Disclaimer: I don't own Fairy Tail or any of its characters. All rights belong to Hiro Mashima.
...
Please don't kill me. Late November my uncle sadly passed away and I have to admit that I actually forgot completely about writing my stories. So I know it's months late but here is the update, and it may be off or OOC, so I'm terribly sorry. I have the next few chapters already written though so I think it's fair to have one update a week after this. Please enjoy.
Levy groaned and rolled over in the cot, smushing her face into the pillow.
"Gajeel..." She whined. "My stomach hurts." Slowly sticking out an arm she felt around for Gajeel, stopping and sitting up when she remembered that he'd left.
"Dammit!" She growled, clamping her small heads to her head as it swayed with the movement of her sitting up. Glancing sleepily around the room Levy noticed that she wasn't in Lucy's apartment anymore. In fact, she was in the guild's infirmary and Lucy was passed out in a chair beside her.
"Oh? Are you awake now?" A voice sounded from beside her. Letting out a squeak of panic Levy shuffled backwards, staring at the lump in her blankets.
"L-lily?" She stuttered fearfully, gasping as the lump moved.
"Of course, who else would be in your bed? Er, don't answer that." Lily mumbled, poking his head out from the blankets and blinking against the light. Levy sighed in relief and pulled the cat into a hug.
"Don't scare me Lily!" She chided, snuggling into her pillow with Lily clutched in her arms.
Lily laughed and rubbed his head into her chin apologetically, freezing and turning to face the door as he heard footsteps outside.
"Lucy?" Mirajane's voice called through the thick wooden door. "I brought food, is Levy awake yet? Jet and Droy are really worried about her." The door creaked open slowly and Mirajane padded in, squealing in surprise and dropping the tray at her feet.
"Levy! You're finally awake!" She cried joyously, lunging forwards and crushing the small mage in her arms.
"H-hai! Can't b-breathe!" Levy choked, pushing blindly at Mira's arms.
"Oh! Sorry, I was just..." Mirajane trailed off sadly, tears forming in her eyes as she pulled away. "You gave us all quite the scare." She whispered, turning her eyes downcast.
"I'm sorry Mira, I didn't mean it." Levy apologized, opening her arms for another hug.
Mira jumped forwards again, hurriedly accepting the hug as Lily quickly darted out of harms way. In his mad dash Lily didn't realize he'd bumped Levy's pillow and it fell off the bed, landing silently on Lucy's sleeping form.
Lucy let out a scream of fright and jumped up from her chair, freezing when she saw Mira.
"Mira... when did you get here? And, uhm, what exactly are you doing?" Mirajane glanced up at the startled blonde and offered a slight smile.
"Levy's awake?" She offered by way of explanation. Levy poked her head out from behind the barmaid and smiled sheepishly.
"Levy-Chan!" Lucy gasped, throwing herself at her best friend. "Mira, can we have a moment?" Mira opened her mouth to say no but thought otherwise when she saw Lucy's face.
"Of course, I'll inform everyone that you're okay, Levy." She murmured, picking up the tray and food before exiting quietly.
The two best friends glanced at each other and started speaking at the same time.
"Sorry Lu-Chan. You go." Levy mumbled, blushing in embarrassment.
"Oh, okay. Well, when you fainted yesterday Lily and I brought you to the guild and got Porlyusica-San to come and, ahh, examine you." Lucy explained, dropping her gaze to her hands as they fiddled with the loose threads on Levy's thin blanket. Levy sucked in a breath, tensing immediately.
"What's wrong Lu-Chan?" She whispered, her voice shaking slightly.
"You... uhm, Porlyusica-San says that, ah... you're..." Lucy began, fidgeting awkwardly on the thin cot. Lily hopped up from his perch on the chair then, startling both mages.
"Lily? I thought you left with Mira." Levy greeted, pulling the cat onto her lap.
"No... I'll stay with you until Gajeel gets back." He told her, glancing at Lucy. "Lucy-San... why don't you just tell Levy. I'm sure she already knows somehow anyways." Lucy started at the mention of her name and nodded hastily.
"Of course. Ahem... Levy... you're pregnant." Lucy whispered, quieting down as she reached the end of the sentence. Levy froze. Gajeel and Ivan were right. This means Ivan wanted to get her for her unborn child.
"Lu-Chan... I know..." Levy whispered, tears sliding slowly down her cheeks.
"Levy-Chan! What's wrong?" Lucy asked worriedly, gathering her shaking friend into her arms.
