Takes place right after the Dragonoid/Daphne arc. It annoyed me how everyone (except Juvia) suddenly believed that Gray would turn against Fairy Tail without any reason, and if I was him I wouldn't be able to just forget that so easily. So this fic is the story of how Gray copes with that. Enjoy!

Chapter 1

The moment Lyon saw Gray standing in the doorway of Lamia Scale he knew something was wrong.

On the outside Gray looked fine. No missing limbs. No limp or bandages or casts. A few visible scrapes and bruises, but nothing major, just the kind of thing that came with the territory for any guild wizard who used their abilities for combat.

It was something in his eyes that gave it away to Lyon. Gray had an amazing poker face when he wanted to, but it was useless in the face of someone who actually knew him. And Lyon knew him well enough to know that his eyes changed color whenever something was wrong. Normally they were dark, dark gray, almost black, and opaque. When he entered battle or got worried or worked up about something his eyes changed to a lighter bluish gray color, like a stormy sky, and stayed that way until all was well again.

Lyon hurried across the room to the door where Gray still hesitated, as if he were unsure whether or not Lamia Scale allowed wizards from other guilds to enter. "Gray? What are you doing here?" he asked. What's wrong? was what he wanted to ask, but that wasn't their way, and Gray wouldn't answer that question honestly anyway.

"Lyon. You look well." Gray gave his sempai a smile that didn't reach those steel gray eyes.

"Why are you here?" Lyon asked. He knew he sounded abrupt and rude, but it wasn't like Gray wasn't expecting that. Besides, he had a reputation to keep up in his own guild.

"I'm going north for awhile to train," Gray told him. "I know it's sudden, but I thought I'd stop by and see if you wanted to come."

Lyon scowled at him.

"I figured as much. Just thought I'd offer."

"I didn't say I wouldn't go," snapped Lyon.

"That look speaks for itself just fine."

"Shut up and come inside."

"Huh?"

"Or would you rather stand right here in the doorway while I pack?"

Gray's mouth dropped open wide in shock. "You seriously want to come?"

"Don't tell me you're rescinding the invitation."

"No." Gray still looked floored. "I just never in a million years thought you'd agree to it."

Lyon gave a condescending laugh and turned to go back inside. He heard Gray's footsteps behind him. "Sit and let me grab some provisions. And it's only going to be me going with you. My friends won't like the arctic temperatures even if yours do."

"What friends?" Gray's voice was surprisingly bitter.

It was Lyon's turn to ask, "Huh?"

"I'm taking this trip alone. Except for you, since it seems like you're coming along now. My friends don't like the cold either."

Lyon's suspicions were immediately perked. Did he have a fight with his friends? he wondered. It suddenly seemed like that was part of the reason for Gray's sudden desire to go on an arctic excursion, but Lyon didn't think Gray was shallow enough for that to be the only reason.

"Well then it looks like I'll only have one annoying person to deal with on this trip then," Lyon said.

"Yeah. Yourself."

That earned a round of snickers and guffaws from the wizards around them who were blatantly eavesdropping on their conversation. A cold glare from Lyon silenced them.

"Wait here. And try not to break anything, since that's all you fairies are good for."

"Yeah. Don't I know."

"What?"

"I said hurry up and pack if you're coming," Gray told him. "We've got a train to catch."

Lyon hurried upstairs to the room he rented. He stuffed some money and travel provisions and one set of spare clothes into a backpack and hurried back downstairs.

"Lyon-sama! I heard that you were leaving!" Sherry appeared at his elbow as he reached the bottom of the stairs.

"I'm going with Gray to train up north. I don't know how long. Probably not more than a month."

"So suddenly?" Sherry looked severely disappointed.

Lyon caught Sherry's hand. "Something's wrong with the little idiot."

"Oh?" Sherry's expression grew less troubled. "And you're going to find out what and help him?"

"More or less," muttered Lyon.

"I see. So it is love."

Lyon gave his head an annoyed shake. "If you go on any jobs while I'm gone take Toby and Yuka with you, okay?"

"Okay, Lyon-sama. Come back safely!"

Lyon nodded to her then motioned toward Gray that they were leaving. Gray needed no further prompting. Lyon noticed that a group of Lamia Scale's single ladies had swarmed around Gray's table while he was waiting. They watched in disappointment as the two ice mages left.

"Got your coat?" Gray asked as they walked outside.

Lyon snickered. He might have laughed at the offhand joke, except Gray's eyes were still the color of a stormy sky. Lyon could recognize the humor in the jokes Gray attempted, but until he found out what was wrong with his kohai he doubted he'd think anything was funny.