A/N: I know it has been so long since I updated this story and I'm sorry for that. But things are about to get a little crazy from here out. Further A/N at the end. Please read and enjoy.
Last Time : Chancing a glance at the second floor confirmed his worst fear since Mira had called him over and Happy had opened his mouth. Laxus' eyes were wide, panic clear on his face as he looked from the door that Lucy had disappeared through to his team and back.A loud shrill scream was suddenly pulling everyone from their stupors to stare at the bar. Mira was overflowing with excitement, hearts in her eyes as she tried to figure out who exactly the stellar mage was in a relationship with before she collapsed with a dull thud onto the floor muttering about babies.
Several things all seemed to happen at once, a loud commotion from the Raijinshū table as the four members all raced for the stairs; Levy and Gajeel shared a look before taking off for the back door. Gajeel grabbing Natsu by the scarf on the way out and a loud collective out crying from the guild filled the air.
Lucy POV
I'd been gazing out the window at the passing scenery lost in my own thoughts. Levy, Gajeel and Natsu had decided to join Loke and I for a few stops so they could talk to me about what was going on. It took some coercing but I eventually told Levy and Gajeel what I had told Natsu about hooking up with Laxus the night of the GMG, Natsu filling in about how I was apparently Laxus' mate. The three of them seemed to take that to mean something more than I did and they proceeded to spend the next hour explaining dragon mates to me. I was still unconvinced but promised that I would consider what they said about going back and trying to work things out with Laxus. I had been watching the scenery fly past the window in silence for the last hour in silence. Loke was accompanying me on the train ride out of Magnolia after Levy, Gajeel and Natsu had disembarked. He sat to one side, a dissatisfied frown on his face. "Are you alright Princess?"
I turned to give Loke a smile that I knew didn't quite reach my eyes before I turned my gaze to stare out the window again at the cloudy sky. I wondered briefly if it would rain, a somehow fitting tribute to my departure. Then I sighed softly and lowered my gaze again and getting lost in my tumultuous thoughts.
~0.o.0~
I walked slowly down the corridor towards the room I had rented for the time I would be spending here in Clover. The sun was already high in the sky and the hall was bright with filtered sunlight. As I walked, I found myself lost in memories of my time with Laxus. It was getting harder and harder to keep him from my thoughts.
"Princess?"
Loke's voice pulled me from my musings. He had walked me as far as my room and opened the door for me. As I walked through the door I felt a small sense of relief at being a decent distance from Magnolia and the Raijinshū. Loke watched as I entered the room, then he spoke, his voice soft.
"I shall see you tomorrow Princess. Please get lots of rest, okay?"
I turned back to find Loke giving me a strained smile. I knew he agreed with Natsu that I needed to talk to Laxus but I couldn't be bothered with any of it right now. I shut the door tightly as Loke took his leave, the hall light up in a brilliant golden glow. Making my way to the bed I laid down and ignoring the bright sunlight filling the room. As I closed my eyes I could feel exhaustion take over and I slipped into the hands of sleep.
~0.o.0~
"What are you doing?" I turned toward the familiar voice. "Freed! Why are you here?!"
"I believe I asked you first." He approached me, dubious once again.
I crossed my arms protectively over the now noticeable bump in my abdomen and locked eyes with the rune mage. I knew it was a foolish move, I had escaped here to Clover to get away from him and his retribution for Laxus but I no longer had the energy to fight with him over everything and I was tired of running. Loke along with my other spirits had helped convince me that I should stay away from the guild until the baby was born to avoid all the drama and anxiety I couldn't handle at this time. Freed met me stare and it was obvious that he was not going to fold first so heaving a sigh and puffing out my cheeks in aggravation I let my hands drop to my sides.
"I was walking around the town; Loke asked that we come here to Clover for a short stop before we continue on, if you really must know."
I watched as he nodded in understanding, what I wasn't prepared for was the short flash of pain that passed through the man's eyes. But just as soon as it was there it was gone again. Giving a shake of my head I slowly grew impatient as I waited for him to explain what he was doing here while silently praying that he was alone and wondering if I would have to move locations again.
"Well?" my impatience and the hormones got the better of me as I demanded an answer from the stoic mage.
A soft pink blush dusted over his cheeks as he realized that he had failed to answer my initial question. Freed cleared his throat slightly before he spoke in such a way that I had to wonder if he was telling me the whole truth.
"I separated from the rest of the team wanting to check the local magic shop and stores for a book for Laxus-sama. I was just on my way back to the train station to re-join them when I saw you standing there."
