Outside, the night air was cool and Lucy rubbed her bare arms. "I should have brought a jacket," she mumbled.

"Sorry, I'd offer you mine if I had one."

Lucy looked up at him and suddenly became nervous. There was no noise, not even the sound of trees rustling in the wind. The silence reminded her that they were completely alone. "So, what did you want to talk to me about?" She tried to keep her voice light but there was an edge of tension to it.

"I just wanted to apologize about the way I treated you last year."

Her shoulders relaxed. "Sure. Apology accepted."

"Just like that? Apology accepted?"

"Yeah. I mean, we are all in the same guild. It's sort of like a big family and family looks out for each other. We forgive each others' mistakes and move on."

Laxus looked at her doubtfully. "That's pretty big of you." He paused. "Still, I sometimes get the feeling that you're scared of me."

It was Lucy's turn to pause. It was true, she was scared of him. She decided to be honest. "Well, you're still a pretty scary guy. But sometimes we need scary guys." She shrugged. "I don't really know you that well but Natsu likes you. Just give me some time to get to know you better."

Laxus regarded her for a minute and then nodded.

"Is that it?" she asked. "Can we go back inside now? I'm starting to get cold."

"One more thing." He leaned down and lifted her chin towards him, brushing her lips softly against his own. The kiss was quick and over before Lucy could even react.

"Why did you do that?"

"I just wanted to see what it was like."

Lucy was speechless. She turned and walked back inside.

Back in the banquet room, techno music was playing. They're playing every genre of music out there, Lucy thought. Couples had paired off again and were dancing together sensually. Gray came up behind her and wrapped an arm around her waist.

"Ready for that dance?"

"Huh? Oh okay." She was distracted, still thinking about the kiss she had shared with Laxus only minutes before out on the balcony. She turned around and noticed that Gray was bare-chested.

"Gray, where are your clothes?"

He glanced down. "It's a dance party. No shirt but I still get service."

"That was lame," she said.

He grinned.

They joined the crowded dance floor and were practically forced against each other. Everyone had congregated in the middle and people were bouncing up and down to the beat. Lucy and Gray joined in, lifting their arms in the air. People were shouting and hollering above the bass. Gray tried to say something but Lucy couldn't hear him.

"What?" She shouted and barely heard her own voice.

Gray lowered his arms and brought her flush against his chest to speak in her ear. "I SAID, WHAT DID LAXUS WANT TO TALK ABOUT?" She shivered as his lips brushed her ear. She turned her head and spoke like he had.

"HE JUST WANTED TO APOLOGIZE FOR LAST YEAR." She enunciated each syllable in an effort to be heard.

She could feel Gray nod but he didn't move away from her. He slid his hands across her back and pressed his knee between her thighs. They were grinding to the music. It was closer than Lucy was comfortable with but it was how everyone else dancing. She decided that she wouldn't push away but she would keep her own movements to a minimum.

Lucy felt something brush against her backside and jumped. It was probably another dancer bumping against her but sure wasn't sure. Gray's face was now buried against the crook of her neck and she couldn't see what was happening around her. The ice mage started to rub his cheek and lips across her skin and Lucy closed her eyes, exhaling softly.

Gray couldn't have heard her above the music but he seemed to know that he had gotten a reaction from her. He pulled her closer so that only the thin material of her blouse separated their two torsos. She could feel the sculpted ridges of his abs and fought the urge to run her fingers along them. Instead, she pressed against his shoulder, trying to pry him away. She only succeeded in getting a few inches between them but it was enough to help her start thinking clearly.

She spoke into his ear. "This is getting a little… intense. Maybe we should take a break."

He pouted. "Aw, come on. At least finish the song."

Gray pulled her closer but the final notes of the song played out and the dance ended, saving her from further argument. Lucy promptly removed herself from Gray and made her way to the bar. He tried to follow her but other couples were breaking up and she was easily lost in the sea of bodies. She hoped Juvia hadn't seen them. It was just a dance but the water mage wouldn't see it that way.

She felt a hand close around her wrist and she jolted. Oh no, she thought. Juvia has already come to lay down great wrath and furious vengeance. She looked back and was relieved to find Laxus behind her.

"Oh good, it's only you." She found it strange that she was relieved to see a man who had once taken her hostage.

"What do you mean, it's only me?" Laxus's brows furrowed and he stood straighter. Lucy was suddenly aware of the height difference between them. It made her feel small and her pulse sped up. She wondered if she would have been better off trying to survive Juvia's water prison.

"What's got you in such a bad mood?" She yanked her hand back and rubbed her wrist. She didn't want Laxus to see that she was afraid of him.

Laxus's face went blank and he crossed his hands over his chest. "Nothing."

"Seriously? Because it kind of felt like you crushed my wrist."

Laxus frowned and looked away. "Sorry," he mumbled.

That's two apologies in one day, Lucy thought. Maybe he should just stop hurting people. She thought it, but she sure as hell wasn't going to say it out loud. She decided to let it go.

"It's okay," she grumbled. "Why were you trying to get my attention?"

Laxus opened his mouth to speak but Natsu came running up to them and flung himself at Lucy.

"Luce, you gotta help me! Lisanna keeps talking about marrying me."

"Natsu, calm down. She's just teasing you. If you stop giving her such a wild reaction, she'll quit bothering you."

Natsu gave Lucy a doubtful look. "You really think she'll stop?"

"Yes." Lucy put her hands on her hips and stared at him to let him know she was serious.

Natsu pulled on her arm. "Well, just in case, let's dance to the next song."