Wow, two weeks I've made you guys wait. So unbelievably sorry for that. I have been busy, but that feels like a really weak excuse. Anyway, thanks for sticking by me, even with the long wait. Without further ado, here's chapter 10...

I do not own Fairy Tail. It all belongs to Hiro Mashima.

CHAPTER 10: STAY OR LEAVE

Rogue's POV

I watched as Lucy slowly reconnected with her friends. Her movements were slow and calculated, as if she had to force herself to respond, but she was pushing herself. It obviously meant a lot to her to find a way back to her life, but I knew that the ease she had felt in the past would be a long time coming. I stiffened as a thought swept through my mind, You've been here before... I brushed it aside quickly and turned my attention to the time, realizing the morning was slipping away. It was past time to get the hunt started.

I stood there, my thoughts swirling, and sighed; I didn't want to tell her that I was leaving again. If her reaction to my leaving to get her a blanket had been any indication, she wasn't going to take this well. I hoped it would help that she was seemingly feeling more comfortable with Erza and Gray; maybe, she be okay with one of them staying.

I cleared my throat, drawing everyone's attention. "It's getting late; we need to be going," I said, watching Lucy like a hawk. From the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of Erza and Gray exchanging a look, before Erza nodded imperceptibly.

Lucy's head whipped around to me, her bruised lip trembling, " You're leaving? W-where are you going?"

My heart clenched as tears spilled from her eyes again. Why does it hurt so much to see her cry? I wasn't sure what to do with all of these new feelings; I didn't understand what they all meant or why they plagued me. All I knew is, it was going to be damn near impossible for me to leave her after this was all over. How could I just go back home after finding the man responsible for hurting her? How would I live with myself, always wondering if she was scared, if she needed me? Could I really be that selfish?

I nodded slowly, wincing slightly when she began to frantically shake her head, whispering, "Don't go...please...don't go."

She looked at me with her brown eyes wide with fear, and my chest tightened at the rivers pouring from her eyes. It was almost my undoing. My mind rebelled at denying her, but I knew I couldn't stay. Her attacker was still out there, and I was the only one who knew where it had all happened. I had to take Fairy Tail there; then we could begin the search. We would find the bastard, and then Lucy would be safe.

I leaned down and rested a hand on her shoulder, speaking softly, "Lucy, I have to go to Fairy Tail. I have to show them where you...where it happened."

She stuttered as she fought to speak through her sobs, "I...don't...want to be...alone." She bit her lip before tucking her face in her hands.

I shot a glance at Erza and Gray, watching as they leaned toward each other, speaking quietly. Their faces turned back to address me, Gray giving a short nod, adding, "I'll stay; I'm not leaving her here." His lip curled and he spat, "Besides, I don't think it would be a good idea for me to be at the guild right now."

It didn't take a genius to realize he was still furious with Natsu. I pushed the subject of the Fire Dragon Slayer to the back of my mind. To my thinking, there were much more important things than him.

I sat on Lucy's bed, facing her, and gently pulled her hands away from her face. She didn't fight my hands, but she didn't lift her head either. She seemed so defeated. I sighed, "Lucy, you're not going to be alone. Gray will be here, okay?"

She raised her head a bit, biting her lip nervously, and looked toward the Ice Mage, her expression one of guilt. I knew immediately where the guilt came from, and by the understanding look on Gray's face, I could see that he did too. He was like her brother, but he was still a man. She wasn't yet comfortable enough to be around a man alone, but she didn't want to hurt him by saying so. I released her hands and stood, as Gray came forward.

Gray gave her a small smile, brushing her hair from her face and shook his head at her worries. "Stop Lucy, you're my Little Sis. Whatever you need is okay," he told her reassuringly, "Don't be afraid to say it."

Her eyes filled again, but she managed to hold the tears at bay. "Can I have Loke here too?" she asked timidly, averting her eyes, as if in shame.

Gray's hand tugged her face toward him, saying, "Look at me Lucy." When his eyes finally captured hers, he spoke again, "Don't you dare feel bad for asking for what you need. You know I'd give anything to help you, and if Loke would make you feel better, then that's exactly what I want to happen."

I instantly felt better, knowing that Gray was going to be here. He's the perfect choice, putting her comfort before his own. I still wasn't thrilled about leaving, but it was unavoidable; at least now, I knew Lucy would be in good hands. Between Gray and her Lion Spirit, she would be completely protected. I opened the drawer of the table beside her bed, and pulled out a set of keys. Her eyes quickly found the source of the jingling sound, and a smile found it's way onto her battered face. I felt a similar smile pull at my mouth at her uninhibited reaction. It was tiny glimpse of the Lucy she must have been before this horrible ordeal.

