Chapter 46

"You bitch!" Jose shouted as his hand immediately flew to his ear checking to see if he was shot or something. His whole body is trembling as he repeatedly touched his right ear. When he finally checked nothing was there he glared at Lucy who still had her gun pointing at him. "You! I'm gonna kill you!" His face looked outrage and shows no signs of not being serious.

Lucy panicked a little when Jose started to stomp his way towards her. "You move again, and I'll shoot you!" She threatened and tightened her hold on her pistol with two hands expertly pointing it at Jose.

Natsu was beyond shocked. He was watching Lucy as she communicated with Jose. He felt like she's a whole new Lucy. The part of her that he doesn't have an idea of and probably won't ever imagine she had that side. He stared in amazement and shock. It's like a whole new Lucy, but deep down he knew she's his Lucy. He wanted to run towards her. He wanted to hug her, kiss her. Natsu just felt like it's been weeks or months even years, since he last saw her. He wanted to look into those mesmerizing big brown eyes of hers, he wanted to see her looking back at him. But for some reason, Lucy's not looking at him. She didn't even dare spare a glance at him. She was glaring intently at Jose and she was in her own universe. No. They're in the same universe, same world but different dimension? How far could that be? Is that even possible? So close, yet so far. In reality, he knew that it will only take him four or five long strides to get to her, apparently she felt farther than that.

"What would a little version of Layla can do?" Jose chuckled in a menacing way.

Lucy didn't falter. She pointed her gun even higher towards his head. "Shoot you in between your eyes."

Jose stopped, shocked. Then he smiled. "That's so scary with your hands shaking like that." He laughed.

"I can shoot you even if my hands are shaking." She said firmly.

"Your dad prepared you too much for this." Jose placed his arms across his chest smirking down at Lucy. "But I know, you can't kill."

"Well, try me!" Lucy placed her finger in front of the trigger ready to shoot anytime. "He just knew there's someone like you that I should be careful for. I'm ready."

"Your father knew it all along." Lucy stiffened her hands started to shake uncontrollably. "He knew the living Dragneel. He knew there's something in that cruise ship. He knew there's a plot to kill your family in that ship that's why he didn't want to come. He used your little fever as an excuse to stop the cruise plan. But your mother invited the Dragneels." He looked at Natsu who was looking at him with shock eyes. Jose smirked. "But that was an even better idea.."

Jose started to walk towards Natsu. "I told you, your mother stole something precious to me. Something that your damn father almost did!" He spat as he walked faster towards Natsu who was now sitting on the floor.

BANG

"I told you to get away from him!" Lucy shouted still looking at Jose. She just shot the floor to where he was going to step. "You're going to deal with me!"

Jose chuckled. "My bad. I had my revenge on the Dragneels. Killing him would just be a plus.. I've seen them suffer enough."

"What the hell did my parents do to you?" Natsu asked in a low voice as he pushed himself up.

"Ahhhh.. That'd be a long story. Are you up for it?"

Natsu looked up at him and glared. "I've waited for 10 years looking for you. What else would a little waiting do?"

"Well.." Jose pointed towards Lucy. "Her stupid mother and I were in love." Lucy stared at him as her shaking increased. He then pointed towards Natsu. "Your mother! She ruined everything. I thought Igneel meeting her would stop Layla's father from forcing Igneel and Layla to be together and be married, but your mother.." Jose hissed under his breath. "She introduced Layla to Jude. We planned on making Igneel fall for her and Layla for me, but she betrayed me."

"If.. If.. My mother was in love with you.. She wouldn't have chosen my father." Lucy muttered.

"She is in love with me!" Jose shouted. "She was blinded by Jude's advances." He clenched his fists. "She was manipulated! His mother sugar-coated everything about Jude!"

"My mother would never love someone like you! I've seen her smiles when she's with Papa. They are in love." Lucy shouted back as she held a sob. "You killed just because..." Lucy bit her lip. "You're pathetic."

"Claire ruined everything! She was blinded by Igneel and Layla's riches. She befriended Layla so that she could get some from her. She even partnered with Jude!" He shouted back. "Your father, his mother, they both should die!" He stopped as he calmed down from his outrage.

