A/N: I have nothing to say but a thousand apologies T-T writer's block is a serious problem I'm having with Decoding right now... And I've realized there are some inconsistencies and plotholes throughout my work which I want to fix sometime when I have the time and energy.

With that said... I'm beyond regretful for making you all wait so long... But I'm grateful for all of your wonderful and encouraging reviews. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR THE SUPPORT! *bows* I will try to make this story worthy for a read!

Decoding

Laxus Dreyar was entirely too many things: too hot, too rich, too manipulating. And he has his sights set out for a certain, unsuspecting Heartfillia.

Chapter Seventeen

The Road to Lucy

The soft chirping of birds woke Lucy up the next day. She rubbed her eyes, her body feeling sluggish from laying down in one position for so long. It was past noon.

She looked around; the surroundings were familiar. The large queen sized bed she laid in was placed in the middle of the vast room, baby pink cabinets, little round tables, and chairs where set off to one side and a row of stuffed animals were lined up against the walls by the window.

This was her old room...

Capricorn must have brought me back to the Heartfilia Estate when he knocked me out yesterday, she sighed, massaging her sore neck as she looked around. Nothing was moved since she left. I guess I'm back after all...

"Miss Lucy!"

The door opened with a loud bang as a woman rushed into her room, eyes full of emotional tears. "Supetto-san!" Lucy gasped in surprise as the old maid pulled her into a tight hug.

Supetto was the old house maid who took care of cleaning the giant estate and would often come talk to the blond heiress when the girl was sad. Like all of the workers in the manor, they hold a special bond with the kind young Heartfilia.

Along with the old maid's loud outburst, more and more people started to file into her bedroom, all tearful and happy that she was back.

"She's back!"

"How have you been? I'm so...!"

"Miss Lucy! We missed you!"

"You've grown so much!"

Lucy smiled as she hugged each and every one of them. If there was one thing she missed about the estate, it was the workers. "I'm sorry for worrying you all," she said softly. Everyone's still the same.

Kaede, her old caretaker, came up to her with a frown. She looked very unhappy with the blond. Lucy coward a little when she met the woman's gaze... Her leave must have been especially hard the old woman.

"Lucy," she directly called her name and Lucy knew she was in trouble.

"K-Kaede-san, I'm sorry for just leaving like that... But I—" she didn't get to finish as she felt two wrinkly hands softly clasped her cheeks. Kaede stayed silent for a minute before tears started to fall.

"You silly child. I'm glad you're okay."

Lucy's lips quavered and soon she felt her eyes wetting as well. They may just be workers in the house, but they really were like a surrogate family to her. They cared so much for her and for her to just up and leave one day without telling them... She buried her head in the crook of Kaede's neck.

"I'm back..."

Kaede chuckled and patted the young Heartfilia's back in a slow, motherly motion. There was no need for much words, everyone just relished in silence at the loving scene. Lucy wanted to be mad at Capricorn for bringing her back, but right now, she couldn't find the heart to.

"Um, Lucy-sama," another younger maid walked in, breaking the emotional atmosphere. An apologetic smile was present on her face. "The master asks for your presence in the study."

Ah... He's rather quick to his objective.

Lucy nodded, blinking the rest of the tears away and stood up. She was finally here now after a year and a half, but all he said was to 'ask for her presence'...

"He hasn't changed, huh?" she said softly, more to herself but it was no question everyone in the room heard.

She felt Kaede's hand touched her arm, and she looked down at the hunched old woman. "You should give him a chance, Lucy," Kaede said.

Lucy only regarded her words with a tight-lipped frown before walking out of her bedroom. The maid sighed.

"They both need to be more open to each other, or this misunderstanding will never go away..."

. . .

Something definitely wasn't right.

Never once had the blond haired girl missed a day of school; Levy knew because even when the girl was sick she would drag her noodle-y body to class just so she wouldn't miss an important test that day.

Well, there didn't seem to be anything important going on in their classes today, but Levy couldn't be so sure the blond would skip it anyway. Unless she had something really important (she thought it was highly unlikely that anything was more important than the blond's grade) that she had to skip, of course, but that didn't make sense because the bluenette had tried texting and calling all day!

Why wasn't her friend answering back?

After her classes, Levy stopped in front of the school office and tried to ask the secretary there for the whereabouts of Lucy. It was not likely that they would give out such information even if they knew, but it was worth a try.

"Lucy Heartfilia?" the pink haired secretary looked up from behind the computer screen droned. "She called in absent today. That's all I can tell you."

"She did? Herself?" Levy pried.

The lady raised a pink eyebrow. "Why do you need to know?"

