Early the next morning Erza roused her female crewmates, ordering them to "look lively" and get ready for the day. Lucy rubbed a layer of lotion into her skin, put on her bikini and a pretty dark maroon sun dress with a criss-cross tie at the back and a soft cotton lining. She picked up a pair of brown leather sandals with beads decorating the tooled leather and followed the girls to the mess hall for breakfast. Before leaving she strapped a small knife to the brown strap on her shin.

After a huge breakfast Natsu grabbed Lucy and led her through the jungle to the tree house. He carried the drift wood, they collected the day before and Romeo and Wendy carried a hammer, nails and some metal plates. Lucy had a huge duffle bag with, blankets and drinks. They reached a small clearing and Lucy glimpsed the abode, tucked away amongst the foliage of two tall and sturdy trees. There we three levels connected by ladders; the bottom level was situated between the two trunks on stilts. There was a small porch with fishing rods lined up against the railing, dangling into the rushing river below. A large waterwheel spun smoothly on the left side of the small cabin, water splashing and trickling merrily in the sunlight breaking through the dense jungle. The second tier of the tree house was a large circular cabin built put of old ship parts. It had large windows and a cheery red roof with a hole that allowed the person inside to climb to the third, smaller cabin with an unfinished roof. The top cabin had a large dragon figure head that had once been attached to a ship. Its green eyes glinted in the sun and gold leaf flames licked from its mouth. A sign attached to one of the trees read; "Dragon's Nest." Lucy smiled at the ramshackle construction, happy that it looked relatively sturdy.

Natsu watched her reaction smiling proudly, "What do ya think Luce?"

"It's great," she beamed back at him.

Asuka was hopping up and down excitedly, "come on Natsu I wanna go to the top of the tree house."

He scooped her up placing her on his shoulders and began to climb through the tree house, followed by Lucy, Wendy and Romeo. Between each cabin Natsu had placed spare rigging, nets and scraps of sails for safety, creating huge hammocks in between. Lucy couldn't deny how clever it was and how well it had been put together from all the spare parts. The middle cabin had a small kitchen and sitting room in it and the top had a bedroom with a double bed and bookshelves as well as a small gold telescope. There was a gaping hole in the roof and no curtains on the windows to shield the room from the blinding sunlight flooding in.

"Alright squirt. Let's get to work," Natsu tickled Asuka's tummy making her giggle.

Heaving around the drift wood and carrying the supplies up the tree, really made Lucy build up a sweat in the humid jungle heat. Natsu and Romeo had peeled off their shirts. Romeo flexed his muscles at Wendy, making her blush and giggle. Carla glared at him as she slumped in the shade of a tree. Lucy threw herself into her work as she secured the beams to finish the roof. But she found herself catching glances of Natsu's well sculpted chest and back. A thin layer of moisture shimmered on his tan skin. Lucy blushed, her mouth dry as she began laying down wood for the roof. Once the roof was finished Lucy grabbed some of the large palm leaves she had cut down and began lining the roof. She pushed some stray hair out of her eyes, when she had finished and descended the tree house to get some more leaves to weave into a basket. Natsu had finished securing the window. Asuka was happily slobbering paint across the outer walls and Wendy and Romeo were making a set of curtains. Natsu watched Lucy, her fingers moving meticulously, weaving the strands tightly. He lazily grabbed rum bottle from a shelf and drank, watching her.

Lucy's neck prickled under his intense gaze. Maybe Erza is right?

She looked up inquisitively, meeting his gaze. He looked away his cheeks dusted pink. Lucy chuckled to herself.

"What Luce…" Damn he heard!

"Nothin. You just keep staring at me, weirdo…" She poked her tongue at him and he blushed deeper.

"I'm just watching you weaving. I was always terrible at it…" Lucy nodded, not quite believing his excuse.

"Can you teach me?" He looked at her with puppy-dog eyes.

She wiped her sticky forehead, "kay just pass me a rum. I'll need it."

Lucy spent the next hour teaching Natsu how to weave the leaves and reeds she had gathered.

"Look Luce! Look! I think I did it!" Natsu yelled happily, fist pumping the air.

Lucy groaned, surveying the mess of about five rum bottles, four perfect baskets and a mound of shrivelled up leaves from Natsu's attempts. He held up the scruffy looking bowl for her inspection.

