You are the daring colors that paint my clear surface when all I know how to be is blue, you make me turn pink and sometimes a red hue at sunset.

~January 1st~

Natsu opened his eyes at four o'clock knowing well he had to be on a plane to the Philippines at six, his first stop was going to be in the slums and after he left some doctors behind he would move on to Africa that had many countries which had great potential yet were left by the world to starve and die of many diseases. ''My bones~'' he whined to himself standing up and stretching off the weariness that he was feeling in his head and eyes.

A blue bird on the windowsill caught his eye and he waved innocently scaring the creature away before turning to the girl who was the cause for his aching bones. ''Luce,'' he whispered shaking her gently before remembering she had to go to work so he could let her sleep a little longer but then he wanted to ask her if she was going to see him off, in his heart he knew she would say yes but he felt scared that she would reject him and his impending confession.

Natsu ate a bagel with a piece of smoked salmon on it and drank a glass of pure cranberry juice to revive his sinking spirits and fully wake him up. He made sure everything was packed up by going around and checking if the things were in the house they weren't which meant they were with Laxus and the rest of the crew. '4:30 I should get ready to go soon.' he noted the time and hopped into the shower knowing this would be the best shower he was going to have in a while, so he spent his sweet time scrubbing away at his body with a lemon scented soap bar that reminded him distinctly of the time he and Lucy got together with Levy and just made soap over a hot summer day 'Sigh' what a waste of time yet I loved every second' he thought climbing from the shower and patting his face dry staring into his own dark eyes through the now clean mirror that was previously water-stained, 'Jude worked real hard for this amount of cleanliness' he giggled going to get dressed and recounting Jude's nagging voice.

Natsu pulled on and fastened the black and orange jumpsuit he was given by Magnolia hospital though it looked kind of like an engineer's jumpsuit 'twas still cool to him, it bore the Fairy tail-ward emblem. He asked if it could be put on his arm and if it could be made red cause he thought that would look cool even though Laxus was sure to think of a clever insult when they met later on. 'It's sure to be long and shaggy when I return.' he thought about his hair this time he was glad he cut it thinking about how hot it would be in the deserts of this vast world.

'The Safari is sure to be pretty at nighttime' whenever he thought of something pretty Lucy came to mind so he went finally to find her and wake her up as the time was now 5:10. ''Luce.'' he shook her awake quietly trying not to wake up Jude who was up earlier ironically humming to the tune of 'The Beatles's Hey Jude' that was stuck in his head thanks to his sweet baby girl who had woken him up with her sleep talk something about going to assassinate Lincoln or something. ''What?'' she asked Natsu who looked to her like an angel who had just descended.

''Are you going to see me off or what?'' he asked the girl who wrapped herself back up into her blanket and sunk slightly into the couch. ''No.'' ''No?'' he repeated her word. ''Nope, I'm not.'' Jude raised his eyebrows in surprise though he was still trying to pretend sleep. ''I'll miss you even more if I see you leave.'' was her reasoning but she shattered his heart and his chance to tell her that he loved her if she only knew.

''And there isn't anything I can do to change your mind?'' ''Nope,'' she said simply covering her head to silence her throbbing heart. Natsu glanced at the clock that read 5:15 he had to go now. ''Okay then I'll see you another day?'' ''You shall.'' Natsu stood up walking reluctantly toward the door to get his black boots and tie the many laces.

Jude felt his heart being eaten away like the times Layla and him watched sad soap operas, when Natsu closed the door and he saw the shadow that paused for a second move away from the door, he wanted to yell 'what are you doing go after him!' to his daughter but at the same time he kind of wished he could just go back into to his weird dream about having endless eczema.

Lucy stood up immediately and went to shower away the tingly feeling of guilt that caressed her soft skin. Jude sat up looking like the model of a bed head catalog and looked around with a sour face, glancing from time to time at Natsu's phone on the table. 'Why are you people so dramatic?' 'Why can't one of you man up and say I like you?' he wondered to himself even though Layla and he danced around each other for an even longer time, now it just looked dumb to him when before it was a and serious heart-wrenching ordeal.

Lucy tossed on sleek black pencil pants and a ruffled blue blouse over sports underwear thinking that maybe if she chased Natsu right now she could catch him but then again thinking of the part where he would walk away and not look back, she put on a black jacket and silver flat shoes eyeing the clock that taunted her at 5:21.

Sometimes you make me hate myself for trying so hard but when I see you again I try even harder for the sake of loving and being loved by you.

