They didn't know how much time had gone by when they felt themselves being shaken. "Erza!, Jellal!" "Hey, can you guys hear me!, say something" Erza and Jellal weakly opened their eyes to see Gray and Gajeel with worried expressions on their faces. "What the hell happened?, you two look like shit" said Gajeel. "La..Layla" Jellal said weakly. "She's not here, wasn't she supposed to be with you guys." said Gray. "Sshe..she was taken." said Erza. "WHAT?!" exclaimed Gray and Gajeel. "Who took her!" "Who do you think?" Jellal answered coldly. "What do you want us to do?" asked Gajeel. They looked at Erza whose face was guilt written. Jellal taking the lead said "gather some of the group and start a city wide search. Look everywhere, I don't care how small of a place it is." The two of them nodded as Gray said "let's get the two of you home first" as he started to help Erza who pushed him away. "No!, don't worry about us, go find her" she yelled sounding so ashamed it killed them inside. "We have to get you guys healed first. You aren't going to do Layla any good with how you are now." said Gajeel. Erza opened her mouth to protest when she looked at Jellal who gave her a look telling her to please stand down. She felt useless as she pounded her fist into the ground.
"Erza, stop" said Gray kindly grabbing her hand. "Hurting yourself more, it won't do any good. Come on let's get you home..please" She nodded as he put her arm over his shoulders and started walking slowly to the car. Both Jellal and Erza uncontrollably groaned as they walked. "Did you guys walk here?" asked Gajeel who had Jellal's arm over his shoulders. They nodded as Gray and Gajeel gave each other a heads up as they continued. Getting to the car made everything scream at them as they took a seat in the back. "I should call Wendy" said Gray but before he could pull his phone out, Erza grabbed his hand. "Ppleasse Gray..just get us home" she pleaded as he looked at her with a sad expression hearing her voice. Giving a look towards Gajeel, he started the car and drove to their house. Once they got there, they very carefully got themselves out as Gray and Gajeel helped them inside and onto their couch.
"Alright now we're home. Go start searching" ordered Erza. "What Gray!" she snapped infuriated seeing he wanted to say something. Jellal and Gajeel looked at him wondering what he would say right then. "Natsu" he said candid. "He's going to lose it when he finds out." "You don't think I know that!. The whole reason he joined us was because we guaranteed the safety of the two people he loves most on this planet. FUCK!" Erza screamed. "Should we tell them now?" asked Gray. "NO" she answered directly "They are coming home tomorrow, let them have one last night of happiness before hell comes slamming down on their heads." "Erza, honey" Jellal said putting his hands on her shoulders. "This isn't your fault. Natsu wo" "No Jellal" she said flatly cutting him off. "I may have gotten Natsu to work on getting his anger under control for other things and around people. But for those two..no Natsu is going to kill us" "You two tried to save her, it's not like you went and did nothing. "
Shaking her head, she grabbed her shoulder for comfort as she quietly said "it doesn't matter..whether we did something or not. She is gone and neither him nor Lucy will accept that." They could see the guilt and shame written all over her face as she put her head down refusing to look at them. "Gray, Gajeel..just start somewhere. Hell check her house. Report back here later" he ordered. "You got it" said Gajeel as they both gave a last glance at Erza as they left. Putting her head in her hands, she couldn't help but cry as Jellal took her and wrapped his arms around her so she could lay her head against his chest. "Erza" he said softly. "She was screaming Jellal..Layla..she begged us to help her aaaand wee" frustrated she buried her face into him. Rubbing her head, he comfortingly told her "We will find her Erza. Rest assured" but she was crying too much to have any words to say. "Come on" he peacefully urged sitting her up. "I'm going to get us some bandages ..ahh" he groaned slightly as he got up from the couch and limped over to his room and into the bathroom where he pulled out a first aid kit and walked back over.
As he began to wrap her arm, she very quietly said "do you think..Natsu will forgive us?" Sighing he said "yes..he's going to be very angry, there's no stopping that but I know when he can think clearly that yes he will forgive us." "What about Lucy.?..hmm you know her better then I do." "Lucy, she ...will be alright in time" "You don't sound confident that she will forgive us" "She will..Just this siuation will affect her worse than Natsu" Erza gave him a very skeptical, sad look. "We just need to do everything we can and get their daughter back which we will do." He said with some positivity. "I wish that optimism helped right now" said Erza. They sat there for a few hours until Gray and Gajeel came back late that night. "Anything?" asked Jellal hoping for any kind of clue. "Not a damn thing. This woman, she knows how to get away unseen. We charged her house. There wasn't a single trace of the kid or her." said Gajeel regretfully. "Shit" snapped Jellal quietly. "What else do you want us to do?" Gray asked bluntly ready to do whatever was necessary to rescue Layla. That little girl meant a lot to him. He had helped Lucy with her when she was a tiny baby. He would kill anyone he needed too if need be to find her. "There's nothing more we can until Natsu get's home..Much as I hate to say it, she's his mother and no one would know her better then he would."