"See!"

She took the bowl and smiled encouragingly at him, cheeks pink from the alcohol; "w-well you couldn't d-drink out of it…but i-it's an…im-im-improvement at leasss-tt."

She picked up her rum bottle to drain its contents, when it was snatched from her grasp.

"Wha!-"

"Luce, I think you've had enough of those." Natsu said firmly, tossing the bottle aside.

"Eurghh!" Lucy stood up precariously, rubbing her head, "I'm not that drunk Natsu."

She wobbled slightly as he crossed his arms and raised a pink eyebrow, she giggled; "Ok maybe I'm a bit tipsy…I'll sober up."

They all sat on the bank of the river with Lucy's baskets filled with water. Wendy was helping Asuka wash the crimson paint from her hands.

Lucy sighed and laid back on the bank, the warm, fuzzy feeling of the alcohol had subsided from her body. They lazed around for a while; Romeo and Natsu caught some fish in the stream, talking animatedly about Gildarts.

"You watch Romeo I'm gonna beat the crap out of him for sure!"

Romeo chuckled, "I'll cheer you on brother, but I'm not sure you'll win." He turned to Lucy, "right Lucy?"

Lucy laughed at Natsu's dejected expression.

"Aw! Bless you Natsu, we'll cheer you on and look after you when you're a broken mess later," Wendy said sweetly. "You're lucky we have Porlyusica around to patch you up."

Natsu scowled at them. "I'll show you all, just you wait."

Back at the mess hall Makarov was reading a letter, while Cana lounged at the bar.

"That's from dad right?"

"Yes my dear, your father will be here tomorrow…" Makarov's brow furrowed.

"What's wrong Gramps?" Laxus sidled out of the kitchen and stared worriedly at his grandfather.

Makarov huffed scanned the letter again, "Gildarts ran into some trouble with the Navy and had to alert Lahar and Doranbolt."

"Is he alright?"

"Yes he's fine, but it looks like Admiral Heartfilia is going to grace the seas with his presence again."

Cana bit her lip and gripped her tankard tighter.

Makarov frowned and continued, "We'll have to wrap up at Tenrou quickly and get back to Edolas, thank God I asked Captain Bob for help, but we still have Sabertooth to deal with…"

"We've been through worse Gramps. Fairy Tail will be ok," Laxus leaned against the bar.

"I know, but you kids were so young last time, he couldn't hurt you, but now he can."

Laxus frowned, "It's for Lucy isn't it."

"Yes."

"But why would he care? He had a daughter with pirate."

Makarov ran his hands over his face. "She's still an asset to him Laxus, regardless of her heritage. We've made him a laughing stock; taking away his most important possession from under his nose and now he's coming to take back what he believes is his."

"Where is Lucy. You should tell her ya know"

"She's with Natsu at that tree house with the other kids."

Laxus scowled, "I'll go and get her..."

Makarov patted Laxus on his arm, "No it's ok, let her have fun. We'll tell her when she gets back."

"But-"

Makarov gave his grandson a stern look, "I know you want to protect her in respect to Layla, but go easy on Natsu. He really cares for her, even I can see that."

"Ahh!" Asuka sighed sitting up from Lucy's lap.

"I'm hungry Lucy, can we go back now?"

Lucy looked down at the small girl and grinned sleepily, "go ask Natsu then."

Asuka skipped off towards the pink-haired pirate, poking him in the stomach and demanding they go back and get food. Natsu pouted reluctantly at the child.

Sighing Lucy sat up and brushed off her dress. "Come on Natsu. The kids have had enough their tired now. We can always come back tomorrow."

Natsu whined and sat up, pushing Asuka gently off his stomach. "Kay Luce, but you promise, we'll come back tomorrow."

Lucy smiled and rolled her eyes, "I promise."

Natsu handed Asuka back to Alzack and headed up to the bar. Lucy was sitting there chatting with Mira and Levy. Natsu was about to sit next to her, when Laxus tapped her gently on the shoulder and took her into Makarov's office. Natsu frowned; Laxus is always getting in the way lately, what is his problem? Happy hopped up onto Natsu's shoulder and mewed quietly.

"You're right Happy, we should go listen…"

"Lucy your father will soon be joining the search for you soon." Makarov intoned, standing on his desk.

