The large man climbed out of the cart once more, lugging his equipment with him. Cana's eyes widened slightly at seeing him, but she kept her mouth shut as she turned and beckoned them to follow her. She'd forgotten about the duo that had dubbed themselves Shadow Gear - Jet and Droy. She frowned, recalling that there had once been a small girl that was on their team, too, though the name wouldn't come to her in her drunken haze. She shrugged it off, knowing that it would come back eventually. However, when she'd known them Droy had been much smaller than he was now. She thought about asking him about it, but decided against it, knowing that it could be a sensitive subject if not approached correctly.

Gajeel watched in amusement as the lithe model made her way through the apartment, obviously still more than a little drunk as she ran into objects, cursing softly. Gray had radioed down to the other team to let them know they were on their way down and now there was nothing for the boys to do but follow Cana as she led them to the servant's door. They looked at her in bewilderment when she flung it open to reveal a dimly lit corridor.

"Trust me," She said with a wink at their confused faces. "No one ever expects people to use it. The only person who might guess is Orga, and he's not due back for another hour or so. We have time."

They followed behind her in silence, watching wonderingly as she made her way with ease through the halls, as if she knew the way through the place like the back of her hand.

"If you knew the way, why didn't you escape on your own?" Gray finally asked, voicing what they all were thinking.

She smiled gently as she swung open another door, "It's difficult to escape when you have guards on you almost all of the time. Orga is not without sympathy, but he needs the money. So while he'll show me around, he won't actively allow me to leave. Rufus barely lets me leave the penthouse without having a field day and when Minerva is the one watching me..."

She shivered at the thought of the dark haired girl who was also the illegitimate daughter of Jiemma, but didn't give voice to thoughts that ran through her head.

"Let's just say, Minerva isn't one to take her duties lightly," She said instead.

Gajeel didn't miss the look of concern that Gray gave the brunette as they moved onward.

Lucy's fingers twitched anxiously and she nearly jumped in surprise when Gray's voice crackled over her radio, informing everyone that he had Cana and they were on their way back. She sighed with relief and fear, knowing that the way down and out would be the hard part. She couldn't help but feel relief that at least the first part of the plan had gone well. She looked at her phone in surprise when it went off, Juvia's face lighting up the screen.

"Hey, Juvia," Lucy said in surprise as she answered. "What's up?"

"Luce," Natsu's voice came through the line, surprising her further.

The wave of relief at the sound of his voice was so intense, however, that for a moment she couldn't speak.

"Hey, you," She said softly. "What's up?"

"Our radio signal's been cut - have you heard anything from the other team?"

"Gray just radioed through, they're on their way down now."

Natsu sighed in relief, "Good. These guys aren't military, but they're definitely trained. We could really use some of Droy's distractions, though Rogue is doing a pretty good job of that."

Lucy's stomach clenched, "Natsu, you idiot, get off the phone then and start kicking some ass."

"Right," She could hear the grin in his voice. "Oh and Luce?"

"Yes?"

"I love you."

Her breath caught in her throat for a moment before she replied, "I love you too, Natsu."

Natsu grinned at the phone as he hung it up, handing it back to the blunette standing next to him before nodding to Rogue.

"Do you think we're going to make it?" Natsu asked the silent man.

Rogue shrugged, "If Gajeel and your friends get here in time."

The two didn't say anything else, having already formulated the plan beforehand. Juvia watched, tears in her eyes as they shoved the medical student behind them. Natsu grinned once more, excited for another brawl despite his wounds. They watched as the three guards still standing approached. Just watching them, the two boys could tell that these two were different from the others. The woman was obviously the one in charge, designating the other two like a general on a battlefield. The boys, however, were not to be trifled with either. The blonde was smart, and what he lacked in strength he made up for with speed and skill.

The green-haired man was slower, but much more powerful. Natsu grinned at him, knowing that Rogue would handle the blonde without issue. In fact, the only real issue was this raven-haired woman who appeared to be in charge. Natsu knew that if they couldn't take her out then they were going to be screwed. He glanced back at Juvia, knowing that she would be of no help in a fight.

"Run," He urged her. "Just go. We have this."

The blunette nodded, fleeing from the scene as fast as she could.

Gajeel was surprised when Cana pushed open a door only to hear a solid thunk as it slammed into a body. She peered around the door in surprise, then giggled.

"Come on guys," She called back. "It looks like Natsu and this other guy need our help."

The boys pushed passed her to find the body of a dark haired woman slowly getting up, glaring at them. Orga, for that was the name of the green-haired boy, turned in surprise.

"Cana?"

She smiled at him, "Sorry, love, it's time for my escape now."

The poor brute saw nothing but darkness after that as Natsu's fist collided with the side of his face, sending him backward and into a wall where he crumpled.

"Cana," The woman sneered and the brunette turned, glaring.

"Minerva," She said, coolly, watching as Gajeel and Rogue took the blonde, whom she knew as Rufus, between the two of them and knocked him out.

"You might want to run now," Gray's eyes flashed dangerously as he turned toward the woman who had obviously terrorized Cana since she'd been taken.

The suggestion must have seemed like a good one to Minerva, because she turned on her heels and fled from them.

Natsu grinned as he hugged Cana to him, "CANA! I wasn't aware that you were the Cana we were saving."

She rolled her eyes at him, "Who else would it be?"

He shrugged, "But we'd better get out of here before more guards come."

Cana nodded, pulling them along, "I know the way out."

She tossed a wink over her shoulder at the group that was now following her and Gajeel had to shake his head in wonderment at how happy she could be as she pulled them along at break-neck speed.

Lucy sighed with relief the moment Natsu's very visible hair came into view. She threw open the doors with a flick of a button, dialing Jellal and then Levy the moment everyone crammed into her car.

Levy jumped as her phone rang. She'd been so intent on the cleaning that she'd almost forgotten what was going on with the people she cared about.

"Luce?" She demanded the moment she flipped open her phone.

"We're on our way home, Lev! Gajeel, I'm sure, will be calling you soon."

The blonde hung up without another word, for which Levy was grateful as her phone started ringing the moment she hung it up. She flipped it open, relief flooding through her as Gajeel's face showed up on her screen.

"We're on our way home," He said without a hello.

"I'm glad."

"Me, too. I - uh - I will be happy to see you."

"I will-" Levy was cut off as he disconnected his end and she stared at the phone in annoyance and shock.

Gajeel hung up and looked over to see the rest of the car smirking at him.

"Not a word," He growled, blushing.