A/N: Here ya go lovies! Just read this now, FAIR WARNING, I got teary eyes while WRITING THIS, SO GOOD LUCK. :'(

Please remember to review if ya feel like it, and remember to vote in the poll if you haven't already! I may be starting the draft version sooner, cause now I have my new laptop up and working with Office docs (yayyy!) so have written one paragraph, but I NEED TO KNOW WHO THE GUY IS! XD

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Enjoy! xxx

Bickslow's POV

I ran a hand through my hair as I sighed and looked down at her sleeping form. I blinked my new fringe out of my eyes, and agitatedly pushed the long strands out of my way, again running my fingers through my much longer over all hair. I'd rarely left her side, and couldn't be bothered to go to a barbers to get my usual Mohawk tended to, so I let it grow into an unruly mess, and now it was just a bit longer than Natsu's hair, and just as messy, spiking out in every direction. Mira had pretty much attacked me with scissors to cut away the longer bits that remained from my Mohawk, and squealed for some reason before fainting, mumbling incoherently about babies...

I didn't really care what I looked like now, I didn't care about hair, clothes, nothing. All I cared about was when her eyes would open up, and when her face would split into that 50 watt smile I'd fallen for without even noticing. She'd become as necessary to my life as oxygen. Without her, I might as well be dead; hell, I was halfway towards it with her in this state, not being able to do a single thing apart from watch over her.

I reached out for her hand and carefully placed it between mine, my darker, tanned skin and calloused fingers running against her porcelain pale, satin soft palm.

I smiled as I looked down at her arm, my eyes tracking the path of pale veins that ran beneath her skin at her wrists, before they were hidden from sight by her flesh. I thanked Mavis every time I saw her breathe, and thanked any and all God's that existed that her blood still ran through those veins, meaning she was living and here with me.

I'd come far too close to losing her. Far, far too close.

My heart still ached when I remembered her bloodied and bruised body resting against me, her freezing cold hand pressed to my face and held there only by my own muscles, not by her own decision when I'd desperately tried to convince myself she was still with me.

I would never forget her ice cold skin, leaving chills running over my warm flesh.

I'd never allow that to happen again.

I leant forwards and rest my head on the bed beside her arm, closing my eyes before drifting to sleep, still clutching on to her hand as though to ensure she didn't leave me... again.

'Bix...Bix... BIX!' I jerked upright, blinking blearily before rubbing my hand across my unfocused eyes.

Suddenly, I felt my body jerk as I looked into those caramel eyes that I'd only dreamed of, twinkling with laughter as she smiled warmly at me, before reaching up a hand to stroke across my face. I closed my eyes in bliss as I felt her skin stroke again my stubbled cheek, and grabbed it her hand, pressing it harder against my face to tell myself this was real.

I felt tears escape from my eyes as I looked at her through the blurriness, taking in the unfocused image of her golden blonde hair and that beautiful smile.

'Bix...' I shook my head and grabbed her hand tighter in mine, revelling in the feel of her touch, the smell of her skin, the sound of her voice...

'Lucy...' I choked out a whisper, the words I wanted to say unable to escape the emotional confines of my throat that seized up before I could say anything.

She was back... she was here... finally...

'Bix!' Her voice sounded annoyed, and I felt her spare hand pinch my arm, but ignored it, jerking my arm away from her reach as I felt my hand tighten around hers, resting it against my forehead.

'BIX!'

I jerked awake, my eyes immediately going to her face, only to see her still asleep. I felt my heart drop as I turned to face Ever.

I'd been dreaming of her being awake for months now, but it felt so real, every time I actually woke up and she wasn't awake, I sank into a silent depression.

'Bix, you need to go eat something. If she wakes up and sees you like this she'll kill us both you know.' I slowly turned back from staring at her eyes to look at Ever. I could see the concern beneath her authoritative and commanding stance and voice, but sighed, hunching over slightly as I felt the weight of everything pull down on my body.

'It was bad enough seeing her like this, but it was worse dreaming of her coming back, only to wake up like she couldn't, and find her still asleep.

'Same dream again?' She whispered, kneeling down beside me. Wordlessly, I nodded, not even looking at her. Ever was the only one I'd told about my dreams.

I saw Laxus a lot, he kept me company and we sat silently watching her. I couldn't tell him about my dreams, I didn't want to appear weak before the one man I admired above all else; old habits die hard I guess.

I couldn't tell Freed, he would start suggesting different pills to take to help me sleep, or various spells or runes to stop me dreaming or something.

