NOTE: I've edited this chapter for an accidental switch to first person that lasted two paragraphs during Lucy's conversation with Gajeel.

Greetings, my lovely readers. It's been a while, has it not?

Anywho, I just got out of college for the summer and am applying for jobs, so I still might not be able to update as often as I did whilst still in high school, but I'll try. This is a long overdue update for FtF, which may or may not be up to the standards I have set for myself. I've got to work on getting back into the flow.

So…wish me luck and here we go!

"What?!" Lucy was fairly certain that her voice had risen a few octaves the next morning when Master Makarov delivered the news. She certainly hadn't been expecting something like that—not even from the council, who had been known to look down upon Fairy Tail at various points in the past.

"It's as I said," the guild master stated solemnly, his brow furrowed in frustration. "Even I didn't expect…"

"Of course not!" Lucy threw her hands up, a few papers they'd been using to build a case sliding out and scattering into the air. "It's unprecedented, except in actual murder cases where there's no doubt they've got the right criminal in custody! And it's completely ridiculous! Why would they set the trial for five days from now?!"

Everyone else was feeling the pressure, too, but Lucy felt it even more acutely than they. It would have been plenty difficult to put together a convincing case in the two weeks they'd been expecting to have; now they had less than a week to do so. That was the problem everyone else was finding with the Council's abrupt trial. The only others who knew exactly why Lucy was so upset were two exceeds and a big, intimidating iron dragonslayer because they were finding the exact same problem.

"Lucy…" Mira seemed more downtrodden than she had ever seemed, and it wasn't helping anything.

"There's nothing we can do but put together as good a case as we can in the time we have," was the grudgingly proposed form of action, uttered by Master Makarov himself. Lucy was partially indignant that he wasn't as angry about the Council's decision as she was, but she supposed he just had more self-control.

He wasn't just acknowledging that he was head-over-heels for Natsu like she was.

"Then we need to get to work," said Gray, an unusual seriousness about him that seeped into everyone else. "I'll go to the library and see if any of the newspapers from the past couple of months have anything important we missed. Who's coming with me?"

With that, people began to break into groups to do their research to help put the case together, and Lucy, still silently fuming and trying to work a new plan out as quickly as possible, slipped away to a more secluded place. In a back room of the upper floor where she usually wasn't permitted to go, she slid down to the ground and touched her forehead to her knees. The cogs in her head were turning just as fast as they possibly could in order to work out some scenario that could get her captured by Demon Card within the next 12 hours.

She was on the verge of tears, but she didn't have time for trivial things like that.

Lucy tapped her foot impatiently, waiting for Gajeel to show up. They had to finalize a few plans before the guild really filled up. The less people there were in the building the fewer people would be situated near Gajeel's little corner. They still tended to keep their distance from him, despite all the trust he'd amassed among them, so it would be better for them to talk when no one was there to interrupt. Happy was with Lisanna for the time being and would be filled in by Lily after everything was decided. All that remained was for the iron dragonslayer to show up and they could set everything in motion.

The blonde checked the clock: six fifteen. She'd been sitting there, waiting, for fifteen minutes now. She was restless. Since the incident just a few hours ago, in which Master Makarov announced that Natsu's trial was in just five short days, everyone had been on edge and no one could stay in one place for very long. All the other members of the guild were out and about, researching and tracking down clues—anything to help Natsu's case. Lucy, however, had been left to her own devices; they trusted her to come up with something.

At six twenty, Gajeel was supposed to meet her so they could talk over the plan so she could get going—tonight.

Five more minutes, then. She could survive waiting that long, couldn't she?

Tap, tap, tap.

Her toes barely touched the floor, but in the mostly empty guild hall the sound seemed magnified a hundred times. She found herself stopping when she realized people were looking at her, but subconsciously she began tapping her toes again a few moments later.

Four more minutes.

Tap, tap, tap.

Mira came over and placed a hand on Lucy's shoulder, startling her into looking up. The sad, understanding blue eyes searched her face for a moment before Mirajane offered Lucy a weak smile and a cup of hot coffee.

