A/N: Two chapters in two days! That happens when I get too motivated... Maybe I should do this more often. Anyway I decided to give Igneel bit more time to be seen, complete his character and influence on Natsu... but that is for you to read. I am also glad that I managed to surprise some of you with the twists, honestly I thought it was too easy to see. I thank you all for your time in reading my story. More will come, bigger things and twists.

Darkness dispersed from Lucy's eyes and she began noticing where she is. Ceiling, chandelier… to the right there is curtain… she knows that one, familiar, to the left, doors, cradle. I am in my room, good she thought to herself. She slowly sat up and took small mirror that was standing on coffee table beside bed to look at herself. Her hair was sticking in almost every direction, all tangled and messy while her make-up was smeared, mostly around her lips and a bit around eyes.

"Mavis I look l like a scarecrow…" she said quietly and sighed, moving head from side to side to stretch her neck. Another bad night but something bugged her. Last thing she remembered was that guy hitting on her, then Natsu hit him… "Oh…" she realized what happened and what followed. They left Sabertooth, that she remembers clearly but how did she got home? The very thought gave her headache and she groaned a bit. With other hand she reached for the alarm clock and brought it to her eyes, trying to recognize numbers.

"11:45…" she mumbled, took her three seconds to fully comprehend the gravity of it "Oh shit!" she cried and rushed out of the room then down the stairs where older lady was setting up the table.

"Oh good morning dear." She smiled wide, showing her usual warmth on face.

"I can't stay, already late, I'll be lucky if I catch last class of the day." Lucy groaned and tried to straighten her hair "You should have woke me up."

"I wanted, but your friend told me not to." Elizabeth replied.

"What friend?" Lucy suddenly stopped and looked her direction.

"I didn't caught his name, he had black shirt and pants, chains hanging from his belt…"

Ok that could be Gajeel, was he the one who brought me home? But I didn't see him all day…

"Wild spiky hair…"

That sounds like Gajeel, maybe he picked me up somewhere she thought, taking small sigh of relief.

"Oh and it was pink, I never saw a young man with pink hair."

Every fiber in Lucy's body was screaming at the scenarios that could have happened and suddenly a small flash came before her eyes. She remembered Natsu following her to the bench and that is where her memory stops. Did he do something to her while she was asleep? Was she unconscious to a point of being unable to wake up? Maybe he did something to her to put her to sleep, did he forced himself on her? Oh Mavis what if he raped me!? Every scenario from that point on was darker than previous one, she knew well that Natsu would not take no for an answer but she had no time to think rationally… her phone started ringing, it wasn't in her bag, but rather, right there on dining table. She took it and looked at the screen having name Idiot on it. Reluctantly she swept over the screen and brought phone to her ear both anxious and afraid of what she may hear.

"He-llo?" Lucy stuttered a bit.

"Heeeey you are awake! Good that means old lady did as I told her, say thanks to her ok?" Natsu said, obviously cheerful but Lucy was no less nervous.

"What did you tell her?" she almost screamed.

"I told her not to wake you up, I managed to pull some strings here and got friends of yours to take notes for you so I'll bring you for them. Actually you might want to hear that in person." His voice disappeared and after few seconds of random noises another one reached her.

"Lulu?"

"Levy!" Lucy quickly said finally having a little bit of relief.

"Lulu what happened? Natsu said you were molested? Is that true?" Levy sounded worried.

"What?" she raised voice "I was not molested!" I think "He is just overreacting"

"I'm glad" Levy let a long sigh of relief "I got some notes and gathered few from classes you are in, he said he'll bring it to you. I hope you are okay…"

"I am fine, just… long day I will tell you everything when I see you."

"Do you work today?" Natsu again took the phone, making Lucy's stomach jump.

"What do you mean?"

"Do you have shifts today, after college?" He repeated.

"No, I have free day today…" she replied reluctantly.

