"Which is the true nightmare, the horrific dream that you have in your sleep or the dissatisfied reality that awaits you when you awake?" ―Justin Alcala

It took quite a bit of time for Mira to calm down after hearing the news from Warren, and although she had taken the conversation outside of the infirmary, her shouting could be heard from the other side of Magnolia. Everyone had become so distracted by Mira's mood that they hadn't paid any attention to Levy and Pantherlily's conversation.

"So it was just an old spell..." Levy commented, as if it was a concept that was difficult for her to understand.

"Yes, it appears so. It was a relief to hear because everyone has been on edge, waiting for some kind of attack," Pantherlily explained. Levy only nodded silently in response. Lily sighed before moving in closer to her.

"Listen," Lily started in a quiet voice. "I know that what you saw in your dream was terrifying, and I know that it is a lot to think about. But I think that your really should just speak with Gajeel about it."

Levy shook her head as if trying to make sure that what Pantherlily just said was real before she opened her mouth to question the exceed. "But how do you know..."

"You were tossing and turning, at times crying and screaming. I tried to comfort you, tell you that everything was alright… I just didn't expect you to actually say anything back to me." Pantherlily said as a solemn look overtook his features. "I don't know the exact details of what happened in your dream, but it is clear to me that you have strong feelings for him."

Levy looked away from Pantherlily and instead stared down at the infirmary's sheets as she explained in a quiet voice, "I just don't know what to say."

Pantherlily nodded in understanding. "You will find a way."

But Levy was less than reassured by Lily's statement. Since she had woken up she could feel her magic returning quickly and felt the need to do something, anything other than sit in bed. The restless energy had been building up for a while, but it was beginning to reach its tipping point. She couldn't stand it much longer.

"And before I forget," Lily continued, "This is yours. I put it aside, afraid you would knock it down in your sleep." Lily grabbed Levy's worn book from the bedside table and handed it to her. "I didn't want it to be lost and forgotten with everything that has happened."

Levy took the book from Pantherlily and ran her hand over the leather cover. Levy's brows furrowed in worry and Lily thought he could see tears forming in her eyes.

"Well, look who's awake!" Cana called loudly as she made her entrance through the infirmary doors, gaining the attention of every conscious person in the room. "I'd say I heard you had woken up from a little bird, but considering how much of a fuss Jet and Droy made, I wouldn't be surprised if half of Magnolia knows by now." The comment brought a smile to Levy's face while Lisanna and Wendy could be heard giggling in the background.

Cana sauntered towards Levy's bed and plopped herself down right next to the script mage and her exceed companion. "I actually wanted to come by to apologize and find out how you were feeling. I figured since Mira is busy crucifying Warren, now would be a great time to check in on my favorite book worm."

"I'm feeling okay so far, but what do you have to apologize for?" Levy asked as she reached out to hold Cana's hand.

"I was on watch the night you cut your face open." Cana said with more sincerity in her voice. Cana reached up to lightly brush some hair out of Levy's face and tucked it behind her ear. Levy had learned a long time ago that Cana showed her affection through touch. "I don't know how the hell it happened, and it looks like Wendy healed it up really well. You can't tell there was ever a cut there."

"Oh, that..." Levy said as she raised her hand to her cheek and felt nothing but smooth skin. She had completely forgotten that she had been injured at all. Memories of how the mark had occurred while in the strange dream world came back slowly. So much had happened since Gajeel's dream; it was hard to believe that it had only been a short while ago. Levy quickly tried to reassure her friend. "It's okay, Cana. It was just an accident, and everything turned out just fine."

Any further discussion from the small group was interrupted by the sudden sound of gasping. The three mages turned towards the sound to see Juvia, who had shot straight up in bed with her eyes open. Then, just as quickly as she sat up, her eyes fluttered and she fell right back to the bed with heaving breaths. Before anyone else could move, Wendy was by her side.

"Woah, careful Juvia. Don't try to move so fast." Wendy said as she began to check Juvia's breathing.

"Water." Juvia said in a hoarse voice.

"Of course!" Wendy exclaimed as she turned to take the pitcher of water and a glass from Lisanna's ready hands. Wendy poured out a glass and helped Juvia to sit up a bit to drink the water. It came as a surprise to Wendy when Juvia grabbed the glass from her and poured the water all over herself.

"Oh, that's right." Wendy said as she watched the water rapidly disappear through Juvia's clothes, not even leaving a wet spot behind. "You can replenish your magic energy by absorbing water."

"You're going to need a lot more water than that, kid." Cana commented with a smirk and a wink as she got up from Levy's bed. As she walked towards Wendy and Juvia, she added, "How about I take Juvia to the bath to get her all charged up? Levy, you're more than welcome to come too."

"That's a great idea!" Lisanna replied.

"Actually, I think a bath sounds wonderful." Levy sighed as she tucked her book under her arm and swung her legs to the side to get up from her own bed. Cana had just gotten Juvia into a somewhat standing position when she turned to look at Lisanna.

