Chapter Teaser: The two are now on the road and following the new companions request, they head for a military base somewhere out in the distance. They share a bit about them selves putting on a depressing yet also a thrilling atmosphere. Not even a days worth and someone is already falling for the others charm.

Well guys, I hope you're enjoying it so far. I most certainly am and I believe all Lisanna haters are going to hate me for this chapter but trust me you won't hate me for long. Tehee, I'm a Lisanna hater myself but I don't like to trash the character that much so Lisanna lovers can read as well. Anyways, comment and review please! Always looking forward to what you all have to say!

Declaimer: I don't not own any of the characters used within the story, but I do own the plot line. All character rights go to Hiro Mashima

Italic = Thoughts

Chapter 2

Previously: "Look, sorry. I'm just a little on edge right now and getting hit by a car... doesn't help all that much. Urgh, do you... think you can bring me somewhere? It shouldn't be to far from here. Please."He asked, I could hear his discomfort in his voice, his fear and worry all the emotions men like to hide. I thought about it for a moment, he was already limping before I hit him and I just made things worst. I felt guilty, so I waved to him to follow rather than answer knowing my voice would crack under pressure. I knew had something to look forward to that's why he was prone to showing his emotions to a complete stranger.

Honestly I don't know what compelled me to accept bringing him where ever he wanted to go but it did bring me some company. I keep my eyes to the front watching the road carefully like always but I also made sure to keep my attention to the pink haired idiot in the passengers sit. I keep to my speed earlier (80mph) and remembered about gas as we past a gas station, on instinct I pushed my foot on the breaks fairly quickly that had made both of us lurch forward. Now slowly coming to a stop I looked behind and shifted to revers, I felt the stare of my new companion as I turned forward again to look around for safety purposes then proceed to backing up.

"What?"

I asked a little harsher than it needed it to be, I put the car on park after backing up perfectly into position for a full refilling of the impala's 3/4 empty tank. I turned back to face the front as I also scanned the area first, then face the passenger when the coast was clear. He looked at me with a straight face and spoke in a curious tone.

"How old are you?"

It was a very rude question but I suppose it was reasonable seeing as I looked young. And I was.

"18, sense we are on the subject of age. How old are you?"

I asked back, I was curious. He looked pretty young himself and he knew how to hand a gun, I wasn't sure about the age requirement for training for a gun but he must be old enough to own one...unless he stole it from someone. Could he be a criminal? I thought.

"20."

He said back but made no other indication for the conversation to continue, so I got out of the car and checked if the pump still worked. If it didn't I was going to have to go inside the building to allow control manually, which I really didn't like doing sense it would be asking me to enter a building that could be harboring sleeping zombies inside. If no one was here it meant they were either dead or fled, but it also meant they could be undead then they would still be somewhere around.

I pressed the pump and it didn't work, I sighed in frustration. I opened the car door on the drivers side (left side) and opened the glove compartment to pick up my knife without even asking the man who occupied the sit in front of it. I took an unnoticeable peek at the wound on his arm, it was badly patched up with a ripped part of his now torn up jacket. It's going to need proper treatment soon or it's going to get badly infected, my mind thought unconsciously.

He gave me a looked which told me he was annoyed because I didn't ask him to move or get it for me, I just replied with looking away and leaving the car. I hate to admit it to myself but he was attractive and I could stare at him for a long time if I had the chance. But that would make traveling with him awkward and as far as I was concerned he was also very foul mouthed and rude. Then again he has been pretty silent up until now and hasn't uttered a word of complaint, I shock my head off the thoughts and tried to focus.

I walked stealthily to the building, my eyes scanned the sides of the building like I always did to making sure no undead would randomly walk/crawl around the corner. Not that I'm properly prepared in the first place. When I believed it was clear I moved to opened the door to go inside, the top bell rang louder than I wanted and I almost panicked on spot. One look around you could tell that people have been here, the shelves were completely deprived of it's occupants. It looked much like what I did with the previous gas stations I came across, when I stocked up for food and water. It became eerily silent after the bell on top of the door went off, not wanting the same bell to scare me more than it already had I removed it.