"Alright, meet me at that sweet shop you work at… 14 got it? Oh and… come alone…" he chuckled behind the line making Levy practically shout at him at which he replied with I'm joking I'm joking.

"Idiot…" Lucy said silently.

"But seriously, I'll meet you there today and we should talk. Gotta go, big ass punk-machine saw me."

Call ended and Lucy was left with little more comfort than what she started with before the call. There was still the bug that drilled her stomach, leaving uneasy feeling and many questions left unanswered. Maybe he didn't see her. With her appetite completely eradicated by this call she made her way into the bathroom for a long shower. As she removed her clothes she looked down, biting her lower lip and decided to check… Maybeshe is overthinking. Carefully she moved fingers, slowly, inspecting herself carefully. It seemed in order but then again Natsu is not complete idiot and someone of his preceding reputation would always carry a condom. That still didn't change the fact that if he did something to her, she could barely live with herself.

One long shower after and she went to her room, picking out cleaner clothes, something a bit more comfortable than she wore previous night, simple white T-shirt, jeans, rubber band to keep her hair neatly tied and with that she finally came down for now very late breakfast.

"That boy told me you had troubles at work." Elizabeth took seat at the opposite side of the table.

"It was nothing I didn't expect but he probably exaggerated…" Lucy finished eating her eggs and wiped her lips with paper napkin.

"Doesn't mean you should be working in such place."

"It pays good, better than rest so I cannot afford to lose that one." Lucy rubbed her forehead, headache was still strong. After a short while a cry was heard.

"She is awake." Elizabeth said and was prepared to stand up but Lucy raised her hand.

"No, no, I'll handle it, I haven't seen her all day yesterday." Lucy rose and took bottle that was subdued in warm water. She walked upstairs and into the room, taking baby out of the cradle and sat on the bad, letting out soft smile as she stared drinking milk.

On the other side of the town Natsu was laying on his bed, patiently waiting for the time to come and for him to go see Lucy. Classes ended, he came home just in time to change and gather his thoughts so now all that is left is to wait. He couldn't completely make sense of this situation and questions piled one after another. He was sure of two things. First, that was a cradle and when he looked inside there was a baby, maybe a year old, couldn't be more but then again how many babies did he see outside of movies and internet? The second thing is that Lucy did well to hide it from him so there must be a reason. He was just as anxious about this but perhaps for a bit different reasons. Part of him wanted so badly to know what was all this about, while other part wondered if this would change anything.

Natsu sat up, he was completely still like a statue, only his eyes wandered around as his own train of thought left the station. What if that is her baby? Who would be father? Did he die? Maybe he left her. Maybe there is no father, like one of those insemination things but those things are expensive, plus she is college student. His foot started tapping nervously on the ground. For some reason he really wanted to get along with Lucy and it bugged him. He groaned and fell back on the bed, covering his face with both hands.

"Come on!" he growled "If it was any other chick with a baby beside her bed I would be runnng for the hills! Those chicks are trouble!" He sat up again, not sure which direction he wanted to go "So am I wanting to know more about this? Damn you Lucy what the hell have you done to me?!"

"Natsu-nii?" Wendy's voice could be heard from other side of the door.

"It's open!" he shouted. Wendy entered room and closed doors behind her and walked over to bed.

"Is everything alright?" She asked, sitting beside him.

"Yeah just… I am thinking about someone." He responded, looking up at ceiling "Can't shake the feeling that there is something… deeper in this."

"Is it about a girl?" Wendy asked.

"Yeah…"

"Maybe Natsu-nii fell in love?" She tilted her head, having slight grin on her face.

"Wait, what? No!" he quickly sat up.

"Did Natsu-nii kiss her already?" She continued with her small inquisition.

"No I…" he stopped and looked at her, narrowing his eyes "You are spending too much time with your friends!" he chuckled at how fast she began connecting dots.

"Sooo who is she?" Wendy pressed on.

