In this story, Natsu is dead.  He was badly hurt in the last mission and to the dismay of all his friends he died last night in his sleep.  The doctors tried to bring him back, but were unable too.  To make matters worse, Natsu was to marry his sweetheart, Lucy.  

         Gray stands around with a sad look in his eyes. He cries since his best friend Natsu is no longer alive.  He does not know to break the bad news to Lucy since she was in bed and asleep when he got the news himself.  Furthermore, Juvia is ill and may die soon too.  Gray is stricken with grief and unsure what to do now.

        Lucy goes to see Gray she does not know what else to do.  Someone must tell him the horrible fact.  She is not sure how to bring it up though.  She knows how much he and Natsu were like brothers, as they fought a lot, but still were the best of friends.  She runs to his place with tears in her eyes.

       Gray takes a look at Lucy. He feels pity for her and vice versa.  

       "Lucy, are you okay?"  Gray ask.

       "How can I be?  My fiance is gone.  He is really gone. I shall never see him again."  Lucy says.  She sobs.

       Gray hugs her and says,  "I am so sorry Lucy, I know how much you were in love with him."

         Lucy looks up at him.  "Yes, well he was your friend too."  Lucy says sadly.

            A  week later, everyone attends Natsu Dragneels funeral.   Lucy sobs hysterically as she places the roses on his casket.   "Oh, Natsu!  I love you!  I never shall love anyone else."  Lucy says.

           Levy stands close by.  She hugs Lucy as Gray comforts Juvia.  Gray can see Juvia's  condition has only gotten worse.  He wishes she would have been in home, so she might have a chance to be better.  For both their sakes as he loves Juvia.  

         "Juvia, I am sorry.  I truly am." Gray says.

       "I know Gray, and Juvia is sorry too."  Juvia says. She sobs.  She faints and Gray gasps.  

           "Someone, help me!" Gray says.

           Help arrives and takes her away.  Gray sobs.  He knows it is not good.  He shudders to think about his life without Juvia in it.  Later that day he gets the call he dreads, his beloved Juvia is now dead as well.  He screams, "No, Juvia!  Not my girl!  Please no!"

           Lucy can sense Gray is in need of a friend.  Since everyone else is busy she goes to him.  She knocks and he answers.

              "Gray, is it Juvia?" Lucy ask.

              "Yes, but how did you know?"  Gray ask.

              "I know because it is the same way I felt when I found out about Natsu a week ago."  Lucy says.

             "Oh, Lucy!  I am glad you came."  Gray hugs her.  He gives her a friendly happy to see yoy hug and she hugs him back.

              A year later,  Gray is lonesome.  Nothing is the same without his Juvia around.   Lucy is lonesome too.  She no longer has her Natsu.  Oh, what is he -Gray to do without her?  What is Lucy to do without him?

              Gray climbs a mountain.  He does not know, but Lucy is on a walk at the time. He attempts to die. That is to say, Gray jumps off and closes his eyes.  Only, he survives.  Lucy who saw him try to kill himself, stops him, she unknown to him runs until she stands near the bottom of the mountain.  As he falls, after his jump, she catches him.  

               Lucy sets him down gently. She gently hugs him and says,  "Gray you can not leave me too, I do not have anyone else.  Levy is away on a mission with Gajeel, Clara and Happy.  Cana moved away weeks ago, Romeo is on  a job with Wendy, Loke, Lisanna and Yuko." Lucy says.

                 Gray opens his eyes.  He sees Lucy.  He stares into her eyes and sees the tears.  He wipes them away gently with his fingers.  

          "Lucy, I am sorry.  I promise never to do it again."  Gray says.

           "Good, so now that is over, how about we go have some milkshakes?  My treat!"  Lucy says.

           "Sure, sounds good!"  Gray says.  He feels Lucy grab his hand and smiles just a little.  He walks with her to the cafe.  

              Once inside he ask, "One table near the back for two please."

                "Yes, sir, right here please." The waitor says and leads them to the table he requests.  The man walks off after he gives them some menus.

                 Lucy and Gray talk some about old memories to do with Natsu and Juvia, mostly though they discuss their future plans. 

 The waitor returns shortly to take their order.  "What will it be?"  The man ask.

