Chapter 13: Jealousy

Natsu kept part of his attention on Lucy as she hurried into the building on the far corner to meet with the banker of hers while the rest of his focus was on the man he just met. The girl was walking so briskly she was almost running, which was really not to be done in that dress. He almost laughed when she tripped over a step as a redheaded lady exited the building carrying a large bag.

He sat with Jellal on top of the drunk man. Eric, or Cobra, as they called him, went down fast under Natsu and Jellal's fists. They had the fight about wrapped up when Lucy had stomped away.

Suspiciously, his watched the bag over the redhead's shoulder. He would have thought the woman had robbed the place if the weight didn't seem wrong for money or valuable items. Another woman hurried after the redhead as Lucy leaned over to dust her nice gown. The bag thief woman glanced at them before walking away. Then she doubled back. Her face turned the same shade as her hair.

Moving toward them, she called out, "I hope you three aren't fighting in the center of our lovely town?"

Cobra said quickly, "No ma'am!"

At the same time, Jellal jumped off to bow toward the lady.

"Erza."

"Jellal." Cool was her tone as her shoulders raised in tension. The drunk man raised up , throwing an arm around Natsu's leg.

He whispered, "Ignore those two. They want to BANG!"

The woman began blushing furiously, losing that frightening aura as the blue haired man quickly glanced away. Natsu chuckled at the faint blush dotting his his cheeks. So the ex-convict likes his women scary…

She folded her arms as she turned toward the ranger. "I do not know your face. Who are you? And if you are someone trying to cause problems in our town, you can leave."

"He's with me." Jellal answered.

"Well then see to it that he doesn't cause problems."

Cobra whispered conspiratorially, "See you and I are the problem ones causing a ruckus. Even though he was here throwing down too. Jellal gets instant pass. Cuz… He's Jellal."

"Eric…" Erza's tone held clear warning.

"What the hell? It's just some fun. Why are you acting so bossy!" The drunk protested before she kicked him.

"Dammit!"

Natsu laughed outright at the sight of the skinny woman beating the ass of the drunk man. Hearing the noise, she turned to him with a frown.

"Are you laughing at me?"

"It's actually pretty funny to see little lady like you beat up such a large guy. Especially since it seems you are his sister."

Jellal palmed his face with a groan.

"Oh? Do you think you could fair better?"

"I know I would, but I wouldn't hit a..."

Before Natsu could finish his sentence, the woman had dropped her loot. He barely had time to react before Erza slugged him and followed with an elbow to his head.

"What the? She hit me?!" Natsu screamed as he hit the ground.

Cobra was rolling as the demon stalked her prey.

Natsu stared up in amazement at the female.

Jellal calmly put a hand on Erza's shoulder. She closed her eyes before muttering, "It's not worth my time." With a flick of her head, she walked away, grabbing her bag.

"Natsu." Jellal grabbed his arms, dragging him off the ground.

Before they could move, Jenny stopped them. "Hey you are from Love and Lucky right? Can I tell you something to pass on to Mira?" The blonde smiled sweetly.

Cobra glared, "They don't want any of your kind, Top Heavy."

The girl froze. "That nickname needs to die Eric Bellsione. Sorry we all can't be Snow Whites like your little Kinana." Jenny hotly declared. "Now run alone."

"You mean run along. And that's not what you wanted me to do when you was getting drunk off your ass in the bar last week. It was all 'My sexy body too much for you, Cobra?' Surprised, Kinana didn't poison your drinks."

Jenny pulled out her gun that Jellal and Natsu instantly dived for. Luckily, the gun wasn't fired.

"Do you want to die today?"

Eric smirked, gesturing toward himself, "You couldn't ever hit this." Then shrugging, he said, "I was leaving anyway. Since Erza left, talking hasn't been as fun. Catch you later."

Jenny jerked out of the grasp of the two men, "I'm calm now, but let's move away."

"Why?"

She pointedly stared at the people around them watching with wide eyes. "Because the freaking air has ears here! Not to mention all the windows and doors."

Natsu hung back as the two followed. "Hey man, do you ever get the feeling that the women in this town be a little strange?" He thought back to meeting Lucy, Levy, Mira, Bisca, the redhead, and now this girl.

"I swear there's something in the water."

Hand delving into the purse of her reticule, Lucy walked into Bora's office. Jenny was not there. Bora walked out fixing his suit.

"Lucy my dear!" He greeted with pleasure, taking her hand.

"May I call you Lucy?" He asked as he bent to kiss her hand.

"That's fine Bora."

"Come make yourself comfortable. I would offer you wine, but I seem to be out. Would water or lemonade suit your taste?"

"Lemonade."

