Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail or its characters, that right belongs to Hiro Mashima-sama. Nor do I own Xenosaga or Chaos, that right belongs to Monolith and Namco. I do claim the rights to the ideas and plot bunnies in this storyline.

Lucy's POV

She sat there at the bar, stirring her strawberry milkshake, eyes unfocused, and not staring at a single thing. It had been a few days since the little test that had been given, and Chaos had been more than accepted. He had his little place in the guild. But she was still bothered by what had happened with Natsu. He was her best friend, like a brother to her. So, of course, it was natural for him to be possessive. Heck, she could even understand his dislike due to the fact of Chaos' magic. A magic that was powerful and ancient in its own right.

She was sighing as she stopped stirring her drink and turned her unfocused eyes to the guildhall. Wakaba was flirting with Cana, while Romero tried to get his dad to come home for dinner. Makarov was sitting at the Raijinshuu table talking with Laxus, most likely about guild matters, as he was to take over. Just off to the right of them was Levi with Team Shadowgear, Gajeel, and Chaos all talking. He looked like he was having a good time of it all. And in her team's usual spot was Wendy and Erza laughing at Gray, who was just realizing that he had lost his clothes again. While Natsu was slumped in his seat glowering.

It hurt her a lot to see him like that. He hadn't even picked a fight for the last few days. Also, taking to avoiding her entirely after she said what she said and ran. This guild was her home and family. It pained her to great length when one was hurting, but that didn't mean it gave any one of them to hurt her. Even if they thought it was for a good reason. And she knew he was just as stubborn and pigheaded as she was.

Sucking in a shuddering breath when Natsu turned his dark olive green eyes at her, Lucy let it rush out and contemplated on going to talk to him. They needed to speak, and more than likely, it would have to be her who initiated it. Readying herself to slide from the stool, she watched as Natsu stood up and walked to the swinging doors and out them. Only to have Lisanna follow him quickly. Biting her bottom lip, she turned back to the bar and started stirring her milkshake once more and doing her best not to burst out into tears.

"You know, Cosplayer, that look doesn't suit you."

Jumping a bit at the sound of Bickslow's voice right next to her ear, Lucy choked on the squeal that wanted to burst from her throat. Before shooting him a slightly dark look from the corner of her eye, causing him to laugh loudly, tongue lolling out.

"Seriously though Lucy, you all... depressed, sad-looking, and outright scary and moody. I think you should leave that to either Freed or Erza," he chuckled at her.

Blinking at what he said, just as said green-haired mage appeared behind him. Lucy looked down at the bar top. She was letting her hair come forward and hide her face.

"Oh, and which one am I, Bickslow? The depressed? The sad-looking? or the outright scary and moody, one?" Freed asked in a low voice, saccharine smile on his thin lips.

Unable to help it, Lucy felt her shoulders start to shake as she began to laugh. She knew that Freed was teasing his teammate, but the way she saw Bickslow stiffening as he turned to look at the Rune Mage. It was too priceless. Thus she burst out giggling.

"Oh! Freed, when did you get here... And I dunno what you mean?" Bickslow said, raising his hands.

And though she was watching them. She saw the smile that appeared not only on Bickslow's face as he looked at her over his shoulder, but Freed's as well. A gentleness in those electric blue eyes that were looking at her. It told her that they planned this, with her reaction to the outcome.

"You two are horrible; you know that? But thank you," Lucy said as she jumped from the stool and hugged them both in turn.

"No problem Miss Lucy. A smile suits you so much better," Freed said, waxing poetic like always.

"Any time, Cosplayer!" Bickslow said as his arm draped over her shoulder, his babies echoing Cosplayer over and over as they floated through the air. "Besides, it's just not right when you don't smile."

Shaking her head at his comments, Lucy realized that the guild had gone quiet, and she looked around the guildhall. Sure enough, all eyes were on her, Bickslow and Freed. Causing heat to creep up her neck and spread across her cheeks. It was embarrassing being the center of attention like that. Though as her own honey-brown eyes met the clear, tranquil aquamarine of Chaos' who was just smiling in understanding at her, it didn't matter. She threw her head back and laughed aloud.

"Well, does this mean you finally joined the crazy club?" Bickslow asked her after she finished laughing.

With a snort, Lucy punched him playfully in the chest as she gave her answer, "You wish Bixs, you wish!"

Chaos POV

He raised a hand to those around him as he pushed away from the table. Getting a small nod and chin lift from each in return. He enjoyed talking with the small blue-haired woman and her companions and even having a little bonding session with the Iron Dragon Slayer. Who was surprisingly intelligent even if he gave off the vibe of surly.

"Hey, it's cool. Bunny deserves to smile and be happy for all the shit she's gone through," he groused, earning an elbow to the ribs.

Smiling, Chaos nodded in agreement. He had learned a bit about Lucy in the past few days from everyone. And noted that it bothered everyone that she was so depressed. That they called her The Light of Fairy Tail. She'd gone through a lot in the time she'd joined the guild. And it took a strong person to admit they'd caused her some pain, even if she forgave them for it. They earned his respect because they owned their mistakes. Gajeel, Laxus, Freed, Bickslow, and Evergreen had all admitted to harming her and the guild. But it was before his time; he had no right to hold it against them.

"Hey, Natsu has his issues. And we are all well aware of his feelings, even if he isn't. But that does not mean he can treat her like that," Droy spoke up, fried chicken leg halfway to his mouth.

Giving a small shake of his head and a gentle smile to the group, Chaos walked towards Lucy, and the small group gathered around her and pausing to listen in on the commentary that was going on around her. It was all good-natured, with each person telling her that a smile belonged on her face. Which he did agree with. The girl was beyond bubbly, incredibly intelligent from the way she asked questions and put things together. But it was that calm that she seemed to radiate that had him looking at her. He noticed that people were drawn to her natural kindness. A thin she was not aware of.

"Hey, if you're just going to stare at her, then you might as well ask her out on a date!"

Blinking rapidly, Chaos whipped around to see Alzack chuckling as he held his daughter Asuka, while Bisca stared at him in a motherly manner. He couldn't help the heat rushing to his face. Shaking his head quickly in denial at what his intentions were. Chaos heard a loud round of raucous laughter coming from behind him. Turning around, he saw the group around Lucy's part to see she was holding her sides and laughing at him.

"Hey, at least Gray didn't ask you to lend your underwear, Chaos!" she said.

Feeling horrified, he shot a quick look at the Ice-Make Mage. Who was scratching the back of his head, looking a bit embarrassed?

"That's not fair. You showed up in the middle of a fight, and somehow I had lost my clothes. I didn't think I just asked, Lucy!" he said, shooting a fake hard glare at her.

Feeling his body start to shake, Chaos just let the laughter escape through his lips. This guild was turning out to be rather amusing and accommodating. Though he was living a bit of a lie by letting his fellow guild members believe he was an Elementalist Mage, instead of using Anima. But this was something he was used to, living a lie. He had done it with the last group he'd been with. People he had a solid bond with. Their destinies had been connected with his since his time on Earth.

Giving a small sigh, Chaos finished making his way to the bar and sat on a stool next to Lucy, who was still laughing, but now at the antics of Bickslow. Who he'd come to learn was a rather comical fellow. One who loved to make his guildmates. Each person contributed to this group in their unique way. And a part of him felt like he'd always be an outsider. But there was one thing he had to do to hopefully make matters right in the long run. Settle things with Natsu because he would not tear their friendship apart.

TBC!