A/N: Ah, the final chapter! What a wild (and ever so long) ride to this point! I'm happy to finish and yet sad it's over. Weird, eh?

In the circle of sheltering trees Levy and Gajeel knelt down as if at prayer; overhanging branches filtered the moonlight, dappling their bodies with a mosaic of shadows. Holding hands they gazed into each other's eyes and exchanged simple vows.

Gajeel uttered a short incantation after with Levy making the appropriate responses he'd taught her moments ago. Eldritch energy seethed. It pressed against every inch of exposed skin, raising the short hairs on the back of their necks and arms. Gajeel kissed Levy's wrist, made one swift bite and licked up the small amount of blood. He dragged one needle sharp nail across his own wrist and then held it out.

Keeping her eyes on his, Levy lowered her mouth to his offering. One deep breath. Exhale. Ready. Extending her tongue, she licked. Nerve endings blazed and pulsed in tune with Gajeel's breathing. A double flow of senses pressed into Levy's brain. Her own body felt wrong somehow - too small to contain all the information she experienced. Bright light pounded behind her eyes, she slammed them shut and her body trembled.

Gajeel grit his teeth and let the sensations trying to overwrite his own brain have free reign. It was everything he'd been warned about - and so much more to deal with than he'd expected. He forced his eyes open a crack - watching Levy with her eyes still shut, her face pale but otherwise calm. "You okay?"

Voice low but steady, she responded. "I think so, how about you?"

"I was never sure this day would come, the day you accepted bonding with me." Gajeel moved closer, capturing Levy's face in his hands. "Happy isn't a strong enough word to express all the joy you make possible."

Levy opened her eyes, blinking furiously to get rid of her double vision. "You're my source for joy too."

Gajeel nodded, lowered his face closer and kissed her. Levy clasped Gajeel tighter, threading her fingers into his hair as she returned his ardour. Levy tugged Gajeel's hair, making him moan his enjoyment. A shiver ran up Levy's spine. She could feel Gajeel's pleasure - not as sharp as her body registered her own, but like an echo. If she concentrated would the background noise in her head become his voice?

Wrapped in his arms, Levy felt protected. She nestled closer against his chest, breaking their kiss for breath. Gajeel nibbled his way to Levy's ear, moist kisses along her jaw and then a tender bite on her earlobe made her yelp.

"Ow!"

"Ghee hihi! I can feel that didn't hurt. You liked it - you want more of the same, doncha?"

"You surprised me." Levy closed her eyes again to focus on all the extra stimuli she was receiving in her brain. "You liked biting me - you want to bite me all over, don't you?"

"This is only the beginning of the bond." Gajeel shifted Levy onto his lap and touched his forehead to hers. "With practice we'll be able to share thoughts, not just emotions. We're still two separate people - but now we have a conduit to share our inner selves. Feel the love I have for you Levy. This is what you inspire in me."

Levy gasped. In what she was beginning to think of as a 'bonding link', she could feel waves of joy coming from Gajeel. Radiant bliss, thankfulness, determination and a now fading sense of fear. "You were scared. Scared I'd reject you, weren't you?"

"Damn right I was." Gajeel shuddered and Levy could feel a blurred edge of despair from the action. "We're bonded now, and you'll never have to doubt me when you can feel my emotions."

"The same goes for you Gajeel," Levy grinned, reaching up to caress his cheeks. She focussed her thoughts and tried to project one simple thought at her mate.

Gajeel smirked. "I don't know that I couldn't have guessed you'd want to end up in bed."

"Pfft. We don't need no stinkin' bed." Levy giggled as she slithered off his lap and stood facing the Tildenson mansion, her hands on her hips. "I don't have your sharp senses but for me, the party feels too loud and bothersome."

Gajeel scrambled to his feet, stooping to lower his chin onto her shoulder and wrap his arms around her body. "Yeah, we should find somewhere we can be alone."

Craning her neck, Levy looked at her husband. Her husband - her bond mate, her lover and most precious person. "Yeah, we should." Gajeel winked and she blushed beet red. Failing to tamp down her emotions, Levy decided to ignore everything she must be leaking and sending to Gajeel. "Find us someplace secluded?"

"Ghee hihi!" The iron dragon slayer swooped her into his arms. Levy shrieked in surprise. Shifting Levy as she adjusted the train of her dress, Gajeel spun around to face the forest. "Coming right up!" Settling into an easy lope he could sustain for hours, Gajeel ran from the maddening party crowd.

Levy snuggled against Gajeel's chest, watching the night sky shift as he raced. She felt secure even as he zigzagged around some obstacles and jumped others. Contentment had her closing her eyes, only to pop open as Gajeel came to a sudden stop. "I think I dozed off a bit."

