Lucy and Layla came out a few hours later as Erza and Jellal were still hanging out on the couch. "Hey guys" greeted Jellal as the girls waved at him. "Natsu still out huh?" "Yeahh..I think he's out for the night. Those pain meds knocked him right out. "Good, he needs it" said Erza. "Can we join you?" asked Lucy. "Oh, I'm sorry, of course" said Erza quickly shoving Jellal over. "Heyy" he said amused as Erza pushed him to the end letting Lucy and Layla sit down. "I wasn't trying to start anything , I swear Jellal" Lucy said sounding happy. "Glad to see her smiling" thought Erza and Jellal. "Mommy, I'm hungry" complained Layla. Lucy turned to Erza to say something as Erza stopped her and said "you can make whatever you want." Lucy gave her a thankful smile as she got up and started looking in the cupboards until she found a pasta that she could make for Layla. After thirty minutes, she called Layla to the counter. She got up and struggled some getting into the chair but she did it with an accomplished smile on her face as Lucy giggled and handed Layla her food.
"Hey Lucy" said Erza. "Hmm, what is it?" "How would you feel joining the gym and taking self-defense classes?" Are you serious?" Erza nodded her head as Lucy in a clear voice said "yes I'll do it. I'm not sure yet why Natsu did what he did but I know he did it for a good reason. I don't want him to think he has to be the only one to fight for this family. I want to do my part as well. This bitch..don't repeat that Layla.. she's not going to keep threatening my family. If you have a way of making me stronger than please teach me." "We will start tomorrow if you want. Jellal can stay here to watch over Natsu and Layla."
"You want to start that soon?" Lucy asked surprised. "Trust me, It's a good thing..plus you'll have a better handle on Natsu when he wakes up." Lucy looked at her with eyebrows raised as Erza said lightly "Lucy, come on. I know you know him. He is not going to just sit back and let you take care of everything." Lucy huffed as she knew Erza was telling the truth. "Fine, fine" she said with attitude making Erza and Jellal laugh. They all just hung and ate around the couch for the rest of the day Lucy decided it was time for her and Layla to go to bed. "Hey Erza?" "Yes?" "Do you think there's a chance we could run by my home tomorrow so I can get some clothes for us?" she asked unsure. "No problem. We'll run over once we're done at the gym." Lucy nodded as she thanked her and then went into the bedroom.
"Go on baby, get in your spot next to daddy." Lucy whispered as Layla climbed up and laid in the middle of the bed being very gentle and careful so as not to touch or wake Natsu up. Lucy climbed in after her and put the blanket over them. "I love you mommy" she whispered as Lucy kissed the top of her head and said " I love you too. Goodnight Layla." "Night, night" she replied sweetly closing her eyes. Lucy took a minute as she laid there before she put her thoughts aside and closed her eyes letting sleep take over. "Mommy" Layla said urgently as Lucy's eyes opened right up. The sun was up as she turned to see Layla who motioned her head towards Natsu. She heard his heavy breathing. "Natsu" she said seeing the pain in his face. He moaned in pain as he couldn't move an inch. "Goddamnit" he mumbled angrily under his breath until his body moved slightly widening his eyes. "AHHHHHHH" he screamed as Lucy leapt out of the bed.
"ERZA, JELLAL!" she screamed as they came running. "GAHHHH" He was in so much pain. She put her hands to her head grabbing it. "what do I do?" she asked trying to stay calm. "Where are his pain meds?" asked Jellal. "No , don't Jellal. He needs to work through this." Erza told him. "Erza, honey. Look at him." " I know..." Erza said feeling a pang of regret. "Those meds are only going to put off his pain even longer" she thought to herself. "Sorry Erza, I gotta disagree with you on that. He is nowhere near a good condition without them. He can't move honey." Taking a minute to think, she knew he was right. Lucy was about to go with him when Natsu yelled "no stay away Lucy!, Erza do not let her come in here!" "But Natsu" "NO, do not come in here or I swear Luce" Knowing that tone, she reluctantly stepped back before Erza had to step in front of her. "Come on Lucy, We are going to the gym" she told her. "That's not a request, move it" she ordered. "Yyes ma'am" getting her shoes on. "Jellal, watch Layla" she yelled as they headed out the door. "Love you mommy" "Love you too baby" Lucy replied as the door shut.
" You know you can't do anything right now Lucy" said Erza as she saw Lucy cross her arms. "Lucy.. I don't know him like you do but we have something in common." Getting her attention, Lucy looked at her while Erza was driving but had a face that told Lucy she knew what she was saying. "It wasn't that he was mad at you so I hope you don't think he was. He didn't want to appear weak." "Huh?" "Think about it from his point of view. The state he is in. He knows how weak he is and it kills him. He doesn't want you to see him like that." "But I would help him" Erza shook her head and said " It doesn't matter. He feels he is in a position where he can't protect you, where he has no choice but to rely on other people. I would be the exact same way if It were me." Lucy gave her a skeptic look as Erza chuckled and said "i hate feeling weak, not being able to protect myself. It would be hell for me. He'll have a change of heart in a few days, don't worry." Erza saw Lucy had an uncertain look on her face as she said something knowing it would cheer her up.
