AN: Chapter 24

So this chapter has some feels in it… I hope you all enjoy it. :) We get to know Serena a little bit in here, a little bit more in the next one. We finally get to see Gray and what he's up to! and… Rain sees something… that cannot be unseen…. Bum bum bum! X3

Also I owe A LOT to MsKtk for the ideas in this story, so PLEASE go check out her awesome stories!

**New song called Little Toy Guns, by Carrie Underwood (I own nothing!)

Nyma: lol yes… and he's doing a bit more in this chapter ;) lol and yes… rain definitely needs some saving… just not yet X3

Depressica: lol I know. I feel terrible for doing this to her. And thank you. This is the reason why I didn't want lyon to be the guy Juvia was dating… so I can make Bora super creepy :) just wait til you read this chapter! And as for Finn and Serena…. Yeah I'm not gonna say. You'll just have to find out ;)

bubblegum12899: haha I know and I am sorry. Yes, there is Gray bits and Juvia is in here slightly as well. There should be more of them coming in the next few chapters so don't worry. Lol yeah. Its about time he got someone to love. And I would love to see a shirtless Finn… he's getting beefy with all his training… I know I wouldn't be able to say no to a date with him either! And thank you so much for loving my stories. This one is definitely going to be longer than the other two and I'm very happy with it caz I've really taken my time and not rushed too much with it.

Guest: Ace is such a minor character that I didn't give him parents lol just a name and somewhat looks and magic abilities. I honestly don't think he'll be in anymore of the chapters ^^;; I just wanted to have someone physical there with Finn for a little bit instead of constantly calling him "the roommate." It just made things better for the story. But like I said… Ace probably won't be making another appearance in the story… unless I decide to throw him in there one more time.

Finn sat up against the wooden fence as he waited for Serena to join him. He had decided to take her to the fall festival that was going on in town nearby the academy. He watched as families and friends walked past him, everyone playing games, people showing off their pumpkins they had grown to tremendous sizes, kids bobbing for apples, and everyone enjoying the thrill of going on hay rides. He smiled as the thought to himself. 'I'll have to thank Ace for suggesting this as a first date. There looks like there's a ton of stuff to do here.' The ice mage looked down at his phone to make sure he hadn't missed a call from Serena. He had told her where exactly he was waiting, but with this festival being as big as it was, he began to worry she wasn't going to be able to find him. He dialed her number and put his phone up to his ear. After a couple of rings, Serena answered, bringing a smile to Finn's face as he heard her giggle.

"I was just about to call you, Finn."

"Oh yeah? Having some trouble finding me?" He asked jokingly.

"Actually, yes I am."

"Oh, um. Ok, where are you at right now?" The ice mage asked as he looked around the festival grounds.

"I'm right next to the petting zoo area. Are you close by?"

Finn began to walk towards the spot she was at, knowing he had passed it on the way in. "Yeah, I'll meet you there. See you in a minute." He smiled as he hung up his phone and slid it back into his pocket. Finn made his way through the small crowds that had formed at certain vendors stands as they shopped. Within minutes, his eyes had fallen upon the beautiful girl he had asked out on a date. A slight blush came over his cheeks as he looked her over as she was petting one of the animals over the fence. Her platinum blonde hair was pulled over to one side, hanging over a pink scarf. She was wearing a light brown jacket that covered a light pink, low cut t-shirt that came down over her hips. She was wearing tight fitting black pants and light brown boots that came up just below her knees. Finn walked up to the girl, a smile over his face. "Found you."

Serena looked up from the animal she was petting and smiled sweetly at Finn. "Good thing too! I don't know my way around this place."

Finn raised a brow as he turned back around, walking beside the girl. "You mean to tell me you haven't been to this festival before?"

The girl shook her head. "Nope. I'm usually too busy with work. There's no rest for those who play the violin as well as I do."

"Well, you are pretty awesome with that violin." Finn said as he looked at Serena, their blue eyes matching each other's, along with their smiles. Serena giggled as she took Finn's hand into her own.

"Ok! So what are we doing first on this date? I'm looking forward to this festival since fall is my favorite season!"

"Fall is your favorite season? Really?"

"Of course! It should be everyone's favorite." She said as she held up a finger. "Autumn leaves that have turned red, gold, and orange is just so enchanting to me! Not to mention I get to wear these cute outfits!" Serena said as she motioned to her outfit she had picked out for the day. "Getting to see little kids in their Halloween costumes, and getting together with family are other reasons why the fall season is the best. And let's not forget the smells! How could you not love this season?!"

