Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail or any of its characters. These new-ish plot deviations are the only thing belonging to me.

Please read and review, but most of all, enjoy :) This chapter is nice and long unlike my last one.

The Ice Devil's Angel

Chapter 4

4 4 4

After that frightful encounter the previous day, Lucy found herself back at home. It was early morning, and she was cozily buried beneath the blankets until she remembered that she had to pay this month's rent next week. She woke up in a fright, cursing herself for forgetting that she and Gray ended up refusing the reward.

The blonde spastically got ready, throwing on a pink tank top and some ripped skinny jeans. She hopped on one foot at a time as she put on some casual sandals. Her hair was a rat's nest right now, but she could care less and speedily threw it up in a messy bun with a few golden strands framing her face. She hurriedly placed some bread in the toaster and speed walked to find her wallet, seeing that she needed to buy some groceries.

Lucy successfully found her evasive wallet under her bed when she heard a clack at the window. She sharply raised her head in surprise, sadly bonking it on her nightstand and knocking her celestial keys to the ground.

"Ow!" she cried. "Geez, today is just not my day..."

Lucy picked up her mother's keys from the ground. They glistened in the morning sunlight. She fondly held them to her chest, a pained expression on her face. It was going to be hard to give them away. Maybe she should let Master Makarov hang onto them for now, or maybe she should just wait until she finds a kind celestial mage like her mother was. However, there was one key she would absolutely never give away, and it was the one that she happened to have made a contract with when her mother passed away because she couldn't bare to part with her mother's magic in any way.

The blonde cradled Aquarius' key in her hand before clutching it to her chest with determination. Finding a golden chain, she hung the key around her neck. It wasn't like she was ever going to really use it or that she even knew how. But... Lucy looked out the window smiling. She knew that with Gray and Fairy Tail by her side, she may one day be able to summon the angry mermaid like she did when she was little. She had no idea how she did it then, but she had it in her somewhere.

Lucy flinched when there was another clack at her window.

"What in the?"

She placed the rest of her keys back on the nightstand before curiously opening her window to see none other than Gray in his signature white coat. He was casually leaning against a lamppost down below, tossing a pebble up and down in his hand. A smile spread across her lips as she leaned on her window sill.

"Looking for somebody?" she called out.

He flashed her a smirk. "Yes, I've got something for her."

She raised a brow. "She'll be down in five."

4 4 4

Gray stared at the golden gate key in his hand. The gorilla maid spirit had given it to him after they had defeated Everlue. The spirit's name was Virgo if he remembered correctly and said something about Lucy being a holder of gate keys. He found that odd since he never saw her use celestial magic nor did he remember her ever carrying keys when they first met. But then again, he was a bit taken by her beauty and magic when they first met.

"Gray!"

The ice mage chuckled when he saw Lucy waving at him with a piece of toast in her mouth. She weaved through the crowded street with such grace that Gray felt like he should clap. The sunlight gleamed off her and sparkled around her neck. His eyes squinted to see she was wearing a gold gate key around her neck. Either he never noticed, or she just starting wearing it. He decided it was the latter because his observational skills were pretty decent if he would say so himself.

"Sorry if I rushed you," Gray apologized as she appeared before him.

Lucy smiled and shook her head. "No, no, I was on my way out to buy some groceries anyway." She looked at him curiously. "So, you said you had something for me?"

Gray wordlessly presented her the golden gate key in his hand. "Uh, Virgo wanted me to give this to you. She said something about you being a holder of keys or something. I didn't think you were a celestial mage, but I accepted it nonetheless. I see I was right to do so."

Lucy's eyes widened, her hand instinctively clasping the key around her neck. "I...don't know what to say."

Gray felt himself give a crooked smirk. "Nothing, just take it."

A soft smile graced her lips. "Thank you," she whispered genuinely.