"Papa would never do something like that.." Lucy stated firmly. "I'm pretty sure Claire had a pretty good reason why she did that too. They are not people who get easily blinded by riches!" Natsu looked at her in surprise. He almost forgot that Lucy knew his mother.

Jose watched her in amusement. "How sure are you about that?"

"I live with Claire for almost 10 years and with my father for 18 years of my life. I knew them enough to know!"

"You don't know them.." Jose said in a low voice. "That shot in Claire's head is the least punishment I could give her." He said smirking. He started to walk towards Lucy. "Too bad I wasn't the one who killed your father."

Natsu froze. He glared at Jose as he realized where the older man was heading at. He could see that Lucy was shaking. How could she even shoot like that? Panic rose in him as Jose started to reach the shaking Lucy with his hand.

"I wasn't able to kill him and so I'll kill you in exchange." Jose said softly. He extended his hand to reach for her cheek. Lucy shivered.

"Get your hands off me!" Lucy hissed and with a shaking foot and jelly knees she managed to take a step back.

"Don't be scared. I won't kill you." Jose said, even softer this time. "You really look like Layla. Too much like Layla." He chuckled and leaned forward. "Why don't you be -"

"LUCY RUN!"

Lucy snapped out of her frightened state and immediately run to the sides to get as far away as possible from Jose. She looked at Gray who shouted at her and thanked him with a small smile.

"I totally forgot about your little friends." Jose said laughing to himself. "Very well then, who should I kill first?" Lucy's eyes widened as Jose pointed a gun towards Gray. "This bastard then?"

"STOP! Don't you dare!"

Jose smirked. "I don't do anything for free. A life for a life."

"Then it's your life!" Natsu screamed as he started to run towards Jose his fist ready to launch towards his face. Jose only smiled and immediately pulled the gun from his side and shoot Natsu to the leg.

"NATSU!" Shouted Levy, Gray and Juvia.

It's all in slow motion as Natsu fell a few feet away from Lucy. Her hands immediately flew to her mouth as she scurried to her feet and run to where Natsu had fallen. But Jose was close to him than Lucy was and he was already pointing a gun at him. "What if it's your life?"

"Bastard." Natsu hissed in pain as he punched the ground and tried to stand up again. "I'm not gonna let you hurt Lucy."

Jose laughed. "I won't kill her. Don't worry." Natsu used his arms to prop himself up. He looked at him with confusion. His gun pointed at his forehead. "I'll make her my Layla."

Natsu gritted his teeth in annoyance. He clenched his fists as he started to push himself up again.

"And for that to happen.. I should avoid the likes of you. Or else you'll be the Jude in this story again." He smirked. "And you know I won't allow that."

"I won't let you take Lucy away from me."

"You can't do anything now. I won't let history repeat itself again and again." He crouched down to Natsu's level and let the gun touch his forehead. "So you need to -"

"STOP!" Lucy shouted. "Haven't I clearly told you to get away from him." She adjusted the gun in her hands as she turned her back from Gray and the others. "Get. Away. From. Him."

Jose chuckled and held his hand up. "Why my precious Layla? Would you rather betray me again?"

"She is not Layla!" Natsu shouted as Jose shot his other leg and Natsu screamed in pain again.

"NO!" Lucy screamed.

"I was wondering.." Jose was smiling as he made his way towards Lucy who continued pointing her gun at Jose even with all the panic and shock she's been getting. "Why are you still on this liar's side?"

Natsu's eyes widened as he continue to watch Jose walk towards Lucy. After all the truth of his parent's death.. the truth about Lucy and his family. After everything that he heard.. He just forgot that one important detail. That Lucy already knew who he was. How did she took it? She isn't mad at him, isn't she? He looked at Lucy and he caught her eyes for the first time since she showed up on this place. Her eyes were full of longing, same eyes he last saw her with. Same eyes she had when she weirdly hugged him at the backstage before their performance. Then she looked away from him and back at Jose who was close to her now.

Lucy froze. "I.. B-Because.."

