Chapter 2: The Return

He sat in a chair on the second floor watching the mages of the guild as they talked merrily or fought as they usually did. It was amusing to see how much destruction this guild could cause and all they did was a little, play fighting. All too soon four mages entered the guild, the first being an energetic pink haired fireball with a huge grin on his face. Next was a half-naked man looking annoyed at the first, making a comment before the pair ended up in a fight. Third to enter was the redheaded S-class mage dressed in armor. She looked at the pair and commanded them to stop before continuing on to the guild's bar where she sat down heavily. Last to enter was a white haired girl, petite and innocent looking, she reminded him a little bit of someone else that had been on their team two years ago.

He leaned back in his chair letting out a sigh as he watched the girl take a seat next to Erza. It had been two years since that day when she had confessed to him. He didn't know what to think the second those words, came flying out of her mouth. He could still remember the day he had woken up and the event afterwards.

Flashback

His eyes opened blearily, wincing at the light. He couldn't remember anything except feeling panic when he realized that Tempesta had turned into Magical Barrier Particles. He watched his friends fall before he quickly inhaled the particles wanting to keep them from spreading any further than they did. After that he could only remember excruciating pain before everything went dark.

Sitting up he felt a little achy but it wasn't something that would cause him to worry. When he looked around he noticed his friends sitting up as well, looking at him with smiles on their faces, relieved to see him up. He gave them a smile glad to see they were well.

"You're all awake. Good." He looked up at the old woman who spoke. Porlyusica. She had healed them? "After I do a final assessment I want the four of you out. I can't stand you smelly humans."

He watched her check on all of them and he decided to speak when she came to him. "Thank you for healing us."

"I had nothing to do with you getting better." The old woman bristled. "Now get out of here and don't let me see you again. You humans aggravate me." She grumbled out as she walked away. "Doing the most foolish things for someone else without a real reason."

Picking up his jacket he walked with the others out of the woman's home curious about what she had been rambling about. It almost seemed as if she was talking about someone other than them. Shaking it off he headed home telling the others to meet him at the guild's entrance after they cleaned up. Once home he stripped, showering and putting on clean clothes before leaving his home once more and making his way to the guild. He wanted to see everyone – no he just wanted to see one person.

Quickly pushing those thoughts aside he met with his team and they soon entered the guild heading over to the bar to order drinks when he noticed the guild go silent and he could clearly hear the blonde celestial wizard sitting at the bar.

"Just please don't tell Laxus." He raised an eyebrow at her statement.

"Don't tell Laxus what?" He asked her wanting to know why he couldn't know something.

He watched with amusement as she gasped turning around completely surprised to see him there. His senses picked up on her nervousness and he wondered why she glanced at the clock. Growing impatient he spoke again.

"Well?" He gave her an expectant look and she swallowed nervously.

"She doesn't want you to know that –"His eyes shifted to Mira as she began to talk.

"I love you Laxus!" She yelled suddenly surprising him. He watched as her eyes widened in shock, quickly covering her mouth as she flushed, embarrassed that she had confessed. It was startling to hear really. He had no idea she felt that way about him. Keeping his face expressionless he kept his eyes on her watching her look up at him. "I-I know it's probably something you've heard girls say before – I mean look at you." His lips twitched in amusement as she blushed looking away. "But it - it just kind of happened, after everything you've done for us since you came back and even before on Tenrou." He almost frowned at her words and she let out a shaky breath before meeting his eyes with her brown ones. "I didn't want Mira telling you because well – because it's just – I-I-I need to go."

Laxus could do nothing as he watched her run out of the guild. He had no idea what to think or say, his mind actually still processing everything she had said. Turning he looked from the door and then over to Mira who's surprised face changed slowly as she shook her head. It made him curious. Walking over he looked down at Mira and without having to say anything she spoke.

"I don't know why Lucy said what she did. I was completely surprised by her words." She confessed. "In truth, I don't know why she'd want to hide it from you guys." The barmaid looked at the group as a whole. "Lucy is the one who healed you."

"Lucy?" Evergreen spoke, her voice as surprised as he felt.

"How?" Freed asked.

"Through a celestial spirit she gained from her last job." Mira sighed. "She said that he healed you but the –"She cut herself off as if unable to say more. Erza placed a hand on her shoulder seeming to comforting the woman.

"There were some consequences to it. We don't know the full details but Lucy had to assume any and all injuries all four of you sustained from the Magical Barrier Particles." He heard his team gasp in shock and he swallowed trying to find a way to say something.

"Then is she –?" Bickslow asked his voice soft, something he had never heard before.

