AN: I wanted to try a Lucy/Elfman relationship, after reading a couple of them.

Beast of a Hero

Ch. 1

It happened during the dead of night. While many in Magnolia should be sleeping. A fire erupted at a two-story building near the river that cuts through town. It was the blast that awoke the sleepy town to its danger.

A male takeover mage happened to be out walking that night. When he heard the blast, he glanced up and knew who lived there. "Lucy," he whispered to the night air. Before taking off towards the fiery inferno.

When he stopped before the building. An elderly woman came rushing towards him. "Are you from Fairy Tail?!"

"Yes."

"Please, Lucy is still inside!"

Without so much of bat of an eye. Elfman jumped up towards the second-floor window. Throwing himself into the open hole that was left from the blast. He knew then that it had come from Lucy's apartment. He knew this from Lisanna's visits with Lucy.

"LUCY," he called out. Hoping that she would hear him. "COME ON, LUCY! WHERE ARE YOU?!"

"Elf…," he heard a scratchy voice coming from near the door. That would lead out of the apartment.

He jumped over the flames as he was making his way towards her. He saw her lying on the floor. Staying as far away from the smoke as possible. He picked her up and made his way out of the building, seeing that everything around them was going up in flames.

Just as he was going out the blown out window, he was stopped by a form shaped flame. He couldn't believe his eyes. Before he was an image that he knew too well. A dragon.

"Natsu," he growled softly. "I know his handy work, anywhere." He pulled Lucy into his arms, hoping that he would use his body to protect her from any more harm. He ran and jumped out of the building and land near the edge of the water, gasping for air.

"Lucy," called the elder woman from before. She came rushing towards the two figures that came out of the burning building. "Oh Lucy, what didn't that mangrual done now?"

Elfman glanced towards the woman with sorrow in his eyes. "Did...Natus do...all this?" He was trying to talk but ended up coughing up a bit of smoke while he was doing it.

"The pink-haired fire starter? Then yes, I'm talking about HIM." The woman shook her head. She glanced towards the building with sorrow in her eyes. "I was going to tell my tenants that the building was be bought by a few people...that want to put a mall here." She closed her eyes. "I guess things happen...but I didn't want it to happen like this."

He could tell that the woman wasn't angry, not by any means. She sounded more worried. Worried for all those that are out of a place to live. She was more angry about Natsu causing a mess that shouldn't really have happened. He was going to have to deal with everything...at least later.

Elfman sighed, "So...she'll be needing a new place." He closed his eyes for a moment. "Even after all...this." He couldn't think of anything else. Other than getting Lucy to somewhere safe.

He had gotten to his feet again, bringing Lucy up towards his shoulder. Wanting to be able to hear her breath, while he was moving her away from the burning building. Once she was secured to one of his massive arms, he started walking away.

"Where are you taking her," asked the elder woman.

"Somewhere she can rest… It's not manly to have a woman next to so much smoke." He had a chuckle at his own wisdom. He glanced down at the blonde woman on his arm. "My family will keep you safe, Lucy. I'll keep that Fire Dragon Slayer away from you…"

As Elfman was walking through town. He knew not to take Lucy to the guild. There was no way he was going to allow Natsu anywhere near her. He was going to take her to the house. Where he knew that his two sisters will do anything to help her…

After a bit of walking across town. He noticed a lot of people had glanced towards him. Seeing that he was one of the mages from Fairy Tail, none had stopped him. He really didn't know how he felt about that...just relieved that was getting to his house without being stopped.

As soon as he found himself at the edge of town, he opened the door to a two-story building. He called out, "MIRA!" He knew that his sisters were home since he had seen them go to bed. Before he had gone off for a walk. "HELP!"

This caused the effect that he was hoping for. Two sets of feet were running down the stairs towards them. Knowing that they were coming to the living room, where he was.

Two sets of gasps were heard before Mira spoke out. "Lucy!" She came running towards him with a hand raised in her mouth. She then glanced towards him with worried eyes. "What happened?"

Elfman glanced up towards his older sister with anger in his eyes. "Natsu burned down her apartment building…"

Lisanna's eyes teared up before growling, "He wouldn't do this…"

"I know what I saw, Lisanna." Elfman was trying to control his anger with his younger sister. But he had to be strict he was going to make his point clear. "I saw a dragon in the flame…" He shook his head. "You and I know that it is Natsu's signature when it comes to his magic."

Mira sighed, "We're going to have to keep our eyes open then." She glanced at Elfman's arm and saw Lucy struggling for air. "Come, take her upstairs to my bedroom. She's going to need a bath…"

Elfman gulped but did what his older sister had asked. He headed up the stairs, while Mira followed right after him.

