Well, it's been a super crazy long time but finally here is another chapter of The Dating Game! Last chapter it was time for a bro talk between Gray and Natsu, so now this chapter is all about the ladies! Enjoy this fun little chapter before we wrap up this story for good! Enjoy~

~~~LEJLJEL~~~

Sometimes Lucy couldn't help but wonder what she did to attract such weird friends. And boyfriends. But more on that later.

"…but really the most amazing moment for Juvia was when Gray-sama looked into Juvia's eyes- those soft gray eyes that aren't icy in anyway, they are like pools of emotion- emotions for Juvia which Gray-sama has finally made clear even though really deep down Juvia knew since the moment we met…"

The water mage was speaking at high speed, both hands pressed to her pink cheeks as if to try and contain the fountain of emotions bubbling inside her petite frame. Lucy could barely understand what the girl was saying but seemed to be getting the idea that something big had happened between Juvia and Gray- which was a strange coincidence, considering what had happened just hours earlier between her and Natsu… But Lucy especially felt bad for Levy who was sitting across from Juvia, fervently trying to follow the crazy girl's story as she babbled on and on at a frequency incomprehensible to humans- even incredibly patient humans like Levy.

And then there was Erza.

"Uum, Erza…? Is there something you want to talk about…?"

Erza paused the frantic shoveling of ice cream into her mouth to shoot a look at her the blonde, clutching the carton closer against her chest as if scared Lucy would try to take it from her.

"What do you mean? I'm fine!"

Lucy put up her hands in defense, knowing better than to bother a wild animal- especially when they're on a feeding frenzy. Instead the blonde pulled over a pillow and joined her friends on her bedroom floor, ready to try and take control of this little girl's night in.

"Juvia, slow down!"

Lucy started with a laugh, waving a hand at the water mage.

"I think you lost us a while back- why don't you start from the beginning? You were at your apartment and then…?"

The blue haired girl paused in her story to blink over at Lucy a moment before flashing a smile, totally fine with starting her epic tale all over again. Levy gave Lucy a thankful look, relieved to be getting a second shot at comprehending this story.

"Yes, Juvia was in her apartment making dinner when suddenly someone was knocking on the door! And Juvia thought, 'Wouldn't it be amazing if that was Gray-sama, finally ready to accept his destiny and ask Juvia out?' But when Juvia answered the door, she found that this dream was not a dream at all! It was Gray at the door!"

Lucy and Levy offered 'ooh's and 'aah's together to encourage their friend to continue, and even Erza seemed to be scraping at the ice cream carton quieter as she listened to the story.

"At first Juvia was blown away- what could Gray-sama be doing at her door, and how did he even know where she lived? It was flattering! But then Juvia became scared that her apartment was not ready for a visit from her future husband- what if he saw some clutter or dust?"

Lucy laughed.

"Juvia, you're crazy. Your place is always spotless!"

But Juvia did not seem fazed by the interruption, and instead continued

"But then Juvia remembered that she always kept her apartment neat in case Gray-sama ever decided to stop in for a surprise visit- which he did, just like Juvia knew he would someday!- and so Juvia invited him inside even though it was hard to even think straight with those eyes just looking at me-"

Levy bounced impatiently in her seat on the pillow, not wanting the water mage to get side-tracked again.

"Okay okay so then?"

"Gray-sama said he had to tell Juvia something. Somehow Juvia just knew what he was going to say already and her heart started beating so loud she was afraid he might hear- and then Gray-sama said he loved me!"

All three girls were genuinely blown away.

"He did?!"

"Well," Juvia laughed now, admitting "no, he didn't say that. Gray-sama said he likes when he and Juvia are together and that he wants Juvia to be his girlfriend. Finally, Gray-sama is mine!"

Levy squealed, squeezing the girl in a fast hug.

"That's amazing, Juvia! I know you've been crushing on him for a long time, and now you finally got what you wanted!"

"Crushing is a bit of an understatement…" Lucy started, before brightening up. "But I'm happy for you, Juvia! You and Gray will make a really cute couple!"

"Lucy." Erza dumped the empty carton unceremoniously at the blonde's feet. "I need more."

Lucy's jaw dropped.

"Erza, you ate the whole thing?"

