By the end of the week Gray's gunshot wound had healed sufficiently enough that he was finally released from the hospital though this didn't stop him from being forced to sit in a wheelchair and pushed out of the hospital.

"Hee hee heh hee hee~ Now you get to know what it feels like~"

If Natsu wasn't so childishly cute and if Gray wasn't forbidden from any 'excitement', the ravenette was pretty sure that he would have punched the pinkette right in the face.

His mood was elevated when he was allowed to leave the wheelchair, behind he would like to mention, as he got in the car and Natsu began driving away from the hospital, back home and was even more ecstatic when he came home, opened the door and was greeted with the sight of the largest 'Welcome Home' party that the Fairy Tail could ever conceive or even held. How his workplace was even able to squeeze in his medium-sized to story house a large banquet spread that could rival the king of Fiore's royal table, a brewery warehouse size's worth of liquor, soda and juice plus the many people that just worked the guild and many of Gray's and Natsu's many friends alone was beyond anyone, Gray included though he wasn't to complain.

As Gray had decided to use this to announce something far more greater then his miraculous recovery slash survival.

"Natsu and I... We are getting married!"

He raised both his hand and Natsu's hand that held the engagement ring high up into the air as Natsu blush a dark shade of red and stuttering his agreement while a thick silence hung low into the air. It held it's place there for a good two to three minutes, so as to allow Gray's words to sink in when the room suddenly exploded with cheers and congratulations as the women beamed, squealed and shed tears and the men either whooped, wolf whistle, clapped shoulders while being mindful of Gray's recently healed shoulder and shook both men's hands.

"Congrats you guys!"

"Ooh~ A wedding!"

"We're gonna have ourselves a Fairy Tail wedding!"

"Eee~ I just love weddings!"

"Good job Gray!"

"About damn time!"

"When's it gonna happen? In Winter or Summer?"

The party went into full swing as bread was broken among friends and drinks were passed around the groups and Gray beamed brightly as he settled himself onto his couch followed by Lyon and Loke flanking his sides, though Loke was busy talking up and flirting with some of the female party goers while Natsu remained in the kitchen surrounded by the a rather impressive group of girls who all wanted to see his wedding ring.

"Oh! Let me see! Let me see!"

"I wanna see too!"

"Can I see it?"

"Show us Natsu! Show us!"

"Come on! Show us!"

"Please?"

Natsu beamed with an odd sense of pride while still red faced from embarrassment as he shyly held up with left hand that bore his golden ruby and topaz encrusted band for them all to see as the girls let out shrill squeals of delight. Gray had to chuckle at the adorable sight of the flustered and blushing Natsu who was stuttering and tripping over his words as all the women bombarded the poor pinkette with questions one of which if he was going to wear the gown. He paused as he felt an elbow nudge him gently in the ribs and turned to look at Lyon, who regarded the ravenette with a soft gaze while confusion was evident on Gray's face.

"What?"

"I can't believe how much you have grown up." Lyon chuckled. "How did this all happen?"

Gray was beyond confused now. "Eh?"

"It feels like it was just yesterday when we were kids," Lyon continued, ignoring Gray's befuddled statement, "We're both young, thoughtless, ignorant-"

"Wha-"

"But look at us now. We're both grown, we've matured into respectable men despite the hardships the loss of life we've suffered," Lyon chuckled, a single tear rolling down his cheek, "We're getting married and starting families. Things I didn't think either of us could have-"

"Lyon?"

Lyon looked to Gray, eyes watering. "I'm really happy that I got this chance to share it with you. I am glad to be called your brother."

Gray blinked owlishly at Lyon before his gaze softened and he pulled the taller male into his arms, into a tight embrace just as tears of his own appeared on his face.

"I am too."

The two men stayed that way for awhile before a soft cough interrupted their delicate moment. Gray blinked, brushing any and all stray tears that still clung to him before he turned around and came face to face with a rather solemn faced Gajeel and Erza which was odd given the atmosphere they were in. Gray hated to think of what it was he did that could sour the two faces in front of him other then, yes, he did almost die and okay, he didn't tell Erza he was going to propose to Natsu in the hospital but that surely couldn't be either of the two reasons as to why-

"We need to talk."

Of course they were.

"About what?" Gray asked, already dreading the answer.

"Can we go somewhere private?" Erza asked, eyes quickly roaming over the rambunctious crowd. "It's rather important and shouldn't undisclosed with a larger audience just yet..."

"Why?" Gray was suspicious now. "Whatever it is, can't it be said here?"

"No," Gajeel ground out, "And you'll find out why once we get to somewhere quiet. Trust me..."

Gray continued to stare into both sets of eyes, trying to find any trace of a joke or deception before he finally caved in with a sigh. He quickly turned to Lyon who regarded him curiously.

"If Natsu comes looking for me, let him know that I stepped out for bit," Gray muttered as he stood up, "Tell him I'll be back shortly, okay?"

