Chapter 30

After a great and long time at the Dragneel's house, Lucy is almost at her apartment. She cannot wait to take a quick shower before hoping into comfy, cozy bed. It is late and she is really tired. She slows her pace down a bit when she notices a buff in color, manila envelope securely taped to the door to her apartment. "Did Natsu do that… ?" she mumbles to herself.

Stopping in front of her door, Lucy uses one hand to grab the envelope and unlocks the door with her other hand. She steps inside, flips on the light switch, and starts opening the envelope. It is not super heavy, but something is definitely inside of it. While using a foot to close the door behind her, she pulls open the lip of the envelope and peers inside.

Photos. It looks like four by six photos are inside. A lot of them.

Lucy slips her keys inside of her purse so she can use her free hand to reach inside and pull out a handful of photos. When she sees the one on the top, her blood runs cold.

It is a photo of her.

The feeling she has been having. She felt as though someone was just watching her, but obviously they were doing more than that. They had been following her around and secretly taking photos of her. From different angles, making it seem as though there had been more than one photographer.

She is shaking as her eyes look over the photos. Most of them are just Lucy, but other people are in the, too. Lucy by herself in her apartment, shot through a window before she closed the curtains. Lucy walking into the hospital alone with some flowers to visit Jude. Lucy and Jellal being together from when they were eating lunch to walking into Erza's flower shop. Lucy and Gray hanging out since he asked for her help in shopping for a gift for Juvia. Lucy sitting on a park bench with a notebook and pen in hand. Lucy and Wendy at the mall together.

The most recent ones are from today. She is rushing to be inside of the Dragneel's home. There are at least two different angles of her making her way across the street and up to the front porch.

Lucy tosses the photos and envelope away, and they scatter about the floor in front of her. She is a shaking mess as she backs into the door and slides her back down it. "N-no," she stutters. "This can't be… happening. This has to be a d-dream. Just a dream…"

Is the room getting hotter? Why is she struggling to breathe? Her chest is heaving. Her skin feels clammy. Are the walls closing in on her?

Capricorn. She needs to call Capricorn. Now.

But she does not move. Does not budge an inch. Her eyes are transfixed on the photos. The photos that confirm her worries about be watched.

Swallowing hard, Lucy barely pulls herself together. She slowly moves her hand towards her purse to grab her phone. It is like she is moving through water. After what seems like forever, she pulls her phone and pushes a button so the screen lights up. She goes under Capricorn's contact information and calls his number. Lucy shakily raises the phone to her ear as she curls herself into a ball. Small tears blur her vision.

He answers after two rings. "Hello, Miss Lucy," he greets.

"C-Capri–" She shudders and stops talking for a moment, tears falling down her cheeks. Then she whispers a single word, her voice trembling. "Capricorn…"

x-X-x

Just after one in the morning, familiar and unfamiliar faces are inside of Lucy's apartment. She is currently curled up on her couch with a blanket. Jude, since he insisted that he be here, is sitting right next to her to comfort her.

Dressed like a maid, a woman pink hair cut in a short style and vivid blue eyes approaches the Heartfilias with two cups of tea. "Here you are," Virgo says.

Jude takes them both and holds over Lucy's lap, where her hands are. "You'll feel better with this."

Her hands close around the warm mug, fingers warming at the touch. She does not sip it though. She merely stares down at the liquid inside of the mug.

"I meant feel better drinking it," Jude says with a barely there smile.

Lucy raises the mug to her lips and sips it. Truth be told, it is wonderful as the liquid slides down her throat. It as though it is thawing away her numbness.

"Is there anything else?" Virgo asks, having stepped back a little to give the duo space.

"Not right now," Jude replies. "I'll let you know if anything comes up."

Virgo bows and steps aside, waiting for further instructions.

A police officer walks over to the father and daughter, looking at Jude. "We gathered the photos and envelope. We'll check for finger prints and overlook Lucy's."

"Could this be the work of some crazed fan?" Jude asks. "A reporter?"

Lucy has no clue if this about her being Lucy Heartfilia or Ashley. Not many people know about her being a Heartfilia, but nothing like this has happened before because of Ashley. "I don't know," she admits in a low voice.

"From what I saw," the officer says, "it seems like whoever sent those images wanted to let you know that they're watching."

"It's like they wanted to let you know they're watching you."

She shivers, believing his words. "So what now?"

"Capricorn will assign people to be with you," Jude replies, assuring her safety.

Stepping forward, Capricorn kneels next to Lucy so she will not have to look up at him. "Miss Lucy, I have a favor to ask of you."

"What is it?"

