So sorry for taking so long! I've been focusing on my other story, but that's almost finished so I should be quicker next time. And I haven't had a chance to proof read so hopefully there aren't too many mistakes. Enjoy!

Also, thanks loads for all your support guys! It means a lot!

Talking to Lucy was harder then Natsu expected.

For the rest of the day there wasn't a single moment that Lucy was alone. Damon would not leave her side, and it was really starting to piss Natsu off. The two were currently sitting at the bar, being interrogated by Mirajane, Cana and Levy. Gray was sitting down the opposite end quietly, having found his pants but not bothering with a shirt. Wendy was watching shyly from a nearby table. Natsu walked up to the small group of chattering mages and sat down next to Levy, who was sitting on the other side of Lucy.

"So how did you guys become friends?" asked Levy cheerily. Mira looked especially interested, leaning forward with a mischievous twinkle in her eye.

Lucy just smiled as Damon answered, "Well, my dad worked at the main house. Of course, I was only a lowly servant's boy, but Lucy treated me just like anyone else. We became friends pretty quickly after that."

"That's Lucy for you," laughed Cana as she downed a barrel of beer. "I doubt she knows how to be mean to anyone."

"I was really worried when you left, Lucy. I thought maybe someone had taken you away. I was worried you might be hurt." Lucy blushed as the girls all let out an "awww!" in unison. Natsu scoffed slightly at such a cheesy line, and heard an almost identical sound come from Gray down the table.

Gajeel, who happened to be walking past at the time, was just as impressed as Natsu and Gray. "That's a bit much isn't it?" He asked, looking disgusted. "We don't need any of that rainbow and bunny crap around here."

Levy turned on him, suddenly very intimidating. "You boys could learn a thing or two from Damon! He knows class!" Levy looked at the three guys, her face dark. Natsu cowered slightly at the solid script mage's sudden change of personality, and he could have sworn he heard an 'eep' from Gajeel. Levy turned back to the girls, hugging Lucy tightly. "You're lucky to have such a caring friend, Lucy! Well, another one, after me of course!" Levy grinned. Suddenly Lucy was looking scared, and she did not hug Levy back. Natsu watched this, an unusually serious expression on his face.

What's going on with her? He thought worriedly.

"So you two are pretty close, huh?" asked Damon, looking at the two girls. He had had to move his arm away so that Levy could hug the blonde mage, and his smile was suddenly looking a lot more forced.

"N-not really…" said Lucy hesitantly, looking guilty. Levy just laughed it off.

"Of course we are! I'm going to be the first one to read her novel!"

Lucy looked downright frightened now. "Are you ok, Lucy?" asked Mira worriedly, noticing her strange behaviour.

"Y-yeah," said Lucy, smiling shakily. "I'm just not feeling well. I think I might go home for the day."

"I'll walk you home, Luce," said Natsu quickly. This was his chance to find out what was going on. Unfortunately, Damon wasn't done yet.

"No, let me," he said, smiling frostily at Natsu, his eyes hard. "I haven't seen her place yet, I want to check out where my friend lives now." Natsu opened his mouth to argue but Lucy intervened.

"Yeah, it's fine Natsu. Don't worry about it. I need to show Damon around anyway." Natsu studied her face, watching as she painted on the most forced smile he'd ever seen her use. He saw Lucy's hands shaking slightly on her lap. His friend was definitely scared of this guy. So why was she encouraging him? This whole thing was off, but Natsu decided he'd have to play along, for now.

Grinning as if nothing was wrong, he replied, "Ok, sure. But make sure you get better soon Lucy, I'm ready to do another job!"

"We just got back," whined Lucy, but she did seem slightly brightened by his words. Her and Damon said goodbye and left the guild, his arm back on her shoulder like it was glued there. Natsu glared after them. His arm didn't belong there. And it was really bothering the fire dragon slayer. Gray walked up to Natsu, watching the couple walk away.

"What was that all about," muttered Gray.

"You noticed it too, huh?" murmured Natsu back.

"Yeah." Gray nodded seriously. "Lucy didn't seem too happy about the reunion." Meanwhile most of the guild were watching the conversation in shock. They couldn't hear what the two mages were saying, but the fact that they were actually talking was surprising enough. Not even a single chair had been broken!

"I think I'm going to head out too," said Natsu after a moment's consideration. "I'm tired, from the job."

Gray nodded. He saw right through the lie - Natsu, tired? - but didn't call him out on it. He was just as worried about Lucy, and his mind would be at ease knowing Natsu was keeping an eye on them.

"Looks like you've made some good friends here, Luce," commented Damon. They were walking along the almost deserted path as the sun began to set, Lucy balancing along the wall as usual with Damon holding her hand to keep her steady.

