Chapter 47

"Attention: Patient 31743 has escaped. Patient 31743 has escaped. Please return him to his room immediately..."

"What's going on?" Makarov asked in confusion. "There's a missing patient and that nurse doesn't even sound the least worried." To be specific none of the nurse in the nurse's station were the least bit worried.

"I repeat patient 31743 has escaped. All nurses please keep your eyes open in search for him. Please return him, at all cost, back to his room."

Gray slapped his own forehead as he sighed. "Not again."

Makarov looked at him warily and then to Erza for some answers. "It seems he's escaped again." Erza said in a firm tone and walked fast towards the elevator. Gray and Makarov followed her hurriedly, without question.

They all get in and Erza pressed the button with the 3 sign multiple times to close the doors fast. She wouldn't want any fans crowding around them because of Gray. Well it was actually the nurses who were eyeing them since they entered the building. They went out at the third floor and there were a lot of nurses, male nurses, and a couple of guards are walking from here to there and back. How could one patient be this troublesome? With all this commotion, they could have disturbed other patients in this floor!

"Erza, don't make such a fuss about it. We'll find that bastard soon." Gray said trying to calm Erza down. She's been kicking down doors to empty rooms now.

"I'm going to find him and I'm going to reap him to shreds!"

Suddenly, a man in weird looking hospital gown passed in front of Makarov. He is the only one who had a mask and a surgical cap on. At first look he really looks like a surgeon in a hurry. But he just weirdly stopped in front of Makarov and hesitantly said.

"Uhh.. Uhm, excuse me sir.." The weird man said trying to pass Makarov towards the still open elevator doors.

Makarov stared at the guy who just talked to him. Just then, he was starting to get the hang of what was going on. A tick mark appeared on his forehead and he clenched his fist in annoyance.

"NATSU DRAGNEEL! GO BACK TO YOUR ROOM, NOW!"

"Why the hell do you keep trying to escape?" Erza asked, her arms crossed across her chest as she tapped her foot impatiently on the ground.

Natsu crossed his arms and looked away from the glaring Erza. "I want to see her. Why isn't she coming here?" Gray and Erza stiffened. "It's been a week and Lucy hasn't even been here even once! Where is she?" He asked looking back at them. He eyed them. "Where's Lucy?"

"She isn't here Natsu." Makarov started as he entered the room. All eyes turned to him as he started to speak. "Lucy is busy doing... stuff."

"You don't have to lie Gramps." Natsu said nonchalantly and sighed in defeat. He placed his hands behind his head as he lied back on his bed and stared at the ceiling. "I just wish I could see her. Or just know where she is. I know she doesn't want to see me right now, but I need to talk to her. I want to know something about her." He looked up to Erza but she avoided his gaze. He turned to Gray with hopeful eyes but Gray shook his head.

"We didn't even know where Lucy is right now." Gray muttered and he hissed as Erza hit him in the head. "What? You do know where she is?"

"You don't have to tell him that we too do not know where she is! Lucy said it'll just worry him." Erza's eyes widened and immediately her hand flew to her mouth. They both looked at Natsu, he had his eyes wide.

"What do you mean you didn't know where she is?"

Erza sighed. "When we came you passed out.."

"Erza, Lucy said —" Erza slapped her hand on Gray's mouth to stop him.

"Screw what Lucy said. It's not like Natsu could do something with his condition." Erza explained and removed her hand from Gray's hand. She rubbed her palm on Gray's shirt and started speaking again. "Jose was knocked out and his men were already caught by the police. Lucy was crying as she held you."

"She's crying because you're such an idiot for making a joke on making badass babies." Gray snickered. "She was so scared she'll be forced to bear evil —OW!" He turned to his right but dropped his head low when he met Erza's glare.

Erza cleared her throat. "As I was saying, when we came there she's crying. She didn't even talked to anyone. She let the medics carry you.. and didn't follow."

"What does that have to do with Lucy le —"

Erza threw her phone at Natsu's face and he fell back on the bed. "Lucy told me she's going to settle some things with the company. She didn't tell me where she'd go. She just told me to tell everyone that we should not tell you that we don't know where she is."

"She's settled the issue with the media after that." Gray added. "You're officially Natsu Dragneel."

Natsu pursed his lips and stared back up the ceiling. He didn't care about being that Natsu Dragneel right now. All that matters is that he must know something about Lucy. Where is she? How is she? Why would Lucy go away and not tell anyone where she'd go? She's safe right? She's not doing something reckless right? If ever she is in trouble someone might have known. She's Lucy Heartfilia after all. Suddenly he sat up from his bed and looked at Makarov. Natsu stared at the old man but the latter just avoided his gaze naturally. Just too natural. "Gramps, you do know where she is."

