Gajeel really wished he'd gone to bed earlier, but Shrimp had told him to meet her on the beach, and he couldn't say no to that…

He yawned and stretched out his shoulders, cracking his back as he sat in the sweltering heat of the tiny smithy, they had built on the island. Salamander had been true to his word and after a few punches and shouted insults, Gajeel had reluctantly left his bed and heated up the forge and cleaned the anvil and the hammers. He picked up a lump of iron ore and was about to put it in a crucible, when he saw Salamander picking up a few chunks of gold and placing them in the smallest crucible they had. Gajeel fixed him with a suspicious glare.

"Whatcha doin Salamander?"

Natsu stopped and looked up sheepishly, "Nothin…"

Gajeel scowled at stared pointedly at the crucible. "That's too much gold for an earring, but that's plenty for a ring…"

Gajeel blanched, "Wait a second! Your making her a ring! Are you insane!"

Natsu frowned at him, "What? She's already got earrings…" He tilted his head dreamily. "She's got three little gold hoops in each ear." He sighed happily, "She looks so badass…"

Gajel deadpanned, "Salamander…your drooling."

Natsu pressed his fingers to his mouth and blushed, "Whoops…ah ha."

"You know what she's gonna think if you give her a ring…right?"

"It's not what ya think," Natsu chuckled; "This is for later."

"What makes you think she'll say yes?"

Natsu shrugged and grinned, "I couldn't live with myself if I didn't try."

Gajeel smirked, "ya got balls man; a pirate going after the admirals daughter."

Natsu looked shocked at Gajeel actually giving him a compliment. "Yeah well…she's worth it."

"Ya got a stone or sumat to put in it?"

Natsu chuckled and pulled out an iridescent black pearl from his pocket. "I know it's not much, but I found it the other day…thought it was pretty."

"Ya find one in a different colour, maybe I'll make shrimp something."

"Yeah you two can't keep sneaking round the ship forever…"

Gajeel glared at Natsu. "How'd you know?"

Natsu smirked and put the lid on the crucible, "no one could look that happy, coming out of a cabin full of books…"

Natsu grinned slyly at Gajeel's blushing face as the intimidating pirate avoided his gaze and clenched his fists. He placed the small crucible in the forge with the tongs, waiting for the gold to melt.

Natsu walked happily to the mess hall with the ring in his pocket. It was still slightly warm and was nestled safely in a little cotton bag. Quite frankly, he had to admit to himself that he didn't know whether Lucy felt the same well, but he sure as hell was going to try and make her his. He couldn't lie to himself anymore that the strong feelings of devotion he felt for her was merely friendship. He knew that he was her best friend and confidant, but he desperately wanted her to acknowledge him as more than that. He was nervous though, he'd never been more nervous in his life. I'm gonna tell her…He had thought it all out. He was gonna ask her to practice sparring on the beach and then he would talk to her.

He pushed the mess hall door open with a loud crash. Blinking confused, he noticed it was weirdly empty until he heard some shouts coming from strawberry lagoon. Puzzled he raced outside.

Lucy glanced concerned at the tense look on the Captain's face as he watched two ships come over the horizon with his telescope.

"It's them alright…"

Laxus frowned and crossed his arms, "but, there a couple of days early…"

Makarov chuckled, "Oh…knowing Babasaama, she probably made the crew work extra hard to get here…and well Goldmine doesn't like to be shown up."

Makarov turned and looked up at the auburn haired pirate, "wouldn't you agree Gildarts?"

The pirate in question was glaring out to sea, his jaw tense. He looked as though he desperately wanted the smaller ship to be obliterated or swallowed whole by a sea monster. Makarov deadpanned at his expression and looked over towards Mira and the other girls. Cana drunk nervously from a hipflask whilst staring nervously between her father and the ship.

"Hey Luce…what's going on?"

Lucy smiled and turned to Natsu. He watched her face as she beamed at him, those cute freckles adorning her delicate nose; he thought he would melt.

"Well it looks like Lamia Scale and Quatro Cerberus turned up early," Lucy pointed out to sea.

Eurghh! Why is there always something getting in the way! Natsu patted his pocket for comfort and groaned inwardly.

"Hey Natsu, where were you this morning?"

He grinned and put an arm round her shoulders, "I was with Gajeel in the smithy, ya know melting down some ores."

Lucy groaned, "You could have told me. I really need to get my knives sharpened." She began pulling out bunches of small throwing knives from the folds of that tiny green sundress.

Natsu prayed he wasn't drooling as she whipped out the small pieces of lethal metal. Oh Luce, why are you so badass?