Natsu walked through the dark snow-clad forest kicking a wet pebble until he could see the red leaf trees that were shrouding Magnolia hospital's parking lot. ''Hey Natsu, you going to get in?'' Laxus asked honking the horn making the boy who stood a minute more raise his head. ''Of course,'' he said smiling bitter-sweetly at his friend, he looked back down the tunnel-like path that led to Fairy Hills one more time hoping to hear Lucy before climbing inside and halfheartedly joining the chatter of the excited doctors who were going on about the many things and places that had the pleasure of experiencing. ''Aren't you stoked?'' ''Hm? um yeah,'' he said watching the trees turn into a blur as the car sped up.

Natsu was not going to cry, but he felt upset at Lucy and he was surprised with himself for that. ''It's weird I'll remember this place as a snowy wonderland and by the time I return it will be snowing again.'' a female nurse said chatting with her best friend, Natsu drowned out some of the chatter with black earmuffs. He laid against the window of the car looking as pretty as a picture which made some of the passengers question his authority in the medical field, though a person's beauty had nothing to do with anything but their appearance not affecting the capabilities they possessed or their mind. ''Hey I was created this way,'' he said sending their gazes back to themselves.

You've opened up my heart and left it vulnerable now it's up to you to stitch me right up again, only you can do that for me.

Jude paced back and forth until Lucy walked out of her room, he watched her walk into the kitchen to eat bagels and salmon with a blank, empty look on her face. ''Lu?'' 'Hm?'' ''Why didn't you see him off?''

''Cause I didn't want to say goodbye.'' ''What kind of a dumb-'' ''Never mind that, then you'll lose your chance.'' ''For what?'' ''You don't even know if he'll truly come back, Lucy!'' Lucy's eyes widened and she looked like her father's words had opened a reality in her heart which it did. ''It's just a promise, not a guarantee, you should at least confess to him.''

Lucy pursed her lips shyly avoiding her father's gaze. ''Why would I confess he already knows I-I love him, we're already married.'' ''He obviously doesn't and you can stop pretending I don't care if you were lying all this time, just go and catch him.'' Jude threw his hands into his hair in frustration falling back onto the couch.

Lucy's eyes glassed over and welled up with rain, 'He knew all this time?' 'He just never said anything about it and let me get away with my idiocy.' ''What are you doing go out the door!'' Jude raised his eyebrows prompting Lucy to run toward the door and open it after grabbing her keys and Natsu's phone/charger. ''Wait papa.'' she stopped at the door. ''How'd you know.'' ''Sweetie I know what a real marriage certificate looks like, besides you two always looked like super close friends.'' ''I never saw a kiss or anything.'' ''Why didn't you break the charade up and marry me off to Hibiki if you knew?'' she blushed at his earlier statement that felt a little too bold to her.

''Because Hibiki is married, I lied about marrying you off and I could tell Natsu loves you.'' Lucy felt a tangy cherry scented wind blow through her soul and brush through her wet hair. ''I'm mean think about all that he has done for you.'' Lucy looked at her silver shoes and had a life changing realization as she ran through her memories.''What are you doing child go!'' ''Papa we'll talk about this later!'' she rushed out the door nearly tripping. ''Come and pick me up later!'' Jude called not forgetting they both had to return to work today, he had to work while she had to go and start treatment.

Perfection does exist though many disbelieve that fact, perfection is found when your soul is truly at rest..You've made me understand that finally, I believe. Perfection is found in those that you truly love with all your being and can't find the words to express that fact.

Lucy practically flew into her car and before she noticed she was on the freeway towards the airport where she knew Natsu was located. ''Seriously!'' she yelled when the light turned red, she was nearby the airport and the time read 6:00 AM. The traffic seemed like it was never going to stop so she pulled over to the side like a criminal who had given up and climbed out of the car running instead.

''Hey what the heck?!'' an officer said from inside his car. ''Look at that lady she left her car!'' Lucy's black jacket and contrasting blonde hair trailed behind her and she looked just a tiny bit suspicious for fleeing. ''Same, girl same with all this traffic I perfectly understand.'' the female trainee cop said looking at her phone. ''Hey! do you want to keep your job?'' he barked at the brunette who looked up startled. ''Well she is already gone.'' ''What a track star.'' she marveled. ''Can't we just give her a ticket?'' ''Go do that,'' he replied slightly showing his anger with her. She took the bright orange ticket from her superior and huffed haughtily. ''You'll learn one of these days Evergreen!'' Elfman hissed at her. ''Why did I even accept you into my squad?'' ''Because we're goals duh!'' she shouted back sticking her tongue out at him and the driver who decided he would record that moment and was busy debating the possibility of posting it online.

