All right everyone, here is the long-awaited chapter.

I know it took a while.

But my inspiration lately is lacking.

So, I'm hoping I can get this story moving along soon.

Thank you for being patient!

The morning seemed to have come quicker than she thought. And for once, she had no dreams. Nothing plagued her mind like it had the past several months. She opened her eyes and blinked against the brightness of the light in the room. At first, she didn't understand what she was looking at, but then the memories came crashing down on her making her wince when she went to move.

Her shoulder was killing her. She remembered what happened but could have sworn that Wendy healed her. Normally after Wendy heals you, you feel no pain.

Lucy shook her head and pushed herself up into a sitting position but stopped when she heard a growl. Her eyes blinked as she looked over and saw the blonde dragon slayer glaring at her. She didn't understand why Laxus looked angry, although if her memory served her correctly he'd always looked angry or grumpy, so she supposed now wouldn't be any different.

Lucy tilted her head. "What's wrong?" She asked as she turned slightly to lean on her non-injured arm.

"If you're still in pain you shouldn't be moving around. Lay back down, the others will be here soon." Laxus said looking back toward the doors.

Lucy sighed. "Laxus, I'm fine. And what about the others?" She asked unsure of why she had to wait. Laxus' smirk unsettled her a bit. She didn't know what to make of it. "What's going on?" She asked narrowing her eyes at him.

"You'll see." Is all he said before leaning back in the chair that looked like he never left.

Lucy didn't know if she should just lay back and relax or argue. She really didn't feel like she had much energy left after yesterday. Her magic itself felt weak. She wasn't sure if she could even summon Plu right now. She reached to her side with, her still pain-throbbing arm to her hip where she normally kept her keys but felt that they were gone. Her eyes went wide as she bolted upright patting herself trying to see if they were somewhere else on her.

Laxus cleared his throat gaining her attention. He held up her pouch that held her keys.

"Looking for these?" Laxus asked as he waved them side to side.

"Give me my keys!" Lucy ground out through gritted teeth, her hands fisting in the sheets.

Laxus chuckled darkly. "When I feel that your magic level is back to normal, then I will return them. Until then, I will hang on to them so you don't get any dumb ideas of trying to leave in your condition. You're safer with us." Laxus explained putting the pouch back in his pocket.

Lucy just stared at him slack jawed like he'd lost his mind. Maybe he had for all she knew. But what she did know was that she had to get out of there, and fast. Her eyes darted around looking for a way to get her keys and escape. She knew Loke could get her keys so maybe she should just get out of there.

She could try to summon Virgo but as Laxus stated her magic level was too low. Not that she hadn't pushed her magic beyond its limit before. She shivered at the memory of the last time she did. There was no way she wanted to do that again.

Her brows pulled down as she narrowed her eyes toward the annoying dragon slayer. She just wanted to be on her way. Not that she wasn't grateful but she just couldn't stay here. She felt like the walls were closing in on her slowly. She needed to go.

But as she was ready to push off the bed to try and make a run for it a flash of light appeared in front of them. She then turned her glare toward the ginger-haired lion spirit who glared back at her.

"Don't even think about it," Loke growled earning a growl from the dragon slayer that sat in the chair next to Lucy's bed. Loke snapped his eyes toward him and glared at him. "Oh, shut it. She was planning on trying to make a run for it." Loke said with a dismissive wave.

"She wouldn't have gotten far," Laxus growled.

" She is sitting right here you know," Lucy grumbled annoyed that they were talking like she wasn't sitting right here.

"How would you know? She's faster than she looks." Loke grumbled.

Laxus smirked. "Is she faster than Lightning?" Laxus asked.

Loke shot a glare at him. "You wouldn't." He said. Laxus shrugged like it wasn't a big deal. Loke sighed. "As long as you didn't hurt her." He said defeated.