The red head shot Lucy an evil look who- thoroughly frightened- got up without question to see if there was any more junk food to feed the monster. Levy leaned forward to give the red head a gentle smile.

"You know, you seem like something's on your mind, Erza."

The warrior crossed her arms, acting much more childish than usual, and retorted

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Well for one," Lucy started, taking back her seat with a somewhat grumpy expression "You're dressed in a gigantic grubby t-shirt, and for two you just ate all the ice cream in my house."

Erza sighed.

"Well, it's not like I have anyone to keep up appearances for…"

Lucy crossed her arms.

"Alright, I think I know what's going on here…"

But Erza had already started.

"I mean, who is ever going to care if I get fat or start dressing like a slob? I'll never have a guy to appreciate my body. I go away on a mission for one day, and when I come back all my friends are suddenly dating and kissing and getting together… I mean, look at me! The Great Titania can't even get a date! Now everyone has a boyfriend except me."

The warrior was pouting, her speech over but the situation far from let go. None of the girls knew exactly how to deal with this strange new Erza who was grumpy and emotional.

"Juvia has never seen Erza like this…"

The water mage chirped quietly, Levy nodding in agreement.

"But Erza!" Lucy encouraged "Don't let some boy troubles defeat you! Trust me, these past few days have been crazy, you're pretty lucky to have missed out- it was all started over a stupid game, and you're way too mature for something like that! So you don't have a boyfriend? You don't need a guy in order to live your life! I mean, look at Levy!"

Levy shot Lucy a questioning look, wondering why she had been the 'single ladies' example instead of Lucy herself, but Erza could only sigh.

"Yes, I suppose that is the problem. Levy and I don't show enough cleavage- it's easy to see why we've been left behind…"

"Hey! What's that supposed to mean!"

Lucy exclaimed, instinctively pulling the front of her shirt up.

"And if we're really going to go there Erza, you definitely show the most cleavage out of everyone- some of the armor you wear even beats out Lucy's skimpy clothes!"

Levy's cheeks were red as she crossed her arms over her lackluster chest and grumbling

"My boobs really aren't that small…"

"Yes they are Levy, but that's not the point anyway."

Lucy composed herself, turning back to the red head.

"The point is, you shouldn't give up so easily, Erza. There are plenty of guys in the world- even just in the guild!- that you could go out with. We'll help you get a date, if that's what you want. Right girls?"

Juvia and Levy nodded fervently, wanting to help their friend so she would go back to normal again. Lucy scooted closer to the red head, grinning a bit- finally, it was time for some real slumber party talk!

"So, first things first! Is there anyone you've ever had a crush on?"

Levy squirmed in delight.

"Ooh, I've always wanted to ask this~!"

But Erza's answer was short.

"No."

"Whaaat!" Lucy looked skeptical. "You can't say you've never had a crush on someone- it's impossible! I bet even I could name a few guys you've had the hots for!"

"Yes, you can even admit it was Gray-sama, Juvia won't get mad." The girl nodded encouragingly at the warrior, continuing "Just as long as Erza understands now that Gray-sama is Juvia's and will never be anyone else's."

Erza rubbed her neck, looking around at the eager girls.

"There really isn't much to say- I'm too close with most guys to see them as anything besides brothers... But…"

She looked down at the rug, trailing her fingers distractingly along the grooves in the fabric and continuing more softly

"Before he was imprisoned, I guess you could say that Jellal and I were pretty close…?"

"Really? You and Jellal? But that's so out of the blue!"

Natsu exclaimed from his seat beside Lucy. The blonde screamed, reflexively leaping to her feet and stomping the pink haired menace into the ground. Juvia and Levy screamed as well, self conscious in their pjs in front of a boy and shocked at how suddenly he had appeared.

"Natsu! What the hell are you doing here!"

The dragon slayer detached his face from the floor before shrugging.

"Now that we're dating, I can live here, right?"

"Dating?"

The girls exclaimed save for Lucy, who shook her head in exasperation.

"What? No, you can't live here, Natsu! Now go home, we're obviously having girl time right now!"

"Aaaw, but Lucy…!"

Natsu began to complain although the blonde was already dragging him to the door.

"No! Stop popping up unannounced all the time!"

She exclaimed before tossing the dragon slayer in the hallway and locking the door. Natsu cried from behind the door

"You're just as mean as before!"