The devil slayer looked away, nervous. God, what the fuck was wrong with him? He wasn't in grade school anymore. "Yeah, sure," he managed, handing her the key. He was especially careful not to touch her skin this time because the feeling of it yesterday sent a jolt through his spine and his magic got a little out of control. And he didn't like it one bit.

"Hey, Gray, where are you going?" she asked, confused. "The guild's the other way."

Gray didn't even realize he was walking in the opposite direction. Geez, he was out of it today, and he silently blamed her for it.

"Right," he said slowly recovering. "But you said you need to grab some things?"

"You want to tag along?"

"Do you even know where you're going?" He watched as her face scrunched up cutely. "Thought so."

"Hey, I had some idea where I was going!"

He rolled his eyes. "I would believe you if that wasn't a total outright lie."

She pouted, crossing her arms. "I looked at a map."

He shrugged, a smirk adorning his face. "Suit yourself."

Gray was about to make his way back to the guild when Lucy grabbed onto his arm. "Okay, okay, fine. You win."

He arched a brow. "And?"

She blushed. "Could you please help me?"

Gray ruffled her hair. "See? Wasn't so bad to ask for help was it?"

Lucy just glared at him as she fixed her hair. Gray just shot her a smirk. He had to admit, the way she blushed and got flustered was just enjoyable in an endearing sort of way.

It wasn't long before Gray led Lucy to the local supermarket, and he immediately regretted offering any help whatsoever. Being a famous S-class mage had its perks, but this was just absurd. He was currently surrounded by a group of people, and then there were a handful of reporters that just happened to be in the area. They began hounding him with questions and the screeching fangirls were just giving his a raging headache and invading his personal space. Lucy, like the sweet person she was, went in to help, but honestly, it just scarred her. The fangirls started tugging at her clothes and hair, and some male reporters started touching her and trying to drag her over to them.

"Gray!" she shouted, terrified.

Without skipping a beat, his arm securely wrapped around her waist and pulled her to him.

"Hey!" Gray growled. "Back off!"

They all flinched and backed away a few steps. It honestly wasn't like him to lose his cool in public, but this was just madness. Just seeing her being tugged and pulled like a piece of meat had his blood boil. He also wished Lucy wasn't so damn nice to even bother to come help him because she wouldn't have been in this mess in the first place.

He ignored the onlookers and looked down at the blonde in his arms. "You okay?"

The blonde mutely nodded her head against his chest.

And that was the moment he heard a camera click. There was sudden flash after that, and Gray couldn't help but think, Fuck. Mira was so going to love the next issue of Sorcerer Weekly. It didn't help that they were in a somewhat intimate embrace. He wasn't going to hear the end of it, and Lucy... Geez, he felt just bad at this point.

"Don't they just look so cute!" a woman suddenly gushed, hands on her cheeks, hearts in her eyes.

"Yeah! She's so small compared to him!"

"Looks like the Ice Devil found his angel..." Insert dreamy sigh here.

"So Gray, can you tell us about this beautiful blonde?"

"Is she your girlfriend?"

"How long have you been together?!"

Gray suppressed the urge to freeze everyone solid and instead muttered, "No comment."

He grabbed Lucy's hand, ignoring the tingle along his skin and the way his magic moved within him. He forced his way through the crowd with Lucy in tow and even froze the crowd's feet to temporarily stall because he knew they'd try to follow. Once the both of them were deeper within the supermarket with fewer people around, the both of them leaned against a rack of kitchen supplies and heaved sighs of relief.

"I'm...really sorry about that," Gray said.

When he didn't hear anything from Lucy, he glanced to the side finding her hands on her knees and her shoulders trembling. His eyes widened, inwardly freaking out. Was she...crying? The teardrops he spotted on the ground confirmed his thought. Fuck, how was he supposed to handle a crying a woman?

"Shit, Lucy, I'm so sorry," he started in a low voice.