As I slowly walked up to the counter, I peeked over and gasped. Hitching a scream in my throat I quickly covered my mouth with me free hand, while almost falling over back on my butt after seeing the dead body laying flat on the floor.

"Scared me."

I whispered to myself and it still frightened me, I couldn't tell if it was really dead or semi dead. With no other choice I continued to walk around the counter and practically hugged the wall as I slipped between me and the body. I felt my heat beating frantically in my chest, my breath stuck in my throat as I held in that breath. My lips closed tightly and my nostrils flaring at the stench of rotting fresh, I felt my grip on my knife was tightening with every passing second. It got so tight that my knuckles were turning white, when I was right beside the body I swore it moved. In a panic I rushed passed the body and pressed the button for access to the pump, I panicked more when I didn't hear the usually click. I pressed again and thank the heavens! This time I heard it. Thank you God, I looked up as if he answered my prayers even though I wasn't much of a believer. I left the building in a hurry still feeling a little on edge about the deceased I had to pas by but I felt better and more relaxed when I stepped into the open air.

The man that I left in the car before hand had gotten out and was currently working on redoing his bandages as he leaned his back on the car. I watched at how poorly he was doing and sighed again, as I let the gas pump do it's job I walked up to him a wrapped the torn material around his right bicep carefully. making sure not to hurt him in the process, he flinched only once but then relaxed as he watched me finish up the knot. I peeked through my bangs and making sure he wouldn't see me blush.

"What's your name anyway?"

I asked, changing the subject and abruptly leaning back on my heels stretching out my arms above my head. He looked at me with calm eyes and answered my question.

"Natsu, and you?"

He threw back.

"Lucy, Lucy Heartfilia. No last name then?"

I looked at him jokingly.

"Dragneel."

I had walked back to the other side of the car where the pump was and passed him a look of thanks, then looking back at the building from over top of the car. There was no signs of life anywhere, I let out a breath right when the pump clicked off telling me the tank was now full. I pulled it out and got back into the car once the cap was covered and closed, Natsu joining me the same time. I saw that when he was about to sit down he hid the gun between his pants belt and his back, with the additional hiding from his long army green plain t-shirt. He also was wearing black cargo pants with thick black boots, upon closer observation he kinda looked like he was in the military. But it could be just my imagination running wild, many guys think that style is cool.

I refocused on the wheel and turned the ignition roaring the engine to life when Natsu grunted and it wasn't any ordinary grunt. It was the sound of distress and a very discomforted grunt, though I barely heard it because of the engine I turned my head. And saw that the very same body that laid motionless from the department store was trying to cling Natsu's right arm, his injured arm. Natsu's face showed pain, before I knew it put my foot to the peddle as the tires spun in place for a second to long for my comfort. The back skidded to the right then to the left before picking up friction again, my throat hummed as I struggled to hold onto a scream. The car jerked forward but the mangled body still held on and made movements that were impossible, Natsu was trying to fight back with only one arm. Barely trying to keep it's teeth from sinking into his flesh, I was driving at 100mph now and the thing was still there. I keep glance to the side to see Natsu's progress and it wasn't going any where, then the image of the gun came to mind. He was still not using it which I though was stupid, why not just shot the damn thing! .

"Natsu!"

I yelled as I saw that the thing was slowly wiggling itself inside. I began to panic so I tried to shake it off by swerving the car madly side to side.

"Damn it to hell."

Natsu mumbled and finally took the gun out from it's position between and shot the thing dead in the face. It's head snapped backwards as blood splattered on the rims of the open window. My body jerked to the sound, not realizing the true effects of the battle cry from a hand gun. The body slid disgustingly out of the window and feel lifeless again on the cement, rolling our way as if it was trying to follow us. I breathed heavily and was gasping for air, my muscles still tensed up.

"Keep driving, we need to get as far away from here as possible."

Natsu told me, finding no will to argue back about a monster almost killing him and not being affected. I keep my foot down, speeding no doubt.

