"Natsu, I want it. Please," I begged, "just give it to me."

"No, Lucy." Natsu backed away as I stalked him around the living room.

"But I need it! You owe me for rescuing you; you promised to give me anything I want. Why are you being so mean?" I know I'm whining at this point, but I want what I want, and he's just being stubborn not giving in. Jerk.

"You know why. It's not like this was my idea. Besides, you not only agreed to this, but insisted on it, and I'm not giving in." There was a slight pause as he smirked at me, "even if the pout is a cute look for you."

"Well, I changed my mind." Ignoring his comment, I lunged, my fingers brushing against his shirt, but he dodged out of my grasp.

"Are you always this much of a brat when you don't get what you want?"

"Only when I'm bored out of my skull."

"I'm still not giving your phone back." He jumped over the back of the couch to get away from me, then slid my phone – and his – as well as the TV remote onto a high shelf that was out of my reach. "No screens until at least Wednesday. Doctor's orders."

I replied with an indignant huff as I threw myself onto the couch again. Yes, he's right, but I can't work, no electronics with screens, no reading, no fun whatsoever. Not that I regret what I did, I just want something to do.

"Would a proper tour relieve some of your boredom?"

"Yes!" I jumped up from the couch, and immediately paid for my haste. Stars danced across my vision, my head throbbed painfully, and I could feel myself start to collapse.

"Look who's the damsel in distress now," Natsu joked as he eased me back onto the couch.

"It's still you." A glare would have gone perfectly with this statement, but my eyes were closed to help fend off the vertigo. I settled for sticking my tongue out at him.

"I was going to ask if you were alright, but if you're well enough to make smart ass comments, I think you'll be fine." That time I did manage to glare at him for being right. Again. He's so damned smug when he's right. "Shall we try again without the falling?"

"Can try, but I'm not going to promise I won't fall."

Natsu shook his head, helped me back up and led me through the vast apartment. It was far larger than I realized when we first arrived. The kitchen was bright and spacious with stainless steel everything, a walk-in pantry – which, frankly, was looking a little barren, but Natsu assured me we would do some grocery shopping tomorrow if I'm up for it – and a huge island/breakfast bar in the center. The countertops were a beautiful red marble, and I was compelled to let my fingers slide across the cold smoothness. Through the swinging door was the formal dining room; the feet of the table and chairs were all hand-carved dragon's claws.

Another door brought us into a hallway. There were several doors on each side, and a large archway. We walked through the archway first and into the billiards room. Aside from the antique billiards table in the center of the room, there was an impressive bar, a poker table, and a horsehair dartboard with its own shooting lane.

Okay, I've decided, this isn't a penthouse, it's a full-on man cave. The only room I've seen with even a hint of feminine touch is mine. Not that I can complain, it's beautiful and warm and I already feel safer here than I have at any of my apartments. Of course, part of the reason for that feeling is Natsu, but that's besides the point.

My eyes trace over the room again, and I realize that this place isn't quite a man cave. Every piece of furniture looks hand-made by obviously talented craftsmen. At first glance, the upholstery and rugs may look mass-market, but the fine details and quality let me know that none of it could be purchased just anywhere. The name of Natsu's company seems so much more appropriate now, as I'm pretty sure I've been swept into a dragon's lair to become part of the hoard within.

I smile at the thought as I'm led back into the hallway. Behind the next door was a sizable gym. All sorts of equipment lined the walls, and a sparring ring stood in the center. Two doors to the left led to a steam room and sauna.

"Why have a gym if there is one downstairs? Seems a little redundant."

"The third floor wasn't always a gym," Natsu told me. "When I was a kid it used to be offices, but when my dad moved his business to Crocus, he wanted to turn the space into something more useful for the residents."

I walked around the room, looking at the various equipment, recognizing some of it – weights, treadmill, stationary bike – but more was a mystery to me. So, I asked what it all was.

"Most of them are different types of strike dummies for practicing martial arts. The charts behind are for studying nerve and pressure points of the human body," Natsu explained as he rested his left elbow casually on the shoulder of the dummy closest to me.

"Is...is that something you spend a lot of time on?"

"Not as much as I used to," Natsu replied carefully. "I hope this isn't making you nervous; don't want you to be afraid of me. Dad insisted that my brother and I learn in order to protect ourselves. None of us works in fields that are considered safe."

