. Between the Lines .


"Open! Gate of the Twins! Gemini!"

Her heart was pounding as Lucy opened their gate, her dark eyes serious and focused on what she was doing. It was early in the morning, nearly six thirty, that she summoned them, so she was fairly sure that she had at least a little bit of time before Natsu showed up. And he would show up, Happy in tow, to say goodbye before they left on their little day-long adventure. She knew him.

"Hello, Lucy!" Mini greeted immediately, bouncing up and down.

"Hello," Gemi echoed.

"Hi," Lucy greeted with a gentle smile. She'd steeled herself for this. She had to know what Layla Heartfilia's message to Igneel had been. Perhaps, she thought, it might explain a bit more about how she hadn't come to know about magic before she had. "I apologize if I summoned you at a bad time, I know it's early here."

"Oh, don't worry," Gemi reassured.

"A night in our world…" Mini began.

"Is three months in yours!" they finished together.

"Oh." Lucy blinked. Not bothering to look deeper into that - she was sure it'd kill her head - the celestial mage cocked her head to the side. "Um, would you like to form our contract now? Only if you want to, of course, you don't have to."

"We'd be honored to form a contract," they replied cheerfully. "But first, we have a message to deliver from Ms Layla!"

Lucy blinked. "I thought-" She cut off, gathered her thoughts. "Is this the last message she sent to Igneel?"

Mini shook its head. "Piri!" it mused, as if that was its explanation before continuing. "Allow us to tell!"

"Allow us to tell!" Gemi echoed, and then hugged Mini. Within seconds, Gemini had taken on Layla's form once more. This time, they knelt before Lucy rather than standing. When they spoke again, it was in Layla's voice, a feminine one with a soft lilt that told that she was of a different origin than the country she'd led.

Lucy was grateful she'd readied herself, or she might have cried again.

"The message that was delivered to Igneel, King of the Fire Dragons. These were the last words Layla Heartfilia spoke to Igneel, said before her demise," they reported before taking on a regal look. A look that Lucy recognized well. This was the look Layla had worn when discussing anything that put her daughter's life at risk, whether it be marriage or otherwise. "Igneel," they began. "In exchange for accomplishing what you've requested, I have a request of my own. Take him. Do as his king commands, but please. Make it so that he is protected and has an escape. He does not deserve the punishment that I should be taking." The look vanished. "Those were the last words that Ms Layla had us deliver to Igneel, Lucy!"

Lucy's eyes narrowed thoughtfully as she bit her thumb. "What," she wondered aloud, "Did he request from my mother? How did they even know each other, for heaven's sakes?!" She cocked her head. "And who is "he"? Are you able to tell me?"

Gemini shook its head. "We apologize, Lucy, that is not information we are allowed to give you. Ms Layla ordered that we only give you that information and her message as her last. And we will not break our previous master's wishes!"

"I understand," Lucy reassured with a warm smile. "Go ahead, tell me that other message, if you don't mind."

Gemini pushed its shoulders back and took on the regal look once more. "Lucy," they began. "I will not be alive to tell you this myself, so I will present it to you through one of my beloved Spirits. This is Gemini. I know that they take on my appearance, but please, do not be frightened. I don't know if you're even aware of magic at this point, but...listen closely to what I have to say.

"There is something I wish for you to obtain, hidden within the Heartfilia Estate. My diary. In it you will perhaps find answers to many questions you may have. If you have more after reading it, then you should seek the guidance of Gemini and any other Spirit you might have come across at this point. They will assist you.

"I have one final request to ask of you, though I doubt I deserve it. I request that you watch for a good friend of mine. I am not permitted to tell you who he is or where you will find him, but I am quite certain that you will cross paths with him at some point in time. More than likely, it will be you who discovers him, if not that boy.

"I must end this now. My strength is wavering. My Spirits worry for me...they are able to feel the love you hold for them. Did you know that? It is through this connection that your magic will grow, my dear. If one of them offers you advice, do not ignore it. Instead, listen, and think over it, as they only seek to help you. Be a good master to them, for they deserve nothing but the best. I have already sent the others away to what I hope are safe locations. I pray that you find them all. I love you, my dear. Farewell."

A tear fell, followed by another, and then several more as Lucy comprehended what had been said. She remembered her mother, and she remembered her mother well.

