Here is the last chapter of A Place Called Home. Hope you enjoy!

A Place Called Home

Chapter 9

Cobra tenderly brushed strands of hair off of Lucy's slumbering face. Listening to her steady breathing and steady heartbeat, allowing the soothing melodies to calm him as he took in the fact that he was now mated to the most wonderful woman in Earthland. She was everything that he could have dreamed of, and so much more.

Damn, she was turning him into a sap already. The thought brought a small smile to his lips as he lowered his head and pressed a kiss to her temple. Chuckling when she mumbled and shifted closer to him, nuzzling her head into his shoulder, and as a response he wrapped an arm around her, hugging her even closer.

Nothing could tear her from him now, he would go to any lengths necessary to ensure that she was provided for, that she was protected, that she would always get what she deserved. Giving a sigh as everything seemed to finally settle around him, he pressed another kiss to her temple and allowed his eye to close as he fell asleep beside her.

Lucy stretched as she slowly started to wake. Giving a small groan as her body protested some of the movements, especially in her lower regions and lower back.

"A hot bath will work your muscles out, and ease your soreness. I apologize for being too rough last night." Cobra whispered above her, causing her to smile and nuzzle into his chest.

"No need to apologize, I'm alright. Although, that bath does sound good." She muttered, peppering a few kisses along his collarbone. Smirking when he gave a breathy moan before moving away from her and gently raising her chin.

"No playing this morning. You need to unwind, and we need to get ready to face the guild." He muttered, causing her to blink and then smile teasingly up at him.

"How are you planning on telling them all? All my siblings will be out for you. You sure it is safe to tell them so soon?" She asked, watching as he smirked and nudged his nose against hers.

"The longer I wait, the more pain I will be dealt. I'm hoping that they'll go easy on me since we're already mated." He stated, massaging her lower back. She sighed as her body began to relax, and then smiled up at him.

"Sounds like a good plan." She muttered, pecking him on the lips before twisting her body to sit up. Giving another stretch, and feeling his eye travel her bare body, she giggled and stood in all her glory.

"I'm going to go take that bath. Would you mind to start on breakfast?" She asked, waiting until he gave a nod and then headed to the bathroom. Once she was behind the door, she started to gnaw on her bottom lip as everything that happened last night rushed to her. Her body immediately began to heat up at the memories, and she shivered as the cool air in the bathroom did nothing to help. Giving a shake of her head, she stepped farther into the bathroom, only to stop when something in the mirror caught her attention.

Blinking to ensure that what she was seeing was correct, she then moved forward and touched the left side of her neck. Where small, purple scales were formed. The exact kind of scales that formed on Cobra when he got serious with his Dragon Slayer magic. Stepping back, she wondered if it had something to do with them being mated, and decided to ask Cobra when she got out of the bath. She knew not to really worry about it, since she knew deep down that Cobra would never do something that would endanger her. So, with that thought, she started her bath and was soon relaxing in the warm, bubbly water.

"Lucy, I'm coming in." Cobra called out a few minutes later. Giving a smile, she called him in and blinked when she saw him enter while carrying a tray. Then giggled when he lowered it down to her level, to show her that it had a cup of hot tea, her small sugar bowl, and even a spoon on top of a napkin.

"Careful, spoil me too much and you'll regret it." She stated, feeling her breath hitch when he smiled and leaned forward.

"It'd be worth it." He growled, pressing a quick, breath taking kiss on her lips before pulling away.

"Soak as long as you want, breakfast will still be warm when you get out." He muttered, causing her to give a nod while still in a daze. Only to blink as she saw his gaze go to the left side of her neck, and recalled what was there.

"Is that your mark? On my neck?" She asked, watching as he blinked and then smiled down at her with a nod.

"It will stay like that for about a week, and then fade into your skin. Other slayers will still be able to see it, as well as their mates, but anyone else will just see skin after the week is up. It also connects you to me, we can share all sorts of things later on when our bond is stronger. It can even be used as a tracking device should the need to rise." He stated, causing her to smile and faintly touch the mark.

"Mmm. I'll be out in a bit." She whispered, getting another kiss from him before sitting back and watching him walk out in nothing but a pare of faded jeans. Giving a smile, she took hold of the tea and added some sugar before taking a sip. Smiling as the sweet liquid settled over tongue, traveled down her throat, and began to warm her body from the inside.

She didn't soak for long, and was soon back in her room slipping into a sweater and a comfortable pair of jeans. Then moved into the kitchen, smiling as she watched Cobra finish setting the table and placing the food on plates.

"Just in time." He stated, causing her to smile and sit down as he placed food in front of her and settled across from her.

"This looks amazing." She exclaimed, giving a moan as she took a bite and realized that it tasted as good as it looked. Smiling over at him, and gave a wink to show that she loved it before watching as he took a bite as well. Although, she noted that he had poured a bit of his self made poison over it.

"Does being mated to you also mean that I will be immune to poisons like you are?" She asked, watching as he blinked before giving a small nod of his head.

"Some poisons will still have an effect on you determining how strong the dosage is. However, nothing will kill you." He stated, causing her to smile and give a nod. Her curiosity sated for now.

