I have to apologize to you all. I can't believe it's been 9 months since I wrote for this story. I truly never meant for it to be so long. Things just got busy, and I got distracted. I hope this longer chapter will serve as an apology and a means of showing you that I'm serious about continuing to work hard on it.

A big thank you as well to my Bestie, Nicole4211, for being so patient with me too. I love you more than you could ever know!

Since it has been so long since our last update, here is a quick overview of what is going on...

Lyon and Lucy were captured by a man wishing to steal their magic power and use it himself to become a mage. Throughout their captivity, the two have grown close, becoming romantically attached. Their situation has created an almost desperate need for each other, relying on each other for strength and sanity when they are flirting on the edge of life and death.

Meanwhile, their friends are on a mad search, hunting down every clue they can find. Team Natsu, as well as members from Lamia Scale have finally found a promising path and are on their way to save their friends. But will they be too late?

CAPTIVITY

Chapter 11

Lucy awoke to the sound of footsteps, and with a low groan, she sat up and looked toward the front of the cell. Someone was coming, and at least one of them needed to awake and alert enough to warn the other of what was coming. She had no way of knowing just how much time had passed since the last time they'd been in the Hell Room, but she could only hope it wasn't time again already.

Her body throbbed in the places they'd inserted the spikes from their machine, and if the slight damp feeling on the back of her shirt was any indication, she was still raw and bleeding. Lyon too was in no position to endure another bout with that dreaded machine. Glancing at his body, she found his wounds still trickling blood as well.

Surely, it couldn't be time yet.

The noise grew until the massive man who'd saved her from Vane came into view. In his hands were twin bowls, filled with the same nasty food they'd consumed since their arrival, and Lucy gently removed herself from Lyon's grasp to accept the offering. She made her way silently to the metal bars, her eyes considering the man before her.

She couldn't figure out why he'd helped her, why he'd kept Vane from assaulting her in her weakened state. Wasn't he the enemy? Wasn't he like all the others who cared not an ounce for their captives' well-being?

It was all so confusing to her. He was one of the bad guys, and yet, he'd spared her more than once. Somehow, this man - this Cain - wasn't like the others. There was more to him than she'd originally thought.

Saying nothing, he reached through the bars, handing over their food and turned to make his way back down the hallway, when Lucy stopped him with a simple, "Thank you."

He looked back over his shoulder, his eyes going wide with surprise at her quiet statement. "Excuse me?"

Lucy met his gaze with her own and felt her lips turning up just a bit. This man, no matter who he was, had saved her from being beaten and then again from being raped, and that had earned him her gratitude. Whatever the reason for his assistance, he had done her a great kindness, and Lucy had never been the type to turn her nose up at that.

"Thank you for stopping him. And for stopping that other man before that." She watched his eyes narrow in confusion and wondered if no one had ever shown him something as common as simple appreciation before. "You didn't have to help me, and you did. So thanks."

Cain shifted uncomfortably under her heavy gaze, then grunted a soft, "Sure," before heading out the way he'd come.

The door slammed shut a moment later, and Lucy was once more left with her thoughts until a voice called out to her from behind.

She spun and felt relief fill her up at the sight of Lyon sitting up, his face only marginally creasing from the pain of their latest ordeal. Moving over to his side as quickly as she could without hurting herself, Lucy set down their bowls and lifted a hand to his face. "Are you alright? How are you feeling?"

Lyon nodded, waving aside her concern as he studied her. "I'm alright. What did you mean before?"

"When?" Lucy's head tipped. Was he talking about something she'd said before they went to the Hell Room?

"What you said to him," the white-haired man said, nodding his head in the direction Cain had gone. "What did you mean when you said he stopped someone?"

All at once, Lucy realized what he was getting at, and shame flooded her mind. She hated the thought of telling him what that vile man had tried to do to her when she was so vulnerable, but the idea of lying to Lyon was out of the question. They were in this together. They had been from the very beginning, and she wouldn't tarnish the trust they'd built by keeping things from him now.

Sighing deeply, she looked down. "The man that took me out of the Hell Room…the creepy looking one…" She paused, swallowing at the thought of what might have happened if Cain hadn't intervened. "He…He tried to…"

"He tried to what, Lucy?" Fury burst into Lyon's gut, souring the already fragile state of his bowels. The thought of such a despicable man putting his hands on Lucy was more than he could bear. He reached for her, his hands holding tightly to her shoulders. "Did he hurt you?"