"I think we've already established that I'm not scared that you will hurt me. But you run an import company; I didn't realize that was dangerous?"

Natsu gives me a curious look, as if I said something which didn't make sense.

"Are you serious?"

"Am I serious about what?"

"Dragon Imports...you," he paused, "you think all we do is imports?"

"Well, I kinda figured exports as well, since they go hand-in-hand."

"We do both, but that's not everything. No wonder you're being so stubborn about all this shit." His right hand came up to run through his hair, as he appeared to consider his next words. "You said you'd been with the company for two years, so I assumed you knew what we brought into Fiore."

"Luxury goods?" That's my best guess after seeing even a fraction of this place.

"More like precious cargo."

I tilted my head to the side, not quite understanding the difference. "So...what, like, antiques and rare artifacts?'

"People, Lucy," he admitted with a sigh. "We import people."

What. The. Actual. FUCK?! I can't believe this. Human trafficking? That...it just doesn't add up. Not that I really know much about Natsu. Erza told me to just go with what he said yesterday, which she wouldn't have done if she didn't trust him. And Gray can be an ass, but he's a good man - for the most part - and I know he wouldn't be caught up in something so sinister. I cannot accept that this man - who has been so caring when he does not need to be, and has no reason to be - is one of the bad guys. The only way to get the answers I'm looking for is to ask, but the man himself volunteers the information before I can even open my mouth again.

"I just made it sound far worse than it actually is. It's not what you're thinking, I promise. We send teams in to handle problems in certain areas of the world. The people we bring back are refugees."

"So, like, mercenaries?"

"Kinda, yeah, though I do prefer the term 'private security.' Calling us mercenaries makes it seem like a bad thing. I mean, yeah, I've helped take down a few dangerous groups, but it's not just that. We help relocate people in need so they and their families can live safer lives. I have teams to help them get settled into their new homes, find jobs, and learn new skills if needed. It's so much more than just mercenaries."

Looking up, I see Natsu waiting for any reaction from me. I need a little time to process this, but I don't want him thinking that I am afraid of him, since I absolutely am not. Startled and unsettled at this revelation? Yeah, of course. Not scared, though.

"Does that mean you were serious about putting me on a medical team?"

"Yeah. Well, I was kinda joking, but if you're interested, I can make that happen. After all this Bora shit is cleared up, of course."

"Of course. I guess, for now, I just have two questions. First off, can I use the sauna whenever? Because it's been way too long. And secondly, would you teach me how to defend myself? I'd really like to not have a concussion the next time I have to fight off that fucking prick."

"Yes, to both, if that's what you want. Though I hope we can keep you from ever being alone with him again."

"Third question – just to keep you on your toes – is there anything else to see on the grand tour?"

"Just one more room, which you're allowed to see today, but not allowed to use yet." He smiled, more relaxed than he was a few moments ago.

The last door in the hallway had to be unlocked, and I soon found out why. There's a library, and it's huge. No natural light is in this room at all – the walls are floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, with the only breaks in the shelves being the door, humidor, and an intricately carved fireplace. There is a ladder on wheels that can be moved on a track around the room to reach any book. Plush chairs are scattered about, each with its own end table and lamp. A bar cart rests to the side, ready for use with a variety of clean glasses and liquor to choose from.

My eyes were drawn to several boxes just inside the door with my name on them.

"Why are some of my boxes in here?"

"You're not supposed to be reading until at least Wednesday, so I asked the girls to put your books in here until then. We can get them set up in your reading nook in a few days. Until then, the library stays locked, since I'm told you're a huge bookworm and cannot help yourself."

"First off...that's true. Second, who told you that? Cause I'm going to kick their ass."

"I'm tempted to tell you it was Gray, since I'd love to watch you kick his ass." His eyes sparkle with mischief when he says this, and the grin he's sporting is completely feral. "Alas, it was Wendy."

"I feel betrayed. Wendy used to be so sweet when she was little. I wonder what happened?"

"The same thing that happened to all of us. She turned into a teenager, then an adult. It was all downhill from there."

We laughed as we left the library and walked back into the living room.

"What would you like to do now?"

"Read a book, check Facebook, and watch a movie."