"Well she is… someone you won't get to hear about." He chuckled and Wendy just puffed her cheeks, annoyed at his dodges.

Natsu stood up from his bed and took light jacket, fixing his hair with hands only sufficient to make it look not as messy as it could be. Black jeans, red shirt and matching summer jacket, he needed nothing more to give him boost in both ego and spirit. He walked down the stairs.

"I need to go, will be back later." He said, looking toward living room where Igneel was following his daily routing of reading newspapers, Gran was nowhere to be seen.

"Isn't it a bit early for you to be 'hitting the club' as you say?" Igneel tilted his newspaper looking at Natsu through his glasses.

"Not going to club" he responded, taking another look at mirror by the door to check himself.

"Natsu-nii is going to see his girlfriend!" Wendy shouted from the top of the stairs.

"Oh…" Igneel returned his gaze toward papers "And which one would be now?"

"No one, Wendy, shut up please!" Natsu turned to send angry glare at Wendy who didn't seem to be even little bit frightened by the fiery look.

"Natsu-nii fell in love!" She said again in higher tone, making Natsu widen eyes little gremlin is gonna make things worse!

Igneel quickly tilted his papers again and looked at Natsu, this time he was genuinely shocked "Come again?"

"Nothing she is just… kids stuff, don't let her hang out with friends… Wendy, one more word and no homework-help from me for a month!" Natsu threatened her before he rushed out of the house, leaving Igneel in state of complete confusion and not long after silver-haired woman stood right beside him, just as shocked, just as confused.

"Did I heard well? Natsu fell in love?"

"By Mavis, there just might be some hope for the boy." Igneel concluded.

14 o'clock. Lucy was already sitting in the shop, tapping nervously with her foot as she stared at the door. Two minutes after, doors opened and pink haired idiot in question has showed himself, needing little time to search for Lucy. He approached and sat on opposite end of the table, having only a sly grin on his face, more relaxed than he initially thought he would be. Lucy on the other side was fixed on his eyes, glaring with intent of burning through back of his skull. Of course she was angry but that anger was there mostly to cover the fear that twisted her guts into knot. He looks way too relaxed she thought He definitely did something. Ten seconds of complete silence was broken with cute waitress coming to the table with smile as wide as she can pull.

"Soooo what can I get you today? Lu?" She asked, holding tray in front of her with both hands.

"Oh right, ummm I tried vanilla last time, give me one of those coconut cakes" he pointed with finger toward it.

"One coconut cake, what about you Lu?"

"Coffee" Lucy replied almost instantly, still looking at Natsu.

"Coming right up!"

"Ok I am having a slight feeling you are trying to kill me with that look of yours." Natsu finally broke the tension and looked at Lucy.

"What did you do last night?"

"What do you mean?" Natsu asked, lifting eyebrow up.

"Don't pull that crap on me!" Lucy leaned forward "Did you do something to me?"

"Lucy," now he leaned forward, smug grin completely disappeared and he showed a face she never saw one before, one where his eyes were just as piercing as hers a moment ago "You can think what you want about me but when you and I have sex you will be awake, not unconscious on bed, I may be idiot but I am not sleazebag." Lucy leaned back, at very least he didn't do anything to her and she felt less dirty.

"So, how about we start over hmm?"

"Why did you do it? Last night, that guy… why did you hit him?"

"He was gonna force you into sex or worse." Natsu responded, leaning back aswell.

"Orga was there, he would have acted!" Lucy retorted.

"Two things Luce… First, he was nowhere to be seen around until Sting called for him and second, by the time he would come to you the creep would have got a good feel of your body. You know what I am thinking." He nodded down, indicating at her breasts that even T-shirt couldn't hide well… she moved both arms and crossed them to cover. "In my book if you have to force a girl just to get a boner you don't deserve to have working nose."

"So what is it that you were doing so far?"

"Hold on a second, I may have done some… wordy stuff but I never forced myself on you! That is way below my code." Natsu frowned again.