Lucy's face slackened and she felt sick.

"When Gildarts arrives tomorrow I'm sure, he'll be able to tell us more…"

Natsu's hands curled into fists at the mention of Lucy's father.

"What ya listening to flame-brain?" Gray sidled up to Natsu and leant against the door frame.

"It's none of your business stripper."

Gray smirked, "Oh so Gramps is talking to Lucy then?"

Natsu batted Gray away in response. "Yeah so you don't get to listen, Mr Pantless!"

Gray scowled and shoved Natsu over to get a good spot for eavesdropping.

"I'm sorry Lucy. We will protect you, but we will have to be quick at Tenrou. Not only have we got your father to deal with, but we should expect that Sabertooth will be spoiling for a fight too…"

Both Natsu and Gray grumbled quietly, heads still pressed against the door.

"I asked Captain Bob to meet us at Tenrou for extra man power and he kindly agreed…"

Natsu moaned, "What help will those pretty boys of Blue Pegasus be?"

Gray snickered in agreement, "Yeah what are they gonna do? Flirt with Captain Minerva so that she promises not to kill anyone."

Makarov coughed slightly in the office, making Natsu and Gray freeze. Lucy turned around and glanced at the door. She could have sworn she saw some pink through the old wooden slats.

"I have also sent word to Quatro Cerberus and Lamia Scale. They will arrive at Magnolia towards the end of the week. So we should have enough support if it is needed."

Gray groaned, "Oh no, not Lyon! That guy is always trying to flirt with Juvia. She even threatened to eat him once and he got weirdly turned on."

Natsu grimaced, "Eurghh! Whatever, have they finished yet?"

"Yes we have actually, how nice of you to join in."

Lucy stood in the doorway, a dark aura surrounding her; she cracked her knuckles as they crawled backwards.

"He-hey Luce…ha ha," Natsu laughed nervously. "I was just waiting for you…ya know to…to,"

Lucy rolled her eyes and placed her hands on her hips, "To eavesdrop Natsu?"

"Yeah…I mean no! No! We weren't doing that at all…"

Natsu cowered on the floor in front of her, looking up with wide, pleading eyes. Lucy stared blankly back at him. She was clearly angry, he could see that, but her eyes were glistening slightly in the light; like she was going to cry. He stood up and kicked Gray away. He got the message and ran over to Juvia, sending Natsu an; "I'm glad I'm not you" look.

Natsu went to put his arm around Lucy, his face anxious. "Luce…are you ok?"

She slapped his arm away hard and scowled at him. "Oh yes I'm just perfect! Now get out of my way!"

Natsu didn't budge and looked at her, confused.

Lucy huffed in frustration. "You moron! Did you not hear me!? Get out of my way! God your such a child, you infuriate me so much!"

Natsu's face fell. He shuffled away and watched her run out of the mess hall.

Lucy didn't stop running until she reached a clump of trees in a tiny cove next to Strawberry Lagoon. She panted and slumped against a palm tree, clutching her face in her hands. The chirping of the crickets and cicadas muffled to sounds of her quiet sobs. Lucy buried her head in her knees, rocking back and forth as her crying got louder. Despite Makarov's promises of safety, she couldn't stop imagining all her friends strung up at the gallows. Her father would stop at nothing. The wanted posters had filled her with dread, now imagining the reality of seeing Natsu's lifeless body, broke her heart. She shivered slightly as chilly breeze blew in from the sea. Her eyes stung and her chest ached from the heavy sobs that had racked her body. Lucy curled up against the tree and closed her eyes, as the last of her tears ran down her cheeks. She felt warmer as though someone had lit a fire near her. The warmth enveloped her, made her feel at home. Lucy lifted her head to see a pair of onyx eyes staring back at her with a toothy grin.

Lucy curled round and laid her head on Natsu's chest. He froze, taken aback by her actions; Natsu wrapped his arms around her, holding her in place. He gently nuzzled the top of her head as he wiped the tears from her cheeks.

"S-sorry,"

"What for Lucy?"

Natsu pulled her up, so they were facing each other. He could count the faint trail of freckles that patterned her nose. She sighed and looked away, hiding her face in his scarf.

"I'm sorry for taking out my feelings on you…that wasn't right. I'm sorry."

