*Warning: Over 10,000 words. Violence and abuse mentioned in chapter.
Chapter Eleven: I'm sorry
The door to Jude's house swung open. A petite, pink haired maid bowed, "hello Princess, it's been a while."
Stunned from seeing Virgo's new appearance, Lucy was rendered speechless. Her mouth opened and closed a few times before she figured out what to say. However, before Lucy could greet the maid, Natsu spoke up. "What's up Burger? You look different. Did you lose some weight?"
"It's Virgo," the pink haired woman smiled as she straightened her body. "And yes, I did shed a few pounds."
"You're like a completely different person," Lucy gawked at the thin maid. The last time she saw Virgo was over a year ago, and she'd been much heavier then. The blonde shook her head before saying, "you look great though. Is my father home?"
"Ah, yes." Virgo nodded, then stepped aside to make room for the duo. "He's in the living room. He's been expecting you."
Lucy lead the way. Even though it'd been over a year since she last stepped foot in her father's house, she knew how to navigate through it. Natsu was close behind, looking up at the walls as they walked through the house. He'd never seen a place look more lavish, and wondered if this was the sort of place that Lucy lived in now.
"Lucy!" Jude said as soon as the young woman entered the living room. He engulfed her in a hug, but it lacked the warm fuzzy feelings people usually felt when hugging a parent.
"Hello father," his daughter said, keeping her tone flat. Despite their recent phone conversations, she still didn't consider their relationship ideal. Just like with her issues, things with her father wouldn't change over night.
The older man pulled away, looking her up and down to make sure she was alright. His eyes landed on a small mark on the crook of her neck, but it was obvious it wasn't a regular bruise. Jude's eyebrows knitted together as he glared over at Natsu. "Did you leave a hickey on my daughter?"
Natsu blinked in surprise. He hadn't noticed one on her earlier. He stepped to her side, then peered down at her neck. Sure enough, there was a small hickey on her pale skin. He met Lucy's eyes, seeing her shock as well. Without his voice wavering, he announced, "yes sir, I did."
Jude only stared at Natsu with a foul expression. It remained on his face until Lucy said, "I'd like to call the police now, and get it over with."
Both men looked over at Lucy, forgetting the tension between them in favor of making the blonde happy. Virgo popped up next to Lucy with a cellphone. "The number is already dialed Princess. It's the number for the non-emergency line."
"Th-thanks," she mumbled as she took the phone. All eyes were on her as she pressed the call button. The line rang once before someone answered the phone. Lucy flinched when she heard the greeting for the non-emergency line. After being asked what the call was about, she froze.
"Hello?"
Lucy's first instincts were to look for help. Her eyes landed from Virgo to Jude, then finally on Natsu. When she saw that determined look on his face, her resolve came back to her. "Yes, this is Lucy Heartfilia. I'd like to report my husband for physical abuse and r-" She gulped, still unable to say the word. However, she saw Natsu's subtle nod. She could do this. If not for her, then for future women he would come into contact with. "And rape."
"Where are you located at right now? Is your husband there with you?"
"He's not, and I'm at my father's house. The address is-"
Natsu watched as Lucy told her father's address to the person over the phone. He was proud she was taking this step to help herself. She couldn't get closure if she let her husband get away with everything he did to her. A few more minutes passed before she hung up the phone.
"They'll be here soon," she muttered as she handed Virgo the phone. "Thank you."
"Anything for you Princess. Do you want me to punish him?" The maid looked dead serious, already pulling out a small blade from her stockings.
Lucy stared at the sharp edge of the knife, subconsciously leaning towards it before she caught herself. "What are you doing carrying that?"
"For punishment," Virgo said as if it were obvious.
"I- I don't even know what to say," Lucy shook her head, then looked back at her father. "I'm going to get something to drink if that's alright with you."
"Nonsense," Jude held out a hand as if presenting Virgo. "Will you get her a glass of water?"
"Yes Master," the maid bowed, then walked away after tucking the knife back in her stockings.
The blonde wanted to protest, saying she could get it herself, but she didn't want to be rude. This was her father's house, he made the rules. It was like when she lived with her husband. His house, his rules.
Lucy looked up at Natsu, then frowned. 'Will he make me follow his rules too? Does he even have rules?'
Natsu was unaware of her concerns. He felt better knowing Lucy would be getting help from the police. He put a gentle hand on her back and asked her if she'd like to sit before the cops arrived. She nodded, then let him escort her to the large couch.
Jude sat in an armchair across from the couch where Natsu and Lucy sat. He seemed to be glaring at the pink haired man, obviously not liking how close he sat to his daughter.
When Virgo came back with a glass of water, Natsu turned his attention to Jude. The years had not been kind to him. The wrinkles that were on his face and hands from four years ago deepened considerably. He wondered if it had to do with stress from his business or from his wife's diminishing health. He didn't comment on it, knowing it wasn't any of his business.
As they sat there in uncomfortable silence, Natsu wondered what Layla was like in her final days. He knew the woman when she was still standing. It wasn't long after he met her that she needed to be kept at the hospital for the foreseeable future. She never came home after that.
He remembered the day they transferred Layla to a hospital in Crocus, claiming the doctors would have more success with her there. He spent that whole night holding Lucy while she cried her eyes out on his chest.
He'd give anything to make her happy again, but she never smiled as bright after that day. He hoped in time she'd get better, but he couldn't blame her for being heartbroken. Layla was her best friend, her mom, a sweetheart. Lucy would always miss her, no matter what.
"So," Jude started, breaking the silence. "Have you given any thought to my offer?" His eyes were directed at Lucy, but she continued to stare at the glass of water in her hands.
"I have..."
"And?"
Natsu watched as she shifted in her seat. "I'd rather not. If I did, I'd have to stay in Crocus, and I don't want that."
"It would be good for you," Jude urged, eyes fixed on his daughter. "Good for your future..."
Lucy's eyebrows drew in. "I know... but..."
"But what?" The older man asked with a sense of urgency to his tone.
"What offer?" Natsu asked in anticipation, looking up from Lucy to peer at her father.
"None of your concern," Jude answered as soon as Lucy opened her mouth.
