The next morning Juvia went to join the family for breakfast. She didn't eat much, just some toast and a cup of tea. As she sipped from her tea cup she glanced over to see what everyone else at the table was doing. Erza much like herself was just enjoying a cup of tea, Romeo helping himself to some eggs and bacon with a glass of orange juice, Laxus was just reading the newspaper while drinking his coffee, and Lucy wasn't eating at all. She just sat there with only a cup of water.

"You're not skipping breakfast again Lucy." Erza said.

"I'm not hungry." Lucy said.

"Is that right?"

"Yes. You can't control if I'm hungry or not."

"Perhaps not but if this continues I'll force feed you if I have to." She said before taking another sip of tea. "Speaking of skipping breakfast has anyone seen Natsu?"

Everyone at the table either said no or shook their head.

"It's not like him to miss out on a meal. Laxus would you please check outside to see if he's working on anything?"

"Why do you care what happens to him? He's a moron." Laxus said.

"He's a loyal employee and a good friend therefore my concern is warranted."

Just then the door to the kitchen was opened by a brown haired, slim tanned-skinned young woman with an ample bust. In one hand she carried a folder and in another she held a flask. She sat down in a chair next to Laxus and reached over to the plate of toast.

"Good morning Cana." Erza said.

"Morning." The brunette said.

"Cana have you seen Natsu this morning?"

"No. I just woke up." She looked over at Juvia. "Who's she?"

"This is Romeo's governess Juvia Lockser. Juvia this is Dr. Cana Alberona, Romeo's therapist."

"Very nice to meet you." Juvia said.

"Likewise I'm sure." Cana said. "I'm not just a psychiatrist you know. I'm also a certified hematologist."

"What's a hematologist?" Romeo asked.

"It's a doctor who studies blood dear." Erza answered.

"Cool! You never told me you did that. You got any blood I can see?"

"It doesn't work that way kid." Cana said.

"In my opinion you're not certified for anything except being a quack." Laxus mumbled.

"I heard that!" She snapped. "And for your information I happen to be a college graduate in both of those subjects. You on the other hand probably didn't even finish high school. Is that why you couldn't find any work aside from being a used a car salesman?"

"At least I don't have a drinking disorder."

"It's not a disorder."

"Cut it out you two." Erza said before turning to Juvia. "Juvia if you don't have any lessons prepared or if you need some more time to settle in we can post pone the teachings if you'd like."

"That's not necessary." Juvia said. "I planned everything out before I went to bed last night and I'm well settled in."

"I'm glad to hear. In that case you and Romeo can begin lessons in one hour. His lessons end at three as I told you last night and his therapy sessions are from four to five. When he's finished he has free time for the rest of the day and he likes to go outside but please don't leave him alone out there and don't let him out after dark."

"Alright."

"I have two job interviews today so I won't be home til later but my number is on the fridge for you to call me if there is an emergency."

"I'm sure we'll be fine."

"Laxus I need you to-"

"I can't do anything for you today." Laxus said. "They're having a sale today so I have to be at work."

"I see. Well then Lucy could please do me a favor and check up Natsu? Just make sure that he's alright?"

"Sure." Lucy answered.

"Thank you. I'm sure nothing's wrong but it doesn't hurt to check."

She got up from the table and went to give Romeo a kiss goodbye.

"Be good for Miss Lockser and no tricks." She told him.

"Yes Auntie." He said.

She then put on her jacket and left the house to go to her interviews. Juvia took Romeo to start his lessons, Laxus later left for work, Cana went somewhere private to drink, and Lucy went outside to the shack in the backyard that Natsu used as a bedroom. Laxus had it made up for Natsu to sleep there because there was no other place in the house to sleep in and they were giving the guest room to Juvia.

When she arrived at the front she knocked on the door.

"Natsu." She called. "Are you here?"

No one came to the door. She opened it and went inside.

"Natsu?" She said looking around. "Hello? Is anyone here?"

But there wasn't anyone there. The place was completely empty save for a bed, a tool chest, and a set of drawers. She was about to leave and search somewhere else when something shiny on the floor caught her eye. Picking it up she saw that it was a gold coin. Was it real gold? No it couldn't be. How could someone with Natsu's salary get his hands on a gold coin?

