QUICK ANNOUNCEMENT!... I changed my username. :3

Also, I've been sick for a while, which caused the delay for this chappy Dx

I do not own Fairy Tail.

"I Know It."

NOBODY'S POV

Lucy wasn't sure if she was dead or alive.

You would think she would be able to differentiate between the two, but it was nearly impossible. She was aware of what she was thinking, but all at the same time, her mind was clouded and her train of thought trailed off into a blankness - as if her subconscious didn't want to know the answer and refused to search for it. It felt as if her subconscious was protecting her of what's to come and she expected herself to feel scared at the thought or at least anxious, but overall she felt... safe.

She felt safe in this darkness, embracing it's cool arms around her as it blocked her from the outside world. It made her think of Black Hole and she wondered if at some point she felt this way as well. Safe, warm, away from any harm. Yet, even though she was safe, did she, too, realize at some point that she was completely and utterly alone within this abyss? That the warmth of darkness's arms was becoming suffocating and cold as it immobilized her, keeping her from leaving and trying to escape?

Did she, too, feel as if she was missing something important? Feel the urge to escape and find a different pair of arms that her heart longed to be in?

Lucy tried to leave, she writhed and jerked with as much power as she could, but it was useless. She was trapped and all she could do was wait.

It surprised her how quickly she moved from the unknown dark space to the darkness you see when your eyes are closed.

Her eyes fluttered open slowly in an odd manner - as if the act of opening her eyes was a foreign thing for her. A whimpered groan bubbled in her rough throat as a bright light blinded her, her eyelids squeezing shut again. She then tried again and this time the light didn't hurt her as much as before. She registered the slight ache in her body and she grimaced, another noise coming out of her upon feeling the discomfort.

Faintly, she heard a small gasp and a familiar voice, "L-Lucy-san!- Porlyusica-san, she's!-"

"Quiet, girl, I know. You've rested enough, right? Try healing that boy she carried again. Sit down when you get tired, got it?"

"Y-Yes!"

Lucy's eyes fully snapped open as soon as the words registered. Memories flooded into her head of the events leading to the full-scale battle at her mansion and the fight she was pulled into with DOLL. A fast-paced movie played in front of her from her own point of view. From fighting DOLL, to Gajeel getting involved, to Black Hole, to Jude-

She gasped as her eyes widen and she shakily braced her hands on the mattress beneath her, lifting herself up with a struggle, "Gajeel!..." Was Gajeel okay? Was she able to carry him back to safety before she passed out? She needed to know!

A yelp escaped her when a sharp pain exploded in her forehead, knocking her head back onto the pillow below her as she placed her hand on where she was hit. She blinked owlishly up at the scowling, pink-haired woman who just flicked her forehead. "Don't get up, girl. Even with all that healing, you're in no shape to move around quickly."

Lucy shook her head, ignoring her demand, and tried once more to sit up again, "I-I need to-" She coughed roughly, her dry throat giving her voice a raspiness, "I need to s-see if Gajeel is-"

Once again, her head was flicked, causing her to hit the pillows again with a groan. Porlyusica was obviously irritated with her as she began shuffling around the room, "Stay, human girl, before I tie you onto that bed." She growled out, coming back a moment later with a glass of water. Setting it aside on the bedside table, she eased Lucy's worries by saying, "You're talking about the boy you carried, right? He's fine. If you didn't slow the bleeding and if he were brought to me any later, he would have died."

A heavy sigh of relief left her, a watery smile growing on her face, "Thank goodness!..." Gajeel was alive. He made it back safe and alive.

"You," Porlyusica continued as she placed the back of her hand on her forehead, "Were pretty much on the same boat. A lot of those cuts you had were deep and you lost a lot of blood before you got here, not to mention you broke three of your ribs." She pulled away and crossed her arms, "Some of your cuts had gotten infected, but that was fixed quickly. Right now, the wounds are superficial and the bones that were healed might be sore still."

Her attention was moved away from her when Wendy approached them, appearing exhausted, but happy. "He's fully healed now."

"Good." The woman nodded, "Stay here and watch these two for me. I need to go see if those brats are doing their job in the other infirmary."

They watched as she made her way to the door. As soon as she left, Lucy gasped when Wendy practically jumped onto her, hugging her gently enough to not disturb the soreness of what lied beneath her bandages. The blonde immediately wrapped her arms around the younger girl as she heard sniffling, "Wendy..."

