Sorry guys. Had a bit of a busy few days and I haven't had a chance to write much. Anyway, here it is! Remember to read and review and as always and thank you for your support; there are a lot more followers and views than I ever expected. I'm glad you like it.

Thank ya very much, Tsukki086 :)

P.S Chap 21 will be coming soon (I need to write it; this one was long...way longer than expected :)

I fixed the typos (thank you juliastes)

It was extremely muggy and humid when the girls woke up the next morning. Cana was happily skipping around the dorm, making hot tea for everyone with Mira. They all sat down to drink as they watched the blue sky darken slightly.

"It'll probably rain today," Levy said, cupping a mug in her hands.

Lucy nodded and watched trails of cloud slowly traverse across the blue haze of sky.

"Do you wanna read for a bit?"

"Yeah, why not…"

Levy climbed the rigging and pulled two books out of the trunk at the end of her bed.

She handed one to Lucy; it was "Tales and Legends of the Earthland Pirates". She smiled and looked at the contents page. Reading down the list Lucy noticed a story that her mother used to tell her when she was small. It was about a pirate called Anna who lost her sword and wanted to find one strong enough for her to wield. She sailed around the ocean searching for the right sword, but to no avail; until she was told of a mermaid living on an island who possessed a strong sword. Anna travelled to the island and protected her when they were attacked by enemy pirates. As a token of friendship, the mermaid gave the sword to Anna, who fought with it until her death, passing it on to her daughter…

Lucy brushed the drawing of the sword with her fingers. The story struck a chord with her; what if the Urano Metria was that sword. That's not possible, this is a children's story. But all stories are filled with truths. Her mother had told her the story countless times and after her death her father had burnt many of her books on pirates and legends. Sighing Lucy stretched and put the book down, before heading to the mess hall.

"Eurggh! It's too hot!" Natsu whined as he slumped on the table.

Lucy chuckled at him and whipped the sweat off her brow, "talk about stating the bleeding obvious."

He rolled his eyes at her and groaned. The mess hall was packed with around fifty pirates clamouring for cool beer and shade.

"Did you come up with a good revenge for Gildarts yet?"

"…No…" Natsu sighed glumly.

"Hey, there fairies."

Lucy looked up, puzzled as Bacchus leaned over their table.

"Think you can help me out a bit…?"

Natsu regarded him skeptically, "what's in it for us?"

"Why don't we make a deal…"

"Let's hear it."

Bacchus grinned and scratched his chin, "I need you to distract the old man over there…"

He pointed lazily at Gildarts who was sitting with Cana at the bar and huffed.

"Ma little lady and I av gotta talk and he hasn't let me near her all morning…"

Lucy chuckled, "he's just a bit overprotective right…"

Bacchus rolled his eyes in agreement and crossed his arms, "tell me about it…anyways, I may have an idea for your little revenge plan…"

Natsu perked up and grinned evilly, "I'm listening."

Bacchus grinned slyly, "we can use your revenge as the distraction. I get to talk to Cana, and you get to serve sweet justice to that idiot."

Natsu cracked his knuckles and smiled wide. "What's the plan?"

"I'll tell ya later…Just go to the men's dormitory and get the old man's duffle bag."

Then he pointed at Lucy and grinned. "You can go get some wood and lots of it and some flint too."

He turned to leave, "we'll meet on the beach in thirty, kay…"

"Come on Luce, let's go!" Natsu smiled at her maniacally.

Huffing Lucy got up from the stool. "Why did I get roped into this…?"

Natsu ran across the beach, shouldering the large canvas bag. Christ! This is heavier than it looks. What on Earthland has he got in here?

He dumped the bag at Bacchus's feet, "here ya go. Now what's the plan?"

Bacchus pointed at the duffle bag and grinned evilly. "we're gonna burn what's in there."

"What is in there?"

"It'll scar you for life."

"Oh."

"Hey guys!" Lucy panted, clutching a bundle of short wooden planks.

"Phew!" She dumped the wood on the sand and pulled two pieces of flint out of her pocket.

"Great! You guys are real efficient…"

Bacchus grabbed the duffle bag and tugged the strings open; he tipped it upside down, pouring the contents onto the sand. Lucy shrieked and covered her eyes, while Natsu gulped and looked away blushing. Bacchus chuckled at their embarrassed faces.

"…Ar-are ya sure we should b-burn these?" Natsu cringed stealing a look at the objects scattered in the sand.

"Y-yeah…won't he be really mad…you know?" Lucy peaked through her fingers.

"Bless you two," Bacchus guffawed. "Don't worry we're just burning some smut pictures."

"Why does he have all of these?"

Bacchus shrugged, "he must get lonely on his little ship…ya know…"

"EW!" came the collective reply.

Bacchus checked that the beach was empty. "Quick! Light the fire and toss em on."