Lucy crossed her arms, yelling back

"If you don't like it, you shouldn't have asked me out!"

"But I love you!"

"Go home, Natsu!"

She waited until she heard his fading footsteps to turn back to the room with a sigh, finding that all eyes were on her.

"Did you just say he asked you out?!"

"You and Natsu are seriously dating?!"

"Did he just say he loved you?!"

Lucy sighed again, offering a sheepish smile as she joined her friends again.

"He doesn't really know what he's saying- I mean, I think he's just getting ahead of himself with the 'love' thing, considering we just got together a few hours ago… I guess the real reason I had you guys over was to tell you the news, but then I couldn't find the right timing…"

Lucy peeked pointedly over at Erza, who waved a hand, already on the way to the kitchen for some junk food with a sigh

"Don't mind me…"

"How did it happen!"

Juvia questioned, eager to compare Lucy's experience to her own.

"Yeah, tell us everything!"

Levy pleaded. Lucy shifted sheepishly on her pillow, slightly embarrassed.

"There isn't really much to say… I mean, he came here and he said that although it was just a game, this whole dating competition thing had helped him realize that he liked me. He said he wanted to give us a chance and that he doesn't want to be too serious but he wants me to be his girlfriend."

Levy flashed a dazzling smile at her friend.

"Wow, that's awesome! So I guess you two are a couple now~… You make a great pair!"

Lucy blushed.

"I still can't really believe it's happened. I mean, Natsu's such an idiot… But I guess… he has his sweet moments, too."

Levy clapped her hands together happily.

"Two couples in one day- now you can go on double dates together and cute stuff like that! It's all so sweet~!"

Erza joined the trio on the floor again- bag of chips in hand- and Lucy eagerly turned the attention back towards the red head.

"But let's not forget about Operation: Get Erza a Date! Let's pick someone in the guild she would get along well with."

Levy and Juvia nodded, re-determined to play matchmaker for their friend.

"How about Laxus?"

Juvia offered first, pursing her lips at the idea, but Erza shook her head.

"No way, he's way too arrogant for my taste- and practically speaking, he's never around."

Next it was Levy's turn.

"Elfman is manly and tough, so you guys would get along well!"

But Erza rejected this idea too.

"While that may be true, Elfman is kind of old for me… Besides, we never talk much so I don't think he's interested…"

Lucy waved a hand, exclaiming

"Okay, I think I have it! Howabout Gajeel? He's pretty good looking, and he is pretty laid back like you!"

"Wait…"

Levy started, but Juvia seemed to like the idea.

"Yes! Juvia has been friends with Gajeel for a long time, and she happens to know that he and Erza share many interests…!"

"Hold on a second, guys…"

Levy's cheeks were pink, but Erza didn't seem to notice as she pondered the idea.

"Well, it is true that I hold great value in iron as part of a healthy diet…"

Lucy furrowed her brow.

"But Gajeel's magic is steel…"

"And that doesn't have anything to do with it!"

Levy suddenly shouted. The girls looked over at her in surprise, and the petite mage could only blush as she tried to cover her outburst.

"I mean- I just don't think you can really choose who you like- it should come naturally…!"

Lucy and Juvia shrugged, Erza replying

"Well I'm not looking for anything serious- just a chance to look pretty for a guy will be sufficient!"

Lucy nodded.

"Right! I think a date between Gajeel and Erza could be cute!"

Erza continued, mostly to herself

"Tomorrow in the guild, perhaps I will try to gain his attention…"

Levy slumped in her seat, defeated. How could she compete with a girl like Erza? But this was probably for the best- she had no chance, anyway…

Lucy grinned.

"Perfect! Now we can do your hair and nails so you look extra pretty tomorrow for him!"

And the rest of the night was spent braiding hair and painting toes, all the girls enjoying their ladies night of pampering and gossip after such a crazy week of boy troubles and dating games.

~~~LJELEJL~~~

So, there you have it! Juvia and Lucy finally have their man, but now things seem to be brewing between Levy and Erza- perhaps the Dating Game isn't over after all! Is there a winner in our future? Stay tuned for the final chapter of The Dating Game, and until then please feel free to drop a review!