I handed the ring of keys to her and she immediately found that of her Lion. Lucy wasted no time raising the item in front of her, calling softly, "Gate of the Lion, I open thee. Leo"

A brilliant light burst into the room, and as it faded away, there stood her strongest Spirit. His face lit up as his eyes landed on Lucy, his legs swiftly carrying him to her side. I watched as the man in a suit threw his arms around the bedridden girl, and I felt myself getting angry. Didn't he realize that he couldn't move that quickly? He was going to scare her! My eyes widened a bit as I noticed that Lucy wasn't freaking out; in fact, she was relaxing in his arms. I was completely stumped as to why she was reacting differently with him, until I remembered that he'd been with her when she was attacked. He'd fought for her, so her trust with him was absolute. I released my tense muscles, and nodded. Yes, this one and Gray were right for the job.

Gray's mouth turned up at the sight of Lucy so happy. I could see a small twinge of sadness in his eyes, but it only made me think better of him. I knew it must be difficult to see her so comfortable with her Spirit, and know that it would still take a while for the same to be true for him, but he was still grateful that she felt that safe with someone, even if it wasn't him. I briefly wondered if he felt the same way about me. I didn't know exactly why Lucy acted the same way with me as she did with Loke, but I was suddenly very thankful that she did. Of course, I didn't really understand that either, so I just brushed it off. It was there, and it was real; right now, I didn't need to understand it.

Erza stepped back into Lucy's view, "I'd like to send Wendy to see if she can help you heal faster. I'm sure Levy will be wanting to come as well. Would that be okay, Lucy?"

Lucy nodded her head a few times, yawning as she looked up at me. I stared back as those eyes, the color of chocolate, began watering again. She swallowed a few times, before asking timidly, "A-are you coming back?"

I tried to find the words to tell her I couldn't, that I had to return to my own life. The silence grew as I continued to just stand there. I tried to force the words out. I felt Sting's eyes on me, waiting for me to tell her no. I tried to tell myself that she had her guild, her friends, but my throat closed at the thought of walking away. It was as if my body was unconsciously demanding that I stay, that I ignore reason and logic, and just stay. If I walked away, I'd be in a constant conflict with myself. Memories suddenly welled up in my mind, flooding my senses. The feel of Lucy's body in my arms, her blood running down my arms and chest. The sound of her broken voice crying out for me. The sight of the light dying in her eyes. I can't do it; I can't go away and leave her to pick up the pieces without me. The idea almost made me physically sick.

I looked down at the floor, needing a moment to compose myself. The strength of these overwhelming emotions was staggering. It took me a moment to realize that everyone's eyes were latched onto me, listening for my answer. I knew my life was about to change; there was no way it could stay the same after this decision. All I could determine at this moment in time was that Lucy needed me, and I was not going to let her down. I lifted my eyes to meet hers again and said the only thing I could live with, "Yes."

She sucked in a deep shuddering breath, her eyes blinking back tears rapidly. I stared at her trembling lips lifted in a small smile, and everything that had tightened in my chest, suddenly released and I could breath easy again. I knew I had made the right choice; I would be there for her, whatever she needed. I had no answers to all the questions of why; I had only my instincts to fall back on. I had never gone against them before, and I wasn't about to start now. I turned toward Sting, seeing a look of total unbelief on his face. This was not going to go over well. I kept my expression blank and faced Erza saying, "We should go now."

She nodded briefly before calling to Lucy, "I'll be back to see you soon." Lucy's lips lifted a bit, as she nodded her assent. Erza then walked to the door, and glancing at me, said,"I'll meet you at Fairy Tail, Rogue." She walked through determinedly, her mind seemingly already on the job at hand.

I looked to see Sting holding the door open, an unfathomable expression on his face, as he waited for me. "I'll be back," I said simply as I followed him out, my gaze locking with Lucy's one last time, before I closed the door. I walked down the hallway silently, an equally quiet Sting at my side, and wondered how long it would take for my friend to explode, because there was no doubt it was coming.

