Chapter 6

Lucy didn't even think about her reply before she said, "Kitten, if I did that you would purr so hard that your heart would stop." Saying this Lucy patted Laxus on the shoulder and left her apartment; only blushing once she was far enough away from the dragon slayer that he couldn't smell it. She couldn't believe she had just openly flirted with Laxus. The whole way to the guild she made sure to walk ahead of the lightning mage, determined to act like nothing had happened that morning or the night before.

Laxus was caught so off guard that he stood stiff in Lucy's door way till she was halfway down the stairs of her apartment. He gave a wicked grin after the shock had worn off and followed behind Lucy all the way to the guild, lost in thought.

Blondie has more spunk than I thought. First she curses at me. Then she knocks me on my ass. Now to top it all off little Miss Innocent can flirt like a temptress. I think I like these new sides of Blondie. No, no, slow your roll man. It is just the same old Lucy. She is back safe from her trip, now you can stop dwelling on her. Just get her to the guild and she can be someone else's problem to team up with till it is safe to be alone again.

Laxus came out of his thoughts when he heard Natsu yell inside the guild hall, "LUCE WATCH OUT!" Laxus looked up to see a table flying toward Lucy. Laxus' instincts screamed for him to protect what was precious. Laxus tackled Lucy to the floor and rolled her out of the way of the flying furniture. Lucy and Laxus ended up inside the guild. Lucy was on top of the dragon slayer straddling his hips; Laxus was holding Lucy protectively to his chest. The whole guild was dead silent except for a rumbling noise coming from Laxus.

Once Laxus had stopped rolling with Lucy in his arms, he started using all his heightened sense to make sure she was safe. Laxus began to growl in rage that Lucy had been put in danger. Laxus carefully stood with Lucy still in his arms and gently placed her behind him. Laxus let out a fierce growl toward Natsu and had a layer of lightning covering his skin, "Flame Brain, you will pay for putting Lucy in danger." Everyone was surprised at Laxus' reaction to what was considered a common occurrence to the guild. Natsu's reaction to Laxus' comment was to say, "I am all fired up." Lucy realized that no one was going to stop Laxus from trying to beat Natsu.

Lucy moved between the two powered up slayers, "Laxus I am fine. You moved me out of the way in time. There is no reason to get Natsu even more riled up; he will probably just throw another table at me again by accident." Natsu did not like Lucy's comment, "Luce, I would never intentionally hurt you! LUCE! YOU ARE HOME!" Natsu had just realized Lucy was home. The pinkette grabbed Lucy into a tight hug, and spun around with her. Laxus had finally calmed enough to stop his magic, but seeing Lucy in Natsu's arms did not set well with him. Laxus just wanted to grab Lucy and punch the pinkette. Lucy finally got Natsu to let her breathe. "Natsu I thought you were on a mission for Master." Natsu put his hands behind his head, "the trail ran cold, we searched the area but could not pick it up again." Everyone was upset to hear that the dark mage had disappeared again, but they were all excited to see Lucy home and safe.

Lucy spent several minutes greeting her Nakama; Laxus noticed that Lucy kept most of the details of her training adventure to herself. Lucy finally made it to the stairs; she excused herself to check on Gray. Laxus noticed that Lucy was extremely nervous and slightly afraid before she went up the stairs, and wondered at the reason. Lucy entered the medical center of the guild; there was only one bed that was occupied. Juvia and Wendy were both sitting close to the bed, talking quietly to each other. When Juvia saw Lucy, she ran over and said with tears in her eyes, "Love Rival has come to see Juvia's beloved and win Gray's heart." Lucy shook her head at the blue haired woman, "Juvia, I came to check on my team mate. I do not want to take Gray's love. Tell me how is he doing? How long will it take for him to recover?"

Wendy came over and answered all of Lucy's questions, "I have been slowly healing him since I found him. His injuries are now minimal but it will take time for his energy to fully recover. With physical therapy and some training, he will be taking missions in a few months." Lucy nodded and cried happy tears at hearing he was truly going to recover. The three girls walked to the bed that held Gray. When Lucy saw Gray for the first time it brought fresh tears to her eyes. His face was bruised and several places on his body had bandages on them. Lucy looked at the other girls, "Has he woken up since he was found?" Wendy and Juvia both shook their heads no in response.

Lucy sat with the other girls in the infirmary; they were all just waiting for Gray to wake up. Wendy was sure that he would wake up today. Lucy had been sitting with Gray for several minutes when Wendy brought out a deck of cards, and suggested they pass the time playing games. After two games of Spade, which Lucy lost, Gray began to stir. The girls circled around his bed ready to show him a smiling face no matter what direction he looked first. Before Gray ever opened his eyes, he mumbled, "Protect Juvia."

