Author's Note: Thank you all so much again for choosing to read story and every chapter I upload! It means the most when you review and when I see the numbers coming in. So many people have read this; more than I ever imagined possible; so again thank you all so very, very much!

So as I do with every chapter, I make announcements. So I think I'm coming to an end of wrapping up writing this piece of work here (don't worry, there are plenty of chapters left but still need typed). Now I could just continue it and wrapped it up, but I could also make a sequel. So I am going to leave this in your hands. If I get 10 reviews or pm's that state that you want a sequel by the last chapter of this story; I will make one equally as long, or longer depending, than the current one. I want to leave this decision up to you guys, because you are the reason I am writing. You are what encourage me and push me. Without you, I would have no one to read this. So I will leave the vote to you all.

Without any further announcements, the song for this one is "You Belong To Me" By Lifehouse. Pull it up to listen and Enjoy!

Until You Are Home Again

~Chapter Thirteen~

"Master Lucy..." Crux spoke strained. Lucy felt dizzy as her magic was not the best, but she needed to keep him here for as long as she could in order to see if there was even a prayer for a cure.

"Grandpa Crux, I don't have much time and I suspect you don't as well. What has happened to your realm?" Lucy asked as she struggled to keep her composure.

"We are not sure Master Lucy. The twelve zodiac spirits wish for absolute freedom and have turned order into chaos. Everything is either backwards, upside down, or inside out. There is no rhyme or reason." Crux explained.

"I am so sorry to hear this...we are doing our best on our side of things to try and help to fix this." Lucy offered her condolences.

"Master Lucy..." Crux's voice held adoration with his own gratitude laced in his tone.

"Grandpa Crux, there is something else and I need you to find an answer quickly for I fear that this maybe the last time we meet if I don't have an answer soon." Lucy felt the strain to keep Crux in this realm increase. Erza was out of the bed and by Lucy's side as she was helping her up so she wouldn't faint and fall.

"Master Lucy what is your question? I will quickly try to find any answer you seek." Crux looked at her concern. Regardless of what he was going through or what had happened to him, he felt a strong need to accomplish anything the celestial mage asked of him. Lucy loved her spirits and he felt that love through the bond of the contract.

"Is there a way to the celestial realm?" Lucy asked. Crux was almost taken aback for a moment and shook his head regretfully.

"Not without drastic measures or invitation." he sadly replied. He looked her over carefully as Lucy's face sank deeper into her futile hope to keep going. "I sense...you are pregnant with hybrids...this is Leo's doing..." Crux spoke without shock but matter-of-factly.

"Yes...and my magic is being diminished...I feel that after this meeting, I may have lost the majority of what little I have left." Lucy struggled to speak. Crux was silent for a few moments until he suddenly cried out.

"Crux?!" Erza and Lucy cried out.

"You cannot go to the celestial plane, but you can replenish your celestial magic in your own realm." he finally spoke.

"I can?!" Lucy exclaimed as she didn't expect this kind of possible answer.

"How?" Erza demanded as she was just as eager as Lucy to know the answer.

"In the town of Heron there is a hot spring that specializes in replenishing celestial magic to wizards."

"If this is true, why hadn't Loke used it?" Erza asked as she thought back to when Lucy had explained whom Loke was after she saved his life.

"Perhaps he did not know of it, or its magic was rejected for him. What matters is that Master Lucy, you must go there in order to save your children and yourself." he explained directly.

"Thank you...but Grandpa Crux, please don't call me Master. You know I never see it that way." Lucy thanked him with so much hope filling her. Small, happy tears fell from the corners of her eyes as she felt the grateful emotions overtake her. He nodded with a soft smile and suddenly disappeared as Lucy finally allowed herself to fall against Erza in most of her energy spent. A big smile was spread across her face as she didn't care any longer about the serious situation. Erza had to make sure she wasn't dreaming as she couldn't remember the last time she had seen a true smile on her friend's face.

"Help me pack, please?" she requested.

"After we get a team together, but Lucy, I suspect we will be well on our way to Heron within the hour." She returned the smile with one of her own.

~City of Heron/Nightfall~

Lucy's little meeting did come with a hefty price. She had a little under three days left; fortunately for her, the city of Heron was only a day's ride by train away. Wendy, Erza, and Natsu along with both exceeds, were accompanying Lucy to the city. Once they arrived, it did not take them long to find the inn resort that housed the springs. They checked in to the two rooms; Happy and Natsu to one, while the others to the other room. Erza and Wendy helped Lucy into her towel and robe as they went to the springs. Her body was frail with the exception of her breasts, which were getting bigger if that was even possible, and her abdomen. The rest of her was ashen from the stress she found herself facing more and more every day. She walked with her two escorts through the quiet hallways as the place had a peaceful feel about it; much like when they visited the celestial realm for a party the king threw in their honor.

