Only Human

'If only I were stronger! I could have protected her!'

"This is not your fault Lucy."

"How can you say that!? I'm the reason Erza got hurt! She threw herself in front of me! I'm horrible..." Lucy fell to her knees crying uncontrollably. Natsu walked over to her and sat by her. He put an arm around her shoulders and she leaned on him. "Erza might die because of me Natsu."

"Lucy...Erza threw herself in front of you because she loves you. She would never be able to live without you."

"Natsu..."

"Excuse me. Are you here for Erza Scarlet?" Lucy looked up at the doctor. She nodded her head.

"Yes. Please...how is she?"

"Well..."

…...

Lucy and Happy were arguing as usual as well as Natsu and Gray. Erza watched the group quietly. She had already stopped them three times.

'I guess it's time to separate them.' Erza grabbed Natsu and Gray by their ears and Lucy and Happy stopped arguing long enough to watch.

"Stop fighting now. I'm going to separate you guys. Lucy come here. Natsu stand on my left side, Gray get on my right. Happy you fly ahead of us." Everyone grumbled but listened to Erza. Lucy had to be carried by Erza because she refused to walk behind her. Natsu started laughing and Lucy glared at him. Erza sighed.

'Why can't they behave for once?' Gray watched Natsu make funny faces at Lucy. Lucy tried to grab his head, but Erza held onto her tighter.

"Come on Erza! He's being a jerk!"

"Just behave Lucy. If you don't I'll just let you and Natsu sleep outside tonight." Lucy quickly put both of her arms around Erza's neck and shut up. The last thing she wanted was to sleep outside in the cold when she could be snuggled up against Erza. Gray smirked and Natsu laughed. They made it the rest of the way without another problem. Erza found it strange that Lucy was so quiet. She was usually talking about something. Erza turned her head to glance at Lucy and smiled. Lucy had fallen asleep with her head snuggled against Erza's neck. It felt so right. Erza walked into their hotel room and gently laid Lucy down. As soon as Lucy hit the bed, she turned on her side and cuddled with the pillow. Erza silently laughed to herself. She always enjoyed watching Lucy sleep. She did the most adorable things.

"YOU STUPID STRIPPER!" Erza glared at the direction of Natsu's voice. She quickly looked at Lucy and sighed in relief. They hadn't woke her. Yet. Erza walked out of the room and searched for the boys. She found them fighting in the lobby. She grabbed them and they trembled in her grasp. Happy flew away quickly.

"Natsu, Gray...what did I tell you earlier about fighting?"

"Well you said not to do it."

"Then why are you doing it?"

"Uhhhh..."

"If you wake Lucy, you're going to have to deal with her mood swings."

"Why me!?"

"Both you and Gray can deal with it. I suggest you quiet down or I will be forced to punish you."

"Aye!"

Erza sighed and headed back to her room. Natsu and Gray were following her. They were both looking away from each other. Happy flew above them. It was quiet the whole way.

"I'll see you boys in a few. Do not fight again."

"We won't."

"Good." Erza said as she opened the door and walked into her and Lucy's room. Lucy was sitting up in bed reading a book. She looked up when Erza walked in the room.

"You're awake?"

Lucy looked around and laughed. "I believe I am."

Erza shook her head and sat down on the bed pulling Lucy down as she laid down. "Someone woke up in a good mood."

"I don't feel like sleeping."

"That's good. I thought the boys woke you up."

"You would know if they woke me up Erza."

"That is true."

"We're heading out first thing tomorrow right?"

"Yes if everything goes as planned we should be back at the guild tomorrow afternoon."

"I hope it does."

…...

"Natsu!"

"Dammit Gray watch where you're going! We have to stop these guys!"

"What do you think we're trying to do?!"

"Lucy! Where are you?!"

"Natsu! Help!" Lucy yelled. A hand clamped her mouth shut and she bit her attackers hand. Team Natsu was currently trying to stop a dark guild from destroying a city. They had captured Lucy. Erza had run off after the leader of the guild. Natsu and Gray were trying to save their friend.

"We're going to save you Lucy! Don't worry!" Natsu ran straight for the crowd of dark guild mages and blew them out of his way with his fire. Gray was right behind him and froze their feet to the ground. Natsu looked at the man holding Lucy.

"Let her go!"

"Come and get her Salamander."

"I will you bastard." Natsu started to jump, but was stopped by Gray. "What!?"

"Look." Gray pointed behind the man and Natsu grinned.

"You're going to wish you let her go earlier."

"Why is that?"

"Because I'm going to kick your ass." Erza said as she grabbed both of his arms. Lucy lurched forward and turned around. Erza had the man caught. She slammed him into the ground and stepped on him. "Never touch her again." The man under her feet cowered.

"Yes mam..."

"Thanks Erza."

"You're welcome Lucy."

"Damn you all!"

Everyone turned to see who had screamed at them. It was the leader of the guild. He was staring madly at them with a knife in his hand and a lacryma bomb in his other. The group stepped back. Erza threw the man she was holding to the side and stepped protectively in front of Lucy.

"You're all going to die." The leader ran at them and slashed out at them with his knife. Natsu stopped him and punched him backwards. He landed on his feet and threw the bomb at them. The other man used his magic to tie their feet to the ground with roots. Lucy stared at the falling bomb with wide eyes. Erza quickly wrapped the younger girl in her arms and pushed them to the ground. Natsu and Gray were still fighting the roots. They managed to break free just as the bomb clattered on the ground. It seemed as time itself froze before they were surrounded by a blinding light and intense heat.

…...

"How is she?"

"Her arms and legs were burned badly and the explosion probably did some damage to her head. She is still unconscious. I'm not sure what internal damage is done if any. She had some sturdy armor on. I will allow you to see her, but she needs rest and a lot of it. "

"Thank you." Lucy said. Natsu tugged on her uninjured hand and brought her into Erza's room. She was covered in bandages. Lucy let go of Natsu's hand and walked over to her. Natsu left the room and shut the door. Lucy pulled a chair up and picked up Erza's hand. "I'm sorry Erza. You got hurt because of me. I'm never going to get any stronger."

"It's not your fault."

"I feel horrible though. You're always protecting me. I'm never able to protect you."

"You may not be able to protect me from enemies, but you protect me in different ways."

"I don't see how that helps."

"You protect my heart Lucy."

"That's all I can do, so I'm going to make sure I do a good job of it." Lucy said with a faint smile.

"We protect each other in different ways because we can't all be the strongest. We have limits that cannot be surpassed because we are only human Lucy."