I figured out how to change the title of each chapter in the document! I fixed that problem I mentioned earlier. So stupid of me not to know sooner... And yes, this is short...I know.

Here's chapter 11!

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

Please read and review. It is deeply appreciated :)

~Remedy~

Chapter 11

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

Lucy's form was splayed across the rich green grass of the royal garden, her form relaxed and at ease. Her beautiful golden hair tangled with the spiked blades of the earth and the soft hums of mother nature graciously reached her ears with a gentle breeze swaying. Her eyes were closed an peaceful look grazing her features. The sun gleamed on her from the sky accentuating her heavenly features. One would've mistaken her for a sleeping goddess.

Her lids opened, brown orbs lost in the sea of blue above her. Since Lucy first laid down, everything was serene and tranquil. She had barely escaped her excited friends that chatted nonstop about her. She disliked when things were revolved around her, so she decided to slip away unnoticed. And it worked.

A triumphant smile briefly quirked on her lips before her visage slowly changed into a lost, thoughtful one, thinking about the past few days.

Surprisingly, the days went by without any problems, Fairy Tail and Sabertooth steered away from each other like the plague. The only resentment that they've shown towards each other were hateful glares as they passed in the hallways. The daring ones even threw bitter insults, but as daring as they were they never provoked a fight. Behind it all, it's probably because Minerva is in charge if Erza's guess is correct. Jiemma, Minerva's twisted father, supposedly died in the attack before the guild showed up at the doors of the palace, and he never gave a shit whether they fought or not. Master Makarov was aloof about the situation and was more focused, along with Queen Ur, of devising a plan using the map Lucy found at Eisenwald.

Lucy rolled over onto her other side and lazily sat up and eventually got up to sit at the fountain. Her eyes blankly stared into the rippling water as her fingertips ghosted over the water. She then clenched her fist in blind anger as his face flashed in her mind.

Then there was Gray.

The past week they seemed closer and she was puzzled. Ever since she started sleeping by the prince she slept like a baby. She hadn't had any nightmares and she never felt better. She felt like she could kick some ass every time she woke up, which was completely different from feeling like a zombie and barely getting through the day.

Another thing was her mark...

It softly stung whenever she was in some dangerous situation or when there was a leering guy near her with suggestive thoughts. It was like some miracle,really. Gray seemed to know where she was, and when to appear when she needed help. She felt like it was some kind of tracker. It was unnerving, always being watched in a way.

"Lucy!" a melodic voice called. The blonde snapped her head up in alarm only to relax seeing Mira waving to her to come. "Master called for a meeting!"

The two girls walked into the throne room and spotted all hunters already gathered in the center, chatting and whispering about what the meeting was about. Lucy caught sight of Queen Ur sitting on her throne with her three children by her side and Master Makarov by her feet, steadily looking out the window with glowering eyes. He tuned his head back with a heavy sigh and cleared his throat.

"Attention, everyone," Master Makarov ordered.

Gradually, the chattering died out and the hunters' full attention were on the short, elderly man.

"Queen Ur and I concluded that Oracion Seis is definitely up to something according to the map Lucy found." Master's eyes met mine with a glint of acknowledgement and I imperceptibly nodded back. His ancient eyes roamed around the throne room. "We decided that this development can no longer be ignored, and that someone has to deal with them."

"I'm guessing that 'someone' is us," Cana stated impassively, not surprised in the least.

"Just Fairy Tail or all of us?" Mira asked, a frown adorning her face.

"Most of us," Master said. "The enemy is too powerful for just a few of us and has large numbers on us, so I'm selecting some to go and some to stay to protect the palace if any group comes by thinking all of us went."

"From Lamia Scale, Blue Pegasus, and Fairy Tail, Makarov and I handpicked a few from each guild to join forces and take down Oracion Seis for good," Ur explained, voice easily spread through the room, a firm, commanding edge to it. Her usual gentle eyes had a certain hardness and ferocity to them and her face was solemn. "From Lamia Scale: Sherry and Jura. From Blue Pegasus: Ichiya and the Trimens (Hibiki, Ren, and Eve). From Fairy Tail: Erza, Natsu, and Lucy."

Lucy's brows furrowed in confusion. Of all people, why was she picked? She wasn't insanely strong like Natsu and Erza.

"And from my family: Lyon and Gray. They'll be joining the lot of you."

"When will this mission commence?" Erza asked.

"Tomorrow, early in the morning."

Minerva plastered a small smirk on her face as the assembly was dismissed. It was very foolish Oueen Ur and the puny man didn't send them on that mission, but then again, it's all going according to the plan.

Her smirk broadened, the her eyes shadowed from the lighting. Queen Ur wouldn't even know what hit her.

"I can't believe it!" Levy cried in frustration.

