Chapter 14: 'Infection'

Lucy flopped down on the bed closest to the door. With a sigh she briefly closed her eyes and whispered to Erza who was coming into their room, "This place is so awesome."

"Two times better than our apartment," Erza had her right hand on her hip while her other one dragged in her suitcase.

Juvia brushed pass Erza before she opened the shades, "Wow, it's beautiful!"

Lucy sat up and saw buildings of downtown Las Vegas.

"I got an idea! There's this little arcade or something downstairs, why don't we head down there?" Lucy exclaimed. "It's safer if we do get caught by security. We could probably come up to the casino later if you guys are up for drinks and stuff."

Erza sat down on the edge of the bed, causing Lucy to scout over to make room, "You two could drag Natsu and Gray. I think I'm gonna take a nap. Jellal might want the same thing. Just before you think of dinner, come up and get us."

Lucy moved off the bed so the scarlet could lie down and make herself comfortable. She decided to change so they wouldn't make such a big fuss by the time they go downstairs. Juvia agreed and she left the room to tell the boys to do the same thing.

Erza was asleep in seconds. Lucy took that as an invitation to shut the shades so she could change without some pervert peeking on her.

This is going to be so fun! Too bad Erza and Jellal are too tired to enjoy it. But I have a feeling they're going to make up for it later on when we're hanging out in the casino, the blonde thought as she ran through her suitcase.

She found a white t-shirt with an eagle and Natsu's plaid hoodie she snatched last week when they girls were helping by cleaning up their apartment while they were away.

Lucy slipped on black jeans and tied her black Converse shoes just as Juvia returned.

"What took you so long?" Lucy asked as she tied her hair into a pony tail. She then took her celestial keys out of her sweats pocket and clipped them to her jeans.

Juvia slipped her hoodie off, "Sorry, they took forever to open the door. Now where's my suitcase."

About five minutes later, the celestial mage managed to snatch one of the two card keys from Erza's shorts pockets. Juvia was already dressed in a blue sweater with a plaid shirt inside along with capris. She stood and watched as Lucy executed her attempt to get the keys.

The two guys were already in the hall waiting for them. Natsu was wearing a red shirt with a white dragon down one side of the shirt and a black one on the other along with his tan jeans. Of course, around his neck, he had his muffler. Gray was wearing the same outfit he wore when they said goodbye to their guild two months ago.

"You girls ready?" A huge smile appeared on Natsu's face when he saw them silently shut the door.

"Yeah," the two female mages replied at the same time.

Natsu linked arms with Lucy while Gray did with Juvia, making them both blush madly.

"Well then let's go!" and Lucy laughed as Natsu dragged her down the hall towards the elevators.

…..

"Aw come on dude! I was that close you could probably let me off the hook, would ya?" Natsu begged the guy who ran the horse race stand.

The man handed the black stuffed dog to the little girl that easily had beaten Natsu at the game, "Sorry. But she won fair and square."

With a sigh, Natsu sulked as he left his stand.

"Come on, man," Gray patted his shoulder, "There are plenty of other games that you could win at."

"Yeah? Like what?" Natsu asked.

Gray stopped to think, "Well, uh. You'll sure find one though. But for now, Juvia and Lucy ran off somewhere and we should find them."

When Natsu nodded, they took off; avoiding and weaving through the crowd of people. It took them almost half an hour to find the girls because the girls played from one game to another to another.

The dragon slayer and ice mage finally saw them playing air hockey from afar.

"About time," replied Natsu as he started storming his way over.

However, Gray stopped him, "Wait. Let's watch them for a bit."

"What? Why?"

"I don't know but right now, they seem pretty attractive playing that, don't you think?" Gray felt himself heat up a bit.

Natsu turned his attention over to Lucy. She had the end facing them. The mage had a huge smile as she reflected one of Juvia's attacks. He started blushing when he noticed her wearing his plaid red hoodie and thought it was perfect on her. It curved around all the curves on her body and exposing her breasts a bit.

"Yeah," he managed to whisper.

Gray sat down on a motorbike attached to the game while Natsu leaned against the actually machine with crossed arms. They didn't say a word as they watched the two beautiful girls battle things out at the air hockey game.

Instead of one winning, they ended up a six-six tie and the table just decided it's done.

"Aww, I was about to make that perfect shot, too," Lucy complained.

"Yeah right, like I'd let you," Juvia playfully punched her arm.