"A teaspoon of milk and two sugar cubes, just how you like it," the white-haired woman said gently. "I know you're waiting for Gajeel, but be patient. He'll be here soon and you can talk to him about whatever you need to talk about. Okay?"

The celestial mage took a slow, tiny sip of the steaming coffee to buy time to formulate her answer.

"Yeah…I know. I just can't help it."

Again, Mira smiled a weak smile that didn't reach her eyes. "I know."

She floated away, back to the bar, and Lucy wrapped both of her hands around her coffee mug. At least this would distract her for now. After all, if she tapped her foot she risked spilling it all over herself and that was never what anyone planned on they could help it.

Three minutes.

Five days. There were only five days for Fairy Tail to amass enough information to clear Natsu's name and turn the blame onto the real culprit from Demon Card. Five days in which Lucy needed to be captured, draw out the information she needed, and get out with the offender in tow to cart him off to Era.

The blonde was upset. She knew that she couldn't be too obvious when she went out to be captured. If she wasn't careful, they'd know she was bait and may not take her…and they certainly wouldn't let anything slip while around her even if they did kidnap her. She needed them to be at ease, free to talk about their plans around her—she needed them to believe that there was no possible way she could be rescued before whatever verdict was exacted on the innocent dragonslayer they had framed.

There had to be some way she could manage it all…

Tap, tap, tap.

Two minutes.

Lucy took a long draught of her coffee to try to calm herself. Gajeel would be there—a few minutes late shouldn't matter much. But, alas, to a woman in a mindset like the celestial mage's current one, a few minutes late was the difference between life and death.

She knew it was irrational—of course she did. She was Lucy Heartfilia, a vivacious, curvy blonde mage who prided herself on her intellect, so of course she knew how irrational it was. But she was also finally accepting the fact that she was in love, and everyone should know by now that love is an irrational thing. It makes fools out of the greatest thinkers…but it made a determined savior out of her.

Another swig, three more impatient taps of her foot…

Tap, tap, tap.

One minute.

Her mind was awhirl with different thoughts and fears—what if she couldn't succeed in time? Would she fail at putting together a worthy case with whatever time she had between capturing the culprit and getting him to Era? What if, even when faced with substantial evidence against Demon Card and in Natsu's favor, the Council still considered him guilty? What if they executed Natsu?

Tap, tap, tap.

Six twenty, and Gajeel had yet to return from scouting out possible clues with Jet, Droy, Wakaba, and Macao.

The blonde told herself to calm down. Thinking irrationally wouldn't do anything to help her now. She had to continue considering the possibilities open to her—she had to keep planning her own capture and the means through which she'd acquire the information she needed once in the grasp of Demon Card. Gajeel being five minutes delayed shouldn't have much effect on that. Whatever the case may be, she would still be sure that she was taken tonight.

"It's fine," she murmured to herself, taking another long draught of her warm coffee. "A few minutes won't make that much difference."

She sincerely hoped they wouldn't, at least. And that hope was what was keeping her going. Lucy had to stay positive—not only for herself or for Mira or anyone else at Fairy Tail, but for Natsu and Levy who needed her calm and level-headed more than anyone.

She had to stay positive.

Tap, tap, tap.

"Wait long, Bunny Girl?" a gruff voice asked from behind a few painstakingly long moments later. Six twenty-seven.

"Not too much…" she lied, putting her already empty second cup of coffee down on the table. "Did you guys find anything out while you were scouring the town?" Lucy's hand trailed through the air, gesturing around them to imply the entire city of Magnolia.

"Nothing new," Gajeel grunted, plopping down on the bench across from her. A glance around showed that there weren't very many members in the building right now, and those who were present seemed fairly preoccupied at the moment. Just as Lucy had planned for and expected—it made planning easier because she and Gajeel didn't have to sneak around in random places. "So…the plan?"

"I've finally put all the pieces together, I think," the blonde leaned in a little and spoke in a low tone. With the current feeling of the guild, anyone observing would think she just didn't want to disturb the stale silence permeating the building. "I need to get captured by Demon Card sometime tonight."

