I don't own fairytail. Master Mashima is the boss.

X_X

Lucy couldn't control the weight of heavy feelings, she tried to escape from his thoughts. But still it keeps haunting her.

"Lucy dear! You don't have to worry about your new semester. Just enjoy your vacations." Jude said as he sipped his coffee.

"Mmm" Lucy wasn't in mood of holding any conversation. She looked at the clock it was three in the afternoon. She spent her night tossing in her bed.

Damn that thief.

"Are you okay?" Jude asked putting the file down. He didn't say anything about it but his daughter was behaving strange these days. She was changing.

"I'm fine dad. And I am going to Levy's house and I'll stay there. So don't worry." she kissed his cheek and took the keys of her car.

"Take care munchkin." Jude frown and his gaze lingering at the direction Lucy left.

Yep! She was different these days. He looked at the picture of Layla in the frame.

"She is splitting image of you. I am trying to give her everything but I can never be able to get the place in her heart, which is vacant after you left." Jude felt a tear slip from his eyes.

"Shit! I'm crying" he laughed and wiped his eyes. He took a deep sigh. It was hard to raise a young daughter alone but he will protect his little girl.

X_X

Weather was good, Even sun was going down in few hours it was setting beyond the mountains, it was shining bright with warm sunshine. Lucy took a deep breath and drank her coffee.

She was coming out of Caffè when she felt like someone was following her. It could not be him. Right?

She looked around and shook her head getting rid of ridiculous of absurd meaningless thoughts. She sighed in frustration. She is becoming insane after meeting him. Little movement feel like he is around somewhere near her.

"Curse you damnit" she was about to enter into her car when a hand grabbed her and spun her back. A nausea hitting her. She looked and saw two ugly men giving her creepy eyes.

"Who are you? And let me go before I call the cops." she glared at them.

"We don't mean to be rude but tell me why you smell like him? Did he imprinted you?" A guy with huge ripped muscles sniffed her.

"Get off me and stop sniffing like a dog." Lucy was scared. What was going on? "

" Come with us." The other one was about to grab her again when Lucy kicked him below. He screams and fell on the ground. She freed herself from him, but the other guy grabbed her hairs in rough grip. A shooting pain hitting her.

"You dared to mess with us. You bitch." The one with big muscles snapped. Lucy was scared when she saw his smelly mouth. A foul smell hitting her nose. Was that Fang? She closed her mouth when he bit her neck. Lucy screams in pain when a dark red and yellow light surrounding her and a shattering growl shaking the ground.

Both men froze. Their eyes were filled with fear. They saw the shadow of red dragon behind her. He has marked her.

"Let's go before we get into trouble." both scram away falling down few times. Lucy stood wobbly. Her neck was throbbing where he had bit her. She was scared and confused.

But she was sure they weren't humans.

Lucy bought some bandages and put them over her wounds. She needs to get out of this place.

She drove to Levy's house and parked the car in the garage.

"Levy chan?" Lucy looked around but Levy wasn't there. Where she could be? They decided this sleepover, she better be not ditching her. Lucy walked near her table where her books, pens and other stuff was scattered. She noticed a yellow paper in her open drawer. In curiosity she lifted it up.

She was paralyzed and she threw the paper like it burnt her skin. This paper held the number of the chief investigator officer, Gajeel Redford.

Why Levy needs to talk to him?

Fear gripping her heart. She couldn't be talking about the certain pink hair legendary thief. Right?

She waited for long enough when she fell asleep. Her neck was hurting also.

X_X

"Lu chan?" a soft feminine voice called her name. Lucy blinked and wiped the sleep away from her eyes.

"Levy! Where have you been?" Lucy forced her eyes towards the clock. It was one in the morning. It was past midnight.

"I was busy?" Levy shrugged. Suspicion filled Lucy's heart. She couldn't suspect Levy even on deathbed. But what about the piece of paper lying in her drawer.

"Are you angry because I was supposed to be with you whole night. You are not angry. Right?" Levy asked putting the bag on bed as she took her sleeping clothes.

"Nope! It's ok. It's already midnight just grab some sleep. We'll talk later." Lucy faked a yawn.

"What's wrong with your neck?" Levy gave her worried look.

"I burnt myself when I was trying hair curling. You know I suck into make-up." Lucy only prayed for her luck that Levy would not look closely.

"You are tired. Sleep." Levy smiled for last time and left her.

X_X

Lucy tossed and turned in the green soft sheets that draped the guest bed of Levy's house. She couldn't sleep, her argument with those ugly men plagued her thoughts incessantly. She got up and walked to the window overlooking the back of the property.

