Gajeel P.O.V

"Your staying here." I told Levy. We were standing outside of the mansion, several members were piled into black vans. Levy was wearing her black pants and shirt she always wore for fights. She had guns strapped to her hips and a brace on her leg so she wouldn't need her cane. "I'm going Gajeel." We stared each other down. "Who's going to watch Aaron?" she flinched a little and looked down. "I will," a voice said, making us look up. "Your supposed to be at the hospital." Lily grinned.

"Well I'm in no shape to go with you, but watching Aaron is the least I can do." I growled a little. I didn't want Levy to come and get hurt but I sighed. "Fine." Levy climbed into the closest van and I followed her. The ride was quiet and tense, Levy fiddled with her fingers, trying to stay calm. I took her hand and squeezed gently. She smiled a little.

We drove along the beech towards the cliff and the ruined mansion. The tide was low so the mansion wasn't flooded yet. We piled out of the vans and surrounded the mansion. Levy and I went in first, she followed close behind me. The floor creaked under our weight and several people behind us actually broke the floor. We stopped as we heard shouting, "That little brat can't have gone far! Check every room!" It was Flare, and Aurora had gotten away from her. We carefully went around the room, we would find Aurora first and then come back for them.

Levy inched in front of me, peeking around corners. She eased into one room and searched, like she had done the others. "Mommy?" we heard a whimper. "Baby where are you?!" Levy asked in a hurried whisper. I saw the floor boards move a little and I bent down, prying it up. Aurora was curled up in the mud beneath the house. Her hair was a mess and she had a small bruise on her cheek. One of her hair ribbons was wrapped around her knee where she had scrapped it. "Daddy!" she cried and reached for me. I quickly set down my gun and lifted her, holding her tightly. She cried quietly as Levy fussed over her. "I got you princess." I whispered. She sniffed and rubbed her eyes. "Can we go home now?" I smiled softly and nodded.

I handed her to Levy and picked up my gun. Levy holstered hers so she could carry Aurora. I had to get them out of the house before going for Flare. I peeked around the corner and saw the door in the distance. I could also see the tide coming in. I held my hand out to Levy, there was to much open space for them to run across. I inched forward, gun raised and checked the room. I didn't like having Levy out of my sight but I didn't have a choice.

I heard a noise and as I turned to it I grunted in pain. Flare had the same crazed look in her eye as she stood in front of me, a large knife embedded into my gut. My knees felt weak but I wouldn't let them give. "I was going to save you for last dragon. But you are a nuisance." I smirked at her as I felt blood drip out of the corner of my mouth. "You won't hurt my girls again." I choked out. I quickly pressed my gun to her head and fired. Her limp body fell, taking the knife with her. I grunted and stumbled back, holding my gaping wound with my hand. I leaned against the wall and slid down it. There was too much blood and my vision was getting hazy. "Gajeel!!"

Levy P.O.V

I held Aurora close to me as she cried quietly. I calmly stroked her hair trying to calm her. I heard a quiet grunt from the direction Gajeel went and then a gunshot. Aurora whimpered and I tightened my grip on her. I peeked around the corner and my eyes widened. I ran towards Gajeel as he slumped to the floor, blood beginning to pool around him. "Gajeel!!" I screamed.

I set Aurora on her feet and knelt by him as he smiled weakly. "Daddy," Aurora whimpered, fresh tears in her eyes. Gajeel weakly raised his clean hand and wiped her tears."Dont cry princess." he said weakly. I tore his jacket and placed it over his stomach, trying to stop the bleeding. He put a hand on my shoulder. "Get her out of her," he said weakly, coughing up blood. "But Gajeel," "Just go!" Tears filled my eyes but I bit them back. The tide was rising and it was nearly at his hips.

I quickly scooped up Aurora and she screamed for her dad, only tearing my heart more. The tide nearly knocked me over as I got to the door. Seeing Aurora Lucy, who had come with us, ran to me. "Take her and call the others back. Flares dead and we can get the others as they escape." She nodded as she grabbed Aurora. She screamed for me as I ran back into the mansion. The water was rising quick and I didn't have time as it ready reached my hips.

I panicked as I reached where I left Gajeel and he was already submerged. I dove into the cold water, grasping him under the arms and pulling him up. I put his arm over my shoulders and fought the waves as I head for the door. The water was to my chest, and with the way Gajeel was slumped, I had to fight to keep his head above the water. I grasped the door frame, praying it wouldn't break. Everyone was now out and they were yelling at me from the beach. How did it get so far away!

"Mommy! Daddy!" Aurora screamed. Lucy had a hold of her so she wouldn't run for us. Several men took a rope and threw it at us. With the tide it easily reached me. I tied it around Gajeels chest and hung onto him, keeping his head above the water. As soon as I waved my arm they began to pull. It seemed like an eternity by the time we reached the shore. As soon as we were out of the water I put my ear on his chest, praying there was a sound.

"Don't you die on me damn it!" I shouted at him when I heard nothing. He was pale and his wound still bled. I started to do CPR as Aurora cried. Gajeel still wasn't breathing and I felt tears prick my eyes. "Breath god damn it!" As I gave him air again he coughed and started spitting up bloody sea water. They quickly loaded him into one of the vans and sped off with him. I turned to Aurora as she ran to me and sobbed. "I'm so sorry mommy!" She cried. I quietly rocked her as I stroked her hair. "Shhh baby it's not your fault. None of this is your fault."

I held her until she had cried herself to sleep. Once she was, I climbed into a van with her, Lucy and several of our family. The drove to the hospital where I got out, still carrying Aurora. They took Aurora for me to make sure she was ok. While they had her I sat in a chair and finally broke down. I sobbed into my hand as it hit me that Aurora was safe, but I could lose Gajeel.