"Not happening."

"Then I'm going to sit on the couch and throw myself a pity party, since I'm not allowed to do anything for the next two days," I pouted as I took a seat, then threw in my sad puppy eyes for good measure hoping he would cave. "Maybe the gods will have mercy and I'll die of boredom quickly."

"Alright, drama queen, you have fun with that."

While I fully immersed myself in lying down on the couch and trying to figure out something to do, Natsu busied himself with wandering in and out of the room for reasons unknown. I heard doors open and close several times before he came back, standing in front of me with a white, scale-pattern scarf in his left hand and a triumphant smile on his face. Without a word, he extended his right hand towards me like an invitation. I accepted without hesitation.

"You trust me, right?" He asked, pulling me to my feet.

"Yes."

"Good."

Natsu led me back into the hallway we were in before and stood in front of one of the doors I hadn't paid attention to earlier.

"I almost forgot to show you one more thing," he said, holding out the scarf for me to take, "but I want it to be a surprise."

"So," I looked at the object now in my hands, "blindfold?"

"Correct."

"Alright," I say, tying the scarf over my eyes and enjoying the unexpected softness of it, "but if you decide that you're going to murder me, I want you to know that I will haunt you for eternity."

"That seems fair. Try not to scream."

"Wha-" I felt an arm around the back of my thighs before Natsu hoisted me over his shoulder; I managed not to scream but was unable to stop a sharp gasp from escaping.

He opened the door and started up a flight of stairs. A delicate breeze caressed my bare arms as soon as we passed through another door. The scent of a variety of flowers mingled together before wafting into my nose, and the gentle pattering of water could be heard nearby.

I felt Natsu crouching and my bare feet were set down on a wooden platform.

"Turn a little to the right," he instructs. His hands remove the blindfold and wrap it loosely around his neck as I turn. The sight before me is breathtaking.

The entire rooftop was covered in fragrant flowering plants. Wooden pathways meander about. A koi pond with a small waterfall stood in the center surrounded by benches. Further away, I spotted a gazebo with several swing-benches hanging from it, and I made my way in that direction, stopping to touch or smell certain plants I hadn't seen in years.

I lowered myself onto one of the swings, admiring the tranquil beauty around me. Now this is an appropriate distraction from my concussion. Natsu sat to my right, opening a basket I hadn't noticed to pull out two bowls, a quart of strawberry ice cream, and a mess of toppings. He served me three scoops topped with chocolate sauce, sprinkles, whipped cream, and cherries before making his own.

We sat eating our sundaes and watching the sunset together, neither of us saying anything in our comfortable silence. My thoughts wander through the events of the past three days, and I'm amazed that I'm sitting here with the man I was so pissed at seventy-two hours ago. This entire weekend seemed surreal, and I was left wondering if this is a lucid dream, which I quickly reject, since even my imagination isn't quite this vivid.

I realized – not for the first time – that I have been selfish today and decided to disrupt the quiet surrounding us with a question I should have asked hours ago.

"Was anyone hurt in the fire?"

"No, but that was just luck," he replied, a distant look in his eyes.

"How so?"

"My chef is usually in at a ridiculous hour on Mondays to bake, but she's on vacation down south for two weeks." He sighed, running his fingers through his hair. "The fire started just outside the kitchen a little after three in the morning. It smelled like an accelerant was used, so it moved pretty fast; if she wasn't out of town, she would have been trapped inside."

"I'm glad she's out of town, then; and that no one was hurt," I told him. "Do...do you think it might have been Bora?"

"He's my top suspect, yeah." Natsu shrugged. "Though it will be at least a couple weeks before he can bother either of us again. He'll need surgery to repair all the damage to his face, and time to recover. If he doesn't buy his way out of jail, he will be arrested for this morning's attack. Just so you know, I have Gray putting together a dossier on him. I'm going to have as much information as possible on him before we can form a solid plan. No one is untouchable, no matter how it may seem. I promise he will pay for what he's done to you.

"But I will also need to know what that means to you. While I have people who can be...creative in seeking justice, what ultimately happens to him is your decision. I don't need to know now, and I don't want you to feel pressure to answer right away, it's just something to think about and discuss."

