So how's everybody doing today? Personally, I'm ready to go to sleep, but since when did life ask what I wanted? But never mind that! Everybody gets to read the next chappie of "Hey There!" That's a good compromise… right? Let's get started shall we?

Disclaimer: If I had the money, it would be mine…


Hey There… Ch. 9

Everyone at the table stared at the pinkette like he had grown a second head, causing the male to shift uncomfortably in his seat.

"What? I thought it was a reasonable question…" Natsu grumbled as he chomped down on another bite of his breakfast. Everyone, sans Natsu (well, he might've been looking discretely…), then shifted their attention to Lucy, who was still in shock.

"W-what are you guys looking at?" Lucy asked as she tried to act calm; it failed miserably.

"Oh, Lucy. Lucy," Cana murmured as she sidled up next to the blonde in a semi consoling manner. "We all know about your attraction towards him. Why not just go ahead and admit it!"

"WHAT?!" both Natsu and Lucy yelled at the same time. The rest of the table was highly entertained by the pair's flustered attempts to defend themselves and discount Cana's theory.

"Alright, alright!" Cana said smugly as she drank deeply from her tankard. "I'll let this slide for now. But, I'm going to want to know details on this at a later date Lucy. You can bet your boobies that I'll be coming after those answers sooner or later. I know where you live," Cana slyly stated and wiggled her eyebrows for added effect.

"Well, I think I need to go see what Levy's up to!" Lucy abruptly stated and stood up with her dishes in a rush. "She's probably wondering why I haven't come to meet her yet. I'll see you guys later!" As soon as Lucy started up the stairs, Natsu mumbled something about needing to feed his cat and made a swift retreat for the stairs as well.

"Cana why?" Mirajane whined as she appeared seemingly out of thin air. "We're not even 48 hours into this ordeal! You can't confront either of them about their feelings… yet…"

"Don't put all the blame on me!" Cana defended as she smacked the table. "I KNOW you want to know about their feelings for each other. You can't even lie to me; I saw your match-making face!" Mira simply pouted in response. "And what about you Erza? What are your thoughts on the matter?"

"Mmm? This cake is so delicious Mira! Did you try something different?" Both Mira and Cana sweat dropped.

"Okay, I think it's safe to say she was tuning us out," Mira replied hesitantly as she strode back to her bar. "Well I need to get back to work! I'll talk to you girls later."

"Why do I highly doubt she's actually going to work the bar?" Cana murmured to herself and took another large swig from her tankard.

"Seriously Cana. You need to try a piece of this cake; it's delicious! …But go get your own slice…"


"Levy-chan!" Lucy yelled as she pounded on her friend's apartment door. "I'm here! You need to let me in…" A few moments later, Lucy heard the door being unlocked and a tuft of blue hair stuck out with a smile on her face.

"Lu-chan! I've found some of my books on celestial spirit magic. Come in!" Levy chirped and tugged Lucy into the bluenette's book infested apartment. Lucy found a spot on the floor and Levy brought her two books with another pair of gale-force reading glasses before she nested into her couch with another pair of books.

"You have this many books on just celestial spirit magic?" Lucy inquired in wonder.

"I think this is all of them," Levy thought aloud as she put a tiny hand under her chin in contemplation. "I'll double check to make sure when we're finished today. But let's go ahead and get started! I think you're as curious as I am about knowing how this magic works." Lucy nodded in agreement and the pair started into their respective texts.

"Well I think I found something about 'making contracts' with my spirits," Lucy stated after about 15 minutes into their reading.

"'Making contracts?'"

"Yeah," Lucy said as she pushed up the red rimmed glasses on her nose. "Apparently, celestial spirit magic is all about the contracts you make with these spirits and calling upon them whenever they are free into this world from the spirit world… I guess it's a lot like trying to sync schedules about when you can or cannot use them… and apparently summoning them is different from making a contract with them… Like when Plue was here; he was summoned, but I don't have a contract with him yet. Speaking of which!" the blonde exclaimed as she sprung to her feet. "I need to go get that key! I'll be right back!"

Needing no further prompting, Lucy let herself out to go get her key. When she opened the door to her own apartment, she thought she heard a noise coming from her bedroom. Please tell me that there aren't any Phantom people here again… Lucy thought to herself with dread as she cautiously cracked the door open to her bedroom.

"Mavis, Natsu!" an exasperated Lucy sighed as she walked over to a snoring Natsu on her bed and tried shaking him awake. "You scared me half to death! Why on earthland are you here?"

"Mmm?" a sleepy Natsu mumbled as he rubbed sleep out of his eyes. "Oh, hey Luce! I was waitin' for ya. You didn't answer my question in the hall, so I thought I'd follow up to see if you had an response." The blonde rubbed her temples to keep a headache from forming.

