Lucy POV

I ran through the forest, my heart hammering against my ribcage. My footfalls slammed against the packed dirt of the forest floor. My keys were long gone, left behind as I made my escape. I clutched at the torn fabric that was once my clothing with tears streaming down my face.

I could still hear his voice over my cries and pleas. I ran, pushing myself to go faster. I let out another cry, this one for my brother, then another for my best friend, and lastly one for my grandfather. I took the side streets once I had made it into town, not wanting the attention of the townspeople I had grown accustomed to seeing every day. I bolted into the guild hall, silencing the drunken chatter. I made my way upstairs, ignoring the concerned questions and stares coming from my precious guild mates.

As soon as my brother saw me, he rushed his way over, shrugging off his coat in the process. He wrapped it around me tightly, making sure I was covered. He didn't try to get answers, knowing I was in no condition to speak. He had simply pulled me into his embrace and let my wails of pain consume the guild hall and letting my tears soak into his favorite purple dress shirt as he soothed me with soft words.

Laxus lifted me into a bridal style hold as he brought me into Grandfather's office. I watched as the anger coursed its way through his face as I told them what had happened. An hour later, he had decided to come back to the guild my keys jingling in his pocket. Laxus glared at Ryker and as calm as he could he demanded my keys. Ryker complied, of course, and threw them at me. I caught them, checking if they were all there before grabbing the Key of Taurus. The two fought for what seemed like years as I watched them battle. I remember his threat well.

"Don't worry, Lucy. I'll be back for you, my love. Our love will not be oppressed and anyone who stands in the way will be taken care of."

I had fallen asleep leaning against the window. Or so I had thought. When I woke, my head was pressed against Gajeel's shoulder. I smiled at the thought of always being able to wake up next to him like this.

"What're you smiling about, Lucy?" His slightly husky, just-woke-up voice was so sexy. "Well?"

I jumped slightly in his grasp, thinking to myself how I had hoped Gajeel didn't notice my nightmare, or memory in this case. "Morning, Gajeel-san." I nuzzled into his neck. "Did you stay up this whole time?"

"Of course, I did." He smirked. "I have to protect you, don't I?" He looked me in the eyes with a scowl on his face. "How come you get motion sickness?"

I paled at his sudden demand of a question. How was I supposed to explain to Gajeel my secondary magic? How was I supposed to explain to my mate that I, like Laxus in a sense, am an artificial Wolf Slayer? And like Laxus, I had no wolf instincts when it came to the mating things. Instincts are not something you can learn in a night. "Well, you see…"

"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to. I won't force you." Yoshiro yipped happily and rubbed himself against Gajeel in a cat-like manner.

"I like this one, Lucy. He'll be good for you, unlike Ryker."

I grinned down at my little cub. "Yep, he sure will be."

"Huh?" Gajeel asked me.

I bopped him on the nose and walked out of the compartment as the train pulled into the station. He growled and followed me out. He quickly took my hand and dragged me of the train. He followed me to Raven Tail's guild hall. His grip on my hand tightened with every step. I looked at him through the corner of my eye. His muscles were tense, his teeth grinding, and other hand clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white.

"We'll be okay, Gajeel. I promise."

He nodded. We entered the guild hall that had belonged to my father with caution, luckily there was only him and a few members present at the moment. I felt all eyes land on us as we inched closer with every precarious step. I watched as my father's face formed a smile.

"Lucy, dear! I'm so happy you came! Daddy missed you so much! You should have visited me more often like you did when you were a child! And you brought Gajeel-san too! Good job!" I watched in horror as he hugged me tightly, proclaiming his words at the top of his lungs. "Oh how your mother would love to see you right now! You look just like her! Except you have my eyes. So did you come here to sign up for Daddy's guild?"

I frown at him. "No. I came to tell you, I'm done with you. I have what I need at Fairy Tail. I'm twenty-two, Father. I no longer need my parents. I have Laxus and Grandfather, not to forget Gajeel and the guild. And don't even try to buy my loyalty. It lies with Fairy Tail, just like yours should. You should have never done that to Laxus."

"He was weak."

"So are you." I snapped. "You think power is in the magic. But it comes from the heart. Only there can you overcome any obstacle. Everyone in Fairy Tail Believes that completely, that's how we survive. One person's tears becomes everyone's tears, and one person's happiness becomes everyone's happiness. One person's pain becomes everyone's pain. Mom knew that, why didn't you? You love her yet you couldn't love your own kids in the same respect. That's pathetic."

I watched as he grew angry at my words. "You know better. Watch your tongue." He snapped and growled in my ear.

Gajeel, feeling the violent tension in the air, stepped between us. "That's enough from you. I won't have you threaten my mate." He growled.

"Mated now, are you? Wonder how Ryker will take that. Too bad he's in recovery due to that little number you did on him. He's really hurting, child."

"I don't give a damn if he's hurting or not. I don't love him. I hate him with my entire being. He could die for all I care and I would happily dance on his grave. Understand?" I unsheathed my katana and held it by his neck. "I thought you had deserved a chance to know I was alright only because you loved me more than Laxus. Even though he's the stronger one. I'm weak compared to him." I mused.

I grabbed Gajeel by the hand and dragged him out of the guild hall, leaving my father stunned and seething at my words. I loved how his face contorted as we left. I could see it through Yoshiro's eyes. I whistled loudly, telling him to come on back.

"Are we going home, Lucy? I wanted to pee on the floor before we left."

I howled in laughter as I shook my head. "No. Come on. Let's go home." I said, clutching my stomach and ignoring Gajeel's very confused expression on his pierced face.

Hello guys! It's been almost a month since I last posted this story but you know how busy things can get. Well, I hope you really, really enjoyed this chapter is was surprisingly fun to write.

Anyway, the person who guessed the shakespeare reference is

Psyka!

It was from Romeo and Juliet! Benvolio said it! I need help... Oh Well! I love you guys and the support from you too!

*hugs all of you*

Please R&R!

Love, -SFL