A/N: Hey guys! How's everyone doing? I've personally, been having way too much fun writing this story, especially since everything has been too hectic lately.
ANYWAY, If anything gets too weird or confusing let me know XD This story gets crazy later and the chapters are getting, longer O.O!
Enjoy the new chapter :3 Until next time...
Chapter 5: It's not a Date!
Magnolia's Police Headquarters (Main Branch)
May 26 1:50pm
A tall, white building, covered with large windows stood near the center of the city looking like a fancy cooperation. This was the Main Police Headquarters that most cops reported back to when huge cases arise. Mostly higher figures actually come and go through this building but over the years, it became the main meet up points for all the police units in the city.
However, at the back of the building, held many interrogation rooms lined up with only a few cell-blocks behind them. In one of the occupied rooms, was nothing but a table, two chairs and two really agitated cops. A detective tapped his pencil against his clipboard repetitively as he eyed the criminal in front of him. One lamp hung above the table barely illuminating the people but, you can clearly see detective was losing his patience. His eyes glanced to the other cop nearby several times, who also looked like he was about to blow his top from the lack of progression they have made over the past couple of weeks.
"I'll repeat this again unless you want to spend the remainder of your life permanently behind concrete" The detective said solemnly, "Who else was involved in the robbery and where is the box?"
The criminal grinned mischievously, "You can repeat yourself until you're blue in the face or kill me, I don't care. You're too late anyway..." He said in raspy voice followed by a crazed laugh.
The other cop groaned loudly, moved towards the table and slammed his hands down in front of the manically, laughing criminal, "I've had enough of his shit, tell me why i can't beat his ass to a pulp"
The angry cop that came into view was none other than, Gajeel Redfox. The detective sighed as he placed down his clipboard onto the table. Despite wearing a fedora and a long, collared trench coat, You can still see his blue hair hanging loose on the sides. His brown eyes narrowed to his partner who lost his temper.
"You know already know why. Besides, Do you really want to get on Erza's bad side?" The blue-haired man chuckled as he eyed back towards the criminal.
Gajeel stiffened and stomped towards the door, "I've had enough of his shit Jellal, I'm outta here. Get the popsicle-ass to do this next time" and slammed the door behind him.
Two cops came in shortly after and walked towards the hysterical man to escort him out of the room. Jellal got up, reshuffled his notes and froze when the man spoke, "The lord will make our world great again and you all will tremble beneath him! HAHAHA!"
Jellal narrowed his gaze, glaring at the man, "What are you talking about?"
"You all will see!"
The cops shoved him out of there knowing he probably won't say anything anymore. Another person walked in, a woman in a long coat with her pink hair tied up in a tight bun, approached Jellal from behind as he was about to turn around. She too was a detective that once in a while worked alongside him.
"Erza wants to see you"
"Thank you, Meredy" He left the room and walked down the hallway swiftly but the girl kept pace with him.
"That man still hasn't said anything, has he?" They turned corners and went upstairs.
"Not quite, however he did say something...different today" He pushed open the doors and walked down a carpeted hallway towards a room that was centered with double wooden doors.
"What did he say?" Meredy and him stopped right in front of the doors.
Jellal looked down at her with a serious expression, "Something about his lord restoring the world"
"That's it?" Meredy opened the door slowly for him.
"Yes, but don't repeat it to anyone else, now if you'll excuse me" He half smiled as the girl backed away.
"Of course, but Jellal..."
He gave her once last glance before walking into the office.
"Erza is in a mood, I'd watch what you say" and she quickly left the hallway with an almost abnormal speed.
Jellal pursed his lips and turned around to see a red-haired woman scowling at the doorway.
"Did you make any progress today, Jellal?"
"Aside from the usual, No, i can't say that i have" He approached her in a few strides and stopped by the desk.
"You realize the higher-ups are breathing down my neck and expecting results? Those criminals are making a laughing stock out of everyone and we have yet to pull even a single one of their leaders into our grasp!"
"Erza, I understand how you feel but, with the way things are now, there's not much we can do"
A sudden loud crack sounded in the room. Jellal eyed the woman's fist that was now wedged into the wall. He cautiously went over to her, very, gently moved his hand over and carefully took her fist out of the wall. He gingerly rubbed his thumb over the back of her hand and felt her twitch from the touch. Jellal looked at her with a faint smile and Erza slowly took her hand back.
"We'll get them eventually, there's only so many places they can hide" He spoke as he stepped back just a bit so he doesn't end up being the wall next.