The iron dragonslayer furrowed his brow just slightly—it was always furrowed, and only someone like Lucy or Levy could really tell what his emotions were at any given time—before he put his elbows on the table and leaned forward just slightly to ask, "Tonight? Ain't that almost too fast, Bunny Girl?"

"We've only got five days until Natsu's trial," Lucy pointed out.

"You've got a point there…"

"I know," Lucy rubbed her forehead with a sigh. "That means I've only got five days to get taken, find out where Levy is, and then find out who's responsible for all of this. Actually, I've really only got four days to get all of that done if I want to get to the trial before they wrongly convict Natsu. Are you still willing to help me? I've got an important task that I think you're best for."

The gruff man raised one eyebrow inquisitively and said, "What makes you think I'm best for whatever job you've got in mind?"

"All the recon you did for Master Makarov where Raven Tail was concerned, that's what," the blonde said with no embellishment. "You played Ivan quite well…I don't think he realized you were ever a double agent until the tournament."

"So you want me to pretend to be a traitor to Fairy Tail and join them? I hate to break it to you, but I don't think that'll work for us again."

"That's not it," Lucy shook her head. "I want you to follow them when they take me—in secret—find out where they're keeping Levy so you can get her out first when the time comes. If he'll consent to it, have Lily nearby at all times so you can go tell him the information you've gathered. He can go tell Happy. If the situation turns to the bad, I want you to get Levy out and get back. She'll be able to handle Natsu's case even if I can't get out."

Both eyebrows went up at that. "You're willing to sacrifice yourself for this?"

"More than."

"Heh. You've got a lot of determination, Bunny Girl, I'll give ya that."

"So…you'll help me?"

Gajeel rolled his shoulders and showed his teeth in a feral grin. "Finish telling me the plan. You just tell me what I've gotta do and I'll do it."

Lucy grinned and said, "That's what I was hoping to hear. So sometime tonight, around ten, I want you to trail me when I leave the guild. I'll go out of town, into the forest, with my bag and everything. I'll pretend I'm going on a solo job. I have a feeling that Demon Card is watching us, thinking we'll try something more, so when they see me go out alone, especially after the scene with Natsu in front of their headquarters," here she was referring to the kiss they had shared, and though her cheeks grew warm she forged on, "they'll want to take me no matter what so that I can't testify in Natsu's favor."

Gajeel looked skeptical, and Lucy completely understood.

"I know it's not foolproof, trust me on that," the celestial mage sighed, glancing toward the bar where Mira was still wiping down the counter. "It's just speculation, but everyone has been careful about traveling in pairs so if they're still in for kidnapping our members, they'll jump at the chance. It's even possible that they'll want to frame someone else, so taking me and leaving evidence for Fairy Tail is their best attempt at getting the whole guild to come at them again. But I want you to try your best to hide the evidence and maybe even get Happy to tell them I'm researching at my apartment and refusing to see anyone until I'm done. It'll keep them from getting too frantic for at least two days, maybe three."

The dragonslayer remained silent, brow furrowed in thought. Lucy waited a moment for what she'd said to sink in more thoroughly before taking the initiative to continue.

"While I'm there, if I get taken like I hope to be, you'll find out where they're keeping Levy and I, and we can pass you information. I'll also ask you to gather information and pass it to both of us, so that regardless of whether my plan works or not, someone knows everything and can continue to work on making Natsu's case. Can you promise me you'll do that? And that you'll get Levy out at least if something takes a turn?"

"Yeah, I can do that," he growled in response. Lucy had known better than to hear him say he'd promise, because that just wasn't the kind of word that she expected to be in his vocabulary, but this was exactly what she'd hoped for. It was his word, and it was as good as a promise. The dragonslayer then asked her, "What's your plan? What are you going to do inside? There can't be much someone can do when they're being held captive."

Somehow, she'd been expecting this question.

"I'll listen to guards, ask some questions. As a captive, they may not view me as much of a threat. Sometimes, tongues are looser when the adversary believes there's no reason to be on their guard. I think they underestimate Fairy Tail, to some degree. I'm not sure they realize that we'll go even farther than a full-scale assault when our nakama are in danger. It's not guaranteed I'll get what I need from that, but hopefully I'll at least hear something about it."