He felt frantic, frightened beyond belief that Lucy had been violated in such a way. In that moment, he would have happily murdered that revolting bastard, and he wouldn't have lost a moment's sleep. Lyon could live out the rest of his days with that man's blood on his hands and never feel a moment's regret.

"No!" Lucy cried, lifting her eyes and grabbing onto Lyon's wrists. "He didn't. I swear! He started to…but Cain stopped him."

The fear and agony on Lyon's face was too much, struck her like a blow to the chest, and she leapt forward, throwing her arms around him and holding tightly. "I'm fine, Lyon. I promise."

Lyon shuddered against her, his arms sliding around her waist as he fought to rid his mind of his worry for her. He'd seen the way that son of a bitch looked at her, and it scared him that he hadn't even known Vane had tried anything until now. He'd been so out of it after coming off the machine that he'd barely even recognized that they'd brought him back to his cell.

Worse though was the knowledge that even if he had known, even if he'd been there to see it happening, there would have been nothing he could do to stop it. His body had been too weak to even support his own weight. There would have been no way for him to save Lucy himself, and that killed him. What if it happened again? What if next time, that man, Cain wasn't there to stop his sick partner?

His stomach roiled with fear, his muscles tensing until he could feel them beginning to cramp up. He hissed as a muscle in his back seized, the sound loud in the quiet room. His arms fell away, and he clenched his eyes shut as pain erupted in the wounds along his back.

"Lyon? Lyon! What's wrong?"

She'd felt him tense, and she'd thought he was just worried. But then he'd made that awful sound, and if the look on his face was anything to go by, he was in excruciating pain. Tears sprang to her eyes as she sat there, her hands uselessly stretched out toward him. She wanted to touch him, assure him she was there, but without knowing where he hurt, she was afraid to. She didn't want to make it worse.

Lyon cracked open an eye, fighting past the pain to try and ease Lucy's mind. He could hear the concern in her voice, and he didn't want that. Gritting his teeth, he mumbled, "S'okay. I'm fine."

"No, you're not," Lucy argued, her hand lifting in his direction only to flop back down to her lap in defeat as she cried.

It didn't take a genius to see the problem, and despite the agony in his back, Lyon reached for her hand. A low groan filtered out of his mouth as he pulled her closer. "Just a muscle spasm, Angel. Nothing to worry about."

But Lucy could see the sweat lining his forehead. She knew it wasn't nothing like he claimed it was. He was just trying to spare her some grief. "Where? What can I do to help?"

"Distract me."

"H-How?" There was nothing here! How was she supposed to keep his mind off of the pain? She scanned the room around them, her eyes landing on the box of playing cards Cain had given them. "You…you want me to get the cards?"

A laugh shot from Lyon's mouth, followed quickly by a whimper of distress. "No…not the cards. Just…just kiss me."

He wanted her to kiss him? Now, when he could barely move without wincing with pain? "Lyon…" She didn't think this was going to work. If anything, she was certain her touching him would only make it worse.

But Lyon was determined, and without another word on the subject, he reached out and pulled her head in, pressing his lips to hers with a low moan. One kiss…two…and he stopped, leaning his damp forehead against hers. "Please Angel. Take my mind off of it."

Her heart throbbing at his obvious discomfort, she nodded slowly. How could she deny him? His comfort was more important to her than anything, and if a kiss could stave off even a fraction of his pain, she would do it and more. Her hands lifted, grasping his face and easing their mouths back together. She kissed him gently, timidly, so afraid to hurt him.

But Lyon needed more. His back burned. Between the wounds they'd inflicted and the muscles around the sites flaring up, he was in agony, and somehow, he knew only Lucy could take it away.

His mouth moved insistently against hers, deepening the kiss until he could no longer feel anything but the woman in his arms. He let the taste of her pull him away from it all, let the sound of her soft moan block out the misery wreaking havoc on his body.

Despite her concern, Lucy felt her body come to life, that unmistakable heat bursting in her belly, and she couldn't stop a moan from easing up her throat. She shouldn't be letting this happen. He was in pain, and going any further could only hurt him more. But she was weak, like putty in his hands, and she couldn't bring herself to pull away.

