Lucy woke up on the hospital bed with multiple gauzes wrapped around her body. Erza and Natsu sat on one of the couches, asleep and Gajeel slept on Levy's lap as she read in another couch. She looked at her surroundings then began to tremble as she breathed in what seemed like the scent of burning fire. Lucy grabbed on her throat and squeezed it to keep herself from coughing but it was no use. She let out a choking cough, waking the sleeping Gray next to her.

Gray quickly reached for water and aided her through drinking the liquid. When Lucy calmed down, he motioned her to rest easy.

Lucy spoke with labored breathing, "t-thank you."

"You said that already. Don't mention it. The doctors said you need to stay back for a couple of days, you have some pretty nasty looking second-degree burns."

"It could've been worse if you didn't save me," she whispered. "I'm truly grateful."

"Friends gotta protect their friends."

Lucy was saddened for a moment but she smiled. "Yes. Friends."

"And as friends, tutoring will still be continued. When Natsu wakes up, he's heading back home to take a couple of textbooks so we can study here in the hospital."

"I don't have anything anymore..." Lucy clenched unto the blanket.

Gray raised a brow, crossing his arms. "What are you talking about? Yeah you do."

Lucy blinked, completely unaware of what he's saying. "I do?"

"Yeah. You have me." Gray felt his cheeks heat up and cleared his throat. "And Erza, Natsu, Levy, and Gajeel. You have us, your friends."

Tears streamed down from Lucy's eyes. "Gray... You're right... I'm such a crybaby. I'm sorry."

He holds Lucy's hand in comfort. "Don't be sorry, and don't cry. Go back to sleep. I'm not going anywhere."

Levy draws from reading her book and smiled reassuringly. "Gajeel and I will be right here too, Lucy-chan," she patted her boyfriend's head.

With a nod, Lucy silently wept to herself until she became exhausted. Gray smiled helplessly, moving the bangs covering her face and covering her with a blanket. Erza and Natsu peeked with one eye then exchanged snickers at each other before they resumed back to their nap. They refused to leave Lucy, not now when she's in a slightly critical condition. Who knows what else could happen to her if she was left alone?

The next morning, Natsu and Erza left the hospital to get some snacks for everybody. Lucy wasn't going to get out of the hospital for another week so they thought it was best if they left to get a few things so they can stay over and watch over her. At first, Lucy insisted that it was alright for her to be alone; the doctors and nurses would be coming back and forth to check on her and tend to her burns anyway but they refused and the majority decided to stay. Gajeel and Levy had work but they said they'd return right after they pack some clothes as well.

Gray stayed. Natsu will be bringing his things back in exchange for tutoring.

A nurse came into the room. "You have a visitor, Ms. Heartfilia."

The two looked at each other, shaking their shoulders. Lucy nodded. "Let them in."

The man stepped in a revealed himself from the shadows. As his appearance came clearer, Lucy's eyes narrowed and clenched her fists. Gray looked at her, then back to the man as he stood up and gave a slight bow.

"What are you doing here?" Lucy gritted her teeth.

"I came to see how my daughter is doing. Why, is that bad?"

"You've never done that before, so why should you do it now?"

"Don't be foolish, Lucy. My daughter got caught in a fire, what kind of father would I be if I didn't come to see you?"

"Nowhere near a father," Lucy replied bitterly. "I don't need to explain what kind of father I think you are. You know very well where you stand."

The conversation between the father and daughter was leading to nowhere. Lucy's father turned to Gray. "Are you her boyfriend?"

Gray turned red, meeting Lucy's gaze then to her dad. "N-No, I'm just a friend."

Jude raised his brow from Gray's reaction. "A good friend, I presume. Can we talk outside?"

"You- what?" Gray blinked a couple of times. "You paid for our medical bills? Mr. Heartfilia, there's no need for that. I could cover for Lucy and me."

"I expected an answer like that," Jude smiled slightly. "But please, let me do this for my daughter. You see we're not in good conditions. I want to make it up to her by taking her home and keeping her safe."

Gray crossed his arms against his chest. "Taking her home doesn't seem to be a good idea, not with the way she reacted when you came in. She might run away again and get herself into danger and none of us will be there for her. Sir...I don't want to pry...but what happened between the two of you?"

"It's simple. Lucy's mother passed away and I cared less about Lucy afterwards. I was too wrapped up in work and so she ran away... I'm pretty sure she hates me."

