Yeah, second chapter! This is more development, but we'll get into the more serious stuff pretty soon- have no doubt about that. Anyway, I don't usually stress this very much, but please guys: REVIEW! It's your reviews that keep me writing! Without those, what's the point? Tell me your opinion, love it, hate it, flame it, be my guest and let me know! I'm doing this for YOUR entertainment, so help me out a little to make this story even better for EVERYONE!

As always, thanks for reading!

Chapter 2: New Missions

"Ah-ahhhh! Pl-please- oh, god- M-ma-ahaha! Ahahaa! No! N-not there! Bahahahaha! Make it sto- hahahahahaha!"

"E-Erza, I- ahahaha! I-I-I'm s-sorry- bufaahahahaa! Hahaha! Please! N-no mo~re- gahahaha!"

The guild watched with a mixture of horror and hysterics at Erza's choice of punishment for the rowdy Twin Dragons.

She had tied them up, hung them from the rafters, took off their clothes down to their underwear, and was now tickling them in every place possible with feathers. Of course, Happy, Lector, and Frosch were helping. The Twin Dragons were laughing so hard they cried, and the ropes Erza had tied them up with suppressed their magic. They were utterly helpless.

A short distance away, Lucy was sitting at a table, half-enjoying her boyfriend's horrific torture. Half because even though she wanted to help him, the sight of Sting tied up, stripped, and laughing so hard he couldn't breathe was surprisingly entertaining. In fact, her hand was hiding a huge grin on her face, but the wracking of her shoulders gave away the fact that she was laughing.

"Wow, they really did it this time. That's so mean." Levy giggled beside her, but Gajeel was in total hysterics. Black Steel was down for the count, curled up in a ball on floor while he laughed his ass off.

Lisanna was laughing too, but she finally managed to put a hold on herself and sigh, "Whew…do you think we should stop Erza? She's been at it for like half an hour…I'm amazed they're still conscious."

Yukino flashed her a look like she was crazy, "You can go tell her that if you want. I'm not ending up in the same boat as those two."

Elfman grunted, "It's not manly to watch your friends suffer!"

Unfortunately, Erza heard him.

/\/\/\/\/\

"AAAHHH, GOD! GAHAHAHAHA, PLEASE-BAHA! N-NO MORE, I'M BEGGING YOU! AHAHAHAHA!"

Elfman, within two minutes of talking back, was tied up, stripped, and hung with the Twin Dragons, then subjected to the same, horrible torture. With a slight twist: He was upside down, hanging from his feet.

Now the whole room was in danger of dying. Sting and Natsu were one thing, but Elfman, a huge, tough guy being strung up and tickled with feathers? It was too much for the already crazed guild to take.

Cana wasn't even able to get drunk because she couldn't swallow her alcohol. It was hard to tell if she was crying from laughter or frustration. The attempts to swear in between heaving laughs were almost indecipherable, "G-god- hahhaha- dammit! Y-you stupid-pffahahaha! Shit, stop it! I can't- pufu! I-I can't drink-kahahaha! Aw, shit, Erza, stoppit already! Bufahahaha!"

At that precise moment, Laxus walked through the guild entrance.

The tall blonde man took about three seconds to process the scene before him; Sting, Natsu, and Elfman stripped and strung up, everyone laughing their asses off, and not a single sane soul or quiet place in sight.

When some people tried to explain, he held up a hand and shook his head, "I don't even wanna know, I'll just call it a night early, you crazy bastards."

The mages couldn't even breathe anymore. Even Erza and the exceed had stopped tickling their victims because they were no longer able to laugh and remain standing at the same time. Pretty much everyone in the room was down for the count.

Erza finally got up and caught her breath, then whipped out a sword and cut the three prisoners loose, chuckling as they hit the ground with a thud, "I think you three have learned your lesson, right?"

Sting and Natsu weren't able to reply, as they were too exhausted to even attempt putting their clothes back on. Elfman had passed out in the last few seconds of torture and was drooling on the floor.

Titania nodded with a large grin, "Good." Then she walked off.