"Oh, come on! Please?" she gave her best puppy-dog eyes.

A sigh. "Fine. Someone named Capricorn. Her butler, I think."

Butler? Did Lu-chan ever mentioned that she had one? WHY would she need one...? Nonetheless, with that information Levy thanked and bowed respectfully at the school secretary and left.

Passing by the student council room, she vaguely remembered Lucy telling her about her council schedule. There usually was a meeting after school every other day... Or was it everyday?

"I should tell them anyway," Levy nodded to herself.

"Tell us what?"

"Eeep!" She snapped her head around at the sudden inquiry and breathed a sigh of relief when she saw who it was. The vice president stood behind her, silently waiting for her answer. "Justine-san, you scared me."

"My apologies," Freed replied with a bow.

He always has such good manners, Levy thought approvingly. She gave him a small smile, "I just wanted to tell the president that Lucy isn't here today in case the student council had a meeting."

The green haired male nodded. "I will tell him that. Is Heartfilia-san perhaps sick?"

Levy looked troubled. "Um, I don't really know. She got called in sick, but I haven't been able to contact her since yesterday. I'm going to check up on her right now, though."

"See that you do," he told her. She nodded, bidding the male goodbye before taking her leave. Freed watched until the petite girl was out of sight before turning around to open the council room door and walked in, positioning himself in front of the occupied chair.

Laxus looked at him expectantly.

"That was Levy McGarden," he said, knowing what the blond president was going to ask. "She wanted to tell you that Lucy Heartfilia is absent today. She seems unsure of Heartfilia-san's whereabouts herself."

The Heartfilia is not here? That's new, Laxus thought with a small smirk. Perhaps she was still rattled by their previous encounter. "It's good that we don't have a meeting today then, or it'll be troublesome to have unfinished work," he said, twirling a pen his in fingers casually.

"It will be easy to track her whereabouts," Freed supplied. He knew his friend for a long time and knew that sometimes he wasn't too straight with himself. It was obvious that Laxus was wondering where the Heartfilia was at. He's just not willing to admit it.

"I think you're meddling, Freed."

Freed felt compelled to sigh out loud, but that wouldn't be in character of him.

. . .

"Ugh..."

Levy rang the doorbell for the fifth time; nothing. Her brows were set deep with frustration and worry. Where in the world could she be? Come on! She was about to bang on the door when there was some sort of commotion coming from inside of the apartment.

"Lu-chan! Are you in there?" she called excitedly, trying to get a look through the peek holes in the door even if all she saw was a blob of darkness.

The door of the apartment swung open, but the occupant in there was not Lucy.

"Huh? Who are you?"

Levy jumped back defensively, "W-Who are you? Why are you in Lu-chan's ho—oh my god, a break-in?!" She was about to make a run for it when the intruder reached out and grabbed her arms hastily. She panicked, "Let go or I'll scream!"

"W-Wait!" the male stuttered, "You're from Lucy's rich kid school right?"

Levy stopped struggling and nodded. He sighed in relief.

"You must know where Lucy went then! Tell me!"

"I-I don't... But how do you know Lu-chan?" the bluenette inquired. She cautiously looked at the stranger, but her gut feeling told her that he was no one dangerous.

The male blinked at her question and then scratched his head sheepishly. The blue cat that was with him sniffed Levy's leg, making the girl quite uncomfortable.

"I'm Natsu Dragoneel, Lucy's best friend!"

Under normal circumstances Levy would have been happy to meet one of Lucy's friends from her old school, especially since the blond spoke so fondly of them. She has never met the salmon haired male in person, however, but he was cute. It was kind of like a goofy cute, though.

A secret boyfriend…? Her mind started to fantasize about the romance her no-nonsense friend could be having but she quickly shook her head. This was clearly not the right time or place for it.

"I'm Levy McGarden, Lu-chan's friend from Fairy Tail! Um, how did you get into Lu-chan's apartment...?" she asked. At the question Natsu grinned proudly. He had no shame in telling his new bluenette friend about his perferred method of entering a house. Levy, although a little creeped out, nodded meekly and got on with what she originally came for.

"I'm guessing you're here to find out where she went as well?"

Natsu's grin turned solemn and he nodded. "She doesn't just disappear like that."

The bluenette sighed and leaned against the wall, defeated. If even the blond's closest friend didn't know of her whereabouts, just where in the world could she disappear to? "All I know is that a man named Capricorn called her in 'sick' this morning, but it's suspicious because she's been missing since yesterday!"

"Where have I heard..." Natsu scrunched his nose in thought; then his eyes lit up. "I know where she is! Come on, Happy!"

