Lucy was panicking as he got her into the car. "Ggget mmme ouuut of here" she stuttered scared. "Leaving right now" he told her putting his foot on the gas and took off. "I cant, I ccant breathe." Her body began to feel tight as sweat began pouring down her face. "Lucy!" he said concerned. He saw her lean forward with rapid breathing. He turned a corner and pulled the car over and raced over to her side , getting her out. She began to hyperventilate. He saw the fear in her eyes. Trying to get her to focus, he grabbed her face and had her look at him. "Baby, you have to breathe." "I ccaaaannnt, it hurts" she cried. Pulling her face back towards him, he looked at her with warm eyes and calmly said "yes you can" "NO, SHE'S GOING TO GO AFTER LAYLA NATSU!, SHE,AHH" "Lucy, look at me baby" he rubbed her cheeks with his hands. "You're having a panic attack, you need to breathe" "Natsuu,sssshe" He shook his head. "No baby, don't think about that. You need to breathe. Come on , take a deep breathe with me."
He still felt her heartbeat going a thousand beats a second. "I need to get her heartbeat down" he thought quickly. "Lucy, look at me baby, you trust me right?" "Mm...mmmoore thany aannnything" "You know your safe with me" She nodded her head rapidly as he said "then you know I will never let anything happen to Layla. I promise you she will not go near our daughter, or you." he sighed relived when he felt her starting to calm down. "Okay, now i need you to breathe with me alright?. One, two..that's it. There you go." He looked at her as tears bursted out and she threw her hands around his stomach. Sobbing, he put his arms around her. "Naaatsuuu" "I'm right here" he said softly. "Your alright baby" he swung her slowly side to side as she calmed down and looked up at him. "Youuuppprommmise she won't go near her" she half mumbled. "Yes , cross my heart, our daughter will be safe. You both will. You ready to try to go again?" he asked her unsure. "Yes please. I want to hold her." she pleaded.
He caringly walked her back to her seat as she slid in and buckled up. He got in and started driving. Grabbing her hand, he entangled his fingers into it , giving her a warm smile. She returned and then looked out the window. She was silent on the ride back to the hotel. Natsu squeezed her hand for comfort and while she smiled, it did not reach her eyes. He didn't know how else to comfort her as they reached the hotel and opened her door for her. He only had to knock once as Erza opened the door. Lucy smiled a thankful smile as she walked fast through the door where Layla yelled "mommy!" but barely made a step forward when Lucy scooped her up and was on her knees. "Mmommy?" Tears fell down her face as she held Layla close and started to cry as Jellal hearing her came out. Natsu's hands balled into fists seeing Lucy and the state she was in. "That fucking bitch. How dare she do this to Lucy." he thought as Erza threw her shoes on. "Let's go Natsu, now" "Huh, where are we going?" he asked confused as she pulled at his arm.
"We're going to the gym now and that's not a request. Jellal please keep an eye on them." "Will do." answered Jellal as her and Natsu went outside. "Erza" "No, save it Natsu, I know that look. I've seen it enough times so we are going to the gym where you can let it out." Not arguing, he followed Erza into her car and drove with her. Once they got there, he followed her. "Wow, you own this?" he asked impressed. "Yup. Figured people needed a place where they could learn how to defend themselves and work out as well." He looked around as he saw a huge open space with a boxing ring, fighting area with mats, punching bags, some typical workout machines but that seemed to be in a different part of the gym. He was interested in one part that had a door but couldn't see what was on the other side. He went to look before Erza grabbed his shoulder. "Your not ready" she stated. "What the hell, how do you know?" he snapped feeling insulted. "Because you are far too angry right now but come on that is not why I brought you here. You can sight see later." she told him shoving him forward onto the mats.
"What the fuck are you doing?" he asked demanding to know. "Giving you a chance, Mccain, come over here" A man with average height but was built up in the arm and shoulder department came over. Natsu could see he was strong in the ab department without him having to lift his shirt. "Got a newbie Erza?" he asked. "Yep but today is just a release day for him. He needs to get some stuff out." she explained. "Well no better place than here" said Mccain as he wrapped his hands. Natsu did the same. "Everyone back up and give them space" she ordered to everyone watching as they stepped away from the mat leaving Natsu and Mccain standing there. "Go Natsu" she said frank. She stood back and crossed her arms as Natsu raised his. Mccain didn't give him a chance as he launched for him. He barely had time to move when a fist impacted his face knocking him to the ground. "Come on kid, Erza wouldn't bring you here if she didn't see something so come on" he encouraged as Natsu got to his feet and threw a hand at him but Mccain caught it easily throwing Natsu to the ground.