He was absolutely exhausted, they both were and Gray and Gajeel knew it. "You guys should get some rest" suggested Gray. "Your right, come tomorrow morning. we''ll have an outraged Natsu..but I don't think I'm moving from the couch" Erza groaned in agreement as they both lifted their feet up to put on the couch as Erza laid down and put her head on his stomach and he rested his head on top of her head rubbing it. "You guys know where the spare room is" said Erza as the guys walked in. There was a small couch and bed as they both took one and let sleep surround them. Erza and Jellal woke up the next morning more sore than the night before. "I'm ggguessing, ah,ahhhh they aren't here..yet" Erza said through grunts of pain. "Nope" answered Gray as him and Gajeel stepped out of the bedroom. "Since there is no screaming yet, yeah it's safe to bet they aren't here yet" said Gajeel trying to lighten the mood.
Unfortunately his efforts were in vain as no one felt like laughing or trying to be amused. "Jeeze, trying to lighten things up." "Sorry Gajeel but I don't think any of us are going to be in any mood for laughing for a while." Everyone was looking down not saying anything when heard a car pull up. "Oh no" everyone thought dreadfully. Natsu and Lucy came walking through the door happy as can be. Lucy got a little tan with how much time she spent in the sun. Natsu looked dark and toned up while he had worked out some there. They looked around and instantly felt a mood shift as Natsu slowly closed the door. "Guyssss, what's going on?" Natsu asked uncertain. "Did something happen?" asked Lucy. They waited for someone to answer as Jellal and Erza rose off the couch slowly and turned towards them making Natsu and Lucy's faces go white with shock. "What the hell happened!. You guys are covered in injuries." he asked insistent.
"Did a fight between guys go wrong?" Lucy questioned. They all looked at each other as Gray reluctantly nodded his head towards them as they turned around. "Guys, what happened? I can see it all over your faces" he said seriously. "Wait a minute" interrupted Lucy. "Where's Layla. I would've thought for sure she would have been the first one here to meet us at the door." Tears started to fill Erza's eyes freaking them both out. "What the hell happened!" they both yelled. Erza taking the chance to be the one to get yelled at in as strong voice as she could in her weakened and emotional state said "Layla...was taken" Natsu dropped the bag he was holding to the floor. "What" he said through gritted teeth as Lucy put her hands to her mouth. "No..." she said quietly. "Natsu, we were cornered.. if you couldn't tell, we got the shit kicked out of us" said Jellal as Natsu kept his head down. "So what your telling me, even as skilled fighters that you are..you were beaten..is that right?" Jellal and Erza looked at them with defeated faces. Natsu lifted his head and they all saw the rage in his face.
He charged for them as Gray and Gajeel grabbed his arms holding him back. "WHERE THE HELL IS MY DAUGHTER!, YOU PROMISED US SHE WOULD BE SAFE. YOU SWORE TO ME ERZA! THAT'S THE MAIN FUCKING REASON I JOINED THE MAFIA! LET ME GO YOU BASTARDS!" he hollered in rage fighting against them. Gajeel and Gray were having a hard time holding him back. "We will get her back Natsu" said Jellal. "SHE SHOULD'VE BEEN SAFE ALREADY JELLAL!" he screamed. "Come on man, now is not the time to do this" Gray tried to reason with him but he wasn't listening. "Natsu, you dumbass ,look" Natsu whipped his head at Gajeel and was about to scream when he noticed he wasn't looking at him but straight behind. Turning around, he yanked himself hard out of their grip as he ran to Lucy. " . ..nononono..no. This can't be happening. NO!" she put her hands to her head as she started to breathe fast and started shaking. "Lucy!, Lucy look at me baby" he said quickly grabbing her face and had her look at him.