The pink haired man narrowed his eyes at the older man. He was two seconds away from opening his mouth and protesting before he heard Lucy's meek voice speak up. "It is his concern, father."
Now Jude's nose scrunched up as he stared at Natsu. "Is he the reason you can't decide?"
Lucy finally looked up, surprised by her father's tone. "As a matter of fact, yes. I don't want to try to start up a new business with you because I don't want to be in Crocus. I want to be in Magnolia," she looked up at Natsu, seeing his confused expression. "...With Natsu."
"A boy is hardly worth-"
"I'm not a boy!" Natsu snarled, offended from the insult. He was twenty-two with a job and a place to live. He hadn't been a boy for a long time.
Jude didn't say anything else to Natsu, instead looking back at his daughter. "Lucy, I think-"
"What were you going to say?" The blonde asked, setting the empty glass of water on the coffee table in front of them. "About Natsu. What were you going to say?"
"Lucy?" Natsu's voice came out as a whisper. 'Is she really considering what he's saying?'
Jude took a deep breath before explaining, "a boy is hardly worth moving away from you home for. You can have a better future out here with me. He can't provide for you the lifestyle you deserve."
Natsu's shoulders went slack. He glanced at Lucy's face, seeing a slight wrinkle in her forehead from her eyebrows darting in. Deciding he didn't want to hear more of this conversation, he started to stand up to walk away.
Before he could get up, he felt a soft hand on his wrist. Natsu looked down, seeing Lucy's wane smile as she looked up at him. "Please stay?"
Natsu wanted to say no. He wanted to protest, scream, lash out, but all he ended up doing was sitting back down like a whipped puppy. Truth was he didn't want to leave her side, even if he got berated in the process.
Lucy squared her shoulders, then looked up at her father. "If I remember correctly," she started, voice getting lower but stronger, "you had me move away from my home to be with a boy."
"That was different," Jude argued. "That was for-"
"For mom, I know," Lucy snapped. "But at the end of the day I left my home in Magnolia to move out to Crocus to marry an abusive boy, because he certainly isn't a man as far as I'm concerned."
Natsu's eyes widened, surprised to hear that fire in her voice again. He hadn't heard her sound so confident in... well years. She sounded sure of herself as she continued. "I already decided I'm staying with Natsu. You don't have to like it, but you have to respect it."
Her hand came out, grabbing Natsu's hand. "You have to respect him."
Jude's mouth opened, stunned his daughter would speak to him like that. She'd been so quiet these past few years, so her new demeanor shocked him. Though, he supposed her quietness was due to the constant abuse she received from her husband... The man he set her up with.
Jude waited a few minutes before muttering, "fine."
Natsu felt Lucy's hand tighten on his own. Judging from her father's tone, he was anything but fine with the arrangement. Natsu wondered what happened since the phone call he heard with Jude while they were still at the bar. Jude said Lucy would be safe with him, so why did he change his mind since then?
The pink haired man decided not to let it get to him. Lucy wanted him, and that was all that mattered. Before anymore words were exchanged, a knock came from the front door.
"I'll get it," Virgo announced, causing everyone to flinch. They'd forgotten the maid was standing off to the side of the room, observing the entire conversation.
Virgo left, only to return with two police officers. One was a woman with short, light blue hair. Under the light, it almost looked silver. Besides her stood a slightly taller male officer. He had spiky blond locks with a scar running down his eyebrow.
"Lucy Heartfilia?" The woman asked.
The blonde stood, letting go of Natsu's hand in the process. "That's me."
"This is Officer Sting Eucliffe," the female officer started, pointing at the male. "And I'm Officer Yukino Agria. Is there a private place we can talk?"
"Can't I do it out here?" Lucy didn't mean to let her fear slip into her voice, but it did. She panicked, not wanting to separate from Natsu.
The female officer pulled a camera from the bag on her hip, "we need to take some pictures," she glanced at the two males, then the maid. "It'd be better to do it in private."
"Oh... okay," Lucy nodded. She looked to her father. "May we use your study?"
"Use whatever room you want," her father nodded. He watched as Lucy walked out of the living room with the two officers behind her. When they were gone, Jude spoke up. "Virgo, leave us."
"As you wish, Master," the maid bowed before walking away.
Jude waited a few minutes before speaking again. "Did you sleep with my daughter?"
The question ripped Natsu's attention away from the exit Lucy took. His eyes flitted over to her father, then narrowed. "That's none of your business."
The blond man glared at the pink haired man for a few more seconds before saying, "what are your intentions with Lucy?"
As much as Natsu wanted to tell Jude that was also none of his business, he decided to take the high road. "My intentions are to be with her. Doesn't get more simple than that."
Jude crossed his arms over his chest before asking, "do you have a college degree in anything?"
Natsu leaned back in the couch, feeling the tension set in again. "Nope."
"Do you have anything?"
"A certificate."
"For what?" Jude asked with mild curiosity.
The pink haired man almost looked away, but decided to keep the eye contact. "Welding."
"Is that what you do for a living?"
Natsu could see the disappointment in the older man's face when he admitted, "I'm a welder, yes."
The blond man scoffed, earning a low growl from Natsu. "A welder, huh? Guess she could do worse..." He let out a humorless laugh.
"Yeah," Natsu agreed with a hint of malice to his voice. "She could end up with a rapist or something."
That stopped Jude's laugh. "He raped her?"
"She didn't tell you?" Natsu cocked his head, feeling glad that she trusted him with this information before she trusted her father. "He raped her for years."
"I... I didn't know..."
"Of course you didn't. You didn't ask, did you?"
"I didn't think to ask her something like that."
While Natsu was on a roll, he asked, "did you ever bother to find out how Lucy was doing in her marriage? Or were you too busy with your business like always?"
"That's not fair," Jude grunted, clenching his teeth.
"I think it's pretty fair."
Lucy's father averted his gaze. "I didn't think she was being abused."
"Didn't think, or didn't care to know?" Natsu felt uncomfortable with how this conversation was going, but he wanted to get back at Jude for hurting his pride. He wasn't a damn boy, and he wouldn't allow anyone to treat him that way. He knew this man didn't think he deserved Lucy, but he wanted to show Jude that his opinion didn't matter. Not this time.
