Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail, that right belongs to Hiro Mashima; nor do I own the right to Xenosaga, that right belongs to Tetsuya Takahashi. I do own the crazy Idea that I am putting the character through.

Chaos POV

He looked up from where he was talking with Freed to the second floor. Where the Guild Master had just called for all of them to pay attention. Unsure of what was going on, Chaos waited as the small man looked over all of them. The man was shrewd as he looked at each of them for but a few seconds as if deciding something.

"All right, brats, I need the following people to come to my office," Makarov bellowed. "Lucy Heartfilia, Freed Justine, MiraJane Strauss, and... Chaos."

Then in the next second, he watched the man jump off the railing and disappear — the sound of the other guild members murmuring about what the Master could want. Not waiting Chaos stood up, catching Freed do the same from the corner of his eye, and made his way to the stairs that led to the second floor. His ears were catching the conversation coming from Team Natsu's table.

Giving a small shake of his head, Chaos trudged up the stairs. He was glad when they returned from his first mission, that Natsu and Lucy had made up. Though he could still see a bit of awkwardness between the two. Chaos had politely refrained from asking about it. Instead, he learned what had happened while he had sparred with Lucy. She just broke down and told him everything. It was almost painful to see how uncertain she was, even if she had been honest with Natsu about how she felt. And the result of that rejection was evident. Even the blue exceed, Happy, wasn't teasing her as much. Still, it was none of his business what happened. He would just be there for his friend.

After entering the room, the wait was not long before both Lucy and MiraJane to join them. He just spared a cursory glance to acknowledge their entrance. He was making sure to keep his attention on the man at the desk. Who had a large, round oval like crystal sitting next to him? He had only seen something like that once, and it had been while on his mission. If he recalled, it was Lacrima Crystal, meant for conversing with others at a distance using magic.

"Good, you all are here. Freed, if you will set runes of silence so no one can listen in please," Makarov asked.

This had Chaos' full attention. The feel of Freeds Magic briefly filled the room before vanishing, leaving a slight tingling sensation at the edges of his perception. He still found it strange how varied the magic was in this world even after being there for almost three months.

"Listen up, we have a serious job request," Makarov said, his hand spinning the Lacrima crystal around.

The sharp intake of breath from the three next to him had Chaos curious. But he would instead inspect the man visible on the screen. He looked delicate, almost effeminate. What seemed to be green-tinted black hair was pinned up in what resembled in what he recalled a Japanese top knot. Behind oval-shaped glasses, was violet eyes that were intelligent, sharp while the angular face showed obvious distaste for something.

"Master?" MiraJane spoke up.

"I know, but he is the requestor. Please listen, my children," Makarov said.

"I know that there is no love lost between the Magic Council and Fairy Tail, or myself for that matter. But, we have a request for Fairy Tail's specific talents. And apparently, your Guild Master thinks you all will fit what is needed," the man said.

Chaos didn't know who the man was and shifted slightly, drawing the man's attention to him. And he didn't like the cold, assessing look the man gave him.

"Who is this? I am well versed with all your Mages Makarov," the man snapped.

A sigh came from those beside him. Making Chaos wonder just who the man was because he found him quite off-putting.

"He is a new member, Captain Lahar. And trust me, like Freed, MiraJane, and Lucy, he is not destructive, and I feel his magic could be beneficial. Did you not hear from Doranbolt that we had a new member?" Makarov said.

The frown on the mans face deepened just a bit more before he sighed.

"Yes, but I didn't give it another thought. I figured you'd found another destructive nuance for me to have to do paperwork for," Lahar said.

This had Chaos standing a bit straighter and meeting the man's eyes. As the man seemed taken aback by his actions as he glanced away first.

"Anyways, there has been a string of Mages interrupting the Nobles of Crocuses Ton Society during their balls and taking off with women. Women who fit a particular description," Lahar stated.

At this, he saw a flash of blond as a low hiss came from Lucy as she stiffened next to him. He could practically feel the irritation that was rolling off her person.

"Your reaction does not surprise me, Miss Heartfilia. Yes, the women taken are those that appear similar to you. We do not know why, or how they are targeting these women. And I am well aware of your distaste for High Society, as well as Mister Justine's. But, with your intelligence and Celestial Magic. Mister Justine's ability and intelligence to analyze and adjust his magic at a moment's notice. It is imperative that you two be there," Lahar explained. "And you both need someone as a guest to the Social Ton. I know MiraJane is quite capable of acting as a High Society lady... add on her magic will help, because from what we have been able to gather, the Mages are from an unknown Dark Guild."