Before Erza could say anything, the doors popped open again with Loke staring at the both of them.
"We might finally have a lead, I think..." He nervously approached the two by the desk and Erza immediately walked towards him.
"Is the informant reliable? Who are they? Where'd you find them?" Her questions kept barreling out and Jellal quickly went over to her.
"Let the man speak Erza, If you keep this up, he wouldn't know where to start" He nodded to the other guy to continue.
"Right, sorry, continue" She folded her arms across her black dress suit and a red, silk blouse that laid snug tight underneath. Erza may look fierce in the eyes, but her body could kill as well. An ideal woman across the board, smart, determined, beautiful and incredibly strong. Many of the men in the police force has even challenged her to several arm-wrestling matches, however, Erza has yet to lose.
Loke turned to close the doors and spoke in a voice that seemed worried but firm, "I'm normally against putting someone important, in any sort of danger, especially someone very precious to me, but in this kind of situation and with her information..."
"Out with it already!" She spoke irritably, cutting him off. Jellal shot his eyes at Erza. reminding her to calm down.
"You two already know what i am..." He turned around and faced them with a look that held nothing but a cold, serious look, "I need to be sure she would not be in any kind of danger after this"
"Are you referring to your Celestial Mage, Loke?" Erza spoke again but this time with less bite, "Just give us the word and she'll be under our 24hour surveillance. I'll even make sure to keep a couple of my best on standby, You know the drill"
Loke sighed and approached them, taking off his shades. He stopped when he was a foot away from both of them. He pulled up his suitcase and took out the newspaper clipping"
Jellal and Erza both looked over the paper confused, "Did you figure out who stole the box?"
"It's not a matter of stealing, but the danger of that box and who it might be linked to"
"What exactly did this mage tell you, Loke?"
Lucy's Apartment
(Two Hours Earlier that same day)
Lucy paced back and forth in her room while glancing up at the clock excessively as Levy sat on her bed watching. The binders were once again flipped open and spread out across the bedroom floor. All eight binders were left open to the pages linking or relating to the fire demon and Zeref.
"Lu-chan if you keep doing that, you might set the carpet on fire"
"Ha right...and for some reason that still sounds better than this problem"
Levy grimaced and continued reading the passages in attempt to translate the engravings on the box.
"If only there was someway I can get more information. We've literally hit a dead end, Levy" Lucy pulled back her hair into a ponytail and slumped down to the other binders.
"Why not call up Loke? He seemed to know Gajeel pretty well"
"I've already thought about that but, He too, completely evaded us when I brought it up a couple of times"
Levy scooted down next to the blonde and dropped the book in front of her, "...But he can't keep that up forever. You and I both know, if you really wanted to, You can make him tell you"
"That's a line i really don't want to cross, I respect him and his personal space"
"I know, I know but, maybe we can trade information instead? There's many ways you can toe the line without being obvious, call it bending the rules"
Lucy turned her head over to the ring of keys on her nightstand, "You think this information will be any useful?"
"Of course it is!, No matter how you look at, its a start. We have a slight idea what could be in the box, Who it could belong to and that alone can help narrow down to the people looking to get their greedy hands on it"
"You mean the undercover mage fanatics?"
"Why else would they go out of their way to steal books and things when they could've just stolen money?"
"So, Now we just have to narrow it down to...people being dumb enough to touch the dark arts without ever being caught"
"I wouldn't say dumb. More like really determined to successfully manage to steal that many times and not get caught by the special task force. I would say they're very clever to be honest"
Lucy thought as she held a hand to her chain, replaying the conversation over a couple of times, "Clever dark mages willingly going after ancient artifacts for a possible fire demon that was created by Zeref and sealed away by unknown circumstances..." Lucy glowered down at the picture in front of her, "...If the fire demon was dangerous enough for the Zeref guy to seal it, Why on earth would they want to re-release it, it doesn't make sense..."
Levy shrugged, "...and...that's why I've been living in these books"
"It'll still be an eventual dead end unless we can get ahold of more information or sources"
"That's where you come in!" Levy smiled up to her and then eyed her keys.
Lucy clenched her fists tightly, mentally battling her self-placed judgement and rules, "If it's for the sake of getting to the bottom of this, I guess I have no choice, Do I?"
