Gray wanted time to stand still for all etrinity as he stood there by the hospital bedside and held his boyfriend, the love of his life, close to chest, his heart just for the simple joy for the fact that he could hold him. Truly thankful that he could still hold him, hold him close, kiss him tenderly, whisper sweet words of love into his ears while waking up every morning seeing his sweet face and beautiful golden eyes. He held the pinkette close to his heart as though he was to never have the chance to do so again allowing his tears to flow, not caring who and all saw. He was never letting the pinkette go.

He was never letting the boy out of his sight ever again.

And he'd be damned if he allowed such a thing.

After awhile, Natsu began to squirm in Gray's arms and letting out small whines as he attempted to- rather poorly- to push the taller male off of him.

"Gray," He whined. "Gray~"

"Hmm? What's wrong babe?" Gray blinked allowing his brain to start back up and pulled away from the whining pinkette but still keeping a good hold on him. He suddenly looked alarmed. "Are you hurting? Did I hurt you?"

"No." Natsu said. He looked up to him with fear in his eyes. "Gray. It was that Jeremy guy who attacked me years ago! The tax- taxi- taxperm- He was that guy who makes trophies out of dead things!"

"A taxidermist?" Gray asked chuckling lightly. He missed that part about Natsu too. His cute attempts at pronouncing and saying certain words.

Dammit- He was cute in Gray's eyes plainly, no matter what he did.

"Yeah! That guy!" Natsu waved his good hand slightly and bouncing in his bed. "It was him! Another guy! Montoya! They kidnapped me! They both beat me and tortured me and- and ra-"

Natsu stopped, his eyes wide as though he just realized he was about to say a disgusting swear word in front of his parents. He bit his lip and looked up at Gray with large doe-like eyes that were sparkling with tears and right then and there, the dark haired male understood, pulling him into another tight hug allowing the pinkette to bury his face into the crook of his neck just as his small body shook with silent sobs. Gray began rocking him back and forth in his arms while whispering soft words of comfort into his ear. Thankfully, so did Freed and Rogue.

Evergreen on the other hand-

"What? What?" She asked clenching her fists tighty, her eyes glaring dangerously behind her glasses. "What did that brute do?"

"Ever!" Freed hissed, eye narrowing dangerously, "Don't you dare-"

"What? I want to know!" Evergreen retorted, returning Freed's glare, "That way, we'll punish them in the most brutal fashion we know. You know as well as I do that if they dared to hurt or threaten one of our own, they should pay Freed!"

"Yes but-"

She quickly turned back to Natsu and Gray, leaning forward in her chair slightly, her voice soft and gentle like mother attempting to coax her child into trying something new. "Go ahead Natsu. Tell us what those- those animals did!"

Natsu shook his head and buried himself deeper into Gray's embrace as a small whimper followed by a shaky sob escaped his mouth causing Gray to pull the pinkette tighter to his bare chest. He could feel hot tears against his slightly chilled flesh as he turned to look to the brunette. Not either angry or upset but to calmly and gently reason with her so as not to scare his Natsu any further. Natsu surely had suffered enough and had enough pain and scars to last him a lifetime surely.

He was about to open his mouth to prove his point only to have Rogue beat him to the punch.

"Evergreen-"

"ENOUGH!" Rogue barked suddenly standing up and startling everyone present. "If you continue this any further, I will have to ask you to leave! I do not care what high regards Laxus has put in you or what he may even do to me if I'm forced to dimiss you physically but I will NOT have you continue stressing this poor child any further!"

"Wha- You-" Evergreen spluttered before she quickly recomposed herself and stood up, standing her ground in front of the dark haired man. "And who are you tell me what to do? His mother?"

She smirked as Rogue flinched before glaring.

"Damn right I'm his mother." Rogue finally snarled, wiping the smirk off Evergreen's face while holding his ground as well. "I don't give a damn what you may have to say about me. If he doesn't want to say it then that's his choice. He shouldn't be forced to tell."

"How dare you-"

"Evergreen. Enough." Freed said placing a hand on her bare shoulder. "Rogue's got point. If Natsu wishes not to say then we should leave him alone."

"But-"

"Evergreen- Please," Came Natsu's soft but muffled voice. He peeked one tear-stained golden eye from behind Gray's neck. "Please- Please don't make me say it..."

"Oh Natsu," Evergreen breathed placing the tips of her fingers to her pink lips as tears brimmed at her own eyes. "Forgive me... I- I didn't take your feelings into account. I- I..."