The moon was full and bathed the backyard in dreamy silver light. It beckoned her and she found herself leaving the stifling room and seeking the expanse of the night.

The rustling wind tossed her hair and caressed her legs under her nightgown. A chill passed over her exposed shoulders and arms and her bare feet glided along the dew of the grass as she walked without purpose.

Unconsciously she traced her neck. It was slightly tingling but pain was still there. She wandered aimlessly until she ended up at the entrance to an old gazebo and walked up the wooden steps. She perched on the edge of the railing that ran along the perimeter and sighed heavily.

The emotions she had been pushing down since all the random things happened with her. She was not ready to believe the fact other world existed with magical beings who ain't humans.

Lucy couldn't understand why those men attacked her in first place. But she was always a happier person and a better friend. Never harmed any soul.

Then why all of sudden. She had so much to ask but nobody was there to answer. She was missing her mother. A sadness surrounded her.

Lucy wiped both of her eyes with the pads of her fingers and put a lid on her escalating worry. And she wishes for some time of comfort and joy.

Natsu's jaw snapped tight at the sight of Lucy. Thick blonde hair cascaded in waves around her face that was unveiled by the moonlight filtering through the thick trees. She was beautiful, the contrast of her femininity so stark against the hard edges of the neglected structure she dwelled beneath and his gut clenched in response.

The pale pink of her nightgown complimented her delicate skin and she looked like a fallen angel, the only thing missing were her wings. She seemed small and vulnerable, almost lost and abandoned. Yet, the gentle slope of her chin flared with determination as she sat atop the railing of the gazebo.

The faint whisper of unease swirling around her aroused protective instincts in him that were forever present in her company.

Unknown to his presence Lucy turned then, leaving one hand on the edge of the railing, and the other tucking a strand of her wavy hair behind one ear.

Natsu halted, mesmerized by her eyes. They were so bright, a sea of honey color, that he felt drawn into their anguished depths, felt heat stir in his body and spring his emotions to life from a sleep that had lasted nearly his entire existence.

He took a deep breath in the breeze which carried her scent. His closed eyes opened, something was wrong.

A sharp breath of surprise escaped her rose petal lips when she saw him. "Thief?"

Dressed in a black sleeveless vest beneath his leather jacket and black leather pants, he looked very casual. His stance belied that impression. Muscles tensed, his long legs braced to leap, he was ready for any move she made.

He stalked toward her, knowing his sudden appearance might have frightened her and added to the haunting shadows in her eyes.

Tension flashed back in his expression. "What are you doing out here all alone? There are people hidden in shadows who might hurt you . Don't you care about your safety, Luce?"

Lucy gazed at the sight of the mystery and legendary man before her. Strong. Untouchable. Indestructible. He didn't need the moonlight to accentuate the danger in his eyes. His angelic face often disguised his murderous intentions.

He flexed his hands and she couldn't help think about how they could wrap around someone's throat when he was angered, but she didn't fear that he would use them to hurt her.

His pink hair was a golden halo that shined against the black of the night sky. His jaw was set tight as if he'd trouble himself.

She shifted atop her perch and then she hopped down, walking to the entrance and stopping at the top step. Her nerves were rattled more by his hard-edged, yet melodic voice. "Why are you here?"

His eyes blazed over her, sending chills slithering up her spine as he moved toward her agonizingly slow and ascended the steps to stand in front of her. "Always."

His admission caused her to drop his gaze and she clenched her hands by her sides. "What are you doing here?"

He didn't answer her, only titled his head to the side as if to inspect her further and then stated, "You've been crying."

A sharp pang shifted in Lucy's chest and she stepped away from him seeking an empty corner of the space she now occupied with the danger of him. She turned around with her back to the railing without acknowledging him and folded her arms defensively. She didn't trust her voice at the moment and willed her rising tears away.

Why she becomes an ocean of flooding emotions around him.

Natsu could see the quiver of her bottom lip and it felt like a blade twisting inside him. He erased the distance she put between them and stepped closer to her. "Do you want to talk about it, sweetheart?"

Lucy shook her head, unfolding her arms and turned her face away from him again.

"Is it your father? Did you two argue, or your friends?" He paused, and then stepped even closer to her, placing one hand on the railing next to her hip. The zipper of his leather jacket now pressed against the cotton of her nightgown and she felt the edge graze her stomach through the material.

The question lingered between them, but she refused to answer, to share her silent pain.

She looked back up at him and the genuine concern evident in his eyes moved her.

She really hated him. She didn't want to be near him. He is dangerous fire which can burn her to ashes.

Lucy tried to shut him away by closing every feeling she felt worse. She braced one hand close to his against the railing behind her and ran a thumb along the smooth weathered surface of the wood. "I'm OK."

