AN: Oh god it's been a month since I last updated. And I haven't written a new chapter yet. I have written the next few chapters (I have like... two more in stock) but it's been a while since I wrote a new one. I said before that I'll after only if I finished a new chapter in advance but... unfortunately I haven't been able to write a new one. I've been sick so maybe the medications' getting my mind out of the zone. Good thing I already have an outline so I know what I have to write when my muse gets back haha.

(c) Hiro Mashima owns Fairy Tail.

CHAPTER 06

"You know, I won't be freaking out again because I missed you so damn much but… do you realize that your nose led us back to my place?" Lucy giggled as she put her hands on her waist. "But really, please don't scare me like that again. You climbed all the way to the seventh floor! I almost got a heart attack from that. At least give me a warning next time." Lucy poked Natsu's cheeks while he laughed.

"Sorry Luce, habit." He ruffled Lucy's hair and continued, "It's kinda weird that my nose led me to your place. Why are you not still able to find your keys if they're already here?"

"Well, my memories before you came were messed up so…" Her hand touched her chin due to confusion. "I doubt that your sense of smell failed you because well… you found me." Lucy smiled while her cheeks were flushed as she realized that finding her was like finding a needle from a haystack. What a reliable partner.

"Of course, my nose is the greatest!" Natsu's crossed his arms along his chest while he held his head up high.

"Yeah yeah." Lucy tapped his nose lightly and chuckled. "Also, it's weird that Loki still hasn't passed the gate on his own to bring the keys back. He did that when Yukino and I fought with the Garou Knights."

"You have a point." 'But I'm kinda happy that the lion bastard was not able to take advances of my Luce." His face became dark as he let out a creepy laugh. Lucy shivered then shook her head slowly as she realized what the dragon slayer was thinking. After all, it's not the first time that she encountered the jealous side of Natsu.

"Oi Natsu, I know what you're thinking. And you look very creepy right now." She laughed as she playfully hit his arm.

"Geez, Luce. Anyway, maybe we should start looking for your keys. Don't get mad if I ever burn something in here." Natsu headed to her bedroom closet where he strongly smelled the scent of the keys. 'Wow, the arrangement of the room's similar to her apartment at Strawberry Street.'

"You better not!" Lucy shot back at him. "I'll help you."

After minutes of rummaging the closet, they slumped into the floor empty handed.

"It's weird, why were your keys not in there? I was sure…" Natsu frowned as he turned to Lucy. "Sorry, Luce."

"It's okay, Natsu. The most plausible explanation for that is… the scent of the keys got mixed up to one of the things here in the closet." Lucy said as she eyed a certain piece of clothing. "And I know what that thing is."

Natsu eyed her as she picked up the blue dress that was tossed out a while ago. "I think this was my clothing when I arrived here, don't you think?"

He suddenly remembered the time when the shadows crept at Lucy's beautiful frame as she showed her the whole dress. "Yup, that's it."

"Of course. My keys were hanging from my belt which is now missing from this dress. Ugh what now?" Lucy's tears were beginning to form as she dropped the baby blue dress and let her hands fall to her sides. "How do we get home now? To Nashi?"

Natsu's showed a pained expression while he bit his lip. After a few seconds, he knelt in front of Lucy and hugged her tight. "It'll be okay, Lucy. Don't cry. I'll- no, we'll find a way. I promise." He stroked her hair gently. "I promise that we'll go home to Nashi."

"Mhhmm." Lucy nodded as she leaned at his chest. "I'll be counting on you, mydragon prince."

"That's so lame, Luce."

"S-Shut up! Don't ruin the moment!"

The two individuals hesitantly broke away from the hug when they heard the sound of the doorbell. At least it sounded like a door bell to Lucy but to Natsu it's like a very annoying… something. He just considered it as a very stupid sound.

"What was that ugly sound, Luce? It hurts my ears." The boy who has a super sensitive hearing complained about the buzzing sound of the doorbell. "It's even worse than the zapping sound of Laxus' lightning."

"Silly, it's a doorbell. It's a device that lets people know if there's a guest." Lucy wiped her tears as she stood up. "Oh Natsu, can you please hide… somewhere? Under the bed will do. Can you?" She smiled sweetly to the salmon-haired boy.

"But why?"

"Remember Levy's warning? You should not be seen. So... please?" Lucy pleaded with the most killer eyes of them all… the puppy eyes Luce version.

"A-Alright! Geez, those eyes of yours are very manipulative." Natsu groaned as he began to crawl under the bed while Lucy reached for the door. Before he's completely under the bed, Lucy sent a flying kiss to the boy as a sign of gratitude. 'Ah, that woman. Really.'

Lucy peeped through the keyhole and saw her mother at the other side of the door. 'Oh my God, it's my 'mother'!' She gulped as she twisted the knob (but not before checking whether Natsu's completely hidden) and finally opened the door.