"I'm going to get Wendy," called Lisanna before she made for the door. "She would want to be here, knowing how much she cares for Lucy."

"Do that," answered Mira. "Tell her we'll be putting her in a cool bath."

"Will do," before the door opened and closed again.

"I just hope she doesn't run off to Natsu…," stated Elfman with anger in his harsh voice.

"We'll protect her, Elf." He walked down the hall towards his sister's bedroom. Once inside, he waited for Mira to get into her ensuite bathroom and started on the bathwater. "Bring her in here."

Elfman took a deep breath before doing what he was told. Once inside he glanced around to see what he should do. "I just wish her...maid spirit was here to help."

A flash of light came upon them. A woman in a maid outfit with pink hair gave a sad smile. "I heard you...call." She glanced at the blonde in the male's arm. "Oh princess…" The maid took the blonde out of his arm, "I'll take care of her...until Wendy shows up."

"Thank you, Virgo." Mira gave a small smile before leading Elfman out of the bathroom, closing the door behind her. "She'll wash Lucy up."

"I'm...glad that one of her spirits came," he gave a sad smile. He closed his eyes as he found a seat in of the chairs in his sister's room. "Oh, Mira...if I wasn't out walking…"

"We would have lost her," teared Mira. "I...I kind of had a feeling…" She shook her head but gave a smile. "What made you go for a walk, little brother?"

He sighed, leaning his head on one of his hands. As his elbow was on his knee. "I...just couldn't sleep. I think my...beasts were restless. So I decided to go for a walk. Hoping that they would calm down after a breath of fresh air."

"But Natsu," she shook her head. Causing her long locks of white hair to whip around. "I would never imagine he would do this...to his best friend." Tears leaked out of her eyes. "And here I thought that they would have a love...interest with one another."

"Mira," growled Elfman, as he shook his head. "I really don't think that is her best interest." He glanced towards the window. "No...what she needs is a man that can be...gentle. But also know when a real hero can be in her life."

Mira's soft smile came to her. "You know...if you weren't so focused on Evergreen. I would say that you would be the one for our, Lucy."

He sighed, "I have been starting to have second thoughts on Ever…" He shook his head, chuckling. "All she's interested is for someone to be on the other end of her fan."

The older woman chuckled. "Yeah, she tends to do that…" Her eyes glowed as her eyes went towards the bathroom door. "What's going to happen to Lucy, now?"

"Don't know," Elfman stated with a sigh that left his lips. "She will be needing to find another place to live. Since a mall would be built where the apartment was at."

"Oh dear," the elder sister gasped. "Well," she gave a thoughtful look. "Maybe she could live here...at least until she found another place."

Elfman glared, "I don't mind sleeping in the living room." He growled softly, as other things ran through his head. "I think for her safety. She should live here and stay away from Team Natsu…"

Mira gave Elfman a thoughtful glance. "Well…," she shook her head. "What about your nightmares? I mean...you do have issues with those."

"Fine," he glared towards his hands. "I guess I can become...Lucy's teddy bear. Since someone needs to keep an ear on her. Not knowing what else I can do to help…"

"You have helped," stated Mira as she made her way to him. She kneeled, grabbing his hand in both of hers. "You have done more for her...you saved her life."

"Mira," he groaned. He closed his eyes, trying to fight back tears. 'What's making me feel this way…? I've never felt this way towards anyone...before. Not even towards Ever…'

When he opened his eyes, he saw the sad look coming from his sister. "I...may be...feeling something…." He shook his head. Trying to clear it from...wanting to understand.

"Does this have anything to do with Lucy," asked Mira with a slight hope in her voice.

"I…"

The front door opened from downstairs as a set of feet came rushing towards them before the door slammed. As the set of feet came rushing up the stairs. They knew it was Wendy since they sounded small. Sure enough, a flash of wild blue hair rushed past them before going to the bathroom.

A moment later Lisanna came into the room, struggling for air. "Wow...who knew she was fast."

Then a couple of cats with wings came flying into the room. "Where's Lushy," the blue one moved around the room in a frantic. "Is SHE alright?!"

"Happy," Mira gave a tone that made him listen. "Lucy...is in the bathroom."

"Oh," the blue cat sighed before landing on the floor. "Thank goodness…" Tears leaked out of his eyes. "I can't imagine...Natsu harming Lushy!"

The white cat landed next to him with a stern look in her eyes. "Well; I for one, believed that it was bound to happen."

