Okay, here's the next chapter. Please enjoy :)

I don't own Fairy Tail or any of its characters.

Please R&R!

~Remedy~

Chapter 3

"If our love is a tragedy, why are you my remedy?"

Lucy's POV

I felt myself being pulled towards the waterfall.

He actually let go. I felt myself smile, happy that I was able to persuade him.

"What are you so happy about?" Gray asked, obviously curious. His voice seemed to be right next to me. I furrowed my eyebrows. He should be way behind me by now. "Are you that suicidal?"

My head snapped to the right and there he was flowing through the water two feet away from me like it was the most normal thing in the world. I blinked, seeing his dark blue eyes gazing into mine. Finally seeming to register that he let go of the branch instead of me, I exploded.

"YOU IDIOT!" I screamed. "I TOLD YOU TO LET GO OF ME NOT THE BRANCH!"

"Actually," he started with a small smirk, "you weren't very specific. You said 'let go' not 'let me go.'"

"What?! You knew what I meant!"

"I did," he admitted. "But I wouldn't have let go of you anyway. I just tricked you. I let go of you the same time I let go of the branch."

I felt myself trembling in anger. "Idiot, idiot, idiot, idiot," I hissed under my breath. The nerve of that guy! He we are discussing and arguing with each other before we fall to our deaths. Was that normal?

"Besides," he continued with a shrug, "the branch would've snapped completely anyway. And who knows...we may have a chance of surviving."

"Don't be so optimistic. It's infectious," I said. "We're both going to die," I added with a drag because he was coming along and a slight hint of excitement to be free from him.

"You're definitely suicidal," Gray commented with slightly narrowed eyes. His expression said nothing. Not even his eyes. I couldn't read him. I was only able to catch a flash of anger then it was gone.

Anger for what though?

"Thanks for the observation, Captain Obvious."

"Your welcome, Sergeant Sarcasm," he retorted. His face turned grim as he looked through the depth of my eyes trying to solve me. "I don't know why you think committing suicide is a resolution to whatever your problem is. But, I highly disapprove of the action."

My eyes widened in astonishment. He was very perceptive. This was no time to be impressed though.

I then clenched my jaw in fury. How dare he admonish me like a child! "And why is that?" I bit out forcefully.

"It just tells me that you're a coward."

Suddenly, I felt my stomach twist as I fell. Out of instinct I tried grabbing onto to something to keep me from falling. I grabbed nothing but air. We both crashed into the connecting river below us. My eyes stung as the cold water rushed into my eyes when I stupidly opened them in panic. I swam my way up to the surface, panting in pure relief when I broke through the surface. I was caught off guard when I was falling again. There was another waterfall?! This time the fall felt longer. I wanted to scream but decided against it because I wanted to save air when I would hit the bottom.

When I was submerged under water this time I couldn't push myself back up. No matter how hard I tried I didn't make. The force of the waterfall kept me under for good measure.

This time for good.

My last breath left me and I went limp.

I couldn't move. I couldn't feel. I couldn't see.

.

.

.

It was utter darkness.

I warmly welcomed it.

I felt serene. Like a feather just floating there.

I could finally have peace.

I was going to be free.

Finally.

Gray's POV

I walked onto the bank and sprawled against a tree trunk, chest heaving. I stripped off my white coat and navy blue shirt and carelessly threw it on a washed up log. I looked around the area. There was a thick dense forest ahead of me, the river down here had a nice slow current, and the waterfall mist sprayed me once in a while.

Where was Lucy though? Don't tell me she-

My stomach clenched as I immediately stood up and and dove into the river again.

I saw her with eyes closed, resting on the riverbed. I quickly wrapped my arm around her waist and hauled her up to the surface. I swam over to the bank and gently laid her down. My stomach still twisted and turned uncomfortably. It felt even worse when I didn't see her chest moving.

She wasn't breathing.

I pressed my fingers to the pulse in her neck . My breath hitched when I couldn't feel her heart beat. I remained quiet for who knows how long until I heard a definite beat. It was soft, but slowly fading.

Lucy was alive. Barely though.