"After all, how many days do you think Natsu will be able to go without you?. Pain or not. He'll be calling your name soon" she looked seeing the effect she wanted as Lucy smiled hearing that. She put her hands over her heart looking at her engagement ring. "I love you Natsu" she said softly. Once they got to the gym, they went over to the mats. "So this is your gym huh?" asked Lucy intrigued. "Give me fifty" "What?" "Fifty push ups, right there, now" "Erza, you can't be" She saw the look on Erza's face mean that she was so Lucy sighed and got to the floor. " I thought you were going to teach me to get stronger and defend myself." she grunted as she pushed up. "I am, this is just a warm up" Lucy looked up at her as if she took her favorite toy seeing Erza had a little of an evil smile on her face. She crouched down and said "by the time we are done here, You won't be able to walk" she joked darkly. Lucy gave her a look of terror. "Now keep going, that's only 10, you still have 30 left" "Hmph, -ups. as if" "What was that Lucy?" "Nothing Erza!" she said innocently as she put her head down and focused on the pushups. "I know this is just fun for her but I know she's going to help me so I need to take this seriously." she told herself.
After she was done, she was sweating like crazy as Erza handed her a water bottle. "Thanks" she stumbled over her words taking the bottle. "Alright, you ready?" Erza asked after having a couple minutes to drink. Lucy nodded taking a last sip and put the bottle down. "What's next?" she said confident. "Your confident, good" said Erza as she walked across the mat and turned to face her. "Alright, put your hands out in front of you." "Like this?" asked Lucy putting her hands up. "No" said Erza lightly as she came over and placed Lucy's hands in the position they needed to be. "Alright, come at me" she motioned with her hands. "Erza, I ..." "You won't hurt me, trust me" Although very confused, she did as instructed and went at her as Erza moved to the side and very quickly kicked the back of her leg knocking her to the floor as she twisted Lucy's arm behind her. "Ahh" she let out in pain. "Wwhat the hell" "This is the first step to defending yourself. If you can have an open spot in the legs especially for how small you are, then you can kick it. Kick it with immense force and you can bring anyone down."
She pressed down on Lucy's arm making her let out a small yelp of pain. "Next, try to go for the arms if you can." Erza let her up as Lucy put both her arms in front of her. "Damn" she thought as she looked up. "Ready to go again?" she said with a nice smile. "Oh yeah" replied Lucy as she took Erza's hand and got to her feet. "What's next?" Just you wait Natsu, you won't be the only one to defend us." Erza went to stand behind Lucy. "Erza, what are yo" before she could finish, Erza ran at her and threw her to the floor wrapping her legs around her squeezing. "ahh shit" she said as Erza put her arms around Lucy's neck. Hitting her arm, she choked out "Errrzza, cough cough, I cccann..bbre" she let up her grip as Lucy gasped for air grabbing her throat. "Nnnnatsu would kill you if he saw you do that" "Well good thing he's not here. Come on" she grabbed Lucy's hand and yanked her up.
"What was that?" asked Lucy. "It's called the back grab. Useful for when your sneaking up on someone. You alright? you look like in your rough shape." Putting her hands on her knees, Lucy let out a breathe with an eye closed. "Oh I , but I'm going to keep going. I want to be strong for myself and for my family." "That's what I like to hear, alright. come at me" Lucy smiled as she ran and threw her arm back but as Erza went to dodge, Lucy went under and punched her in the stomach. Not expecting it, she let out a small groan of pain. "Didn't see that coming" she said impressed as Lucy gave her a big grin. "I'm a fast learner." Once they were done for the day, Lucy remembered about what Erza said about not being able to move and every inch of her body told her she was right. Her calf muscles , arms and back were all screaming at her. "Damn" she said but she wasn't complaining. "Want to do some more tomorrow?" "Definitely" "Great, come on let's go get your clothes and then you can take a shower. It will help relax your muscles." "Ahh, a shower. yay" she announced gladly
"Thank you for doing this Erza, the training and running me to my place." "It's my pleasure." she replied. "Wonder how Natsu is doing" said Lucy. "Driving Jellal crazy" said Erza as they cracked up laughing. Once they got to her place, Erza told Lucy she would wait in the car as Lucy got out and walked to the door. "Feels like it's been forever since I've been here" she thought going inside. Not wanting to dawdle, she grabbed a bag for her and Layla's clothes and one for Natsu. " I better not hear one word from him about his clothes." she said as she picked one of his shirts and had a warm smile as she lifted it to her face putting her nose in it. "Smells just like him" She snapped out of her thoughts as she finished packing and had the bags ready. She took a moment to look around. This was her home with Natsu, this was where he started his life away free from his mother and now she threatened to take Lucy away from that. "Like hell she will" Lucy thought angrily as Erza called out. "Coming!" she replied grabbing the bags and locking the door. "Ready?" "Yup, let's head out. Rescue your husband from my child" "Oh he loves her Lucy, you know that" she said light heartily. "Oh I know. Still want to give him a break."