"My step-mom used to tell me that my dad's lover passed away and left me because of her, so I can understand why Lucy's a little distant from you. But I wouldn't say she hates you."

Jude's eyes widened. "You... don't think she hates me?"

"No. Hell, I don't hate my dad who left me. I'd like it if he came back and apologize. Losing your wife is one thing to be sad over, but living unhappily with your daughter and drowning yourself with work is another. So many people forget that there are other things that are more important than dwelling in the past. We need to move forward and stay strong...sir."

Jude was silent. Silent by embarrassment but he didn't show that he was. He was in fact, surprised, that the boy in front of him was far wiser than he was even though he's much older. His eyes were wide, his mouth was slightly open, and then he let out a small chuckle. "For me to hear those things coming out of your mouth, I'm ashamed of myself. What's your name, boy?"

"Gray. Gray Fullbuster."

"Fullbuster?" Jude tilted his head and thought hard. "Your step-mom must be Ur...right?"

"Yes..." Gray stared at him hesitantly. "Why?"

"Mmm," Jude shook his head and flashed a small smile. "It's nothing, boy. Call me Jude."

"Okay Mr. Heart-... Jude."

"Thank you, Gray. Take care of my daughter for me will you?" Jude turned his back on Gray and began to walk away. "I will do everything I can to protect my daughter from afar."

Gray smiled proudly. "I will protect your daughter for as long as I live, Jude. Rest assured."

"Hey..." Gray opened the door and waved.

Lucy sat up grimly. "Where did he go?"

"He left," Gray sat down next to her. "How are you feeling?"

"Better, now that he's gone."

"Luce, you shouldn't talk about your dad that way."

Lucy looked away. "What would you know, Gray? You don't know anything about me, not a lot."

Gray sighed softly, cupping her chin to face him. "I don't know much about you, but I'm trying to change that. That's why I will get to the bottom of who burned your house and how."

"There's no point," Lucy graveled. "Even if you find out who and how, it doesn't change the fact that I have no place to live in now."

"Yes you do," Gray blinked. "With Me and Natsu, or Erza, or Levy and Gajeel. We won't leave you. Don't worry about that stuff, focus on healing."

"I suppose... Thank you."

"Of course. What are friends for?"

Lucy looked down with a warm smile, remembering Gray's answer earlier to her dad. "So... we're just good friends huh?"

And then there was silence.

"Well... I-...Not just a good friend..." Gray scratched his temple shyly to hide his embarrassment. "You're... um... You're special."

"I am?"

The boy nodded slowly and removed the cross-necklace wrapped around his neck. Lucy stared at him blankly, watching him lean over and put the necklace around her neck. When he locks the necklace, Lucy touched the pendant; it was slightly heavy than the normal necklaces she wear during special occasions but the smile on Gray's face made her care less about the weight wrapped around herself. "What's this for?"

"It's... I'm giving it to you. So you're reminded of how special you are to me."

"Pfft. What if you got this from a thrift store?"

"Oi, oi... Some things from thrift stores have sentimental value you know." Gray sat back down on his seat. "But no, I got this when I was young. I'm giving it to you... to say I'm yours."

"You're... mine?" Lucy says. "Is this your way of asking me out?"

"Yes and no." Gray crosses his legs. "I won't ask you out... not yet, but be patient, I'll get there. That necklace just proves that I'm yours. No one else's."

Lucy found herself giggling. "You make me sound clingy and possessive."

"I-I, no!" Gray grew panicked. "T-That's not what I meant. I wanted to relieve you from thinking that I'm friend-zoning you!"

"I know," Lucy beamed, touching the pendant once more. "Thank you."

Gray looked away. "J-Just go to sleep. ANatsu and Erza will be arriving soon."

With another giggle, Lucy closed her eyes and nodded slowly as she goes back down to rest. "You too then, Gray."

Her father must be a sensitive topic to bring up. Before Gray took his nap, he decided that he'd talk to Lucy about her family problems later. As for now, her recovery was his top priority and finding out who did this to her. Although Lucy said it's pointless, Gray couldn't help but think that something bad is going on. He closed his eyes and an image of Juvia standing in front of Lucy's bed and suffocating her appeared on his mind. His eyes opened that instant and furrowed his eyebrows.

"I have a bad feeling about this..." He muttered to himself, glancing at the sleeping Lucy.

A nurse came back in to check Lucy's blood pressure but blushed furiously.

"S-Sir please put some clothes on..."

Gray looked down on himself then jumped, shrieking. "Gah!"