After a good hour of driving over 100 MpH I slowed the pace, finally relaxing into the driver-seat.

"It's 3 more hours from here."

He said out of nowhere, I looked back and forth between Natsu and the road. Three more hours of being with him, then the adventure would end which sadden me greatly. I was actually enjoying the company of someone being beside me, I dared myself to ask the question that has been bugging my mind sense we got on the road together.

"Where are we going anyways? I would suppose something either a safe house or family, or maybe...I don't know a military base?"

I joked for the last suggestion, not thinking the last one would even be reasonable sense that kind of thing only happens in movies. Like when the girl meets a Spy and goes on a dangerous adventure, going through mafia hideouts and military bases, fighting a corrupt government things like that. That kind of 'so out there' reality, so I just though this kind of guy would probably be going where ever, because of a safe house. Which I did plan on intruding, I can't stay on the road forever though I wish I could but I would always be looking for gas and traveling alone was boring. Even with the presence of my new beloved car, by the way I called her; Nienna.

"Why does it matter? You'll be rid of me soon, I'm sure you got places to be."

He said looking out the window with his chin resting in the palm of his hand and his elbow on the window's rim. Not bothered at all about the blood splatter.

"Actually I don't, there isn't anyone out here for me. I've just been wondering about, trying to stay out of trouble. So I'm curious about you."

I told him, feeling a little in the dumps for not having anything or anyone to go to.

"Humm, I'm going to a military base."

He answered unenthusiastically. What the hell! was what I thought. I was right!?

"Surprised?"

He asked, lifting an eyebrow and a big grin spreading across his lips, showing off his rather sharp canines.

"Yea..yeah. Wait. You're not joking with me are you?"

I asked worried that I would be making a fool of myself if I fell for his joke.

"Nope. Dead serious. My Uncle is a man of war, taught me how to handle a gun sense I as 13. I was in a little town named Hargeon looking for my dad when the shit hit the fan. If you know what I mean."

Oh I knew, he was talking about when the zombie outbreak happened. I nodded my head along.

"So, when you say you're looking for your father.."

"More like adoptive father, his name is Igneel. He raised me."

Natsu interrupted. I thought it was cute that he was determined to find his adoptive father. It mad me feel bad that he as yet to find his father, it kinda made me want to help him find his adoptive father.

"What happened to him? If you're looking for him then he isn't dead...or wasn't."

I trailed off at the end. He stilled looked out the window and sighed in disappointment then face the front leaning full on the seat now, while crossing his arms.

"He just up a left me one day. No idea why. Yeah he could be dead with this happening but I also hardly doubt that."

He gestured to outside.

"With what I know of him, there was no way he would die so easily. His all to different than my uncle. Probably better."

I remained silent as I listened to him speak about his old life. It sounded so much more interesting and depressing than my old life but I doubt it would be as depressing as mine.

"You say you don't have anything left. Why?"

He asked nicely.

"Both my parents are dead, my mother died when I was 10. And my father...well my father, he killed himself working. Or something like that. Now it's just me."

He watched me talk and I felt my pulse go just a little bit faster. I swallowed hard as the conversation came to a halt.

He remained silent afterwards not saying anything about having no family left. I felt like he was pitying me and I was pretty sure anyone would with my kind of situation. Growing up with no mother than a father who barely payed attention to you because he was working himself to the bone, literally. Speaking about fathers, I felt like I was being rude not telling about my father in more detail when Natsu spoke of his adoptive father and his situation.

"I never really got to know my mother but I do have vague memories of her and my father happily living together with me. But after my mothers death father became cold and secluded.

I pause to wet my lips.

"When I was young I always tried to get his attention but he would always turn me away with harsh words."

Again I let the words sink in, not just for Natsu but for myself I didn't usually tell my childhood story to people.

"As I got older I realized my father was so devastated to the lost of his wife that he blamed me. He would ignore my pleas and push away because I reminded him of mother to much."