Lucy piled up the wood and struck the flint; once the orange flames crackled and danced across the planks, Natsu gingerly picked up the pictures and placed them on the fire. After they were done he ran off down the beach and washed his hands in the sea.

Bacchus sidled up to Lucy, "he's a bit innocent isn't he…"

She shrugged, "I wouldn't know actually."

Bacchus grinned at both of them as shouts were heard across the beach. "Well I'd better run…"

He sped into the jungle, darting in between the trees, while Lucy and Natsu stood dumbstruck next to the large bonfire of suggestive pictures. Gildarts walked towards them, regarding them suspiciously.

"What are you two doing?"

Lucy smiled nervously, "just making a little bonfire…"

"But it's really hot."

"Yeah…" Natsu piped up, "well Happy wanted some fish, so we're using the bonfire to cook em."

He smiled winningly, it didn't work.

Gildarts frowned, "where are the fish?"

"Oh ha…ha…it's funny really, but Happy ate them really quick."

"Really?" They both nodded vigorously. "Then why is my duffle bag on the sand."

Natsu began to sweat. We are dead! We're so dead!

Gildarts scowled at them, "That eyebrows kid from Lamia Scale said he saw Natsu run out the dormitory with my duffle bag."

Natsu scowled; stupid Eyebrows! What a grass!

"You opened it didn't you."

"N-no!" Lucy gripped onto Natsu's arm tightly.

"Then you won't mind if I take a peek at the fire."

"…No…It's like you said. It's really hot, so don't get to close to the fire."

"Lucy…you and Natsu are standing right next to it!" Gildarts growled, advancing closer.

"WE NEED TO RUN!" Lucy hissed in Natsu's ear.

"OK!" He whispered back, "We'll head for the jungle."

They shuffled away as Gildarts scrutinized the fire. He went white, then red very quickly; he looked up at them tears streaming down his face.

"RUN!"

Natsu tossed Lucy over his shoulder and raced across the sand.

"NATSU! I'M GONNA KILL YOU!"

"RUN FASTER!" Lucy shrieked as she bounced up and down on Natsu's shoulder; watching Gildarts run after them, sobbing.

"WHAT DO YA THINK I'M DOING! SKIPPING!"

His bare feet pounded against the soft jungle floor as he darted through the trees, clutching onto Lucy.

"Where are we going?"

"You'll see Luce."

Bacchus sat next to Cana on the small sofa in the girl's dormitory. He looked around uncomfortably as Levy, Mira, Lisanna and Erza watched them from the kitchen.

"Is it ok to talk here?"

Cana chuckled, "yeah. They'll let us know if ma dad turns up."

Bacchus grinned, "Oh he won't turn up for a while."

"What did you do?" Cana looked at him suspiciously and frowned.

"Nothin, two of ya crew mates helped me…"

"Is that why Lucy and Natsu were running across the beach towards the jungle?"

"Kinda…" he grinned at her.

Sighing Cana folded her arms. "I'll ask Lucy later. Ok."

"Eurghh. I don't know where to begin."

He fixed her with a worried gaze, brow furrowed. "What's wrong."

Cana flopped against the soft crochet pillows. "My dad told me that you asked him for permission to marry me."

He looked away sheepishly. "Oh."

She sat up and tilted her head. "Come on Bacchus, ya could have told me."

"I was gonna if he said yes."

"Wow! So ya did act like a gentleman."

He pouted at her. "I can when I want to be."

Cana glanced quickly at the four heads peeking out the kitchen door and whispered, "thanks for not telling him, about the pregnancy scare."

He shrugged, "thought it was a smart move. If I told him then I'd really be dead."

Cana laughed, "Yeah! Then I'd kill im!"

"I still wanna marry you though…"

Cana looked at him, her violet eyes wide in shock.

"I wasn't just asking cos ya thought ya had a bun in the oven, I'd still marry you ya know," he grinned. "I can't have a woman who can't hold her drink."

Cana blushed and whispered, "I'd marry you too…"

He looked pleased, "really little lady?"

"You bet!"

"We could run away and do it."

Cana shook her head, "Nah. We gotta sort out this stuff with the Navy first, then let's think about it."

Bacchus chuckled, "Alright, ya got a deal little lady."

"Drink on it?"

"Hell yeah!"

Natsu finally put Lucy down at the base of the tree house.

"Do ya think we lost him?"

Lucy stood up and brushed off her skirt, "I think so…I can't believe Bacchus left us out to dry."

Natsu shrugged, "I can."

"I guess so."

Lucy sighed and leant against the trunk, "what are we gonna do now?"

Roaring and sobbing could be heard through the trees.

Natsu grinned nervously, "let's wait here for a bit before going back."

"Alright then…"

Happy hopped onto Lucy's shoulder as she began to climb the tree house.