"Good afternoon, Mama." Lucy kissed Layla's cheek and motioned her to come in. "Come inside."

"Thank you, Lucy." Layla smiled sweetly as she picked up the large paper bag at her side.

They sat down at the sofa (completely avoiding the bed becauseNatsu was there) after Lucy brought some tea and snacks.

"So Mama, what brings you here?" Lucy asked.

"Oh, I'm just visiting my beautiful daughter. It isn't forbidden, right?" Layla touched Lucy's cheeks as she blushed.

"T-Thank you." And then Lucy got an idea. She could ask her mother about the keys! Maybe she saw it and just kept it around somewhere, "A-Ah mother, I have a question if it's not too much to ask."

Layla looked at her daughter, intrigued by the coming question, "Of course, you may ask."

"I-It's about uhm, the time when you found me again at the mansion?" Lucy was beginning to fidget on her seat especially when she noticed the discomfort on her mother's face. "Uhm… how did I look like back then?" 'Wow Lucy, such a wonderful question. Baka!'

"Lucy dear, is something wrong?" Layla had a worried look painted on her face. "This is the first time that you've asked something about the incident a year ago."

'Lucy, after this, please hit yourself with a baseball bat.' She mentally noted before she continued, "A-Ah, I just had the… courage. And… I was just curious. Sorry if it was too… sudden." She shifted in her seat due to discomfort. Oh the other hand, her mother picked up the cup of tea, sipped a little and put it back into the table again. She let out a breath and finally spoke.

"It was a very devastating sight. Your clothes were tattered and wounds were all over your body. As for your appearance, I would say that you were wearing very strange clothes. Also, you had a whip attached near your left hip and a set of key-like accessories inside a pouch on the right. Jude and I were very shocked at your appearance that day." Layla frowned then put her right hand on Lucy's shoulder. "But it doesn't matter anymore, my child. You are now safe and that's all what matters to me." Layla pulled Lucy closer and enveloped her into an embrace.

"Mama…" No one can feel how much she longed for her mother's embrace. Yes, she's been with her 'mother' ever since she got stuck in Earth but in reality, her real mother is dead. Layla Heartfilia of Earthland is dead. So as painful as it gets, she must go back to Earthland and leave her 'mother' here. She's also a mother so she understands that her daughter's waiting for her to come home. The guild is also waiting for her to come home. Also, Natsu and Levy spent a lot of time and effort just to find a way to return so she should get her keys to finally get back home.

"Hmm, Mama? Where are those keys? I just remembered that it was important to me. My friends gave it to me as a souvenir." Lucy lied as she tried to squeeze out more information on the keys whereabouts.

"Oh is that so? Good thing we kept it. We put it in the treasury back at the mansion." Lucy cringed at the mention of the forbidden word. 'Mansion? Really?'

"I-I see. Thank you, mother." She hugged Layla once again.

"Your father locked it away in the treasury because it might stir some unwanted memories whenever you make contact with it."

Lucy was shocked that her father was the one who thought of locking her keys away for her own safety. 'I guess my father here is as stubborn as my real father.' Lucy smiled.

They broke away from the hug when Layla started to talk again. "Actually Lucy, I am here to inform you about something." Her eyes were pained as she continued to speak, "You father has sent me to inform you that there will be a ball in the mansion in two days. I have a dress here with me so you don't have to worry about buying a new one." Layla reached for the paper bag and gave it to Lucy who was staring at her in shock. "I'm sorry, Lucy…"

'So much for giving him some points because of what he did with the keys.' Lucy rolled her eyes and sighed. "Why did my idiot father remember me all of a sudden after all this time?" Lucy almost growled at the mention of her father. "I have a guess. An arranged marriage proposal? He's gonna release me in a den of lions to be munched on?" Lucy snorted as she looked away from her mother. 'And I already have Natsu and Nashi!- but well they don't know about that one.'

"You don't have to come. It's your choice. I just delivered the message." Layla smiled. "You have gained your hard-earned independence so don't let it go. I'm sorry I had to disrupt your current lifestyle. You don't have to do things that you don't like." She grabbed Lucy's hands and trapped it into her own. "You are a free woman, Lucy."

Lucy took in a deep breath and hugged her mother. "Thank you, mother. I love you so much." 'Thank you for everything.'

"I love you, too. And I regret that I must go early. I have to prepare for the ball." Layla broke away from the hug and stood up. Lucy accompanied her mother at the door and kissed her cheek before her mother left. After closing the door, she did not move. After a few seconds, she felt warm arms wrap around her body from the behind. His cheeks came in contact with hers as he whispered.

