Guys, this is the last chapter. 2,842 words. A way to say thank you for all of the support and wonderful reviews you have given me. Thank you so much, it's been fun!

This chapter.. Lots of headaches, so please enjoy!

Natsu POV

I slowly explained it all to Lucy, pausing every now and then as old memories came to surface of Bordon. Lucy stayed quiet the entire time I explained, not interrupting once, even when I stopped talking to collect my thoughts. Her gaze remained steady and sympathetic through the entire conversation.

I hated this, repeating the same story I already told the entire guild, including what had happened when Bordon had come back to the guild, and what happened after she had fainted. I didn't like reliving the past like this, and each time I said Bordon's name I saw Lucy flinch, just slightly. I cursed his name for ever making Lucy feel even close to scared.

When I told the story the guilt got heavier and heavier as I remembered how dangerous he was, how I knew he was interested in Lucy, and I still failed to protect her.

When I was done I let out a breath of relief, glad it was over. Somehow, during the conversation, my eyes had drifted down to the ground again, afraid to look at her. When I was done there was silence. Lucy didn't move, but I could feel her gaze burning into me, which was slightly ironic since I was the one who usually burned things.

Finally a small whisper, "Oh Natsu..."

Before I knew it I was pulled into a hug.

I blinked, too surprised to move. "I'm sorry Natsu. I'm so sorry you had to go through that with Bordon and then with me…" she trailed off. I could smell the slight hint of tears coming from Lucy.

"Thank you, Natsu, for everything," she murmured.

I wasn't sure what to say, why was she saying thank you? Wasn't it my fault that Bordon had hurt her, wasn't it my fault for not warning her properly and being too stubborn to explain who Bordon was earlier, before it was too late? Wasn't it my fault, for everything? She wasn't blaming me though; it was almost as if she was forgiving me for myself, since I couldn't forgive myself. She didn't blame me.

I hesitated before once again wrapping my arms around her, taking comfort in her warmth and scent. Then I started to cry. Silent tears started to slip down my face as my thoughts raced back to Bordon, how we used to be the best of friends. I saw when we used to fish together, when I would challenge him to fights, and when we would laugh together so loudly the whole guild would turn to stare at us. I remembered when I told Bordon about Igneel and how he had said nothing but, "You'll find him," with such confidence. I remembered the betrayal and hurt I felt when I found out about how he hurt my family.

Then I flashed back to Future Lucy dying, and the current Lucy, lying in bed, unconscious. I had almost lost her again; I wouldn't let this happen a third time.

I squeezed her to me tighter, vowing to never let her out of my sight again. She was too precious.

She pulled back and her eyes widened when she saw my tears. "N-Natsu?"

Her hand reached over and wiped the tears away. "Natsu, please don't cry. It's not like you." Her eyes were tinted with worry and my heart ached to see her look so distressed.

"Sorry Luce," I said, no longer crying. I grinned at her, a slight blush heating my face, embarrassed to be caught. Luckily, she didn't notice. I think.

Relief broke across her face and suddenly her shoulders slumped. I stared at her in alarm, was she still sick?

Seeing my expression she just smiled tiredly and said, "I'm just a little tired Natsu, its fine. Maybe if I eat a little…" her eyes darted to a tray of food sitting next to her. When had that gotten there? She reached over and grabbed a small plate of food and started shoveling it down. Well, she hadn't eaten in a few days, I guess it was natural she would be hungry, but still, I was used to her eating neatly. This was more like my style of eating…

I raised my eyebrows and asked, "Hungry Luce?"

Her face went red and she immediately slowed down. She shot me a small glare before returning her attention back to the food. I couldn't help but let out a loud laugh.

"You're so weird Lucy."

She scowled at me and muttered, "Says the idiot who eats fire."

"Hey!" I protested. "Fire tastes good! You're the weird one for not eating fire."

She rolled her eyes and gave me a 'Aren't you stupid' look. I laughed and couldn't help the feeling of relief that washed over me, that said everything was returning to normal. Well almost.

I could still feel the heaviness of failing to protect Lucy and I'm sure Lucy was still a little scarred by what Bordon did to her. I wanted to reach over and take all of her pain away, and crush it in my hand, but I knew it wasn't as simple as that. It never would be. But as Lucy ate her food with obvious restraint I couldn't help but think that despite that, we would be fine. As long as we stayed together, stayed nakama, we could face whatever problems that were thrown are way.

We were Fairy Tail after all.

Erza POV

When Mira told us that Lucy was awake I wanted to bust in there, after obvious feelings of relief, but Mira had insisted that she have time alone to finish regaining her strength. She added after, with a glint in her eye, that she also needed to talk to Natsu privately.

I reluctantly agreed, as did Gray, Wendy, and Levy.

After an hour though I was getting impatient and decided to go in there, despite Mira's protests, the rest following close behind. When we walked in Levy cried, "Lulu!" before running over to give the startled Celestial mage a hug.

