Chapter 10

Once they were finished eating, Natsu grabbed all the plates and began rinsing them off. Not paying attention ,he didn't notice the knife sliding down as it sliced him across his palm, "OWWW" he screamed in pain as he closed his eyes making Lucy jump off the couch and come rushing over. "Natsu!. "Back off I'll be fine" he snapped as he grabbed his hand and ran for the bathroom to get into the cabinet for band aids. Seeing him struggle, Lucy went to help as she tried to take the bandage to put it. "I'M FINE!" he shouted as he ran his hand under water pressing his lips together so he wouldn't yell from the stinging. Once the blood was gone for a few seconds, he quickly wrapped it up and walked angrily up the stairs. Layla started after him, but Lucy gripped her shoulder hard shaking her head as they watched him disappear into the bedroom. Later that night, she carried Layla up into her bed and tucked her in. "Hey baby, tell me something, why were you stuck on daddy so hard today?" she asked wanting to know. Lucy sat there as she watched Layla thinking about it. "He makes me safe" she answered sleepily. With a warm smile, she stood up and kissed Layla's head as she turned around and shut off the light but looked back at her one more time. "Me too baby girl" she thought as she walked into her room. Natsu was sound asleep but he still looked tense to her. Getting in, she reached for him but pulled back hesitating as she held them in the air. "Come on, you can do this" she told herself as she reached for him again wrapping her arms around his stomach as she rested her head on his pillow. She let out a breath thankful as she felt his hands grip hers.

Poking her head up, she saw he was still asleep. "Lucy" he called out making her blush as she laid her head back down. "Natsu..I love you too" she thought as she fell asleep. The next morning, Natsu woke up early and got himself dressed in a loose t shirt and sweats with a pair of sneaker. "Natsu…what are you doing?" Lucy asked barely awake. "Going to the your coming with me" he told her bluntly. "Huh?" "I told you I am not letting you out of my sight. And I meant it.. I know you can't do much nor should you but even if you just do some yoga or sit. I am not leaving you anywhere alone" "Do I get a say in this?" she asked. "Sure" he said dryly. " I don't want to go to the gym" she said. She wanted to see how far he would go. " Sorry but I'm not leaving you alone so your coming with me" he said as he started walking out. Natsu!" "Hey I said you could get a say, I never said I would change my mind. I'm going to get Layla up and ready for today. Wendy should be here soon. Try to get dressed soon" "Why the hurry?" He turned his head slightly as she saw only half his face but what she saw made her nervous. "Because I need to hit something" he said bad tempered. She didn't say anything as he walked away. "Layla, sweetheart , it's time for you to get up" he said gently as he shook her arm lightly as her eyes twitched as she opened them. "Daddy" she said quiet and happy. " Morning" he greeted. " You gotta get up okay?. Wendy is coming over for your schooling" he said nicely. She nodded her head as she hopped out of her bed and went to her dresser. Grinning, he patted her head as he walked by and went downstairs. He got her breakfast ready for her as she came down in a blue shirt and jeans. She came over and got into the chair next to the counter. "Thank you" she said as she started eating her cereal. " No problem" A knock came to the door making them both freeze as Layla went to say something but Natsu held a finger to his mouth shaking his head as he went to the side table to grab his handgun. He snuck to the door holding his gun , he felt his chest getting heavy as he held his breath as he got ready to open the door. "Daddy" she whispered scared. "Natsu ,it's me" Opening the door, he let out a breath of relief. "You scared the shit out of us Wendy" said Natsu. "Why?" she asked before she saw the gun in his hand. "Who the hell did you think I was?" "Just do me a favor and call me next time..please" he said trying to get his heart rate back under control with the adrenaline going through him.

