Happy Friday (the 13th)!

I'm super excited to be sharing the last chapter of The Problem with Ranged Weapons. This is the real reason I wrote this fic (other than to beat up on Gray, obviously; no rationale needed for that XD). If you enjoyed this fic (with it's wicked little plot twist and shameless Gray whump), please consider favoriting or leaving a comment. This will help other people find this fic, even without me giving away the secret in the description.

guest: Thanks a bunch; that's such a compliment! I'm not quite done making Gray jump through hoops yet, so bear with me. But we'll get some sweet fluff at the end of Gray's story line, if you've got the patience for it (because I writ slowly, lol). No Lyon this time, unfortunately, but we'll see him again in a couple of stories. I'm sort of excited that you've asked about him, though. He's my hands-down favorite. I totally didn't realize that until I started writing him in Mazeverse. I always thought Gray was my favorite, but Ur's older student has beat him out once again, lol! (Not that my opinion matters, but still... it's the principle of the thing! XD) and I'm planing to give Lyon a larger role in upcoming arcs, and that only works if other people care about him too. This is the last here, but I hope to see you on future stories. I've got all kinds of fun planned to share with you. Thanks!

- K. Chandler

Erza tapped her foot, letting out an impatient huff. "Where is Wendy? She was supposed to be back half-an-hour ago."

Erza's fingers were cold and numb. It had taken ages to stop the bleeding and nearly as long to scrub the blood off her hands. The very memory made her stomach churn. Normally blood didn't bother her, but this time, it was Gray's. And she was responsible for spilling it.

God, she was so stupid!

She scowled at the wooden bow lying on the floor. She hadn't remembered retrieving it, but she must have, for here it was. It seemed to mock her for her ineptitude.

Gray had been a much better patient once Mira had gotten involved. He quit putting up a fight since the beautiful barmaid threatened tears every time he got stubborn.

If Erza had known that was all it took to gain Gray's cooperation, she would have started bawling from the beginning. Her friend always did have a weakness for tears, even when they were growing up.

Of course, now that Mira was gone, Gray was back to being his cocky, petulant, irritating self. Normally, Erza would have taken it as a positive that her friend was recovering so quickly, but today his flippant comments were only making the guilty knot in her chest grow.

"Will you relax, already?" Gray was sitting on one of the beds in the infirmary, leaning against the wall. His torso was wrapped with sterile white bandages. Erza could see the top half of his navy blue guild mark peeking out over the top.

Erza frowned, watching her friend anxiously. He had gotten some of his color back, but he was still worryingly pale. It didn't matter how cavalier he wanted to be, Wendy needed to get back soon.

"Erza, I'm fine. Quit worrying, all right?" he said, catching her lingering gaze. "We just gotta wait for Wendy to come and do her thing."

"Stop saying that you're fine!" snapped Erza, her voice sharp. "This is all my fault."

Gray shook his head. "We've been over this, yeah? I told you, it was just an accident. That's all."

"It shouldn't have happened. I never should have pointed my weapon at you." Erza gnawed at her lower lip, catching it against her teeth.

"Well, if anything, it's my fault, then. It was my idea," said Gray.

"I should have known better than to listen to you."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence."

"You know that's not what I meant," she said, her eyes flashing with irritation. "I hurt you."

Gray shrugged. "Maybe next time I'll learn to be faster."

"You're here because of my incompetence," she insisted.

"Erza, I think you've got it backwards," said Gray, looking amused. "If you were incompetent, you would have missed."

"Gray, that isn't funny! I could have killed you!" snapped Erza. "I… I almost killed you..." Erza's voice wavered as she trailed off. Her hands shook as she dragged them through her hair.

"Erza…" mumbled Gray, shaking his head. He shifted gingerly, making some room on the infirmary bed. He patted the empty spot next to him. "C'mere," he said softly.

Erza hesitated. Was he was trying to comfort her? She didn't deserve that. It was her incompetence that had landed them in this situation.

