A Nalu Fanfiction: A Game of Deception Part 2
The Steal:
I sit in the back of the limo, my dress enveloping my hands. I take a closed eyed breath, calming my nerves, but i can't help the smile that plays across my face. Opening my eyes i see my partner Levy typing away at her lap top, food wrappers and empty cups littering around her.
She has dark blue hair pulled back by a headband and glasses cover her dark brown eyes. Her gaze is that of intense concentration. Suddenly she grins in a way that makes me shiver. Glancing at me she shows me a picture she captured from one of the many security cameras.
Natsu Dragneel. In our circle he is infamous for his skills and natural talent with people. I'm even more excited now, i get to pull one over on Natsu. She shows me another picture of Erza Scarlet, known partner. Tonight was going to be a good night.
"This is going to be great, this means Thee Gray Fullbuster will be near by waiting to offer tech support." She giggles to herself as she starts typing madly at the computer. "I'll just track down their equipments frequency and piggyback it so we can listen in on their plan and act before they can."
"Lucy we are almost there, ready for your biggest job yet" Loke calls from the driver seat, his playboy grin on his face. I roll my eyes at his words.
"Of course, and they won't know what hit them" I put my earpiece in and adjust my jewelry that have hidden cameras. "How do the cameras look Levy? Sound check?"
Levy reaches for a second laptop, and a small mic. "Visuals are good," she lifts up her mic and whispers into it, "How does it sound?" I hear her clearly from the small device.
"Perfect." I pat myself down one last time, and feel the back of my dress, making sure the skirt is secure. I look out the window to see Loke pulling up to the front steps of the building where the auction would be taking place. Its tall, spot lights all over the place, attempting to deter any thefts from acting. Little did they know that would be pointless.
Loke parks and gets out of the car, walking around he opens to door for me. I climb out, taking his hand. "Lady Lucy" she grins at me, mischief shining in his eyes.
"Why thank you Leo" I grin back, a warning undertone to my voice. This just makes him laugh quietly to himself. I start up the steps, confident in myself, causing some men to look my way. I groan, the only man i will converse with tonight will be Natsu. I have wanted to meet him for over a year now, shortly after I started in this business.
He is one of the best, which scares me. I'm confident he won't see through me, won't catch on, that he won't make me. I start to get nervous as i make my way down the long hallway, noticing the bathroom and keeping it in mind for later. A slight crackling fills my ear, raising my hand as though my brushing back my hair, I hope it's not a malfunction.
"I'm in!" Levy declares triumphantly. As someone's voice comes in, one I've never heard before.
"-status Flame-Brain!" a male voice demands.
"Three integrated, two at each door, one under each window ice-freak" This time a new voice joins in, it's sounds warm and friendly despite the insult.
"I counted the same integrated, our window of opportunity is going to be small. We should move in the next ten minutes as they relax a little." This time a female voice joins in.
"You know Erza, you don't mix with the men very well, try relaxing a little." That same warm voice teases, my heart skips a beat and my breath catches in my throat. Natsu.
"These so called lecherous men will get no such thing from me or lose their heads." Erza hisses in distaste. I hear him laugh uncomfortably. "While you on the other hand Natsu mix very well, continue until its time, making your way to the case, find a good mark."
"Roger Dodger" He laughs. Oh gosh, he sounds amazing, and I'll see him face to face soon.
"Oh this is great!" Levy squeals in my ear, "We will move in 8 minutes and catch them off guard."
"Ok" I say, I reach one of the entrances, looking in i spot Natsu, he is looking over the crowd, trying to find the right girl to chat up untill he needs to move. His gaze lands on me and he looks awestruck. I can't help myself, i smile. Who knew I was that attractive.
"Aww how cute, he likes you...go break his heart girl!" Levy chears.
"Nice choice Natsu, she looks like a perfect mark" I hear in my ear, a red head across the room nodding in approval. I'm so distracted that i step on the hem of my dress and fall forward. A small squeal escapes my lips.
