Hi Guys!

Hope you are doing well! One more chapter and the first 5th is done! I'm thankful to all of you who have been reading and commenting. I will hopefully be posting the next chapter by Tuesday or Wednesday, but we'll see. As always enjoy! Feel free to comment and review.

-Singed

Disclaimer: I don't own Fairy Tail.

Lucy

Lucy sighed, leaned back and then winced. Okay, this dress was really starting to be unbearable. She glanced at her clock and saw that only a half-hour had gone by.

"A half-hour! How in the world am I going to last for hours?" Lucy slumped over and regretted it. It hurt and she was getting tired of trying to breathe. To be honest, she probably should not have ordered it one size too small. Sure, she had lost five pounds and had six days to lose five more which wasn't out of the realm of possibility, but perhaps it wasn't worth it. When she did lose weight, she never lost it in the bust or her hips so really it had all been a mote point.

Okay, she needed to get out of this and go to the seamstresses tomorrow and have it let out. If she lost more weight before the ceremony she'd go back, but why stress herself out even more. The problem was that she had trouble unhooking it. The petticoat was easy and she was back in her pajama bottoms in half a second, but the bodice was stuck as she couldn't reach a few of the worst clips.

"Oh come on!"

"Need help, Princess?" Virgo asked, coming out of thin air.

"Virgo! Oh, you are a lifesaver. Please unhook me in the back. I'm having trouble breathing."

"Of course Princess. I assume that you will be seeing the seamstress first thing in the morning."

"Yes," Lucy squeaked as Virgo had to momentarily pull tighter to release the hooks. Lucy's lungs made a great whooshing sound as the air flooded back into her chest cavity. She took a few deep breaths and then quickly turned to thank Virgo, who was gone. Thinking this a bit odd, Lucy looked about when she heard sounds in the kitchen. She took the rest of the bodice off and put her shirt back on before she went to investigate. It was Virgo, who seemed to be making tea.

"I could tell how stressed you were Princess, so I am making you some soothing chamomile tea." Virgo held out a steaming mug.

"Thanks, Virgo."

"If there is nothing else Princess, I'll be on my way."

"Yeah, thanks again."

"Of course," she said bowing.

Lucy sat at her desk, tea in hand, and started thinking. She wouldn't lie, she was disappointed over her ruined wedding dress expectation, but she had often found that her expectations usually got her in trouble or led her down the wrong path. With a slight smile, she picked up her quill and began.

Piece 9 - Choosing You Over My Expectations

Letter 9

Natsu,

My next piece doesn't really have much to do with you at all. I know that sounds crazy, but you'll just have to keep reading to understand. I'm not even sure if I've ever told you this story. Well, I can tell you this much, you won't like it very much, but the ending should make up for it.

It was a week after the whole Laxus going crazy fiasco and things in the guild were pretty much back to normal. However, I was feeling a bit off and run down with all the crazy emotions running amuck after Laxus was expelled, and of course my rent was due soon and I had just found out that I did not win Miss Fairy Tail. I remember you saying something about getting a job but I blew you off because I was still throwing a pity party that I hadn't won the contest.

It only got worse when Cana and I had a rather embarrassing encounter where she let me in on way too much of her personal life and she found out I'd never truly had a boyfriend before. She, of course, announced it to the entire guildhall but told me not to worry. She said that she had consulted her cards. She told me that I was to have a "fateful encounter" that day. I thought she was just joking, but she insisted that was what the cards were telling her. So, I figured that I'd keep my eyes and ears open and see where it all led me.

That was when I found out that Sorcerer's Weekly was sending a reporter to the guild. I was so excited that I knew I had to get myself ready. I immediately went back home and had Cancer do my hair, but I wasn't liking what he was doing, so I ran off to the book store for some hair magazines.

As I was looking around, I saw a book literally called "A Fateful Encounter" and thought what were the chances? This must have been what Cana's cards were talking about. Well, if it were important enough to put in the cards then this book must be one of the best books of my life, or when I reached for it, someone else would reach for the book at the same time. I remember grabbing the book when my hand met another hand. It was a guy, about my age and man was he good looking. Not as handsome as you, but the situation and his boy next door looks had my heart fluttering.

