GAH! Aren't I already working on two other stories and I currently have two that aren't finished? Crap. O well. I write this about a month ago and just reread it, and I discovered that I really liked it and wanted to continue the story. It was origianaly supposed to be a shot one chapter story, but it just kinda grew. I don't know, isn't that how all stories go? I really like that Natsu seems more in charcter in this. Well, enjoy the ride. Hopefully I will have more content for this soon. O, I almost forgot.

I do not own Fairy Tail.

"EEK! Hide me Natsu!" Lucy screamed as she ducked behind a barrel. Natsu just stared at his friend, half way used to her antics. They had accepted this mission for a security detail, but Natsu was starting to get the feeling that this was going to be shady. The client asked to meet the two in the middle of the market place, in the street. Most people discuss contracts behind closed doors. Natsu didn't like the smell of this mission, but rent was coming due (for one of them anyway,) and this mission was perfect for that. The jewel reward was high enough that even after paying for the damages they would still have enough to cover the bills.

Lucy had taken cover as soon as she saw the client. Natsu looked hard at the man, trying to see if he recognized him. Nothing was coming to mind, but with the wizard's poor memory that wasn't very surprising. He was ordinary looking, not much taller than Natsu. His hair was light brown and eyes that matched. He had a slender built, less toned that himself. What surprised Natsu was the man's young age. He was only a few years older than them, and yet was in need of a wizard to protect him? He must be some sort of big shot.

"Hello. Are you the contracted ones from Magnolia?" The man asked while standing only five inches from Natsu's face. Natsu had no room to talk when it came to invading personal space, but something about this dude rubbed him the wrong way. He crossed his arms as he answered the man.

"Ya. I'm Natsu and this is..." He was about to introduce his partner as he looked around and noticed she was still hiding. Natsu just rolled his eyes and tried to cover himself. "Uh, I guess he got a little lost. He was just here a second ago."

"Ah well, the less people the better. I only need one person's assistance as it is. If it is okay with you, please come by the Grand Hall on Lorde Street tonight at six. Be prepared to work."

"That's it? That is all the info I am going to get out of you? What makes you think I am going to take this job buddy?"

"I understand the risk sir. I can guarantee that if you do your job well, I will double your pay."

Natsu gave the guy a doubtful look, scratching his head as he thought it over. This was really sketchy if you asked him, but Lucy would be in trouble is she didn't make any money soon. And she needed her apartment. Her bed was really cozy…

"Alright, I be there. But if I don't like what I smell..."

"Don't worry, you won't be doing anything outside of the law." With that, the man turned to leave. Natsu scrunched his face at his back, remembering something.

"Hey dude, what's your name?"

The ass raised his hand in the air back at him, and kept walking. Natsu sighed as he turned to find his partner. Lucy wasn't hard to track down, her scent was permanently burned into his olfactory. She was still behind the barrels, her eyes wary of her surroundings.

"Mind telling me what that was about? You left me to deal with that idiot on my own. What gives?"

"Uh, can we just go back to the hotel?" she pitifully asked.

"Ya, let's go. But don't think this is going to get you out of explaining to me what the hell woman."

"So, do you know that creep or something?" he questioned as the entered their room. It was a stylish accommodation, with red carpet and voluptuous drapes. Natsu thought it was a bit much, but when they had first settled in a day earlier Lucy had been ecstatic at it all. The client had provided the lodging, and as such provided meals too. Therefore Natsu couldn't complain too much about it all. Plus if it made Lucy this happy, he would stay here for as long as she liked.

"I don't really know him, per say. But I guess you could say we have a 'history'." She qualified.

"What kind of history?"

"Well, you could say he was the reason I ran away from home." At this, Natsu was all ears. His mind started coming up with scenarios as to why a man could make Lucy run away, and all of them ended with Natsu punching that pretty boy's face in.

"You see, Dad was always adamant that I carry on the family business and name. So he tried to marry me off to the richest bidder. He started showing me pictures of guys, asking which one was to my liking. I always told him that I didn't care what they looked like, but he never listened. Finally dad came to me with that man's picture, saying that since I wouldn't pick a suitable husband, he was going to. He said I was to be wed in early July, but by then I was already gone. No way was I going to marry some dude I never met. Screw that. I'm pretty sure you know the story after that."

"Huh?" he replied. He was still stuck on the fact that this douche had a wedding date with Lucy.

"I met you, you idiot. In fact, the day we met was supposed to be my wedding day. Funny, huh?"

Natsu snapped out of his revived, unsure of exactly what Lucy had just said. He just gave her a nod, knowing that it usually placated her. "So, are you coming tonight?"

"Uh, if it's ok with you, how about I play a more 'background' role on this one?" she asked timidly.

"You're going to make me do all the work, aren't you?"

"No, I swear I won't! I can do other things without him spotting me." She exclaimed. Natsu rolled his eyes, but secretly he was relieved she didn't want to him to see her. Too much history for his liking.

"Alright, tag along night, but keep to the shadows. I'll keep my ears open in case there is any trouble, kay?"