It was when she burst out laughing that he thought she had a screw loose. She stood back up and wiped the tears from her eyes, and Gray realized that her trembling shoulders were actually signs of her inward laughter. And she was laughing so hard that tears were hanging at the corners of her eyes.

"Remind me to never go shopping with you again!" Lucy giggled uncontrollably.

"You..." He didn't even know what to say or think. This woman... He suddenly found himself smiling despite himself, and he could feel a laugh tickling the back of his throat for the first time in a while.

Since Lucy's laughter ceased, he looked at the blonde and found himself overly self-conscious by the way she was gaping at him.

"What?"

Her eyes sparkled. "You just smiled."

He felt himself blush and quickly looked away. "No, no I didn't."

"And you're blushing, too," she stated in awe.

"No," he refused.

"You should smile more often," she said honestly. "It looks good on you."

Gray dared to flick his eyes back to Lucy and found her smiling at him again. "I'll...keep that in mind."

"And you won't scare people away with that intimidating face of yours."

"Hey!"

She just laughed again, and he felt his heart skip a beat.

4 4 4

"Are you sure you don't want anything?" Lucy asked as she began putting her groceries away in her no-longer-empty fridge.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Gray replied, taking a seat on her couch. "Nice place," he commented while looking around.

"Yeah, Mira helped me find it," Lucy responded, shoving ice cream and pizza in the freezer. "It's a bit much sometimes, but if I keep going on jobs I'll be okay."

He narrowed his eyes. "Solo?"

"Uh, well, no," she weakly replied at his gaze. "I'm not confident enough yet to do solo missions."

"Good," he said. "Not that I doubt your abilities, but I was about to feel left out if you left on a job without me."

"Without...you?"

Gray deeply chuckled. "Yes, Lucy. We're a team."

She felt herself smile. "I like the sound of that," she admitted. "But aren't you a solo mage?"

"I am," he admitted as well. "But I'm choosing you as my partner because I've never really worked well with anyone else."

She blushed and shifted her eyes shyly from the ice mage. The things he says... "Uh, the lower pay doesn't bother you?"

"Hardly." He then smirked. "Besides, someone has to keep an eye on you."

"I appreciate it," Lucy thanked sincerely.

She turned back around to the kitchen counter and began making herself some tea. Tropical mango tea, here I come, she thought, her throat dying for a nice warm beverage.

"When did you say your rent was due?" Gray asked.

"Next week."

"We could probably head out on one after Erza raises hell."

"Geez, you guys really make her sound like some demon," Lucy shivered.

Gray shrugged. "Like I said before, she can be a little scary."

"Natsu and Happy thought she was the devil incarnate or something," she said as she sat next to him with her cup of tea.

"That's because Natsu can't beat her."

Her eyes widened. "And you have?"

He gave her that confident smirk again. "It wasn't easy, but yeah, I did."

"Geez," Lucy whispered worriedly. "I'm in a guild full of monsters."

Gray laughed. "I actually can't disagree with that."

Lucy took a sip of her tea. "Should I be worried?"

"Nope."

"Why?" she pressed.

"Because you've got one hell of a partner."

4 4 4

About an hour or two later, Lucy made her way down to the guild with Gray. They went to pick out a job for later when Lucy got to witness firsthand Mira's brilliant transformation magic. And boy, was it hilarious.

"Hey Mira, can we get three beers over here please!" Macao called out.

"Be right with you," Mira cheerily said.

"So," Wakaba began to ask. The smoke billowing out of his pipe turned into hearts. "When are you and I going to go out on a date?"

Laki, the purple haired woman sitting across from the older man, looked at him with disgust. "Would you leave her alone, you pervert."

Mira only smiled. "Wakaba, there's one small problem." Her hand waved over her face and a pink magic circle appeared before it pixelated and morphed Mira's face into that of another woman."You already have a wife!"

"I hate it when you do that!" Wakaba whined.

Gray snickered beside her. "That never gets old."