If I didn't get her breathing soon she would surely die. I couldn't bare with that guilt. Even though I've known her for a few hours I felt attached to her already.

I stared at her lips, open and inviting. Without hesitation, my mouth met hers while I placed my hands on her sternum. I blew air into her then pressed down three times.

She didn't wake up.

I tried again, but she still didn't open her eyes.

"Damn it, Lucy! Wake up!" I growled. My mouth met hers again, more desperate and much fiercer than before.

Her eyes fluttered.

"Come on, Lucy. Stay with me," I muttered breathlessly.

As my lips ghosted over hers, she abruptly gasped, her back arching at the sudden force of inhalation. Her body pressed against my chest, her lips unexpectedly crashing into mine. Her eyes shot open at the kiss and her cheeks started to turning red. Our lips parted immediately and I looked at her but past her with the back of my hand over my tingling lips. Well...that was embarrassing...

"W-What the hell w-was th-that?!" Lucy stuttered, completed flustered. She was still panting and red in the face. I slowly removed the hand from my lips. I ran my tongue over my lips experimentally, still tasting her strawberry lips.

"It's called CPR," I said as nonchalantly as I could with a smirk plastered on my face. "How are you feeling now?"

"Alive and exhausted," she groaned. She winced when she accidentally moved her left arm. My eyes narrowed, noticing it was protruding from a weird angle. It was her arm the was bothering her from before. I remember the sickening crack I heard when we were tumbling town the slope into the river.

So that's what it was.

Now that I got a good look at it, it seems she dislocated her shoulder.

"Want me to put it back in place for you?" I suddenly asked. Lucy looked up, confused. I pointed to her left arm. "Your shoulder."

She gave a nervous smile. "That would nice." I raised my brows, surprised that she'd allow me to help her.

Lucy stood up and drifted over. She sat down in front of me at an angle, giving me easy access to her shoulder...and neck... I placed my hand on the bone that stuck out, which caused her to flinch at the pain...or maybe it was just my cold hands. I couldn't tell.

"Sorry," I apologized softly. "This is going to hurt."

"I know," she said with melancholy. What she said next mystified me considering we met not to long ago.

"I trust you."

I gave a chuckle. She glanced back at me with curious eyes. "What?"

I shook my head. "Nothing really. It's just hard to believe you're trusting me. We just met," I said. Lucy laughed. Something I thought I'd never hear from her. It made her more...angelic. I couldn't help but give a small genuine smile.

"I guess so," she smiled. "But...it's kind of hard not to trust you because you saved my life." She involuntarily bit her bottom lip, her cheeks still dusted with red.

"You shouldn't trust me so easily," I admonished, cracking her bone back in place. Lucy hissed in pain, reflexively cradling her arm. "Better?" I asked.

"Much better," she sighed. She rested on her good side and shut her eyes. "Thank you," she murmured before falling asleep, her chest rising and falling peacefully.

"Your welcome," I said back even though I knew she couldn't hear me.

The afternoon sun bathed us in warm sunlight. I decided to get a fire going to dry my shirt and coat. I moved Lucy closer to the fire, so she could dry off too.

I slumped against a tree, tired yet fully awake. I stared up at the cloudless sky with the human girl not to far way from me plaguing my thoughts. What piqued my interest about her was her eyes. They looked so innocent from afar but up close they seem tormented. Lucy's character was perplexing. I don't know what to think of her. For some time, I observed her.

Memorizing her.

Her golden hair free from its ponytail sprawled all around her glistened against the fire, the shadows of the fire dancing across her smooth porcelain skin, her peaceful face while she slept, her strawberry scent...

I finally looked away, clenching my jaw.

Lucy's POV

I felt warm. Really warm.

The pleasant warmth woke me up from my slumber.

When I opened my eyes they were slightly blurry, so I gently rubbed them with my fists. I sat up, stretching my arms and giving a yawn. A small groan escaped my lips as I felt soreness course through my left shoulder. I clicked my tongue in disdain.

I was surprised to find that my hair and clothes were dry instead of sticking to my skin. My eyes glinted with appreciation towards the cackling fire that was a few feet away.

