He...he was after Lucy's power? Or, wait. Maybe her keys? A few tears leaked from the corner of Lucy's eye. Gods was she scared. It was a paralyzing fear that locked up all her muscles and made her feel ill. What made it all worse, was the fact that they had no idea why. Why did they want her? Did they even want her?

"You said he was in her room this morning?" The master asked, thinking hard.

"Early." Lucy whispered, trying her hardest to keep the trembling unnoticeable. "It was probably around two thirty. Natsu came in and said he could smell him. We never saw him, though."

"You didn't stay there, did you?"

Natsu actually growled at him. "I'm not stupid, Gramps. I made her pack and she stayed with me last night." He looked over at Lucy who's head was down, her hair hiding her face. "But there's no way in hell she's even stepping foot back into that apartment until this is all sorted out and that guy's had his ass handed to him on a fork."

Lucy looked up at that. Something else to think on. Great. That's what she needed. "I guess I should ask some of the girls if I could stay with them, then. I can't afford a place at Fairy Hills on my own. I'll have to see if there's someone with room. I could always help with rent, of course." She rambled as she started walking towards the door. "And maybe I should let my Landlady know I won't be around for a while until- well until...ya. Oh! And I'll have to see about getting some of my things from my apartment and-" Natsu grabbed her arm and stopped her.

"Luce."

She turned to look at him, a smile on her face that was only skin deep. "...yes?"

"You're gonna stay with me and Happy."

Lucy let out a false giggle. "Oh. No, I couldn't. I'd be-"

"Lucy, I didn't ask."

Her eyes widened and she looked at the floor between her shoes. "...O-oh...ok..."

Natsu and Makarov watched her for a few seconds before Natsu wrapped his arm around her shoulders and steered her towards the door.

"I'm taking her home, Gramps. We'll talk later." Natsu walked Lucy to the door.

"Natsu." Makarov said.

"Ya?"
"...Don't do anything stupid."

Outside the door, Erza and Grey were standing against the wall, arms crossed, scowls on their faces. When Natsu and Lucy walked out, the two groups stood staring at each other for a moment.

The tension was palpable. No one wanted to say anything, fearing the others' reaction. Sounds of the guild below made their way up, adding a slightly comforting backdrop to the otherwise awkward moment.

"Grey and I will collect the necessary things from your apartment." Erza broke the silence. "And I must insist you stay with me. I cannot in good conscious let you stay with this idiot."

"Erza..." Lucy mumbled.

"No." Natsu interrupted, stepping forward. "She's staying with me. I'm not backing down on this one. I can protect her."

"You live in a tiny house in the middle of the forest, flame head." Grey said. "You think she'll be safer there than right by the guild surrounded by every other girl living in the dorms? Safer than staying with Erza?"

Natsu blinked and looked at Lucy who offered a smile in return. "I'll be alright with Erza. Don't worry about me."

"...How can I not?" You keep smiling like that. I know it's fake. Please stop pretending.

Lucy looked at the floor. "Natsu, I'm not-"

"Come on." He said, grabbing her wrist and pulling her towards the back door. "Let's go get your stuff from my place and meet Erza and Ice Princess at the dorms."

Back at Natsu's house, Lucy and Natsu were packing the Celestial mage's suitcase. The silence that hung over them was almost suffocating. Natsu didn't say anything, not wanting to upset Lucy, and Lucy stayed silent, trying to avoid any thoughts.

"...Natsu?"

"Ya?"

"I'm...I..." Natsu spun around to look at her when he smelled the salty tears dripping from her eyes. His own widened and he walked to her and crushed her in a tight hug.

"Don't worry. He's not touching you again."

She sniffed and angrily wiped at her eyes, stepping back from him. "Why...Why do I feel so...why is this any different from any other time something like this has happened?" She laughed hollowly. "It's not the first time I've been targeted. You'd think I'd be used to it by now, right? First d...dad, then the stupid infinity clock, then when that minister guy had Yukino and me thrown in prison during the Games..." She walked over to her suitcase and slammed it shut. "Then...with...with the future Rogue..." She didn't see as Natsu stiffened, eyes dilated, mind repeating his dream from the other night. "Who knows. Maybe this time I will kick the bucket. Only so many times you can squirm your way out once your number's up, right? At least I won't be anymore trouble f-" BAM!