Jude didn't say anything for a while. Just when Natsu figured he gave up, he finally spoke. "Can you provide for my daughter?"
The pink haired man stared at Jude, but his gaze was still to the side. "I can. It won't be as luxurious as this, but I can keep her feed, clothed, and sheltered. Plus, she can provide for herself just as much. She's not some helpless animal. She's smart enough to make it on her own, but I'll be there to support her no matter what she decides."
As if he hadn't heard Natsu's answer, Jude asked, "how many women have you been with? Have you ever been married?"
Natsu shook his head. "That's really none of your business. I already discussed it with Lucy, and that's the only person who needs to know."
"How can she be sure you'll stay faithful to her?"
"Because my heart only beats for her. She knows how much I love her," Natsu noticed the way Jude cringed at that last part. "And she loves me." In all honesty he added that just to stab Jude in the heart. His little girl was in love with Natsu Dragneel, and there wasn't a damned thing he could do about it.
"You know about her... issue, right?"
Natsu's eyes widened for just a split second before he steeled himself. "I'm aware she can't have children if that's what you mean by issue. That doesn't bother me."
Jude glanced up, finally looking the other male in the eye. "It doesn't? Why?"
"It doesn't," Natsu's voice held strength. "There's more than one way to have a kid. I'm a good example. I was adopted at a young age, and I was raised in a loving home. For the most part, I turned out normal."
He didn't include the multiple women he'd been with, his alcohol addiction, or his anger issues. Those weren't his business after all. "I at least haven't been arrested or hit a woman." He didn't count Erza when he said 'hit a woman'. The redhead and him often fought earlier on, but it was consensual fighting. Besides, he lost more times than he won...
Jude grumbled under his breath, but Natsu couldn't hear him from that far away. The younger man tugged at the scarf around his neck. It felt like the temperature might be rising, but he knew better. He was nervous, despite his best attempts at keeping control.
Natsu was out of his element. Any other Saturday he'd be hanging out at his house watching tv until it was late enough to hit up a bar. Now he was in Crocus talking to Jude while Lucy was in the other room with two officers doing who knows what.
"Would you consider going to college?"
Natsu raised a pink brow at the question. "I don't see a point in it."
"Why's that?"
"Well, I already have all the qualifications I need for the job I have. I like my job, and I'm actually pretty good at it. I'd rather not switch careers just so you can feel better that I have an education." Yeah, Natsu saw right through what Jude was implying. He should go to college to get a different job because Jude didn't consider 'welding' a suitable job for her daughter's significant other.
"Look," the pink haired man sat up straight. "You may have known Lucy longer, but I know her better. She doesn't need all these fancy things," he flailed his hands in the air for emphasis. "She never did. She just wants acceptance for who she is, and I can do that for her. I'm sure you've heard the expression 'money can't buy you happiness'. Well it's true. You don't need a lot of money to enjoy life."
Natsu could have ended it there, but he had a lot more he wanted to say. He'd thought about what he'd say to Jude if he ever got the chance over the years. Of course those scenarios in his head consisted of him cussing at the older man, so he had to modify them.
"I've been in love with Lucy since shortly after meeting her, and that hasn't changed at all. I know I don't deserve her, but if she'll have me, then I'm here. I'm not going to let you, or anyone else besides her tell me I can't be with her. It's completely her choice. I may not make a million dollars in my entire lifetime, but I work hard to make the money I do have, and I can provide a normal life for her."
He paused to sigh. "With all that in mind, go ahead and say whatever you need to say, it won't change the way I feel about your daughter or stop me from pursuing her. Only she can make me stop, and I doubt that will happen. I won't hurt her, emotionally or physically. I love her, now and for the rest of my life. So if that bothers you, then tough luck. I'm here to stay, and there's nothing you can do about it." He finished it off by crossing his arms and leaning back on the couch.
Jude stared with his mouth parted for a few minutes, unable to come up with something to say. Before he could figure out, they heard footsteps coming from down the hall. Natsu stood immediately, watching the mouth of the hall until Lucy emerged with the two officers. Her eyes were locked on the floor, her lips pressed into a thin line. Her blonde bangs covered most of her face.
"Do you remember everything we told you?"
Lucy nodded slowly, her eyes still looking at the floor.
"We'll see you soon," the woman officer said before her and the male began leaving the house.
It wasn't until they were closing the door behind them that Natsu turned back to gaze at Lucy. She had a business card in her shaky fingers. Once she heard the car outside start up, she began crying.
It was subtle at first, with just a few tears rolling down her flushed cheeks, but within a few seconds she sobbed.
She looked up, seeing Natsu and her father standing a few feet away from her. She didn't hear when they moved closer to her, but she was glad. Her knees threatened to give out, so she needed him to catch her.
Lucy took one step towards the males. Jude began opening up his arms to accept his daughter, but the blonde stepped into Natsu's chest, causing his arms to wrap around her out of instinct. She cried harder against his shirt, wetting it with her tears.
Natsu ran his fingers through her silky hair, whispering soothing words to help her calm down. Jude stood off to the side, hurt by his daughter's rejection, but understanding her decision. He was the reason she married her husband in the first place. If he hadn't introduced them, he might have found a different way to save his business, and maybe still give his wife a few more years of life.
When Lucy finally stopped crying, she pulled away. Natsu was reluctant to let her go, but he didn't want to force her to stay with him if she didn't want to. He wiped the stray tears from her eyes with a thumb, telling her she was a strong woman, and anyone would cry in her situation.
That only caused her to hug him again, crying harder than before from his kind words. It took several more minutes before she calmed down. When they asked what the police did, she frowned.
"They took pictures of the marks..."
"What marks?" Jude asked, looking at his daughter.
"The-" She closed her mouth, unsure if she wanted to tell her father her how her husband beat her.
Natsu wrapped a protective arm around her, showing her he was by her side no matter what. After a few silent seconds, she finished, "the belt marks he left."
Jude's eyes widened, his mouth falling open. "Oh Lucy," he sounded hurt to hear that, but it was too late. The pain had already came and went, leaving behind emotional scars, but hopefully not physical ones.