The blunette patted the girl on the back, "It's now or never, Lu-chan. With everything being quiet now for almost a month, I'd be more worried as to what they're doing with those things"
"You're right...welp, I guess that leaves only one thing" Lucy got up, picked up her key-ring and the Zodiac keys shimmered as they were lifted. She can feel the harmony and warmth emanating from each one. Lucy pulled off one key and placed the others back down onto the nightstand. Levy backed up slightly to give the celestial mage some room.
(Dark Piano music - Sacrifice)
With a nod of reassurance, she spoke, "Open, Gate of the Lion, Leo!"
A yellow light shined, lighting up the entire room with a bell like chime echoing and fading out as a man appeared between them.
"Hello, Leo..." Lucy placed his key down beside her and saw the man staring at her, looking a little amused and confused at the same time.
"It's very rare for you to call for me personally, princess. Is something wrong?"
Levy quickly got up and stood by Lucy as she spoke, "Nothing's wrong...exactly..." She grimaced and handed him the newspaper clipping of the chest, "Have you seen that before?"
Leo took the piece of paper and glanced over it, "...Yes, this was the most recently stolen item, why?"
Lucy sighed and scratched the side of her head, "Well i was just doing some digging up with Levy here and we both think we might've found something"
"...You found out who stole it?" He folded his arms and his face got a little more serious as the conversation continued.
"Not quite...uhm, Levy can explain it better than me..."
Levy took off her glasses, "I've been doing a lot of research this past month to help back it up but, I'm almost 90 percent certain about what's in that box and the type of people that could've stolen it...However getting names or specifics is going to need a lot more time"
Leo's brows knitted together and he looked back down at the picture then back at the girls, "What'd you find out?"
"...According to many of the dark magic books I've read, The criminals could be the last few remainder's of Zeref's followers that are going out of their way to prepare a ritual to release...a possible, the most dangerous fire demon in history"
Leo's face dropped, "That...can't be right. The magic council was suppose to be guarding that box, even now..."
Lucy and Levy looked at each other as they heard this. The celestial mage took a step towards Leo, arms crossed, "...The magic council? You mean the government that let all these stolen items...get away?"
Levy chimed in after her, "If that's not the same box, then what box could it be, the seal markings on that box matched the very same spell that bound it in the first place. The problem is, the picture is so faded and blurred, i'm having a real hard time translating it" She huffed and picked up a binder to show Leo, "Look..."
He took the book from her and started to try and match it as well.
Leo's jaw clenched, eyes narrowing as he too, saw the matching letters and symbols. Lucy looked to Levy and the blunette nodded for her to speak, "Leo, I need to know, were you there to help the police with that heist?"
His eyes darted to hers quickly, "Yeah, i was..."
"Why?..." Lucy bit the bottom of her lip, hoping she isn't toeing the line too much.
"The celestial king wanted me to bring that box back to him"
Both girls faces dropped from shock, "You just said yourself, the Magic Council was suppose to be eyeing that box"
"They were suppose to be, that means the one in their locked archives was a fake, possibly, i don't know. I couldn't get close enough to the vault. So when i heard about another heist pertaining a box, i went to go investigate it myself"
"How come you never told me, Leo?"
He slid his hand into his hair, agitated and conflicted. The last thing he wanted to do, was involve his mage into something extremely dangerous, "...I've swore to protect you from any kind of danger and that box was never suppose to get out into the public to begin with because no one has been able to destroy it. Only recently has the celestial world become stir-crazy knowing that box fell out of the eyes of protection"
"So it really is the fire demon then?..." Levy mumbled quietly, more so to herself.
"Yeah, it is" He moved his hands onto his hips as he paced back and forth, wondering what to do now.
"It's..." Lucy spoke nervously, not wanting to agitate her spirit anymore than he is, "I'm not specifically involved but..."
He was still facing away from her, but turned his head slightly to get a glimpse of her face.
"I just wanted to help, even if its just a little bit. I heard about the police having their hands tied, no one knows where to look..." Lucy walked up to him and placed a hand onto his back for comfort, "I heard you talking to Gajeel about it. Really, i just wanted to help in any way i can, Levy too..."
"That's right, Loke" Levy held up the closed binder to her chest, "We're not throwing ourselves in danger for just a story. We really just want to help...I really want to help Gajeel..." She looked down at the piles of books at her feet.
"Leo, please, let us help you and them" Lucy walked in front of him, staring into his eyes, hoping to reach to some kind of understanding for how much she means it.
Leo sighed, "You're really serious about this aren't you?" He placed a hand onto her shoulder and she held it gently.
