Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail or its characters; that right belongs to Hiro Mashima.

Author's Note: Flathead Lake inspired this story in Montana. I was on vacation, visiting my family, and drove around the Lake, and BAM, right out of nowhere, this story hits me hard. And please bear with me; it is my first attempt at a mystery story… Not my usual genre of writing. So if you do not like that, I politely ask you to turn around and leave now because I don't see the point in you wasting your time and mine.

Resting her head on her arms, Lucy rolled her eyes to look at the blank Microsoft document, hating the flashing cursor. She was beyond tired. Again this morning, she had woken up not in her bed, mind fuzzy from the various reoccurring dreams. Was this one a bit tamer? She wasn't sure that was the correct way to describe it, but it felt close.

There was no physical exhaustion or cold sweating. No feeling of sheer terror or over elated joy. No, this dream had to lead her somewhere. But it had been awkward as fuck to wake up, standing facing the wall at the end of her second-floor hallway, hand on the wall.

Yet in the dream, there had been a door. A door that led to the attic? But that couldn't be right, right?! Sitting up; Lucy let out a long sigh as she stood up and stretched. Lucy figured since she couldn't focus on her book, she'd check to see if her dream had any credibility.

000

Lucy let out a small laugh as she watched Silver playfully smack Gray on the back of the head. The father-son-duo was interesting to observe. She had forgotten that they were supposed to come up to replace a few shingles on the roof for Winter. Which, to Lucy's surprise, was going to start soon, according to the locals.

It was only mid-October, and she had bought and moved in at the beginning of July. So it was a bit hard for her to grasp that three months had come and gone so quickly. And up in the mountains, in the country, Winter started early. Not that she minded, since Winter was one of her favorite seasons.

"Mrs. Dreyar?"

Blinking, Lucy as she returned to reality. Looking down the steps that led the path at the bottom of the porch. Lucy felt heat spread across her face as she saw both Silver and Gray looking up at her. Neither hiding their amusement at how embarrassed she was feeling and showing.

"Yes!?" Lucy literally squeaked. "You need something?"

When Silver chuckled before he answered, Lucy felt a new wave of heat spread across her face, again.

"Just checking to see if you maybe had anything other work you wanted us to take care of while we were up here."

Flashing her warmest smile at his words, Lucy enjoyed some payback when both Fullbuster men blushed a little. This trick was something her mother had inadvertently taught her when her father was trying to be a bit mischievous.

"Actually, I do. But it is a question I can ask at dinner time. As it deals with the blueprints, my friend left me," Lucy stated.

"Okay, Mrs. Dreyar," Silver replied.

Giving a small nod of her head and another warm smile, Lucy turned and headed into the house. Missing the shared glance between the two men and the concern that flashed in their dark-blue eyes.

000

Moving around the open kitchen, Lucy hummed and danced. In thirty minutes, the spaghetti and meatballs would be done, along with the freshly made garlic bread and some snow peas. It wasn't anything fancy, yet LUcy knew it was Gray's favorite meal. While Silver professed not to have anything he liked specifically in the food category. Occasionally, Lucy would hear a loud thump and thud each time a nail was hammered into a replaced roof shingle.

~Hey, Blondie, your shirt's untied!~

Pausing, Lucy spun to look at her phone. Only to have the ringtone repeat the slurred message. Shaking her head, she made a mental note to change the ringtone for her adoptive older brother. Reaching over, she pressed and swiped the screen before accepting the call. Making sure to put it on speaker.

"Hey, Lightning Bug!"

"Don't you -Hey- me, Lucy Heartfilia-Dreyar. It's been almost five months since I've heard from you. Do you have any idea how worried Gramps and I have been? Not to mention my wife, our... or rather your friends?"

Lucy flinched at how harsh his tone was. She knew he loved her, respected her space, and needed to heal from her divorce. But Lucy also knew she was in the wrong for not checking in with her family. So picking up her phone and sending the invite to turn the call into a video call. Which Laxus accepted immediately while Lucy hoped the new signal and wifi boosters would allow it. A downside to living in the boonies.

"Damn, you look like a happy pile of shit. Aren't you getting any sleep?"

Frowning, Lucy kept from visibly twitching.

"Why, Thank you, Laxus. I love you too! How have things been? Good! Great to hear."

The way his stormy gray-blue eyes went wide at the amount of sarcasm she applied to her words let Lucy know he got her message.

"Sorry, Blondie. Just, you look like you're not sleeping."

"you are blond too, Laxus. But I've been proactive in learning about my new home, the property, and all the history. Wears you out, you know?"

Lucy hoped he'd buy her story. When he arched an eyebrow, she got his unspoken acceptance to drop that specific line of questioning. He was a good, smart, observant big brother.

"So, in other words, not working on your book? Erza's gonna be pissed. And I'm not stepping in."

Lucy openly pouted at Laxus, only to see him shake his head and stand firm on his decision. Well aware, Laxus had a healthy respect (fear) for his red-headed wife when she was angry. So did Lucy for her best friend and publicist.

"It's not that I've not tried. My muse is only half-responding. Only Six chapters are complete."

The loud snort she got had her laughing. The tug at her heart had Lucy feeling suddenly homesick.

"There you go. You look best with a smile on your face, sis. So, when can Gramp, Erza, and I come to visit you in the tullies?"

Going still, Lucy tried to keep from panicking and openly fidgeting. A small wave of anxiety filling her. Her ex-husband was someone who was good at information extraction. Did she want to see her adoptive family and sister in law? Yes. Was she ready to see them? Maybe. Could she take the risk of Hibiki finding her and trying to get back into her life? No.

"Hey, sis, it's okay to say no. I understand. That little shit has been around a few times. But we don't know where you are at, specifically. So, we cannot say shit, right?"

"Yeah, sorry. Maybe in the Spring? Winter starts early up here in the tullies, as you call it."

"Sure, I'll pass that onto Gramps and Erza. Besides, you have to cook me a holiday feast. I miss your cooking, woman!"

"Alright, it's a deal. I'll try to keep in contact more. Love you, Lightning But!"

"Love you too, Tinkerbell."

Smiling, Lucy made a kissy face and ended the call. It was somehow timed perfectly for the timer to go off that the dinner was done cooking.

The changes to the town had come slowly, yet to his tired eyes, it was amazing. Did time seem to fluctuate between not moving and then going too fast? But the changes were the slowest, as time fleetingly passed him by. Almost as if time itself didn't care.

Yet, a part of him felt sad. He was unsure of how much had gone by since he had seen her climb out of the metal-horseless-carriage. Looking so young and beautiful. The light that had left when her (who should have been his) daughter had left the sleepy little town had returned.

It meant only one thing, and it made him feel even sadder. He didn't want her to come back, but it was inevitable.

TBC!

The next story to update is Juxtaposition.