|Welcome to another chapter! I hope the last one was good!

As always, Fairy Tail belongs to Hiro-Mashima

Chapter 14: Healing. |

Lucy awoke the next morning from the sound of raindrops hitting the guild roof. She blinked a few times trying to get rid of the burning sensation from the cool air hitting her tired eyes, addition to a much needed stretch her body was aching for.

The beds in the infirmary weren't as comfortable as her bed from home, the same bed she would find a certain Dragon Boy sleeping in without permission which would lead to the yelling and Lucy kicking, that some neighbor would later complain about. Even after almost two years, Lucy still wasn't over him breaking into her house and using all her stuff, but at least Natsu didn't invade her writing material, either because he couldn't read it or because he didn't find it very interesting.

Lucy sat up and rubbed her templet from the still annoying headache she had. "Probably from all that crying." Lucy half-smiled to herself, thinking back to the night before. It was a little over whelming for her.

There were a few questions being asked last night by her guildmates but fortunately, Porlyusica saved her from having to deal with them as she made the excuse that Lucy needed her rest, even though it was true, Lucy needing rest, it was still a big relief.

Lucy sat up a bit in the infirmary bed and looked towards the storm that was unraveling outside, the window had little raindrops racing each other down, a game her and Natsu would occasionally play when they were bored. Natsu would always try and tap on the glass so his would go down faster, which to him "surprisingly" didn't work and he would get frustrated and forfeit and choose a new drop.

"Speaking of Natsu…" Lucy turned away from the window, she quickly went to rub her eyes so they would readjust to the room lighting.

Once her eyes where back to normal, Lucy found the room empty. It made her feel a little sad and lonely but she remembered that Porlyusica made them all leave.

"Morning Lu." Levy walked in with a reassuring smile on her face while carrying a small tray laid out with a bowl of oatmeal and a cup of hot tea. "How did you sleep?" She placed the tray next to Lucy's bed and pulled up a chair.

Lucy gave Levy a small smile. "I slept alright." She wasn't ready to talk about what happened but she generally meant her gesture for seeing her bluenette bestie again.

Levy sat on the side of the bed and took Lucy's hand in hers. "Lucy… I know you probably don't want to talk about what happened right now but, are you feeling any better since yesterday? I mean rest wise, of course." Levy had a concerned look upon her face, and her grip got a little tighter when asking.

Levy loved Lucy like a sister. Every Saturday they would go to the bookstore together and just browse for hours. They would share their old favorite books they found and give each other recommendations for their next reads. Sometimes they would buy the same book, read it within the day and later discuss their impute on what they liked and disliked within the book.

The two of them would go shopping very often with each other, usually accompanied by Wendy and Erza. Afterwards they would all go to a small café and have lunch together and talk about old memories, or the recent missions they have gone on. Levy was the one who would always bring up boys in the end, but the minute they turned on her she got all embarrassed and flushed. Which would lead all them to end in giggles.

Lucy looked up at her concerned friend with a small smile upon her cold, blue-ish lips. "I'm doing a little better, but I need some more rest. Thank you for your concern though, also for bringing me some breakfast. I am feeling quite hungry this morning, surprisingly."

Levy nodded with a smile and released the blonde's slightly cold hands. "You feel kind of cold, would you like another blanket?"

Lucy nodded in response but sat up so she could eat the meal that she assumed Mira had made for her. Levy stood up from the infirmary bed and grabbed another blanket from the shelf just above the nightstand. She unfolded the blanket and laid it across Lucy's legs up towards her middle torso, tucking it in a little to make sure Lucy keeps the heat in.

"Thank you Levy. I already feel warmer." Lucy smiled and began to dig into her meal. She couldn't help the small moan that escaped her lips from the sweetness the oatmeal gave her tongue. She hadn't eaten in almost two days so she didn't hesitate to finish the whole bowl.

She cleaned her face with a napkin and wash down the food with the cup of tea. After finishing her drink, she nuzzled her way back down in the bed. Levy had been reading a book during the time Lucy was binge eating. "Um… Hey Levy?" Lucy finally spoke, looking across her shoulder to her blunette friend.

"Yes Lucy?" Levy responded, looking up from her book.

Lucy started to fiddle with her thumbs a little nervously and began to chew on her lip. "Do you think, if it's possible and not too much trouble… could you could bring me some books from my house? Preferably the two that are on my nightstand?"

Levy had a little shocked look on her face, and then quickly made a smile. "Of course! No need to worry I'll bring them over right away!"

Lucy smiled with gratitude. "Thank you!"

Levy gave her a thumbs up in return and headed out the door. "Anything else you need while I'm out?"

Lucy shook her head and put her hands up. "No just the books will be okay."

Levy nodded for the last time and left Lucy alone with her thoughts.

The room fell silent, the only thing that could be heard was the muffled raindrops hitting the wooden roof, and the faint howls of thunder in the distance.

It was calming to Lucy, being able to hear the outside world again. Even though it was only two days, it felt like a lifetime she was stuck in that hell-hole. She took in a deep breath and looked towards the window. Out of nowhere she suddenly felt very vulnerable and scared. Like if Alex was right next to her.