Lucy giggled behind her hand. "Mira's a genius."

Before they could walk up to the job board, Natsu came screaming like a banshee with his fists ablaze. "Gray, fight me!"

Cana groaned. "Why can't I just drink in peace?"

Macao sweat-dropped. "Cana, it's not even noon yet."

"Natsu, give it a rest," Wakaba sighed. "You're not going to win."

"You go ahead and pick a job," Gray sighed, dodging Natsu fist. "I'll be busy entertaining, Ash-for-brains."

"Why did you say, Ice Princess?"

A vein popped on Gray's forehead. "Don't call me that, Slanty-eyes!"

Lucy rolled her eyes at their childish banter. She walked up to the job board and pondered as she looked over all of the different types of jobs. Finding a magic bracelet, breaking a spell on a cursed cane, reading someone's love horoscope? Hunting a volcano demon?! "Wow, I had no idea that wizarding jobs were so varied," she mumbled to herself.

"Well, let me know when you find one that you're interested in," Mira said, walking up to her with her signature smile. "The master's away at a conference, so I'm covering for him."

"A conference?" she echoed.

"One for guild masters," Mira explained. "Every once in a while they all congregate and talk about the state of things. It's like the Magic Council, but only smaller." She paused, turning to a very big, round man sitting at the bar. "Excuse me, Reedus, may I please borrow a lightpen?"

"Oui," he nodded, handing it to her.

Mira began drawing a chart in the air. "The council, Era, is the most powerful organization in the magical world. It's only one step below the government. It has ten members, and it's their job to uphold all magical rules and regulations. If a wizard breaks the magical law, they will be tried by the council. Then there are the different guild master leagues, which are local groups that work together and then there are the individual masters. They are the ones that are in charge of passing on the decrees of the council, and they also communicate with other guild masters on a regular basis," Mira paused. "I guess you could say they're the glue that holds all of us together, which is a pretty stressful job."

"Wow," Lucy breathed in wonder. "I never realized that all the different magical guilds were interconnected like that."

Mira nodded. "It's important that we cooperate with one another, otherwise their system would fall apart."

"Then the guys in black would show up!" Natsu hissed behind her, appearing out of nowhere. The flames on his fist illuminated his evil face mysteriously.

Lucy gave a small shriek of horror as her heart literally jumped out of her chest. Natsu started laughing boisterously at her with his hands grabbing his stomach and his head thrown back.

"Oh, man," he grinned. "You made it too easy!"

"Natsu," Gray said slowly. "That really wasn't a good idea."

Before Lucy could even register what she was doing, her fist became laced in her feathery white and gold magic as she drew it back. Natsu kept on laughing like a hyena, but she cut him off as she punched his square in the jaw. He screamed as he flew into the nearest table, which just happened to be Cana and Macao's. The table crushed under his weight and spilled Cana's beer onto the floor. The brunette was awfully silent as she drew out her cards, magic circles popping out from each of them.

"Cana, wait!" Macao warned.

Lightning crackled out of the cards and fried a few people nearby, inevitably starting an all out brawl across the guild hall.

"Oh, oh, my god," Lucy paled. "I'm so sorry!" She started a brawl in the guild hall! What is wrong with her? And she was able to hit Natsu?

"Lucy!" Natsu roared over the commotion of the guild, his body on fire. "Fight me!"

Lucy paled, looking at Gray for help, but he just stared at her like she was a different person. His dark blue eyes said nothing, except she could see...they were full of mirth? A grin slowly stretched across his lips, and her stomach did a little flip.

"Damn, Lucy," Gray whistled, impressed. "You've got a killer right hook."

"Um," she squeaked, her ears turning red.

What did she just do? Either Fairy Tail was a really bad influence on her or she was being her real self. The person she couldn't be around her father. She was morphed into an obedient daughter, who finally had enough and ran away. But, now...she was beginning to open herself up and feel more comfortable around these people by just being herself, especially with Gray.