Sting's POV

I was pissed; there was no other way to say it. What the fuck does he think he's doing? I couldn't fathom what was going through his head. He told me this was just about finding the guy who'd attacked that chick, but now, all of a sudden, he's coming back! What the hell was he going to do about Minerva? And what was with the vague, "I'll be back"? How long was he planning on babysitting this girl?! I could feel my anger rising as we continued down the hallway, but I tried to keep my shit together until we got out of the hospital. Then, I was going to kick his ass for being so fucking stupid!

Suddenly a voice called out, "Mr. Cheney!" We stopped, and I could see a doctor coming towards us. Rogue held a hand up to me, as if to say wait, before walking back down the hall to meet the man in the white coat. The doctor seemed relieved to see my partner, and was motioning with his hands as he spoke. I couldn't hear much of the conversation, but the doctor's words occasionally went loud enough for me to catch, "...glad...back...rough night...sedate..." Rogue nodded his head a few times, his face solemn. The doctor continued, "explained...boyfriend...reaction...she was..." Suddenly, Rogue's face went white, and he stumbled back. He looked horrified, as the doctor shook his head, "...didn't tell...sorry...take time..." Rogue stood stock still, the same look of devastation on his face, as the man walked away. What the hell just happened?

I headed towards my friend, and as I got closer, I could hear him whispering, "Not again..." He abruptly slumped against the wall, his hands clenching his knees. "Rogue..." I reached out to grab his shoulder, and he jolted, looking up as though shocked at the contact. "Rogue, what the fuck is going on?" I asked, worried. I'd never seen him like this. This was not him, not the Rogue I knew. What could have possibly put that look into his eyes? He didn't seem to hear anything I was saying, instead continuing to mumble things like," This can't be happening..."

I shook him roughly, trying to knock him out of whatever had hold of him. "Rogue!" I shouted loudly, when him shaking failed to wake him from his stupor. I had all but forgotten my earlier pique; now I just wanted him to snap out of it and talk to me. His eyes finally cleared of the fog that had swallowed him and latched onto mine. His face was still pale and strained. "Dude, what the hell is wrong with you?"

He blinked a few times, as though waking from a long sleep, and finally spoke, so softly I almost couldn't catch it, "She...was raped."

"Damn..." I released a breath at his news. God, it wasn't enough to beat the fuck out of her? His eyes were so haunted, once again looking right through me, as if seeing something else entirely. What was this? I could understand being upset, pissed even, but the look in his eyes...something else was going on. Then I remembered what he was saying before and asked, "Rogue, what did you mean – not again?"

His eyes shot up to mine, and then his face closed down, his trademark blankness settling over his features. He stood up and reached into his pocket to retrieve the job listing, before handing it to me. "Here, you should get going," he said, his voice empty, as he began walking away.

I shook my head, confused at his rapid change. I felt like I'd been that way since I had woken up; it wasn't even lunch time yet, and already everything was all fucked up. I was aggravated that he was just brushing me off, and suddenly the anger was back. I rushed to catch up and shoved the paper back at him, growling, "Like hell I'm gonna leave after what just happened! What the fuck is wrong with you? You're brushing off Minerva like she's nothing, teaming up with Fairies, hiding shit from me. And for what...some blonde chick you don't even know?"

Rogue came to an abrupt stop and when he turned to me, his eyes were almost glowing. Shadows began seeping out around him, and as he took a step towards me, I could see his barely controlled rage. Astounded at his sudden lack of control and his obvious fury, I took a hesitant step back. Shit, I didn't want to fight him; I just wanted him to start acting like he was supposed to, or at least tell me why. Before I knew what was going on, his hand whipped out, gripping my collar, and jerked me to him. His face a mere two inches away, he grated out, "First off, I don't give a shit right now about Minerva or how you feel about Fairy Tail. And for another thing, that "blonde chick" has a goddamn name, it's Lucy!" He shook his head viciously as he let go of me and finished bitterly, "You have no idea what I know."

He turned and walked away, leaving me staring after him, stupefied. Rogue never showed emotion, he never yelled, he never lost control. Now, in the space of a number of hours, I'd seen him openly worried, completely horrified, and unusually furious. He'd smiled at that girl, Lucy, and he'd gotten physical with me. I didn't know what to do with any of this. A part of me wanted to be pissed at him, but when I thought back to his face after talking to the doctor, I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more going on than what I was seeing. Regardless, he was my friend, and I wasn't going to just bail on him. Even if the asshole did deserve it.

A/N: What could Rogue be hiding? How will the guild take it when they learn what really happened? Next chapter, we see from Natsu's eyes as he left the hospital and returned to the guild. Thanks for reading! See you all in the next chapter!