When she had gone, Natsu managed a groan, "She's…so…mean…"

Sting tried to grunt, "That…was…hell…"

"Yeah, it was. But you two were laughing so hard, I almost thought you liked it."

The twins looked up to see Lucy and Lisanna crouching over them, still giggling at their pathetic appearance.

Sting wasn't gonna have any of it.

"Next time…we'll do that to..to you…tie you…the bed…tickle…til' ya beg…" he gasped out.

Lucy arched an eyebrow, "We can always make Erza torture you again."

Natsu shook his head, "P-please…god no…never again…"

Lisanna tried not to smile, but she gave up and gathered the twin's clothes for them, "Better put those back on."

"Wha' bout me?" Elfman slurred, waking up on the floor.

Lucy grinned and pointed, "Evergreen has yours. Sorry, Elfman, but I don't think you'll be getting them back."

Elfman groaned and promptly passed out again.

Lisanna giggled, "Alright, let's get you guys home, 'kay?"

/\/\/\/\/\

In Crocas, Savannah was still trying to find out more about the dragon raid she knew had happened, but so far, there were no more clues. It was as though the dragons had attacked, then vanished like smoke.

She finally scored a hit when they reached the front of the castle.

"What is it?" Millie asked curiously, seeing her friend pause mid-step.

Savannah was silent for a moment, then said slowly, "I can feel magic similar to a Dragon Slayer's…but it's also like a dragon's…it's weird."

The brown exceed tilted her head, "Well, maybe a dragon ate a Dragon Slayer! Or a Dragon Slayer ate a dragon!"

The girl laughed at her companion's idea, but shook her head, "No, I don't think so…Tell you what, there's a faint trail here, so let's follow it and see what we can find. We've got a new mission, Millie!"

"Yay!" Millie cheered, making Savannah smile. Even when things were rough, she always had her friend at her side. That was what kept her going.

"Come on, Millie." Savannah said, "Let's go find our missing dragon."

/\/\/\/\/\

Sting awoke to the familiar sensation of something warm and soft draped over his body- or rather, someone. He smiled at Lucy's sleeping form, watching her back rise and fall with her breathing. She was lying on his chest, which was the way they typically slept these days.

The initial awkwardness of their relationship was long gone. Their Dragon's Bond had only strengthened in the few months it had existed, but it already felt too strong for anything to break.

He kissed the top of Lucy's head, which resulted in her smiling, then opening her eyes blearily. She leaned up slightly to meet his lips, then mumbled tiredly, "Morning…"

"Yeah…" Sting brought up a hand and ran his fingers through her long, blonde hair. Lucy snuggled closer to him, sighing contentedly at his caresses. He eventually shifted her so he could get up, then stretched with a grunt.

Lucy opened one eye and muttered, "Where are you going?"

He shrugged, "Guess I might as well go find us a job to do…how about you crash for a few more hours and I'll come back with some work?"

"Nope." Lucy sat up and yawned, then winked at him, "I already made plans with Levy. She's doing a job at some ruins and invited me. Wanna come with us?"

Sting grinned, "You bet I do."

"Good. So get back here, mister. It's only eight in the morning." she complained, "Even Lector isn't awake yet."

Sting rolled his eyes, but cracked a smile and got back in bed, allowing the pretty blonde to use his chest once more as a pillow.

/\/\/\/\/\

A few hours later, when Sting, Lucy, and Lector finally got out and headed to the guild, they found a large group of people huddling around the Master at the bar.

Lucy blinked, "What's going on there?"

"Who knows?" Sting muttered, then went over and tapped Rogue's shoulder, "What's this about?"

The Shadow Dragon shrugged, "Master got a bunch of job requests this morning asking for specific mages. He's passing them out now."

Lucy eyed the pile of requests and whistled, "Wow, that's a lot."

"You can say that again." Yukino remarked from beside Rogue, "I saw a dozen requests specifically asking for Erza. She's going to be super busy for a while…"

Lector turned his stare of surprise from Yukino to Rogue, "What about you?"

Rogue held up a request in his hand with a sigh, "I have to go investigate some shady characters who apparently are playing with forbidden magic. Should be interesting, at least."

