*lifts hands into the air* please don't shoot me. I'm sorry. That took me way too long to update. I have no excuse other than... kdrama. Enough said.

Please enjoy everyone!

Chapter 10

"Lyon…" His name was a quiet whisper from her lips, the sound filled with all the passion and longing that lingered inside her body. His hand skimmed along the curve of her waist, slipping beneath the thin shirt that still covered her body. Each caress tickled her senses and she shivered at the feeling, sparks zipping along her spine as his lips pressed tenderly to the pulse on her neck.

She hadn't felt so alive in weeks, months… maybe her entire life. Newly awakened feelings and sensations swarmed her senses and she couldn't seem to get enough of it. Every touch was like balm to her damaged spirit, his fingers sliding over her skin, her hands rubbing over thick muscle. She longed to pull his body over hers, feel his large frame capture her beneath him, but she didn't dare. The wounds on her back wouldn't allow it so she pressed her hand to the center of his chest and pushed him back, smiling in satisfaction when he rolled over easily and let her climb over his body.

He was so devastatingly gorgeous, large dark eyes that captivated her so completely with their warmth. His lips quirked up in a half smile and she dove towards them, capturing them in a heated kiss that left them both panting and breathless. He had her shirt half way up her body, his hands questing beneath when a sound made them both jump. Several pair's of feet shuffled down the dark hallway and Lucy slid off of Lyon, adjusting her clothing quickly. The warm feeling that had wrapped itself around her body rapidly evaporated, replaced with a growing dread and fear for what was about to come. In Lyon's arms it had been easy to forget their impending torture and she wished more than anything that she could climb back into them. Instead, her hand sought out his, their fingers intertwining as they waited.

"It'll be ok," he said quietly but with a firm edge to his voice. "We'll be together this time."

The thought both relieved and frightened Lucy. Would they really be together through it? Could she handle being with him? Thoughts of him safe inside the cell had been the only thing that had gotten her through it before. How was she going to survive having him going through it at the same time as her, knowing he was in as much pain as she was?

His grip tightened, giving her silent strength a moment before the men appeared in front of their cell. "Don't forget," Lyon whispered, kissing her cheek, "I need you."

Lucy felt the last piece being hooked up to her body and she took several deep breaths, waiting for that moment when her body would explode in pain. Beside her was Lyon, lying on a table exactly like her own except he was face up while she was face down. They were no more than a foot apart but with the restraints on their arms and legs, there was no way for either of them to touch each other, no way for them to reach out and hold each other through what was most certainly going to be hell on earth. But at least she could look. At least she could stare into those beautiful dark eyes of his which were filled with so much tenderness at this moment. It made her smile seeing him like that, knowing he was just as frightened as she but yet still trying to comfort her. He would get her through this, just like he always did. His strength would be the beacon of light that she needed to make it, guiding her back and then reviving her spirit. And she would do her damned best to do the same. She had to, because what else was there? There was only him and her and the sliver of hope that they still clung to.

The machine clicked on and Lucy's muscles tightened, preparing herself for the pain that was coming. Her hands clenched into small fists and she looked over at Lyon, his own body tense. "See you soon, Angel," he mouthed and then everything went black.

For once, the queasy feeling residing in the pit of his stomach wasn't from the slowly rocking carriage but rather from the worry that had been constantly gnawing at him since his partner had disappeared several weeks ago. The hurt stung as badly as Igneel's departure, leaving an empty feeling behind that grew worse and worse as hope slowly faded away. But it wasn't all gone. A tiny glimmer still glowed in the recesses of his mind, bringing him to the reason he was on the journey he now found himself on, the reason he was traveling to some remote town on the whim of a possibility.

They were all desperate though, not just him as they watched the town grow closer and closer. Gray sat silently, staring off at some remote point far away, his mind clearly just as distant. Erza was absently sharpening one of her swords, the dull scraping sound mimicking itself over and over. And Wendy sat in the corner holding Charle, her knee bouncing nervously so fast that he could hardly keep up with it. Nearly everyone in the guild had wanted to come, Lucy meaning so much to each and every member that the place had basically come to a stand still since she'd been gone. But Master had held everyone back, knowing it wouldn't be helpful to have so many people crowding one small village. He was the calm sense of reason that everyone needed in a time like this and although people weren't happy, everyone did as they were told and now Natsu and his team rolled alone into the quiet town, all of their hopes resting on this solitary place.