Bora quickly made the drink while thinking of what to do. Lucy was the kind of girl who was pretty cute when you first met her. Not a great beauty like Erza Bellsione, but once you got to know her, she just got prettier and more fantastic. When he first met her two years ago, he had thought a hard desert wind would break the little princess, but she proved to have spunk under all that citified intelligence. She single handedly thwarted his plans to take over the Dreyar's ranch. He knew Erza respected her, which made his job harder in deciding how to handle Lucy Heartfilia. The redhead had watched in amusement at how the attitude of the locals irritated the upper class female. Nobody took the blonde seriously at first. They laughed when she started wearing a gun.

"Miss Heartfilia. About your ranch..." He handed her a drink.

"Can we wait to talk about that?" She tittered her eyelashes at him.

Oh she wanted to play this game. Bora fought the urge to smile. Erza had warned him away from the girl, but she didn't say anything if the girl came on to him.

"I just noticed how handsome you are." Bora thought as he sat behind his desk, she's coming on too strong. He sipped his drink. The sour flavor making his mouth pucker a bit before leaning down to her. Setting the drink down, the contents sloshed out. He ignored it, loosening his collar.

"God, wish I had something stronger." He complained.

Lucy stared at him, fluttering her eyes. "Why don't you?"

An involuntary shudder at the thought of the redhead passed his body. He turned to the girl beside him.

"Let's not get into that right now."

He sent her a smirk, and Lucy had to suppress a gag. I can't believe I'm doing this!' Lucy thought determinedly, sterling her resolve.

"Bora, I know you're handsome, but you just look especially good today. You almost seem…delectable," She took a deep breath. Dang it! She could barely flirt with men under normal circumstances, much less a creep like this.

The man couldn't help but feel a little excited by her comment. He had been having a bad day. Clearly, she was trying to butter him up. Maybe he could have a bit of fun to ease his stress. He knew exactly what she's doing, but he still can't help but fall a little under her charm, even he's not immune to her. 'She's so strong willed… I wonder what it would feel like to break her?' His wicked thoughts made him smile, Lucy shifting uneasily under his stare.

"Why don't you sip your lemonade Miss Heartfilia." Lucy gulped it down in one swig. She was really trying, really really trying, but it's so hard! She's never hated herself more than in this moment!

Exhaustion hit her body. Did normal girls have to deal with this?

"Do you need a refill?"

"I am fine." She said, setting the glass on the desk just as Bora came around with the pitcher.

"Oh but I insist that you have some more."

"If you want to refill it…" She shrugged, still feeling the energy being zapped from her bones. Lucy had been up almost every night stressed.

I just don't even care anymore! I basically jumped from my dad trying to sell me to me trying to sell myself. Ugh! Is the ranch really as important as all this?

He walked in front of her.

"Do you need something?" Lucy could keep the sharpness out of her voice. She was suppose to be flirtatious and teasing. Somehow, she fairly sure from that angle, he was looking down her cleavage.

Bending down a little so he was face to face with her, Bora place each hand on her arm rests. Uneasily, she folded her arms into her lap. The close proximity allows her to smell the whisky on his lips, wanting nothing more than to bolt out of there like a mustang.

"Hungry?"

For what? That's what she wanted to ask, but the blonde held she tongue.

Frost coated her words as she narrowed her eyes on him, "I don't think I will be staying long enough to eat anything."

He finally spoke after staring into her face, daring her to protest. "Maybe we can work some type of agreement… Lucy. You're a fine woman, a fine specimen. And you look delectable as well. I could practically eat you up right now."

I really need to leave.

She stood, pushing him back a bit before laughing. "Well you would have to take me out to eat first at a nice restaurant. I think we need to talk more about the ranch at the moment."

"Oh but I thought you wanted to play first."

"No sir. I was just being friendly."

Thankfully he leaned back out of her personal space.

"Really? It seemed to me as if you were playing games."

"No games. I'm just a nice person. But let's keep this strickly business. " She moved around him, but his arm reached out to snake around her waist, pulling her back down. With a squeak she fell down, crashing Bora against the desk.

"Miss Heartfilia, I didn't know you would be so forward."

"I'm not." Elbowing him, she tried to move, but he pinned her down.

"You aren't leaving yet, are you? We haven't even negotiated the payment yet."

Her eyes darted around the room, trying to find an escape.

Stupid me. Stupid. Stupid. For putting myself into this situation. Levy, I blame you and your half assed plans! And you, Mira, for trying to match make! Friends aren't suppose to let friends make bad choices.

Before she can do anything, one of his hands move up towards her chest.

Grabbing the lace of her dress, he tried to pull it down. All he managed to do was rip some of the new lace off.

She punched him.

"Hey! Mira and Levy worked extra hard to fix that!" Her aim was bad and her fist only lightly contacted his chin. Then he grabbed her arm, slamming it into the desk.

"I thought you were after something else, Miss Heartfilia? Can't back out now."

"Not what you are implying?"

"The flirting and teasing. Come now. We both know that you aren't that kind of girl. The strong come on a way to make me move the ranch's deadline back?"

"No..."

He had to give the girl credit. She didn't flinch at the accusation. He knew that had been her plan. A small guppy like her trying to take on a big barracuda like him.