"It's a plan," Lucy shouted as they high-fived. She ran into the bathroom to get dressed, Natsu just staring at her backside. He knew he needed to lighten up, but sometimes his carefree attitude was hard to come by. He decided to get some rest before the mission.

"Alright, you stay in the back alley. From what I can smell, they man was just here. If you see anyone coming, tap the communication lacrma twice. It will signal me. Got it?"

"Yep. Be careful Natsu. We don't know exactly what this guy is up to yet."

"Ya, I know. Just don't get yourself caught." Natsu added with concern. Lucy gave him one her carefree winks, and searched for a shady spot to hide. Natsu headed towards the front entrance as he heard a trashcan fall over. He was tempted to go back and see if she was hurt when he heard her voice.

"Owe. That hurt buddy. Just who do you think you…"

"What is a lovely woman doing here this time of night?" a smooth, familiar voice called. Damn it, it's the client. Natsu shifted to get a better listen, while still looking like an innocent pedestrian.

"Uh, I got a bit lost."

"Where are you headed? I know this town like my own backyard." The voice seductively replied. Natsu was pretty sure Lucy wasn't stupid enough to fall for this.

"Ooh, uhh, well, I am looking for a restaurant around here. But I can't recall the name."

"You mean the streak house a few blocks away?"

"Yes! That's it. Can you point me in the right direction?"

"Sure young lady." The man rolled as he started walking towards the street Natsu was standing on. He could hear as both their footsteps came closer, so Natsu made his way into the Hall. He was still able to hear their conversation, and his vantage point in the lobby enabled him to see their interaction once they hit the middle of the walkway.

"Just go a few blocks south, and it will be on your left. Do you mind if I ask you something though?"

Lucy just looked up at the client, a blush across her face. Natsu rolled his eyes and sighed, the blonde was completely falling for this cheese.

"Yes."

"Are you meeting a special someone there? Or are you attending your meal alone?" He asked as he grabbed her hand. Natsu was pretty sure he was going to lose that hand in the near future. But no, Lucy was just full of surprises today.

"Oh my, um, no. I do not have anyone to meet tonight. But I really must be going."

"Well miss, if I may be so bold, would you please accompany me tonight? I am dining here and have no one to escort. It would be my greatest pleasure to be able to have such a lovely woman in my views as I dine." Natsu watched as this asshole raised Lucy's hand and gave it a slight kiss. It wasn't until a man gasped loudly behind him that Natsu noticed his hand was on fire. He quickly put it out and continued his spying, ignoring the onlookers.

"Oh, but I am not dressed for something so nice! Please, if you will, I would gladly accompany you another night." Lucy replied with finesse. Natsu had rarely (if ever) seen this side of her. He couldn't say how he felt about it either.

"I will hold you to that. Meet me here tomorrow about seven. And if you give me the address of where you are staying, I will gladly send something more appropriate for the occasion."

"I am staying at the Endorth Hotel."

"Oh, that is a personal favorite of mine. What is your name, so that I might be able to have it delivered to you?

Lucy's eyes widened, Natsu noticing that she might just be coming back to reality. If she gave her real name, she would give away her position. It was also likely this guy would at least recognize her Heartfilia name, considering he didn't know her face.

"My name is, uh, Lucy. Lucy Ashley."

Natsu slapped his forehead, recognizing Edo Lucy's surname.

"Lucy, huh? Well Luce, I will see you tomorrow."

With that they parted ways, the client coming towards Natsu. The fire mage stepped to the side of entrance, acting as if he had been waiting for a while. When the client finally entered the Hall, he was thirty minutes late. He smiled as he apologized, explaining he got held up. Natsu muttered something about holding him up with they were seated. Natsu asked for water as the client ordered some fancy type of alcohol, clearly wanting the meeting to be more lax than the previous one.

"This is a change in atmosphere. What was with all the mystery?"

"Sorry about that. I needed to see if I could trust you. Most people would tuck tail and run for a mission that was this shady. But you seem to be fearless."

"I think you are reading way too much into this."

"Whatever the case, I see that you at least are willing to finish the job at hand. I'm sorry I called you here so early though, but you see it was necessary as I needed to test you."

"What do you mean early?"

"I actually don't need you till next week. But don't fret. I will gladly pay for your room and board for the entire time you are here. That and the double reward upon successful completion."

Natsu thought it over, and found only one flaw with his plan. "Okay, but there is one other thing I want."

"What is that?"

"I want some of the pay in advance."

"No problem. How much of it would you like?"

"Seventy thousand jewel."

The client raised a brow, "That is an awfully specific amount."

"Pay seventy thousand now, plus the other offers, and I will take the job."

"Fine. Look in your jacket pocket."

Natsu raised his hand and open his vest, searching the inner pocket. There he found the exact amount he had requested. He nodded to the man, noting that he was a mage also.

-break-

"What took you so long Natsu?" the blonde asked, aggravated.

"Sorry Luce. I had to stop at the mail station."

"Mail? What were you doing there?"

"Just sending a letter back to Magnolia. Listen, I got some details from the client today. Looks like we have about a week or two worth of mission here. Is that okay with you?"