"Want to come for some girl time too, Lisanna?"

"Not this time, Cana." Lisanna replied sweetly. "I think I may need to go get some things. I have a feeling that we will have some starving dragon slayers on our hands soon, and I'll have to tell Mira to whip up some more of her magic restoring tonic too."

"Good idea." Wendy chirped with excitement that, finally, everyone would be waking up soon.

"And that's probably our cue to get the hell out of here." Cana said as she walked Juvia towards the doors of the infirmary. "I know how Natsu gets when he's hungry, and I don't want to be here to find out how a grumpy Gajeel will be when he wakes up." Levy let out a lighthearted giggle as she followed Cana and Juvia out of the infirmary.

Cana's prediction about Gajeel's mood was incredibly accurate.

Unlike Levy and Juvia, Gajeel had awoken silently and was instantly on the offensive. He took Lisanna completely by surprise when he grabbed her arm as she walked near his bed. The dragon slayer hadn't even opened his eyes until she had let out a startled shriek and dropped the cup of metal eating utensils on the table by his bed. Although the grip on her arm had been bruising, Gajeel released her as soon as he heard Wendy shout his name. Lisanna knew he hadn't meant to do it, so she was unbothered by the absence of an apology that was lost between Wendy and Pantherlily's reassuring. Lisanna, as forgiving and kind as ever, just gave a sweet smile and continued with her task.

Lisanna took the book of matches she had in the pocket of her shorts and placed it on the table next to Natsu's bed. She couldn't help but let out a giggle as she watched Natsu continue to try to snuggle in between Lucy's ribs. It only added to her amusement when Lucy let out an annoyed groan in her sleep, as if Lucy knew that Natsu was clinging to her too closely.

"Hey, anyone want to tell me why I am strapped into my bed?" Gray asked with a raspy voice as he tried to lift his head up further off of the bed before deciding the let his head fall back onto his pillow. Lisanna giggled lightheartedly as she quickly walked over to help Gray as he fumbled with the strap, reaching for it blindly.

"Ah, yes, that was for Wendy's protection." Pantherlily announced from Gajeel's bed. Gajeel paused half way into a bite of spoon to give Gray a predatory stare. Gray on the other hand turned to Wendy, instantly apologetic.

"I am so sorry for whatever I did to you, Wendy." The ice mage scrambled.

"Oh you didn't do anything to me, Gray." Wendy said with a sheepish look on her face.

"Then why…" Gray trailed off with a confused look.

"Are you aware that you walk in your sleep?" Patherlily asked with a smirk. "You also maintain the habit of undressing while you sleep. You had to be placed back in bed several times; it just became easier to keep you fastened to the mattress."

At hearing this piece of news Gajeel started laughing hysterically, almost choking on his spoon in the process. Gray, who was now sitting up and clearly missing his shirt, put his head in his palm as he grumbled, "You have got to be fucking kidding me…"

Meanwhile, a slightly disgruntled sigh could be heard as Lucy's blonde head lifted up slightly. Lucy put a palm to her forehead as if she had a headache; the kind of headache she would get after a night of far too much drinking with Cana. Lucy quickly realized that she was stuck in her bed only to look down and see Natsu's pink hair while his face snuggled just under her breast.

"Seriously?" Lucy asked with a groggy voice. "We get stuck in a magically induced sleep and Natsu still ends up in my bed"

"Actually, you are in Natsu's bed, Lucy." Lily stated as gratefully took the kiwi Lisanna offered to him. Lucy's eyes widened with shock, instantly feeling wide awake.

"Wait, what?" Lucy shouted in a slightly panicked voice. The shouting caused Happy to wake up from his nap. "Lucy, why are you so loud?"

"This is a big issue, Happy! How did I end up in Natsu's bed?" Lucy complained as she tried to pry herself loose from Natsu's embrace.

Happy sat himself up, still sitting close to Lucy's head. "I don't know Lucy. When did you turn into such a perv?"

"I am not a perv, you dumb cat!" Lucy argued back, still unsuccessful at getting Natsu to budge a single inch.

"Oh yeah? Then why are you in Natsu's bed?" Happy asked suggestively.

"You know, Happy does have a point there." Gray said as he slurped up the rest of a frozen concoction and placed the empty glass by his bed. The ice mage would have continued with the conversation, but he become distracted by a familiar looking scarf the had been folded neatly by his pillow.

"I am not a perv!" Lucy shouted indignantly.

"Luce," grumbled Natsu as he began to stir from his sleep. "Why are you shouting?"

Lucy practically jumped at the opportunity to wiggle out of his grasp as Natsu rolled over to prop himself upright. "What's going on?"

"Lucy's turned into a perv, Natsu!" Happy claimed enthusiastically.

"What?" Natsu exclaimed with equal enthusiasm.

"It's true. Natsu, you should keep an eye out. Lucy snuck into you bed while you were asleep" Happy replied.

"I did not sneak into Natsu's bed while he was sleeping!" Lucy cried.

"Did to," chimed in Happy.

