A Dragon to Light the Way

Chapter 3

Lucy gave a soft sigh as she shifted her weight into a more comfortable position, but winced as a pain shot through her hip. The pain caused her to blink her eyes open in confusion, and she tensed as she saw that she was in an unfamiliar room instead of the woods that she had last seen. Swallowing, she clenched her hands closed, and blinked when she felt something wrap around her right hand in response, causing her to look down and go wide eyed as she saw the larger hand wrapped around her own.

That was also when she became aware of the heat at her back, and resisted the urge to give out a scream. Had Natsu been able to track her down? Was he feigning sleep right now, just to punish her when she moved? Was this going to be her last moments? She recalled his last words, saying that if he ever saw her again she wouldn't live a moment afterwards. Swallowing, she eased off of her side, closed her eyes, and then faced the person behind her. Blinking in surprise when instead of pink hair and cold onyx eyes, she was met with blonde hair and light blue eyes.

"Morning Lucy. Sorry about the current predicament, but you wouldn't let go of my hand for some reason." Sting Euciff stated, raising the hand that her own was wrapped around. She felt her face heat up and allowed her hand to slip from his, bringing her own down to grip at the sheets and blinked when she saw that there was two of them. One was covering her, and the other was covering Sting.

"I figured you might get a little more comfort if you found me under a different sheet than the same as yours. It's one think to wake up in an unknown place, but another thing entirely when you wake up in the same bed with someone else." He stated, giving a small smile that had her staring at him in shock for a moment. She looked around and quickly figured that she was in a medical room of sorts, and thought that if Sting was here then she must be at Sabertooths.

"This is Sabertooth. Right?" She asked, watching as he blinked before a small smile crossed his featured and he sat up.

"Yup. I found you and your spirit, and offered to bring you here. You might want to call him in, I think you gave him quite a scare. Also, he filled us in on the basics of what happened, and I want you to know you are more than welcomed to run with Sabertooth until you decide to face Natsu again." He stated, and she couldn't stop the wince she gave at the mention of Natus's name. She swallowed again, and gave a nod that she understood, although she wasn't sure that she wanted to ever face Natsu again.

"A couple more things also, before I give you time to adjust. I've healed your ribs, but that burn on your hip will need a couple more treatments, so when you're ready just tell me when I can heal it. Also, I went ahead and told Makarov what Loke told us. I know you probably didn't want him to know, but we need to make sure Natsu doesn't try to track you down at the moment. If you want, you can talk to him when you are ready." He stated, and she looked at him in shock. He told Makarov about what had happened!? That wasn't apart of what she wanted to do! All she had wanted was to ensure that she never faced the bastard again, but if he told Makarov then that meant sooner or later she would face him. She blinked when gentle hands suddenly touched her shoulders, and looked up into Sting's clear eyes.

"No worries Lucy. As I said, you can face him when you are ready, and I'll be there to help you every step of the way. As well as your friends, both here in Sabertooth and at Fairy Tail. Lucy, I understand that you want to run, but you know that wont get you anywhere. You'll only be looking over your shoulder in fear. Is that what you want?" He asked, and she relaxed as a surprising calmness swept over her. She shook her head, and knew that he was right. If she had her way, then she would just live the rest of her life in fear, she would never be happy.

"Alright. Now, I'm going to leave you alone for a bit so you can gather your thoughts and I can gather some energy to heal you. By this afternoon, the burn should be gone and you should be able to talk to Makarov. If you like that is?" He stated, and she looked up at him. Wondering why he was acting so nice to her and helping her like this. Whatever the reason, she was glad to finally have someone to lean on and gave a thankful smile as she nodded. Then watched as he carefully moved away and then headed for the door, she decided that she couldn't allow him to leave without her saying anything.

"Sting. Thank you for all of this." She stated, watching as this time he blinked in surprise and then gave her a charming smile.

"Not a problem, Blondie." He stated, causing her to puff out her cheeks in annoyance.

"Your blonde too." She shot back, feeling her face heat up again when he let out a laugh. She didn't know why, but she...liked it when he laughed. She smiled easier this time at him when he gave her a wave and walked out the door. She stared at the closed door for a moment, and then gave herself a shake as she realized what was happening. Sure, she had always been attracted to the Light Dragon Slayer, but what would he see in a weak, used woman like her. Besides, she had just gotten out of an abusive relationship, she shouldn't be this eager to get into another one. Should she?

Shaking her head, she glanced around the room again and smiled when she saw her keys. Reaching forward, she grabbed the key she needed and held it before her.

"Open, Gate of the Lion. Leo." She stated, watching as a golden light filled the room and then Loke was standing before her in his usual suite. She gave him a smile as he eased onto the bed beside her and faced her.

"I'm going out on a limb here and saying that you're not mad at me for telling them what happened?" He asked, causing her to shake her head. She looked down at her hands and gave a tired sigh.

"At first I felt a moment of betrayal, but then realized that you only had my best interests at heart. Thanks for telling them Loke. I needed to realize that I do have friends that will help me through all of this." She stated, giving him a smile and relaxed when he gave a smile in return.

"Good. How are you feeling by the way?" He asked, and she bit her bottom lip as she thought about it.