"I'll meet you at the top…I just gotta leave a false trail for him to follow!" Natsu yelled up at her.

"Okay then! Be careful!" Lucy yelled back as she stood on the rigging connecting the bottom and middle cabins.

Natsu raced across the clearing and pulled off his white scarf. Running into the trees he darted around and laid it across a branch, entangling it in some vines. Happy with his job, he ran back to the tree house and began to climb up. Lucy sat on the rug next to a window with Happy, already drinking from a bottle of rum.

"Go easy on those kay. I don't wanna have to deal with a drunk Luce."

She waved her hand dismissively, "don't be such a killjoy Natsu. Look I got you one too and I found some food in the kitchen."

She held out a bundle of crackers and dried ham as well as some tough looking fruit cake.

He sighed and sat down next to her, "hey it's just like being back in the cabin."

She smiled at him softly, "yeah it is…"

Natsu picked up a cracker and stiffened. Oh God! We're alone now! He prayed he wasn't blushing. I've finally got her alone and I don't know what to say!

Levy stretched on the hammock between two palm trees and sat up, watching the dark clouds rolling in across the sky.

"Let's go to the mess hall Gajeel, It's gonna start raining soon…"

Thunder rumbled through the sky. "Sure thing shrimp, let's go."

He picked her up and kissed her forehead as Levy felt the soft patters of rain on her skin.

Natsu watched Lucy lean against the window pane.

"Looks like it's going to rain," Lucy sighed and looked up at the murky, swirling clouds.

Natsu clenched his fists; it was like the Gods of opportunity were screaming at him to do something. He secretly praised the shitty weather and everything keeping Lucy with him.

"Er…Er…yeah, g-guess we'll have to…st-stay here for a…while," he looked away, failing to meet her inquisitive gaze.

"…Are you alright Natsu?"

A faint blush dusted his cheeks.

"N-no I'm fine…it's just I feel like I haven't really seen you in a while…this is nice."

Lucy chuckled and smiled at him. "It's only been a few days Natsu…"

He frowned at her, a sad look on his face.

"…but you're right…this is nice."

Lucy giggled at the huge grin on his face. "You're funny…"

She took a swig of rum; Natsu watched her anxiously.

"What!? I'm not going to drink lots of it!"

Natsu smirked, "Alright…It's not that. I wanted to talk to you about something…"

"Oh! I remember…you said that when you left the girl's dorm."

He ran a hand nervously through his hair. "Yeah…well…I haven't really had a chance to talk to ya about…"

Why is he blushing? Lucy pursed her lips. "Well, shoot."

She's straight to the point, like Laxus said. That guy must be psychic. Oh No! What do I say now!"

Natsu gaped at her, opening his mouth to speak. "Er…Er…"

Come on spit it out! Natsu willed his lips to move

She looked at him, puzzled.

"I…Like you."

Lucy scoffed, "well that's good we are crew mates."

Natsu sighed. I'm really gonna have to spell this out aren't I…

"I'm no good with words Luce, but that's not what I meant."

"Well what do you mean then? I'm confused."

He moved opposite her and met her gaze with determination.

"I mean that…I like you. That…I love you."

He stared at her brown eyes hopefully.

"Cool," Lucy shrugged.

Natsu looked at her in shock. Lucy went very pale, then flushed spectacularly.

"Wait! WHAT DID YOU SAY!?"

Oh no!..

Natsu grabbed her hand in his own gently.

"I said that…I love you."

Lucy started to panic. "What. Like…like a friend?"

"NO!" Natsu yelled.

He leaned in and looked at her seriously.

"I love you Luce."

Her brown eyes were wide as she pushed him away and stumbled across the room.

"…I-I need to th-think," she stuttered as she bolted for the door

"Don't come after me!"

Natsu listened to the receding sounds of her footfalls glumly. He kicked over a stool in anger. Goddamit!

He really wanted to cry. Natsu curled up in a ball on the bed and whimpered; watching the rain lash against the coloured window panes. I can't let her go out in this. Natsu descended the treehouse and sprinted across the small clearing into the trees. Don't hate me Luce…

Lucy ran as the rain thundered down from the sky. She sheltered herself under a willow tree and panted, gasping for air.

Erza had been completely right and she had been too dense to notice the signs herself. Lucy couldn't deny that she really did love Natsu; he was the first person she had truly loved since her mother. She had just never allowed herself to think of their relationship romantically. But Natsu had realised…even Natsu who has the maturity of a five year-old. All of her emotions were hitting her like the biggest frikkin cannon ever created. She had pushed him away and ran just like she always did when it was all too much. She had run away from the only person in the world who she had let understand her. He must hate me now…

Rain pattered against Lucy's face and intermingled with the tears, running down her cheeks. She shivered as her damp maroon sundress clung to her skin. Her mind was blank; she didn't know how to resolve the situation she had created.