Finn laughed as he listened to Serena. "Ok, I guess fall does have quite a few perks to it. I can see why you like it so much."

"What about you? What's your favorite season?"

"I'd have to say winter. Being an ice mage, cold doesn't really affect me and I guess I just really enjoy the coolness of the season. I never really put much thought into it I guess." Finn said as he rubbed the back of his head.

Serena giggled as she moved in closer to Finn. "That's ok. I like winter too. I get to bundle up in more cute clothes and puffy scarfs."

Finn blushed as Serena moved closer to him as she held onto his hand. His mind began to compare her and Lily as they walked. 'She's like the complete opposite of Lily… she likes to wear cute, light colored clothing, but at the same time… she's kinda similar to Lil. They both like the fall season for just about the same amount of reasons, and they both are quite passionate on certain subjects. I know they both have different tastes in music, but they are both so talented… I guess I'm just drawn to that in a girl. Someone who is confident in their abilities.'

The ice mage smiled as he walked along side Serena. "So tell me a bit more about yourself."

"Well… I'm an only child, and my mom left us when I was pretty young so it's just been me and dad. He was usually pretty protective of me ever since mom left so that's why he threw me in any activity you could think of. Ball room dance, ballet, violin, as you already know, and I am attending an all-girls school right now. But as you saw, I come by the academy from time to time. Oh and I absolutely love your ice magic. I think it's so beautiful and fascinating to watch you create so many incredible things. I was never one for learning magic… which my father was fine with. He always thought I would get hurt if I even tried to practice any form of magic."

Finn laughed. "The over protective father huh? Did he give you permission to date me?"

Serena grinned. "Well, I'm living on my own now. So what daddy doesn't know, won't hurt him!"

'Oh great… another dad that would love nothing more than to crush me if he finds out I'm dating his daughter…'

Serena brought a closed fist to her mouth, quickly waving her hand. "I'm kidding! I'm kidding! I do live on my own, but I also told my dad about us going out. He seemed fine with it. All he wants is for me to be happy."

Finn looked at her with widened eyes. "You mean… you told him that I asked you out?"

"Yes. I tell my dad everything." The blonde girl brought her hand close to her chest. "He's my best friend. And he trusts me to make my own decisions in life."

"Wow… that's awesome. You're dad looks pretty strict, but deep down he's a pretty cool guy, huh?"

"Oh don't get me wrong, he is strict. But yes. Deep down, he's a very nice man. So what about you? Do you have any siblings? And what of your parents? And why did you decide to join the academy?"

"Well… I have one younger sister who is living with my mom nearby. My dad is back home in Magnolia where I am from. Things happened when I was younger and… they decided it was best to get a divorce. For a long time… I was staying with my dad, taking care of him while he fell apart. And I decided to come here because…" Finn paused, this thoughts creeping back to what made him decide to join the Rune Knights Academy. "Um... things just got pretty crazy back home and I wanted to become stronger with my magic. That's why I decided to come here."

"I'm so sorry to hear that about your parents… it's sad when a family grows apart. And you weren't good with your magic? That's pretty hard to believe."

Finn grinned as he raised a brow. "Oh yeah? Whys that?"

Serena blushed slightly. "Because I saw how strong you were when you were sparring against your friend. I was kind of looking forward to what your attack was going to look like."

"You think my magic was amazing? You should see my sister in action! She was always way better than me when we were younger. She can create anything and make it move at will. I can still only create."

Serena's' face lit up. "Your sister can use ice magic too?! I'd love to meet her one day!"

Finn rubbed the back of his head. "Well maybe next time I go see her, you could come along if you're not too busy."

Serena smiled brightly. "That would be great! I would love that!"

Hours went by as Finn and Serena enjoyed the festivities on their date. Serena had dragged Finn into a photo booth, making him take silly photos with her and Finn had won her a small stuffed bunny from a ring toss game. As their date went on, the sky began to change its colors to match the autumn leaves around them. Serena held onto the pink bunny with one arm and held onto Finn's hand with the other. "Say, why don't we do one more thing before we end our date?"

"What do you have in mind? Caz I spent my last few bucks on that bunny in your arms."

Serena laughed as she nudged Finn. "Well I didn't tell you to keep going after each failed attempt to get the rings around those bottles."

Finn shrugged his shoulders. "I felt the need to win you something."

