Author's Note: I know, I know...I said I wouldn't post another chapter but...I really didn't like how it was left off last chapter. So it will be another double chapter day and by next Saturday I hope to post again. I will be having training and hopefully during my spare time, since my internet is limited, it will give me a chance to finish typing up the rest of the rough draft of my multi-chapter story I have been writing.

I hope you all are excited to continue reading this because I know I have been writing it! Please, please keep reviewing and reading! It really does make a difference in my day! I love reading your reviews and I love seeing how you all are excited for the next chapter! It really does make me smile! Just know I really am the luckiest girl in the world to have the best reviewers!

So without further adu! The song for this chapter is "Try" by P!NK. I think you all will get the feeling of this chapter when you hear lyrics of the song and read this chapter! So give it a listen as you read! Enjoy guys!

Doesn't Mean You Are Gonna Die

~Chapter Twenty-One~

Lucy climbed the front steps until they got in the house. The atmosphere was so similar to that from over a year ago. She announced their arrival as she caught the glimpse of the majority of the visitors huddled in her kitchen. Lucy took note of the familiar faces. Among them were Igneel, her own father Jude, their lawyers, Laxas, and Natsu; whom hadn't changed out of his work clothes. He spotted her lingering in the entrance with their sleepy daughter clinging to her.

"Papa...!" Luna smiled brightly as she cried out for her favorite person, reaching her arms out.

"Hey Princess..." he said gently taking her into his arms and giving Lucy a quick kiss while avoiding her questioning gaze.

"Papa, pwayed wif Strom! Weave had fun!" she giggled.

"Did you now? Did you beat him up and win?" he chuckled.

"Yup!" the toddler gleefully exclaimed.

"That's my girl." he cuddled her affectionately. A clearing throat behind the duo brought Natsu back to the situation at hand, "Um Lucy, why don't you take Luna up and I'll bring her, her snack?" he placed Luna back with his fiancé. Lucy gave him a hard look, but decided to play along for the moment.

"Sure honey." Lucy took to the stairs and entered Luna's room. Confusion and foreboding filled Lucy as she had nothing but a bad feeling about the whole situation. She didn't let it show and she put Luna in a playpen and got her settled. Happy had joined them once he sensed their return home and hopped over the pen to cuddle with a happy Luna and her dragon plush. Lucy sat and watch her daughter and the cat play until they were interrupted by a knock at the door. Both Jude and Natsu entered.

"Gramps!" Luna called out excitedly to Lucy's father.

"There is my peanut!" he came in with her snack and sat by the pen.

"Hey Dad, you here too?" Lucy asked suspiciously.

"Um...for good reason." He smiled and kept the tone light. Lucy felt Natsu's hand on her shoulder as he nodded his head towards the exit.

"Okay Princess, you be good for Grandpa." Natsu waved to the pair as the couple exited the toddler's room. Once the door was closed they stood in the hallway. Lucy stopped following Natsu down it and glared at the salmon hair colored man.

"Alright, out with it Natsu. What exactly is going on here?" she spoke seriously.

"We...got a big problem." his tone matched her.

"What is...did something happen?" concern blossomed all over Lucy as she realized there could be only a few things to bring them all together like this again and evoke this kind of seriousness from her fiancé.

"Yeah, you could say something like that. Do you want to hear it from me or from everyone downstairs?" he gave her the option.

"Give me an idea of what I am about to walk into?" Lucy steeled herself.

"There has been another incident at the school and they need our help. We got the appeal to help build the case again." Natsu spoke without batting an eye. He watched as Lucy stood frozen. His hands reached out and steadied her as she looked ready to topple over, "Easy Lucy, breathe." he made her look at him and helped her with her breathing technique. When Lucy began to refocus on reality and Natsu was sure she had calmed down, he led her back downstairs where everyone was waiting. The others were sitting at the table waiting. Natsu's hand was on the small of her back as he helped her to their seats. Igneel cleared his throat and looked to his children.

"So, what has my son said to you?" he asked.

