The last few days have been full of nothing but nightmares like every year. I wake up in cold sweats, light headed from my rushed blood flow and over worked lungs.

I'm not only physically tired but emotionally as well. Natsu was only trying to be nice, but it took all my willpower to appear normal. I talked to Ms. Spetto about what Mira said, it's the only reason Natsu has been able to enter the store again.

He beings be some sort of lunch everyday, having said the first day he brought it that "food is the way to anyones heart". I can't help but smile at the memory. I pull myself out of bed once again, having tried to go back to sleep only 30 minutes ago. Giving up on a peaceful rest I turn on my t.v, flipping through channels until I find a documentry on sea creatures.

I soon finish four different documentaries; sea life, ancient cities, museums, and the plains of Africa. The sun has entered my home, heating up the carpet where it touches. I make a quick breakfast before heading off to work today, a little bit more of a spring to my step.

I wave and smile as I walk into the store, Ms. Spetto looking at me like I grew another head. She rushes over to me, hands clasped in front of her chest in worry, or maybe hope. "Lucy dear, you seem extra happy today."

"I wouldn't say extra, after all I'm still not sleeping," I smile at her again, "but I am feeling a little better. I wonder why?"

"I think it's because of that boy."

"What? Natsu? No!"

"Well, I'm sure Ms. Strauss can help you figure it out." She steps away from the conversation, leaving me to help a customer. I look down at the list of things to do today and choose the ones that keep in the back of the store the longest.

As I perform inventory I think about what she said. That my last few days are happier now because of Natsu. Is this true? A man! How can the thing that stops me dead, and makes my mind go blank with absolute terror bring me joy? How? I need to talk to Mira.

I stack a few boxes, my headphones in, my back is to the door. I hum quietly to myself, whispering a few lyrics aloud every few verses. I finish counting an open box of toothpaste, stacking it back on top of its unopened brethren. Suddenly I can't see, something going over my eyes. I suck in my breath and start to panic.

Thrashing around, and screaming I try to get away. My attacker grabs my shoulder, shouting at me. I open my eyes to see Natsu, his eyes wide in fear. He slowly pulls my earbuds out, almost like he's afraid to set me off again.

"Geez Luce you're so weird. It's not like I'm going to kidnap you or something." I gently takes my hands, but I snatch them back, a panic attack coming on. I start hyperventilating, backing myself away from Natsu. My legs give out on me, as I start to rock back and forth, fearful murmurs filling my ears.

"Don't take me away…please don't hurt me"

"Lucy!?" Natsu kneels before me, his nervousness washing over me.

"Don't kill me" I sob over and over, memories over taking my vision. I'm pulling at my hair now, my face wet with tears. I can faintly hear Natsu calling for help, and asking me what's wrong.

"Someone help!"

"What did you do!" I now hear Ms. Spetto

"I don't know, she just started freaking out"

"Get away from her, you're making it worse! I don't know why I let you come into my store to begin with. Lucy can you hear me? I'm going to call Ms. Strauss now ok?"

" Ms. Strauss? Mirajane? How do you know her?"

"Shut up boy! Get out of here." There's a pause in the conversation, "Ms. Strauss? Yes this is Lucy's boss, she's having an attack. Ok I see. Ok. Mhmm. Ok thank you."

My hysteria gets worse, my rocking faster, my lungs begging for air. Everything from my kidnapping to my torture flashes before my eyes. I can feel the pain of every scar on my body, like it's fresh. I feel gentle hands on my shoulder, the touch barely there.

"Lucy listen to me. I need you to take deep breaths with me ok? One...Two...Three...Breath in….one...two….three….out, very good, let's do that again ok?" Ms. Spetto talks me through the exercise, slowly but surely, bringing me back to reality, the pounding in my head lessening. I look up at her, my body weak from the attack.

"Lucy, oh good you've calmed down." I look up too see a frantic Mira running to me, her eyes and hair frazzled. Natsu comes up behind her, an unreadable look on his face. She pulls me into a hug, looking me in the eyes, "are we ok now Lucy, what happened?"

"I-I" I can't speak yet, my voice hitching at each attempt. I feel more panic rising up in me.

"No, don't speak, it's ok, tell me later. Right now you need to calm down. Remember, one two three breath. There you go."

"Mira, what is going on? Is she a patient?" Natsu finally speaks up. His hands are stuffed into his pockets, her forehead wrinkled with concern.

"Natsu! What are you doing here?"

"Get out boy! What have I told you, you make it worse." Ms. Spetto screams again, swatting at Natsu.

"She's the girl I told you about. The shy one that I was trying to become friends with" He jumps away from the older woman, focussed completely on me.

"Oh. I see now." She turns to Ms. Spetto, "I got things from here, don't worry. I'll take Lucy home, your store needs you right now."

Once the three of us are alone in the small store room, Mira finds a chair for Natsu to sit on, while she stays on the floor beside me. She rakes her slender fingers through my hair, numbing my mind to my anxiety. "Natsu how much do you know about Lucy?"

