Chapter 15

"WHAT!" Laxus barged into the door, almost ripping the whole thing from its hinges.

"Jellal, what's wrong?!" Erza followed, her hair messed in panic.

"Luce!" Natsu pushed through Erza at the door.

"Lucy!" Gray followed the pink-haired man.

Laxus was the first to reach the blonde in the bed to examine her. She was gasping for air even in closed eyes. He took a glance at her form. She was wearing a barely there clothing and bed sheets. He turned his head back to Jellal. He had enough of this Mr. Nice Guy thing. Patience was never in his personality profile anyway.

"What have you done?!" He gritted his teeth and barreled towards the blue-haired mage, knuckles ready for a punch. His fist connected to the unresponsive man's cheek. Jellal stumbled back only to be caught by Erza.

"Stop this, Laxus!" Erza commanded, or at least tried to.

"Stop? I've had enough of this guy! He always comes between me and Lucy!" He took on a fighting stance, lightning dance in his whole body.

"Enough of this!" Erza stepped between the two men, trying to stop both.

"Erza, don't!" The blue-haired man cautioned.

"If you won't move, then I'll just have to fry the hell out of the both of you!" Lightning gathered in both of his hands, crackling in danger. Erza didn't move.

"Stop this, Laxus! They're nakama!" Natsu cried out. He jumped in front of Erza, ready to protect his teammate and her lover with flame-covered hands. Gray followed suit, putting on his battle stance.

"Nakama my ass! You people hurt Lucy! Why should I listen to the likes of you?!" He doesn't want to continue this chitchat and with all of his might, he released the lightning upon the four.

"Stop this, fool." A voice boomed in the rubble. It soon cleared down and there, in front of both Gray and Natsu was a large arm. Titan Magic.

"Gramps!" He was stunned. Why was his pervert of grandfather defending this bunch of cahoots? His eyes bulged in surprise. Gramps have betrayed him, his own flesh and blood.

"Laxus, believe it or not, I'm not here to harm Lucy." Jellal walked forward, both arms in the air, surrendering.

"Jellal!" Erza warned.

"Tch!"

"Laxus, stop this and be mature." His grandfather said calmly but firmly. Makarov stood his ground, trying to stop his children from gutting each other.

Now, this had Laxus cooled down. He turned his back on the five people in front of him and walked again to the bed. Lucy was still gasping for air. He put his large hands in her forehead to check her temperature. Something about the way she looked right now reminded him of a time not so long ago when…

"What the…This is…" His train of thought was suddenly cut off. Alarms blared loudly inside his system, panic coursing through his blood and veins. It was like being awakened from a deep sleep and became suddenly aware of all of his surroundings. This. Again. Why now? This problem was supposed to have been solved. "No." He said, barely a whisper. Once again, he found himself growing weaker as the seconds ticked by. His knees were trembling in fear but pride and ego won't let him.

"Laxus!" Natsu cried out. Though he can't understand a thing, his sensitive ears perked up at the whisper the blond has just uttered.

"What's going on?!" Gray shouted the million-dollar question. Erza was silent the whole time. She didn't know what's going on but it's dire, considering how Laxus' muscles tensed up at the feel of his hands on her team mate's skin.

Laxus didn't answer their questions. Instead, he quickly pried off the remaining bed sheets away from his fiancée and put his coat over her. He had to find a way now. He frantically carried her like a bride she was and dashed away outside the room.

"Wendy! Wendy!" Laxus desperately called for their healer. He took a wary glance at the blonde. Her condition has not yet improved. It just became worse. She's clutching his shirt tightly like grasping for her dear life.

"Laxus, what's going on?" Makarov appeared in front of him, worry overtaking his olden features.

"Gray, Natsu, Jellal, find Wendy!" Erza commanded the boys. She too was growing nervous about Lucy's condition. 'This is all my fault!' She blamed herself. It wasn't for her, Lucy wouldn't undergo those tortures. 'Lucy, please hold on!'

"G-Gramp-p-ps-s-s, L-L-Lucy's d-dying-g…" That was the first time in all of his years that he saw his grandson tear up since his no good father left him for power. This man. This muscled, overly proud and egotistic man was crying just like a lost child. He could see now. Laxus doesn't want this girl just for her beauty and body. He wasn't a pervert like him. There was more to him than prestige and power. He loved her. He loved her to the point of even discarding his ego and manliness just to save her. He shed a tear.

'Mavis!' He can't bear to see his grandson to be a mess so he begged, begged with all of his grandfatherly heart for Mavis to appear before him and work her Magic and save the day like before. 'Please, First Master, please!'

'Dying?' Erza overheard Laxus' words. Dying? Lucy? WHY?! It was like her heart was punctured by thousand little needles.

And then just there and then, the struggle halted. Lucy's struggle halted.