"It's fine, Levy," Lucy reassured. Her friend shot her an incredulous look with a glare mixed in.

"No, it's not! The mission's going to be on your birthday!"

"We could just celebrate earlier or after the mission, you know," Lisanna reasoned.

"Thank you, Lisanna," Lucy said gratefully, rolling her eyes as Levy contemplated at Lisanna's suggestion.

"That's a great idea!" Levy beamed. "We could celebrate it this evening!"

"This evening?" Lucy frowned, unsure of everything. "You think that'd work?"

"Yeah, and you never know how long the mission will be too," Lisanna added.

"I guess so..." The blonde wasn't totally convinced, but she knew one way or another that everything that her friends plans would work. They always worked.

The sunlight glowed with its final rays, the sky a mix of purple, orange, and pink. The ballroom of the Fullbuster Palace was full and crowds of hunters laughed, chatted, and drank. The party was casual and enjoyable for everyone. Well, mostly everyone.

Lucy and Levy were currently in the corner of the ball room, the blonde complaining and the blunette apologizing.

"Levy!" Lucy harshly whispered. "I thought it was only for Fairy Tail! Not the whole damn place!"

"I'm sorry! It must have slipped from Cana!"

Lucy breathed in a deep breath and exhaled shakily. So far, nothing was right. Nothing was fun. Nothing like she envisioned. The only thing she was looking forward to was getting the hell out of there. But under the surveillance of Mira and Levy was impossible. Every time she made an attempt, she felt an arm loop around hers and drag her to the dance floor with her shouting protests.

"Lucy, I'm really sorry! I didn't expect it to turn out like this!" Levy worried expression hit Lucy in the gut like a ton of bricks. She felt slightly guilty for letting everything out on Levy when her best friend tried so hard to make her birthday right just this once. Maybe it all wouldn't be in vain, but she needed a break. She felt like she was suffocating in here.

"Lucy! Are you okay!" Levy asked worriedly, watching Lucy drop her head into her hands. "Oh God, this is all my fault!"

"No, it's not! You're being a great friend! I'm just being a lame one!" Lucy replied, raising her head.

"Do you want me to get some water for you?" Lucy nodded and instantly her blue-haired companion disappeared into the large crowd. That was her chance! Lucy weaved through the crowd in the opposite direction where the exit was.

Just as she was about to grasp the handle, as expected, someone grabbed her arm and she was pulled pack. Lucy inwardly screamed as if in some nightmare. Damn, Mira must've saw her!

"Where do you think you're going?"

Lucy immediately discarded the thought of Mira and Levy all at once when the smooth, deep voice wrapped around her head soothingly. She could recognize this voice anywhere. Nervous laughter escaped her throat as she stiffly turned around.

"Gray! I-I d-didn't now y-you were h-here!" Her stuttering voice caused the handsome prince to gaze at her questioningly.

"Where were you off to?"

"Please tell me that Mira and Levy didn't ask for you to watch me..." Lucy said hopefully, evading his question. His eyes narrowed knowingly which caused her to gulp silently under his intimidating navy orbs. He scrutinized her and she suddenly felt naked in front of him.

"No, they didn't."

Lucy strained a smile. Gray's eyes stared her down, waiting for her answer. Lucy fumbled to make words. What was she going to say? She couldn't leave her own party...

"Lucy! There you are!" Erza grabbed Lucy's arm and started dragging her to the buffet.

"What now?" she groused.

"Cake time!" Erza beamed. Her face was practically glowing and Lucy swore there was a bounce in the red-head's gait as they made their way to the giant cake. "You have to make a wish and eat the first bite before all of us can eat it freely."

Lucy numbly looked at the cake before her, contemplating on what she would wish for. Mira lighted the candles and flashed her a smile while Erza got everyone's attention. Lucy suddenly felt very conscious of how she looked as hundreds of eyes were on her. Then the singing started and she couldn't help but fidget with an embarrassed grin.

At the final note, Lucy looked through the crowd of familiar and not so familiar faces. Her eyes landed on a grinning Natsu before they reached Gray's handsome face. He cracked her a smile and she felt like she would melt right then and there.

She knew exactly what to wish for.

Smiling, Lucy closed her eyes. Every ounce of what she wanted and what she desired poured out of her heart and concluded into a final wish that she hoped would come true.

I wish that I can stay with everyone. With Gray.

Lucy opened her eyes and blew the eighteen candles out. Everyone cheered and clapped and laughed. The cake was passed around and Erza went back for seconds then thirds then fourths. For once Gajeel and Natsu weren't fighting and everyone was having fun. Lucy's bright eyes simmered down into duller, sad ones as she treasured the rest of this moments.

"If only I could really stay..." she whispered.