Mira giggled behind her. "He's right, though."

"Huh?" was her intelligent reply.

"The guys in black that Natsu was referring to," Mira explained. The tension on her face was visible. "They really do exist. They're the dark guilds. They've chosen not to join any of the leagues. They're the bad apples, and most of them are involved in magical crime."

Lucy shivered, remembering how Bora used his magic. Apparently, other dark wizards can do far, far worse. She felt a burning presence and saw Natsu heading her way. She froze before instinctively hiding behind Gray.

"Natsu, cut it out," Gray said. "You're scaring her, and she clearly doesn't want to fight you."

Lucy peered around Gray's broad frame to see Natsu's magic die down. "Sorry, Luigi," Natsu apologized.

"It's Lucy," she muttered, clutching the back of Gray's coat.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever," the fire mage waved off. "If you don't want to fight, then how about you go on a job with me and Happy? I bet we'd make a great team."

"Um," Lucy didn't want to say no, but she had a partner already.

"Sorry, but she's already with me," Gray stated.

Lucy heard Mira squeal in the background.

"Huh?" Natsu's eyes narrowed before he set them on Lucy. "I wouldn't stay with this loser if I were you, Luigi. You'll get plenty of better offers from other teams."

Gray smirked. "Loser, huh? You've never beaten me, Natsu."

"What'd you say, Popsicle?"

"You heard what I said, Dragon Boy."

Lucy took a step back as their magic flared about them. She glanced worriedly between them. The serious nature of their magic right now was a bit frightening. She took another step back, bumping into Mira.

"Sorry, Mira," she apologized.

"No worries, Lucy," Mira smiled. Her smiled turned sickly sweet, hearts appearing in her eyes. "Oh, this is just delicious. They're fighting for your hand and companionship. The ice knight in shining armor is defending the princess from the ferocious dragon."

"Uhh, Mira," Lucy said worriedly as the Take Over mage when into Lala land.

"Why don't you join the team of love with me, Lucy," a husky voice whispered behind her, an arm wrapping around her shoulder. She looked up to see none other than the guild's resident playboy, Loke. "Later tonight, just the two of us." His voice went an octave lower, and she gave a nervous laugh.

"Excuse me?" she uttered in surprise.

He pushed his blue tinted glasses up. "You're just so stunningly gorgeous I have to keep my shades on when I look at you, or I'll be blinded by your dazzling beauty."

Lucy raised her brows. "I can't believe girls really fall for this."

Loke smirked, but he froze when he saw her Aquarius gate key around her neck. He jumped a good step back and looked at her in disbelief and slight horror. "You're not a celestial wizard, are you?!"

"Uh, not really–"

"Curse you fate! Why do you toy with me so!" Loke cried dramatically, not really listening to her. "I'm sorry, but you and I can't be together, my princess."

Lucy blinked as he dashed outside the guild. "What got into him all of a sudden?"

"Loke has a bad history with celestial wizards," Mira enlightened. "Rumor has it he dated one, and it didn't end well."

"Oh," Lucy said with a concerned look. The feeling of his magic was very familiar, but she couldn't quite place it. Other than the fact it felt ancient and warm, almost like Natsu's, but it almost pained her to try and feel it for some reason.

The blonde was snapped out of her thoughts when she felt Natsu's presence heading her way. Without looking, she casually side-stepped out of the way as Natsu went barreling into a wooden pillar – since Mira also elegantly got out of the way – his body slamming into it with a loud thwack.

"That looked painful," Mira commented without the slightest hint of pity.

"Would the two of you just knock it off already," Cana groaned, rubbing her temples because of a hangover.

"I'm just finishing what he started," Gray said stoically.

"You were the one who was provoking me, you dirty Slime ball," Natsu snarled.

"Oh yeah, and what did I exactly do to provoke you, Fire clown?"

"Pervy Flasher!"