Ever, I wouldn't have told, but she caught me asleep and heard me muttering her name and crying in my sleep. She didn't leave me alone till I told her why, and since then she's been keeping a close eye on me.

'I'm not leaving.' I mumbled to her, my voice hoarse from the lack of speaking. My babies nudged against my arm, making me turn to face an irate and glaring Ever, who had stood up and had her fists planted against her hips.

'Bickslow, if you don't get your depressing big butt downstairs and get a big breakfast from Mira, I'm going to kick you out and lock the door till you do so, you hear me?' I blinked and sighed again, running a hand through my fringe again.

I should at least get Mira to cut this a bit... it keeps getting in my eyes. I bent my head forwards slightly to allow my stupid fringe to hide my eyes as I nodded, knowing Ever would actually kick me out if I ignored her again.

Last time didn't end nicely.

Slowly, I stood up from the arm chair, my babies hovering beside my head as I stretched out, my spine and other bones popping and clicking, protesting at the movement.

I looked at Ever, and saw her smile slightly up at me.

'I'll watch her for you.' I nodded my thanks before walking out of the infirmary, and making my way down the stairs, taking in the half-rowdy guild.

Everyone was affected by her absence; there were far fewer fights and brawls, though sometimes Gray and Natsu inevitably got into a fight, before they'd suddenly remember Lucy's condition upstairs, and sank into a depressed puddle on the floor, making Lisanna fuss over them till Erza came over from her cake catalogue and punched them both. Rather than eat cakes, she'd taken to staring at elaborate cake designs and commanding the suppliers to create her certain masterpieces when her friend awoke.

I walked over to the bar and grunted at Mira. She turned to me, and gave me a surprised, yet warm smile, before she walked away to make me up a meal.

I turned away and looked around the guild, taking in the different changes in our members.

Cana had halved the amount she drunk daily, making her pretty much sober by Cana standards. Wendy was pretty much permanently upstairs near the infirmary, looking at her watch all the time to ensure she was on time to give Lucy her exercises, and Happy rarely spoke about fish, preferring to sit dejectedly in a corner with Natsu.

Natsu rarely went on missions, and pretty much was always at the guild, staring down at the wood grain of the table he sat up, fiddling with the ends of his scarf.

I stood, and walked over to where Freed sat at our usual table, his head in a medical spell book, scanning every single page, sentence and syllable for a hint at how to awaken coma patients with rune magic.

I sat beside him, grunting a hello as I slung an arm behind the back of my chair, still looking around the guild as Freed placed his book on the table and removed the gale force glasses he'd been reading with.

'How are you Bickslow?' Freed asked, staring at me with his usual serious demeanour in place, but I could feel the pity coming off of him. I felt my jaw tighten involuntarily and ground my teeth together, nodding sharply and facing away from him, staring over at Mira as she placed my food on a plate.

I felt Freed pat my back awkwardly, before returning to reading his damned book.

I glared at guild members who sent me curious and sorrow filled looks, itching to return to Lucy's side. I hated the looks they shot me.

They had no right to feel pity for me; she was alive, sure she was asleep, but she was fucking alive. There was no reason for them to feel sorry for me.

She was with us still, in the land of the living, so why the glances and the whispers, the fear that they would upset me.

They all found out about my feelings for Lucy, and her feelings for me if what she said before dying was anything to go by.

Calm down Bix... just grab the food, eat it up and go back upstairs so Ever doesn't murder you. I watched as Mira brought over my plate piled high with bacon, eggs, hash browns and grilled tomatoes. I felt my mouth water at the smell of the delicious food placed in front of me, and nodded my thanks to Mira as I picked up the knife and fork she had brought over with her, before starting to shovel the food into my mouth.

I glanced over at Mira when I saw she hadn't left and raised an eyebrow, but it was hidden by my hair; gotta get it cut soon.

'Bickslow, please know, we're here for you.' I felt her hand on my shoulder, and felt myself freeze up.

Deep inside my mind, I knew she was only trying to help, only trying to make me feel less alone in my grief and constant vigil over Lucy, the woman I'd bared my heart and soul to, and who I loved unconditionally. Deep inside, I knew that.

But right then, all I could feel was the pity that reeled off of her in waves, and rage grew inside me, all the frustration and pain and guilt I felt was released in one moment.

I slammed my fists against the table, the fork and knife clenched tightly in my hands so the skin was white; later I would find the indentations in my palms where I'd clutched them.

The guild became silent, which seemed to happen a lot these days, as I threw the cutlery on to the plate still half filled with food and stood up, shrugging Mira's hand off of my shoulder and glaring down at her shocked face as she stepped backwards.

