Hello all! It has been awhile...Sorry for the wait! As a reward for your patience, this chapter contains LEMONS, woot woot ;) If you find explicit content offensive, you probably want to skip this one. Or if you know me personally and want to still be able to make eye contact...Ok, it's not THAT bad, just my first time writing a sex scene so I'm feeling a little awkward about it...

Thanks for all the awesome reviews! I'm feelin' the love :)

PS-I am getting married in two weeks so shit is crazy for me right now and I may not write anything else until I get back from the honeymoon.-sarey

CH-8 Oblivion

Loke said something about the how the change from one world to the other might affect Lucy, atmospheric pressure or gravity or something. Natsu wasn't paying much attention, he felt like he was about to suffocate and he was ready to leave.

"Now, I'm going to try and get you as close to home as possible. Normally you would end up in the last place I was summoned but I doubt you ever want to go back there." Loke broke eye contact, unsure if his last comment was appropriate.

Upon looking up he glared at Natsu, "Take care of her."

Natsu took Lucy's hand and nodded.

Seconds later they were back on Earthland. Rain was filtering down through the canopy of trees that shaded them from the grey sky. Lucy gasped in pain. Lucky for her Natsu's quick reflexes sent him diving to catch her before she hit the ground.

It was evident that she had fainted. Her chest rose and fell with shallow breaths and though her pulse was faint he could hear her heart pumping life through her veins. Natsu lifted her up off the wet ground and cradled her against his chest. He looked around to gain his bearings.

He discovered that they were just outside of Magnolia and he followed the smells and sounds of the familiar town. They came out of the trees and into Magnolia Park which was vacant due to the heavy downpour. Natsu squinted through the rain contemplating where he should take Lucy. He decided that the guildhall was his best bet, Lucy obviously needed some sort of medical or magical attention.

Natsu kicked open the guildhall doors and stepped inside, Lucy hanging limply against him. Seconds later the guildhall exploded into a frenzy of movement and questions, lots and lots of questions. Mira laid a thick blanket down as Grey cleared a table and Natsu gentle lowered Lucy onto it.

Levy was crying tears of joy as she slid a pillow beneath Lucy's dripping head. Happy sat beside Lucy on the table, also unable to contain his tears. Without hesitation, Wendy began using her healing magic. She didn't stop until she was out of energy and Erza guided her to a chair, helping her lower to the seat on her wobbly legs.

"So, what happened exactly?" Grey asked his friendly rival.

Natsu didn't feel like explaining, "She was in the Celestial Spirit World. So, I went and got her back."

His short response received suspicious glares but no one spoke out. They were obviously unsatisfied in their curiosity but most were so happy to see Lucy alive that they held their tongues.

Hours passed and Lucy remained unconscious. The guildhall slowly emptied. Natsu, Grey, Erza, and Happy remained.

"You should get some rest." Erza could tell that Natsu was exhausted. His head was resting on the table beside Lucy but he wouldn't let himself fall asleep.

"I'm fine." He insisted.

"No you're not. Go get some shut eye, we can watch her." Grey was getting tired of Natsu's stubborn attitude and he had a tone of command in his voice.

"You tellin' me what to do, ice boy?" Natsu was practically growling as he placed his body above Lucy's creating a sort of shield.

It was obvious to the others that he wasn't going to leave her side. He was guarding her the way dragons guard a treasure horde.

"Relax man, I was just trying to help." Grey held up his hands in surrender, not wanting to cause a scene and risk waking Lucy prematurely.

"Sorry, it's just that she's been through a lot and I want to be here for her when she comes to." Natsu sighed and sat back down onto the heavy wooden bench. He really was exhausted but he would never admit it to his comrades.

Erza put a hand on his shoulder, "Maybe you should take her home, she will be more comfortable in her own bed." She was silently hoping that Natsu might get some rest if he waited at Lucy's apartment.

"Yeah, alright." Natsu looked awful, his face was drawn from the emotional stress of the past few weeks and dark circles cast shadows under his eyes.