Natsu sat next to Lucy looking amused at the sudden attack. I rushed over to her side, letting out a small sigh in relief. Lucy looked well.

"I'm so glad you're feeling better, Lucy!" Wendy said politely.

"I'm relieved to see you looking better too," I said, much calmer then Levy, who was bawling onto Lucy's shoulder, repeating over and over that she was so relieved.

Lucy patted Levy on the head and smiled at me. "Me too, thanks Erza."

Gray grunted at Lucy, and muttered, "Welcome back." She gave Gray a bright smile before turning back to Levy.

"It's okay Levy, I'm better now." She tried to calm the blue haired girl.

She nodded faintly, sniffling.

Lucy chuckled and said brightly, "Really, I'm fine now."

I studied her carefully, contemplating her words. True, she did look healthier. All her physical wounds were healed, her face wasn't as pale anymore, and it looked like someone had brushed her hair while she was sleeping, probably Mira. But… there was something about her eyes, they almost looked haunted. I frowned at her. Was she still afraid of Bordon? I decided it would be best not to ask.

To reassure her I said, "Bordon was taken by the Magic Council. He will be placed in jail for the rest of his life for his crimes. You needn't worry about him coming back." She flinched slightly at his name, barely visible to the eye. It seemed I was the only one who noticed, and Natsu, by the way he tensed after her reaction.

She gave me a relieved smile, pretending she hadn't flinched at the mention of his name, and said, "That's good. I wouldn't want him walking the streets."

I nodded. I heard Gray mutter, "His punishment should have been worse…"

Natsu's face clouded over, but he didn't comment.

To my dismay Lucy started to get out of the bed. "Lucy," I said, "are you sure your well enough to get up?"

She gave me a reassuring smile. "Like I said, I am perfectly healed. Plus, I've been in that bed for a long time, I think it's time I stretched my legs."

She stood up and immediately wobbled slightly. In a flash Natsu was up and by her side, there in case she fell. She gained a steady footing and let out an impatient sigh at Natsu.

"I'm fine Natsu. Stop acting like my mother."

I chuckled at both of them as they started to bicker. It was like nothing had ever happened.

Lucy POV

Natsu was getting ridiculous. I know he feels guilty about not being able to stop Bordon from what he did to me but this was getting out of hand. When I tried to stand he was hovering over me. He was pestering me, making sure I wasn't feeling sick again, always asked me if I needed water, or was hungry. He wouldn't leave me alone, and though it was very sweet, and warmed my heart, a girl needed her personal space. He hadn't left my side once.

I spent about twenty minutes in the guild talking to everyone, trying to reassure them all that I was in fact completely healed before Master approached me, Natsu still hovering. I had to resist the urge to snap at him, only stopping since I knew he did it out of concern.

"Lucy, what you have been through, I am so sorry," Master murmured to me. By the way his eyes crinkled in concern as he watched me, looking for any cracks in me that would signal a break down, he knew all the details of what Bordon had done.

I felt Natsu tense beside me but I still managed a smile for Master. "I'll be fine Master, don't worry. I have all my friends and family supporting me, encouraging me on. Besides you can't really dwell on things here, it's too loud and full of energy to think too much on the past."

He stared at me for a moment before breaking into a cheerful expression. He let out a laugh and said, "Yes this guild will definitely serve as a good distraction with all of its antics."

"Master."

I turned, it was Erza.

"I have a few questions about Bordon," she said, her face stern. Master grimaced, as if he knew this would come up. He nodded at her to continue.

"About Bordon… I couldn't help but notice that during the fight between you both he did not fight back, just avoided your attacks. Do you know why?"

Master sighed and shook his head. "Bordon… He is a complicated man. He didn't care about much in life; I know that to be the truth. The only thing he actually cared for as a child was Natsu, and even that was to a certain extent." Natsu's jaw clenched. I pressed a comforting hand onto his arm.

Master continued, "I think, in a way I was also one of the things he cared about. I was the one who let him into the guild, who accepted him into this family, after he had been so brutally chased out by his other family. Though of course in the first fight we had, he did try to hurt me, but I don't think he restrained himself. During this fight… I am not completely sure. I suspect that part of him came back here to see the guild, his old home. I think part of him believed we would accept him back with open arms but once he saw the guild had forgotten him he reverted back to his cruel self. Even through that though I don't think he had it in his will to truly hurt me. I do not believe he was all that healthy in the mind…" he trailed off with a sad expression.

The guild stayed silent for a moment, as they considered his words. I frowned.

Erza interrupted our thoughts, "Yes, about that. The spell he cast on the guild, Memory Infection. Memories of him are starting to come back, but I think the spell from years ago has worn off."