"Are you able to text me photos of friends with names? I will forward those to the individuals I will be assigning to you. That way, they can match a name and face to people around you. If you want to add what they are to you, that will help as well."

Lucy understands his logic. "I'll go through my phone in the morning."

Capricorn stands up straight and bows at his waist. "Thank you, Miss Lucy."

"Capricorn, I want you to stay the night with Lucy so she isn't alone," Jude instructs. "If you want to have another person with you, I'll allow it."

"Virgo," is all he says.

"Of course," she says, confirming that she will stay.

Lucy sips more of her tea, welcoming the warmth spreads from inside of her core. She is relaxing already. In fact, she is finally feeling just how drowsy she is. She needs to go to bed soon.

"Princess, do you want to sleep?" Virgo asks.

"Princess?" Lucy asks, wondering where that nickname came from. Luce at least makes sense because of Lucy, but Princess? She is not royalty. Not in this lifetime at least.

"You should get some sleep, Lucy," Jude says.

She shakes her head. "I'll stay awake until everyone leaves."

"We'll wrap things up soon," the offer assures her.

"Thing will be wrapped up soon," Jude assures her.

"All right." Then Lucy merely continues to sip her tea.

Eventually, people trickle out of the apartment before only three are remaining. Lucy is still on the couch while Capricorn and Virgo are standing around her.

"Now it is bedtime, Princess," Virgo says, and walks away to lock the front door.

"I just want to shower before bed." At this point, a shower will help relax her, too. That will help before she crawls into bed.

"I will a run shower for you then." After locking the door, Virgo leaves in search for the bathroom to prepare for Lucy.

"Thank you," Lucy says even though Virgo is gone. Then she looks at Capricorn. "Are people like Virgo going to be assigned to me?"

"They all will have different skill sets, but yes," he replies.

"Should I be worried about any of the skill sets?"

"You have nothing to fear, Miss Lucy," he assures her with a gentle smile. "You will be in safe hands."

Hands clasped in front of her, Virgo enters the room. "The shower is ready when you are, Princess. I also laid out some pajamas for you. They are on your bed."

Her tea is since gone, but Lucy is still holding the mug. She finally sets it down on the nearby table and stands up, keeping the blanket around her. "Thank you, Virgo."

"If you are pleased, then feel free to punish me."

Lucy opens her mouth to speak, but words do not come out. Her brain is still processing what Virgo said. She looks at Capricorn for help.

He merely shrugs and turns his attention to Virgo. "There probably will be no punishing tonight."

"Very well then."

Lucy takes a single step before she realizes something. "Oh, where are you two going to sleep? I don't have a guest room or an extra bed…"

"The couches will do," Capricorn replies.

"I can get extra blankets at least," Lucy says.

"Princess, I can fetch those while you shower," Virgo says.

"They'll be in the hall closet."

"Understood." Then Virgo walks away.

"Miss Lucy, before you shower, may I ask you something?" Capricorn asks.

"Yes?"

He eyes her carefully. "Will you tell Natsu what happened?"

"I'm not sure…" she admits.


A/N Part 1: Omg, Chapter 30 to CAF :D Thank you all so much for the attention it has received so far! I think it might surpass MTAP if things keep up! That'll be something! Again, thank you all sooooo much for reading! PS. Cookies to those who saw the two easter eggs I had referencing two different works of mine XD

A/N Part 2: If y'all could PM pucksabrinadaphne on FFnet to place your vote for Cute as Fuck as The Favorite Fairy Tail Fanfiction 2016 story, that would be wonderful :D And a huge thank to those of you who already have :D CAF is in Primary Round, but I'm curious to see how far it can go!


craycraynalufan: I had to add in some happy NaLu moment somehow XD So that thought came to mind!

Guest: I liked that lap moment, too! As for voting, checking out my last author note!

Anon: The tiara totally does exist. I looked it up online at a store XD But yay, I'm glad you enjoyed the last chapter :D Especially with how this one is :P

Guest: Yay for being obsessed with CAF :D Good obsession I say haha

Phoenix Deity: Yeah, I liked that pool scene! Added some humor :D And thanks!

Animemama328: Woo, I'm glad you enjoyed that chapter :D I want that tiara myself XD I use life as inspiration for creativity!

Zyrafosii: Thanks for telling me :D

Anonymous Guest: Hey, welcome back! But yay for development for you to come back to :D I try remembering what has already happened in a work. There was another work where Natsu quoted Harry Potter and I had to make sure he didn't do that in CAF because of that Dobby moment XD Whelp, I can say that the follower/followers isn't her :P