Chapter 14

Very sorry about all the grammatical errors last chapter. I was super exhausted.

Tempest leaned ever so slightly closer.

BANGBANGBANG

The door flew open, and Tempest and Gray leaned away quickly. None other than Erza burst in.

"We finally got through to Wendy! She be here tomor... Am I interrupting?" Erza questioned.

"Not at all, Gray was just helping with the bandages." Tempest said without hesitating.

"Oh. Well I can finish that Gray." Erza moved toward the couch, but Gray stood up.

"No need, I've already finished." Gray went to the restroom, he came out drying his hands. "Good night to the both of you."

Tempest watched Gray walk out of the apartment. One look at Erza told Tempest that she wasn't buying the story. Thinking quick, Tempest let out a long yawn.

"Hey Erza, will you carry me to my bed? I think I'm too worn out" Tempest gave the re-quip mage a pleading look.

"Of course. But we will talk about what was really going on here tomorrow morning." Erza stated, gently scooping the dragon slayer up, and carrying her to the bed.

Erza tucked Tempest in, to make sure she was comfortable. She also braided Tempest's hair, so it wouldn't be in the way. And almost as an afterthought as she was leaving, Erza said a statement that caused Tempest's jaw to drop, and a brick of anxiety to land on her shoulders.

"Juvia and Lyon are coming back early... Warren contacted Juvia. She's... a little upset."

#~#~#

It was bright and early when a pounding on the door awoke Tempest. She had not slept well, worrying about Juvia's homecoming,

"I'm awake. Come in" Tempest called. Laxus walked in with a very uncomfortable looking Levy.

"Are you hungry?" Laxus asked. Tempest stomach growled loudly as she tried to remember when and what she had eaten last. "Levy will help you change, call for me when you're ready." Laxus stated, going to stand outside the door. Levy dropped her head shyly.

"Levy, if you just get the white sundress out of the closet for me, I should be able to at least change myself." Tempest urged.

"You know, Laxus has never asked me for a favor before. If you don't mind, I'd really like to carry through with it." She smiled. As Levy helped her change, she got a crushing feeling that she was a life-size doll. And she utterly hated that. Once dressed, Laxus came in and picked her up, and carried her to the guild hall. He sat her down at the bar. Mira immediately placed a cup of water with a straw, and a plate of food in front of her. Before she had a chance to even try, Laxus was trying to feed her like a child... The day had just began, and she was already done. Tempest took the fork, and shooed him away. Was it painful to use small utensils. Absolutely. Was she appreciative of how much everyone was trying to help and and care. Without a doubt. But she was a dragon slayer for crying out loud. She was neither a baby, nor a senior citizen that needed to be fed. She would use her injured fingers, no matter what.

#~#~#

Tempest had just managed to finish breakfast, under the watchful eye of Laxus, when the guildhall doors opened. Juvia and Lyon walked hand-in-hand through the mess hall to the bar, directly to the cowering Tempest.

The first thing that happened was Juvia crossed her arms and tapped her toes, taking in the extent of the damage. Then she grabbed Tempest face and made their eyes meet. Tempest could see worry and anger in her older sisters eyes. Juvia slapped her across the cheek.

"Juvia thought you knew better than to be so reckless. You have much more to learn little sister. Think about what mother and father would have said. You could have been killed. When if you had waited, help would have been there shortly. This guild always has a way of helping each other." Juvia then pulled Tempest into a hug, to apologize for being harsh. When Juvia pulled she realized that two people had moved closer... Laxus, understandable, Tempest had tried to save him, the second was more confusing. Gray. She let it go, something to talk about with Lyon before bed.

Juvia and Lyon carried her to the infirmary for one last bandage change before Wendy came home. Lyon left the room, and Juvia began to undo the bandages. The blisters were beginning to dry out, and her fingers were bleeding from being bent. This earned a glare from the older Lockser sibling.

"Dad would have been so mad... I miss them." Juvia stated morosely.

"Me too."

#~#~#~#~###

More Gray next chapter, and what will Erza say to Tempest? Find out next time! (hopefully Saturday)