The blonde girl smiled as she blushed lightly. "And I thank you so much for this gift. Bunnies are my favorite. Anyway, I can pay for this last thing. Are you afraid of heights?"

Finn raised a brow as he smiled. "No… why?"

Serena began to pull the ice mage. "Come on. It'll be perfect."

Finn didn't fight the pull from the girl as she tugged lightly at his arm, directing him right to the open field with a few hot air balloons left on the ground. The girl dug her hand into her jacket pocket and pulled out some money, handing it to the man in charge of the large balloons. He gave them specific instructions on how to use the balloon and stepped away, giving them the ok to head up into the air. Serena managed the burners as if she had done this all before, getting them up into the evening sky quickly. Finn turned to her slowly.

"Let me guess… you fly a lot of these as well?"

Serena winked. "When your father is a head master of a very famous academy, you get to do all sorts of things. Flying hot air balloons is one of them."

Finn turned back around and smiled. After they were up in the air, riding the wind peacefully, Serena joined Finn at his side. He looked to her, then back to the burners. "Um… don't you have to be on those at all times while we're up here?"

"Well… you basically just have to get the balloon off the ground and with enough hot air inside of it, you just have to ride the wind. If I want to go lower, I just have to pull on this lever and we would lower slowly. So really I don't have to do much. Just make sure I keep an eye on the burners and the direction the wind is blowing. Hot air balloons are very useful so you could enjoy moments like this with someone else." She said with a blush as she looked up into Finn's solid blue eyes.

Finn blushed and turned away, laughing slightly. "Well… this has to be the most serene, enjoyable activities I've ever experienced."

Serena looked out to the setting sun and smiled. "I knew you would like it. I told you it was a perfect way to end a first date."

"I could think of another way to end the date that would be just as perfect…"

"Oh? What's that?"

Finn's cheeks reddened more as he turned to face the blonde girl. Without a word, he placed a hand on her shoulder, turning her slowly so her blue eyes would match his. Her cheeks were flushed as she smiled sweetly at him. The ice mage swallowed the large lump in his throat as his heart beat faster in his chest. His free hand came up to her other shoulder, gripping it lightly. He slowly began to lean his face in closer to hers, watching her do the same. Finn closed his eyes lightly, anticipating soft lips to touch his at any moment.

His expression became one of confusion. He was kissing something soft… but it wasn't a pair of lips. He opened his eyes to see the bunny pressed against his face. A giggle escaping the girl behind it. Finn moved back and smiled. "That's not fair. I was trying to be all romantic."

Serena brought the bunny down to her feet as she laughed. "Ok, ok. I'm sorry. Let's try that again. Go ahead. Be romantic."

Finn wrapped an arm around Serena's waist, pulling her in close. His other hand came up to her chin, lifting it slightly as he slowly brought his face in closer to her once more. He hesitated just as their noses brushed. He could feel her breath on his cool lips. Their eyelids lowered slowly as their lips pressed lightly against each other's. Serena's hands slowly made their way around Finn's neck, her head turning slightly to get a better angle. The ice mage moved his hands to her waist as he began to explore her mouth with his tongue. The girl let him in willingly as her own tongue entered his mouth as well.

Minutes had passed before the two broke their kiss slowly, a smile over each of their lips. Serena was first to speak. "Wow… and here I thought just your magic was amazing…"

Finn chuckled as he pressed his forehead against hers, blue hair mixing in with platinum blonde. "I told you… it was another way to end the date perfectly."

Serena grinned as she moved closer to the ice mage once more, planting a soft kiss on his lips before speaking. "Are your lips always this cool?"

Finn grinned as he wrapped his arms around her once more, pressing his lips back against hers as she ran one of her hands up into his hair.

Gray sat down at the bar, waiting for the bartender to get is order. He lit up a cigarette as he sighed. 'It's been two months since Finn left… I manage to quit drinking for a while… but now look at me. Back at the bar. All because I'm too chicken to call my own daughter and invite her over to visit. I haven't faced her in so long… she probably blames me for the separation… I know that's entirely my fault. So why wouldn't she want to blame me for it? I couldn't say how I really felt and this is the end result…. I made myself worry about all of this to the point where I dragged my own ass back here to have a fucking drink… I'm pathetic.'

Macao came up to Gray from behind the bar. "Is that you, Gray?"

Gray looked up as he took his cigarette out of his mouth. "Yeah… it's me."

"I haven't seen you in a while. I thought you were done drinking? What's changed?"

"I guess I just… couldn't do it. I'll take my usual."