"You know, I potentially would move the ranch's deadline back if you would become my mistress. Nobody would have to know."

Out of nowhere, the girl grabbed the a paperweight and hit his temple.

With a yelp, he released her allowing her enough space to knee him in the groin.

She stumbled away as he snarled, "Listen here you little bitch. The Bellsiones are breathing down my neck. The only thing keeping from not riding to the ranch and shooting up the place is that you happen to be a very handsome woman that could warm my bed at night. The other women at the ranch too. That waitress and the little bookworm."

Grabbing the lemonade pitcher, Lucy flung the contents into his face. The acid stung the fresh wound on his forehead. Before he could do anything she threw the glass at him as she headed toward the door.

"I don't care who you are. I won't sleep with a pig like you. If I had a gun, I would shoot you for making a comment about my friends. Good day to you, sir. And go to hell. "

She left with Bora running after her.

On the street he grabbed her arm as she exited the building. She winced at the tightness of it.

"Now where do you think you are going after disrespecting me like that?"

"Easy. Away from you."

"Now see here. Don't blame this on me. You were the one using your sex app…"

She cocked a fist before smashing his face. He fell back a bit into the doorframe of the building, but he didn't let go. The grabbed arm dragged her backwards into the building.

"I will teach you about playing with fire."

"If you don't let go, I will scream..."

"Let's be honest, you wouldn't..."

Lucy screamed.

"Why would you go and do that? Don't you know your reputation is at stake?" Bora muttered.

An eerie silence settled against the street background until a familiar voice roared furiously from another building.

"Woman! Why the hell are you screaming? You about took my eardrum out!"

A headache wormed its way into Lucy's head. Did he really have to sound so annoyed? Natsu would probably antagonize the situation. Really, she wished the ranger would not appear to see her in this position.

But there was his voice shouting, "Do I have to arrest you for disturbing the peace Lucy?"

Lucy called out, "Go away!" Was he trying to make a scene? Sure she screamed, but it was to get Bora to let her go. The girl noted that attention of the street was on her, and a crowd was starting to form. She began to squirm away from Bora's fierce grasp. He let her go just as the ranger appeared before her.

Natsu's demeanor changed to unfriendliness as he noticed Bora push Lucy away. She stumbled off the porch, falling again on the steps.

"Ugh. These steps are going to be the death of me." Lucy complained as she sat up.

"What's going on here?" The ranger demanded, strolling over to pull the girl off the ground.

Bora glared at him, "Who are you?"

Natsu noted the action but ignored the question. Checking Lucy, he noticed the lace frayed around the bodice. He turned before stating in a dangerous voice, "Natsu Dragneel. And you would…"

"Natsu!" Lucy warned before he finished the statement. Grabbing him, she laughed nervously, "Don't start a scene." The townspeople were pressing closer, trying to hear every word. Noisy busybodies. Somewhere in the scene, she caught sight of Jellal's hair.

"I want to know why you screamed and why your pretty new dress is so ragged?"

"Nothing. He spilled some lemonade. My lace caught against the door." She cringed at the blatantly obvious lie. Natsu stared at her as if she had grown a second head.

"Then why is his head bleeding?"

"We should go."

"No." That word emphasized the hopelessness of getting him to leave.

"Come on Natsu. You don't have to be jealous."

"Jealous?" Natsu asked blankly.

Good, he was too distracted to be angry.

"Lady, I haven't be jealous a day in my life."

The blonde almost smiled that she focused Natsu's anger on her. Until Natsu had the audaciousness of looking around him, "Besides, I don't see anything I could get jealous over."

She growled.

Bora eyed between them, still standing on the porch. "How do you know such a man, Miss Heartfilia?"

"We just hired him." Lucy answered automatically.

"Hmmm a man like this isn't the kind you hire." Bora moved toward Natsu. "Unless he is a mercenary. He has more breeding than a common cowboy." The banker circled the pair. Lucy thought back to Bora's words and imagined a barracuda circling a great white shark.

"Why are you really here, young man?"

"He's…"

"Lucy! Let me talk... Hell! I'm staying at the Love and Lucky ranch."

Lucy shut her mouth, fearing when he would reveal he was an Alvarez ranger.

"So just passing through? Or staying for a bit?"

Natsu started to reply, but Lucy had already blurted out, "He's my fiancé!"

The women in the crowd gasped as Natsu's eyebrows raised to his bangs.

"You two don't look like a couple though." mocked Bora.

Before anyone could do anything, Lucy grasped Natsu's face and slammed her mouth over his.

Next Chapter: Learn to Cook

Thanks to my reviewers: Fairytailbookworm + HammyJessa + DarkShiningLight + EmperorZerefDragneel + J.C. + JacJac-Arie + DorkyMonster707 + MaidenAlice + BrennaCoris + NaluFanaticFT + Guest + LavendarMoonRose + Hikariko93

And special thanks to the many reviews of DorkyMonster707 for all of your thoughts and kind words.