A/N: I PASSED :D Good times hehe, thanks guys for the best wishes :) As a thank you, here's the next chapter!

- Chapter 11 -

Lucy sighed as she collapsed onto her bed in her hotel room, her mind completed void of the progression of her birthday. Greatest birthday surprise ever, she thought to herself glumly. Her brows knitted together.

Did he honestly mean what he said? She didn't want to admit it. If she assumed it was true, she'd probably make a huge fool out of herself. OK, let's just say if he did like me… what would I do? Lucy bit her lip. Gray's dark eyes loomed in her mind as she remembered his intense pain-filled gaze as he spoke his feelings. I just don't know! Someone just tell me! She moaned and grabbed for the pillow at her head, pressing her face into the soft material for comfort. She denied firmly the messages her heart was sending her. No! He's just confused and enchanted! He's not that kind of guy! But Lucy knew it was too late. Those old feelings that she had viciously and successfully erased from herself were resurfacing with a vengeance.

"Lucy are you in there?" the Celestial slowly snapped up as she heard Hibiki's voice outside her door.

"Y-Yeah I am! The door's unlocked, come in!" Lucy leapt up from the bed and composed herself, pushing her thoughts on Gray to the depths of her mind as she smiled.

"Oh Lucy, it's not a good idea to leave your door unlocked especially when we have a potential harasser on your case," Hibiki shook his head playfully but his expression sobered as Lucy opened her mouth to protest, "speaking of which, this is why I've paid you a visit."

…

"I honestly don't think Gray would do that to me," Lucy immediately retorted back at Hibiki, "look, if he wanted to, he would've done so already when he had me trapped in that ice cube."

The Blue Pegasus mage's expression remained serious.

"The enchantment will only worsen, especially now that he's touched you a second time… or third."

"Fourth," Hibiki's eyebrows raised slightly at her correction but she quickly continued, "and even though it's the fourth time, it seems that he can still restrain himself."

"Probably because you're conscious and that you can kick some serious butt if you wanted with those Celestial Keys of yours."

"Erza took them off me remember? To stop Loke forcefully opening his Gate," Lucy said bitterly.

"Even more of a reason for me to guard you tonight. Don't worry I definitely won't touch you," Hibiki said with a sincere smile. Lucy blushed slightly but looked down to her lap instead.

"I'm sure it's not necessary-"

"It's better to be safe than sorry," Lucy fell silent, she knew he was right but it just felt so wrong having someone guard her room. It was like being back at the Heartfilia estate all over again, with her personal bodyguards shadowing her every move, except this guard was especially good-looking.

"Hmm, I guess…"

…

Gray had heard enough. He didn't mean to eavesdrop. What's done is done. Gray felt his heart constrict painfully in his chest. He chuckled humourlessly to himself. How ironic, I've now turned from a protector to a threat. He never thought that the day would come where he was the danger to Lucy and out of affection too. Clenching his fists, Gray forced himself to walk forwards and away from Lucy's room down the corridor making for the exit. I it'd be better if I spent the night outside tonight, not 1 door away from her room. The ice mage swore to himself that after breaking the spell, he'll only watch Lucy from afar and never making a move on her and tell her again what his true feelings are. She's already stated twice that we're just 'friends' and I'm mistaking the friendship feel with love. Wow, I never thought I'd be rejected like this… I guess that Blue Pegasus twat really is the one to take care of her if she's agreeing to him. 1-0 to the idiots.

…

Hibiki blinked at his Archive.

"Oh… I guess maybe I was being overreactive."
"See! Told you not to assume such things," Lucy said triumphantly. She had no idea why she was so faithfully trying to win Gray's side of the debate but she was definitely feeling secretly pleased with herself.

"I guess the others won't progress either then in that case…" Hibiki trailed off but Lucy shook her head.

"There's that but they're already in real bad shape! At least Gray has self-control."

"Fortunately indeed."

"Neh Hibiki, wouldn't be easier to just search for how to reverse all this on your Archive while we're at it?" Lucy said, narrowing her eyes slightly.

"Tried already, seems that the others are a bit slow in deciphering the recipe Ichiya-sama used. They only just got to the part regarding the strength of the potion," Hibiki replied apologetically.

"Oh I wish Levi was here! She'd decipher it within moments!"

"I'm afraid there's nothing we can do about that now except getting some rest before tomorrow! Sleep my, princess and don't forget to the lock the door… just in case," Hibiki winked and blew a kiss towards Lucy before leaving and closing her hotel room with a soft click.

Lucy sighed and stepped out into her balcony. The sea breeze blew her blonde hair away from her face tickling her neck. As the waves lapped gently onto its shores, the mage closed her eyes welcoming the coolness. Her breathing slowed and she felt for the first time in these last hectic few days, peace. Taking a deep breath, she opened her eyes her mind feeling much calmer. That's better, now let's take it from the beginning. One, get to Blue Pegasus. Two, get the anti-enchantment off Ichiya. Three… talk to Gray-.

Lucy's eyes widened as she spotted a figure moving across the sands. There was no doubt who it was, with his bare back and broad shoulders illuminated under the moonlight, Gray was sitting on the beach alone. Lucy's heart wrenched a little.

He's here because of me. He came with me so that I could get to Blue Pegasus safely. And now he's alone… it's my fault, all my fault. Clenching her fist on the railings of the balcony, Lucy realised how selfish she had been. Without a second thought, Lucy tore out of her room and headed towards Gray.

Bit of a crappy chapter, sorrrrrrrry! Naughty Hibiki for trying to stay in the same room as Lucy ;)

I have taken note that Natsu & Co. haven't featured much lately... they're just around the corner, don't worry :P

Shaari