This had Chaos wondering why Lucy and Freed would be opposed to Nobility? He figured he would be finding out if they took the mission. Assuming from the way the man was staring at them if they had the choice to take it.

"The reward for this mission is that the Magic Council... is willing to... forgive half of the collective debt that Fairy Tail has racked up over the last decade in the destruction of personal, private, and public damages," Lahar stated.

This had a low hiss coming from those around him. Of course, Chaos had been informed by the Raijinshuu that Fairy Tail was overly destructive at times. And to hear that the governing Council that maintained order in the world, under the King of the country, was willing to do this, he knew it was pure bribery.

"Fine... I will help..." Freed said. The tone he used was clear; it wasn't for the Council but his guild.

"Same, but I demand a separate compensation, Captain...And you know what I am asking," Lucy said, her voice neutral, betraying nothing.

At their verbal acceptance, Chaos just nodded his head as he heard MiraJane speak her agreeance as well for the mission. The relief that washed over the man, Lahar's face, spoke volumes. Then he started in on the details of the mission.

Lucy POV

She let out a small huff as Cancer finished with her hair. Liking how her spirit had pulled it all back after parting it at the corner of her right eye and pinned it back with an ornate pink seed pearl comb, so that her medium length hair was gathered and cascaded over her left shoulder in a spill of curls, and her bangs blended it. The dress that Virgo had picked out was very complimentary to her skin and hair.

It was a strapless, sweetheart top that had a corseted bodice with sections done up in sheer material and fitted at her hips before flaring just above her knees as was typical of a mermaid dress. The pale gold organza was floating around the yellow silk of the main skirt. It was daring and beautiful, with the intricate faux diamond beading on the bodice and upper skirt. And it had been completed with two-inch pale golden satin peep-toe heels.

Lucy hated having anything to do with the High Society, the Noble ton, as it was called. She had to put on a fake face, smile, and simper like a brainless twit. Pretend to defer to the men around her. Men she knew were just leering and assessing if they could get her into their bed, or what she was worth. And that wasn't the horrible part, no it was the veiled snide commentary of the shallow, vapid females who had no brain cells. That just lived empty, meaningless lives at the side of the men who cheated on them behind their backs.

Putting on a pouty smile demurely looking down as Cancer announced he was finished, before telling her she was truly radiant. Then in a puff of smoke, he was gone, and she was looking at a Stunned Mira, which had Lucy smiling widely. Realizing that this was the first time the Take-over mage had seen Lucy all dolled up for this role. It had her wondering just how Freed and Chaos would be reacting as well.

"Well? Not to over the top, right?" she asked.

The slow shake she got as MiraJane remained speechless had Lucy chortling. With grace and ease that was born of years of being forced to act and walk like the elite, Lucy glided across the floor to the double doors — pausing briefly to open it. Glad that she had opted out of the elbow-length pale yellow gloves.

When they opened, she paused as she saw the two men before her. Of course, she was well aware that Freed came from the life of a Noble but said nothing on it. She'd seen him in her younger years dressed up at these events. But still, seeing him there in a dark, forest green overcoat, with a pale gray cravat that matched the pants, his hair pulled up in a high ponytail was just breathtaking. Though what had her attention was Chaos. He was wearing a sandy blond wig to hide his white hair. Since they'd all agreed since he was not well known yet, or even associated with the guild, to make him into a mysterious man on her arm.

He was dressed in a form-fitting black tux, a sand-colored vest that offset the caramel color of his skin and made his already translucent cerulean blue eyes practically glowed. The smile he had on his face as he looked at her brought a blush to her cheeks. Freed looked elegant and like a nobleman. Chaos, well, he looked utterly delicious. And that was the thought that had her blushing. She tried not to let her inner deviant out.

"Lucy, you look like a princess," Chaos said.

Lifting her head, letting her eyes meet his, she gave him a bright smile. Only to place her hand at his elbow when he offered it to her — letting him lead her down the hallway to the ballroom on the floor below. Knowing that MiraJane and Freed would disperse and keep watch around the perimeter of the ball. Freed would be instantly alerted to someone who is not on the list were to cross the barrier, including all staff. And if they had magic. His runes were specifically worded to be finely tuned.