However, I quickly got out of there, worried that if I stayed and chatted him up, that I would miss my big break. Unfortunately, he followed me and we ended up talking for a bit. It turned out that he was an author too. That led us to talk more and he asked if I could show him around town. I was intrigued, after all the cards had predicted this, but I couldn't miss the reporter, so I turned him down.

I raced towards the guildhall, terrified that I had missed my chance. As I got closer I could feel the hope swelling in my chest. I was convinced that this was my "encounter", not that author! I would be discovered for the amazing beauty I was and it would end up becoming a lucrative modeling gig that would set me up with so much rent for so long that I could take jobs only at my pleasure! And maybe this reporter would be so taken with me I'd finally have a boyfriend. It was foolproof! Unfortunately, the only fool here was me as I got completely and utterly ignored by Jason, who quickly proved to be anything but my type and totally clueless. I literally humiliated myself for half the day and he didn't even glance in my direction.

When I finally got it through my thick skull after Gajeel kicked me off stage, I left. I remember heading back out into town and ran into the author again. I offered to show him around and he gladly accepted. We actually had a lot in common and had a great time. In all honesty, he was great to talk too. Towards the end of the afternoon, he asked me out to dinner and I accepted of course. He was so nice and dreamy that I'm not even sure how I made it to the guildhall, but I was definitely in dreamland. I couldn't believe it! My first real date! That was when you and Happy came crashing in to shatter my dreams.

You were both extremely excited about some job you guys took. When I told you to go without me, you were both so disappointed, I got a little worried. When you pressed, I admitted to having a date that night and you both walked away so dejected, that I thought you were both just being drama kings.

Mira set me straight though. "They're so cute."

"What do you mean?"

"Right after the reporter left they both talked about taking you on a job."

"Huh, why would they get so excited over that?"

"I don't know. They said that it didn't pay much but that it was perfect for you." That was when the dilemma was set before me. Did I go with you or go on my first true date with a guy who could end up being so perfect for me that Cana's cards predicted it?

I was surprised to realize that there was no question. The author I'd met that day was perfect for me on paper and maybe in a book I'd already be head over heels in love with him, but I wasn't, not even close. You and Happy were already so important to me that the only reason I hesitated was because I didn't want to be mean to my new friend. I needed to find someone to go out with him so that I wouldn't stand up the poor guy. So, I sent Cana. She had been aching for a boyfriend after all and this might be as good a shot as any.

So, I met you on the train and I knew the second I showed up that I'd made both your days. I made my day too because I had come to terms with just how much we all meant to each other. I was even more warmed when I realized that you guys were going to give me all the earnings. I remember thinking that I didn't deserve you as a friend. Sometimes I still don't think so, but then you usually do something stupid and I realize that we're even.

Love,

Lucy

Natsu

Piece 9 - Choosing Me

Natsu looked at the sinking sun and sighed. He quickly turned the lacrima back on.

"Hi Luce, it's me again."

"So this next part might seem a bit odd. I'm not even sure if you remember it. It happened shortly after Gramps kicked Laxus out of the guild. I was so mad I couldn't see straight for days. I finally got back to normal on the day you seemed to go a bit crazy. Cana had just shouted out to everyone that you'd never had a boyfriend before and I was immediately defensive and oddly pleased. I didn't like that anyone was making fun of you since you were obviously embarrassed, but knowing that I didn't have to look out for crazy ex's made everything better. You have to admit that with your luck they'd be crazy."

Natsu shrugged and continued. "Of course now I know that it makes me happy for other reasons. I don't have to compete with your memories. I've seen and heard of people doing this, always comparing their current significant others with their ex's. I figure at least neither of us will have to worry about that with each other."

"Anyway, you started laughing rather evilly and Happy was sure you'd lost it. I wasn't so sure, but Gray reminded us both that you had your rent coming up and were probably really worried about it, especially since you hadn't won Miss Fairy Tail. Looking back on it, I thought you deserved it. Erza wins every year."