She already had enough physical scars from her razors.
"I need to go to-" She stopped herself, wondering if she should call it her house or her husband's house. It had never felt like a home, just a prison. "I need to get my stuff."
"Will there be police escorts?" Jude asked.
Lucy nodded. "The two that were just here, they're on their way to that house..."
"Will he be there?" Natsu growled.
She shook her head. "Officer Eucliffe said they already sent some police officers to the estate, but security informed them that he's left town for a business trip and won't be back until next week."
"Well that's convenient," Natsu was glad they wouldn't run into that abusive asshole, but at the same time he hoped he'd get the chance to punch that fucker in the face. It was better this way, especially for Lucy. He couldn't imagine how she'd react if she saw him again.
A part of Natsu still feared she would change her mind and go back to her husband.
He'd seen it on the news, heard it in gossip, most women being abused go back to their ex because life without them seems scarier than the abuse they faced at home. He just hoped Lucy was smart enough to stay away from that jackass. Even if she wasn't with him, he'd rather her be single than go back to her husband.
"We should leave now," Jude started, motioning for them to follow him to the front door. "The sooner you get your stuff, the better."
"Should I come too?" Virgo asked, poking her head from around a corner.
Natsu took one look at the other pink haired adult, seeing she had that blade in her hand again. "Probably best if you stay here. Who knows what you'll do with that." It was meant as a joke, but it lacked humor.
The maid looked down at her knife, then back up at Jude. "May I come Master?"
"As you wish."
The four of them piled into Jude's SUV with Virgo as the driver. Natsu decided not to take his pills, knowing it'd be better in the long run since it was a short trip from Jude's estate to the other. Besides, he wanted to stay alert at all times, and his medication might effect him negatively.
Despite feeling sick, Natsu did his best to comfort Lucy as they drove through town. In a shaky voice, he asked her what happened with the police. She answered him, but made sure only he could hear.
Whispering, she said, "they started off with taking my statement." Her breath brushed against his ear, "that took a while, but after that they took pictures of me."
He tried to keep his voice low as he asked, "was that guy in the room?"
"No," she assured him. "He stood outside while the female had me strip for the photos. She... she said they may not be able to prove the abuse was from my husband though."
Before Natsu could ask why, she answered, "the marks you left me were documented as well. The lady told me it doesn't look good that I slept with another man once I left." The marks she referred to were the hickeys and bite marks Natsu left her.
"You told her," Natsu gulped back the urge to throw up. He leaned back in the seat, hoping the ride would be over soon.
"I did," Lucy said when she adjusted to his new position. "I figure it'd be better to be completely honest about what happened, that way I don't get trapped in a lie, even if the truth is bad." She saw the way his face fell, so she added, "it just looks bad in the eye of the law. I don't regret what we did. Not for a second."
Natsu gave a weak smile, "that's good... Did they say anything else?"
"Yeah," Lucy rested a hand on his lap, grabbing one of his limp hands. "But we can talk about it later. It's about my temporary restraining order, and the court process of pressing charges against him... I just want to get some stuff and leave for now."
"I understand," Natsu cringed when the vehicle hit a large bump. His stomach nearly came undone from the action. "Are we almost there yet?" He wore a crooked smile, sending warmth through her heart.
"Actually, yes," Lucy's fingers tightened around his hand. "A few more blocks."
"Good."
"Yeah," she sighed, leaning her hand against his chest. "Good."
From the front seat, Jude glared in the mirror. He didn't like the way his daughter acted around Natsu. Even if she decided to be with that man, she was still legally married. He'd rather her wait until the divorce was finalized before sleeping around with someone else, but he knew he couldn't control her. She made that clear when she said she wanted to go to Magnolia.
The SUV slowed down when they got to the gate outside Lucy's husband's estate. The security guard walked up to the vehicle. "State your business?"
The maid leaned back so the guard could see Jude. "We're here to get my daughter's stuff. The police should be here?"
"Ah, yes," the guard nodded, then pressed a button on the side of his walkie talkie. "Miss Lucy is here with her father."
A voice Lucy didn't recognize radioed back. "Let them through, over."
The guard nodded, then went up to the side of the gate to swipe his card, allowing the gate to part and give them the ability to enter. Virgo started driving again, until they reached the circle driveway.
A man walked up wearing a butler's uniform. "Should I park the car?" He asked Virgo.
Jude answered for her. "No, we won't be here for long."
"As you wish, sir," the male bowed before taking a few steps back.
The four exited the car, Natsu a little more enthusiastically compared to the others. The two familiar looking officers were waiting outside the door, along with a few extra officers they didn't recognize. The same female officer that came to Jude's house earlier stepped up.
"Take as much time as you need to get your belongings," Officer Agria said. "Your husband's assistant said he left town this morning to go to Hargeon."
"Okay," Lucy mumbled with a shaky breath. She turned to see Natsu standing beside her, with Jude and Virgo a few feet behind him. "I guess I'll be right back... Do... Do you want to come in?"
Natsu cocked his head. "Do you want me to come in? If yes, then I'll do it. Totally up to you."
The blonde nodded, "I'd prefer that. You can wait downstairs, but I'd feel better if you were near me."
"Whatever you want, Luce."
All four of them entered the house, but only Lucy went upstairs. She hated being in that house again. It felt wrong just stepping foot through the threshold. A few maids passed by her, all keeping their heads down to avoid her gaze. 'I see nothing's changed...'
On her way into the house, she noticed some police officers interviewing the maids. She wondered what they'd say. Would they tell the truth, or were her husband's deep pockets enough to buy their silence? She guessed the ladder.
Lucy opened the door to the room she shared with the man who scared her more than anyone else in the world. She hesitated before taking a step in, apprehensive about making that first move. After a few minutes of struggling, she finally moved one foot in front of the other and made it through the door.
The room didn't look like it had when she left. Broken pictures frames littered the ground, along with most of her possessions. The bed wasn't resting on the box-spring properly, hanging almost halfway off.
