Hey guys! DarkEnvy here! Back with another chapter for your enjoyment :) no more 2 month wait haha! Longer chapter but not with too much action, more like an intermediate step.

The next day Lucy went to the guild early in the morning, she had managed to get a room at an inn for the night but she knew that she needed to ask around for a cheap apartment. She was also eager to really get to know everyone else in the guild. So far she had met two older men that seemed to always be there drinking and smoking, one other that said the word "manly" one too many times, a woman that could drink her weight in liquor, Mirajane, the Master, Gajeel and of course, Levy. Last night Levy had also promised to help her scour the papers in search of someplace suitable to her budget and also provide a proper tour of Magnolia.

Today there seemed to be new faces in the guild that had not been there the day before. She couldn't help but notice an odd couple. A blue haired girl who showed too much affection and the half-naked guy who seemed to want absolutely none of that attention, but had neither the will nor heart to tell her to stop.

"Oh that's Gray and Juvia" Levy said as she walked over and sat next to her. "Are you ready Lulu? I'm going to be just a few minutes if that's alright with you."

"Oh no! Don't worry about me, I'm fine. You're already doing me a huge fav-"she trailed off when the bright sun blinded her as the door opened. She turned from the rising Levy to look at the door and there she saw him. The boy with the pink hair… and his flying cat. Talk about making an entrance. He opened the double doors and stood there looking quite impressive with a wide grin plastered on face, and his white scarf swaying with the wind.

"We're back guys!" Everyone had looked when the doors opened and seeing him they rapidly went back to their tasks at hand. Apparently he was just another wizard, but Lucy couldn't seem to stop staring and suddenly he seemed to notice her. She saw his own fixed stare and turned away with a slight blush creeping up on her cheeks. Why she was blushing, she had no idea, but she couldn't stand to be scrutinized by him any longer than that. The light was blocked when an impressive redhead clad in armor came up behind him. Titania! That looked like the famous Titania. Oh what she wouldn't give to meet and befriend the powerful female wizard.

She had been so wrapped up in her own head that she hadn't noticed the trio making their way towards her until they were right in front of her.

"So you're the new girl, huh?" asked the boy with a big lazy grin.

"Welcome to Fairy Tail!"

"Yes. Welcome…"

"Lucy. My name's Lucy" she piped up nervously. She couldn't believe it! Erza Titania had talked to her! The excitement had her squealing in her mind.

"I'm Natsu and this here's Happy! It's great to have a new member." She blushed a deeper shade of at his familiar mannerisms. She couldn't help but notice the friendly banter between Natsu and Happy and smiled. For some reason that made her feel at ease, at home even. Natsu sat beside her while still arguing with Happy about what to have for breakfast. She watched Erza walk away from their table and head to the bar where the Master sat at his usual perch and began speaking with him. It really did feel like home already, everyone was so welcoming and open with her, it almost brought tears to her eyes. The only thing that would have made it better was if her friends were with her. With that thought she looked down at her keys and on impulse pulled them out.

"Whoa! That's awesome! You're a celestial wizard?! How cool is that?! Happy look!"

"Aye sir" said the cat as both he and Natsu examined her friends' keys.

"I've never seen any keys like this. Come to think of it, I've never met a celestial wizard before, and now you've even joined Fairy Tail."

"You've never met a celestial wizard before?"

"Most of us haven't, actually" said an approaching Levy. "I only immediately recognized your magic keys because I've read about them before. It's actually quite a rare magic type. Not like, say, dragon slayer magic, but rare nonetheless." When she said that Natsu's face spread into a wide grin as if he knew exactly what she was talking about. Dragon Slayer magic?! Maybe I can start there… users of that kind of magic may help me find Igneel's son!

"Oh, I didn't really know that, I guess I've always been surrounded by it, so I didn't realize. Are you ready Levy?" Lucy asked as calmly as possible. She didn't want to let her excited emotions show, finally she had a lead on how to start searching for the dragon's son.

"Ready? Where're you going? Can we come too? We wanna get to know Lucy better." Natsu said as he jumped from his chair.

"Aye sir!"

Their eagerness floored Lucy, but she couldn't help and smile at the duo. She gathered her keys once more and anchored them to her leather belt alongside her whip.