"Carla," gasped Happy with sorrow in his voice. "Natsu has never harmed anyone...at least towards his friends before!" He shook his head. "If it's true…," tears leaking out even more. "Then I'll leave him," he growled, "no one should harm her. Not when she's always been nice...to us!"

Carla closed her eyes, as she took a deep breath. "Then what, Tomcat?" She looked into the blue cat's eyes and saw nothing but pain. "You want to give up everything...to be her partner," she asked with wonder in her voice.

"Yes," he nodded with determination in his eyes. "That is what I'll do...I have been working with Lushy for years. Keeping her out of trouble, even saved her from being harmed." He glanced towards the two siblings in the room. "...except for today…"

Elfman sighed, "You didn't know that Natsu would do this, Happy." He shook his mop of white hair. "I don't think anyone knew that he would do this."

Happy cried, "I knew…"

"WHAT," gasped everyone in the room.

"What do you mean, Happy," asked Lisanna with worry in her voice.

"He would always go to her apartment," Happy disclosed. "Sneak into her bed, even when she told him not too. Lately, I would hear him complain… Saying, that if she did it again...she would be...sorry."

"This changes everything," stated Elfman with a heated look in his eyes. "She's going to stay here," he growled. Letting everyone know that he wasn't going to budge. "She'll be sleeping with me…" He glanced away, not wanting to see what everyone was thinking.

Happy smiled sadly, "Thanks for saving her, Elfman."

After a few more minutes of waiting in Mira's big bedroom. Wendy came out with a sad look on her face. "Well, Lucy will be fine. She just needs a lot of rest and for someone to watch her breathing. She took in a lot of smoke…"

Mira smiled, "We knew that it may come to that conclusion...we already have someone to do that…"

Wendy smiled, "That's good." She gave a great yawn. "I'm going home...and try to get some sleep."

Lisanna smiled, "I'll walk you home, Wendy."

"Thanks." Then the two, plus the white flying cat had left the bedroom.

A moment later the maid spirit came out, carrying Lucy in her arms. "The princess is all healed and clean." Elfman had gotten out of the chair was sitting in and walked over to them. He took Lucy out of the maid's arms with a sad smile. "She'll be alright, Sir Elfman."

He gave a small nod before the maid flashed out of Earthland. He turned towards Mira with a sad smile, "I'll see you in the morning, sis."

"Goodnight," she called after him.

Elfman carried Lucy down the hall towards his room. With Happy following right behind them. Once in his room, he climbed into his bed and placed Lucy on his chest. Where he would be able to hear her breath. Happy came up and laid next to Lucy, next to her side.

Elfman chuckled darkly, as he saw Lucy and Happy cuddling up together with him. He couldn't believe his eyes, he had the most knockout woman of the guild sleeping with him. Along with the most annoying cat of the guild, but who cares. 'I dreamt of Lucy sleeping next to me, but I have dreamt of her being healthy when it happens. Then again, who really hasn't dreamed about Lucy, other than the other girls that are.'

"Man," he whispered to the dark room. "Am I a lucky man…"

Lucy mumbled, "Elf..thanks…"

"Anytime, Lucy." The massive man smiled, as he closed his eyes. "Anytime."

As the night wore on, Elfman woke himself up a couple of times when he couldn't hear Lucy breath. He had given her a light shake and it was enough to hear her breath again. She hadn't moved much, except for moving her ear to cover his heart. Which made him enjoy the image.

When morning had come, Mira came into the room. She saw the three figures cuddling up with one another. "Where is my camera," she asked with a giggle. "This is such a wonderful picture."

Elfman grumbled, "Mira." He took a deep breath. "Some of us hadn't slept well…"

"Oh," she walked closer towards the bed with a worried look. "What happened?"

"She stopped breathing a few times," stated Elfman. He picked Lucy and Happy up, where he moved them onto the bed. Before he was able to move towards his closet. "It sure scared me to wake up that is for sure."

"I'm sorry, Elfman." Mira glanced towards the two sleeping figures on her big brother's massive bed. "What is Happy's excuse for sleeping?"

He chuckled softly from inside the closet. "He kept waking himself up, to see if Lucy was breathing. Whenever I did shake Lucy, he would stay up for about thirty minutes before falling back to sleep." Once he found his clothes and put them on. "He really does care about her…"

When he left the closet, he wore a pair of white pants and a green muscle shirt. He glanced back at the sleeping woman in his bed. "We should take her to the guild?"

