As Lucy looks across the bar at the takeover mage who is absentmindedly drying a glass, she can't help but notice how comfortable the silence between them had come. Neither of them felt the need to fill the silence with trivial talk or awkward words. There was nothing to say, and nothing to make clear. It was sometimes the only escape from the usual rowdyness of the guild. She turns on her stool to look across the guild. Levy and Gajeel are sitting a little closer than yesterday. Levy is talking animatedly, looking between him and the book. Gajeel is sitting there with his arms crossed and one eye closed. The open eye is trained on her, so you know he's listening. Beside them are the jealous Jet and Droy, muttering to themselves. Poor guys, I'm sure they'll find someone, she thought. Her eyes move on to find Natsu and Gray arguing again. Nothing new there. Erza has her cake, Wendy and Romeo are playing cards while Macao and Cana drink, Makarov is smoking his pipe, everything is as it should be. Her eyes go up to the second floor balcony where the S-Class missions are posted. Laxus Dreyer and his team are gathered and talking, Laxus's back to her. From the set of his shoulders, it looks serious. Laxus turns to look out at the guild. Their eyes lock. Lucy can't bring herself to look away, though she feels the heat in her face. His eyes smoulder and Lucy gets a chill going up her spine. Suddenly a foot connects with her head, knocking her off her stool and sending her onto the floor. Thud. Thunder crash. "Manly!" Fire, ice shattering, metal clanging, light flashing, requip poofs, and then a giant slam. "Stop messing up my guild hall, you brats!" A collective "Sorry Master!" Just another day in the guild hall.