"SEB!" interrupts Frosch, knocking him out of Rogue's arms with a hug.

I continue explaining. "He knows how to activate my death magic. He was trying to get me to kill Rogue. He said that the only reason Rogue was involved was to get me ready for his plans." I cry. Rogue moves to stand behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist.

"That's it, you can't go after Zeref alone!" Natsu yells, and punches the ground.

"Mmhmm!" Agrees Lucy. "We know you can go alone, but you should know that you don't have to."

Sting cuts in. "Alone, what? Rogue, you told me you were leaving today too."

"That's the plan." Rogue replies. "I'm not letting her get away."

I turn toward him in surprise.

"Uh, guys, can you give us a minute?" Shadows dart out from Rogue, shooing everyone away, then return and pull me to the side of the house. He calls a shadow cage to enclose us. "I know that you are used to being alone, but that all changed when you accepted this," he says, touching the band on my ear. "You know that it means more than making a child. This," He touches the band on his ear, "means that we are one. You will never do anything alone ever again. So stop finding ways of pushing me away. We are a team. I think you just saw that didn't you?"

I tilt my head and smile. The voice really was wrong. "I know, I understand Rogue-sama." I say, tears starting to form in my eyes.

"I don't like relying on assumptions; I want you to hear me. I want to know you understand." Rogue pins me against the house, his arms on either side of me. "And I need to know Violet, why, after you promised not to, are you still pushing me away?"

"I don't deserve you, Rogue. I am so much trouble. The person that was controlling you was doing it to get to me. Now it is my brother causing problems. I just don't want to be such a burden on you."

Rogue shakes his head at me. "I am the luckiest man in the world, married to the Immortal Dragon, and she thinks she is a burden?" He starts kissing along my collar bone. My heart starts pounding, all of my senses on alert. "What must I do to make you understand? It is too late for you to spare me by pushing me away." He puts his hands on my hips, pulling me towards him. "You want a child, Vichan?" I gasp in anticipation. "Children need parents who are united. I need to know that you are ready to face everything together."

"Rogue-sama, you are so cruel, teasing me like this."

"Who says I am teasing you? I already told you. I am yours."

A thrill runs through my body. I no longer hold myself back, and wrap myself around him, pulling him down as I find his lips. Like always, shadows catch me before I hit the ground.

"Vichan," Rogue says, chuckling, "our friends are waiting for us, can you wait a few minutes?"

"Um, wait, they'll see me and they'll know. Let me compose myself!"

I scoot away from him and breathe deeply. He releases the shadow cage.

"We will take care of Zeref together," he announces.

"When did you get so wise?" I ask him.

Sting cuts in. "He learned a lot during the Grand Magic Games, I think. We all did."

I look for Lucy and Natsu and see Leo standing with them. "Violet, would you let Leo go with you? His light magic is good against the evil forces you are up against."

Leo blocks my view of Lucy, and addresses her. "Lucy-sama, my life belongs to you. Ask what you wish of me, but you cannot tell me to leave you. Anything but that is yours."

"That won't be necessary," cuts in Sting. "My White Dragon magic will be very similar to Leo's. Rogue, I hope you don't mind, I have made plans to come with you. This perpetrator claims to be part of Sabertooth, as guildmaster I feel this is my responsibility to look into this as well."

Rogue smiles. "Not at all. It will be like old times, bro."

"That settled then." I say. "Don't worry about us Lucy, you and Natsu can continue to complete quests. I know you need to get working again. And really I prefer our group to be small, anyway. Sting, why don't you and Lector take Seb and Frosch with you for now and meet us at the café in a couple of hours?"

"Lector!" Yells Frosch, eager to get going. He played right into my hands.

"Thank you for taking care of Luchan." I whisper to Leo. "Goodbye Lucy, Natsu. We'll see you soon." Hugs and handshakes all around.

"Well now, I seem to be alone with my husband."

"You minx!"

"I bet you can't catch me." I dissolve into the shadows, eager to play a flirty game of tag.
"I will always catch you." And he captures my lips in a kiss. A kiss that lasts forever...

We meet Sting at the café and I am so hungry that I stay busy eating while they talk.

"So Sting, our kids are going to need cousins soon you know. What are you waiting for?" Says Rogue.

I about choke on my french toast.

"I have someone in mind," says Sting, "but unlike you I am being patient so I don't scare her off. She isn't ready. We may need her help with Zeref, though... Why are you counting on me for cousins anyway? Why don't you bug Natsu about it?"

"Natsu is clueless," Rogue answers.

I look at them, confused.

"It's mother nature's cruel trick. We can't detect our own scent, only that of other men."

"What about Luchan?" Asks Seb.

"That's all one sided. Besides, she doesn't smell like him. She just doesn't know it yet."

"Ah, well, we can always count on Gajeel." I reply. "What is he waiting for anyway?"

"Yeah, I'll give him a push when we get back." Rogue says, chuckling. "Are you done eating, Sensei? We need to discuss our plans."

"Hold your horses, I need my energy."

"Well you two are very lucky. It isn't often two dragon slayers get together. I wonder what your kids are going to be like. Fourth generation dragon slayers..."

I smile while I am chewing. Finally I am done eating and I tell Sting and Rogue that I plan to go back to the last place I saw Zeref. Maybe we will see him there, or at least pick up on his scent.

We make good time flying with the exceeds. We get to the farm where I last saw Zeref. Every part of the farm is thriving. Zeref must have left. He's so selfless. So lonely. My happiness is replaced with grief for my brother. If only my phone wasn't broken. He must wonder why I haven't called. I haven't rejected you Niisan, please believe me.