Here we are again. Back to square one. Under my father's thumb again. On my way back to my own prison. Every once in a while, I'd look over at Gajeel and it'd remind me of Natsu. He'd gag every time we'd turn a corner or hit a bump. I'm guessing Gajeel has the same motion sickness problem, too. If I didn't have him so much right now, I'd help him through it. I'm sure I could do the same things for him that I'd do for Natsu. But Gajeel is kind of taking me against my will, so let him suffer. As long as he doesn't throw up on my shoes, we won't have a problem.

As we got closer and closer to the mansion, I stared down at my guild mark. They were so willing to fight for me. Gray, Erza, Natsu...If I wouldn't have gone with Gajeel, all of Phantom Lord would've attacked the three of them. And who knows what would've happened then? I can't do it. I can't let them suffer for my sake. The guild hall was enough. Levy and her team was overkill. If I have any say in it, this stops now. I don't want to put my friends through any more. Thank you, Fairy Tail. It was great while it lasted. I'm going to miss you.

When I looked back out the window, our carriage was slowing down. This didn't look like the estate grounds. It wasn't until I turned around that I knew where we were. Back to the tower. Awesome. Just where I wanted to be. Couldn't he just bring me back to the mansion instead? At least there I would have access to the library and I could study up. Oh, no. We can't have that. Let's have Lucy bored out of her mind. Heaven forbid she's learning something and improving herself in ways she wants to. And not ways that he can use to impress potential clients.

"Hey, blondie," Gajeel managed to pull himself back together, "On your feet."

"I have a name," I growled.

"I don't know what it is," he shrugged, helping me out of the back, "I think I heard Salamander yelling it at me, but I can't remember what it is."

"Lucy," I glared through him, "My name is Lucy."

"Well, blondie," Gajeel spited me, bringing me back in my tower, "Make yourself at home. This time around, you're not leaving."

"I got out once," I pointed out, "I can do it again."

"I have to admit, princess," he praised, "I'm impressed with your resolve. But you have a new dragon watching over you. Your last guard gives the rest of us dragon slayers a bad name."

That explains the motion sickness, "Are you a dragon slayer, too?"

"I'm an iron dragon slayer," Gajeel scoffed, flexing a little bit, "Better than that little Fairy Tail weenie."

"Hey!" I jumped on the defensive, "You've never even seen Natsu's magic. Hopefully, you'll be able to see it up close and personal soon enough."

"You really think he's coming for you?" he looked me over, "That's cute."

"What do you mean?" I wondered, sitting down on my bed.

"You're in love with the little Salamander," Gajeel teased, "Aren't you, princess?"

"Dude, you really don't want to get into this."

"I think I do," he went on, "You are in love with the Salamander!"

"His name is Natsu!" I snapped, "I'm not in love with him! We're just friends and I know he's coming for me. Do you know how I know that?"

"How?"

"Because," I smirked, "He's stupid enough to do it. No matter what I'd tell him. Natsu's great at what he does, but as far as listening goes, he's got a problem."

"You would know, wouldn't you?"

"Would you shut up already?" I was ready to punch this guy, but I had a feeling it would only hurt me and it wasn't worth it.

"Just when I had you on the ropes," Gajeel dropped it, "Now, you're a wizard, too, aren't you?"

"That's right," I nodded, "What about it?"

"Your old man said you'd have a key ring on you," he stuck his hand out, "Give them up."

"Excuse me?" I squeaked, "No! My father has already stolen my key ring before. I'm not giving you my keys."

"Yes, you are," he assured, "Now, I was only told to bring you here. I was never told what condition you had to be in. If I have to beat your keys out of you, sweetheart, I will. After our fun at the Phantom Lord guild hall, I'm itching for a fight."

"Fine," I didn't want to, but I gave Gajeel my keys. I didn't have the energy to fight him, "Here."

"Smart girl," Gajeel pocketed my key ring, "I've always wondered what celestial gate keys tasted like. Probably like every other piece of scrap metal. Are these all of them?"

"Yes."

"Very smart girl," he approved, "If you'll excuse me, I'm starving. I'll be back in a little while. Try not to get into too much trouble while I'm gone."

"Where would I go?" I yelled after him. My only option was to jump fifty feet out the window.