Makarov, who was sitting silently on the couch beside Natsu's bed, stared back at him and sighed. He rolled his eyes and let out a huff. "I, of course know."

All their eyes brightened.

"And of course I wouldn't tell you." Makarov ended. They all frowned. "She's safe, if that's what you're all worried about."

Natsu let out a small sigh of relief and he plopped down on his bed. "I won't be escaping this hospital room for a few days now.." He muttered softly. Natsu felt like some weight was lifted off of him. At least now he knew that Lucy's safe. At least. But he knew deep down it's not enough proof. Evidence would be until he sees her. But what would happen when he really sees her? He wanted go hug her. But.. would she want that? After everything that happened.

His fake identity. The past of his parents. His mother's involvement. Just.. Everything. His grip on his sheets tightened.

A knock on the door broke the silence and the door swung open revealing a tall well-built man with reading glasses and a dirty blonde hair. "Good morning! I'm Dr. Queen, doctor-in-charge for Mr. Dragneel."

"I-I know you!" Erza shouted and she pointed at the doctor. "You're that man in Lucy's office!"

By the mention of that Natsu sat up and growled as he automatically glared at the man. Hearing that this guy has been in Lucy's office for the past few days made his blood boil. "WHY THE HELL ARE YOU IN MY LUCY'S OFFICE ROOM?"

"Whooa, chill there. I'm the doctor Miss Heartfilia asked to test your DNA." He explained. "I didn't even know that was yours. I thought Miss Heartfilia has finally found something in her investigation."

"But she just confirmed something.." Gray said.

"WAIT!" Natsu shouted in the midst of conversation. "Lucy.. She knew?"

Dr. Queen nodded. "Well yes, Miss Heartfilia personally came to me for that."

"I told her..."

"You know her very well. How did you expect her to just silently sit there." Makarov said. "And Lucy's smart. I know she's known it for so long."

"But.. But.. Why didn't she tell me anything?"

"She denies everything." Erza finished. "She denied herself of that very hope that you're still out there somewhere."

Natsu remained silent for a while looking down on his hands. "Why did she do that?"

"To stop the pain." Erza answered his question. Natsu looked up to her. "You should know Lucy, she hopes for everything. But hoping that you're, Natsu Dragneel, somewhere out there still on Earth? That crushed her."

Natsu stopped. Too much pain he caused her. Too much. That's just too much. He needs to get out of here. Fast!

Dr. Queen walked towards the end of Natsu's bed earning everyone's attention. "Very well, I was here to check on you." He said picking up Natsu's medical chart. Natsu smirked which confused Erza and Gray. After flipping some more of the chart the doctor sighed and placed the chart back at the bottom of his bed. "I guess you'll just have to stay here a little while longer."

Natsu's eyes widened. Just as he needs to be out of there fast.

"I was actually here to see if I could discharge you now. But then, all the records starting from the results of your operation to the healing of your stitches and your own improvement were all drawn on. We didn't have any other records proving that you're all well now. Your progess records cannot be read." The doctor finished with Natsu, Gray and Erza had their mouths open. "I'm sorry Mr. Dragneel but we have to run more tests."

Natsu immediately stood up from the bed and did a couple of push-ups. "See! I'm well now doctor! Look!"

Dr. Queen shook his head. "I'm sorry sir. But we have to run some more tests. The bullets on your legs didn't hit any artery or nerve but we're still observing if your muscles will be fine for stresses."

"It's all fine! See!" Erza smacked the back of his head and he hit the floor with his face first, knocking him out.

Dr. Queen sighed. "Thank you for that. But isn't it too much?"

"Naaah. He's fine." Gray said pulling Natsu off the floor and threw him on the bed.

Erza stepped forward. "Now speak. Why are you really here?"

"Pretty impressive Ms. Scarlet." Dr. Queen smiled. "Let me introduce myself again, I'm Dr. Queen but I'm not in-charge of Mr. Dragneel. I'm more of the laboratory doctor. Well, I'm here to tell you that Miss Heartfilia needs more time."

Makarov looked up at Dr. Queen. "She said a week is enough."

"Apparently, we met some problems with..." He looked to Erza and Gray and stopped himself from saying anything more. "..some stuff."

Makarov sighed. "Well that was kind of difficult. It's been 10 years."

"But we've got what we're looking for. They're in our custody." Makarov gave him a thankful smile. "The papers were the difficult part and the..."

"Yes. I know that's difficult." Makarov said. "Did she show any kind of regret doing this?"

Dr. Queen shook his head. "Where is she now?" Gray asked out of nowhere, not really understanding what's happening.

Dr. Queen ignored his question and turned to look back at Makarov. "My work for Miss Heartfilia is done. She had what she wanted in her custody." He stared at Natsu's sleeping figure. "Just know that she still didn't want to see him."

