DISCLAIMER: The plot of this story is mine but I do not own the characters in this story. These characters belong to Hiro Mashima.
Lucy opened the guild doors to hear the comforting sound of her guild mates laughing, chatting, and in Natsu and Grey's case, fighting. She walked over to sit by the bar where Mira was cleaning glasses.
"Do those two ever stop fighting?" Lucy gestured at Natsu and Grey.
Mira laughed, "I think the day they stop fighting will be the day the world ends."
Lucy laughed in agreement. They were always fighting, but in a brotherly way. She couldn't imagine them ever actually fighting over something serious. Speaking of people fighting, Gajeel was standing tall, holding a pair of glasses high above his head with Levy jumping up trying to reach them. He was grinning from ear to ear and Levy had an annoyed look on her face.
Lucy laughed again. Too bad they weren't together. They would make a really cute couple she thought.
She turned back to Mira, "So, do you have any good jobs I can take today Mi– " Lucy shrieked as she felt a heavy muscular arm drape over her shoulder. "Natsu! How many times have I told you not to jump up on people like that?" she flushed red.
"I don't remember you ever telling me that." Natsu smirked.
Lucy rolled her eyes and Mira giggled.
"It's no big deal" Natsu sat down in the seat beside Lucy.
"You need to respect people's personal space."
Grey's voice came from a table nearby, "Natsu doesn't know what personal space means."
"What you say ice princess?"
"I'm calling you stupid flame for brains."
"You wanna go?" Natsu said bringing his fist up and surrounding it in flames.
"Any time and place."
Grey got up from the table while Natsu pounced up from his chair.
"ICE MAKE–"
"FIRE DRAGON–"
A serious voice boomed over them "What, do you two think you are doing?" Erza stood by Lucy, her eyes looked like they could cut through stone.
Natsu and Grey both froze. "Nothing!" they shouted in unison, putting their arms across each other's shoulders and painting big smiles on their faces. "All is good here, heh, heh…"
Lucy laughed. No matter how much those two fought there was always one person that could get them to stop. She turned back to Mira, "So are there any good jobs for me today Mira?" Lucy looked at her hopefully. She was completely out of money and needed to pay her rent. She would take anything.
"Hmm..." Mira pulled a flyer from under the counter. "There was this one but it needs two people to complete it."
"Perfect." Natsu said strolling back over. "We're a team, we always do jobs together."
"Aye!" Happy chimed in, flying next to Natsu.
"Um… actually Natsu, I was hoping to do this one on my own."
"What? Whhhy?"
"I need all the money I can get." Lucy looked at him guiltily. "I can't afford to split the reward with anyone."
"Well how about this," Natsu took the flyer from Mira, "Since this job needs two people, I'll do it with you but you can take my share of the reward."
"No Natsu I can't do that, I–"
Natsu held up his hand "I can't let you lose your house. Where will we go to sleep and eat otherwise?"
"Lucy's house is the best!" Happy added.
She glared at him. Of course he was only doing this for selfish reasons. "Well since you mentioned that I don't feel too guilty about taking your share now."
"Oh great!" Mira beamed a little too excitedly. Lucy looked at her suspiciously. "I'll just tell you what the job entails." She was positively beaming. "There is a very wealthy mage called Mr. Lumont. He is highly respected in Fiore, but there have been recent reports that he is secretly building a weapon that can cause mass destruction."
"Seriously?" Lucy was shocked. Why would someone that respected want to build a weapon like that? "Mira why do you look so happy about this?"
"Oh no reason," she giggled again. "We need to find out if these reports are true, but we cannot just burst in accusing him. So, this is an undercover mission."
"Undercover?" Lucy looked skeptical. "I don't think that's Natsu's strong point."
"What are you talking about?" Natsu wrapped his scarf around his head, only leaving a slit for his eyes to peep through. "I can be as quiet as a ninja."
"We'll be lucky if you don't burn the whole house down."
Mira continued, "Mr. Lumont holds a ball once a month. The next one is tomorrow night." Her smile was spreading from ear to ear. "You and Natsu will attend the ball and during the night you will slip away and see if you can find any evidence of the weapon."
"Sounds easy." Natsu shrugged. "This'll be easy money."
"Well as long as we don't get caught." Lucy said worriedly.
"One thing I forgot to add," Mira said still beaming, "You and Natsu have to pretend to be a couple".
"What!?" Lucy jumped from her chair. "Why!?"
"Mr. Lumont's balls are exclusive to couples only," Mira explained.
"Who throws balls like that!? Couples only?! Who is this guy!?" Lucy rambled.
Natsu shrugged, "It's fine with me."
"But, but…" Lucy wasn't sure why she was so bothered by this.
"It's only pretend Lucy," Happy grinned, "even though we all know you liiiiiiike him."
"One more word and you're dead cat!"