Her heart started to beat rapidly, her lungs felt tight so she started hyperventilating. She couldn't help it and jumped out of the bed and slammed open the door into the upstairs hallway of the guild. She could barely walk from the pain and exhausted but she didn't want to be alone right now.

To her luck, of all people. Natsu turned the corner and stopped mid step and looked Lucy in the eyes.

"Lucy!?" Natsu sprinted across the room the minute he smelled the tears starting to build up in her brown eyes. "Are you okay!? Do you need Wendy!?" He placed his hands on her upper arms and gripped slightly, but not enough to hurt her.

Lucy looked up at her worried friend and a single tear escaped her puffy eyes. "I just didn't want to be alone, I'm sorry…" she gripped onto the hem of her night top, embarrassed because she may have overreacted.

Natsu made a sign of relief and smiled down at her. "No, I understand. I was actually just coming to see you. I saw Levy leave so I thought you might want some company. Hope you don't mind."

Lucy looked up at Natsu. "I don't mind at all, it would mean a lot if you stayed with me for a little while." She wiped the tear away from her cheek and gave a small grin.

Natsu gave her his signature grin and a shoulder to lean on as he could tell she was feeling a little weak from the way she leaned into his grip. Lucy obliged and allowed herself to lean for support.

Once they reached the infirmary, Natsu helped Lucy back into bed and pulled the sheets over her noticeably cold body. "Hey Lucy, are you feeling okay? You feel cold, even to me. Like if ice princess blasted you with ice or something." Natsu pulled up a chair and sat next to the bed and looked her in the eyes with concern.

Lucy looked back at him and then looked away with a frown. "I do feel unusually cold but nothing that should be of concern. I think I have fallen a little ill from the trip home that's all."

Natsu frowned and placed his warm hand on her forehead. "I can warm you up in no time at all!" He smiled and started to heat up his palm, enough to send shivers down her body from the unexpected warmth she received.

She smiled up at him in thanks, while pulling her blankets up towards her chin. "Thank you, Natsu." Lucy yawned and started to close her eyes. Waiting for sleep to take over.

Natsu took as a signal to leave her in peace so he removed his hand from her forehead and stood up from his chair. However, halfway through the standing, Lucy grabbed his hand. She opened her eyes just a little and looked him in the eyes. He looked a little shocked.

"Yeah? What's up?" Natsu sat back down and pushed his chair more towards the bed. He slightly tightened the grip between the two of them.

Lucy looked away from him in embarrassment, she tightened her grip as well. "Could you maybe stay… I don't want to be alone, even if I'm asleep… If you don't mind?"

Natsu looked down on her and nodded. "Yeah of course. I'll stay as long as you want, okay?"

"Okay." Lucy nodded and started to shut her eyes again. It wasn't long before she fell into another deep slumber.

Natsu smiled and sat back in his chair, he watched over her as she slept peacefully.

Their hands never separated.

Mira was cleaning mugs behind the guild bar as master sat on top of the counter and sipped his beer.

Gray walked over and sat on a stool by Makarov. "Master, what should we do about this situation. We can't allow this Alex guy get away with what he did." He couldn't help the venom that went with the name Alex. Gray was beyond pissed about what happened. Seeing Lucy, the way he did turned his stomach inside out, he wanted to rip heads off at that moment. In fact, he still wants to rip somebody's head off. Preferably Alex.

Makarov took in a deep breath and placed his mug next to him. "I know Gray, we all want justice for our Dear Lucy. He clearly wanted something from her if he kept her alive. He'll come back, and this time we'll be ready. Until then, you wait, patiently. Understood?"

Gray scoffed and looked in the other direction. "Yeah alright…" He took a swig of his drink and left the bar and headed for the infirmary.

He stopped midway up the stairs and turned towards Makarov. "Until that time comes, I'm going to stay by her side twenty-four seven. I'm not going to let Alex get the upper hand." Before Makarov could reply, Gray left the main hall.

Gray knocked softly on the infirmary door, he waited a moment before the door creaked open. A pair of onyx eyes peered into his dark blue eyes.

"Hey Natsu. Is it okay to come in?" Gray said in a low whisper.

Natsu nodded and opened the door a little more for Gray to get through.

Once inside Gray instantly looked towards Lucy who laid asleep. "How long has she been asleep?" He walked over and stood over the bed, peering down on his friend with a concerned frown.

Natsu shortly walked up behind and looked down as well and then back up towards Gray. "For about an hour now."

"So she was awake a little bit ago?" Gray looked towards Natsu with a small look of shock upon his face.

Natsu frowned and closed his eyes. "Yeah… Levy had left the infirmary so I thought maybe she would like some company but when I reached the second floor, Lucy was rushing down the hallway like she had just seen a ghost. She looked so scared."

"I don't think it's best to leave her alone anymore. Not until we finally take down Alex anyway. She's too vulnerable and obviously, she doesn't feel safe even if we're all just a room away." Gray claimed.

Natsu frowned. "Definitely, we need to protect her from this guy and anyone else who tries to hurt her." The two exchanged glances.

Lucy started to stir and began to open her eyes. "Natsu? Grey?" She rubbed her eyes and sat up a little.

