Chapter Sixteen

Back at the guild hall the rest of the Fairy Tail members were quiet as they didn't know what they could do. Carla had woken up after a few days of rest, but hadn't emerged from the infirmary and wouldn't let anyone see her either. Happy was beside himself with worry that she wouldn't let him in. It was bad enough that both Natsu and Lucy were gone, but not even being allowed to see Carla was even worse. Erza was one slight away from a fight. She was like a caged animal with nothing to do but pace. Levy spent the first few days of Lucy and Natsu's disappearance crying both from her worry for Lucy and fear for her own safety as they still weren't sure if the group would come for her and Gajeel. But after those few days her tears had run out and she'd started feeling ashamed for not trying to help however she could. She was currently set up at a table towards the back of the guild hall, at Gajeel's insistence since it was away from any doors or windows, with books surrounding her. Gajeel was wound as tight as Erza, but hadn't left his wife's side and was currently leaning his head back against the wall in the seat next to her as she poured over the books.

"That's it," Levy muttered. She hadn't intended for anyone to hear her, but with how quiet the guild was without some of the noisiest members, more than just Gajeel's dragon slaying hearing heard it.

"What's it?" Erza exclaimed. She'd come over to the table pushing Master Makarov's wheelchair as well. She was followed by the rest of the guild who were all eager to hear what she'd discovered.

"When I stopped to think about what Happy and Lily said I realized the names they said were a little odd," She explained. "They weren't names I've ever heard here in Magnolia or the surrounding towns so I've been doing some research."

She gestured to the mountain of books on the table in front of her and pulled the one in front of her a bit closer. Gajeel grinned. His girl sure was smart and he never thought that would be a turn on, but it definitely was.

"What'd you find?" Makarov asked.

"The names they mentioned are more common in Eastern Fiore. They have to be somewhere in the East," Levy said with a proud smile. She finally felt like she'd been able to do something and give them a valuable clue.

"Well done Levy," Erza smiled at her and turned to Makarov. "What's our next move Master?"

"Well, I'd hate to send you on a wild goose chase, but maybe if we send a group as far East as possible we can try and dig up some information," He thoughtfully replied.

"There will be no need for that," A voice that only some of the group recognized spoke up and caused them all to turn in surprise.

"Capricorn!" Happy exclaimed upon seeing one of Lucy's spirits standing in front of them.

"It's a pleasure to see you again," The goat spirit bowed to the Exceed which pulled a giggle from him.

"What are you doing here?" Erza happily asked. The spirit being here must mean that Lucy was still alive and well.

"Leo has sent me to provide an update on our progress," He replied.

"Progress?" Fried asked. "You know where they are?"

"We do," He held up his hands at the exclamation from the group. "Well, to be more clear we've been in contact but are still working to determine the exact location within Ishgar. I will say that Ms. Levy's conclusion of them being somewhere in the East is accurate, but as far as an exact location we're still working on that."

"Are they alright?" Levy asked. She'd smiled at the compliment, but her worry for her friends quickly over shadowed it.

"For now they are," Capricorn replied. "Their magic is being drained by their captor, who's name is Taro, and he wants to combine each couple's magic for an unknown purpose. The cell they're all being kept in is being magically blocked as well so that's why they have not contacted you through the lacrima although Leo now has it in his possession."

"So, if their magic is being blocked how are you here right now?" Gajeel asked.

"For the most part we're helping Ms. Lucy and the others under our own power although right now I'm getting a little extra power from his Majesty to be here in Magnolia," Capricorn explained.

"I knew the big man had to be involved," Happy exclaimed.

"Virgo is currently at work digging an escape tunnel, but her progress is slow as she has to be as silent as possible which is not a strength of hers," Capricorn winced slightly after this revelation. "I don't have much more time left before I must return to the spirit world. Being this far from Ms. Lucy, despite the king's help, is taking a toll. Once the tunnel is complete we'll all be helping Ms. Lucy and the others escape. We'll be in touch when we know more information."

"Thanks Capricorn," Levy said with a smile.

He bowed and disappeared leaving a newly excited guild behind. Happy glanced up at the infirmary where Carla was still secluding herself. Erza saw him and gestured that he go.

"Go on Happy. Carla will want to know the information we found out," She smiled gently at him.

Happy headed for the infirmary with a newly formed sense of purpose. He didn't care how much she tried to protest and kick him out. He wasn't going to let her wallow anymore. The door to the infirmary was now open, but the bed Carla had been on still had all the curtains pulled around it. Porlyusica saw him enter and smiled despite herself. The blue Exceed had been trying to see Carla daily since she'd woken, but the white cat had steadfastly refused. She only ever allowed Porlyusica to check on her as needed and otherwise spent her time alone.

"Go ahead and give it a try Happy," The healer said.

Happy nodded and approached Carla's bed. Without a door to knock on he called out to her instead.

"Carla? It's Happy. I'm going to come in ok?" He decided not to give her an option this time. She needed to know that Lucy's spirits had seen them and were helping them.

He entered the curtain when she didn't reply this time, taking it as a good sign compared to all the others. She was sitting against the headboard with both paws in her lap in front of her. She was awake, but didn't seem to be comprehending what Happy had said. He flew over and landed next to her. He reached for her paw and gripped it gently in his in an attempt to get her attention.

"Carla? I'm so glad to see you're awake," Happy carefully chose his words which was not something he did often, but he knew saying the wrong thing now with Carla in this state would get him kicked out. "We just had some good news downstairs. One of Lucy's spirits showed up."

That appeared to have gotten her attention finally and she looked up. Her eyes held an immense guilt, but now a flicker of hope was there as well.

"What?" She hoarsely whispered.

"Capricorn showed up and told us what they've been able to find out. He also told us they're all fine for now. Virgo's working on a tunnel so they can escape. It'll be ok," He put his other paw around her back to try and comfort her.

"They're alive?" Tears started forming in her eyes.

"Yea of course they are," He replied back.

At those words it was like something snapped and the flood gates opened. She fell against Happy and wept. Her sobs shook both of them and although concerned, Porlyusica knew it was what was needed and left the two alone. Happy wasn't entirely sure why Carla was this upset, but knew all he needed to do was comfort her.

"Oh Happy I'm so glad to hear you say that," Carla said between sobs. She pulled back from his chest with slumped shoulders, but her tears were starting to slow. "I've been feeling so guilty and selfish. I know Wendy is not a girl anymore and I've been sensing her need for time alone with Romeo, but I just couldn't give that to her. I just have such a need to protect her. But she doesn't need that anymore and the one day I decide to give her space to spend time with Romeo without me this happens. I felt responsible."

"This wasn't your fault Carla," Happy smiled at her. "And you know Wendy will always need you. Just like Natsu will always need me and Gajeel will always need Lily. Being with someone doesn't mean they won't need us."

Carla smiled at Happy and nodded. "You're right. Let's go downstairs and see how we can help."

The two Exceeds flew out the door while Porlyusica silently thanked Happy as they left the infirmary. She'd watched Carla wallow in her guilt for days and didn't know how to help her. All she'd needed was a good cry, a good friend, and a reminder that love wasn't reserved for one person only.