She was actually glad the room looked trashed. It meant her memories of the horror she suffered in there were distorted. They still flared up in her mind, but it wasn't as bad as she thought it would be considering everything was in disarray. The demons of her past barely plagued her.
Lucy took cautious steps to her dresser. Most of her clothes were scattered on the floor, covered in glass. She stuck with gathering the clean clothes in her dresser, emptying out the drawers into a suitcase she brought with her from her father's house.
She shook her head at the irony. Four years ago she was doing the same thing, but to move in with her -future- husband. Now she was trying to get away from him.
After the drawers were bare, she went to the bathroom. Inside, resting on the counter, was an antique jewelry box. She was surprised to see it all in one piece. Her hands started reaching for it until her eye caught sight of the shower.
Her face turned, glancing at it. The curtain was pulled out, covering the view she'd usually have of her razor that sat on the shower caddy. She couldn't help but think about the last time she cut herself. It had been right there. Now was not the time to be dwelling on the past, so she shook the thoughts from her head.
Lucy gathered her mother's jewelry, and the necklaces and rings she'd gathered over her lifetime. She didn't touch any of the 'presents' her husband gave her, not wanting anything else to do to with him.
She went back to the bedroom, setting the suitcase by the door. Being as careful as she could, she picked up the broken picture frames, seeking out one photo in particular. It was the one of just her mother. She could always get copies made, but this one was special. On the back contained a handwritten message to Lucy, telling her to never give up on her dreams.
When Lucy found it, she smiled. Her heart filled with a warmth that was only caused by love. She reread the message she'd already memorized, feeling closer to her mom for just a moment.
The sound of broken glass being stepped on tore Lucy away from her pleasant memories. She spun around, gasping when she saw the man behind her.
"Lucy," the man breathed, his dark eyes gleaming.
"J-Jackal," she took a step back, the back of her legs hitting the bed. "What are- they said you were out of town?"
Her husband stood there at the threshold of the bathroom. His eyes were fixed on her, never wavering. "I had to see you again," he took a step closer, causing Lucy's entire body to tense. "They said you'd be coming by, so I had my assistant help me."
Lucy's eyes flitted over to the open bedroom door. Jackal was closer, limiting her chances of a quick escape. She tried to talk, but her throat felt constricted. It felt similar to the times he got off choking her.
"Lucy," the way he said her name sent shivers down her spine. She tried to back up more, but all she could do was press tighter against the edge of the bed. "I'm sorry."
"What?" She blinked, unsure if she heard him right.
Jackal took another step closer to her, opening his arms. "I'm sorry for whatever I did to make you leave. I'll change. I promise I'll get better, for us."
Lucy shook her head. "I can't forgive you for what you did." It wasn't healthy staying in a relationship with him. She knew she was better off on her own than with the abusive man.
"I was just a little rough with you," he shrugged as if they were merely talking about aggressive sex, and not rape. "I thought you liked it."
"How could you ever think that?"
"Your scars," he held his hand out, palm up, pointing towards her legs. "I thought you liked a little pain."
Lucy flushed, ashamed of herself for causing her body damage. Her eyes darted to the wall, not wanting to see his face anymore. She didn't want to hear any of this. She already knew her skin was flawed. Did he really have to bring it up again?
Jackal's unnaturally calm voice sounded in the room. "I can't live without you. I promise I won't be rough with you anymore."
"You hit me," Lucy snapped, her tiny fists shaking. Her whole body trembled from the mixture of fear and anxiety swirling within her. She wanted to be rid of him. The police said he wouldn't be here, so she hadn't prepared herself for seeing him so soon. A sense of hopelessness fought to take over her.
"And I apologized," he reasoned, as if that would make it all go away. He never was one to acknowledge his own short-comings.
"Sorry doesn't cut it!" Lucy finally looked at the face that tormented her for years. Her resolved steeled, her mind made up. "It's too late for that now. I'm leaving."
A darkness flashed through her husband's wild eyes. "You don't mean that." He took a step closer, glass crunching under his heavy boots.
"I-I do," she tried to hold firm, but the closer he got, the more terrified she became. Her eyes flitted back to the open bedroom door. This time he caught the action.
Moving quickly, Jackal side-stepped towards the door, then shut it. Lucy asked him what he was doing, but he only answered by locking it. "Now we can be completely alone without anyone disturbing us."
"Jackal, you need to let me go."
He turned, facing the shaking woman. "Oh, I don't think I have to do anything. See, you're still my wife, which means I still get a say in what you do."
"That's not true," Lucy pleaded, feeling the words sounding wrong in her mouth. Being in this house, this room, with him, it forced Lucy to dance on the line between past and present. She could feel her resolve slipping the longer she stayed here. She needed a way out.
Lucy's head turned to look at the window. It was closed, probably locked, but she'd jumped from it before. She could do it again. Before she got a chance to make a move, she felt arms wrap around her.
The blonde's body tensed in an instant. She felt her husband's lips on her ear as he whispered in a sadistic tone, "I need to punish you for being a bad girl. No one runs away from me and gets away with it."
Hearing his voice made her heart pound. Once she felt the harness in his pants pressing against her body, she lost it. She began struggling against his grip, not wanting to give up the freedom she just claimed. She didn't want to be raped again.
Jackal was by far stronger than her, but that didn't deter her from trying. She kicked at him, tried to head-butt him, but all her efforts were fruitless.
He cackled in her ear, causing goosebumps to spread throughout her skin and her hair to stand on end. "Let me go!"
Jackal's eyebrows drew in from her outburst. "Shut up, do you want everyone to hear you?"
Lucy's brown eyes widened. She opened her mouth wide and yelled, "HEL-"
She didn't finish calling for help before a fist came into contact with her stomach. Her body was released, so she hunched over on the bed in pain. She heard the sound of boots on glass again as Jackal paced through the room. "You better hope no one heard you."
Lucy opened her mouth to shout again, but she was in too much pain. However, Jackal saw what she was trying to do. He wasn't taking any chances.
Lucy felt that same fist punch at the side of her face. She cried out from the pain, tears already streaming down her eyes. Jackal rarely punched her in the past, but when he did, it hurt. Several times she thought he broke a bone, but he was always careful to make sure no permanent damage remained. He didn't want to get in trouble after all.
