And once again, I've taken forever to get this updated. I apologize for making you wait. I honestly didn't mean to. I just can't seem to find enough time to do all the things I'd like to do - namely, write. So please bear with me. I promise I haven't forgotten any of my stories. They will be updated; it just may take me a while.

As always, Hiro Mashima owns Fairy Tail.

CHAPTER 44: CROSSROADS

It was nearly over – my time apart from Rogue. And I couldn't say I wasn't happy about that. I'd been worried since he left, not so much about the mission because it hadn't sounded overly complicated and Rogue could certainly take care of himself. But the other stuff, namely Minerva, had me concerned.

I knew Rogue would most likely tell me not to worry, but I couldn't help it. The woman was one of the cruelest people I'd ever met, and I didn't know what she might do to Rogue if she ever found out what he'd been doing recently. For sure, she'd be furious. He'd broken whatever rules she'd set forth about Fairy Tail, and I knew the punishment would be swift and painful.

And that scared me. I hated that he had to look over his shoulder because of me. He didn't deserve that. In spite of the fact that he was a Sabertooth mage, he was kind and gentle. He was good and decent, and he'd come to mean more to me than I'd ever imagined possible.

If Cana were to be believed, Rogue cared about me, like really cared about me. Of course, I already knew that. He'd said as much himself. But when I'd told Cana that earlier, she'd rolled her eyes and called me dense.

And then I realized what she was getting at.

But that was crazy. Rogue didn't think of me like that. He was my friend, my protector. He was the one place I always felt safest. But that didn't mean he...loved me. At least not like she was implying.

Shaking my head, I sighed. Time was going by so slow.

"Tired?"

I turned at the question and shot Gray a small smile. "A little."

"Worried?" he asked, a knowing look crossing his face.

I bit my lip and nodded. "A little."

That wasn't exactly true. I was fairly certain the amount of worry residing in my brain was a bit more than a little. Probably more than that.

"Don't be," the ice mage said, a gentle smile lifting his lips as he made his way back toward my bed. "This is Rogue we're talking about here. He can-"

"Take care of himself, I know." I laughed. Leave it to Gray to read my mind. "I was just thinking that. It's just...this thing with Minerva."

Gray sat down on the bed facing me and nodded. "I know, but you have to remember that Rogue is here because he wants to be. And he understands the risks."

"But that doesn't mean it's right," I challenged. "He shouldn't have to worry about risks like that. I don't like that I've put him in such a bad position with his guild."

"Lucy, you didn't."

I shook my head. "I did, Gray. Look at everything he's done to be here with me. It's because of that he's in trouble right now."

"You know, it's not fair of you to take all the responsibility like this. He made his choices the way he wanted to, and if you remember, you tried to send him away. He didn't want to go."

Warmth bloomed in my chest at that, and I couldn't help but nod my head. He was right about that. It had been impossible to push him away once he'd realized I didn't want him gone. But maybe I should have tried harder. Then maybe he wouldn't be in such a mess right now.

"You might as well stop now. You're not going to win," Gray said, reaching up to thump my forehead with his finger. "Besides, I doubt Rogue would appreciate hearing you've been stressing yourself out about this."

Eyes rolling, I huffed, "You're gonna tell on me? Seriously?"

"Mhm," he acknowledged instantly, a smile lighting his face. "Whatever works."

"You're an ass."

Gray laughed. "Maybe, but I won."

Leaning forward, I gave him a quick shove. "Only cause you're ass."

He gave an unrepentant shrug and grinned. "A cute ass."

I shook my head but couldn't help laughing. Gray might be one of the biggest dorks I'd ever known, but he always knew just how to push me out of a funk. And today, I was feeling pretty thankful for that, because I was finding out that worrying over someone when they were away was not only pointless but frightening.

"So, what do you want for dinn-"

His words died off mid-sentence as a laugh rang out in the room, a laugh that sent chills racing down my spine. It was a sound I hadn't heard in a long time, but one I knew I'd never forget.

