A/N: Fair warning, it is going to be a bit long one. I fully accept if you are going to hate me after this chapter but this is one of the defining moments before the final resolution. I shall say no more.

Natsu practically kicked door open. Right now, he couldn't even begin to care if he broke the lock. He moved inside the house, having Gray's arm over his shoulder, trying to hold him up as much as possible as the ice wizard was losing his strength and fast, barely being able to walk. Right after they went in Happy flew inside, turning on luminous lacrima, lighting up the room enough for Natsu to see where he is going. It wasn't unfamiliar place to him for he has been here number of times and now he had one destination in mind… Gray's bedroom.

They reached it and Natsu slowly placed him down on bed. First he sat than he leaned back, bit by bit until he was completely on bed, lying on his back and the entire scenario was followed by his groans, one after another, impossible to hide anymore due to pain that was radiating through his body.

"Hear that? That's the sound of you being pathetic." Natsu wiped bits of sweat from his forehead as he was looking down at Gray who tried to chuckle but he regretted that decision.

"Yeah, rub it in…" Gray finally released a sigh, finding some relief. He was still breathing loud and through his mouth.

"I can't believe you didn't trust us, I mean come on Gray! We are supposed to be a team!" Natsu added, now becoming all riled up as he was frowning down at Gray.

"You can't help with this, Natsu… This is something I had to do."

"Why? What possible reason did you have to fight Juvia's battles from around the corner?" Gray did not respond to this, he tried to avoid Natsu's look but slayer kept moving around bed to catch his gaze.

"I was afraid ok?" Gray responded, lifting only his head to look at Natsu who was pacing around the bed. He had nothing to say, at least nothing that wouldn't make him beat already half-dead Gray. Happy was first to break this tension.

"Ummm maybe I should go get Wendy and Carla."

"Good idea buddy." Natsu responded, trying to put his usual carefree act.

"No!" Gray shouted but groaned as the strain was causing more pain "Don't call Wendy… If they see me it's only matter of time before Carla tells to Lily and Lily will tell to Gajeel…"

"Well you can't stay like this, you are still bleeding." Natsu said and Gray moved hand, trying to create ice in place of the wound but every movement of his arm caused him even more pain and it completely messed up his focus, causing magic to fail.

"What about menders?" Happy asked, looking worried toward Gray who was struggling.

"Yeah, hospitals should have plenty, see if you can bring one to take a look at Gray."

"Aye!" Happy responded and rushed out of the still open front door. Natsu in the meantime went over to closet, managing to find a towel and he returned to bed, placing it on Gray's wound, trying to keep him from bleeding out on the bed. He was pissed, yes… but he was worried as well. All the time Gray tried to keep calm but strength was failing him.

"When did you found out?" Gray asked, knowing that Natsu would understand his question.

"Last month." He just responded.

"What gave me away?"

"Remember when we fought in Hall?" Natsu asked and Gray nodded "Well… you took beating from me, I mean you were miserable, barely threw a decent punch and you kept moving your hand to remove your shirt but whenever you did you stopped in moment and released the shirt. Thought that was odd, you avoiding to strip… So I decided to not hold back. Whenever you failed to throw a punch I would do it for you and I kept aiming for you face. Man you looked like a wreck after it." Natsu chuckled.

"So, just because of clothes?" Gray asked, turning head to look at Natsu.

"Nah, I kept hitting your face, I punched you once in the guts and even that was not a good punch since Elfman pushed me… But when Erza separated us and Wendy stepped in to heal the bruises… she healed your face but then she was healing your chest. Why would she heal your chest if I barely touched you there?"

Gray chuckled with another groan, realizing that any attempt to do such would cause just more pain. Of course Natsu realized it… he may not be brightest crayon in the box but when it comes to fighting, you cannot deny he is nothing short of a prodigy.

"But what I don't understand is when did you got those?" Natsu pointed to Gray's abs and chest, they were covered in bruises and semi-healed cuts, even Natsu knew these could not have been from this evening.

"Last week… Juvia took a job to clear out couple of Vulcans, I followed just to make sure she is fine… turned out couple of Vulcans turned out to be twenty. I managed to pull ten without her realizing I was there."

"Come on Gray, don't tell me you had trouble with ten Vulcans, I mean that's just embarrassing." Natsu added but Gray waved head.