"Goodbye to you hospital! I'm free!" Natsu cheered as he opened the van windows and stuck his head out to feel the wind. "3 weeks of hell is done!"

"He's just so childish." Levy said from in front of the van munching on cookies. "I can't even imagine how he's fully healed in less than 3 weeks."

"Juvia thinks that's what makes Natsu, Natsu."

Gray rolled his eyes. "Yes, Idiot equals Natsu. That's it."

Natsu stared back inside the van and at Gray. "You say something stupid face?" Just then the van turned on a familiar route Natsu didn't expect. "Oi steel face, where're you heading?"

Gajeel just tsked and increased the speed of the van making everyone held onto something to avoid being thrown forward once he stopped.

Natsu turned to the other members of the band to get some answers but no one's looking at him. "I'm getting the feeling I have a lot to know from what had happen this past three weeks." He said in a surprisingly serious tone when he sat back down on his seat and crossed his arms across his chest.

Gray sighed and scratched the back of his head. "I guess we should brief him on the way."

"You surely should ass face!"

"What did you call me?!" Gray shouted standing from where he's sitting, bending over so he won't hit the roof. "You're asking for informa —"

"Natsu you want to know the truth?" Levy asked from in front. All of them looked at her. "Well, I think we should tell him don't you think?" She asked to no one.

Natsu never felt more curious than now. "Tell me what?"

After Dr. King—Queen—Prince—Princess—Duke—Duchess—Royal.. whatever his name is, came to his room he was out cold for a few hours and when he woke up he was in the x-ray room and some nurses were just looking at him. Natsu attempted to escape even more when Lucy didn't visit him even once during his whole stay. A couple of times he just reached the second floor. A few times after that he managed to get to the first floor to escape but more guards were outside the hospital, plus the media is making him insane! But one time he reached the basement where the morgue is located. And that just, as he would say it, slightly, very much slightly, a very little bit scared him. He just really missed her and needed, badly needed, to talk to her. Apologize to her. And hopefully, get back with her.. He didn't even know what relationship he had with her. But for him he's still her boyfriend. He's hers.

Erza, Jellal and the whole band would take turns in visiting him. But every time a knock on his door resonates he just gets disappointed not seeing the only person he wished to see. One time the Board Members came over and they just ended up having an awkward time because Natsu didn't know anything about business let alone manage a group of companies. He didn't know what to talk with them and that was when he pretty much wished Lucy would go bust the door down and save his sorry ass. It's not that he just wanted Lucy to barge on that time, heck he wanted her to barge on that door kick it down, burn it or whatever she wanted to do with it.. just so he could see her.

That was his life for three whole weeks, well four to be exact because the doctors just insisted to run more tests after his medical chart has just been trashed. And apparently, for four whole weeks of no Lucy his life was miserable. Really miserable. He knew she didn't want to talk to him but he just wanted to see her the least. He sometimes wondered how could Lucy endure this much.. Does she still love him?

He frowned.

"Are you even listening?" Gray shouted catching Natsu's attention.

Natsu blinked and stared confusedly at Gray. "What?"

He sighed exasperatedly. "You're not even listening. I don't want to do this anymore. Shit."

"Whaaaaat?! Say that again! I promise I'm listening!"

Gray stuck his tongue out at him childishly. "No way idiot!"

"Damn it!"

Juvia got in between the two of them placing a hand in front of them before they could even get to the other. "Juvia will tell you what Gray said. Calm down okay?!" She sat in between them and sighed contentedly.

"Wow Juvia! That was great." Levy said in amazement.

Juvia smiled at her. "Luckily Natsu wanted to hear what Juvia's about to say or else she wouldn't be able to stop them." She looked back at both of them and started. "First, we are back to living at the spare rooms —"

"I have my own place at Viewpoint. You can —"

"Juvia said you cannot interrupt her or she'll stop!" Natsu got worried at her not telling him anything anymore nodded in agreement. "The band will be living in High Life spare rooms for now. But you said you had your own place, Juvia thinks it's a good idea for you to be there at the moment because the media people are all on your tail now that you're out of the hospital, Natsu Dragneel."

"Second, Erza said she will beat you up now that everything's okay." And by that 'okay' she means that no one was now after the lost Dragneel and all. Natsu gulped at the idea. "Gray also agreed on helping Erza." He glared at Gray which Gray gladly glared back. "And of course the whole band and Jellal agrees to have one punch or slap each."

Natsu was shocked and his eyes widened for a second there. "HEY!"

"You can't do anything about that. It will be 5 from Erza, then one from each of us to pay from those 10 long years."

"Bu —"

"And if you do punched back, you're going to get thrice from each of us." Juvia said not letting him speak. "Third, the Band Battle is postponed until next, week. Juvia thinks we still have a chance even if we're on last this time."