     "I will have a chocolate milkshake and my friend here will have the vanilla one." Gray says.

         "Sure, the milkshakes will be right out."  The waitor says.  He takes up the menus and leaves them alone once more.

           A few minutes later, Gray gets his chocolate milkshake and Lucy her vanilla one.  

          Lucy  wonders how he remembers her favorite milkshake.  She reaches over as she enjoys the treat and gently rubs his knuckles with her hand.  She continues to do soon even after she finishes her milkshake.

    Gray feels her massage his knuckles.  He looks at her in wonder.  He thinks, what does it all mean?  

     Later as Lucy pays for the treat, he invites her to his place. She agrees.  The two play checkers and Gray wins!  

    Lucy says, "Wow, Gray you are good checkers player!"  

   Gray remarks,  "You did well too.  Why you only lost because I got a double jump there."
  

    Two months later, Gray and Lucy have been secretly hanging out for awhile now.  Gray decides he must confess to her.  He knows he might face rejection,but he might as well tell her !  He is sure of it, Lucy makes him feel complete. He loves her!  He never thought he could love anyone again after Juvia, but yet now he finds Lucy to be the one he loves.

     Gray waits for Lucy outside her place.  He knocks, rings the doorbell, gets no answer and rings the bell again.  This time she opens the door.  Lucy has on a cute, black  dress.  It makes Gray blush at the sight!  He thinks, she is so adorable.

    " Lucy, you look nice!"  Gray says.

    "Thanks,you do too."  Lucy says.  She feels nervous and thinks, wait why am I like this, it is only Gray.  He is just a great buddy, nothing more.

     "Shall we go?"  Gray ask.  He holds her hand.

      "Sure!"  Lucy says.  She releases her hand from his grasp, locks the door and now they are on a walk together.  

      Gray walks around until they stand under a tree. He tells her, "Close your eyes."  Lucy thinks it odd request, but still closes them.  Gray picks her up and sets her down in the tree.  He climbs up and sits beside her.  He reaches over and holds her hand once more.  

       "Lucy, you may open your eyes now." Gray says.

       Lucy opens her eyes, she sees she is  inside a tree with Gray.  She thinks, wait what is that causes him to look at me like this?  She watches him lean in and says,  "Wait, Gray!  A-are you gonna k-kiss me?"    

      Gray  says,  "Do you want me to kiss you?"

      Lucy remarks, " I suppose it would not hurt."  

       Gray smiles, and kisses her. He wonders why is it she agrees to the kiss so easily?   No protest at all.   He feels something wet touch his lips. He sighs as Lucy returns his kiss.  He can not believe it. She kisses him back.

      "Lucy, I love you!  Will you be my girlfriend?"  Gray says after he breaks away from the kiss they share. 

     "Gray, are you sure?   I mean what if I am all wrong for you?"  Lucy says.

       "Lucy, you are the one who made me believe in love again!  Please, do not leave me too."  Gray says.

       "G-gray, I w-will be your g-girlfriend."  Lucy mutters.

         "You do not know how happy that makes me right now."  Gray says.

              Jellal and Ezra, and the others get back from the mission.  When they find out Lucy and Gray are not at the guild they wonder where those two could be.  

                Gray and Lucy climb out of the tree.  They head to the guild hand in hand.  Everyone looks up and gasps.  "Lucy and Gray are together!" Happy says.  He smiles he is glad to see them.

            "Is Happy right?  Are you two together?"  Levy ask.

              "Well?"  Everyone ask at the sametime.

               "Yes, she is my girlfriend." Gray says.  He grins big for the first time in months.

                 "I am glad he ask me."  Lucy remarks.

                Everyone else:  "What? "

                Happy jumps with joy!  "Awe, Graylu is official now!" Happy says.

                 "Graylu?"  Lucy ask.

                "What is that Happy?"  Gray ask.

                  "It is you two names together, Graylu!"  Happy says.

                   "I like it." Gray says, blushes and squeezes Lucy's hand.

                    "As do I."  Lucy says.

                   the end...Graylu AU:  Everyone is in Shock  by Summer Cheng

              *Author's  Note do not copy this or critcize it either.  Happy Reading!