Lucy stared intently at the maps and notes scattered across her desk as she subconsciously bit the end of her pencil. "This has to be right." She mumbled around the eraser. Even with all of the extensive research she's done, she still couldn't feel confident in that statement however. Sighing heavily and closing her eyes, she dropped the pencil in favor of running her hands over her face in frustration as she leaned back. She had gone over everything time and time again. If she wasn't right then so be it, but she couldn't take the chance of telling anyone until she went and found out herself.

While it would only take a few days to get to where she was headed, the journey would be a perilous one. Once she arrived she had no idea what awaited her or how long she would technically be gone. However she had no choice but to try. If she was right, the outcome would be beyond worth the price she was about to pay. She had been saving her jewel for months and purchasing the items she would need in secret. Her rent had been paid a full two months in advance this morning, much to her land lady's surprise, and her equipment packed and stored in a locker at the train station so no one would find it. She was physically ready for this, mentally though she was unsure of herself.

What if she faced something on the road she couldn't handle? What if she lost her keys? What if when she got to her destination she was right but faced even larger danger with what she was looking for? While she had been told many stories that had all been positive there was still the chance that her story teller had been the only exception to the rule. Groaning Lucy shook her head to clear it.

Standing abruptly she forced determination. "I can do this! I'm a Fairy Tail mage and we can do anything we set our minds to! I'll do my best!" She cheered giving herself a pep talk.

"YOOSH! I'm all fired up! What are we doing?!" Natsu's sudden voice yelled through the room.

"AYE SIR!" Happy cheered as well.

Lucy froze momentarily being scared out of her mind at the intruders. She was sure she had locked her door and all her windows, she had even made sure to close the flu on the fire place. So how was it the dragon slayer and his exceed were now standing next to her and excited beyond belief? "KAAAAA! How did you get in? And WHAT are you doing here?" she yelled.

Natsu relaxed his excited stance and crossed his arms smiling wide, while Happy floated up to his shoulder. "We came to visit, duh!" was the only response to her questioning. Glancing around the room he spotted the mess lying on his blond team mate's desk. "Oi, what's with all the maps? OH! Are we going on a trip?!" he asked once again getting overly excited.

"I hope it's some place with lots of fish!" Happy added.

"I hope it's somewhere with tons of meats I've never tried!"

"Aye! I hope-"

Lucy cut the pair off suddenly, "We are not going on a trip so you two can just stop and get out!" she growled out while speedily gathering her notes and maps and clutching them tightly to her chest. She watched horrified as the pair blinked at her and began to pout.

"But Luuuccccyyyyy a trip sounds really fun." Natsu whined. "Besides if you're not planning a trip for us then why do you have maps with all kinds of writing on them?"

Lucy cringed mentally as she felt the heat rising to her cheeks in embarrassment of being caught. He was the last person she wanted knowing about this. "Research." She spit out quickly. Noticing the looks on both Natsu, and Happy that told her they were not buying the excuse she huffed. "It's for my novel. If I'm to be an inspiring writer then I need to research places I've never been. You know, so that I have a broader variety of scenery." She attempted once more lamely.

Natsu eyed her suspiciously. He didn't buy her reasoning in the least. However, he could tell that whatever the real reason was she wasn't about to spill it. Frowning he said, "If you say so, but don't go running off without us. We're a team. We're supposed to do things together."

Knowing full well she could not promise something like that she merely smiled and attempted to change the subject. "So why did you two come to 'visit' me so late at night?" she asked while placing the items she held onto into the lockable draw of her desk.

Once again the pair was all smiles as they said in unison, "Sleep over!"

Lucy groaned and face-palmed. "No. Just no way! How many times do I have to tell you that it's inappropriate for you two to spend the night here?"

"A bunch cause I still don't get why it matters if it's me and Happy staying with you." Natsu pouted.

"Happy and I." she attempted to correct.

Natsu stared at her thinking she was going to continue. "Happy and you what?"

She sighed, "No dummy you said 'me and Happy' when you should have said 'Happy and I' it's proper grammar."

The pair shrugged and both mumbled, "Weirdo," not very quietly as Natsu flung himself into the cushiony comfort that was known as Lucy's bed, while Happy took over the side of the pillow by the wall.