The moment they reached the doors to the ballroom, Lucy paused with Chaos and waited. Soon they were announced, the door swung open, revealing them to the others already there. Her ears were tuning in instantly to the talk going on.

"Miss Lucy Heartfilia and her date Mister J.R. Reubedo," a servant in a well-tailored suit bellowed out.

Letting her blank mask with polite smile falls into place, Lucy let Chaos lead her down the stairs and into the crowd of curious people. He had been thoroughly informed of her past and why she hated this life so much. Same with Freed, who had taken it upon himself to give Chaos a quick introduction to some of the major players and a few of the minor ones that had been on the list. Making sure he would be able to identify them upon sight, because the person throwing the ball had a daughter who looked similar to Lucy, only she had more of a strawberry blond hair with gray-brown eyes.

Soon they were surrounded, everyone wanting to talk and catch up with her. When all they wanted to know was how she had secured an invitation to this particular ball, who her date was, and his connections. For that last part, she had made a little call to a good friend, Princess Hisui herself. And, of course, the mischievous side of the princess readily agreed. Since the kidnapping of noble daughters who looked like her were disappearing. So, with ease, Chaos introduced himself as a distant cousin to the royal family from overseas.

After a few good minutes of this, Chaos gave her arm a slight squeeze, drawing her attention away from the assholes who were enjoying her, not the conversation she was trying to have — batting her eyes coyly when he motioned for the dance floor. She smiled and nodded. Just to be led away from the men who shot him a dark glare that their eye-candy was being taken away. And the jealous looks of the women who had vied for his attention and failed, miserably.

The moment her feet touched the dance floor, Lucy found herself being swung around and into his arms. Her body was relaxing as she moved in time to his steps as he led her expertly through the waltz. It had her wondering more about him and his past.

"Hey... you do this pretty well," she whispered to him.

The smile he flashed as he hummed in response. It had Lucy pouting a bit, though she enjoyed his silent answer to her comment. She saw the way his eyes lit up as he looked down at her.

"Yes, once upon a time, I danced like this a lot," he finally whispered back.

She gave a small chuckle at his answer, which if anyone was trying to listen in on them, they'd be a bit confused. Not that she cared, she was enjoying herself, dancing with someone who wanted to dance, not cop a feel of her ass. Though they were the proper distance away, Lucy was mentally glad that her chest was as large as it was. Because it brushed lightly against him. His thin yet muscled arms held her firmly, making her feel safe and secure.

"Well, I am glad that you are such a good dancer," she muttered.

The low, deep chuckle he gave in response had her chuckling right along with him. Though it ended when a familiar man popped up in her peripheral vision. Making the smile leave her face as she subconsciously pressed her body closer to Chaos'.

"Lucy?" he asked.

With a small, sharp shake of her head in the direction of the offending man. Lucy found her body being spun, so her back was now facing the direction she indicated and allowing Chaos to see behind her.

"Who?" he asked her.

"The tall man, in the lavender suit, long dark brown hair, and pointed nose like a raven's beak," she described.

She kept her gaze on Chaos as he spun her around again, his back to the man. Meaning she was now blocked from view as she saw Chaos' face darken a little. That was one of the many men that had brought a marriage proposal to her father. He was almost double her age, though he hadn't looked like he'd aged at all in the last decade and a half. Viscount Rolak Distoreld. Or as she and the other younger girls called him, Viscount Distorted.

"He was staring at you like you were a piece of meat he wanted," Chaos whispered.

"Yeah, he was one of the many that wanted my hand and my father's business," she replied.

The music came to a halt, stopping the dancing before another waltz started up. It was Viennese this time. Lucy looked at Chaos, silently asking him for another one. But a seemingly polite cough kept them from continuing. Slowly they turned to look at Viscount, who was eyeing her up and down as if she was property he wished to acquire.

"Miss Heartfilia, it is a pleasure to see you," he said in an oily voice. "And you look just as young and radiant as you did before you vanished for those ten years."

Something about the way he spoke as he looked at her had her nerves on edge. Leaning into Chaos slightly, she opened her mouth to reply when a loud pop sounded, and the light flickered once, twice, and went out — setting the Nobility around them into a panic.

TBC!