I was on my way home. It's been a long solo mission and I just wanted to get home. I had to defeat the Reborn Oracion Seis all by myself! Natsu, Erza, and Gray all had things to do. I even asked Laxus for his help! He just smiled sadly and refused due to Master needing him at the guild. When I arrived in Magnolia, I quickly grabbed my bag and headed home. My magic was pushing a giant strain on my body. I started to feel lightheaded. I managed a few more feet before collapsing in the empty streets of Magnolia at twilight.

"Blondie!" I heard a tinge of cockiness in the voice.

"Miss Lucy!"

I could feel two figures crouching in front of me. I was unable to see, but that was normal when I had used too much magic. "Home…" I mumbled.

"You think she's drunk?"

"No. Just look at the bandages. On her right hand, recognize that mark?"

"Yeah, Fairy Tail."

"Let's take her to her guild. We just can't leave her in the middle of the street."

I felt someone pick me up bridal style and start walking. Subconsciously, I snuggled into the heat source I was desperately needing. I heard the familiar opening of Fairy Tail's doors. I heard the noise end and be filled with silence.

"Lucy!" I heard Natsu scream. "What did you do to her?!"

"Found her collapsed in the street, Natsu-san. We saved her from someone else doing something to her." Came the cocky voice from before. "You're lucky we even brought her here. We could have taken her with us."

"She must've just got back from her job." A soft voice sniffled, I recognized it as Mira.

"…Master." I choked out. "Bring me to Master."

"Get her into the infirmary. Mira, call Master and Wendy! Hell! Someone go get Laxus, too!" Erza shouted. I could hear the panic in her voice.

She was supporting my decision to get stronger, but I knew she was only blaming herself.

"Erza…Don't blame… This on yourself… I was successful after all."

I could feel her staring at me as the heat source I was snuggling into carried me to the infirmary. "You succeeded?"

"Heh, yeah. They were a joke, but they still gave me a pretty good fight. I fought that ex-celestial wizard named Angel again. And took down the poison dragon slayer. Even that stupid skull staff. I took them all down, Erza. I was successful." I was laid down on the infirmary bed. Instinctively I reached out for my heat source, managing to grab a wrist. "Don't go. Don't go until I can see properly and thank you for helping me."

I could feel the shock through the fluctuation in its heartbeat. "Okay." Came the soft reply. I felt the heat source grab my hand and sit down next to me. "I'll stay."

I gave my best smile, only to be interrupted by the infirmary doors being slammed open. "How is Lucy?" I recognized this voice as my adoptive older brothers, Laxus, Freed, and Bixlow. "Will she be okay?"

I felt Laxus grab my other hand, worry evident in his pulse. "I'm fine Laxus-nii. I'm fine. I'm just worn out."

"Erza was saying you were successful. That true, kiddo?"

"Of course!" I attempted to pump my fist into the air. "Has anyone seen Draco?" I asked, seeking the comfort of my Exceed friend.

"R-right here, Luce!" I felt the little fur ball curl itself into my side.

"We're so proud of you, our Imoto!" Bixlow added.

"Proud! Proud!" His dolls chanted.

I smiled, feeling a rush of joy as my vision began to clear. "Is Master here yet? The air smells different. No. Porlyusica-sama is here." I blinked away the last of the blurriness in my eyes. I looked to my right to see my "brothers" smiling next to me, pride evident in their eyes. I returned their smile of happiness as my gaze shifted over to my left where two men were sitting. Both were blonde, except on had it rather long and the other had it short. "Thank you for bringing me home. I appreciate your kindness…" I silently asked for their names.

Seeming to understand my unasked question, the long haired blonde spoke up. "Rufus Lohr, Miss Lucy. This is Sting Eucliffe."

I nodded. "Thank you, Eucliffe-san, Lohr-san."

"Out! Out! I must get her healed! Out!" Porlyusica-sama ushered all out except for Wendy who had appeared during the fray undetected and Laxus.

"Are you here as the Guild Master in Training or as her brother?" Porlyusica-sama's gaze shifted to Laxus.

"Both." He answered sharply. "Meaning I will stay here regardless."

Wendy had begun to look at my wounds as Laxus was tightly holding my hand. Porlyusica-sama was watching over Wendy to make sure nothing went wrong. I felt my cracked ribs and bruises cease to hurt. I looked by the door smelling delicious food behind it. My mouth began to water as Mira walked in with Master carrying a few plates full of food.

"Mira! Careful!" Laxus jumped up to help her. "Ask if you need some help!" He scolded. "It makes me worry." He kissed her cheek before setting the food in front of me, since Wendy had finished healing the worst of it and need a break herself.

"Arigato, Mira-chan!" I giggled at her lingering blush from my older brother's affectionate kiss to the cheek.

"A-anytime, Lu-chan." She smiled and waved before heading back downstairs to the commotion awaiting her.

"Erza says you were successful?" Master asked me.

I nodded. "It was a long fight and I feel bad for leaving Draco here, but I wanted him safe." I turned to Wendy. "Wendy-chan, do you think you can ask Mira for some water for me, please. And lots of it." I asked the Sky Dragon Slayer gently.

