Chapter 12

Juvia

Waking up at Laxus's place had been an experience, but it was worth it to be able to spend the evening with Gray. The morning meeting had been fairly uneventful, no mention of anyone from Storm of Shadows at all. I had just finished filming a segment with Mira when Max came over in a rush, "Great, you two are still good to go, we won't need to do hair and makeup. Head over to the live set, we have breaking news."

I looked at Mira and she shrugged, usually they texted out the breaking stories to staff but my phone was in my dressing room, so we were in the dark. "What's the story?"

Max turned wearing a wicked grin, "Get this, Gray Fullbuster is off the press tour and our source says he is on his way to rehab." I felt the gasp slip my lips as Max nodded, "I know, right? It's big news."

"Who is the source?" Mira was clever by trying to get information, while I was still in shock.

'They want to remain nameless, but trust me, it's a good one." Max looked like he was having the best day ever and I just wanted to scream.

"It's not true," I blurted.

Mira elbowed me and shot a look of warning, she was right I needed to calm down. Mira had clearly been thinking because she started asking questions, "Did we hear from his reps? Have they issued a statement?"

"Erza is reaching out, but we haven't heard anything back yet. We're going live now, so get your game faces on, ladies." Max was enjoying this too much.

"I need to go back to my dressing room before we shoot," I wanted to call Gray.

"No time," Max pushed us toward the set, "Erza wants to be the first to break the story, so time is of the essence."

Crew had been filtering into the room all around us but I just now noticed. This couldn't be happening; I didn't want to be the one to do this report knowing it's not true. I needed to stall, but I didn't know how. Mira looked just as flustered as I felt, she was currently arguing with Max about us needing more time to prepare but it didn't look like he cared. "Listen, either you get to your mark now or I tell Erza to find someone else. Why are you fighting this?"

I had to make a decision, and fast. "Fine. I'm ready, but I want to take the lead on this one." I tried to portray my desperation to Mira though a simple glance but I had no idea if she would pick up on it. I was trying my best to formulate a plan.

There was a long pause before she finally nodded, "I agree, Let Juvia do the lead, I'll back her up."

"Alright, we have the story on the teleprompter, just read what is written and you're golden." Max stepped back leaving us standing near our marks.

"Trust me," I whispered to Mira. I got a small nod in response.

Erza came strolling in, clipboard in hand, looking every bit as excited as Max. "Breaking news time! Let's do this."

I was feeling like a traitor, I hated my job in that moment. How could I possibly fix this situation I got myself into, how could I save face and save Gray's reputation at the same time? He didn't deserve to be drug through the mud, and I definitely didn't want to be the one to do it. And suddenly I couldn't deny it any longer, I loved him. I didn't want to see him go through hell and I was willing to do anything in my power to save him from it, so just like that I knew what to do. I hurried out of frame and found Cancer, "get my phone from my dressing room and hurry." I took my place next to Mira and took a deep breath.

Erza counted down to our live segment, "3...2...1..." and pointed to me,

"Good evening everyone, you're watching Shout Out, the nightly report of all things tinsel town on the Tid Bits Entertainment network. I am Juvia Lockser and this is my co-host MiraJane Strauss and tonight I am coming clean."

I could see the panic among the crew as I went off script, but I knew there wasn't much they could do about it. "Cancer, bring me my phone," I called out as he ran back on set, he held up my phone victoriously and brought it to me, I pulled open my contacts and scrolled through, "I haven't been a good reporter, I haven't been a good friend, and I definitely haven't been honest with anyone." I began as I hit the call button.

"Hello," the voice came faintly over the phone and I changed it to speaker, "I am live on air, and I want to tell everyone who has really been with Gray Fullbuster over the last few weeks."

"What are you doing?" his voice called out.

"I have Gray on the phone right now, isn't that right?" I asked.

"Juvia, please tell me what you are doing?"

"I'm being honest, Gray, and it's long overdue." I looked straight into the camera and continued, "I am the blunette that has been seen with Gray through this whole situation and I am in love with him." Mira stepped to my side and took my hand, "Minerva has been using this situation to destroy Gray in the press, but she is not being honest. I can't say too much because I stood here night after night and read what was put on the script even though I knew it was not the truth. I should have came forward the first night and said it was me at the club. That was the night I met Gray, Mira was there and I asked her to keep my name out of things, I thought it would be easier. But now I want to tell everyone that it was not easier, it was so hard to tell lies about Gray and drag his name through the mud when I was leaving work to see him. It was awful and I want to apologize to you Gray, you didn't deserve that I'm so sorry. I hope that you can forgive me."

"Juvia, stop, you don't have to do this. I don't blame you for not wanting to be a part of this."

"But I want to be with you, I want to stand with you and make things better not to be the one that is making it worse. I want to help you stand up against the world, and I love you."

"I love you too Juvia, but I have to tell you something"

"What?"

"You can hang up because I came to the studio to do a live interview about this story they're trying to break," he said as he stepped into my line of sight. "And I'm already here"

Hanging up my phone I watched as he walked toward me and into frame, I didn't even hesitate, I threw myself into his arms and my lips found his. His fingers ran though my hair as I kissed him like I'd never see him again. He finally pulled back and said, "and I want to have you by my side through thick and thin, I love you, Juvia."

I pulled my eyes from his to look around at the stunned faces of my colleagues. Max looked like a child who had lost his balloon and it made me happier than I would care to admit. Gray turned toward the camera, and held my hand. "I came here to say that the rumors of me going to rehab are completely untrue, and the source you believe should be reevaluated."

"I couldn't do it," I felt like I had to explain.

He shook his head, "I know, I rushed straight here when my reps told me the rumor, I couldn't reach you and I worried they'd make you report it."

"Cut the feed," Erza had finally snapped out of her trance. "We can't be doing this live right now."

"Why not?" Gray asked, "you were just about to cover complete lies on live television, why not broadcast the truth?"

"Juvia," Erza sounded as if she was pleading, "why didn't you tell me?"

I looked around at the faces of the people on set, "because of this. Because of what we do, I didn't want to be part of it and being open with Gray would make this all too real for me. I can't work like this, I can't tear people's lives apart."

'What are you saying?" Erza looked confused.

"I can't do this anymore, I quit." I felt gray squeeze my hand, and I knew he supported me, even if I had no clue what I would do to support myself once I walked away.

"You could have a long-lasting career here; I want you to think about things before you just leave. You are going to be a household name; you could do anything you wanted here." I knew was Erza was trying to say but she was missing the main point.

"I don't want to do gossip news anymore," I felt the weight lift from my shoulders, "I can't work here and be proud of what I am doing, this just isn't for me. I tried to tell myself that I would get through it all with more time, but I can't." I knew I was doing the right thing. "I'll pack my things from my dressing room and be on my way. Thanks for the opportunity, but it wasn't for me."