"Oh you have a code?" Lucy snorted, almost amused at this sentence.

"Yes I have a code and that code says you don't touch girl that says 'no'. So, I had to intervene, given the chance I would do it again only this time I'd break his jaw instead of nose. I may have been a little… fucking absolutely livid to calculate how much I wanted to break on him."

Lucy looked down, her gaze finally broke from his. She didn't know what to think of this, this… strange, unique Natsu-like chivalry if it could ever be called one. He attacked another guy because of her, broke his nose because of her… he stood up for her, something she almost never saw anyone do for her. Perhaps, just perhaps… she could have been wrong about him.

"Let's start over with 'Thank you Natsu' and we move with our date." He smiled wide at her.

Or perhaps she is not wrong and he was just dying find excuse and do this dance again. Idiot… she smiled faintly, taking coffee that was just delivered and took a sip.

"Fine. Thank you Natsu." She repeated her tone may have been a bit childish and mocking but it sounded very cute, much to his pleasure. But that didn't diminish the fact that there are still a lot more questions left to be answered. "So what else did you want to know? I take it you came for that."

"Hmm? Oh no I actually just wanted to be on date with you." He said after taking a bite of coconut cake, her eyes widened "I actually meant to come later at your house and ask you about few things but since you mentioned. I have two questions. First is… what is the deal?"

"What deal?" She took another sip of her coffee, trying to keep her stomach from imploding.

"You know what deal." He said in lower tone, serious one as he waved with his spoon.

"You… saw Michelle… didn't you?" She asked… the prayer that he did not notice hasn't come true and he nodded. She could avoid the answering this, find whatever reason to circle around it but… he saved her.

"Michelle is, my younger sister."

"Isn't she a little too young to be your sister? Usually age difference is up to five years, ten at best… not twenty."

Lucy placed her cup down, swallowing hard. Her hands were placed on her lap and she looked at table for long time before saying anything "I was my father's disappointment after high school. He couldn't comprehend the idea of me trying to go in school I wanted and he always kept me in check, letting me go only where he wanted, when he wanted. But after he saw that I outgrew the point where he could continue to control me he decided to have another child, son preferably to continue his… line. Unfortunately, he got a daughter. I moved out of the house and got into Fairy Tail University, rented house that you saw yesterday."

Natsu stopped eating his cake, holding spoon in his mouth. Cheerful grin slowly disappeared. "But, one misfortune demands another" she continued "Last year, my mother and father died. Social services sent Michelle to me as closest living relative. I was 20, classified as adult and able to raise a child. Problems started there since I was already studying and I could no longer afford to live with just two part time jobs… I had to get more. I got four, went to classes in the morning and to work after that, every day, work days and weekends. Michelle is now my only family. You saw Elizabeth, she is old friend of the family who accepted to work for… minimal and laughable wage, heavens know how grateful I am for that because I couldn't make time for Michelle myself."

"What about adoption?" Natsu asked, still having spoon in his mouth. Lucy jumped up and leaned forward to him, glaring with her big brown eyes, ready to kill again. He flinched, pulling back.

"You really think I would do that to her? To just send her away to someone whom I do not know nor if they would treat her well? Not every family is nice Natsu!"

"Ok ok, I'm sorry just… put the glare down, nice and easy…" he smiled nervously as she moved back on her seat.

"I was asked about giving her into adoption but I couldn't… I just couldn't."

"I understand…" Natsu said in soft, quiet voice.

"I didn't lie to you that time, Natsu." She looked into her cup, spotting reflection inside dark liquid "I am barely managing everything as it is… to have boyfriend in life is… I won't be able to make it."

"Luce, boyfriends are not just a baggage you know, most of the time they are there to share the load."

"You would suggest yourself, but you are in college yourself. You have your reputation, dating beautiful students, your motivation is sex… my motivation is… trying to tie all ends together and hope tomorrow is going to be better. I can either sacrifice my studies or rest of my life… I need this degree, I need to have better job because I cannot raise Michelle on part time jobs, if she is to have better life than me, I need to be able to pay for it."

