Disclaimer: It's pretty obvious but I'll still say it – I don't own any characters of Fairy Tail. *sigh* I wish I did… Haha

(A/N: SORRY FOR LATE UPDATE, here's chapter 14! a special thanks to all who have followed, reviewed and made this story a favorite. Your reviews for chapter 13 made my day! I really didn't expect it to go so well… But thanks a ton! After this chapter, the story'll go back on track. This chapter will clear off the events of the previous ones.)

Last time: "LUCY!" He finally let out as a thunderstorm of tears began to escape him. His forehead rested on hers as he cried his life out when suddenly he realized – she was still breathing! She was still in there somewhere!

What you'll find in this chapter: The horror of 'but', a state of coma, a time-skip, the story behind Juvia's actions and…nope, not gonna tell you more because that part'll just ruin the suspense.

Continue:

-Porlyusica's Home- (I checked the spelling of her name before typing this so trust me it's correct)

Clenching his fists, squeezing his lids, Gray sat there impatiently; the horror of what had happened in the past hour repeating in his memory and inadvertently sending chills down his spine. She was still breathing… He repeated it constantly as a form of assurance. She would be okay. He would keep thinking. She couldn't leave this world after what she had done, after she had protected him, after he had come to terms with his feelings despite knowing they were unrequited.

Juvia and Gajeel, he had no idea where they were or what they were doing because the moment it all had happened, the moment he found hope that she may still live, he had, in a flash, scooped her up bridal style and brought her to the not-so-far-away, secluded home of Aunt Porlyusica as he called her. He had known her for a long time. He knew how she hated crowds or even people for that matter, even so, Ur had been an exception and subsequently he and Lyon. She was an excellent doctor and was always around to help them. What no professional doctor could do, she could. She WAS after all the one who had suggested he go to Magnolia, to Master Makarov who she seemed to know pretty well. It WAS also she, who had replaced Erza's left eye…

Erza… Something about her past stung him way more than his own did. It was just so, unjust, so cruel, so… Well, he had no more words. She had gone through way more than any of them had and he knew that much too well and that was why he was always by her side to support her because he knew she needed it – he knew HE needed it and he also knew he didn't want her to end up like him, hiding away all the pain. He wanted her to be the one to release and forget it all.

Moments later, Porlyusica emerged through the hallway, her face as plain and emotionless as ever. It was always that way, as though she were made of wax; she was probably the only one capable of doing that better than Gray did. His head jolted up and he quickly stood up.

"She's…she's still…?" He couldn't muster the courage to ask what he wanted to but definitely the old lady standing before him comprehended. For the first time in history, Porlyusica flashed eyes of sadness, or pity. It was the first time she had shown any emotion at all, other than the time she had found out about Ur's… Ur's departure from this world. This made him panic even more and a tear prickled down his left cheek. Porlyusica immediately spoke up

"She's still here Gray. Her heart is still beating. She's alive"

Gray felt relief wash all over him and realizing he had been holding his breath throughout Porlyusica's suspicious silence, he let it out, "C-can I see her?"

"Yes Gray. But…" Porlyusica said sadly, seeing how worried he was. She had never seen him so worried before except when that accident had happened… Calling that incident horrifying or heartbreaking was way too much of an understatement. After that incident, Gray was broken, incomplete, filled with hatred. He had been the same when Ur had found him and it had happened to him yet again and once more it was happening to him right at this moment. When would the time come when he could live without the fear of losing someone?

'But…' Those killjoy words that come after something positive was said only to turn it all negative. Those words that after having been spoken, kill all happiness. 'But…' How Gray wanted to cease that word from its existence. It didn't only turn good things bad, it also worked the other way round… But in his life, 'but' had never turned anything bad, good. It only turned good things bad. It was generally a bittersweet word, but to him it was plain bitter. 'But…'

"W-what?" He asked hesitant, not wanting to know, gaze directed downwards.

"Gray… She's with us but she's not"

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY THAT!?"

"Calm down Gray. What I mean is… She's not responding to her surroundings Gray – She's gone into a state of Coma."

And once again, 'but…' had done it's not-so-glorious job of drenching showers of melancholy deep into Gray's heart. 'She's gone into a state of coma.' The statement repeated itself in his mind. Coma, as in comatose, the condition whereby the body gave absolutely no response to its surroundings. It was like as if the person were stuck between the living and the dead! And Lucy now shared that fate. What was worse? He knew it was because of him. What's the WORST part? He knew he loved her now, unrequited or not, and she had already left.