She nodded and skipped out of the room.

I turned back to Master with a look of seriousness etched into my face. "I heard something on the train back, Master. They said there is a guild planning an attack on us. A Dark Guild by the name of Dragon's Lair. I wish to eradicate them as soon as I am well enough to do so. That should be by tomorrow morning."

"Absolutely not. Even with Wendy's healing, you just returned from an already difficult job. You are not permitted to take another one for a while. You need to rest, child." Master stated in a tone that made it clear that his judgment will be final and not questioned.

I took a deep breath. "If that is what you wish, Master. I will have to obey."

Master stood up and said farewell and left them, closely followed by Porlyusica-sama. Laxus smiled at me. "Don't mind his harshness. He was the most worried by far, Imoto. He's happy to see you home safe."

I looked at my brother. "Laxus-nii… Do you think you can bring me downstairs…? I don't think I can walk yet…" I smiled a nervous smile.

He laughed. "You just want me to carry you like I did when we were kids. Don't you?"

"You know me well, huh, Laxus-nii?" I raised my arms as he picked me up. He bent down and carried me on his back. We were greeted by cheers and shouts of joy. I smiled and waved lazily. Laxus-nii spun around, giving the entire guild a good look at me. They only cheered louder, seeing how I was almost completely healed. I saw Lohr-san and Eucliffe-san stand by the door awkwardly watching our celebration. "Eucliffe-san, Lohr-san! Come join the celebration! You're heroes too!" I shouted to them from Laxus' back.

They walked over as a red cat came in and perched himself on Eucliffe-san's shoulder. My eyes widened at him. This red cat had white angel wings like Draco, Carla, Happy, and Lily. This cat was an Exceed and my face smiled at the new information I had just gathered.

"I guess we can stay for a while." Lohr-san smiled as Eucliffe-san nodded in agreement.

"You're a Slayer aren't you, Eucliffe-san!?" I practically shouted, making Laxus wince in pain.

"Call me Sting, Blondie. And yeah, I'm the White Dragon Slayer. This is Lector, my Exceed partner." He patted the cat's head fondly. "You're a Slayer, too. Aren't ya?"

I blushed. "Y-yeah. I'm a Celestial Dragon Slayer." Draco came and rested on my shoulder, glaring at Lector. "And the name's Lucy."

Laxus sat me down at a table, where Lohr-san and Sting-san sat across from me. "You still hungry, Imoto?" Laxus asked fondly.

I shook my head. "No. Mira always knows exactly how much I need." I turned my attention back to the men sitting in front of me after Laxus blushed and walked to the bar after ruffling my hair affectionately. "So, are you part of a guild yet?"

Sting lifted up his sleeve. "Yep. We're part of Sabertooth. Fiore's strongest guild." Sting smirked at my wide-eyed expression. "Tell you what, Blondie. If you fall for me, I'll make you a tiger."

I blushed at the mass amounts of innuendos that flooded my mind before shaking my head profusely. "I can't leave Fairy Tail, they're my family. I've been here since I was a kid…"

Lohr-san patted my hand. "It's fine, Miss Lucy. We were in Magnolia to recruit mages for Sabertooth. We mean that if you wish to leave this guild there is another who will welcome you."

Natsu plopped himself next to me and growled at Sting-san. "She ain't leaving Fairy Tail."

"Let's make a bet, Natsu-san. We fight, if you win, she can stay at this guild. If I win, she has to join Sabertooth." Sting smirked, as though knowing he could wipe the floor with Natsu.

"Alright!" Natsu yelled before I could stop them. They ran outside and took their battle stances. They stared each other down before they launched themselves at each other simultaneously. Punch after punch was thrown, kick after kick, breath after breath. I was sure they were about to drop when Sting soared through the air and punched Natsu in the face, making Natsu fall to the ground. I screamed for Natsu to get up. My self-proclaimed best friend was on the ground, eyes shimmering with loss.

"Lu…Cy… So…Sorry…" He wheezed. "For…ever…a Fairy…Lucy." He slipped into unconsciousness as I glared at Sting-san. He was barely standing, being supported by Lohr-san.

"I did not agree to this. I will not be subjected to your stupid bet. I am a Fairy. I must ask you to leave Fairy Tail." I growled. I unleashed the small amount of magic I had restored in an effort to intimidate him. I glowed a golden light as the night grew darker with the moon's rising. "You came here and beaten one of our own members over trying to steal one just to add to your own ranks. You should know better than to disrespect me. You're despicable." My fist was surrounded by a golden white light as I pulled back to swing. "Constellation punch of the Celestial Dragon!" I swung, knocking Sting out of Lohr-san's grasp. "I suggest you leave." I left the unsaid threat in the air while I picked up Natsu and dragged him inside, leaving Lohr-san stunned. I was tired and my vision was starting to blur again. I managed to drag Natsu a few feet before I fell to my knees. I looked at the stars and began to "eat" the starlight radiating off of them. My breathing was ragged and heavy.

"Miss Lucy, I apologize for Sting. He shows he cares in odd ways. Though not even I know why he cares for you, seeing as we had only met just an hour ago. I will say that your magic has been recorded into my memory."

