AN: This chapter was suppose to be "The banker," but I changed it around because of not wanting to jump POV's to a new character on the heels of Jellal's encounter. Plus I'm moving and with the 4th last weekend, real life just swamped me. So here is the belated chapter.
Thanks to these reviewers: - NaLuFanatic - J.C. - T-tawny - Phiafairy - Emperor Zeref Dragneel - Kei - Kenzypirateb - dumamojo
Chapter 10: Heading Out
Lucy regretted having to wake Jellal, but Elfman had still not returned. Her heart thundering nervously, she walked between the main house and the worker's dicehouse. The morning clouds were gone. Only a few still remained. The sun, no longer hidden, blazed brightly in a sea of blue. Drawing her shawl around her despite the intense heat, the former debutant thought about the last time she felt real coins jingle in her reticule. They really needed the money. The ranch wasn't in debt yet due to Lucy's prowess at accounting. She was slowly selling all the treasures in the house and tried not to keep credit over what her meager earnings could afford. It had been enough to get them through the winter with only a few workers to pay. Now even with most of last year's profits saved, it wouldn't be enough. If they didn't get the cattle to Midian, then she would have to start a credit with the general store to just buy necessities. Horse feed, winter seed, and cowhay alone would probably break their budget for the rest of the year.
Everything depended on today's appointment.
Reaching the bunkhouse's steps, she glanced at the drawn curtains to confirm that it was dark inside, and Jellal was not up. Listening at the door, she could detect faint whispering. Knocking, Lucy called out, "Jellal I hate to wake you, but can you take me into town? Elf's still not back."
The girl thought she heard scrambling and a "damn" muttered that sounded too high pitch to be a man's.
"Are you ok?" She turned the knob again to see if there was a problem.
Jellal yelled, "Don't come in Lucy, I'm not dressed."
More whispers.
"You alone?"
Lucy almost thought he wasn't going to answer before he finally said, "No."
Strange? It almost seemed as if two people were in the house. She tried make the words out, but nothing made sense. He certainly was acting suspicious. Lucy did not want to see a naked man, and she blushed at what she thought she might catch him doing. Maybe he had a lover?
It wouldn't be the first time she stumbled onto an inappropriate scene. She had certainly caught Sting running around during the first year she moved to the ranch. Mira and Laxus alone shown her images she wished to forget.
Lucy shuddered as she remembered what her innocent eyes had witnessed.
"My eyes have seen what cannot be unseen."
"Say something?"
"Oh? I'll wait. Just let me know when you're decent." She leaned against the door frame. There was no horse or carriage. Maybe the person did not wish their identity known? But why?
Soon the floor creaked, and the door was jerked open. Lucy had barely enough warning to move her weight or she would have fallen backwards. Jellal stood there breathing hard with his shirt unbutton, and his boots in his hands.
"Was there someone here with you just now?" Lucy tried to peer over his shoulder, her eyes landing on a hair ornament laying on his bed. He shifted to block her view.
"No, ma'am. Just sleeping."
Where could a person hide? There wasn't many places. Maybe the wardrobe in the corner? Her eyes narrowed suspiciously at Jellal. The little ruckus could have been from opening and climbing behind whatever was hanging inside. Lucy almost positive someone was in it.
His arm encircled her shoulders, interrupting her thoughts. He turned her away from the door, shutting her out.
"You look very pretty today, Miss Lucy."
"Changing the subject? Flattery will get you nowhere, but don't stop trying." Against her will, her smile blossomed. She couldn't help the fact that her ego liked a complement from a handsome man.
"You sweet on someone, Jellal?"
The man was silent before saying, "Maybe but she's too good for me."
He started to button his shirt and stuff it into his pants. Lucy placed a hand on the banister and moved away to give him some privacy. She always loved her time with Jellal. He had a kind face and a sharp mind. He was her second favorite person to be around after Levy. She was always fascinated by his intricate red tattoo and longed to hear the stories of his past life but he wouldn't tell. And she wasn't going to pry. His reply touched her heart. Lucy had never had a reason to distrust him.
Until today.
She almost jumped out of her skin when he grasped her shoulder.
"Where are the others?"
"Mira is shucking corn, and Levy is finding something in the tackle room to fix the swing. The boys are out working the fence."
The blue haired man grimaced as he grabbed his hat off a peg before offering her his elbow. She wrapped her arm around it, and he led her back to the house. The two chatted, but Lucy's thoughts were occupied. Now she had something new to worry about, maybe she would ask Natsu about it later. She remembered how he recognized the mark during his first encounter with Jellal.
"Really sorry to disturb you."
"No problem. I offer assistance wherever I can. So you need me to take you into town?"
"Have a meeting with Bora. How about you?"
"Me what?"
"I want to know about the woman you have in the bunkhouse."
"Woman?"
Jellal stared at her blankly. Lucy stared at him right back, a bit doubtful of her conclusion, but still wanting to press it. He either was an excellent actor, or there was really nothing nefarious going on.
"Yes. Saw her gewgaw on your bed. And its strange because nobody came up. That means she had to walk. So?"
"It's just your imagination. The hair ornament was a present I was wanting to give Mira after the baby was born."
"Oh."
Jellal volunteered to get the coach ready. The girl watched him leave, eyes taking in every movement like a hawk. When he disappeared into the barn, Lucy migrated to the kitchen where Mira and now Levy was. "Hey, are the boys back?"
"No. You would have seen them come up, Lu."
Mira tossed some corn silks into a basket. "I wonder if they ran into trouble?"
"Didn't hear a signal. Y'all need help?"
"Nah, we got this. Don't mess up your pretty clothes."
"Well I guess, I will just go with Jellal to the barn then."