Lucy's face dropped, knowing her rent was due in a week. "I guess, but I am going to have to get ahold of my landlady."

"Don't worry, I'll take care of that."

"Thanks Natsu. She will listen to you better than me anyways."

"No problem. Lets' head back to the hotel. Did anything happen?" he asked with a knowing look. Lucy blushed and looked down, but didn't own up to her encounter.

"Nothing suspicious." Was her only answer. Natsu put his hands behind his head as they walked back to the hotel. Upon entering their room Lucy immediately fell on the bed, seemingly exhausted. Natsu finally cracked a smile, seeing her carefree attitude as infectious.

"Who's taking the bed tonight Luce?" he asked as he started to undress for the shower.

"Natsu! Can't you wait till you get into the bathroom before you strip?"

"Seriously? You have seen me shirtless about a thousand times Luce."

"Ya, I guess. At least leave your pants on till you are behind the door."

"No problem, but you still haven't answered my question."

"Huh?"

"Who gets the bed tonight? Technically you had it last night, and therefore I should get it tonight, but seeing as I don't have anything to do tomorrow I am thinking you can have it for another turn."

Lucy's eyes widened as she realized he knew more than he was saying. Her innocent smile spread across her face as she tried to plead for forgiveness. "You know I am a sucker, right?"

"Ya, I figured." Natsu smiled as he walked into the bathroom. He stripped the rest of his clothes and stepped into the shower, not bothering to close the door. He loved the hot water on his back, and tended to turn the hot on all the way during his showers. While this was great for him, it usually left Lucy with nothing but ice for her shower. Just as he was about to turn the water off he heard the door open.

"Natsu, make sure to leave me some." She shouted with her eyes closed. He gave an affirmative, and turned the water off. He reached for the towel behind the screen and wrapped it around himself, noticing that the mage was still at the door. She had her back to him, and was leaning her head on the frame.

"Something on your mind?"

"Well, I do have a 'mission' tomorrow, but you shouldn't be made to sleep on the floor every night. You can have your turn tonight." Lucy admitted. In reality, Natsu didn't want the bed. He was happy to sleep on a rock, but that didn't stop him from taking the offer.

"Kay. I'm gonna shower now. See ya in a minute." She called to him. Natsu grabbed his clean shorts and made it for the bedroom, dressing as her shower started. He laid on the soft mattress, thankful for the day to end. He was almost passed out when Lucy stepped out of the bathroom.

"Don't open your eyes, I forgot my clothes." She called. No problem, he thought. He was pretty sure he couldn't pry his eyes open if he tried. That was until he her a thump.

"Owowowowow!" Lucy was jumping around holding her foot. She still had a towel wrapped about herself, and Natsu got a glimpse of a little more than he should have, what with her leg hiked up in the air like that. He let out a huge bellow, engraving the image into his horrible memory. "What's so funny? It was your crap I stubbed my toe on!" she yelled at him.

"You're just that hilarious Lucy." Was his only reply. He was falling sleep again when he smelled salt mixed with water. He looked up to see Lucy was tearing up from the pain. "Get your pajamas on and come here."

Lucy obeyed and dressed as soon as he wasn't looking. She made her way over to the bed sat down, feet touching the floor. Natsu sat up and grabbed her leg, asking which toe hurt the worse. Lucy indicated her pinky, and he gave it a kiss. Lucy blushed deeply, not knowing what the mage was doing. "What? Igneel always kissed my bobo's. For some reason, I felt better afterwards.

"Awe Natsu, that's so sweet!" Lucy exclaimed as she gave Natsu a hug. Natsu was a bit taken about by the sudden gesture, but instantly returned the favor. He took note to take a deep breath while she hugged him, savoring her scent up close. She pulled away all too soon and grabbed the sleeping bag in Natsu's stuff. He quickly grabbed her waist and hoisted her back to the bed, startling her.

"Natsu! What are you doing? I told you, you could take your turn tonight."

"And I intend to. But come on Lucy, this is a huge bed. No reason we can't both sleep in it." Lucy blushed deeply, adverting her eyes. She nodded in agreement and scooted to the left edge of the bed. She quickly crawled under the covers, snuggling into the warmth. Natsu watched her movements, but too soon his eyelids started fighting back. He sighed as he crawled under the sheets, ready to be unconscious.

A few hours after he had fallen asleep, Natsu woke to a sudden change in pressure. He quickly surveyed the room to see what the change was about. When he didn't notice anyone out of the ordinary, he shrugged and tried to settle back into his slumber. That is when he noticed what had woken him up. The celestial mage had found her way to his side of the bed, her back facing him. Her spine was against his ribs, and her back end was, well, let's just say he made a mental note to wake up before she did in the morning. Otherwise he was liable to wake up with a chop to the head.

"Well dammit, I guess if I am going to be granted this, I might as well enjoy it." He whispered as he wrapped his arm around her tiny waist. He hugged the girl closer to himself as he drifted back to sleep. But unknown to him, the stellar mage was smiling, having woken up herself.