"What took you so long?" yelled a female pirate with bright scarlet hair. She strode over to them, poking Gray forcefully in the shoulder.
"This was supposed to be a quick job!"
"Sorry Erza, we got attacked."
Natsu still held Lucy tightly to his chest.
Erza's eyes widened in surprise as she looked down a Lucy; "Who's the girl?"
"She's our new navigator", Natsu said flashing a grin.
"Yeah", said Gray massaging the new bruise, where Erza had poked him. "Blondie, here's pretty handy with a sword".
"And knives", chipped in Gajeel aggressively.
"I see", said Ezra, now staring intently at Lucy.
"You can let go of her Natsu", Natsu groaned and dumped Lucy on the deck.
Erza cut Lucy free of her bonds, Natsu bent down to help her up. Lucy pushed him away, snarling and met Erza's intense gaze.
"What's your name?"
"Lucy", Lucy muttered, glancing around, looking for an escape route. If I have to jump in the sea I will!
"So Lucy is it true, that you're a navigator", Ezra asked patiently, her brow furrowed.
"Yeah, it was my job aboard the HMS Comet."
"Good", Erza paused for a moment, turning around; "Do you know how to get to Tenrou Island…?"
The red haired pirate turned back only to see a flash of blue and golden hair as Lucy raced across the deck to the prow of the ship. Erza sighed slapping a hand to her forehead as Natsu sprinted after Lucy cackling wildly. A moment later he was carrying a kicking and screaming naval officer. Natsu placed Lucy on the deck, pinning her arms to her sides. Ezra turned to address Lucy again, her glare intensified and her tone terse.
"Why don't we get something clear Lucy! If you try and escape again I will not hesitate to tie you to the bowsprit as a living figurehead, you got that!"
Lucy nodded meekly.
"I will repeat my question!" Her nostrils flared, making Lucy cower.
"Can you get us to Tenrou Island?"
"Yeah, I think so, I just need a telescope and a map, and I can get you there", Lucy said flatly.
"Would you care to tell me why you want to get to Tenrou Island?"
Erza's gaze hardened, "I don't think that will be necessary."
"B-but," Erza cut Lucy off.
"Natsu since you're so attached to our new recruit, why don't you help her get settled in." Natsu smiled gleefully, tugging Lucy to the stairs that led into the depths of the ship.
Erza glanced at Gajeel and Gray's injuries, her brow furrowed.
"On second thought…"
Natsu faltered turning to face Erza.
"We should take her to see Captain Makarov. Immediately. I'm not convinced that we should give her free reign straight away…"
Lucy hung her head.
"The last thing I want to do is endanger our family!"
Lucy looked up, puzzled at the affectionate way Erza had addressed her fellow crew members. Pirates weren't exactly known for their compassion, but neither was the Navy. The determined look in Erza's brown eyes conveyed the fierce loyalty and love she had for her comrades.
Natsu was about to protest, but Erza held up a hand to silence him.
"You always look for the best in people Natsu, but sometimes we can't afford to be too trusting."
He nodded begrudgingly and led Lucy down the hatch.
Lucy stood in Captain Makarov's office, lit with the pale early morning light. She clenched and unclenched her fists, trying to stop herself from trembling as she waited nervously. What are they gonna do to me?
Erza talked in fervent whispers with the captain; a tiny man, sporting a large tricorn hat adorned with vibrant blue and orange feathers. His wise features creased as he scrutinized the pale girl in front of him; covered in soot and blood.
The whispering ceased.
"Erza check that there are no brats outside the door. I don't want anyone eavesdropping on this conversation."
Lucy jumped as the door behind her slammed. She gulped, wide-eyed at the tiny man. To her surprise, he smiled genially.
"Welcome aboard. Miss Heartfilia…"
He held up a newspaper entitled; "Lady Lucy Heartfilia Missing!" with a large picture of her below it.
Lucy gasped, looking at Makarov with a panic stricken face.
He chuckled, "don't worry. I'm not gonna give you back to your father, or hold you for ransom."
Lucy breathed a sigh of relief.
"I won't ask why you ran away...But I cannot place my full trust in you knowing your familial background."
Lucy stared at the floor, her newfound relief lost.
"Which means you will have a trial period of three days. You will stay in one of the cells and you will be watched over by a crew member, while you perform your duties aboard my ship. Is that clear?"
"Yes Captain…"
"I hope you don't disappoint me. I'm sure you will be a wonderful addition to the family."
"Pardon me… but don't you mean crew Captain?"
He chuckled again; "oh no, my dear. The Family, we treat our crewmembers like our own blood relatives. It makes us united. We are unique in our loyalty to each other, compared with our fellow pirate crews."
Lucy nodded slowly, taking in his gentle words.
"Erza will take you to your cell…"
Bowing her head, Lucy turned to leave.
"I won't tell the rest of the crew about your father," He whispered seriously, "He's made many of our lives a misery...and…this would undoubtedly cloud their opinion of you."
"Thank you Captain." Lucy mumbled in reply giving him a small smile.
"It'll be our secret my dear. Just remember to behave." He winked at her, his face wrinkled in a grin.
The door shut with a soft click behind her. A tall blonde man with a lightning shaped scar across his left eye stepped out of the shadows.
"What do you think gramps?"
Makarov clasped his hands together in thought, "There's no doubt about it she's her daughter."
"Ya gonna tell her?"
"I will once she's gained my trust. I don't doubt that she will."
