Three months, I thought as my eyes opened. Levy had been in a coma for three months.

About a week after I had woken up, Jet and Droy had both recovered. They had been a mess the first two weeks, but, like everyone else in the organization, they had slowly given up hope of her ever waking up.

I sat with her every day, refusing to leave her side until I was kicked out by Master Makarov at night. The entire first month I slept in the infirmary, but Makarov had put a stop to that, saying it wouldn't help her any.

I had even stopped taking jobs so I could be with her. Two months after she had gone into a coma, I went on a two-day job with Lily. When I returned, her condition had worsened greatly, so I vowed never to leave her side again.

I ignored the pitying looks from my fellow hunters as I made my way to the infirmary. This morning, Lucy was sitting beside Levy's bed, feeding her some kind of porridge. "Morning," I said, sitting beside her.

"Good morning," she greeted me. We were pretty much the only two who hadn't given up hope.

She handed the bowl over to me as I sat down, and put her hands over her stomach. It was already swelled considerably, even though she was only about four months along. It made sense, I guessed, since she was having Salamander's baby. Demons developed a lot faster in the womb than humans did, and since dragon slayers were half demon, I supposed that meant Salamander's kid would get here sooner than they had planned.

"Did Porlyusica say how many weeks you had left?" I asked.

"About ten, she thinks," Lucy said as she smiled at me. "We're just taking this week by week for now."

I grunted, nodding. The pink-haired old woman had come to look at Levy after Wendy had done all she could do for her. Not even she could help her. That was the point when most of the others had lost all hope. If Porlyusica had said she wouldn't wake up, then they believed she really wouldn't.

I knew she was wrong. Levy will wake up. Once she's ready, she'll come back.

"I'm going to join the others in the cafeteria," Lucy told me, getting out of her chair. "You should come, too. It isn't healthy to sit in here all day."

"No thanks," I said, placing the empty bowl on the stand beside Levy's bed.

"Make sure to eat something, okay?" She said.

I grunted, taking Levy's hand in mine. Lucy put the oxygen mask back over Levy's face before she left. Wendy had completely healed her body, and even her hair had recovered from the burns, but she still needed the oxygen to breathe. From time to time, she would stop breathing completely, so the oxygen was her lifeline. Until she wakes up. I kept reminding myself that Levy was still alive in there. That she would wake up one day. "I love you, Shrimp, so don't die."

~Levy~

How long has it been? I thought to myself. Once again, I opened my eyes to find myself in the same dream. Over and over again I had had it. Every time it was the same thing.

"Levy, baby, come on now," my mother, Lillian, said as she pulled me out of bed in the middle of the night. I knew it was a dream, because my parents were dead. They had died when I was just a child. As my mother grabbed my arm and pulled me into her bedroom, I was in my adult body.

"Phillip," my mother said, turning to my father, "what are we going to do?"

"We'll just have to fight him," he told her.

"I want to help," I pleaded as she tried to shove me under the bed.

"Levy, just do what mommy says, alright?" She pleaded, looking afraid. As always, she ignored my offers to help, and treated me like a child. Knowing how it would end, I did as she said, closing my eyes tightly when I heard the door rip apart.

Make it stop, I pleaded as my parents began screaming. I could hear Marley's voice as he laughed at them. Once they were dead, he flipped the bed off of me, and pulled me off the ground by my hair.

I didn't struggle. So many times I had lived through the pain of his clawed hand plunging through my stomach that I barely even noticed it anymore. I wanted it all to end. Every time Marley killed me, I could feel another crack forming in my soul. I was just waiting for it—and me—to shatter completely.

When it does, will all of this be over? Will I finally stop living through this nightmare over and over again? As Marley threw my quickly fading body to the floor, I looked to the side, waiting. I smiled when I saw red eyes approaching me, and I let go.

Gajeel. He always showed up—just before I died. Just before I had given up all hope. He reminded me that my world wasn't only pain, that there was some joy there, too. He was my joy. I loved him so much that I could cry. But, just as quick as it had come, the joy vanished as I once again opened my eyes to my mother dragging me out of bed.

"Levy, mommy needs you to come with her," she said, gently. "Come quickly."