"Why would you want me to be your partner?" Lucy asked, thoroughly confused and failing to see any logic behind his question. "I literally found out I was a mage less than 24 hours ago and I have next to no combat training and you want me to be your partner? I feel like I'd just slow you down…"

"Nah!" Natsu cheerily replied, completely unfazed by the blonde's lack of confidence. "You seem like you've got a good head on your shoulders and with proper training, could be an awesome mage. I think that we'd be great partners because I tend to go rushing into things headlong, and that's not always the best solution. I've actually got some scars to prove it," Natsu chuckled wistfully and scratched the side of his face.

I've seen some of those scars… Lucy thought to herself and she mentally righted herself before she could start salivating all over again at the thought of his toned body…

"Hello? Earthland to Lucy?" Natsu inquired, waving a hand in front of her face. "You know, you can be a real weirdo sometimes."

"I'm not weird!" Lucy snapped defensively and she prayed that her cheeks would refrain from changing color. "I just think about a lot of things sometimes…"

"So, whadda ya say?"

Lucy looked at the pink haired male and cupped her chin thoughtfully. "Are you sure I wouldn't be too much of a burden on you? I feel like you'd be called in as part of a main attack force squad or something…"

"I do get called in as a part of the brute squad," Natsu laughed and gave a wide, ear-to-ear grin that showcased his canines. "I think you'd be a great person to watch my back. Please Luce? Please say you'll do it?" Natsu's face then melted into the most pitiful and altogether convincing puppy-dog eyed look that Lucy had ever seen. Lucy grimaced as she felt her resolve crumbling at an increasing rate…

"Oh, screw it. Mavis knows I'll regret this, but sure! I'll be your partner," Lucy sighed and watched as the pinkette's face lit up into one of the most genuinely ecstatic smiles that had ever graced the blonde's presence, causing her to flush slightly.

"Yosh!" Natsu yelled as he jumped off her bed and started dancing with glee around her room, reminding Lucy of a small child receiving a reward. "I'm all fired up! Luce, we gotta step up our training game if we wanna get you to see some action in the upcoming guild battle-"

"What?!" Lucy yelped in horror as she cut Natsu off. "I thought that what we did today was hard! And since when were we having a guild battle?"

"It's not official yet, but I'm pretty sure it's going to happen soon with all of the harassment Phantom Lord has been giving us. Don't worry about a thing Luce; I'm gonna make sure you're ready in time for that battle!"

"Okay, well I guess that we'll continue training in the mornings until you think I could try to spar with some of the other members of the guild…" Lucy sighed. "By the way, do you know of anybody in the guild that uses a whip? I'm going to need some practice so that I can add another dimension to my attacking style."

"Hmmm, you should either ask Bisca or Erza on that one. You could always look on youtube for the basics if all else fails…"

"True. Thanks a lot Natsu!" Lucy smiled and hugged the pinkette in gratitude before she realized what she was doing. Natsu tensed for a second, but then warmly returned her embrace. "Sorry!" Lucy exclaimed as she jumped away from Natsu. "I didn't mean that… I-"

"It's okay Luce," Natsu chuckled. "I think good friends can give each other hugs if they want."

"Y-you think I'm a good friend?" Lucy stammered in awe, pink once again returning to her cheeks.

"One of the best actually," Natsu stated as if he were commenting on the weather or something else completely mundane. "So here's to the start of an awesome partnership! Put 'er there Luce" Natsu said and stuck out a hand for a handshake. Lucy immediately took his hand and smiled as they shook hands.

"I'm looking forward to it!" Lucy said and turned to face her room in thought. "I need to find my key so I can get back to Levy… Oh my Mavis! I completely forgot about her!" Lucy gasped and started searching frantically for her silver key.

"Looking for this?" the pink haired male inquired with a smug smirk as he dangled the key in front of her face.

"Thanks!" Lucy said and snatched the key out of his hand. "I'm going to go back to Levy's; please don't stay in here by yourself.

"I was just waiting for you to return Luce. Why would I stay in an empty apartment that isn't mine? You're such a weirdo!" Lucy started to prepare a "Lucy Kick," but then decided that it wasn't worth it.

"Well I'll see you later then Natsu."

"See ya Luce!" Natsu waved before ducking out her bedroom window.

"Mavis," Lucy grumbled to herself as she shut the window and strode towards Levy's apartment. "Doesn't he know what a door is?"

Lucy was about to knock on the door when it opened and Levy herself bumped into her.

"Lucy!" Levy chirped as she backed up and let them both back into her apartment. "I was starting to worry that you lost the key or something. What happened?"

"Well," the blonde said as she shifted her feet, unsure of how the petite bluenette would take the turn of events. "When I walked into my apartment, Natsu was there, sleeping on my bed." Levy raised a curious eyebrow. "After I woke him up, he asked if I wanted to be his partner, since everyone in the guild has to start doing that now… I told him I would do it, then I got the key and came back here…" Lucy trailed off as she watched Levy's eyes become starry and a smile grow on her face.

"I knew it!" Levy exclaimed as she bounced up from her place on the couch. "I knew he was going to ask you!"

"Why do you say that?" Lucy asked, thoroughly puzzled.

