In Makarov's office, Lucy didn't know why she'd been so worried. The old captain had beamed at her, patted her on the head (albeit he had to stand on the desk) and welcomed her as a new member of the crew. After Erza had given Lucy a bone crushing hand shake, Natsu had broken down the door of the office, beaming and grabbed Lucy by the arm dragging her down the old rickety stairs.

"Where are we going Natsu?" He giggled in response.

They reached a small cabin. Natsu opened the door and let her inside. There were clothes everywhere; it was like a bomb of fabric had gone off in the room. There were clothes stuffed in chests, bursting out onto the floor and rows of shoes stacked on shelves. Lucy grabbed a maroon blouse, a black bodice patterned with silver leaves, black trouser, a belt, high black leather boots and a black and purple military style coat. She removed her belt and was about to remove her blouse, when she realised Natsu was still in the room smirking.

She growled; "get out you perve!" swiftly kicking him hard through the doorway.

Sighing and muttering under her breath, Lucy dressed quickly and braided her hair. She scanned the shelves, seeing if there was anything else she would need and picked up a spare pair of trousers, skirts, shirts a coat and some nightdresses. Satisfied she exited the room. Unlocking the door, she saw Natsu was still waiting outside, holding Happy. His eyes went immediately to her chest, which was unusually exposed (she liked to keep them covered up. Ha ha what would the real Lucy say?).

She glared, sighing; "My eyes are up here dumbass",

"S-sorry", Natsu stuttered; "It's just you look like a proper pirate now".

Lucy rolled her eyes; "Yeah well, where can I dump these?" She held up the spare clothes.

"Oh this way", Natsu said running his fingers through his rosy locks.

He marched deeper into the ship until they reached a door, with the words; "Natsu & Happy", etched crudely into the wood. Natsu chuckled as the door creaked open, Lucy immediately wrinkled her nose. EEWW it's so messy and gross.

"How do you live in this?" she asked incredulously.

"Oh well if its messy, it's more personal to you", Natsu flashed that stupid grin again.

"Aye", meowed Happy

"Can you at least let me tidy up", groaned Lucy.

"If that's what you want Luce, then you'll be like my own little maid", said Natsu happily.

Lucy rolled her eyes; "remember what I said before about being creepy."

He pulled her to his chest, his eyes shining playfully.

"And I thought you were gonna be nicer. Come on Luce you've just got off your trial period"

She scowled at the stupid smirk on his face as he chuckled at her frustration.

Natsu flopped down lazily on the bed, playing with Happy, while Lucy set to work, tidying objects and knick-knacks into the draws. She folded the clothes and blankets, grimacing as she came across some underwear, before stowing them away in a chest at the foot of the bed. Natsu watched her work, tickling Happy behind the ears.

"How old are you Lucy?"

Lucy gave him a puzzled look, "Why do you ask?"

Natsu shrugged.

"Well I'm seventeen kay." Lucy said, picking up a dirty sock and tossing it into a corner of the room.

"Ha! I'm nineteen, I'm older than you Lucy!" Natsu pointed a finger triumphantly at her.

"I don't know why you're bragging about it when you act like a five year-old, you idiot," Lucy scoffed.

Natsu's face fell, "Lucy I thought you were gonna be nice." Lucy shrugged, "You've made me sad now," Natsu mumbled, his bottom lip trembling.

He looked so dejected and pathetic; Lucy sweat-dropped, "Er…sorry Natsu."

He pouted sadly, "You're gonna have to do better than that Luce."

Wow I didn't realise he was this sensitive, like some precocious toddler. "What would make you happy Natsu?"

The bottom lip immediately stopped trembling as Natsu beamed. "You have to keep me company and practice sparring with me. Next time we fight I'll win for sure!" He fist pumped energetically.

Lucy frowned at the request; "fine…I guess. God! I can't believe I fell for that", he nodded still grinning mischeviously.

Lucy sighed placing her head in her hands, as the blue cat purred, wrapping itself round her legs. Lucy smiled wanly, flopping on the end of the bed looking up at the dusty ceiling; the waves lapped against the side of the ship, just like they had done in Hargeon. Lucy laughed at the sheer irony of it. She was unceremoniously dragged from her thoughts as an arm pulled her up the bed, until she was face to face with a certain pink haired pirate, grinning like a child at Christmas, as he pulled her to his chest.

"Now you're part of the crew Luce," Natsu smiled, hugging her tighter.

"We'll be best friends I know it!"

Lucy groaned; "You're a bit messed up you know"

"Attitude Luce", he whispered in her ear.

Lucy grumbled, the sound muffled against his chest. Natsu smiled into her blonde locks, his stomach, grumbling loudly, around the cabin.

"It's dinner time! (Think Ezma from The Emperor's New Groove) Come on Luce! Mira's cooking is the best!" With that Lucy was pulled out the cabin, as Happy scampered meowing after them on his quest for the precious fishies.

