When the connection broke, and Ana came back to herself, she was exhausted but eager to share her news. "Aniki says Capricorn, the only Zodiac Kay Doamna needs, is not free but working on how to get to her. He understands the urgency and will speak with him at once."

"If we knew where the goat was we could direct Doamna there, maybe she could help free him," Reb suggested. "It's better than sitting around doing nothing."

Polly was shaking her head, "Doamna is on her way to a mission. The mission is everything to her and I don't think she can be dissuaded."

Phox chimed in, "we could always hope that he is on the way to the mission."

She would never allow her personal desires to derail a mission." She looked at the spirits gathered together, "even finding us wasn't enough to delay her getting to where ever this mission is."

"Polly is correct," uncle Phe agreed. "Doamna is task oriented and right now the mission is most important."

"So what can we do?" Phox sounded anxious. "We can't just let her magic remain imbalanced until it causes a complete collapse of mind, body, and soul."

"I think," Ros began, "that we must trust that Doamna's zodiac spirits feel the same as we all do and that they can convince whoever retains control of Capricorn to release his claim."

Ker frowned, "in other words, we must wait."

The gathered blood spirits remained silent at this and started despondently at each other.

:)

Lucy was awoken from an unease sleep by a voice over the train's loud speaker, "we will be arriving in Dawn City in 10 minutes. For those staying in Dawn City please enjoy your stay. If you are continuing on to Gallowstown the train will leave 20 minutes after arrival."

Lucy began gathering her belongings, trying to push the remnants of her unsettling dream to the back of her mind.

** Dream **

Everything was dark but she knew she was not alone. The steady thud thud thud warned her that someone or something was just out of sight.

"Gihi, Bunny Girl," his menacing voice rang out, "you cannot hide from me forever."

The thud thud thud that had faded with the arrival of the taunting voice returned, closer than before. She knew she needed to get away but the mist or fog that surrounded her caused the sounds to bounce around and she could not tell which way was safe to turn.

"I'm coming for you little bunny." Thud thud thud.

Deciding action was better than just standing there like a fool; she made a guess and threw herself to the right. She managed to run only a few steps before she tripped.

"Gihi, you should be more careful or you might get hurt." Thud, thud, thud!

She thought he sounded closer than before so pushed to her feet. She hardly noticed the twinge in her ankle as she moved back the way she had come, at least she hoped. As she waded through the mist she thought it was getting lighter, as though there was a light just ahead of her and if she could reach it she would be safe. Just when she was sure the darkness was lifting something grabbed her from behind, pulling her screaming back into the dark.

** End Dream **

Lucy followed the stream of people disembarking from the train and looked around the small town for an Inn or Bakery where she could use her meal voucher, not that she was very hungry. 'That old lady must have thought I was too skinny and wanted to fatten me up with how much food she had sent with me.' Lucy shook her head remembering. When nothing seemed like the obvious place Lucy walked up to the ticket desk. "Excuse me? Do you know where I can use my meal voucher?"

The young man looked up from his paper. "There is a Café around the corner," he replied in a bored tone.

She gave him a cheeky smile, "thanks."

As it turns out his 'around the corner' was down the street around the corner and down another street. Touching Horologium's key Lucy checked the time, she had 15 minutes before the train would leave for Gallowstown. "Hopefully this Café is not busy and quick." This time Lucy was in luck. Not only was the Café not busy, but they had bento boxes for train travelers continuing on to the next stop. Bento in hand she rushed back to the train; just making it with less than 5 minutes to departure.

:)

"Could you explain to me why a fairly sane Dragon Slayer, aware of his mate, is sitting back and taking a passive role?"

Laxus had missed the flash of golden light that heralded the arrival of the Celestial Spirit and so was startled when he spoke. "The FUCK!" Laxus jerked around, dropping his freshly washed plate on the kitchen floor. "Dude, wear a bell or something." He stepped around the goat spirit to grab a broom.

Capricorn just stared at him. "You are a Dragon Slayer, with an enhanced sense of smell and hearing, how, pray tell, did you miss my entrance?"

Laxus didn't respond right away, instead concentrating on cleaning up the mess of broken ceramic that littered the tile floor of his well-appointed kitchen. After replacing the broom Laxus looked at Capricorn, but still did not speak. He snatched the rag out of the sink and began wiping down the marble countertops. 'Will Lucy like this kitchen?' he wondered. 'Doesn't matter, whatever she doesn't like I'll change.' He nodded to himself as he finished his chore. Capricorn was still silently staring at him and Laxus knew he could not keep avoiding the goat/ man. "I've been a little distracted," he owned. "Lucy should get here today and I'm nervous." His eyes widened as he realized what he had just admitted.

Capricorn shook his head, a brief flash of puzzlement on his face. "Distracted? Nervous? I do not understand. Lucy is your mate. The two of you were born for each other. Your strengths lie where she is weak, and your weakness is her strengths. You will only find completion and pure happiness with each other. Why are you nervous?"

Laxus swallowed hard, "I've done things… terrible things. To Lucy and to those Lucy, and I, considers family. I have no right to believe she will accept me, and if she refuses me I will go mad. I will lose all control of the Dragon. It is better this way, with her not knowing."

Capricorn sneered at him, "You are a coward Laxus Dreyar. If you wish for Ms. Lucy to have my key so that she may be stronger then I ask that you release me, and I will go to her, as is my right. However, if you wish to use my key to woo Ms. Lucy, because you do not believe she would choose you otherwise then I demand you release me. I refuse to be used in such a way."

It was now Laxus's turn to stare. He could not seem to get his mouth to work and instead simply nodded. He was still standing and staring when Capricorn flashed out of his kitchen. Eventually he came to his senses, Capricorn was right. He may not deserve Lucy but he loved her, needed her, and he knew that no one could make Lucy as a happy as he could.

Walking into his living room he picked up the communication lacrima off an end table and sent a burst of power into it. "New orders; join up with her, help her, then get her here. All without letting her know you are under my orders." He hung up before they could respond and replaced the lacrima on the table. "No more passive Dragon Slayer. I may not be able to leave this Island, but I will do my fucking best to make you want to stay here with me."

Hi folks I'm not going to apologize, but I will say that life has been crazy. I hope you enjoy this update. I think it's longer than my chapters have been, but whatever.

Read. Enjoy. Review. Please.