It was a dark clear night with the stars shining softly outside of the Fairy Tail guild hall, but a different story was unfolding inside. Recent events had brought many of the members to their knees in prayer that their loved ones recovered, but hopes were dwindling as the days continued to pass. Healer to healer came through the large doors in an effort to assist them with little success along with mages from alliance guilds, but not one was capable of helping them. Upon entrance to the infirmary and seeing the devastated sites of their strongest members broken next to their children made Master Makarov wither slightly from the scene. To see all of his children suffering so helplessly… There was only one thing left that they all could do, and he only knew he could use this as a last resort considering the people in front of him. Speaking out quietly, "You know we'll have to contact her… She's the only one who can save them from what's happening." Heads snapped in his direction, but it was Gray that responded first.

"No! We've done enough to her."

Natsu shook his head in agreement stating, "They're strong. They'll get through this just give us time. There are more options still."

It was Levy that shook her head harshly, "No Master's right. We need Lucy. I don't know why, but she's the only one I can think of who could save them."

Natsu glared back arguing, "Leave her out of all of this Levy. She wanted to leave everything behind and considering what we did to her it's only right that we stay away."

"I won't let my child continue to suffer because of some petty feelings and drama we all have with her. Come on you have to agree with that. Lucy would be more than happy to help if she knew what was going on." Lisanna spoke quietly with a glare at Natsu.

"Juvia agrees. Silver should not suffer more than necessary because we could not put our differences aside and ask for love-rivals assistance." Juvia spoke quietly.

"That right there is exactly why we aren't going to contact her Juvia. We've been together for years now and you still calling her that would bring a fresh wave of pain to her probably." Gray gritted out and turned back to the master. "Can't we try Yukino or something since you think a celestial mage is needed for some reason? Maybe one of her spirits could help us or know what's preventing them from recovering?"

Master Makarov spoke quietly understanding their stress, but held a hand up for their silence, "She'll come once I explain it to her. Lucy has always been kind and hasn't changed over the years in that aspect. No, more than likely she won't stay, but she'll help if asked. After all that was our agreement…." Turning and walking away back to the door he continued, "Just don't say any unnecessary things to her. She's still devastated and hurt from her time here. If she could ever get past that who knows what she may do? Fiore would benefit greatly if she would return or even take on an apprentice."

Silence remained in the infirmary and they all glared at each other knowing there was no changing the master's mind. Natsu and Gray gritted their teeth, while their significant others did the same. Levy was slightly shaking in place while Gajeel had taken to stroking his sleeping child's hand soothing her any way he could. Everyone was on edge now, but Gajeel knew deep down they missed her more than they let on. It was an unfortunate event that made her leave and even now things would have been fine if the little sky dragon slayer hadn't been hurt so severely. Considering Wendy had never fully recovered and with the drama that followed their wives around he agreed with Natsu. Coming here and helping them in whatever way the master knew she could help would cause a deep pain to gather in all of them considering all the degrading comments the girls had accused her with. No amount of assurance from her team at the time could change the celestial mage's mind, and since even Levy had questioned her intentions and accused her, for Lucy to bow out and call a spade a spade Gajeel acknowledged her then and there for her strength and acceptance. Murmuring, "Bunny girl would never cause us harm and even now would aid us if we requested it personally. Leave the past in the past where it belongs. Wendy understood that long ago and even tried convincing you all that it wasn't her fault before she departed the guild with Carla." Looking up at the girls who were the most bitter and dramatic about it all, "If she comes here I personally will be here to make sure you don't start anything. Do I make myself clear? She deserves to know our children and if she can help, then I'll be standing by her every step of the way till I see my little girl healthy and happy again."

Natsu and Gray both agreed whole heartedly with Gajeel, but the look of irritation from the girls gave the exact impression that this was going to cause all the drama that Lucy had gave up on. "Me too. She left for your sakes as well as her own, so if she helps us I'm behind her one hundred percent. I love you Lisanna, but it wasn't Lucy's fault and she didn't and doesn't deserve your accusations. She tried dam it! Protecting Wendy was her biggest concern at that time and she succeeded the best she could, but unfortunate things happen."

Gray continued as his rival tried to hold himself back, but began failing miserably as the temperature in the room began rising. "She gave you what you wanted Juvia and Lisanna. She left so you could have us without any irritation, and on top of that the guilt that she couldn't protect one of our own even at the sacrifice of one of her spirits… We forgave you for your cruel and twisted accusations, but I won't for one stand by a second time and forgive so easily. She never once let any of our relationships come between our friendships, and she dam well deserves to know our children as intimately as we do. If I so much as hear one comment about being a love-rival Juvia there is going to be more than separation between the two of us, and our child will be living with me when it happens." It was well known that they had been having problems and considering separation, but this was something that could very well push them over the edge.

"See Lucy is once again coming between Juvia and her Gray. You expect Juvia to stand here and accept this? Juvia's child will not so much as go near her if Juvia has a say." Juvia threatened.

When Gray punched his hand on the wall it was dangerous for all the mages in the room at that point. Quietly speaking, "Our child will be helped if she is the only way you selfish woman. Silver first and foremost is our priority and if you try and stand in the way of him getting better I will personally remove you from the situation so Lucy can do what she needs." Looking over his son he let a tear fall, but spoke again, "All this dramatic posturing and insecurities… I should have just stayed single if this was what it was going to boil down to. I don't regret Silver, but you Juvia would have been far better off with Lyon at this rate."