"I was so scared, Lucy-san!..." She cried out, "You and Gajeel-san were the worst out of everyone - even Gray-san, Erza-san, and Natsu-san! I wasn't sure if my magic was going to be enough to keep you both alive on our way here..."

"It's okay, Wendy, I'm fine now thanks to you. We're all fine thanks to you." Lucy rubbed her back as she faintly felt tears soak into the shoulder of her infirmary gown, "You didn't just heal Gajeel and I, right? You shouldn't think so little of yourself. If you weren't strong enough, Gajeel and I probably would have been dead, but you are strong and you didn't let that happen. We're both alright and you helped many others, I'm sure of. Okay?"

Lucy felt her nod slightly against her before Wendy lifted herself up, rubbing away her tears with some sniffles, "I-I'm sorry." Her eyes widen in realization, "A-Ah! You must be thirsty! Let me help you sit up!"

Before Lucy could have a say, she was gently guided to sit up before pillows were put behind her to support her. Wendy pressed the glass of water that Porlyusica brought into her hands and the Celestial Spirit mage thanked her before gulping it down, the coolness of the liquid immediately soothing her throat. Passing the cup back to her, she asks, "How is everyone?"

"W-Well, the worst injury out of everyone that was fighting outside was a broken arm, thankfully. Gray-san was poisoned, but I was able to get rid of all of it. Natsu-san and Erza-san were beaten up, but they're already walking around. Everyone who saved them is doing fine, too. And Gajeel-san... Both of you were in a delicate state, so you were put in this room so we can keep a closer eye on you. It took a while, but I was just now able to completely heal his stab wound. It might take a little longer for him to wake up."

Lucy's eyes trailed over to the bed that was behind Wendy and her heart clenched at the sight of Gajeel's still body lying beneath the blankets with no indication that he had nearly died or even gone through a fight. She was beyond relieved to see that the color in his skin had returned and there was a steady rise and fall of his chest. She tried to ignore the brief image of his bloody body that went through her mind.

With little to no care about her own physical state, she threw the white blankets off of her and swung her legs over the edge of the bed. Wendy immediately panicked, her hands waving around unsurely, "L-Lucy-san! You shouldn't be getting up yet, you just woke up from a coma a-and I haven't fully healed you yet!"

That made her pause, "A coma?"

"Y-Yes, you were unconscious for three days."

Lucy blinked in surprise but shook her head, "I don't care. Gajeel, he... he saved my life. I want to be close to him." Coma or not, she was still getting out of this stupid bed. It took some struggling, but she managed to stand up and Wendy gave up in trying to convince her to sit back down, hovering behind her in order to make sure she doesn't fall. It took a little while, but the blonde managed to reach Gajeel's bedside. She sat in the seat that Wendy was using for longer healing sessions and merely stared at Gajeel.

Thinking back on it now, it was eye-opening when she thought he was dead. It made her realize that he was more important than she thought he was - or ever could be - and she remembers for a brief moment when she was kneeling beside him after defeating DOLL, crying, trying to memorize every detail of him, and kissing nearly everywhere she could on his face...

She would have done anything for them to trade places. She had wished that she was the one that had gotten stabbed. She wished that she died instead of him.

It was frightening knowing that she was willing to die for Gajeel with no hesitation.

Lucy knows that she would do the exact same for her friends, but it scared her how strongly she felt this way with Gajeel. Not only that, the unknown reason as to why she would do so frightened her as well. She wasn't even sure if she wanted the answer as to what that reason is.

Back then, when he had fallen to the ground, she thought he was the biggest dumbass on Earthland for shielding her with his body - for taking the hit for her. She still thinks so and she still plans to let him know that she thinks that when he wakes up, but at the same time she felt warmth bloom within her at the thought that Gajeel nearly traded his life away willingly in order to protect her.

Lucy took hold of his limp hand and stroked her thumb over the callouses of his palm before properly holding it in her hand. She didn't realize how much bigger his hands were until now... "What happened to Jude and the others?"

"After Master defeated Jose, he and Jude were arrested. M-Most of the mages in Ignis Fatuus were arrested, too, but a few managed to escape before they were seen." Wendy explained quietly.

Nodding with a sigh, Lucy turned back to Gajeel, "Did... Did anyone find Yukino-san?"