They came to a stop and quietly filed out of the wagon, Natsu's stomach doing a quick lurch as the swaying came to an end. The town was just like any other, people walking about, minding their own business and paying no attention to the group that just arrived.

Erza re-sheathed her long sword and put her hands on her hips as she looked around. "We need to split up," she said, her voice stern and calm. "Wendy, you go with Natsu down the south end of the town. Gray and I will take the north. Let's meet back here at that tavern in an hour."

Wordlessly the groups went their separate ways and Happy flew up on Natsu's shoulder, a place he had been more often lately, needing the comfort that the position offered. He'd taken it the hardest out of anyone it seemed, the poor Exceed spending most of the nights silently crying in his place beside Natsu's pillow, his small body becoming thinner while his eyes grew larger on his round face.

One by one they entered the small shops that lined the streets, questioning the workers inside and anyone who happened to be there as well. No one seemed to know a thing about the man that was supposedly attempting to become a mage, or had any recollection of a blonde or white haired mage. They were helpful though, some pointing them in directions where they thought that someone might know something more. Unfortunately, nothing panned out. By the time they reached the last shop on the block, their hopes were dwindling. No one seemed to have heard the same rumor Jellal had. But it had to have started somewhere. Someone in this town must know something…

"Natsu? Wendy…?"

The Fairy Tail mages whipped their heads around at the familiar voice and Wendy gasped excitedly, "Chelia!"

The pair ran together, throwing their arms around one another while Natsu walked up to Jura. "What are you guys doing here?" he inquired, adjusting the straps from his bag over his shoulders.

"I was just about to ask you the same question."

The girls finished embracing and re-joined the guys. "Are you here looking for Lucy and Lyon as well?" Chelia asked.

Natsu nodded. "We heard something about a guy here that wanted to become a mage and we decided to investigate it. Unfortunately we haven't been able to find anything yet."

Jura and Chelia exchanged glances and then Wendy spoke up, "But Erza and Gray are on the other side of town and they might have heard something. We're supposed to meet back up with them soon."

"Good," Jura said, "I have some news as well but I'd rather wait to say it till everyone is together."

Several minutes later, everyone met inside the tavern, Erza and Gray having no better luck than Natsu and Wendy. The place was on the quiet side, it still being only just past mid-afternoon, but none of them took seats, preferring to stand in the back corner near one end of the bar where a worker was wiping down some mugs.

"I must say, you guys are a welcome sight," Erza said, standing with arms crossed over her metal breastplate.

"We can say the same about you guys," Jura replied and continued, "Just before we left the guild, we sent word to Fairy Tail that we were on our way here. We had no idea you guys would already be here on your own."

"What have you heard?" Natsu asked, getting straight to the point.

Jura cleared his throat. "We hired someone who was able to hear the events of what happened the night they disappeared. From what he was able to gather, whoever took Lyon and Lucy, brought them here, to this town."

Every eye in the group widened and Gray asked, "He was able to 'hear' what happened? What do you mean?"

"I don't know much other than he was able to hear what happened that night. He found the exact spot they were attacked and what path they were brought on. It ended here, but he wasn't able to find anything further."

"So they were attacked?" Erza asked.

Jura nodded. "He didn't think there was much of a struggle so I'm guessing whatever happened, it happened quick."

They were silent for a moment, each of them brooding over what little they knew.

"This is a good sign," Erza said. "Both sources of intel have brought us here. There has to be someone here that knows something."

"But we've asked everyone in town about this rumor. No one has heard anything," said Wendy in her quiet little voice, her head turned down.

"No one's asked me," the man behind the bar spoke up, interrupting the group. Every head whipped around and looked at the man who gave them an easy shrug. "Just thought you might want to ask the bartender whose job it is to listen to people."

Jura was the first to say something. "Have you heard anything about our friends?"

The man continued to wipe glasses clean as he answered, "Who are your friends?"

Both Jura and Erza took out pictures of the pair, holding them up for the man who looked at them for a moment and then shook his head. "Sorry, haven't seen them before but you said they are mages right?"

They all nodded their heads at once.