"Gray…She's still here! With us! She'll be back soon… we just need to put in some effort to help her respond. But more than that, we need to get her to a proper hospital with better facilities. We'll return to Magnolia tomorrow. I'll call Makarov and ask him to help with the transport. But that aside, Gray… I want YOU to stay all buckled up okay? If you want her to come back, you have to give her your support and not your sorrow. Now go… meet her" Porlyusica said when she saw him spacing out into what looked like really painful thoughts. He nodded slowly and went into the room where he would find the not-so-alive Lucy.

His hand stopped, frozen on the door knob. Was he ready? Was he ready to see her that way? The girl who had helped him believe in love? The girl he knew he had no chances with… The girl who had given her life for him… Was he ready to see her in pain? His grip on the knob tightened and he squeezed his onyx orbs again in an effort to hold back his tears. In normal situations Gray would NEVER EVER show tears but this time was different…

Porlyusica gave him the 'go-on' look and he slowly, really slowly, pushed the door open. Inside he saw Lucy, lips and nose hidden under the oxygen mask, wires and medical machines all around. He wondered why Lucy needed to go to a 'proper' hospital when this room itself couldn't be any more proper of a hospital than it already was. But he didn't comment on that to Porlyusica; one, because he wasn't in the mood for all that. Two, Porlyusica definitely knew what she was doing and as long as Lucy would be better with whatever it is Porlyusica wanted to do, then he had no objections. None at all.

He took small, slow steps towards the bed. He could see Lucy was wearing a hospital-type blue gown, courtesy of Porlyusica and she looked…peaceful yet, something about her features…they showed pain. Only pain. He sat beside her bed and looked at her, feeling as though she would jump up any minute. He entwined his hand with hers and held it up to his forehead, a tear escaped him once again. He had done this to her. It was his fault. He hugged her motionless body and promised her,

"I won't let you EVER get hurt again. It's a promise on my life. Or to make it more real, it's a promise on your life – a promise I would never break."

Minutes later, Lucy's phone unexpectedly rang. Gray picked it up hesitantly and when he heard the manly voice at the other end, he couldn't help but feel the soaring anger rise within him because he knew who it was. He knew it could be no one other than the main reason for Lucy's state – Lucy's father.

"Gray Fullbuster huh…? Not a bad reputation you've got. Son of the wealthy Fullbuster family followed by ADOPTED child of Ur Milkovich, owner of the magnificent Ice Cream Factory… Followed by orphaned school kid, followed by reckless teenage street fighter, followed by the girl-charmer. It's like a scale from best to worst."

"It's plain and simple Heartfilia. If I see you ever, I'll kill you."

"Oh really? Seems just like my worthless daughter – "

"She is NOT worthless!"

"Yeah that was right… Just as manner-less you are. Let me snap you to reality boy. I am Jude Heartfilia. You have no idea where my influence power extends to so you think before you pick me as a foe."

"Ok Mr. Jude Heartfilia. I am Gray Fullbuster and anytime you realize what a mistake you are to humanity, you can come before me and I'll gladly slit your head right off your neck." Gray voiced into the receiver before slamming the cell shut and swinging it across the wall, only to fall with a 'crash'.

-Heartfilia Residence-

"What should we do sir? Will we be abducting Miss Heartfilia here?" Gajeel asked way too politely to the old and wealthy Jude Heartfilia who in a tone filled with utter annoyance replied,

"Forget her for now. We don't need her in the state she is in. If and when she awakens from her state, we'll think about it then. But for now, I want this Fullbuster's head."

"B-but… YOU SAID YOU WOULDN'T LAY A FINGER ON HIM!" came Juvia's sudden outburst.

"Well, I don't think I'm very good at keeping promises then am I? Redfox, lock her away will you?" The Heartfilia said in boredom whilst rubbing his temples.

-6 months later- (TIME SKIP!)

It was just like any other day that we were going for our regular visit to the Magnolia Hospital. It had been six months since that day that we had lost Lucy to a state of near death. She had been in coma ever since and we had done no more than to wait patiently for when we would get to see those chocolate orbs sparkle again, those lips curl up into a smile again… But the day would come soon. I know it will. Erza, Jellal, Ultear and the other seniors were graduating next week and in that same week, Gray, Natsu, Lisanna, Levy and I, would be moving to senior year…without Lucy.

