At some point during the walk back to the designated meeting place Lucy had fallen asleep or unconscious, which one Gajeel wasn't sure but he hoped it was dreamless. "Gajeel?" Levy's small voice broke the tense silence. The iron dragon slayer looked at the petite girl who had on a serious expression he had grown used to over the past three months. He only nodded at her to go on almost afraid to speak in case he woke the blonde cradled in his arms. "Should we really be letting her sleep with those injuries?" She asked voice soft. Gajeel looked down at Lucy again, eyeing the carvings peeking out the top of his t-shirt. Panther Lilly answered for him "Don't fret. Their deep enough to scar but not to pose to much danger that sleeping will be a worry. Besides it'll ease the pain." Lilly said from Gajeel's side.

Levy only nodded before turning her gaze back to the dull grey of the tunnels. After another five minutes of silent walking the others came into sight. Gajeel felt slightly panicked at what the fire dragon slayers reaction would be seeing the blonde this way and he found himself cradling her closer to his chest. Natsu's head rose at the soft moan that escaped Lucy. Before anything could be said he raced over to the other dragon slayer. Meeting them a few metres from the waiting group

"How is she?" he asked gently pushing her bangs away from her eyes, fingers lingering on her cheek. Lucy flinched in her sleep, head moving from Gajeel's shoulder to the crook of his neck, as if she was trying to bury herself inside him. Gajeel's red eyes met Natsu's, saying all he needed to in one glance. Reluctantly Natsu moved back from Lucy, guilt rolling through him. Gajeel could smell the salt as he buried his head in his hands, body trembling as gut retching sobs took over his body. Lisanna moved to comfort him but was grabbed by Erza who shook her head at the younger girl.

"Just leave him be." She said voice small, it came out more like a plea than the characteristic order they were used to. "Levy," she turned to the blue haired girl, who for the first time looked up from the dusty cement, "Which way out?" She asked trying her hardest to remain strong for Lucy's shake. Looking back down at the dust leave pointed to the foot prints they had left coming in, "Just follow the foot prints." She said whispering, refusing to leave Gajeel's side to take the lead. Erza moved first and began to head towards the exit, with Gajeel following. Natsu stood in his place, face still buried in his hand. Surprisingly it was Levy who pulled him along with the rest of the group. "She'll need you when she wakes up so pull yourself together." She said taking hold of his wrist and yanked him into step behind her.

Using his free hand Natsu wiped the tears from his cheeks and carefully pulled his wrist from Levy's shockingly strong grip and moved to walk beside her. Nothing was said during the walk through the sewers, the only noise was the occasional sob from Happy as he buried himself in Lisanna's arms. No one had expected Lucy's rescue would end this way. When they reached the exit, Gajeel carefully passed the broken mage to Natsu and pulled himself up through the hole. Outside it was dark and it was quickly decided that this time should be used to prepare Lucy for the long walk back to the train station tomorrow and the half a day train ride to the guild. Slowly Natsu sat on the soft earth, Lucy still cradled in his arms and Gajeel didn't bother trying to get her off him knowing that the fire mage would refuse to release her until he had to and that Natsu's body heat would keep her much warmer in the cool night air than either his or the thin shirt ever would.

"Natsu could you light the fire please?" Lisanna quietly asked, not really wanting to disturb his, but the wood was slightly damp and his flames would light it faster. He looked up and spat flames at the wood igniting it immediately. He moved his eyes back to the girl still sleeping peacefully in his arms. He felt himself choke on tears at the sight of the carvings and bruises. "I'm so sorry Lucy." His fingers traced her cheek as Gajeel came up to him, "Tents ready, bring her in and lay her down on the sleeping bag." He whispered, almost feeling sorry that he was interrupting his fellow dragon slayer. Gradually Natsu moved from the ground and walked to the small tent, Lanterns lit up the inside and Levy sat with a small first aid kit. He placed her down on the sleeping bag and pillow, both covered in towels. He knelt beside her, his silent protest to leaving. "Natsu, I think it'll be best if you waited outside. We're going to strip her and wash everything." Levy said as she passed him a large canteen of water for him to heat up. Natsu silently took the canteen and heated it to a temperature that Lucy would find comfortable be for turning his back to Lucy, but still not leaving the tent. Levy sighed and pulled the soiled t-shirt off Lucy as Erza and Lisanna prepared the disinfectant and bandages. They all prayed Lucy would sleep through the process.


Gray, Gajeel and the two exceeds sat outside the tent, waiting for the girls or Natsu to tell them it was okay to see Lucy. Gray sat, Lucy's keys in his hands attempting to polish them with his discarded t-shirt. "Why are they black?" Happy asked leaning over to see them. Gray didn't look up from them and continued to rub the damp t-shirt over them. "Erza said the gates are blocked until Lucy touches them, I want to give them back to her before she wakes up." He answered pulling the necklace from his neck and removing the sword from it and slipping the key ring on in its place.

After waiting half an hour the girls exited the tent and told them boys it was okay for them to go in, but Lucy was still asleep. Gajeel and Lilly stayed outside as Gray and Happy slipped in to see Lucy was clean and wrapped in bandages and a old baggy t-shirt Natsu used to sleep in. Mutely Gray slipped over to Lucy's side opposite Natsu. She was still pale from her months underground and she still looked like she was on deaths door but with the blood, dirt and with her body properly covered, she looked like a shadow of herself rather than the completely different person they saw before.

Gingerly Gray lifted her head slightly; ignoring the glare Natsu gave him, and clasped the necklace around her slender neck. When the black metal touched Lucy's bare skin they slowly began to glow back to the once magnificent gold, as if life was breathing back into them. Smoke filled the tent and strawberry blonde hair became visible seconds before Natsu was pulled from Lucy's side and out the tent. Gray still sat beside Lucy, staring wide eyed at Loki as he walked out the tent after Natsu. Grabbed Natsu by him scarf and lifted him from the ground. "Loki!" Erza yelled moving away from the fire to grab the spirits arm "What's the meaning of this?" Loki stared at Natsu, fire in his eyes.

"I don't want him," He said tugging on Natsu's scarf "anywhere Lucy." He threw Natsu back onto the soft ground "Stay away from her." Loki said, turning to walk back into the tent. A heated hand grabbed the back of his suit and pulled him back, "What right do you have to tell me to stay away asshole when you didn't even help you master?" Natsu yelled spinning Loki around to face him, rage burning within him. Loki pulled his arm back and his fist back and smacked Natsu as hard as he could. "I didn't come because I COULDN'T!" Loki yelled, walking towards Natsu. "Why didn't you come for her lizard boy? Do you know whose name she screamed for the first month? Who she was begging for?" Loki said, not hiding the hatred in his voice as Natsu slowly shook his head.

Before Loki could answer an ear bursting scream broke through the air. "NO! Don't touch me! Get away! GAJEEL!" Lucy screamed her voice cracking and loud sobs were heard. Silently Gajeel moved inside the tent and motioned for Loki to follow him. Before he disappeared into the tent he turned to Natsu one last time, "It was you genius, she screamed for you as they hurt her in the worst ways possible." Loki turned his back on Natsu and entered the scream filled tent. Natsu could only bury his head in his hands as tears made their way down his cheeks. No one dared approach him as he slowly died inside.


I think Loki was a tad harsh but you know, makes good drama. Thanks for reviewing. Sorry if it doesn't meet you expectations. Till next time, see yha.