The next morning Lucy woke early, with Natsu crushing her; his head laid on her chest. Angry and blushing furiously, she shoved him off.
"Five… more minutes pwease," he mumbled as he slumped onto the rug, Happy batted his head with a tiny blue paw.
Lucy chuckled and dressed in black blouse and a grey bodice, decorated with tiny stars and a matching skirt. She rushed to the Captain's quarters to hand over the updated map.
"Thank you Lucy, it's nice to see your still working hard. I'm please."
Lucy smiled at Makarov, "I'm just following your orders Captain."
Makarov sighed and placed the map carefully on his desk.
"I think you should know that your father's looking for you." Makarov frowned and pulled a poster out of his desk, it showed her picture and a reward.
Lucy paled as worry tainted her features.
"I received this just now from our insider in the Navy. It seems one of the survivors on the Comet was adamant that you were alive. I'm sorry; we'll just have to be more careful…"
"What should I do? Should I tell Natsu…?"
"NO!"
Lucy looked taken aback at his change in tone.
"I mean no," Makarov sighed massaging his forehead. "Don't talk to Natsu about this, not unless you have to."
Lucy frowned, "but why?"
Makarov gave her a saddened look, his brow furrowed.
"Oh…It's my father…right?"
Makarov nodded, "I know you too are getting on and you make him happier. It's good for him, so don't tell him unless you have to…I'm afraid to say I don't think it would end well."
Lucy nodded and bit her lip, "Thank you Captain."
"You may go now my dear."
"Why'd you wake me up Lucy?" Natsu whined when she re-entered the cabin.
He pouted at her, a pathetic look on his face. Lucy's mind was still racing; My father must have something really bad to you…what did you do papa?
"Hey! Luce!"
Lucy frowned at him, arms crossed. "I don't know what you're complaining about Natsu. You practically suffocated me last night."
Natsu whined and slumped on the rug, hugging her legs, "but Luceee…you're soo comfy and soft…and you smell goood…"
At that Lucy blushed heavily and stared determined out the porthole.
"Luce…"
"Yes Natsu?"
"Luceee."
"What!?"
Her grinned up at her, "It's too early for breakfast…can we go sparring?"
Lucy was about to protest when he cracked out a puppy-dog look. Her resolve weakened.
She slapped a hand to her forehead, "Fine! Just…get dressed, you're not Gray."
"Lucy you're the best!" Natsu pulled into a bear-like hug.
"Oh…and Luce you like me better with less clothing. I can tell." He winked at her and headed into the washroom, leaving Lucy standing next to Happy, mouth agape, her face steaming.
A month and a half passed quickly aboard Fairy Tail. Lucy spent her days; eating, sparring, working and sleeping. She would help out on deck scaling the rigging with Romeo and Wendy, helping Gray with the sails, checking the gunpowder and cannons with Gajeel and Natsu. Cana challenged Lucy to a drinking contest, which she immediately regretted the morning after, as Natsu laughed at her drunken antics. She taught Romeo and Wendy how to throw knives (properly) with Natsu often being the target. Bisca and Alzack the ships sharpshooters, practiced with Lucy and helped her shoot the automated rifle better, she played with their daughter Asuka; who would often challenge her to a shoot of.
Fairy Tail had three ships cats; Happy, Carla and Lily. Gajeel looked after Lily and Wendy and Carla were inseparable. Natsu insisted that with three ships' cats they were luckier than other pirate ships. Lucy learnt that Mira had been the known as The Demon a terrifying Pirate, who had roamed the seas some six years previously. Wendy had whispered this to Lucy one day, when they were untangling rope. Lucy swore never, to criticise Mira's cooking or anything again. It appeared that Fairy Tail was comprised of Pirate royalty, at least every crew member had some formidable claim and was in the list of Fiore's most wanted pirates.
Every week Natsu and Lucy would sit in the Crow's nest, sometimes accompanied by Happy, to check they were on course. Lucy learned that Natsu had been adopted, by the infamous pirate Igneel. Natsu sadly admitted that he had disappeared, on the run from the Royal Navy. He talked avidly about the times Igneel taught him how to use a sword or shoot a pistol. Natsu pushed Lucy to talk to him about her parents, but she only mentioned her mother occasionally and refused to talk about her father, claiming he was dead. She felt guilty about keeping her word to Makarov, Natsu was an open book, something she couldn't afford to be no matter how much she wanted to. To Natsu, Lucy was his best friend; while she was tough, she was also kind. Natsu loved sparring with her and laughing together in the crow's nest as she scrawled on the large sheets of parchment, her blonde locks dancing in the wind. He infuriated Lucy with his childish antics and behaviour; even though she would not admit it, she cared for him a lot.