"Lucy, Lucy, how long are you going to sleep on the floor? Lucy, Lucy, wake up."

I heard the voice of the person that gave me absolutely no personal space. I sighed and tried to get up and a warm hand supported me. I gladly took the help. It was the least he could do after causing me all the trouble that I've been through. Though, he was the one who always came to my rescue when I landed in trouble, and I owed him for that.

My vision was still hazy, and my head pained me badly. I sat up straight and rubbed my eyes. Ants pulled me back so I could rest against the wall. After five minutes of sitting still, my headache subsided, making it possible for me to think normally.

"Natsu, I'll kill you someday."

"Lucy, you're back to normal."

"Yeah. I am."

My vision improved slowly, and I saw that my towel was still on. I wanted to take a bath very badly, so I told Natsu to go out. He frowned (I could only make that out because of his whining).

"Lucy, you're so mean."

"So what if I am?"

"I was in the middle of my bath too. You disturbed me by slipping on the soap."

"It was your mistake that the soap was on the floor in the first place. And wait… does that mean you're naked?" Get out you pervert. 'What was he even thinking' I blushed hard, though I didn't think he noticed.

"You're mean Lucy."

"Even I need a bath. Get out before I kick you out. LUCY KICK!"

I made an imitation of a kick that didn't get me anywhere, and I know it as well.

"Lucy, are you trying to be funny?"

"You know perfectly well that I'm not. I'm just trying to get you out."

"Okay, Lucy."

I was in no position to do anything as yet, but as soon as I heard the bathroom door close, I made an effort to send and walk to the tub. The minute I was in it, I felt all my aches and pains leaving me, and I was completely relaxed.

Before I knew it, though, I fell asleep in the bathtub. Sometime later, when the water turned cold, I heard the sound of the bathroom door creaking open. Crap, Natsu left it open when he left. I immediately got out of the cold bathtub, and wrapped my towel around me.

My vision was perfect by then, so I exited the bathroom easily, and entered my bedroom for a change of clothes. I looked around my room, for I had a feeling that the pink haired pervert was still around.

The coast was clear, so in a matter of seconds, I got to my wardrobe and changed into a pair of pyjamas. I believed Natsu really wasn't around after I hopped into my bed and tossed around trying to get sleep.

Just to prove I was wrong (the gods hated me), a snore came from the sofa. So he was there after all. But I was happy that he wasn't sleeping in my bed. If he was, I'd have to sleep on the floor, and that I wouldn't accept at any cost.

I went to sleep soon, somehow making my over-imaginative mind shut down.

Natsu woke me up the next morning. It was early for my standards, but I suppose it was not so for hungry creatures.

He tickled the soles of my feet (for the second time!) and made sounds that brought out my laughter.

"Stop that, it tickles!" And continued laughing, till I fell off my bed. Then Natsu took his turn of laughing at me.

I got angry, so I got up and stomped off to the bathroom and then splashed some water on my face thoroughly and tried to tie my hair into a ponytail, but my head pained me badly again. I decided to leave it s it was and went to open the door that was being constantly knocked on.

"Yeah, I'm coming out. Don't break my door."

"Lucy, I'm hungry."

Next thing he knew, he was out of the house, and I made sure to double lock every sort of entrance that I could imagine of.

I entered the kitchen next, and opened a new box of breakfast cereal. I liked to eat mine with milk, so I poured enough so I could have my cereal swimming gin it.

I finished up my breakfast soon, and went to get ready to get to the guild. We had a new member waiting for us, Misha.

I put on my beige overcoat and stepped out of my house. The cold seemed worse off than yesterday. I sighed.

Natsu was sulking in a corner of the guild, but I didn't want to meet him then. He would be the one to come running after me later. I went to the bar counter and sat next to Misha.

"Hi Misha."

"Oh! Hi, Lucy-san."

"So, how do you find our guild? It's not yet as lively as it should be, though."

"Oh. I love the guild. And I'd love to see it lively too. Is it a good thing or a bad thing to say that?"

"I'm not sure. You can decide after seeing for yourself."

"Okay."

"By the way, what magic do you use Misha?"

"I use Anomalous conditions magic."

"Oh, that's wonderful! I'm a celestial wizard."

"So nice… how many keys do you have?"

"Ten golden keys and a few silver ones."

"That's a pretty huge collection you've got there."