He chuckled and twirled a strand of her hair round his finger. "You can shout at me all you want, I'm not going anywhere."

Lucy frowned and looked up at him, "but Natsu I was mean."

"I won't deny that."

She scowled and tugged at his scarf.

"But I think I understand why you acted the way you did…"

He nudged her, grinning cheekily. Lucy sighed, trying not to cry again, knowing he wanted to talk.

"I know Makarov's got all these crews coming to help," Lucy croaked, her voice cracking, "but I can't stop imagining all of you dead because of me…"

Lucy screwed her eyes shut, willing herself not to cry. "And I don't even know where my mother's sword could be, even if it is on that island…it's just all a big mess."

Natsu rubbed her arm gently and sighed. "Well sometimes that's what life is…just a big mess."

Lucy stared at him confused. "How do you do it?"

"Do what?"

"Act like a dumb kid, then turn into a 400 year-old wise man?"

"I'm not old Lucy and I ain't dying any time soon alright."

Lucy sweat dropped, "that's not what I meant…"

Then to Natsu's surprise she laughed. Lucy leaned on his chest and giggled, wheezing until her sides hurt too much. Natsu shrugged and just watched her face, happy that she was smiling again.

"I'll protect you Lucy. I promise."

"I know you will…And I'll protect you too."

Natsu pulled Lucy closer to him, breathing in her scent as Lucy nestled into his warmth. The sound of the waves crashing gently on the surf made Lucy's drowsy, her eyelids slowly closing.

"Well this is cute."

Natsu was sure he never wanted to murder someone so much in his life as he glared furiously at Laxus, his eyes pitch black. Lucy squeaked and shuffled away from him, standing up and brushing the sand off her skirt.

"Sorry I ran off Laxus. I was sad, but Natsu helped me out, s-so I'm all good now." Lucy laughed nervously and raced back to the lagoon.

Natsu groaned and sat up, fixing Laxus with scowl. "What the hell man!"

Laxus matched his gaze and crossed his arms. "What do you mean?"

Natsu bawled his hands into fists. "I mean why did you have to come over!? I just made her feel better, come on man she's my best friend."

Laxus scoffed and grabbed Natsu's scarf. "That's a load of crap right there. We both know you've got feelings for Lucy, you just won't admit it."

Natsu pushed him away, snarling. "Yeah and what would you know? You won't even talk to Mira. And I know all those "girlfriends" you had in Edolas were just so you could avoid your feelings."

Laxus blanched jabbed a finger at Natsu's chest. "We're not talking about me! I'm talking about you!"

Natsu looked away uncomfortably. "So what if I have feelings for Luce…Sh-she'll never return them."

"So you actually...care about her?"

"Yeah I do! But she probably doesn't like me that way..." Natsu looked downcast.

Laxus laughed and patted his stomach. "Wow man," he wiped away a tear as Natsu stared at him, puzzled. "Not all girls are the same you know. It's not like when Lisanna had that crush on you when you were kids and she was all over you."

Natsu cocked his head to the side, "What do you mean?"

Laxus raised his eyebrows, "I mean that Lucy isn't gonna throw herself at you, you need to tell her straight out, instead of throwing yourself at her. Christ I've never seen you so clingy in all my life."

Natsu frowned, "but I don't know if she feels the same way."

Laxus patted him on the shoulder. "Well you never know, unless you try right."

He began walking back along the beach. "Maybe if you talk to Lucy, I'll talk to Mira…"

Natsu sighed and leant against the palm tree. He pulled something out of his pocket and ran his fingers over the soft surface. I'll tell her.

Preview of Chapter 18- The return of Gildarts

"Oh Cana! My sweet baby daughter I missed you soo much!" The hulking pirate bent down and squeezed Cana to his chest, happy tears running down his cheeks.

Lucy and Levy snickered, Cana scowled at them.

"Er…I missed you too dad…you can get off me now…"

He didn't and instead pinched her cheeks happily, crying more violently. "Oh you look so beautiful, just like your mother. Did you dress up for me?"

"No." Cana said flatly, crossing her arms.

Gildarts face darkened, "Are you dressing up for that…slimeball from Quatro Puppy."

Mira and Lisanna joined in Lucy and Levy's chuckling.

"No. Daad…he's not even here…"

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