Quicker than I thought possible, Gray was on his feet and shouting for Natsu, a suspicious frown forming on his face. "What the hell are you doing here?!"

It seemed impossible for Minerva to be here, or at least improbable. I'd never thought her brazen enough to just show up at Fairy Tail, and certainly not like this, but there she stood. Her face still bore that same cruel smirk as before, and as she stepped around the unknown man at her side, she caught my eye and grinned darkly. "Time to go."

I drew back, breath stalling in my throat. I could feel myself shaking, my body freezing with fear at her words. I couldn't believe this was happening, not again. Hadn't we been through enough?

Scowling, Gray stepped between us. "She's not going anywhere with you."

The ice mage lifted his hands, setting fist to palm, but he was being cautious. We'd been taught not to throw the first punch, to assess the situation before jumping right in, and though everything inside me screamed danger, I understood. Minerva was a guild master, the head of another light guild, and no matter what we thought of her, that position held a lot of clout.

Minerva though didn't appear to be concerned. She moved to the side, right into my line of sight, and shot me a knowing look. "Nothing to say?"

"Hey!" Waves of cold air shot from my friend as he shouted at the woman across from us. "Don't fucking talk to her! You talk to me!"

The Territory mage's lips curled into an evil grin as she turned her attention back Gray. "Sorry, pet. I'm afraid you just don't interest me."

"Like I give a shit!"

I bit my lip, glancing toward the door. Where was everyone? Why hadn't they come to help us? They had to have heard the raised voices, so why wasn't the room already flooding with our friends?

As if I'd voiced the questions out loud, Minerva tipped her head in my direction. "What's the matter? Friends not coming fast enough?"

The fact that she knew that's what we were waiting for and didn't seem even remotely concerned about it bothered me. While she was a powerful mage, there was no way she could stand against the full force of Fairy Tail. So why was she so calm?

I wasn't sure what was going on. I assumed she wanted me as a way to punish Rogue, but that seemed extreme especially considering the trouble she'd have to go through. If I'd been alone at home, it would make sense, but here, I was anything but alone. The guild was full downstairs, and someone was almost always with me now. It wouldn't be an easy feat, so what did she hope to accomplish by attempting this?

Laughter broke the silence in the room, and I felt myself jump. "Look at her Baden. She's trying so hard to figure out why no one's coming."

Dread settled in my gut as the unknown man across the room snickered. We were missing something. I didn't know exactly how, but something told me we were in more trouble than we thought.

"Sorry to burst your little bubble, but no one can help you now."

Gray scowled, his expression defiant. "What the hell are you talking about?"

Minerva smirked and folded her arms across her chest. "They can't hear you. No one can."

Her words sent a shiver of worry straight to my heart. She seemed so certain of that, so sure that we were completely on our own.

"Natsu can-"

"Smell me?" She laughed coldly. "Not this time. In fact, once we're gone, there won't be even a trace of us left for his little dragon nose to find." Lifting a hand to the man beside her, she patted his shoulder and immediately turned back in our direction. "See...Baden here is a Void mage. And can you guess his specialty?"

When we didn't answer, she shot us a wide, terrifying grin. "Keeping people out of my business."

Gray spared me a glance, his eyes bright with concern, and before I realized what I was doing, I was meeting his eyes. It was a stupid thing to do, taking our eyes off our opponent. It was only a moment, just a single instant in time, but it was enough. Quicker than either of us could react, Minerva's gaze snapped to Gray, and with that same vile grin blooming on her face, she threw her hand out toward him.

I watched in horror as the floor opened beneath him, and his body dropped.

He looked up as his body descended, his face marked with surprise and fear.

"Gray!"