Lucy crossed her arms over her chest. She was getting annoyed that they were still ignoring her. She felt the tick throb at her temple. She wanted to snap and run. But knowing Loke was siding with Laxus was a bit hurtful. She knew that he only had her best interests at heart but did he really believe staying here was what was best for her? She didn't know.

"Can we just leave, please?" Lucy pleaded.

Loke turned his gaze to her, his expression softening. "We will then. Just rest for now. For once, Laxus is right." Loke said.

"Watch it cat," Laxus growled.

Loke chuckled. "Come on, you have to admit you've done some questionable things in the past." He teased.

Laxus just grumbled shaking his head. He knew he's done some dumb stuff but he'd have been right more often than not recently.

Lucy looked down, she just wanted to leave, not stay. She gripped the sheets, her knuckles turning white and she gritted her teeth. She's felt the panic before but this time it felt worse than before. It normally only happens after a dream. Why was it happening now?

Loke snapped his head toward her when he felt her panic rising. He watched Lucy try to slow her breathing. Trying to fight back the panic. His head snapped back to Laxus who was getting up and moving toward Lucy slower than normal.

Laxus held up his hand in a non-threatening manner. "Lucy..." Laxus called out softly. Lucy's head snapped up, her eyes wide, terror written all over her face. That unsettled him. "Lucy, it's alright." He moved slowly until he was standing in front of her. His eyes locked on hers. "Breathe in." Laxus said taking a deep breath in through his nose. "Hold it." He mumbled out. "Then out." He said as he exhaled through his mouth. He watched Lucy follow his motions. "Good. Again." They continued this a few more times until Lucy's breathing was steady and her heart rate had calmed. "There. Are you okay?" Laxus asked.

Lucy nodded. She couldn't answer him. She's never wanted anyone to see her like that and now both Loke and Laxus have. She knew Loke could feel it, but he normally stayed away until it was over and then showed up. She wanted to be normal. She didn't like this feeling.

Is this how it was going to be from now on?

Panicking over nothing?

She hoped not.

"Come on, Ever!" Bickslow yelled from the couch. "What's taking her so long?" He grumbled.

The totems flew around repeating ' So long, so long'.

Freed sighed as he shook his head from where he leaned against the wall. "Leave her alone. You know how long it normally takes her. Not to mention you're the one who insisted on coming early." Freed scolded.

"Are we sure she's even awake? We've been here for over an hour and not a sound." Bickslow whined as he pushed off the couch and headed toward her bedroom door.

"I wouldn't do that. Remember what happened last time." Freed called out stopping Bickslow in his tracks as his hand was hovering above the door nob. He watched his friend's face go pale. "That's what I thought." Freed nodded once in satisfaction.

Just then the front door opened and in walked Evergreen carrying a few bags. She stopped in her tracks and blinked at the scene in front of her. She didn't know she was gone that long. She could have sworn she had plenty of time to go to the store and make it back before the boys would get here.

"What's going on?" Evergreen asked.

Both men's heads snapped in her direction.

"Wait. We thought you were in there." Bickslow pointed at her bedroom door.

"No. I went to the store to grab a few things for Lucy. How long have you both been here?" Evergreen asked.

Freed chuckled. "Just about an hour. An hour of Bickslow yelling for you to hurry up." Freed explained amused.

Evergreen giggled. "Sorry. I figured Lucy could use some things to freshen up a bit." She explained.

Freed nodded. "Good thinking. But I bet Lucy's spirits would have brought her stuff you know." Freed reminded her.

Evergreen looked down. "I know. It's just..." She fiddled with the handle on the bag in her hand. "I wanted her to know that we're here. And we're not going anywhere." She mumbled.

Freed's expression softened as he nodded. "She'll figure it out and we'll remind her as often as we can." He said.

Bickslow grinned. "And we won't let her forget it! Now, let's get going, I bet they're waiting for us!" Bickslow said as he bounded up next to Evergreen.

Evergreen smiled and nodded.

The three of them left and headed toward the guildhall. They hoped everything would go smoothly from here on out. But they knew that it would be a hard road ahead.