"Leave, me alone," Lucy muttered, her voice laced with pain and tears. She flinched when he brought his hand up again, then cried harder when he tried to wipe away her tears with his thumb. She almost wished he'd hit her again instead of show her a small act of kindness. Her stomach twisted with disgust.
"I love you, Lucy," Jackal said, as if he really meant it. His arms came around her again, picking her up and crushing her into a too tight hug. She was dead-weight, not giving him any satisfaction of having a compliant wife. "I missed you. I'll never let you go again. We'll just explain that this was all one big misunderstanding."
Jackal kissed the part of her face where a bruise was already forming. It stung, but he didn't try to stop kissing her. "You'll have to put on some makeup first. You look disgusting with that hideous bruise on your face."
Lucy's feet landed on the ground, then she began struggling again. "You can't keep me here," she reasoned, trying to tug away from her husband.
"Oh but I can. All you have to do is tell the police you were lying, then we can go back to being a happy family. We can have a baby too!"
Lucy stopped struggling for a moment. "A baby?"
"Yeah," Jackal's eyes lit up. There was a softness present that wasn't there before. "I found a doctor that can fix you. He says he's had success with women like you before."
"Women... like me?"
"You know," her husband smiled. "Broken women."
Lucy's eyes fell to the floor. 'Broken...' That was all she was viewed as. She was damaged goods. Before she could let herself spiral into a depressed state, the image of pink hair and green eyes flashed through her face. 'Natsu would never call me broken.'
In a low tone, Lucy warned. "Let go of me or else."
That dark glint filtered into his eyes again. "Or else what?" His twisted smile made her doubt herself for a second, but she held firm.
"You can't control me anymore. I am leaving you, Jackal. I am leaving this house and never coming back."
Jackal glared at her, his grin turning into a smirk. "I'd like to see you try."
Mustering every bit of strength she had, she brought her knee up and hit him right in the balls. Jackal let out a shriek, then Lucy used the opportunity to run towards the door. She didn't make it two steps before a hand caught the tail of her shirt, causing her to stumble.
Lucy fell, landing on a pile of glass. Luckily she hit the outside of the pile, so only her knees and below made contact. Even then, the jeans she wore protected her some. Pushing off her elbows, Lucy forced herself up. She couldn't afford to rest for a second.
Once her hand touched the lock, two arms wrapped around her again, gripping her like a vice. "I thought I said you can't leave."
Not thinking twice about it, she used Jackal's strength to her advantage. The hold he had her in was so tight, she was able to bring her feet up without him letting go. Her husband raised an eyebrow, wondering what she was doing, until he gasped when he realized her plan.
Lucy started kicking at the door as hard and as loud as she could. She got three good kicks in before he ripped her away from the area. "What the fuck do you think you're doing?"
"Help!" Lucy answered, not caring anymore what happened to her. She was about to yell a second time, but Jackal's hand covered her mouth.
"Shut up bitch!"
The blonde didn't hesitate to bite hard on his hand, causing him to grunt in pain. That earned her another punch to the gut, but it was all worth it in the end when she heard his voice on the other side of the door.
Knocking was followed by, "Luce?"
Lucy opened her mouth, "Natsu! I-" Jackal's hand covered her mouth again a second later, cutting off her sentence. She wanted to yell that she needed help, but all she could do was let out muffled cries. He used his free hand to punch her in the side, bringing tears to her eyes. He wrapped that arm around her, keeping her arms at her sides.
"What is he doing here," Jackal hissed in Lucy's ear.
"Are you okay?" Natsu asked, "I heard something from downstairs."
She let out a long wail, hoping the man on the other side of the door could hear her. She guessed he did, because he announced, "I'm coming in!" She heard the door knob twist, but he couldn't open the door since it was locked. "Lucy, open the door."
Lucy felt Jackal's tongue trace the outter shell of her ear, causing her to flinch away. In a whispered voice, her husband instructed, "I'm going to let go of your mouth, and you're going to be a good girl and tell him you're fine. That way he can leave and we can be a happy family again. Can you manage that, or should I persuade you?" She winced when his nails dug into her face.
Lucy hesitated, making it look like she considered his words. She slowly nodded, relieved when he let go of her mouth. She felt sick when she saw a string of saliva connected from her bottom lip to his hand where she cried out against his palm.
In a gentle voice, Lucy said, "Natsu?"
His reply was instant. "Yeah? What's going on? Are you okay?"
Lucy looked at her husband, seeing those dark eyes trained on her. He still had an arm around her, refusing to let go. She opened her mouth, trying to subtly take in more air before she yelled at the top of her lungs. "HELP ME!"
"You fucking bitch!" Jackal growled, throwing her down onto the bed before punching her hard on the thigh. She screamed in agony, but he didn't care. He never cared about her suffering.
They both heard something slam against the door. Jackal turned, seeing the wood splinter down the middle. He panicked, looking for an escape route. The only one was the window, so he rushed over there to unlock it.
As soon as he opened the window, the door to their bedroom swung open, slamming against the wall, denting it. A furious looking Natsu stood at the threshold. "You!" His voice came out as a growl. Before Jackal could flinch, Natsu was already sprinting to the man.
Jackal tried to jump out of the window, but as soon as he made the leap, he started to choke. Natsu grabbed onto his shirt's collar, not letting the bastard escape. Using all his strength, the pink haired man yanked him inside, throwing him onto the floor.
Natsu's fist smacked against Jackal's jaw. The man on the floor let out a grunt of pain before the pink haired man took another swing at his face. Three hits was all he got in before someone forced him away from Jackal.
Natsu was about to lash out at the person who grabbed him, but stopped when he saw a familiar face. Officer Eucliffe had his arms around him, keeping him detained while Officer Agria picked Jackal up from the floor. The back of his clothes were covered in glass shards, but that didn't stop him from lashing out.
"You can't have my wife!" Jackal screamed, pushing the female officer out of the way to lunge at Natsu.
Seeing as his arms were being held, Natsu prepared himself to take on whatever he could dish out. However, just as Jackal was about to punch the defenseless pink haired man, a foot came up to kick Jackal in the ribs.