"Hmm. Do you want to go and have a look at the town?"

"No. Not as yet. I'll go out with you later."

"Okay! Truth be told, I don't want to go out so soon myself, either."

After a long break of silence, Mira-san was the first to talk. She just came from the other end of the counter.

"Oh! Why are things so quiet here?"

"Nothing much…just… I was thinking Mira-san, shouldn't we all go to the hot springs? It'll be a girls' night out."

"That's a good idea Lucy. I bet that's what everyone would want, especially in this cold…"

"Is that a 'yes', Mira-san?"
"Yes. I'll go get the other girls. When do we go?"

"How about tomorrow night?"

"Yeah, okay."

She went about asking everyone what they wanted to do. We ended up with everyone wanting to go.

"It'll be a good time for all of us." Mira-san said.

I was happy that, finally, we could all go relax someplace without people barging into our homes. (I was referring to Natsu, of course.)

Levy was sitting at one of the tables with Cana. I went to sit with her.

"Levy-chan, how did Gajeel like your cookies?"

"Shh, Lu-chan."

"Oh, I'm sorry."

"You didn't seem sorry."

"I heard you gave your cookies to Gajeel." Said Cana.

"How?" Asked Levy.

"He told everybody."

"I'm doomed. Now, all of you will start teasing me… Lu-chan!"

"It isn't a problem; we know how you feel Levy-chan. Right, Cana?"

"Bang on."

"Thank you, Lu-chan, Cana-chan."

We both just smiled at her. She was sensitive about Gajeel, and that was actually very funny to see.

"I want to go on a job, Levy. I'll go check out the requests."

I went to see the requests that were pinned to the notice board. There were many jobs that required physical exertion. I wanted to be comfortable and relaxed as anyone could be in this cold weather.

There was a job request for a reward of one hundred and twenty thousand jewels. That, together with the money I already had, would be just right for two months' rent. I went to the counter to tell Mira-san I was doing the job.

"Oh! You'll be back soon. It isn't that far away. You're going alone again?"

"Yes. I don't want that Natsu tagging along this time."

She laughed "You two get along pretty well."

"We do not." I blurted out in frustration. But deep down, I knew the truth. I got along with Natsu really well.

I took the job request paper and rushed out of the guild, so no one would notice me leave. I pulled my coat taut around me and took fats steps towards my apartment so I could pack and leave by the earliest train.

I was in the Magnolia station in record time. I got an empty seat to sit in. I pulled out a few sheets of paper and adjusted the table attached to the wall of the train so I could write.

Just before I wrote anything, though, a feather tickled my neck. I first screamed, then fell off the seat, laughing. Natsu was in serious trouble this time. He was going to face my wrath the minute he stopped tickling me. I got off the floor of the train, and immediately landed a blow in Natsu's head (not that it had any effect). He was still laughing his heart out. I sat looking out of the window with my arms crossed. Then, the train gave one whistle. I suppressed a smile.

"Why did you leave me behind, Lucy?"
"I didn't want to go on a job with you, that's why. I have to pay my rent, and I can't have you go on another round of destroying stuff on the job. It will worsen my current financial state as well."

But the train started before I started my sentence, so he didn't hear anything I said. I sighed disappointment. I'd have to do my best to earn what money I could on this job. I smiled to myself. I also felt relieved that Natsu was here, despite his appearance with his motion sickness in full swing.

The train stopped at Onibas. I pulled Natsu out of the train. He was unwilling to get up on his own. When we were finally settled, Natsu said his standard monologue of never entering a train again. We both knew it was impossible.

"By the way, Lucy, what job did you choose?"

"It's not cut out for you."

"It's okay. Just tell me."

"Babysitting."

"I think I can handle that."

"We have to escort the client to the next station."

"Can I go back to Magnolia, Lucy?"

"Yeah. I didn't even call you in the first place. Just remember you have to take the train back anyways."

"No, I'll go back home with Happy-"

"Who, Happy?"

"I forgot he's not here." He grinned, but I knew from that smile immediately. He was hiding something.

"What are you hiding Natsu? I know you're not telling me something. Quit the act, you're a bad actor."

"You saw through me, Lucy. Actually... I don't know where Happy is."

"Wait... what? You don't know where Happy is? Why are you so clam? I knew something was off that night when I saw you lying on the street. Tell me what happened."

But, before he could say anything, a girl ran up to me and tugged on my coat.

