Never Ending Nightmare

Chapter 1: The Nightmare

She had this nightmare every night. Sweat beaded her skin, dampening the sheets that tangled around her. Her body squirmed as soft moans escaped her lips. Her eyes darted underneath her closed lids. Her breathing became more rapid. Her heart pounded in her chest.

He was here. With her. In her dreams. Why was he here? Can she never escape him? Her teary eyes widened as Jellal let out a horrifying laugh. The blade that was protruding out of his gut didn't seem to bother him.

"Did you really think you could rid yourself of me that easily, my dear Erza?" An evil grin grew on his face.

"I WILL be rid of you, Jellal," she requipped another sword into her hand, "Once and for all!"

She screamed as she charged at him. Tears streamed down her face. She had to kill him. He did nothing but destroy everything he touched. So why was she holding back?

She leapt into the air, raising her sword high above her, before slicing towards him. Jellal quickly blocked with the sword he had unsheathed from his body. Another laugh escaped his lips as he shoved her away.

"Erza," his smile beamed at her, "I thought you were stronger than that? What happened to you? You used to be so powerful."

YOU HAPPENED! She thought. She cursed under her breath, and readied her fighting stance. She was not going to lose to HIM. Not again.

"I will not let you harm anyone ever again! I will kill you Jellal Fernandez!"

She charged at him with sheer determination. Swing. Dodged. Slice. Dodged. She cried out in frustration as her blade met nothing but air. She tumbled away to put a couple yards between them. She needed to have a plan.

"Why are you trying to kill someone you love?" He said blankly.

Her body stiffened. LOVE. She scoffed at the thought. How could she love such a monster?

"You think I don't notice?" He laughed as he took a few steps towards her. "Your heart races when you see me. Your pulse quickens at the thought of me. And your body," A smile grew on his face, "your body craves mine. Craves to feel the touch of my skin."

A deep frown formed on her face. No. She refused to believe him. She did not love this abomination. WOULD NOT love him. What would that say about her?

"Shut up!," she screamed, "How could i ever love such a monster?!"

"Isn't that a question you should be asking yourself?" He tossed his sword to the side as he continued to step closer to her. "Come on, Erza. You aren't fooling anyone."

"Stay back!" She cried.

Her heart felt as if it was bursting out of her chest. Her body began to quiver as he approached. She tried to lunge at him but her body stood still. She willed her limbs to move but nothing happened. He was mere inches away from her now. He was so unbearably close. Tears burned the corners of her eyes.

He clasped her chin and moved his lips to her ear. "You will never escape me Erza. I will ALWAYS be a part of you."

Tears trickled down her cheeks. Her heart ached. She knew he was right. She would never forget him and she wasn't strong enough to fight the control he had on her. Damn. She did love him, but she wasn't going to let her selfishness be the cause of any more deaths.

She screamed as she swung her blade, slicing up his torso. Shock filled his eyes as he cried out in pain. He fell to his knees, his hand covering only a small area of the two foot long gash. He looked down at the wound and then back at her. Tears poured from her eyes as the sound of her sobs echoed through the silent room.

"Er..za.."Jellal sputtered as he fell backwards.

She rushed to him and took him into her arms. He looked up at her with grief stricken eyes.

"I'm so sorry," she whispered, "I...I had no choice. I had no..."

His lips formed a faint smile, "I love you, Erza. I always have. I know I lost myself. I didn't want to lose you too."

She held him close. Her heart sinking into her stomach. She loved him so much.

"Please don't go," the plea escaped her lips.

"Erza..."

She bent down pressing her lips gently against his.

"I love you, too" she sobbed as she pulled away.

And then he was gone. She had finally rid herself of him, and the pain was so much worse than before. An overwhelming darkness enveloped her heart. She threw her head back and screamed. A scream full of hurt. Pain. Betrayal. Loss. And love...

Erza awoke screaming. Her vision blurred by tears. Strong hands clasped her shoulders, lightly shaking her.

"Erza! Snap out of it!"

Her sobs quieted as reality sunk it. It was a nightmare. It was all just a dream.

She wiped the tears from her eyes, "Gray..." Her voice quivered.

He let out a sigh and pulled her into his arms, "You scared me." He whispered.

She shuddered against him. He was so warm. It was nice. She wrapped her arms around him and pulled him close. She was so glad he was here.

"Are you okay?" he asked, burying his face in her hair.

She nodded against him. Her throat was killing her.

"You should try and go back to sleep. We have a big mission tomorrow." He began to release her.

Her grip around him tighten. He paused, "Do you want me to stay?"

She pulled back and nodded. He smiled lightly as he moved to get under the damp covers. The queen size bed was well big enough for the two of them. He politely stayed on his side of the bed, laying on his back, resting his arms behind his head. After a few moments, he felt movement on the bed and nearly jumped out of his skin when he felt Erza snuggle against him. Gray's body stiffened. What is she doing? She nuzzled the base of his neck and laid her arm across his chest. She squirmed for a moment to get comfortable before she stilled. Her deep breaths felt warm against his cool skin.

He could feel heat growing on his cheeks. She was so soft and warm and the thin lace that separated them didn't leave much to the imagination. He shook his head. He had been so worried about her. Every night, after Jellal had been taken into custody by the Magic Council, she had woken up screaming. And the last couple times she had asked him to stay with her. He gently wrapped an arm around her. He didn't want to see her cry anymore. It broke his heart. Erza was so powerful, and yet so fragile. Not that he would ever tell her that to her face.

He pulled her closer against him. He wondered what she had dreamt about. She had never screamed like that before. The sound made his gut wretch. He gently began to rub her back, smiling as she lightly moaned against his neck. The sound made him bite his lip. He tried to clear the not-so-innocent thoughts out of his mind. This was Erza. His best friend and his companion, who just so happens to be gorgeous, sexy, and terrifying. He took a deep breath and exhaled in a huff. This was going to be a long night.