Horrified Lucy began yelling again. "What did I tell you two? Get out! This is my apartment and my bed! Neither of which I said you could stay in!" Huffing at the lack of response from the pair she asked, "How would you two like it if I just barge into your home and tried sleeping in your bed whenever I felt like it?"

Natsu looked to Happy then rolled over facing the angered woman. For once he looked contemplative as he scratched his head in thought. "Well, our place isn't as fun. And my bed isn't as comfy." He began slowly. Smiling brightly he continued, "But if it was you, we wouldn't mind at all would we Happy?"

"Aye sir." Was the exceed's sleep filled mumble of a reply.

"See!" he said ignoring the blush that was creeping up her face. He'd never tell her but he always like the fact that she would do that when he said certain things.

She puffed out her cheeks trying to drain the color from them. He didn't mean it the way it sounded and she knew it. Her heart though always hoped he did. Sighing once again she mumbled, "Whatever," as she took her pillow from the bed and marched over to a chest against the wall to retrieve one of her spare blankets.

Natsu pouted as he watched her. "Lucy? Come on I'm tired."

"Then go to sleep baka. I'll turn off the lamps as soon as I get the couch made up."

"But…" he trailed off not sure how to properly ask what he wanted and not make her mad.

"Natsu, we've been over this. If it isn't proper for you to stay the night it certainly isn't okay for us to share a bed." She responded knowing full well what he was trying to imply.

Natsu's frown deepened as he scratched his head in thought. "That still don't make any sense weirdo. I mean who's going to know other than us? It's not like there isn't plenty of room or something. Besides why should you care so much if it's me?" Seeing her suddenly stiffen he quickly added, "And Happy?" He looked away from her and started rubbing his cheeks to try and relieve some of the color that made its way to his face at the verbal slip.

Sighing in frustration she said, "The point is I'd be unfit for marriage if people thought I let some guy sleep in my bed with me all the time."

He felt pained by that. "So now I'm some guy?"

Hearing the hurt in his voice brought on a wave of guilt. "I didn't mean it like that, Natsu. I'm sorry." Groaning she attempted once more to make him understand. "Society doesn't view things as innocently as you do. If someone heard about us sharing a bed they would think that we were… well…" Growing red from the embarrassment of the conversation she huffed and attempted to continue her thought. "They would think we were doing much more then sleeping."

"So?" The question left his mouth faster than he could contemplate stopping it. Hearing her startled noise he internally groaned. "I mean so what if someone thinks like that? The guild knows I stay here all the time and they don't seem to care or think those things. And even if they do they don't treat us any different."

For a moment Lucy's heart stopped and hope welled in her chest. That was short lived though with his continuation. Continuing to turn out the lights in the apartment Lucy settled down into the make shift bed. Mumbling she said, "Maybe they don't say anything to you."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing! Just drop it Natsu. I've tried explaining this over and over again to you and if you haven't caught on by now you never will." Burying her burning face into the pillow she called out, "Now good night."

Sighing deeply through his nose he said, "Night Luce." and rolled over. He wasn't stupid. He fully understood her reasoning. However he had to wonder if she would ever catch on to his. Or was it that she just didn't want to even entertain the idea?

Groaning lowly he rolled onto his stomach and made himself more comfortable. He'd deal with these thoughts more in the morning. Maybe he could convince her that a trip would be a great idea? If he was lucky he might be able to keep Happy occupied if they went somewhere by the sea. She was obviously already planning something. So what could it hurt to convince her to plan that something with him? Smiling into his pillow he settled down for the evening thinking that his idea sounded perfect.

And there you have it. This chapter doesn't tell you much but I do hope it attempts to pull you in! I don't have much to say so I'll wait to see if there are any reviews to answer to tomorrow.

However let me take a moment to *cry* SERIOUSLY Mishima is a TROLL! damn him and this weeks chapter! And Wendy!? GAHHHHH! I don't wanna prove any spoilers for anyone that isn't up to date but I gotta say EPIC "Wendy is growing up" moment! But the end of the chap... kindda cheesey for me... *sigh* oh well I guess it's to be expected.

Anyway...

Keep readin and reviewin

~Gemi