Chapter 13

When they arrived at the train station in Magnolia, Erza tapped on Tempest shoulder to wake her.

"Tempest... I just wanted to let you know that Wendy left yesterday for a week of training with Porlyusica... if there's anything we can do to help you, please don't hesitate to ask." Erza frowned. She had conversed with Warren on the train ride. They were trying to get in touch with the two healers, but had had no luck as of yet.

"It's okay, I'll manage." Tempest gritted her teeth and tried to stand. The pain in her feet was immense. With a sigh, Gray swooped her up into his arms, to carry her around. Tempest's felt began to burn with embarrassment. She forced her face into its grumpiest scowl, and they made their way to their guild.

#~#~#

Word had spread to all of the members in the guild hall via Warren. Despite her desperate pleas to just go to her home, Gray and the others marched her straight into the guild hall.

Everyone rushed over to see if they could help. Lucy called for her to be brought to their table. Natsu rushed to her side, the ever loving father-to-be. Lucy started to mother everyone. She even shouted at Laxus for going along with such a stupid idea. That one left tears stinging the corners of Tempests eyes. Tempest looked around for someone to save her.

After another 10 minutes, Tempest couldn't stand it any longer. She bit her tongue to keep from crying out, as she stood and tried to walk out the door. Which earned a lot of complaining from the guild.

"Sit down!"

"Let us help you!"

"Are you hungry?"

"Do you need a real man to carry you?"

Tempest just help up her hand to say stop. She took a deep breath and began again. Upon exiting the guild, and the door closing, she was lifted again, unexpectedly.

"Sorry, I should have listened to your pleading. I'll take you home now." Gray apologized.

"Please."She sighed.

#~#~#~#

Upon getting into the room, Tempest groaned. Which received an odd look from her chauffeur.

"I think I should change the bandages. Can you carry me to the bathroom. I should be able to make it to my room afterwards." Tempest spoke softly.

"I'll help you change them. They would be hard to do by yourself." Gray said nonchalantly. The way he was so cool about it, made Tempest shiver a little. He set her down on the couch and disappeared into her bathroom. When he came out, he was carrying a roll of bandages, gauze, and a healing ointment. He sat on the coffee table across from her, and gently her one of her arms. As he carefully began to un-bandage it, Tempest got her first look at the burns. She was blistered and bleeding. She was shocked and revolted. Gray kept his eyes down as he worked, slowly applying ointment and re-bandaging. He did her side wound next, carefully packing the hole with gauze, only flinching when she began to cry. As he was winding the bandages up her second leg, he looked up, and their eyes met. Tempest understood why he wanted to help with the bandages immediately. He was in pain knowing another guild member was seriously injured, and there was nothing he could do. The moment his sad eyes met her tear filled ones, Tempest's heart seemed to skip a beat. A light blush crept across her cheeks, and she leaned forward slightly. Gray hesitated for only a moment before leaning in slowly as well. His breath smelled of mint, as it touched her Tempest's face, there lips we mere inches apart. And just as her eyes began to drift closed...