He dashed back into the apartment with the cat right behind him and, to Levy's surprise, jumped out of the window from the multiple story building. "What the—hold on!" she hastily shut the door and made a mad dash down the apartment stairs.

"N-Natsu-san, wait for me!"

. . .

"Again?" the pink haired secretary droned as she typed away without even looking up from her computer. "Aren't you kids suppose to be out of this building by now?"

Freed apologized softly for the unconvinced that the secretary was apparently put through twice, but stood his ground. It was unnecessary for him to breach into the school's attendance when he could just ask. He supposed it was more polite that way, too.

The pink haired secretary blew out a long breath, "Mr. Capricorn called her in for a family emergency."

"Thank you."

"...Geez, what is with—" She stopped mid-speech when the office door closed with a small click. Her eye twitched. That damned kid left already.

Kids these days.

. . .

Lucy knocked on the door to her father's study.

"Come in."

Hearing his monotone reply, she inhaled deeply and mentally prepared herself before twisting the knob and opening the door. She saw her father hunched slightly over his great cherry-wood desk, writing.

He barely made an effort to look at her in the eye.

"Well, I'm here now. Not that I had a choice," Lucy said evenly, trying not to let her distaste seep through.

"You shouldn't have let Capricorn go through all that trouble to get you. When I ask that you come home, it should be obvious that you do so without complaint," Jude finally looked up from his business and locked his eyes with Lucy's chocolate orbs. He was just as she remembered him to be; stern and uncaring.

"There's nothing for me to do here. It's not like you stopped me from cutting ties with this family. I don't have to come at your beck and call—"

"I am your father!" Jude bellowed. From his expression, one would think that he was highly upset. But upset he may be, Lucy concluded that it was only because she disobeyed his orders, not because he cared for her.

Her mouth closed into a thin line. Typical.

"Lucy," his tone was a lot softer this time when he addressed her, "It's time that you come back home... Please."

Lucy was caught slightly by surprise. She has never heard her father utter a plead to anyone before.

"...Why?"

"You are a Heartfilia."

She almost snorted right afterwards. Was that all he cared about? A name? A title he must have someone continuing? "Hah..."

"And you are my daughter. I cannot have you running around with those plebeians you call 'friends.' They are unworthy of—"

"You don't know them!" Lucy yelled.

Her father can insult her all he wanted, but she will not allow him to badmouth her precious friends! Natsu and the others were the ones who picked her up when she was down; they were the ones who taught her companionship and relying on each other... Without them, she would still be a mess.

"I don't need to know them to know that they are different from us," Jude replied, standing up from his seat. "Lucy, don't be childish. You have to grow up and be the person you were born to be. Your place is not with them."

"'Them?' How can you say something like that without feeling like a hypocrite?" Lucy let out a mocking laugh, "Have you forgotten, Father? You and mama were just like 'them' before your success!"

Jude scoffed. "Bottom feeders will always be bottom feeders unless they have the ability to change it! I changed it and made sure to give you and your mother a better life!"

"Money and power isn't everything, father! My friends have given me riches with their love, and that's..." she looked away briefly before glaring at her father once more, chocolate eyes shone with un-shed tears, "...that's all I ever wanted."

Silence filled the air as the two Heartfilias stood their ground. Finally, it was the older man who spoke.

"Do you believe that I don't care about you, Lucy?"

"I know enough that you've never tried to listen to what I have to say," Lucy bit out. "Ever since mama died..."

Jude walked towards his daughter, his expression softened as a memory of Layla surfaced to his mind. "You remind me so much of Layla. You got her fiery spirit..." He looked dejected when his daughter moved away as he tried to touch her face. He closed his eyes briefly before it opened with resolve, "Your mother would want you to be here. Don't disappoint that with all we've done for you."

"Mama..." Lucy balled her fists at her sides, anger building up at her father's presumptuous claim. "Mama would want me to be happy wherever I am!"

"You should be happy you bear the Heartfilia name," Jude wanted to bring this discussion to a close. He faced out the bay window in his office. "I will have no more talk of this. Go back to your room, Lucy."

"...Father, please don't be mistaken..."

Jude turned back around to see his daughter addressing him with a powerful stare. "I don't intend to stay. I could have left before the maids requested that I come see you. I only came here to tell you exactly how I feel before I leave again!"

"L-Lucy..."

"Happiness can't just be chosen for you. It's something you find and hold on to... And I've already found it and want to follow my own path! Isn't that what you've done when you met mama?" Lucy declared with a determination Jude has never seen before in the years he's watched her grow. "I don't desire all of the materialistic things the Heartfilia name can provide... My friends already gave me everything I need. They see me not as the heiress of a multi-million corporation, but just plain old Lucy. They have become another family to me, a much more warmhearted one than what I have here."

