Here we go. I'm attempting another long fic. XD (It'll be like, four or five chapter, epilogue included). This is where Claire and Gray fall in love.... but there's a catch. Claire's engaged!!!! AHHHH!!!!!!!!! This chapter will be short.

Disclaimer; don't own anything.

--

Claire's POV

"Yes!"

I kissed him. As we embraced, I admired the glistening ring on my left hand. It's amber stone gleamed in the Summer sunlight. We broke apart.

"I love you." He whispered.

"I love you, too." I reply.

--

Gray's POV

"So what's up?" I ask, folding my hands together on my lap.

Claire looks up at me, grinning from ear to ear. "Guess what."

I smile. "What?"

"Guess."

"Oh, c'mon."

"Guess!"

"Claire, just tell me!"

"No. You have to guess."

"Fine,"

"Fine,"

"You... found gold while you were hoeing your field."

"Nope."

"You... taught your dog a new trick."

"His name is Beans, and no."

"Ok, Beans. You... ate a handful of grass."

"What? No-"

I shoved a handful of grass into Claire's mouth. She screamed and spat it out, laughing. She wiped the grass off her face with her left hand. I stared at it.

"Claire?" I ask. "What's that on your hand?"

"Uh..." She grinned, but it was tense. "I, uh... I'm getting married. To... Kai."

I stood there silently. I doubt I showed any emotion. But inside my heart had sank and was about to fall out my ass. I stomach was creeping it's way up my throat.

"... W-what?" I croak.

"Um... yeah. I have to go." Claire mumbled.

Yeah. Go. Go and have a beautiful life together with Kai. Go get married and have hundreds of children and just have a good old time. Without ME. I should've known this was coming. I should've known. But I didn't realize it until it happened.

--

Claire's POV

"Well... that went well." I muttered, tossing an apple core over my shoulder.

I knew Gray didn't like Kai. But... the look on his face. It... it hurt to see it. Beans trailed at my feet. Kai appeared in front of me.

"Good afternoon, Mrs."

"Hey, baby." I smile sheepishly.

"Carter said we have a rehearsal on the 14th." Kai starts, handind me a small notebook. "And that we need to choose the food on the 11th. But I can't go. I trust you, though. Just don't choose the fish. Go without me. And you and I have fittings on the 9th. Are you getting all this?"

I stare at him. "... What?"

Kai grinned, sighing deeply. "I have to go back to the Cottage. See you later."

He planted a kiss on me, then left my farm. I sighed. I headed for my newly renovated hosue.

"Dammit." I mumbled, stumbling over a stump.

Before my face planted into the dirt, a strong arm caught me.

Gray.

"Are you alright?" He asked, a scowl on his face.

I nodded. His expression lightened slightly.

"Are you mad?" I whispered.

"Mad about what?" He grunted.

Hm. I wonder.

"You know. The whole... marriage... thing."

"It's fine." Gray snapped, walking away.

I grabbed his shoulder. "Don't get mad at me. It's not my fault!"

"I'm not mad." He said loudly, pushing my hand away.

"Yes you are!" I replied. "I don't want you to be mad! I want to fix things!"

"And how do you suppose we do that?!" He yelled, turning to face me again.

"I don't know, Gray!" I screamed, smacking him on the arm.

It was a useless attempt, seeing as how he was tank, and I'm puny.

"Claire, don't." Gray took my hand and squeezed it.

"Don't tell me what or what not to do, Gray." I snapped, trying to pull my hand away. "You're not my hus-"

I froze. He froze, then glared. I grimaced.

"Gray, I'm sorry-" I reached for his arm.

He backed away. "Save it."

"Gray."

"I don't want to hear it." He walked away.

And maybe walked out of my life forever.

--

Gray's POV

I hated him. I hated him. He was dead to me. I didn`t care if we shared a room at the Inn. I hated him. He could sleep outside in the freezing air for all I care. Well, I guess it wouldn't be cold, seeing as how it's Summer...

"Gray? What's with the scowl?" Cliff enters the room. "Are you okay?"

"Just mind your own damn business, Cliff." I snap, and his eyes grow large. "Just leave me alone..."

I roll over onto my other side. Cliff stays quiet and readys himself for bed. That night, I did not sleep soundly. I dreamt. I dreamt about Claire. And me.

--

Claire grins, leaning towards me. "You're so wonderful to me."

"Because I love you." I whisper into her ear.

She closes her eyes. I feel my face burning, and I pull at my hat. Except it wasn't there. It had been replaced with a bandana. I looked at my hands. They were extremely tan.

"I love you, too-" Claire replies, leaning in for a kiss. "...Kai."

--

I awoke in a cold sweat, my heart pounding.

"Dammit!" I whispered to myself, punching my pillow.

But why am I blaming Claire for all of this? How can I blame her for wanting to feel safe? That's all I really want. I can't be mad at her. I just can't.

--

Claire's POV

"Gray?" I ask, confused. "What're you doing?"

He was hugging me. Gray was hugging me.

"Gray. People are staring."

"I'm sorry." He apologized briefly.

I nodded. "It's fine. I understand. It came as a shock to me, too." I grinned.

So did he. "Want to go up to the Peak of Mother's Hill?"

"Sure." I say.

Just like we used to.

--

Lousy ending? Sure. But just wait and see what happens. Are you all wondering why Kai can't make it to the food choosing? Hm.... Are you wondering now? XD

- emma.