Silence engulfs us once more as I take in his words. What happens to Bora will be up to me, but I never really thought I would win short of killing him. Is that what it's going to take, or can we send him to prison for life? Are there any options other than those two? As various thoughts whirl through my head, the gentle motion of the swing begins to lull me to sleep. Natsu chose this time to speak once more.

"If you didn't know about the fire, why were you worried about me?"

"It was nothing; just a nightmare."

"Do you want to talk about it?"

Not fucking really. But I also know that it will just continue to eat away at me if I don't talk about it.

"He killed you," I said bluntly. "He killed you, and I was too weak to fight back at all. The only thing I could do was beg him to leave you alone, and then watch you die. I was too weak to stop him; I always have been."

"You're not weak, Lucy," he replied, his voice tense as he turned to me and took my hands in his. "Few people have been through what you have and still have the ability to trust. It takes strength and courage to stand up so defiantly to someone who has tormented you; and yet you stood up to him on Saturday knowing he was going to put his hands on you when you could have just as easily gone back inside. You fought like hell this morning to get away, and refused to be his victim. That is true strength, and you have it in abundance."

"It's not courageous to let someone abuse me," I spoke softly.

"When it's to protect a person you barely know – or anyone, for that matter – is it. There was another reason you stayed outside that night, though. Pretty smart, getting proof of his violent nature."

"How did-" I began, but Natsu cut me off before I could finish my question.

"I watched the security footage this morning. It's what I was doing when Erza called me from your hotel room. You glanced at two of the cameras after he hit you; he didn't seem to notice."

"Oh." I couldn't think of anything else to say. It didn't feel like anything else needed to be said.

We stayed there relaxing until after the sun dipped below the horizon, watching as the sky transitioned into darkness and the stars began to brighten the moonless night. I shivered once the wind began to blow across the rooftop sanctuary. Aside from the scarf wrapped around Natsu's neck, neither of us was dressed for the sudden chill, so we made our way back to the stairs.

"Please tell me you're not planning on carrying me down the stairs."

"Didn't you like being in my arms?" He winked, teasing me.

"See these?" I pointed at my feet, completely ignoring his question. "They're capable of taking me down a flight of stairs."

"I'm not really worried about your feet being able to carry you; the big concern is you getting dizzy again and falling down said flight of stairs."

He has a point; I'm a little tired, but my head feels fine, so I should be able to make it down on my own and I tell him so. Natsu insisted on walking ahead of me – just in case – which is a small concession for not being slung over his shoulder again.

Of course I would pay for being stubborn, but at least I made it over halfway down first. My head began to pound, and my vision blurred and darkened too swiftly for me to do anything about it. A soft curse left my mouth as I lost my grasp on the handrail.

Everything happened too fast. I heard glass shattering as my brain registered that I was falling. A jolt coursed through my chest, and I heard Natsu let out a low groan. His left arm held me firmly against him while his right hand had a tight grasp on the rail. It took a few seconds to put together what happened: Natsu had dropped the basket in order to stop me from falling. The momentum of my fall, paired with his grip on the rail, must have caused him to slam into the wall.

"Are you alright?" He sounds out of breath, and I can feel his heart racing as he asks; mine is pounding just as hard.

"I got dizzy," I managed to say through my ragged breathing. My whole body is shaking from fear of what almost happened. "I'm sorry for not listening."

"There's always next time. At least you weren't ahead of me."

We both glanced to the bottom of the stairs where the basket now lay in a small pool of red liquid, surrounded by the shattered remains of our bowls.

"Looks like the jar of cherries paid the ultimate price for my stubborn pride," I half-joked, finally getting my breathing under control.

"Better them than you. The cherries can be easily replaced."

I shifted my gaze up to Natsu's face, finally noticing how intimately close we were - I could feel every inch of his chest pressed against mine, and our faces were so close we were breathing each other's air. He seemed to have noticed as well and he turned so he could set my feet onto the step above the one he was standing on, and though it was loosened, he did not relinquish his grip.

"I'm guessing I won't be walking the rest of the way down?" My hands have found their way to his shoulders, resting there for balance as I sway slightly from feeling lightheaded again.

"You guess right. Unless you'd prefer cutting the crap out of your feet on the broken dishes at the bottom? Before you answer, you should know that first aid is not my forte, and you're likely to end up back in the ER."