Master nodded, "I wasn't certain but I didn't think he had a large enough supply of magical energy to sustain this long. His magic and how much of it he can handle at once are still unknown. I have guessed he also did not place that spell on Natsu and I, not wanting to affect us, and also I believe he wanted to show off in some way the work he did on the guild. It could be described as some kind of perverse show and tell."

The guild was silent as he concluded, each one lost in their own thoughts.

Even if Bordon was mentally ill I still felt a burning anger towards him, but it wasn't an all-consuming hatred like it was in the beginning. It definitely put things in a different perspective. While I was angry, and afraid, I also felt sorry for him. He seemed lonely, always being rejected by someone. Though he had hurt the guild members and myself, I still wondered what it felt like to be that alone, and I still felt like life had dealt him the bad cards, and he had played them wrong.

The guild took a while but after that they moved back into their usual rowdy routine. I finally convinced Natsu to give me some space, to go be with the guild like I knew he so desperately needed.

I watched my friends and family as they laughed and celebrated, raising glasses of ale and beer into the air. A fight between Natsu and Gray had started, with Elfman yelling on the side, "Fights are for MEN!"

Juvia was staring at the shirtless Gray with hearts in her eyes and her face as red as Erza's hair. Wendy was talking to Romeo and laughing like mad, with Carla, Happy, and Lilly chatting nearby. Levy read a book in the corner of the room, after I had assured her for the hundredth time that I was okay, with Gajeel trying to get her attention by poking her in the cheek.

I sat at the bar and talked with Mira, enjoying the festive mood of the guild for a little bit longer before I finally decided to head home. It was dark outside, but it felt like it had been light out moments ago. I waved goodbye to Mira and got up to leave. Natsu was by my side in a second and I let out a yelp of surprise.

"You leaving?" he asked. I nodded hesitantly.

He grinned and said, "I'll walk you home then!"

He waved Happy over and he joined us on our walk.

I smiled as we walked in a content silence, our footsteps echoing on the stone ground. I was still wearing the pink shirt that matched Natsu's hair and the sweat pants. Mira had lent me some slippers to wear.

Happy sat on my head, humming a small tune about fish. I chuckled as he reached a high note and his voice broke. He let out a small huff of annoyance and started from the beginning.

Natsu and I walked side by side.

And somehow, sometime, his hand had intertwined with mine.

We walked the rest of the way home, like that, and I couldn't help but think that this was how it was meant to be, us three together, walking beside Natsu, holding hands.

He walked with me into my apartment, Natsu surprisingly not using the window, and for once I didn't complain as he shook off his sandals and slipped into my bed, curling up under my covers. I was too tired and mentally exhausted to fight it. I took a quick shower, washing off all of the dirt and slipped on some Plue PJ's that I had grabbed from the dresser before going to the bathroom. I brushed my teeth and hair before leaving the bathroom.

Natsu took up half the bed, with Happy curled up near his head. I sighed and decided to sleep on the floor, not wanting to try the couch again.

I moved to go get some extra blankets when I felt a small tug on my wrist. I looked down in surprise to see Natsu with a firm hold on my wrist, his eyes still closed. He pulled me down onto the bed, under the covers.

He drew me close into his arms, heat radiating off of him, making me want to curl up into his chest. I tried to struggle out of his embrace but he just tightened his grip on me.

Sighing, I gave in. "Just for tonight, Natsu," I whispered. He didn't reply, so I closed my eyes.

I was about to slip into sleep when I heard him whisper, "I'll always protect you Luce. Always."

Without opening my eyes a small, soft smile lit up my lips.

"I know Natsu, I know."

Guys, thank you so much for staying with me threw this entire story! I hope the ending was to your liking. Please review and comment!

IMPORTANT: I AM OFFICIALLY TAKING REQUESTS. What does that mean you ask? Well I will tell you. I love writing stories for people and I have decided to take requests for stories you would like to read. It can be Fairy Tail if you want or anything else from manga to anime to books, etc. I am happy to look it up and research it if I don't know it. I always love discovering new things to watch/read/write about. If you have any ideas just PM me. I can only write one at a time of course, so your idea better be awesome. I'll tell you if I will do your idea, or if I won't. I'll probably just have a list of story ideas that I will pursue, in order, so it's not like I will be writing only one, just one at a time. Of course I will try not to be bias when picking story ideas to write about but I can't promise anything. All ideas are accepted (even NaLi, though it is not preferred). I will do my best to write the story. I love the idea of learning to write within someone else's mind, not just my own, if that makes any sense.

If you have any questions about it or ideas you would like to see in a story please do not hesitate to PM me.

Also, REVIEEWWW! I want to know what you thought of this story, what you thought was bad, good, everything! Thank you for being amazing! It's been wonderful!

I saw one review that asked the questionif Lucy was pregnant after what Bordon did to her. I can safely say that no, she is not, luckily. It is an interesting thought though, I hadn't even considered it. Thank you for the question, it definitely opened my mind to other story ideas. :-)