"Nice. Is Gajeel going with you?" Sting asked.

Yukino shook her head, "No, he's going with Levy to a different job."

The White Dragon processed that and glanced at Lucy with a raised eyebrow, "Now that wouldn't happen to be the same job we're going on, would it?"

Lucy chuckled, "Guilty. Come on, it'll be fun. We're just looking at some ruins."

"Yeah, that's how it always starts." Lector pointed out, "Then later there's fighting and explosions and Erza gets pissed off."

Sting grinned, "True that. Well, let's find our team and get moving, okay?"

"Okay. See you guys later!" Lucy waved goodbye to Rogue and Yukino as they went looking for Levy and Gajeel.

Well, they were about to when Makarov guffawed, "Well, here's a surprise! Mira, there's one here for you!"

Mira called back, "Master, I'm too busy here. I can't go on a job right now."

"Oh, I know." the old man responded, then jabbed his finger at a pile of letters that rivaled Erza's, "Those are the requests I put down because I knew you wouldn't have any interest in them. This one is different."

The barmaid watched him carefully, "How so?"

Makarov handed her the letter and grinned as she read it over, then widened her eyes, "What?!"

"Don't tell me that doesn't interest you." Makarov grunted, "That job is up in the northern continent, but it shouldn't be a problem for you. And I know the prize is worth it."

"A-a-a vacation house right by Akane Resort?! Seriously?!" Mira almost drooled.

"EHHHH?!" The whole female population in the guild gasped. Not only was Akane Resort extremely popular, but getting a place right by it was ridiculously expensive. To the girls though, that wasn't what made it so appealing.

Just the idea of having your own private getaway in a tropical location was amazing to anyone, but of course, one thing always clicking in the back of every female mind was romance. The ideal situation for a girl would be to have a perfect getaway for them and their significant other.

The reward of this job was simply too good to pass up.

"Lisanna, Elfman, we have to go pack!" Mira called as she rushed out of the guild.

Lucy stared after her, then glanced back at Sting, "I don't think I've ever seen anyone in a dress move that fast."

"Hey, it's a hell of a reward." Sting pointed out, "Did she even look at the job though?"

Makarov grunted, "It's just to investigate some monster activity in the northern region. Nothing too special. That area has been fairly uneventful for quite some time now. It should be an easy job."

"I don't envy them."

That was Gajeel as he and Natsu came up to them with Levy right behind. Black Steel grunted again, "That's gonna be freakishly cold. I ain't unhappy to be left out on this little excursion."

"Well, I'm going with them." Natsu decided, "Just like old times."

Sting blinked, "You do remember what happened the last time you went monster hunting with them, right?"

Natsu visibly winced, but he growled, "I'm stronger now. I can manage. And Reyos ain't here to send me to Edolas this time. We'll be fine."

"Of course we will." Lisanna came up behind Natsu and grabbed his hand with a smile, "So let's hurry and go pack, or Mira will leave us behind!"

The Salamander grinned, "You got it! Happy, let's go!"

"Aye, sir!" Happy cheered and flew ahead as Natsu and Lisanna ran behind him out of the guild.

Makarov grunted, "They'll do just fine. Natsu will probably melt all the snow up north. I hope we can't get fined for that. Let's see…Gray! There's a job for you, Erza, and Juvia!"

While the Master went back to giving out job requests, Sting and Lucy discussed their mission with Levy and Gajeel, though Black Steel just stood there with his arms crossed.

"Okay, so we're heading to some ruins in the east." Levy told them, "There's some ancient text we need to decipher. Supposedly, it grants access to a secret chamber that's full of treasure!"

Lucy smiled brightly, "That could be a great scenario to add to my novel!"

"Well, what are we waiting for?" Sting asked, then motioned to Lector and Pantherlily on the other side of the room. The group headed out of the guild for their job immediately.

/

"Elfman, have you packed enough warm clothes?" Mira called from her room.

"A man doesn't need to fear the cold!" was the brave (however typical) reply.

"Mira, you'll let us use that vacation house, right?" Lisanna asked.

Mira poked her head out of her room and arched an eyebrow at her little sister mischievously, "And whatever would you need that for?"