Coming down the stairs, Lucy happily greeted Wendy. "How's it going?" said Wendy. " Going alright so far" replied Lucy. "Alright Lucy, why don't you sit down." said Wendy. "Why?" "So I can check your wounds, Natsu said I should come check them out" "Oh" she said as she sat down glancing at Natsu with a hurt expression. He turned away as he saw Layla cling to his leg. "Ha, sorry baby girl, you won't be able to do that today" he told her, but she wasn't listening. "I can already see this is not going to be easy" he thought looking down at her. Wendy slowly unwrapped Lucy's bandages on her arms first as she carefully turned her arms towards her. "Well good thing is they are closed but still pretty red though. I'll make sure to wrap them in new bandages." She informed her as she opened her black bag, she brought with her. Pulling out fresh new bandages, she wrapped her arms and put old blood-soaked ones in a hazard bag. "Okay I'm going to lift your shirt up and check those..oh did someone re wrap these?" she asked. "Yeah..Natsu" "Hmm, Lucy you okay?" Wendy asked seeing the saddened look on her face. Shaking it off, she smiled and said "Yeah I'm good. Go ahead" Still unsure, she did as Lucy said and unwrapped her stomach. She lightly touched it as she saw Lucy flinch in pain. "You still need to for sure stay away from doing anything physical Lucy. This was the worst of the cuts and deepest of them. Your arms far less likely but your stomach could tear back open if you aren't careful" she advised as she threw the old bandage into the bag.

Eyeing Natsu who stood at a distance, Wendy said "you hear me Natsu?" Hearing his name, he glanced at her. "Lucy needs to stay away from doing anything physical. That means no combat training." "Yes doctor" he said sarcastic causing Wendy to raise an eyebrow at him. "Don't give me that look Wendy. I told you to come look remember." She didn't soften her stare at him. "Tch, Wendy come on , I'm not stupid. Of course I'm not going to let her do combat." She softened her gaze as he crossed his arms in annoyance. "I know" she told him. "I just wanted to make sure" she said kindly as she wrapped her stomach but stopped before she went any further. "Natsu, do something for me and leave the area for a few minutes" the look she gave him said she wasn't asking as he started walking away . "If anyone else had given me the look you just did, their face would be pounded into the floor right now" he said hard as he walked upstairs with Layla. Wendy blew air as she smiled at Lucy. "Well good thing he likes me then" said Wendy amused. "Wendy, that was not the smartest thing to do." Lucy told her "Psh please, he's not going to hurt me. If he didn't trust me, he wouldn't have asked me to tutor Layla." "I know but he's still your boss" protested Lucy. "Lucy, he's still a person. At the end of the day, mafia leader or not. He's a father and a husband and wants to keep his family safe. Thus, I don't take any of his aggressive attitudes personally" "You know for a doctor, your pretty wise" Lucy said admiring her. "Shush your making me blush" she laughed as Lucy started laughing. "Alright, Lucy I have to ask you to spread your legs apart as I take a look" she told her seriously making Lucy stop laughing as she got nervous but did what she wanted. Wendy took the bandages off one by one.

"Thankfully your legs are healing well. ..are you okay for me to do this?" she asked skeptical before going any further. Lucy silently nodded as she turned her face away as Wendy pulled down the pants she was wearing and looked inside. Wendy heard Lucy hold her breath as she softly said "Lucy..breathe, it's okay.. he's not here" Lucy slowly released it. "It's just you and me" she assured her as Wendy shined a flashlight. "I'm pleased to say there is no bleeding here, still looks pretty swelled up though with some bruising. Have you tried ice or taking a bath?" Lucy shook her head no as Wendy said "as your doctor, I'm going to say to try to start doing that. I know it may hurt for a little at first but It will help immensely bringing down the swelling." "Okay" said Lucy understanding. Pulling her pants back up and putting bandages back on her legs, when she finished, she happily said "all finished" Standing up, Lucy hugged her. "Thank you" she said teary eyed. "You don't have to thank me" Wendy said tenderly rubbing her back. Releasing her hug, Wendy looked at her. "You'll be alright in time Lucy. I promise"