She's... The older Heartfilia couldn't move his legs as he watched Lucy walk towards the office door, intending to leave.

"And I know... It's still painful to leave everyone here. I've had good memories here when mama was alive... Kaede-san, Supetto-san, Grandpa Belo, Ribbon, Aed... And perhaps even you, father, leaving all of you guys behind is painful. But honestly..."

"If mama were still alive, I think she'd tell me to do what I want for my happiness."

Jude lifted a hand feebly before retracting it again, eyes widening as he thought he caught a glimpse of the spirit of Layla behind Lucy's disappearing form.

Layla... Our daughter...

"Goodbye, papa..."

The door closed with a quiet click and he was all alone again. This time, he didn't call anyone to stop Lucy because he decided it was time give her that happiness, not because he was convinced she would come crawling back again.

She's truly all grown up now.

. . .

Levy was panting as she tried to catch up with the energetic male and his odd blue cat. She was surprised to see him already up and about after feeling sick and nearly puking earlier in the cab they've caught. She had watched the male confusingly spew out some instructions to the driver, and she didn't know if the driver understood but he had taken them to this vast property that seemed to stretch on for miles.

"Natsu-san, slow down!" she called helplessly from behind. "A-Are you sure we are at the right place? This looks like private property!"

"Just follow me!" Natsu reassured. "Lucy told me Capricorn worked for her dad and this is where he lives!"

Levy blinked at her surroundings incredulously. This land surely belonged to a millionaire... The estate in the distance still looked huge from where she stood! She knew Lucy had mentioned about her relationship with her 'somewhat rich' father, but she didn't expect him to be this rich!

"I can't b-believe Lu-chan would abandon the life of a millionaire..." she wheezed, trying to catch her breath. Natsu heard her and flashed her a grin.

"She said her dad's an ass, so it's better that she's living on her own. Plus I'm always there for her! Bein' poor ain't all that bad, you know," he said.

Levy huffed, "I never said it was bad... Just surprising. I'm happily poor as well, geez."

"Wait... You're not rich?!"

"Of course not. I'm a scholarship student just like Lu-chan!"

"What the..." Natsu seemed to have received the shock of a lifetime. "Woah, I totally thought you were a preppy rich girl!"

"Hey!"

"Well you should have said something!" he grinned again. Slowing down, he allowed the girl to catch up before grabbing her hand and pulling her along. "C'mon, Lucy's waiting for us to save her!"

.

.

.

The sky was a radiant orange when Lucy left the Heartfilia estate, this time for good. She walked down the expansive brick path until she reached a little section that was cut off from the rest of the road. There was a garden to the left and to the right...

And in the middle of it all, there was her mother's giant memorial.

"Mama..." she looked at the grande statue of the Virgin Mary overlooking and protecting her mother's resting place and smiled warmly. There were fresh flowers placed nearby, and she knew it was her father who recently put them there.

She took a few flowers from the garden to set on the memorial as well and gave her mother her respects. I'm relieved, mama. I think father finally understands.

After a moment of silence, Lucy let out a breath she didn't know she was holding in. "Now, then..."

"Lucy!"

"Lu-chan!"

Lucy turned around with surprise. Natsu and Levy were running towards her from a distance away, calling her. "N-Natsu? Levy-chan?"

"Lu-chan, we're were so worried about you!" Levy cried, launching herself onto the blond. "I thought you were kidnapped!"

Not far from the truth, actually... Lucy chuckled nervously, patting the bluenette's head in reassurance.

"Yeah Lucy! When I broke into your room and you weren't there, I thought something happened!"

Natsu sporadically explained the whole situation, from the part he climbed up to her room to the when he realized that Levy was not a rich preppy girl. Lucy could only stand there and listen with a tearful smile.

She looked up towards the estate before leaving it all behind and turned towards Natsu and Levy.

"Thank you guys for worrying and coming all this way."

"All that matters is that you're okay," Levy sniffed. Natsu slung an arm around Lucy's shoulders.

"I'll always come find you, Lucy. You're my nakama, after all!" he said before his stomach growled loudly. He rubbed his stomach sheepishly and Happy meowed.

You guys... Lucy looked at them with appreciation. "How about we head back and find someplace to eat? Natsu, why don't you call up Gray and Erza and we can meet up at the diner Cana works at? Levy-chan, I want you to meet the rest of my friends!"

"That sounds good, Lu-chan!"

"Right on! C'mon, not-preppy girl!"

"Hey! My name is Levy!"

Mama... Lucy beamed brightly, following behind her friends. I'm doing well with the happiness I found.