"Practically nothing, but I thought I was starting to get through to her...what's wrong with her?"

"There's nothing wrong with her Natsu. She is just having trouble healing is all."

"Oh" Is all he says

"Lucy Dear are you ready to tell him?" I just sit there truly over thinking the question. Mira gives me time to answer, addressing her next words to Natsu. "You know you are the only man she has had contact with this long?"

"What why?" Mira sighs before I give her a small squeeze. Squeezing back she answers his question.

"Because five days ago marked the ten year anniversary of," Mira pauses, "a man….kidnapped her. He kept her for a full week. Investigators saved her just in time."

"What?" he whispers in disbelief. I flinch, preparing my heart for rejection once again. I can't bring myself to meet his gaze, so I look at the floor.

"He was a serial killer...Lucy is the only one of his victims to live. Now you did something to set her off what was it?" Mira takes a dangerous tone. I glance up just to see Natsu look away, scratching his cheek.

"I umm, might have, you know, tried to surprise her, by umm, sneaking up on her" Mira brings her fist down on his head.

"You idiot! What have I told you about doing things like that!"

"Oi it's not my fault! I thought she was just shy, geez. Not like she told me anything."

"Apologize fool, you were supposed to help Lucy not have me start all over!"Natsu gets up and slowly walks over to me, like he doesn't want to be near me. That hurts something inside me.

"Hey Luce, I'm sorry I really didn't know. I'm obviously bad at picking up social cues." He tries to smile at me, but it looks more like a grimace. I swallow thickly.

"It's-it's ok…" I start slowly, "You didn't know it would set me off" I laugh weakly, "Haven't had one of those in awhile."

"Now Lucy remember walk me through exactly what happened."

"I was doing inventory when something covered my eyes, I panicked." Mira practically snarls at Natsu, he flinches, shrinking in fear of the woman before him. She sighs and turns back to me.

"Then what happened, remember take your time."

"Then he took my earbuds out, that's why I didn't hear him. He said something about...weird...and kidnaping…" I grow weak at the end, my shaking starting back up. Mira jumps up again, this time her hands almost wrapped around his neck.

"You said what!" She screeches, "What is wrong with you!"

"Whoa Mira! I said She was weird and that I WAS NOT going to kidnap her." He is now holding his hands in front of his face defensively, like he's waiting to be hit. Did people smack him around often? If so I feel bad for him. Mira does smack him again.

"Lucy Dear, I'm going to take you home now ok?"

"What about my car?"

"I'll drive it for you." We look at Natsu who offered. Mira looks at me, waiting for my answer. Do I want him to know where I live? Can I trust this man that I've only known for five days? Mira can see I'm really thinking it over, she squeezes my hand encouragingly.

"You can trust him Lucy. I've known him since he was a kid. He may be an idiot, but he's genuinely good. He won't hurt you on purpose. If today is any account." I nod slowly, reaching into my pocket to hand Natsu my keys. Mira helps me off the ground, and leads me back through the store to her car, parked right next to mine.

Natsu follows close behind as we pull out of the parking lot and head to my home. In ten minutes we reach my house. I get out of the car, Natsu already beside me to hand back my keys. "Do you want me to come inside?" Mira is hovering between getting in, or out, of her car. I glance at Natsu, who is still beside me.

"Come on in" I walk up my walkway, fingering my three house keys. I unlock each lock, one above the knob, the second a few inches above those. I quickly disarm my alarm, leaving my keys in a bowl by the door. I don't look at Natsu, afraid of what he is going to think and say. "Would you like something to drink?"

"Some tea would be nice Lucy" Mira joins me in the kitchen, sitting at my table.

"Umm some water I guess," He mumbles taking a seat beside Mira. While the water is heating up I fill a glass for Natsu, my hand shaking a tiniest bit as I place it on front of him. It's an awkward silence in my house. Finally I break the silence, needing to get my thoughts off my chest.

"I'm sorry"

"What are you sorry for Lucy" Natsu asks, leaning towards me the tiniest bit. I fidget with my hands, unable to meet his gaze. I feel ashamed. I'm broken and unclean. Everybody has left me either because of my anxiety or because of what happened to me.

"I'm...I'm….I understand if you don't want to be friends anymore." I whisper.

"What!?" He cries out indignantly, hands slamming down on the table.

"I'm a mess Natsu, it's a fact. I don't think I will ever get better…" I shrink away from him, the tea forgotten.

"I don't care. I'm not going anywhere. You don't just ditch someone because you learn something about them that is a little uncomfortable." I look at him as he rants, my eyes wide in amazement. I don't know why but I feel the need to argue with him, to prove him wrong.

"But everybody leaves. My anxiety is too much for people to handle."

"That's a stupid excuse," He snorts, "Who told you that?"

"People I used to know."

"Well I'm staying put, there's nothing you can do about it. Ya I might not always say or do the right things, but I'm not going to leave you on your own anymore." He daringly takes my hand at that, squeezing tight enough that I know he means business. I start to cry, my relief and joy crashing around my, breaking from my walls.