"Alright, then let me help you a little bit on that load." He pointed with his spoon toward Lucy who sighed deeply again and groaned "As a friend." He finally finished, making her look at him.

"You do realize that in that case sex is off the table." She asked, crossing her arms again.

"I do" Wait what the hell am I saying?

"And you are okay with it? Knowing we can't and won't date?"

"I am" Shut up shut up shut up shut up!

"Very well I will… trust you." She sighed deeply "Knowing I am going to regret it… What was the second question?"

"Why did you hide it?"

"I didn't, you never asked, I never said."

"No no, you told me you don't have any relatives, that was a lie, so spill it… why hide?" Natsu leaned forward, his face was easily half way across the table.

"Do you know how it is when someone pities you? It is worst feeling you can imagine… the look in people's eyes when you tell them you are living with baby sister whom you are trying to raise on your own. At first you think they will understand the burden, maybe someone help even if it is just a little but…I already got burnt on it… trusted people I shouldn't… I can't do it again."

"I won't hurt you Lucy." He said, frowning slightly.

"I wish I could believe that." Lucy smiled sadly, moving hand to grab her cup but before she reached it he stopped her, holding her by wrist. She was shocked, uneasy, trying to yank it out of his grasp but he was far stronger than her… already thinking worst that could happen and it did. He pulled her hand and placed it on his chest. Slight blush filled her cheeks as she looked at him, feeling his heart beat under her palm.

"I swear, by my own life, this idiot is never going to do anything that will hurt you." He was serious, looking straight into her eyes but instead of feeling more at ease she was even more uncomfortable. His gaze, warmth of his hand and the rhythmic beat of his heart, all made her feel heat gather in her own head. Before she could find any words to say he released her hand and stood up, opening his walled and placing several bills, more than enough to pay for his cake and coffee. "It was nice date though, I really enjoyed it. Got to know you a little better."

"Wait, what about notes?" She quickly shook her head to clear from 'bad' thought and looked up at him.

"Oh those, yeah I kinda forgot soo I'll bring them to your house later today. See ya Luce!" he winked at her and left the shop, leaving her completely baffled. Lucy sighed, deeply, closing eyes and rubbed her forehead, trying to figure out how can this turn for the worse because… it probably will.

"How much did you hear, Nea?" She asked, not looking up and from table behind Lucy slight giggle was heard.

"Eeeeeverything." Girl said "He is really nice Lucy, maybe you should give him a chance."

"I already have plenty of problems as it is, I don't need boyfriend."

"Wow…" Nea said slightly disappointed "You really do need to get laid, way too uptight." she finished and walked away to the cashier, leaving Lucy in wild cough as she choked on her coffee.

Natsu was walking home, his pace was quick but he felt strange vigor fill his body. Never before has he felt so good after not getting some and for some reason it infuriated him. Why the hell did I accept no sex thing? My mouth speak faster than my brain thinks… no wonder she labeled me as idiot in her contacts. Just as he was to reach and open doors of house his phone started ringing and he looked at the screen.

"Jenny… well there is my stress relief." He moved finger to answer it but he stopped just as finger was to connect to smooth surface of his phone. Just few good words and he could be in heaven within next 15 minutes, depending on how fast he can reach her house. So why is he not doing it? A question that is about to be answered… he swiped finger across the screen and pressed phone against his ear.

"Heey Jenny, how are you?" he tried to sound as cheerful as he could "Alone? Yeah… Actually I need to pick up sis… I know I said it but this came out of nowhere, can't be avoided. Yeah I'll see you tomorrow, bye." He pressed finger on screen and call ended "Oook so apparently now I lie too. Damn you Lucy! You are now actively preventing me from having sex…"

He opened door and entered house, eyes wandered around to see who is at home. At first glance he saw Gran and Wendy sitting on the couch, leaned forward and watching tv… intensely. Ooook by the look on their faces, Horhe probably is about to tell Esmeralda he is his own father he thought. Nevertheless he had something important do to.

