-Chapter 8-

It was the middle of the morning when Cristoff finally entered his apartment he kept at the branch guild in Pelerno. Tossing his pack to the side and kicking off his shoes he made his way into his kitchen and opened the refrigerator. "Of course there's nothing in there," he said to no one as his deep voice echoed in through the empty room. Shutting the door he made his way to his room dropping his clothing as he went. The job he'd just gotten back from had gone a few days longer than he'd expected so he didn't have time to return to his house in White Sea and make it to his lunch meeting with his father this afternoon. He looked at the clock on his nightstand, "2 hours."

'I can wait to eat until then,' he figured as he stepped into the shower letting the warm water run down his body waking him up more fully. Grabbing the loofah and bath gel he started washing as a way to let his body relax. 'I've got to get my paperwork together for Kaleb, need to get to the Holy Knights' library to see if they have anything on frost giants, clean my clothes – oh I'll just take them to Dad's and have one of the maids clean them while I eat lunch. What else do I have to get done before I leave to check up on Vander?' he asked himself going through his to do list as he rinsed off and started on washing his hair.

It had been 8 months since Vander had left for Fiore and either he was being on his best behavior or Fairy Tail had managed to do what no one had before - kept Vander from sleeping with the wrong people. Not that he could blame his younger brother for having such a large libido, they probably slept with the same number of people if you ignored his full moon nights, but Vander didn't always make sure the people who solicited him were free to do so. He also tended to seduce women when he got bored which usually got him into a lot of trouble. As it was, there had only been one complaint filed while Vander was away and that was by the Fioren consulate when they'd found Vander in the closet with the Ambassador's engaged daughter before he'd even left Bosco's borders.

Initially his brother was only supposed to be gone for 3 months but the Steel Council kept intentionally messing up the paperwork and delaying important meetings. It had taken an order from the King himself to even get where they were now so it looked like the youngest Pradesh was going to be gone a little while longer. He'd visited Vander twice already but they were very short visits while he was passing through on his way to and from Caelum escorting his brother Farron while on an assignment. This trip was for a full 2 months of well-deserved vacation and if they were very lucky, he'd bring his brother home with him.

Stepping out of the shower Cristoff grabbed a towel and started drying his hair when he felt a shift in his surroundings. It felt like a warm blanket surrounded him for a moment while he'd been transported. Only questions were where, how and why.

He noticed first the floor was clean and made of marble judging by the look and feel of the cool surface. Second he was inside still and third the room was humid and warm. All of his thoughts stalled when the most delicious smell wafted his way. It's her! His dragon screamed instantly roused confusing him even more. His dragon never spoke and only ever stirred when in battle. 'Her who?' he tried asking to no avail.

"Was that one of your spirits?" a familiar deep rough voice asked pulling Cristoff back to his surroundings tense now that he knew he wasn't alone.

"No?" a woman's voice responded. It was low and smooth, not high pitched or grating on his ears like so many other women. The one syllable set his nerves on fire and his dragon said firmly, Mine!

"Are you asking us?" another male said, this one's voice was also familiar. Smoother and higher pitched than the first but he just couldn't place it with his dragon pacing in his head. Take her!

"Ummm, who are you?" the same woman's voice asked again pulling all his attention to her. His dragon practically shoving everything not related to her to the back of his mind so all his focus was on her. He pulled the towel away from his face and saw the most beautiful sight. Long pale shapely legs were on display due to the very short khaki shorts that sat low on her wide hips, a pinched waist then met lovely large breasts that were hugged by a pink button-up shirt. The bottom was tied up just under her bust and several buttons were left open at the top exposing a generous portion of cleavage. Her rich golden hair glittered in the room's light and wide innocent warm brown eyes finally met his. 'Oh I will,' he assured his dragon smiling at the mysterious woman he'd somehow been transported to. He cupped her cheek feeling the warm soft skin.

"Cristoff, can't say as I've had the pleasure," he said by way of introduction.

"Cristoff?" the rough voice asked again. It took all he had to look away from the woman but he'd managed and saw his brother.

"Bicks?" he said, relaxing as his mind and instincts were finally in sync. If Bickslow was here he must not be in any immediate danger and he likely wouldn't have to interrogate the blonde for answers. Looking back to the woman who had captured his interest he asked, "Who's your friend?" Mate! His dragon declared when their eyes met again. His smile turned predatorial as his thumb stroked her cheekbone causing her breath to hitch. He'd been looking for this woman since he was 10 when puberty hit early because of his dragon slaying magic. Almost fourteen years was a long time to wait and now that his dragon had finally given him the go ahead, he was going to go ahead. He'd just need to learn her name and get her away from his brother first.

