It was two days later when the guilds transmission lacrima began to ring nonstop. Not seeing Mira around, Laxus went around the back of the bar to answer it. Grunting, he saw that is was the bane of Fairy Tail's existence, Captain Lahar.

"Mr. Dreyer, is the guild master around?" Lahar asked nervously

"Nope. Now, why don't you tell me what's going on." Laxus eyed the man.

"I need to know if Lucy Heartfilia is currently there."

"No. She's out on a job and not going to be back for a few days. What's going Lahar?" Laxus glared at the man

Seeing the man deflate, Laxus raised his brow, "Well?"

Taking off his glasses, Lahar rubbed his forehead, "She was taken then."

"Excuse me. I thought I just heard that she was taken. Surely that isn't correct." Laxus saw Mira looking at him strangely

"No. Mr. Dreyer, you heard me correctly. We were in the middle of arresting her and she just vanished. I still have her keys with me. I will be bringing them by later in the day along with the bill she needs to pay." Lahar said more confidently, "I should arrive in Magnolia within the next two hours at which point I will be on my way to your guild. Good day."

Laxus stared at the now dark lacrima while cursing his luck and Blondie's. The guild was going to war again it seemed.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

As Lahar stepped into the Fairy Tail guild hall, he could tell that they were waiting for him. He saw Laxus Dreyer and his team sitting at the bar with the ex-convicts. Oh, how he wished they still were in jail. There was nothing that could be done though. The King had pardoned all of Crime Sorciere for helping in the war. As he stepped up to the bar, he could feel everyone's eyes focused on him.

"Can we talk somewhere more private Mr. Dreyer? " he asked feeling unsettled

"Nope. Everyone has the right to know what's going on. So start from the beginning and don't leave anything out. " the tall man demanded

"Very well. A citizen called into our station screaming about the train station in Clover Town being destroyed by a Fairy Tail mage. We quickly teleported down there to find Ms. Heartfilia throwing random attacks and destroying-"

"Lucy just wouldn't purposely destroy something! You should know that as much as you have to deal with her and her team." Bickslow interrupted

"Be that as it may, she was standing there alone and the building has significant damage. We placed her under arrest and as we went to walk away one of my men called out to me. I turned just in time to see her sink into the floor." Lahar pulled out the folder from under his arm, "This is the crime scene and the bill. I also have people out looking for her. I'm hoping she will be found quickly so she can face her punishment."

"Fairy Tail will handle the damages and there shouldn't be my punishment is she was attacked like a witness says here in your report" Laxus stated as he read the papers in front of him.

"Well that is not up to you to decide, but the Magic Council will rule on the matter after we have her back in custody. If any of you hear or see her, I suggest that you call me immediately. She is, after all, a wanted criminal at this point, per Council orders." Captian Lahar turned towards the door, "Oh by the way, here are her keys. I would suggest putting them somewhere safe."

After giving Laxus the keys, the man was gone leaving everyone stunned. Handing the keys to Bickslow for safe keeping, Laxus turned to Cobra.

"He was definitely hiding something. He's not sure what to make of everything, but he doesn't think Lucy is guilty of anything more than getting carried away. I looked through his memories, and he was telling the truth. When they arrived on the scene only Lucy was standing there, but she told him she was attacked in the bathroom. They never saw it coming, one minute she was arguing with him then the next she was asking for help and disappeared." Cobra sighed

"Well fuck. Ok, gramps should be back by tonight and I'll fill him in. Everyone else I suggest you go home. We will be hunting tomorrow most likely." Laxus announced.

Seeing that everyone had left but his own group and the Thunder Legion, Cobra decided to tell them about what else he heard, "There are more guys, apparently the Council wants to make an example of Lucy. Lahar was trying to figure out why, but apparently, they told him to bring her in quickly and quietly. He wasn't even supposed to tell us about any of it, only that she fled from them and give us the bill to pay. Something isn't right."

"I agree," Kaleb said walking down the stairs with Farron, "the Captain was concerned for the girl, but didn't want to disobey orders. That's why he left his mental shield down. He wants us to find her fast but keep her away. I'll call into White Sea and get a small group of trackers here to help."

"I'm calling dad. Maybe he can help out." Bickslow sighed.

He hasn't slept well since they found Lucy's apartment cleared. His nightmares had come back, and he knew it was foolish to think the way he was. He knew there was nothing he could have done to help the stubborn woman.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Arman sat at his desk wondering if he was ever going to get grandkids. Would it kill one of his children to finally settle down and start a family? Although it did seem he would be having another daughter soon, if what Kaleb and Farron said rang true. Maybe I should call Bickslow and have him bring this mysterious friend to Bosco. Speaking of, his com was ringing.

"Hello, son of mine." Arman smiled

"Hey, dad. Listen I might need your help. Vanders' too if he's around" Bickslow sighed

"What's wrong so-" Arman looked up just in time to see his youngest son fall out of the shadows holding a woman.

"VANDER!" Arman yelled as he rushed to his son's side, "What happened? Who is this?"

"Hey dad," Vander breathed heavily," It's a long story but we gotta hide her. She's in danger."

"Who is she, Van?" Arman asked as the blonde woman groaned.

"LUCY!" a loud, strong voice yelled out over the com.

Arman quickly grabbed the com and brought it to the girls face, "Do you know who this is Laxus?"

"Lucy," Bickslow sighed in relief, "Vander why is she there?"

Vander sat up and looked at his dad with sad eyes, "The Steel Council wants her. I brought her here to keep her safe after I realized she was apart of Fairy Tail."

Arman looked at his com," Boys I suggest you get here quickly, but quietly. This young lady might be in serious danger."

Laxus smiled and shook his head as Bickslow cackled, "Of course she's in trouble, its what she does."

After Arman hung up his com, he looked at his youngest son. The boy seemed troubled as he laid the young woman on the couch. He worried about all his children, but Vander was the one he worried about the most.

"Dad," Vander looked up, "I think they want her dead. They told me to bring her dead or alive, just make sure she had her keys."

Arman sighed and sat back down at his desk. All that could be done is wait.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Lucy could hear two male voices when she woke up. She wasn't really sure where she was. All she could remember was being pulled into a shadow and hearing voices cry out for her. Then there was that coldness right before she passed out. Being friends with Gray meant she was no stranger to the cold, but this was different. This was the kind of cold that seeped into your very soul.

One of the voices sounded familiar, and the other was most definitely the man who kidnapped her. Oh, how she wished she could hear what they were saying, but they were whispering now. Maybe they knew she had woke up? Since she was a professional at being kidnapped, Lucy knew she couldn't announce she was awake. She needed to gather all the information she could.

"I know you're awake Miss Lucy. You are safe here I promise." the familiar voice said.

Lucy looked up into jade, honest eyes. The man had a gentle smile and seemed relaxed. Oh yes, this man looked very familiar.

"Who are you and why am I here?" Lucy asked as she sat up. She noticed she wasn't tied up in any way.

"My name is Arman Pradesh, and you are in my home. My son, Vander, brought you here to keep you safe. And before you start asking too many questions, some of your guildmates are already on the way here. Now, you must be starving. My chef makes the best bourbon burgers." the man smiled.