Lucy jerked around and winced. The one and only Laxus Dreyer was looming over her and so close that she could see the tiny upturn at the corner of his mouthShe took a step back instinctively.

"Uh, sure," she muttered and immediately regretted it. Laxus had a near psychotic break last year and attacked almost everyone in the guild, including her. He took her hand and led her onto the dance floor before she could think up an escape plan.

Fortunately for her, the band was playing an upbeat pop song so there was no threat of being made to slow dance. She started to bounce to the music, keeping a solid two feet between them. Laxus was nearly a foot and a half taller than her and he looked awkward moving to the music. He was trying to keep up with Lucy but the way they were dancing wasn't exactly easy for his lumbering frame. She fought back a grin. The dragon slayer noticed and smiled sheepishly.

"I guess I'm not the best dancer, huh?"

"No, you're doing great," she encouraged. She spun around, getting more into the song. Laxus took her hand and spun her around again. He pulled her close for a moment, and then released her.

The song ended and the band began playing a song that sounded like a Mexican hat dance. Most of the couples stopped dancing and started making there(their) way back to the bar or dining tables.

Lucy relaxed. She opened her mouth to thank Laxus but he suddenly wrapped his arms underneath hers and lifted so that she was standing on tip-toe. The fast movement made her slightly breathless.

"What are you doing?"

Light was glinting in Laxus's eyes. "Now this is something I can dance to."

He started across the dance floor in long fast steps. His stride was much longer than her's and Lucy would have fallen if Laxus hadn't already been supporting most of her weight. The celestial wizard's feet were only skimming the floor every other step. Laxus would glide to one end of the room and spin quickly, making her hair whip out. Her stomach did a small flip and she realized that he had dipped her so deeply that her locks where brushing the floor. He pulled her up and led her through another circle around the room.

Lucy felt like she was flying. She had to trust Laxus to support her completely, and was shocked when she realized that she didn't really mind. It was exhilarating. She started laughing and tried harder to keep up with Laxus but it was impossible. He was like a puppeteer pulling her strings.

The song ended and the dragon slayer let her down. The sudden weight of her body surprised her and she swayed slightly. She looked around the room and saw every pair of eyes on them. Levy gave her a "thumbs" up and Cana and Bickslow were clapping.

Lucy blushed. "Thanks Laxus. That was a lot of fun. I didn't know you could dance like that."

Laxus shrugged. "Its one of the few dances I actually know. But you've got to have a great partner to really get it right."

A slow song started and Lucy and Laxus made their way off the dance floor. When they got to the punch bowl, Gray, Natsu, and Lisanna rushed up to them.

"Oh man, that looked like sooo much fun," exclaimed Natsu. "Lucy, we have to dance like that if they play that song again."

"Sure, but I doubt they'll play the same song twice." She gulped down some of the punch and nearly gagged. Yep, it was heavily spiked.

Lisanna chimed in. "You looked really pretty too. Your hair and skirt were flowing around you. It was really dramatic."

"Thanks Lisanna. I saw you dancing earlier. You were really good also."

Lisanna rolled her eyes. "Thanks, but I think Natsu and I might have been dramatic in a less flattering way."

"Can I get the next dance?" asked Gray. He had been nudging himself closer to Lucy while the group talked.

"Yeah, but I think I need a little breather first. That was a heck of a workout." She looked up at Laxus. Her former dance partner was sipping some of the punch and looked bored. He turned his gaze back to Lucy.

"Lucy, can I talk to you for a minute?" His voice was easy enough but the words made her tense.

"Okay, I guess.

"Let's go out on the balcony."

That's strange, thought Lucy. Laxus wasn't really acting like himself tonight. And why did he want to talk to her of all people.

Luffy fan: Special thanks to randigirl, my beta-reader! Please read and review.