"Or I guess I can come to you," he said. "That's good too." Gray heaved himself up with a grunt, one hand braced against his injury. His face twisted in pain as he started to swing his legs off the side of the bed.

Erza crossed the room in two strides, clamping a hand on Gray's shoulder to keep him from moving. "Stop it," she scolded. He'd be the death of both of them if he kept trying to aggravate his injury.

Gray didn't argue, but his expression was unapologetic. He tugged her down to sit next to him.

Relenting, Erza sank onto the edge of the mattress with a sigh. She hugged her left knee up to her chest, her shoulders hunched. His proximity should have tied her insides in knots, but the welling guilt in her stomach left no room for butterflies.

"Now. What's this really about?" asked Gray, his voice soft.

"I told you. All of this is my—"

"Not that." Gray waved impatiently. "I mean all this guilt-tripping and the sudden obsession with archery. I know something's been bothering you for a while."

Erza's head snapped up, her eyes wide and curious.

Gray arched an eyebrow, answering the question unasked. "It was kinda obvious…" he said. "You've been upset since—" Gray paused, frowning. "Since we got back from the Azure Wing job. I'm right, aren't I?"

Erza didn't say anything.

"Is it the whole extinguish-all-light thing? Is that what's wrong?"

"Don't be silly," said Erza quickly. Just because Gray knew about her phobias, it didn't mean she wanted to discuss them with him.

"What then?" he pestered.

Erza shook her head, unable to meet his eyes.

"Erza… talk to me." The gentleness of Gray's tone made her glance up. He gave her an encouraging nod.

Erza swallowed hard, nodding back. "My magic failed me," she admitted, her voice a whisper. "Lucy was in trouble and I couldn't do anything to save her."

"So that's what this is about," he said. "I'm guessing that's why you wanted the archery lessons, huh?"

"I thought that if I could learn how to use a bow, like you, then next time things would be different. But it didn't help anything."

Gray's forehead scrunched in confusion. "What are you talking about? What do you mean 'it didn't help anything'?"

Erza turned towards him with a jerk. "Don't you understand? I failed," Erza hissed, waving in his direction.

Gray blinked at her for a moment. Then he let out a soft breath. "Yeah. Yeah, you did," he said.

Erza flinched. Gray had never been one to sugar-coat things.

"So, you screwed up," he said neutrally. "But that's okay. It happens to the best of us."

"This was a foolish idea. And look where it got us! I mean… you're hurt because of me," she choked.

"So, I got cocky and I screwed up too." Gray shrugged. "Like I said. Happens to the best of us," he repeated firmly.

"But this is my fault! If it hadn't been for me wanting to learn how to use that… that… thing then none of this would have happened, said Erza, gesturing toward her discarded bow.

"You need to quit blaming yourself for everything," said Gray. "Erza, listen to me. There's nothing wrong with learning a new skill. We all gotta try our best to get stronger and this is just one way to do that," said Gray patiently. "It's fine, okay?"

Erza gave a stiff nod. "…I'm still sorry," she whispered.

"For what?"

"For getting us into this mess. For doubting my magic in the first place," she said. "I should have known better."

"You doubted yourself," he said. "Though you probably still should have known better."

"How could I not? You were relying on me, weren't you? I let you all down."

"We do rely on you. Just like you rely on me…" said Gray. He had phrased it as a statement, but there was an uncertainty in his eyes, as if he were looking for confirmation.

Erza was more than happy to provide it. "Of course, Gray," she murmured. "You know I do."

"We're a team, so we all gotta pull our weight," said Gray reasonably. "We can rely on each other."

"I suppose you're right," said Erza, though the knot in her stomach loosened a little. "That was still pretty quick thinking with the bow."

"Wasn't anything special. I did what I had to," said Gray. "Flame Brain was doing the same thing. I mean, he was a compete idiot and went and threw the lacrima, but... I mean, it's Natsu. Gotta cut him a break for that."

Gray's words took the weight off her chest.

