YAY! I'm back! You all better be ready for my new chapter. I'm fired up now!

Lucy stared blankly out the window of the plane. It was pretty quiet in the first class section; only the humming of the engine outside could be heard. Lucy was leaning up against the window, watching as birds and clouds floated by carelessly.

Her team had left on their mission earlier that day. They had been sitting in first class for about three hours and despite the endless amount of things provided by the staff Lucy was entirely bored. Jiemma and Minerva had rented out the whole first class so the only ones there were Lucy and her team. She didn't even have the sound of other people to keep her company. She was starting to miss Plue back home like she did every time she went away.

She took a peak at Yukino who was sitting beside her. In her lap was a computer. It looked as if she was running through the floor plans of Michello's mansion.

At least she has something to do, thought Lucy. Her eyes wandered back to the window. Her mind drifted back to her short conversation with Minerva back at headquarters.

Salamander could be there. The statement both terrified and excited Lucy. The sensible part of her subconscious said to avoid him at all costs. He was the enemy and could be a threat to her mission. Wanting to see him would just about be the worst idea possible, but the impractible side of her wanted to jump at the possibility of seeing him again. Lucy did her best to repress this side of her, for she knew it would only cause her heartache.

He probably doesn't even want to see me, she determined to put her excitement in line. She had to keep it under control if it meant the success of Sabertooth.

"We should run through the game plan," said Ryos as he sat down in the seat in front of Yukino and Lucy. Yukino greeted Ryos while Lucy sat up to discuss their strategy.

"What do we have?" he asked. Yukino typed something in her laptop.

"I've been reviewing the schematics of Michello's home, and I've got to say this won't be easy."

"Is it ever?" Lucy muttered loud enough for her partners to hear. Yukino smiled, trying to keep from laughing.

"The necklace is held in a secure facility in the basement of the mansion. The actual room is protected by motion detecting lasers. The rest of the basement level is under restricted access and can only be entered with an ID card."

"Not to mention there with be camera's everywhere," Ryos included. Lucy tapped her fingernails against her leg. She mused over the situation for another moment before turning to Yukino.

"Can I see those plans?" Yukino nodded and handed the laptop to Lucy. The blonde skimmed through the data, taking in every detail. Yukino and Ryos could see in the depths of her brown eyes a plan formulating.

"Alright," she said a minute later, "Here's the plan. In order to get down to the basement we need an ID. Yukino, I need you to snag one off one of the guards. Do you think you can do that?" Yukino smiled, nodding happily.

"Good. After we get an ID we can get down the basement level. According to the floor plans it looks like there is a locker room a few meters away from the surveillance room. If we have a strong enough radio range Ryos can disrupt their signal and transfer it to his computer. That way only he can see what's going on."

"I should have a disrupter with a large enough range to transfer the frequencies to my laptop," confirmed Ryos. Lucy nodded in satisfaction.

"As long as the guards are blind I should be able to sneak into the chamber the necklace is in and switch it out with the fake."

"But what about the lasers," asked Yukino worriedly, "and what if Fairy Tail shows up?"

"Don't worry about Fairy Tail," Lucy said firmly, " The longer we spend worrying about them the more difficult this mission will be. Fairy Tail will more than likely have been asked to guard the necklace so we can't let them find out that we intend on taking it. As for the lasers," Lucy chuckled, "there hasn't been a laser field I haven't been able to cross yet."

"Don't get cocky," warned Ryos, "there is always someone or something better."

"Maybe," replied Lucy, closing the laptop and handing it to Yukino, "but you never know until you try."

A small dinging sound resounded through the cabin, causing the Sabertooth agents to look up to the PA system.

"Attention all passengers, we will be landing in approximately ten minutes. Please prepare yourselves for landing. Thank you for choosing Fioran Airline."

"Alright then," said Lucy. She turned back to the window where she could see a small city. A small smile graced her face. This mission was going to be a piece of cake.

FAIRY TAIL

"Uhhhhh~"

"Hurry up Pinky, we haven't got all day," growled Gray.

Natsu sat in his seat on the plane, holding the armrests for dear life. His face was an unhealthy shade of blue. He hated his motion sickness.

It was just his luck that his job required that he travel all around Fiore.

"Make it stop," he moaned, trying to keep from vomiting.

