Hi everyone! I just want to say thank you to all of you who have favorited my story and are following along! I originally planned making this story focused on Gajeel and Levy but i decided to include Natsu and Lucy, so i apologize to the NaLu fans if they don't get as much written about them as GaLe but i'll try to even it out. Also the relationship between the pairings will take a bit of time to build to the point that romance is appropriate between them so things may feel like they're dragging on but i assure you the pairings will eventually come together. Anyways, sorry for the long intro, enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail, Hiro Mashima does.

Chapter 6

(Lucy's POV) Lucy didn't know when it happened or even how but she found herself floating in utter darkness. Nothing existed here, no sound, no light, no feeling, no memories, nothing. She found herself devoid of any mental or physical anguish she had once felt, she was something of a shell, a husk of who she once was. She felt as if she'd been levitating in this same spot for years, time crawled by as she found herself just staring into emptiness. The darkness began to slowly give way to a bit of light, not knowing why her environment begun to undergo such a sudden change Lucy felt uneasiness bubble in her mind. The blackness faded to grey as grey faded to white and suddenly her body began to tingle and it felt as if pins were pricking her flesh. Sudden flashes of previous events drifted back into her mind as if they'd been dammed up and someone released the flood gate. She'd been on the verge of death.

Her eyes shot open in realization. 'We escaped! Oh no, where's Levy!' Her mind went back to the panther in the humid forest. Blinding light assaulted her vision and all her pain came forward at once, her back felt as if it'd been shredded and her body hit by a train. Her pain receptors screamed, hammering the sensory information into her brain. Lucy was disorientated and confused, she was on a soft surface and something hot was on top of her. Taking a moment to look down she spotted a white blanket covering her, looking round she realized she must be in a hospital of some sort. There was medical equipment laying around the room and a sterile smell to the air. Not only that but the air felt somehow sticky and thick, this told Lucy she was still in the forest region. She was too dazed and overloaded by her senses to stay focused on one thing for too long, eventually after a few more moments of thinking and taking in her surroundings she remembered her earlier panic. 'Levy.'

As Lucy snapped her neck to the right she saw nothing but a medical table and white splotches in her vision. She'd moved to quickly in her current condition causing her head to pound more than it already was and her vision to blur. Carefully she moved her head to the left hoping she'd see the familiar blue hair of her small friend. Relief washed over her as she spotted Levy in a medical bed a few feet from her own, Levy was also covered with a white blanket and fast asleep. Or at least that's what Lucy hoped anyways. 'She looks bad.. Please don't be in a coma Levy..' Her friend's face had a colorful bruise along her jaw and nose, most likely gained from when she had been attacked. Tears sprang to Lucy's eyes as she remembered just what happened to Levy. It had been her fault. 'It was all my fault.. If i hadn't picked up the pace of my show then Levy wouldn't have felt she needed to help me..' Her best friend had been assaulted because of her. Spiteful guilt rose in her throat as she felt so useless and conniving. She prayed Levy would somehow forgive her, she hadn't known that was going to happen. Lucy would have used everything in her power to stop Levy from suffering again but she was too late and the damage was now done.

Carefully lifting one of her arms she began slowly removing the blanket covering her from the world. She was surprised to find a pink pajama shirt and pants on her body, hospitals usually had gowns. 'Maybe this isn't a hospital..?' She didn't particularly care at the moment where they were as long as it was far away from Jose and his boss's grip. Lucy hadn't known much about Jose's boss except his name was Ivan and he was the master of the guild Jose worked in. Ivan controlled the Desert City with violence and organized crime, he'd been there the day her and Levy had been branded with his guild's insignia. 'What if this is a guild..?' A prick of fear jabbed her mind at the thought of them being in another guild, 'What if they work with Jose and Ivan..' This caused her to sit up and swing her legs to the side of the bed as quickly and quietly as she possibly could while injured. Hobbling to her feet her exhausted damaged body ached, but she didn't care. Lucy felt as if she were a fawn walking for the first time, her legs shook and threatened to give out. This was definitely from her overexerting herself to the point of unconsciousness, her feet and calves screamed at each stumbling movement.