A lot changed since that day that we found out what had happened to Lucy. Natsu moved on… He got back together with Lisanna. Gray, well we all don't know how to explain it but he sort of broke… Gray had always been protective of us all so it may not be that much of a surprise and we all know he still holds himself responsible for Lucy's state. Surprisingly, he's been hanging around with Juvia quite a lot ever since the incident…we all really don't know the reason for the sudden change but well, it's always possible to find love with the person who loves you most right? And seeing him that way, maybe it's a good thing he had Juvia since he doesn't really talk to anyone much anymore. Levy and Gajeel broke up a long while ago and she had been very disturbed for a while; despite moving on from the Gajeel incident, she's still not the old Levy and we all know the reason was Lucy. We all feel remorseful about what happened and it still hurts to know that she had done it for us.

Jellal proposed to Erza… It was maybe the happiest thing that happened throughout these six Lucy-less months. Jellal had wanted to propose in front of everyone we called friends and so we all had gathered at the Magnolia Hospital because of course, when we say friends now, Lucy can never be excluded. Erza of course accepted but refused to hold a formal engagement until… Until Lucy returned. She would soon. We all know she will.

(If you couldn't guess yet, that was Cana's POV)

(Normal POV)

Gray walked down the pavement out of his home. It was a sunny Saturday and it hadn't rained properly for the entire six months! Maybe a drizzle here and there… but those heavy rains that used to shower themselves very often on Magnolia had never shown itself… Rumors even suggested that in a matter of three more months, Magnolia would be facing an outright DROUGHT! But that was three months later he didn't have to worry about that now or at all… The pain was still there within him… The pain of seeing Lucy that way… (Some of you may object with my logic about the rain but hey, this is fiction, anything can happen right? Haha)

He followed his Saturday routine of stopping to stare at Lucy's house with pain-filled eyes before moving on towards the Magnolia Hospital. He knew everyone would already be there and that he was late but everyone knew why… everyone knew it took him all his willpower to bring himself to go there. On Saturdays and Sundays he would stay the night at the hospital and look after her, he had been following that routine all through these six months.

Suddenly a blue-haired girl walked over to him and put a hand on his shoulder. He took a step back in shock but then calmed down when he saw it was only Juvia bringing him out of his trance. She greeted him and he just nodded in acknowledgement. He had gotten used to her presence finally. It was shocking to most people when Gray had come to school one day with Juvia in tow. Juvia hadn't been in school for a while then and rumors of her disappearance were inevitable.

He remembered how he had acknowledged her as a friend that time when he had travelled to Galuna to confront Jude Heartfilia. He had had a very heated argument with the unreasonable, evil, inhuman businessman and almost lost his life back there! And it was then that he had found out the truth behind the blue-haired stalker's actions. He was actually moved by it.

It would seem that Juvia had never actually been part of the abduction plan. But when she found out what Gajeel was up to, courtesy of her stalking skills, she had confronted him. After which, Jude Heartfilia asked her to join the plan and work for him as one of his spies. She had outright refused to be part of such an obnoxious plan but when she was threatened that it would cost her Gray's life which anyone could tell was very important to her, she had given in.

When Gray had confronted the Heartfilia, he had found that Juvia was being held prisoner and upon asking why, he had been told of how she had done all this only to secure his life. He didn't like it that she didn't mind giving away Lucy's life but was moved about how much she actually cared about his. But he could never love her… He knew that. He had already given his heart away and even that was a very shocking thing because he never gave his heart to ANYONE, heck he never even believed in love! He had lost to unrequited love of course…

Well, the threat of Jude Heartfilia was no longer there because seemingly he was no longer the rich owner of Heartfilia Corp. His business had sunk and he was now a beggar drenched with debts, probably wandering the streets somewhere. Gray was pleased upon hearing that news.

They walked to the Magnolia hospital together from there and when they entered they saw that as expected, everyone was already there. Everyone looked to see the two entering. Gray had become so withdrawn… it was highly noticeable that was much quieter now than he used to be.

After it was already 6pm, everyone took off to their respective homes and Gray stayed back sitting at Lucy's bedside. He wondered how Natsu managed to move on so easily and felt a bit distraught about the fact that had Lucy been okay now, then she would have been with Natsu, the one she loved. (You know Gray doesn't know that Lucy told Natsu the story of her Mystery Pal and also he read her diary so he thinks she loves Natsu…)

He stared at her intently. He had always felt like she would just suddenly wake up from her slumber… It was the longest slumber she had ever had, that he was sure of but all things have to end sometime right? He held her hand and began fidgeting with it.