"I know but I had to fight them bare handed without casting magic. It was too flashy; I couldn't risk being detected but… I heard something… I don't know, it sounded like a painful groan and I lost focus and they just ganged on me I had to make ice around my mouth to shut myself. She almost heard me so… had to be sure."

"Careless, that's what you are." Natsu added, letting out a long sigh through his nose "Was it necessary? You know she was picked by master as candidate for S-class trials, she can take care of herself."

"I know…" Gray said with quiet voice, his arm covered his eyes "but I couldn't stop myself from doing it anyway…"

"It's not cool, Gray… you doubted her strength." Natsu pressed towel a bit harder, deliberately bringing pain to Gray and the same winced and showed his teeth. He had nothing to say for he knew that whatever excuse he would muster from his rather limited source would be insufficient to convince Natsu that what he did has been thought through… Far from it as a matter of fact, it was just as he said… careless and stupid but the thought, the wild thought in his head that Juvia could be injured scared him more than did possibility of him dying protecting her.

Happy came soon with mender, dragging him by his sleeve to hurry up, much to his displeasure but his anger with flying cat soon disappeared as he looked at the bed… Large portion of sheet was crimson, regardless of Natsu's efforts it was impossible to stop the bleeding. Mender quickly moved around and began casting magic. Circles surrounded Gray's body and slight tingling sensation took him as blood vessels, muscles and skin slowly reformed, closing the wound but not without leaving a scar where old skin met new.

"You should have brought him sooner." Young man in glasses said as he finished mending the wound.

"Sorry doc, he couldn't walk anymore." Natsu added, bringing excuse to cover Happy's behavior.

"Well he lost a lot of blood, it would be best for him to rest for couple of days and return strength. Night might be a little rough though."

"Don't worry…" Gray said as his slightly bloody right hand went over the newly healed skin "I've been through worse."

"You heard him." Natsu said as he stood up, walking toward the door along with Happy and mender "You better not show your face tomorrow at the guild or I'll give you another reason to call doc." He smirked and left. There wasn't much Gray could do at this point, he was completely exhausted… last time he felt like this was when they faced Nirvana but… that was one night, one evening of fierce battle and this was night after night after night… His eyes blinked slowly and he felt drifting away from reality… desperately he tried to keep eyes open but alas… there was nothing to stop him anymore from being awake. Pain was gone and as body relaxed so did his mind. He drifted into sleep.

Natsu is many things. Strong, dedicated, relentless… he also keeps his word. It wasn't understatement to say that he may have saved his life and to repay that favor there was only one thing that was to be done. He listened to him and stayed at home. Two days have passed in him eating and sleeping, his body demanded that in that order. First he ate then he slept, woke up and repeated the same simple recipe. On third day he stood tall, taking deep breath and clenched both of his hands, thin ice covered his skin and it rippled, shattering the next second followed by the smirk on his face. He is back, his focus is sharp and body felt his usual strength coursing through his veins. Time to head out and see what is going on at the hall.

Doors opened and he entered, seeing few people who greeted him right away but nothing similar to "welcome back, Gray". That is a good sign, no one knew what happened and that means Natsu helped him yet again. Is it possible that he is going to rely on him that much? He didn't hate Natsu, far from it, he started seeing him as reliable friend, he always did despite his cold attitude but this is first time Natsu did something for Gray, willingly and without asking. Speaking of the same, he was currently engaged in thorough and very precise operation of having his ass handed to him by Gajeel and his steel guitar that he used as improvised bat. He then proceeded to blame Natsu for the dents that appeared on his guitar and that sparked yet another argument between two dragon-slayers.

Gray, however, did not satisfy himself with the sight of Natsu fighting; no he was searching for someone else. Someone with blue hair perhaps, just enough to see that she was fine. Little did he know that another blue hair would bring him much misery on that very day.

"Well, good day, Gray." Voice came from behind him. Gray's eyes widened for a second and quickly closed. There were number of different thoughts that came through his mind in that brief fraction of a second but the most prominent one was I was good this month, I hurt myself to keep others safe so, why the hell is karma punishing me? "Long time no see."

"Hey Lyon." Gray said, trying to sound as normal as possible while his teeth were gritting. A moment later and he turned, trying to fake a small smile on his face… of all the people.

"You don't seem to be happy to see your old friend." Lyon chuckled

"Yea that would be true if we were old friends."

"Oh come now Gray, are you really that ungrateful to the one who spent 7 years searching for you?" Lyon's voice revealed his mocking tone, poking Gray's mind.