"Are you the one escorting me to the next station?"

"Yes, I am, if you are talking about a Fairy Tail wizard, rather, two. Could you tell me your name little girl?"

"It's Caroline Lee. And I'm no kid."

"Oh sorry. Such a beautiful name, Caroline-chan."

"Please call me Emily."

I had a confused expression on my face, but agreed without asking too many questions. At least for the time being.

"Shall we get going? The train will leave in a few minutes." Said Caroline; rather, Emily.

"Let's go in Natsu."

"Should I really come, Lucy?"

"This time I'm forcing you." I had to hear what the deal about Happy was.

"Oh, okay, Lucy." And when he reached the door of the train, he screamed out "I HATE TRAINS! I REALLY DO HATE THEM!"

"THEN DON'T GO IN!" screamed an officer who stood near us. Natsu ignored it and went in, and I followed him.

Emily was already seated, and I took my seat opposite her. Natsu sat down next to me.

I noticed the girl's features as she looked out of the window. She had fiery orange locks that framed her face in the best possible way, and had irises to match. Her complexion was rosy enough to gel with the colour of her hair. She wore a heavy grey gothic gown and had an air about her that screamed 'royalty'.

Lee... I'd heard that name before somewhere. It seemed rather familiar in not a pleasant way, but rather in a terrible way. I couldn't remember what it was. By then, due to the over-imaginative, rather paranoid me, my curiosity was perked up, and I just couldn't contain it within myself. I had to ask her.

Five minutes had already passed by then since the train started to move, and Natsu was... oh well...

"What's with him?"
"Natsu can't handle transportation."

She turned her face away with disgust and moved away from Natsu as far as she could.

I sighed. "Why did you ask me to call you Emily, Emily-chan?"

"I hate my real name."

"Why's that?"

"It's a long story."

"I think I can handle that."

"Oh well. Here goes."

And she started her story which engrossed me more and more by the minute. "I'd like to know your name before telling you anything. I don't talk to strangers so comfortably."

"I'm Lucy Heartfilia." I said, ignoring her comment. Emily gave me a startled expression, but continued.

"Lucy-san, I don't know how to begin. I have a lot to tell you. Though I can only give you headlines for now."

"Start where you can. I'll connect the dots."

"Lucy-san... our families were never on good terms. Nut I'll ask you to hear me out to the end, and then decide for yourself what you feel is right." She paused and took a deep breath. "Fairy Tail is in danger. I can stop the coming danger, but I need your help. Firstly, you'll need to forget that my real name is Caroline Lee."

"I cannot tell you anything very important, but I'll tell you one thing- don't stay alone for even a moment. You know very well that Fiore is not as calm as it used to be. The weather speaks for itself. But I don't think it's just a phase of bad weather. There are a number of strong wizards who can use forms of magic unknown to you and me."

"Are you saying a person is behind all this?"

"Precisely."

Just then, we reached the train station.

"I can't talk anymore Lucy-san. If you want to talk to me, I live in the mango groves around here. I know I can be of help to you."

"She turned away when we got off the train, but I heard her sniff. I couldn't imagine a reason for her to cry. I gave her the personal space she needed and pulled the motion sickness overwhelmed Natsu out of the train.

"Here's the reward." She gave me a box. I wondered why it was in a box.

"Thanks, Emily-chan."

"Bye Lucy-san."

"Bye. I'll see you soon."

She made an expression of hesitance and seemed like she was fighting something inside her. She turned away, though and left the station. Natsu was still affected by the long journey, so I left him on a bench and went to get two return tickets to Magnolia. As I waited in queue, I saw a weird person who wore loud colours. There were also ruffles and frills on his clothes. I laughed to myself. Some people didn't know how to dress.

I was the next one in line. I fumbled for my cash when a deep male voice issued from behind me. "Young lady, would you mind telling me where Caroline Lee is, if you've met her."

I didn't feel like telling him anything. He seemed very suspicious. "I'm sorry. I don't know anyone like that." And I proceeded to buy the tickets, but he placed a hand on my shoulder, and in one push, turned me around to face him.

"I saw you with her. Don't play dumb."

Crap. He saw that. "That wasn't her, it was Emily."

"Emily... Lee... pretty close. And I know what Caroline
Lee looks like so don't try to fool me.

"I promised her I wouldn't tell anyone. The same applies to you, no matter who you are."