"Didn't he lie to you?" Jose mocked. "He played with your heart."

Lucy bit her lower lip. Her hands started to shake again.

"Lucy.." Natsu started and forced himself to sit up. He winces everytime his legs moves. "I.. I didn't play with you." Lucy glanced back at him. the brim of her eyes started to fill with the tears that are threatening to fall violently to her face.

"He let you suffer for 10 long years." Jose said and extended his hand to touch her arm. But Lucy immediately pointed her gun towards his face.

"I told you I'll shoot you in between you eyes." Her voice started shaking. "I'll shoot you! I promise."

Jose backed up a little. "Calm down there young one." He threw his gun to the ground and held his hands up. "You can trust me."

"Luce don't! Shoot blindly then run!" Natsu commanded earning a deathly stare from his bandmates who were still held captive just a few feet on Lucy's left. "Well, just in front of you would be fine."

But Lucy didn't pay any attention to him.

"All your friends know the truth." Lucy stiffened as her eyes went wide in shock. "They all knew. The band.. Erza Scarlet.. Jellal Fernandes.. Makarov Dreyar.." He chuckled. "Even some of the Board Members.. Porlyusica, Bob, Yajima.. Ahh, who else?"

Lucy hid her eyes as she looked down. Fighting the sob was harder than she thought.

"They all betrayed you."

"Don't listen to him Lucy! I'm the one at fault here! Please Lucy." Natsu shouted louder this time. "No one betrayed you." His voice faltered. "I didn't betray you. I just.. I did it for you." Lucy looked at him again. "I did that to protect you. I'm sor -"

"SILENCE!" Jose shouted. "Now, where am I?" He asked rubbing both his hands together.

"Luce, listen to me. Believe me." Natsu continued to plead. He managed to crawl towards where the mic stand has been and used it to stand. He continued to look at Lucy. She had her head low but she kept a firm grip on her pistol. "Luce.."

"He betrayed you." Jose whispered as only Lucy could hear. "They all betrayed you." He chuckled as he pointed towards the other band members. "Makarov, your dearest friend... Everyone around you is a fake."

Lucy held her head high. Her face tear-stricken which made Natsu's heart to shatter. "Take another step and I'll promise I'll shoot you!"

"Why were you still on their side?! Why were still protecting that garbage?!" Jose shouted pointing at Natsu. "He let you get hurt! Your friends —"

"I know!" Lucy shouted. "I knew it already! I know everything!"

Jose stopped as his eyes widened. Natsu and the band members were silent, their eyes all on Lucy.

"I know it all!" She sobbed. She turned to Natsu and stared straight into his eyes. "I'm sorry. I made my own investigations.. I-I photocopied every single information Jiemma already had." Natsu's eyes widened. "I came across yours and Gramps investigators too. I'm sorry Natsu."

"I didn't want to believe that all the evidences are leading to you.. But I heard you and Gray talk when we're looking for Lisanna." Lucy blinked the tears away. "I made final investigations.. I had your DNA tested and the results just came out this morning. I'm sorry!"

"Lu —"

"I want to hear everything from you. I wanted you to tell me why? Why did you do that?" Lucy wiped the tears from her eyes. "Why didn't you just tell me?"

"Lucy, I know —"

"Pathetic. I said she's my Layla now! Quit calling her that damned name!" Jose turned around and pointed another gun towards Natsu again. Lucy snapped and fired at his hand that was holding the gun. She gasped as she saw blood trickled down Jose's hand. He was shouting in pain and he fell on his knees while holding his hand. It was the first time that Lucy had actually shoot a human, a bleeding, breathing and living human. She always told her father that she wouldn't shoot anyone and will just use her shooting skills to scare someone if needed. His scream continued to echo in her ears. "You foolish child! NOW!"

Lucy didn't know what was happening. One second she was standing holding her gun firmly towards Jose. She had just shot him. The next think she knew, her gun was being pulled out of her hand. Natsu was shouting something at her but she couldn't hear him. And then, she felt people holding her arms behind her.

"You little bitch!" Jose walked over to where Lucy was and slapped her with his good hand. "Layla would never do that to me!"