"I'll do whatever it takes Leo, I'm tired of just watching everything from the sidelines. Actually, let me rephrase this..." Lucy motioned Levy to come over, "We both wish to be able to help you and the police to get to the bottom of this. With you as my spirit, and Levy's brains, we will try and get to the bottom of this" She smiled up at him knowing he couldn't refuse even if he wanted to.
"You are really something special, Lucy" He smiled.
"So is that a yes? We can help?" Levy spoke cheering Lucy from behind.
"Yes, Now...Let me just inform the people in charge of this case and let them know whats up. Also..."
He stepped closer to Lucy, almost a little too close. He tilted her head up gently with his fingers, "...Under the condition of letting me take you out for a drink tonight. Levy's invited too of course" He grinned knowing she couldn't refuse it either.
Levy facepalmed, then it was followed by laughing at her now flustered friend.
"What do you say, Lucy?"
The blonde grumbled, "Fine, but its not a date!"
"Never said it was" He snickered feeling quite proud of himself and then faded into a bright light.
"So that's how he roped you in last time?"
Lucy glared in her direction. The blunette squealed and ran away from the blonde that was now chasing her around the house.
Fairy Tail Club
(present time now)
8:21pm
(Asking Alexandria - Alone in a Room)
Lucy spent the past half hour mentally preparing herself for the most important meeting she'll ever come across. It was more nerve wrecking than her job interview. She sipped her drink again and sighed while waiting for Leo to show up while Levy was already in the back with Gajeel. For someone that didn't like their relationship being talked about, she sure didn't have no problem showing it around other people. While lost in her thoughts, Mira came back around and tapped the counter in front of Lucy.
"Why are you still by yourself, Lucy? Why not join Levy back there while you're waiting?"
Lucy grimaced, "I just wanted some time to do some thinking by myself for a little bit. My nerves are all over the place right now..."
"Oh? Hmm, is there anything i can do to help with that?"
"hah, no more drinks for me. I still need to keep my head attached for this. I'm sure someone already informed you about the gathering today?"
"Oh yes, Erza and Loke told me all about it. No worries, I got just the thing for you..." Mira walked away as she slung her bar towel over her shoulder. Lucy felt her skin crawl, knowing that tone all too well.
Lucy shifted in her seat and was now facing the entrance. Taking a few more sips of her drink, she saw countless people hanging around the entrance, so it was really hard to pick them out. She was really hoping to see Leo first before everyone else, to at least get an idea of what to expect.
"Hey Lucy"
The blonde jumped from her seat, nearly spilling her drink over. She grabbed the bar counter with her free hand and turned to see the man laughing from her startled reaction. Lucy saw behind him, an innocently smiling Mira. Lucy smiled back with the same look, except with an invisible, 'I'll get even, just you wait' sign hovering over her head. The devious bartender returned back to her customers while the blonde shifted herself towards Natsu.
"Do you really hide in the back by yourself?"
Natsu stopped laughing and took a seat next to her, "Eh, not always. Sometimes the guys would come into the back as well. It's just really loud out here and quieter over there"
Cana noticed the two at her counter and smirked. She sauntered over and poured Natsu his drink, "Well, it just warms my heart to see you two over here tonight" Lucy shot her a look and saw the brunette looking quite pleased with herself.
"Courtesy of Mirajane, What would i do without her?" Lucy spoke in such a way it was dripping sarcasm. Natsu just looked at the two and wondering what they were talking about.
"Don't let me interrupt, holler if you need anything else, Lucy" Cana winked and walked away.
Lucy sighed and looked back towards Natsu, who was leaning on the countertop and seemed to be really concentrating on that drink of his.
"Sorry about that, Cana really knows how to make every conversation awkward..." Lucy squeezed her eyes shut and let out a deep breath.
"huh?" He snapped his gaze to her looking a bit confused.
"Oh nothing, nothing, uhm...So what brought you out here?"
Lucy sipped her drink and looked back towards the entrance for the people that have yet to show up.
"Mira said you were out here by yourself" He took another sip of his drink and looked at her from the corner of his eye.
Lucy felt her heart fluttering when he grinned at her in such a way his canines poked through. She wondered how she never noticed them before. The look was a little intimidating, but also quite alluring. If she had a few more drinks in, it could've easily floored her like any other love-sick girl.
She averted her gaze immediately and hid her face behind her drink glass by holding it with both hands.