"Then there's no guarantee the Council'll take your word for it. Didja think of that one?"

Lucy grimaced and looked at the wooden tabletop. "I don't like to think about it, but yes, I have considered that possibility. Which is why, if I figure something out, I will try to confront the person responsible for framing Natsu around midnight on the last night. If you can get Happy to bring the guild then, and lead the charge when they get here, I hope to be done by two o'clock. From there, we'll go immediately to the train station and to Era. That should put us an hour before Natsu's trial. Since the train ride is roughly eight hours long, it'll also give Levy and I time to build the case for him."

"So, basically, you want Happy to get everyone to come to the Demon Card hideout around midnight the morning of the idiot's trial? A surprise attack in the middle of the night?"

"Yes. First focus on getting to Levy. That's key, just in case something happens to me in my confrontation with whoever's responsible for all of this. Is that clear, Gajeel? I need you to promise me that you'll make sure Levy gets out safely. Just say that you can do it, and it'll fine."

"I can. I will."

"Good," Lucy smiled, feeling relieved. The fact that Gajeel had agreed so easily made her want to cry out in relief, but she held herself in check. The blonde couldn't be weak in any way at the moment—the lives of two of her nakama could rest on these next few days. "That's the gist of my plan. If anything else comes up while I'm captured, I'll let you know if you can get to me to relay messages and information. Does that sound reasonable to you?"

"It's crazy," he grunted, glancing up to make sure that he and the blonde were still isolated from everyone else—as if he needed to, with his dragonslayer senses. "It's so crazy it might work. I'll do what I can to help ya, Bunny Girl."

He grinned again, but it was a more subdued grin than the 'try me' sort of grin he wore earlier. Lucy knew that the idea of saving Levy was probably part of why he was more serious. Even if he didn't say it, he was attracted to her, and at least Lucy and Mira could tell.

"I'll see you later, then," Lucy reached to shake his hand and after looking at her curiously, the dragonslayer consented to take her hand and shake. As she stood to walk away, she tossed over her shoulder, "We'll save them both. You'll see."

"I'll be waitin' for it, then," he retorted, reclining where he sat.

The blonde celestial mage made her way to the bar with a bag she'd been carrying—in it were all of her materials for the case. She was going to 'forget' it here later tonight, but for now…she sat down at a stool, pulled out her books, newspapers, and the case she'd been building, and started to work.

Just because the main phase of her real plan was about to start didn't mean she could just go easy with this part of it.

"Maaaan!" Lucy stretched her arms out, standing on the edge of Magnolia in the dim lighting as the sun went down. It was already just a few minutes past nine and the sun was about to set…and Lucy? A light travel bag was slung across her shoulder and she was about to make her way into the forest. She fervently hoped her plan would work and that Demon Card would seize the opportunity to grab her while she was seemingly 'alone'. "It's so nice out…and the guild has been so stifling. But…this is a quick job. I can get it done and get back to help with Natsu's case by tomorrow morning!"

The dialogue may have been unnecessary, but she thought it might help. Mentioning that they were attempting to build a case for Natsu, very subtly implying that they wouldn't be able to do much without her there…it could be what made them take her even if they weren't planning on taking someone else.

The blonde rolled her shoulders, made sure her bag was secure on her shoulder, and strode towards the trees. There was no time like the present, and she was hoping for them to come to her soon. She had no guarantees that they'd come and take her, there was no certainty…but she had hope. She knew she was doing what was right, no matter how risky it could turn out being for her in the end. it was for her nakama, for Natsu, and she'd do anything to help them, even if it meant being taken captive by the cruel dark guild that had taken Levy from them and framed her favorite dragonslayer.

Now is not the time to have doubts, Lucy, she scolded herself, you can do this! They'll come for you, just be patient! You might have to go pretty deep into the woods before they find it safe enough…

But then the blonde changed her thought—they had taken Levy in broad daylight right from under their noses. What would stop them from taking Lucy at the edge of the forest if they were going to take her? And, unbidden, the doubts flooded through her. She shook her head violently and forced the thought, the doubt, from her mind.

