We're back, Baby! God, exams are stressful! Sorry for the long wait! But here I am, and I'm back with a punch.

-GlimmeringTopHat

Lucy's P.O.V

I've not been here for a while. I sigh heavily as I tip back the beer, and tuck my feet under the bar stool. Chattering loudly and bursts of laughter fill the room. I growl under my breath. How can they all be so happy? I look down the bar and see an old man also tipping back a beer as he looks sadly at the ground. I smile. At least I'm not the only one. We catch eye, I raise my glass to him and just with one look, he nods and also raises his glass before passing out.

I look back to my beer and down it. I wipe my lips with the back of my hand.

Sting doesn't deserve me.

A tattooed hand slams itself onto the bar next to me, making my beer jump. I look up at who the hand belongs to. I follow up the purple sleeve which tightens around huge aching muscles, my eyes follow further past big broad shoulder to red eyes. His long black hair tied back into a ponytail, only showing off his triangle tattoos dotted in a curved line under his blood red eyes. That all too familiar smirk still plastered on his face from the last time I saw him. He says in a low and husky voice,

"Will you buy me a drink?"

I smile at him. "Of course…. Bacchus."

Sting's P.O.V

Why couldn't things just be easy?

Why can't I save her?

How can you turn back time?

Will it ever be the same?

Questions. Hanging loose in my head waiting for an answer to meet them. They sit alone, hoping, wishing something will whisper the answer they have been waiting so long to hear. I shove my keys in my pocket as I walk out the door.

I shouldn't have said that.

If I just kept my damn mouth shut.

She doesn't deserve me.

I shut the door behind me.

I'll be what she deserves.

I start searching around town for her.

Lucy's P.O.V

"You look pretty messed up yourself, Lucy." Bacchus laughs as he downs another large glass full of beer. I sip mine.

"Don't start the pity party, please!" I laugh when he grimaces.

"I don't pity you…" He leans in close, his lips brushing against my ear. He whispers. "I only find you more attractive…"

I blush and look past him at the old man. He shakes his head at me. I ignore it. I pull back, smiling.

He doesn't deserve me.

"Wanna get out of here?" I offer my hand to him. Within seconds he takes it.

Sting's P.O.V

Shit…

I walk around Natsu's empty house, muttering to myself.

Where is she?

I hurry along the streets, I look at the sky as it begins to darken and speed up. The street lamps dimly lit as a few couples walk hand in hand home. My eyes soften.

All I want is to be like that again, that's all I want.

I swing into the livest bar. I squeeze my way through the crowds of people, searching for the blonde haired girl. Nowhere. I reach the bar and look along it. I holler over the music and laughter to the barman.

"Have you seen a blonde haired girl? Brown eyes? About so high?" I gesture to her height. The barman rubs the glass and shrug his shoulders. I sigh heavily. I can't loose her. There's a tap on my shoulder, I turn around to face a drunken old man, his eyes struggling to keep focused on me. I raise my eyebrows at him. His raspy slurred voice just makes itself heard over the hysteria in the bar.

"She went off with a guy after a few beers."

My eyes widen, I instantly tense and my fists clench. I let my bangs cover my eyes and then look at him sternly. "What did he look like?"

Lucy's P.O.V

If Sting is aloud to go have fun with some girl, why can't I go have some fun of my own?

I reassure myself that I'm doing the right thing. Bacchus clumisly opens his door, I walk in and the stench of alcohol slaps me in the face. I say sarcastically,

"Nice place."

He looks at me, his red eyes narrow, he grins "You're confident for a dumb girl like you."

I grit my teeth and straighten myself, "I'm not dumb, I'm smart enough to know if a house stinks or not."

He straightens him, his eyes curious. He barks out with laughter and turns to me. "Oh Hunny, any girl who makes the decision to come back with me is dumb. I usually go for the fucked up ones. The ones who are a little messed up in the head." He grins at me. "They're vulnerable that way. Like you are after your precious baby died."

"I fucking hate you!" I yell at him.

He grabs me roughly and pins me against the wall, standing over me and staring at me in intense anger.

He growls in my ear, "I dare you to say that again."