They had gotten to the sight of the springs. It was open and mostly quiet save for the sounds of the trickling waterfalls and the night sky. Erza was the first into the water as Wendy followed in after the red headed woman. The two friends helped lower Lucy into the water carefully. As she began to soak into the healing waters, she felt her magic begin to strengthen and return.

"Is it working?" Wendy asked worriedly.

"Yes, I think so." Lucy gave a smile of assurance as she held herself. Erza closely watched her.

"You will need to see Parlyusica when we return to know how long this will last until we need to come here again." Erza started to get fully into the water herself, and Wendy followed the example of her two friends. They sat in comforting silence as the heated water felt good on their skin. The quiet was slightly disturbed when it wasn't much longer until both Natsu and Happy joined the small group.

"How's it going Lucy?" Natsu asked as he took a spot next to Erza and Wendy.

"Much better." She smiled brighter as she watched her friend get comfortable into the heat. The bewildered look he was throwing her way didn't go unnoticed by Lucy.

"Y-you're smiling..." he spoke shocked.

"Because for once, I have something to smile about. I have great friends that have been so kind to me, and now I won't lose my children." she beamed. The water felt wonderful on her skin. The steam from the springs was evaporating into the cool night air as the stars hung low over the open resort. Everything was so peaceful and serene. Water lightly and quietly moved around them as everyone was getting comfortable. Lucy took in the magic waters as her body craved it so desperately and took it in greedily. She leaned against her seat as she closed her eyes. A peacefulness was settling in the air that made the springs even more relaxing.

"You are starting to show them now Lucy." Happy pointed out as he broke the quiet silence. Lucy could feel a sweat drop. Carla hit Happy at the back of his head.

"Don't say things like that idiot! Girls are sensitive to comments like that!" Carla growled at Happy's bluntness.

"Aww Carla, but it is true!" Happy complained. They stopped their bickering as they turned their heads to Lucy giggling at the scene.

"It's fine Carla. I don't mind. It just means that they are growing." She spoke kindly. The atmosphere was once again back to the warmth she was emitting. Smiles were exchanged as everyone relaxed once more. Erza redirected the conversation to battle strategy on what to do about the zodiacs, and they talked among themselves. Lucy drew up her knees close to her chest and looked up towards the heavens to the endless stars looking down on them. She frowned slightly as the normal constellations she had grown accustomed to were absent from their spots. She felt a light pain in her growing void within her, hurt just a little bit more. She felt alone as she couldn't find those stars. Somehow the sky has lost its own magic without them there; especially the one constellation she was desperately looking for.

"Lucy?" Happy asked as she found him sitting right next to her. She didn't look away from the sky.

"Yeah?" she replied.

"I'm sorry Loke isn't here." he spoke unusually sincere. Lucy looked down and ruffled his fur on his head.

"Don't worry about it. I am sure these things will pan out in the end. At least it will make an interesting story for me to write later when this whole thing blows over." Happy looked from her hand up at her for a few moments quietly.

"You aren't alright are you?" There was a hushed silence as everyone was ease dropping. Lucy sucked in a breath quietly as it was hitched in her throat. I guess there was no fooling the teasing exceed.

"No, but I need to be. Everyone is depending on me now, and I have to start working towards fixing this mess." she softly smiled. The spring was quiet as all conversation had stopped and their conversation had everyone's full attention.

"Is it painful being a mom?" he asked.

"Some days, but today is not one of them. I would call today a win if anything."

"What is it like having them inside?" Happy curiously looked at the bump that was showing under the towel.

"Well...nothing at first but as I am getting bigger and I sometimes feel really happy, I feel warmth. I cannot wait for the day to when I feel them move. My only wish is that Loke will be returned to me before then. I want him to be able to feel it too." She kept her smile up at the sad thought that, that this would not be the reality.

"Me too." Happy curled under her arm to her side. She pet his head as he snuggled up. She felt like this was the natural reaction to do as she felt herself softening to this. She was suddenly taken aback as she looked up after realizing she hadn't been hearing talking; to find all eyes on her.

"Guys?" she asked surprised.

"Nothing, you just look very grown up. Motherhood suits you." Erza smiled. Lucy felt her cheeks inflame at the probably the best compliment Erza, of all people, had given her.

"Okay, okay enough serious talk! We came here to enjoy ourselves remember?" Lucy tried to take the attention on her and make the air lighter. She didn't want them to see how worried she really was, but she had a sneaking suspicion that they already knew.

"You're right!" Natsu grinned mischievously as he knew that he wanted to spare his friend anymore exposure of her feelings. He decided that he knew only one way to take the attention off of Lucy in the only way he knew how. He threw his hands back under the water and splashed at them.

"Natsu!" Lucy and Happy complained as they were drenched in water. Natsu held his belly laughing deeply as he laughed at how wet they looked. His laughter was short lived as Erza sent a wave of her own at the dragon slayer.