"Er…sure thing I give them to Gajeel to fix tomorrow."

"Thank God Natsu. You're the best." She patted his chest gently and smiled again.

Strawberry Lagoon got increasingly louder as they watched the one of the pirate crews walk across the beach towards Fairy Tail. Lucy watched Cana nervously; Mira had hidden the moonshine last night to prevent any desperate binges and prevent Cana suffering from the most horrendous hangovers she had ever experienced. Cana went to drink from her hipflask again, until Mira tugged her away to the mess hall.

Lamia Scales' Captain was an energetic old lady, who twirled her way across the sand dunes. He thick grey hair was piled up in heavy coils on her head and her earlobes dangled near to her jowls. She should hands firmly with Makarov and puffed on an elaborately carved ivory pipe, her many beaded necklaces and bangles rattling madly.

"Good afternoon Makarov, I hope we're not too early?"

Makarov sweat-dropped and smiled uncomfortably, "not at all, we were not expecting you though…erm not until the end of the week."

Babasaama chuckled and rubbed her hands together, the bangles clacked noisily. "Magnolia sure is lovely this time of year. I can't wait to show off my swimsuit…"

Lucy watched Natsu grimace along with the rest of the male pirates and chuckled at the brave old Lady.

"I see we have arrived at the destination before Quatro Cerberus," the Babasaama mused. "I'll be sure to rub it in Goldmine's face…"

Lucy looked around at the rest of the Lamia Scale crew. Laxus was shaking hands with an imposing man in white and black robes; he had a stern, yet kind face with a long black goatee. Natsu noticed her looking.

"That's Jura."

"Really?" Lucy whispered, "he's really powerful apparently…"

"Yeah he's just as strong as Laxus."

"Wow."

Lucy saw one of the pirates; a pale man with icy coloured hair and an elaborate blue coat, practically drooling over Juvia, who had nestled herself into Gray's baggy white shirt. Gray noticed and frowned at the pirate, shielding Juvia from his gaze. The pirate approached them nervously; Natsu chuckled at the stiff handshake Gray exchanged with the newcomer.

"That's Lyon, he's in love with Juvia."

"That's never gonna happen."

Natsu grinned at Lucy, "Ya can say that again."

Lucy noticed two girls with bright pink hair and a pirate who sort of resembled a dog and another with immensely bushy eyebrows. Eyebrows saw Natsu, smirked and headed over in their direction followed by Dogface and the elder looking pink haired girl.

Natsu groaned.

"Greetings Salamander," Eyebrows said coolly, crossing his arms with a smug expression on his face. "We meet again…"

"Sup, Eyebrows," Natsu raised his hand, the other gripping hold of Lucy.

Eyebrows tensed, "My name is Yuka! NOT 'Eyebrows',"

Natsu grinned, "Whatever, Eyebrows. It's cool of you to turn up an all…"

Lucy chuckled as Yuka seethed angrily at Natsu's petty jabs. Yuka glared at Lucy, his thick eyebrows raised.

"You think it's funny girl?"

Lucy held a hand to her mouth to stifle her giggles; she literally couldn't take this guy seriously, when he was angry those spectacular brows wiggled up and down in a hilarious manner. What made it worse was that he was so easily offended.

"If you think my appearance is so funny…fight me. I will most definitely win!"

Natsu smirked, "I wouldn't say that Eyebrows."

"Stop sticking up for your little girlfriend Salamander it's obvious I'm the superior fighter."

Lucy snorted, "with that attitude I dare you to fight Laxus."

Yuka paled and said nervously, "I never said I was that powerful..."

"Yeah well you seem to think it asshole..."

Yuka glared at her the brows connecting in a thick line. Lucy and Natsu grinned wide trying not to laugh.

Then the pink haired girl gasped and pointed at Lucy triumphantly, "I know you...you're the admirals daughter, you're Lucy Heartfilia!"

Dog face gasped and stared incredulously at her, Yuka smirked.

"Wow Natsu," the girl simpered, "I didn't think you'd stoop so low that you'd pick a navy dog!"

"Who are you calling a navy dog you gaudy trollop!" Lucy spat at the girl, "I'm a pirate of Fairy Tail just like my mother!"

Natsu grinned and squeezed her shoulder. You tell em Luce.

"How dare you! I'm not gaudy!"

Lucy's chuckles were accompanied by Wendy's as the girls surveyed the pink haired girl's outfit or lack of one. She appeared to be wearing a black bodice with lots of cutouts and a matching skirt that could have been a belt, all paired together with some large rose gold hoops and bright lipstick. Lucy couldn't believe this chick, even Carla was looking skeptically at her with wide brown eyes.