"Luce..." Natsu's tone spoke to his disbelief and he literally had her backed into a corner. She chewed her bottom lip and watched his jaw clench and his nostrils flare in reaction.

Lucy was afraid he could not have seen her wound right? She had been hiding her bandage under her hairs.

His hand brushed hers so gently she barely felt it, yet a frisson of awareness skated over her raw nerve endings, adding to her turmoil.

His touch send a throbbing pain in her wound. She shut her eyes painfully.

An odd look crossed his face as if he, too, realized the connection that passed between them and she jerked her gaze away from him again. "Lucy, you can talk to me." he tried to control himself as he breathed into her scent.

He froze and in seconds her hairs were moved to one side, her neck exposed to him. He frowned and removed the bandage the purple wound staining her smooth skin.

His eyes became red and his chest rumble into animalistic growl. Lucy was scared, he wasn't different from the men she fought today. She wiggles into his grip when she felt his tongue on her burning neck.

A soothing reaction hitting her. The burning sensation and pain replaced by europhia and pleasant feelings. Her grip tightened. After few minutes he pulled apart and looked satisfied but the anger was visible on his face.

"How did this happen?" he locked his eyes with her.

"When I was coming to Levy's house. Two nasty men tried to grab me. One with the ripped body and popped up vains bit me suddenly but I do not know what happened but they left." Lucy's thoughts spilled from her at his earnest assurance and she grasped the railing behind her harder with both hands for support.

"I am sorry I wasn't there to protect you earlier" He commented.

"But you came to me. Right?" she realized her mistake. Damnit this wasn't what she wanted to say. She was supposed to hate him. He is the reason. Since he came waltzing into her life things became chaotic.

"It's ok speak babe. We'll discuss our love hate relationship later." Natsu smirked at her.

She shook her head and continued. "I just... I don't want anybody to get hurt around me. I am afraid of things that I don't know. I don't know what to believe or not. I guess I am not sane any more. That guy said I should have left with him."

"He said ...what?" Both of Natsu's hands gripped the railing next to hers and their fingers touched behind her just as his eyes flashed golden before returning to a midnight onyx.

"Why don't you understand the fact. I have no idea what you want from me. I don't have any treasure to add in your collection. I am human you are not. We are different spectrum of pyramid. So just understand this please." A tear escaped down Lucy's cheek and she turned her face away, closing her eyes at the starkness of those memories of losing her mother and old hurts that she thought she'd dealt with.

A rising fury, an unstableness began to break out all over Natsu's ' body at the thought of anybody hurting , manipulating her.

She says she hated him every time they met. But he could not let her go even she didn't want him in her world. She was his since the first time he laid his eyes on her. And he released the railing behind her, stepping back away from her.

He immediately painted a mental picture of vengeance, of retribution against those filthy creatures who tried to harm her today. He had to get his thoughts under control. He had to reel in the murderous storm brewing at the back of his mind.

Lucy watched everything play out across his face and in his eyes. And It dawned on her that, for some reason, what she said about her feelings and he was struggling to contrcontrol the stirring ranging storm inside him.

She didn't know why but she wants to comfort him. Even she hated being around him.

"It's ok. I'm better now" She offered, trying to downplay her hurt feelings. But she wasn't able to make her tears cooperate and few more escaped down her face.

He closed the distance between them again and his entire body brushed against her this time, before he pulled her to him and his arms went around her. She couldn't help it, she returned his embrace.

She will hate herself later for doing this but she really needed it. Burying her face against his shoulder, she inhaled the scent of him. It was a mixture of the forest at night and something distinctly warm as fire and the comfort she found there was unaccountable.

Natsu trailed his nose along the waves of her hair until he reached the sweet curve of her neck. He impulsively placed a kiss there and felt her body shiver slightly. He had healed her wound and her scent was pure again.

He pulled her tighter and his hands clenched in the material of her nightgown before he pulled back and begrudgingly let her go. "It wasn't that long ago, Baby If you still have resentment over it. Remember you are special for me. You need to protect yourself if I'm not around."

"Natsu ... you are just a thief who steals rare things. I don't need any protection from you but I am glad for your concern today," She raised her eyebrows to him in that way he adored, as if to admonish him, "even if part of me is flattered that you'd want to." She then acknowledged and her cheeks flushed slightly.

Damn it! She just thanked him again instead of shoving these feelings away.

He found he couldn't keep the smile from lifting the corners of his lips in response to her blush. And it invoked prurient thoughts of lifting her onto the railing, pushing up the material of her nightgown and doing whatever he needed to make that blush appear across her entire body.