When Erza thought about it, she could see the determined blaze in Natsu's expression as he engaged Lucy's captor. It was the same expression that Gray had worn when he had formed his bow to destroy the lacrima. Looking back, it seemed so obvious.

Erza felt like she could breathe again.

With her insecurities addressed, her image of Gray melted away like ice. Gray wasn't some sort of untouchable, Adonis-like hero. And he wasn't perfect. He was just Gray.

And just what did that mean?

Erza didn't have to think long for the answer.

Gray was old friend who knew her better than most and who had seen her cry more times than she would care to admit. He'd always been there, through days that were good and days that were…well, a little more like this.

She trusted him to look out for her.

She needed him to look out for her.

And he always did.

Years of friendship and trust dwarfed any physical attraction that had been stirred by her sudden admiration.

Suddenly, it didn't bother Erza that they were sitting close enough for their knees to touch. She didn't care that he was still shirtless from when she and Mira had treated his injury. It didn't matter that he was grinning at her in that infuriatingly smug way.

Because it was just Gray. He was proud, practical, and little petulant. He certainly wasn't perfection itself. Not even close to it! But maybe, just maybe, that was perfect enough.

"Are you okay?" she asked quietly.

"Just a little tired," said Gray, his shoulders lifting in a slight shrug.

"Does it hurt?"

Gray rolled his eyes. "Well, getting shot isn't a walk in the park. I wouldn't recommend it, just so you know."

Erza looked away, her hands fisting the folds of her skirt.

"Look, this is nothing compared to the fights Natsu and I get into." Gray waved his hand, exaggerating his false bravado.

"You're a terrible liar," she groused.

"Okay, fine. I'll admit it," said Gray. "I rough him up worse than he does me. So, this might be just a little bit more serious, but not by much."

Erza let out a disbelieving huff, the corners of her mouth pulling upwards.

"Now there's that smile," he said.

Erza tucked her chin to her chest, feeling oddly exposed. She wondered how Gray always managed to see her with such clarity. Half the time, she couldn't even see herself.

"I think I've—" Erza started to say.

"Hey, Erza? So I was wondering—" Gray was saying at the same time.

They both broke off awkwardly, waiting for the other to finish.

"What?" he asked.

"You first," she said.

Gray opened his mouth. Then he shut it again. Then he sighed, shaking his head. "Actually, never mind. It was stupid."

"Are you sure? I mean—"

"Forget it," said Gray. "It wasn't important. What were you gonna say?"

"That I'm never using that thing again," said Erza.

"Don't give it up," said Gray. "You were getting pretty good. A little more practice and—"

"No, thanks." Erza scowled, glaring at her bow from across the room. "I can't even look at it." She waved her hand, engulfing the weapon in a golden glow, Requipping it away into her armory.

"It's a waste if you quit now," said Gray, nudging her with his elbow.

Erza shook her head. "I've made up my mind, Gray. No more. I'm sticking to swords from now on. It's what I do best and I'm proud of it."

"Well, I can't say I disagree with that logic. But you're sure you're just going to quit? Just like that?" asked Gray.

"I'm sure," said Erza.

But fate worked in strange ways. It wouldn't be long before Erza would be reaching for that bow again, grateful to have it in her arsenal.

So Erza's back to normal... Sorry, Gray! Better luck next time.

What? You didn't really think I'd make it this easy for them, did you? I've been saying that no ship was safe... there was no way I was going to let these two get together just like that. If they want it, they'll have to earn it. Although, I must say that I find Erza's revelation deliciously ironic, considering how she got there (all the fangirling in chapters 3 & 4).

So what's next? Team Natsu is going on that beach trip (as proposed by Erza in Snowbound). It's a completely pointless, fluffy, feel-good friendship-fic that leans Nalu and Grayza. Consider this your summer-break before I bring on the heart-break. Because after that, we'll be back to the drama as I try to frustrate (and possibly sink) a few more ships.

Stop back next Friday for [Mazeverse] Happiness Comes in Waves, or just follow me, Karine of R011ingThunder.