She put her arms out onto the bed which Levy rested on, supporting her weight and taking a break from her painful legs. 'This isn't over yet, we're in the clear now, Levy won't die and i had a rest. I can do this.' Lucy just had to carry Levy out of here and go a bit farther. She couldn't risk finding out if this place was friendly or not, as Lucy lifted her head she spotted the bag of their money in the corner of the whitewashed room. 'At least their not thieves..' She was truly grateful to whoever had healed her and Levy but that didn't mean she owed that person the grace of sticking around. She would not trust anyone again, last time she was naive she landed herself and her best friend in a strip club that may as well have been a prison. She would not subjugate herself and Levy to anything like that ever again.

Lucy knew she couldn't just walk right out of the door, there were most likely people. She hadn't focused on the sounds around her until now, outside the brown wooden door she could hear the clamour of people. Chairs scraping the floor, glass being broke and people chaotically speaking in a range of different tones. 'How did i not hear this as soon as i woke up?' She sweatdropped, maybe she was in worse condition than she had originally thought. Looking to the side of the room she found two large windows, 'Perfect.' This time she hoped there was no dumpster of booze bottles to 'cushion' her fall. Just the thought had her wincing at the dull searing pain of her back. 'It'll probably scar..'

Carefully she slid her arms underneath Levy's neck and knees, lifting her into Lucy's chest. Steadying herself she began her struggle towards the window, she'd have to open it and assess the fall first before they could slip out. Gently she sat Levy in an upright position on the chair near her, next she grabbed the sack on the right of the chair and put it by Levy's feet. She felt guilt strike her as she looked her friend over, she wore light blue pajamas that hid most of her skin and Lucy knew just what marks marred her. 'Quickly and quietly..' She had a butterfly of anxiety in her stomach, she didn't know when or if someone would enter the room but she hoped it wouldn't be soon. Lucy reached a string dangling from the window and pulled it lifting the blinds. Outside could see a sea of green and brown, the blue sky was partially hidden by large grey clouds that looked as if they would burst any moment. 'At least it's daytime. There shouldn't be too many predators out..' She slid the wooden window upwards enough for herself to fit out along with Levy, they were ground level much to Lucy's relief.

The thunderous footsteps she'd been hearing the whole time suddenly began to make there way towards the door which hid Lucy's ongoing escape. 'Oh no.' Adrenaline surged throughout her body as she ran towards the nightstand that had been between her and Levy's beds, on it was a pair of sharp metallic scissors. She didn't want to hurt anyone but she also wouldn't allow herself or Levy to be hurt either. Lucy quietly ran behind the door and stood completely still, heart hammering in her chest, waiting for it to open. 'I'll just use intimidation, when they walk in i'll grab them from behind and put the scissors to their throat. Make them face the wall and then i'll grab Levy and go.' Lucy didn't know how she'd make them stay facing the wall but she supposed she could bluff being able to use magic to scare them. Shaking and sweating, she clutched the scissors to her chest as the doorknob turned. Creeeak. The door opened slowly and Lucy's heart hammered even harder.

A child walked in the room, she had long dark blue hair and wore a beautiful dress that was an array of blues and greens reaching to her thighs. This threw Lucy completely off, she had definitely not been expecting a young girl to walk into the room, if anything she had expected a large man by the sound of the footsteps that had clambered down the hall. 'I can't do this to a kid!' Lucy absolutely could not hold scissors to this girl's throat and threaten her, the child stopped dead in her tracks as she noticed the medical beds were empty. Lucy had no idea what to do, 'Maybe i can just tell her i'm leaving?' This girl didn't appear threatening at all, her eyes darted to the girl's small hands noticing she wore no magically attributed rings. 'Not a magic user.' Lucy sighed in relief but still felt anxiety, the girl turned and looked straight at Lucy. Her brown eyes wide and bewildered as she noticed the scissors in Lucy's hand and Levy in the corner of the room next to an open window.

"U-Um, it's okay.." The child begun, putting her hands infront of herself almost defensively. Lucy let her arms fall to her sides trying to become less threatening, she didn't want the girl to scream or run for help. At this the girl visibly relaxed a bit. "I'm sure you're very confused right now, please lay back down and i'll explain what's happening?"

Her voice was soft and shy as she tried to reason with Lucy. Lucy appreciated the girl wanted to help but she couldn't stick around longer, she had to leave now. "I'm sorry, but i have to go." Lucy quickly walked over towards Levy. "Please give my thanks to whoever healed me and my friend. We're both very grateful."

"Ah! No you can't go yet! Your injuries are not fully healed yet, neither are your friend's. You might open some of her wounds if you move her around too much!" The girl panicked as she watched the strange woman reach for her friend. She hurried over in an attempt to stop Lucy.