"We have a case." Lucy spoke formally.

"Essentially yes." the lawyer replied.

"Does anyone want to go first explaining what is happening?" Lucy licked her lips nervously and prepared herself. Laxus, whom was leaning up against the wall, took a step forward.

"We got the call at the precinct this morning. According to the SVU in the capital, it was the same situation you and the flame-you and your fiancé experienced; but there is more." Laxus spoke.

"Similar how?" Lucy looked at the group and judging by their faces they were a little uneasy to disclose it.

"The situation happened at the same fraternity and sorority houses. There was a problem that gives us what we need to start up another case." Laxus took a seat.

"What do you mean?" Natsu finally spoke as this wasn't explained to him.

"The drugs they administered to the girl had a bad reaction with her body."

"How bad?" Lucy furrowed her eyebrows in concern.

"Bad enough to where she is hospitalized." Igneel replied and a blanket of quiet filled the kitchen. Natsu felt Lucy lean into his side beside him.

"Bad enough that there is another investigation and due to this, an appeal has been granted to your case on the condition it be added to the current one." the lawyer added. Natsu felt Lucy stiffen and sat up straight.

"No." she gave an affirmative tone.

"Now wait Luce-"

"No Natsu! You said we did all we could and we lost! We did the right thing and look what it did to our family? I am not going to subject us to that again!" she glared hard at him.

"Now Miss. Heartfilia-"

"My answer is no. Is there anything else about this case you need to inform me about?" she narrowed her gaze at them all.

"Lucy it is important that you consider all the options." Her lawyer pressed.

"I did consider the options and my answer is final." she stood up, "I have been through hell, been humiliated, and will NOT subject my daughter or my love life to this farce only to not only go through all this again but to get the same result!" she yelled at the tense room. Natsu reached out a gentle hand to steady her, but Lucy took a step back from them.

"It sounds like you have a solid case without us being involved. Just let this go. Now if you don't mind, I need a shower and out of my work clothes. Tell Mira I said 'hello' and please show yourselves out." she said turning on her heel and stormed upstairs and not caring about if her outburst effected anyone or not.

Lucy took her time in the bath and did her best to wrap her mind around the situation. Everything was so conflicted. For almost two years, her and her family underwent some drastic, heartbreaking changes. They had just finally put the past behind them and began to move forward with their lives. The video is still viral and there is still people who keep posting comments about it. But she is so far above it now and just moving on with her life. She had a pen allies name for her writing career and she lived in a place where she was part of a community who doesn't care about their past. And now, that same past has come waltzing back and demanding to steal that happiness that they worked so hard to reclaim.

Lucy changed into comfortable clothes and headed to Luna's room. She found her lightly sleeping with Natsu standing over her crib and watching their daughter sleep. Hearing the door open, Natsu didn't bother turning around as he felt Lucy step in and beside him. They stood side by side in the twilight looking down at their napping child.

"I don't blame you." Natsu whispered breaking the silence.

"You should. I'm being selfish." Lucy didn't advert her gaze.

"No one has any room to talk and you are right; we did all we were supposed to do. We filed the charges, took it to court, and got our verdict. We hold no more obligations to see this through anymore." Natsu turned and faced her.

"There is a 'but' I'm waiting to hear Natsu." Lucy eyed him.

"Heh, you know I don't have any other motivation . But before you make your final decision can you do me one thing?"

"Depends."

"Just trust me." he flashed her that smile he knew she couldn't resist.

~Next Day~

Lucy felt the anger bubble up within her chest as she realized where Natsu had dragged her to. He didn't say where exactly they would be going, but only to trust him. The lawyer and Igneel had joined them on this little 'trip' while Luna was held in Lucy's arms as they found themselves standing outside the entrance of the main hospital in the capital. She narrowed her eyes at the nervously laughing Natsu.

"So...um...shall we Luce?" he gulped.

"You. owe. me." was all she could seethe out.

"Just bear with me on this. You promised to give me your decision after today and that you trust me, remember?" Natsu reasoned.