Lucy followed Erza down to the hull of the ship, where she entered a small cell with a desk and a cot. Erza untied Lucy's hands and gestured to a washbowl and a pile of clean clothes.
"Get some sleep Lucy. We'll come and fetch you in the morning." Erza said gently as she locked the cell door behind her.
As the sound of Erza's boots receded Lucy, stiffly removed her sooty clothes, dumping them in a pile on the floor. The warm water soothed her face and limbs as she wiped the rag across her skin. Once she was dress in a navy blouse, a long matching skirt and a wide maroon belt; she flopped down on the cot, sighing.
She didn't know what to do. She couldn't run away any more. She couldn't go back to her father. That was out of the question. Maybe if she disappeared for long enough, he would think her dead. Then he would leave me alone. I guess I'm stuck on this godforsaken ship with a bunch of pirates. I'll just have to do what they ask me to. She thought, huffing as she played with a strand of hair.
Captain Makarov had been kind to her. She didn't want to disrespect him, when he'd given her a chance. Perhaps she could finally have an adventure. A small grin graced her lips as she remembered the amazing stories her mother had told her when she was little.
"You're really weird you know. Smilin, while you're locked up."
Her brief moment of peace shattered, Lucy sat up and glared at the pink haired pirate, sitting cross-legged in front of her cell.
She crossed her arms and huffed, "What do you want?!"
Natsu grinned, "Easy there sweetheart. Just came to tell ya I'll be watching over you for the next three days…"
He chuckled gleefully at her horrified expression.
"N-No…" she stuttered.
Natsu rolled around on the floor laughing raucously.
"Help! Anyone! I don't want this creep to chaperone meeee!"
He stopped laughing and sat up pouting, "That's mean sweetheart. I basically saved your life."
"You did Jack-shit!" Lucy spat, "And don't call me sweetheart! My name is Lucy!"
He tutted, shaking his head; "Language Luce. I have to report back to gramps you know…"
She scowled at him.
"You forgot about that didn't ya," he said smugly.
Baring her teeth in defeat, Lucy rolled over in the cot, turning her back to him. She could literally feel the smirk on his face as he sat there watching her.
"Leave me alone! I want to sleep."
"No can do Luce. Erza says I've gotta watch ya."
Lucy stuffed her head in her pillow, muffling her scream of frustration.
He was silent for a few minutes. Lucy closed her eyes, praying for sleep. Boots scraped across the wooden floor as he shuffled forward, closer to the cell attempting to stifle his giggling.
"What is your deal?" Lucy asked, exasperatedly, sitting up again.
"Nothin, I'm just curious about the girl who managed to keep up with me," Natsu replied, a smug grin on his face.
Lucy rolled her eyes.
"I've won a lot of fights against you navy sailors and your one of the few who've survived," he grinned, awaiting her response.
"Wow. Your ego is through the roof," a vein ticked on his forehead.
"I'm surprised you can balance that big pink head of yours on your neck."
He cracked his knuckles. "It's not pink! It's salmon!"
Lucy giggled at his anger. I've obviously hit a nerve. She flipped her hair over her shoulder, smirking at his frustrated expression.
"It's my first time at sea and I've gotta say, I expected more from the fearsome Salamander." Lucy chuckled, his face was literally steaming.
She pouted in mock innocence "Oh well. I guess you're just a load of talk."
Natsu sat up and gripped the bars, making the cell shake violently.
"Those are fighting words Luce!" He snarled the heat of his anger radiating through the hull.
She stood up and glared at him with equal ferocity. "Some ones got a short temper," She tutted mockingly.
"You just wait Luce, when you slip up; I'll teach you a lesson not ta mess with a Fairy Tail pirate!" Natsu shook the bars threateningly.
Lucy scowled. "I won't slip up! I'm gonna be good for the next three days kay!"
She stood opposite him and gripped the bars firmly.
"Not for you! Captain Makarov's been nice to me and I don't want to disrespect him."
He stared at her, looking confused.
Lucy shrugged, "I'm in a bit of a bad situation right now and staying on this godforsaken ship is the best option I've got."
"It's only a few days. I can deal with you!" She poked his chest and smirked.
"But if you continue to act like a creepy asshole we're gonna have a problem. You got that."
Nasty grabbed Lucy's blouse through the bars and pulled her closer. He grinned at her furious expression, as she tried to pull away.
"You could be a bit nicer Luce, and then we'll both get along."
He bowed his head down so that their noses were almost touching. His black eyes bore into hers, the warmth of his breath ghosted her cheek. She gulped.
"We're not all that bad, you know." He smiled down at her.
"If this is your best option, then you've gotta make the most of it," he added softly.
Her face softened and he let go of her blouse. Lucy backed away and stared at the floor.
"Ok."
It was barely a whisper, but he heard it.
"What?" Natsu grinned, "What did you say Luceee?"
"I said Okay." She sighed, "I'll be nice."
Natsu gave her a big grin. Lucy blushed and turned away, shuffling her feet.
"Don't push it though. I still find you annoying."
"Oh Come on Luce. I thought we had an understanding." Natsu pouted as he sat back on the floor.
Lucy giggled and laid back down on the cot. Natsu lent against the bars and closed his eyes.
I put in a little Nalu fluff, expect to see some more in later chapters. I want to build up their relationship as genuinely as possible, to make it more realistic. There will be some other ships too in later chapters, so keep reading :)