"Dude, we landed five minutes ago, now get up!" Gray was starting to lose his patience. He had to listen to Natsu complain the entire ride because he forgot his motion sickness patches. He didn't know what was worse, sitting next to a motion sick pinkette or Erza.

"Gray grab under his arm. I'll take the other one," said Erza, unaffected by the attention Natsu was giving. Gray obeyed and grabbed Natsu, throwing his arm over his shoulder. Erza did the same with the other arm and the three walked out of the plane.

When they got into the airport, Natsu fell to the floor kissing the ground.

"Never again!" he cried happily. Gray rolled his eyes. That's what he said every time. Gray spotted Erza coming back with their luggage, though a large majority of it was her own suitcases.

"Here you go boys," she said, handing them their individual suitcases.

"Erza why do you carry that thing around," Gray asked, referring to the cart that held her stuff.

"I don't see what the problem is. Lots of people bring this many bags on trips.

"Yeah for like vacations," argued Gray, "we're only spending one night here."

Natsu and Gray could feel the air around them tense. Erza glared at Gray with a fierce ferocity.

"Do you have a problem Gray?" she asked. Natsu snickered at Gray as his skin turned white as a sheet.

"N-No ma'am," he exclaimed. Natsu cackled, earning a punch in the shoulder from Gray. The three teammates started walking through the airport to catch a ride to their hotel. The halls were filled to the brim with people trying to leave. Natsu tried to follow behind Erza and Gray though it was a struggle.

For a split second his eyes drifted into the crowd of people. Suddenly his eyes caught onto something yellow, almost golden in the sunlight. As fast as it happened it vanished. Natsu searched around again but couldn't spot it anywhere. Sighing in defeat, Natsu ran after his comrades, his thoughts still on the flash of gold that had captured his attention.

The three found a cab and had it take them to Michello's house. He lived in a pretty expensive district and the three took great interest in it. Their cab pulled up in front of one of the larges houses there. They gawked at the large marble columns and hedges cut into the shapes of animals.

"Hey Gray, check it out!" called Natsu. Natsu had his head stuffed into the mouth of a lion hedge and was pretending to scream. Gray laughed, pulling out his phone to take a picture.

They walked up the large steps to his home, almost blinded by how shiny they were. Erza knocked on the door, which was immediately opened by a butler.

"Hello, we were sent by the government for your master," said Erza. As regulation, they weren't allowed to discuss their mission with anyone other than the person who hired them.

"My Master is expecting you," he said, opening the door wider so they could enter. The inside of the house was even more exaggerated then the outside. The walls were lined with paintings that looked rather expensive. In the main entry way was a crystal chandelier larger than a truck. Natsu stared at it, completely entranced by it's beauty.

"My Master is in his office," the butler interrupted. He led the Fairy Tail agents through the mansion and to a set of large wooden doors. He knocked on it twice before pushing it open.

"Master, the people from the government are here to see you," he said before turning and leaving to attend to other duties. The three agents walked into the office hesitantly. It was very large, filled with mostly books and old antiques. At the far end was a large window. Under it was a desk where a small man sat. He had orange hair and a mustache. His hair was done in such a fashion that it looked like cat ears. It startled Natsu and Gray to see he had a tail too.

"What is he?" whispered Natsu to his partner. Gray simply shrugged, not having an answer. Erza approached the desk, bowing lightly.

'It is an honor to meet you sir."

"As it should be," the small man grumbled, "So you are the agents the government sent to protect my granddaughter's necklace?" he questioned skeptically.

"That is right sir," Erza responded. The man hummed.

"I would expect the government's top agency to look a little more professional," he remarked, glancing at Natsu's tee shirt and jeans.

"I can assure you we are very professional when it comes to our work." Natsu and Gray nodded firmly in agreement. Michello sat silently for a moment, contemplating his next move. Natsu grew somewhat nervous under his stare. They watched him as he pushed down on a small button on his desk.

"Jensen, bring three security passes for my guests." Natsu let out a sigh of relief and he saw Erza's body relax. She looked pretty relieved to.

"I've decided to allow you to do the mission. You will each receive a security pass to the lower levels of the mansion, but remember, your duty is to guard the necklace. I don't want you going down there unless you deem it absolutely necessary. Have I made myself clear?" Erza nodded once, smiling tenderly.

"Crystal sir. Now if that is all, we should locate a hotel for the night and prepare for the party."