Relief speared through Lyon as the last of his pain began to ebb, and he shifted against Lucy, testing his back out and nearly groaned aloud at the lack of pain he felt. Now all that was left was this incredible woman in front of him and that same overwhelming desire to feel her skin to skin.

She pulled back with a breathy sigh. "Lyon…I don't want to hurt you."

"You didn't," he muttered, peppering her mouth with short, sweet kisses. "You fixed me."

Lucy closed her eyes as Lyon pulled her into his lap and began kissing down the column of her neck. There was a reason they shouldn't be doing this. She knew there was, but at that moment, the information wouldn't come. It was stuck inside of her, blocked by the waves of hunger he'd inspired in her body.

Suddenly, a loud screech sounded down the hall, a sure-fire indication that someone was coming, and it finally hit Lucy why they needed to stop. They were returning to collect their food bowls, and they hadn't even touched it yet.

"Shit." She scrambled out of his lap and reached for the plain dishes, thrusting one into Lyon's hands even as she commanded, "Hurry."

With the heat still swimming in Lyon's gut, he wasn't even sure he could swallow the revolting stuff, much less keep it own. All he could think about was Lucy's soft skin, her delectable lips. But he also knew they couldn't afford to skip the meals they were brought, not if they ever had a chance of breaking out of here.

So he pushed down his desire, shifting in place to block the view of his arousal from the front of the cell and forced down the sticky mess they'd given him. He gagged a time or two, but within seconds, it was all gone and he was placing his bowl atop Lucy's and preparing to stand to his feet.

Lucy stopped him with a pointed glance down at his lap, a blush flaring to life on her cheeks. "I'll do it."

All at once, he realized the issue, and with a bob of his head, he let her take them. It wouldn't do to have the guards knowing just how close they'd gotten. Who knew what they would do with that information.

The tall man from before met Lucy at the door of their prison and took the bowls from her hand. Once more, she offered him a smile, and not even a moment later, he glanced back down the hall before leaning in close.

"You need to get out of here...today."

Stunned at his sudden outburst, Lucy could only stare and sputter a quiet, "W-What?"

"Raeden's not going to let you go."

She knew that, of course. She and Lyon had known that almost from the beginning. Raeden hadn't really seemed like the kind of man that would go to all this trouble simply to fail. He was nothing if not determined to gain their magic, and if not theirs, then some other unfortunate soul's. Nodding her head at her unusual ally, she said, "We figured that."

A frustrated sigh came from the other side of the bars as Cain moved in closer. "You don't understand. He's going to keep you...for the rest of your life."

Lyon frowned as he made his way over beside Lucy. What exactly did this guy expect them to do? They were stuck in this cell with no magic and no weapons. They weren't even allowed out unless they were on their way to the Hell Room. On their own, they were sitting ducks. There was only one way they were getting out of this. "Then help us."

"I can't do that!" Cain took a harried glance back at the door again and then stepped back. "No, I've done too much already. You're just gonna have to figure it out, because he'll be back tomorrow, and you won't get another chance." With that cryptic statement, he walked off, pausing only a fraction of a second to call back, "You've got 2 hours."

Two nerve-wracking hours later, Lucy and Lyon had a plan. It was a shaky one, but with their lack of resources at the moment, it was just about the only thing they could do. Either way, this was the end of the line. Either they would succeed and escape with their lives, or they would die. There was no longer any other option, because living out the rest of their lives like this was inconceivable.

Before long, Cain returned, and just behind him, Vane. The creepy man eyed Lucy as he always did, a wicked hunger in his eyes that set both Lucy and Lyon on edge. Stepping in front of her, the ice mage glared at the stringy-haired bastard. There was no way in hell he was touching her, not while he was there.

Vane grinned at Lyon's reaction, his shoulders shaking in a silent laugh as he looked toward his partner. Cain eyed the man with disgust, but followed the creep's directions when he nodded toward Lyon.

It took only that for Lyon to realize what was going on. They were taking him, and not Lucy. No, Cain was taking him, leaving Lucy alone with that freak! "No...No, don't do this!"

He pushed back against Lucy, his hands reaching back to grab hold of her and somehow secure her to him.

