Please don't hate me. I'm sorry you haven't had an update since last year! Time has flown by for me! You can blame my new obsessions with Sherlock on BBC, Supernatural, and One Piece for my absence. And school, social life, sleep, food, Fanfiction itself…

Beware, this was not Beta'ed because she has been on vacation, so if you see any mistakes, please be nice

Disclaimer: Me no own Fairy Tail.

Chapter 4

*~*Laxus POV*~*

After enduring two more hours of torturous wining and dining with pompous fools, I try to make my way up the stairs to my room before Jellal caught me. Luck was not on my side today.

"Laxus, why are you going up so early? Why not stay for a drink or two?" Jellal looked up at me expectantly, hoping I would do just that. His face was a healthy shade of pink, letting me know that he has already opened the liquor cabinet.

Knowing what would ensue if I were to drink with him I wave him off saying, "Jellal, I'm too tired from dealing with idiots practically trying to sell their daughters to us. I just want to rest in my room before I have to write to Gramps." I turn to make my way upstairs when he calls after me.

"Tell him we said hello!" Waving my hand again in acknowledgement, I go up the stairs and make my way into the room. While walking to my room I think of the people I met today.

First there were the two brothers Mr. Jet and Mr. Droy Anderson. They seemed like fair people; maybe I'll invite them over for a cup of tea. Or a feast with the way Mr. Droy was eating. Then the officers, Gajeel and Romeo. Strange names, but they seemed decent. I wonder if they know an old "friend" of mine… The Von Tramps were next. They seemed amicable at first, but when the father started talking about marriage proposals between me and one of their daughters, I immediately left them. It's not that I don't want to get married – I do – it's just I want to know the person first before such a deal is made. The same thing happened with the Baskervilles, the Lamberts, and Eiicheros as well…

Finally, the Justine's. They didn't seem like a normal family with any shared traits, but a family all the same. I think it was Levy and Wendy who were the only ones who had the same hair color. Erza seemed like a woman who could trample anybody in her path, but not interested in love. When she went to the dance floor with Jellal, she didn't look like she was interested at all. I guess I will just have to see how she carries herself from now on. Even though he can be an idiot, he is still my friend.

Lucy. Although she was plain looking aside from her generous body, she had a spark about her. I can't seem to put my finger on it, but she intrigues me. Even after the one conversation she left an impression. I need to be careful around her; I actually need to be careful around all of them. Those five sisters could spell trouble if my instincts are correct.

Opening the door, I breathe a sigh of relief. What with marriage proposals, meeting new people, and running away from said people, I just wanted to go to sleep. But, Gramps comes first. I tell him about the ball and our arrival, but not about the Justines. Even when he asks, I won't tell him. With him being a romantic, he would try and set me up with one of the sisters before I could say "Fairies."

Gramps,

We made it just fine. Crime Sorciere is huge, but it is nothing compared to Fairy Tail. We have attended a ball, and before you even think it, no, nobody has caught my eye just yet. However -

*Knock Knock* Startled from my thoughts I turn to open the door when Jellal walked again. Can't I get any time to myself tonight? "Dude, let's go to town tomorrow. I wanna explore!" Throwing his hands out behind him he starts spinning in the middle of the floor. He starts spinning so fast he is making me nauseous. Damn you motion sickness.

Smiling despite my uneasiness, I agree. "Yeah, let's do that. Now, go to bed, I think you have had too much to drink."

"You're no fuunnnnnn~"

*~*Lucy's POV*~*

After being rudely woken up by my sisters – Erza had her arm over my face, Wendy was jumping up and down on the bed, and Levy was screaming in my ear – we make our way downstairs where we find Mom standing in the dining room, a list in her hands. "I need you all to go to town and get these items for me. Wendy and Levy, I want you two to stay with your sisters. You to Cana."

"Mom!" Turning we all notice Cana who must have come down a little bit later. "I'm eighteen years old! I think I can walk by myself!"

"Don't worry Cana, you'll have fun!" Leaning over towards her, I whisper, "Maybe we will see that officer you wouldn't tell me about!" Laughing at her red face I grab the list from Mom and run up the stairs, wanting to get changed first.