"Thank you for saving me, now please, be on your way." I hoisted Natsu over my shoulder, with Draco's help, and walked into the building and closing the door behind me. I collapsed to the ground looking up at Gajeel's worried face. He was spouting off on how I shouldn't be pushing myself so hard to save Natsu's ass.

"But Gajeel-san, he's family." I smiled.

"Listen up Princess, you shouldn't be pushing yourself so hard. Besides, all the Slayers are going to head out once you're all healed up. We're participating in the Grand Magic Games."

My vision blurred again and I hunched forward, vomiting my stomach contents onto the floor. I heard Gajeel take a step back after hurtling Natsu across the room.

"Yo! That's fucking nasty! Laxus! We got a situation!"

I heard Laxus' footsteps break out into a run, stopping right in front of me. "Wendy!" He barked.

"Aye, sir! I'm on it!" I felt Wendy's magic restoring me. "Are you feeling better, Lucy-hime?" She mumbled. I nodded and smiled as I calmed the nauseating feeling in my stomach. She sighed in relief. "That's great."

I smiled at her. "I'm not going to die. Calm down, Wendy." She finished checking me for problems as Gajeel and Laxus became more and more agitated.

"Your magic levels are really low. You need proper rest. That means you can't go on missions, your wounds are all healed. And I strongly recommend you have Laxus-san or Gajeel-san stay with you." She said in an authoritative voice. Her stare was uncharacteristically hard.

I knew nothing I could have done would have made her change her mind. I let out a sigh. "You know as well I do Wendy, that that's not going to happen. One way or another I'm going to have to use my magic."

Draco hopped off my shoulder and furrowed his brows at Wendy. "You know that just isn't possible." I patted his head and told him to back down.

"However, I will rest up until I am needed to use it. That's the doctor's orders, right?"

She nodded. "Of course, Lucy-hime. I'm going to go look at Natsu-san. Remember, take care of her!" She bolted to where the crowd was surrounding Natsu.

"I'll watch her. You take care of Wendy." Laxus ordered Gajeel. We watched as Gajeel snarled at him and stalked off after Wendy. Laxus turned back to me and bent down to carry me on his back. "Oi Mira! I'm going to take her home! I'll probably stay with her tonight. Just in case. Send Wendy over when she's done with Natsu."

"Okay Laxus! Goodnight, you two!" She called and we lazily waved back.

He carried me back to the house I shared with him and Master. The walk back I could feel Laxus seething. I pressed my index and middle fingers on his neck, where his pulse was. He was pissed from what I could tell.

"You can't be so reckless!" He snapped. "You should have waited until we were all ready to help you. You should have at least taken Gajeel with you!" I whimpered at his tone. "Lucy, you've live as my little sister since you were five, you're eighteen now. When that woman came to us and begged us to take care of you, all my anger towards Gramps faded once he accepted it. Do you remember how excited I was to have you around? I created a team to protect you, before I knew it was my role in all of this. That woman showed up on July sixth, X777, with a child in her arms. She said you would save the world one day. And you have, you've saved me, Gajeel, Wendy, Natsu, all of us. That woman said you were the light and that you can't extinguish no matter what. You're my little sister and I love you, but you have to be more careful. Though, this is somewhat my fault, I should have gone with you, Gramps would have understood."

He left me in silence. I felt so guilty, coming back hurt like that. Even if Wendy could just fix me up, I was inconveniencing her. Gajeel and Laxus were beating themselves up over it because they couldn't do anything about it. "I'm sorry, Laxus-nii."

His pulse dropped. "It's fine. You just made us worry. You were gone for a week, and we didn't know where you were. We're happy to have you back, Lucy." He shifted to unlock the door. "Our little light Lucy." He mused. He carried me through the living room and down a hallway before opening the door to my room. He laid me down on my bed and wrapped me in the blanket. "Goodnight, Luce."

"Goodnight, Laxus-nii! I love you." She quipped. "Thank you for taking care of me." I pulled him into a hug.

"Love you, too, Squirt." He bopped me lightly on the nose. "I'll wake you up bright and early tomorrow, okay? And I'll leave the window open so you can get you're starlight." He smirked and kissed my forehead. He closed the door on his way out and I looked out the open window.

"I'm not ready, Stella. I'm not ready for the role you cast me as." I sucked in more starlight. My mind drifted to Lohr-san and Sting-san. I remember feeling the care in his pulse when I grabbed his wrist. He was being gentle. "That's just dragon nature." I scoffed. "Why should I care if he cares for me? He only cared to stop and help me 'cause I'm a girl." I sighed. Tomorrow, I turn eighteen. Tomorrow is the day I receive my full powers. Then it'll only be Wendy left until she reaches her full potential. At least that's all the ones I know of. Then I can stop bothering her with my injuries. Even I admit that last job was over kill. I wonder when he will get here.


Hiya guys! New story!

I set up a poll for you guys to vote on who Lucy's mate will be so got to my profile for that. I WILL NOT take votes in reviews... Sorry It becomes to much for me to keep up with. Poll will be open for a while. I'll let you know when it closes.

Love 'n Lucky,

-SFL