Vander, still not acknowledged by his usually perceptive brother, looked at the scene hesitantly. He'd known Cristoff and Lucy would most likely be attracted to each other, both were beautiful people strictly speaking and Cristoff always favored busty blonds. It's why he took the time to warn Cristoff to be careful around her when he'd first been told of his brother's plan to spend 2 months visiting him. But the intensity of Cristoff's reaction at just seeing her... He was so focused on her that he was willfully oblivious to everything, everyone, else around him. Vander had not anticipated dealing with that.

"Lucy," Bicks answered carefully. "Remember I told you about her a while ago," he tried to subtly remind his brother of the conversation they'd had a month ago before he left on this job.

"Lucy," Cristoff practically purred. 'So this is the girl both of my brothers warned me away from. Not going to happen.' Smiling wider he put his other arm around her waist and drew her into him not caring where he was or how he got here anymore or even that he was still naked. He ran his nose lightly up her neck breathing in her delicate scent deeply, feeling her shudder against him. "How much do you know about dragon slayers?" he whispered in her ear before catching her earlobe with his teeth.

"You're," she false started having to swallow to clear her suddenly dry throat. Her stomach was fluttering wildly but she tried again. "You're a dragon slayer?"

Cristoff growled in approval pulling her body flush against his.

"My b-best friend is a-a-a dd-dragon ssssslayer," she finally managed to get out by way of an answer.

Bickslow and Vander were completely shocked by the display in front of them on two fronts: First, Cristoff was only ever this aggressive when it was a peak full moon when he couldn't help it and that was not today; Second, Lucy's instinctual reaction to being touched by someone unfamiliar was to kick first ask questions later and that hadn't happened. Neither brother knew what to do.

"Hmmm," he mumbled as he kissed Lucy's neck feeling her pulse thrum rapidly against his lips. "Have you ever talked about mates?" he questioned as he found another spot on her neck to kiss.

Lucy's breathing had gone erratic and shallow. "Yes," she voiced airily as Cristoff nipped right behind her ear.

"What did they say?" he rumbled before sucking on her lobe again savoring the taste of her skin. Her scent of melon and strawberries was intoxicating especially with the musky scent of her arousal intensified and one of his hand glided up and down her side while the other stayed on the small of her back keeping her pressed against him.

At the word mate Vander's shocked eyes met Bickslow's silently asking if he thought Lucy might be what Cristoff could be suggesting. 'It would completely explain his behavior,' Vander thought.

Bickslow looked back at his brother and was astonished but what he saw. Cristoff's soul was practically leaping from his body trying to wrap around Lucy's soul while hers looked to be stroking his fondly in return. He'd never seen anything like it. Levy's and Gajeel's souls resonated with each other before they'd mated but nothing like this. He nodded to Vander his eyes still glowing locked on Lucy and his brother.

Vander cheered internally, 'That's a fucking relief!' Last thing he wanted to do was interrupt his brother when it was obvious he was not 100% himself right now.

"That they only have one," Lucy internally jumped for joy at her first fairly complete thought without a stutter. "They are destined to be everything for each other..uuugh," her moan stopped any coherent thoughts as her eyes rolled back when one of his wandering hands found her rounded cheek squeezing it lightly.

"Good friend," he said as he moved his second had to join the first one and lifted her short frame up easily. When her legs wrapped around his waist arms circling his neck he growled again deeply to show his pleasure. "Do you know how we know when we've found our mate?" he said kissing her temple down to her jaw.

Lucy's legs tightened at all the new sensations she was feeling. 'This is what I found disgusting and was afraid of before?' Her hands fisted into his dark damp hair. "Your dragon," she gasped. The second word came out louder than she expected when one of his hands palm her breast over her bra and shirt. Groaning she continued, "Tells you."

"And you, moje zlatíčko," he said huskily, "are mine." Cristoff finally kissed her pale pink lips sending Lucy into a heated daze.

-DTRE-

"Lucy, I think Natsu may be in love with you," Mira whispered giddily across the bar. Lucy rolled her eyes; she had a feeling she knew where this was coming from. It had been a week after the Grand Magic Games and Natsu had been hovering around her. Only Natsu, Wendy, Loke, the exceeds and she had seen her future self's death and they all thought it would be better not to make that public knowledge. It affected them all differently but Natsu had become pretty paranoid about not letting her out of his sight. He'd even taken to sleeping in her bed each night to keep an eye on her. Since his presence also kept her nightmares away she didn't put up too much of a fight.