I promise you today I'll make it okay and tomorrow you'll feel like you're playing among the clouds, today I'll hold you saying goodbye ''Meet me another day.''

Lucy was glad her wardrobe choices always allowed her to run when she needed to and not get caught up in a hitch like lots of women her age. Her face was being whipped by the fast, cold air that didn't stop her from sweating as she rounded many corners and slipped past walkways before the cross-walk lights changed, she stumbled and almost fell scaring herself. 'Hah' 'Hah' she breathed stale air trying to catch her breath and revive her dry throat with saliva outside the airport, she bent over for a minute and rubbed her burning thighs 'I need to work out more often'.

'I've made it!' she ran into the building whisking and zipping through rushing crowds of people who were there to serve different purposes. ''Where are you?'' she asked out loud turning around in the same spot multiple times confused by all the people.

''I made it on time didn't I?'' she asked herself worried about her timing checking Natsu's phone that read 6:15 AM. ''Natsu!'' she yelled running again toward the waiting section near the many gates that were marked by neon signs.

She was near gate 33 so she ran forward her eyes zipping and scanning many people as she ran, her precision and memory coming in handy with her search she made it to the waiting area for those who were to depart through gates that had the number 40 attached to the sign. Her cheeks were beaten red and she was exhausted from all that running, she collided with a tall and burly man which threw her the smaller human onto the ground. ''Ouch!'' ''Miss are you alright?'' the kind man asked but she didn't look up, tears dripped onto her palms 'If you're too late, it's your own fault.' the small voice in her head called out to her.

''Are you hurt?'' he asked. ''No I am well,'' she said standing and brushing herself off now trying to escape the monsters only she could see still running forward to gate C 43. ''Hey Lucy?'' she turned her head so hard it hurt at the mention of her name. ''Mira?!'' ''In the flesh.'' ''What're you doing here?'' ''We came to see the doctors off.'' ''They're still here right!?'' she grabbed the older lady by her hands. ''Yeah.'' ''Where!?'' ''Gate C 44.''

Lucy ran off forgetting to thank Mira but she understood, her life looked like it was on the line as she ran and the clock ticked. 'Hah' 'Hah' ''I'm here.'' she whispered making her way past two girls to Natsu who sat with his head resting on a big suitcase, he looked like he was sleeping but he was stitching with permission from the airport, that allowed the medical team after knowing who they were to go through even security without being checked!

She grabbed his shoulders and breathed heavily prompting him to look up past her glossy blue blouse to see who she was, he couldn't see her face from that angle but he knew it was her because of her scent, he sat his needle and thread down in the front pocket of his suitcase clearing his throat.

''Here Luce,'' he said handing her the bottle of water he had just opened up, she never felt so happy hearing him say her pet name before. ''Why're you here?'' ''I thought you weren't coming,'' he asked the disheveled girl with a monotone voice when he was upset it looked like the shine disappeared from his onyx colored eyes and he was quite scary. '

'You-'' she inhaled still trying to catch her breath. ''Don't be mad at me please.'' she pleaded holding onto his shoulders tightly this time looking into his eyes, her blonde hair fell around him like a shrouding cascade of water. ''I'm not.'' he blushed at her closeness but held his ground still slightly bothered by her this morning. ''You are and I would be mad at me too so don't lie to me.'' ''But I'm angry at you also.'' ''Why? I did what I was supposed to do.'' ''By the way.'' he cut her coming words off taking her hand and slipping the wavelength ring off her finger and replacing it with a copper colored knot or promise ring and placing the former ring in his bag also. he smiled to himself and Lucy watched his actions closely like she was an eagle, but his smile didn't mean he wasn't still slightly upset with her.

''Natsu why did you hide from me for so long.'' she squeaked looking him dead in the eye and alarming him a bit.''I'm sorry, I really am,'' he said thinking she was referring to his departure and the fact that he could've told her earlier. ''Natsu you-'' her tears fell onto his face and rolled down his cheeks like he was the one crying, she felt so bad but was still slightly angry with him for keeping this secret. Natsu looped a hesitant hand through her arms and wiped her red cheeks. ''I-I'm sorry,'' he said trying to quiet her by standing up and hugging her but she didn't let him, she pushed his shoulders urging him to continue sitting. ''You must've hurt as much as I have,'' she whispered looking into his eyes with a dazed and longing look that made his breath hitch.