Erza shook her head. "There had been arrangements made with the Celestial King and she is to recuperate in the celestial world."

"When will she be back?" He finally spoke; he needed to know when she'd be back with them. At his question Mira started crying.

"We don't know. For someone in the celestial world one day is equivalent to three months here. She could be gone for years here and to her it would only seem like weeks." His hands balled into fists as he tried to keep himself in control.

"Could you tell us where she lives?" Freed asked. "We owe her our gratitude in the very least."

Erza shook her head grimly. "We did not know – we managed to force a confession from her but, today was her last day."

The moment he found out that it was her last he felt infuriated. Why would she do that to him? Confess her feelings to him and then leave before he even had a chance to respond. After, Evergreen asked Freed's question so that they could try to find her but when they arrived at her apartment there was no answer and he couldn't even smell her presence.

Ever since that day he had been frustrated and angry. He had spent the first year going on multiple jobs with and without his team trying to figure out just what she meant. Had she in fact actually liked him and meant her confession or was it just some random thing she spoke on the spot because she was in a panic?

The first year passed and before he knew it the second year passed as well. No one mentioned her name, once the guild found out about it – no one could even bother to celebrate anything for weeks. His grandfather, the old geezer, he was in such a mess, crying for days at the loss of one of his children.

Early in the second year, because they knew the chances of her coming back were so unlikely they had been tempted to give her a funeral, despite her not actually being dead but Natsu and Erza had been enraged at the assumption so Gray had suggested something else for them to do in memory of their precious celestial mage.

His eyes glanced up at her bright smiling face, the picture hanging on the wall behind the bar; she looked so happy and cheerful in the picture. He could recall the first time he had seen her, she was the busty blonde newbie to him and while it was just to say he had almost actually been serious about her becoming his girl.

Then the takeover, during Fantasia, he slung his arm around the girl's statue just to see what it'd be like and he didn't mind it, of course had the takeover gone through he definitely would have had Evergreen revert her back to make sure she was in the guild. What surprised him was when she had taken out Bickslow. No one had ever been able to defeat him before because of his figure eyes but she did and that left an impression on him.

Before he let himself travel any further along memory lane he looked back down at the guild, keeping his emotions subsided. They had received many new members to the guild, all had questioned the picture and Mira told them who she was and what she had done for Fairy Tail. Luckily they had not received any celestial mages. He wouldn't know what to do if the guild had. Lucy was the only celestial mage he would accept as a member of Fairy Tail.

Letting out a heavy sigh he looked at the mug in his hand taking a drink of it before getting up to go speak with his grandfather about some paper work. He hoped that soon, maybe this year, Lucy would return home and if she did, he could tell her, his response to her sudden if not random confession.

A yawn escaped her mouth as she stretched her tired body. It had been a little over a week since she had left Earthland and had come to the Celestial world to recover. She had spent the first few days in agony as the particles took their toll on her body, causing her to scream in pain. After that she couldn't remember much, just that her body ached and she was unable to move without wanting to cry. Monoceros and Virgo had taken care of her and she really didn't know how but two days ago she had felt so much better and Monoceros told her she needed to stay so they could keep an eye on her.

Getting out of bed she quickly made it before changing her outfit and making her way out of the room greeting the celestial spirits with a smile.

"Good morning Princess." Virgo greeted, bowing.

"Morning Virgo." She smiled at her.

"Good morning Princess." Monoceros greeted her with a bow.

"Morning Monoceros." She greeted.

"The Celestial King would like to have a word with you."

Lucy nodded her head and followed him wondering what the Celestial King had to tell her. Hopefully she could go home today. If she did then she could see her Fairy Tail family. Natsu, Erza, Gray, Gajeel, Levy, and Mira – Her thoughts stopped at the name as it lead her to think about another mage. Laxus. The man who she had stupidly confessed to without having any feelings for – at least that's what she first thought.

After coming to the celestial world as she lied there her body practically numb from pain she thought about the confession and wondered why it had been the first thing to come to mind when wanting to lie to the lightning mage. It only taken another day for her to realize just why that had been the thing she spoke. She had actually meant the words. She was in love with Laxus Dreyer. Blushing, the blonde could not believe the realization to this and now she was worried about what he'd say, almost wishing she could stay in the celestial world just to avoid any rejection. Letting out a sigh the blonde looked down at her feet as she walked feeling her face heat up at the other outcome. If he felt the same what would that mean? Would she get to date Fairy Tail's most powerful mage?