They pulled up to the house and Lucy grabbed her bags and dropped them once they were inside. "Mommy!" Layla yelled from her seat waving to her. "Hey baby girl" she greeted happily as Jellal appeared from around a corner. "How's it going" asked Erza. Jellal gave them a look that said they shouldn't have asked as he closed his eyes and pointed his arm behind him as Erza and Lucy stood there when they heard a scream. "SON OF A BITCH!, THIS SUCKS!" "Oh, that good huh?" said Erza. Jellal shook his head. "He hasn't shut up, he's really pissed he can't do anything." Erza and Lucy looked down. They couldn't imagine what he was going through. "Have you given him his meds yet?" asked Lucy. "Not lately, he's due for a dose" he answered. "I'll do it" Lucy insisted as she went to take a step forward but Jellal stood up in front of her blocking her. "Jellal, what are you doing?" " I wouldn't do that Lucy, he's not there yet. He's been like this since you guys left. Seeing you is only going to shut him down further. I'm sorry Lucy..just not yet" he told her in an apologetic but final tone as Lucy stepped back.
"I'll do it Lucy" said Erza. Lucy gave her a faint smile as she walked by and went in to help Natsu. "Mommy!, come sit next to me" she begged hitting the seat next to her as Lucy said "coming baby" trying to cheer herself up. "Jellal gave me Ice cream" "Oh , did he now?" said Lucy raising an eyebrow. "Haha" said Jellal putting a hand behind his head. "You won't be getting ice cream every day young lady. You have to eat something else first..then maybe you get ice cream." "Fine" said Layla crossing her arms making Lucy and Jellal laugh. "He doesn't look any better" thought Erza seeing his rib still poking out. His bruises hadn't lost much of their color yet and she could hear him still having trouble letting out a simple breath without cringing in pain. "You are being really stupid you know that" she said flatly. "Hmph, the hell you talking about?. I'm stuck here Erza!. Believe me, if i could move, I would." he said annoyed. "Lucy" "What about her?" "Your being an ass, not letting her see you." He lowered his eyes away from her as Erza had his meds in her hand. Taking them, he swallowed them. "God damn, even that hurts" he muttered. "Hmm, if that's all. I'll let you be." she told him as she moved to leave. "Erza" she stopped and turned her head slightly.
"It's not that I don't want to see her , it's" "You don't want her to see you in a weakened state, is that right?" his reluctance to answer gave her the answer as she turned to face him fully. "You idiot, you think she gives a shit about that. All she wants is to help you recover. She loves you, you dumbass. It doesn't matter if you can walk or not.. sorry I'm not trying to scold you, I would be doing the same thing as you if I were in your position. Just know that when your ready, she will be there for you in an instant." "Thanks Erza" Natsu said with a small smile as she returned it walking out of the room as Natsu laid back on the bed. "Crap, this sucks" he thought to himself. "Hey Lucy, weren't you going to shower?" asked Erza puzzled as Lucy jumped from her seat. "I forgot, shower!" she yelled as she ran with her bag to the bathroom. "I will never understand you girls when it comes to showers" said Jellal. "Nope" agreed Erza.
"Shower..Felt so goood" said Lucy in pleasure as she stepped out to dry herself off. "She was right, my muscles don't hurt as much anymore." she thought happily putting clothes on and walked out to meet the others. " I see Natsu stopped yelling." "He's knocked out." informed Jellal. "Ahh, that's explains why I don't hear endless grunts" said Lucy. "So how was your first training session?" he asked curious. "Brutual..and my body is going to hurt like hell tomorrow. I can already see it but it was worth it. The end result is what I'm going for." she closed her hand into a fist as she felt determined. "For now, relax and rest up" said Erza. "I don't even feel tired right now." said Lucy. Erza chuckled and said "give it about an hour..your body will disagree with you. An hour later Lucy felt herself wanting to yawn as she tried her hardest to not let it out but her body did not work with her as she uncontrollably let it out making Erza smirk and raise an eyebrow. "Don't even say a word" said Lucy giving her a glare. "Mommy.. I don't want to go to bed yet" complained Layla as Lucy looked at her conflicted. "We'll send her when she get's tired." Erza answered for her as Lucy agreed as Layla cuddled up to Erza and Jellal while Lucy went in to go to sleep.