Michello nodded, "Yes you should, though I doubt your apparel will be much different." Erza ignored the insult and bowed respectively. She turned to the exit with Gray and Natsu following close behind.

"Now all we have to do is get the mission over with," said Gray, shoving his hands in his pockets.

"Yep," cheered Natsu, "This will be a piece of cake."

FAIRY TAIL

"Are you almost done Lucy-sama?" Yukino asked, tapping a hand against the door of the hotel bathroom. The Sabertooth agents had arrived at their hotel about two hours before the party. After running through their plan once more they decided to get ready to go.

Yukino had already gotten dressed, however Lucy was still locked inside the bathroom. Yukino wore a long silvery dress that fell to the floor. She had on diamond earring and a matching necklace. The only thing that stood out was the rose barrette in her hair.

"Come on Lucy-sama. Ryos-sama is already waiting for us." Yukino bit the inside of her mouth. Lucy hadn't said a word to her and it had been about thirty minutes since she went in. She was about to call out to her again when the door finally unlocked. Yukino's eyes widened with the door.

Lucy wore a light blue mermaid style dress. The fabric at the bottom spread out in a shimmering display much like a real mermaids tail. On her hands were long white gloves, more than likely to cover her tattoo. Her hair was let down, flowing into soft curls and on her neck was a key necklace.

Yukino was simply in awe, "Wow Lucy-sama, you look… you look…"

"Is it too much?" Lucy asked, looking down at her dress nervously, "I just thought since these people had a lot of money it would be easier to blend in."

"No no, it's amazing," Yukino responded, smiling. She took Lucy's hands in hers, "You look stunning. How the heck were you able to afford something like this?"

Lucy rubbed her arm nervously. Yukino was the only person she could really consider a friend, but there were some things she was not yet ready to tell her; Namely about her past.

"It was just on sale this one time I think. I can't remember," she said. Yukino sighed. She could tell Lucy wasn't being totally honest with her but didn't push it any farther.

"Well we should be heading out. The party starts soon and we need to get this done as fast as possible." Lucy nodded in agreement. She walked over to her bed to grab her purse. She pulled out a small communicator and placed it in her ear.

"Hey, Lucy-sama?"

"Yes Yukino?"

"Do you still like Salamander?"

The silence in the room was deathly. Lucy's body went rigid. To say she wasn't expecting that question was an understatement. She had no idea where that question came from.

"Excuse me?" she said softly, facing away from her partner. Yukino took a step closer to her.

"I remember a few years ago, the two of you fought and you found out," she paused, "you found out that he was engaged." Lucy remained frozen in place. She remembered the disaster of that day and still hated herself for the events that transpired.

"Ryos wouldn't have noticed it, but I noticed," said Yukino, taking another step closer to Lucy, "You sounded different after that. Almost like you were disappointed."

"Disappointed?"

"Heartbroken would be a better term."

The air felt thicker in the hotel room, both women could feel it. Lucy's arms trembled slightly at her side. She really didn't want to talk about her complicated relationship with Salamander. She was never good with relationships but this one took the cake for the worst and most disappointing.

Lucy body tensed when she felt Yukino grab her hand. She spun her around so Lucy was facing her. Without warning Yukino pulled Lucy into a tight hug.

"It's okay. You don't have to say anything. It still hurts doesn't it?" Lucy blinked back the tears building in her eyes. She nodded her head slowly. Yukino giggled.

"It will be fine Lucy. A broken heart doesn't last forever."

The blonde sat in her friend's embrace for another minute. It felt good that someone knew about her feelings. She was always so secretive, even to herself, so having another to bear the burden was refreshing in a way. Yukino pulled away, hands on Lucy's shoulders.

"Now perk up," she demanded smiling, "You're going to mess up your mascara." Lucy giggled, rubbing her eyes gently to keep from messing up her make up.

"Thanks Yukino," she said. Yukino removed her hands and folded them behind her back.

"Don't mention it. What are girl friends for?" Lucy nodded, placing her purse over her shoulder.

"Hey, maybe next time I can help you with Sting." Yukino grew flustered, her tan cheeks going red.

"Stop it with that!" The two of them started towards the door to their hotel room. Lucy rolled her eyes.