"Sherry I told you that isn't a practical outfit, but you insisted." The younger pink haired girl ran across the sand towards them.

Wendy squealed happily, "hey Chelia!"

"Oh my gosh! Wendy it's been too long."

The girls hugged and jumped up and down on the sand.

Sherry grumbled under her breath and tugged at the bottom half the of her 'outfit'.

Yuka folded his arms arrogantly again. "If we have to help you, you have to treat us with respect."

Lucy shrugged, "same here, but I'll never take you seriously until you become best friends with a razor..."

Natsu guffawed and cackled, rolling on the sand.

Dog face balled his fists even with his weirdly long nails. "Stop that! We Lamia Scale pirates are way powerful!"

"I agree Toby," Yuka balled his fists, brows raised. "And we will not pander to your insults!"

"Ya already did Eyebrows!" Natsu snickered, gripping hold of Lucy's arm.

Yuka was about to retort, when a deafening cry of "WILD!" Echoed across the beach. Gildarts crushed a rock in his fist, his jaw tense.

If Lucy thought Lamia Scale was quirky, then Quatro Cerberus was completely nuts. The Pirates were covered in tattoos and some wore strange armour. Captain Goldmine was sporting a large, plain black hat and a spiked, red coat. He looked younger than Makarov and Babasaama, with his shoulder-length brown hair, turning grey. Lucy was wondering what Bacchus looked like when Levy covertly winked at her and pointed to the man standing next to Goldmine. He was pale skinned with long black hair tied in a bun. The red tattoos accentuated the dark eyes on his handsome face, resting just above his high cheek bones. He stood at the same height as Gildarts and had very muscular broad shoulders and back. He had a bow and quiver on his shoulder as well as a cutlass. Two wine bottles swung at his hips. Gild arts and Bacchus glared at each other as their Captains exchanged pleasantries.

"Nice of you to turn up Goldmine." Babasaama cackled smoking deeply from her pipe.

Goldmine frowned, "well we would have been earlier if someone didn't test their new cannons out on our ship."

Gildarts looked practically gleeful, until Makarov smacked him over the head.

"If you were as amazing as we are, you would have been able to keep up," Babasaama said smugly.

Bacchus raised an eyebrow at the old lady, "We didn't wanna waste ammo on your little sloop."

Babasaama scowled and tried to kick the man who was easily four times her height.

Makarov sweat-dropped. "Why don't we head to the mess hall..."

Lucy and Natsu watched as Makarov sat on Gildarts to stop him from hurting Bacchus when the pirate headed quickly towards the bar and sat next to Cana, pulling the blushing girl into a hug.

"Hey there little lady," He tucked his head into the crook of Cana's neck. "I missed ya..."

"Missed ya too."

"You up for another drinking contest?"

"You bet!"

Cana patted his shoulder, "but we need to talk later…"

He looked at her nervously and picked up a mug of rum. "What about?"

"My dad."

Cana watched him nod slowly, while she gripped her mug tighter.

"Ok."

She gave him a small smile, "Thanks."

"Don't worry about it, we needed to talk anyway, I haven't seen ma little lady in a while."

He grinned as she rolled her eyes, blushing and downed her mug.

"But let's get smashed first. I'm gonna drink ya under the table."

"Like I'd let that happen!"

Natsu sat grumpily at a table with Lucy. I can't tell her now, there's so many people in the way! Lucy stared at his slumped form with a puzzled expression on her face.

"What's wrong with you?"

Natsu moaned into the table, Lucy chuckled. "Come on Natsu, cheer up!"

Lucy looked around the mess hall. Cana and Bacchus had already drunk around fifteen crew members under the table and were chuckling with each other. She smiled, Cana looked really happy and even though Bacchus had a sly grin on his face, he looked really happy too. Gildarts was also sitting, angrily at a table with Makarov to keep him in check. He was viciously gripping onto the table, creating cracks across the wooden surface.

"Gildarts doesn't look pleased…" Levy smiled at Lucy as she and Gajeel sat down at the table.

Lucy nodded, "but Cana looks so happy though…"

"Yeah."

"Why ya got a face like a slapped ass Salamander?"

Natsu grumbled, incoherently again.

Lucy sighed, "I've already asked him that, and he's being stubborn."

She tugged on Natsu's shoulders. "Come on! Man up! Are you the Salamander or what!?"

Gajeel chuckled when Natsu whimpered and begrudgingly sat up, leaning against Lucy. She frowned at him and crossed her arms.