He slid am arm under her neck and another under her knees and hoisted her from the table as gently as he could. Happy started to follow but Natsu wasn't ready to explain his recent behaviors to his worried friend.

"Hey Happy, could you stay here? I need you to keep everyone away from Lucy's until she's feeling better." Natsu gave him a job in the hopes that it would soften the blow.

"Okay." It was clear that Happy was disheartened. His little shoulders slumped as he turned to walk back into the guildhall.

"I'll see you soon, I promise." Natsu flashed him a toothy grin.

Happy perked up and waved his paw, "Yeah, see you soon, Natsu!"

Phew...

The black sky was still spitting rain and upon arriving at Lucy's apartment, Natsu laid her on the couch (the burned bed still needed replacing) and proceeded to dry himself with a burst of flames. He considered how to dry Lucy. He didn't want to burn her and she wasn't conscious to tell him if she got too hot. He went into the bathroom and retrieved a towel.

He tried patting her dry but she began shivering shortly after. He even tried holding his flaming hands over her but that was taking far too long. He was going to have to get her out of the wet clothes that clung stubbornly to her chilled skin.

She's going to kill me. He unbuttoned her white blouse and peeled each side back, exposing the lacy white contraption that kept her breasts from bursting out of her clothes. He tried not to look, I'm just trying to get her dry so she doesn't freeze. He lifted her up just enough to get the shirt the rest of the way off before tossing it on the floor. Next were the shorts and they did not want to come off. Damn, why couldn't you have worn a skirt? They were wet and stuck to her skin all the way down. Natsu had to wiggle them back and forth until he got to her knees where they finally slid freely down and off.

He tried so hard to focus on other things but his eyes betrayed him. She was so still. Her breath the only sign of life. She looked like a fairytale princess, her pale skin glowing against the black of night. Would she wake if he kissed her? She shivered again and he jumped back, remembering (with some regret) that he needed to dress her in some dry clothes. But what about her underwear? It was still soaking wet. He argued with himself for several minutes before painfully deciding to leave them on.

He sifted through her drawers and found a t-shirt and some sweatpants. He kicked the wet clothes under the couch, hoping to avoid a future interrogation. Dressing her was much easier than his previous task and once he got the dry clothes on he covered her with the pink blanket that had been hiding the cracked arm of her sofa.

Natsu decided to make something to eat but before he made it to the kitchen Lucy stirred in her sleep. She was mumbling something. He leaned in to listen closely and her sweet breath caught in his throat. She was saying his name. Over and over she said it. He placed his hand on her forehead, he wanted her to know that he was there. She settled back into her unconscious rest and he knelt on the floor beside her, laying his head next to hers.

"I'm here Lucy."

Weariness finally took him and he slept propped against the couch, silently watching over his beloved blonde.

The late afternoon light woke Natsu as it pierced his sleeping eyes. He swatted at it in a vain attempt to shun it from his sight. Admitting defeat, he cracked his eyes open and waited for them to adjust. When his focus returned, Lucy was watching him with a look of amusement on her face.

"How long have you been here?" She asked.

His stomach growled in response, "All night."

Natsu gave her a toothy grin and stretched his cramped limbs. "How are you feeling?"

"Sore. But happy to be home." Lucy tried to sit up but her wound was only partially healed and pain shot through her torso, "Ow! Really sore..."

"Stay still, I'll make us some breakfast." Natsu stood up and stretched again. Lucy watched as his muscles flexed, standing out against his slender frame. She looked away quickly before he caught her staring.

"You can cook?" She teased.

Honestly he didn't want anyone to know that he could cook. He liked getting free sympathy meals at the guild.

"I'm a great cook, just don't tell anyone."

"Oh really? Is the Salamander ashamed of his domestic talents?"

"You must be feeling better..." His voice trailed off into the kitchen.

Natsu absently rifled around the cupboard looking for something breakfast-appropriate though his thoughts were centered on the girl in the next room. The girl who was fast becoming his whole world. He was so elated to have her home that he found himself humming as he steamed some rice and opened the last jar of pickled plums.

