"No." That voice was Natsu and Lucy couldn't help but look at him with disbelief lingering in her eyes.

"Natsu, you can't stop me." She told him, stubbornly. Any respect or liking she felt towards him previously has crumbled with one word, all that was there was pain, and not the pain from the cancer. It was a pain she has only felt a rare few times. The first, when he mother would shield her from her drunken father and the second when her mother died. Lucy couldn't understand, he should be happy, right? Luckily for Natsu, Lucy was reasonable. She wanted to believe, and she really hoped that Natsu had a legitimate reason of why he said no.

"Luce, you don't know what he's like." Natsu told her in s controlling and demanding voice, if Lucy wasn't so fragile right now, she would have been able to sense the protectiveness that dwelled within him.

"I do, trust me. I've known him for the past 5-ish. I've known him longer than I've known you Natsu." That hurt Natsu. Not only his pride, but in his chest, stomach, heart, head. He'd much rather get a punch in the stomach any day, but it was true. She had known Sting longer, and that caused a chain reaction of hatred, sadness, hurt and most of all jealousy. Jealously was a new one for Natsu, he has felt sadness and hurt, but not in the way he was now. Him, Natsu Dragneel was jealous of Sting, for what? For knowing Lucy longer than him. How stupid? He looked at Lucy's eyes, it was as if she was transferring all her pain to him, he felt it.

"Don't worry, Luce. We'll find someone else. It'll be fine, right mum?" Natsu looked towards his mother hopefully, laughing a little for comfort. He was willing to do anything, other than let Sting donate his bone marrow. Grandine shock her head, looking to the floor. She knew this was a tough subject for Natsu, and in truth, she was expecting Natsu to try to stop Lucy.

"No. Lucy's bone marrow type is rare. We've been looking for a match for ½ a year now. Natsu, Lucy needs this operation as soon as possible." Grandine told him, hoping he would catch what she was saying, but the blank look on his face told her otherwise. Lucy took a deep breath, but Natsu just didn't understand. He was still trying to convince her.

"But, him and his freaky brother they...they were involved in the murder of their own parents. They're sick and twisted and I won't let any part of his murderous body inside of you!" It gave Lucy all her might not to start to blush at that last comment. Now, she was tired of sugar-coating the situation, he just didn't get it.

"Reality Check. I'm dying! I don't think you understand that concept. I'm slowly rotting away; I'm in so much pain it's unbearable. It's almost the only thing on my mind." No need for Lucy to mention he was the reason the pain wasn't always on her mind. "I've gotten worse over the past two years; I know I don't have long left. I've heard the doctors speak to Erza. They think I don't know any different, but I do. I'm going to die soon, and this is my only chance to live. My timers running out, Natsu." Lucy didn't want to sound so harsh, but she had to. The lecture took some of her breath away, she was fatigued and in excruciating pain. She was worsening.

"Lucy, I'm sorry. I thought it was best if you didn't know how long you've got. I'm so sorry." Grandine bowed her head apologetically.

"It's alright. Let's get this thing rolling. I want the operation ASAP." Lucy grinned and Grandine, who nodded and started to walk out. She put her hands on Natsu's shoulder comfortingly and gave it a squeeze. She smiled softly at her son, he son that reminded her too much of her husband. She bent down to his ear and whispered, "Things will turn out fine. Just wait." She smiled softly and walked out. The only noise in the room was the monotone beeping of the machines, and Lucy's heavy breathing. Natsu took this time to look at Lucy more carefully, it was true. She had suddenly worsened, she was no long that flushed and fleshy girl she was. She was now a sickly pale and thin you could practically see her blue veins that pump too little blood cells round her body, her brown eyes that once held happiness and hope, now holds desperation. She was right. She was dying. Sting could save her, but some selfish part of him didn't want Sting to save her. Damn his pride.

"Lucy, please." Natsu resorted to begging, he didn't know why he was begging for this girl, but he was.

"If you don't like it then just-" She was cut off by a continuing to beg Natsu. It took everything to not pull him into a hug and wipe that desperate look off his face.

"Sting, he's my cousin, on my dad's sides obviously. Him and his brother killed their parents, my aunt and uncle. Who would kill their family? My family, Luce? Just thinking about it makes me want to beat them up, ARGGG, THIS DAMN LEG! Please Luce." Natsu looked up to her, wide-eyed with her hands in his. She was blushing, and it was so obvious because of the contrast of the pink and the pale.

His hands were big and warm in hers. Just the touch sent an electric pulse through her body. She didn't know what this was.

"You're hands are so cold, Luce." Natsu said, shocked. She giggled a little.

"It's the side effect of, one of the many medication I'm on. I don't adjust well to temperatures." Lucy smiled at him, liking the feel of his warmth. "Although, you're temperature is abnormal." Lucy smirked.

"I'm like this naturally, actually." Natsu whined.

"Now, Mr Heater. I'm going to bed. I'm shattered." Lucy smiled and closed her eyes. All was silent but the beeping and Lucy's hard breathing. After half an hour, Natsu was convinced Lucy was asleep. He pushed her to the side, and lifted his leg onto the bed next to her. She was cold after all. He felt oddly comfortable, and like it fit. He started to go to sleep.

"I'm still getting that operation you know." Lucy mumbled before going back to sleep.

"Shit... Luuccyyy!" Natsu groaned. And he thought he'd won.

A/N: Sorry it took so long. Eeep. forgive me. I go caught up in my exams. If you live in the UK, you know that GCSEs are coming up, and I'm taking them. I need good grades to get into 6th from next year. I have also got caught up with One Piece, I've recently got into it, and can't stop. It's so goooood. I don't know why I haven't started watching it/reading it before. Something put me off it though. Anyway, I'm babbling. Hope you are all well and like this chapter. Favourite, Follow and Review, if you would like. I would appreciate it.

Until next time, friends.

-THEBEASTHUNTER