[KEY:

Italian]

Cana was still reeling from everything that had happened. Erza had DIED, Cana had seen her lifeless eyes. Then she breathed. Immortal huh? And did she mean it when she said dragon? Cana was still pondering this when two shadows lept out and collided with her, knocking a cry out of her as she hit the ground. She heard the others call out to her, Juvias panicked scream, the cocking of Jellals gun, before she realized what had tackled her.

"Jellal wait!" Cana yelled, holding her hand out to him, wrapping her free arm around the two boys that had tackled her.

"You're home early!" The pair cried, sitting up enough to give her identical grins, oblivious to the gun at the backs of their heads.

"Gino, Felice, I love you both dearly, but get off me!" The boys laughed as they hopped to their feet, pulling Cana up with them. Cana sighed but couldn't help but smile as she dusted herself off. She turned to her slightly confused group of friends and motioned to the boys. "These are the twins Gino and Felice, sixteen and harmless."

The boys pouted at her before turning to the group and greeting them. Both had short hair, deep brown like their sisters, and eyes to match. Their skin was tanned from days of work outdoors and they were the same height as Natsu.

"Mama is waiting inside for you all. Abi has missed you too Cana, wants her bed times stories." Gino chuckled, his accent heavy as he tested out his English. Cana was immediately filled with pride in her younger brother.

"Inside then, I promise no more surprise attacks. Well, except maybe from Abi." Cana waved everyone forward and followed the twins through the double doors. Cana didn't make it far inside before she was wrapped into a tight hug, slender arms seeming to reach from the shadows.

"Ah my Cana! I've missed you darling," her mother said, and Cana grinned as she hugged the woman back.

"I've missed you too Mama. Sorry about the short notice."

"Nonsense! We love company!" Her mother grinned as she pulled back and turned to the group. "Welcome to our home! I am Cornelia. Please everyone, make yourselves at home. Everyone else will be home soon, then we can eat." Her mothers beautiful accent filled the air as she greeted everyone. Her long brown hair was barely touched with gray, her figure shapely and her eyes crinkled from years of laughter.

"Cana Cana Cana!" A small high voice cried, the sound of small pattering feet quickly approaching. A small girl, barely six, came bareling around the corner, dark red brown curls bouncing. She squeeled in delight when Cana scooped her into a spin.

"My little Abigail!" Cana grinned as she set the girl on her hip, introducing the girl as her sister. "Abi, these are my new friends, they are going to be staying here awhile." The girl waved energetically before wiggling out of Canas hold and running off again. "This way," Cana said before leading the group out of the entryway.

Cana lead the group to a large sitting room, where everyone all but collapsed into a seat. Felice had been kind enough to lead Jellal and Erza up to a room, where she could get some much needed rest. Cornelia, ever the hostess, made sure everyone had a drink and that they were all comfortable.

"Your home is very beautiful Cana," Juvia said as she took in the home.

"Thanks, it's been around for generations." Cana sat beside her with a tired sigh.

"So what brings you all to Florence?" Cornelia asked sweetly, though Cana could only imagine what her mother saw. They were all tired, smelly from running, Gajeel still had Erzas blood on his shirt, and her mother had seen the woman herself. She was surprised her mother hadn't already flown off the handle.

Everyone exchange a wary look, glancing at Cana before she said, "I promise Mama, we will explain everything after dinner."

Cornelia obviously wasn't happy with the answer, but nodded anyway and left.

"Cana where can I change?" Gajeel asked. Cana lead him down the hall and patiently waited. When he came out, Cana gently grabbed his arm.

"Are you alright Gajeel?" She could only imagine what was going through his head with everything that had happened.

Gajeel looked like he was going to brush her off, she could see it in his eyes, but then he released a shakey breath. "Not really," he said quietly, running a hand through his hair. "My family and friends were in danger, I couldn't protect Erza... Your brothers scared the living hell out of me. I've been trying to keep calm for Wendy, I don't want her to hear it in my mind."

Cana smiled gently and rubbed his back, "You're only human. Don't stress big guy. We were all scared, I personally want to deck my brothers. Lets just take a deep breath. Everyone is safe here, you can relax. You don't have to be the anchor for everyone, we've got your back too."

Gajeel smiled slightly and wrapped her in a one arm hug. "Thanks Cana, I really appreciate it."

Cana nodded and lead him back to the main room where he sat between Levy and Wendy. Both immediately laid their heads on his shoulders, and Levy gently rubbed his hand.