At that moment Lucy decided to head out the back door, she ended up getting knocked sideways by the door. Three sweaty half naked men burst into the kitchen. The group lead by a pink haired maniac that ended up tripping over the buckets containing the fresh cobbs.
Sting was next inside, breathing hard and yelling, "What the hell is wrong with your neig...?!" He ended up tripping over Natsu and flying head first into the basket of shucks and tassels. Elfman had the good mind not to follow so closely and remained in the doorframe.
Mira frowned at the mess caused by the spill, reaching for her trusty butcher knife.
"I hope you have a good reason to destroy all our hard work?!"
Sting flinched before stuttering, "Well you see we met up with a couple of phantom members."
Natsu dusted himself off before propping himself up. Lucy glared at the man sitting beside her on the floor. Did he realize how ridiculous he looked tripping over corn buckets? Besides he messed up her dress. Now she was going to have to run upstairs.
"Levy, how is my dress?" Lucy asked while standing.
"Lu, you look fine. Just brush off those threads." Levy's tone was slightly aggravated. With arms on hips, she jumped up, "I hope you know that you all are picking up each one of those and washing them."
Letting the Levy and Mira interrogate the boys, Lucy went to the hall mirror to fix her dress. Luckily, she hit a clean section of the floor. Lucy sighed at her reflection in the cheval glass. Mostly everything was slightly rumpled as oppose to being actually dirty. She did have to flick off some lint. A few strands had decided to come loose from her bun. At twenty, she was beginning to become an old maid, which had never worried her before now. Her preferences in life included curling up with a good book instead of a man so when suitors came to her father, she just ignored their pursuits. When she ran away at seventeen, she had been a prime wife material here in West, which caused many men to try whooing her. Now she was old news, practically a spinster, with a struggling ranch in tow. Nobody wanted her. And honestly it was kind of nice to be appreciated when she dressed up.
It wasn't like she was disappointed the ranger hadn't even noticed she was no longer in rags.
She wasn't even dressing up for him anyway.
As she primped, the target of half of her worries came to stand behind her. Natsu stood there, sweaty, dusty, and without a shirt. She thought he might be the most handsome man she'd ever seen. Inadvertently, heat started creeping up her body. She should be turned off by the grit and grime, but strangely she liked it. His eyes were raking over her new dress through the mirror with a slight bemused expression. Without thinking of the impropriety of the situation, she cast her eyes over his body with an avid intensity as if she were buying a fine horse.
"Why are you so dressed up?"
She laughed lightly, "Going into town."
"I knew that. Is it a special occasion? Did Sunday come without me knowing?"
"Well, it's a meeting with the bank. Told you this morning."
"Should the meeting require that attire?" He pointed up a down. "Seems too fancy for a meeting. More like you are dressing up for courting. You got a beau?"
"Hardly, why would anyone want to court me?" The blonde said dismissively.
Natsu inquired, "Is there something wrong?"
"What do you mean?"
"Why would the men around here not want you?"
Lucy, a bit confused by the question, wondered aloud, "About courting me? Probably because of too much baggage - a sick brother and a ranch falling apart at the seams. Plus who would want to make Phantom S their enemy? I can see why men wouldn't want to even try."
"I don't like you very much, but even I can tell you would be worth the baggage."
Gee, I don't like you either pal. Wait... "Huh?"
"You heard me."
"Not clearly. Could you repeat the statement."
"The part where I said, 'I don't like you,' or 'You would be worth the baggage?'"
"Uh... Thanks? Was that a complement or an insult?" She was a bit offended, but it was a very nice thing to say. It was hard to suppress the growing warmth in her chest.
His mouth twitched.
"Hey! Wait are you teasing me?!"
"Maybe."
"Jerk! I thought you were serious. Was going say 'ah he's such a nice guy,' but ruined my impression of you."
"Nah. I am a nice guy. You just don't know how to handle me yet."
Lucy's expression soften and the sweet smile she gave him made cane syrup seem bland.
The man suddenly moved, backing her up into the tall mirror. His body close enough she felt the heat. Lucy wondered briefly if the touch would get her dress dirty, but apart of her enjoyed the masculinity of it. His face closed the distance to hers as he stated, "You seem like the type that would be worth the baggage."
"W-what?"
"Those who aren't trying, are boys, not men. You'd be better without them anyway."
Lucy swallowed hard as his face hovered a few centimeters from hers. She felt her body raise up to close the distance. With a tender peck, she grazed her lips with his. Unsatisfied, his hands reached for her face to hold her still as his mouth crashed against hers.
"Hitch is ready. Want to go?" Jellal asked walking into the foyer.
The two jumped away. The moment was broken.
Jellal raised an eyebrow as if to say, "Am I interrupting something?"
Lucy flushed, waited impatiently for Natsu to reply. When he said nothing, she blurted out, "I just fell! He was checking my face for dirt."
"I am sure he was." Jellal agreed slyly.
Heart still racing frantically, Natsu tried to play it off cool, but he was just as hyped up as Lucy. He gave her a smirk that riled her up, making her growl.
Jellal shifted to hide his smile at the two. Lucy staring daggers at Natsu. The ranger now grinning broadly at her. Their antics were amusing to say the least. Like two children learning how to play together.
Natsu scowled at the convict. "Shouldn't you be resting?"
"Nobody was around so I was going to take her into town."
"If you just wait a second, I will clean up and go with ya."
"No need. We need to rush."
Natsu glanced between her and Jellal, "Yea, well I need to go into town to buy a new hat anyway. All I need is a spit bath. Heck, I can do it right now. Mira, get me a cup of water and a cloth."
The demon's scalding reply was, "You ain't touching your nasty body to one of my dishcloths."
Lucy grabbed Jellal, ushering him out the door. "We aren't waiting for slowpokes. If you are coming, throw on a new shirt and get moving."
Next chapter: The Banker