"Fine I guess. I'm not in much pain, except for my hip but Sting says he'll be able to fix that. Although, I still feel frightened, as if Natsu will appear any minute and do me in." She stated, glancing at him to see a dangerous look cross his eyes. She stilled at the look, and used all of her willpower not to move away. The look was one that was filled with anger, one that reminded her so much of the look that Natsu always gave her as he attacked her.

"Lucy! Please calm down, I would never harm you." Loke stated, carefully wrapping his arms around her and bringing her close. She exhaled a breath she hadn't even known she was holding and closed her eyes. She knew that this was bad, if she was afraid of anyone who looked like they were mad at her. How the hell was she going to get over this? She clutched the fabric of his suite tighter and nuzzled her face into his chest as tears pricked at her eyes.

"I'm sorry Loke. I know that you wouldn't, I don't know what came over me." She whispered, sniffing back tears as he tightened his hold on her and rubbed her back in a soothing manner.

"It's alright Lucy. I don't expect you to just get over it just like that, if you did then I really would worry." He stated, resting his head against her shoulder as he held her. She sniffed again and rested her head against his chest as she tried to rein in her emotions, hoping that she would be able to get through all of this.

"Loke. Do you think that they could help me train here? Also, could you help as well?" She asked, looking up when he leaned back and watched as he studied her. Most likely to see if she was truly serious about what she was asking him.

"If you are serious, then yes I will help train you. I'm sure Sting and the others would help as well." He stated, and she blinked as the door opened and Sting stepped in with a raised eyebrow.

"Sting and the others helping with what?" He asked, approaching them as Loke slid off the bed to stand beside it instead.

"Lucy wants to know if you and some other guild members would help train her." Loke stated, causing her to look up at Sting to see how he was taking the question and saw that he looked mildly surprised. Causing her to blush slightly when he looked at her with a small smile.

"So, you want to train here?" He asked, and she gave a nod as she studied her hand, waiting to see what he was going to say about it. She peeked up when he gave a small sound, and bit her bottom lip when he gave her a smile and a nod.

"I don't see why not. In fact, it's a good idea to train some while you are away. First though, we need to get you fully healed and then we can get started. So, ready for another healing?" He asked, and she gave a nod as she sat up straighter in the bed, wincing when her hip tightened on her slightly.

"Alright then, just raise your gown up to your hip, and then leave the rest to me." He stated, and she blushed when he moved to stand beside Loke before crouching down beside her. She lifted her gown, blinked when he closed his eyes and then went wide eyed when a faint light enveloped his hands before he opened his eyes again.

"This might feel a little odd, but it is completely safe, I assure you." He stated, and she shivered when he placed his warm hands on her hip and the light surrounded the wound. Surprising her when she felt the pain fade and the wound started to heal itself.

"When did you learn this?" She asked, blushing when he looked up with a smile that had her heart skipping a beat.

"It was a little while ago. Me and Rogue got a little to ahead of ourselves and Yukino ended up getting the worse of it. Rogue was unsure of what to do, and I just started absorbing light and hoped for the best. Thankfully it worked." He stated, causing her to smile and look at the wound when he backed away.

"Thing is. I'm only able to use it after long intervals, so I should be able to heal this wound completely this evening. Although, I would say that you could walk around now with little pain." He stated, getting back to his feet and she looked at the burn. What had started as a bad third degree burn, was now nothing more than a small first degree burn. She gave him a smile and eased to her feet.

"Thanks Sting. For everything." She stated, smiling when a blush shot across his face and he cleared his throat as he rubbed the back of his head.

"It's nothing. Really. So...um...Do you think you're up to talking to Makarov? Or would you rather grab something to eat first?" He asked, and she thought about it. She was hungry, and she figured that should she have a talk with Makarov first, she wouldn't have much of an appetite later.

"I think I'll eat first, if that is okay." She stated, watching as he gave a nod and then handed her the bag that she had packed.

"I'll step out for now, just walk out and I'll escort you to the mess hall." He stated, causing her to nod and watch as he left the room.

"Amazing. You like him don't you Lucy?" Loke suddenly stated, and she jumped as she recalled that her spirit had been there the entire time. She faced him with a blush and bit her bottom lip as she looked down.

"I...I don't know exactly. I mean, I just got out of one abusive relationship. There is no way I could be thinking about getting into another one. Right?" She asked, watching as Loke studied her for a moment, and then gave a soft smile.

"In most cases that is the issue, but something tells me this might be different. Although, that isn't a bad thing. No worries Lucy, you'll figure everything out. I'll see you later." He stated, giving a wave and disappearing. She sighed and flopped down to sit on the bed. Looking down, she glanced at the bag she had packed and gnawed lightly on her bottom lip before opening it up. Reaching in, she grabbed the first sweater and jeans that she touched and started to dress.

After dressing, she hesitated for a moment, inhaled to steady her nerves and then headed for the door. Putting a small smile on her face as she opened the door and faced Sting, who was leaning against the wall. She waited as he studied her for a moment, and tilted her head to the side when he gave a sigh.

"Wipe that fake smile off your face." He muttered, causing the smile to slip off immediately and for panic to grow in her chest. Had she made him mad at her? Did she do something that she was going to regret? She tensed when he straightened, and squeezed her eyes shut when he reached for her.