"I don't know… They're all very nice, but I don't know if I'd count them as friends," replied Lucy. Neither of them realised they were being followed.

"Natsu, she doesn't mean that, does she?" whispered Happy, tears forming in his eyes. The poor guy was so sensitive.

"Of course not, Happy," Natsu reassured quietly. The two were alley-jumping, going from one hiding spot to another to keep up with Lucy and Damon. Natsu was sure Lucy was lying. He counted her as one of his closest nakama - surely she felt the same? It was this Damon dude. She was lying to him. That was all there was to it.

"Here we are," said Lucy. Natsu tensed. For some reason he was more worried then ever now that Damon knew where Lucy lived.

"Looks like a nice place," commented Damon, "but I should be going." Natsu's eyes widened in shock, Lucy's doing the same.

"You're not staying?" There was anxiety, yet relief in her voice. What's that all about?

"Nah, it's been a long day. I'll see you tomorrow anyway, right?" There was a silence. Natsu, watched, peeping from the corner of the closest alley, as Damon took a step closer to Lucy and put his hand on her shoulder. "Right?" he asked seriously. It took every bit of self control Natsu had to stay where he was. He hasn't hurt her yet, he hasn't hurt her yet… But as everyone knows, Natsu's self control is pretty small, so there was a bit of help from a certain exceed restraining him.

Lucy looked up, that fake smile on her lips. "Right! I can't wait!" Damon smiled and hugged the celestial spirit mage before walking slowly away. Natsu and Happy were already through her window and leaning on the table when Lucy walked in.

Instead of the usual scream or yelling or throwing things at the duo, Lucy just sighed and gave them a smile. It was small and easily missed, but it was the most genuine smile Natsu had seen since that jerk got here. Natsu had kind of hoped he'd end up having a book thrown at his head. At least then it would mean Lucy was acting normal.

"Hey guys," said Lucy tiredly.

"What's up with you today Luce?" asked Natsu. He didn't really know how to not be straightforward.

"Yeah, you're acting weirder then normal!" exclaimed an upset Happy.

"I'm just tired," was the reply, as Lucy walked past them and headed towards the bedroom.

"It's that Damon guy isn't it?" asked Natsu. His voice was calm and his eyes were full of concern, but his body was tense. Lucy stiffened, her back to them.

"It's great that he got here," said Lucy, still not facing them. "I missed Damon a lot." Natsu grabbed her hand and turned her so she was facing him. Happy gasped to see unshed tears in the blonde's deep brown eyes.

"That's a load of crap and we both know it," said the pink haired boy. Lucy was almost distracted, trying to think if she'd ever seen him this serious before. "What's going on?" Lucy begun to shake slightly - she was trying to hold it together. Finally she lost the battle and the tears began to escape, sliding down her face. Without warning, she hugged her best friend, her arms around his neck as if he were a lifeline. Natsu only took a moment to get over the surprise before hugging her back.

"I'm scared, Natsu," cried Lucy.

Back at the guild the mages of Fairy Tail were cheering as Cana chugged down a barrel of alcohol, her opponent, Elfman, trying to keep up with his own barrel.

"Real men never give up!" he exclaimed breathlessly, before passing out on the floor. The cheering got louder and Cana fist pumped in victory. Money started to be exchanged as bets were claimed, though most of the bets had of course been in favour of Cana. Real man or not, Elfman wasn't a match for the drinking queen. But all celebrations were cut short as the guild doors opened, the moon casting a silhouette on a figure leaning against the doorframe.

"Levy?"

There were gasps of shock and shouts of anger as they took in the blue haired mage's appearance. Levy's usual pixie like grace had been encumbered by cuts and bruises littering her tired body. One eye was swollen shot and there was a deep gash along her stomach. She tried stumbling into the guild, favouring one leg, but fell almost straight away. Gajeel was there in an instant, picking her up and carrying her towards the infirmary without a word. Makarov looked around the guild, a vein protruding angrily from his forehead. His little body trembled in rage as he tried to speak in a calm voice.

"We will find out who did this to her. Until then, please remain calm." Obviously the master was finding it hard to take his own advice, though no one blamed him. "Wendy, I think we might need your help," he said kindly to the small girl, who nodded and followed after Gajeel, a determined look on her face. The master turned towards the infirmary himself and Gray looked towards the open doorway. Whoever did this was going to pay. And he had an inkling he knew who that person was...

Quick questions: Romance? Should I have any Nalu or Gralu? Maybe one sided? So far I'm thinking friendship with maaaybe implied one-sided. I dunno, am open to suggestions.

Let me know what you think :)