Or so he thought. The last time my father saw my celestial gate keys, I only had four; Cancer, Aquarius, Taurus, and Lyra. Little did he know, I've picked one up from a job Natsu, Happy, and I worked a while back. And Gajeel didn't think to search me. Once he was out of eyeshot, I ran down the spiral staircase and to the very bottom of the tower. Just because the door was locked didn't mean I couldn't get out. I had one last trick up my sleeve. Or my skirt, in this case. I pulled a gold gate key out of my garter belt. Here goes nothing.

"Open!" I began, "Gate of the maiden, Virgo!"

That beautiful celestial light brightened the dark tower. And soon enough, I'd be tasting freedom again. Out of that light popped out a sweet little maid waiting for my orders, "You called for me, Mistress?"

"Do you think you could tunnel me out of here?" I requested.

"With pleasure," Virgo bowed to me and got to work. She didn't take very long to have a good tunnel going, "All finished, Mistress. May I go back to my gate?"

"Go ahead," I allowed, "Thank you."

Virgo went back to her gate and I started following the trail. Next time, I should tell her to put up some lights, too. Or at least some torches. It's times like these where I really started to miss Natsu. He'd be able to light some torches for me. To think Gajeel thought I was in love with him. How ridiculous. I just liked hanging around with him and fighting by his side and that he makes it easier to sleep at night by being in my bed. How Gajeel got love out of any of that will forever astound me.

Ah! A light! Finally! A light at the end of the tunnel! The first thing I'll do is hop the next train to Magnolia. Then, I'll hightail it back to my house and have a bath. That sounds absolutely heavenly right now. My bathtub was almost big enough to swim in. Any time jobs would leave me achy and tired, that bathtub would be my saving grace. And Natsu and Happy were kind enough to give me a little space for a while. Once I get out of the bath I'm about to take, I should let them know I'm ok. The whole guild is probably worried sick. Those two especially.

"Well, well," a familiar voice boomed at the end of my tunnel, "Trying to escape again, are we?"

If this isn't a metaphor for this entire adventure. Just as I find a light at the end of my tunnel, my father has to come in and ruin it all for me. Thanks for the warning, Virgo, "I have nothing to say to you."

"Such insolence," he scolded, gripping my wrist tight, "Why, Lucy?"

"Maybe it's the being forced back in the tower thing," I grumbled under my breath.

"No," Father growled, his eyes burning red, "Why did you run away again?"

"The fact that this has happened more than once should tell you all you need to know!" I escaped his grasp with a bright red mark around my wrist, "If you'd let me go off on my own once in a while, I wouldn't have to run! I just want to be free and you're standing in the way of that!"

"Because you're not ready to be on your own, Lucy!" he only grew angrier, "You're far too reckless and impulsive."

"What can I say?" I scoffed, "I'm a free spirit. Just like my mother before me."

My words stung in his heart. I could see it in his falling gaze. He knew I was right and it burned him inside. Good. Maybe now he'll understand and finally let me be. I could go back to the shattered remains of the guild hall and back to the life I was meant to live. It's a long shot, but it's worth a try.

"That's enough," his voice got quiet, "You're to stay here until I come back tomorrow morning. Do I make myself clear?"

"What's stopping me from leaving this time?" I asked, not letting up on him for a second. After what he had done to the guild, my father didn't deserve my mercy, "I could just run right now."

"He is," Father nodded toward the giant shadow towering over me.

"Hiya, sweetheart," Gajeel appeared out of nowhere, "Do you remember me?"

"You're hard to forget," I rolled my eyes, "And let me guess, you're not leaving my side, are you?"

"Nope."

"Joy."

"I'll be back tomorrow morning, Lucy," Father reiterated, "We can talk then."

"Whatever," I turned away from him and started heading back into the tower.

"Wait!" he stopped me.

"What now?" I groaned, "It's been a long day. I'm exhausted. Can't I just be left alone now?"

"There's just one more thing..."

I knew he wasn't here for a heartfelt goodbye hug, "What do you want?"

"Your new gate key," he stuck his hand out, "I can't let you keep that."

"I don't have any more," I lied, keeping Virgo a secret, "I gave them all to Gajeel."

"Then, how did you tunnel through stone without any tools and your fingernails are still perfectly clean?" he held his stance, "Give me the key or I'll have Gajeel get it for me."

"Fine," I gave Virgo's key up. Hopefully, she'd understand that I didn't want Gajeel's hands on me any more today. I'm sorry, guys. Stay safe.

"Thank you," Father boarded his carriage, "Tomorrow morning."