Slipping on my dress, I think about Mr. Dreyar. Even though he was horrible, I can't stop thinking about him. Especially his stormy blue eyes, his blonde hair – NO! Bad Lucy! Shaking my head I turn to ask if everyone else is ready, and we were. So off to town we go!

"Maybe we will see some officers!" Levy exclaimed, skipping excitedly on the dirt road. "Although, I wouldn't know what to say…"

"Levy, you're so shy! Don't worry about it! Just go with the flow. And maybe sway your hips a little…" Cana said with a smirk on her face. Blushing Levy tries to chase her, but doesn't get very far without having to hunch over a gulp some air. Her hat was falling into her face too. Turns out we'll have to get ribbon for her hat.

"I don't have your confidence Cana; you should know this by now." Pouting, Levy turns back to us and falls in step with Wendy.

Looping arms with Erza, I say to Cana, "If you have so much confidence, then how come you didn't use what happened last night to your advantage?" Smirking, I notice that she turns as red as a tomato as she is assaulted with questions and exclamations of surprise.

After tuning everybody out, I notice the slight breeze blowing, allowing us to feel pleasantly cool in this normally hot weather. The trees are green with a slight browning, showing that fall was coming. The weeds sway with the breeze, making the scene picturesque. Slowly, the town comes into view, and we all pick up our pace a little bit. Even from this distance, the buildings tower over us, making us feel like ants. Blobs we know as people are bustling around the buildings and venues usually set up on the edge of the roads.

"I wonder if we will see Aunt Lisanna and Uncle Natsu." Aunt Lisanna is Mom's sister, but she still has the energy of a twenty year old, and Uncle Natsu has the maturity of a ten year old. Needless to say, they are our favorite aunt and uncle. "Can we call on them while we're here?"

"That sounds like a great idea Lucy!" Erza exclaimed, tightening her hold on my arm. Her eyes show a rare twinkle of light that only happens when she's truly happy, and I smile. "Well what are we waiting for, let's go!" Laughing we sprint to their house, weaving our way through people. They are probably looking at us in disgust, but oh well. It's not proper for ladies of our standard to be running around town like banshees.

"I'm going to get there – umph!" Wendy yells as she runs straight into a man! Stumbling a little, he turns around and grabs her before she falls to the ground. His black hair is falling in his eyes, and his mouth is turned into a frown when he notices what happened.

"Are you alright miss?" He questions, looking at my little sister in concern.

"Um, well, uh…"

"Yes she is! Thank you Mr…" Levy comes to her rescue, stopping and panting slightly.

"Mr. Conbolt. Romeo Conbolt." He answers, looking at Wendy. She blushes when he told her his name instead of Wendy. I see love in the air!

"Well thank you Mr. Conbolt, if you hadn't stopped our sister, she would have beaten us!" Levy exclaims, seeing the look.

"You're very welcome. May I ask where you were going to be running so quickly?"

We were about to answer when a voice behind us said, "Romeo, we leave you for two minutes and your already chatting up the ladies! Come on man!"

Turning we look to see three more men walking toward us, all in uniform. One man had a mane of black hair that fell down his back, and shocking red eyes. The one on his right has short cropped hair with markings on his face, underneath his brown eyes, and the last one had black hair with a scar over his left eye. "Gihi, Bacchus, stop messing with him. We all know that's you!"

"Maybe he picked up a few of my tricks!" Laughing the men make their way toward us when Erza steps up.

"Who are you? State your name and business before I let you near my sisters!" Challenging them probably wasn't the best idea, but that's Erza for you.

"Geez lady, calm down. Names Commander Bacchus Groh, at your service." His eyes make contact with Cana as he says, "And I already know one of your lovely sisters."

"Cana, is he the officer?!" Turning my head, her blush says it all.

"Oh ho, you've been talking about me? I like where this is going!" He smirks as he makes his way to Cana, who is acting like she's shy. But the glint in her eyes makes me think differently.

"Gihi, same here. Cana, great seeing you again. Names Captain Gajeel Redfox." He stuffs his hands in the pants pockets of his uniform as Gray speaks next.

"Captain Gray Fullbuster. Don't worry, I'm not a creep like Bacchus or Gajeel," his easy smile eases my suspicions, but Bacchus is the only one who gives me the creeps. "So what was our little lackey talking to you lovely ladies about?"