A slight incline of my head was all the indication I gave that I had heard him at all. My mind already having gone into panic mode, if he was here with the team then Laxus could be close by and if that were the case it wouldn't take him long to come across my scent either in town or on Freed when they met back up. My lungs began to burn as my breaths turned to shallow pants, my arms wrapping around my abdomen again as I hunched over screwing my eyes shut. It took no more than a minute before I was able to reign in my erratic emotions and face him again.
"Is…he…I mean, is Laxus with you guys?" My eyes automatically darting around our surroundings quickly in search of the hulking blonde mage a mix of relief and disappointment washing through me when I was unable to see any sign of him.
"No. Laxus doesn't leave the guild that much these days. He rarely leaves his office when he is there, choosing most days to simply stay home instead. I don't suppose that you would consider coming back with us?"
Freed's face was hopeful as he said this and it ate at my heart knowing that I would have to cause more pain in addition to all that I already had. I cast my eyes downward and shook my head slowly.
"I'm sorry Freed. I can't…I'm-I'm not ready to be around anyone just yet. Soon though I think – maybe."
I bit my lower lip as I spoke and I wondered if it would be wrong to ask him to let everyone know that I was okay or not. Mentally shaking my head I sighed and decided that I'd ask and let him decided if he wanted to tell them or not.
"Could you do something for me though?" I waved my hand back and forth in front of me as I spoke, "It's entirely up to you if you don't want to I mean, but I was hoping that you would let everyone know that I am okay and I'll be home soon."
I looked at him hopefully as I spoke and held my breath as I waited for him to respond to my request. However Freed's brows crunched together and it looked like he was holding back from saying something before he turned around, his expression contemplative. I watched him walk away without another word. His reaction confused me. 'It looked like he wanted to say something more. I wonder what.'
~0.o.0~
-TIME SKIP 1 MONTH –
I rubbed lightly at my eyes; I had been through every book I could find on dragon slayer magic and mating. When Natsu and the others finally explained why they had been on me for Mavis only know how long to talk things over with Laxus, I decided I needed to know more about this whole mate thing. I sighed heavily as the developing head ache throbbed painfully.
"Sighing doesn't suit someone as lovely as you, Princess." A voice called from above me. Surprised I twisted around to find Loke hovering over me, his arm reaching around me to close the book that I had been immersed in.
"Loke?" The edges of his mouth turned up as I called him by name.
"How about a break? We could go outside for a bit and take a stroll around town."
"A break?"
"Yes Princess, you've been cooped up in here for far too long. It would do you both good to get out for a little while."
Resting a hand on my swollen abdomen I smiled up at my faithful lion spirit and nodded my head. "Okay Loke."
Out in the town center I walked alongside Loke, the late evening sun bathing everything in a warm golden light. I took in as much of the outside air as I could. 'It feels great to be in the fresh air.' I could hear Loke laugh at my exaggerated breaths.
"You look a lot better now than when you were squinting at those books back inside. I definitely prefer you like this."
I can feel warmth bloom in my cheeks at Loke's compliment but I laugh and smile up at him. As we continued through the town Loke looked up at the sky with an expression of pure bliss on his face. "It's nice to have a change of pace, huh?"
I looked up to him and tried to match his carefree smile. 'Thanks for always looking out for me Loke.' Bringing a hand to rub light circles over my swollen belly as I feel a sharp pain spread out from just under my ribs. The powerful kick from inside forcing the air from my lungs for a moment and I can't help but smile as I am reminded of the unexpected gift I had been given.
It was so hard to believe that in just a few months I would be meeting the little one, warmth bloomed in my chest as the thought pulled a smile onto my lips. All of a sudden Loke placed his arm around my midsection to support me as the quiet evening air shattered when a cold voice called out.
"Well, well. What have we here? I never thought our target would be so easy to find. After all Master said that the lightning slayers mate was playing a dangerous game of hide and seek. I would have thought you would have made it harder to find you girlie."
I felt my eyes grow wide with panic, my arms instinctively wrapping around the bulge in my abdomen. Loke's hand brushed against my lower back as he pulled me marginally closer, his eyes trained on the man before us. Despite the fear I felt rolling through me for myself and my child I managed to lock eyes with our assailant, willing my voice to be strong when I spoke.
"And what does your master want with me?"
"Oh it's not so much you he wants as what it is you're carrying girlie."
He broke into a loud barking laugh as he spoke. It seemed that whatever he said was enough to push Loke into action because in the next moment the man was laid out on the ground with Loke standing back upright straightening his jacket. A sniggering sound pulled our attention, spinning around we saw at least a dozen men all closing ranks behind us.