"Stop wallowing Natsu!"

In response he slumped forward and nuzzled her neck. Lucy blushed furiously and clenched her fists.

"I can't help you, if I don't know what's up!" Lucy hissed at the pink lump on her shoulder.

"I wish these dumbasses would go away, they're annoying."

Lucy nodded her head in agreement, "that is true, but come on; safety in numbers…"

Natsu groaned and laid his head in her lap, Lucy smiled down at him.

"You know you could always challenge them to a fight. That'd make you feel better."

Natsu grinned at her, "Ya always know how to cheer me up Luce."

Gajeel grimaced, "you two are so sweet, it makes me wanna hurl!"

"We are not!"

Levy raised an eyebrow at Gajeel, who shrank back from her angry gaze.

Natsu chuckled and coughed; "whipped!"

Gajeel glared at him, threateningly, while Levy tugged at his arm with all her strength to prevent him leaping across the table at Natsu.

Juvia sat down next to Lucy and sighed, "Juvia is tired. Juvia's darling Gray and Lyon are fighting again…"

Both pirates had shed the majority of their clothing and were battling it out on the floor of the mess hall. Levy winced when Gray cracked a stool over Lyon's head.

Natsu snickered, "that looks fun…"

Their table suddenly crumpled in a heap of bits. Gildarts stood over it his armoured fists raised.

"Natsu! Let's fight!"

The occupants of the now destroyed table sat in total shock.

"WHAT!?"

"You heard me. Let's fight!"

Natsu blinked at him with disbelief. "You just wanna beat me up, cos you can't beat up Bacchus."

Gildarts growled at him. "Get up and fight me kid!"

Natsu looked at him warily, "…alright."

Lucy grimaced as she watched Natsu walk away from the safety of his stool, towards the irate pirate. Natsu and Gildarts stood facing each other for a split second, until the fight began. Natsu held up ok at the beginning, swerving and dodging all of Gildarts's punches. In doing this he only succeeded in making the older pirate angrier.

"Stay still! I can't hit you!"

"I don't wanna get hit! Duh!"

The scuffled on the floor, until Gildarts finally hit Natsu squarely in the face.

"Ow!"

Natsu saw the mad gleam in Gildarts's eye. "Stop!"

Since Gildarts could only see red, he did not stop; Natsu ended up on the floor, bloody and bruised. Lucy sighed and walked over to him, Gildarts sat panting on a stool.

Lucy tried to prop Natsu up, as he whined in pain.

"Ha! The mighty Salamander needs the help of a girl after he lost a fight!"

Natsu frowned at Gildarts, blood trickling down his forehead, "quite being a douchebag Gildarts."

Lucy gently lifted him off the floor, supporting him over her shoulder.

"You'll pay for this…" Natsu croaked as he stumbled back to the table with Lucy's help.

Gildarts drank from a rum bottle and stared wanly up at the bar. That slimeball was cradling his very drunk baby girl in his arms and smiling down at her. His face soured and he slumped across the table. Even Natsu had told him to get his shit together and that kid could be denser than a brick. Considering he had always run away from his problems, he wasn't in a very good position right now. He had always run away from the Navy, women, debt, women…ok primarily women. Deciding it would be best to wallow in self-pity Gildarts resigned himself to drinking as much booze as his stomach could handle.

Lucy grabbed a cloth from Mira and dabbed at the cut on Natsu's forehead. Wendy entered the kitchen, carrying a basket full of bandages and antiseptic.

"Well you haven't broken anything…" Wendy said, after she'd prodded his ribs and arms for about ten minutes.

"…but you're going to have some heavy bruising."

Natsu shrugged, "meh…I heal fast."

With Lucy's help, Wendy bandaged Natsu's head, ribs and arms. Lucy chuckled at his bedraggled appearance, making him scowl.

"…Sorry…" She giggled. "You just look really pitiful."

Natsu groaned and slumped against the counter.

"It wasn't your fault Natsu…Gildarts was just being a prat cos he can't sort out his problems with Cana…"

He nodded glumly and stood up, turning to leave the mess hall.

"Do you want me to come with you?"

"Na it's ok Luce…me and Happy are gonna plan my revenge on Gildarts!"

Happy meowed in agreement, tilting his head to the side for Lucy to scratch.

"Well…ok then, just be careful."

Natsu nodded and grinned at her, before heading out the back door.

He trudged along the beach with Happy swaying on his shoulder.

"I didn't get to tell her Hap…" The blue cat nuzzled his pink hair.

"What if I never get to tell her and I do it too late?"

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