"Hey Luce… You still mad at me? You've not spoken to me in six months" He said to her. He had always done this. Talking to her, hoping for a response sometime soon. "I really miss you. You'll…You'll come back soon right? We're graduating next week but I… I can't do this without you Luce… Please wake up." His hands began shaking. He held his head low, his bangs covering his onyx orbs.

"C-common! You've slept enough! Get up! …G-get up…Lucy…" This time it was sort of an outburst. Suddenly Lucy's finger moved an inch and Gray's eyes widened.

"Lucy?" He said in a bewildered tone and suddenly he ran out of the room to call the doctor.

He waited outside for a matter of fifteen minutes before the doctor, after having done a few tests, came out with the trademark white doctor coat and stethoscope hanging from his neck. Gray got up immediately and the doctor, without Gray saying anything, understood.

"She's still not responding though her condition is somewhat better now. And YOU, young man need to relax for a while. I see you around here a lot… What is she to you? Sister? Fiancee? Girlfriend?"

Gray froze at the question. He knew what she is to him but his thoughts began to trail to what HE was to HER… "Just a friend." Came his response.

The doctor gave a smile, "A very close one it seems… Take care my boy. After all, Miss Porlyusica keeps coming to do some check-ups and with a doctor like her, I don't think you have anything to worry about. You are…um, Mr.?"

"Gray Fullbuster"

The doctor patted him on the shoulder before leaving. Gray felt helpless. That little hope that had tinkled into his heart… 'she's still not responding though her condition is somewhat better now.' The statement repeated itself.

'…still not responding'

'somewhat better'

The words kept coming in till he finally pressed onto his temples and took a seat beside Lucy. But just like every night, his sleep was never complete. He had been facing insomnia a lot nowadays. The doctors gave him tons of tips but he had no time to take hot baths before bed or drink milk and be all dandy while Lucy was in this state!

"Gray, wake up!" Came the voice of Lucky (or Laki), a nurse at the hospital who was now very familiar with Gray. After all, he was a very frequent visitor. He had dozed of that Saturday and now it was a very breezy Sunday morning and in front of him stood none other than Lucky (Laki) signaling him that it was THAT time of the day. 'That' as in time for Lucy's bath and a change of hospital garments. By now Gray was pretty much used to it but the first time when he was told what was to happen, he had gone extremely red with embarrassment – but that was to be expected. He walked out of the room and sat on the waiting chairs outside. After a twenty minutes Lucky (Laki) came out.

"We're done Gray… Um, Gray… I think you should get more rest. Those dark circles under your eyes won't disappear of their own accord and neither will your insomnia if you don't at least TRY to get some more sleep." She advised him but to no avail. The raven-head was used to such comments by now and didn't pay them much heed.

"I'll take a walk" He said and walked out. It was still very sunny as usual, but even so, it was unusually breezy. He walked down an alleyway nearby where he was supposed to meet a certain blue-head – Juvia. Juvia had called him last night while he was still at the hospital and he had agreed to meet her for breakfast. Gray was no longer a late riser after all; now he was an insomniac… (Actually I'm an insomniac so…well you get how sometimes you put your own habits onto your character right?)

He was rounding the corner of the narrow alleyway that would have led him to a small café but just as he was about to make the turn, a droplet of water fell on him. Startled, he looked up into the now grey sky… It was going to be a storm… after six full months, Magnolia was going to receive its first shower of proper rain which it had lacked all these years.

The moment the droplets became larger and quicker, until finally the rain had begun pouring heavily, drenching him, only one word slipped his lips, "Lucy…" he thought. And without giving it another thought, he ran his way back to the hospital. Rain… Lucy… Rain and Lucy had always been connected in a way and he couldn't help but believe that the rain showing itself after six entire months was like an indicator that Lucy too, had risen from her slumber also, AFTER SIX MONTHS. It all seemed so unusual and it really didn't seem like a coincidence. Had Lucy been the one is such a situation, she would've probably described it as fate or destiny or something around that.

He finally made it to the hospital and saw that the nurses were rushing into the ICU ward where Lucy was with some medical instruments. Something was going on and he hoped it was something positive with no 'buts' to ruin it.

"Porlyusica? What's going on in there?!" Gray asked frantically as he saw the old woman rushing into the ward.