Natsu raised an eyebrow and shook his head as he turned around, "You kept looking at the doorway before, waiting for someone?"
Lucy took in a deep breath and tried forgetting the look he gave her, "Y-yeah, i'm waiting for a few people actually. They should be here any minute"
"Oh, I guess i should go then..." He picked up his glass and was ready to leave until she grabbed his arm. He turned his head to see her looking down at the floor.
"Uhm, I know it's a bit weird to ask this of you, but if you don't mind...I'll feel better if you joined me and the group coming..."
"Uh...sure? I guess...Do you not know them or something?" He turned around and she looked up at him. Lucy took her hand back and folded it under her chest nervously.
"It's complicated...I know only a few of the people that'll be there but, I'll be able to relax if you were there too..." She bit her lip and Natsu raised an eyebrow.
"Heh, You're very weird Luce"
Lucy felt her jaw clench and feigned a smile at him, "Thanks, i guess..." She huffed and saw from the corner of her eye, a familiar orange haired man coming through with a group of people behind him.
Natsu turned to see what she was looking at only to suddenly grumble under his breath, "Shit, they're here?..."
Lucy looked at him confused, "You know them?"
He didn't look at her, instead placed his glass down, folded his arms across his chest and stared at the approaching people.
"Lucy, Sorry to keep you waiting" Leo smiled brightly at her but then noticed the man glowering at him.
"Princess, is this man bothering you?"
Natsu clenched his jaw and Lucy immediately moved in front of him. She laughed nervously, "No, Not at all. Actually I've asked him to sit with us tonight. I hope you guys don't mind?" Lucy saw the other people behind him, basically giving the same look back that Natsu was giving.
"What's going on Loke?" The Raven-haired man said, "Why would the pink menace be joining us?"
"Want to run that by me again, Frosty?" Natsu growled at the person throwing insults at him.
Lucy looked to Leo for help, "Alright, now boys, behave. Unless..." he said darkly, "You want to show this behavior in front of our, Lovely Erza?"
Natsu and Gray both froze the second that last word slipped out. They both huffed in unison and backed off. Lucy couldn't help but feel like this was going to be one very, long night.
They were just about to enter the VIP room when Lucy stopped next to Leo. Natsu looked at her confused but she motioned for him to continue on ahead of her, "I'll just be a minute" She pressed her lips together tightly and pulled Leo to the side. Natsu shrugged and gave Gray a look of disgust before entering the room.
The raven-haired man then looked to Lucy, "Don't take too long or pyro over there might burn something down in the meantime"
Lucy looked at him in shock and shook her head as the next guy went in, "...Mind telling me what the hell that was about?" She grumbled to Leo.
Leo scoffed, unsure where to begin, "What? Those two?" She nodded and waited for him to continue, "They've been at each other's throats since I've known them. As the saying goes, fire and ice don't mix..."
Lucy narrowed her eyes in confusion, "I'm going to assume the other is an ice mage?"
"Yep, but if you think that's bad then you're in for a handful when Erza comes...Which should be any minute now. That woman is never late, Punctual is her middle name...or it should be"
The girl paled at the thought, "Alright, Fine but, going back a bit, You said you've known those two for awhile now? How?"
"A few days after we've moved here. I did some research around the neighborhood to get a feel for the place" He was grinning and Lucy already rolled her eyes.
"So...How'd you come across them?"
"Right, Well..." He shifted his stance closer to her, "I was visiting the bar and there was a fight out front. I've never saw a fight break out and end just as quickly. The moment it happened, Erza happened to be around at the time and let me tell you, I'm glad I wasn't close enough for that. If those two were normal human beings, i can guarantee you, they would've been sent to the hospital..." Leo nearly choked on his suppressed laughter, "...Also, I'd be careful what you say around here when he's around"
Lucy shook her head confused, "...What do you mean?" He leaned in closer to Lucy, she can now feel his breath on her, "Natsu has extraordinary senses, smell, sight and hearing"
Lucy's eyes widened, "...Is that why you hushed about the heist when I asked you last time? Because he was there?"
Leo nodded, "It's not that I'm hiding anything from him, the guy is just quick to get himself into a fight. That man doesn't know when to back off sometimes"
"I mean, after what I've just witnessed with him and that other guy, I'll believe it...But he seems so...relaxed when I'm alone with him. I find it so hard to believe..."
Leo grinned, "I can imagine, noone wants to piss off a lady they like..."
