[A/N]: I want you to know that I'm uploading this solely for pearlsnow8's sake. Your reviews make me smile and laugh so much. (I, too, stare at my mail, waiting for an update or a review) You're my new favorite person, kay? Let's just be best friends forever.

And just hold your breath, cause there are still a few chapters to go...

(Really though, thanks to everyone for reviewing! Every comment lights up my face like a Christmas tree!)

Cana seized up in his arms, frozen before shoving him away. She trembled where she stood, staring at him, her eyes filled with pain and loss. "Laxus."

The taste of him, the feel of his arms around her, the layer of stubble he'd grown━it stayed with her, all over her, and she couldn't stop thinking about it. She loved it, hated it, hated him, craved his touch again.

She stumbled back beneath his nearly sorrowful gaze. "No. Laxus, no."

He turned away, hiding his face. "I won't apologize for that."

"You should!" she cried. "Holy shit, do you have any idea how bad it would be if we got back together?!" She took several more steps in retreat. "You haven't changed, Laxus━I can't take the risk that you won't cheat again!"

"Why not?" he demanded, his voice tinged with desperation. "How do you know I will?"

She shook her head, her wide, dark eyes never leaving his pleading gray. "I can't━I, I don't think I could take it."

"Cana, please," he whispered, "don't cry."

Looking up at him in alarm, Cana wiped at her cheek hesitantly. She held up her wet, shining hand. "Do you see what you do to me, Laxus?" She gripped her hair tightly, shaking. "You're driving me insane. I can't take it anymore!"

"What are you saying?" he asked softly, stepping forward.

She staggered back. "Laxus, I love you so much, do you realize that?" She looked up at him, terrified. Her heart thundered. "I can't━I can't do this anymore. Either you leave Magnolia, or I do."

…

"That's stupid, and it's not fair to either of us," he said sharply. "You love Magnolia, and Fairy Tail. I want to stay in town and be a part of the guild again."

Cana looked away, biting her trembling lip. "I...You're right, but what do we do?"

"Is there anything to do?"

"I don't know, I just don't know," she whimpered. She put her hands to her head. "Laxus, I don't know that I could stay away from you if we both remained here."

He approached slowly. "Cana, why do you have to stay away from me?"

"Because you'll just break my heart again!"

"I won't━I swear!"

She looked up at him and he realized how close he had gotten. "Laxus, I want to believe you so badly," she whispered. "I want you." She looked down. "But I don't think I could trust you."

"Cana, it's different this time," he whispered.

"How?" she asked, her voice pleading. "Please, Laxus, tell me how it's different this time!"

He grabbed her arms gently. "Do you remember how we got together?" He almost smiled at the memory. He had gotten roaringly, wildly drunk━she had, too━and they had woken up in bed together. It wasn't a very romantic beginning, almost embarrassing, even, but she hadn't left that morning, or the next. "It's different this time because I know what's coming. I know what to do this time, Cana, I promise."

"But I don't!" She gazed up at him, her eyes softening. "What if you're wrong?"

"Then we can work through it," he whispered forcefully. "I know that it'll be different this time, Cana!"

She shook herself free and her voice broke. "I'm so scared," she whispered.

"Please, Cana, don't be."

Laxus yanked Cana close to him and she stiffened, but his arms encircled her and he just hugged her. Slowly, slowly, she relaxed, but she didn't put her arms around him in return. She planted her hands on his chest and gently pushed him away. Taking a long, slow breath, Cana opened her mouth as if to say something. Instead, though, she remained silent, looked away, and left.

"Cana!"

[A/N]: THIS ISN'T WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE I LOVE YOU OKAY