Mira sighed, "As much as I think we should stay here for the day." Her eyes teared up for a moment, fearful of what life was going to be like for Lucy. "But you're right, we need to let the guild know…"

Elfman glanced at the outfit of what Lucy was wearing. "I don't think she would want to go the guild...looking like that."

Mira gasped as she noticed for the first time. "I didn't realize that Virgo put her in lingerie…" She giggled as she glanced towards Elfman, seeing him blush. "I'll go and see what I have to help her change into. Why don't you get breakfast ready?"

"Yeah," he gulped before picking up Happy. "I'll just bring him with me. We don't want a perverted cat, do we?"

Mira giggled, "No, we don't."

"Ah," grumbled Happy, who barely had his eyes open. "There is nothing that she has that I haven't...seen before. Thanks to Natsu...burning her clothes off."

Elfman growled, "Do you know if that was deliberate or not?" He was not happy with what he was learning.

"It is," giggled Happy. Then all of sudden he stopped. He looked like he remembered something. "I hate him. If I see him again, it'll be too soon."

Elfman grumbled, "You and me both, Happy." He glanced over towards Mira. "Call if you need help, Mira."

"Will do!"

Elfman carried Happy downstairs to the kitchen. Where he placed the cat on the kitchen table. Before he brought out a lot of things and started cooking.

"Elfman," asked Happy. When he heard a mumble for him to continue. "You do liiiike, Lucy?" He wasn't being his high pitch self like he liked to do with Lucy or even Natsu. He was just curious.

The massive man stopped what he was doing and took a deep breath. "I might…"

Happy gave a sad smile. "When I was hatched, Lisanna had gotten me to call her, Mom and Natsu, Dad." He shook his head. "I really don't think that anymore. I think Lucy has been my mom in a lot of ways. Without having her trying to tell me to do it, I just feel like she is…" His tears leaked out of his eyes. "I mean, I will always care about Lisanna. But she doesn't need a son to save her like...Lucy needs."

"Why are you tell me all this, Happy?" Elfman was beside himself. He knew that Lisanna had a deep relationship with Natsu and Happy when they were all young. But to hear Happy like this, he was almost fearful. 'It must because I care for Lisanna like a loving brother should…'

Happy sighed, "I guess it's because I don't like how Lucy has been treated." He gave a sad glance towards the muscle man before him. "I mean...she really needs heroes in her life...to prevent all the bad stuff from happening to her." He glanced towards the stairs. "I mean...remember Phantom Lord, her father...now Natsu. What's next, what else will come after her and bring her down?"

Elfman gave a sad smile. "You know...for a blue cat you thought of everything." He gave a hollow chuckle as he started making something out of things that he had. "How about this...between the two of us. I think we can keep Lucy safe."

Happy gave a giggle. "Since I see Lucy as my Mom, will you be my 'Manly' Dad?"

Elfman stopped what he was doing and placed everything down. Before facing Happy with a raised eyebrow. Then after thinking it over, a loud laugh escaped his mouth. Causing everyone within the house to jump up out of their skin with the amount of laughter that was heard. "WOW, Happy!" He laughed some more. "I really didn't see that coming…!"

After a few moments had passed, Lisanna came rushing downstairs with a worried look on her face. While Mira came down with Lucy at her side, as she was helping the blonde. "What's going on down here," exclaimed Mira.

Elfman glanced up with a worried look on his face. "Lucy," he rushed towards the girls and wrapped his arms around the blonde's waist. He picked her up and carried her to the kitchen table before placing her in a chair. "How are you feeling?"

"Sore...tired...weak," she gasped as she was trying to breathe. Everything hurt, even her lugs. She remembered him coming to her apartment and picking her up. After that, not much.

When she woke up to find Mira helping her to get into a sundress. She found out through the barmaid that she didn't have a place to live and she knew had done it. When she was going through a lot of dark thoughts for a pink-haired wizard. They had heard a massive laugh coming from downstairs.

It was when they saw Elfman laughing about something that would assume that Happy had said to him. Now that she was sitting in the kitchen with him in it. 'I never realized that his blue eyes were...so...wow.'

Happy came up to Lucy with sorrow in his eyes. "Lucy…"

The blonde opened her arms and it came rushing to her, was the blue blur of a cat. She felt him wrapping his little arms around her neck. Which was the first time he has done that. Since he liked to put himself in between her boobs.

She rubbed her finger through his fur. "Oh, Happy." Lucy took a deep breath. "Something tells me...you want nothing to do with him."

"I don't Lushy," he weld at her. Trying to hold onto her even more. "He is no longer my Daddy, my Dragon Slayer, or my partner…" He took a deep breath. "For now on...your my Mom and partner."