"It's okay." Natsu grinned weakly before he buried himself once more into Gray's arms. "Just please understand that I can't- Not now. And probably never... I can't- I just can't."

"Shh. It's okay." Gray whispered, resting his head on top the pinkette's head still rocking him gently. "But Baby there are a few questions I need ask you- And you can only answer them if they're questions you're comfortable with." He quickly added just as he felt the angry burning gaze of Rogue's eyes on his back. "Just shake your head no if you don't wish to answer okay?"

He quickly looked to Rogue, who smiled and nodded his head in approval. Natsu looked up, locking eyes with Gray's, his large doe-like eyes studied his hawk-like eyes as if trying to find a trick or a sign of deception. Finding none, he sighed.

"Okay."

"It's about Jeremy-"

"OH!" Natsu suddenly sat up, his head nearly colliding with Gray's jaw with eyes wide as though a thought just had occured to him. "Gray! Jeremy! You know the place where you found me?!"

"The Dark Woods?"

"Yeah! That place!" Natsu was bouncing excitedly in Gray's arms. "There's cabin in there somewhere. I kinda forgot where though- It's a bit of a blur- But anyway, I clubbed him in the head with a table leg that I broke and used! And that's how I escaped!"

'Well, that confirms our theory on the blood pool in the bedroom.' Gray thought. He smiled at Natsu who grinned. "Did you? That's awesome babe!"

Natsu beamed with pride. "And guess what else?"

"What?" Gray couldn't help but chuckle at his lover's cute antics.

He was just so adorable when he got excited.

"I trapped him there Gray. That Jeremy bastard. With the same fucking chain he and that bastard Montoya used to trap me! And threw the fucking keys into the toilet so he couldn't get them and escape!" Natsu was practically dancing now. "He's there! Right now! If you go now you might get him and arrest him before he dies."

'Well, that also explains the keys in the toilet- Wait.' Gray blinked.

Something wasn't adding up.

"Gray?" He jumped at the feeling of Natsu's warm hand cupping his face. "Is- Is something the matter?"

"Yeah- Babe, Sting, myself, Gajeel and Laxus- We- We found the cabin where you were held. We found the keys and the blood- But-"

"But-?" Natsu inquired quietly, eyes wide.

"But we didn't find him there." Gray finished. "We found the chain connected to the bed but nothing on the other end."

"You... You mean-" Natsu whispered, eyes growing wide in fear as weakly pushed away from Gray. Their gazes locking. "You mean- He's out there? Out there somewhere? Right now? Did Montoya get to him or-"

"Shh sh. Baby. We already have Montoya in custody, that's how we found you- But I'm not going to let Jeremy get you." Gray said as he tiltled Natsu's face upward to stare into those golden eyes just as the pinkette let a shaky breath and fresh tears began to sparkle. "I'm not gonna let any of them get you. I promise. I promise."

Natsu sniffled. "But-"

"I'm not letting you out of my sight!" Gray said, suddenly pulling Natsu into a tight embrace. "If he wants you, then he's gonna have to go through me."

"And me." whispered Rogue. He wrapped his arms around both Gray and Natsu while covering Natsu's back. "He'll have go through both myself and your brother, Sting."

"And don't forget us," Evergreen said as she and Freed joined in on the hug. "He's going to have to get through us, the Raijinshu. Though we are minus one-"

"It won't matter. For he has all of Fairy Tail too." Freed agreed. "He's going to have to go through each and every last one of us if he truly wants you."

"Thank you." Natsu whispered, nuzzling deeper and deeper into the group hug. Never before had he ever felt this safe and secure. This warm and loved. "Thank you all."

They stayed like this for awhile before Natsu began squirming and whining, wanting to be let go and they relucantly broke apart. Natsu took a couple gulps of air before he looked up at Gray, who's arms hung loosly around his waist and grinned.

"So what did you wanna ask about?" Natsu asked. "It was still about Jeremy right?"

"Yeah," Gray nodded numbly, surprised by Natsu's sudden upbeat cheer. "Natsu... Do you remember your father- Your father, Igneel?"

Natsu blinked, clearly confused as was the others. "Of course I do. He was like, the best father ever! Why?"

Gray chuckled before he returned to his serious face. "Has Igneel ever mentioned to you of a man with the name 'Weisslogia Eucliffe' or a settlement of affairs at all?"

"I met him once. At my fifth birthday party, that's how Sting and I grew close. I don't remember nothing about 'affairs'." Natsu tilted his head to one side and regarded the ravenette with an odd look. "Gray. What exactly are you getting at?"