Frantic, I scrambled from my bed and dove for him, knowing even as I did it that I'd never be able to pull him up on my own. I watched as his legs swung helplessly in the blackness of the void beneath him, and I whispered, "Oh God, Gray... hold on." Tears pricked my eyes as I clung to him desperately, trying to simply keep him from falling any further when the answer finally hit me.

"Loke! Virgo!"

At once, twin flashes of light burst into the room, and clawing at Gray's steadily slipping arms, I shrieked, "Help!"

My hands were joined by my loyal Lion Spirit, and I felt the tightness in my heart abate as Virgo's chains wrapped around his midsection and slowly started inching him upward. The tension in his face fading, Gray reached up, grasping Loke's arm, and for a moment, it looked as if everything would be fine.

Until I realized I'd left my keys on the table beside the bed, in plain view.

Panic sent my heart racing again, and I turned to meet Loke's eyes just as Minerva laughed. Right before my eyes, my Spirits dissolved, leaving me scrambling to brace myself to take the entirety of Gray's weight. But his body dropped faster than I'd anticipated, and I cried out as all the joints in my arm seized.

Another laugh sounded from where I knew Minerva stood, but there was no time to worry what she might try next because he was slipping, and there was nothing I could do to stop it.

"Lucy!"

A sob burst from my mouth at his desperate plea, but I was helpless to stop his descent. My muscles were weak from disuse and everything Tatankan had put me through, and I just couldn't find the strength to pull him up.

"No, Gray..." I whimpered as he slid another inch. I clawed at his arms, my nails digging into his skin as I tried to hold on to him, but nothing worked. No matter how hard I fought to save him, he just kept slipping away.

Desperate, I did the only thing I could think to do. I begged.

"Minerva please!" The words were bitter on my tongue, but the thought of losing Gray hurt so much more. I would willingly sell my soul to save him. "Please! I'll do anything!"

"Lucy, no!" Gray shouted, his eyes suddenly wide with understanding.

Tears poured from my eyes as I felt Minerva move up behind me. I didn't want to go with her, didn't want to be part of any plan she had to hurt Rogue, but I couldn't let her kill Gray.

"Are you ready to go without a fuss now?" she hummed arrogantly, moving her foot to tap against my arm.

Gray shook his head at me frantically, trying to release his hold so he'd fall. "Don't do it, Lucy. Just let me go."

"I can't, Gray," I cried, pleading with him to understand, for him to forgive me for what I was about to do. "I'll go. Just save him, and I'll go wherever you want me to go."

"Excellent."

Without another word, she grabbed a fistful of my hair and yanked me back. I yelped as pain erupted along my scalp, but I clung to Gray with everything I had, determined to pull him with me. My plan worked at least in part, and I let out a sob of relief when I saw him ice his hands to the floor and lift a knee over the edge. He was going to make it. Oh thank Mavis, he was going to make it.

I moved to help him, but another jerk on my hair brought me to a screaming halt. "Let me go! You said you'd save him!"

"No, I didn't. You did," she sneered, tipping her head at the man behind me as she moved toward Gray. "Hold her."

"No! Don't hurt him!" I screamed, fighting to get free to help my friend, but it was no use. Her henchman held tight, his broad body not moving an inch as I struggled. "Gray look out!"

Gray's head lifted at my warning, his eyes going wide as he scrambled to get his leg up and over the side. But there was nothing he could do as she drew her foot back and sent it flying into his face.

I watched in horror as the ice on his hands shattered and his head shot back. His eyes closed, that one shot knocking him unconscious, and I sagged in my captor's arms with a sob as he finally fell out of sight.

This couldn't be real. He couldn't be gone. My mind refused to accept this as the truth, and I found myself whimpering his name. The man who had become my brother couldn't be dead. He just couldn't.

I pushed to my feet, trying to get back to the hole he'd disappeared into, determined not to let him go, but I took no more than two steps before those arms grabbed at me again, pulling me back. "Let me go!" Angry, I fought, clawing at the hands holding me hostage, throwing my body back against him in an attempt to knock him off balance.