"Gajeel, what's wrong? You've been out of it since yesterday," Levy asked with an empty tray in her hand.

The performer sighed, removing his white hat and putting his guitar on the side. "Sorry babe. I'm just worried about bunnygirl."

"Lucy? She's with Gray; he's watching over her."

"That's not what I meant. Last night, on our way to her house I felt Juvia. She was there during the incident. I think she did something."

Levy frowned. "If Lucy finds out she'd be devastated."

"I know, that's why I'm worried about her. If she finds out that Juvia's behind all of this, she'd be heartbroken. She loves the girl just as much as she loves Gray."

"We need to talk to Juvia and tell Gray about it."

Gajeel nodded. "I was thinking you go ahead to the hospital and tell Gray. I'm going straight to Juvia's. We've been friends since we were children. If it wasn't for her taking me to school, I wouldn't have met you, the most wonderful person in the world. Gihi."

"Who's the most wonderful person in the world?" Levy pretended that she didn't hear the last phrase but failed when she giggled quietly.

"Forget it! I ain't saying anything no more!" Embarrassed, Gajeel stood up from his seat and began walking away from his girlfriend.

"G-Gajeel!" Levy started to laugh in front of the customers. "I'm sorry! I was kidding, come back~!"

"I was thinking of moving to your house so Lucy can live with Gray," Natsu grinned cheekily.

He ended up receiving a punch from Erza. "If she lives with you, I'm selling my house and moving in with you and Gray so Lucy would feel comfortable living with you two."

"Seriously? What are you gonna do with all the money? How about Jellal?"

"So many questions Natsu," Erza waved. "I'm giving the money to Lucy so she can buy things, and I already talked to Jellal about it; he's said it's okay."

"Wow, your boyfriend is so mature..."

"Indeed. Got everything ready?"

Natsu gave a thumb up, wearing a huge backpack with a sleeping bag and three duffels. "Yep. By the way, Lisanna wants to break up with me."

"Again?" This was the fourth time. Even before Lucy had a crush on Natsu, Lisanna and Natsu's relationship was already falling apart.

But this time, Natsu wasn't affected emotionally. Instead, he shrugged, "if she wants to, I can't do anything about it."

"It's... weird, to hear that from you."

"It is?" Natsu blinked. "Mmm... Well I figured she'd leave me eventually. So who cares? I want to be with you, Lucy, and Gray!"

"...Do you know what you're saying Natsu?" Erza felt his forehead. "Are you sick?"

"Uh, yeah?" He slapped her hands away. "What are you trying to say!?"

"Nothing, nevermind. Let's just go," Erza paused. "Wait so the breakup hasn't happened yet?"

"I told her sure." Natsu replied dully. "We're probably not together anymore. I dunno. Meh."

Erza was dumbfounded. She held the urge to facepalm herself hard as she grabbed Natsu's hand. The boy seemed to need more guidance in relationship than she thought.

Juvia threw a knife on the wall. The knife aimed for the picture she had with Lucy and landed on Lucy's forehead.

"Love rival... How dare she survive!?" She screamed. "No! Juvia won't accept this! No! No! No!"

Me: I actually titled the previous chapter referencing Adele's "Set Fire to the Rain" Haha! I actually laughed when I finished the chapter because that song came up and I was like... "what the fak? what a coincidence."

I ALSO HAVE A REQUEST. Guys. I don't want to punish Juvia. In fact, knowing Lucy's personality, she'd try to save her even though all of those stuff happened because they're friends. Yenno? SO. I want to pair hair up with someone. Two options; either Natsu, or Lyon. Vote vote vote!? (But Juvia will only be a side story. The main focus is our beloved Gray and Lucy after all.)

Besides that, thank you guys for leaving reviews! And to the new followers and subscribers. This story is literally my getaway car. I'm going crazy since my finals are coming up and I just finished registering for classes for my fall semester. Why does college have to be so... expensive? See you guys in the next chapter.

TChacha: Oh yes. We'll definitely make everyone kick Juvia's ass. Gihi.
tinygrande: YES. YESYESYES. I set fiiiiire to the raaaain, watch it burn as (Juvia) (kicks) (Lucy's) face. –dead- Thank you for your review and I'd love to clarify your confusion! In your term, yes, Gray and Lucy's relationship stands in the more-than-friends-less-than-lovers at the moment. I'm building on that. Lucy's dad did grow a liking to Gray...or did he?
Rainbowpoptartcat: OMG YOU NAILED IT. I love you! xD