"So you're finally awake," a smooth deep voice said. I jumped, scared out of my wits, and instinctively whirled a knife in the direction I heard it come from. I thought I was alone. I recognized that voice though. Oh, don't tell me I...

"Holy shit!" Gray shouted. The moonlight gleamed off the knife I just threw. It was a millimeter above Gray's head. Relief flooded through me. Good thing, I didn't see where it came from. "Are you trying to kill me?!" his voice snapped.

"No, I'm so sorry! It was reflex! You just scared me and I...forgot that I wasn't alone," I explained feverishly.

"Remind me never to say anything when you wake up."

I face palmed. "I said I was sorry. How long was I out?"

"Five hours," he stated..

"Five hours," I echoed, aghast. "Aw fuck, I got to go!" Master must be really worried! Speaking of being worried, Levy and Natsu are going to bombard me with questions when I come back. Just great...

"Hold on," Gray called. I faced him and for the first time since I met him I really got a good look at him.

He was handsome like all male vampires were. Spiky raven black hair, hypnotic dark blue eyes, and pale skin (no surprise there; he is a vampire). He was wearing black pants with a black silver-studded belt, which included a silver chain that limply hung on the side and black combat boots. Lastly, he was shirtless and had a chain necklace with a sword pendant.

What really caught my attention though was that he was shirtless. I had a good view at his muscular chest and he had a six pack.

A freaking six pack...

I bet I looked really stupid staring at him.

"Yeah?" I quirked my eyebrow. In reply something hit my face and fell in my hands. I looked down to see hos white coat that he was wearing earlier. I gave him a puzzled look.

"Take it. It's cold," he said, putting the fire out. He swiftly put his shirt and an annoyed look, seeing I didn't put his coat on. A gust of wind blew, prickling my skin with cold air. I shivered and put his coat on reluctant. It was nice and warm though.

"You sure?" I asked hesitantly.

"You need it more than I do," Gray insisted. "I'm a vampire. The cold doesn't bother me."

"Alright, thanks...again."

"Don't mention it," he smirked.

Then he was gone.

"So how was the mission?" Master Makarov asked as I walked into his office. He was sipping coffee from a mug and sitting on his large office desk since he was so tiny. He cast me a curious glance, seeing how out of breath of was.

"Avoiding Natsu and Levy," I panted. He gave an understanding nod. "The mission was more problematic than I thought."

"How so?" he asked with a brow raised.

"Well, you told me that Lisanna only sighted two rogues..." I started.

"That's correct," he stated with a nod.

"There was a third. It was a pure blood." Master Makarov's eyes widened substantially.

"A pure blood?" he echoed with disbelief. "That's quite rare..."

"I know. That's what he said."

"He?" Master Makarov inquired, taking a sip of his coffee.

"Gray Fullbuster."

He choked on his coffee, banging his desk. I slapped him on the back helpfully. His coughing subsided gradually and he stared at me. "Please tell me you didn't do anything stupid..." he whispered, rubbing his temples.

I frowned thoughtfully. "No, not really."

Master Makarov sighed. "Well, do tell."

I told him how I attacked him because I didn't know who he was and how we fought together to take down the pure blood, which led to us tumbling down a rocky slope into a river and then falling down the waterfall. I didn't go in to detail about how I dislocated my shoulder, Gray's "CPR", and the discussion we had before Gray let go of the branch.

"Seems you had quite a day," Master Makarov commented. "You just gave me an idea. I'll let you know about it tomorrow. While you're on your way, send Erza in for me." He then muttered, "I just need Queen Ur's approval for this..."

I nodded and left. Once I was outside and heading towards my dorm, I couldn't help but feel suspicious of what the old man was thinking.

Hopefully I wasn't involved.

So what did you guys think?

Forgive me, it's shorter than the other chapters.

Sorry about not posting it earlier. I was studying for ISEE exams. Blah, I just took it today and it was horrible. Sitting down for three hours and using my mind was so draining. The good side of the whole thing was that I didn't have to go to school because of it. Hahaha! :D