"What are you doing here Lucy?"

She turned around to find Natsu standing in the doorway.

"Hi Natsu. Sorry for intruding but you weren't at breakfast this morning and Erza was worried so she asked me to check up on you."

"What's that in your hand?" He asked pointing to her closed fist. She handed him the coin.

"I found it on the floor. I wasn't going to steal it honest." She said.

Natsu stuck the coin into his pocket.

"Is that real gold?" She asked him.

"Yes."

"Where did you get it?"

"It was given to me by some guy I met last night. He asked me to do a couple favors for him and he gave me this as a reward."

"He must be very rich if he paid you with a gold coin."

"Yes he's very rich and generous." He then mumbled. "And blood thirsty."

"What was that?"

"Nothing."

"So is that why you weren't at breakfast?"

"Yeah. I was up all night helping him and by the time morning came around I was exhausted and decided to sleep in."

"Well I'm glad that you're alright and I'm sure Erza will be too."

"You know it's really nice that you and her worry about me. You two and Romeo are probably the only people in town who give a crap about me."

"I'm sure that's not true."

"It is. Everyone else in town thinks I'm a spineless wimp. Of course their views aren't unjustified."

"You're not a spineless wimp. You're just...Struggling in the confidence department." She said. "Anyway I have to go. I'm meeting up with Dan this afternoon."

"Oh..." He sighed. "Really?"

"Yeah. See you later?"

"Yeah. Sure."

"Kay." She said before leaving.

Later that night Romeo was playing with some of his dinosaur toys on the floor by himself. Laxus was still at work, Cana had gone out to the nearest bar, and Lucy was with her boyfriend. So it was just him, Juvia, and Erza in the house that night. Juvia was getting together Romeo's lesson plan for tomorrow while poor Erza was alone in her room looking over her bills. She had been rejected during both of her job interviews and it left her feeling very worried. How would she be able to care of this family if she didn't have enough money? She could barely afford to pay both Cana and Juvia for their services though they both assured her that they wouldn't press her for money. Still she was at a dead end. It would take a miracle for her to get the money she needed.

And said miracle came knocking on the door to the house at exactly seven o'clock pm. Romeo got up from the floor and went to answer it. Behind the door stood a very handsome yet mysterious looking young man with black hair, extremely dark eyes, and a toned body.

"Good evening." He said to the boy politely. "Is Miss Scarlet home?"

"My Auntie is in her room." Romeo answered.

"Would you mind fetching her for me please?"

"Okay."

Romeo then went down the hall to inform Erza of the man's arrival then went back to the doorway.

"She'll be out in a minute sir."

"May I wait inside?"

"I guess."

The man stepped inside and stood over to where the oil painting of Erza's ancestor hung. Romeo couldn't help but notice that the man standing before him and the one in the portrait looked identical in every way. The only difference was the clothes. The one in the painting was dressed in a suit from the 18th century while the one standing in the house was dressed more modernly.

"Whoa." Romeo said.

"Yes uncanny isn't it? The artist who painted this was famous for his excellent memory." The man said.

"Why do you want to see my Auntie?"

"I have reason to believe she may be a relative of mine. So you're Miss Scarlet's nephew?"

"Yes. Does that mean you and I are-"

"Related? Possibly. If my hypothesis is correct then you could say that we are distantly related."

"I'm Romeo. Romeo Conbolt Scarlet."

Gray moved his hand toward the boy to give him a proper hand shake.

"It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance Romeo."

Romeo moved to accept the handshake.

"Romeo!" Erza called from the end of the hallway. "Get away from that man."

She walked toward them and pulled her nephew behind her in a protective manner.

"Who on earth are you?" She asked.

At first the man looked startled by Erza's boldness but then smiled upon finding it rather amusing.

"Yes of course how rude of me. To enter someone's house hold and not introduce myself first." He said. "How rude of me."

Before giving his name he moved further toward the painting allowing Erza to see the resemblance which amazed her like it amazed Romeo but it also made her very suspicious.

"I am Gray Fullbuster."