AN: Chapter 4 is up, please review. I don't own Fairy Tail etc.

A week had passed since Natsu had brought a bandaged and broken Lucy back to the guild. He had taken her straight up to the infirmary, refusing to speak to anyone but the Master. It had been a long conversation, at one-point Natsu's howls of anguish erupted from the room before slowly dying down. When the Master returned, he gathered the guild to him.

"My children, I have some very upsetting news and I must beg you not to interrupt me until I am finished."

"Master is Lucy alright?" began Erza.

"I SAID NOT TO INTERRUPT!" he bellowed, shocking the guild as Erza shrank back. He took a deep breath. "It pains me to tell you this, my children, but Lucy tried to take her own life." This announcement was followed by gasps, Lucy? Their Lucy? "It was by the merest sliver of good fortune that Natsu was there to prevent her plan from succeeding. As you can imagine, Natsu is…" he trailed off. "Upset." He finished lamely. "I ask that you do not interrogate him about the detail of how or why. Suffice to say, this was premeditated as I received her keys by Magipost moments before her attempt." For once the guild was silent, bar a few sniffs and sobs.

"Master, how?" whispered Mirajane. He sighed.

"She stepped off a cliff near Hargeon." Further gasps.

"No." said Gray unsteadily. "Lucy would never do something like that. If something was wrong she would have told us."

"She didn't even tell her spirits." The Master replied gravely. "I have spoken with Loke. Apparently, he tried to talk to her just before she… her attempt." He paused before rallying himself. "She insisted she was only feeling a little down. As a celestial spirit, there was nothing he could do when sent back by his Master. He will now remain in the Spirit World to comfort those of Lucy's spirits who cannot make it through to see her without being summoned."

The guild had been quiet since then. No fights, no brawls, no parties, even Cana was sober. Lucy still hadn't woken up and Natsu hadn't left her side. People still went on jobs but there were no tales of excessive destruction. No one knew what to do with themselves, a cloud of guild had descended. Had she really been that unhappy? How had they not noticed? Sure, she had been a little quiet recently, maybe off her food a little, smiled in a way that didn't quite reach her eyes, went home early… turned up later. The signs were all there when you looked for them.

Upstairs, Natsu sat quietly staring at Lucy's face. She was so pale, she would have looked dead if it weren't for the rise and fall of her chest. He couldn't even cry anymore; his tears had run dry. Lucy, his Lucy, why? Why would she do something so terrible? Didn't she know what it would do to him? To the guild? The moment when she had vanished from his sight, the moment when she had been blue in the face and he hadn't known what to do, they played over and over again in his mind. He was so ANGRY at her. He tried to squash the feeling but it was impossible. He felt angry at himself too. Yes, she should have told him something was wrong but he should have known. In his heart, he did know something was wrong, but he was having too much fun with Lisanna and Happy to pay any attention and now the pain and the guilt were threatening to tear him apart. What would he say to her when she woke up? Would he even be able to face her? He shook himself, of course he would, what mattered now was that she did wake up. "Luce please," he whispered, clasping her hand, "please come back to me. I don't know what to do, you have to tell me."

Happy was lying curled up by Lucy's side. Like Natsu, he hadn't left her since they had brought her home. This was partially due to not wanting to leave her but mostly due to him not wanting to leave Natsu. He would never forget what felt like endless miles of silent tears as they carried Lucy to the guild or the anguished sobs as Natsu finally told the Master what Lucy had done – or at least tried to do. He felt Lucy stir slightly, the rhythm of her breathing changed. His head shot up.

"Natsu! Natsu I think she's waking up!"

"Go get Wendy and Gramps right now."

"Aye sir!" and with that he zoomed off. Natsu was left alone as Lucy stirred, her fingers twitched and she let out a little grown of pain.

"Mom." She whimpered, before opening her eyes. As soon as she saw Natsu, tears welled up and rolled down her cheeks. Natsu had waited and waited for this moment but now it was here he didn't know what to do. He hated her tears, but he needed to know.

"Why Luce?" he whispered softly, "Why would you do something like this? Why would you leave me?" All alone, were the words unspoken. Lucy only cried, wails of pain and hurt coming out in gushes. Natsu felt the anger bubbling up again, she would not answer! She wouldn't even look at him! "Lucy why?!" his voice started to rise, "Why would you do something so stupid! Why didn't you tell me something was wrong? You could've died!" His voice broke, "You could have died Luce…"

"That's enough Natsu." Ordered Master Marakov as he entered the infirmary. "Lucy," he smiled, "I'm glad to see that you are alright. I decided not to bring Wendy to see you, I hope you will forgive me, she is too young to understand and is very upset." Lucy had calmed down a little and merely nodded. "There will be a time for questions, but not now. I only came to see you to give you these." He pulled her keys out of his pocket and she visibly flinched.

"Take them away! I don't want to see them Master. Please take them away." She began to sob again.

The Master looked at her sadly, "I understand my child, I will keep them safe until you are ready."

Natsu couldn't hold it in any longer, "What are you talking about Luce? Those keys are your friends! Why are you abandoning them!" the temperature in the room began to rise. "How do you think they feel huh? Loke's so torn up, like it's his fault but it's not! It's yours!" he knew the moment he'd gone too far. The rage that had bubbled up vanished and was replaced with guilt, but the words couldn't be unsaid. He saw something die in her eyes and they became lifeless. "No wait Luce, I didn't mean that." He tried to back track.

"Natsu I think you've said quite enough." The old man didn't sound angry, just sad. "Lucy needs to get some rest." He turned to her, "I'm sorry Lucy but now you are awake someone will always be here with you." Lucy's shoulders sagged and she nodded mutely. "We cannot risk losing you my child, you are too loved. If you need me I will be here and I hope soon you can tell me what led you down this path." This time Lucy didn't even react, her eyes were dull as she stared at nothing. Marakov sighed, "come along then Natsu, Erza has decided to take the first watch."

"No! I have to be here! Lucy needs me!"

"Natsu I was not asking!" Marakov thundered, "you need rest, you've been here a week. You're tired and confused. Or you can stay here and let your tongue run away with you some more."

Natsu felt his cheeks redden with shame and he nodded. He hesitated before taking Lucy's unresistant hand. "I didn't mean it Luce, what I said. I'll come back tomorrow ok?" She made no sign that she had heard him. He sighed and placed her hand gently back on the bed before following the Master out. They met Erza in the corridor and Natsu was shocked at the look of fear and uncertainty on her face. As he entered the guildhall all faces were turned up towards the infirmary and all wore the same expression. He realised Erza was the only one brave enough to take the first step, the others were too afraid to see their nakama, as though she had turned into something alien and incomprehensible. As he left, he vowed that he would do whatever it took to bring HIS Lucy back from whatever horrible and dark place it was that she had gone.

AN: Once again, if you're having any of these issues please talk to somebody. I think this is going to get harder to write this as I've had some experience with this myself and it brings back some painful memories. Depression effects everyone differently, this is just how I remember it. Until next time.