The only thing I own here on out is the insomnia inducing headcannon my plot bunnies have tormented me with over the past couple of years. Everything Fairy Tail related is all thanks to Hiro Mashima. Xoxo

Lucy was tired of everything. She was tired of breaking up fight between Natsu and Gray, she was tired of Erza always taking charge of quests and not listening to her tactical input, but what she was most tired of was feeling alone. No matter how many people were around Lucy felt completely and utterly alone. She was still considered a damsel in distress by all her team, except for Wendy, who looked up to the celestial mage. Lucy knew they all meant well, trying to protect their "beloved" sister, but they didn't account for the fact that Lucy had grown so much into her magic over the years. After the loss of Aquarius, Lucy knew she needed to become stronger. Over the past five years, from Tartarous to Alverez and beyond, Lucy trained her bum off, but her teammates refused to acknowledge her progress and strength.

The bodacious blonde celestial mage now had a solid source of income due to the royalties in her trilogy series. She published the third and final installment two months prior. Her team was out on a job that Lucy had no desire to be a part of. She was not in the mood to deal with a Vulcan infestation on the outskirts of the Wass forest so she politely begged out. She really was in the mood to take a job, just not with her team and not Vulcans. She was happy for the reprieve though. She got to sleep late and take an extra long bath. She decided to skip her training for the day and treat herself to lunch at the guild.

Lucy sauntered through the guild doors a bit later than her usual. She was always there quite early so she could get time on the training grounds. There were a few surprised glances and many cheery hello's as she floated up to the bar, without a care in the world. She could hear a heated argument coming from the kitchen as she waited for Mirajane to make an appearance. By the voices it sounded like it was Mira and Laxus but Lucy couldn't make out what was being said. Oh, how she wished she had a slayer's enhanced hearing, she'd love to know what was going on in there. The writer in her started to daydream different scenarios. Were they having a lovers quarrel? Did Mira catch him in getting into the top-shelf booze again? The double swinging doors slammed outward and an irate blonde dragon slayer stormed through them grumbling "Crazy ass bitch. Who the hell does she think she is?!?!?" Lucy accidentally caught his eyes and time stopped... for both of them. The celestial mage was stunned, there something swimming around in those stormy grey orbs that she couldn't place but really wanted to figure out. Their trance was broken when a frying pan came sailing out of the still open doors and made contact with the back of the lightning mage's noggin. Mira, in here Stiri form, yelled "Watch your language you stubborn ass Dragon!" Laxus sent a slight nod in Lucy's direction and, while rubbing the impact point on his head, continued his stomping rampage through the guild hall and up the stairs to his office, where he slammed the door.

"Good morning Lucy!" The non- demon form of Mira appeared and smiled. "What can get you?" There was a strange glint in Mira's eyes too, but this glint was definitely not what she had seen in Laxus' eyes.

"Just a strawberry smoothie please, Mira." "It will be right out Lucy." Mira smiled again and disappeared back into the kitchen.

Lucy began daydreaming again and barely noticed the smoothie that was placed before her by a slightly giggling Mirajane. "What's got your brain in such a tizzy today Lucy?" "Oh Mira, she's just thinking about how delicious it would be ti lick that smoothie off of lightning rod's abs" Cana interjected, sidling up to the bar. Another fit of giggles erupted from the lips of the demon barmaid. This did break Lucy out of her reverie. "What are you two going on about?" Lucy queried dazedly. "You are too cute Lucy! How about it, though. I bet you'd love a ride on that electric train to D town" "Cana, you can just stop that line of thinking right now. I know both you and Mira mean well, but I don't have time for any rides to D town, too much on my plate at the moment. I have my strict training regimen and I have a handful of book signings over the next couple of weeks. I also promised Wendy and Evergreen a spa and shopping day, and Levy and I are finally getting a girls night tonight, much to Gajeel's chagrin."

After effectively shutting up the resident drunk and the demon match maker, Lucy flitted around the guild, scheduling times with Wendy and Ever, chatting with Freed over a critical analysis of her last book, and getting into a pun war with Bixlow. All in all, Lucy was quite happy with her day and excited about her girl's night in with her bestie. Lucy knew both she and Levy needed a night to themselves. Levy was a mother to a quite rambunctious toddler, and wanted to shed her "mom mode" for an evening, and Lucy had just missed being with her best friend. Lucy ha planned, with the help of Cancer and Virgo, mani/pedi time, hair treatments and styling, copious glasses of their favorite apple wine, sappy movies, an array of party foods that included mini quiches, crab puffs and strawberry tarts, and last but not least, their favorite pj's. Lucy left the guild with a smile and a wave and went home to prepare for the night's festivities.