"Son of a bitch!" the man grunted as my head slammed back into his nose.

Dark satisfaction burst in my chest as the scent of blood flooded the room, and I thrust back with everything I had to do it again. Only this time, he caught me and gave me a violent shake. "Stupid bitch!"

"You're gonna pay for this!" I shouted, tears once more springing to my eyes as that repulsive hole came back into view. "You're gonna pay-"

"Oh, for fucks sake..." Minerva snapped, shooting me a sharp glare. "You talk too fucking much."

Her hand raised, and before I realized just what she had planned, she hurled a deep purple ball of energy right at my face. I had an instant to wonder if this was how I would die, and then the lights went out.

I awoke to a headache and the unmistakable scent of earth. It took several tries to open my eyes, and as the haze cleared, I found myself lying on my side on the ground and that same strange man watching me.

I blinked up at him, trying to clear my head enough to figure out where we were, but the moment he realized I had woken up, he turned and yelled.

"She's up!"

Rolling my head in the same direction, I could barely make out the shape of a woman moving toward us, most likely Minerva again, and I couldn't stop a sneer from forming on my face. She was evil, and I couldn't wait to watch her burn for her sins.

"Rise and shine, Fairy," she crooned, driving her foot into my stomach and pushing a pained grunt from my mouth. "Got a surprise for you."

It was a struggle to breathe for several long moments as I curled into a ball, but she didn't care. Grabbing hold of my hair, she yanked me up.

"Come on, bitch. I don't have all day."

I bit back the scathing reply hovering dangerously close to the tip of my tongue and gave myself a once-over. My hands were free to my surprise, and for a second, I had the notion to rush her. I had no illusions it would make a difference. I was outnumbered and weak from my recovery, but revenge burned hot in my chest. She'd taken Gray from me, killed him right before my eyes, and I wanted her to pay.

I wanted to see her blood flow like a river.

I wanted to see her lifeless body broken on the ground.

It should have shamed me. Fairies didn't kill. They fought; they didn't kill. But surely they would forgive me for it. Surely they would understand.

Cana...she would understand.

Tears pricked my eyes at the thought of my beautiful friend. How was I supposed to tell her that Gray was gone?

I stumbled as pain lanced my heart and a sob climbed my throat. How could I possibly live with this sorrow?

An annoyed grunt sounded behind, and then I felt a quick shove in the center of my back. "Move."

Jaw clenching, I brushed at my cheeks and moved in the direction she indicated. She was so cold-hearted, so nonchalant about the fact that she'd murdered someone. But why should that be a surprise? She was evil, pure evil.

I'd always believed there was goodness in everyone. Even the darkest, most violent people...I just knew there had to be a spot of decency within them. But Tatankan and Minerva had taught me differently. They'd shown me the truth. Some people were too cruel, too vile to possess anything good and kind. There wasn't room inside them for even the smallest kernel of light.

Unknowingly, my footsteps slowed, and I was once again treated to a rough smack in the spine. "I said move!"

Spinning, I glared at her. At this point, I didn't care what she did to me. I was so angry, so furious at what she'd done, I couldn't think straight. It didn't matter that I could very well push her to kill me on the spot. All I knew is that I'd had enough taken from me to last a lifetime, and I was so tired of it. Gray hadn't deserved what she'd done to him.

Eyes filling, I growled, "Why the hell should I? You wanna kill? Then do it!" I shook my head as bitter tears streamed down my cheeks. "Cause I'm not going one more goddamn step with you!"

To my surprise, she threw back her head and laughed. "Well, look who finally grew some balls. Wasn't really sure you had it in you." She closed in, her feet inches from my own, when her hand shot out and grabbed my chin in a punishing grip. The arrogant grin fell from her face almost immediately, and a scowl took it's place. "But don't think it changes anything. You'll do whatever the fuck I tell you to...or your little boyfriend will die."

Boyfriend?

What was she talking about?