"Yup, you weren't snoring like usual, so I know it wasn't a deep sleep." Gajeel smirked and released Levy as she wriggled in mock anger. Taking a further step back, he laughed. Her scrunched up nose and pouting lips were adorable. What was even cuter was how she looked around the clearing he'd found - her face glowing with wonder and appreciation for nature's beauty.

Levy spun around and clapped her hands. "This is magnificent!"

Pressing his hand over his heart, Gajeel rubbed. His voice a soft growl he answered, "I feel what you mean."

Stopping her perusal of her surroundings, Levy turned to face her lover. Frowning lightly, she padded over to Gajeel. "But you don't look that happy. Is something wrong?"

He shook his head, working to lighten his expression. "Hell no, ain't nothing wrong." Levy stared at Gajeel. The little niggling doubts in his gut needed exorcising. Heaving a sigh Gajeel responded. "You're open with your feelings… And I'm not so much."

Levy's peal of laughter rang high and pure, dying off once she saw how unsure her partner actually was. "I know you put on a tough front - but deep down you're gentle and sweet."

"Bonding with you is the best decision I've ever made - but freely sharing my moods ain't gonna come easy."

Levy nodded. If Gajeel wanted to talk more, that was fine - but right now she was in the mood for what his earlier kisses had promised. "There's one thing I know you'd like to share." Holding out her arms she lifted her face to gaze at Gajeel. "Help your wife out of this dress?"

All his higher though processes stuttered to a halt. Gajeel swallowed hard. Levy was an alabaster statue clothed in a filmy, glittering gown. The love and lust in her eyes spoke volumes. She was his; wanted him, and by the gods of this realm - he would have her.

Levy's breath hitched, Gajeel looked almost feral as he contemplated her invitation. Not daring to move and break the spell, she waited.

"My wife." Gajeel reached for Levy's hands. Maybe she pulled him to her, or Gajeel tugged Levy into his arms, but their bodies greeted one another with glorious passion laced with desperate need. They kissed, discarding clothes and inhibitions.

Gajeel's shirt and pants served as a makeshift bedroll with Levy and Gajeel soon entwined on the rumpled garments. Moonlight dappled the rustling leaves of the tall trees standing sentry. The plush grass released its scent crushed underneath the writhing bodies of the newly bonded couple.

Levy gasped and savoured the tang of Gajeel's bite. His nibbling kisses had teased her - now they were demanding her voice. She moaned. Encouraged, Gajeel planted another kiss to the inside of her thigh and gave her another tender bite.

"My turn!" Levy wriggled, closing her legs and pushing on Gajeel's shoulders. "Now."

"That's right. Show me what you're made of, ghee hihi!" Gajeel allowed Levy to position him on his stomach, enjoyed her tiny hands petting him and waited. She caressed his spine. Taking a detour across his shoulders she lightly brushed his buttocks and then ran her hands down both legs. Levy squeezed his calf muscles and zipped over his feet and back to his rock hard posterior.

Levy gave one pert cheek a slap. The smack of flesh against flesh was a sharp retort. Grinning, she hit it a little harder. The sound was pleasing to her - and Gajeel wasn't distressed - he was a tough dragon slayer after all. Impulse sang in her veins and she nipped his other cheek.

A flurry of limbs and Levy found herself on top of Gajeel, his eyes blazing with renewed lust. "My turn again." He thumbed her nipples, tweaking them into hard points. Hands on her ribcage, he slid them down to her hips - lifting her slightly. Levy stroked Gajeel's erection and with ease they connected.

Bouncing up and down on him, Levy threw her head back, her breaths coming faster and harder out of her throat that was drying. This was the ultimate freedom. Nothing they did together to give each other pleasure could be shameful. Levy saw the stars wheel across the sky, their cold light becoming warm inside her heart.

Straining to keep from coming, Gajeel had to close his eyes. The sight of Levy grinding on him was becoming too much. All her sounds of enjoyment were about to trigger a powerful release. As much as he wanted the bliss of spending himself inside his lover Gajeel needed to please Levy. Needed to make Levy scream, over and over.

Feather light touches on his eyelids made Gajeel angle his head and squint. Levy traced circles on Gajeel's cheeks and smiled sweetly. "Am I too much for you?"

"Not hardly," Gajeel managed to grunt (albeit unconvincingly).

"Then keep your eyes open while I blow your mind." Levy slid her hands to the hard slab of muscle that was Gajeel's chest and tweaked his nipples. "I sense you like this." She giggled and pinched them again. "Rather a lot."

"So?"

"Let go and enjoy." After all her exertions, Levy began to pant. She grinded on top of Gajeel - full to aching and yet exultant with the intense pressure. So close - poised to achieve ecstasy and working to sustain that razor sharp edge.