Cobra felt as if he was heading to his death as the Fairy Tail guild became closer and closer. He knew that so many people would want his head on a platter once they all realized that he was mated to their precious light. However, regardless of how much they hated him because of it, he wasn't going to regret it. While she might be the light of Fairy Tail, she was so much more than him.

"Calm down Cobra. They might fuss and tease, but I doubt that anyone is really going to do anything...too drastic. Hopefully." Lucy muttered, causing him to give a sigh and smile over at her.

"You do recall this is Fairy Tail that we are talking about. No one knows what they will do." He muttered, watching as she blinked and looked over at him. A contemplative look coming over her face, causing him to blink and step closer.

"What are you thinking about?" He asked, having already decided that he would ensure that he never listened in on her soul unless he deemed it absolutely necessary.

"Oh, nothing much. Just, don't worry about it." She stated, giving him a smile that had his heart stopping. Giving a mental groan, he allowed her to take his hand and move them quicker toward the guild. Within moments, they were through the door and Lucy was calling out her usual greeting, while heading straight for the bar to get her usual smoothie. Cobra followed behind her, ignoring the confused looks, and some glares.

"Lucy, is everything alright...What is that on your neck?" Erza suddenly asked, causing him to tense and look over her shoulder to see the scarlet haired woman looking at his mate, before glaring at him.

"It's my mating mark. I am now officially mated to Cobra." Lucy exclaimed, causing him to stare at her in shock at just announcing it out right. Everyone else was staring at her as if she was out of her mind, but she was merely smiling and even latched onto his arm.

"Cobra...Lucy...You two...What?" Erza muttered, pointing at both of them before giving a blink and then scowling at him.

"Cobra! If you..."

"Stop right there Erza. He told me everything that I was to expect out of being his mate. Not to mention, I've already told you that I like him. I agreed to be his mate. Got it." Lucy growled out, crossing her arms and glaring at the equip mage who had stopped talking at stared at her.

"Luce. Is it really what you want?" Natsu asked, causing Lucy to turn to him with a smile.

"Yes Natsu. This is what I want. He's also already told me that if I ever feel the need to end the relationship between us, which I never will, I merely just have to say so." She stated, and he looked around as all the slayers' eyes widened at that, before finally relaxing.

"Still. Isn't it too soon?" Gray spoke up, and he watched as Lucy shook her head and took hold of his head.

"I don't think it is. I've always felt something for Cobra, and he returns those feelings. Right?" She asked, causing him to blink before wrapping her in a hug.

"Damn straight." He muttered, watching as she smiled at him and then smiled at the others.

"Everything is fine, so no need to attempt to dismember him Erza." She stated, causing him to look at the woman who looked confusion. Erza stayed quiet for a moment, and then gave a sigh.

"Very well." Erza stated, and Lucy smiled before getting a mischievous look in her eyes.

"Besides. I think everyone else would be more interested in why you have a few bruises on your own neck." She stated, causing Cobra to nearly choke as he glanced down and indeed saw bruises around Erza's neck. His gaze then traveled to Jellal, who was as red as his girlfriend's face and then burst out laughing.

"I see I'm not the only one who got lucky." He laughed out, and then blinked when he heard Midnight start laughing. He studied his old friend for a moment, and then chuckled.

"What are you laughing at, Midnight. Why don't you tell everyone what transpired between you and Mira last night?" He called out, making the entire guild go silent before all eyes spun toward the bar maid and the man sitting in front of her. Both of them frozen and staring at Cobra in shock. Midnight choked as he got to his feet.

"The hell man!" He shouted, a blush across his face as Mira covered her face in embarrassment. Cobra merely smiled and then tugged Lucy back as Elfman suddenly gave a loud cry and headed for his sister, causing Midnight to back off as the huge man stopped in front of the she-demon.

"Mira?" Elfman asked, and then Cobra blinked before tensing and resting a hand on his mate's shoulder.

"Want to take a very early honeymoon?" He asked, keeping his eye on the still and quiet bar maid.

"What do you mean?" She asked, and he just tightened his hold briefly.

"Yes or no?" He hissed out, risking a glance down to see her shrug before giving a nod.

"I guess."

"Good. Lets go." He growled, spinning her around and giving a chuckle as an all too familiar aura began to settle over the guild.

"Why is Mira going all demonic?" Lucy suddenly asked, picking up the pace without his ushering.

"She didn't like the fact that I made her relationship public. Thought I should get away while I could." He stated, chuckling when she laughed.

"Then why bring me?" She asked, and he smirked when he heard the teasing in her voice.

"Because, I'm never leaving you behind." He stated, stealing a quick kiss before giving a laugh as Mira let out a screech.

"Cobra! You're dead if I get a hold of you!" The scream sent a shiver through him, but blinked when Lucy took his hand.

"No worries, I'll calm her down when we get back. If she attempts to kill you I'll tell her she can't be godmother." Lucy laughed out!

There you have it! The final chapter of A Place Called Home! (Also, I might come back and edit some of this later.)