Lucy listened from the living room. Was he humming? A giggle escaped her lips, she was enjoying this new, giddy side of her partner. My partner...is that what he is? Her lips turned down into a frown. She wasn't sure that she had done the right thing in confessing her feelings to him. But what was a girl to do? She was about to die after all. Besides, he had returned her affections. He told me he loved me! She suddenly wanted to squeal and dance around the room but her injuries wouldn't allow it.

Natsu returned shortly with two bowls of food and a cup of tea for Lucy. He pulled a table over before helping her prop up on several pillows one of which was a little burnt from the previous bed incident. Lucy noticed her bed for the first time.

"Why is my bed scorched?" Her voice rose in pitch.

"Uh, well. I had an accident." Natsu flashed a sheepish smile.

She couldn't bring herself to get upset, he had risked his life to bring her back. So what if she had to buy a new bed? She would just make him go on a job and help her earn the money.

They ate in silence, both ravenous from their recent adventures. Soon there were two empty bowls on the table and two wizards lying back in satisfaction. Lucy sipped her tea and wondered where things would go from here. Natsu considered when would be an appropriate time to kiss her. He realized that he had never kissed a girl in real life.

Lucy noticed that he was getting fidgety. "You don't have to stay here with me. You should go see everyone at the guild, I'm sure they will want to know all about our misadventure."

"Nah, I don't feel like answering anymore questions right now." He closed his eyes and let his head fall back against the cushion.

"Where's Happy?" The two were normally inseparable.

"I told him to stay at the guild and keep everyone away from your apartment." Natsu informed her nonchalantly.

"Why? I don't mind if they want to visit."

"I do." Natsu turned to look at her, his brows knitted in aggravation.

Lucy was unsure why he would try to keep everyone away after all that had happened. The guild was their family and they shared everything with them. He could tell that she needed an explanation.

"You need to rest. Besides, I want you all to myself." Natsu was surprised by his own words, truthful as they were.

Lucy blushed. For once she was speechless. Then she remembered what she had said in the spirit world. She had experienced a euphoric rush after the breaking of the spell and in the heat of the moment she wanted nothing more than to share her passion with Natsu. Now the memory of her insinuation was making her blush an even deeper shade of red.

Natsu had only innocent intentions. He simply wanted to spend time with her alone. He didn't know why and he didn't need to. He watched Lucy turn through a rainbow of reds and pinks and wondered what her deal was.

"Whats up with you?" He asked.

"Uh, nothing. It's nothing." She laughed it off nervously. Things were definitely getting weird. She didn't know where she stood with him. What if he doesn't feel the same way, what if he just pretended because he thought I was dying? Lucy was terrified by that thought, it was wanting to see him again that had kept her fighting for her life. Yet here she was acting like nothing had happened. Putting on a show for fear of rejection.

Seconds later, Natsu answered her silent questions. He held her face in his hands and ever so softly kissed her forehead. "Damn, its good to have you back." He grinned at her, fangs peeking out from the corners of his lips, "I really thought I'd lost you." He rested his head against hers. This felt so right to him, so normal. He wondered how they made it all these years without this closeness.

Lucy felt panic. Now that she was in her right mind again she felt embarrassed about her confessions. This new Natsu was freaking her out. Who would have ever guessed that he had the capacity for such complex emotions? Yet her heart was pounding and her stomach dropped in that warm, delicious, tingly way. He loves me, he said so...And that was all she ever wanted, to be loved. Truly loved by someone who doesn't care where she came from, doesn't care about her past. Someone who cares about her future. He's here, he's right here in front of you. What are you waiting for dummy!?

"Natsu..." A knock at the door interrupted her.

"Dammit! Hold that thought." Natsu stood up and sighed before walking to the door.

It was Wendy. She was wringing her hands shyly, "I know that you don't want visitors but I thought that maybe I could use my healing magic on Lucy again."

"Yeah, come on in." Natsu saw the logic in her visit so instead of yelling at the intruder like he had planned, he simply flashed Wendy a reassuring smile.

"Hi, Wendy!" Lucy greeted her young friend who knelt by the couch to give her a gentle hug.

