Disclaimer: I do not own Fair Tail.

Chapter 8

Lucy opened her eyes, and launched herself away from the person touching her, curling in a ball and pressing against the headboard. Quiet sobs could be heard from her. Freed slowly sat on the bed to try and get her attention. He lifted his hand slowly towards her.

"Please don't hurt me." She whimpered; her mind still caught in her nightmare.

"Lucy, we won't hurt you. I promise you are safe here with us." Lucy's brows furrowed together; the voice that spoke sounded familiar. Her whimpers slowly stopped, but she still stayed pressed against the headboard.

"Lucy look at me please. Wendy is right here next to me too. We are sorry it took us so long to find you." Lucy started to uncurl herself, but still refused to look up, not wanting this to be a dream.

"Lucy-Nii-Chan?" Wendy whispered. Lucy blinked and slowly raised her face. The first person she seen was Wendy, and out of the corner of her eye she could see green. She slowly turned her head to see Freed sitting there. Behind him stood Laxus, Bix, and Ever. Her eyes widened and tears of relief started to pour down her cheeks.

"You-you're really here? You guys came for me?" She asked in a whisper.

"Of course, we came for you cosplayer!" Bix said. His totems echoing cosplayer.

"Where are my keys!?" Lucy asked. Freed slowly lifted them up to her. She tentatively reached out and took them. Clutching them to her chest. She brushed her fingers over them, and felt them warm up, letting her know that they were there for her. She slowly looked at each person in the room and sobbed thank you.

"How are you feeling? Wendy healed your wounds, are there anymore that need healed?" She shook her head no. Then slowly looked at her arms and seen the long scars there, more tears falling from her eyes. He must think I'm ugly now and just taking pity on me.

"Blondie, did they rape you?" She shook her head. Everyone let out a collective sigh of relief. Lucy sat there with her head down, she could hear everyone else talking in the background but couldn't make out what they were talking about.

"Lucy, are you hungry?" Freed asked her. She nodded but continued to keep her head down. She vaguely heard a couple of people leave the room.

"Could I take a shower, please?" She could tell that someone had cleaned her, but she really wanted to wash her hair.

"Of course, Lucy, you don't need to ask. Do you need help getting to the bathroom?" Freed asked.

"I'll be okay." She told him. She slowly stood up and as she went to take a step she collapsed. Freed was instantly by her side, and she shied away from him. A flash of hurt crossed his eyes before she could see it. "I'm sorry Freed. Would you please help me to the bathroom?" Freed nodded and lightly grabbed her hands and helped her to her feet. Once they got to the bathroom, he had her sit on the toilet, and his face turned red.

"Thank you Freed. I can call out Virgo from here to help me wash." Lucy told him, he nodded, leaving the bathroom and shutting the door behind him. Lucy brushed her hand over Virgo's key.

"How can I help you, Princess?" Virgo bowed.

"Would you help me with a shower please? I'd really like to wash my hair." I'm glad she didn't ask for punishment. I don't know how I would have reacted to hearing those words.

"Of course, Princess."

By the time Lucy came out of the bathroom with the help of Virgo, the others had returned with some food. She sat with a small plate of food, not wanting to eat too much at once and upset her stomach. She listened to the others talk as they ate.

"Lucy what would you like to do?" Freed asked.

"What do you mean?"

"Are you ready to see everyone at the guild, or just go back to your apartment for a couple days to rest?"

"I'm not ready to go to the guild yet, but I also don't want to go to my apartment. I'm not ready to see Natsu or Gray, and I know they will show up at my apartment. But I won't keep all of you from the guild, you all look exhausted."

"Come and stay with me Lucy. I have two spare bedrooms, and only the Raijinshuu and master know where I live."

"I wouldn't want to be a burden to you Freed." He shook his head with a small smile.

"You wouldn't be a burden, Lucy. This way you could have privacy and time away." Lucy gave a small smile and nodded. Everyone decided that they should get some sleep and would head back in the morning.

The next day

As everyone got off the train, Freed had Lucy follow him to his house. He lived on the edge of town in a two-story house. It was a beautiful brick house.

"Freed your house is beautiful. Are you sure you don't mind me staying with you?"

Freed chuckled, "I'm sure Lucy, or I wouldn't have offered." She nodded and followed him into the house. He gave her a tour and showed her which room she would have while staying there. He told her his was right across from hers if she needed him for anything.

"If you like I can get Evergreen to go to your apartment and get you some of your things."

Lucy shook her head, "It's okay I will have Virgo grab what I need. Thank you though." She gave him a small smile.

Lucy brushed her hand over Virgo's key. When the spirit appeared she told the maid what to grab from her apartment. Once she was gone, another light appeared and Loke stood there. He pulled Lucy into a soft hug, that had her tensing at the contact.

"I'm sorry I failed you, Princess. I hate that I wasn't able to get to you." Lucy choked on a sob and shook her head. Leave it to her pesky lion to blame himself.

"Loke it is not your fault. The ones at fault are now in custody. Although I will be talking to master and leaving team Natsu." Loke nodded his head in agreement. He didn't blame her for not wanting to go on missions with them anymore.

"Lucy I'm going back to the spirit world, call me if you need anything. Me, and all your spirits will always be here for you." Lucy smiled as he disappeared.

Freed knocked on the door, "Lucy are you hungry? I could make us some lunch." Lucy opened the door and nodded. They both walked to the kitchen, neither saying anything due to what each was thinking.