"You know," he said thoughtfully and continued, "there was a guy in here, not so long ago, who was talking about a guy he was working for who was trying to turn himself into a mage. I found that a bit odd so it kind of stuck out in my head when you mentioned they were mages."

Hope bloomed on all the groups' faces and Erza pressed further, "Did he say anything else? Did he mention where this guy was working or…"

The man shook his head, interrupting her. "Sorry, the guy didn't say much else. He was all sorts of depressed about his sister and I was actually surprised he told me that much. But I did see the direction he went when he left… if that's any help."

"Anything would be helpful right now," Gray said.

Putting down the mug he'd been cleaning, the man walked around the bar and headed for the entrance to the tavern. Everyone followed and as soon as they were back out in the street, the man pointed towards the east. "He got into a wagon with some other fellows and they headed that way, along that path towards the mountain."

Natsu pumped his fist, a warm feeling creeping through his body. "Alright, I'm all fired up!" he exclaimed, hope budding in his chest. This was the most information they'd had since the night it had all happened and he couldn't wait to get started.

"Thank you sir. We are deeply indebted to you," Jura said but the man just shrugged away his comment.

"No worries. It was my pleasure. Good luck finding your friends."

As one the group thanked the man and then gathered together, a spark in all of their eyes that hadn't been there just a few minutes earlier. They finally had something to go with and although it wasn't much, it was enough. They had a purpose now and they set off with a sense of determination and renewed hope guiding their steps.

Lucy blinked her eyes slowly open, her body limp as her limbs were dragged off the hard table. Between flashes of her eyelids she could catch glimpses of Lyon, sprawled on the table next to her, his face contorted in pain. With every ounce of energy inside of her, she reached for him, willing her arm to lift up as she was carried through the room with her feet sliding lifelessly across the floor. Her fingers extended and grasped fruitlessly at the air, falling to her side in a failed attempt that brought a sob to her lips.

"Lyon," she breathed, the sound choked in sadness.

The arms holding her body carried her relentlessly forward, pulling her through the doorway and down a dark hall... away from Lyon. Fingers crept like spiders along her ribs, delving beneath her shirt and causing alarm bells to ring inside her head. She tried to wrench away but her body wouldn't listen, her muscles completely spent.

"No," she pleaded. This couldn't be happening. Hadn't she been tortured enough? The machine had raped her from the inside, tearing her apart. Was she going to receive the same torment in a different form?

The cold fingers slid up beneath her breast, curling over the mound like slimy tentacles. She whimpered helplessly, trying to summon up just a little bit more energy so that she could rip herself away. But her body wouldn't listen. She was helpless and she sent a silent prayer up for...

"Get the fuck off of her," a deep voice demanded. The fingers halted their progress, coming to a stop as she was suddenly heaved up into the air and cradled in strong arms.

Lucy rolled her head to the side and found her perpetrator standing in front of them, his hunched body no more than a few feet away. His mismatched eyes glared at the man holding her and Lucy felt a shiver go through her body at that look.

"I told you before not to touch her. Now back off."

There was a tense moment of silence between the two but Lucy was beyond being able to follow what was going on. Her body was shutting down, doing the only thing it could do to survive and when the cold, flattened mat pressed against her back she groaned at the pain and turned onto her side.

Blackness descended like frost on a window, creeping from the recesses of her mind and slowly covering each corner, working its way inside till there was only a small fragment left to see through. She wanted that blissful nothingness, wanted to drown in the void of painless sleep but she couldn't, she had to see Lyon. She needed to know he was ok, needed him beside her so that her dreams wouldn't be quite as tormented.

Her ears perked up at a noise down the hall, feet shuffling over stone and coming to a halt just outside the cell. She opened her eyes and felt her entire body sigh in relief. He was here. His body collapsed on to the floor and he moaned helplessly in pain but his eyes, his eyes found hers and nothing else seemed to matter.

They found each other, their bodies coming together, arms circling one another and hands grasping desperately to clothing. Lucy was too tired to cry, but if she had even an ounce of energy left, she'd be drenching the front of his shirt where her face was pressed tightly against. His arms were heaven, so warm and so gently strong. And the last thing she heard before she fell into a numbing sleep was Lyon's faint voice, "My angel."

To be continued...