"Pink-haired punk!"

"It's salmon!"

"What is up with their rivalry?" Lucy asked Mira. "Their insults are so lame too."

Mira giggled. "Yeah, they're always like that around each other. Even the moment they met they were like this. Although Gray is more powerful, I believe he found a friend to rely on in Natsu, and that is why he bothers to engage with him at all."

"Are you sure they don't just hate each other?" Lucy asked. "You know, fire and ice?"

"Don't let them fool you," Mira laughed. "They're actually best friends."

Lucy smiled. "If you say so, Mira."

Everything in the guild hall stopped when the doors burst open with a loud bang.

"I've got bad news!" Loke yelled, running back inside. "It's Erza! She's on her way here!"

The silence was so quiet that Lucy was sure she could hear a pin drop. A moment later everyone was screaming in horror or their complexion went completely pale. Hell, even Natsu and Gray stopped brawling. Lucy was shocked and silently freaked out by how the name Erza sent everyone into pandemonium. Happy and Natsu weren't exaggerating at all, and Gray. Well, since Gray can beat her, she can understand how only strict was the first thing that came to mind when she asked yesterday.

The air went completely still as she heard giant thudding in the distance. Lucy felt her heart clench, but her worries dissipated when she closed her eyes and analyzed Erza's magic. A smile instantly lit up Lucy's face. It was pure, like her own, yet much more fierce and her sheer willpower to protect her comrades was amazing. The strength she exuded was beyond incredible, and the magical pressure was a bit stifling, but Lucy embraced it. This is what good magic felt like. She was enthralled to meet the strongest woman in all of Fairy Tail. Maybe she'd ask for a few useful tips.

Lucy watched in away when a girl, about two years older, walked in clad in armor with a giant horn upon her should. How she was able to hold it up with one arm? Lucy had no clue. She did know that Erza was beautiful. Her scarlet hair fell across her shoulders and cascaded down her back in straight locks. The armor she wore made her look powerful and not to be trifled with. Lucy could see the scarlet woman's leg muscles ripple, and that's when Lucy knew this woman trained like no other.

Erza set down the giant horn, and it shook the guild hall. Everyone around her gave her space, and even though some knew her longer than Lucy did, they were still surprised by her strenth.

"I have returned," Erza announced. "Where is Master Makarov?"

"Welcome back, Erza," Mira greeted, not the least bit intimidated. "The master's at a conference right now."

"I see..."

"So, um, what's that humungous thing you got their?" Max asked.

"It's the horn of a monster I defeated," she said matter-of-factly. "The locals were so thankful that they decorated it and gave it to me as a souvenir." Her eyes narrowed at him. "Do you have a problem with it?"

Max flinched, taking a step back. "No, not at all."

"I bet she's heard about what happened at Mt. Hakobe," Cana whispered to Macao.

"You think so?" Macao asked sorrowfully. "Aw man, I'm a goner."

Lucy could only watch with wide eyes as Erza tore through everyone.

"Now listen up!" Erza barked. "While I was on the road, I heard a few things. Word is that Fairy Tail is causing nothing but trouble as of late. Master Makarov may not care, but I most certainly do! Cana!"

The brunette choked on her beer.

"You need to start controlling your drinking. Vijater!"

The dancer froze.

"Please take the dancing outside! Wakaba!"

Said man started coughing.

"You need to get rid of that filthy habit! Nab!"

The ever present man at the request board slumped.

"I suspected I would find you in front of the request board. Just pick a job! Macao!"

The older man braced himself.

She just sighed.

"Please just say something," Macao cried out.

Erza shook her head, her voice hopeless. "I don't even know where to begin with you. You cause so much trouble, I've almost given up."

Lucy could only watch and felt bad for everyone Erza was tearing into. She could now see why Gray really wasn't kidding when he said she was strict. It was almost like she was taking charge. Even though she seemed bossy, she was still saner than anyone else in the guild other than Gray to Lucy's opinion. She still didn't really understand why Natsu and Happy were afraid of her. She was not the demon or monster they were making her out to seem.