"You asked for it Shrimp." Gajeel angled his hips and thrust in counterpoint to Levy's movements. Grunts, skin slapping and muttered imprecations were soon the only physical sounds. Inside the conduit of their bond, Levy and Gajeel were awash in each other's pleasure. Joy flowed stronger with each touch of skin and fevered love-word. Reaching the pinnacle of pleasure they convulsed with paroxysms of delight. Levy collapsed against Gajeel's chest and accepted his clumsy petting of her hair and back, her sweet smile soon corrupted with a wide yawn.

Tired and replete they slept. The moon continued to shine on the couple - its full face wearing a benign smile. The iron dragon slayer roused to shift Levy against his side and fell back asleep with her tucked under his arm. She was his to love and protect from now to the other side of eternity.

"Hibiki, have you seen your brother?" Hitomi ignored all the looks her now blinding white gown garnered. She clutched her step-son's hands and asked again. "Where do you think Ambrose might be?"

Hibiki rummaged in his thoughts, discarding the unlikely ideas - and fixating on the possible. "Mary would know."

A smile blazed as she gushed her thanks, rushing away to rush to find Mary. Hibiki grinned with satisfaction, turning back to the person he'd been chatting with before. "Sophia, would you care to dance with me?"

"Or would you rather dance with me?" Lily chuckled as he joined them. "My friends have secluded themselves and I fear I will be at a loose end for the rest of tonight."

Patting his arm, Sophia said, "And my sister has dashed off to find Ambrose. From how happy she looked, I think my plans to help her are unnecessary." Her lips twisted into a charming smile as Sophia looked back and forth at Hibiki and Lily. "Hibiki has claimed the first dance, but keep room on your dance card open for me, okay?"

"As you wish."

The musicians began the first measure of a fast paced reel. Lily watched Sophia and Hibiki dance with the other revellers. A gentle tap on his shoulder and he turned to face one of the young footmen he'd boxed with a few days ago. "Josh, right? Mary's son?"

"Yes, I just wanted to tell you, you put on a great show!"

"Thank you!" Lily found himself tapping a foot to the beat of the music. "Gajeel was a bit distracted or the demonstration would have been longer."

Another off-duty footman scurried up and elbowed Josh. "Didja ask?"

"Ugh, not yet." Josh held his hands out in supplication to Lily. "If you're free, some of the guys are gonna meet up in the gymnasium and practice sparring."

"Sounds fun." Lily smiled, "I'll find you there later."

"All right!" Josh and his friend grinned. "I'd rather fight than dance too."

Lily shrugged and shook his head. Sophia had bowed to Hibiki, thanking him for the dance and was now heading over. She smiled at the two other men and greeted them with enthusiasm. She held out her hand to Lily who placed it in the crook of his arm and escorted her to the middle of the dance-floor. A waltz began to play.

"Albert, looks like Lily may be a little late."

"If we let Sophia join too, I'm sure he'll get there sooner."

Josh frowned. "Aw man, if Sophia goes all out, it'll be her and Lily in the final round."

Albert burst out laughing. "You were never gonna win anyway."

"Yeah, but the odds are decidedly not in any of the guys' favour now."

In the kitchen Hitomi skidded to a stop. "Where's Mary?"

Mabel answered after dropping a curtsey. "She went to drop off a tray to Ambrose's room - he sounded sad so Mary decided to go."

"Oh, I guess I should have checked there first." Hitomi muttered this more to herself than in response to the maid. Finally feeling the awkwardness, Hitomi shot Mabel a smile and said, "Thanks!"

The skirt of her dress swung and fluttered as she left the kitchen in a hurry. Mabel and the other staff working in the kitchen all exchanged looks. Once they were sure their reactions would go unheard they erupted into conversation.

"Ooh, looks like I called it!"

"The missus is finally going after what she wants."

"Told you!"

"Nuh uh, I told you!"

Mary entered from the garden into the kitchen. "Everybody, I need you to focus! This party is close to over, but we have more to serve!"

Mumbles of agreement from everyone made Mary smile. "And if all goes well my wager over Hitomi and Ambrose will make me rich!"

Hitomi crossed her arms and hugged herself. This was taking all the courage she had to stand in front of Ambrose's room - now where to find the guts to knock on his door? Her shifting feet made the floorboards creak.

"Mary, forget it! I'm not hungry and I don't feel like talking." Ambrose stopped throwing clothes into a duffle and plodded over to the door, letting his forehead thunk against the wood. "You're not going to be able to change my mind, it's for the best." He sighed, his fingers tapping an uneven cadence.

