"I can't remember,"

Laxus felt like he'd been saying those words all day. He'd awoken to find Gajeel passed out on the ground of the cave covered in extensive injuries that he didn't remember him having before. What he could remember wasn't much. He remembered being attacked and fleeing into the cavern. He remembered telling Gajeel he couldn't go on any longer, but after that everything was blank. He had tried and tried to remember but couldn't conjure a thing. The most helpful thing he'd done all day was tell the Magic Council member what they had found in the cave and hand over the evidence Gajeel had insisted on stuffing into his pockets. The officer had paled and a grim set had fallen to his features. He'd then thanked him profusely for their find and hurried off.

When he'd finally gotten word to Mirajane, Gramps had hurried to the scene. And for the millionth time he'd been asked the question he didn't have the answer to: What happened to Gajeel?

"You can't remember anything?" Makarov's white brows furrowed in worry, "Why? Did something happen?"

"The woman in the cave, the one who heads the whole thing, threw something at me. It made me feel lightheaded and I couldn't follow him any more. I must have passed out."

Makarov cast his eyes to Gajeel, a worried expression on his face, "I know you two haven't been on the best of terms, Laxus. I want you to be honest with me, did you do this?"

Laxus froze and gazed at the unconscious Iron Mage. The wounds were consistent with a hard fight and the type of damage that had been done was eerily similar to when they'd fought in the church. Laxus frowned, his hands balling into fists as he stared at the unmoving figure.

"I don't know," Laxus said at last, "But I don't have any injuries from it."

"That's true," Makarov murmured, "Maybe you were attacked after you'd lost consciousness and he was able to fight them off?"

"We won't know until he wakes up," Laxus said sullenly, looking down at his hands.

"Master Makarov?" a figure stood in the doorway. He was wearing a white cloak and the emblem of the Magic Council was on his uniform, "May I have a word?"

"Of course," Makarov smiled and hopped off his seat, "I'll be right back,"

Laxus nodded and watched him leave, letting out a sigh as the door shut. He turned his head to Gajeel and watched him steadily. If it weren't for his rugged breathing he could have been dead. Nothing on him moved, not even his eyes under their lids. Laxus had honestly thought he'd die before he got him to the hospital. When he'd awoken he'd seen a puddle of blood around his head from a deep scratch on his forehead. It hadn't been until he noticed his faint shivering that he'd even realized he was actually alive. It had taken some work with his still injured side to get the Iron Mage onto his back, but he'd somehow managed to carry him back to the nearest town and seek help.

Beaten within an inch of his life and on the verge of never waking up again. He was sure Gajeel would be in a mood when he finally woke up. He'd probably go running after whoever had done this and try to kill them. Actually, seeing Gajeel back to his old self would be a relief. How weak he looked now chilled Laxus's blood. He didn't realize it before, but he really considered Gajeel a strong comrade to have.

Laxus suddenly shuddered as a headache ripped through his skull. He staggered backwards, gripping his head from the sudden pain. He gasped, digging his nails into his skull. His ears started ringing harshly and he shut his eyes against the unbearable pain.

Suddenly, voices began to make their way through the door to his ears.

"…your son has done a great service. We've been trying to track these people for years. They've been kidnapping young teens from all over Fiore to put in human trafficking."

"I had no idea they had grown so much over the years."

"It really is tragic. That is why we need to know as much information as possible about what transpired. Are you sure he didn't tell you anything else?"

"No. He claims to have no recollection of what happened after Gajeel got them to safety."

"If you would, please, get a hold of us should he wake up. What he may know could help us greatly."

"I will do my best although the doctors haven't given us a date for when he might recover."

Silence.

"If you don't mind me asking, why aren't you out shutting down the faction in the woods?"

"We found the place described but when we got there nothing was there. We found traces of activity but unfortunately it seems your mages caused a big enough raucous that they left,"

"How disconcerting,"

"Thank you for your time, Master Makarov,"

"Yes, of course."

He heard the footsteps of the soldier as he went down the hall and the sound of Gramps letting out a tired sigh as he stood in the hall.

"Stop…"

Laxus started, his eyes widening as he looked down at Gajeel. His lips barely moved but Laxus could make out a hitch in his breathing every once in a while. It was almost as if he was trying to speak…

"Don't…"

Laxus's eyes widened and he hit the call button for the nurse on duty. It beeped quietly as it sent a summons to whoever was available. Laxus leaned over the bed and put a hand on Gajeel's shoulder, shaking it just barely.

"Oi, Gajeel?" he could suddenly smell blood, the smell like iron tracing the inside of his nose. He reeled back. Since when had he been able to smell blood? Or hear a conversation from down the hall?

"Master Makarov, did you call for something?" a polite female voice chimed.

"Hm? No, why do you ask?"

"Someone hit the call button for this room."

"The hell?" Laxus breathed as he watched the door, listening to the footsteps of the two as they hurried for the room. He heard Gajeel gasp and turned his head just as his eyes opened. They looked frantic for just a moment before he jerked up.