"Then I'll just have to make you tell me."

"I won't say a word. You can't make me."

"We'll see about that." And in one swift motion, grabbed me keys off me, and sent me flying into a pillar. For crying out loud, Natsu was still out of commission. I knew that in spite of him not being in my field of vision.

The man came toward me and pulled me up by my hair. Then he banged me head first into the wall. He thrusted his fist into my stomach after that. I screamed louder than I'd ever screamed before. Then, I heard a voice bellow "LUCY, I'M COMING!"

I felt comforted for a moment, but again, before Natsu reached me, the man who still had a grip on me landed a sharp blow on my left thigh. I let out an even louder scream. I felt and heard my bone break. He was just preparing to land another blow on me, but unfortunately for him, Natsu got in front of me in time and prevented just that.

"NO ONE HURTS A FRIEND OF MINE, UNLESS THEY WISH TO SEE HELL!"

I dropped to the floor, whimpering in pain, while the angered Natsu started attacking the person attacking me. Natsu defeated him like he was nothing at all, and then he came and crouched down to my level.

"Can you stand, Lucy?"

My left thigh sat at a funny angle, so I knew for sure that it was broken. Natsu noticed it too, after following my eyes. Before I could reply, though, Natsu picked me up and started running towards the infirmary.

The doctors put a cast on my leg. I knew then that I couldn't go to the hot spring that all of us planned to go to. Too bad that such things couldn't be solved with magic overnight. Wendy would be able to help me, but I wouldn't fully recover until sometime.

When the casting was done, I tried to walk with the help of a pair of crutches. The minute I took one step, I lost my balance, and would have broken a few teeth if Natsu hadn't caught me in time.

"Lucy... What are you doing? You're in a pathetic state."

I was flustered. "Pathetic state, yes, but I couldn't do anything at that time. Sorry for causing you the troubles to save a pathetic life like mine." I'd never spoken to anyone like that before, but the frustration of being completely helpless got to me.

"Lucy, I never said anything for you to get so angry. I was just teasing you. And I don't remember you causing me trouble. Saving my friend is not 'trouble' to me."

"I'm sorry. I just feel horrible about always having to depend on others. It makes me feel so helpless."

"It's actually everyone else that depends on you. Anyways, we need to get back Lucy. It's late already."

I nodded and propelled myself forward. I would have fallen again. I'll never learn. Natsu placed his hand on my waist, and helped me move without my nose kissing the ground, but seeing as it was useless (it was very slow), he sighed and lifted me up again.

"Natsu put me down. I can walk."

"Yes, you can walk, but you're too slow. The train will leave before you can make it there."

I didn't complain. Wasn't he the one who always complained about me being heavy? Why was he offering his 'gentlemanly' services now? I sighed and smiled to myself. Despite all his complaining and commentary, he was someone you could always depend upon.

He placed me on a seat in the train and sat opposite me. I kept looking out the window at the passing fields and towns while Natsu was in his 'motion sickness' mode.

We reached Magnolia pretty soon. It was dark and late though, so I rejected my idea of going to the guild. The minute we reached the station and the train came to a halt, Natsu sprang up like he'd never heard of motion sickness his entire life, and again carried on his regimen of transporting me around. He ran out of the train that was his nightmare and set me on my feet.

Then again, he placed his hand on my waist and motioned me forward. Natsu seemed a lot changed. I'd never seen Natsu this way. He was not usually like this especially after a train ride. It made him a little more reliable than he was before. I let him support me all the way home, and we didn't speak a word about my leg breaking episode.

It took us quite some time to reach my apartment. I entered it, and when I reached out to hang the house keys on the key holder, I remembered my celestial spirit keys.

"Natsu, do you have my keys?"
"Yeah, here you go."

I was so happy to see them again. I lost them many times, and every time I summoned Aquarius after either dropping or losing the keys... well... she would make sure I learnt my lesson. I'd learnt it plenty much times, but Aquarius never felt it was enough for me. I still loved her, though.

I hung my coat on the wall and made my way to the steps and into my bedroom. I quickly washed my face in the adjacent bathroom. Then, I stripped and changed into my pyjamas.

I got into bed thinking all my cares and worries were over, and could sworn to have a good night's sleep, but a pair of onyx eyes bore their gaze (rather stare) into me. I sighed and got out of bed.