Summary: Betrayal. It's something we expect, but when it actually happens, we can take extreme measures to forget. Infidelity is the worst betrayal she could think of. And it happened.

Rating: M – visual intimacy, heartbreak, alcoholism and a whole bunch of stuff not for the faint hearted.

Author's Note: So sadly I missed updating last week and that is because I had no internet and home and sadly can't access my normal sites at work. Finally, we got a tech out to fix the connection so here's the update! Like I said, all updates will be quite small in comparison to my other work, but I hope you enjoy it!

Chapter 3: Helping Hand

"Master? Wouldn't there be someone… more suitable for this?" Wendy paced the office, the others in the room watching the young medic.

"Lucy would not have requested you if she did not have faith for you." Master Mavis appeared before them all, taking her place on the desk in the centre of the room, her feet dangling off the edge.

"Master Mavis! What has happened to Lucy? Why are we the only ones to know about her location?" Erza, fully equipped as though she were going to war, stood proudly, a determined gleam in her visible eye.

"Enough. That's enough. If you would all settle down, you would know exactly what's going on." Makarov slammed his beer on the table, taking his place next to the First Master, "Now then. As you all know, Lucy left us about three months ago. What you didn't know, is that she'd spoken to be before she did so…"

Shame made his shoulders sag and he sighed, " Before Lucy and Laxus had their rather… dramatic separation… What you didn't know, is that at the time, Lucy had only just discovered she was pregnant."

There was a heavy silence, the air chilling rapidly in one half of the room and the other side boiling. All the while a strong wind had picked up, tearing at their clothes and sending paperwork flying through the open window.

"She's what? And she's been on her own? How could you let her leave like that?" Wendy, though usually timid, had flared into a near Dragon fuelled rage, her hair shifting quickly between pink and blue.

"Please Wendy. Know that if I had the choice, I would not have let one of my children, let alone one as vulnerable as Lucy, to go on their own. But her spirits intervened, and I had no means of getting in touch with her. Until recently. And as you know, she has selected you lot to assist her in her current undertaking. One that I think you will all respect." Makarov sighed, mentally evaluating how important it was to go after his lost work, "Now, as you all know, Lucy once lived on a large estate…"

xXx Dollhouse xXx

"Lucy. You need to stop pacing. It isn't good for you or the baby." Loke placed a reassuring hand on his master shoulder, his eyes pinched when he noticed the pale quality she had taken on.

"But they're almost here Loke. And they must have been told… and, I just ran away like that. I just-"

"Lucy!" Her voice echoed through the valley, the sound causing the pair to spin and notice a group of quickly approaching mages, familiar mages, "Luce!"

Tears of joy and fear pooled in the blonde's eyes and she held her breath, watching the familiar blue and white exceeds race towards her holding equally precious cargo.

It was Wendy that got to her first, small arms wrapping tightly around the blonde's legs before a surprising soft embrace got her around the shoulders. The fresh wind and musky wood smells overwhelmed her, and a sob tore from her throat, her hands finding purchase around her family.

"It's alright Luce. We're here now…" Natsu soothed her, his gaze darting to the ginger haired spirit loyally by his master's side, "We'll help you so you're spirits can have a rest."

Loke looked like he was about to argue but shut his mouth when even Wendy shot him a fierce look, a protectiveness to her that only came when one had claimed another as kin. And everyone knew the slayers had claimed Lucy as part of their inner most family within the guild.

"Hey, this ain't the bunny girl I remember? Where's the spunk?" Gruff and to the point, Gajeel dropped his bag at his feet, his hands on his hips while he waited for the blonde to look at him.

"You can be such a brute Gaj. But I guess it's part of you're charm." Levy popped out from behind his bulk, her eyes glassy as she sent her best friend a smile, "Don't you think so Lucy?"

The blonde was speechless, having pulled away from Natsu while allowing Wendy to keep her hold. Her hands subconsciously travelled to her swollen belly, tears still streaming down her cheeks.

"Lucy! Please hit me! I have failed as both your friend and your nakama! It is the only punishment suitable!" The cry had a bout of laughter fall from the growing group and Lucy turned, Wendy in tow, to see Erza, Cana, Gray and Juvia approach at a far more subdued path than the former part of the team.

"You guys all came?" Lucy, breathless and mildly dizzy, couldn't stop herself from grinning.

"That's enough. You need to sit down or you'll collapse." Wendy stared up at the blonde her hands glowing faintly as she finished checking her over, "You're running on empty. Loke. She needs food. Natsu, carry her inside."

The team didn't question the young Wind Slayer, carrying out their orders despite Lucy's protests and following the lion spirit inside and through the maze of corridors.

"Wow Luce. Great place you have here." Natsu whistled, noticing the large windows that had been opened to allow the fresh spring air inside.

"But… didn't you say the Junelle corporation took it over?" Levy, every critical, noticed the way portraits sat on the floor, the aged marks on the wall telling her where each one belonged.

"Well… a lot has happened in the last three months. It all started when…"

xXx Dollhouse xXx

And that's that chapter. The next one will be more of a flash back to fill you all in on what happened so stay tuned! Let me know your thoughts!

Thank you to the following people for reviewing that last chapter:

Laxlu
Tiernank
Darkrubie
JenHeartAl