"Actually Lulu I came to tell you that I can't come along today. Gajeel needs me to go with him on a job" she said sheepishly.

"That's perfect! We can take her!"

Levy smiled. "That sounds like a great idea. I'm really sorry Lulu."

"No! No! Don't worry about it Levy. I'm sure the three of us can manage."

"Natsu, Happy, promise me you'll show her a good time, ok?"

"Aye sir!"

"You bet Levy! Now get going, Metal head over there ain't gonna wait for long."

Levy's cheeks turned scarlet as she smiled and ran off after giving Lucy a quick hug. Lucy wondered what was going on between those two, but she could definitely tell that Levy was head over heels for Gajeel. Now she looked towards a smiling Natsu who took her hand, pulled her up and semi-dragged her out of the guild hall. It looked like she was getting to know Magnolia one way or another today. Lucy was glad to make new friends and happily walked through the bustling streets of Magnolia along Natsu and Happy.

"Man I'm starving! We never did eat at the guild, huh? I could really go for some food. What'd'ya say Lucy? Wanna go eat?"

"I could really go for some yummy fish, Natsu!" pitched in Happy.

'Nah, I don't want fish. We always have fish!"

"Because they're so yummy and delicious!"

Lucy laughed aloud enjoying herself immensely, Natsu's lighthearted mood was infectious.

"Yeah, sure. Let's eat!"

"Yeah! Let's go!"

"Aye sir!"

Natsu took her to the best burger joint in Magnolia and she had to admit, it was pretty delicious. She was astounded at the amount of food he could put away! He seemed so small for all that food, where on Earthland was he putting it?! Lucy paid more attention to him and noticed that he was actually quite toned, and that was putting it mildly. It seemed that he really did use all that energy somehow. Hmm…and it certainly shows. Wait! She couldn't be thinking like that! She didn't know him and she was…she was…betrothed. It was still so hard to even think the word.

Her emotions must've been a shining beacon on her face because Natsu stopped eating and asked her what was wrong.

"Oh haha. Nothing, sorry. Sorry I just thought of something"

"What was it?"

"I just realized that I've nowhere to live, that's all' she lied.

"No problem!" he replied, not really believing her. "Happy and I will help you search. In the mean time you can stay with us! Right Happy?"

"Aye sir!"

"It'll be great having you around!" He said with an honest smile.

If Lucy had been surprised by the pink haired boy before, it was nothing to how surprised she was now. She was completely taken aback by his generous offer. She nodded her thanks, afraid that if she spoke she would end up shedding tears. She had never expected this much kindness from this many people.

After lunch the trio set out to explore the town.

"That was probably the best lunch ever! Thanks Lucy!"

"I'm so full I could pop" said Happy, holding his now rather large belly.

"Thanks? What for? I didn't do anything at all."

"Well, you went out to lunch with us, duh." Natsu told her as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

Throughout the rest of the day they were in and out of shops and apartment buildings, but all for nothing. They found nothing anywhere or the places were so expensive, even for her! She may have grown up in a mansion but she was actually quite frugal about money, plus she didn't need all that much. She had never really been the extravagant kind and she didn't want to attract attention either.

The day had begun to wane and red and yellows decorated the late afternoon sky. By this point the trio had exhausted all of their leads and Lucy had sufficiently explored all of the shops, from the bigger corporate ones to the quaint family owned ones. She really couldn't remember the last time she had had this much fun with anyone other than her celestial friends. Every time they entered a shop Natsu and Happy had made a point of trying on the dorkiest outfits, making funny noises, and having the most nonsensical conversations. It had gotten to the point where Lucy could not stop smiling and her sides hurt from laughing.

"Man it's getting dark, you ready to go Luce? I think Happy's a little tired" he said as he looked at the half asleep cat leaning on his leg.

"Are you sure Natsu? I can just stay at the inn again, it's really not a problem for me at all."

"Hell no! You're our friend and you're not gonna stay at a strange place, you're coming with us! C'mon let's go get your stuff from the guild hall." He said all this as he grabbed her and half-dragged her towards the guild hall this time.

"Aye sir! Let's go!" Happy exclaimed with renewed vigor.