"You are never gonna let that go, will you?"

"Take it from your senior. It is not a burden, we did it on our own accord."

"Yea yea, so what brings you here? You know, so you can do it and go back to your own hall." Gray folded his arms, looking at Lyon, face blank, almost expressionless as he tried to keep himself composed. Of course he knew why he would come but small sliver in his mind hoped that he wouldn't say it.

"Me? Why, I am here to take my lovely Juvia out on a date." His smile was now wide, not even trying to hide the fact that he was completely ecstatic as he finished that sentence. Gray on the other hand felt his forehead vein was about to burst.

"For the last time, why don't you hang out with your own guild? And if I remember you have someone who is trying to grab your attention."

Lyon smirked and in calm tone replied "But you are mistaken Gray. It is not me who came to ask Juvia out. Quite the contrary… I was the one who was asked out first."

He simply moved past Gray, further among the turned rows of tables, chairs and benches, leaving Gray to simply stay in place, staring at a single point. This day promised to turn bad really fast. Gray swallowed, hard and big as he felt his own gut tie itself into knot… She asked him.

"Natsu, this is becoming a bad habit of yours…" Lucy said, slightly annoyed as she was walking in front of Natsu and Happy. Afternoon was still warm and plenty of people were on the streets, shopping for various articles and groceries that they needed among the rows of shops and street merchants who were advertising their stocks in loud manner. No one was louder than Lucy however "How could you break it?!"

"It was probably made out of glass or something…" Natsu looked away, pouting slightly.

"That was a marble statue!" Lucy quickly turned and glared at him, pinkette was petrified from her gaze "One of a kind! And you smashed it into million pieces!"

"I know I know, I'm sorry…" his head dropped forward. He indeed felt guilty for what he has done and in his defense it was unavoidable, at least from Natsu's point of. Job was simple, deliver statue from sculptor's shop to the customer, almost no threat… well almost. Few thugs didn't recognize the pair from the Grand Magic Games and thought that it would be easy prey but Natsu proved that stealing from him was extremely similar to death sentence… minus the death itself but that didn't diminish the general feel. Statue however wasn't so lucky and it suffered Natsu's accidental blow that shattered it completely from toes to head.

"Honestly, you are a hopeless case…" she pinched bridge of her nose. This however scared Natsu to point of turning pale. There were few things that could make him have that color. First is lack of food, second is Erza's wrath and third is his own self-made delusion that Lucy might break up with him at any point. He ate well this morning and Erza was nowhere to be seen so…

"I won't screw up next time, just please don't leave me!" He quickly bowed his head forward, making her look at him confused.

"Why would I leave you?" Lucy slightly tilted her head. She is smart girl, connecting dots was never hard for her and for some reason she loved seeing Natsu like this. It wasn't the sadistic side it was just one of the rare moments when he was absolutely adorable. "Oh you think I was going to dump you because of the job? Well that's an interesting thought…" She tapped her lips with finger, if Natsu could be any whiter in face, now would be just the moment. "But I could forget this happened… although I would need some compensation."

"I'll do anything you say!" He responded quickly, looking at her wide-eyed.

"Anything…" she got vicious idea running through her mind "Fine! I will forgive you if you take me out on a proper date. That means we go to a nice place and you have to wear something other than baggy pants, sandals and vest! I am talking about actual clothes suitable for restaurant."

In that moment his face lit up and he lifted her up in his arms, smiling from ear to ear. It is a small thing but for him it meant the world. As for Lucy… How could she even think about leaving him when he was showing this side that he hid well inside himself? Public display of love never bothered him… or her, kisses were regular thing. With renewed vigor they proceeded toward guild hall, but Natsu quickly noticed that something was odd, he caught a scent. No, not a scent, the scent, familiar one too.

"Hey Luce, I'll meet you at the hall." He said as his head turned from left to right, nostrils slightly spread as he was sniffing around.

"What's wrong?" Lucy asked, slightly worried at his expression.

"Nothing serious don't worry, just forgot I need to do something first. I'll meet you at hall, you go with her Happy!" He said and quickly ran back from where they came from.

"But wh-" Lucy stopped and sighed "And there he goes again."

"I know, and he left me to take you back at the hall…" Happy just shrugged "Oh well, I guess it cannot be helped, you would be lost without me." Happy flew up suddenly, chuckling as Lucy tried to grab him and quite possibly strangle him.