Lucy spun around to see Natsu with his fist lit on fire, a huge hole in the wall. His back was to her, but she could clearly see how tense he was, and how furious.

"No." He snarled. "No. How can you...how can you even say that? Why would you...think that...that that would...that I would..." His hands moved to grip his hair tightly, almost pulling it out from the roots. "Lucy...I...No! You...d-...I can't even say it! I can't even think it!" He fell to his knees, and Lucy just watched. She was struck speechless and immobile. She'd never seen Natsu like that before. "When Lisanna died, I didn't know what to do. I was angry, and sad, and empty...but...If you died..." He choked on the word. "Don't make jokes about that! Don't even think about it! Don't play it off as some possibility that...I don't know. Why would you say that?!" He turned to look at her. She stared back, mouth open slightly, eyes wide. His own widened in response. "...I'm...I'm scaring you again..." He looked to the floor. "I'm sorry, Luce. Just don't...please don't say things like that."

Lucy was silent for a few moments before stepping closer to him. "Natsu?"

He looked up at her.

"What...what's going on? What's wrong? This isn't like you." Now probably wasn't the time; Erza and Grey were probably waiting for them. But if she was going to be honest with herself, she needed a distraction. And helping Natsu was something she could do.

Natsu growled at himself. "I...I didn't want you to notice anything off. I've just been stupid." At that, Lucy let out a giggle. It wasn't to her normal standards, but it was real.

"Natsu, you're the biggest idiot I know. You're always being stupid."

"I resent that." He mumbled under his breath as she kneels next to him.

"Just tell me what's wrong."

"...I've been having...some bad dreams, is all. It's nothing, really."

"Don't lie to me. You've been losing weight and you're always looking exhausted. It's not nothing. Did I...did I do anything?"

"What? No! It's not you, Luce...It's...Well..." He didn't want to tell her. He'd rather do anything but tell her. He hadn't even told Happy, though he figured the cat had worked it out by now. His buddy wasn't stupid. But it seemed to distract Lucy, and right now, that's what she needed. A distraction. So he sighed and told her. "I've been having nightmares about...that. About when...when the future you di-...died..." He choked on the word again. "It wasn't that bad at first, but they've been getting worse. And I always wake up with this feeling that...that you're...gone. I know they're just dreams, but...I just can't shake the feeling like something's happened to you. That's...and the only thing that helps is when I see you in front of me. So I've been sneaking in through your window in the middle of the night." He tensed slightly, waiting for the expected Lucy Kick. But it never came. Instead...

"Is that why you were screaming the other night? When we were on the job?" She asked softly.

Natsu looked up at her sharply. He thought she hadn't woken up. "I...ya. Sorry... I didn't know I..." He sighed and rubbed his face. "I'm just being stupid."

"...Ya. You are." She said, and he looked down at his hands, ashamed. "We're partners. You're supposed to tell me these things."

Natsu blinked and looked up at her. Wait. She didn't think he was stupid for having nightmares about a future they had changed? "W...what?"

"Partners, idiot. You know, you saved my butt in Hargeon and ended up dragging me here while we were chased by royal soldiers, then you randomly declared we were partners to get me to go with you on that first mission. Any of that ring a bell? Not to mention all the other insane jobs you've dragged me on since? Come on. I didn't think you were that stupid." Natsu stared at her. She was back, and that made him happier than even her words. Though he couldn't put his finger on exactly why they made him so happy. But her smirk was there. The same one she wore whenever she teased him. And it was real. There was no force to it.

And because Lucy smiled, he smiled.


Hello little punkins :D sorry about the long wait. I had a bit of writers block when it came to this chapter, so it isn't the best. Just kinda turned into a rather angsty word vomit. I deeply apologize for the whiny complainy angsty back and forth sympathy fest where no one was able to keep any sort of stable emotion. This was an interesting chapter. Originally I'd planned on a different conversation that led to a completely different outcome, and for Natsu's confrontation about the nightmares to come much later, but this just kinda...happened. I'll see how things turn out. It's rather rushed, so not as well put together as (hopefully) usual. Let me know what you guys think. I love feedback of any kind. It makes me a better writer.

Keep the Reviews coming!