"Ah, yes!" Wendy appears to brighten up at the mention of her, "Bickslow-san's babies found her tied to the top of the roof. She wasn't too injured, thankfully, but she had a concussion. Two of her friends helped us fight since they were trying to find her."

"Her keys!" Lucy nearly facepalms herself, "Oh no, please tell me she didn't go back to Sabertooth without them..."

"No, Loke-san came out and made sure that they were returned to her." Wendy sweatdropped, "Lucy-san, p-please don't get too worried. Everything is fine now."

"I know, I can't help it sometimes." Lucy smiled sheepishly, "Plus I'm a bit worried about the ones who escaped... I wouldn't worry as much if I knew they were in custody."

The Sky Dragon Slayer nodded in agreement with a sad smile. She opened her mouth to ask a question, but she notices how tightly Lucy was holding Gajeel's hand and how intensely she was staring at his sleeping face. Wendy watched confusedly for a moment, feeling an imaginary question mark float above her head. Her mind trails back to when Juvia was sitting next to Gray's unconscious body as she healed him in the mansion...

A blush exploded on Wendy's cheeks and she held in a small squeak as she hurried over to the other side of the room to mix up more medicines that Porlyusica had her make as her magic replenished.

Later on, when Porlyusica returned, she found Wendy had brought another chair next to Lucy and was healing what was left to be healed as she slept with her hand in Gajeel's and her head laying on her arm.

It was the following day when Lucy awakened where she fell asleep at with a blanket wrapped around her, her body no longer sore. She was greeted by Wendy, who was already walking around and helping Porlyusica while the woman was in the other infirmary again. Wendy told her that she and Gajeel were able to have visitors now if she wanted and she readily agreed.

Wendy left and after a few minutes, she came back with Pantherlily, leaving them alone in the room to give them privacy. As soon as the Exceed saw Lucy, he noticeably brightened and sped towards her, landing on the edge of the bed. He gave the blonde a small smile, "I'm glad you're doing well, Lucy-san. I was worried."

His teammate smiled brightly as she gave his head a pat and a small scratch behind his ear, "Thanks. I'm happy that you're okay, too. The both of you."

The smile that was on Pantherlily's face faltered slightly and he turned to Gajeel. He sat down, placing a paw on his forearm, "You do not have to answer, but... How did he end up..." He trails off.

Lucy felt herself wince at the reminder, her grip on the Iron Dragon Slayer's hand tightening as she interlaced their fingers. Are she and Wendy the only ones that know what Gajeel did? "It was my fault. I was tired and wasn't paying attention. The woman I was fighting against, DOLL, she took control of Gajeel..." She continued on, giving Pantherlily the shortest version of what happened to keep the tears in her eyes from falling.

Once she was finished, the Exceed nodded solemnly and his eyes trailed down to her hand briefly. He stands up, "Lucy-san, you should know that if he had the choice to do this again, he would. Without a doubt."

She looked at him, shocked and taken aback. Her mouth open and closed like a gaping fish before finally choking out, "Why would you think that?"

"I don't think it. I know it." He crossed his arms, "Gajeel wouldn't have even suggested us becoming a team if he didn't care about you." His wings sprout out of his back, "I should take my leave; there are others who want to see you and Gajeel as well. I'll be back once they're finished." Without another word, he flew over to the door and left.

Lucy wasn't sure what to think once the door closed.

The door slams open, "LUCY!"

A startled scream ripped out of her as she jumped in her chair, nearly tipping backward and falling if it weren't for the three pairs of arms. Lucy barely heard the chair clatter onto the ground as she felt herself being crushed into an overwhelming embrace that completely cut off her windpipe. "L-Let go!" She choked out as she slapped a pale, muscular bicep.

Almost immediately, she was released and in a matter of seconds, she was placed back on the chair while panting roughly. She stared wide-eyed at the three people in front of her, asking if she was alright, "Erza? Gray? N-Natsu?"

Her friends appeared to sober up from their worry and smiled at her. The familiar, warm grin on Natsu's face caused tears to form in her eyes, "It's been a while, Lucy!"

"How are you fairing?" Erza asked, her arms crossed. She was no longer wearing her armor, only wearing comfortable and casual clothes that wouldn't bother her still healing wounds.

Gray was the only one out of the three - ah, he's naked now - with no visible bandage on him. After Erza points out his lack of clothing, he sheepishly picks his pants up and slid them back on as he says with a frown, "When we woke up, everyone told us what happened and about how badly hurt you were..."