"HEY HOT HEAD, YOU CAN COME DOWN" Wendy shouted up the stairs as Natsu and Layla came down. "How is she?" he asked not hesitating. "She still has some swelling which you! Natsu need to help and make sure she puts ice on it or takes a bath. Either one but you need to help her understand? She said frank. "Yes" he answered strongly as he glanced at Lucy who gave him a small smile. "Okay" she said pleased clapping her hands "Now whose ready for teaching?" Natsu and Lucy looked at Layla who was happy. "Come on daddy!" she said pulling his pants but was confused when he didn't move. She looked up at him. "Baby girl, I told you earlier, I cant stay today" he told her in a calm voice. "No, no no" Layla said quietly putting her head down as she stood there with a depressed look on her face. Wendy came over and put a hand lightly on her shoulder. "Let's get going" said Natsu as he opened the door letting Lucy go first. "NOOO!" Layla screamed getting all their attention as Wendy put her arms around her to keep her from running to them. Natsu and Lucy looked at her heartbroken as they saw Layla trying to reach him. "Layla" Natsu said quietly "Daddy!" she yelled reaching her arms out as Wendy struggled holding her. "Layla, stop this behavior right now" said Lucy strongly but she didn't listen as Natsu said "go ahead and go to the car Lucy, I got this" She gave him a questionable look as he rolled his eyes at himself. "Please" She wasn't pleased but she went silently as Natsu shut the door behind her.

He turned back to the girls as Layla was still crying. Closing his eyes, he sighed as he opened them and walked over and went to sit on his knees. "Go ahead and let go Wendy, she's fine" he said compassionately. Wendy let go as she ran to him sobbing. Closing his arms around her, he hugged her tight. "I'll leave you guys be" said Wendy as Natsu mouthed thank you to her. "Shhhhhh Layla"he cooed as she continued to cry. "Layla, baby girl. I'm not leaving forever" he said lightly. Seeing that she wouldn't stop, he gently unwrapped his arms and had her stand and look at him. "Sweetheart, why are you so afraid to let me go?" he asked. Rubbing her eyes, she sniffled and said " Bbbbeccausse I'm afraid.. daddy, please don't go" "Layla, please listen to me. I am not leaving you because I want too. I need to protect you and mommy..sadly sometimes the only way I can do that is to go for a little while." "Pprotect me and mommy? "Yess, you didn't think it was because I didn't love you did you?" he asked She shook her head as Natsu said "good because you and mommy are everything to me. Come here" She walked to him as he put a hand behind her head and around her waist. "Daddy..who is going to protect me while your gone?" "Wendy has got you covered Layla. I promise. She won't let anything happen to you. Now I must go, mommy is waiting in the car" he explained as he signaled Wendy to come over with his hand. He stood up and put his hands on her shoulders. Gently he said " I need you to behave for Wendy alright? Listen to what's she teaching you. Can you do that for me?" She nodded her head as she tried wiping the tears that kept falling. Smiling he said "I love you" as he turned and headed for the door. As he opened it, Layla ran and cried "daddy" He turned and picked her right up as she put her head into the crook of his neck squeezing it tight. Putting his face into her hair, he stood there happier then he had been for a while and wished he could freeze time for her. Lifting her head, she looked into his loving eyes as he used his thumb to wipe away her tears. "Please come back soon daddy" "I promise I will" Putting her head back down she said quietly "I love you daddy" "I love you too Layla, more then you'll ever know" Setting her down, she walked peacefully over to Wendy as they smiled and waved at Natsu as he left.

Getting into the car, Lucy asked "you alright Natsu?" "I'm good" he replied as he blinked his eyes hard as he started the car. Lucy's cheeks turned pink as smiled but didn't say anything as she sat back. "He got through to her..,if he hadn't he wouldn't have that calming face he has right now." She thought as they were on the way to the gym. "I know it won't last" she thought grimly as she looked out the window. Once they were there and inside, she went and found a seat. There were others working out around them as Natsu went to the punching bag area and went to the biggest one. Taking a deep breath and letting it out, he slipped the gloves over his hands and began punching. A couple hours into it, he slipped his shirt over his head. Lucy couldn't help but smile as she saw his body. "Your blushing Luce" he said grinning noticing she was looking. She turned and smiled embarrassed, but she didn't care as she looked back up at him. He got up on to his toes jumping around as he began to punch harder. The more aggressive and loud he got, people started to look. Flashes of Lucy's injuries and her broken, terrified face came into his head. "NO! he shouted but as he punched harder and harder, Layla, Lucy and Zeref all came to his mind. "Damn it!" he yelled as the bag went flying off the wall leaving everyone speechless