Lucy always thought she would end up with Natsu but she nothing ever happens like it should for her. All she has ever known is pain and sadness in her world. She knew something was changing for team Natsu but she wasn't sure if she was ready for the change to happen.

Lucy was sitting in a booth at the guild hall thinking over the events that have occurred recently. She sighed as she put her head on the table. It was that time of the year again. The S-Class trials and that meant everyone was busy doing solo missions.

Memories flooded her mind. Tenrou island, Natsu and Lissanna, her and Gray. 3 weeks ago team Natsu were getting ready to leave for a mission when a girl approached the group, stopping them in their tracks."Natsu wait," the white hair girl yelled as she panted. She had a huge grin and her face showed a small blush."Hey Lissanna what's up?"

"Natsu listen…I know I waited a while to tell you this but…Will YOU GO OUT WITH ME!"Natsu didn't say a word. He simply turned around and pulled the girl close. He kissed her as his teammates could do nothing but watch.

Lucy closed her eyes as she felt a small ache in her chest. For years she loved Natsu but she couldn't bring herself to tell him. She watched him get with another woman and she still couldn't tell him. A cold yet warm hand nudged her. Lucy looked up and was met with a pair of dark blue eyes.

Gray..

Gray sighed and took a seat across from Lucy. She looked terrible. Team Natsu was slowly falling apart and he had to be the one to keep it together. He smiled softly at the blonde and put his hand on top of hers as if to comfort her.

A week ago Lucy and Gray decided to take a mission just by themselves. Erza was off on a mission by herself and Natsu was off with Lissanna."Ready," The ice mage asked as he walked up to Lucy with hands in his pockets. She smiled and nodded her head. It was a simple mission. They just had to go and transport some important items on a train. They already met with the client who informed them that it would a 2 day trip before they reached their destinationLucy and Gray were on the train, guarding the gold they were hired to protect. Lucy hadn't said much. She was still dealing with her heartbreak. Gray noticed this. He sighed heavily before he pulled the blonde close and kissed her softly on the lips.

Lucy's heart beat faster as she remembered the kiss. A red tint flooded to her creaks. Something had changed between her and Gray. She wasn't sure what to do but something told her she always had feelings for the Ice Mage and to go with it. She tucked a piece of stay hair behind her ear and greeted him with a smile.

"Hey Gray what's up?"

"S-Class trials are coming up and instead of Loke being my partner I was wondering if you would be my partner if I'm nominated again this year," he asked while looking into her beautiful chocolate eyes.

"Yeah of course!"

Gray and Lucy partied the night away with a few of their guild mates not knowing what would happen next. A lot of drinking and a night neither of them could remember. In the moment everything was fine but no one was prepared for what was awaiting them.

3 weeks have passed and the S-Class trials have come and gone. Elfman ended up being the next S-Class wizard thanks to Evergreen. Lucy and Gray tried their best but only came in second which was alright cause there was always next year. Gray looked around the guild hall. Natsu was out with Lissanna, Wendy was off with Shadow Gear, and Erza was meeting with Crime Sorciere. He scanned the room looking for a blonde but to no avail.

Where is she?

Lucy was sitting in her apartment with tears falling from her eyes. Today was the anniversary of her mother's death and she just wanted to be alone. She hadn't went to the guild hall in days. She needed time to think everything over. She thought she loved Natsu but here recently a certain Ice Wizard was on her mind.

Gray..

A knock on the front door disturbed her from her thoughts. She stood up and opened the door and to her surprise stood Gray Fullbuster. She stood back, welcoming him into her home. She wasn't expecting company but she wasn't the type to push people away. "I didn't see you at the Guild so I thought mabye..," his voice trailed off as looked at the woman In front of him. Beautiful blonde hair that was a mess, tear stained face, and chocolate eyes that were filled with tears. Gray sighed as he stepped inside the apartment. He didn't want to see her like this.

"Lucy…"

She didn't want to look at him. She knew if she did she would break down and let him inside and she just couldn't afford to do that anymore. Not after what happened with Natsu. She wiped her tears away and forced a smile on her face hoping Gray would believe it. The Ice Mage narrowed his eyes and pulled her into a tight hug. The smell of cinnamon mixed with strawberries as he held her tightly against his chest.

