The Holidays came and went with Lucy unable to see Natsu. Waking that first morning was the start of the blonde's hardest months - witnessing house Maid's packing away her things. 'For School.' They told her. The revelation made her heart freeze like the ice on the Manor windows. Lucy's father had said Finishing School and his words rang true, already preparing to send her off as soon as possible.

Her nights were lonely. Hoping she could see Natsu, to explain what was about to happen- but finding a servant at her door or even the knob locked tight when she tried. The first nights held panic inside her heart. Would Natsu worry? Did he think she was ignoring him? For the first week, Lucy pounded on the doors each night, sobbing quietly for someone to let her out. "Please, Natsu will worry! Can't I tell him goodbye?"

Lucy's pleas went unanswered.

Winter parties came and went. As her Father hosted a gathering for bringing in the New Year, little Lucy only made one, small appearance. Dressed in golden frills and soft blues. She had been paraded about, greeting her Father's business associates, before being sent right back to bed. The coming months would be a busy time for her, he told his many guests. Finally going to a school for girls and ready to become a Lady. No one noticed the way her eyes grew empty with each passing word.

When ushered back to her room, she spared a glance to the fireplace- eyes stinging from unshed tears. There was no wood placed inside it, unable to light and the bricks in the back looked cold. Lonely. Her sobs put Lucy to sleep that night, with only the maid assisting her to keep her company, soothingly patting her back until she had settled.

As good as his word, the beginning of January was the start of Lucy's new life. Packed away into a carriage with a small amount of belongings, she was sent away. Magnolia Hall was a fine establishment. A place for young girls turning to women, all learning to be successful women of society. Most of the lessons they taught, Lucy had already learned the basics to. - but her excitement for each day was a false one.

Little Lucy didn't have another chance to see home, or Natsu, until the following spring and by then, she feared it might be too late. Coming home to visit for a short period (to Celebrate her birthday.) filled her with hope and dread that mixed together in the pit of her stomach, but she refused to look into the foyer. Not when the servants and her father were watching. She wouldn't give him the satisfaction.

"I trust you've been getting along well with the other girls?" Jude had asked the moment she stepped through the main doors. A smile that didn't reach her eyes pulled across Lucy's face and she hugged him right down the middle.

"They're all very nice to me." Was the answer. Not quite a lie, but not completely the truth either. Her own room for being a member of the Heartfilia Family had left many a jealous girl. Most turned their backs on her or challenged her to prove her knowledge in class.

It wasn't a trouble she would mention. She could handle it. That was the way life was, even if it chipped away at the childish ideals she had held her entire life. Where is Mama to comfort me now?

Lucy pretended to have zero focus on the fireplace. She stayed in her room to rest before dinner, visited with her Father during his time away from his office, and even managed to to hold back asking to help the cook do the dishes. (She had tried once, but was told little girl's of her station were not supposed to help the household staff. Lucy never did understand why.)

The Spring visit felt short, but she kept her patience, held it in until the very last night. Lucy took her chances and went to the Foyer when everyone slept. It had been her plan from the beginning, and she feared her rushed footsteps would give her away, but luck was on her side. Making it from her unlocked room and down the stairs, her eyes beheld the one place she had yearned to see for months.

There was no fire. The brick wall remained- her heart sank to the depths of her feet and a choked sob escaped her. "Natsu.. Are we not connected anymore?" The quiet question that floated in the air like a gentle sigh. She approached with staggering steps, as if each movement stole a little strength from her each time. Sinking to the floor, her knees stung from the impact, but her eyes never left the backs of the unlit chimney.

"Open." She pleaded, fingers lifting to run along the sides. "Please. I want, I want to see Natsu!"

Why wouldn't it budge? Did it need a lit flame? Firewood? Eyes glanced back towards the clock. Five past midnight. Where was he? Could she make a flame without notice?

'Lucy… ' Eyes shot open as she held her breath, freezing in place in an attempt to strain her ears. Was that his voice, she heard? 'Lucy? Can you hear me?'

"N-natsu?" Hesitation filled her. Lucy whirled her head, glancing about her and back into the fireplace. Leaning in to glance up, peering into the darkened shaft, she scrunched her nose from the bitter scent and leaned away. Burnt and old. Not warm and inviting- "Didn't I hear him-"

'Lucy!' All the breath in her lungs escaped in that moment and she gave a loud cry. That WAS him!

"Natsu! Natsu, I'm right here! I can hear you!" Was she being too loud? Her voice came out in a fluffy, wincing slightly at her own worries while fingers scraped along the floor in her attempt to pound against the scorched brick. "I thought I'd never see you again, but I'm here, I came back!"

Her relief felt like chocolate. The way it elated her body and made her relax all at once. A flicker of a true smile finally tried to appear on the depths of her face. "I'm so sorry it took me so long. I've been away from home, you see-"

'Ah-' Natsu's voice interrupted, sounding defeated, rough, echoing from the walls within, yet inside her mind like thumping drums. 'I don't get it. My fire is lit, but the wall's still here. I really miss you, Lucy.'