"Gajeel s-said that I-ivan knew I w-was pregnant... I automatically a-assumed I was a-after that." Levy sobbed, clutching Lucy's shirt.
"Is that a bad thing?" Lucy asked in confusion. "Shouldn't you be happy? Or is it that Gajeel doesn't want the child?" Levy shook her head, tears still streaming down her flushed cheeks.
"G-gajeel is h-happy." She whispered, sobs still racking her body.
"Then what's wrong?" Lucy cried, nearing hysterics.
"Ivan wants it!" Levy sobbed, curling in on herself. Lucy gasped, releasing her friend in her shock. Lily pushed his head into Levy's stomach, grunting as she crushed his small body in her thin arms.
"Ivan wants my baby." She whispered, burying her face in the blankets. Lucy stared down at her friend, pulling the blankets over her petite frame and gently stroking her hair.
"Shh... don't cry Levy-Chan. Everything will be alright." She whispered soothingly, wiping vainly at the tears that streamed down her own face.
"I just want Gajeel." Levy whispered brokenly before passing out. Lucy gasped, feeling for a heartbeat. When she found one, fast but steady, she released a breath and turned to Pantherlily.
"Lily, you watch her, I'm going to have a talk with the Master." Lucy declared, hurrying out of the room without waiting for an agreement. Lily sighed, turning to lick Levy's nose comfortingly.
"Hurry up you stubborn-headed freak." Lily mumbled, glancing in the direction of Raven Tail.
(^.^) (^.^)
Meanwhile, Wendy was struggling through the muddy streets of Magnolia, losing her footing every now and then and each time plummeting into a fairly deep mud puddle.
"Almost there Wendy." She murmured to herself, stumbling blindly through the rain. She had been walking for an hour, she should be at Fairy Tail by now. Slowly, fat tears started cascading down her cheeks mixing and mingling with the rain. She was lost, she was sure of it, and now she had failed everyone. "Gomensai, minna." Crumpling to the muddy street below, Wendy cried her heart out, mad at herself.
"Hey! Are you okay?" A boy's voice broke through her sobs and she abruptly quieted, glancing around her.
"Who is that?" She cried, hoping she hadn't imagined the voice after all.
"I'm Romeo Conbolt, a Fairy Tail mage and son of Macao Conbolt. Who are you and are you okay?" The boy answered and Wendy felt her heart leap.
"Romeo!" She cried, pulling herself to her feet and wincing at the pain caused by merely standing. "It's me!"
"Wendy?" Romeo called, suddenly appearing before her. "What happened?" He gasped, taking in her appearance.
"I need to get to the guild." She shivered, brushing off his question. Romeo nodded, stepping forwards and draping his jacket over her soaked frame. Wendy leaned into the heat of the jacket and her eyes fluttered shut.
"Wendy, don't fall asleep. C'mon now, I'll get you to the guild." Romeo told her, wrapping an arm over her shoulders and holding her close to his warmer than average body.
"O-okay." Wendy chattered, forcing her eyes open against the torrents of rain.
A few minutes later they arrived in front of the large wooden doors and Wendy breathed a sigh of relief.
"We made it." She whispered, smiling gratefully. Romeo nodded.
"Yup, now let's get you inside." He took a step forwards and Wendy followed suit but let out a cry of alarm when her injured leg gave way.
"Wendy!" Romeo shouted, throwing himself forwards so he could cushion her fall.
"Ah!" Wendy shuddered, clutching her leg and pushing her forehead into Romeo's shoulder.
"What happened?" Romeo questioned anxiously, pulling himself up so he was sitting. Wendy grunted in pain, motioning to her leg. Romeo's eyes lit up in understanding and he carefully placed a hand over the blood soaked cloth, pushing gently on her calf. Wendy squeezed her eyes shut against the pain, tears welling up in the corners of her eyes.
"Romeo, it hurts." She whispered, turning her pained gaze on him.
"I know, Mira will get Porlyusica-San to fix it." He murmured softly, taking off his scarf and winding it tightly around the wound. Wendy gasped, her hands flying to his as he tied it off.
"Sorry." He mumbled in apology, turning his head away.
"It's okay... thank you Romeo-Kun." Romeo blushed, immediately turning to gape at her. Chuckling softly Wendy held out her hands, prompting Romeo to stand up and help her. As soon as they were both on their feet, Romeo wrapped an arm around her waist while Wendy's arm hung loosely over his shoulders.