"Whatever game you are playing, you better have a good reason."

"Momma mad?" Luna chirped concerned as she looked between parents.

"No sweetie, Momma just being cranky." she put on a smile and switched Luna to her other hip to get a better grip on holding her. The lawyer and Igneel exited the building and came up to the small family.

"You can go in Natsu. The room is 485 and they are expecting you now." Igneel spoke. Natsu gave a nod and led Luna and Lucy towards inside. After a short elevator ride and making their way through the labyrinth of hallways until they reached their destination of room 485. A young man with spiky blond hair and crystal blue eyes was hunched over in his chair outside of the room looking into his folded up hands in his lap with a look of ashen dread on his expression.

"Um, are you Sting?" Natsu asked as they approached. The young man sat up and faced the three that were looking at him. Luna laid her head on Lucy's shoulder as Natsu's arm wrapped around her shoulder.

"Yeah...you Natsu and Lucy?" he sniffled rubbing his palms on his jeans and stood up. He held out his hand to shake. Natsu shook it with his free hand.

"Yep that is us. So is she inside? They said she could have visitors now." Natsu asked and Sting gave a nod.

Lucy and Natsu exchanged looks, "Lucy, go on ahead. I'm gonna sit out here with Sting for a bit. Take Luna with you." he kissed her cheek.

"Alright." Lucy offered a sympathetic smile.

"Momma, where going?" Luna asked sweetly.

"We are at the hospital to visit people." she smiled at her curious daughter as they entered the room. They came to the sight of a girl looking a little younger than Lucy. She had short, white hair and eyes the same shade as Lucy and Luna. She had the blankets wrapped around her with IVs connected to her arms and the monitor beeping to signal she was alive.

"Momma what wrong wif her?" Luna asked innocently.

"She is probably feeling sick. Remember, you learned that people who aren't feeling good go to hospitals." Lucy told her. They took a seat by the resting girl's side. Luna peered curiously at her.

"Why you no fweel good?" she asked.

"I-I just got hurt." the girl sniffled.

"Sowwie." came Luna's sympathetic reply. Lucy adjusted the toddler on her lap and she cuddled into her mother.

"She is beautiful." the girl offered a weak smile in what Lucy could guess was the first time in quite a while.

"Yes she is. She is one of the most cherished gifts I was given. No matter how I got her, I love her with all that I am and regret nothing." Lucy gave Luna a gentle squeeze to illustrate her point.

"So are you really Lucy Heartfilia? The girl that-that was from last year?" the girl asked carefully.

"Yeah, the one and only. And who might you be?" she smiled warmly as the girl was starting to become more comfortable with them being there.

"Y-Yukino. I just started this year in joining the sorority you were from...I am a sophomore..." Yukino replied.

"I'm sorry that this happened to you." Lucy softly spoke with regret laced in her tone.

"I was so excited to be accepted and pass pledge week and be invited in. My boyfriend and I met freshmen year and he got into the most popular fraternities on campus. We were really happy." she smiled sadly.

"Do you know who planned this?" Lucy asked.

"N-No..."

"So how did you end up in here?"

"They drugged me and that drug gave me a bad reaction. I seizure and was vomiting when I really came to. I was in here and they were telling what Sting had done."

"Is Sting the guy outside the door?" Lucy glanced at the closed door and the somewhat pulled down shades of the glass windows. She did get a glimpse of Natsu with his hand on Sting's shoulder as the man was hunched back over looking at his trembling hands; as they seemed to be having just as an intense conversation about, more than likely, the same one they were engaged in. Lucy turned her attention back to Yukino who gave a small nod to confirm.

"He look sad too." Luna piped up and both women looked at the small girl, "Momma, why sad?"

"Bad people hurt them like they hurt Momma and Papa." Lucy explained gently. Luna looked to Yukino again.