This couldn't be happening. He thought Cain was on their side. But he couldn't be if he was willing to put Lucy at risk by leaving her alone with that sick bastard! He looked up at the built man making his way toward him and pleaded, "You can't leave her alone with him." Lyon glanced past him to see a lecherous smile stretch across Vane's face and felt his stomach drop. He faced Cain again, hoping against hope to appeal to whatever shred of decency was left inside of him. "You know what he'll do to her! How can you help him?!"

Behind him, Lucy was breathing hard. Her heart was in her throat, her nerves already beginning to fray. How was she going to stop him? If Lyon was gone, and Cain wouldn't help, there would be nothing between her and that evil man. And with her strength already waning, how would she defend herself?

She swallowed hard as Cain suddenly grabbed for Lyon, easily ripping him away from her. "NO!"

She grabbed for him again, trying in vain to regain their connection, but Cain was already dragging Lyon toward the entrance of the cell. Weak as they both were, neither stood a chance against him. But that didn't mean they wouldn't try.

Lyon fought to get back to Lucy, fury and fear empowering his attacks, but nothing he did stopped what was happening. He felt tears pierce his eyes as hopelessness began to seep into his veins. He'd failed her. All he'd wanted throughout this whole thing was to protect her, and in the end, it wasn't enough.

A wail rent the air, and Lucy fell on the back of Cain, her tiny fists flying as she fought to free Lyon from his hold. The ice mage could see the terror in her eyes, and it sent a shot of violence through his veins. He struggled harder in Cain's grasp, fighting with all he had to get to her, to help her. But he was nothing against the stronger, healthier man. Right now, with no magic and a body weak from torture, he was no match for him.

Ducking his head at the sudden attack, Cain spun around, his eyes flashing as he grabbed hold of Lucy's neck and shouted, "Stop fighting me!"

Lucy sucked in a breath as she gazed up at him, certain she would see her death in his eyes. Instead, in those steely, intelligent eyes, she caught something she hadn't expected to find. Concern. He wasn't angry at all. He was...trying to tell her something.

She'd thought he'd turned on them, chosen to help Vane instead, but from what she could make out, he was still trying to help them. He hadn't switched sides at all. He was simply playing a part, buying time until he could get Lyon away from Vane.

It made sense. She knew what Vane wanted - what the disgusting man had wanted since the moment they'd been brought here - and if Raeden wasn't here to control him, there was no stopping him from what he planned to do. And so Vane needed Cain and Lyon out of the way. But that could work for them. If Cain got Lyon away from here, he could help him get his magic back. And then, Lyon would come for her. So, really, all they needed now was time.

She could give them that.

Looking up at Cain, she gave a subtle nod, then let herself go lax in his hold. She pushed a choking sound from her mouth, playing it up like he'd truly weakened her with his attack, and when he dropped her to the floor, she put on the best show of her life. She cried, great pitiful sobs as if her life was over, because she knew if this didn't work, it very well might be. She watched in agony as Lyon continued to thrash in Cain's hold, cursing and crying tears of his own as the larger man hauled him out of the cell and slammed the door.

In only moments, they were out of the room, and everything went quiet. She'd never heard anything more oppressive before in her life, but she couldn't afford to let fear take over. Lyon was depending on her. So she slowly stood to her feet and spoke, making sure her voice sounded fragile and weak. "W-What are you going to do to me?"

A dark smile lit Vane's face as he stepped up to the bars. It was clear to see in his eyes what he had planned, and Lucy nearly gagged at the thought of the man putting his hands anywhere near her. "Why?" she cried, wrapping her arms around her midsection and hunching in on herself. "Why are you doing this to me?"

He of course didn't respond. He couldn't, but Lucy caught the perverse pleasure he took in her agony. He was clearly a sadist, and a revolting one at that. Her only hope was that maybe he wasn't such a bright one. It was a shot in the dark, and she could only pray it would work.

She sniffled, letting her shoulders sag as she looked up at him. "Can I at least see my keys first?"

Vane shook his head, his face filling with glee as he denied her.

"Please! They're my friends, and...and I didn't even get to tell them goodbye!" She let a wail climb her throat, remembering every time she'd nearly lost her precious Spirits. She could see how much the bastard was enjoying her pain, but he still didn't seem inclined to grant her request. So she poured it on. She sank to her knees, folding her hands before her in supplication. "Please! I'm begging you. I won't cause you any problems. I'll...I'll be good." She watched as interest flared in his eyes, and she knew she had him. "I..." She paused dramatically, allowing another shuddering sob to come rolling out of her mouth, and then she whispered, "I...I won't fight you."