"Miss are you alright?" I look up to see Natsu, concern on his face, his hands held out to help me up. I grin sheepishly at him, and notice that his face begins to flush, huh I will use this attraction to my advantage.
"Yes, thank you, you would think i would be used to wearing these things by now." I rolls my eyes, watching his reactions carefully. He laughs, and annoyance boils up in me. I narrow my eyes at him. "And what would be so funny?"
"Sorry" he say, "it's just that i have never meet a woman like you before. My name is Natsu," my eyes widen, i can't believe he gave me his real name, he winces slightly. "what is yours?" I hear Erza start to chew him out over the headset for using his real name, saying things like fool, brain dead and that he will be beaten to a pulp if he's caught.
"Lucy, please to meet you." I shake his hand, deciding to play his game.
"Whoa Whoa Whoa Lucy what're you doing!" Loke shouts, "You shouldn't have given him your real name!"
"I take it you attend these functions regularly?" Natsu asks, interrupting my thoughts on what Loke had said. My eyes widen, what makes him think that? I'll play along some more, laughing evilly to myself in my head.
"How did you know!?" I whisper shout. His grins at me and snickers.
You mentioned being used to wearing these kinds of dresses" He motions to my rather large ball gown, I looks down, following his motion. Oh so that's where he got the idea from, wow go me.
"Oh ya. Well my father loves these things and used to take me all the time. He always had me wear these dresses, however as you've already witnessed, I'm a walking disaster. You wouldn't believe how many dresses i ruined over the years. He stopped taking me a few years ago, but i really wanted to see the Burning Passion tonight." I ramble, coming up with the lie on the spot, walking with him across the room.
"Makes sense, but why the ball gown you could wear something shorter and with less fabric." He glance around at the other women, few wearing a dress like mine, but more of them are wearing slimmer dresses, some rather short. Horror flows through me, I have to quickly play this off.
"Why didn't I think of that!" I shout loud enough for a few people look over at us, their arrogant glares piercing me. Pigs. He laughs awkwardly throwing people an apologetic glance. I throw my hands to my face, faking embarrasment. It worked! I cheer to myself, however his laughter fills my ears again.
Deciding pouting is the next best move i turn to storm off, but ends up tripping over my dress again. You have got to be kidding me! The floor rushes to meet my face, but doesn't get to when two strong arms wrap around me. My face flushes, and i can see Natsu's do the same.
"Th-thank you" I stutters out. I do nothing but embarrass myself infront of him, how can i ever face him on equal ground like this.
"Lucy I've never seen you so ungraceful and flustered, what was that!?" Levy admonishes in my ear.
I can't help myself, i respond to her, "Shut up" I snap. Luckily Natsu took it that I was talking to him, a wide grin on his face. Oh man that canine smile, my stomach flutters. I quickly push myself away, walking away from him. "That was so embarrassing, he only laughs at me, how rude, men don't think I can do this" I mumble to Levy.
"Calm down" he snickers behind me, placing a hand around my shoulder. I look up at his grinning face, oh no he isn't? He is! He's hitting on me. I reach up grabbing his hand and notice that his cheeks flush red at the contact. I grin as i squeezed his hand so hard he gasps in pain, satisfaction flows through me.
"Don't try to put the moves on me, I'm not interested" He nods quickly, releasing his hand, i walk away, a victorious grin splashed across my face. Again my ear fills with their conversation.
"Wow that must be a first Hot-Head, utter and total rejection" Gray snickers in my ear.
"That just makes her all the more interesting" Natsu whispers, and my face flushes some more. He did not just say that.
"Oh boy he's got it bad…." Levy whispers, "Good job Lu"
I quickly make my way through the crowd, wanting to scope out my target in the next two minutes before we get ready to move. Standing in front of the case I choose to stand next to the woman with a wine glass.
Its beautiful. The heart shaped diamonds, red and pink mixing perfectly. The smaller less exotic white diamonds framing it wonderfully. I can't help but stare in stunned wonder. I see Natsu coming up on my right, i wait until he speaks, purposefully knocking into the woman beside me.