"Not this again Mira, we're just friends."

Mira giggled and gave her a knowing look. Lucy finished her food and went home to work on the next chapter of her novel. She'd just sat down at her desk when Natsu jumped in her window.

"Hey Luce, can we talk?" he started awkwardly.

Looking at her best friend she joined him on her bed. "Sure thing Natsu, you know you can tell me anything."

Instantly he relaxed. "I overheard Mira today and I didn't want things to get weird," he sighed.

Lucy nodded and giggled nudging his side, "I'm surprised. I didn't think you'd even think about things like romantic feelings."

"Of course I do Luce," Natsu said a little more sharply than he intended.

"Sorry?"

He sighed and shook his head. "No I'm sorry. You see, for dragon slayers love is different. You know how our senses and lungs and stuff are changed from the magic?" he questioned and saw her nod so he continued. "Well, our lives are a lot longer too."

"Really? Like how much longer?" Lucy asked itching to take notes to discuss with Levy later.

"Gajeel didn't know. He said that Metalicana told him most of them died in battle a long time ago but at least one was over 400 years old and he had stopped aging physically like dragons do."

"What does this have to do with falling in love?" she questioned. Living forever sounded great but her thoughts slowly went dark as she thought about it in a different way. 'What if you fell in love and they aged and died?...'

"Well because of our long lives we have mates." At her confused look he explained what Gajeel had told him after he joined the guild and noticed his behavior with Lucy, "Every creature with long lifespans have a mate to limit proliferation or whatever he said. I think he meant having babies. So,' Natsu continued, 'he said fate creates someone for each of us, our mate. He wasn't sure how we actually mated but for dragons they take a piece of their mate's soul like a swap. He also said most dragons can't survive without their mate so often die if their mate does."

Lucy nodded, "That makes sense, losing a part of your soul forever would be painful and then they'd had to spend forever all alone. I think I'd prefer to die with my mate if I had one."

"Yeah," he smiled sadly at the reminder of her only to close brush with death. There was a time he thought Lucy might be his mate, just after Gajeel had spoken to him, because of how drawn to Lucy he was. But, his dragon never stirred and it would be a lie if he'd never felt a little disappointed because of that. Her offhanded comment had been like salt on a wound that hadn't fully healed yet. Still he needed Lucy, as his best friend, to understand this so if just in case she started having feelings for him she'd already know where they stood.

"What I still don't understand is what this has to do with how you fall in love. If you have a mate shouldn't you try to get out there and find them? I've known you how long and you've never even showed any interest in anything but food or fighting?"

"Tell me, how would you feel if you were dating some guy happily one day and then the next he leaves you for another woman saying destiny?" he said archly.

"I'd feel like crap and let my spirits beat him up… Oh," she stopped as the lightbulb finally lit.

"Yeah, so it's better if we just stay clear of all that until we find them."

"How will you know if you don't get out there?"

"Gajeel said my dragon would tell me."

"Your what?"

"My dragon, every slayer has one in their minds that came with the piece of soul our dragons' gave us so we can use their magic. It lets us know when something is dangerous or bad; keeps us safe. It also tells us when we've met our mate."

"Oh," she said nodding mentally substituting dragon for instincts so she could better understand what he was going on about. "What if you don't like your mate?" Lucy asked. "I mean to have your magic just say this one's for you or nothing. Can you just ignore it and find someone else?"

"It doesn't work that way Luce - we're literally made for each other. It would be like cutting off our hand. From what Gajeel said it would most likely drive us crazy if we ignored them or just give up and die."

"Doesn't that bother you? To have your choice, you mate's choice, taken away?" Her mind went instantly to the love charm she'd been under the first time they met and the arranged marriage her father had tried to setup for her. She'd spent most of her life wanting nothing more than to make her own decisions. It's why she ran away from home. The idea that someone's magic would take that away - it made her skin crawl.

He laughed, "You don't understand Luce. We're not whole without each other. I didn't ask much more but why wouldn't I choose to be whole even if pain wasn't the only other option?"

Lucy just then remembered a conversation she'd had with her mother about how she would know which prince to marry when she was older. 'They make you feel like you're heart is full. They're wellbeing is more important to you than your own.' At her daughter's questioning look she added, 'All you want to do is take care of them and all they want to do is take care of you. You complete each other.' Her mother's voice echoed in her mind.