"AAARHHH!" He went down, kneeling in the pile of glass while he clutched at his side.
Natsu looked over, stunned to see Lucy falling backwards onto the mattress. She stumbled after the kick, but it was worth it to finally cause her husband some pain that was long overdue. With any luck, she at least bruised a rib -if not broke one.
The officer holding Natsu released him. Before he could go over to grab Lucy and comfort her, he felt his hands being jerked behind him and the feeling of metal biting at his wrists. "What the hell?"
Officer Eucliffe pushed Natsu forward. "This is for everyone's safety. Come with me quietly and it'll be over soon."
The pink haired man knew he could overpower this officer. It might not be easy, but he could do it. He refrained from violence, trusting that if he cooperated, this would be over soon. The female officer slapped some cuffs on Jackal as well, then told Lucy to stay where she was until she came back to get her.
Lucy nodded, tears streaming down her face as she watched the officers haul away the two men. She curled up into a ball, wrapping her arms around her legs. Everything happened so fast, she barely got a chance to breathe. When she saw Jackal gunning towards Natsu, she snapped. She couldn't let that abuser hurt the only man she ever loved.
Lucy didn't know how much time passed before Officer Agria came back. She asked Lucy to strip again, wanting to take pictures of any possible bruising, saying it would help her case since they already took pictures this morning. Before and after pictures would show the recent abuse and incriminate Jackal.
The last thing Lucy wanted to do was take her clothes off, but if it would get her husband in trouble, she couldn't strip fast enough. The female officer snapped multiple photos, making sure to cover every new bruise that surfaced on Lucy's fair skin. When she finished, Lucy asked about Natsu as she put her clothes back on.
"Is that the man with the pink hair?" Officer Agria asked as she put the camera back in her bag.
"Yeah."
The officer nodded. "We have to detain him until he is no longer a threat. He's being quiet now, sitting in the back seat of our squad car. It's just a cautionary thing. He's not being arrested or charged with anything. He's claiming self-defense for you and we believe him."
"That's good," Lucy sighed in relief. After dressing, she asked, "can I see him?"
"When he's released. First we need to take your statement for what just happened.
"Oh... Okay."
The two women moved to the dining room of the mansion. Lucy's packed bag rested by her feet, with the photo of her mother sitting on top. She gave her statement, making sure to leave nothing out. When quoting some of the things Jackal said to her, she felt her stomach lurch every time she thought about it.
It seemed to take forever, but eventually Natsu was released and allowed back inside. He didn't hesitate to find Lucy, wrapping her in a tight hug and kissing her deeply to show how much he missed her, even if they'd been separated only an hour at most.
Lucy welcomed the feeling of Natsu's lips pressed against hers. His skin seared hot, but the burn was delicious. She only wished they weren't standing in her husband's house during the kiss, but that wasn't enough to stop her.
Natsu had to give his statement next. Lucy was told to wait with her father while they finished up. When asked what happened to Jackal, the blonde could see the smile Officer Agria tried to conceal.
"He's been arrested. Officers took him to the station about forty minutes ago."
Lucy nodded, holding back the urge to smile right along the with officer. She gathered her things, then walked to the mansion's entrance where her father stood. They shared a glance, but nothing could be said. Jude saw the bruise on Lucy's face, anger boiling in the older man from his lack of judgment.
Hearing about Lucy being abused was different from seeing it first hand. As much as he wished he could go back and change the past, he knew it was a pointless wish. He could only learn from his mistakes, and hope his daughter would forgive him for giving her away to some monster.
Lucy didn't know how much time passed before her thoughts were interrupted by a male's voice. "Miss Heartfilia?"
Lucy spun around to see Officer Eucliffe. "Yes?"
The male officer put a hand behind his neck as he averted her eyes. "I'm really sorry to have to tell you this, but your husband made bail."
"What?" Her eyes widened, fear trickling in as she realized Jackal was free.
"His lawyer posted bail as soon as he got to the station. He won't be coming here while you're still here, but I needed to inform you since you have a protective order against him now."
"He can't see me, right?" She asked, breathing heavier when the air felt like it thinned.
"That's correct. It's a violation if he contacts you or sees you. If he tries anything, contact the police as soon as it happens. We'll arrest him again. If he violates it, more than likely they won't let him get out on bail again. An officer is on his way now with a copy. It's temporary, but it should be enough for now."
"I see..."
Officer Eucliffe finally made eye contact with Lucy. He'd seen many battered women over the years, but she was in for a rough ride. Her husband had the money to hire the best lawyers in Fiore who would do anything for that paycheck.
Even let a guilty man walk free.
Pushing his personal opinions aside, he told Lucy about Jackal's court date on Wendesday morning. It would be in her best interest to show up and see what she was up against. That moment would determine if it goes to trial since she claimed he raped her. Jackal wasn't going to confess, so it would need to be presented to a judge.
Lucy listened to every word Officer Eucliffe said, even when the corners of her vision started to fade and his voice drifted away. The more he talked, the more helpless she felt. It would be as simple as she thought in the beginning.
At some point in time Lucy zoned out. The officer wished her luck, then left to go take care of some other business. Just as he said, another officer came to the mansion to give the blonde her temporary protective order against her husband. She held it behind the picture of her mother, not wanting to see what her life had come to. She'd rather see Layla's smiling face than the reality that was now her life.
Lucy waited until Natsu emerged from the dining room. He looked exhausted, and she couldn't blame him. She didn't know if it was from the long drive or the confrontation with Jackal. In the end, she decided it had to be a mixture of the two. She felt worn out too. All she wanted was a nap and something to eat.
Natsu wrapped an arm around Lucy, protecting her from her fears as they left the estate. He carried her suitcase in one hand while she carried the photo of her mother and her protective order. The drive to Jude's house was quiet aside from the occasional gagging sounds from Natsu as he dealt with his tumbling stomach.
When they arrived, everyone shuffled indoors. The blue sky showed it was still daytime, but Lucy was ready for bed now. When she expressed her desire for sleep, her father insisted that she at least eat something first. It wasn't hard convincing her since her stomach was growling.