"Babe, I know this may sound a little too late but-" Gray bit his lip before taking a deep breath. "But both your father and Sting's father- They were both murdered."

"What?" Natsu breathed, staring wide eyed at Gray. "What did you-"

"Igneel Dragneel and Weisslogia Eucliffe were murdered." Gray said with a stronger voice. "We found a written confessions of sorts in the cabin."

Natsu was at a loss as to what to say. His good arm immediatly shot out and began to grab at the air blindly before it was grasped by Rogue who squeezed it gently. Natsu trembled as tears began to flow.

"I guess it makes me feel better," Natsu said weakly after awhile as he squeezed Rogue's hand as the dark haired man stroked his face. "That- That my dad- He didn't- He didn't die by- By lame means, but-"

"I'm sorry Natsu," Gray whispered as he captured those lips into a soft kiss. "I know this wasn't exactly what you wanted to hear but- But I thought you derserved the truth."

"Thank you," Natsu whispered with a smile before fixing Gray with his watery stare. "But- What does this have to do with Jeremy? I don't understand..."

"We're getting there," Gray promised with a small smile. "Did- Did you and father get approached by a man in or around the time you turned five up until the fire? Someone who talked to you more then did your father. It could even be someone Igneel pointed out to you and told you avoid but they were just too charismatic and you found yourself disobeying Igneel's order. Valerian and Hayden both claimed they never seen or heard of such a man that matched Jeremy's description till now."

Natsu blinked before he furrowed his eyebrows and looked down at his lap. Thinking. A great silence passed as Natsu continued to rack his memories for the answers question which gave the other three a chance to question Gray's meaning.

"Gray what is this about?" Rogue mouthed, lost.

"Does this Jeremy character play a major part in all of this?" Freed asked as he and Evergreen leaned in.

"In a minute."

"No." Natsu suddenly answered after a long while, eyebrows still furrowed. "There was no one like that... At least not that I can remember- All I remember is Weisslogia, Sting, Hayden, Owen and Valerian- But they all introduced themselves to Dad and me long before I turned five."

"No one else?" Gray asked.

Natsu bit his lip and shook his head. "No one else."

Gray sighed. "I see."

"I'm really sorry Gray." Natsu whispered. "I really am."

"It's okay, love," Gray soothed, running his hands into those soft pink strands. "I have all I need-"

"You do?"

"Gray, I don't understand," Freed said.

"Neither do I," Rogue agreed. "What is this even about? Is this even about Jeremy?"

"It is," Gray took a deep breath, eyes locking on Natsu before flitting briefly to the other three. "Natsu. Jeremy Valmen was the one who was behind the fire that killed your father and then ran over Sting's father. We even have reason to believe he was the one that started the fire that destroyed the orphanage. He planted that chip on you when he first attacked you so he could track you once he ever got out of jail. He has a whole shrine-like room dedicated to you. Jeremy has been stalking you since you were a child."

"WHAT?!"

The whole room came to alive with the sounds of shock and was shown in various ways. Freed shot straight up out of his chair his only visible eye wide with shock. Evergreen's eyes were wide as well though she remained rooted to her chair and instead placed both her hands over her mouth just as she gasped. Rogue quickly pulled Natsu in his arms, holding him close as though he could somehow prevent some invisible force from hurting the pink-haired boy earning him a squeal of discomfort from the pinkette.

"Rogue~" Natsu whined. "Rogue, that hurts."

Gods, he looked so cute with his face pressed tightly against Rogue's chest, trying to escape.

"How-" Rogue seemed to be at a loss of words.

"He made and left behind several journals that we found in the cabin where Natsu was held in. We found a total of seven so far," Gray explained. "The they detail his life from where he first supposedly met Natsu, his killing spree, his growing obsession with Natsu."

"What do we do?" Evergreen asked. "He's still out there. You said so yourself. You surly can't hope to stop this monster all by yourself- Do you?"

Natsu whimpered and Rogue held him closer, whispering and gently cooing the pinkette while he stroked his hair.

"I have to try," Gray clenched his fist. "I promised my Natsu and with the three of you as my witnesses, he is never going to never leaving my side! He's not leaving my sight ever!"

Then his cellphone rang.

Everyone froze as they stared at the back pocket that held the contraption. Gray reached behind him and slowly pulled out his cellphone and looked at the caller ID.

"Who is it?" Rogue breathed, voice barely above a whisper. "Gajeel? Lyon?"