She flustered and turned around, "...I'm going inside"
"I'll join you when the other two arrive"
Lucy opened the door to see Natsu sitting on the complete opposite side of the room from where the other guy was sitting. The back private bar had Gajeel sitting with Levy, both facing the doorway.
"Lu-chan, About time! I was beginning to wonder if you were backing out..."
Lucy grimaced and walked towards the small blunette, "Sorry, i just got caught up with other things" Tilting her head towards the silently fuming pinkette.
Levy looked over to where Lucy was indicating,"Natsu? What happened?"
"Bunny girl got left babysitting that pyro punk earlier eh?" Gajeel grinned widely at her and Lucy felt herself suddenly trapped in a never ending circle of bullying.
Ignoring his comment partially, "I'm not babysitting, We were talking like normal people..." She glared at Levy, "Just what do you see in this man?"
Levy scoffed and rolled her eyes, "Really?" She scooted herself closer to Lucy and nudged her but spoke purposely louder, "...huh, and yet you look at Natsu the same way" she smiled.
Gajeel got up and moved away from the girls, "I'm going to need another drink" He grumbled as he parked himself further away from the girls.
"You're kidding, you like that nuisance?" The raven-haired man approached them. Lucy flinched when she noticed his shirt missing.
Levy immediately averted her eyes and Lucy cringed, "Ok, hold that thought. Mind telling me where your shirt is? I could've swore this wasn't a strip club"
In the distance she heard the other guys snort into a fit of laughs, "...You tell him Luce" While holding his sides, he moved closer to them.
Gray grumbled incoherently and immediately turned to start looking around, to Lucy's hope, to find his shirt.
The blonde huffed and turned around to face Natsu who looked like he finally recovered from laughing, "...I'm glad you find this all very funny"
Natsu grinned, "That guy is always stripping whether he knows it or not. Erza beat him to a pulp when she first saw it"
Lucy's eyes bugged out, "...r-right...uhm, You guys sound like you know each other for quite awhile now"
"Unfortunately..."
"Oi, i heard that!"
"Wasn't talking to you, ice princess"
Gray shot him a dirty look but before anything else can happen, the doors opened, silencing the whole room. Both boys immediately sat down and looked away from the doorway. Gajeel snickered and drank from his glass as three people walked into the room.
A scarlet haired woman was gracefully walking towards the center of the room with a blue-haired male that had a strange red tattoo below his right eye. Leo closed the doors behind them and quickly walked over to Lucy.
"Erza, Jellal, This is her, My celestial mage, Lucy Heartfillia..."
Lucy felt her mouth go dry as the silence in the room deafened.
The blue haired man noticed the awkward atmosphere and quickly took a step forward, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Lucy. I'm Detective Jellal Fernandes..." The Scarlet women glanced towards Leo and then to Lucy, "My name is Erza Scarlet, It's a pleasure to finally meet you Lucy" She approached the blonde and held out her hand.
Lucy half-smiled, nervous out of her mind and took the woman's hand, "Pleased to meet the both of you..."
Erza smiled at her, "Loke has told me a lot about you and as much as i would love to call this a social gathering...We'll have to put small talk aside, just for now"
Lucy nodded, "Yeah, no problem" She looked up towards Leo hoping for some help with the conversation.
Leo took hold of Lucy's hand and smiled towards Erza and Jellal, "We should make ourselves comfortable first..." eyeing the large table in the corner of the room.
As she was being pulled, Lucy noticed from the corner of her eye, Natsu following them close behind. As tense as she felt before, seeing him there brought her some relief inside. It made the situation seem less dire for some reason so she couldn't help but smile to herself a little bit.
They all sat around the table except Gajeel who still sat by the counter with a bowl of nails and a large bottle of bourbon. Jellal took a seat closest to the wall, then Erza sat next to him and lastly Gray has sat on the end. Leo took the other side by the wall, followed by Lucy who sat in the middle and then Natsu took the end next to her. Gray still shot her questioning looks but then immediately looked to Leo.
"So we're all here, Now what?"
Natsu shot him a look but kept quiet knowing Erza was right there. Leo took off his shades and tucked it into the middle of his shirt and folded his hands together on top of the table, "I've already briefed Erza and Jellal earlier today but I'll go over it again..."
Lucy shifted herself to get a little more comfortable but for some reason she couldn't feel completely relaxed. She wasn't quite sure if it was because of where this conversation was going or the heat radiating off of Natsu. She sat by him before several times already but why is it suddenly feeling so much warmer than it should be? She buried those thoughts the second she heard her name being brought up, not realizing they were already in the middle of talking.