Lisanna gasped for a moment before placing a finger to her chin in thought. "You know Happy...I think I'm happy for you."

"You are Lisanna," the blue cat asked with worry in his voice.

"Yes," she gave a great big smile. "But I must ask, what caused Elf to laugh like he did?"

"Oh," Happy glanced towards Elfman, who was blushing. "I asked him that since I see Lucy has my Mom, would it make him be my 'Manly' Dad?"

This caused the two sisters to giggle and laugh. While Lucy glanced towards Elfman with a blush on her cheeks and her eyelashes to flicker. Seeing as Elfman was also having a hard time, with her in the room.

"Well, Happy," giggled Lisanna. "I'm happy to see that you're turning your life around." She giggled some more before her smile broke through. "I think Elf would make a really great Dad."

"Hu," grumbled Elfman. He looked very uneasy when he heard his younger sister. ''What is she saying?' Then he glanced towards Lucy and noticed the sundress. Which was a light blue with silver edging. Making her beautiful to his eyes.

"Well, you did take good care of us, big brother." Lisanna gave a big grin as her blue eyes sparkled. "Stating how manly it is for a man to take care of one's family. It's because of you, I want someone in my life. Someone that you've stated your manly points about."

"She's right you know," smiled Mira. "Your manly wisdom has helped us, in more ways than you've ever realized."

Lucy giggled in her spot. "You know, I've kind of envied you guys. Having this kind of love and support. I have always wanted a brother or a sister…" She glanced away from not wanting to see their pity. "It was one of the reasons I joined Fairy Tail, to experience what family would be like."

"Oh, Lucy," spoke Lisanna with heartwarming tones. "I was the one, who was envy of you."

"Why, Lisanna?"

"Because," she shrugged her shoulders. "Natsu wanted to go on missions with you. You did things with him and Happy. Everyone kept talking about how you fit in, since day one. How...you also brighten the guild...just by your smile."

"Lisanna…," Lucy was having a hard time believing the young mage. A girl, who was close to her age. "Since you been back...Natsu took you on so many missions for three months."

"Yes," the young mage blush. "But he kept talking about you. How it was funny to get you mad because you couldn't get your rent on time. Just so he can do another mission with you."

Elfman growled, causing everyone to jump. "I'm...going to punch him…"

Happy gulped. "I...I don't know if I should add anymore…."

Mira gave a smirk. "A fish for your thoughts….how much you speak depends on what fish…"

Happy pulled himself out of Lucy's arms to give her a sad look. "Sorry, Lucy. Natsu has deliberately burned your clothes on missions. Just so he could he see your lacie things on you…"

"Happy," gasped Lucy softly.

"Natsu has been climbing into your bed, so he….could feel you." The blue cat became sorrow. "Saying…," he quenched his eyes. Seeing that he really didn't want to say anything further. "Saying...it's because of the way you look in your clothes." He glanced away from her. "Your clothes make it hard for him not want to burn them off…"

Lucy gasped, not really knowing what to say. Sure, she wore clothes that she wasn't allowed to wear when she was living with her father. But he never once told her, why. If he had given the time, maybe she wouldn't wear the clothes that she was wearing. 'Maybe it's a good thing that I need to build up a new wardrobe.'

Mira gave a small smile. "You...have earned your fish, Happy. I'll make sure that it's the first order I make, today."

"Thanks, Mira."

Lucy glanced towards Lisanna, what she saw made her worry for the younger woman. "Lis, are you alright?"

"Yeah," the short white-haired woman sighed. "I'm just not liking the person, who I had thought I had loved...at one point." She shook her head. "I would never thought that he would have acted like this…"

Elfman grumbled, he was not liking what he was hearing. Sure, Lucy had worn clothes that left...little to the imagination. But it was what made her comfortable. He knew from his sister that he would never voice such things. Knowing that they deserved to express themselves. But seeing the hurt and the pain that Lucy was going through.

After a bit of time. Elfman had placed a lot of food on the table for everyone to dig in. He made a hefty amount of biscuits and gravy, with a side order of hashbrowns for everyone.

"Wow, Elfman! I have to say, this is the best I've eaten, in a long time." Lucy was surprised to see that the only male member of the Strauss family could cook.

"Believe it or not, Lucy. I learned my cooking from my little brother," giggled Mira with a sparkle in her eyes.

They decided after they ate, they would head to the guild. Where they would talk to the master and let him know what they had found out. With the only Fire Dragon Slayer…