Bending down Lucy pressed herself against the right side of Natsu's neck and he just sat there, electricity built up and flooded his veins. 'Huh?' he thought his mind had gone blank and he felt like her action had just tossed him into paradise. 'Did she just-' he couldn't even ask himself what was happening when she dipped her head again to the left of him this time and planted another gentle and slightly wet kiss on his neck that one made him shudder internally. ''You could have told me you loved me a long time ago.'' ''Idiot,'' she said snapping him into the reality of what was happening before him and that included him.

Lucy could clearly understand all the signs of love Natsu had displayed over the years that she was completely oblivious to, she saw the familiar pink flush he normally wore creep its way up his neck and his red burning ears. ''I-I.'' he choked on his words trying to think and she just silenced him with a soft kiss to his plush lips. ''Hmm?'' she asked him what he was going to say against his lips killing him softly making him close his eyes and enjoy the affection she showed him and only him, making him feel so special and letting him know now that fact was the truth.

Natsu wasn't alone with his feelings of being overwhelmed, Lucy's butterflies had learned another dance so early this morning dancing upon his lips and the sweet words he said they made her feel like she was floating as they danced upward, she didn't know when she let go of him or when his hands became wrapped around her hips but when she finally let him go to breathe it was time for him to go. ''Here,'' she said handing him his phone/charger and smiling.

''Don't call me as you're not supposed to of course but I thought you would want to have that.'' Natsu wanted to kiss her again but this time she put a finger on his lips as if to shush him. ''When you come back prepare yourself and know that you will have to love me with your entire being.'' ''I've been doing that this entire time, can't I just kiss you?'' he whispered making her feel flustered because she never noticed before 'What did I ever do to deserve him?' 'and how did he show up in my life?' ''Kiss me when you come back.''

'Luce you're sweeping me away, shame I can't stay any longer.' so without another word to each other but a long embrace, she let him go because if she didn't now they would spend the rest of the day staring into each other's souls and smiling like infatuated lunatics or kissing like it was their wedding day. Sensing that the case might be exactly that Laxus cleared his throat and started tapping his foot anxiously ushering Natsu who was now embarrassed all over again knowing Laxus was watching them patiently letting them enjoy their moment together but he now was hoping Natsu would hurry or they would miss their 6:22 flight.

Lucy turned her new ring on her finger twice looking at the knot fondly before looking up and locking eyes with Natsu who was looking back while walking through the gate, he smiled showing all of his teeth and she smiled back just as hard making that image of him her fondest memory for now. 'I love you.' he mouthed breaking her down, she wanted to be in his arms again nestling her head into his soft presence. 'I love you too.' she mouthed back, filling his heart with the joy she could only imagine he felt though she felt it too.

She couldn't hear his voice anymore as he had departed but she could hear him loud and clear when she closed her eyes saying. ''Luce I love you so much.'' and she agreed with him ''I love you so much.''

In my deepest dreams, our yellow dawn was always in arms reach but it quickly slipped away, I should've just asked you to bring it closer to us..For I feel you can do anything.

''Dragneel stop smiling so much.'' Laxus huffed sitting beside him wishing he hadn't given him a medication for his motion sickness, it had only been ten minutes since they were in the air and his previous mood had taken an 180 turn. ''I can't,'' he said simply leaning his head against the plane window gazing at the clouds that were of peach and blueberry colors. ''I love her so much.'' ''you've said that enough times and this time I'm not just being jealous,'' Laxus said frankly ruffling the younger's short hair. ''Go to sleep or something.'' ''I can't,'' he said daydreaming. 'Sigh' ''Help us all.'' ''I can feel that you'll be talking about her all day and I really can do without that.'' Natsu turned to Laxus with a serious look adorned on his face. ''She is just so-''

-Chapter End

I am sorry I haven't updated this story in so long I am struggling to teach myself Spanish. (It is proving the be very hard, that and I have a small attention span).

I'm trying to maintain A's for my grades, I know I will be disappointed in myself if I get anything lower in my last months of high school.

But like the saying probably goes: Success is ten percent inspiration and ninety percent perspiration.

I hope you enjoyed this chapter but now it will get darker with mentions of murder. (A past murder don't get scared.)

My favorite part had to be Lucy's dream about assassinating Lincoln

- Peace