"Alright," Lyon nodded, eyes narrowed in Erza's direction though the woman seemed to pay him no mind as her attention was elsewhere. "But I must ask you to be careful. You've just barely escaped death's clutches..."

"Yeah yeah got it." He turned to look at Gajeel and Erza. "Alright follow me. We can talk in the greenhouse out back."

He moved around the couch, just as Natsu showed Valerian and Hayden his wedding ring, moving out of the living room and down the hallway as both men beamed into the excited face of the pinkette as Gray moved toward the sliding glass door in the kitchen that lead to his backyard as he weaved in and out through the crowded locations with relative ease while Erza and Gajeel trailed behind. He paused at the door and turned to look and make sure Erza and Gajeel were able to keep up with only to find that two more had joined their midst.

"Sting?" Gray blinked. "Rogue?"

"Gray, what is going on?" Rogue looked nervous as he stood next to Erza. "Erza here says she has something to share?"

"Yeah, what gives?"

"I'll explain once we get there," Erza explained calmly. "We found something that may be alarming but let's get to the greenhouses."

"Right."

Gray quickly unlatched the lock to the back door opening it enough to allow them slip by one by one as he ushered them out into the light summer rain. He quickly exited the kitchen after the other four had and closed the door with a soft snap, moving them around and leading them to one side of the yard that held a rather impressive greenhouse that looked more like the inside of a garden section in a local market, opening the door and ushering the four inside the muggy warm interior before following right behind. He closed the door securely before turning to face them.

"Now what's all of this about?" Gray breathed. "What's so important that you had to tear me away from the party?"

"Indeed," Rogue agreed as Sting nodded and folded his arms across his chest next him. "This is truly a grand occasion, a miraculous recovery and a wedding. What problem could possibly demine this?"

Erza took a deep sigh.

"We- that is to say, myself, Gajeel, Laxus and Makarov have reason to believe Natsu is still in danger."

"What?" Gray couldn't believe what it was he was hearing and neither did Rogue and Sting. "What are you talking about?"

"Yes," Rogue breathed. "What are you talking about?"

"Natsu can't be an danger now," Sting agreed. "We got one guy in custody and the other killed himself and I defiantly recall finding the third guy's dead carcass after they first escaped!"

"All of that's true, we ain't denying that," Gajeel replied with a wave of his hand, "But I was diggin' through Jeremy's old case files in order to finish up this case's report-"

"Yeah?"

"I found this."

Gajeel pulled out one of the journals that Gray recalled them removing from the cabin out of the book bag that was slung over his shoulder before holding out another journal, one that was far battered then the other, a different color and brand. One Gray didn't remember seeing being removed from the cabin.

"Why are you giving me these?" Gray asked, as he held one up. "We already know what's written in them..."

"Take a look in both of them dumbass."

Gray heavied an annoyed sigh before he complied with Gajeel's odd but demanding request. He moved some seed packets and clay pots around so as to use the table that was in there, placing both books onto the surface, opening them to random pages, eyes scanning them just as Sting and Rogue closed in a little to look over Gray's shoulder. Nothing seemed to stand out to the ravenette as both pages seemed to be about the sick fascination the writer had toward his pinkette.

"I give. What the hell am I looking at?"

"What you are looking at are two separate journals," Gajeel answered. "Done by two separate people. There was a third party involved. Whether directly or not, I couldn't say but-"

"What?"

"He's right Gray," Rogue breathed, leaning in closer, "They are both dated on the same day. The handwriting in both samples are completely and utterly different. The one you found is much cleaner- They write their i's and t's differently-"

"And they talk about Natsu differently," Sting added. "This one talks about Natsu and his creepy and unhealthy desire to own and possess Natsu whereas in this one, they didn't know Natsu by name and was more focused on his eyes and what way would best preserving their beauty."

"So Jeremy's evolved since then- So what?" Gray replied with irritation. "It proves that a monster can become more dangerous with just a little sharpening of their claws-"

"No," Gajeel ground out, trying to keep his temper in check. "The M.O's are too different-"

"M.O's?"

"Motivating operation," Gajeel explained, "It is what we use to define and find a criminal based on behavior and patterns."

"Ah."

"I read the reports and notes you, Freed and Erza here had written for Jeremy as well as the tabs of the victims he killed from about 6 years ago," Gajeel continued as he began digging into his bag once more, fishing out various papers and notes, placing on top of the journals, "And none of them match the M.O in the journals we found in the cabin."

"What does it mean exactly?"

"Jeremy's motive was defined here by Freed," Gajeel explained, pointing to a batch of papers in front of Gray, "He's got the behavior similar to game hunter and had knowledge of the anatomy since his family owned a taxidermy shop that got passed to him once his father passed. Now Jeremy here prided himself in not only enjoying the thrill of the hunt, capturing and tormenting the victim til he ended them, enjoying the simple spoils he could gain from them but he also enjoyed collecting trophies."

"Trophies?"