"How are you feeling today?"

"Better. I'm still sore but nothing like before, thanks to you." Lucy gave Wendy's hand a gentle squeeze, she recalled feeling the healing magic even in her unconscious state.

"Lay back and relax." Wendy held her hands out over Lucy's ample chest.

Lucy tried to relax though her mind was racing. She was considering the ramifications of having an intimate relationship with her partner. Though she longed for his affection the thought of her guild mates finding out was mortifying. They would never hear the end of it. And, their partnership would never be the same. Though a much darker thought lingered in the back of her mind. She tried to stuff it away but it screamed out to her. I'm ruined...

Lucy was raised a proper lady. Her virtue was precious, something to cherish and hold on to. And it was taken from her. Stolen by a monster. A monster who had preyed on her innocence, who had even tried to take her life. How could she possibly share intimacy with another? The wounds that she carried felt far too deep. Could she really expect Natsu to carry such a burden for her? He's already done so much for me.

"How's it going?" Natsu looked down at the two girls.

Lucy opened her eyes to see him grinning from above, hands resting atop his pink hair. It broke her heart. The man who so blindly fought to protect her. Who saved her life dozens of times. Here he was seeing her through another disaster and she was thinking about pushing him away. Lucy you are such a idiot! She resisted the urge to smack herself on the forehead.

"I'm almost done." Wendy answered.

Lucy continued berating herself. Here is the one man who always stands up for you. Always has your back. He knows when to help and when to back off. He loves you without reserve, without expectations. And you have the nerve to even consider letting him down? She squeezed her eyes shut to keep from crying.

Moments later Wendy stood up, "Now how are you feeling?"

Lucy tried her best to act normal. She sat up and pressed a hand against her chest. The pain was nearly gone and only a dull ache remained. She stretched and began to push herself off the couch. Instinctively, Natsu reached out to help her up.

"Easy, take it slow." He wrapped an arm around her waist to help support her weight. She felt so good. Soft and firm at the same time. She was not a fragile woman but recent events gave him cause to treat her so. Solid, thatwas the word that came to his mind.

Her legs were shaky but she couldn't tell if it was from the trauma or the fact that Natsu was holding her so close.

"I need to go to the bathroom," She realized she hadn't been in quite some time and the urgency hit her after she stood up.

Natsu helped her down the short, narrow hallway before reluctantly letting her step into the bathroom on her own.

"Well, I'll just be going." Wendy gave a short bow and started for the door.

"Thanks a bunch, Wendy!" He considered asking her to stay but his selfish desire to have Lucy to himself won the silent argument.

"Where's Wendy?" Lucy steadied herself with a hand on the wall as she ambled back down the hallway.

"She had to be somewhere." Natsu lied.

"Oh."

"So do you really feel better? Or were you just saying that to be nice?"

"I really do." Lucy stretched her arms above her head and felt her aching muscles unwind.

It was coming closer, the pivotal moment that would change them both forever. Lucy was unready. She had to make a decision. Messy, delirious, veracious love? Or cold, bitter denial? Her heart wanted what her head could not understand.

Natsu was absolute. He was all in. Everything was already hers, from his wild heart to his burning soul. It was just his nature. Everything or nothing at all.

"You were going to say something," Natsu reminded her, "Before Wendy came."

Dammit, when did he become Mr. Pay attention and remember stuff guy!?

"Uh, right." Lucy had to make her decision, "I..."

"Wait." As always, Natsu saved her. Only this time, it was from herself. "I have to tell you something first."

*Cue Music- Coldplay-Paradise*

"Wh..." Before she could form the words he closed the gap.

His mouth met hers and the decision was made. She melted in his arms, surrendering to his warmth. Cinnamon filled her lungs and made her head spin. The kiss was long and passionate, she would never have guessed it was his first.

Natsu hoped that he was doing this right. He fought against his aggressive nature and tried to be tame. She was so soft and sweet, he wanted to devour her. He playfully nipped her bottom lip and Lucy pulled him closer, pressing her body against him. His hands couldn't resist exploring her curves. They traced the swell of her breasts and slid down her sides to her full hips and her round backside. She let out an impatient whimper. Natsu swallowed hard, his nerves firing in all the right places.