"You can cry now, Lucy. It's alright." He tightened his hold when he felt her shiver. And when she sobbed, her turned her around and held her cheeks, trying to wipe away the tears. "Shhh, just let it out." He said before enveloping her into a tight embrace.

"I'm gonna miss Mama... I know she's not my real mother but-"

"I know Lucy. You don't have to say anything."

"But-"

"Shhh. Just let it all out. I'll be here for you." Natsu began to stroke Lucy's head. He let his fingers run through her loose blonde locks hoping that it would provide comfort to his beloved. "I'm sorry that you guys have to part but I'm sure she'll understand in the future."

Lucy gripped Natsu's scarf harder as her tears ran down her rosy cheeks.

"I'm going to the ball." Lucy suddenly spoke as she took the dishes away from the table. They just had finished eating dinner. Fortunately, her fridge was loaded so she did not need to go outside to buy food. Since Natsu eats like a whale, she had to prepare a feast's worth of food. And in a few moments, her fridge became an empty icy cave.

Natsu was already sitting on the edge of her bed when he heard Lucy. Greeted with silence, Lucy sat beside him and continued, "Now that we know where the keys are, we have to get it as soon as possible. Since my father locked it away, it means that it'll be a tough ride. But I have a plan."

"Of course, definitely the brains of the team." Natsu smirked. "Fire away."

Lucy scoffed, "The ball is in two days. You heard that my keys were being kept in the Heartfilia Mansion's treasury, right? Well based from what I've seen when I lived there, it's normally locked. Of course, there are treasures in them so it's obvious to keep maximum security at all times. So, when I attend the ball and entertain the guests, you sneak around and find the treasury using your nose. Can you do that?" Natsu nodded.

"Help me reunite with my precious friends, alright?" She smiled as she looked at Natsu's eyes. Natsu stared back at her with loving eyes and smiled.

"Since it's locked away, you're free to break the case or whatever. Maybe the reason why Loke can't pass through his gate was because of the damn case. Just… get the keys, okay?" Lucy added.

"Trust me on that one." Natsu pulled Lucy into a side hug. "But Lucy, are you really sure—"

"Mhmm." Lucy leaned on him until she caught interest on the paper bag that her mother left her. "Oh, I almost forgot!" She stood up and reached for the bag. "Natsu, I'll just try this on." She grabbed the dress and walked towards the bathroom. "Tell me if how it looks, okay?" Before Natsu could reply, Lucy already disappeared to the bathroom.

After some time, Natsu swore that he could've fallen asleep if not for Lucy's voice. His drowsy eyes snapped opened as he heard Lucy calling for help. He rushed into the bathroom without second thoughts and found the celestial mage struggling… to close the zipper on the back of her dress.

"Natsuuuu! Uhm… help?" Lucy blushed as she looked at Natsu who was also blushing because of her predicament. His vision suddenly filled with the sight of Lucy's bare back. Not that he'd never seen it before –they already made a child (AND it was not under the influence of alcohol), mind you— but it's been a while since he saw Lucy. He returned to reality when Lucy called him again.

"Natsu? Are you okay?" Lucy's now facing Natsu. Her hand was holding the dress above her bust while the other hand touched Natsu's forehead. He blushed as he suddenly turned Lucy around and pulled her dress up.

"I'll just have to zip it up, right?" Lucy nodded. "Dresses are so troublesome. Why do you still wear these kinds of stuff, Luce?"

"Because Natsu—" Natsu finished zipping her dress up and she slightly pulled it to make sure that it doesn't fall. "I have to wear this to the ball. As the daughter of a very important family in this world, I have to be presented nicely. And my mother brought it so I can't really complain—Ah Thank you." Lucy twirled in front of Natsu and smiled. "How is it?"

Natsu eyed her for a moment and stroke his imaginary beard. "It's okay. Nothing different."

Lucy frowned as she clenched her fists. "It's that bad?"

"No, you silly! You don't really have to dress fancy because you're already beautiful just the way you are." Lucy blushed at Natsu's statement. She noted how he said those words without being embarrassed at all.

"Mou. You look so dense yet you say such alluring words." She pouted as she crossed her arms under her chest.

"Hey! You're still calling me dense?" Natsu saw Lucy stick out her tongue before she giggled.

"Maybe?"

As she looked at herself at her full length mirror, she felt a hand that pulled her wrist which made her stumble and lean into something hard and warm. She felt Natsu's chest on her back while she felt a tingling sensation at her earlobe.

"Ne Luce, why don't we get you out of your dress immediately?" He whispered in her ear while completely wrapping his arms around her small frame. "I'll help you." Lucy blushed while glancing at the mirror to look at what Natsu was doing.