"I heard you the first time," I wasn't even going to see him off. I didn't want to. However, his plans for tomorrow morning had me curious. I wonder, "Hey, Gajeel."

"Yeah?" he sat off in the corner of my room, "What is it?"

"Do you know what my father has planned for tomorrow?" I crossed my fingers.

"Not a clue."

Can't say I didn't try. I just hope he didn't do anything stupid. As long as he leaves the rest of Fairy Tail alone. That's the only reason why I went with Gajeel so willingly. My friends have been through enough. And I just needed a little rest. By the looks of it, I wasn't the only one. I caught Gajeel nodding off a few times, too. He's probably waiting for me to go to sleep, so he can. I could give him that much. I had a feeling he wasn't pleasant when he's sleep deprived.

Tick...

Mmm...

Tick...

What the...? A little noise kept ticking at my window. Gajeel was still sound asleep. I'm guessing that being a heavy sleeper was another universal trait among dragon slayers. When Natsu was sleeping, sometimes I had to check for a pulse. Regardless, I got out of bed and investigated the noise. Whatever it was, I didn't have the energy to get angry at it. Too tired.

"Lucy!" a small, blue cat floated at my window and flew into my arms. I know we've had our differences in the past, but I've never been so glad to see him.

"Mmm..." Gajeel shifted a little in his chair, babbling in his sleep, "You smell nice, Lev..."

"Shh..." I hushed, holding him tight against my chest, "You have to be quiet, Happy. We can't wake him."

"Oh," Happy whispered, "Sorry. Wait, isn't that the guy from Phantom Lord? What's he doing here?"

"He's my new guard," I grumbled.

"Lucky you," he shared in my disdain.

"But what are you doing here?" I got us back on track, "How did you even find me?"

"Going to the tower was Natsu's idea," Happy explained, "He figured that your father was a creature of habit. Turns out he was right."

"Is Natsu with you?" I hoped.

"No," he shook his head, "He sent me to make sure you were ok. If you weren't here, you'd be at the Heartfilia Mansion. I was hoping you'd be at the mansion."

"Me, too," I sighed out, "Wait, why were you hoping I was at the mansion?"

"All that yummy fish from the party," Happy drooled, "I'm sure there's plenty more where that came from."

I couldn't help but laugh a little bit, "Why should I be surprised? The way to both you and Natsu's hearts are always through your stomachs. By the way, speaking of Natsu, how is he doing? I haven't been gone long, but I've been gone long enough."

"I can't really tell," he admitted, "I'm worried, too. I've never seen Natsu so focused on something before. He's been trying to figure out a rescue plan for you since you left. You know how he is. He wouldn't let you slip through his fingers that easily."

Gajeel's words flashed back into my mind. About me being in love with Natsu. By the way Happy was talking, there may be something from the other side. If we're being honest in my internal monologue here, I did have something in my heart for Natsu. I didn't want him hurt and I hated that I was the one putting him in this position. Once I get out of here, he'll be ok again. We'll be ok again. Everything will go back to the way it was meant to be.

"Please, Happy," my voice shook a little, "Keep an eye on him for me. I'm not there to take care of him and you know how Natsu can be."

"Stubborn as a mule," Happy understood, "But you don't need to worry, Lucy. He'll be ok. Right now, he's just getting fired up."

A little smile forced back my tears. Typical Natsu. I don't know why I should be surprised.

A/N: So, Lucy's back to rattling the tin cup against the bars of her cell again. Fantastic. Also, I love Gajeel in this chapter. I love Gajeel in any chapter, but this one in particular. I truly believe that he can bounce between the mean, rough and tumble bodyguard he's intended to be for Lucy and the overly pestilent older brother (given that he ends up joining the guild, I can see them getting that relationship. Especially with Levy and Lucy being best pals). Also, can we talk about Gajeel a little more? I know. I get excited when it comes to my Gajeel. You guys already know how I feel about Gajeel and what he means to me. Even when he's mentioning Levy in his sleep. I thought that was adorable. In the original cut, that wasn't in there, but I'm so happy I put that in there.

Speaking of Happy, Happy's going to be making a few more appearances here as the go-between for Natsu and Lucy. Also, the one keeping Lucy's sanity in check. Especially when next chapter hits. She'll need him the most then. Keep Lucy's current attitude in mind. And Gajeel's current temperament. Everyone can be broken somehow. It's all about finding the right pressure points. See you next chapter. xx