"Are Gray and Natsu here?" Erza asked.

"Hello to you too," Gray said, the calmest of everyone in the guild hall.

"At least you have your clothes on this time."

Gray only shrugged.

Lucy leaned toward Mira. "Am I missing something? Pervy Flasher? No clothes?"

Mira blinked. "Oh, he has a stripping habit. It's not so bad anymore. But it occasionally happens now and again."

"S-Stripping h-habit?" Lucy stuttered, face turning red.

"Yeah, his old teacher that taught him Ice Make magic had the same habit and kind of passed it onto him when he was little."

"That's...wow," Lucy stifled a laugh.

"It was so bad when he was smaller, he wouldn't even realize he was doing it, and he wouldn't even know where to look to try and find his clothes!"

"I'm really enjoying the cute childhood backstories," Lucy giggled.

Mira winked. "If you have any questions, feel free to ask me."

"Are you and Natsu fighting?" Erza asked, a sharp edge to her voice.

Gray looked down, realizing he had Natsu in a headlock. He forced a smile on his face as his fist ground in Natsu's head. "No, we're not. Right, Natsu?" Now his voice had a nice sharp edge to it.

"Aye," was the only shaky reply the dragonslayer could muster.

Erza nodded. "That great! I'm quite pleased to see the two of you getting along so well." She looked at them with knowing eyes. "However, it's only natural for the best of friends to lock horns every once in a while.

"Sure," Gray said, rolling with it.

"Aye," Natsu squeaked.

"Why is he talking like Happy?" Lucy asked.

"Because he's scared," Mira laughed. "A few years ago he challenged Erza to a fight after watching Gray beat her. He thought he could do it do, but he only ended up getting beaten up pretty badly."

"Oh dear," Lucy gulped.

"I remember the day before that happened Erza beat up Gray because he was walking around naked," Macao chuckled. "The next day he challenged her, and everyone in the guild bet against him, but he showed her up."

Cana nodded. "That was pretty amazing. But let's not forget she also beat up Loke for trying to hit on her."

Lucy sweat-dropped. She could see that happening.

"Gray, Natsu, I need you to do me a favor," Erza addressed, grabbing everyone's attention. "When I was traveling I overheard something that has me worried. Normally, I would consult with the master before acting, but he's not here, and this is a matter of utmost emergency. The two of you are the strongest wizards here, and I could really use your help."

The guild whispered.

"Did you hear that?"

"Erza asking for help?"

"That's a first!"

"We'll meet at the train station tomorrow morning," Erza said.

Gray and Natsu regarded one another. Lucy could only bet they were wondering how the heck they were going to work together on the same team.

"Erza, Gray, and Natsu on the same team," Mira mumbled to herself in amazement. "I never saw that one coming. This could be the most powerful team Fairy Tail has ever seen!"

"Really?" Lucy awed. "That's amazing!"

Mira nodded. "You should go with them, Lucy."

The blonde shook her head. "I'd just get in the way. It seems really important."

"You could learn a thing or two, and Gray would take good care of you," Mira said with a wink.

"Mira!" Lucy flustered.

"Besides, you would really help Erza to keep those two in check. When they're on they're own, they're manageable, but together." Mira shook her head. "I have no idea what those two can do."

"But...how?"

"Your magic!" Mira advised simply. "It's rather peaceful and calming. You joined a magical guild, Lucy. Use it. Don't be afraid."

Lucy glanced down at hands that were capable of not only protecting others but hurting them as well. If she wanted to be more confident in her abilities, she needed to learn and observe first. She nodded at Mira, confidence seeping through her smile this time.

Well, um, there you go! Stay tuned! Hope you enjoyed all of that! Absolutely loved writing the GraLu bits, and Erza. That was just great! XD