'Oh my God, he looks hot! H-His lips are—' "B-But I just got into—" She tried to suppress a moan as she felt Natsu's lips nibble on her earlobe. "N-Natsu…"

"I really missed you so much, Luce." He snuggled his face on the crook of her neck. "I was lonely, you know?" His breath was so hot against Lucy's smooth skin. Lucy felt guilty at Natsu's sad words. She felt liquid drip on her shoulder. It was Natsu's tears.

"I went on a lot of missions but they were all boring since you're not there. I became an irresponsible father to Nashi because I always left her at Fairy Tail. My mind and heart were so wrecked after you disappeared. I don't know if you'll forgive me for leaving our daughter…" He sobbed. Lucy pulled away from the hug and faced him. Her face was also in tears but there is a hint of anger mixed with it.

"No, Natsu! You did what you can! I'm sure you left Nashi at the guild because you know that they'll be able to take good care of Nashi! Actually, it's my fault for being weak. If only I was alert enough, this would not happen…" She clenched her fists as she looked down the floor.

Suddenly, she felt something grip her shoulders. "Lucy! Don't ever say that you are weak!" Natsu shouted at her but his expression softened after that. "You are the strong! You are loved by the people of the guild and also by your dear spirits. You are very nice and you smile whatever happens. You don't bear a grudge on people who hurt you deeply. Gajeel almost beat you to death but now you're friends with him. You're even helping him court your best friend, Levy whom he tortured in the beginning. Flare cheated on you at the Games yet you defended her at the Sun village! You have a heart of gold. I think you're the only person that I know who has the purest heart." He smiled as he pulled Lucy into an embrace. "Also what you did during the Tartaros incident was pretty badass, okay?" Natsu heard Lucy chuckle at his last remark.

"And for that, I fell." Natsu pulled away for a bit and tilted his head while he leaned close to Lucy. "I love you." He dived in and his lips landed on hers. Lucy's eyes were wide as saucers but eventually, both eyes closed and she started giving in to the kiss.

After a few seconds, Natsu then licked Lucy's lower lips begging for entrance. She tasted like strawberries doused with vanilla— a flavor he won't get tired of. She sighed as she slightly opened her lips to let Natsu's tongue remember her taste. Eventually, their tongues hungrily battled with one another but neither party was willing to back out.

Lucy's hands were now fisting Natsu's salmon locks while his hands found the zipper and hastily pulled it down. As the dress fell down her body, she felt Natsu press his body against hers (Her humongous chest was now squished against his lean chest). She kicked the dress on the side to make herself comfortable and succumbed to Natsu's touches. Each of their kisses and touches had a year's worth of longing in it. To Natsu, it felt like it was longer than that and all of the pent up feelings will finally be delivered but to Lucy— she thought it was unfair for Natsu to remember and long for her for a very long time while she was 'sleeping' most of the time. So she thought— he would make him happier by giving him the pleasure that she was not able to give him for the time she was gone. She moaned as she felt Natsu unclasp her brassiere and squeezed the mounds raw. He kissed her neck trailing down to her collarbone to the valley of her breasts. She moaned again as he licked—

And suddenly there was the buzzing sound once again.

Natsu winced at the sound. Now he's annoyed. The first time he heard that sound, his ears almost exploded and he was shoved under the bed by Lucy. This time—This time he was enjoying with Lucy and that stupid Dor— whatever would ruin it! He must remind himself to break the damn cockblocker!

The doorbell rang once again and Lucy finally snapped back to reality. With cheeks as red as a tomato, she sighed and spoke, "I-I'll go get it." She sensed Natsu's discomfort with the situation but she smiled and gave him a peck on the lips. "I'm sorry, Natsu. I'll make it up to you later… okay?" She lightly pushed Natsu and pointed at the tub. "Can you please wait here? Maybe mother forgot something."

Natsu grunted and crossed his arms. "I'm so annoyed with that sound, Luce. Can I break it later? I was having a fun time with you—" Lucy just smiled apologetically and started to grab a white shirt, her almost forgotten bra and a pink denim shorts from the closet. "F-Fine." He pouted.

"Thanks, Natsu! You're the best!" She gave him a peck on his lips once again and ran off to get the door.

"I will really roast that thing to ashes."

Lucy struggled to quickly put on her clothes – it would be very indecent for a lady to show up naked in front of guests even if it was her mother— then after making sure that her hair looks decent enough, she sighed and grabbed the knob (not even bothering to peek at who her 'guests' are because she assumed that it was her mother) and smiled as she opened the door.

"Mother, did you forget somethi—" Her voice trailed off as her eyes widened at the sight of her dumbfounded guests.

"SHE'S REALLY IN HERE!" The brunette and raven head chorused with their jaws kissing down the floor.

"Ami!? Lester!?" The blonde let out a gasp as she gripped the doorknob harder.

AN2: Okay I will try my best to get my muse back. A lot's been happening in my plain life so... yeah. Thanks for reading!