Lucy snapped out of her trance as she glared at Jose. "Mama would have a bullet right through your heart the moment she sees you." She spat.

"What an insolent child!" Jose slapped her again this time with the back of his hand. His ring coming in contact with her cheek. Lucy bit her lip to stop herself from screaming. She could feel her own blood trickling down her cheek to her jaw. "See what you made me do to Layla's face?!"

"I am not my mother! I am Lucy Heartfilia!"

"Let's see how far will you go in defying me." Jose smirked. "You shoot me so I won't shoot him right?"

She didn't answer.

"Did you even know what he did? Didn't you even realized?" He shouted at her face. "Are you that dumb?"

Lucy remained silent.

"He lied to you! They all lied to you. I'm offering you a free of lies life as Layla and you refused? How dumb can you be?" Jose scoffed. "Ohhhhh. I think I'm getting the hang of this." He turned to Natsu. "It's because you love him. That unconditional whatever love." Jose laughed. "Where would that take you?"

Natsu looked at Lucy with worried eyes. She was looking down on the ground. Her pants and shoes dirty from all the moving she's done. Her hoodie had blood stains. Her blood stain. Natsu gritted his teeth. He promised he would protect her and now the one person whom he wants to protect her from was right in front of them. He's already hurt her. How careless and pathetic can he be?

"Look at him!" Jose yanked Lucy's face up as he forced her to look at Natsu. "He looks worthless, correct? That's the man who put you in this situation. If you knew the truth earlier you wouldn't have suffered for 10 long years." He whispered in her ears. "You wouldn't be alone. You wouldn't be lonely. You would have had a normal life."

"Instead, your father home-schooled you. He protected you from someone he didn't know was right under his nose.. Ahh you're father's dumb too." Jose smiled. "You wouldn't have suffered if it weren't for that guy over there.. right?"

Lucy stayed unmoving. Her eyes looking at Natsu.

"I can get you out of that misery young one." Jose said softly as he stepped in front of her blocking her view of Natsu. "Don't you want that sweetheart?"

Lucy looked at him. "I don't." Her voice was flat and cold as she looked down and just let the men hold her arms.

Jose clenched his fist. "Didn't you heard what I just said?"

"I heard you."

Jose's eyes widened.

Lucy had her head down. "You offered me a life with no lies as Layla. Well wouldn't that be a lie too? Living a life that is actually not mine?" Lucy looked up at Jose. "I told you I already know everything."

Jose smirked. "Just like Layla." Jose reached behind him for a gun. "Well then.." He started loading the gun. "I haven't had revenge on Jude."

Natsu, still shocked, watched as Lucy kept on sobbing as two men held her arms. He couldn't just process what was happening. His mind off to somewhere else. What if.. What if he just told Lucy everything? What if he just had that brave soul and let Lucy into it? Would she be suffering the way she is now?

No. There's just no time for that what ifs. Natsu gritted his teeth and tightened his hold on the mic stand. He winced as he tried to take a step forward. He wouldn't let anyone hurt her even more. She had suffered enough and all of that was because of him. Jose was right, Lucy's sadness, what had become of Lucy, just everything in Lucy's life was because of him.

Because of his selfishness.

He thought Lucy wouldn't be able to handle everything. Natsu didn't think that it'll just make it even more difficult for her. She's suffered enough because of him.

"Luce.." He whispered as he struggled to make his way towards he. "Stop. Don't hurt her."

Natsu could see how Lucy was shaking. How scared she was. Her gun long gone from her hand. Her head low as she visibly sobs from where he is. He gripped the stand tighter. Natsu knew he needs to get there fast. Hug her and calm her down. Tell her everything will be okay. But would that really fix everything up? He messed up her life big time.

Jose turned to look at him. "What? You're going to stop me?"

Natsu gritted his teeth. If it weren't for this guy in front of him he would've been with his family. There wouldn't have been anything like this. Lucy would be the same old Lucy he'd always dreamed of.

"What would you do?" He chuckled. "What can you do?" Jose mocked eyeing his legs. Natsu is barely standing. "I wonder.. What would have happened if I shoot your legs multiple times?"