"Mira-San! Wendy's here!" Romeo bellowed, kicking open the doors and carefully pulling Wendy inside with him.
"Wendy! What happened to you? Jet, go get Porlyusica!" Mira cried, hurrying over to their youngest mages.
"Hold on Mira, let's get her sitting down first." Romeo said firmly, moving his body between Mira and the sky mage. Mira nodded, her mind having a fierce battle over whether or not she should cry in happiness over Romeo's protectiveness or listen to what he said. Choosing option two she quickly pulled a bench over to the doors and Romeo adjusted his grip on Wendy, grasping her hip lightly and swiftly half-carrying her over to the bench.
"Here Wendy." Romeo murmured, gently placing her on the bench and sitting down beside her. Mira quickly sat on the other side of Wendy and began wiping away all the mud on Wendy's legs.
"No!" Wendy gasped, pulling away from the warm cloth. "It hurts." Mira nodded, placing the cloth behind her and out of sight.
"I'm sorry. Please Wendy, tell me what happened." Wendy nodded, twisting her body so she could face Mirajane. Romeo slid behind her for support, she was visibly swaying at this point.
"When we arrived Ivan put us in a room with a power draining lacrima. We spent a couple days sitting around until the guys were sure that they understood the basic pattern of the guild. Then Laxus made a hole in the roof and I came here." Wendy said in a rush, leaning back into Romeo's chest. Mirajane nodded slowly, processing the information.
"So the others are still back there then?" She questioned, raising a pale eyebrow. Wendy nodded, her eyelids drooping as she struggled to stay awake. "Why did you leave and how were you hurt?"
"I was injured while escaping, the Raven Tail members didn't want me to leave I guess." Wendy replied, smirking ruefully. "I came here to get you all. Laxus is preparing to attack tonight." Mira's eyes widened.
"But it's already three in the afternoon! We have to go now!" Mira cried, darting off to inform Makarov. Wendy sighed, twisting around so she faced Romeo.
"I can't stay awake much longer." She whispered, falling towards him.
"Please, just until Porlyusica-San arrives." Wendy yawned, her eyes closing as she cuddled into his shoulder. "Wendy, please. Don't fall asleep!" Romeo begged, shaking her gently. Wendy shook her head, pushing his arms away weakly.
"Romeo... I'm so tired." She whimpered, turning her pleading eyes to him.
"No, Wendy. You've lost too much blood. If you fall asleep now you might not wake up." Romeo stated firmly, pushing her into a sitting position.
"I know... but I..." Wendy sighed, flopping forwards onto his chest. "Can't... stay... awake." She yawned, pressing into his chest. Fighting back his blush, Romeo stood up, pulling Wendy with him, and carried her over to the infirmary.
Suddenly, the guild doors burst open and an annoyed looking pinkette hurried into the guild.
"What now?" Porlyusica grumbled, glaring at Romeo.
"Wendy's hurt." Romeo stuttered, motioning to the girl in his arms.
"I can see that." Porlyusica sneered, stalking forwards with a gleam in her eyes. Romeo quickly made his way into the infirmary with Porlyusica right on his heels, smiling softly when he realized Porlyusica really was concerned.
"Out with you! She'll be fine in a few minutes if she stays awake and behaves." Porlyusica barked, shooing Romeo out the door once he laid the Sky Maiden on a vacant cot. Romeo nodded and quickly obliged, silently begging Wendy to be okay.
(^.^) (^.^)
"Master!" Mira cried, shooting into the small office. "Wendy's back and she says Laxus plans on attacking tonight. Apparently they need our help." Makarov glanced up at the trembling barmaid.
"Funny that you should say that... Lucy just suggested we join them tonight, too." Makarov murmured, motioning to the blonde at his right while tapping his cane softly against the desk. Mirajane snapped her gaze to the stellar mage, pausing in thought. Suddenly, Makarov's gaze met Mira's and they both turned to stare at Lucy.
"What?" Lucy asked defensively, shrinking back beneath their stares.
"You have a spirit that could get us into the Dragon Slayers holding area, right?" Mira questioned, urgency evident in her voice.
"Yes, Virgo can dig us a tunnel." Lucy responded, stepping forwards in interest as the two elder mages began devising a plan.
"Charle and Pantherlily can fly Warren and Wendy back to Laxus so that we know where to end the tunnel." Mirajane offered, pulling out a pad of paper.