And this was definitely something her mother would have said.

"Thank you," Lucy murmured, giving the Celestial Spirit a warm smile. "Thank you a ton, Gemini. That's something I needed to hear."

In a flash, they'd popped out of Layla's form, both hopping and down in front of her. "You're welcome! Piri!" they called happily.

"Now!" Mini cried.

"Let us form a contract," Gemi finished.

"Let us," Lucy echoed, smiling down at the two before settling in and wiping her tears away.

Looks like I have some things to do, don't I, Mother?


Lucy had just finished forming a contract with Gemini when Natsu showed up at around nine o' clock.

The Spirit disappeared in a flash of light just as her window slid open and a grinning dragon slayer slid through, calling, "Hi, Luce!"

"You couldn't use the door?" she snapped, puffing up slightly in annoyance. She climbed to her feet, brushing her jean-clad legs free of any imaginary dust. "Jeez, Natsu."

Happy peeked out from where he'd been hidden in Natsu's scarf. "Hi, Lucy!"

"Hello," she sighed, shaking her head and going to hunt down the tea she'd made earlier in the morning. Used to their strange habits, she only warned Natsu away from her fridge before tiredly flopping onto her couch to drink her cold tea. "Anyways...what job did you take?"

Natsu, an apple stuffed into his mouth, mumbled around his mouthful, "Monster one!"

"Uh…" Lucy glanced to Happy for an explanation, then glared at him when she discovered he'd found a fish in her fridge and dragged it out. It had been for him, of course, but still! He didn't have to go digging through her fridge!

"Sometimes," Happy said around his fish, "There's some big scary thing that needs to be taken down before they reveal magic! We've told you about them before, remember? That's what we're gonna go do."

"Mm," Lucy hummed in response, then looked at Natsu with a frown on her face. "Don't overdo it, Natsu. We don't know how much your magic has recovered."

"I know," he said cheerfully, showing her his glove-covered hands. "I have these still, too. That way, even if it's not at a hundred percent, I'll still have enough power to take on whatever kind of monster it is!"

"Good." The celestial mage cracked a yawn, not missing the concerned look that flashed across her friend's face.

"Are you okay?" he said anxiously. "I know you were really upset about something that happened at that volunteer thingy we went on, even if nobody will tell me what…" He huffed at that, but seemed to know better than to push it. "We can wait if you don't feel okay."

"Natsu," Lucy said firmly, twisting in her seat to give him a look. "I'm not an invalid. And while I enjoy our time together, I can't have you around at every minute, now can I? Just go do your job, okay? Don't worry about me, I'll be fine. I lived for nineteen years without magic, I'm sure I can survive a day without it. Besides. I was just finishing making a new contract when you showed up. That's why I'm tired. No need to worry, right?"

He puffed out his cheeks in annoyance. "I guess…" He glanced at Happy after finishing his apple with a belch. "You ready to go, little buddy?"

"Aye, sir!" Happy cheered, taking one final bite out of his fish and swallowing before shooting excitedly into the air. "Let's go!"

"Just call if ya need me," Natsu told his partner, affectionately ruffling her hair. He gave her his signature grin, onyx eyes nervously searching her face for any sign of something.

Lucy smiled to herself, touched by his concern despite her annoyance at it. She climbed to her feet, and then, seeing his reluctance despite her small speech, drew him in for a quick small hug. He returned it tightly, grumbling about how she got herself into way too much trouble whenever he turned his back on her, and Lucy only laughed before pushing him back. "Go," she urged gently, pushing him in the direction of the door. "I'll be fine. I'll see you when you guys get back, okay? I'll even make some dinner so we can celebrate your success."

"Okay!" Natsu cheered. "C'mon, Happy!" He paused at the door despite his determination, however. He glanced back. "You sure you'll be okay?" He wrinkled his nose. "Thought I smelled something funny when I came in. Might have been you though, so I ain't too worried about it."

"Goodbye, Natsu," Lucy gritted out, holding her teacup up warningly.

He grinned, gave a final wave, and then stepped out, closing the door behind him.

"Dear heavens," Lucy growled to herself as she went to the sink, fully intending to rinse her cup out. She paused to check her phone, and then stuck it into her pocket, her keys jingling as she did so. "I know I have issues protecting myself, but I'm not that incapable...besides, I have a hell of a lot more Spirits than I used to. I don't need him by my side at every single second."