"So, I started looking at the board while you rushed off to heaven knows where. You weren't gone too long though and I had narrowed down the jobs to three. One paid 10,000 jewels, but it would take a week or more to complete and I knew your rent was due in five days. Another paid 6,000 and we could do it in a day, but it would mean that you'd have to take another job almost immediately. The last paid 7,000 and would most likely be done in 2 to 3 days. I looked up to ask you when I saw you making eyes at the reporter, Jason."

"This shocked me so much that I literally stood there for like five minutes trying to figure it out. Him? Really? He was so scrawny and weird. Plus he wrote horrible things about Fairy Tail, and especially me. The more I thought about how much of a loser he was, the more I grew angry at the thought of you liking this guy. The last straw was when you started talking about taking off your clothes."

Natsu smiled, but in a predatory sense. "I remember just bursting in and taking the spotlight. He hadn't really noticed you yet, but he might of soon. I remember yelling at him for writing all those nasty things about me, but I never brought you up. I didn't want to embarrass you, especially when you realized what a loser he was after I would defeat him. He couldn't even handle more than one punch. I remember that you kind of disappeared for a minute or two after I defeated the guy and I thought maybe you'd finally come to your senses."

Natsu sighed and got a little dreamy-eyed. "Then you came walking out in that bunny suit. For the second time in a week, I was floored by your beauty. But, you started talking about putting on a show. That caught my interest. I wasn't sure what kind of show you were planning on doing, but I was sure it'd be interesting. You are a good storyteller after all. But Gajeel had to go and knock you over and steal the spotlight. I was a little annoyed, but you seemed fine. Then he started singing that stupid, horrible, annoying song. I blacked out in rage and when I came too, the guildhall was destroyed again, Jason was on the floor and Gajeel and I were both panting."

Natsu smiled and laughed. "You know Lucy, I really do love our guild sometimes. I remember eating a lot after that and then goofing off for a bit. A few hours later, Mira came over asking which job I was planning on taking. I had totally forgotten."

"Oh, the uh forest planting gig," I answered.

"Really, but that one's not that exciting."

"I know, but it's for Lucy and she's perfect for it! It will pay her rent exactly and she can use Virgo to dig the holes and I can carry the trees with my brute strength!"

"More like burn them down!" Happy said, flying over. "Remember Natsu, we're trying to earn money!"

"Yeah, I know. I won't burn anything down! I'm doing this for Lucy!" So Mira put our names down in the book and contacted the client. We went home to pack and then went to your place, but you weren't there. So, I went searching in the guildhall. You seemed a little off and distant and I was just glad that we were taking you on this job. You must have needed the money badly."

"Then you broke my plans by telling me you weren't going. I was shocked and then devastated. I didn't want to take a stupid job if you weren't going. Especially when I heard you had a date! I don't think I was jealous, per se, but I couldn't believe that you were really into that no good jerk Jason and preferred going out with him than hanging out with your team and best friends!"

Natsu shook his head. "I kept hoping you'd change your mind, but the longer we waited on the train, the less hope I had. Then, just before the train left the station, you showed up! I was so shocked that I remember asking why you weren't on your date. You never answered me and then I was too sick to show you how happy I was that you decided to come."

"Uh, luckily the train ride was short and we made it to town soon enough. We got the job done in record time too, two days exactly and I didn't burn down anything! When the client gave us the money, you were so happy I knew we'd done the right thing. You talked and talked on the way home, but I didn't care because I knew you'd chosen me, your best friend, over a possible romantic interest. When we got back to the guild, you decided to treat me to lunch and I never say no to that. I noticed Cana had a new guy with her, but Cana shows up with random guys every once and a while. They never stay for long and this one left just a week or so later. Which was a good thing, because I noticed how much you guys talked and you seemed to get along like old friends. He wasn't really interested with Cana around, but still. He was better than Jason, but not good enough for you. I still don't think anyone is, let alone me, but you said yes and there is no way I'm letting you back into that ocean of fish to catch the eye of vagabond writers!"

Natsu signed off and nodded. Yeah, that would work. He stood, stretched, and then raced out his door to the guildhall. He needed excitement and loudness. He needed to feel alive and while he was determined to give his gift, sitting all day talking was Lucy's thing, not his.