Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail, that right belongs to Hiro Mashima. I do own the crazy idea that I am putting the character through.


10 of 26 weeks, 72 of 182 days

It had been three weeks and a few days. The tension in the house was still at a high. Practically unbearable in his mind. Then again, both were stubborn. Of course, the person who needed to apologize was not. Though they knew they were in the wrong. And it was starting to finally wear him down.

Looking up as he watched the normally bubbly blond come out of her room, a small folder in her hands, go to the table and set the folder down. When she turned around, Doranbolt was able to see the bags under her eyes. Causing him to sit up straighter an look at her more closely. He knew full well that she was regretting kicking Lahar. Beating herself up because Lahar had left a week ago and no word had been heard either.

Giving a small sigh, Doranbolt stood up and walked over to Lucy and opened his arms. The way her eyes widened was comical, but he didn't smile or poke fun. Instead just wrapped his arms around her as she fell against him. It was something that was becoming a bit of a normal. And he found he rather liked the curvaceous blond in his arms. Contrary to what everyone else thought. He saw Wendy as a little sister.

When the first muffled sob was heard, Doranbolt began to stroke her hair. Making soft shushing noises as he led her to where he had sat on the couch. When they were both sitting down, Doranbolt closed his eyes and rocked side to side to help comfort the Celestial Mage. His mind jumping to ten days ago when Lahar had just left after they had a verbal spat... again... His friend and partner could be such a stick in the mud, officious brat. Not budging an inch as he told Lucy that though he wanted to apologize, that no matter what he said or did, it would never be enough for a high maintenance woman like her.

This had shocked even himself as Lucy literally broke down. Crying for the first time in the open before the two of them. Her pain etched so clearly into her features it had him cringing. And he knew that it bothered Lahar. The man had a serious weakness to women crying. A thing Doranbolt believed came from his Noble upbringing.

"It is alright Lucy... He will eventually come back. And more than likely apologize," he whispered softly.

Her sobs had started to quiet as he continued to rock her side to side. Doranbolt tried to reign in a sudden wave of anger at Lahar. Really hating him for what he had done all because he was so dead set on being a single-minded idiot for the slim chance that they could release him from the Geas.


Each breath was labored, painful even. But nothing would stop him from

achieving his goal. The image of Lucy crying haunted him everytime he slept. Causing guilt to settle heavily in his heart like an iron block. There were times he really hated how he was brought up. Noble families tended to breed that single-minded determination that often resulted in others thinking less of them. He knew that Lucy had left home because her father had become that way after mother died. Seeing her as property to be sold to the highest bidder to further his own goals.

The sound of a door creaking had Lahar stiffening as he narrowed his eyes behind the one lens of what was left of his glasses. He just needed to get out of here. What he had come for was in his pants pocket. And there was no way he could do continuous runes. His magic containers were almost completely empty.

Letting his head fall back, Lahar kept his senses open as his eyes slid shut. Just a few seconds of rest to recoup, that would be enough. He was sure of it.


She was beyond melancholy. The fact had them all worried. She wasn't smiling, just pouring herself into finding a safe way to break the Geas without either her or Lahar dying. It was proving fruitless to the point. Though in the last five days, they all watched as she had narrowed the list down to four names. Each name of a witch had a perfect 25 percent change. It had them amazed.

With a sigh, Leo pushed himself away from the scrying pool. This was dragging on for too long. Yes, the man was a pretentious dick. But Loke knew enough to know that Lahar wouldn't leave shit half done like this. Something had happened when Lucy had broken down and cried. Forcing the man to leave. And for some reason, they could not scry the man. It was like he was completely hidden by a barrier.

"Big brother?"

Turning to look at Virgo, whose dark eyes were showing her worry openly. Loke opened his arms and allowed her to sweep in for a hug. It was painful to all of them that Lucy was not asking for help. That she was doing all this mostly on her own, with the occasional help from crux. And that only was allowed when he had found something new.

"It will be okay Virgo. Lucy isn't trying to punish us or herself," he muttered. "She just wants to get this whole thing over with... Without risking either hers or that asses life."


Lucy hated this. Constantly crying and feeling like she was the most horrid person alive. Even if what she had kicked him, in a fit of rage. It was wrong. But then again she had never considered herself to be high maintenance. But she guessed with what else he had said made it true. She did have certain expectations when it came to someone apologizing to her. She didn't want empty words or gifts in placation. All she wanted was honesty.

And because she had asked for it, it made things so much harder for Lahar to apologize. Hence him leaving and not coming back. She was about ready to just cancel the contract. But that meant giving up and she never gave up. So instead she had chosen to work harder to complete it. Then both Lahar and herself could be done with each other.

Lucy curled her hands into Doranbolts chest and started to push herself out of his arms. She really appreciated him, being there and comforting her over the last three weeks. Especially these last few days when her depression was hitting her very hard. He was a really reliable person, though some part of her was telling her that he was developing feelings for her. Feelings she wasn't sure she returned.

"Thank you, Mest, for -" she started to say when the front door was slammed open.

Whipping her head around she sucked in a deep breath. Eyes wide as she stared in horror at what was before her. There was Lahar, battered, bruised, and bloodied. His normally perfect composure was ruined. His attire was ripped and stained. His glasses, well what was left of them sat crookedly on one half of his face. Which she barely make out due to the amount of dirt and blood on it.

Worry filling her as she tried to stand up, only to find Doranbolts arms still holding her in place. Lucy just watched as Lahar turned to look at them. Eyes glazed before he fell to the floor. Causing Lucy to flinch before she used force to pull Doranbolt's arms from her person and stand up to rush to Lahar's side. Quickly she checked his pulse, finding it to be a bit weak, but still there. Silently she summoned Virgo as she rolled him over onto his side, not sure what he had for wounds.

"Mest...he..." she stuttered as Virgo appeared.

TBC