"It's from Natsu's cell," Gray whispered back, eyes hardening. "One good guess who."

"Oh, yeah," Natsu said as though a though just occured to him. "I forgot that bastard still had my phone. Didn't think to grab it before I ran-"

They fell silent as Gray swiped the green circle and answer the call.

"What do you want?"

"You cheated Fullbuster."

"Cheated?" Gray growled low in his throat. "That's rich. How did I possibly cheat- Jeremy?"

Natsu buried his face deeper into Rogue's arms as the dark haired male quickly held Natsu closer to his chest earning him a gasp from the pinkette.

"He's mine Fullbuster," came the same angry voice. "Him and his eyes. I will get him... All it takes is a slip on your part."

"Like hell," Gray hissed. "You'll never lay a hand on him again. We got your hideout, your confessions on paper everything! All we need to do is trace this call and we got you. There's no where left for you to hide."

"Oh? I may not have my gear, but I can still block the signal and create new ones," came that hated smirk. "All I simply need to do is tinker with this phone. It really doesn't take rocket science."

"Bastard."

"I know for a fact that the our little boy toy is at the hospital, all I have to do is wait."

"First his name is Natsu and he's a human being and second, you truly are a fool," Gray sneered. "Would you really snatch him in broad daylight from the hospital? With me and all of Fairy Tail crawling here? After we caught your 'buddy'?"

Natsu stiffened and Rogue rubbed a soothing hand on his back.

"No. I'm no fool," Came the sinister smile. "Montoya is a different matter. He was the fool. It won't take much to kill you surly. Again, all it takes is a slip up on your part, Fullbuster and then... Natsu's mine. Mine to do as I see fit-"

"Like hell," Gray snarled. "Natsu's never leaving my side! You hear me? NEVER!"

"We'll see."

And then the call ended, leaving Gray to stare angrily at the plastic contraption in his hand. How dare he- How dare he!

"Gray?"

"What?"

"You can't-"

"What do you mean I can't!?" He rounded on Freed who stood his ground. "Natsu's not going to be taken from me!

"I underst-"

"No you don't," Gray said hotly. "I'm not leaving him. Never!"

"Gray, I understand your desire to protect Natsu but you can't keep an eye on him 24/7," Freed interjected. "You have to work on capturing this- this- this monster. Since it seems he's not only out for Natsu but out for your blood as well."

"And leave Natsu open for the taking? I don't think so."

"Hear me out first," Freed said, raising his hands defensively. "What if we, to say myself, Ever and Rogue here as well as a selected few you trust, help you watch over Natsu?"

"I can look after-"

"I know you can," Freed interjected once more, waving his hand. "But face it. You're only human, Gray. Eventually, you will succumb to fatigue so you're going to need all the help your gonna get. This isn't high school anymore."

Gray remained silent. There really was no arguing with Freed on that and to be honest, it was true, it wasn't like high school where he could get away with it. He sighed after a long while and fixed Freed with a hard stare.

"You swear to help me?"

Freed nodded.

"All of you?"

Evergreen and Rogue nodded.

"Then let's get a hold of Laxus, Lyon, Sting and Gajeel," Gray said as he began tapping the screen at a rapid pace. "Maybe Lily and Erza too. I'm not having Natsu unoccupied for even one second."

"Wait wait. Don't I get a say in this?" Natsu asked, finally poking his head out from Rogue's arms. "You're making me sound like some woman who can't defend herself."

"Babe I don't doubt your capabilities in defending yourself," Gray gently smiled. "But you can't really do anything when you have one arm and one leg in a cast that won't come off for like the next three months."

"Shut up! I can too," Natsu whined almost child-like. "It just might take me awhile to master the art of one handed- ness- But if Erza can do it then I can do it too."

"I'm sure you can," Gray chuckled, placing a gentle kiss on Natsu's forehead. "But I'd feel safer if you were with someone at all any and all times. This bastard doesn't seem to mind attacking you when you are alone, but if you're with someone... Surly, he can't be that dumb."

"True- But-"

"But-?"

"Why bring Gajeel and Sting into babysit me?" Natsu whined. "Don't you know what those two are like?"

Everyone laughed.

Before anyone gets any ideas, no I'm not bashing on Evergreen!

I actually like and think she quite funny and quite the dork what with her, Freed and Bickslow's constant fan idolizing of Laxus like they do, but she kinda strikes me as someone that when something has happened, she'd jump in and attempt to right any and all wrongs she seems and she might over look small details that are rather important and not realize it before she accidentally does it.

I really do love Evergreen.