"The eyes," Gajeel answered, "He wanted the best of the best. They had to be not only flawless but one of kind. Something that could not be replicated. Which helped explains why he remained under radar until Siegrain's death."

Gray could hear Erza's breath hitch.

"But now we take a look at the m.o in the journals," Gajeel continued as he pushed aside the papers covering the journals, pulling one out. "The person here is obsessed with Natsu, they don't want to bring harm or force Natsu but they can't help but feel anger and resentment toward Gray and they wrote quite a few choice words about you but they refuses to settle with anyone else, implicating they did try to move on but couldn't as 'dispose' in this day and age has several different meanings-"

"Like murder?" Rogue breathed as Sting pulled him into a protective embrace both sets of eyes wide. "We might have a killer that wasn't accounted for?"

"Possibly. It is hinted that they'll do about almost anything just to earn his love, gain his respect, get his attention and out Gray out the picture by any means necessary..."

Gajeel regarded Gray as he snapped the book shut.

"Natsu's not the only one in danger."

"So what do we do?" Sting asked, holding Rogue closer. "How do we find him?"

"We flush him out." Erza replied while Gajeel nodded in agreement. "Simple as that."

Gajeel turned to look at Gray, a smile on his face as he clapped a hand to the ravenette shoulder.

"Don't worry we'll get this guy before any harm can be done. Trust me."

"I hope so."

"Gajeel's right Gray," Erza said. "We're Fairy Tail. We protect our own once a threat has been determined. If they want Natsu and bring harm to you then they'll have to go through each and every one us to do so. We'll get them and show them what it means to bring fear!"

"Same here," Sting grinned, clapping a hand to Gray's uninjured shoulder. "You have an ally in Sabertooth and if you're being threatened then they are threatening us."

"Yes and I'm sure Lamia Scale feels the same," Rogue smiled. "But in the meantime, instead of worrying let's enjoy the celebrations while we can before we get to work on track these people or single person."

"Yeah."

Gray took a deep sigh before he smiled and nodded which was returned tenth fold while Gajeel began to pick up all of the papers and the two journals that lied scattered, cramming them back into his book bag. Once they were sure they had every last piece shoved back into Gajeel's bag Gray unlatched the greenhouse letting them out of the greenhouse and leading them back into the house. Once they were back inside, Gray immediately homed in on Natsu, finding him in the kitchen talking to the twins, Owen and Hayden showing them his ring before letting a out a startled squeak when Gray wrapped his arms around his shoulders, resting his head onto his neck.

"Oh! Gray! There you are," Natsu breathed, hand over his chest trying to steady his rapidly beating heart as he looked behind him. "Where were you?"

"Out," Gray breathed against his neck, earning him a shiver from the pink haired boy. "Had to get fresh air."

"Oh- Are you okay?" Natsu asked, patting the arm over his neck.

"M'fine."

"Are you sure?" Natsu asked, concern laced in his voice, "You're holding me awfully tight, like you're afraid or something..."

"Am I?" Gray blinked, pulling back slightly and relinquished his hold on Natsu a little. "Sorry babe."

"It's fine," Natsu grinned, turning around to face Gray once the hold became loose, "What's up?"

"Nothing," Gray answered, placing a gentle kiss to the pinkette's forehead, "Just wanted to hold you..."

"Why?"

"Because-"

"Because why?"

"I just want to, okay?"

"Aren't we the sweet one-"

"Shut it Hayden-"

"Gray! Be nice to Hayden!" Natsu declared, "He's like a big brother slash father to me!"

"Can you promise me something, Natsu?"

"Huh?" Natsu blinked. "Yeah, sure. What is it?"

Gray pulled away, face barely an inch from Natsu's own, locking his gaze into those beautiful golden depths he had come love more then anything in the world. Natsu could feel his face heating up to bright red as Gray leaned in placing his forehead against his own a gentle smile spread across his face.

"Promise me you'll remain at my side," Gray breathed, his breath tickling the pinkette's face, "Forever at my side."

Natsu blinked before he giggled and nuzzled noses with Gray.

"Only if you promise to remain by my side..." Natsu hummed, burying his face into the crook of Gray's neck, "Forever... And ever too."

Gray smiled.

"I promise."

They shared a brief but tender kiss as the crowd around them awed at the scene before them before Gray pulled into a tight hug as all feeling of worry or fear melted away from his form. He began to gentle rock the small and lithe body in his arms slowly, holding him close and savoring the sweet moment of just holding the person he loved dearly while Natsu sighed in the embrace and nuzzled his face into Gray's chest and neck and Gray made a few solid promises. He was going to protect his pinkette and do everything in his power to keep him safe, never let him out of his sight and he was never going to let him go.

And he would love to see them try.

All he could hope was that it would be enough.

End...?

And there you have it;

The first chapter of Puzzle Pieces redone and explained a little better that will help fit it better into the rest of the other ficlets that will follow right behind it. I hope you liked it and are excited the next coming fics... X3

Until then see you on the other side.