"That's us" Natsu smiled and sat on the edge of the bed. "Are you feeling any better?"

Lucy yawned and stretched her arms above her head. "I really need to get up and walk around, it's starting to hurt from laying here all day." She pulled the covers off her legs and sat at the edge of the bed as Gray stood in front of her.

"Let us help you then, you're still physically weak right now." Gray said as he gave her his arm for support. Natsu quickly made his way around the bed and gave her a hand as well.

Lucy couldn't exactly stand up straight which made her loose balance easily. She felt bad for having to use her friends for support but she knew they didn't mind. "Could you take me down to the guildhall? It would be nice to see everybody."

Natsu looked up at Gray and they both gave a nod and smiled. "Of course!" Natsu replied. Lucy smiled and started to walk again, of course the two boys helping her.

They finally reached the top of the steps and Lucy hesitated, she felt dizzy looking down at the ground like that. Natsu could feel her start to hesitate so he gripped a little titter to tell her that he was there, as well as Gray.

The whole guild went quiet when they saw Lucy. Makarov stood from where he was sitting. "Lucy?" He finally spoke.

Lucy looked up towards her friends and then back down at the guild, she whispered an okay. The two took it as a sign of she was ready so they started to lead the way. Step by Step they took, the guild baring eyes at them.

Erza stood at the bottom of the stairs ready just in case someone slipped. She did however, have a smile on her face from seeing Lucy up and about, trying to walk around. It was a good sign that she was getting better.

Lucy finally made it to the bottom, she did have an almost fall a few times from a little bit of balance loss but The Boys caught her in time. She smiled up at them and then turned to Erza. "Hey Erza. I'm glad to see that you're okay. As well as you Jellal." She turned towards Jellal who was sitting nearby, he gave her a smile out of gratitude for taking his safety into consideration.

Erza quickly stood before Lucy and opened her arms, Gray loosened his grip on Lucy and allowed Erza to take over. Erza obliged and took the arm Gray had held onto, Natsu still holding on tight.

They made their way through the guild towards the bar stools. Erza quickly helped Lucy up onto the chair while Natsu took a seat next to her. He pushed his chair a little closer to her though, nobody really noticed.

Mira walked over and leaned down onto her elbows in front of Lucy. "Would you like anything to eat? I made some fresh smoothies a minute ago. Would you like one?" Mira closed her eyes and smiled a sweet one.

"I would love one, Thank you." Lucy smiled.

Mira was about to walk towards the back kitchen before she heard Lucy begin to speak again. "Could I maybe get a sandwich to? I'm feeling really hungry again." She smiled embarrassingly and scratched her arms nervously.

Mira nodded. "Of course. Coming right up!" She left the bar and went to the back kitchen to fulfill the order she was given.

Makarov then spoke. "So Lucy, have you rested enough? Seeing you walk around and have an appetite is a good sign."

Lucy looked towards The Master. "Yeah, physically, I'm doing a lot better." Lucy choked back on the physically part. Everyone surrounding her heard it as well. They all frowned and Erza laid a comforting hand on Lucy's shoulder.

"We're all here Lucy. You won't be alone like that ever again, understand me?" Natsu spoke with such Pride and reassurance it almost sent shivers down Lucy's spine.

Sometime had passed, Lucy had finished her meal and decided to sit at one of the booths nearby. Of course, Natsu and Gray are sitting next to her as well as Erza sitting across.

Levy had made it back a little bit ago and handed the books Lucy requested. Lucy thanked her bluenette friend and placed the books in front of her on the table. She was about to look away until something hanging out from one of the books caught her eye. "What's this?" Lucy pointed.

Levy turned and leaned up against the back of the bench to see what Lucy was talking about. "I thought that was a bookmark?"

Lucy turned her head back and looked at Levy. "I haven't even started this book yet." She started to tense up but she grabbed the piece of paper from the tan pages of the book.

Natsu got in a little closer so he could see what it read once she opened it.

Lucy slowly unfolded the paper and she almost went into shock when she read the big words painted in red. It looked like blood so she started to shake almost violently.

Those around her nearly jumped from their seats, Gray grabbed a corner of the paper and nearly ripped it from the force that was behind the grab.

The heat radiating off Natsu was like an oven that sweat stared to drip from his guildmates foreheads. The grinding of his teeth from anger gave everyone goosebumps as they could tell without even looking at him. That he had the face of someone who looked about ready to kill.

The note said, in blood.

"I'm always here. -Alex"

|AHHHHHHH IT'S BEEN 4 ALMOST 5 MONTHS I'M SORRRRYYYYYY

Seriously though I had totally forgotten about the story until I looked through my documents and had an "Oh shit" moment. I have had a few reviews/messages demanding a new chapter and I felt horrible about leaving you guys like that.

Honestly I really am sorry!

I'll try posting a new longer chapter within the next week or two. PROMISE. Thank you all though, seeing you wanting more made me really happy and give me that writer's boost I needed.

I hope you enjoyed this chapter, as always, reviews are welcomed and don't be afraid to send me ideas, It honestly helps a lot sometimes!

Cya soon my doods!|