"She'll be okay! Don't worry, i won't be rough to her." Lucy told the girl, trying to sate the girl's worry. She truthfully wasn't as panicked anymore since she was only talking to a child, as long as she kept the girl quiet for a bit longer Lucy would be able to get away. The girl continued her protests and attempts to stop Lucy as she was about to lift her friend. Suddenly a pink haired man loitered into the room.

"Oi Wendy! When are they gonna wake up~~ I'm so bored and wanna fight them!" His voice was whiny as he looked up. His face went blank as he saw the scene infront of him. Lucy tensed seeing this man and brought the scissors up in a defensive position. Wendy became more flustered asking Lucy to calm down. 'Crap.' This man also wore no rings, he was not a magic user either, but he was well built. 'This is going to be difficult..'

"S-Stay back!" She pointed the scissors at the man in an attempt to threaten him but only succeeded in somehow making him smile.

"Alright! Now we're talking." He laughed, ignorant to what was truly going on. Wendy flailed her arms.

"No Natsu-san! She isn't fully healed yet! She's trying to leave and won't listen to me." Natsu finally noticed the open window and the other girl sitting unconscious by it. He looked at Lucy for a moment then shrugged, beginning to walk towards her. Lucy prepared to fight him off when a scarlet haired woman appeared behind him and hit him aside his head. Natsu fell to the ground moaning in pain. Lucy's heart skipped a beat when she saw the rings on the woman's fingers. 'Magic..' She didn't know how she'd get away now, the child had held her up too long and now two others were in the room.

"I'm very sorry about him. My name is Erza, you have nothing to fear. My comrade and I are the ones who found you and your friend in the forest and brought you here." The woman gently told Lucy. For a moment Lucy relaxed, 'Is this really okay?' She didn't know if she could stay here longer, she couldn't risk her and Levy's well being again. Suddenly her legs gave out and she collapsed to the hard ground, Erza and Wendy had tried to reach out to stop the fall but it was too late. Pain coursed throughout Lucy's body and tears came to her eyes. She just knew this had to be a trap, she should have just followed through with her intimidation plan. She brought her knees to her chest and began to cry. Bitter tears rolled down her face and she loathed herself.

"..Are you alright..?" The woman known as Erza stretched a hand towards her shocked at the sudden tears. Wendy crouched and sympathetically rubbed the blonde's back.

"Please, please just let Levy-chan go. You can keep me but please take her somewhere she'll be safe! I won't try to run away again, i promise you that if you just let her go!" Lucy sobbed, begging for them to do as she said. 'I can't let her end up trapped again because of me…'

Suddenly a masculine pair of arms were around Lucy but she couldn't react, her body was spent from the moving around she had done and she knew she needed more rest. She felt herself be lifted from the ground and taken across the room to the bed she'd once been in. As she cried the man carefully took the scissors from her hands and set them next to the night stand she took them from. This small action spoke volumes to Lucy, 'Why would he put them back in my reach.. I could use them as a weapon if i wanted to..' She looked at the man's obsidian colored eyes and saw a kindness within them. She felt regret and naivety flood into her system as she felt herself wanting to believe these strangers were actually helping them. Lucy let out a bitterly harsh laugh. "I'm such a idiot.."

There was no way they'd let Levy go, Lucy knew they probably had a bounty on their heads, Jose was a terrible man. "You're going to return us to Jose aren't you…"

More tears streamed down her cheeks and everyone in the room grew silent. Lucy didn't know but she'd just confirmed something for these strangers. The young girl walked over to her and offered a tissue box that Lucy took. Regret hit her as she took it. 'They're just trying to gain my trust..' She knew this had to be some trick. The man in front of her backed away, giving Lucy her personal space. He looked at her with total honesty.

"We're not handing you over to anyone, you and your friend are safe." He said, "Now get some rest, i plan on showing you around when you wake up again." His face lit up into a grin, it's been awhile since Lucy saw such a pure grin grace a man's face. She felt warm inside for a moment, as if she could maybe trust this man, but she immediately felt naive. She watched as Erza carefully plucked Levy from the chair and set her on the bed again.

"You need more rest, but before you do, does this man Jose, work with someone called Ivan?" Erza questioned, staring at Lucy intently. Lucy knew they were going to be handed back, but she was far too drained both physically and emotionally to fight anymore.