It made her giggle to think about the large man domesticated. Going on dates with her, holding hands, hugging her in his insanely muscular arms, kissing her and probably making her melt into a puddle of goo. Having a future together. At this she blushed, heavily feeling silly for letting her mind get so far ahead when she didn't even know how he felt. Maybe he thought it was funny, the silly little celestial wizard had a thing for him but she was just too naïve and innocent for his blood.

Sighing softly the blonde looked ahead and realized that they were now approaching the Celestial King and she put a smile on her face as he greeted her and she returned it.

"Old friend, it is good to see you in such positive health." Lucy smiled brightly at him. "It is actually why I have summoned you here." She looked at him curious. "You're ailment is completely gone and since you have made a full recovery you must return home to where you belong."

Her eyes winded as her heart beat heavily in her chest. Was he serious? Could she really go home? "Really?" She asked hopefully.

The Celestial King smiled at her. "Yes, you may return home. Monoceros will take you home but I must warn you that it will most likely be a shock to your body and it will take you some time before you can go about as you did before coming here." Lucy nodded her head making a mental note. "Do take care of yourself friend. I do not wish to see you here again unless it's for another party – preferably one that doesn't involve you being missing for seven years either."

Lucy giggled happily feeling overjoyed with the news. She could finally go home; she could get to see her family again. "I'm coming home Fairy Tail." She thought happily.

"Come Princess. Let us return you home." Lucy nodded as she wiped her tears away.

"Okay." She sniffed. "Please take me home Monoceros."

Lucy let out a soft sigh as they walked down the path and she felt her body fade as she left the celestial world soon returning to Earthland. Upon arrival she was put into shock, collapsing on the ground as she gasped, struggling to breathe.

"It's okay Princess. Just take in long slow breaths." She did as told feeling surprised at the shock she experienced. "Good Princess." He rubbed her back soothingly as she calmed. "That's it, long slow breaths." He instructed and she continued, feeling herself catch her bearings, finally able to breathe a normal breath.

Closing her eyes she relaxed before opening them and looking around. A smile appeared on her lips as she noticed the Sakura trees and the green grass, flowers growing in beautifully and she knew where she was. Magnolia park. Sniffing she wiped away her tears as she took in her surroundings. Home. She was finally home in Magnolia after being away from them for a little over a week – she stilled as she realized that while for her it had been only a little over a week in Earthland over two years had passed.

"Princess?" She looked up at Monoceros smiling at him.

"Take me to the guild Monoceros. I want to see my family please."

"Of course." He helped her up and onto her feet, assisting her the entire way to the guild. As she stood before the doors she could feel her nerves begin to grow. What if no one remembered her? Two years isn't exactly a long time but then again it could be enough for her memory to fade, maybe no one would recognize her. "Princess?" She looked up at him and smiled.

"You can go back to the celestial world now. I want to do this on my own." He nodded his head and she stood straight, taking a calming breath, feeling Monoceros return to the celestial world. "Here we go."

Pulling the door opened she looked around at the chaos and destruction making her smile at the sight. It really hadn't changed since she was last here. Maneuvering through the chaos with ease she soon approached the bar and sat down, looking around she noticed a picture of her hanging on the wall. Above it the words 'In Loving Memory' she bit her lip and wondered if they really thought of her as gone.

"Hello." She looked up and smiled at the purple haired barmaid named Kinana.

"Hello." She greeted in return.

"I don't think I've seen you around before. Are you a mage interested in joining the guild?" She inquired.

Lucy giggled slightly. "Yes, I am a mage and yes I would love it if I could join Fairy Tail." She fibbed.

"Sure thing." She turned. "Mira!" The barmaid called. "We've got a new recruit!"

"On my way out!" She heard Mira yell.

"So, may I ask what kind of wizard you are?"

"I'm a celestial wizard." Lucy half announced smiling proudly. It was the one thing she was always proud of.

"A celestial wizard? We haven't had one of those since –"She cut herself off, shaking her head slightly. "Well I'm glad you chose to join Fairy Tail." She smiled at her and Lucy returned it. In the corner of her eye she could see Mira come out of the kitchen carrying a large tray full of plates, a smile on her face. "May I ask your name?"

Not but seconds after the question left Kinana's mouth the sound of glass breaking could be heard causing the guild to calm down as they looked toward Mira in concern asking if the barmaid was okay. Lucy looked at her as the takeover mage stared at her, shock and disbelief evident on her face. Unable to resist Lucy gave the woman a bright smile and took the opportunity that presented itself. "My name." She spoke loudly knowing everyone could hear her. "Is Lucy Heartfilia."

HA HA HA! I added a second chapter to give you Lucy's return to Earthland ^_^ yay! Hope you enjoyed it.