Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail, that right belongs to the talented Hiro Mashima.

Author's Note: This chapter is a bit of fluff, again, but does further the storyline. You have been warned.


3.5 weeks of 26 weeks, 25 days of 182 Day

She stood there staring at Lahar, her brown eyes narrowed. And it was clear from the way he stared back that he knew she was not happy. It had been a week and a half since they'd gotten the update from Leo on the whole Geass thing. And Lucy was at the end of her rope with the man before. Especially after the demand her just made of her and her spirits.

Putting a tight smile on her face, that she had used for years in the polite society, had Lahar blinking at her. Not caring as she let her face settle into the blank mask that hid what she was thinking, as Lucy never broke eye contact. Mentally enjoying the reactions she was pulling from the pompous ass before her. Because he had overstepped himself in making that demand.

"I refuse, Captain Lahar." She said in a soft voice.

The way he stiffened had Lucy wanting to crow in victory. Because the way his eyes flickered before he put on his own mask, told her that it had been a slap in the face.

"Why? They are useful in that manner. And any and all information would be useful," he spoke, his voice just as soft as her own.

"Because they are not tools, Lahar. They are my friends," she said, allowing cold amusement to leak through.

When he just lifted his chin ever so slightly in response, Lucy had the urge to punch him between the eyes. He was high maintenance and a conceited to no end. Something she could deal with, but when his attitude shifted to his military training laced with his noble upbringing that was pushing her very fine line.

"I think you should think carefully, Ms, Heartfillia," he said, a low growl to his words. "Look at things from a new perspective."

Eyes widening at the backhanded comment, Lucy shook where she stood as he smiled smugly. But her mind was already tearing what he said apart, analyzing it and putting it to use for her own benefit. And the result was rather nice.

"You are correct, Lahar! I was going at this all wrong," she said, her voice light and happy.

At her sudden change, she saw him look at her with a look she was becoming familiar with. It clearly said that she was off her damn rocker. And she probably was, but it didn't matter. You had to be a little crazy to be apart of Fairy Tail. So, before he could even speak again she stepped a bit closer to him, smiling widely. Not caring at how he lightly flushed and looked uncomfortable at how near she was to him.

"What type of child were you? What kind of things did you do? How did you interact with those around you?" she asked, her questions coming one after another.

When his eyes glazed over, and he replied that was none of her business, Lucy just hummed to herself and shrugged. Turning she half walked, half skipped to her room and slammed the door. Hearing his muted scream through the thick door about not slamming doors, as it was rude. Making her cackle as she went to her bed and picked up her lacrima phone. Thinking of the person she needed to talk to, she pushed her magic into the device and waited for the person to pick up. There was something Lahar had forgotten, she had connections even if she was not a noble anymore.


He was left staring at the closed door, twitching where he stood as a deep chuckle came from behind him. Turning her saw Doranbolt standing just inside the front door looking overly amused at his expense. Not wanting to deal with this, Lahar marched into his room. The need to calm down and try and understand more about Geass' in general. He wanted to break the infernal thing and start living like a normal person.

It was sometime later that the sound of laughter, rather loud, obnoxious laughter drew him from the book he had been reading. Lifting his head up he looked at his bedroom door. Annoyance showing clearly on his face as he narrowed his eyes at it. Wondering just what the hell his partner and Lucy found so funny. At least until he heard a loud curse from said woman. A word that didn't belong coming out of any females mouth.

Turning his attention back to the book, Lahar tried to focus on it again when he heard Doranbolt curse loudly and call Lucy a cheater. Knowing that he would not be able to concentrate anymore, he slammed the book closed as he stood from his bed. Tossing the book onto the mattress, he stalked to the door and jerked it open.

The sight that met him had him literally forgetting how irritated he had been, as well as speechless. Because there on the table was a stack of various game. While Doranbolt and Lucy were in a staring contest on the game before them. It was a simple game of strategy and suspense. And neither noticed him as he stood there watching them as they each took a turn. Waiting silently and patiently until Doranbolt finally lost, Lahar moved away from his doorway.

"Do I even want to know why you two, adults no less, are playing... Don't break the Ice! A children's game?" he asked, letting exasperation show in his voice.

Only to have both of them turn to look at him with eyes wide in shock and innocence, faces flushed and smiling. Which was rather disconcerting to see on his partner, who he secretly thought of as a pedophile for his obsession with the young Wind Dragon Slayer, Wendy Marvel. It was a few seconds more before both started to laugh loudly.

"Oh! That is easy Lahar. You said I needed a change of perspective. And you told me your childhood was none of my business," Lucy said, a saccharine smile on her face as her brown eyes practically glowed with mirth at him.

Not sure how to feel at the look she was giving him, Lahar met her gaze head-on before he felt a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. His mind said he was forgetting something. Something important and vital about the blond woman before him. And it had nothing to do with being a Mage, or a member of Fairy Tail.

"I did what you suggested. And well I made a phone call to a good friend of mine. One, who knows you oh so well," she quipped. "And Lahar Ziegler, I am so sorry that you were the perfect child. A stuffy, overbearing, proper and no fun child."

There were only a few people in all of Fiore that knew him well and as a child. Then it clicked who Lucy knew to call to ask about his childhood. The only one that had any connections to Lucy was his cousin. And Princess of Fiore. The sudden need to strangle the woman was so strong he just put on a polite smile, earning her wide, bright one.

"So, since you had a normal childhood according to the Nobles, I figured I could help you lighten up and relax. And get a stab at what normal children did. My mother was rather fond of me playing these games, because it taught me more than just sitting through lectures because it taught me using fun, interactive techniques," she said, her voice going all sweet and maternal on him. "Wanna play some Chutes and Ladder? or maybe candy land with Mest and myself?"

The way she asked him, the knowing glint in her eye had him cringing visibly. Yes, slapping her would only be a start as he glared down at her.

"No!" he bit out as he spun and marched back into his room, slamming the door behind him.

Groaning as he leaned back against the door, he heard her yell at him that it was rude to slam doors. Lifting his hands up, Lahar ran them down his face as he realized this was her payback for what he demanded of her earlier. She was definitely not someone he was going to piss off again anytime soon. Because this hit him low. Having to fit into a perfect mold, that made him who he was. The boy that had pissed off a woman and put under a Geass. And he owed her an apology.

TBC