Natsu looked more like a bipedal dog than a human, making quite a few people turn to notice him and his odd behavior but that didn't bother him, right now he was following a trail. His nose knew the smell, he just needed to know where it came from and wind was not helping him. He moved from one street to another and as the scent became stronger so did his lips curved into a grin. Steps slowed down, no longer running and he took a seat at the table, already taken by a man in dark grey coat with glasses and hat.

"Fancy meeting you here ice-breath." Natsu said grinning but he was quickly hushed, slayer was confused "Why are you dressed like that?"

"Keep it down." Gray whispered and Natsu nodded, still clueless.

"Why are we whispering?" Natsu asked and Gray slowly raised finger, enough to not be suspicious, pointing across the street. At one of the tables at café were Lyon and Juvia, talking, too quiet for him to hear but that only made him more nervous. Natsu understood Gray's meaning fast and instead saying anything he was looking around, occasionally glancing at their direction.

"Can you hear them?" Gray asked in hushed tone, even though they were far he did not want to risk being heard. Natsu nodded and rubbed his right ear before focusing, isolating two voices from the rest. For two minutes he said nothing, just listened and Gray was starting to get anxious.

"Well?"

"They are just chatting. Something about fur… no wait, I think that's a name… Ur?." Natsu looked at Gray and he nodded slightly. He is probably telling her about their training, who knows what he might say. "Now he is saying something about demon island… Oooh was that the island where we fought that big ass what's-its-name?"

"Deliora… yeah…" Gray said, looking their direction. On few occasions he could swear she could see him and that only made him twitch more on his seat. He quickly took off his hat and placed it on Natsu's head.

"Hey what gives?"

"You are too obvious with that hair of yours, if you wanna be less obvious, wear that."

"Oh they seem to be ready to leave." Natsu added as he adjusted hat, making sure to cover most of his pink hair. There was little doubt that he was easy to spot with that particular shade. Lyon and Juvia stood up and made their way, walking slowly. Gray was quick to follow along with Natsu, even though he didn't ask him… there was no way he was going to let Gray go alone. He felt that he had to be with him, not just to see what would happen but to possibly prevent Gray from doing something stupid… and he would do it easily. They gave them twenty meters head start, enough to avoid being spotted immediately but enough for Natsu to hear them clearly.

Pair continued to chat as they walked through the Magnolia's park and Natsu was diligent in translating every word he heard… that is what Gray believed. In truth Natsu deliberately left out some sentences, blaming other people's voices that interfered in conversation. He didn't tell him that Juvia was the one who kept asking Lyon about his life, he didn't tell him that it was her who suggested for them to go to park… he didn't tell him that Juvia was the one with sweet words.

They continued. Pair was slow, taking their time to talk and enjoy the day to its fullest and Natsu was having harder time saying things to Gray, he would reserve to lying… all to keep Gray as he is now. Silent but fixed, eyes followed their every step like a predator who was waiting his prey. Few times they turned and their stalkers had to hide, sometimes behind trees, sometimes in small bushes, sometimes among the groups of other people just to maintain their incognito status. They continued…

This date is way too long Gray thought and indeed it was. Evening was approaching and all they did was walk around, visiting parks and shops. To bystanders they seemed like good couple. There were more lines that Natsu deliberately missed to say, this time it was Lyon's words that were left out, his small poems and confessions. Joy was obvious on his face, Gray didn't need to ask Natsu for that, even from this distance it was obvious and she seems to be enjoying this. Natsu's eyes widened a bit, fortunately Gray didn't see this.

"What else are they talking about?" Gray asked, making Natsu panic slightly… now he needed to be creative again.

"They are heading somewhere."

"Where?"

"Ummm… I didn't hear well, people are shouting everywhere…" That was a lie on Natsu's end, he heard well they are going and soon Gray will realize that aswell.

Pair made their way, walking back toward the Fairy Tail. Perhaps he is going to drop her off… Yeah, date is ending so he will leave her there. Logic was sound, probability of it was high but this was just not Gray's day. Yes, they moved toward the Hall but that was only until intersection and they moved in another direction. Not guild, not café… road was leading to Fairy Hills. Gray's heart began pounding, loud and hard, demanding for opportunity to escape his chest. Alright, maybe he is going to escort her to there and move on.