"Sowwie." she reached her arms for Yukino to take her. Yukino looked to Lucy and Lucy gave a gently nod in return for the 'go ahead'. Yukino sat herself up in bed against the pillows and Lucy placed Luna in the bed. The anxious toddler crawled into Yukino's lap and wrapped her tiny arms around the stranger to convey how sorry she felt.

"How are you 'okay' with all this?" Yukino whispered as she pet the small child's hair and rocked her gently.

"I am not. I still suffer every day, but I have a great support system that is known as Natsu that keeps me on track." Lucy softly giggled.

"My life is over..." Yukino looked away at the open window to the city skyline.

"What makes you say that?" Lucy folded her arms. Something about how Yukino said those words she, herself, had said not even a year ago had went off in her mind.

"If someone as strong as you are still affected by all this, then...the my life won't get any better. Maybe it is better if I never show my face anymore..." Yukino's voice waivered as she was lost in her own thoughts she had been experiencing the past few days. Lucy reached out and took Yukino's free hand into her own.

"It feels like it is over, but this will pass." she spoke the same words she had heard countless times from both Natsu and Igneel and for the first time, truly not only understood it, but felt it.

"No it won't. This will be with me for the rest of my life. Sting will break up with me. I'll be alone and everyone will see my video too..." she sniffled. Luna squeezed her arms a little tighter as she rested her head against her chest.

"Don't cwy Yu-chan. We fwiends." Luna tried to wipe her tears.

"Oh sweetie..." Yukino sniffled harder.

"She is right. We are friends and you aren't alone. We will help you through this."

"You will? Why?" Yukino looked at Lucy surprised. Lucy's gaze softened as she could see herself, but a year ago, like this.

"Because you aren't alone and I wouldn't be here today without all the help I received. It's time for me to pay it forward." Lucy squeezed the free hand reassuringly.

"L-Lucy..."

"How long have you and Sting been dating?"

"S-Since the start of fr-freshmen year."

"That is quite a long time. I think he is worried about you. Have you let him in to see you?"

"N-No...I don't want him to see me like this..."

"Okay, well you want my advice on how to get back to being 'okay' right?" Lucy asked to which Yukino nodded. "Start letting people in to help you; starting with Sting. You aren't the only victim here. And Sting...he looks a mess to be honest." Lucy's tone was still warm but now firm.

"B-But how can I..."

"By healing each other and realizing it is no one's fault, but rather the people who put you in that position. In order to survive this, you will have to be able to learn to lean on one another for support. Once you both heal the other, then everything will begin to fall into place. You have a support system that will be with you through every step of the way." Yukino looked from Lucy to Luna as she debated Lucy's words and the weight they carried.

"How did you survive it all...?"

'It wasn't easy, but Natsu was the fire under my ass. He has a wonderful Father that helped us too and eventually my Father came around. But Luna helped a lot too. Kept everything in perspective for us." Lucy smirked.

"I did?" Luna asked.

"Yes sweetheart." Lucy brushed her daughter's hair back out of her face and smiled warmly. There was a knock at the door as Natsu stepped in.

"Hey guys, hate to cut this short, but visiting hours are almost over." he grinned good naturally.

"Papa!" Luna turned and raised her arms for her father to claim her. He walked over and picked her up from the bed as Lucy stood by his side.

"Um Lucy..." Yukino asked.

"Hmm?"

"Thank you...you helped more than you know." She blushed bashfully. Lucy leaned over the bed railing and gave the girl a hug.

"I think I got an idea. Just remember what I said." she pulled back and took her spot back by Natsu's side.

"Oh um...one more thing...can you send Sting in?" Natsu's grin only widened into a split.

"Sure thing!" he held Luna by his one side and the small of Lucy's back with the other. He led them back out as Sting took their place. Through the hallways and elevator ride the calm atmosphere enveloped the family. "Lucy?" Natsu finally broke the silence as they made their way toward the exit.

"We are going after them. We aren't going to let them get away with this; not this time." she spoke coldly, but more determined than he had seen her in a long time.

Natsu blinked a moment and then his crazy smile reemerged, "I'm all fired up."