Macao let out a sigh as he walked away, shaking his head. Gray knew Macao was disappointed to see Gray back here, wanting a drink. What does he know? Gray thought. He had cleaned himself up for a reason, but now this reason was why he was back here. Anytime he was at home thinking about calling Rain, Grays' thoughts invaded his mind, telling him she wouldn't want to talk, telling him she would be mad at him for what he's done to this family. It drove him crazy. It drove him back to this place. Back to drinking.

Macao handed Gray his usual drink, a frown on his face as the ice mage dragged the glass against the bar counter, his eyes looking up to the bartender. "What?"

"I just think it's a bad idea for you to do this. That's all I'm gonna say."

Gray scoffed and brushed off Macao's concern. He stared down at the liquid before him. 'This is the answer to all my problems…'

Gray could hear the small crowd behind him begin to cheer towards the stage, he ignored them as he picked up the glass, bringing it close to his lips.

"Hello? Can everyone hear me?"

Gray's eyes widened as he stopped the glass from tipping the dark liquid into his mouth. 'Wait… I know that voice… that's…' His hand came down as he turned his head towards the stage, seeing Lily up there with the older men. She had her hand on the mic as she spoke. The people around the small stage nodding their heads as they raised their glasses to her.

Gray looked back to Macao as he pointed a finger towards Lily. "Gajeel's' kid?! That's who you hired?!"

Macao grew a wide smile as he spoke. "Yeah! And she's awesome! Business has been picking up already and it's only been a month since she joined us! Just look at this place!"

"But… she was in a band…."

"Yeah I know. Black Lotus! They were really picking up popularity, but apparently she quit and somehow I lucked out and my guys wound up with her! She's incredible. Writes 'em songs and can play anything. Plus the guys have taken a liking to her ever since she came in to audition."

Gray narrowed his eyes as he spoke. "She's trouble…"

Macao raised a brow as he threw a small towel over his shoulder. "Lily? No way, she's a good kid. She works here and goes to school. I think she actually might be working somewhere else too."

Gray shook his head as he sunk in his seat, his hand gripping his glass. 'She's half the reason why Finn left… how can any of that be right?'

Lily could be heard in the background once more. "How's everyone doing tonight?" A smile came over her face as the crowd cheered in excitement, ready to hear her play her songs. "Glad to hear it, I can tell you all that me and the guys are happy to be here and we're ready to play some songs. Sound good?"

Macao nodded towards the girl on stage. "Now watch this, you're not gonna want to miss it. She's an awesome performer. She moves you from the stage."

Gray kept his head forward, and his hand on his glass as he clenched his jaw, refusing to watch the young girl. Everyone in the bar raised their glasses once more, excited cheers filling the large room. Lily and her bandmates laughed at the excited crowd. The dark haired girl took the mic from the stand and walked closer to the end of the stage.

"Ok, well, let me tell you a little about this first song we're going to play. I wrote it in honor of a beautiful friend of mine who moved away."

Gray scoffed as he thought to himself. 'She's probably referring to Finn….'

Lily continued. "I haven't seen her in quite some time, but she is one of the most… loveliest people you'll ever meet. A beautiful smile, and over all, one hell of a gorgeous lady. But when we were young… she started going through some hard times with her family…." Lily crossed her eye brows slightly. "She used to tell me about it back then… and all I could remember thinking was… words… they're so much more powerful than people give them credit for. They could make or break you…I know that first hand… as I've said my share of painful things to my own family… as well have had some painful words said to me…." Lily looked down slowly, her expression pained. "This song was written to remind us what is at stake when we say things we can't ever take back…"

The band behind the girl began to pick up, the music starting to fill the room as the girl finished up her sentence.

In between the coats in the closet,

She held on to that heart shaped locket,

Staring at a family flawless,

But it ain't a pretty picture tonight.

Mom and daddy just won't stop it,

Fightin' at the drop of the faucet.

Cuts through the walls catastrophic,

She's caught in the crossfire.

Lily put the mic back in its stand, bringing her hands up to the side of her head. Her open palms hovering over her ears.

Puts her hands over her ears,

Starts talking through the tears,

She's saying, she's praying.

The dark haired girl brought her hands down slowly, clenching her fists and moving them in short, quick movements as she sang her second verse.

I wish words were like little toy guns,

No sting, no hurt no one, just a bang bang,

Rolling off your tongue.

Her bandmates began to sing along with her as the chorus. The dark haired girl waved her hands in front of her, as if she was pushing away everything she sang about.