He picked Lucy up and carried her to the dresser, setting her down as she wrapped her legs around his waist. More kissing ensued only this time with more desperation. Lucy could feel his excitement growing and she vainly wished that she had bathed first. Screw it, she thought, no pun intended.

She slid her hands inside his jacket, running them up and down his tight stomach and teasing the waistband of his pants. A ragged moan escaped from Natsu's throat. Lucy pushed the jacket off his shoulders and he shrugged it off, revealing his smooth chest. She let him pull her t shirt off before unhooking her own bra. Wide eyed, Natsu pulled it free. They were the most wonderful things he had ever seen and this time he could fell them. They felt amazing. Full and firm, surprisingly perky despite their enormous size.

Lucy fell back onto the dresser, unable to stay upright. A surge of pleasure caused her to moan loudly, encouraging her partner to continue his exploration. He pulled the string on her sweats and she lifted her butt as he pulled them off. Only her white panties remained. The magnitude of this dawned on him, he was about to enter uncharted territory. His life would be forever changed. He wanted the moment to last so he left the panties on, trailing his fingers up her thighs and tracing lightly over her anatomy. Lucy writhed atop the dresser, panting and moaning. She pressed herself against his hands, begging for more.

Finally he ran his thumb in circles over the spot that seemed to please her the most. He watched her arch off the top of the dresser, clawing at his arms. And just before she came, he stepped back to pull her last remaining garment from her sweating body. Lucy reached forward and yanked his pants down sending them down to the floor. She blushed at the sight of him.

"Are you sure about this?" His voice was a low, throaty whisper.

Lucy nodded and pulled him back to her mouth. Natsu used one hand to throw the pink blanket across the floor and the other to lift Lucy. He followed her down while she twined beneath him, wanting release.

Natsu pinned her clawing fists above her head with one hand while he slid the other between her legs, feeling her exposed flesh for the first time. He couldn't wait a second longer. And when they joined he knew he could never be without her again. She wrapped her legs around him and they moved together, pressing closer and closer. Lucy was on the edge, waiting for him. She sat forward pushing them into a sitting position and she straddled his lap, rocking her hips to create friction.

Natsu propped them up with one hand pressed on the floor behind him, the other pulled Lucy into another long slow kiss. She couldn't hold on anymore and he followed her over the edge and into oblivion. They held onto each other for awhile, waiting for the world to come back into view. They finally collapsed into a sweaty heap on the apartment floor.

"I'm starving," Natsu stretched his arms over his head and sighed.

"Me too." Lucy yawned.

A mellow laziness weighed on their limbs and neither was willing to part with the floor. The late day sun was filtering through the windows and staining the walls a vibrant orange. People chatted on the street below, unaware of the carnal act that had just taken place above them. Lucy's neighbor, however, had listened in on the action with an ear pressed against the wall.

Natsu absently ran his fingers through her gold hair, "Sorry I interrupted you again, what was it you wanted to say earlier?"

Lucy sat up, she felt her stomach turn thinking back to the rotten words that had nearly spilled from her mouth. She was ashamed. After everything he had done for her she nearly broke his heart just to avoid the complications. I owe you so much...

"I just... wanted to thank you." Lucy's voice was a whisper and a shimmering tear rolled down her cheek.

"For what?" He turned her to face him, "Why are you crying?"

She couldn't answer. She could only throw her arms around her savior and cry against his shoulder. All the terrible things she had gone through were coming to the surface. She let all the fear, anger, shame, love, and gratitude pour out of her in buckets.

Natsu just held her trembling frame, wondering how long the tears would flow. He hated to see her cry. He wanted her to smile, always. You're tougher than this Lucy, I shouldn't have let him do this to you. I'm so sorry. He held her face in his hands, "It's alright, Luce. I wont let anything happen to you, not ever."

Lucy's sobs turned to sniffles and she looked up at Natsu with her big brown eyes, "I know."