At Gray's comment Juvia nearly melted into a puddle. Lucy was surprised that she was smiling after the ice mage's comment. She realized her time away had cleared away any feelings that were more than friendly, for the dark-haired mage. Gray finally opened his eyes after mumbling other comments, most of which were unintelligible. Gray immediately tried to sit up, but fell back to the bed in pain. Juvia reached to help make the injured mage more comfortable. When Gray saw Juvia he grabbed her hand and pulled the water woman down onto his bed. Gray's surprising actions made Lucy and Wendy blush and turn away to give the two some privacy.

Seeing Gray's reaction to Juvia presence made Lucy's heart ache. Not because she still wanted the ice mage for her own, but because it seemed like couples were pairing up all through the guild before she left. Wendy and Lucy walked to the doors to wait for the couple to separate. Lucy was curious and asked, "how long have they been a couple?" Wendy shrugged and replied, "they told the guild about a month after you left, but Natsu caught them on a date a few weeks before you left. Natsu made the mistake of announcing that fact to the guild, when he got in a fight with Gray the same day Juvia finally told the guild about their relationship." Lucy just shook her head and grinned a little, "Anything else I missed while I was gone?" Wendy shook her head, "The new couple and Gray's injuries are the most exciting thing since you left. Although you leaving the guild caused some drama amongst everyone. I am glad you are back through."

The girls hugged and started walking back towards Gray and Juvia. The couple was only holding hands at that point. Lucy sat next to Gray to talk to him, "Hey, how are you feeling?" Gray grind at his blonde friend, "Don't worry Luce in a little while I will challenge you to a fight to see how much you have grown. It is good to see you, now maybe Flame Brain can calm his ass down." Lucy grinned and nodded at her friend; his comments reassured Lucy that he would make a full recovery. Juvia and Gray were being very affectionate the whole-time Lucy was in the room, making her feel like a third wheel. Lucy really had no purpose to be there considering Juvia was his girlfriend and Wendy was his healer. Between the two they covered everything Gray needed, so Lucy decided to tell the others he was awake, "I am going to let you rest Gray. I will tell the others and Master you are awake."

Gray told Lucy to wait before she left, "I have information from my attack that you will need to hear. Wendy will get Master and tell him I wish to speak with him?" Wendy quickly left the infirmary to find their Master. It did not take Wendy long to return with their tiny but powerful guild master, Laxus, Mira, and Erza followed behind him. Makorov figured if Gray had Information then all the "S" class mages needed to hear it as well. When everyone had settles around the injured mage Master Makorov motioned for Gray to begin his story.

Gray looked down and began his story, "The fight itself is mostly a blur. Minerva was there but the other three mages were unknown to me. They outnumbered me, I couldn't keep up with all four of them. When they realized, I was beginning to run low on magic they used magic circles to drain what magic I had left. They stuck around after they had drained me of my magic. They thought I was unconscious but I heard them. They were hoping by attacking me they could draw out the members of our guild that they want. When they realized that Wendy was coming they left she was not one of the ones they wanted, thank the heavens. They have a very specific list of targets: Juvia, Cana, Levy, Lisanna, Bisca, Romeo, Jet, and Lucy. The odd thing is they acted like Lucy was the main target."

After Gray, had finished telling the group this everyone sat in silence. When Gray had said, Lucy was a target Laxus had moved from behind Lucy to directly next to her side. Erza was the first to speak in the group, "Master, that list does not make sense. If they wanted to target our guild they would need to go after the strongest of us. No one on that list is "S" class. They must need those people for a very specific reason, but what that is I do not know. What do you think Master?" Makorov sat in his chair thinking for a moment, "I do not know my child. Everyone on that list has new rules for their safety though. Those that are targeted will now have to paired up with three others instead of just one or be partnered with an "S" class mage. There will be no exceptions. For now, I think Gray needs rest we shall discuss anything further at another time." Everyone said their goodbyes to Gray; with only Juvia and Wendy planning on staying in the infirmary. Gray suddenly asked Erza to stay to talk to the redhead in private.

Once everyone else was outside the infirmary Master Makorov called Lucy over to him. "I am sorry my child that your homecoming had to be a result of sad events, and was not celebrated in true Fairy Tail fashion. Since Gray has said that you seem to be the main target for Minerva I want you to find an "S" class mage to be your partner. Who shall your choice be?" When Makorov ordered Lucy to pick a "S" class mage Laxus badly wanted to volunteer and take Lucy's choice away. Laxus knew that Lucy would hate that though so he ignored his instincts, and let her decide.

Lucy was thinking on her answer when Erza walked out into the hall after her talk with Gray. Lucy smiled and motioned for the scarlet haired mage to come over, "I would like to partner with Erza, Master. That is if she does not mind." Erza had went pale at Lucy's statement and said, "Oh Lucy I would normally say yes to being your partner but I have just promised Gray that I will be Juvia's partner. Under any other circumstances I would guard you both, but I feel having two people who are targets so close together with only one guard is unwise." Master agreed with Erza that Lucy should pick another for a partner.

When Lucy's first choice did not work Laxus could not hold himself back anymore, "Grandfather, Lucy should partner with me."