Lucy's eyes widened.

"Would that make you a shining super star? Would your fans still like you?" He chuckled. "Well I think a few would stay, you still had your pretty face." Jose now pointed his gun at Natsu's face. "If I blow your face up.. Do you think they'll still like a performer like you?" He laughed louder. "Of course not! You'll be dead by then!"

Natsu held onto the stand tightly. He could feel his legs giving up on him. He's loss some amount of blood, for sure. And he's still trying to move. He knew he's straining himself but what the hell. "Stay the hell away from Lucy." He hissed. Sweat started to slide down his temples as he kept on telling himself 'mind-over-matter'. He knew he can do this. He just has to focus.

Jose clapped with the gun in between his hands. "Trying to be the hero now?"

"I said stay the hell away from Lucy!"

Jose then pointed his gun to Lucy's head. She started to tremble as tears started to fill the brim of her eyes once again. "I have the gun." He smirked as the gun touched Lucy's head and Jose applied a bit more pressure to it. "You follow my orders."

Natsu could see everything. His friends being held captive by those men in black. Gray and Gajeel had their head pushed to the floor as two more men held their arms and steps on their calves. Juvia and Levy's mouths were covered with those filthy hands and a knife to their throat. Lucy, she was held by two men with Jose in front of her. She's with the people whom he needs to protect her from. What's the point of hiding everything from her if in the end he wasn't even able to save her?

Ignoring the burning sensation the wounds on his legs were giving him, Natsu started to walk on his own. A small amused smile appeared on Jose's face.

"Impressive.."

Natsu growled and clenched his fists tightly. He himself was covered with bruises from when Jose hit him with the gun. His whole body aching. "I would have had snapped your neck if you didn't have that damn gun."

Jose lifted his gun up. "Afraid of this?"

"Not one bit." Natsu started to run towards Jose and immediately disarmed him, catching him off guard. He bent his arm and pulled it behind him as Jose screamed in pain. "How many times.." He pulled harder. "..do I have to tell you to stay away from her?!"

"Argggggggh!" Jose screamed. "Damn you!" His men started to point their guns towards them and he chuckled a strained one.

Natsu snaked his arm around Jose's neck. "I had your neck. You follow my orders." Natsu stated mimicking his words.

Jose kept on pulling Natsu's arm away from him but to no avail Natsu's grip on him just became tighter. Natsu wants to end everything right now. He just needed to kill this guy. He just needed to snap his neck or maybe choke him to death. But then his eyes lingered in front of him. Lucy was staring at him with wide scared eyes. Just then Jose lifted his leg and kicked Natsu's leg hard, which made him loosen his grip on the older man and set him free.

Natsu backed away and fell on his knee wincing in pain. He felt that the wound had just opened and a new set of blood was coming out.

"You're really pathetic Dragneel." Jose mocked. His right arm hanging low from his shoulder, clearly Natsu had just dislocated his arm. "You had everything in front of you and you refused to do it. Aren't all Dragneels like that? Igneel refused Layla's father in marrying her, you refused to be with that only memory you have when you're a child, and now you refused to kill me when you had the chance?"

Natsu clenched his fist. "Do not, ever, put those together. Father doing that had nothing to do with what I did." Natsu smiled as he looked up. "In fact, I almost snapped your neck too."

"Then why didn't you when that's all the chance you have?"

Natsu struggled to get up to his feet. "I didn't stopped myself." He turned to look at Lucy. "She stopped me. You owed her your life."

Jose turned to where he was looking and tsked. "Pathetic!" He turned towards Natsu and a hard blow on the face met his cheek. Jose was pushed back as Natsu's fist came in contact with his face. He landed on the two men who were holding Lucy.

Lucy on the other hand was still shocked at what had just happened. Natsu gave her a small smile and he started to wobble. She immediately caught him before he fell face first.

"You see that Luce?" He said in a low tired voice. "I'm not just some handsome, sexy, awesome singer. I'm badass too, you know? We can make badass babies."

"Idiot." Was all he heard when a siren started to sound not far from them.