"Finally!" Natsu yelled as he sat in front of a mountain of food.

Lucy grimaced as he stuffed his face into a pot of stew, food flying everywhere, decorating the walls and part of Lucy's hair and Happy's fur.

Gray sat down at the table, carrying a tray of tankards.

"Hey Lucy, thought we could celebrate the end of your trial period."

"Thanks Gray." Lucy smiled and sipped the rum, which trickled down her throat with a pleasant burning sensation.

"I've gotta say, I'm surprised you passed. It's a miracle you didn't murder this idiot. You must have the patience of a saint." Gray laughed.

"I know Gray. I deserve a fucking medal, for putting up with him."

Natsu glared at them both and growled at Lucy.

"That being said, he wasn't that bad." Lucy added hopefully, with a winning smile.

Natsu smiled again and picked up a tankard, downing the whole lot.

"Whoa! Take it easy Salamander." Gajeel sat down at the table with Levy.

"You're like a weak little grandma when it comes to booze Salamander. It's not a pretty sight and I'm sure Lucy doesn't wanna see it."

Natsu scowled and slammed the tankard on the table. "Like your any better Metal head. You start crying and weeping for Levy."

Levy blushed and laughed uncomfortably. Gajeel glared murderously at Natsu a huge fist raised. "I'll take you on anytime ya pink pansy."

Natsu stood up threateningly, "Say that again Metal head. I dare you! Go ahead and make my day..."

The tense silence lasted for about two seconds, until it was broken by battle cries and the splintering of wood. The bundle of fists that was Natsu and Gajeel crashed into Gray who joined in the scuffle, which only escalated as it seemed the entire male population on the ship, beat to crap out of each other in the food hall, for no apparent reason. Lucy and Levy laughed and ducked as chairs, food and rum flew through the air.

"STOP!"

Everyone froze as Erza stalked into the hall seething with anger.

"Why are you fighting!? What fools started this!?"

Trembling fingers were pointed at different culprits, until it seemed like the brawl would start anew.

Erza sighed exasperatedly, "Just stop fighting and behave! Otherwise the Captain will come down here himself!"

Groaning the participants wandered aimlessly back to their tables. Natsu, Gajeel and Gray were covered in welts and their clothes were heavily mussed.

"Ooh! Looks like you guys were getting busy…" A brunette pirate chimed in carring a barrel on her hip.

"Shut up Cana!" Gray yelled.

Lucy tilted her head to the side and said innocently, "but, Gray where are you clothes."

"Crap!" Gray yelled, luckily Juvia noticed his lack of dignity and rushed over with his clothes safely tucked in her pale arms.

"Hey there, I'm Cana."

Lucy smiled as Natsu flopped down next to her, "Hi I'm Lucy. You can sure hold your drink can't you."

Cana smiled proudly, "I'm the heavyweight drinker on this ship, none of these cream puffs can keep up with me."

Lucy smiled, feeling hazy from the rum. They continued laughing together, late into the night, as the ship swayed and rocked gently on the water. Cana challenged Gajeel to a drinking competition and sure enough he slumped on Levy's lap bawling his eyes out like a big baby whilst Cana cackled at him making him sob even louder. Lucy began to yawn and placed her head on the table next to a sleeping Happy. Natsu picked her up, placing Happy on his shoulder.

"Come on Luce, let's go to bed."

"Wha-what, put me down," said Lucy groggily flapping her hands in protest, but she was too tired to bother. I'm sooo tired, why do you have to be like this. Traitorous body! Natsu felt warm and cozy, as she snoozed in his arms.

Natsu laid her gently on the bed and walked into the small washroom on the opposite side of the room. Yawning Lucy kicked off her boots and took off her coat. When Natsu walked back into the snug cabin she was removing her hair from its tight braid. Natsu removed his vest, showing off scars and a well-defined torso to rival Grays. Lucy turned around to hide her burning cheeks; she had never been in this kind of close contact with a guy before. Natsu chuckled at her retreating back as she headed into the washroom. Sighing Lucy washed her face, pulled on a long-sleeved black night gown and re-entered the cabin. Lucy took out a hammock from a drawer and hooked it up in the corner of the cabin; the farthest away from the bed. She was laying pillows and a blanket on the soft worn canvas, when she was grabbed from behind.

"You're not sleeping in that Luce."

"Come on Natsu it isn't proper for me to sleep in the same bed as you." Lucy tried to pry his hands from her waist but he wouldn't budge.

"We're pirates Luce. What's proper isn't even a thing."

"Fine!" Lucy huffed in defeat as he placed her on the bed and laid down next to her, covering them both with the red blankets.

Happy hopped up on the end of the bed, purring loudly. Lucy yawned and turned away from Natsu, only to feel a strong arm snake round her waist again. God this guy is handsy, why am I letting this happen? Feeling she would be more uncomfortable, if she didn't answer that question, she fell asleep.