'Stop, pitying me. All of you, quit it with the sympathy act. She's alive up there, and you're all treating me like glass, as though she's fucking died! WELL SHE'S NOT, SO STOP FUCKING AROUND!' I ended up shouting, not only glaring at Mira as tears tracked their way down her cheeks, but glaring at everyone in the guild.

I would have carried on, if Freed hadn't at that moment grabbed my shoulder.

Instinctively, I turned and threw my fist into his face, sending him flying backwards and into the wall, breaking his glasses and making blood gush from his nose.

Everyone stood there shocked for a moment, including me as I stared at Freed as he struggled to sit upright, staring at me emotionlessly.

I shook all over, my fists trembling at my sides as I bent my head forward and allowed my new hair to cover my face, leaving my tear filled eyes in the shadow, unseen by the people who rushed to help Freed upright.

I let out a shaky breath and turned away, walking back up the stairs as I felt all eyes on me, burning holes into my back.

I shut my eyes and allowed one tear to slip out as I reached the second floor and walked to the back and into one of the private rooms reserved for me.

I instantly stripped down and climbed into the shower of the small en-suite, turning on the scalding hot water and allowing it to burn my skin, trying to wash away my anger and pain.

I watched as my tears mingled with the shower spray, heavy torrents of water pouring off of my hair as I placed both hands against the wall and looked down at the shower floor, breathing heavily and calming my pounding heart.

Did I just fucking punch Freed? I thought to myself, utterly shocked by my actions. I'd never hit anyone in the Thunder Legion. They'd been the only people to ever of accepted me and my freaky ass magic that makes people think I'm going to make them part of some imaginary army of mind-controlled soldiers. They were my first and only friends till she helped us reach out to others... till she made me see beyond the walls I'd built to keep myself safe.

I felt my heart breaking as I ran both hands through my hair and lifted my head to look directly into the hot spray, closing my eyes as the water poured over my face, washing away any evidence of the tears that were flowing down my face.

'Lucy... please come back... please... don't leave me alone any more for fucks sake, come back to me...' My body shook as I sobbed silently into the pounding water droplets, resting my forehead against the wall and hitting it against the cold, steamed up tiles.

'Lucy... please...' I choked on my own voice as sadness grabbed my voice with its gnarled, contagious hand and twisted, making me let out an uncontrolled and heart-wrenching sob that released the pent up frustration I'd kept hidden till now.

I felt the pain and loneliness deep in my stomach as I punched my fist against the shower wall, not breaking the tile or even cracking it; I just needed to do something to release my pain.

Slowly, I stumbled backwards and leant my back against the shower wall, staring upwards at the steam that snaked its way through the air, before I slowly slid down to the ground so I clutched my arms around my legs, drawing them close to my body so I was in a ball. My head fell forward so my shut eyes were on my knees, and I proceeded to cry like a baby as I begged and begged for her to come back... desperate to return to being me rather than whatever I'd become in the long months of waiting and waiting.

'Lucy...' My voice cracked and I cried out her name desperately, drawing in gasping breathes through my mouth as I tried to release the grip sorrow had on my throat, restraining and changing my voice as I cried for her.

Evergreen's POV

I sat in the chair Bix had vacated, and sighed, looking sadly down at Lucy's peaceful face.

The only sound that filled the room was the casual and annoying beeps of the heart rate monitor, and the wheezing sounds of the oxygen being pumped into the mask that covered her mouth and nose.

'He misses you so much Lucy.' I whispered, leaning back in the chair and staring at her sadly.

'He's a shell now... he never leaves your side if he doesn't have to. I can count on one hand how many times he's left this room in the past four months... gotta say though, his new hair suits him nicely. One good thing comes out of this at least, huh?' I laughed, but the sound was hollow; emotionless.

'Lucy, please, if not for me or yourself, come back for him. He loves you more than any of us realised, more than you could ever know, so don't let him be alone for much longer. He can't cope with it.' I coughed and blinked rapidly to hold back the emotions that wanted to escape.

'It's hard for us all. Not only have we not got you, but we're losing Bix as well. He never laughs, or sticks out his stupid tongue any more. His babies don't speak either, they don't say a thing. Everyone's waiting Lucy, so wake up before we go insane, please. Bix is so close to the edge right now, and he's not coming back till you do, you hear my Heartfilia? This is an order from the true Queen of the Fairies, wake you're pretty little ass up, you got it?' I watched her intently, praying and praying for a small, minute reaction that told me she heard me, a sign that said she was nearly there.