"Of course, and we can have Happy fly Lucy up to the front doors to distract Ivan..." Makarov mumbled in agreement, grabbing a pen and motioning for Mira to sketch a layout of the area.
"What? Why me?" Lucy wailed in fright, curling up in a ball of terror and disgust as the two mages ignored her.
"We can have Gray and Juvia go in with the Dragon Slayers and start on the inside while everyone else starts on the outside, forcing the Raven Tail members into the center." Mirajane beamed, getting excited at the prospect of getting their members back.
"Very well, Lucy, go see if Wendy will be ready. Mirajane, inform everyone of our plan. We leave in less than an hour so I suggest you prepare yourselves." Makarov sighed, jumping off his desk and heading towards his window, silently dismissing the two girls. Mirajane nodded and stepped out, closing the door silently as soon as Lucy picked herself up and left as well. Makarov sighed heavily, running a hand over his aged face. We're coming, Ivan.
(^.^) (^.^)
Porlyusica glanced up from her tray of remedies and studied the young mage in front of her.
"I think you'll be fine for now... just stay with the others and get a good night's sleep when all is said and done." She muttered in annoyance. Young girls shouldn't be able to get themselves as beat up as Wendy had. "Now shoo, you're just a bother right now."
Wendy nodded, sliding off the table and darting towards the door. "Thanks Grandine-San!" She called gratefully, slipping out of the room before Porlyusica's well aimed cane could smack her.
"Stupid humans." The elder pinkette grumbled, packing up her various items and sighing as she realized she couldn't keep the small smile off her face.
Levy rolled over in her sleep on the next bed over and Porlyusica offered a small "shush" but otherwise ignored the bluenette. She'd be fine anyways, no sense fussing over her.
Mirajane poked her head in then, interrupting Porlyusica as she sorted through the numerous bottles of elixirs and such that she owned.
"What do you need now?" Porlyusica snapped, glaring at the barmaid with burning eyes.
"Nothing, just letting you know that most of us are leaving soon so you'll be left alone." Mira smiled sweetly, ignoring the red eyes. Gajeel glared at her all the time; red eyes equalled no effect whatsoever.
Porlyusica nodded, staring at Mira until she finally turned around and left, offering one last glance at Levy's inert form before she did so. Porlyusica sighed.
"Stupid, simple humans." She muttered once again before resuming her current task at hand.
(^.^) (^.^)
"Romeo!" Wendy called upon exiting the infirmary, limping only slightly with a pristine white bandage wrapped snugly around her wounded calf. Porlyusica's medicine's only went so far, it would take a full nights sleep for the healing potion to come into effect. Wendy didn't mind, the pain from before had faded quickly and she had even gotten a magic booster for the fight. Now she just had to make sure she didn't get seriously injured before tonight.
"Wendy! Are you feeling alright?" Romeo asked in concern, weaving through the mages as they prepared. Wendy nodded, motioning to her leg.
"All better, for now at least." Romeo grinned, slinging an arm around her shoulder in the same way Wendy always saw Natsu do with Lucy. Wendy couldn't help the smile that broke out on her face and turned towards the throng of mages, literally feeling the excitement in the air.
"Guess we should get ready, huh?" Romeo mumbled, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Sure, but I'm all ready, I'll be fine with you by my side. Make sure you get inside quickly, I don't want to be separated for too long." Wendy admitted, gingerly reaching up and squeezing Romeo's hand as it rested on her shoulder. Romeo sucked in a quick breath, glancing at her in shock before turning away with a blush. Wendy smiled softly, stepping forwards and pressing a brief kiss on Romeo's lips before darting away. Romeo watched in astonishment as she ran to Mira and Warren, immediately getting set up with the exceeds and leaving. Everyone else would be following shortly.
As soon as Wendy was gone, Cana walked up behind him and ruffled his hair, whistling in amazement.
"You did good squirt." She smirked, closing her eyes as she tilted her head and grinned broadly. Romeo blushed and sputtered, pushing at her hands. Cana only laughed, knowing that this may be the last time she could smile for a while.
A/N: Terribly off or OOC? I literally wrote this yesterday when I saw it in my files when looking for some homework. I feel so bad for forgetting about you guys, I seriously love you all. And your reviews, but especially you for being so loyal and coming back week after week (Or month) to read my updates. I really hope this was up to par and worth it, you can expect the next update on Saturday, which will be my birthday and right after the FT update :) So please review and thanks so much.