"Natsu, I'll talk to you later tonight, ok?" Mira smiles knowingly at us before walking out the door. I stare after her, realizing for the first time in my life I'm not only alone with a boy, but alone in the privacy of my house no less.

"Whoa Lucy calm down. I'm not going to do anything. I'll leave right now if you need me too."

"Yes ple-please. Sorry."

"Don't apologize. Do you like chinese?" He asks as I walk him to the door. I nod slowly. "Then I'll see you for lunch tomorrow." He flashes me a signature grin before waving in farewell. I stand at my window, pulling back the curtain just enough to watch him walk down the street, a serious look on his face. I collapsed on my couch, before turning on the T.V to distract myself once again.

After a few hours I get up to restart my tea and make some dinner. When I reach the kitchen my eyes land on the glass of water I had made for Natsu a few hours ago. I feel my face heat up as I remember his words, and promises. I have never had friends for long, maybe this time will be different.

I walk slowly deep in thought about the events from the day. Lucy had scared the crap out of me when she had her panic attack. I hadn't know what to do, and even worse I had caused it. Here I thought that she was just really shy when all this time she was scared of men. Wow I'm an idiot.

I had seen her in the store a few times before, and I found her interesting. I wanted to get to know her. I thought she was beautiful hen I first saw her, but there was something hidden about her. Something mysterious and lovely. Her brown hair and eyes would glow more than they do, and I wanted to be the one to make her happy. I had sorta accomplished that, then messed up, now I just need to gain her trust.

My phone startles me out of my thoughts, the volume blaring. Fumbling to answer it, I almost drop my phone twice. Breathlessly I answer the call. "Hello?"

"Natsu, can you come to my office now? You're not still with Lucy are you?"

"No," I answer Mira, "I left right after you. I'll be there as soon as I pick up my car." I hang up on her and walk the last bit quicker. Once I'm back at the store, I bump into Ms. Spetto in the parking lot. She glares at me with such hatred, I felt like she blasted a hole through my center. I stand next to my car, having the stare off with the woman.

"I know what happened to her. I'm not going to leave her to live with that by herself any more."

"I still don't want you in my store."

"That's ok, I'll still see her during her lunch breaks, but I won't go into your store."

"Why are you so determined boy?"

"Because I don't like to see people be alone."

"Get out her here" She turns and stomps back into the small building, the doors sliding closed behind her. Shaking my head with a small smile, I get into the car and speed off to Mirajane's office. Once there I ride the elevator up to the third floor, and wave to the receptionist as I open the door to her office.

"Great Natsu you're here." She is sitting at her desk, a file in hand. I sit across from her, the chair soft and plush. Must be comforting to her patients, I wonder if Lucy has sat in this room?

"What did you want to talk about Mira?"

"About Lucy's case. Here's the file the investigators gave me. It's not complete of course, but enough information so I could do her therapy." I take the file from her and start reading.

The further I read the more my blood runs cold. I clench the papers tights, my eyes flying over the words, wanting to read them and not wanting to know at the same time. She had been tortured repeatedly, starved and dehydrated. She stayed in the hospital for well over two months, having been in a coma the first week.

On one of the pages is a picture of Lucy, but she has blonde hair. There are scribbled notes beneath it, I can make out most of it.

Victim number 13: Lucy Heartfilia

Blonde hair, brown eyes.

D.O.B July 1st, 767

D.O.A July 1st, 781. Age 14 years old.

Taken from the school. No witnesses.

I'm shaking by the time I reach the end of the file. Wait July 1st? "She was kidnapped on her birthday!?"

"Sadly yes. He stalked his victims and learned everything about them. He told interrogators that he was rejected by a blonde hair girl when he was starting high school on his birthday. He had some twisted reasoning for his actions."

"That was the day I talked to her. Wow I suck"

"Natsu you didn't know, don't beat yourself up" Mira giggles at me, obviously finding my depression funny.

"Thanks" I respond dryly, which only makes her laugh more.

"She dyed her hair?"

"Yes, she hated to do it too, but people who knew her made things worse."

"People are stupid." We drift into thoughtful silence for a few minutes. She soon breaks into my thoughts.

"Natsu what do you plan to do?"

"I plan to just be her friend. Sure I'll be gentler, and aware of my actions, but why should I treat her any differently than the rest of my friends"

"Not too much like the rest of our friends I hope" She looks at me pointedly. I look back at her, annoyed at her implications. I get up and wave to her, walking out of her cozy safe haven. Tugging at my scarf as I ride down to ground level, I plan to go to sleep early tonight, I have a big day tomorrow. I grin to myself, excited to make Lucy's day.

So I based this story off the show Criminal Minds, because I started thinking how do the victims that survive their abductions live afterwards. Yes I have never experienced a panic or anxiety attack, so sorry if I describe it wrong. I plan for this to be only about 4-6 chapters, and will try to finish it before I work on any other pieces, I have a bad habit of jumping from one prompt to the next. Thanks for all the follows and favorites hope you guys enjoy.