Lucy hugged her knees to her chest and buried herself into the sheets of the bed, eyes wide and body tense. The clock ticked rhythmically reminding her time was running out. With each tick, her heartbeat thudded against her ears. The only thing that made the waiting less painful was that Gray was next to her. But even his presence didn't seem to calm her nerves.

She tried focusing on his steady breathing, but her heart would only beat more erratically.

She felt guilty in a way. For not telling anyone anything. As Mira told her once, "One's happiness is everyone's happiness, one's sadness is everyone's sadness." But then again it was selfish bringing everyone into her mess.

"Lucy, you alright?" Gray sat up and faced her with half-lidded tired eyes. "I can hear your heartbeat."

"I'm okay," Lucy whispered. She heard the bed shift and suddenly she was lifted in Gray's strong, chilling embrace. She shivered and her body slightly released its tension. As always, she felt safer in his arms.

"No, you're not."

His hand lifted her chin for her to meet his eyes. The moonlight's gleam danced across his eyes, giving them a gentle gleam. His expression was concerned and soft. And it was just for her.

"Lucy." Her name was said with such longing and emotion. His voice like a small whisper to her ear, enticing her to say everything.

Her eyes shimmered and for the first time in many years she let her defenses fall. Tears dripped from her eyes and silent, wracking sobs shook her. She sniffled and hiccuped feeling utterly and completely vulnerable and weak. Gray's heart wrenched in pain at every sorrowful sound that escaped her entity against his chest only for him, only him, to hear. His arms secured around her tightly and he nuzzled his nose in her hair.

Lucy gripped onto him as if her life depended on it. Her heartbreaking sobs slowly ceased into small sniffles and she slowly rested hear head against Gray's chest.

"I don't want to leave," she whimpered.

"Leave?" Gray's arms impulsively brought her closer to him.

"I don't want to be taken away."

"Wait, what are you talking about?"

"He wants my soul and body forever."

Gray's eyes widened in horror. Someone else with Lucy. His mate. He couldn't bear the thought. "Who?" he demanded furiously.

"Midnight."

Gray clenched his jaw, barely containing his fury. Midnight. It was all Midnight. It explained everything. How he and Lucy knew each other, the deal he mentioned he had with her, and why she was covered in his scent the other night.

"What was your deal?" His voice was quiet and tense.

Lucy was silent for a moment. "Finding a reason to...live... If I didn't...he'll- he'll-"

"Do you have one?"

Lucy shook her head and Gray couldn't help but smirk. "You do, you're just not recognizing it," he said as he pushed her down, settling himself on top of her.

"Even if I had one, I still think that he wouldn't keep his side of the deal," Lucy murmured, eyes faraway.

"Do you know what your reason is?" Gray asked.

"I've considered a few things..." Her voice trailed off when Gray's lips ghosted over hers.

"Let me show you."

The warmth in her stomach skyrocketed when his cold lips met her warm ones. One of his cold hands sneaked under the hem of her shirt, and Lucy felt his fingers dance across her skin. His tongue slipped through her mouth and moved sensually with hers. His mouth then skimmed over neck, nipping it here and there. She felt incredibly weak and limp, her mind losing itself in the warm pleasure that ignited.

Lucy mind was foggy and her eyes were half-lidded with passion. "W-wait-" She squirmed underneath him. "Let go, I-I c-can't think-"

Gray laughed, eyes flashing diabolically. "And what are you going to do about it? Besides, there's no need to think. You just have to...feel," he whispered huskily against her neck. Lucy quivered and futilely wriggled against him. Her body was scorching hot against his cool one and it was arousing. Not just for her, but for Gray too.

"You drive me insane," he hissed through clenched teeth. "Stop denying your feelings for me. How many times will you deny me and what you truly feel?"

Lucy was speechless. It was true. She really was denying everything. Before she could go deeper into thought, kisses trailed down her neck to her shoulder, the straps of her night shirt slipping ever so slowly. Lucy's breath hitched when Gray licked the shell of her ear and nibbled on her earlobe.

Lucy closed her eyes in bliss as Gray continued down back to her neck, to her mark. She relaxed, surrendering to her emotions and to him. She loved him and couldn't help but say those three powerful words.

"I love you."

"I know," Gray whispered against her lips.

He was her reason to live.

He was her remedy.

Well, here you are, my friends :D I really hope you like it. Sorry for any spelling or grammar errors. I didn't proofread this - well...I never do. *scratches head sheepishly*

As always, please read and review. It's always appreciated. I can't believe it's only going to be four more chapters before this baby comes to a close. I have other stories up my sleeve for GrayLu after I finish this one! But, as you know me, I do a story at a time.

Once again, thanks to all the reviewers, followers, and favoriters X)