Before Cana could take her spot beside Juvia again, the front door opened again. It wasn't long before two men and a boy entered the front room. One was tall, even taller than Gajeel, his deep red hair was pulled back from his tan face. He was all muscle, and Cana was sure he intimidated the others. The younger man had short brown hair like the twins and was roughly Canas height. His gaze landed on Juvia, and his tanned face started to redden. The youngest boy had deep red hair just like his fathers, and it was also pulled into a low ponytail out of his face. He was slim, barely a teen and still growing.

"Guys this is my dad and two more of my brothers. Gildarts, Antonia and Luca," she gestured to each as she named them, from her father to her youngest brother.

The air was knocked out of her as her father lifted her into a large hug. "My sweet Cana! Welcome home!"

"Papa knock it off!" Cana yelled, blushing brightly as the others laughed.

"Who are your friends Cana? Your ma didn't tell me much," Gildarts asked as he set her down.

Cana was still blushing as she moved to the couches and introduced everyone. Antonio walked towards the couch, taking Juvias hand and giving it a light kiss. "What a pleasure to meet you Juvia. A beautiful name," he gave her a charming smile.

"Oh uh, thank you." Juvia gave him a smile.

"Alright Romeo, enough of that." Cana grumbled as she snagged the back of her brothers shirt. She drug him into the dining room as Cornelia called dinner was ready. Levy and Lucy snickered to each other as Juvia blushed.

"Lookie there, two Italians. Arn't you a lucky girl," Lucy teased. Juvia blushed even more as the girls hurried into the dining room.

The group sat around the large dining table, what could only be described as a feast was laid out before them. "Everyone dig in!" Gildarts said as he piled his own plate full of food. The table was full of conversation as everyone ate, getting to know Canas family.

"Would you like to take some food up to Erza? I'm sure some food would do her a world of good," Cornelia offered to Jellal. Cana was so thankful to her mother, barely batting an eye at the bloody woman and taking it in stride.

He smiled warmly, "Thank you, but she's finally getting some sleep. I'll take her something later."

Once everyone had eaten, the table fell quiet. Cana knew her parents were waiting, they wanted answers. "Gino, Felice and Luca. Bed. Come on Abi, you too." Cana instructed her youngest siblings, she knew her parents wouldn't want them to hear this news. Not until a plan could be made.

The boys grumbled but got up, and Cana picked up Abigail to take her to bed. The girl demanded Juvia went with them, having quickly gotten attached to the woman. "Sorry Juv, we just need to read her a bedtime story and she'll be out like a light," Cana said as she pulled Abigails nightgown over her head.

"It's no problem Cana," Juvia said with a smile.

Abigail crawled into her bed, handing Cana a small book as she laid beside the girl. "Juvia! Come lay on the otherside!"

At Juvias confused look Cana smiled, "She wants you to lay with us while I read." Juvia smiled before laying on the other side of the bed, cocooning the girl between them. True to Canas word, once the short story was read, Abigail was lightly snoring, holding onto Juvias fingers. They gently freed them and turned out the lights, quietly leaving her bedroom.

Back in the sitting room everyone was patiently waiting, so the pair took the last open seats together. Jellal was standing at the front of the room, "I apologize that we came so abruptly to your home," he began. "There's no easy way to say this, so I'm going to be very blunt. There is a man named Etherios, who was trying to recruit your daughter and her friends to his cause. He wishes to wipe out all who are powerless, and those whos gifts he believes useless. He wants to reshape the world and all who stand against him. I am with the organization against him, as is my wife."

While Antonio seemed surprised, Gildarts and Cornelia weren't. "I know of the man. Many years ago, when Marco, our oldest, was starting scool he came to us. He said he wanted to utilize his gifts."

Cana frowned at her fathers words. I don't remember this.

"He explained what is organization was about, and naturally I told him to go to hell." Gildarts grinned. "He tried to strike against my family and, well, as you can see this is the first he's been in contact with a Clive in many years. Since Cana took her mothers name, he probably didnt even realize."

The entire group looked at him in shock before Jellal collected himself. "Etherios is finally moving in for his strike, and he's going about for a last grab at other gifted people. Our base in Wales was compromised, and Cana suggested we come here. We will leave once we cane find a more secure base."

"Nonsense," Cornelia snorted. "This is one of the safest places in Europe. You all will stay here. There are more than enough rooms, this can be your new temporary base until all of this is settled. You can even bring your families here, we wouldn't want anyone vulnerable."

The group turned to Jellal once more.

"Lily will be here tomorrow, so we can discuss it in more detail when he gets here. For now, Mr. Clive, Mrs.Alberona, thank you for putting us up. We should all get some rest." There was a general murmur of agreement before everyone broke apart to claim a room.