Virgo left the three in the living room while she went to prepare dinner. Jude was once again sitting in his armchair, reading over the temporary protective order to make sure everything was correct.
Lucy leaned against Natsu's chest while they sat on the couch. She listened to his steady heartbeat, letting it lull her. She hadn't spoken much since finding out that her husband was out on bail. Natsu's arm around her gave her a sense of security, but she still worried about what might happen. Would she ever truly be safe?
"Dinner will be ready in a few minutes," Virgo peeked her head in the living room, startling the three other adults.
Lucy let out a sigh, snuggling closer to Natsu. The pink haired man saw the occasional glares Jude tossed his way, but he did his best to ignore him. Lucy wanted him, and that was all that mattered. His hand brushed against her arm, sending warmth through her body. She felt lucky to have him to calm her down, and to stick with her through all this drama.
Breaking the silence, Jude announced, "they spelled your name wrong."
Lucy raised a blonde brow. "They couldn't spell 'Lucy'?"
Her father shook his head, "not that part. They spelled your last name with an extra 'L'."
"Do you think I should tell them?" She asked, sitting up despite Natsu's groan. His comfortable position vanished when she broke away from him.
Jude's mouth twisted as he thought. "I don't think it will be a big deal. We can give the officers a call after dinner."
"Sounds good," Lucy nodded. Before she could reclaim her spot on Natsu's chest, they all heard Virgo announce that dinner was ready.
The three sat at the large table. It was long, with Natsu at one end and Jude at the other. Lucy sat closer to Natsu, seeing him as her safety blanket. Virgo set out the dishes filled with food in front of everyone. Natsu's mouth watered as soon as he saw a steak on his plate. He hadn't realized just how hungry he was until now.
They waited until everyone received their food before digging in. Just as Natsu was about to put a rather large piece of steak in his mouth, he froze. His eyes flashed over to Virgo, seeing her carrying a bottle.
He tried to tell her to stop, but no words escaped his parted lips. He watched as the maid filled a wine glass next to his plate until it was full. No one noticed his odd behavior, even as Virgo moved on to pour Lucy's glass.
Jude was the first to get his wine, and was already sipping it when he looked up at Natsu's stunned face. "You look like you've never seen wine before?"
Natsu's face snapped up to glance at the opposite end of the table. His green eyes were wild, lost in his own mind that started racing with a simple thought. 'Drink it!'
His eyes flashed down to the wine glass, seeing that alcoholic liquid that seemed to be calling his name. He yearned for it, far more than he realized he would. After a day like today, he needed a drink, but that only frightened him. He was trying to quit, so taking a sip of wine would only hinder his ability to get better.
He gulped, feeling his dry throat. His hands began shaking. He hadn't thought it was noticeable, but when Lucy placed a hand over his, he realized she knew.
"Are you okay?" She asked, peering over at Natsu. He was breathing heavily, sweat collecting on his forehead.
"I'll be right back," he shouted despite his best efforts to remain calm. He jolted away from the table, shaking it in the process. Nothing spilled, but he caught everyone's attention. "Just, fresh air..." He left it at that, escaping the house and the alcohol that tempted him.
Once outside, he let out a shuttering breath. He hadn't realized how bad his problem really was. For the longest time he thought he was a casual drinker, nothing more. The reality that he actually did have a problem settled in, causing him to panic.
He took a seat on the front porch, terrified of his own reactions. He thought since he didn't think about drinking all day, he was getting better. Turns out he was just distracted. Now that the opportunity was in front of him, he almost gave in. He felt pathetic, letting some liquid get the better of him.
However, he knew it was far more than 'some liquid'. It was his escape from pain, a way to lose himself and feel a comfort he thought he couldn't get anywhere else. Being with Lucy helped, but the urge was still present. He wasn't sure it would ever go away.
Natsu breathed in the fresh air, hoping it would sooth his lungs. His throat still felt dry and scratchy, but he dealt with it. He rested his elbows on his knees, placing his head in his hands. "I'm such a fucking wreck." He let out a deep sigh, then gasped when he heard the door close behind him.
"You can't be more of a wreck than me," Lucy's sweet voice filled his ears. He jerked his body to see the blonde step over to him. He was so lost in his thoughts he hadn't heard her open the door in the first place.
Lucy sat down next to him, letting their thighs touch. For a moment, it was silent between them. The only sounds he heard were his uneven breaths and the birds chirping in the distance.
"So," she started, looking over at him to see the panic still swirling in his dark green eyes. "What's wrong?"
He tore his eyes away from her, feeling guilty for keeping a secret like this from her. He wanted to be honest, he wanted a fresh start for them. Steeling his nerves was easier said than done, but he still tried. If this was for Lucy, he could make it happen.
With tremors still coursing through his body, he opened his mouth. "I... I have something... I need to tell you..."
Okay, now this is my longest chapter so far. Over 10,000 words... Damn... Sorry this chapter is later than normal. It honestly wasn't easy writing. Several times I had to stop and focus on something else so I wouldn't get overwhelmed.
Thank you for all the favorites & follows. As always, thank you to those who reviewed: fanficlove2014(x3), DragonQ, Gaia Kame, guest, Frosch0516, Abdltf, sthokatrina, FairyTailLover04, The Real Dark Misery, msmanga14, Tenma360Warrior, sidjr100, SakuraStar1862, Leefruit, toolazytologin, Kmb1216, The Crystal Rose, HolyChihuahua, Me, Crimsonlink310, EraticMind, Demonleonhart, ToastedWeirdBrain, fairytaillif3, Ashnmarley, Unova03, lkityan02, Guest, kittykate2016, Dank Dang, katiekat2001, OtakuLover43, Weirdblondi, chan103, Compucles, Argo0, FlameDragonHime, Jellal Frenandes, Adtrboy0916, Dark Shining Light, Nana, Dontfuckwithbasicbitches, Mad Cheshire Rabbit, Guest, and Petty Juju!
Up next, Chapter Twelve: Fear
I'm just going to say, brace yourselves. It's going to be a crazy ride. Any guesses on where this story will go? Let me know what you think! I love hearing from you!