"Let's just say it was a hunch," the bluenette replied with a mischievous smirk before turning serious once more. "Okay, so let's see if you can make a contract with a spirit!" Lucy immediately focused back on what she initially came to Levy's apartment for and tried to concentrate her magic.

"I am linked to the path to the world of Celestial Spirits, now! O spirit, answer my call and pass through the gate!" Lucy recited and hoped that she remembered all the words of the initial summoning spell correctly. Moments later, with a doorbell ring and a flash of golden light, Plue stood on two wobbly paws, holding a golden hey.

"Pun-puun!" the little creature said and it was obvious that he was excited to be back in this realm.

"Okay Plue," Lucy said excitedly as she knelt down beside Plue. "I want to make a contract with you; can we begin?" The wobbly dog-like(?) creature nodded its head and they proceeded to iron out the details of when Lucy could and could not call upon him. When they were finished, Plue bounced around Lucy happily and then handed the key he held to the confused blonde.

"Who does this belong to?" Lucy asked. Plue simply pointed at her and then vanished in a flash of golden light.

"Lucy! That's a golden key!" Levy gasped as she came closer to examine it. "Those are really special keys that unlock gates to very powerful spirits. There are only 12 of those as opposed to the silver keys, where you can at least buy them in stores."

"It looks like the astrological symbol for Aquarius," Lucy breathed as she examined the key's beauty. "I think I'm going to need water," the blonde murmured and quickly ran to Levy's bathroom to start the water running in her tub.

"Why do you need water?" Levy asked with a puzzled expression. "I didn't read anything about special summoning criteria…"

"I don't know," Lucy shrugged as the tub filled with water. "I felt like it was something that I just had to do…" When the bathtub was filled, Lucy dipped the key into the water and repeated the initial incantation for crossing spirits into their realm.

The air all around the bathroom lit up in bright golden light and after the doorbell ring, a beautiful blue haired mermaid appeared, floating over the small body of water. Her initially peaceful face morphed into a scowl and she began to scold the pair of women gawking at her.

"What the hell were you thinking summoning me in a bathtub? I-" the mermaid cut off and a shocked expression formed on her face. "Layla? How can this be?"

"How do you know my mother?" Lucy gasped as she tried to retrieve her jaw from off the floor.

"She had a kid?" the mermaid murmured in disbelief as she continued staring mystified at Lucy.

"Um, I'm sorry to break this up, but I would like to form a contract with you… Aquarius?" Lucy finished her statement as a question, unsure of how to proceed. Aquarius' face immediately turned back into a scowl, making both Lucy and Levy flinch.

"Yeah? And where's my say in this?" Aquarius sniffed.

"You don't have to make a contract with me if you don't want to!" Lucy quickly interjected as she tried to look as apologetic as possible. "Plue just handed me your key, and I thought that-"

"Damn that stupid Nicola, mucking about in my affairs," Aquarius grumbled and crossed her arms over her chest. "I'll form a contract with you, but you better not summon me for anything stupid or summon me from a bathtub EVER again. Are we clear?"

"Y-yes ma'am!" Lucy whimpered, but then shook her head and looked the mermaid square in the eyes. "Let's talk over the details then." After a bit of a debate, Lucy and Aquarius came to a consensus and bid each other farewell.

As the mermaid disappeared, Lucy could've sworn that she heard Aquarius say, "Looking forward to working with you Lucy…"

"Well that was exhausting!" Lucy sighed and went to go collapse on Levy's couch.

"That was really amazing!" Levy squeaked with joy as she drained the bathtub and followed Lucy into the living room. "I wonder if all golden spirits are like that," Levy mused as she watching Lucy groan.

"Mavis I hope not!" the blonde whined and covered her face with a pillow. "I don't know what I'll do with myself if they are…"

"Well I think that it's exciting that you've got a combat spirit now! All you have to do is practice and I'm sure that Aquarius will be more willing to help you!"

"I hope so," Lucy sighed as she sat up. "Otherwise, I'm in for a lot of trouble…"


We're almost to 10 chappies… Wow! Natsu and Lucy are partners now! *slow claps* Aaannnd, Lucy has two spirits! I know she's got a limited arsenal, but she's also a rookie wizard, so even if she had more keys, she wouldn't have the magical stamina to open that many gates at this point in time.

Special thanks to the guest(s), artistofthemind, Cat, peasepaws, The 10 year old, Yuyui Hime, Anom, Dog's Paw Burning in Hot Ash, Starmaiden2892, Alyss Hatter, and fanficlove2014 for your absolutely AMAZING reviews! I appreciate every comment given! :D

About the added content *cough* citrus *cough*, I'm going to call the companion story "How's It Going?" ...Just in case anyone wants to know… This story isn't going to make its debut for a bit, but I just wanted to let you know what was coming down the pike.

I want to thank all my readers once again for sticking with me! I'm quite humbled that so many people are reading my story and I hope that everyone has a wonderful day tomorrow. Buh-bye! :D