"Wouldn't you like to know?" Lisanna stuck her tongue out and giggled.

Natsu grinned, "Well, at least you won't be cold on this trip. Not while I'm around."

"You liiiiiike her!" Happy said with glee.

The Salamander sweat dropped, "Isn't that obvious by now?"

Lisanna bit her lip for a second, then gave Natsu a look. A look that said she wanted to talk in private.

"Hey, Happy, head home and make sure you packed enough fish, okay?" Natsu said.

The blue exceed shot out of the house instantly, allowing Lisanna to close her bedroom door and lock it so no one could interrupt them.

Natsu stared at her, "What's up?"

"You don't have to come if you don't want to." she told him quietly.

Natsu was taken aback, "Excuse me?"

Lisanna shifted uneasily, "It's just…the last time we went on a job like this, I almost lost you…I don't want to go through something like that ever again. I know it wasn't easy on you either, so if it makes you too uncomfortable, you don't have to come with us. It's an easy job and-"

She was silenced as he leaned down and kissed her, then pulled back slightly with a faint smile, "You know the last time we went on a job like this, good things came out of it too, right?"

Her reply was a slight whisper, "Yes…"

"So don't worry." Natsu brought her close and held the girl to him, murmuring into her hair, "We're smarter and stronger now. We won't make the same mistakes this time. It's just an investigation anyway, isn't it? How bad could it be?"

Lisanna tried to hide a smile and hugged him, "Don't jinx us, Natsu. You got in enough trouble on the last mission."

Natsu shuddered, "Don't remind me. I knew Erza could be mean but that was just…"

"Oh, it was hysterical!"

The Salamander pouted, "Don't laugh when I get tortured!"

She tried to hide her smile, but it was futile. Lisanna put a hand over her mouth, but a giggle escaped her lips.

Natsu grinned fiendishly and lunged at her, "All right, let's see how you like it!"

He grabbed her and started tickling her stomach, making the girl double over as she started laughing, "Ahaha! N-Natsu, quit! Th-that's where I'm- hahahaha!"

"You asked for it!" he laughed, catching her as she almost fell and continued to tickle her.

Lisanna took a quick breath, then spun and countered by tickling him back, "Okay, mister, let's see if you can handle this!"

Natsu staggered as she found the spot on his neck where he was most ticklish, but grunted in surprise when he stumbled and fell back into Lisanna's bed. The girl landed on top of him, still trying to tickle his neck and laughing all the while.

A knock on the door interrupted their play fighting, "Oi, Lisanna? What's going on in there?"

Lisanna recovered herself and called back, "It's nothing, Elfman! Happy's just giving us the runaround!"

Elfman seemed to consider this, but Lisanna kept going, "It's fine Elfman! We've only got like three minutes anyway, so nothing's gonna happen!"

Her brother grunted and apparently walked away, leaving the two in peace.

Lisanna sighed and looked down on Natsu with a smile, "Might as well enjoy these three minutes. Elfman will probably watch us like a hawk for the rest of the trip."

"Tch. He can't argue if I'm keeping you warm." Natsu grinned and winked.

She laughed again and lay her head down on Natsu's chest, taking a moment to listen to the familiar, strong heartbeat. Lisanna closed her eyes and murmured, "Natsu?"

"Hm?"

"I love you." Lisanna propped herself up and looked him in the eye, "You know that, right?"

Natsu frowned, "Of course I do. Why ask me that?"

"Just making sure." she answered.

"...You're not telling me this on the off chance something happens on this mission, are you?"

Lisanna sighed and tapped his chest with a finger, "Guilty…"

Natsu pulled her down and kissed her again, the contact soft and gentle. When they pulled apart, Natsu brought up a hand and brushed a strand of hair out of Lisanna's face. His eyes were serious, "It'll be fine. You trust me, right?"

"With my life." was her unwavering reply.

"Then don't worry." he flashed his classic grin and pulled her down for a hug. Lisanna seemed to relax a bit and settled down with him- up until they heard a familiar, obnoxious snicker:

"You guys are in looooove!"

"Happy!"