"Erza, Wendy's not here!" Jellal and the other two men reached them only to be stopped short in the stairs by the atmosphere. It's too heavy, too cold and barren. The silence…it was like someone has just…

'Don't tell me…' Gray gulped. Laxus was crying. The Master's eyes were closed and his head was turned on the floor. Erza…Erza was at the wall, supporting herself. This isn't good.

"Erza!" As if reading the raven-haired man's mind, Natsu spoke up. His voice trembled in fear. He could swear that it's too quiet even for his Dragon Slayer ears and the only sound he could hear was the rapid beating of his own heart. No, there's no way. Lucy's a strong girl, right? He walked towards the girl in Laxus' arms. She stopped moving. Just a moment ago, she was grasping for air, flailing yet still alive.

"Luce?" He collapsed to the floor and unbidden tears welled up in his eyes. Laxus sniffled. No, Laxus doesn't sniffle. Lauxs doesn't cry because there is no reason for him to do so…unless...

"Lucy?" Happy flew towards them. He could hear the commotion and loud footsteps in the ceiling of the first floor. He thought there was just a fight breaking in so he just…he just…he can't even finish his own thinking because he has reached Lucy. "No…" Happy's voice failed. There was no rise and fall in her chest anymore.

"Don't you dare die on me, Lucy!" Laxus cried and ran towards the makeshift clinic. He reached it and quickly put her in bed. He performed resuscitation on her. There's no way he'll give up on her. "Don't you give up on me! After all of the hardships I went through to buy your old mansion back and surprise you on our wedding day, you'll do this to me?! That's bullshit! Preposterous, so get your blonde ass and so help me, God, I will zap you with a ten-thousand volts of electricity!" He pumped her chest harder. "Just please, live for me." He whispered in his broken voice, tears escaping his eyes.

As if on cue, her heart responded. It beat then followed by a couple more. It was erratic at first but as seconds ticked, it fell into its normal rhythm. Life began to color her cheeks and her pulse returned. She breathed. Laxus couldn't be more thankful to all the governing forces of the world.

"Blondie...?" He whispered, trying to reassure himself that she was alive. Her eyelids moved. He sighed in relief. "Thank God!" If it wasn't for the fact that Laxus is a tough guy character, he would definitely jump in joy. Instead, he hugged her tight, never letting her go.

'That would be infinity for Laxus and zero points for Natsu.' He smiled contentedly.

"L-Laxus?" Her eyes fluttered open as she spoke weakly.

"I'm here." He enveloped her hands in his. She was still weak, her voice was hoarse and breathe ragged but her silken skin was warm. 'She's alive.' He repeated to himself

"S-Spirit Energy..." She coughed. Two words but he understood the meaning as if she elaborated a five-paragraph statement. His guess was proven correct. The Spirit Energy was acting again after months.

"I know." He pulled his coat to cover her body. She's still not well and he expected that. Six months ago, she was like this but they managed. What are they gonna do now? Travel for a month and gain paparazzi?

"Um...Laxus?" Her whisper snapped him back into reality. He seriously needed some check up. He's spacing out quite frequently.

"What is it?" He leaned closer even though he can hear her with his Dragon Slayer ears. It was just out of habit.

If it wasn't for the fact that Lucy is a conservative character…well, scratch that, she's not conservative considering her present choice of clothing. What happened next was probably the most unexpected thing that Laxus had ever thought. She kissed him right in his lips that there was no time to react. He was frozen in place. But just before he could respond, Lucy ended it.

"Thank you for everything. And did I hear right about the mansion?" She smiled weakly. Yes, that smile, that beautiful, perfectly shaped smile, even in her weakened state, has the power to bring him down on his knees. Five months of dating doesn't give him immunity to her charms.

"Y-Yeah..." He stuttered, blushing. He never expected that she heard him. Laxus looked away and crossed his arms.

'Wait…' And just like Laxus, she was left frozen. '…is he pouting?' He turned his attention back to her and she was left speechless when he suddenly wrapped his arms around her waist and buried his face on her stomach.

"Don't do that to me, Lucy." His voice broke.

'This man…this egomaniac, proud, arrogant, rude man of a bear…' She smiled as she patted his head with her palms. Her love for this man just grew into infinity. She's thankful for everything that has happened. If it wasn't for those people, those events, they wouldn't have ever met. Thank you, Laxus. Thank you very much.

"I won't, I promise. I love you and thanks for everything, Mr. Dreyar." She shed a tear of pure joy and contentment.


Author's Note: Hello everyone! It's been like a month since I've updated. I'm sorry for that. Hahaha. To those who thought that I've betrayed and abandoned my dear readers and this story, you got it all wrong. The reason I've been gone for almost a month is because of school works and the surprise I've prepared for you, that I have written at least ten chapters of this story and the other surprise which I will have to post on my deviantart account. Aaannnddd now that I'm one final exam away from the true freedom called Semester Break, I might update frequently. I can't say everyday but better than the past months.

By the way, to those who kept their loyalty and supported this story and believed in me, THANK YOU VERY MUCH! I think I'm gonna cry. Hahaha. Love y'all :D