Juvia glared at the floor balling her fists. Her love for him was immeasurable, but she knew her insecurities well and that her and Gray had been arguing more than usual. It was time for all of this pain to end because for once in the past year she agreed with him. The water woman loved everything Gray was, but to not receive the same care and attention she showered on him over the length of their marriage and even before that in return had weathered her and she was tired not receiving as much as she was giving. Silver was the only precious thing that she would fight for even if he was the exact replica of her husband. "Juvia agrees. This is tiresome and considering we have an audience Juvia might as well say what should have been said long ago so there won't be any misunderstandings. We can't continue like this. We'll figure out details later on, but a separation is in order if we are to think of the best interest of our son." An angry tear slipped down her face and she held her sons hand again while everyone in the room remained silent at the declaration. Seeing that Gray only nodded in agreement she dared him to interrupt her when she finished her reasoning's bitterly with, "Lucy will not be involved any further than healing him if she can Gray. Juvia will not leave him in her care when she can hardly protect her own like you all so claim."

The three males in the infirmary glared hard at her in response where Levy looked at her conflicted and Lisanna remained neutral since she seemed to understand Juvia a bit being in a similar situation. Gray instantly towered over her. "You're going to make this separation extremely difficult Juvia and the only one who will suffer will be Silver if you continue down this road. I'll say it again. Lucy did everything to protect Wendy from that spell. In fact she saved her life so I dare you to continue to degrade her name in front of me. Wendy has told you on numerous occasions that she was spared. She watched as Lucy sacrificed Horlogium in that moment. Going as far as giving up a piece of herself as she covered Wendy personally and you dare say she didn't do enough. An arm Juvia! Her entire arm gone in a blink and you dare to claim she didn't protect her own!?"

It was Mira's interruption that made Gray halt in his anger at the woman he once loved hearing, "Gray not in front of the children or the others. We all know well that Lucy did everything in her power that day and nothing will bring back Wendy's full powers or abilities. Don't let their comments get to you so easily. We can't change the past, but we can remain open minded for the future. Juvia, Lisanna, and Levy… I'm a mother as well, but your insecurities are unwarranted. With everyone here at your sides regardless of the non-threat she provides you need not worry. I will agree with your husbands though. If she comes back she will be accepted and not harassed or you will be dealing with us as well."

With all the high strung emotions Levy and Lisanna burst at the same time. "How can you all not see Lucy like we do? Her leaving was the best option for everyone in Fairy Tail including her. There wasn't a person here that could look at her the same afterwards, so why do you want her to return?"

"She was never a threat to any of us and she left because of the guilt you poured on her. Levy she was your best friend! Lisanna her team was just as much to blame as she was yet she took sole responsibility for what happened. Not once did you ever ask Natsu why he didn't protect them as much as Lucy did. Or even asked Gray or Erza. Only Lucy so how do you figure you wouldn't have done the same or more than she did? Your obnoxiousness is too much even for me at this point." Mira spoke darkly. "I supported you and Natsu as well as you Juvia and Levy with your love lives, and never once did Lucy come between any of you since she left. Continue what you started before and I promise you'll regret losing all your men in her defense. Now as invigorating as this conversation is, get out unless you have anything more to provide your children. They need a peaceful rest. Not this poisoning environment you three are providing."

Agitation pouring off of them Levy shook her head to clear it. She had tried to overcome her guilty conscience many times, but never could with how she treated her once best friend. However even though it was then that she never was able too, maybe now she could finally find closure and start trying to right her wrongs. Yes she sided with Lisanna and Juvia at the time, but her judgment was misguided and her personal input was unwarranted. After all they made sense slightly and Wendy was so important to everyone… But Lucy had just as much right to sympathy which wasn't given at all with the drastic condition's the two were found in. "Gajeel lets go home. We'll have a hectic week and," Sucking in a hard breath finally acknowledging that she really was at fault for pushing Lucy away, "I want to be there when Lucy arrives. I'll put our past behind us and try and put faith in her to heal our little girl." Seeing Gajeel's look of appreciation made her more confident with her sudden decision. He was right. Lucy would return and when she did she would try to regain the faith that the celestial mage once had put in her.

Lisanna held out her hand to Natsu who only stared at her in critical judgment as if trying to judge whether she really was sincere with her gestures. Whenever the topic of Lucy came up he became more analytical of his surroundings and more specifically paranoid towards her and her intentions. It hurt, but she stood firm waiting for him. She would not waver because in her mind Natsu belonged to her, and nothing not even Lucy would change that so without thinking before speaking already irritated and stressed with the evening, "I won't stand for her trying to come back and getting between us, but I will put Igneel first Natsu. This is my family after all. She'll help us, but more than likely, like we all know, she'll crawl back into the hole she's been hiding in once she's finished." The harsh assessment was already blurted out before she could refine it and Natsu recoiled from her like a snake. Hurt poured from every part of his features and if she could have gone into the past and retracted the statement she would have considering what he told her next.

"For once I'll say something I never thought I would. I really hate being bound as a dragon slayer and the son of Igneel. If it wasn't for me giving you my word so long ago…" Natsu shook his head staring at his little boy laying on the bed a startling shade of white in contrast to his natural vibrancy. "Just like Lucy is bound as a Celestial Spirit mage never to willingly break a promise, I am bound to my word to Igneel and will protect my family. However, that does not mean you have the right to abuse that privilege. I may be dumb or dense on many occasions, but you know for a fact that Lucy is a very precious friend to me. Don't forget that and stay away from her when she comes. Little Igneel will love her just as I do when he's healed." Many thoughts went through Natsu's mind and he began to envy Gray slightly. He was beyond lucky to be able to separate with Juvia willingly and not being bound by any other promise then the vows that they took on their wedding day. He wouldn't deny Lisanna what she wanted, but he drew the line at the malicious intents they had towards Lucy. Walking out the door following Gray to the Master's office they went into their own thoughts as everyone separated for the evening.