"I would make them wait until they gave me the perfect gift like Daddy did for you," Lucy mumbled what she'd said back to her mother that day.

"What?" Natsu asked completely lost.

Lucy laughed, "Nothing, just a memory. I think I get it now."

-DTRE-

"Wait!" Lucy said breaking the kiss that had sent her world spinning. Cristoff pressed his forehead against hers trying to calm down.

"What?" he grunted out so worked up at finally having this woman in his arms to answer beyond one syllable.

"I can't think, put me down." Lucy heard the most pitiful whine come from her mate that she knew next to nothing about but he still set her on her feet. Taking a deep breath to clear her mind and steady her nerves she looked back up into mesmerizing eyes now almost pure silver. "I want to get to know you first," she said steadier than she felt and watched the wariness disappear to understanding as his eyes darkened slowly back to dark blue.

At his mate's plea Cristoff's mind slammed back into control keeping his dragon at bay. "Of course," he nodded smiling warmly at her brushing her bangs back from her face. "We should probably get to know each other a little better huh?" he managed to say even though his dragon was trying to tear him apart from the inside out.

"Please," Lucy said. The warm smile on her face acted as a balm to his irate dragon. Only for Mate, it conceded with a huff. Cristoff could imagine it with crossed arms and head turned away.

"Oh thank Mavis for that!" Bickslow yelled finally coming out of his surprised stupor. "I love you both but I did not want to have to watch Lucy's first time," he sighed in relief. "Virgo's punishment was one thing, this..." he didn't have words to finish.

"Speak for yourself," Vander added causing Cristoff to turn around quickly finally realizing that not only one but two of his brothers were present. What were the odds of that? "I think poor Lucy could have used some help dealing with an amorous dragon who might not have realized she was a virgin until it was too late."

Cristoff's eyes bugged as he turned back to Lucy. He couldn't believe this beauty of a woman hadn't ever had sex before, Fioren or not, but her pretty blush and air of foreboding only confirmed it. "I am so glad you stopped me," he said as he hugged her closely to his bare chest. "That would have been horrible for you."

Lucy was so embarrassed. She'd been hoping the ground would open up and swallow her the second she'd heard Bickslow voice only to wish for immediate death when she heard Vander too. They witnessed her first kiss! The poor celestial mage was freaking out until Cristoff wrapped her up in a hug. He was trembling slightly and his voice was so full of concern that her embarrassment was forgotten. 'Mama was right, he's more important to me than I am.' Smiling she said, "We'll have to take it slow and you still have to give me the perfect gift."

Looking down to meet her eyes he said amusingly, "And what is this perfect gift?"

Smiling brightly in return she said, "I don't know, that's for you to figure out."

"Ok, I hate to break up the two of you but we seriously need to find a way out of here," Bickslow said as he once again looked at the glowing walls.

"That and Cristoff is still naked," the youngest brother added just waiting for Lucy's response. He found it hilarious that she could get wrapped up in things so much so that the small details like nudity were lost. He wasn't disappointed.

Lucy immediately looked down from her place now being loosely held in her mate's arms and shrieked flushing bright red. Her hands covered her eyes as she spun around.

"Oh my Mavis! Naked so naked," Lucy rambled on quietly while Bickslow and Vander laughed hard and Cristoff pulled his hands back to rub his ears trying to stop the ringing. "Please cover up!" Lucy yelled out causing the boys to laugh harder. The dragon slayer looked confusedly from his mate's back to his brothers currently doubled over they were laughing so hard. Grabbing the towel on his shoulders he wrapped it securely around his hips.

Placing his hand gently on his little mate's shoulder to get her attention since neither brother was of any use he asked, "Is there a reason Bicks said you needed to find a way out?" Spinning around quickly she met his eyes and nodded; eyes hardening when she looked at something behind him.

Lucy stepped around her…'mate, that's going to take some getting used to,' her mind supplied. She made her way to her partners and kicked them suddenly at the same time sending them both crashing into the back wall. "Lucy kick," she added belatedly hands on her hips and foot tapping which was answered by chuckles from the half-naked man standing right behind her. "I thought that might work," she said looking back at Cristoff.

"To shut my brothers up or find a way out?"

"Both," she said simply as Bicks and Vander groaned against the wall. She smiled and blushed as Cristoff wrapped his arms around her again.