Gray and Natsu were sitting down on the ground, leaned against the oak. They were not satisfied with result… it has been hour since Lyon and Juvia went inside. Pinkette had nothing to say; at this point it was impossible to say what they are doing. Windows were closed and lights were out, no hope resided in Gray's mind and his chest felt heavy, tightening more with every breath.

"Gray, not sure about you but…" Natsu started but Gray interrupted, looking down at the ground.

"I know."

"It doesn't have to mean anything, maybe they are just talking." Natsu added, trying to reassure him but with no success. Instead, Gray stood up and placed his hands in pockets, walking away. "Where are you going?"

"Away… I've had enough of this place." Gray responded with trembling voice and made his way down to the river, one place that he and Natsu knew well, place they fought so often. He sat down on the grass, watching river in silence and couple of minutes later Natsu came as well, sitting beside him. There was urge to say something, it was on tip of his tongue but it didn't budge… There was no point to it, anything he says would only made things worse. He felt helpless, every last ounce of strength he had was not enough to at very least console his ally… friend even. Still something would break the tension.

"Looks like you'll have company." Natsu tapped Gray on shoulder and stood up, walking away and the place where Natsu was sitting has now been populated by Lyon. Gray was surprised, stunned even. What is he even doing here?

"Next time you intend to follow me, find a partner who is difficult to be seen. Your choice of having Natsu by your side is obvious mistake." Lyon said, his voice was nothing like before. It was neither cheerful nor mocking, but rather cold and serious.

"You saw us?" Gray asked.

"Not at first, but Natsu is hard to miss. It was to be expected that you would be somewhere nearby." Lyon waved his head and chuckled "You are such an idiot, Gray."

"Tell me something I don't know."

"Fine then. You had opportunity of a lifetime and I cannot believe that you missed it."

"I know that as well." Gray swallowed hard, finding bit of courage to ask him.

"So…"

"Nothing happened." Lyon said with same cold voice and regardless of that tone Gray felt slight relief. "You might be thinking now that it was Juvia who changed her mind at the last second but it was not her."

"What do you mean?" Gray asked and Lyon looked at him

"I refused. I had everything there on platter, she was willing to make that step and I backed down."

"Who is the idiot now?" Gray smirked, focusing his gaze on the river

"Doesn't change anything, it is still you." Lyon's voice lowered became angry. "I know everything…"

"Everything?" Gray's eyes widened as he heard this.

"Everything." Lyon repeated "You had her, not just her love but you had her body, she threw herself to you and you took it and… you are hesitating even now, after all of that happened."

"And did she tell you that it was her who decided that it was best for things to left as they are?"

"She did." Lyon waved his head "And you took that as a sign to back down, to do nothing despite her giving herself to you… All you had to do was push just a little bit more and you missed that."

Gray looked down, knowing not what to say to this. He wasn't wrong, there were so many chances that he failed to take.

"She practically begged me, you know…" Lyon said in soft tone and stood up "Juvia wanted me to spend the night with her. You have no idea, Gray… You cannot begin to comprehend the amount of happiness that I had in that moment."

"So why didn't you take that chance then?" Gray asked looking up at ice wizard.

"Because I am not going to plunge myself into a relationship in which I know I am never going to win. Despite her willingness to make that step, that beautiful step I dreamed about so much… I knew that I would just be your replacement…"

"And last time I checked you wanted that." Gray said, frowning at his own words. Why am I encouraging him now?

"I do! And for the record I would have been better man to her than you were!" Lyon finally showed his angry side, glaring down at Gray who did not even look up. "But that wouldn't change anything and I am to expect months, years of her trying her best to be with me while seeing you! I love her… but bear to watch her constantly glance over her shoulder toward your direction. She is not over you… I am not sure she ever will be…" He sighed deeply and turned, walking slowly away, letting Gray see a small wave that Lyon offered "Take care of yourself, Gray."

Gray was left to sit alone, watching at Lyon who was moving further and further from him. His head repeated this conversation, over and over, trying to find smallest of details that could enable him to make sense in all this. And then it hit him… like a giant Vulcan's fist it hit him… he understood her efforts, he understood what she was trying to achieve. He understood everything… and he knew what he should do.

The next day came and Gray was determined to follow through his plan. It made perfect sense to him, in this chaos, in his eternal confusion of emotions there was a plan. He came early and waited for Juvia to come. There was no fear in him; there was nothing that could stop him. Half hour later and there she was, walking through the hall doors and made her way to the bar but before she could reach it, Gray appeared in front of her.