"I missed you too," She rushed out, a laugh bubbling up from the pit of her stomach. "Oh I missed you so much! Listen, I have to tell you where I've been-"

'Please come back, Lucy…'

The laugh cut off and the sprouting happiness crushed itself beneath a hard, leather boot. He wasn't listening to her. "Natsu? You can't hear me… can you?"

'I know it's probably not your fault.' His voice continued, sounding off with a defeated sigh. 'Your dad took you away, didn't he? I said I'd come save you, but I… I don't know how. I'm sorry. Does that make me a bad friend?'

Lucy choked, voice wavering, "No. No- I'm.. I'm the bad friend. I left you. Oh Natsu, you're the best friend I ever had, please hear me!"

He didn't. The seconds ticked on by and the voice faded. Lucy feared it would be the last she ever heard it. Sniffling, her fingers pressed against the brick, knees, now dirtied by old remnants of coal and ash, pressed hard into the grating and her body quivered in every attempt she made to get the Pink-Haired boy's attention. It had always seemed to strange to her, but now, Lucy desperately craved to see it again.

"I'm sorry." She sobbed, forehead pressing against the cold brick, body shivering at the drop in temperature. "I'm so sorry."

'Miss Anna doesn't think I'll be able to see you for a long time.' The voice of Natsu rang out, right by her ear. And the empty tone that rang through her bones made Lucy's sobs all the greater. 'I really wanted to stay being your friend. I wanted t'find a way through and meet you. I wanted… I wanted us to be together forever. Listenin' to ya read stories to me, and laugh. It was fun, you know?'

The little girl couldn't bring herself to plead any further. Voice cracking from the sobs, throat burning as she whimpered, nodding despite knowing he would never see it.

'I'm keeping your key with me all the time. I don't care if I never see ya again- ' he paused and Lucy held her breath, cheeks swollen by the sliding of her tears. 'No, no I do care. I'll ALWAYS care.'

In that moment, his voice cracked too, and with a horrifying clarification, she realized the heartbreaking truth. He was crying too. 'Whatever it takes or how long I have to wait. You're like a Princess t'me and you know what?'

'I'm GOING to see you again!'

His voice faded.

Lucy's exhaustion that night was in part to staying up far too late, sobbing into the fireplace, and many other parts emotional. When woken that morning, bags packed once again- her eyes were puffy and red, nose stuffed and face swollen. The vibrancy of life that once exuded from her every step was dimmed and the smile in her eyes was as dark as the chimney shaft.

Her Father didn't notice. He waved goodbye with a pipe in hand and sent her off with his back turned as he retreated back into the manor. Magnolia Hall became her home once again. It's warmth a cheap substitute and it's halls empty each time she left to visit home once more. Time passed and the Fireplace stayed quiet- even when lit. Her brief attempts to hear her friend once more slowly disappeared until her eyes never glanced towards it.

Winters came and went. The little girl learned to be a Lady just as all little girl's should. Her smile returned, but the light was never as bright as before. Coming of age was hard and easy. Just follow the rules, nod when prompted, curtsey on time and speak fluently with soft tones.

A perfect little Lady that returned home. Dressed in layered skirts and accented by a tiny crystal hanging on a silver chain. 'I think I found it in a dream… ' She told many with a teasing smile.

Half of her believed it and everyone who came to call swore she was the most fetching thing they ever did see. Heartfilia Manor became full of gifts from suitors and offers of engagement. All denied. Turned away. Not by Little Lucy, no, but from Jude.

"We won't agree to just ANY man who comes to call, will we?" He told her over the dinner table, Pipe smoke filling the air and suffocating her. She nodded her head, but no reply came. "Exactly. I'll find you a proper Man in time, perhaps at the annual Holiday Party. You're old enough to attend for more than an hour now, aren't you?"

"Yes," She finally answered, poking delicately at her food. "I always wanted to stay longer. I'm sure it will be a delight."

Days came and went and Lucy Heartfilia played her part well. The first party she would ever join as a full-grown adult finally arrived and she was sure, like every other day, it would be the same. Dressed in white, silk, feather wings attached to her back- her skirt bustle delicately trailed her dress along with every step she gave into the main hall, a tiny mask upon her face. Her smile was the same as it had been for years and she greeted everyone with demure grace.

Lady Lucy's first ever party for adults was a night she wished the snow outside would swallow her up. That the years would disappear and she'd be a little girl once more, paraded back to her room. It was hard to breathe, but she fought through it. Danced with those who asked, but only once, never more- and felt herself go dizzy with the many hands she was passed off to.

One after the other after the other after the other until-

Her gaze met dark eyes, wild pink hair, and a once dead ember slowly flickered in her hollow eyes.

Final Chapter - Part 5: When The Clock Strikes Twelve- coming this Christmas!
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