"Hey again" He says close to my ear, I jump back, the woman's wine soaking the front of my dress. Good thing it isn't mine. "I'm so sorry". I glance up at him to see him turning in circles, frantically looking for a napkin. Looking up from my skirt his flinches.
"Whoa did he just flinch, how did you make him so afraid of you?" Levy giggles
"Must be Erza, I have heard she's terrifying when she's angry." Loke offers
I decide to let him off the hook, seeing how i just used him for an excuse to leave the room. I smile at him, "Don't worry this is not the first time I've done this, believe me. I'll just find a bathroom to clean up in. How much time until the auction starts?" I ask, intended for Levy but he answered anyway.
"Another 23 minutes" he answers, nodding I lift up my skirt and starts making my way through the crowd "I'll be here when you get back" I looks at him with raised eyebrows.
"Who said i would gift you with my company again tonight?" before he can answer I move deeper into the crowd, soon out of his sight, their conversation starting up again as i enter the bathroom.
"She's something isn't she?" Erza says. I unbutton my skirt, revealing my leotard underneath.
"Ya, Natsu just can't catch a break with her can he. Doesn't help she's all over the place" I pull on my goggle and slip off my shoes, my bare feet burning on the cold tile floor.
"Oh hush you two," He hisses in embarrassment, "are we ready Erza?"
""Get ready Lucy, I'll tell you when to go" Levy instructs me.
"One faint on the other side of the room coming right up" Erza says
"And Go!" Levy shouts. I dash out of the bathroom, light as a feather my bare feet smacking down on the tile. I quickly weave my way back through the people towards my necklace.
"What the heck Gray! A little warning next time, I wasn't ready!"
"That wasn't me! Someone override my hack on the lights and alarms!" panic clear in his voice.
"What!?"
"Natsu quick someone else it after the necklace" Erza shouts.
Crap! I move quickly. Pulling the case up i reach inside snacking the necklace and shoving it into the pouch on my thigh. Moving back through the crowd, i jump up on some tables, weaving back to the bathroom.
"Hey you get back here that's mine!" Natsu shouts after me. I move faster, not wanting to be caught quite yet, I'm not through playing with him. Dashing through the doorway i collapse back in the bath room. I quickly rip my pouch off pulling the necklace out, throwing the pouch in the trash. I carefully place the necklace in a hidden pocket of my skirt.
"Note delivered" Loke announces. The note was my idea, I giggle to myself. Exiting the bathroom I plop myself down on the floor and let out a scream.
I see Natsu round the corner, concern clear on his face, "Are you ok!?" he reaches out to me, help me up, his hand lingering on my lower back.
"Ya I'm fine, I was coming out of the bathrooms when i couldn't see anything and some guy ran into me, knocking me down, talk about rude." I huff, glancing at him, he sighs in relief. I also let out a breath i didn't know I was holding, he bought it.
"That's good to hear," he grins at me, "Had me worried when i heard you scream again."
I glances at him,annoyance flowing through me, snatching my arm from his hand, I glare at him. He doesn't think i can take care of myself, how rude! "Thank you for checking on me, now if you'll excuse me i'll go back to the auction." I start back towards the room, wanting to get the boddy checks over with as soon as possible. Suddenly guards rush towards us, seizing us roughly.
"Hey!" I cry out, "What is going on? Unhand me this is absolutely uncalled for." Thankfully Natsu got me worked up before hand, now I'm raging mad.
"Don't touch a lady like that!" he snarl at the guards, some of them loosen their grip on me. I blush a little at that, feeling less mad at him, but continuing to be a very angry woman.
"I demand to know what is going on!" I glare at them, some back up, not knowing how to deal with the infuriated woman in front of them. "First this guy spills wine on my dress," I gestures to Natsu, to clearly show we are not together, "then you have some power outage in which someone pushes me over as i walk out of the bathroom, and now I'm being handled like some criminal, you better have a good reason" I snarl, glee filling me at their scared looks.
"You go girl!" Levy shouts in my ear.