Lucy began to hum softly as she cleaned the teacup along with the kettle and the teapot she'd used, gently setting it aside to dry before leaning back against the counter with a soft yawn. Maybe she'd take a nap, she considered, enjoying the peace of her home. A nap would be good, and in the afternoon, she'd run to the guildhall to say hello before coming back to make that dinner she'd promised…

Wrinkling her nose, Lucy shoved a hand into her pocket and brushed her fingers along the golden and silver keys there. She was pretty sure that if she asked, Virgo wouldn't mind helping her...she'd gotten to know the maid pretty well recently, and Lucy liked to think that they were close.

A thought suddenly struck her.

"I guess I might not be feeling so tired if I'd eaten before summoning Gemini," she grumbled to herself, turning back around. She opened a cabinet, reaching for a plate.

Before she could grab it, however, she found herself caged against the counter, and she gave a yelp of surprise at the warmth that suddenly flooded her, the plate falling from her fingers to shatter loudly on the floor. She went still, bewildered. When did Natsu-

A ragged gasp, one that sounded to be full of pain and suffering, escaped the person behind her. "Found you, Princess."

She tensed up in terror and rage, horror flooding her. Her eyes darted down to study the hands that rested on either side of her, clutching the edge of the counter with white knuckles. Strange red symbols seemed to hover just above their flesh, fading in and out and shimmering in the dim light of her kitchen.

She opened her mouth to scream, hoping that she'd be heard by her neighbors at least since she doubted that she'd be able to reach for her keys fast enough, but a hand slapped over her mouth. Cold golden rings pressed against her lips.

"Sorry," the person muttered.

And then she saw and felt nothing but warm light that was far more gold than any of the lights her Spirits gave off.


So I may have lied a little. We don't get to find the name of that person for sure until next chapter, but I'm hoping it was a clue enough at the end to confirm or deny your guesses. And what did you think of Gemini's message? ;)


Reviews

readwithcats: Her is more than likely Layla. Possibly most definitely Layla. Aquarius' entrance is probably one of my favorites in BTL. Outside of Loke, of course, Loke's is my favorite entrance. ;)

BlueEyesWhiteDragonSlayerxx: Thank you! Interesting user you have. I'm gonna take a guess and say it's based on Sting? Lol.

serioushugsies: You thought I was cruel last chapter...XD

TigerArrowgirl: Perhaps. Perhaps not. You'll find out for certain next chapter. The next update is gonna be great though, I agree.

Nekokittygirl: I've read the entire series once, though I read it again as I collect more volumes in physical form. I got to just before Tartaros in the anime before starting over. :P

Uchida Akira: I'm glad!

heyitsmogan: No more going nuts after next chapter! Next chapter for certain is when you find out. I forget when things happen sometimes. Lol.

Haus of Lexy: Damn right he did. He gets that a lot it seems. It makes me laugh. XD

Shidake: So many guesses, and only one more chapter until you find out. Lol. XD

SingingAngel327: Aw, I'm glad! :)

shippinginjune: No worries, you're not alone. I'm really surprised that so many people have yet to figure it out. My editor figured it out almost immediately, but then again. It's my editor, who knows all of my plans and is the only person to get chapters before they come out, so that doesn't count. Lol. I like Leo the best (thanks, FT) but my own sign is Aquarius. ;)

Guest kosmo: Yep! The whip is actually coming into play pretty soon. I'm honored you liked it enough to read it that fast, thank you. XD

panda123love: I don't write Gildarts in very much, I should probably get some more of him. No worries, when Tenrou pops up, he'll be around. Thank you!

PinkFireandGoldenStars: Lucy never does. It's quite adorable when Natsu has to step in though, 'cause all the Nalu stuff comes into play. AND PERHAPS. WHO KNOWS. ;)

AJDrakes: I've been watching the newer episodes lately, and Lucy is definitely way more mature in BTL then she was at the beginning of FT, though she does improve throughout the series, doesn't she? Lol.

AngelEmCuti: Yay! I'm glad! :D

Miya: PUNS. I love puns. They are the best. All over the place reviews are fun, lol.

Guest: I forgot about that chapter! Poor precious Natsu, losing his little hoard. I felt horrible for them all after those seven years.