His hard rock body was warm and comfortable. Lucy felt the heat from his gaze and all thoughts of hating him with her guts were now replaced by the arousing image of his mouth repeating the kiss he placed on her neck. She shook her head in an attempt to clear it.

Sometimes she caught him looking at her unlike anyone else and she spoke her thoughts aloud. "No one else looks at me the way you do."

She surprised him and his curiosity got the better of him. "And how do I look at you, Luce?"

She pushed away from the railing and their bodies were close once again, with no air between them. But she couldn't find the words to do him justice. "It's...indescribable."

He wouldn't let her tease go so easily. He pushed her back and trapped her between his body and the gazebo once again. "How do you feel when I look at you tell me Luce?"

Lucy felt, rather than heard, his words whispered across her body. "I... it feels..."

He knew how he was affecting her, but he couldn't stop himself from pushing her just a little more. "Tell me, sweetheart..."

His breath caressed her lips and she closed her eyes against the pleasurable sensation. "I can't."

"Yes you can, baby. Tell me how you feel when I look at you." He let go of the railing with one hand and brought his fingers to her chin to raise her face to him and she opened her eyes again.

"Adored. Desired."And... just so much more.She finished the thought to herself, as her body shuddered from the simple caress of his fingertips on her chin.

He trailed his eyes down her face, across her throat, to the very tops her breasts, bare beneath the semi sheer cotton of her nightgown. Her body tensed under his perusal and his mouth parted in answer. He licked his lips and met her eyes again. "And no one's ever looked at you with adoration and desire? I find that hard to believe, Luce."

"I've met many boys and men in my life who tried to make me feel like this.. But nobody really able to make me feel like this before. .. You look at me, like you've already... like we've..." She couldn't finish when his eyes seared across her once again, there was so much promise there.

"Does it make you uncomfortable, Lucy?" He trailed his hand from her collar bone down her arm and then back to the railing behind her, gripping it so hard she could hear the wood give under the pressure.

"Yes... and No." He pulled the flesh of his bottom lip between his teeth and she couldn't stop looking at his mouth. It was as if she could feel the nibble he gave to his lip on hers and a spike of desire flared at the very center of her body.

His hand gripped her waist then and she felt the material of her gown fold in his fist. "Do you want me to stop, looking at you the way I do? Tell me the truth."

She couldn't help but close her eyes and take a deep breath in an attempt to calm her escalating breathing and admit that she didn't. "No."

When she opened her eyes again, he smiled wickedly at her. "Good. Because I don't think I can stop."

He leaned his head close and she thought he would kiss her knowing at this point that she wouldn't be able to stop him, even though she told herself that she should. But he pulled back at the last minute and released her.

He let go of the railing behind her completely and stepped away from her. And she was able to inhale the crisp night air to clear her head.

"Let me walk you back to your friend's house, sweetheart." He motioned toward the front of the gazebo and she followed him in silence, not trusting her own voice.

They reached the back entrance to the house and Lucy stopped, leaning her back against the heavy door. She didn't understand her own hesitation to go inside.

Natsu walked close to her and braced his palms on the door above her shoulders, unable to resist invading her space.

"Natsu ..." His name sounded like a plea that Lucy breathed on a sigh, but couldn't bring herself to say anything else.

He moved one of his hands from the door and gripped her waist again, pulling her body close and leaned his head down to her.

Her heart raced inside of her chest and she braced her hands against the wood of the door in anticipation of what he might do.

Natsu pressed his lips against the side of her mouth so gently Lucy thought she imagined it, as he removed his hand from her hip. "You'd better go inside, Luce."

She opened her eyes to the sound of his voice, not knowing when she'd closed them and caught the signature smirk on his lips. She wrapped her arms around herself as if she was trying to hold herself together, as if he was the devil himself. "Goodnight, you thief."

"So we are back to again you hating my guts and calling me low-key thief?" he raised an eyebrow.

"You are thief and I'm sorry I took all the time you could have stolen something. So take this as token for your help." she took out her anklet and tossed it at him.

"You always break my heart babe." Natsu knelt down and put her right leg on his thigh and put her anklet back around her ankle. He rose up.

He wanted to tell her he wasn't just a mere thief but that was a lie. So he gave a clipped nod, not trusting himself to keep his hands off of her if he stayed any longer.

"Goodnight, stay safe Luce." He stepped close to her one last time and pressed his lips to the top of her hair.

She nodded, and then stepped away from him before going inside and closing the heavy door shut, separating them.

What just happened confused her even more.

X_X

A/n: sorry but I don't have enough time to regularly update my stories due to my packed schedule. But I will never let you guys down.. So here you go quick update. Read and review if you liked it.