Unsure if she should talk, Hitomi cleared her throat.

"I mean it." He turned his head and let his cheek press up against the wood. "Hitomi will never see me as an adult. It's funny you know." His fingers tapped faster, like drumming them louder would drown his chaotic thoughts. "I have to leave, because if I stay I'll always be a pathetic child running after Hitomi."

Hitomi shivered. She'd never heard Ambrose so bleak.

Forcing a chuckle, Ambrose stopped fidgeting. "Mary, I love you like a mother - "

"This isn't Mary." Hitomi wasn't exactly sure where her words were coming from, but she allowed them free flow. "Ambrose. I read your father's letter to you. I've come to a decision. You're enough." She took a steadying breath and continued. "Me being your first love is enough."

Ambrose flung open the door, looking at Hitomi with wary eyes. Almost against his will he took a half step closer to her. "You really did read it."

"I thought I owed it to you." She let her head dip, eyes searching the floor - better than seeing any condemnation in his face. "I had decided it was better for you to find someone younger." His gentle hands on her upper arms startled Hitomi and she snapped her gaze back to his face. Slow tears gathered and Hitomi let out a shuddering breath. "I decided on my own - how could I do that? I want the magic of being with the person who loves me beyond reason."

"Come inside and we'll talk." Ambrose released his hold, stepping back and watching Hitomi's beautiful face. "You're my first love and as long as I'm your last love, we'll have all the magic we need."

Hitomi stretched out on the rough blanket and held out her arms to Ambrose, her smile appreciative of his naked form. "I see one of the advantages of youth, ready again so soon?"

"Never not ready for you." He sank to his knees and gasped in surprise as Hitomi locked her legs around his waist. In an attempt to steady himself, he grabbed her wrists and pinned them as he grinned, amusement flaring as Hitomi reflexively struggled. Her hair, already stuck with bits of straw became even more dishevelled. "I think I like this new look of yours."

"Unkempt?"

"Well-loved, satisfied and glowing."

Hitomi fought against giving her lover a pleased smile. Unable to hold it in, she laughed softly as Ambrose puffed out his chest. "To be honest, it would ease my mind if you proved to me how much you love me."

A wolfish smile on his face, Ambrose nodded. "And again and again." He dipped his head closer and stole a kiss, his lips drifting to the corner of her mouth as he trailed kisses over her cheekbone and to make fluttering light kisses over her eyelids. "I love you with every part of me." Ambrose kissed Hitomi's brow. "I'll always give you what you ask for." Into her ear he whispered, "Didn't I find a secluded love-nest in the middle of a crowded party?"

His rough with passion voice made Hitomi shiver. Making an effort, she pulled one hand free and curled her fingers into his hair as she replied. "The hay loft isn't as bad as I'd feared, but you do realize both our bedrooms have actual beds in them?"

"And guests roaming the halls snooping."

"But beds!"

"Strangers and crowds."

"Beds." Giving up on scolding Ambrose, Hitomi gifted him with a sweet smile. "I'll always remember tonight."

"Tonight and every night," Ambrose vowed, "we'll build an unashamed love neither of us will forget."

Hitomi nodded, tears welled up and trickled down her cheeks. "Yes."

Shortly after dawn Levy and Gajeel roused to the sound of birdsong. Gajeel grumbled and Levy giggled as she burrowed into his warmth. Levy felt a kaleidoscope of things; hunger, desire and a pressing weight on her bladder. Was this his or her need to pee? Ugh. That wasn't exactly important.

She grabbed his massive hand and pressed a chaste kiss to his palm. "Good morning!"

"Mornin'."

"Mmm." Levy rolled to her side and scanned for her clothes. Spying the dress hanging from a branch she wriggled from Gajeel's hold and ran over to snatch it from the tree. At hearing Gajeel snort his laughter she whirled to glare at him. "Is that how you want to treat your wife?"

"I'm not laughing at you, just your wild hair."

Levy pulled the rumpled dress on after zipping it part way and then marched back over to where Gajeel was lounging on his side.

Openly appreciative of Levy, he smirked as he looked her over. "My wife."

"My husband." Levy gave Gajeel a leer. "Just so you know, as I see it, we're in each other's debt now. I'm gonna need you to love me forever."

"Good to know, I'm not a whelsher either. I'm gonna need you to love me forever too."

And that's just what they did.

A/N: Many thanks for reading. I sit here and think of what to write to encourage people to review ... everything I think of seems too much like pleading and begging. I appreciate any and all efforts to comment, from pointing out my typos, a simple 'I liked it' and random keystrokes of 'slkdfj' and the like. I'll be marking this as 'complete' but if enough interest is raised for an epilogue I'll add one. Thank you very much.