"Don't tell me you forgot him already," she jeered, that ever present smirk stealing across her lips again. "He's only been gone for a few hours."

Dread curled in a tight knot at the bottom of my stomach, and I felt my heart skip a beat. She couldn't mean Rogue. I didn't want to believe it. Not him too. I couldn't bear to lose him too.

"No..."

"Oh yes," she hummed pleasantly.

I shook my head violently, but my vision was already awash with tears again. I could deny it all I wanted, but there was something in her expression that said otherwise. Rogue was not safe several towns away. He was not laughing and joking with his friends.

"Where is he?" I asked, hating how my voice trembled.

Minerva tipped her head and smiled. "He's fine...for now." She lifted a hand, silencing the questions she knew would follow. "And he'll stay that way if you do exactly what I say when I say."

What could I do? I couldn't leave him with her. I wouldn't.

But I was scared. There was no use in denying it. I was terrified of what this woman had in store for me. But would it really matter? Even if she told me the horrors she would exact upon me, spelled it out in vivid detail, I knew I still wouldn't leave him to his fate.

Looking up at the woman who'd played villain in my dreams for months, I drew in a short breath. "What do you want from me?"

"Me? Nothing," she scoffed, folding her arms across her chest. "You're just a means to an end for me."

I shook my head. What did that even mean? "W-What?"

Minerva rolled her eyes. "Someone did me a favor, and now, I owe him one."

Chills raced a frozen path down my spine at her words, and I felt myself take a step back. "What are you saying?"

"Someone wants to see you again," she hummed lightly. Her voice was almost giddy as she lifted a finger to my cheek. "He's missed you so much."

Terror beat a rapid pulse in my neck, and suddenly I felt faint.

Please God, not him.

She couldn't mean Tatankan. She couldn't. How would she even know who that was? The thought of the two of them teaming up sent my stomach rolling, and I had to fight to keep myself upright.

This couldn't be happening. Not again.

I stumbled back, my head whipping back and forth, and she laughed.

"Changed your mind already?"

Changed my mind? About what?

I couldn't think, couldn't reason out what she was asking. There was too much fear clogging my throat.

"You've decided to just let Rogue die?" She gave a bored shrug and turned as if to go find him and end it all now. "Alright then...if that's what you want..."

Rogue...

"No!" I shouted, taking a step forward and reaching out a hand to stall her. "Don't!"

Minerva glanced back at me, an amused cackle on her lips. "Then I guess you know what you have to do."

I was afraid I did, and I knew without a shadow of a doubt what that would mean for me. This would be the end. If I went with him, I'd never be coming back. No more Fairy Tail. No more Cana or Levy or Erza or Natsu...or Rogue. This would be where my story ended.

And though it was what I thought I needed to do not too long ago to save everyone else, the thought of dying was suddenly frightening. Emotions pulsed within my chest, mixing together and making me sick. Fear at what was to come. Sadness that I hadn't been able to save Gray. Worry for Rogue.

But above everything else was the sense of inevitability.

Somehow, I'd known all along it would come to this. My number had been called a long time, and fate was just finally catching up. It was terrifying, but if there was even a chance I could save Rogue, it would be worth it. He was worth all the pain to come and so much more.

I would do anything for him, take any punishment for him.

If he got to live, I would gladly lay down my life a thousand times over.

Minerva continued as if I hadn't already made up my mind. "Just give yourself to Tatankan, and it'll all be over. No more waiting for the ax to fall. No more hiding. No more fighting to keep yourself safe. And Rogue gets to live. Everybody wins. Well..." She paused with a dark chuckle. "...almost everybody."

Swallowing down a bitter response, I lifted my eyes to meet hers and nodded. "Okay. I'll do it...on two conditions."

She arched a brow at me, silently prodding me on.

I took a deep breath and squared my shoulders. "You never lay a finger on him again," I said tearfully, " And I get to tell him goodbye."