Lucy looked out the window of the carriage and watched the land pass by. Erza's words rang loud and clear in her head. This was not over. Lucy smiled as she looked out the window. Erza wouldn't forget her, and Lucy knew she had to fight as well. She glanced at her father through the corner of her eye and saw him giving her a curious look.

"What was that woman going on about?"

"..." Lucy tried to think of exactly what to say. Her father sighed.

"Lucy tell me why that woman said she would get you back."

"She knows about me getting married..."

"Why does that matter to someone like her?"

"What do you mean 'someone like her'?" Lucy's voice rose and her father gave her a disappointed look.

"I mean she should not have gotten close to you. You are a Heartfilia and I will not have you running around with mages."

"There's nothing wrong with them!"

"Lucy!"

"Erza and the others are wonderful people! And if you've forgotten. Mom was also a mage."

"I will not have my daughter acting this way. Forget those people and just be happy I found a man for you."

"Have you ever thought that maybe I don't want to marry a man you choose." Lucy took in a deep breath. "I should be able to choose my own partner."

"Did this Erza fill your head with such nonsense?"

"No. She's the one I fell for father." Thankfully they had arrived home and Lucy got out of the carriage and marched inside. The staff cowered in fear. They had never seen Lucy act this way. Her father was frozen in shock. His one and only daughter, fell in love with another woman, that was a mage. He could not let this happen.

…...

Lucy threw her dress onto the floor and put on a pair of shorts and a tank top. She didn't care what her father thought anymore. Being with Fairy Tail for a month taught her that people can be happy. Lucy went to her bag and started unpacking. She pulled out her bikini and smiled. She may not have been with them long, but her new friends helped her see the world in a new way.

"Erza."

…...

Erza paced around her room frantically trying to think of a way to get Lucy back. She had to be smart about this or things could blow up in their faces. She sighed and slumped down onto the couch. Her morning had gone from the best to the worst in a few hours.

"Let's see...her father is a rich jerk who wants money and doesn't care about his own daughter much. What do I do..." Erza groaned. "I really fell in love with a careless mans careful daughter. Lucy..."

…...

Natsu and Happy crept through the big yard as quietly as possible. Natsu sniffed the air and grinned. He finally made it.

"Happy fly me up."

"Aye sir." They flew up to one of the windows and Natsu landed on the balcony. He peeked inside and noticed a girl crying.

"Lucy." The girl lifted her head and covered her mouth from yelling. She walked over and opened the sliding door to let the boy in. She hugged him tightly.

"Natsu..."

"Don't forget Happy." Natsu gave her his toothy grin and Happy landed on Natsu's shoulder.

"Why are you guys here? If my father catches you guys there is going to be trouble."

"Don't worry. We're like ninjas." Natsu said as he swung around in a ninja pose and knocked a vase over. It crashed to the floor and someone opened Lucy's door to check on her. Lucy kicked Natsu down beside her bed and he rolled under it. A maid walked in and started cleaning the mess. Lucy heard a sneeze from under her bed and froze. The maid got up and started towards the bed. Lucy jumped in front of her.

"Don't tell my father."

"You know you cannot have others here."

"Please?"

"I won't but tell the lad he should be more quiet."

"Thank you."

"Take care miss Lucy." The maid walked out and Lucy told Natsu to come out.

"You sneezed."

"Sorry..." Natsu said as he nervously rubbed his neck. Lucy smiled softly.

"So why are you here?"

"To take you back."

"Natsu...I can't."

"But Erza is sad..." Natsu glared at the floor. "If you can't come I'll go beat up your dad!"

"Natsu! No!" Lucy tackled him and sighed. "You can't hurt my father."

"..."

"Tell Erza I'm not giving up the fight."

"Okay...but is there anything we can do to help?" A knock on the door was heard and the maid popped her head in. She smiled at Natsu and then looked at Lucy with a sad expression.

"Miss Lucy, your father wishes to see you in his office."

"Tell him I'll be there in a moment."

"As you wish and miss...you might want to slip a dress on. He is in a terrible mood."

"No. I'll take whatever he gives me. I'm done caring what he thinks."

"Okay." The maid went away and Lucy looked at Natsu.

"Go home Natsu."

"Mmhmm..." Natsu sat down on Lucy's bed and crossed his legs. Happy did the same.

"Go."

"We will...once you come back."

"Natsu..." Lucy held back her tears.

"Lucy. Erza really likes you and we are all going to fight to bring you home. You belong in Fairy Tail."

"I need to go...please don't get caught." Lucy exited the room and walked down the halls. She knew her father was going to yell. She stopped at a big door at the end of the hall and knocked.

"Come in." Lucy took a deep shaky breath as she entered. Her father had his back turned and was staring out the window.

"You called for me?"

"Yes. Tell me, did I hear you correctly when you said you fell for a woman?"

"Yes you did father."

"You will marry the man I chose for you Lucy. Get over your little crush and grow up."

"Father! It's not some crush! I really like her!"

"Do not raise your voice Lucy!"

Lucy shrank back and clenched her fists. "I wouldn't have to if you would just listen."

"Did I just hear you right?" Jude walked towards Lucy and stopped right in front of her. "You will meet with the man I found for you tomorrow and if you continue to act like this I will have no choice but to do something about that guild."

"You wouldn't..."

"I would now go back to your room."

"I won't marry him. I will find a way to be with Erza!" Lucy was shocked when her father slapped her across her face leaving an angry red mark. Lucy held a hand up to her cheek. Her father turned his back on her.

"Go back to your room now Lucy!" The blonde girl turned and ran to her room. Little did she know all of the staff and Natsu had heard everything. Natsu clenched his fist and slammed it into a wall. The staff stepped away from him. Happy stood beside Natsu and cried softly.

"Come on Happy let's say goodnight to Lucy." He started walking back to the girls room and Happy followed. They walked in and saw Lucy crying into her pillow. Natsu sat in front of her. "Let me see it."

"Natsu..."

"He hit you."

"It doesn't matter."

"He wants to crush your feelings for Erza. I won't allow it."

"Go on home..."

"We will, but we are coming back. Goodnight Lucy." Natsu patted the girls head and jumped out the window followed by a sobbing Happy. Lucy clenched her pillow tighter.

"Thank you...Natsu..."