"I think I'll pass, since my feet are still recovering from the heels I wore on Saturday."

Natsu carried me down the same way he had up – minus the blindfold – setting me down carefully once he was past the mess. He kicked off his shoes and escorted me to the living room, leaving me only long enough to fetch a glass of water and my medications.

Even knowing they would put me into a drug-induced sleep, I decided to take both. For the first time in quite a while, I am not afraid of sleeping so deeply, knowing that I was safe here. Since I have a little time to kill before that, I decide to start a new conversation.

"Natsu, can I ask you a personal question?"

"Go for it."

"How is it that you're not married? Or at least in a relationship?"

"What makes you think I'm not?"

"Well, I'm pretty certain our friends wouldn't try to set me up with someone who was in a committed relationship. You likely would have brought her to the wedding as your date, since we were allowed a plus one. Also, I know Gray can be a prick, but he wouldn't go so far as to send hookers to someone in a relationship. And there's the fact that you were looking at me like a starved man who was offered a buffet when I walked into your office."

"You've got me there," he sighed. "To be fair, that last one was NOT my fault...well, I mean, it IS my fault, but... In my defense, you caught me off guard storming into my office in that dress - and those heels. How the hell could you even walk in those?"

"Very, very carefully. Are you dodging the question?"

"Maybe?" He let his head fall to the back of the couch. "I just...I can't be in a relationship right now."

"Is someone stopping you?"

"I'm stopping me." I give him a curious look and he elaborates. "Lucy, I don't just sit in my office and make decisions about my company. I would get way too bored with that, and it's irresponsible to expect my people to head off into unknown situations if I'm not willing to do the same. I still go out on jobs several times a year. It's dangerous work, and I've been targeted multiple times because of it. I can't just drag someone into this fucked up life I lead, knowing that one day I might not come back. Or worse, having her targeted because of my job."

"I'm sorry, Natsu."

"It's nothing you need to be sorry about. It was a choice I made several years ago."

"Well, at least now I know another reason our friends were trying to set us up; we're both used to dealing with dangerous people, and we've both closed ourselves off to relationships."

He sent me a sad smile, and I could feel my eyelids growing heavier. I felt a little sluggish, and my brain was slower to react; the meds were kicking in, but I pushed through the fog, wanting just a few more minutes. Since I knew my time was growing shorter, I carefully took Natsu's left hand and turned it palm-up.

"Did you have someone take a look while you were at the hospital? I might have missed some glass..." I slid my fingers across the small cuts, feeling for any sign of intruders that may need to be removed.

"You got it all. I'd be able to feel if there was more in there. Besides, I don't really like hospitals."

"Then why did you insist you would stay with me if I had to be admitted today?" My fingers absentmindedly stroked his hand and wrist as I asked my question.

Why did I ask that? Oh, that's right, medication. The combination is making my eyelids sink against my will.

"It's late, I should take you to bed," Natsu said instead of answering my question.

I giggled at his choice of words and the way his face turned crimson.

"Damn it. I didn't mean it like that," he grumbled as he helped me off the couch and guided me into my room.

Natsu kept one arm around my waist, steadying me as he pulled back the sheets, then helped me into bed.

"My room is right next door if you need anything," he said as he pulled the covers over me, his hand stroking my hair as I settled in. "Goodnight, Lucy."

"Goodnight, Natsu," I replied sleepily. "And thank you...for everything."

He turned off my light and closed the door, sleep claiming me shortly afterwards.

Just a few chapters left before updates will slow down considerably. I've got one hard re-write of chapter nine happening right now, and chapter ten nearing the final editing phase. I'm trying to write when I get breaks at work, and once I have a chapter outlined, it gets typed, edited, and published. Hopefully I'll be able to get one out every 2-3 weeks. However long it takes, just know that I'm not going to just quit on this story, and it will eventually come to a close. My current hope/expectation is 25-30 chapters total, but this was initially supposed to be a one-shot (well over a year ago, when the idea first came to me) and it kinda took on a life of its own.

Thanks to all who faved/followed; it means a lot to me that you enjoy my story enough to want to read more. Special thanks to my reviewers: Trugracee, Glassygirl, Niomei, Copperreign12, LadyNerdyNerf, and RequiemMage.

TTFN, Lovelies!