"Stupid!" she yelled. "Don't make a fuss in the springs." Her anger stopped short as Lucy threw back her hands and sent a wave of her own at the scarlet woman. Lucy had a big grin on her face as Wendy and Carla looked nervously as a full water battle began to ensue.

~Afternoon The Next Day~

The group was on a train back to Magnolia. Their little splash battle almost caused them to be banned from the resort permanently. With some begging and offering to repair all damages; they had managed to stay on decent terms. There was a gift shop of bath salts and bath bombs with infused magical elements that came from the springs so that one could turn their bath water to a far less potent version of the springs. Lucy ended up buying all they had on the floor. This would be able to tide her over until she had to make another visit.

With the purchases in hand, the group was well on their way back to see the guild and, more specifically, Parlyusica. Natsu and both exceeds, upon their arrival, went onward to the guild while Wendy and Erza went with Lucy towards Parlyusica. They had used Erza's magic car and headed to the healers' hermit dwelling. After they politely knocked on the door, it was yanked opened by the woman. Her annoyed gazed turned to one of surprise at the group on her doorstep. What really perplexed her was Lucy's much improved health.

"Hello Parlyusica!" Lucy beamed at the usually cold woman.

"How...?" she managed to ask.

"We had gotten a hold of one of the celestial spirits of her silver keys. He spoke of a springs that would rejuvenated celestial magic." Erza explained before anyone else could reply or demand answers. Parlyusica nodded as she began to understand that Lucy had , indeed, found a way to save herself. She stepped aside and let the women inside. She had instructed Lucy to lay down so she could begin the examination. Erza and Wendy sat down at the table and drank the tea that was offered while they waited.

"Well it is a miracle you even found such a place. Your magic has mostly been restored, but because of the children and the rate of their growth and dependency, your magic will continue to be drained at the rate of before. You may have to go to these springs weekly." Parlyusica continued to feel and examine her belly.

"Erza, could you please show her?" Lucy looked over and asked from her position.

"Show me what?" Parlyusica questioned with a suspicious tone. Erza reached into her pocket and pulled out a few of the bath products that they had brought with them to show the healer. She brought then over for Parlyusica to examine. She washed her hands and inspected them carefully.

"How many of these do you have?" she asked.

"Two crates. They consist of bath salts, bath bombs, oils, and bubble bath of various scents." Erza took the products back and her seat as Parlyusica stayed silent for a few moments. In her head she was calculating how long Lucy would have before her next visit.

"Very well, my recommendation is every day you must bathe in these products ."

"All of them?" Lucy asked quizzically.

"It will only help to replenish the day's magic. You have enough for a month. After that, you will need to make another visit again to the springs for the full replenishment. For now, this should suffice as long as you minimize contact with the other spirits. and your children mostly live off your magic energy." Lucy nodded as Parlyusica finished up with the examination; and then afterwards went to wash her hands as Lucy sat up.

"What will happen once they are born?" was Lucy's concerned question.

"I highly suggest you breast feed. They should get their nutrients and sustainable magical energy that way. Hopefully, by the time you wean them off, this matter will be cleared up so they may either live or visit the celestial realm to regain magical energy to sustain their body. " Parlyusica turned to face Lucy. She was fixing her clothes and cleaning up her body from the examination. She put back on her bottoms and swung her legs over the edge of the bed. Her belly was starting to be more predominate feature on her frame.

"And...if it isn't?" she hesitantly pondered aloud.

"Then we find a different way." Wendy smiled over at her. Parlyusica nodded, but then her scowl deepened.

"Alright, you wasted enough of my time!" she snapped.

"But wait, how are they?" Lucy persisted at the suddenly change of personality. She knew she had a matter of moments before the woman threw them out of her home.

"The brats are fine. Do as I say and come back in a month after your visit to the spring. They seem to be growing faster, but I won't know until a month has passed to understand the situation better." she glared at them.

"Thank you for your time. " Wendy bowed as Erza quickly got Lucy out of there. The healer was somewhat gentler with Wendy's interjection; so there would be less hostility. Once the three were safely away they made their way back to the guild. There was a certain excitement amongst the members.

"Master, we have returned." Erza made their presence known. Levy suddenly rushed to them with a wide smile as the master greeted their return. Levy took Lucy's hands into her own.

"Lu-chan! We did it!" she exclaimed. All three looked at each other confused.

"Levy, I don't understand." Lucy spoke confused.

"We know where to go next! Information on Librium can be found at the Magic Library and we are going! Do you know what this means?! We can turn Loke and the others back!" Lucy blinked at the information set in but suddenly gave a squeal of excitement. The biggest smile spread across her face as she crushed the smaller mage to her in a tight hug.

"Thank the stars for you Levy McGarden!"