Without a flicker of my eyelashes, twitch of the cheek or a stutter of the lips I tease him, "I fucking hate you..."

He slams his fists either side of me and then drags his hands downwards so they rest on my hips. He kisses my neck, harsh and roughly. He bites down and makes me shiver to my knees. He starts to let his hands roam over my body. I want to enjoy this, he deserves this, but I can't get Sting out of my head. His arms are calling for me. Not Bacchus'.

"Stop... Stop it. I've changed my mind." I mutter, suddenly feeling sick with my original rebound plan. I push pass his shocked face, I grab my purse and jacket and head for the apartment door. Before reaching for the doorknob, I'm shoved back. I land hard on my head and the room spins.

"What the hell was that for?!" I try and shout, but it comes out slurred. He lands on top of me, sunken eyes but filled with intense rage.

"I haven't finished yet." He snarls before ripping my top off exposing my lacy bra. "Dressed for the occasion? Thank you, I shall enjoy." He starts nipping and painfully grabbing my breasts. I call out for him to stop but he doesn't, I reach for my keys but my hand doesn't feel for anything. He must have taken them before. I look in alarm and immediately lash my hand out to his cheek. He stops and I take my chance. I scramble towards the door; a smash of glass hits the floor. The glass spills out before me, and I scream. My cheek stings as he punches me and I land on the hard wooden floor. He pins my hands up above my head, and locks me in by holding me down with his body weight. He leans forward, the stench of alcohol making my eyes water even more.

"Now you've really made me angry."

No. Stop it.

Sting, Sting I need you.

No No

I'm sorry

Forgive me…

The door smashes open, coming off its hinges, splinters of wood fly through the air.

"Get the fuck off her."

Sting's P.O.V

I stand there, breathing heavily, my muscles bulging out. My eyes white with anger, a blinding light surrounding me. My fists curled so tight, veins popping out of my skin, I breathe low and grit my sharp teeth together. I'm by Lucy's side in a split second, I shove Bacchus out the way. He flies back and crashes into the wall. I pull my t-shirt away from me quickly and push it over Lucy's exposed body. I look at her worried for a second.

"Are you hurt?" I look at the red patch on her face. I tense even more, I growl deeply. "I'll kill him…" Before I see red, Lucy gently touches my arm. All anger releases from me. I look down at her in my arms.

"I'm fine, let's go home." And for the first time in a long time, I see the light in her eyes and she smiles a little. Her lips curve up in a small smile and I know in that moment, she isn't faking. The truth, love and devotion suddenly so raw that I forget about Bacchus. I only look at her.

"Okay."

Lucy's P.O.V

I'm alive.

That's all it took. And I'm breathing. And I can feel Sting's breathing under my fingertips, and I can feel his protective touch on me.

I'm alive.

Finally.

For once, I can't feel the pain or grief. I only feel love. Love. He loves me. Oh god, I love him. I love him so much.

I"m alive. I'm not just surviving. I'm living.

Sting carries me back home, we're silent on the way but I can tell both are minds are running races with thoughts and emotions. I can see it when he glances down at me, to check I'm still there.

We reach the house, and he opens the door, he brushes it open still carrying me. He holds me close to him. I smile softly again, listening to both his heartbeat and mine. He places me down on the couch and sits across from me on a footstool. He looks at me.

This is it.

It's time.

Sting's P.O.V

The guilt. The lies. The pain. It's time for it to come to an end.

"Lucy… The girl… Her name is…"

…..

Woah, woah, woah, woah! I'm not going to let you know just yet! I couldn't be that nice to you all! Oh dear, you'll have to wait until the next chapter. Next time: Sting comes clean, but the truth is nothing Lucy ever expected. Will they grow apart after finally moving on? Or will the news only bring them closer together in something much bigger than they ever thought? Find out in: Truth.

I just wanted to also thank everyone who has still supported this story and stuck with me! I'm really sorry for the long wait, but like I say, I won't ever abandon this story. So thank you to every reader, new or old, you make my day!

Hoping you are all well and keep reviewing and reading,

Thank you!

-GlimmeringTophat