Especially for Lucy, who lost everyone she had cared about.

But she had them now and they would never let her forget that.

Laxus heard them as they approached the guildhall. Sometimes he hated having super hearing but other times it came in handy. He turned his head toward the doors and raised an eyebrow. Loke chuckled next to him.

"Yes, if you haven't figured it out yet, my team's not all there." Laxus sighed as he listened to Evergreen scold Bickslow for something he was convinced he really didn't want to know about it.

Loke raised an eyebrow. "What's that about a balloon and a pair of heart underwear?" Loke asked with a tilt of his head.

"You really don't want to know." Laxus sighed pinching the bridge of his nose.

Master Bob giggled as he floated into the room. "They are quite lively this morning. You don't think it has anything to do with our very special guest, do you?" He asked in mock curiosity.

Laxus sighed and shook his head. "Speaking of. How are you feeling?" Laxus asked looking over at the quiet blonde sitting on the bed. Lucy nodded, eyes downcast. "How about a shower? I think Ever brought you some stuff." Laxus asked.

Lucy looked up at him in confusion. "Why?" Lucy asked. Laxus raised an eyebrow silently asking ' why what?'. Lucy sighed. "I mean, why would she bring me stuff?" Lucy clarified.

Laxus shrugged. "It's Ever. I don't know the inner workings of her mind. And frankly, I don't want to." Laxus said with a shiver at the thought.

"That doesn't answer my question," Lucy grumbled.

Laxus sighed. "If I had to guess, one it was probably because she thinks you could use a nice hot shower and clean clothes, two it's her way of welcoming you, three it's just who Ever is, or four it gave her an excuse to go shopping. Take your pick. But knowing her it's all the above." Laxus explained with a shrug.

Lucy's brows drew together as she processed that information. The question of why still rang in her head. She didn't understand why anyone, especially someone she wasn't really that close to, would do something like that for her. She liked Evergreen, she did, but even back in Fairy Tail it's not like they were best friends. They got along well enough, just like with the other Thunder Legion members. It just didn't make much sense to her.

It was either that or she didn't want it to make sense since she's been on her own for so long now. She didn't want to get close to anyone. She didn't want to feel that pain again when they up and left like everyone else did before. She knew she had to steel herself and not let them in. It was the only way to keep herself safe from the hurt.

Lucy drew in a breath ready to tell him to tell her not to worry about it but the infirmary doors opened when the three other Thunder Legion members walked in bickering. Well, more like Bickslow and Evergreen were bickering and Freed was trying his best to ignore them or trying not smack both of them. She wasn't sure but by the looks of it, he was hanging on by a thread of holding back from smacking them.

"I still can't believe you! Why would you do that?! You are so immature it's not even funny!" Evergreen ranted barely holding back from hitting Bickslow with the fan that she clutched in her hand.

"What?! Come on, you know it was funny! You just don't want to admit that you Miss Fairy Queen found something so juvenile so entertaining." Bickslow proclaimed.

"I did not! That was mean and you know it!" Evergreen snapped barely holding back laughter.

"Oh, enough you two! You're giving me a headache and you just got here." Laxus snapped with a growl, rubbing his temples.

"Sorry, Laxus!" Both Evergreen and Bickslow said at the same time.

"Good morning, Miss Lucy," Freed said with a slight bow.

Lucy forced a smile. "Hi, Freed." She was still trying to get her head around the situation. This was all new to her. She looked at Evergreen, who carried several bags with her. Lucy's eyes went wide. "Um..." Lucy pointed to the bags as she blinked.

Laxus followed her line of sight and sighed pinching the bridge of his nose. "I told you," Laxus grumbled.

Evergreen looked down at her hands and a smile broke out on her face. "Here! I thought you could use a few things. I remember some of the things you had when we would have the group sleepovers so I tried to grab what I remembered. I hope that's okay." Evergreen started out giddy, but close to the end of her sentence her voice got small and shy.

