Hey everyone!

I was meant to be doing some work today, but I took a break when I thought up this chapter. It's kinda a little side note to the story, but I thought it would be important to add in, and I hope you like it!

Lucy's point of view again

Enjoy! :)


Chapter Twenty Nine-

And you let her go

Sitting at my desk, I write a letter to my mama. I have so much to say to her, so many emotions and feelings I have to ask her about. So many things that have happened I have to inform her of, to ask how papa is. Wish them both well.

When I sat down to write the letter, I felt bad. I haven't written to mama in a while, months, in fact. I didn't want to tell her about how heart broken I was over Natsu, but now, I feel like I can write to her. Yes, Natsu hasn't been seen for six days now, no word heard from him and that has left me worrying for him on more than one occasion, but I feel... Lighter. Ever since Mira had spoken to me at the bar two days ago, I just feel hope. Maybe I wasn't totally rejected and it isn't my fault Natsu has gone away. Maybe it's Natsu being, well, Natsu.

Finishing up my letter, I seal it into an envelope, sighing as I slip it into the box I keep on my desk full of my notes and letters to my mother, and now father.

The days have seemed to almost fly by smoothly after Mira had spoken to me. I stopped my constant frowning and want to be alone until Natsu returns, instead, I smiled and interacted with my Nakama. Erza had been eager to talk to me, offering me a slice of her strawberry cheesecake. Levy had babbled on about how worried she was, Jet and Droy echoing her words leaving Gajeel to simply roll his eyes. Cana hugged me tightly, as well as Happy who refused to leave my side for a day. Vijeteer, as usual, danced. This time, a dance of happiness at my safe return.

Everyone seemed concerned about me, it appears they all knew Rogue had taken me. Gray told me how Sting had burst into the guild and asked for only Natsu's help, which left a lot of the guild infuriated for they weren't allowed to fight for me as well. It will never cease to surprise me how I can mean so much to so many people. His comments left me laughing, the conversation, smiling as I realised how much I missed talking to Gray.

"I was so annoyed when that bastard said we couldn't help save you, even more so when he said only Flame Brain could!"

Laughing, I grinned at Gray who sat across from me at the table. Somewhere through our conversation, his shirt had disappeared but he hasn't seemed to notice.

"Natsu did bring me home though."

"I guess..." Gray had mumbled, which caused me to laugh more. After a moment when my laughing had died down, he spoke up again, leaving me rather shocked. "That hot head cares for you, you know, even if he doesn't show it. I guess that's why me and everyone else didn't protest further to come and find you. We knew he'd get you back okay."

Gulping, I had stared at him, my cheeks growing hot. I was unsure of what to say. Luckily, I didn't have to say anything, Gray ordered us drinks and instead I sat teasing him about Juvia.

Laughing slightly at the memory, I stand up from my desk, stretching as I do. Looking over the the clock on my far wall, I frown. It's already eleven o'clock. I hadn't even noticed that the sky outside had grown dark. Lowering my hands from above my head, I yawn as I flick my lamp off, turning and trudging over towards my bed sleepily, eager to snuggle into my covers and dream.

Suddenly, a creak at my windowsill snaps me from my tired thoughts of my warm covers and plump mattress to my window which is now open. My heart suddenly jumps, before I think, I call his name.

"Natsu!"

"Wrong Dragon Slayer, Lucy."

The voice which replies not only makes my heart drop, but starts me worrying. Quickly, I back away from the window back to my desk, which I slam my back into. Suppressing a grunt of pain, I glare to the man at my window. Dumbly tracing my hand across my desk until I find my key pouch, this time making sure I have my trusted Golden Key to the Lion in my hand when I raise it.

"Leave me alone, Rogue! I told you, I'm not your mate. I'll fight you! You aren't going to touch me!"

"I know." His words leave me dumbstruck. The two simple syllables oozing with a mixture of regret and shame, his eyes turned away from me, instead looking at the floor. Black hair covering half of his face as he gulps audibly. "I'm not here to claim you, I'm here to apologise."

He finally looks to me, his eyes a sea of self loathing and repine which contrast the rest of his features, which seem cold and emotionless. "I know you may not accept it, but I wanted to say I am sorry, and to return this."

Revealing my Fleuve d'étolies from under his cape, he gently throws it so it lands on my bed sheets, before he continues speaking. "I should have listened to Sting and stayed away from you. I knew what I was doing was wrong, but I let my instincts and emotions control me, because of that, I hurt you. For that, I am sorry."

There is an eerie silence for a long time, I'm not quite sure what to say to him.

The man before me doesn't seem like the Rogue I had met around three weeks ago, he seems emotionless, as he had done in the Games. His tone level, not changing as it had done every time he would speak to me. He appears reserved, and he hasn't jumped into my home as he did last time. That's when I realise, this isn't the Rogue who saved me, or complimented me or tried to make me his mate. Every word I remember through a fragmented sleep while on Natsu's back, the mixed and confused words I had pieced together explaining a Dragon's Mating Season, Sting and Natsu's conversation as they waked; it explained it. This isn't the hormone crazed Rogue who tried to make me his mate. This is the Rogue is saw in the Games. A man I don't know.

Finally, I speak as I notice Rogue turning to leave my apartment, my thinking and putting things together in my head left me unresponsive. He probably just thought he would slip away and I wouldn't care. But that's not true, a small part of me does.

"I forgive you." My words seem to shock him, and he turns to face me again as I continue to speak. "You were blinded by an instinct. Although you..." I bite my lip, questioning how to finish my sentence. "Did some things I wish you hadn't, you also made me smile. Even if the gestures weren't real."

The small smile which graces his lips surprises me, and at the sight of it, my hand holding Loke's key lowers, my gripe releasing the gold key so it is placed on my desk next to the pouch I keep it in.

"They weren't all lies, you are rather beautiful." My cheeks heat at his words as he turns on my window sill once more. With his back to me, he turns his head slightly so I can see half of his face. His fringe covers his eyes, but I can see his lips moving. "I respect you and your guild, you can forgive. It was an honour to call you my friend, Lucy Heartfilia."

With that, his form dissipated into the night and evaporating into the shadows.

He knows my last name?

Standing by my desk for a while, I take in all that just happened. Rogue's apology. His goodbye, he had said it was an honour to be my friend, not it is. His humble attitude, and honesty.

Finally, I smile as I walk to my window and shut it. Making my way over to my bed, I slip under the covers when I reach them.

If Rogue has the courage to apologize, then maybe Natsu will find the strength to give me an answer. Maybe he'll tell me he feels for me like Mira and Gray says he does. And maybe, just maybe it'll all be okay.