"What are you doing Natsu?" thought Erza. "Get up and fight." Just by looking , she knew something was off. "Natsu!, quit this shit." she snapped making him and Mccain turn their heads. She walked over to a table to grab something and walked back over as Natsu saw what she grabbed. "Your relieved Mccain." she told him. "Everyone leave...now" she said quietly but adamantly. "Yes ma'am" they all responded as Natsu saw from the looks on their faces that it was a bad idea to question or disobey her. Natsu was very wary of the fighting gloves she put on her hands as she got into a fighting stance. "Come at me" she ordered. "What?" he questioned. "You heard me, I said come at me now do it!" He wrenched his arm back and shoved it forward as she turned and dodged it. "Natsu, stop it." "Stop what?" he said in a low voice. "Whatever the fuck your trying to hide, that is why I brought you here, to let it out. Quit screwing around and hit me damn it or we're done." Natsu gave her a defiant look while she had an unreadable expression on hers. "Do you want to put Lucy in danger?" she asked suddenly.
"What?" he said irritated. "That's exactly what your going to do if you don't quit your crap , now HIT ME!" she screamed as Natsu launched at her angrily. He used his right foot to try to hit her side but she blocked it. Furious, he tried to punch her right in the face but she grabbed his arm and jabbed him in the stomach with her hand knocking him to the floor. He jumped to his feet as flashes of Lucy came to his head. Flashes of her panic attack came flying to his head. "No...no please" he cried out putting a hand to his head as Erza motioned with her hands to come at her. Yelling in frustration, he launched his whole body at her as she swiftly moved to go behind him and punch him in the back causing him to fall to his knees. "No!, god damn it." he yelled as he started punching the mat but wasn't looking at her. He punched it over and over as Erza got down in front of him and grabbed his shoulders firmly. "Natsu, stop" she said in a kind voice. He kept going until she placed a hand on top of him making him look up at her. She had a warm, caring smile on her face as he stopped and sat back on his knees.
"Natsu" He bowed his head to the floor with his fists out as tears started to come down his face. "I...I don't know what to do Erza" he cried out. "What happened at your mothers?" she asked him. "That fucking bitch..she had a tail on Lucy the whole time she was in Europe then threatened she would end Lucy's career singing if she didn't go back. I told her that I'm going to disown her." he answered still not looking up. "Go on. I saw the look on her face and how she ran to Layla. I know there's more" He lifted his head up as Erza saw the tears falling. "Sshe. the damn woman as we were leaving told us she knew about Layla the whole time. She's threatening to do something to both of them now that she knows Lucy is going to stay here..but she has no fucking clue what she did to Lucy." Erza felt his rage built back up in his eyes as his fists started to shake. "The reason Lucy ran...she had a panick attack as we left Evelyn's house." "Evelyn huh?, no mo" He cut her off harshly "THAT WOMAN IS NO MOTHER OF MINE! SHE HAS NO FUCKING CLUE THE FEAR THAT LUCY FELT!" he screamed. "Lucy was terrified in the car. I could see it in her eyes. The panic, the worry. It took me a good few minutes just to calm her down to get her back in the car. Ssshe had no idea how much I wanted to go back." "Go back where?" asked Erza. "To the house, she even tried to warn me before we went in not to lose it and if we should turn around. I told her no but goddamn it, she knows me and that I wouldn't show her what I felt."
"She was trying to protect you" Erza said sympathetically. "She wasn't supposed too!" he yelled "If..ifff it wasn't for her at that moment at the car..." "But you didn't" "I don't know how to protect her Erza!. She's the only reason I don't lose control and now Layla is in all this. If I lose them, I don't know what I'm going to do." He brought his head back down as he was surprised when he felt arms hugging around him. "You aren't alone in this Natsu. I promise you that. Jellal and I will not let anything happen to the two of them or to you. You guys are family and we protect our own." He looked up at her with sadness as she gently touched his cheek. "We will get through this together" "Thank you Erza" he said.
They were both sweating their asses off as Erza helped Natsu to his feet. "Go shower up, there's showers in the back and then we'll go." she told him as she pointed her arm to where the showers were. "Uhh, Erza, I don't have any extra clothes with me." "I'll get you some clothes from the back. There's usually some hanging around for those who forget to bring some." She turned and caught Natsu giving her a warm smile. "Sorry" he said after standing there for a minute. Erza brought a hand to her face letting out a small laugh. "Go on, you'll freeze if you don't" she told him lightly. He turned as she watched his back leaving before she went to rinse off. Once they were cleaned up and Natsu changed into the t-shirt and sweats left for him, he went out to meet Erza and they went back to the hotel.