Loke raised an eyebrow at Lucy silently daring her to say something dismissive. Lucy rolled her eyes at the lion spirit.

Lucy cleared her throat and let a real smile grace her face. "Thanks, Evergreen. I really appreciate it." She said sliding off the bed. Her feet hit the floor but she felt herself sway slightly. Before she could blink or even go to grab anything Laxus was at her side gripping her arm softly to keep her from falling. Lucy looked up in shock. "Thanks." She mumbled before looking away.

Laxus grunted. He just acted. He didn't think. It was like it was second nature. Instinct in fact. He never had that instinct before. Yes, he protected those he cared for but it never felt this intense before. This feeling was strong. More intense than the instinct to fight was. He shook his head and let go once he felt she was steady on her feet.

Evergreen stepped forward offering the bag to Lucy. Lucy smiled and took them as she fought the urge to cry. She didn't want to seem like this was a big deal. It wasn't or it shouldn't be.

Master Bob giggled. "Here deary, there's a bathroom this way. This way you can get a shower and get out of those dirty clothes." He floated toward the back and through another door. Lucy sighed knowing she didn't have much of a choice. She followed behind him and into a hallway. "Third door on the right, dear." Master Bob said holding his hand palm up toward the door.

Lucy smiled. "Thanks, Master Bob." She said before continuing down to the door.

"Anytime, Dear. You'll always be welcome here." Master Bob said before returning through the door they had come through before.

Lucy smiled before walking inside what she thought was going to be a basic bathroom. Once she opened the door she was proved wrong. It was huge. Double sinks on the right with a large mirror that covered most of the wall above them. A tall glass shower in the corner with a large free-standing tub on the left. The bathroom looked like something out of a dream. She could have lived in this bathroom.

"Wow." She said amazed as she walked further inside.

She sighed as she sat the bags on the counter. She went through them and each bag made her eyes go wider.

Did Evergreen buy the entire store?

Was her only thought as she pulled out everything. There were shirts, skirts, tanks, shorts, pants, boots, sandals, jackets, vests and different hair accessories. Bows, ties, clips, and ribbons, you name it it was in there.

Lucy shook her head and moved on to another bag. In there was her shampoo and conditioner along with her body wash that she used to use. She wanted to cry but held off. She couldn't cry over something like this. She shouldn't cry over this. She had to keep to herself. She couldn't let them get close to her.

She refused to let herself get hurt again.

Never again.

Evergreen paced the length of the floor. She was nervous from what Laxus could tell. Why? He really had no idea.

Laxus sighed in annoyance. "Ever! Seriously, stop. You're making me dizzy. What's got you pacing?" Laxus asked as he rubbed his temples.

Evergreen fidgeted in place as she shuffled her feet and nibbled on her bottom lip. Yup, she was definitely nervous. He wanted to snap at her but he knew to give her time to sort through her thoughts.

"Do you think she'll like everything?" Evergreen finally asked.

Laxus' eyes popped open like it was the most ridiculous question ever. And to him it was. Why would Lucy like what Ever got her? Lucy wasn't mean, he didn't know if the girl even knew how to be mean to someone.

"What are you talking about, woman?" Laxus asked with a sigh.

"I tried to remember her style and the things she liked. I couldn't remember everything though. Do you think I should have just got one of everything? Maybe I didn't get what she liked. I don't know if-" Evergreen began questioning.

Laxus had to cut her off or she was going to pass out from not getting enough air. Not to mention the woman sounded crazy at this point.

"Ever!" Laxus snapped. "Calm down. I'm sure everything you got is fine. Plus, it's Lucy, she wouldn't be so mean to say something bad about what you got." Laxus explained feeling exhausted by the conversation already.

Evergreen's shoulders sagged as she mumbled. "I hope you're right."

Well, there's that chapter.

I promise it'll get a bit more exciting next chapter.

Enjoy!

And Thank you for your support!