The two girls turned and walked in the opposite direction of the boys. Gray was the first one to snap out of his trance as he leapt off the motorbike and walked as fast as he can, (dragging Natsu, of course) towards them, calling their names in turn but the noise was too loud that the girls just kept talking amongst themselves.

Natsu wiggled his wrist out of the ice mage's grasp as they neared the girls, "I'm awake, thanks."

"Grab them before we lose them!" Gray ordered.

The dragon mage reached out and grabbed Lucy's waist just as he came into reach, "Gotcha!"

She gasped as she was pulled back against a hard chest. The smell of tangerine took over and she relaxed when she looked up and saw Natsu's smiling face. Gray had done the same with Juvia, except she ended up punching him under his chin.

"I'm sorry, my love!" she was apologizing while he was hunched over. "I'm so sorry! You just grabbed me so it was just a reaction."

He waved his hand, "No it's fine." He stood up, "Now I know never to sneak up on you."

"Are you okay, Gray?" Lucy asked, though she was fully aware of her back and how close it was to the Salamander's broad chest.

Natsu laughed, "Today just isn't you day, huh? You lost to me at that basketball game so much and now Juvia just scored the perfect uppercut. Dude, it's hilarious!"

"Would you shut it, you retarded lizard!" he snapped.

That caused Natsu to shut his mouth, "What'd you call me?"

Gray jumped to his feet and raised a fist, "A retarded lizard!"

Natsu gently released his grip around Lucy's waist and slammed his forehead against Gray's, "You got some nerve calling me a lizard, you frozen-brained playboy!"

"Hey guys, calm down," Lucy said, worried. Already, kids and parents stood and watched the scene happen in front of them. "Seriously, we don't want to get caught by-"

But it was too late. Security was already present as he made his way over to the crowd. With a growl, he addressed the two, "What is going on here?"

"Stay out of this," Natsu snapped before turning back to Gray. "I'm so sick and tired of you! For the last two months, I've been putting up with you because of the sake of the team but since none of them are here now, it's gonna be your last breath!"

The security guard didn't step down, "Sir, you will be in big trouble if you keep making death threats like that. I will be forced to take you into custody if it continues."

Natsu turned his dragon eyes to the guard, "Shut it! I told you to stay out of this!"

"Lucy! Grab him before he actually attacks somebody!" Juvia yelled. The mage wasn't scared, just worried if they really did get in trouble.

Lucy hooked her arms under Natsu's and yanked him back far away from Gray and the guard, "I'll handle him. There's no need for such a big fuss. He just has a short circuit."

"I don't know, lady, he might turn and bite your head off," the guard hooked his thumbs in his belt.

Lucy started panicking and blurted out the only excuse she had on her mind, "He's, uh, my boyfriend. So, um, I know how to deal with him. That guy is his best friend but yeah, they tend to get into fights."

"I'll just stay here and watch until I'm sure he's safe," the guard smiled.

The blonde mage ran her hand across his chest and his muffler. Natsu felt goose bumps raise as her hands reached up to his opposite ear and her fingers wrapped themselves on his earlobe. She gave a gentle tug which caused him to hold back a moan.

Her touch was interrupted too soon with a hiss into his other ear, "Dial it down! Otherwise, Erza will have something or somebody to practice that new sword Levy sent her the other day. We clear?"

When he gave a nod, she released his ear and turned to the security guard, "Sorry again for the commotion. We promise it won't happen again."

Natsu was still in shock Lucy gave him a nudge, he apologized, "Yeah, sorry. There's always a time where your best friend just gets on your last nerve."

Guard gestured that he'll be keeping a close eye on the mages and walked away. Only when the crowd clear did Lucy smack Natsu's buff arm, "You idiot! You could've been put in jail for that!"

The dragon slayer only shook his head in apology but he couldn't take his eyes of Lucy. He shivered as he remembered her hand venturing up his body to his ear not much than a few seconds ago.

"Sorry, Lucy, it was my fault, too," Gray apologized. "Natsu was right; I was just having a bad day. Plus, I don't think Erza has to know, does she?"

Lucy sighed, "I suppose not. But just keep your attitudes in check and Juvia and I promise we won't tell."

"Great!" Gray flashed Lucy a toothy smile before turning to Natsu. He opened his mouth but saw the dragon slayer's eyes still on the blonde.

Meanwhile, Natsu's head was a maze, what's going on with me? I can't get my body to stop shaking and my heart's being so loud. Did Lucy do this to me?

What the hell did she infect me with?