably more then a thing, but yes...that's been building for awhile now. She makes him nervous though so if a relationship happens there it will take sometime to build it up.

Oddly enough I think it's kind of cute. Plus, look at Mira she's hiding it well but I think from the way she keeps covertly smiling at him that she feels the same way. I wager that after this mission they will be together.

I don't wager on people's love lives.

The group finished up planning on what to take with them, and when they were going to start the trek to help her brother. They had all determined that the sooner they started this trip the better. So they all decided to meet back at the guild hall in the morning.

At the other side of the room there was a hushed argument going on. A hushed argument that was building in volume as it escalated.

"I tell you I can do this! Would you all stop badgering me?" Lucy rubbed absently at her stomach. This had become a new habit of hers. It started out from nausea but now it settled her mood to comfort her babies in that manner.

"But, Lu, you can't tap into much of your magical power right now. Your body siphons your magical energy and shares it with the babies. You wouldn't be able to fight."

"Who says we are going to even need to fight, Levy? We are going to go talk to a mage about dragon slayer gems. I say that is pretty straight forward."

Natsu sighed. "Luce, I know you are hard to stop when you are fiercely determined about something. But think of the babies too."

"Geez, Natsu, I am! I may not have access to much of my magic. But I can coax and bend yours as if it were my own magic. Also, Virgo and Leo like to pop in to help using their own power. They are sure to do it again if needed."

Happy tugged at Natsu's vest. "Lucy has a point, Natsu. Besides, I don't think you are going to get her to back down."

Gajeel who had been quiet piped in. "Blondie, is a force of nature."

Everyone turned to look at him.

"What?"

"I think they want you to elaborate, Gajeel," Levy smiled at her dragon slayer. The guy was all gruff and stoic around others but he was sweet when they were alone. Levy's knew favorite sleeping position was her cuddling Pantherlily and being engulfed in the curve of Gajeel's huge body while he cuddled them both. She nudged Gajeel in the knee when he still hadn't responded.

"I just mean even if we didn't take her with us she would find a way to traipse after us. Her spirits love her and would not let her get hurt. Honestly, she's a pretty kick ass mage and probably more so with her channeling Natsu's magic. She's also going to be fierce like a lioness because in a sense she will be protecting her cubs."

Natsu sighed. He knew Gajeel was right. He just didn't want to worry over her on the trip. "Luce, do me one favor."

"What is it?"

"For the love of Mavis wear some temperature related clothing!"

I do apologize about the shortness of this chapter.  This is all has been written ahead of time and at the time of originally writing this I was scrounging just to have some time alone to prep to write.  I personally don't want to deviate much from the original other than some rephrasing and fixing of grammar errors.  Hence why I kept it the original length.