"We wanted to thank you for helping save us." Erza uncrossed her arms and bowed her head, "If it weren't for your careful planning and discovering the imposters... We're not sure what could have happened." The other two nodded in agreement.

The words coming out of their mouths were too foreign to her. A long time ago, she would have accepted it as something normal and reply immediately, but she was at a loss for words. Lucy was all too used to their cold attitude toward her - or at least the imposters' cold attitude - and it was strange hearing them say this kind of thing again and she wondered if she could ever get used to it once more. She wondered if they knew what she had gone through while they were gone...

"Y-You don't need to thank me!" Lucy waved her hands slightly, an unsure smile on her lips, "All of you are family, it's my job to help and protect you. I'm just happy that you guys and everyone else are safe now."

"Eh? What are you talking about?" Natsu's grin dropped, appearing surprised and confused, "We don't need to thank you? Of course, we do! Are you stupid?"

Gray knelt down in front of her, "What the dumb Flame Brain is trying to say is that you nearly died fighting for us. We're just grateful that you fought that hard for us, and... knowing that you could have died..." He looked away, gritting his teeth.

"We care deeply for you, Lucy. We wish to show gratitude to everyone for what they have done for us, especially you." Erza said.

Lucy blinked away the tears that blurred her vision and she nods. Unfortunately, her attempt to keep herself from crying was in vain when Natsu stepped forward and pulled her into a more gentle, yet tight, hug. Hesitating at first, she returned the embrace. She missed them so much. Even though she wanted to hate them for what their imposters did, before she knew the truth, she just couldn't. It was impossible. No matter how much she tried to convince herself that she hated them, she was never truly able to.

She was the first to pull away, quickly wiping away her tears. Lucy then looked over at Gajeel and the trio followed her gaze. The redhead sighed softly, "We owe Gajeel our thanks, too. Wendy wouldn't tell us much, but she told us that he saved your life."

The Celestial Spirit wizard nods her head and they fell into a long silence.

"Wait a minute, what did you just call me earlier, Ice Princess?!"

"You just now notice, dumbass?!"

Two cries of pain echoed within the room after Erza knocked their heads together, "No fighting! We're in the infirmary!"

"S-Sorry..." Lucy sweatdropped at the sight.

Natsu, unsurprisingly, bounced back to normal rather quickly, "Hey, Lucy, once you're all better, we should all go on a mission! It feels like forever since we've been on one!"

"Ah," Gray begrudgingly agreed with him as he stood up, "We should all go on one again as a team."

Erza smiled, nodding, "Yes, that's a great idea."

Lucy watched nervously, shifting in her seat with her hands tucked into her lap as Natsu punched the air, "Alright! I wasn't going to wake Happy up, but now I've gotta tell him the good news!"

She hangs her head as Gray spoke up, "We shouldn't do one with fighting. All of us need a break from that-"

"Um... guys?"

"-Who the hell said I need a break from fighting? I'm already fired up and ready to kick some ass!"

"Guys?"

They all look at Lucy, cutting themselves off. The trio appeared sheepish, "Sorry, Lucy, we should have asked for your opinion first." Erza says.

"I-It's not that..." She kept her eyes downward as she wrung her hands together. Lucy's heartbeat was accelerating in an unpleasant manner, anxiousness filling her up. She had nearly forgotten about what they all had missed - the things that had happened while they were gone. There were so many things that they weren't told of yet, "The thing is..."

A shaky breath was drawn in, "While the three of you were gone... a lot of things happened. It's obvious that no one told you anything, probably because they were too scared or thought someone else would tell you, but... I'm no longer in Team Natsu. I'm now in Team Draco, a team that Gajeel, Pantherlily, and I created."

Lucy looks up hesitantly once she was finished speaking and her heart breaks upon seeing their shocked, crestfallen faces.

Not sure if I mentioned this before, but I created a Discord server a while ago. It's currently very small, but I hope that a lot of you will join in to make it bigger and a lot livelier so I can directly give updates of whether or not I'll be posting a chapter for a story for that week, and to just talk and have fun with all of you. :D The invite is also in my profile.

DISCORD INVITE: discord . gg/ VXfRTPN

(Delete the spaces and add the https, slashes, and colon and you should be good to go. :D Private msg me if you're having any issues!)