"Damn, there's more." Loke sighed as he slipped into a battle stance.
"Loke?" My voice trembled with the fear I couldn't hide. 'What do we do? There's no way we can get out of this.' Loke raised his head as I called his name, his eyes widening as if realizing something. I watched as he blinked a few times and then glanced back at me.
"Lucy, when I give the signal I want you to run as fast as you can into the woods."
"What? But Lo-" I started to argue, tell him that I couldn't just leave him but the frown that pulled at his lips and furrowed his brow silenced me.
"Leave this to me okay princess?"
I bit my lip as I met his solemn gaze. 'Loke's right, if I stay with him I'm just going to get in his way. I can't fight in my condition.' I nodded slowly and he gave me a bright smile; pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose, he turned his attention back to the group of men closing in around us.
"Right, here I go." Loke readied himself, took a deep breath and then his voice called out as his fists lit up the area around us. "Run!"
The word had no sooner left Loke's lips before I turned towards the woods and began to run as fast as I could. The blood pounding in my ears drowned out all other sound as my feet sought to make purchase on the uneven ground as I broke through the tree line.
3rd Person POV
"The Bitch is getting away! Catch her!"
Loke could hear one of the men shout drawing his attention as two attempted to break away from the pack. Loke turned his focus onto the men before him, his eyes narrowing behind his glasses. He swung his leg out to collide with those of the retreating figures bringing them to their knees.
"Right now I'm pretty angry, so you'll excuse me if I don't go easy on you." Loke growled out. The group of men all took a slight step back at the sight of Loke smirking at them.
Lucy POV
I ran as fast as I could through the corpse of trees. 'What should I do now? How far should I run?' Before I could get too lost in my thoughts my legs caught on a root and I pitched forward. My arms shooting out seeking any surface for stability.
My hands scraped across the rough bark of a tree, my nails digging in to support my weight but my legs trembled and finally gave way as the adrenaline ran out. 'No' without thinking I shut my eyes, my arms curling protectively around myself.
~0.o.0~
3rd Person POV
The sound of hurried footsteps rang out through the almost empty guild hall. Loke stopped in front of the door to the Masters door and shoved it open, not pausing to knock. "Master, we have an issue."
"What is it my child?" Master Makarov looked up from the parchment in front of him.
"The town Lucy was staying in has been attacked."
"A-attacked?"
Master's voice a low murmur and Loke responded briskly. There was clear irritation in his voice as he spoke.
"Yes..."
Makarov hesitated before reaching for the communications lacrima in his top drawer. He scowled at the orb trying to collect his thoughts.
"Master? Should I go tell the others...should I…that is would you like me to call the Raijinshū?"
~0.o.0~
-TIME SKIP 2 WEEKS-
The guild doors swung open to reveal Laxus followed by the Raijinshū and it was clear from the look on his face that the search had not ended well. Laxus stalked silently in the direction of a table half in shadows at the back of the hall, his team trailing not far behind him. Sinking into the chair he took a deep breath trying to calm his frayed nerves and it was only then that her scent hit him like a punch to the gut.
A low groan rolled up from deep inside as the fading scent that was uniquely Lucy washed over his senses. Laxus' eyes flew open to see Levy and Gajeel standing beside the table, the remains of what used to be a dress soaked in blood and dirt clutched in Levy's hands.
"We...we found t-this just outside of C-Cl-Clover." Levy managed to choke out before she dropped the scraps of fabric on the table and turned burrowing into Gajeel's chest as her sobs shook her tiny frame.
Laxus was on his feet before the words were fully out of Levy's mouth. His voice rang out in the now silent hall as he called his team and the slayers present to gear up.
"Were leaving, one hour we have a lead."
That was all he said before he disappeared through the guild doors, the scraps of Lucy's soiled and bloodied dress clenched in his fist. His internal dragon roaring with rage as Laxus began to plot the demise of who ever had taken his mate and child.
***/***/***
A/N: Okay so like I said at the start I am so so so very sorry that it has taken so long to get this updated. I had been fighting with myself on the chapters and how exactly I wanted them to play out going forward. Things then got a little crazy in my life and then the holidays came. I'd love to be able to tell you guys that things will calm down and that I will be able to work on my stories and update more frequently but I simply can not bring myself to lie to you wonderful people. I promise that I won't abandon any story that I start on here and while the updates may be slow I will do what I can to update more often. I know that there isn't much here after such a long wait and I wish that I had more to offer you all. I thank everyone who has favorited, followed or commented on this story. I hope to have more for you all very soon. Thank you all for your patience and continued support.