"Look whatever is bothering you..just know your not alone. You have me and I'm not going anywhere. I'm right here Lucy." His words were soothing and she couldn't hold back anymore. Her defense crumbled and she let him hold her until there was no tears left to cry.

Why do you always show up when I need someone the most..

Her thoughts were interrupted as Gray pulled away from her. There was a serious look in his navy blue eyes. It startled her a little. "Lucy I care for you. Your my team mate. One of my closest friends and whatever your going through, you shouldn't have to do it alone."

Friends..that's all we will ever be…even after I figured out my feelings..

"Gray thank you. I appreciate it more than you think. I'll be fine. So don't worry about me," she spoke softly as she sat on her bed. Gray sat beside her not saying a word, just providing her comfort for the rest of the night. He glanced over at his guild mate who was fast asleep. A soft smiled formed and he kissed the top of her head before he slipped out of the apartment careful to not wake her up.

Gray walked into the guild hall and saw that all of team Natsu was there. His eyes wandered the room and landed on Lucy who seemed to be talking to Levy and enjoying herself. Natsu and Happy were talking with Mira at the bar and Erza was looking at the request board. Everything seemed okay now.

"Ice princess you finally decided to show up? Erza has a job picked out for us and it pays fairly well," the dragon slayer informed as he slid his hands in his pocket. Gray sighed. Another mission where Natsu destroys everything. Again.

"I'll go let Mira know we are taking the job and then we will head out," a soft yet sweet voice called out. Lucy walked over to Mira and got everything sorted out. The job they took requested someone to deal with a dark guild that threatened the townsfolk of Freesia. Team Natsu said their goodbyes and headed out on their mission. It would be a two day walk until they reached the village. Natsu and happy took the lead, Erza followed behind them, and Lucy and Gray bringing in the rear. They walked for hours until the sun started to set.

"Its starting to get dark outside. Why don't we stop for tonight and make camp," Erza's voice broke the silence. Everyone nodded in agreement.

"Sounds good. I guess we should all find Jobs to do," Lucy replied as she stretched out her arms.

"Natsu, happy there's a lake nearby. Why don't you guys try to go catch some fish for us to eat for dinner. Gray, go gather up some firewood for a fire. I will go gather some water and Lucy can you start to set the tents up?"

Everyone nodded in agreement knowing not to go against what Erza said. Each team member went their separate way. Lucy began to set up the tents when a burst of cold wind hit her.

Maybe I should set up two tents so we can stay warm

Lucy finished setting the tents up and summoned Aries to fill the tents with her pink fluffy wool. She sat down and decided to relax until the others returned. Erza had followed Natsu and Happy to the lake to gather up some fresh water. She made her way back to the campsite but froze in place at the scene in front of her.

Gray had returned shortly after gathering a while pile of firewood. When he returned he saw Lucy sitting by herself. He placed the firewood in a pile and took his white button up shirt off and placed it around her shoulders. There was a slight wind which made it a bit chilly for the celestial mage.

"Thank you gray." She smiled as he took a seat next to her, placing his hand on hers. Something was happening between the two of them and neither was sure what to expect. The crunch of fallen leaves were heard as Erza approached the camp with fresh water. "Natsu should be here shortly with dinner," she announced right as the fire mage entered the camp with his loyal exceed flying next to him. Natsu lit the wood on fire and grilled the fish except for the one Happy wanted..

"I'll take first watch so everyone can get some rest," Gray announced as everyone finished their dinner. Erza smiled and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Then Its settled. Gray will have first watch followed by Natsu, me, and Lucy." Everyone nodded in agreement. Natsu and happy entered one tent as Erza entered the other. Lucy walked up to Gray.

"I just wanted to thank you for everything you have done for me here recently. I know it's not much by a long shot but thank you." She hugged the mage from behind and planted a soft kiss on his cheek before heading into her own tent not knowing a certain red head was watching her. Gray smiled as he touched his cheek where Lucy had kissed him. He was worried that this mission would end in a disaster but good things keep happening and he wasn't going to let it stop.