Her eyes were huge in fear as he tried to calm her down. "Lucy, you gotta calm down baby" "Where is our daughter!" she yelled as she felt her chest starting to hurt and grabbed at it. "Lucy, you gotta, what the fuck!" he yelled angrily pulling his phone out and answered immediately recognizing the number. "Hello" "DADDY!" "LAYLA!" they both screamed. "Daddy, help me please" they heard her cry. "I'M COMING BABY GIRL I PROMISE" he screamed to her as they heard her cries starting to fade. "LAYLAAAA!, BABY!" Lucy screamed out as Natsu held her close. "Natsu" his anger rose as the cold voice came to the phone. "You fucking bitch. Your going to pay for that. I'm going to rip your heart out." He swore. " I warned you not to marry her..so I'm taking her and Lucy's music career" That got everyone's attention. "Go to hell you fucking whore." "I told you before but it's too late so I'm taking what's mine." "BULLSHIT!, SHE ISN'T YOURS. SHE'S NOT SOME THING OR PROPERTY, THAT'S MY" "WHERE THE HELL IS MY BABY, YOU FUCKING BITCH!" Lucy screeched cutting Natsu off and surprising him at the same time.
"You'll never find her and your so called mafia.. ha. forget it. I left them no clues for them to find." "You fucking heartless psychopath , give my daughter baaack!" she yelled enraged as she reached for the phone in a crazed state. He could hear Evelyn gleefully laugh as he hung up and threw the phone focusing his attention on Lucy. "Lucy you need to calm down" "She's got our baby, that's our baby!" she started hyperventilating and screamed as Gray was about to walk to help until Jellal grabbed his arm and shook his head. "We ggggottta fffind heer!" "Lucy...baby" he pleaded never seeing a case of her attacks getting this bad. He caught her as she started to fall to the ground. Laying in his arms unconscious, he moved her hair out of her face. "Baby" he said softly but sadly. He looked up at the others with an cold, angry face picking Lucy up into his arms. "Move" he ordered as everyone stepped out of his way so he could lay Lucy down.
He laid her down gently as he sat next to her and grabbed her hand. "I promise you Luce, we will get her back. I didn't just the both of you, only to lose her. No fucking way am I going to let that happen...and I'll find a way to get your music baby baby. I am so sorry for that" he kissed the top of her hand as he gracefully set it back down. Kissing her lightly on the lips, he got up and walked out as the small smile he had for her turned into an angry, vengeful expression. Everyone was still there when he came out. "So has anyone tried even finding her! or have you been sitting her" "We didn't just sit here Natsu, we went back to your damn mother's house but there was nothing there" Gray snapped back as they all heard him say what he shouldn't have but before anyone could react, Natsu had him slammed into a wall. "Natsu, what the hell" said Gray as Natsu stared at him with an wild eyed expression. "Say that again" he said callously lifting him off the floor a couple inches. "What" Gray asked trying to get out of Natsu's firm grip.
Natsu got right up into his face. "That woman is not my mother." Furious, he grabbed Gray's shirt and threw him into a corner. "Natsu!, what the hell are you doing" exclaimed Jellal. Natsu whipped his head back towards him and said "don't you say a fucking word. Your barely able to stand as it is. Don't make me do anything unwanted" Jellal took a single step back hearing in Natsu's voice that he would do it if he was pushed any further. "Natsu" Erza called. Her voice full of pain and regret as she looked into his eyes and saw the anger and rage..but also she saw the hurt in his eyes. He had trusted her and Jellal to keep what was most precious to him save and they had failed. "Yo hot head, your gonna wreck Erza's place if you keep up this crap." "SHUT UP...you have no idea what I'm feeling right now Gajeel so until you have a child and see your heart walking around..SHUT THE FUCK UP!" he ran for the front door and slammed it hard as he ran. "Should we go after him?" asked Gajeel. "No Gajeel, stay far away from him right now. He's lethal right now and needs to find a way to take his anger out..hopefully no one runs into him because I shutter to think what he would do in the state of mind he's in right now" said Jellal.
