Chapter 86

"It's Lucy! Something's wrong!" Natsu was, for the lack of a better term, distraught. She'd never seen him look so scared. The poor man was pulling at his hair and looked like he was half a second from going crazy, so Levy knew it had to be something serious. She stood up as quickly as she could, this time accepting Lily's help when he rushed to her to offer his hand. She couldn't afford to be petty and slow them all down. When it came to childbirth... some complications... let's just say, even seconds were precious. They could not waste an instant.

"Take me to her. Quickly."

"Station 4, in position. All clear."

"Station 5, in position."

"Roger. All stations are in position. Where are our special units?"

"Van 1, in position. Armed and Ready. Awaiting orders."

"Van 2, in position. Ditto."

"Um," a timid voice came, "Juvia is also in position."

"Juvia, maintain radio silence on your end unless you feel you are in danger." Gajeel ordered into the radio, keeping his tone gentle. He knew the woman was nervous. She was a well-trained silencer for the family, but it had been years since she'd done any work like this. She was rusty, and now she had a husband and child she needed to stay alive for. She was up against a serial killer, whose only motive seemed to be killing the women related to Fairy Tail. They had little information on this man. They didn't know if he killed on site, or kidnapped then killed... and that only added to the stress. Juvia couldn't even wear a Kevlar vest, because it would show through her dress. Gajeel had insisted she change into something she could hide a vest under, but both his father and, surprisingly, Juvia insisted otherwise. It would look too suspicious if she suddenly changed the way she dressed and, as it was summer, she'd taken to wearing thin dresses that hugged her skin. They knew their serial killer had likely been tracking her for a few days, so acting out of the ordinary in any way might set him off.

Now it was a waiting game. Juvia was to follow the routine they'd agreed on, and if all went well... the killer would strike tonight. Because she had a habit of walking two blocks to the local pool in the evening to do laps. It was a habit she'd had most of her life, as she found the swims to be relaxing before bed. Sometimes she took her daughter, but mostly she went alone. It was the perfect chance for anyone with malicious intent to strike, and everyone was both hopeful and fearful about tonight. There was something dangerous in the air, and everyone could feel it. It made them all anxious.

"Everyone is in position. It's time to spring the trap." Gajeel declared into the radio. "Juvia. Start your walk."

Blood. There was so much blood. Too much blood. Poor Lucy was unconscious and laid in what looked like a pool of blood, and Levy felt her own blood leave her face in a wave. This is bad! It took every ounce of professionalism and experience ingrained into her to keep her from panicking like Natsu was still doing. Instead, she steeled her nerves, hardened her face, and pinned Lily with a sharp stare.

"Call Wendy. Right Now. Tell her to go to the hospital and set up an operating room. Possibly placental abruption." she ordered sternly. Lily nodded and quickly pulled out his phone while Levy focused on Natsu, who was still freaking out. He wasn't listening to her, still panicking over his wife. "Natsu, listen to me!" Levy shouted, but she wasn't getting through to him. Doing all she could, she pulled her hand back and slapped him hard across the face. The shock of the hit and pain broke him from his panic, and he stared at her with wide eyes. "I need your help! Lucy needs your help! You need to stay calm and listen to me, understand?" Levy demanded sharply. The man nodded mutely, and Levy pointed to Lucy. "Pick her up. We need to get her to the hospital asap."

"But the security level..." Natsu looked conflicted even as he said that. Nobody was allowed in or out of the mansion right now, the only exception being Wendy and Gajeel.

"Fuck the security level, Natsu! She's going to die if she doesn't get to the hospital ASAP." Levy warned coldly, watching the man swallow thickly. A second later he had his wife in his arms. He looked nearly in tears as he held her, her blood getting on his arms. Lucy was so pale, and she was drifting in and out of consciousness. She lolled her head against her husband's shoulder, and a sound came from her lips that could only be described of as pain. Levy knew they needed to hurry.

"Get her to a car. Quickly!" She urged both men out the door, and the trio was soon hurrying down the hall.

They passed the Don's office on their way, just as Gajeel was stepping out with Freed and his father. His eyes widened at seeing his wife out in the open, large belly very visible. Not only that, she was running! A cruse was about to leave his lips, and he moved as if to stop his wife from acting so stupidly in her condition. But then he saw the unconscious, bloody, pregnant woman in Natsu's arms, and the fear and concern in everyone's eyes, and his own eyes widened further as he put pieces together. The order for her to stop died on his lips. He knew they were going to the hospital, knew they were going to break the security orders. He knew his wife was likely putting herself in harm's way. But he also knew she wasn't stupid enough to risk their daughter's safety. Or hers. She was going to do what she could for Lucy... but right now that was limited to getting her to the hospital.

Still, the urge to go with her to protect her, even from herself, filled him. Yet he had a horribly important task to see to. Juvia's life, and the lives of countless other women were on the line. He needed to stay here. Instead, he turned a hard look to his father.

"Go with them. Don't let her do anything stupid." he ordered, but the former don was already heading towards Levy with just that look. Despite knowing his father would keep a close watch on Levy, Gajeel still tightened his jaw as he watched his wife hurry down the hall. He'd seen the look on her face. Her eyes were hard, determined, but he'd seen fear in them. The husband in him wanted to hold her and kiss away her fear. But he couldn't do that, and he'd noticed her look seemed to be directed at Lucy. He understood from a mere glance at his wife... she was afraid the baby might not make it. And she was afraid the same thing might happen to her... to their baby. To Emma.

"Boss?" Freed stood there, staring at everything in confusion and worry. They had a seriously important task to handle, but the scene he'd just witnessed was also important. He didn't even want to comment on the condition he'd just seen Mrs. Redfox in, because clearly he was not meant to know of her condition, since it had yet to be announced.

"My wife is handling this problem. We have our own to see to." Gajeel decided firmly, his jaw tense and his words clipped as he turned back toward his office. "Give me a report on Juvia's condition. Now."

Guys, you have no idea how busy my life has become. OMG. I won't go into details but some shit has happened and just... ug. But the good news is school is out, and I should definitely have more time to work on this more. Look for some updates on my other stories soon, too. I mean soon as, like, Monday or Tuesday. I work weekends now. Joy.

Anyways, thank you so much for being so patient! Please, please, please tell me what you think of this chapter and the rest of the story. Seeing everyone comment is really a huge motivator to sit down and type. Thank you so much for being so awesome!

Sincerely,

Nerdy12