This caught Natsu's attention and he turned to look at Juvia. "What do you mean last? We're first, last time I checked."

"Natsu, we got a lot of haters since they knew about your identity." Levy said with sad eyes. She smiled weakly though. "But we still haven't had our chance with the last Band Battle. We can still pull it up!"

Natsu looked each and everyone in the band. They were all silent. It's not just losing to the Band Battle but Natsu knew that the band is crumbling down. And it's all his fault. He clenched his fist. Their dreams are all going down just because of this. Because of his secret. Because he accepted and pursued on Lucy's offer for them to join the battle. It's all his fault.

"Juvia.. No. All of us thinks you should not blame yourself." She smiled at him weakly. "Sure its sad, but it's just a challenge for the band to work harder. It's Juvia's first challenge with the band, she'll do her best!" She said pumping her fist up in the air.

She felt stares at her and she blushed really hard. Gray chuckled and Levy giggled. "Levy will do her best too!" She cheered mimicking Juvia.

Natsu hesitantly smiled at them.

"Well, fourth, well there's a small problem with the press.." She said shyly. Juvia fidgeted on her seat.

"Why small —"

"Uhm, fifth.." Juvia said cutting Natsu. "Uhhh..." She turned to Gray and looked at him as if asking something. And then he just shook his head. "T-That's it."

Natsu saw this and looked at them confusedly. "You didn't tell me anything about Lucy." He said firmly. "For four weeks you guys wouldn't just go live not knowing anything about Lucy."

He looked at them. Stared at them. And they all just looked away from him.

"Tell me. Where is she? What happened to her?"

Natsu waited. He stared at Juvia, then to Gray but he's looking at the window and Levy, she seemed not the one to talk. He sighed. Seems like he won't be getting any answers still. Maybe he should just —

"Bunny girl's back in town." Gajeel said out of nowhere. Seems as though Natsu forgot he's the one driving. His face brightened. "She's back just a few days ago. We haven't met her yet so calm your balls down." Gray, Juvia and Levy looked surprise that Gajeel was able to say that like it was nothing. Because for god's sake they just weren't able to do anything to see her, to get any information about her.

They just all felt like they're useless friends. Especially Erza, she was Lucy's secretary but she didn't know a thing about her. The truth is, the band had the worst four weeks of their lives having to deal with Natsu while looking for Lucy. They even split the band into teams to deal with both simultaneously.

Natsu glared at him through the mirror. "Where did she go? Where is she right now? How is she? Can I see —"

Gajeel shouted. "How the hell would I know?"

"There you are." Jellal greeted them as the band entered the back door of his bar. "How you feeling Natsu?" Thankfully they were able to calm Natsu down. They all agreed to go to Jellal's first then go look for Lucy.

Natsu grinned. "Never better."

Jellal looked back to his employer who, obviously was starstruck, and told him to go check on their alcohol supply. "Well, I'm planning on letting you guys play tonight. What do you say?"

"I think it's good." Natsu agreed instantly. "I'm up for it. I think I can let pervert Gray sit down tonight." He chuckled.

"What?!" Gray hissed.

"I said I'll let you sit down for tonight. I'll play lead."

"You can't even play better than me. Maybe we should just let you sit down and let Levy sing!" Gray mocked. "Your breath smelled a lot like the hospital!"

Natsu glared and bumped his head at Gray. "Why you!"

Before Natsu could land a punch on Gray he did an uppercut on him and Natsu instantly fell on the floor. "What the hell?!" He immediately stood up to punch Gray back but Juvia said something.

"Juvia warned you about hitting back. You'll get thrice from us."

Just then, Jellal's phone rang. Everyone looked at him. "Got that." He hurriedly went to the counter and picked his phone. "Erza?"

"Yeah." He said hesitantly and gave Natsu a confused look. "He's here."

Natsu stiffened. Is Erza already going to give him a piece of her mind? She had five on him! Damn why didn't just Levy got the five hits?

"I got that information yesterday. So you saw her?" Jellal lowered his voice but they all heard him. He turned away from them but Natsu being the curious guy stepped closer to him. "Already?!"

That startled Natsu as he took a small step back.

"So what do you want to do?" Jellal said as he looked back at the band. "Maybe he should know.. She wouldn't show herself like that if she's not taking the risk of us seeing her."

"I know Erza. Alright. What time does it end?" Jellal looked at his watch. "Okay we could be there in 10. See you, love."

"What's that Jellal?" Levy asked for the whole band.

Jellal sighed. "Well, pack your things up. Get your car keys." He turned to Natsu. "You're with me."

Natsu was confused as hell but he knew there's something big that's going to happen. Grabbing his coat and wallet he followed Jellal to the exit. "Where're we going?" He asked once inside Jellal's car.

"Lucy.."

And Jellal didn't need to say anything more than that.