"Gran, is dad home?" She just waves with her hand keeping her eyes glued to the screen "He is upstairs in his workroom."

He took off his shoes and went upstairs, knocking on the door before entering "Hey dad, got a minute?"

"Of course." Igneel looked up from his papers, removing glasses from his eyes "What is bothering you?"

"Why do you think something is bothering me?" Natsu asked, frowning slightly as he walked over and sat on small couch beside Igneel's desk "Because you only ask if I have a minute if you need something or if you are in trouble. Neither seem to be the case judging by your tone so I am assuming something is bothering you."

"You are one sneaky guy, you know that?" Natsu chuckled scratching his head violently, messing up his hair.

"I am a lawyer." Igneel smiled keeping his gaze on Natsu "So?"

"Was I… difficult kid to raise?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean… after mom died… you were raising me on your own. Was I troublesome?" Natsu's grin disappeared and his face showed odd sight of remorse, remembering all the pranks he pulled during high school and how much trouble he was after Igneel remarried.

"Hmmm…" Ingeel leaned back on his chair, crossing his arms and looking up, remembering Natsu's youth "I wouldn't say troublesome, maybe a little bit more interesting. I tried my best to raise you the way she wanted, to be free and chose your own path in life… She would have done much better job than I did… I am sorry if I strike you sometimes as strict. I only wanted the best for you. I still do and I always will want only the best for you and to achieve that… I had to become better myself to provide you with everything you needed…"

Natsu was silent, looking at Igneel, suddenly making a connection, realizing that all this he already heard not more than half hour ago.

"You don't remember your mother, do you?" he asked and Natsu just waved his head to which Igneel just sighed and stood up walking toward the window, looking outside.

"She died too young… I try not to think too much of her…"

"Why is that? Because of Gran?" Natsu asked and Igneel just nodded.

"I never told you this before, though you never asked me, but, she was my high school sweetheart."

"Gran was your sweetheart?" Natsu shifted on his seat, his eyes widened and Igneel nodded.

"We were in love, free, we… what do you call it, fooled around… but as we graduated so did our time ended and we moved on, reluctantly… I went to Fairy Tail University she went to Mermaid Heel University and we haven't seen each other for four years. In the meantime I met your mother, during final year actually, and sometime before graduation we found out that she was carrying you."

"Was it hard?" Natsu asked

"I would lie to say I didn't regret being with 'Gran' from the start… But I loved your mother with all my heart."

Natsu frowned, not realizing that he would regret his next question "So… I was a mist-" he didn't even got to finish asking and Ingeel already managed to appear before Natsu, towering above his with obvious anger on his face… Natsu did occasionally get slap or two from Igneel but never before was he this scared of him… it was as if he was facing dragon that was about breathe fire through his nose.

"Natsu Dragneel, do not for a second think that you were a mistake! I will admit only that we didn't plan to have a child so soon but never, not for a single second, have I regretted having you. The very moment I heard your mother was pregnant I was happiest man alive and your birth was something I will never forget, I was in tears from the moment I touched you."

Natsu looked down, he wasn't getting scolded but it sure felt as it was one, still, the feeling he felt was unique one… he felt loved. Never before has he heard his dad speak like this and with such passion, even if it was covered in layers of anger but he felt it in his voice… pride. He smiled as Igneel placed his hand on Natsu's shoulder and returned the smile.

"Thanks, dad." Natsu smiled as he slowly walked out his office. His father's words resonated in head but more importantly, he started asking himself… if he was such 'interesting' kid to raise, how would Lucy's sister turn out, what if she rebels and it becomes harder for Lucy to hold… More importantly… why did he have this strange tight sensation in his chest that kept growing?