I'm so stupid! I love him too and I didn't even stop to think about it! I'm so sorry Natsu…I wish you were here.

Lightning cackled in the sky as the storm grew heavier. I need to get away from the trees! Lucy began stumbling back to the tree house, clumsily tripping over the thick roots that marred the sodden jungle floor.

"LUCY!...LUCY!"

She stopped dead in her tracks, mouth agape.

"Natsu." She whispered, placing a hand over her mouth, before taking another step forward.

"LUCY! I'M SORRY!"

Natsu yelled his throat hoarse. He panted and grabbed some vines for support. God knows where she is. Please Luce…please.

"NATSU!"

He smiled a little and ran blindly towards the sound of her voice.

"NATSU! I'M OVER HERE!"

Lucy shivered more violently and gripped her arms tightly.

"NATSU!" She yelled again.

She heard the pounding of his feet, before she saw him. His hair in wet, pink spikes; shirt soaked through and plastered to his chest.

Lucy collapsed on the ground, shivering.

"Luce…LUCY!"

He picked her up and cradled her to his chest, pressing his forehead against hers.

"I'm sorry Luce…" He whispered as her shivering ceased.

"It's ok if you don't feel the sa-"

"You have nothing to be sorry about. You big dummy!" She poked his chest and looked down.

"I shouldn't have run…it wasn't very smart of me."

She smiled at him.

"You never have to be sorry about how you feel…If you can comprehend your feelings for me…th-then I will accept my feelings for you."

Natsu couldn't believe his ears. "What?" A smile spread across his face.

"You like me too Luce?..."

She blushed, "I've just never thought about it…" She tugged at a strand of wet hair.

"Having feelings for you makes me feel…vulnerable."

Natsu bit his lip anxiously. "I'll never hurt you Luce…not ever."

She sighed, "I know that…but I don't want to lose you. I've got a bad habit of losing the people I love."

He grinned at her, "I'm not going anywhere Lucy. I'm never going to leave ya."

She grinned at him and blushed.

"You promise?"

Natsu brushed his thumb against her chin.

"I promise…cross my heart and hope to die."

Lucy jumped as warm lips met hers. She closed her eyes and accepted his warmth, which tingled though her body. Her lips were cold and wet from the rain. They pulled apart gasping for air; Natsu rested his head in the crook of her neck.

"I love you…so much."

"I-I do too."

He beamed at her "You've made my day Luce."

She giggled and ran a hand through his damp pink tufts.

"Would it make your day even better if we head back to the tree house to wait out this storm?"

"Hell yeah!"

Lucy patted her hair dry with a towel and pulled on one of Natsu's dark red shirts. It fit her like a short night-dress and the soft cotton smelled of him; pine needles and smoke. She plaited her hair and got into bed. It was still raining heavily and the sky was dark. No stars could be seen, as the angry thunder clouds masked the night sky. Happy leapt up on the bed and laid on Lucy's chest. She swirled her fingers through his soft fur, smiling as he purred contentedly.

"Aw Hap, you're in my spot," Natsu whined as he walked towards the bed, blissfully shirtless and clad only in black undershorts.

Lucy rolled her eyes at him; Natsu pouted sulkily and jumped on the bed, so Lucy and Happy flew up in the air. Happy trotted off grumpily to the little basket in the corner and scowled at Natsu as he curled himself up in a small blue ball. Natsu chuckled and pulled Lucy close, kissing her head.

"You're in a good mood."

He grinned at her and pressed his lips against hers.

"I've got my girl with me and she lloooovvvveeess me."

Lucy raised an eyebrow, "Oh really…?"

"Yep," he smirked at her and whispered, "She looks mighty fine in my clothes too."

He nibbled on the soft skin of her neck. Lucy bit her lip to suppress a moan.

"Hold it boy. Your girl wants to sleep."

Natsu pouted at her, "Will my girl give me a good night kiiiisss…?"

Lucy huffed and gently pressed her lips against his cheek.

"You're such a tease Luce," he growled.

"Give me a proper kiss, or I'll take it. I am a pirate after all."

Lucy scowled at him, then quickly closed the distance between them with a fierce kiss.

She was warmer now and soft too. Natsu basked in her comforting scent, mixed with the sweet smell of the rain and the soft linen. He gently moved his lips against hers, his whole body burning.

Lucy reluctantly pulled away from him; he made a whining sound in the back of his throat.

"Goodnight!"

Lucy rolled over and felt the familiar arm grip her waist.

"I can kiss you whenever I want now Luce."

"As long as I want to kiss you."

Natsu chuckled and closed his eyes, burrowing his head into her neck.

"I can't wait to see the look on stripper's face…"

Lucy giggled in agreement and closed her eyes.