"I just came to check in on Lucy and I'm lucky it was at this moment." She said before hurrying in but that hadn't answered Gray's question. He tried to peer into the ward but to no avail.

Just then, a hand fell upon his shoulder and he turned around to see Lucky (Laki), "Lucy… she was breathing very heavily. Gray, this is probably the first time she had moved at all since six months…There's hope." She said to him smiling softly.

Gray felt euphoria rush all over him. She was going to be back… He was right, rain and Lucy do seem to be correlated. After all, wasn't it mostly in the rain that they met? But suddenly he felt a coldness wash over him. Now that she was back, would things be any different? He could almost feel the grief she would feel when she found out that Natsu had moved on… Maybe he had a chance now that Natsu was no longer in the picture? No… she didn't feel anything for him in THAT way…

He shook his head in an attempt to clear it up of all those thoughts.

'all that doesn't matter now. All that matters is that she is alive and safe.' He thought.

-Later- (I've never been in such an experience so I really don't know what amount of time to quote so Later sounds good right? Vague yet saying enough…)

Porlyusica walked out of the ward with a face glowing in a genuine smile, "She's back…Gray. She's moving… Now, we just need to wait for her eyes to open."

"C-can I go in…?" He asked. Porlyusica nodded, still smiling.

-In the ICU ward-

(Gray's POV)

She lay there looking more alive than she ever had, her skin more radiant than ever before and… her movement… It was like every twist and turn she took made me believe even more that she was back. I took my usual seat at her bedside and pushed a blond lock covering her eyes. Patting her head slowly, I began to go back in time to the days I had spent with Lucy. It was like every memory was put together like a deck of cards arranged in a pyramid form – Once even a single card is removed, the entire structure crumbles into…nothing. Until slowly, my eyes drifted, vision getting blurred and I fell into the delicious, warming, welcoming embrace of slumber as my head landed, just beside her shoulders.

(Normal POV)

The previously pallid and now radiant blonde's eyes fluttered slightly before her chocolate orbs came into view after what seemed like eternity, when to her, it was just like waking up from a long dream. She looked around drowsily and recognized the room as one that belonged in a hospital and later she even managed to decipher that she indeed was in a hospital… (slow, slow Lucy…)

She turned to her left and almost jumped in surprise when she saw the recognized raven head who had dosed off beside her for a good twenty minutes.

"G-gray…?" She said softly. Way too soft to break someone's sleep but well, Gray was a light sleeper and so at the sound of her voice his eyes shot open and he looked up immediately. He couldn't believe his eyes! She was there and not just there, she was awake. He stood there mouth gaped for quite sometime.

"Why're you looking at me like that...? Is there something on my face?" She asked nervously, then a rush of memories whisked through her brain and it all started coming back. The phone call, the black Porsche, Gajeel, Juvia…and Gray. "Gray! Wh-what happened to Gajeel?! And Juvia?! Um, and you! Are you okay?" She asked so quickly.

Gray couldn't hear a single word, all he saw was her lips were moving and her expression was worried. He was so absorbed in disbelief. She was actually TALKING to him! He subconsciously lifted his hand and caressed her cheek softly and after a long time, her cheeks flushed. She was here, he was now sure of it. She was the real deal…

"…your back" was all he managed to say.

(A/N: 1st I'd like to clarify that I am no medical specialist so please ignore any errors I made in medical terms and yes, coma may not occur in this circumstance but hey, let's not bother with the details and just enjoy the plot ne? 2nd, please take time to review and mention whether this chapter touched your heart or not. Let's see how many found it emotional! And constructive criticism is always welcome and will be taken seriously. 3rd I'm terribly sorry for updating late when I promised to do it like two days ago... We had heavy homework these past few days so I never really got the chance.)

Most Flattering Review Award goes to PinkHugsandKisses143! :D (I'm gonna put these after every chapter from here on just in special thanks to the reviews I find most flattering)

Also, let's welcome our new reader PiggyLover23 who would get second place for most flattering review :D

Next Chapter: Ambivalence (ambivalence originally psychols the concurrent adherence to two opposite or conflicting views, feelings, etc about someone or something. Hope that helps to give you guys somewhat of an idea about the next chapter!)

Acknowledgements: IloveCelestialIce, Hachibukai, BastLover, Kyto Touche, Yuki13, i3fairytail, GuardianFairy.

Until Next Time, (This time I won't promise anything but trust me it won't be longer than two days.)

Ja'ne!