"Well, you see he stopped our little sister from running all the way to our Aunt's and Uncle's house before she could beat us!" Levy answered, eyes twinkling as she shyly looks at Gajeel. What is with us acting shy?

"Nice going Romeo!" Bacchus laughs as he claps Mr. Conbolt on his shoulder, making the poor boy blush. "How about we escort you ladies to your destination, so you won't be stopped anymore?"

Turning to Erza, she nods her head stiffly so we agree. While walking we suddenly break off with one of the men; Levy is with Mr. Redfox, Wendy with Mr. Conbolt, and Cana with Mr. Groh. Mr. Fullbuster stays with me and Erza, chatting about anything and everything. He quickly becomes a friend, like we've known each other for years. However, it did bother me when he started taking his clothes off randomly. We didn't say anything until Erza hit him upside the head. "You do NOT start taking your clothes out in public! This is indecent and I don't want our innocent eyes to be ruined by the likes of you!"

"Gah, I'm sorry! I've lived in the North for most of my life, so down here it's so hot that I take them off when I don't realize it!" He cries, throwing his hands up in front of his face.

"It's true – Erza? – he does it all the time. Everyone in the barracks are immune to it now." Mr. Conbolt says from his spot next to Wendy.

"It's still indecent and highly inappropriate. I'll just have to beat it out of you…" Her menacing eyes start to glow as he hides behind me with a small "Eep!"

"Come on Erza, were almost there, just don't think about it." Whimpering, I hold out my hand which she grabs, pulling me away from him. "Erza, he's a friend now! He's just…quirky!" With an indignant "Hey!" I continue, "And you wouldn't be mean to your sister, right?"

She holds her gaze for a couple seconds before she breathes and I know she's forgiven him…even if it's something he can't control. "Fine."

"Yay! Oh, and Mr. Fullbuster, your clothes!"

As he turns around to gather the fallen clothing, he says, "Please, call me Gray. Mr. Fullbuster is my father."

"Okay…Gray." The name feels weird on my tongue, but I don't protest.

"Actually, you ladies can call us by our first names too. Or you can call us anything else you want." Mr. Groh – I mean Bacchus – directs that last comment to Cana who just smirks.

"Maybe I'll take you up on that offer, sweetykinz." The guys roar with laughter as we stop in front of the house.

We awkwardly stand there, not wanting them to leave when Aunt Lisanna opens the door. "I didn't know you all were coming! Come in, come in, and bring the officers too!"

"Well, thanks Mrs. But we best be going." Gray tries to weasel his way out.

"Please, I insist! I'm sure Mr. Dragneel would love to compare stories!" Bacchus' eyes pop out of his head before he rushes in the house.

"Salamander! Get your ass down here!" Not knowing what's going on we make it just in time to see Uncle Natsu fighting with Bacchus and rolling on the floor with him.

"Natsu, you get up this instant! Why are you doing this –" She's cut off by the sound of Natsu laughing.

"Lisanna, this is Bacchus! Remember? He was my subordinate!" He punches him in the shoulder once more before falling completely to the ground, laughing. "So how's it going? Makarov still in charge?"

"No, Goldmine is in charge. Makarov decided to retire so he could be with his family." Bacchus huffs, obviously winded. "Cana, you never told me your Uncle was Salamander Natsu Dragneel!" Looks of surprise cross the other officers faces as they turn toward us.

"We didn't put two and two together." Shrugging sheepishly, I turn towards the couches and everyone follows suit, wanting to hear more stories from the famous Salamander. We stay like this for hours, alternating between flirting with them and listening to Uncle Natsu tell some stories before we are interrupted by a knock on the door. Lisanna goes to get it before any of us could stand.

"Laxus!" We all turn around and there stood Mr. Dreyar and Mr. Fernandez. "Did Makarov send something for Natsu?"

"Yeah…" for some reason he just stares at our group and it isn't until I turn and look that I realize that he is staring at Bacchus.

The stares were so intense you could cut it with a knife. What is going on?

And cut! Hope this makes up for the insanely long wait. I'm so sorry, I really can't say anything other than that. Time got away from me, school happened, then social life…it's really no excuse. I should have made time to write and for that I'm sorry.

Welp, until next time!