"Come on Yukino, it's so obvious he likes you. The only person who can't see it is yourself." Lucy continued to tease her friend up until they met Ryos in the hallway. Nothing else was said between the two girls about their relationship problems. They rented a car and packed everything they needed for their mission. Finally prepared, they mad the drive to Michello's mansion.

FAIRY TAIL

There were a lot of things Natsu hated in life. Sabertooth, motion sickness, and Gray were his top three, however there was one other that came close to them.

Dressing up.

Natsu hated getting all fancied up for parties. A dress shirt for a friend's party or a social gathering was okay but full on suit and tie was one thing he couldn't stand.

"Stupid neck trap," growled Natsu as he tied his black tie. He had on a black suit and light pink shirt underneath. Erza forced him to keep his prized scarf at the hotel which he also hated.

"You can say that again," said Gray beside him, adjusting his own black tie. He was wearing a black suit as well with a dark blue shirt where the jacket was unbuttoned.

"Grow up you two," said Erza. She wore a black dress and a necklace with a single blue gemstone. Her hair was pulled into a neat bun with a few strands falling past her shoulders. She shifted Natsu in front of her and helped to readjust his tie, "Try to behave yourselves boys. We are at a fancy party after all."

"It is pretty impressive," admitted Gray, glancing at the ballroom. The entire room was packed to the brim, with more than a few stragglers roaming the hall and foyer. Elegant music was playing in the background while people of all different shapes and sizes ate and socialized amongst themselves. Anyone who wasn't in the middle of the room was dancing merrily with one another.

Natsu had never felt so out of place in his life. He had been on a couple of missions where he had to go to a party, but on those missions he had opted to work on the sidelines over the radio or something. Since all they had to do was guard the necklace though he really wasn't needed anywhere else.

"Remember, we have to keep our eyes open for anyone suspicious." Natsu and Gray nodded in understanding. Suddenly a young man about their age stepped forward and bowed in front of Erza.

"May I have the next dance?" Erza smiled, grabbing his hand and dragging him toward the dance floor. Natsu and Gray cringed. That man was going to regret dancing with Erza the "Dancing Demon."

"I'm going to go hang in the halls, " said gray to Natsu, "I'll contact you if I see anything out of the ordinary. Natsu nodded and Gray disappeared through the crowd. Since he had nothing better to do, Natsu decided to venture to the snack bar. He grinned in anticipation.

FAIRY TAIL

The Sabertooth agents pulled up to Michello's house and were stunned by the lack of parking space. They could hear the music from were they were. Ryos placed his laptop in a computer bag and they started walking up to Michello's mansion. By the time they got there Lucy and Yukino's feet were killing them in their heels.

When they entered the building it was even more extravagant than anticipated. They stared in awe at the beautiful gowns the women wore and the gorgeous displays of art and craftsmanship of the building.

"There are so many people here," Yukino said, moving to the side so someone else could get past.

Ryos nodded, "Do they even know most of these people?" he asked, referring to Michello and his granddaughter. Lucy waved him off. Her eyes scanned the foyer and the entryway to the ballroom. She looked back at her team.

"Do you remember your assignments?" They both nodded. Without another word the group split off. Yukino ran off down one hallway to steal an ID while Ryos went on his own, leaving Lucy alone in the foyer. With nothing better to do, the blonde headed into the ballroom.

It was just as packed in there as it was in the foyer. The noise of the music and the socializing was almost deafening. Lucy noticed a few men staring at her and grew very conscious of her appearance. She wasn't used to having so many people look at her.

She walked up to the food bar and stood silently by herself. The food looked very appetizing, however she was too anxious and preoccupied mentally to eat any of it. Men continued to stare at her but their female partners whacked them into their senses. Lucy was very grateful for that.

The music changed into a slow song. It was very soothing Lucy thought. Her eyes closed as she just listened. Her body began to sway with the rhythm. She was lost in her own dance with the harmony and melody.

Her eyes slowly opened as if commanded to by some unknown force. Her brown eyes clashed with the dark green ones of the closest person. They stared at each other wordlessly, both unprepared to be in the presence of the other. Lucy took in the sight of the man who had been plaguing her mind for two whole years. She watched his mouth open.

"Princess." She let hers do the same.

"Salamander."

That was a lot of information for one chapter. Is this all going by too fast? Tell me what you think. REVIEW! FAVORITE! COLLAPSE ON A COMFY COUCH! FOLLOW!