(I wish words were like little toy guns)

Yeah, no smoke, no bullets,

No kick from the trigger when you pull it, no pain, no damage done,

(I wish words were like little toy guns)

And just a bang bang rolling off your tongue.

(I wish words were like little toy guns)

Wish there was a white flag waving,

Or that they were both just faking,

And it was just a game they were playing,

Like shoot'em up cowboys.

Leave the plastic pistols in the front yard.

Throw away the score card.

And just turn off all the noise.

Lily took hold of the microphone, closing her eyes as she sang. Her free hand came up to the side of her, her fist clenched once more as she moved it in short, quick movements to the beat.

I wish words were like little toy guns,

No sting, no hurt no one, just a bang bang,

Rolling off your tongue.

(I wish words were like little toy guns)

Yeah, no smoke, no bullets,

No kick from the trigger when you pull it, no pain, no damage done.

(I wish words were like little toy guns)

And just a bang bang rolling off your tongue.

(I wish words were like little toy guns)

Lily began to tear up slightly as her hand came up to her chest, moving it diagonally across it, as if she was cutting into herself with a knife. She shook her head from side to side.

Oh I wish they didn't cut like a knife,

I wish they didn't break you inside,

I wish they didn't bang bang make you wanna run, yeah.

Lily grabbed the mic with both hands and sang the rest of her song, her hands gripping it tightly to fight back the urge to let her tears out.

Like little toy guns,

No sting, no hurt no one, just a bang bang,

Rolling off your tongue.

(I wish words were like little toy guns)

Yeah, no smoke, no bullets,

No shot from the trigger when you pull it, no pain, no damage done.

(I wish words were like little toy guns)

And just a bang bang rolling off your tongue.

(I wish words were like little toy guns)

Oh like little toy guns.

Grays' head hung down, one hand gripping the cool glass as the other gripped his hair. 'She wasn't singing about Finn… no… it was about Rain…' His mind went back over the horrible memories that replayed in his head, over and over again. Every night. The memories of him and Juvia fighting constantly, and how the fights had affected Rain growing up. 'You always used to smile… but after we started fighting… you became so stoic… and it's all my fault… I made you that way… Rain…' Gray pushed aside the drink he had not touched, standing quickly and making his way to the back of the stage.

Lily hung her head down as she finished singing, the crowd below her cheering. She excused herself and walked off stage for a minute, wiping away a tear that escaped her eye. 'I wish I could just say that I'm sorry to my dad… I never wanted our relationship to become this bad… and… I wish I could say I'm sorry to you too… Finn….'

"Lily?"

The dark haired girl turned and saw Gray standing a few feet away from her, shock written over her face as she watched him.

"You did pretty good out there."

Lily looked away from Gray, wiping away another tear that fell from her hazel eyes. "I'm sorry… I didn't know you were here… I wouldn't have sang that song if I knew…"

Gray started walking over to the girl. "It's ok."

"You know it was about… Rain?"

Gray stopped just before Lily, her head coming up and matching his dark eyes with hazel. His head hung down as he spoke. "It hits close to home… but you were right… words can make or break. Not just what is said, but what isn't…" Lily looked at Gray confused as he lifted his hand to her shoulder. "Can you do me a favor? Tell your dad that I'm sorry… and that he was right about me… its time I own up for all my mistakes." The ice mage lifted his head as he smiled, tears forming in the corner of his eyes as he looked back into hazel. "And I'm glad to see you as that little girl I remember, doing tea parties with, your dad should be proud." Gray squeezed Lily's shoulder lightly just before he turned around and started heading back. He stopped a few feet away and turned around slightly. "By the way… Finn should be back in July…. Don't be a stranger."

Lily watched Gray leave, disappearing off the back of the small stage. Her eyes began to fill uncontrollably with tears, her heart beginning to beat faster in her chest. Her head turned at the sound of one of her bandmates calling her back on stage for the next song. The young girl wiped her eyes and walked back to the cheering crowd.

Gray walked past his seat at the bar, throwing down some money at the end of the counter where Macao stood. "See ya Macao. Thanks for the drink."

Macao looked at the money Gray had set down, to his full drink and then back to the ice mage. "I can't take this, you didn't even touch that drink once!"