I followed her into the bedroom, sitting quietly as she asked my father what to do.

"Mom, let me help you fight," I begged, grabbing her arms. I could feel the tears soaking the front of my nightgown as I stared into her eyes. "Please."

"Levy, you can't fight, you're too weak," she said, kissing me on the forehead. "Now, get underneath the bed, and don't make a sound."

"Please, I want to fight," I cried, even as she helped me under the bed.

"Lillian," my father said.

"I love you, Levy," she told me before standing to face the exploding door.

I sobbed as they screamed, wishing there was something I could do. Why won't they let me help? I can fight Astaroth. I know I can.

"How rude, not saying hello to your old friend." Marley sent the bed flying, and picked me up by the hair. "Hey there, Sunshine."

I didn't say anything, waiting for the pain of his killing blow. When it came, I bit my bottom lip, refusing to cry out. He chuckled and threw me to the floor, disappearing. Although I knew I was going to die yet again, I turned my head and waited for Gajeel. I smiled when I saw him. No matter how many times it happened, I could never stay awake after I saw him. He was always just out of my reach.

I think I hadn't given up yet for that single reason. I wanted him to hold me, even if it was only one more time. I wanted to feel his strong arms around me, filling me with hope and strength. Part of me knew, though, that if he ever did reach me, that would be my last dream. I would finally be done with all of the pain and sadness which had become my entire existence. I would be free.

It was terrifying to think about, but it was also comforting. Not having to live through the same nightmare again and again would be such a relief.

"Levy, come with mommy, quickly." I opened my eyes as I was once again pulled out of bed. Please, not again. I don't want to watch them die again. For the first time since I had began having the dream, I felt panicked. After the third time, I came to expect it, so it never surprised me when they were killed. It hurt just as badly, but I never felt panicked or surprised. This time was different.

For some reason, I found myself fighting against her as he dragged me into her bedroom. "No!" I shouted. My heart pounded against my ribs as I fought her. I can't do this again. It has to stop! Please, just let me die!

"Levy!" My mother snapped, grabbing both of my arms and shaking me hard. "You are in danger. You have to get under the bed and be quiet, alright?"

"No," I pleaded, sobs racking my body as I met her eyes. "You're going to die. I can't watch it again."

"Do as your mother tells you," my father commanded, hugging me, "we'll protect you."

"We're all going to die," I whispered into his chest.

"Get under the bed." My mother helped me crawl under their bed, and I held out my hand for the pillow I knew she would give me. As soon as I had it, I buried my face into it and began sobbing. Please, let me die. Please, let me die, I kept thinking to myself as their screams echoed throughout the room.

I screamed when Marley tossed the bed aside and grabbed my hair. "Please, just let me die," I begged, closing my eyes tightly.

"Don't you dare die on me!" I gasped, and both Marley and I looked to the side. This isn't right. He isn't supposed to come yet. Why is he here? Gajeel stepped forward, his body covered in iron scales, and his arm transformed into a sword.

He sliced Marley in two before either of us could react. A small, gasping sob escaped my throat when he returned to normal and caught me. He hugged me tightly against him, stroking my hair.

"You aren't supposed to be here," I whispered, clinging to his shirt as I sobbed.

"I love you, Shrimp, so don't die." He kissed me hard, and then disappeared.

"Come back!" I shouted, getting to my feet. Everything around me turned black, and I was engulfed in nothingness. I started running, not sure where I was going. I can't die. I can't leave Gajeel. I had to find him. Somehow, through the haze and emptiness, I had to find him. He's waiting for me.

~Gajeel~

"Another day," I sighed, getting dressed.

"Are you ready to go?" Lily asked me, waiting by the front door as I made my way into the living room.

"Yeah, let's go," I nodded, following him. We walked in silence to Fairy Tail. It had already been another week. We parted ways once inside, and I went to the infirmary.

"What's goin' on?" I asked, noticing Makarov, Wendy, and Porlyusica all standing around Levy's bed. Wendy's eyes filled with tears when she saw me, and she focused her gaze on the ground. I rushed forward, fear stabbing me in the chest like a knife. "What happened?"

