"Where is Warren?" Mirajane asked.

Natsu and Happy looked away from their food. They were both mid-chew. With a loud gulp, Natsu replied, "What do you need him for?"

A cloaked figure appeared behind Miirajane. His green eyes met Natsu's, the tattoo on the right side of his face making him appear all the more grim.

Jellal.

Happy beamed. "Shouldn't you be looking for Erza?"

Natsu covered Happy's mouth with his hand. "Warren went into town. I don't know when he will be back."

Mirajane's pretty lips morphed into a frown. She turned to Jellal. "Would you like to wait?"

"No," Jellal said. "It's been long enough."

Erza's recovery after the fight with Tartoros was going well. No one in Fairy Tail expected any different. However, while she was able to move freely, her vision and hearing were still damaged. She could only make out blurred, shadowy images, and all sound was muffled.

Her senses would be the last to heal.

For the most part, she remained in the infirmary, only leaving for short bursts of exercise and a change in scenery.

She also had endless entertainment. Warren's gift of telepathy proved useful in this way. Whenever someone wanted to talk to Erza, Warren simply had to be nearby. He could communicate their words to her directly through his thoughts.

It didn't leave much room for private conversation, but let's face it; Erza's primary visitors were Natsu and Happy, and they were never good at keeping secrets to begin with.

One late afternoon, Erza detected motion at the infirmary door. She sat up in bed to look upon two figures, one female and the other presumably male. She blinked a few times, but the image did not clear.

The man said something in low tones. The girl (Mirajane, Erza had realized) responded quietly. With this recognition, Erza settled against the pillows.

Jellal hated to see Erza this way. She was still strong, yes. Stronger than anyone else would have been after that battle. But her typical glow had diminished. It reminded him of her departure from the Tower of Heaven as a child, when she had been determined as ever in spite of losing her eye.

"Would it be alright if you left us alone for a moment?" Jellal asked.

Mirajane nodded and returned to the front room of the guild hall.

Erza noticed her absence. When the male figure approached the bed, Erza stiffened. The tall man hesitated before placing his hand on top of hers.

On instinct, she recoiled. He loosened his grip but kept his hand close, just enough so that she could still feel the heat radiating from the palm.

"Who are you?" Erza's voice was louder than usual.

"Jellal," he responded.

Confusion crossed Erza's face. His words sounded as if they were under water, but there was a familiar quality to them. Tentatively, she returned her hand to the stranger's.

"Is it really you?"

Jellal guided her hand to the side of his face. His tattoo created a slightly raised pattern over his skin. She traced the symbols she had once committed to memory.

"Oh, Jellal." She rested her forehead against his shoulder while he once again pressed her hand to his face.

"I'm so sorry, Erza. I should have been there."

They embraced each other for a long while, the evening sky casting a dim light that slowly crept along the far wall.

With a sigh, Jellal squeezed Erza's hand twice. He pulled the blanket up to her shoulder and eased her back onto the pillow.

Erza's eyes were closed, her breathing deep. Jellal headed for the door. He had overstayed his welcome.

"Jellal?" He paused, his back to her. "Will you come back?"

His gaze softening, he glanced once more at her beautiful yet injured form.

As his thumb stroked her cheek, he placed a kiss on her forehead.

"I will always return to you," he said. "I love you, Erza."

He knew all too well that she could not hear him.