Standing himself up, Gray sighed. "Damn idiot is going to hurt himself" he said feeling sympathy for him. "What do we do now" Grimacing in pain, Erza stumbled but caught herself as she saw the guys about to run to her but stopped when they saw she caught herself. "We..need to stay here..for Lucy..when she wakes up..hmmph" This time Jellal caught her as she fell. "Erza..you need to rest" "I ccccant..Jelllal. Our niece...she's out there" "I know but you are going to get yourself into worse shape if you don't rest..please honey" "Hhhow are you still moving?, you got beat as bad as I did" she questioned. He chuckled and said "i've always had a higher pain tolerance then you. Come on" he said before she could say anything else. He nicely shoved her towards their room so she could some rest. "Just for a few hours Erza...at the very least." "Okay" she said resigning herself as Jellal sighed relieved. "I love you" "I love you too Erza. get some sleep." he said smiling a warm smile at her then walked out. Once he was out , he went rigid as he bent over grabbing his chest. "Higher tolerance huh?. Psh, who you kidding Jellal. Your as beat up as she is. Your just better at hiding it." "Okay, yes just keep your voice down Gajeel" Jellal told him very irritated
A few hours went by , Natsu still wasn't back. The guys sat around the house waiting for him and for Lucy to wake up. Then as if on que, they heard her cry out for Natsu and heard her sobbing. They knew none of them could do anything to comfort her and as much as Jellal wanted too, he knew he of all people would make it worse right now. "Anyone have a clue where to find him?" asked Gray. " I looked out the window earlier, he didn't take his car but who knows where he could have gone." They all let out a frustrated breath. Having enough, Gray grabbed his keys and headed for the door. "Where you going?" asked Gajeel. "hmph, I'm going to find him. Jellal can't with those injuries and he's the last person Natsu want's to see. He's not that close with you Gajeel so I'm going to find him. As angry as he is, he shouldn't be alone right now." "And do what?" "Whatever I can. I am going to help him however I can." Jellal gave him an understanding smile happy that someone was stepping up to help Natsu with his pain. Gray had his hand on the doorknob and was about to step out when he stopped.
Natsu was right in front of him on his knees. "Yo, Natsu, you alright man?" he asked worried for his friend as he walked down the steps quickly to his friend's side. "Oo..u..out offf..bbreath" he said panting. Gray looked and saw the tops of his hands were darkened. They only got dark like that from gloves. "You went tot the gym, didn't you" Natsu silently nodded his head still catching his breath. "I nnneeedded to punch..something..badly" "I get that, look let me help you get inside" he friendly gestured as he put an arm on Natsu's back. "Lu..Lucy" "She's awake but not exactly cheerful." Suddenly gaining energy, he ran up the steps shoving past Gajeel without even glancing at Jellal. "Well..guess he did have some energy after all" thought gray lightly amused. Natsu got to the room shutting the door as she instantly sat up and threw her arms over as he came to sit down.
"Natsu..." Rubbing her back for comfort, he said " I know." She sniffled continuing to cry in his arms. "Don't worry Luce. I'm going to get her back..then I'll make sure she never bothers us again." he said grimly. "No, Natsu, this isn't all on you. I didn't get you back and marry you just so you can do everything yourself. We are partners. That means we are doing this together." Her voice got stronger and stronger with strength and confidence as she kept going. "She is our daughter, not someone else's. No i am done crying and having panic attacks. I am not letting this bitch tear down what we have built. We are going to get her back..as a team." Natsu couldn't help but smile as he looked at her. He was so proud of her in that moment when just a few minutes ago she was a sobbing mess and then she became the confident person he knew was in there somewhere.
She just had to find it for herself. "Come on, let's go meet the others" she said getting up and walking to the door. "Hmmm" "Natsu.. you know it wasn't their fault. Erza and Jellal did everything they could to protect her. Their injuries are proof of that." she said reasonably. Turning his body towards her, he let out a sigh then looked down at the floor. "I know, trust me..just in that second." "If you want to blame someone, blame that fucking woman behind this crap." "I do Lucy, I" "No. use that. Focus your anger on her, not the other two." "Lucy, you know me, that's not going to be easy" "Your right I do know you which means I also know you can do it. Baby, I've seen you when you get focused. There's not a person on earth who can stop you..so come on. Show that woman she picked the wrong people to fuck with." Her confidence and words got to him as he stood up with a grin. "Damn Luce" he said with pride. "What?" "Nothing. Just that Layla is damn lucky to have you as her mother." Her cheeks turned a slight pink as she said "don't forget about you...we wouldn't even be here if it wasn't for you Natsu." That got his attention.
"Did you forget you goof..Layla and I would be back in Europe right now if it wasn't for you. You looked for me that night at the park. You didn't even question it when I told you we had a daughter. No Natsu, it's not just me she's lucky to have. She is beyond lucky to have you as a father that would go to the ends of the earth and back for her." His face turned red as he grabbed the collar of his shirt and pulled at it. "Tthanks" "Now come on, let's get our daughter back." She said with determination holding her hand out. Reaching, he took it as Lucy opened the door and they walked out.