Title: Fifth Time's The Charm (4/5: Unexpected Meeting)
Author: Noble Voyager
Rating/Warnings: T
Characters: Gray Fullbuster, Lucy Heartfilia
Setting: Sometime after Episode 50
Summary: They say, "two time's the charm". But who says you can't have it five times?
Disclaimer: This story is based on the anime/manga created and owned by Hiro Mashima. I do not own Fairy Tail. No copyright infringement is intended.
Notes: I apologize for the short delay. I thought I could be able to post this earlier, but something came up. Anyway, the last chapter is already complete. I'm just going to edit it if it's necessary. I'll probably post it any time soon. Thank you for your patience. :)

It was a dark and quiet night. Lucy has just gotten back from a very tiring and exhausting mission with her team. As she finds her way back home, she could feel herself shivering because of the cold sensation the atmosphere is giving. But it's not only that. It was so dark that she can barely even see where she was going. Suddenly, she heard a slight crescendo by the bushes. She shivered so hard, her legs are wobbling with fear, and as she looked back, it was just a familiar figure of a man whom she knows quite well.

"Gray..." the blonde-haired stellar mage muttered as she felt a feeling of relief, "what are you doing here?"

Gray, wearing rather thick clothes, came closer to Lucy. "I couldn't just leave you all alone here. I want to escort you to your home, if you don't mind."

"Oh, no. I don't mind. Of course you can escort me. I'm quite lost here, anyway," Lucy insisted.

The two of them smiled at each other and made their way. As they walked along, they did not give a single glance at each other. Silence filled the air to the point that only the beating of their hearts could be heard. Lucy is starting to feel really awkward. But as the wind blew to their direction, Lucy couldn't help her constant shivering.

Gray noticed the sensation Lucy is having, so he took off his jacket and placed it around her, "Here you go."

"No, Gray, it's..."

"I don't mind. You're feeling really cold there," Gray didn't bother interrupting Lucy's sentence.

Lucy just remained silent. She couldn't do anything about that. After several minutes, she was home, standing in front of the door. "Thanks a lot, Gray," she said as she brought him back his jacket. As she walks toward the door, she could feel something grabbing her right arm, as though it were stopping her from meeting the comfort and luxury her home has to offer. "What are you doing, Gray?"

"Lucy..." Gray said as he looked intensely at those amber eyes of Lucy.

"W-what is it?" Lucy could feel her heart beating rapidly and a slight blush formed on her cheeks.

"Before you enter your apartment. I've always wanted to tell you something," Gray said firmly as Lucy's heartbeat began to increase as ever. He pulled her closer so that they could see each other eye-to-eye and said, "You have been the most amazing thing that happened in my life. You have this something in you that makes you stand out from the other women I've met." He pulled her even closer. "You're beautiful, kind, and just plain unique."

"Gray... I..." Lucy was interrupted once again as Gray placed his finger on her lips, hushing her. He whispered something on her ear that made her felt the most gratifying electricity that no other circuit can ever make.

"I love you, Lucy."

...

"GAAAAHHHH!" the stellar mage shouted as she slapped out of that crazy little fantasy of hers. It was a bright afternoon and she was alone in her apartment. She spent too much time pondering over those overhead conversations that it made her fantasize about the possibility of her and Gray.

"What's wrong with you, Lucy?!" Stop thinking about crazy things like that!" Lucy shouted to herself. She was about to go mentally deranged. So, to cool herself down, she took out a notebook and began to write down her awkward thoughts. This was the same thing that happened to her and Natsu, but she never expected to feel something different... whatever that something is.

I just had the weirdest and most awkward day today. Two days ago, I had this same feeling with Natsu and now, it's Gray. I kept on meeting him in the most awkward way. I've been fantasizing about him. What's worse is that he is in love with somebody, and that somebody might be me. I've been avoiding him and all that. I don't want this to happen! Don't me wrong, I love him as comrade, but this is not the way I want it to be.

After writing down her thoughts, Lucy stood up and noticed the exhibitionist sitting down on her couch nonchalantly. "Hey, Lucy!" Gray said.

"Gray! What are you doing here?!" Lucy shouted as she gave all her strength to beat him to a pulp. The blonde-haired stellar mage is really strong, after all. (That is, if you have the guts to mess with her, she'll get all out.)

Gray recovered fast and cleared his throat, "Lucy, I just want to tell you something." Lucy's eyes grew wider as she heard those words coming out of Gray's mouth.

Lucy stood away from him as possible, "W-what is it?" She could feel the tremor within her voice.

"I want you to meet me at the park tonight," Gray said firmly, "You'll know..." He could feel himself blushing. Without another word, he walked away as if nothing happened.

He blushed. He wants me to meet him at the park tonight – just the two of us. Could it be a love confession? Lucy thought as she felt her cheeks turning bright red. This was the fourth time Gray made Lucy blush. Her heart is starting to beat rapidly, as though she might experience a cardiac arrest any time soon.

She couldn't let this happen. They are very good friends, and she doesn't want to ruin that. There's only one thing that she can do. "Gate of the Crab, I open thee! Cancer!"

"What can I do for you, ebi?" Cancer said. A series of constant sparkling greeted her.

"I want you to give me a... errr... hairdo..." Lucy insisted even though she doesn't want to.

"Got a date?" Cancer asked in a cool and demure manner.

"Well... sort of..."

"Then I will make you look as pretty as possible."

"Whatever." Lucy just knows what to do during that meeting. This was just like that night when she thought Natsu was going to confess to her. Hopefully, Gray won't be telling Lucy about this if he asked her to dig out something or someone. But considering the fact that Gray looked totally serious, this meeting might take a different turn. She doesn't know whether it will take a turn for the worse or better, though.

I have to turn him down.