"Last night, she took a turn for the worse," Makarov said, turning to meet my eyes. "She stopped breathing, and it took everything Wendy had to get her to start breathing again. Since then, it has happened two more times."

"Why's she here then?" I asked, looking at Porlyusica.

"Because Wendy is too kindhearted," Porlyusica said.

"What does she mean?" I looked at Makarov, a bad feeling sinking into my core.

"Gajeel, it's time to let her go," he finally sighed.

"What?" I gaped at him, not sure I had heard him correctly.

"This evening," Porlyusica said, "we're going to remove her oxygen."

I had lunged at her before I had time to think about it. Makarov's arm shot out, and he knocked me to the ground before I could reach her. "Wendy, get Natsu," he said, calmly.

"Don't you dare touch her!" I snarled, trying to get at the old woman.

"Whoa, calm down, man!" Natsu said, grabbing me from behind.

"Take him outside to cool off," Makarov told him.

I cursed as I was dragged outside. Lily and Lucy followed us out the doors. When Natsu released me, I punched him in the face.

"Not cool, Gajeel!" Lucy yelled at me. I ignored her, punching him again.

"Hitting me isn't going to bring Levy back!" Natsu shouted as his fist met my jaw.

"Shut up!" I growled, swinging at him. He dodged and punched me in the stomach.

He crouched down when I fell to the ground, wheezing. "We're all hurting, alright? Do you really think Levy would be happy if she saw you acting like this?"

"Go to hell."

He grabbed my shirt and jerked me off the ground, frowning at me. "Instead of acting like an idiot, you need to get it together—for Levy's sake. Calm down, shut up, and go hold her hand while you still can. She would want you there beside her, so don't let her down."

"I can't," I whispered, falling to my knees when Natsu let go of me. "It's my fault she's in there. Now that I know she isn't going to wake up, how can I face her again?" There was an annoying lump in my throat, so I swallowed hard.

"Then go apologize!" He punched me again, looking angry. "If you feel so bad, then that's even more reason for you to go to her! Tell her you're sorry before it's too late!"

"That's enough," Lucy told him, putting her hand on his shoulder. She was crying hard, and I saw that Lily was too, although he was trying to fight it. Watching them, I thought the lump in my throat was going to strangle me, so I cleared my throat and got to my feet.

"You're right," I said, "thanks."

"Don't mention it," Natsu nodded, putting an arm around Lucy, "now go."

Makarov and Porlyusica looked up when I came back through the infirmary doors. "Sorry," I murmured, "about before."

"It's alright," Makarov sighed.

"Can I be alone with her?" I asked.

"Let's leave him," Porlyusica said, dragging Makarov from the room.

A few hours. That was all the time I had left with Levy. And then she would be gone to me forever. I sat beside her bed and held her small hand in both of mine. She looked really pale, and her breathing sounded strained.

I closed my eyes as I laid my head at her side and, for the first time in my life, I cried.

I must have fallen asleep, because someone tapped on my shoulder, saying it was time. Wendy, Lucy, Natsu, Happy, and Lily were all there, their eyes filled with tears. Someone said that Jet and Droy hadn't wanted to be there when it happened, so they both left while I had been asleep. I didn't blame them. I wanted to run away, but I stayed.

Porlyusica went to the other side of Levy's bed, and removed the oxygen mask and tube in her nose. The small hunter took a deep breath, as if searching for air that she couldn't find, then fell completely still. Slowly, everyone began leaving, knowing there was nothing else they could do.

"Gajeel—" Lily began, his eyes red and puffy.

"Leave him," Makarov said, looking just as bad.

When they were gone, I finally stood. My body had no feeling in it. It was like every sense of feeling had been ripped from my body, leaving me empty. I bent down and wrapped my arms around Levy, holding her tightly against me. I couldn't even cry. I just closed my eyes and held her, wishing I could somehow take her place.

Gently, I laid her head against her pillow and moved blue bangs out of her face. I pressed my lips against her forehead before straightening. "Goodbye, Shrimp." With the numb feeling still wrapped around me, I walked towards the doors.

"Ga...jeel."

At the noise, I froze in my tracks and turned around. I stared, incredulous, as tears made their way down my face. "Levy."