Her bottom lip trembled as if she'd finally given up, as if he'd broken her beyond repair. And she let him believe it, let him think she was would give herself over to him for his pleasure if only he'd grant this last wish. And to her surprise - and absolute disgust - he fell for it.

He left the room in a hurry, and Lucy waited for him to return. She didn't waver from the role she played, so afraid he would return and catch her before she could recover. So she kept up her tears, whimpering as if the world had fallen down around her. It was sad that she had so much material to draw from to further her breakdown. One day, she should probably talk to someone about that.

Minutes later, Vane scurried back through the door, a small box in his hands. He held it up victoriously, then moved to sit it down. But Lucy needed him to open it. That's the only way this would work.

A shaky cry fled her lips, and she asked, "Can't I see them?"

He studied her for a fraction of a second, then shook his head again. She wanted to curse, to rant and rave at him to open the goddamn box, but that wouldn't help her. He wanted a weak woman, one that made him feel superior, powerful. Railing at him would show him exactly how far from that she really was. So, with that in mind, she tried again. "Please, I have nothing left. I...I just want one more look before they're gone forever. You...you can do that, right? You're the one in charge. You can do whatever you want."

With every word she said, she could see him bowing up with pride, his ego stoked to epic proportions, but he wasn't quite there yet. She needed one last hook. "Please V-Vane..." Her voice trembled as she said his name, and she offered him an impassioned plea. "You're the only one that can do this for me."

He licked his lips as he eyed her prostrate form, and Lucy realized she might have to go further than she'd wanted. He wasn't as big a fool as he appeared, and if she couldn't convince him that she was his to command, then all was lost.

Swallowing down a surge of bile, she whimpered, "Please...I'll do anything. J-Just let me see them."

His eyes widened with arousal, and he did just what she knew he would do. He pinched at his shirt with two fingers, then pointed at her chest. She felt her stomach rebel at the thought of exposing her body to him, but she forced herself to remember what was riding on this. She could show him her breasts and trick him into setting Loke free, or she could take a chance on fighting to keep him from raping her if Lyon didn't make it back in time.

It wasn't even a choice. Her strength was all but gone. This was her only chance.

Pushing down her revulsion, she sat a little straighter, feeling tears pouring down her cheeks in earnest as she lifted the shirt from her body. Immediately, she threw her arms across her chest, but she knew, even with her quick reaction, he'd seem an eyeful. And it made her want to cry. So she did. It was just one more emotion to further her agenda, and as she lifted her face toward him, she begged. "My keys. I did what you said."

He stared at her lecherously, dropping a hand to rub across the front of his pants, and it was all Lucy could do not to vomit where she sat. But finally, after sitting there under his intense gaze for what felt like ages, he moved over to the box and picked it up. He froze with his hand on the box though, his beady little eyes once again considering her.

"I took off my shirt like you wanted," she sobbed, imploring him even as she shouted within her head for him to do what the hell she said. "I'm trapped in here. What could I possibly do? You hold all the cards here. Please, just one last look."

Pleased with her answer, he smirked at her, completely unconcerned with the numerous gaps in his teeth. And then...he opened the box. Inside, pristine as the last time she'd seen them were her keys, and as quick as that, twin lights burst into the room and Lucy started to laugh.

She stood to her feet with a smile on her face as Loke appeared beside Vane and Virgo came for her. Eyes wide with horror, Vane reached for his weapon, but Loke was too fast. Years of battle had honed him into a fighter fit for the gods, and that pathetic worm had nothing on him. One shot of his magic had the weapon flying, and then Loke's hand was around Vane's neck.

"You vile piece of shit! You thought you could abuse my Princess, and you wouldn't have to pay?" Loke growled, slamming the slimy bastard up against the wall.

It took only that amount of time for Virgo to relieve Lucy of her shackles and help her back into her shirt, and then she was blasting her way through the door of the cell. Lucy made her way over to Loke and his captive and felt herself smile mirthlessly at her tormentor.

"You stupid son of a bitch. I would never bow down to you. I'm a Fairy Tail mage, and we don't break that easily."

With that, she threw her fist back and smashed it into his face.