"...Lucy and her friend already quite thoroughly investigated this past month about the stolen items from the several heists that has occurred. However, going by their lead, We may finally be able to pinpoint the specific people involved"
Erza leaned forward with her hands clasped together over the table, "There's several lists we could go through but, we can definitely narrow it down if we know where to look exactly..." The scarlet woman looked down to Lucy and smiled, "...We really appreciate all the help, it's been quite the trouble lately"
"I-It's no problem, honest, I was just doing my part to help..."
Gray scoffed quietly, "It's more than what that guy has been doing lately..." suggesting towards 'that guy' in front of him.
Natsu growled, "Can it, stripper. I would've caught them if i didn't have to keep track of you guys all the time"
"That's enough out of both of you!" Erza snapped.
"Yes ma'am!" They said in unison.
Lucy's eyes bugged out yet again as to how scared these people were of this woman and now mentally noting, to never get on her bad side.
"As i was saying..." Erza continued, "How'd you come across this valuable information anyway? We had so many detectives on the case and not one of them came up with anything remotely useful"
Lucy gulped when she felt all their eyes on her, but then she felt Natsu brushing her arm gently with the tips of his fingers, as if he was trying to coax her that everything was okay. While trying to shove away the butterfly feelings aside, Lucy spoke, "It wasn't just me, Levy helped too, alot more actually. If not for her, i don't think i would've came up with anything useful either.
Levy already had a chair pulled up to the middle of the table between Natsu and Gray, "...I may have helped but Lucy is the one that pointed out where to look to begin with. It was quite clever actually..."
The celestial mage became flustered and Jellal spoke next, "Did you guys bring any of the linking evidence?"
Levy snapped her fingers, "Yes, I did actually, here..." and she pulled up her bag full of her overflowing binders, "This volume here and..." Pulls out a thicker binder, "Here, this one is more important though" The newcomers eyes popped as they saw the large books in front of them.
Leo smirked and flipped open one of the binders that was already marked for the appropriate pages, "...Here" He pointed it out to Erza and Jellal to see then slid the picture of the wooden box next to it.
Levy chimed in while leaning over the table, "It's easy to overlook but, the more you look into it, the more obvious it becomes and it might possibly be the best lead we have so far..."
Erza pushed the book closer to Jellal, "You're better at reading this than me..." She mumbled to him quietly. He nodded and glanced towards the book in question. Lucy watched as his eyes darted back and forth, noticing the changes in expression he gave. At first he was studying it with a calm gaze, but as minutes ticked on, his face turned into what looked to be concern and anger.
"...That box was never suppose to be in the bank to begin with. If it's what we think it is. It was probably easily looked over because everyone thought it was just someone's keepsake from a long time ago, but seeing it now..." he slid the binder closer, "I definitely saw this in the vault in their possession a few years back."
Erza gave him a look that almost looked like a glare, "...and you're just now remembering this?"
The man sighed, "I didn't think much about it then, we've been swamped with people wanting answers to who stole it, as for the items themselves, it was an easy look over considering the situation we're in Erza"
Her hands clenched tightly together, "Who's in charge of that box right now?"
"I'm not sure, I'm going to have to make a few calls to see who had what and when it was moved. Maybe even do some security camera sweeps"
"Who do you remember having it last?" The ice mage spoke, his tone was finally serious.
"...From what i remember, Crawford Seam was the last person who was in charge of that vault three years ago. As for now i'm not sure..."
"It's still a lead, its more than what we've had before" Erza spoke next, finally being relieved from having something to go on.
Levy smiled, "Is there anything else we can help you with?" She looked back towards Erza.
"Maybe, but for now i want you two to lay low. We don't want any attention drawn to any of you. Also, to keep ahold of Leo's promise, I'm going to assign Lucy and You bodyguards"
Lucy and Levy looked at each other, "...What?" They said in unison.
Leo sat back and folded his arms as the scarlet woman continued, "Just for awhile, but i want Gajeel to keep an eye on Levy and Natsu to keep any eye on Lucy"
Gray smirked towards the blonde, "I honestly feel sorry for you..."