I sighed in disappointment as I saw nothing of the like, and looked up at the ceiling; analysing the paint dots and counting them as I waited for Bix to come back.

I didn't have to wait long, as I heard the door open and his familiar tread pattern walk across the room to sit in the chair opposite me.

I opened my eyes and smiled at him, noticing the damp hair that clung to his forehead and stuck up in every different direction in a messy tangle of spikes.

'Good shower?' He grunted, his empty gaze not moving from her face as he took her hand between his own, stroking her skin in small, soothing circles.

I let out a sigh and returned to watching her face myself, searching for a hint of her waking, only to find nothing.

I slowly stood up and started to walk out of the room, pausing at the door and turning to face the back of Bix's head, staring at him as he didn't acknowledge anything.

'Bix, she'll come back soon you know. She's too damn stubborn to stay away for much longer, so stop being an asshole and look around. You're not the only one who's sad about this.' I saw his body tense up as I continued speaking.

'Yeah, you're the only one up here day and night, every waking minute watching her and staring at her. But we are all grieving, and dealing with it in our own ways. So get your big fat head out your ass and stop feeling so sorry for yourself.' I stared at him for a moment longer, before his head sank low, staring at the ground. I sighed in annoyance before exiting the infirmary, slamming the door shut before striding down the stairs and slumping down next to Freed.

I glanced at him before freezing and taking a longer look.

'Hey, where are your other glasses? And why do you have a nosebleed? Are you looking at porn or something?' Freed stuttered and glared at me before pushing his spare pare of gale force glasses up his nose and coughing into his hand.

We'd all heard Gajeel laugh from his corner, letting us know he'd heard my comment, and I couldn't help but smile slightly. It was nice to cause some people to feel emotions other than depression and sorrow every once in a while.

Freed was flushed bright red now, as Gajeel was talking to Mira, who'd brought him over another plate of scrap metal, and her laughter echoed around the guild. He'd clearly told her what I'd said, and found it just as funny as the iron dragon slayer.

I smirked and pushed Freed's book down so it no longer covered his glowing red face.

'Don't worry Freed, loads of guys can't handle those kinds of pictures without spraying a bit, especially dragon slayers.' I added on the final bit to my sentence when I heard Gajeel guffawing, and smiled when I heard him choke on his iron, requiring Levy to hit him hard on the back so he coughed up a screw. Freed was now luminous red, and hid his face deep within his medical journal, mumbling things about punishment and disrespect and what not.

I giggled slightly before sobering up and sighing, staring off into the distance as I thought about Bix.

Laxus needed to talk to him. There was no way around it.

However, since the council's visit a month ago, Master has been inundated with paperwork, and with his complete and utter het and fear of the stuff, Laxus had been forced into doing the majority of it as "future guild master training". Somehow I doubt Laxus is ever going to have to deal with a half destroyed mountain, which lead to a million forms from the Fiore Geographical society, the Zentopian church for some reason (probably made up by Lahar, that guy is seriously sadistic when it comes to punishing Fairy Tail's Master with paperwork) and another load of paperwork from the various departments of the magic council. Apparently, we'd broken lot of rules when we beat up those dark guild jerks, didn't report the incident of kidnapping and also the giant magical ball of energy that was situated on Tenrou.

They really didn't like that one...

Freed couldn't get Bix, no matter how hard he tried, he wouldn't be able to comfort him on the level Bix needed it right now. Evidently, he'd tried and got a punch in the face.

I knew a black eye when I saw one coming, and Bix was the only one who was emotionally unstable enough to hit Freed. Then again Natsu, Grey and Erza were just as bad, but Freed would have had them writhing on the floor with his Dark Ecriture if it had been them, so of course, it had to be Bix.

I sighed and ran my fingers through my hair, trying to think of any way to save Bix from himself... and only coming up with one answer.

Lucy.

Lucy's POV

I was so close... not far left now. The light in the darkness was still far away, but now it was bigger, like the size of a football. I could almost reach it... but I had to go quicker...

Come back for him...

I'm trying Ever, just wait a little more...

He can't cope...

Tell him I'm coming! Mavis help me I'm going as fast as I can...

We're losing Bix as well...

I gasped and froze, before resuming my desperate reach for the light, analysing how close I got at every step.

I had to get back... for him.

I didn't want to leave him alone anymore; I didn't want him shutting himself away again.

'Please Bix... wait for me... just a little longer, I promise... just wait a little longer...'