"Are you going to be okay now?" she asked concerned. "No, I won't be until I know that bitch won't be able to come after us again." His voice calmer but she heard the bitterness behind it. "Are you going to tell Lucy about what your feeling?" He went silent for a few moments. "Natsu?" "No, she's scared enough as it is. My telling her how I feel is only going to make her feel worse..I would appreciate if you didn't tell her either." he said honestly. " I won't say a word. Just know that you can't keep your feelings buried. You said she knows you better than anyone. That means she will eventually find out what your hiding." He sighed depressingly as he said " I know, believe me. Just want to save her from as pain as I can." "You know I may not have known you very long as I've know Lucy for the five years Jellal has been singing with her but I can tell that you love her very much." "More than anything" he replied. Her fingers tensed up on the wheel as she asked bluntly "would you give up your life for her?" "Without a second thought. For her and Layla..why are you asking?" he asked eyeing her. (Kizuna Fairy tail soundtrack Vol.2)
"Because there's a chance it could very well happen with your mother being the power hungry woman that she is...and I wanted to find out if you were lying but with what you told me just now and the gym, there's no way a son like the one your mother wants who cares about his image,and money would be selfless and love the way you do with your soon to be wife and child."(end song) "She's lucky to have you too. I can tell that you would go to extraordinary lengths to protect her." he admired. "All of you" "Huh?" "Don't leave yourself out Natsu. I'll go to the same lengths to protect you too, not just Lucy and Layla." "Thank you Erza." he said humbly. "Your welcome."
They got back to the hotel as Natsu took a deep breath as he stepped out of the car with Erza and took the elevator up. He was nervous as they got closer. "She was a mess when we left..I hope she was able to calm down some." he thought anxiously and worried as Erza unlocked the door and they went in. "Daddy!" Natsu was greeted by Layla running at him as he put a smile on his face and picked her up. "Heyy baby girl. How are you?" "I'm great!" she answered cheerfully as she said "Jellal and I made cookies" "That's wonderful Layla" he said as she had great big smile on her face when he caught sight of Lucy. She was sitting there with a discouraging look on her face when she seemed to notice Natsu and turn her head towards him. Erza saw this and took the chance to say "Layla, sweetie, show me those cookies you made" holding her hands out for her to jump into.
As Layla jumped, she saw Natsu mouth thank you to her as she slightly nodded and headed towards the kitchen. Lucy slowly stood up and walked towards him. "Lucy" he said softly as she slipped her arms through his and put them up his back. He put his around her shoulders and rested his head on top of hers as they both closed their eyes for a minute. "Luc" "Don't talk..please" she said emotionally as tears started to come down making him wrap his arms around her tighter while she gripped at his back. "Baby, it's going to be okay. I promise" he told her trying to convince her as much as she could without letting his own emotions get in the way. "Not until she is gone..it will never be okay until she is gone." Natsu didn't know what to say because he knew she was right and that they weren't safe until his mother was out of their lives for good. "Why don't you guys come stay at our house?" asked Erza trying to ease their tension.
"But I ..uhhh" Letting out a laugh, Erza went "Natsu , did you honestly think we lived here?, No I assure you we have a house." "But Jellal.." "Yes, when he goes out, we stay at a hotel but we don't live here, I assure there is whole bedroom at our house waiting for you guys." "But Gray and Gajeel" chimed in Lucy. "They are already at their homes" said Jellal as he came over with Layla. "Since we aren't going back to Europe, I told them there's no point in them staying at the hotel anymore and to go home. Besides our stay here was about up so this works out." Lucy turned away as Jellal said "did i say something wrong?"
"Luce, baby what is it?" asked Natsu worried. Lucy turned her face backwards towards Jellal while still leaning into Natsu as he started rubbing her back soothingly. "Jellal, I need to tell you something." "What is it?" he asked. "Natsu's mmmom...sssh" Erza and Natsu both saw as she struggled with her words but they gave each other a look knowing what she was trying to tell him. "Lucy, whatever it is, I swear it's okay, you can tell me" he assured her. "Sssshee told me that If I...I didn't go back to Europe then she..she would dessstroy my mmusic career" Jellal's eyes widened as Lucy continued but Erza and Natsu both had spiteful looks on their faces. "Iii.. told her I didn't care and thatt I would go back to being nothing than go back to Europe." She started sobbing hard as they all gave her sympathetic faces. "Iiii . dddiddn't think about you guys in the band. I'M SO SORRY!" she screamed out as her legs gave out and she dropped to her knees with Natsu right there. "Lucy..I.." Jellal stuttered as Natsu gave him a look to watch what he said as it could make Lucy feel worse.
Taking a breathe, Jellal had a softness in his voice as he said "Lucy, look at me (inishie no Mahou Fairy Tail soundtrack Vol.3) Gently nudging her, she looked up at Natsu with bloodshot teary eyes as he nodded his head towards Jellal letting her know it was alright. She sniffled and turned her head towards him and in a compassionate voice he said "Lucy, If it means you must leave your family then I speak for all the guys when I say we don't care about the music. We are not going to take you away from your child and your husband all just to have a spot in the industry. No, music be damned. You have nothing to apologize for. Gray, Gajeel and I would have done the same in your place. Your home for good Lucy, I promise." "Thank you!" she cried out as she cried into Natsu's arms as him and Erza both gave Jellal thankful smiles. (End song)