"Hey ummm… how are you?" He asked

"Juvia is fine." She answered, lips curved into smile.

"How was date with Lyon?" Gray asked, making her feel a bit uncomfortable.

"I… It went well." She lied and he knew that but it didn't make any difference.

"I am glad." Gray smiled and rubbed back of his neck "I'm going to be away for some time. Actually not sure why I am telling you this…" he stuttered a bit, he was sure in his plan but not in himself and it was obvious to her.

"Juvia is glad that Gray-san thinks highly of her to tell her about it." She smiled warmly at him but it only made his heart sink deeper and he nodded. He took his jacket from the table and made his way out, and just as he was about to leave he heard her say "Please be careful!"

He didn't respond, he had nothing to say and instead he left the hall. So far things were smooth but there was obstruction on his road and she just stood there… Shiny armor glistening as the morning sun casted it rays and scarlet hair waved gently as breeze rushed. Of all the times she could appear near him she had to pick the absolute worst.

"Where are you going Gray?" Erza asked, standing right in front of him, arms folded.

"Got a job" He smiled at her, showing her piece of paper that he took from pocket… What a big fake smile that was.

"You didn't ask if we wanted to come."

"It's not hard one, just some thugs and thieves. It shouldn't be difficult." He responded and tried to move past her but her left arm extended and hand pressed against his chest, stopping him from moving.

"Why are you really going?" She asked. Her tone changed, no longer strong and commanding but it was soft, gentle even.

"I need to be away from Magnolia for some time." He responded, voice cold but that answer didn't satisfy Erza and she pressed on.

"Why?"

"Because I saw Juvia go with Lyon on date!" He finally snapped, turning head to see if someone else might be watching or listening and only when he was sure no one was around he looked back at Erza, lowering tone a little bit. "Look… I followed them and she was doing all she could to move on. I need to give her that space to move on without me being around." He finished, gaze fell down to the ground.

"And you think escaping will fix anything?" She asked, hand still placed on his chest.

"It will for me. I can't watch it when it happens, when she finally finds someone else."

Erza showed no change in her expression but Gray knew that she understood things, oh yes… she realized it. "You have feelings for her, don't you?"

"Who cares what I feel?" He said angrily, smacking her hand away from his chest but he didn't see other hand that connected to his side, fast and strong. He groaned from pain but before he could even blink the same armor-covered fist connected to his face, knocking him down on the ground. After ten seconds of complete disorientation he managed to sit up, his lip was bleeding and he glared up at her, noticing that her gaze was nothing like angry, instead she was struggling to keep tears in.

"How dare you?!" She shouted "How dare you doubt our feelings for you? How dare you doubt my feelings? Do you think I would just turn my head?"

"I was kinda hoping you would…" he responded, making her clench both of her fists. He closed his eyes, expecting to feel her wrath and he wasn't even going to defend himself… he didn't want to. But she did nothing; she just stood there, looking down at him, expression showing mix of sadness and pity.

"How could you even think such a thing?"

"Because you told me!" Now he shouted, glaring up at angrily "It was you who told me to give up along with everyone else in the guild!"

"I did…" Erza whispered but her voice raised enough to be colorful again "And I do mean it… but I said it so that you wouldn't suffer from this." She moved slowly toward him and kneeled down in front of him, she was close, holding him in a hug "I wanted to discourage you so that you wouldn't have to feel the pain that you are feeling now… And you are feeling that pain, are you?" Erza asked and Gray just nodded, it was small nod, short but unquestionable.

"I cherish my friendship with Juvia but I know you longer… what we went through is something that cannot be compared… How could you think I would forget about our friendship?"

Gray's resolve was weakening with every second that passed by "If I stay I will probably do something stupid… I have to go, I have to be away for some time. So please… please, just let me go."

Erza closed her eyes, taking a bit of time to remain where she is before pulling away. She stood up and extended her hand to him… he took it and stood up, dusting his clothes and wiping lip from blood. He just smiled at her and turned. His steps were soft but quick as he was moving away from the hall, further and further toward the train station. Erza just stood there, motionless, watching him turn into dot in the distance and when she was sure she could no longer see him she spoke, silently, for her own ears to hear "You will survive this Gray. Be strong and be careful…"

A/N: Yeah I didn't see that coming, for the note I didn't feel that excited to write this chapter.