"Yes. A man named Jose works for him, he's the one who trapped us in that hell." Her voice was hollow and eyes heavy. Erza walked towards her and put a hand on her shoulder.

"We're called Fairy Tail, i'm sorry we didn't properly introduce ourselves. I'm Erza, that is Wendy and that's Natsu. Wendy and another woman are the ones who healed you. I did the bandages." Erza finished proudly, picking a mirror up from the nightstand drawer showing Lucy her reflection. On the bandage around Lucy's head there was a tiny red headed character with the words 'Get Better' wrote next to it. "I thought it would make you feel better." She said with confidence.

Lucy stared at the drawing, once again feeling a warmth and hope in her damaged soul. 'Please let this be real..' She put on a smile, although it was completely forced, and cleared her throat. "My name is Lucy. That is my best friend Levy."

With that she laid her body down into the comfort of the bed and felt drowsiness overtake her, washing away any feelings she had at the moment.

(Natsu's POV) Natsu felt anger bubble up his throat as if it were the fire he breathed. He didn't even know this person but the way she cried and pleaded them to spare her friend sparked something inside of him. He wanted to kick Ivan's, Jose's, whoevers ass that made this woman named Lucy so broken. Her eyes were hauntingly empty as she broke and gave them her name. He could tell she didn't trust them and she was convinced they would turn them over. For some reason that hurt him, he wanted to help this person in front of him. 'No one should feel like the world's out to get them.' Truthfully when Master first told him he was going to be Lucy's body guard he didn't want to very much. He didn't want to spend his time watching someone when he could be out doing missions or having fun, but after seeing her spirit break in such a way he only wanted to make her laugh. He wanted her to have fun and enjoy things, so he wanted them to enjoy things together.

Natsu couldn't quite put his finger on it but for some reason when he felt drawn to her, he'd checked on her multiple times while she was sleeping. His inner dragon wouldn't allow him to go two hours without checking in on her. He already had an idea for when she woke up, he'd ask her to be his partner! Then he, Happy and Lucy could all enjoy things together. He grinned at his solution, it would also shut his annoying instincts up. He just had to wait for her to wake up now is all. Natsu joyfully walked into the guild hall and sat next to Grey, who was clad in a pair of boxers.

"Hey! Put on some clothes you ice pervert!" Natsu fumed angrily at Grey.

"Mind your own buisness flame brain!" The naked ice mage shouted back causing Natsu to jump up and swing at him. Grey lifted his chair and used it as a shield, it broke into many pieces and flew everywhere across the guild. One piece in particular flying into Gajeel's face, causing him to have a giant wooden splinter. Suddenly Natsu felt a metal pole slam into the back of his head and a loud clang was heard.

"Gajeel, you bastard!" Spewing fire towards him, he ran over. Gajeel stood from his seat with a scowl on his face.

(Gajeel's POV) He really didn't feel like dealing with Natsu right now. He'd overheard the situation the transpired within the infirmary, now just wanted some peaceful quiet time alone to wallow in self hatred. Instead he got a giant fucking splinter embedded in his face by a moron. It's been three days since the two girls were brought here, and three days he'd been feeling like shit. Makarov and Lily both insisted to him it wasn't his fault and that he had no reason to carry so much guilt. But he knew to a degree it was. Now he just had to sit and wait for the shrimp to wake up and somehow face her. He didn't know how he was going to deal with this situation, Porlyusica had explained to him the woman he now knew as Levy, condition.

He couldn't help but feel someone else would be a lot better for this job, not only was he Ivan's right hand man, he was also sketchy looking. Gajeel knew how he looked, piercings, red eyes, dark clothes, not to mention being among the taller men of the guild. This girl was going to be shitting her pants when she saw who was supposed to 'be near her at all times.' He didn't want to feel her judgement or the sting of distrust, but he has to since Master put him up to this. 'For now, i'll just whoop Salamander's ass.' He dodged a fireball and jumped across a few tables, a good fight usually helped clear his mind. Gihi.

Author's Notes:

Hey guys! So i tend to procrastinate, i've been on and off working on this chapter for a few days. I skimped out a bit on mental anguish Gajeel should be feeling in his POV at the end because i'd already portrayed just how badly he's feeling multiple times and didn't want to sound like a broken record, what do you guys think? Should i constantly have the characters feeling emotions or should i sometimes skimp a bit like i did with Gajeel at the end? Anyways, sorry this was a short chapter and slightly uneventful chapter, the next one more will happen i swear!