"That is pretty creepy, Lucy, sneaking into someone's bed while they are sleeping." Natsu said with his hand full of matches and his mouth full of flames.

"Natsu, you sneak into my bed all the time!" Lucy shouted back.

"I don't know Lucy, I mean, if you aren't a perv, then why are you still in Natsu's bed?" Gray asked nonchalantly after tucking the scarf under the blanket. Gray's added jibe only caused Lucy to growl in frustration.

"Will you idiots shut up?" Gajeel growled as he stood up from his own bed. "Or do you really want to disturb Titania and her boy toy?" Gajeel said with a nod to the last bed where Erza and Jellal slept in each other's embrace. "Tch, I'm outta here" Gajeel scoffed as he left the infirmary.

Natsu's eyes grew wide with the thought of being the cause of Erza's crankiness. The fire dragon slayer quickly inhaled the remaining flames and jumped out of bed.

"Let's go Luce, we don't want to be stuck here when Erza wakes up!" Natsu claimed as he grabbed Lucy and tossed her over his shoulder before running out of the infirmary as fast as his legs could take him. Happy quickly flew out behind them, shouting "Wait for me, Natsu!" Lucy could be heard shouting for Natsu to let her down as the three made their getaway. Natsu's quick exit inspired giggling from Lisanna and Wendy.

"Guys, wait!" Gray called out, anxious to follow his team mates in their escape. "Oh crap, has anyone seen my pants?"

Author's note:

Hi Everyone!

I know it's been at least a year since my last update and I am so sorry, but I can explain.

I know last time I mention my surgery and that I didn't know when I would be back. The surgery went well and about a week and a half after my surgery I got my stitches out. However, it was a few days later that I was resting in my bed and it felt like my hip was wet. I put my hand there to see what that was all about to find it came back bloody. On one side my incision had opened up again, so I called the doctor's office and they had me come in right away, they stitched that side back up. A few days later my doctor calls me, says he has a bad feeling about how that whole thing happened, wants me to come to the hospital right away. I go in, he says that he thinks that I have developed cysts where my incisions are and that if he doesn't go in and take a look, it would compromise the hardware they put in my back. So there I am back in surgery. Sure enough, he said he got in and I had developed pockets of infection between the layers of my skin. Luckily, that meant that the hardware in my back was safe. On the unfortunate side, the little bugger that got in there was pseudomonas. For all you non-microbiology/medical minded people, it is the dragon of the bacterial world: slow growing, resistant to a lot of medications, and really freaking hard to kill. So I had to have a central line put in my arm so I could go home on IV antibiotics for 6 weeks. It was during this time I found out I have a mild allergy to adhesive (go figure). This also meant that I was over a month behind schedule in terms of getting into physical therapy and getting better.

Fast forward to physical therapy and it seems like I am coming across every issue I possibly could, including dislocating my shoulder one week and my knee the next, which has really slowed down my recovery a lot (for those who are curious, I have a hypermobility disorder than can cause my joints to dislocate really easy). Then, at the beginning of summer, I was exhausted and I tripped and fell into my dad's filing cabinet. At this point, I'm thinking "How many more setbacks could I have?" Well, when it rains, it pours.

About a month ago, I was starting to not feel good. I thought I had come down with a flu considering that's what my brother had just the week before. I do the things you would normally do for a flu, stay hydrated and sleep. By the fourth day I was miserable and had my sister take me to the urgent care. The doctor at that urgent care said "I'm pretty sure you have a really bad UTI, I think you should go to the hospital." So my sister drags my butt off to the hospital, where they said "Congratulations, you have sepsis." So back into the hospital I go. Then, while in the hospital, about 2 days in, I was trying to sleep and became frustrated, let out a frustrated growl, and the next thing I know 3 doctors rush into my room. I think, "this is odd…" The doctors ask if everything is okay, to which I made a comment about just wanting to sleep. One doctor decides to speak up and asks if I have any pain in my chest. Apparently, my heart monitor showed I had 14-16 beats of sustained ventricular tachycardia. Again, for those who are not medically minded, this means they thought I was about to have a heart attack.

I did not end up having a heart attack, but given my age they wanted me to follow up with a bunch of scans and even a 48 hour heart monitor (which I get to pick up tomorrow).

In short, I have been exhausted.

Also, my brother/editor moved out recently. He would normally be the one who would help me out with a lot of stuff, so I get to try more independence, whether I like it or not.

But through all of the crazy things that have happened in the past year, I managed to get a chapter out to you guys! Aren't you proud of me?

On a more serious note, I want to thank all of you for your kind words of support from before my surgery. It touches my heart to know that you support me and wished for my well-being. It was honestly something that came to my mind during the more frustrating parts of this past year.

I also want to thank everyone who binge read this story and followed.

The good news is that I know where I want this story to go in the next few chapters, and I have pieces of it already written out in rough form. But please still be patient with me. I still find sitting at my computer for long periods of time difficult.

Thanks again to everyone; I hope to give you an update soon. 3