Okay guys so I saw that a LOT of people kept following this story - I honestly don't know why because it's been weeeellllll over a year - but because of that I decided to go ahead and give you guys a little taste of what comes next. I'm sorry to those of you who waited for so long, but I hope you enjoy this next chapter!

Now, it is a tad bit short, but I wanted to go ahead and give it to you guys now so that you know I'm aware and do plan to continue on with this. Expect the next chapter (hopefully much longer) by the end of the weekend. I promise. :)

I woke up the next morning to the sound of Erza shuffling around and getting her bags together. I almost started stretching when I realized something was on my waist. When I looked down, sure enough, Natsu's arm was still there from last night. A part of me thought it was so cute and the other part of me told myself we weren't the only ones in the room. Shit what if Erza noticed.

Right on cue Erza came out of the bathroom and made eye contact with me. My eyes went wide and my face began to heat up. Erza looked back and forth between Natsu and I a few times then gave me a smile.

"I knew it was bound to happen~" she whispered.

I climbed out of bed, my face still burning. "S-shut up," I said grabbing my clothes and rushing to the bathroom. After closing the door and turning off the lights all of last nights events came flooding in. His lips. His body. Just the thought of it made my entire body burn. I shook my head and washed off my face.

After changing into my clothes, I came out to find Gray up and about as well. I looked over at a still sleeping Natsu. Pff. Of course.

Fifteen minutes later, everyone was packed and ready to go. Well, everyone that is, except Natsu. Damn. We were making a lot of noise, too. But he just kept snoring on and on.

"What're we gonna do about you, Natsu," I mumbled to myself. He looked so peaceful sleeping.

Gray must've heard me because then he said, "We could just leave him." Which earned him a punch in the arm from me.

"Hmmmm," even Erza seemed to ponder the idea.

"Oh c'mon guys," I crossed my arms.

Gray chuckled and grinned, "Fine then. I get to do the next best thing."

He jumped on top of the other bed and faced Natsu with a couple pillows in his hand.

"Dear god," Erza mumbled.

I raised my eyebrow, "Gray, what're ya-"

"NNNNAAAAATSSUUUUUUU," Gray yelled. It all happened so quickly. He jumped across the space between the beds, yelled Natsu's name, threw two pillows on Natsu, and belly flopped on top of him in one move.

Natsu immediately sat up, "WHAT?!" And punched Gray all the way across the room.

That earned a chuckled from both Erza and me before I said, "C'mon Natsu, we're getting ready to leave."

He flopped back on the bed, "But I don't wanna leave."

"Ugh" Erza grunted. "Come with me Gray. You and I are going to go downstairs, check out, and wait for Natsu. You stay here, Lucy."

I suddenly got very nervous, "W-why me?"

"Well to be honest the only one able to get Natsu off his ass is you," Gray said, rubbing his head after getting up.

"But-"

Erza elbowed me, "You'll be fine. Let's go Gray."

And with that her and Gray made their way out of the room, closing the door behind them. 'Shit! What am I supposed to do!? Wait, why am I even freaking out? There isn't anything that says this has to be a physical encounter...'

I glanced over at Natsu who was still lying on the bed.

"N-Natsu."

No answer. I marched over to the bed, I swear if that boy went back to sleep...

As soon as I sat on the bed, his body came up to meet mine and he was nearly eye level with me. So close.

"Natsu..."

"Yeah?"

"We really should get going."

He groaned and then lowered his head so it rested on my shoulder. Shocked, I had no idea what to do. So on instinct I wrapped my arms around him in a hug, with one hand rubbing the back of his messy bed hair. It was nice... to be able to just hold him like that. Nothing sexual at all, though that desire was still there. I lightly shook my head. There wasn't any time or room for those kind of thoughts right now.

I patted his back, "Okay Natsu, now it's really time to get up."

He sat back up and just looked at me again. Then he smiled. "Lucy..."

I stood up, "Yeah?"

"You really are an amazing person. You should be told that more often."

My chest fluttered, my heart skipping a beat. Where did that come from?

So I just smiled back and gave him a peck on the cheek, "Thank you Natsu. Here I'll help you pack."

"Ugghhhhh," he groaned as he flopped back into the bed.

"Natsu," I said sternly.

"Fine, fine, I'm getting uhhhh wait can you leave the room for a little bit."

"What? Why do I need to leave the room?"

"B-because…"

I just stared at him trying to figure out what was going on. After I thought about it for a moment, my face began to heat up. Morning…

"Ah! Yes! Um," I could help you with that… but as soon as the thought entered my mind I pushed it out. Seriously not the time to be thinking about that. "Yeah, can you give me a second. I'll leave as soon as I get my bags and your bags. Actually I'll just leave yours here since it's all packed, ahhhaha. See ya." And with that I slipped out the door. I honestly couldn't trust myself being alone with that man in that kind of state.

When I made it to the lobby, I saw Erza and Gray and smiled as I approached.

"Where's the freak show?" Gray asked.

"He's just upstairs. He's got a, uh, couple things to do."

They both nodded their heads and it fell silent.

Gray was the first break the silence, "So Erza tells me Natsu had his arm wrapped around you this morning."

"What?!" I nearly shouted. "Erza!"

"Ha, your face is as red as Erza's hair!" Gray laughed. "But seriously, do you want me to beat him for it?"

I covered my face, "Huh? Wha- NO!"

Gray raised an eyebrow, "Ohhhh so it was mutual?"

"Look, that teasing tone of yours is gonna get a taste of my foot if you don't watch it!"

Then we heard this noise in the lobby and turned to see Natsu racing towards us, "GRAAAYYYYY!" He shouted. "LEAVE LUCY ALONE."

Gray took a fighting stance, "BRING IT YA DING DONG!"

The entire fate of the hotel lobby flashed before my eyes, but as soon as they were in reach, Erza hit them both on the head. "Seriously, you two. How old are we now?" She picked up the both of them and flung them on top of all her luggage. "Shall we leave now Lucy?"

I stood there, slightly shocked, and followed Erza. Wow. Erza knocking them out cold like that barely gets old.

"Now, let's get to that job…" and with that we were on our way.

To be continued...