"Ma'am, please calm down, there has been a robbery and we are just taking precautions, now if you would be subject to a search-" a guard says, however I quickly cut him off.
Gasping in surprise I play dumb, "What was stolen" The guards have released me at this point, looking like they hope i don't start raging again.
"The Burning Desire I'm afraid" I decide to blow up, an angry response seems to be keeping them away from me for now.
"No!" I scream, forcing tears to eyes, no one likes a crying woman" I was going to bid on that for my mother, you have got to be kidding me!" I continues to rage, getting louder no longer sure what I'm ranting about, i start waving my arms around for good measure, the men back further away from me. I see one speak into the mic on his wrist, and Natsu relaxes.
"Lady Lucy!" Loke shouts. Right on time. I stop my ranting as he stands in front of me. I bring more tears to my eyes
"Leo! The necklace was stolen!" I rushes to him, sobbing now, covering my face I stand in front of him.
"I'm sorry Sir but who are you?" The chief guard implores the new addition to the group, suspicion in his gaze.
"I am Miss Lucy's butler, Leo Regulus. I will be taking her home now if that is ok with you?" He states his question more like an order, i can practically feel his intimidating stare. The guard coughs, like he's trying to regain control of the situation.
"I'm sorry sir but we must first follow some protocols and them you both will be free to go. If you would just follow me this way" he trails off, trying to guide us back towards the ballroom. Loke gently guides me after the men, I slowly quiet my sobs.
We reach the auction room again, lights back on, glowing golden and bright. We are lead over to the left side of the room where searches are being done. Out of the corner of my eye i see Erza stumble into Natsu.
"Are you alright miss?"
"Oh yes thank you, it's just been a frightful night and I am quite exhausted" Loke snickers quietly, I lightly smack him with the back of my hand.
I'm lead away from Loke into a small room. The woman pats my waist down, reaches under my skirt and pat my legs. She pats my skirt, thankfully though I have hard jems covering my skirt, so the necklace won't call attention to her. Walking back down the hallway i wait outside for Loke.
Taking a deep breath,shedding a few more tears for any onlookers. Reaching up a brush my hair out of my face, trying to hold back my smile by twisting my face into a grimace, I'm not free and clear quite yet. A gentle breeze brushes against me, causing me to shiver.
Loke pulls up in front of me, he even climbs out of the car to open my door, keeping with the butler story. As i climb inside Levy greets me with a nervous smile, her eyes asking me everything. I smile back as Loke closes the door. She starts a little happy dance in her seat, throwing some more food wrappers to the floor.
"Wait, get back here!" I hear Natsu shout in my ear, I turn and see him running after us, but stops and seems to laugh to himself. I look back at Levy, wide eyed. She stares at me.
"I hope that was just your womanly charm"
"She's good" he whispers. My eyes widen some more, he thinks I'm good? Levy groans, her head in her hands.
"He made you, crap, crap, crap" she starts mumbling to herself.
"Who is? Did you find out who snatched our score?"
"Oh ya, Lucy, or whoever she is"
"At least he doesn't think thats your real name" Loke tries to encourage from the driver's seat.
"Wait that clumsy girl who couldn't find her way out of a maze!?" My head snaps up, anger flowing through me.
"What!?" I screech.
"Ow, ya, she fooled us pretty good" he laughs, "I have not been that out done in a long time." Pride flows through me. I wait to hear more but it seems that will be all we hear from them tonight.
"Well now that we are on the road, show me that beauty" Levy moves over to me. I unbutton my skirt, flowing it around on its back I unzip the secret compartment. Pulling it out levy gasps and gingerly takes it from my hands. She handles it as though it will break into shards just by breathing on it. "Its beautiful"
"We can take it apart in the morning and start pawning them off to the boys in the next few days." Loke looks back at us from the mirror.
"And as promised Lu you will get these two rocks all for yourself."
"Thanks Levy, wow I'm exhausted" i laugh, adrenaline finally leaving my body. I lay down on the seat, closing my eyes and my dreams soon take me.