Natsu was watching me, scanning my features and sucking in every word I said. My heart raced in my chest and my head felt like it was swelling but I continued on anways.

"So I grew up not enjoying my life style, and hating my father..."

I glanced to look at how Natsu was taking my story but keep my face forward, his expression looked sad.

"But you know it still hurts, when I got the news that he passed away. I felt so much anger towards him but I felt so much sorrow for losing my only family left."

Natsu was wearing a sad yet please look, his eyes told me he appreciated the fact that I share a little about myself to him. And at the same time he felt sad that the only feeling I was left behind with my father was anger and dread.

"I ran away from home once I realized that I wasn't very welcomed, been living on my own ever sense."

I added in the end.

We stayed quite for the rest of the 3 hour drive, I was wondering what was going to happen now that we were so close. I felt my body getting tired with the stress through out the day, first meeting Natsu. Via running him over or more like I hitting him with my car, the almost missing a gas station -yes that was stressful-. Then of course the worst of the day, an attack from a Zombie I thought was dead. The mere though of me being so close to it earlier scares me over and over again.

"Turn here."

Natsu pointed to a dirt road on the left, I checked it out and it looked like it would lead to nowhere and wondered where it lead to. Though it could be the death of us I had come to trust Natsu a little more after a little life story telling moment. If that was his real life story but I honestly saw no reasons why he would lie to me about it. The world was in chaos, what was the point? I turned like he told me without a word and wished so bad to ask why this way?

"It's an hour drive from here then we'll have to go by foot from there."

"What!? No way, I'm not leaving Nienna behind!"

I raised my voice a bit in a panic about leaving my previous car. Also not realizing that I refereed to my car as Nienna to him before he knew about it..

"Then you'll have to stay behind, I can ask my uncle to see if we can bring it in. But that will depend on him."

He quickly told me, knowing the uneasiness I felt.

"Look, I can't exactly leave you there for dead. Not over some dumb car."

"She's not dumb!"

I yelled back, not feeling all that happy that he called my car dumb.

"Okay, I get it. Sorry."

He turned his head away feeling guilt about his choice in words. I felt my heart squeeze a little and couldn't help feel a little bad with how I reacted. Half and hour passed buy and I had some time to think. Surviving was more important than a simple car and as much as I hated to admit it, it was true. I stroked the cars wheel, like I was patting a cat. Trying to take in its smell, its shape... Okay that sounded wrong. Anyway my love for the car would last for a long time and it was high time that I need to face the facts that we needed to part ways sooner or later. Preferably later.

"Her name is Nienna. The car I mean."

I finally spoke up, breaking the unbearable silence.

"She's keep me out of trouble ever sense the outbreak, that's why I yelled at you about leaving her."

He didn't bother looking at me and just stayed focus outside the window, I felt him sigh even though it couldn't be heard. His shoulders moved up and fell dramatically.

"I know how it feels to abandon something important. Though mine was human."

My hands tighten their grip on the wheel upon hearing his words. He continued feeling the urge to share more.

"When the outbreak happened, I had to leave behind my girlfriend. Her name was Lisanna."

I felt his words sting through my heart, he was taken.

"Did she get attacked?"

I asked nervously.

"No and yes, she's with another group now and I know she's alive we just got... separated."

He covered his mouth in a worried gesture. My heart sank even lower, I knew then that I was internally hoping he was single. But like I expected there was no time or chance for romance in this time of crises but even so, he was taken and that dropped my hopes like a rock.

"I see, well I hope she's alright. I'm sure you'll see her again soon."

I said, making it seem like I truly cared. Which I did, just...

"I hope so to but I doubt it'll be any time soon."

He still didn't look at me the whole time he spoke of her, I guess he truly loves her that much.

"Stop here."

He said. I put the breaks on and the wheels slid a tiny bit on the lose gravel beneath. We got out of the car at the same time, I looked into the thick woods in front of us. I looked at him with a confused, worried look and wondering if we really needed to go through it. He saw my horror and couldn't help but burst out laughing at my expression, I blushed and puffed my check in annoyance.