Gray smiled as he waved a hand. "Think of it as a thank you." The ice mage made his way outside of the bar to a nearby phone booth. He reached inside of his pocket for some change. He dialed Rains' number and listened to the phone ring. Her voicemail picked up after a few rings. Gray took a deep breath as he began to leave her a message. "Hey Rain… it's your dad. I know it's been a while. Not sure where you are now… maybe sleeping, maybe in a night class… well, anyways, I just really wanted to talk to you… not sure all what Finn has been telling ya, but I'm doing well right now… and… I miss you. I miss you so much. I would really like to see you soon. Please forgive me for not calling… I've been a total mess for a while, but I'm turning it around now. So… so I hope you'll call me back. I want to know how you are. I love you. Bye." Gray moved the phone away from his ear, hanging his head as he hung up, tears flowing over his cheeks. 'I wish you could have picked up…' Dark eyes looked out to the grey sky as the rain came down. He didn't realize it had started to rain while he was on the phone. 'I know I've messed up with our kids, Juvia… but I'll try my damn hardest to at least make it right with them… I wish I could have made it right with you….'

Rain was at the bottom of the stairs, watching Bora and her mother in the other room. Her eyes were wide in disbelief as she watched. Juvia was sitting across from Bora, in some sort of trance. The dark haired man sitting across from her mother spoke slowly and softly.

"I am quite happy when I am with you."

"I am quite happy when I am with you."

Rain watched Juvia repeat every word Bora was saying. Cursing herself for not having her phone on her to record what he was doing. It was this kind of creepy and weird stuff she needed to show people. This is what could help her get him out of their lives.

"There's nothing wrong, I am perfectly fine."

There's nothing wrong, I am perfectly fine."

"I'm so glad you are here right now."

"I'm so glad you are here right now."

Rain watched this for several minutes, Bora speaking to Juvia then having her repeat everything. She noticed his rings were lit up over his fingers, wondering if they had anything to do with why her mother was acting so weird. 'What is he up to?!' Rain thought as she stared hard at the man. She gasped slightly as he turned his head, looking in her direction. She quickly moved up against the wall leading up to the stairs, hoping he had not seen her there. The ice mage quickly and quietly ran back to her room, forgetting about grabbing something to eat as she lost her appetite.

The girl looked to her bed, seeing her phone flash, letting her know she had a message and a missed call. Rain quickly went for the phone, hoping it was Finn who had called so she could tell him all that she saw. Her blue eyes narrowed as she saw the number, it wasn't from anyone she knew. She quickly went to her voicemail. Her blue eyes went wide as a hand came over her mouth in shock. She listened to Grays' message, tears forming in her eyes as the message went on. She took the phone away from her ear, her eyes trying desperately to find her father's phone number in her contacts. Once she hit the call button, her hand shot straight back to her ear.

The phone rang once, a familiar deep voice answered on the other end. "Hello?"

Tears streamed down Rains' cheeks as she spoke. "Dad?"

"Rain! Hey, honey… how… how are you?"

The blue haired girl couldn't stop the tears from escaping her blue eyes. "Dad… there's so much I have to tell you…."

After Rain had told her father everything, she could hear him let out a long sigh. "You're absolutely sure he's doing this?"

"Dad, I swear I'm not making this up! I just saw them down stairs and he was doing something weird with mom and I—"

"Rain, honey, its ok, calm down. I believe you."

"You… you do?"

"Every word, sweetheart. I just…" Gray sighed again. "I just don't know what I can do right now. I want to help, but… without physical proof that something is happening… I can't just barge right in there and kick his ass to a bloody pulp. I could go to jail for a very long time if I did that to that sick piece of crap. I already don't see you enough as it is… I don't want to do anything that could jeopardize us getting together."

Rain wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. "I know… I know… I just… I don't know what to do, dad…"

"Rain… listen to me… I quit drinking and have been sober for two months now… I'm trying so hard for you guys. I know every day is getting worse for you there, and I'm going to try to make things better. I just need for you to stay strong for me. And as soon as you can get some dirt on this guy, I'll be there in a heartbeat. I swear it."

"Okay…"

"I love you, Rain. And… I'm so sorry that all of this has happened. If I could take it all back… I would… you know that right?"

Rain nodded her head, her words struggling to get out as her tears ran down her pink cheeks. "I know…"

"Stay strong, sweetheart."

"I'll try…."

AN: ok, before anyone yells at me for having Gray say what he said… you will see more of how he's truly feeling in the next chapter! So please review and don't forget to go check out Msktk and her awesomely awesome stories! :D

Next chapter might be up on Monday, but most likely Tuesday :)

Smut will be in the next chapter... i will not tell you which pairing X3 but hopefully it will be good.