"Hey, hey, calm down," Laxus put a hand on his shoulder.

He cringed away, his eyes wide with horror for just a moment as they focused on him. Laxus took a step back, his brow furrowing as he watched Gajeel assess the situation and slowly bring down the hand that had instinctively come up to protect him. Suddenly, he whipped his head towards the door just as the knob jiggled and Makarov and the nurse came in.

"Gajeel, my lad, you're awake," Makarov smiled at him. The nurse looked shocked for a moment and then hurriedly came to his side.

"Do you need anything, Mr. Redfox? Some water?"

He opened his mouth as if to speak and then shut it again, closing his eyes and running his hand down his face. The three of them watched him anxiously as his shoulders slumped and he took in a shuddering breath, composing himself. Laxus felt for sure he could smell tears for a moment before Gajeel lowered his hand and regarded the nurse.

"Water…" his voice was nothing more than a horse whisper and the nurse hurried to the sink.

"Please don't stress your voice too much, Mr. Redfox," she smiled as she handed him the glass, "You've sustained some pretty severe injuries, some of them on your neck as well. Talking too much may cause permanent damage to…"

"I'm fine," he snapped at her, making her look at him in shock and then fall silent.

"Well, be sure to call me if you need anything. The doctor should be back later on today to run a couple more tests…"

"I told ya, I'm fine," he growled, giving her a vicious glare, "I don't need a damn doctor,"

"But sir…"

"My dear, why don't you go take a break," Makarov interjected, "I'm sure he's just tired. When did you say the doctor would be back?"

The two went out to the hallway, but not before Makarov shot the two of them an anxious look. A tense silence fell between them where Gajeel stared straight ahead and Laxus studied him uneasily. It was clear he was in pain, so why refuse a doctor? Again the smell of blood made Laxus wrinkle his nose.

"You're badly injured," Laxus said quietly, "Why not talk to the doctor?"

"Because I don't want to explain…" he started but stopped, running his fingers through his tangled mane.

"Explain what?"

Gajeel regarded him coolly for a moment, his red eyes swimming with suspicion, "You don't remember?"

"The last thing I remember is telling you I couldn't run anymore," Laxus pushed his hands into his pockets, "After that its all black,"

"Of course," Gajeel looked slightly relieved and shut his eyes.

"What happened, Redfox?"

"An excellent question, actually," Makarov stalked into the room, "Something that merits you being cruel to that poor girl, I'm sure?"

Gajeel was silent for a moment as if he were gathering his thoughts, "Do you remember when that woman threw a glass vial at you?"

"Yes,"

"Apparently it contained a potion that could be absorbed through a wound," he looked out of the corner of his eye at Laxus's side, now bandaged and mostly healed by the hospital's magical healers, "And it caused the person who absorbed it to become delusional. You thought I was an enemy bent on taking your life,"

"Is that so?" Makarov said slowly, looking from Laxus to Gajeel, "Then you really should have a session with their healers. Electrical attacks can have side effects even after a fight is over. I know Natsu had heart palpitations for a few days after your fight before the parade. You should really let the doctor examine you,"

"I'm fine," Gajeel stated firmly, "Dragon Slayers heal faster than most people. I don't need a healer to help me."

"If you insist," Makarov said at length, "Well now that we know what happened I'll be sure to tell the Magic Council. Be careful on your way back home, lads,"

"Aye," Gajeel said and watched Makarov leave. After the door shut and they listened to his footsteps retreat down the hall Laxus turned towards Gajeel and crossed his arms.

"You lied," Laxus snarled, "Why?"

"How the hell would you know, Sparky?" he growled in return, throwing the blankets off of himself and wincing as he heaved his feet over the edge of the bed.

"I…" Laxus stopped and looked down at his feet. How did he know?

"Maybe your dragon instincts are finally kicking in," Gajeel sighed and let his feet down lightly onto the floor, "Fucking perfect,"

"Why do you say that?" Laxus growled.

"Because I ain't gonna be the one to teach you how to use 'em," Gajeel winced as he took a step and steadied himself on a medical table. He eyed his clothes that were sitting across the room and gritted his teeth. Laxus silently watched him struggle across the room, his face contorting in pain every time he took a step.

"You're tracking blood across the floor," Laxus said calmly.

"You think I don't know that?!" Gajeel barked at him, steadying himself on the table that held his clothes, "I think I liked it better when you kept the fuck to yourself!"

"Why won't you tell me the truth, Redfox?"

Gajeel was silent for a moment, turning his head to look at the ground. The look on his face was a mix of disgust, fatigue, and anger and it startled to Laxus to see it. Gajeel wasn't one to regret things he did and for the most part he didn't care what happened to himself so long as the job gets done.

"Was it that bad?" Laxus pressed, disturbed by the emotions flashing across Gajeel's face.

"Why don't you get the hell out so I can change? Unless you want to watch like some fucking pervert?"

Laxus left quietly but not before sending him a look before shutting the door. He would find out… somehow.