As they walked to the guild hall Lucy was having a small panic attack as she really thought about what was going on. What are they all gonna think?! All the other guild members! They're gonna look at me differently because I'm spending the night at Natsu's house. Oh crap!

"M-maybe I should just go back to the inn" she stammered.

"Nah! Besides we're already here," responded Natsu, opening one of the double doors that lead to the inside of the Fairy Tail guild hall and walking in. To Lucy's complete dismay everyone was still there! Don't they ever leave?! Now everyone will know and I'll be cast out! I can't believe this is happening to me.

"Hello Lucy. Were you successful in your hunt for a place to live?" asked Erza, still scaring Lucy despite her innocent question.

"Nah" answered Natsu.

"She's gonna stay with us until she finds a place" continued Happy.

"We're just here to get her stuff and then we're off."

Here it comes she thought, her heart pounding, waiting for the looks and questions.

"Oh, good. Great idea Natsu, we can't very well have her stay at some inn when she has friends here," said Erza approvingly. Natsu looked proud of himself as he received Erza's praise at his good idea.

"That is quite the good idea" a sweet voice piped up behind them. Lucy turned around to see Mirajane coming up behind them holding her suitcase and bag. "Also, a few boxes came for you Lucy. We can just keep them here until you get a place to live."

"Thanks so much Mira! I'm sorry, I just figured that I'd have gotten a place by now."

"No worries! They'll be safe in the basement until you get a place. I'd offer you to stay at the Fairy Lodge where most of us live, but unfortunately there's only two rooms left and one is always used as storage and the other is in shambles right now."

"Don't worry about it Mira. I'll be fine. I'll just stay with Natsu and Happy for tonight, and I'll find something tomorrow for sure," she answered with a smile. As much as she was dreading the rumors, Lucy really didn't mind staying with Natsu and happy for the night.

"Just be careful that flame brain doesn't try anything Lucy, he isn't the type to be trusted," said the shirtless Gray.

"Hey asshole! Don't go spreading those kinds of lies!" fumed Natsu.

"Gray! Don't scare Lucy!" said Erza, with the scariest face Lucy had seen on her yet. She gave Gray the most terrifying death glare that Lucy had ever seen. Lucy made a mental note to never get on Erza's bad side, it looked like a dangerous and life threatening experience.

"Lucy don't let Gray scare you, it really is a good idea to stay with Natsu until you find a place. It was kind of him to offer. Just tell me if he steps out of line and I'll deal with him," she said nicely, which somehow made the threat even scarier to Lucy. Gray had already backed off making innuendos to Lucy and was now simply picking a fight with Natsu, who was more than up for a fight with the practically naked wizard.

"I'll go ahead and tell Levy when she returns then. I know she'll be curious."

"Thanks so much Mirajane"

"No problem Lucy! What are friends for?" Mira said smiling kindly.

It would be an understatement to say that Lucy was taken aback by everyone's kindness. They'd known her for all of two days and they had already taken her in and treated her as family. She felt so happy and cherished and so incredibly blessed to be this fortunate.

"Lucy!" said a startled Natsu, "Why are you crying? Did Gray say something to upset you? Do I need to kick his ass?"

"Pssh like you could, get real."

Crying? Am I crying? She lifted a hand to her face and sure enough there were tears slowly trickling down her face.

"Oh. I didn't realize. I'm sorry," Lucy wiped the remaining tears from her face and rubbed her eyes clean.

"What's wrong Lucy?" Happy asked her.

"Nothing at all. I was just thinking about how nice you've all been to me. I haven't done anything to deserve any of your kindness, but even so it makes me so happy," she sniffled and wiped a few errant tears with a huge smile. A soft smile spread across Erza's face as she heard Lucy's words.

"You're one of us now Lucy."

"Yeah Luce!" Natsu said putting an arm around her, "and we're a family. Being a member of Fairy Tail means something to us, right Happy?!"

"Aye sir!"

"Now come on, we gotta go home!"

Natsu, Lucy and Happy all left with her bag in tow. Lucy felt so happy and all of her fears had somehow instantly disappeared. She really felt like she was a part of Fairy Tail. A wide smile spread across her face as she followed Happy and Natsu to a little trail that went to the outskirts of the city.

Thanks for reading guys! Let me know what you think! There's a ton more where this came from, hopefully all this will end nicely, ha.