They'll be more cautious now that they know Fairy Tail is on their guard…

That had to be it. She had to believe that was it, or she'd lose her courage. And she couldn't afford to lose herself now, not when she was so close, not when she was finally putting her true plan into action.

"These trees are creepy in the dark," she mused aloud. "But the job did say that I needed to be out here when it was getting dark…so here I am! I've gotta make the most of it!"

Maybe hearing her talk, hearing her sound kind of fearful, would make Demon Card nab her. And it would alert Gajeel to where she was, even if he couldn't see her. With his super hearing, he should know where she was, and if someone else was in the forest, too.

"If it's so creepy out here, then why'd you come out all alone, Lucy?"

The blonde jumped and made a small sound in her throat involuntarily, spinning to see where the voice had come from. In the dim lighting, she could make out a man leaning against a nearby magnolia tree.

"He's right," this was a woman's voice, coming from the direction Lucy had just been facing. "And besides…isn't your guild using the buddy system right now…?"

"W-who are you?" Lucy forced herself to stutter a little. She'd spotted the top half of the Demon Card symbol on what was exposed of the man's chest. It was on his right pectoral muscle, just like Gray's was. "How do you know that?"

"Never mind us. We're using the buddy system, just like you…but wait. Where's your buddy, Lucy? You seem to be alone. What if someone comes…" Lucy gasped—the man disappeared before her eyes—"and tries to take you away?"

The last part was right in her ear, and a knife was pressed to her throat.

"W-what are you doing?"

"Isn't it obvious, doll?" the woman said in a condescending tone, stepping into view.

"Demon Card!" Lucy bit out, struggling against the man. If she made it too easy, after all, they may suspect something was up. So she threw his arm away and stumbled back, fumbling for her keys as she did so. She didn't expect to have time to call Loke out, but she'd already told him the plan just in case. He wasn't happy, but he'd grudgingly agreed that it was her best bet.

"Ah-ah-ah!" The man disappeared again and a jingle made Lucy turn away from the woman. A few feet away he stood, her key ring dangling from his index finger. As she looked, he started to twirl it around his finger. "That just won't do. Now…why don't you come quietly?"

"What have you done with Levy?!" Lucy demanded, stalling just to be certain Gajeel knew something was happening. "Why did you frame Natsu?"

"Do you honestly think you're in a position to ask us questions?" the woman scoffed. She reached into a pouch at her belt and pulled out a crystal bottle filled with a liquid that Lucy couldn't identify. "I guess there's no other choice…can I knock her out, Ty?"

"Be my guest," the man motioned her on, smiling smugly.

"What? Don't think I'll just lie down and let you win!" Lucy cried, reaching for her whip. Her hand had barely grazed the handle when the Demon Card woman made her move.

"Take a whiff of this, doll," she was closer than Lucy had remembered and had uncorked the little phial. She lunged forward, grabbed the back of Lucy's neck, and held the opening of her bottle to the blonde's nose. "It's my special perfume. I call it chlorofume…works just like chloroform."

Yes, Lucy could see that. Her head was feeling light and her knees started to give way.

"Don't worry. We'll take good care of you…fairy."

And that was all Lucy heard.

I'm not sure that the whole capture scene worked as well as I would have liked, but it's better than I thought I would be able to come with. I had such a block on this chapter every time I opened it up to type! It was so depressing…but I'm hoping I've created something that you enjoyed reading.

ALSO, PLEASE NOTICE: I once promised to reply to all reviews I received, and I'll do my best to reply to new reviews this summer, but I'm afraid all reviews prior to this update will have to go unanswered. You might not believe it, but I think that I amassed over a hundred reviews while at school and though I had time to look at them all, I couldn't reply. I apologize, and for any of you who reviewed and aren't getting direct replies, thank you so much! I'm glad you're reading, and as long as you reply to some kind of update this summer, I'll do my best to get back to you!

In the meantime, I'll be trying to update my other stories before I start work in the next week or so. Please be patient with me! I'll do my best to write in whatever free time I may get! My job, however, will be ten hours a day at least four days a week, though quite possibly five or six for a while. Please forgive me!