Natsu snorted and grinned, "Hah...At least i know how to fight. Where as you're too busy learning how to strip for Juvia"
Leo busted out laughing, Jellal looked like he was painfully fighting back a laugh, Gajeel snorted into a fit of laughs and Gray looked like he was ready to punch the dragon slayer, that is until Erza glared at the both of them, "Natsu, Gray, Enough already!" She got up, grabbed the both of them and knocked their heads together, Knocking them both out cold temporarily. Lucy nearly jumped out of her seat from the split second move.
Jellal shook his head and Leo spoke, "Hey, We warned them didn't we?" looking down towards the terrified blonde, "..and that is why you never piss off Erza. I'd say that was quite the demonstration"
Gajeel got up and and assessed the knocked out boys, and let out a low whistle, "I'd say they'd wake up in ten, Gihi"
Erza looked towards Jellal, "I think we should start getting ready and prepare for the investigation later..."
"Yeah, there's alot of people to get ahold of and places to cover..." He looked towards Lucy and smiled, "...As for you, once again we really appreciate the help you've provided" and looked towards Levy, "We'll contact you if we need anything else"
Lucy sighed when she noticed she was trapped between the two boys. She then looked at the two people getting ready to leave, Her mouth dropped a little as she watched Erza pick up the Ice mage and placed him back down onto the couch with little to no effort.
Lucy watched them leave and Leo nudged her gently, "Do you need help, princess?" eyeing the currently knocked out dragon slayer next to her.
She laughed quietly, "It's fine, I'll wait until he wakes up..."
While she was looking at Natsu, she felt Leo get up and hop over the chair gracefully, grabbing her attention immediately.
"Since we'll be here awhile..." He walked over to the private bar and pulled out a couple of glasses and a bottle.
Lucy rolled her eyes and turned herself towards him halfway, "You would remember that..."
"Of course, although, i wish it was just the two of us..." eyeing the knocked out boys. Gajeel already left with Levy because it was late and she needed to get up early in the morning for work.
She took the small glass that he handed her and poured the drink, filling the glass only half way.
"Cabernet?..."
"Merlot" He said as he filled his own glass and placed the bottle aside.
Lucy took a sip from it, "It's sweet..." She hummed and drank some more.
Leo gave her a charming smile, "I'm glad you like it, how about we make it a toast?" holding up his glass to her.
Lucy raised an eyebrow at him, "A toast to what?..."
"Hm...To the smartest and most beautiful celestial mage that i was fortunate enough to witness" He grinned as he watched the girl fluster. Leo tipped his glass to her and drank from it while enjoying the view.
"You're unbelievable Leo..." She grumbled, "But..."
He leaned in closer, "Hm?"
"I'm really glad to have met you too, and proud that you're my celestial spirit. I couldn't be happier..."
Leo's eyes widened and was silenced immediately. He turned his face away and put his glasses back on, but she definitely noticed that his ears were a little red. Lucy smiled and drank from her glass, feeling quite proud of herself making the playboy blush finally. A once in a lifetime moment. However, that moment only lasted a few minutes until a couple of boys started groaning nearby them.
"It seems they're finally waking up" Leo leaned over to see Gray get up first.
"Damn it, I'm going to need a shower after that..." He groaned while rubbing his head. Was only seconds later when Natsu followed the same motion and rubbed his head only to see Gray doing the same thing.
"Oi, Why is the ice bucket still here!?"
Gray glowered, "Tch, Do you have to be so damn loud all the time? I have a headache because of you, pyro brain"
Natsu shot up from his seat, "How about I help you out quicker and knock your head clean off?!"
They both glowered at each other and Lucy suddenly realizes why Erza is the way she is. Feeling her anger nerves spiking at the bickering idiots, she shot up from her seat, "QUIT IT YOU TWO!" She growled loudly.
Leo whistled from a high to low note, "...Erza number two incoming" He started to fade into a gold shimmer, "...I'll see you later, Princess" and disappeared. The bickering boys both looked to Lucy who was glaring at the both of them. Arms folded across herself with a menacing aura, daring them to continue.
Gray started to sweat and gulped, "Well I'll be going then..." and quickly left the room without another word.
Natsu paled and nodded, "...Sorry Luce"
She huffed, got up from her seat and walked towards Natsu. The dragon slayer flinched and closed his eyes only to suddenly feel a gentle hand touch his shoulder.
"Relax, I'm not going to bite. I just want to say thanks for joining me today" She smiled, "Besides, aren't you supposed to take me home now?"
He blinked at her a few times and grinned with a hand held behind his head, "hah, yeah, no problem. Let's go!" He grabbed her hand gently and they left to go back to her apartment.