"Not that I'm upset finding myself here with you but do you mind explaining how I got here and how you're trapped in a room when you have one of Bosco's best spies with you?" It was a little difficult to believe that someone Van had gotten trapped but he had no reason not to believe anyone in this room.

"One of the best? I am the best," Vander groaned as he slowly stood up.

"Vander jinxed us saying nothing could keep him from getting in or out of a room," Bicks grunted still lying on the ground. He was the unfortunate soul who had broken the impact for his dear younger brother without the bulk of his armor on.

"Hey!" Vander said with mock offense.

-DTRE-

"So that's it and here we are," Lucy said. "I think I accidentally triggered whatever spell that brought you here when I was trying to speak with one of my spirits."

"And you say you can't summon or talk to them at all now?" Cristoff asked Lucy.

"Nope, but Bicks and Vander can still use their magic so it's not magic canceling like before."

"Let me try something," Cristoff said as he stood up holding his towel securely more for Lucy's sake instead of his own. He trusted his dragon instincts implicitly on Lucy being his mate but never once had he thought his mate would have grown up sexually repressed like she was. He knew his sexual appetite would be difficult to match even for the most experienced of individuals but against someone untried? He had some serious training to do with her.

"Are you trying to requip into your armor?" Vander asked from his spot on the floor watching Cristoff just standing there.

"Yeah but it's not working. Vander have you tired opening up into the voids or just surface shadows?" Cristoff questioned.

When nothing happened Vander pulled on his ponytail and said, "Well shit! I can't access my emergency supplies."

Cristoff nodded at the support of his hunch. "I think when you triggered the spell the room locked down only to prevent things from coming in or out. Probably to make it safe for the people who get pulled in. Would explain why none of us can requip or summon things from outside the room but can still use other magic," the dragon slayer suggested as he sat back down by Lucy's side.

"So you think the spell is still running too?" Bicks said.

"The writing is still glowing," Cristoff surmised. "I only wish we knew what the spell was supposed to do so we'd know when it would end." They all sat quietly when a loud gurgling was heard.

"Lucy we ate like 4 hours ago, you can't be hungry already," Bicks teased.

"That wasn't me!" Lucy defended.

"It came from over there," he paused and looked at Cristoff, "you?" he asked.

"I slept in on the airship this morning coming from a job so I missed breakfast. No food at my place since I haven't been there so I was going to wait until I got to Dad's for lunch," he explained. Had he known he'd be trapped in a room for who knows how long with two of his brothers and his mate he'd of been dressed with a basket of food and wine. Then again, with no bathroom maybe fasting was the wiser choice. 'Clothes still would have been ideal though,' he thought. 'Speaking of', "Vander do you think you could make me some pants or something from you shadows? Just make them really baggy so they'd fit me?"

"I could try, might take a couple of runs to get them to fit," Vander shrugged. As he stood up his clothes instantly melted away into wisps of smoke until he was left in just some boxer briefs. Lucy squeaked in surprise and turned away to give the men some privacy, 'not that they care,' she internally shook her head.

"Boscans," she muttered crossing her arms under her chest.

The brothers all smiled. "Oh come on Cosplayer, you hang out with all the Boscans in Magnolia. You know you love us!" Bicks chuckled as he watched Vander try and make pants for their beast of a brother Cristoff. While Bicks may have been the tallest in the Pradesh pack, Cristoff or Kaleb were both built like monsters compared to the other more lithe men of the family.

"That might be true but it doesn't mean I want to see you all naked," she huffed causing them to chuckle even more.

Seconds passed in quiet when Lucy started giggling. "I've just thought of something," she giggled again this time louder.

"And what was that?" Cristoff asked as he slid his new pants on checking the fit.

"I wasn't the naked one this time!" she cheered and laughed this time joined by two of the other three in the room.

Cristoff smiled as he looked around, "I've missed something again."

Bickslow cackled and slapped him on the shoulder. "This may come as a surprise to you but Vander here has actually helped Lucy keep her clothes on instead of taking them off," he laughed even harder as Lucy snorted.

"A first," she cheered raising a fist in the air.

"I'm grateful," he said trying not to think about either of his brothers taking his mate's clothes off, "but why did she need help? And how?" Cristoff sat back down and turned Lucy forward again so he could pull her into his side.

"Ah, well different reasons, mostly they were destroyed while I fought on jobs but not always. I was starting to think there was some pervy god who liked to see how many ways he could get my clothes off," she giggled. "Oh this one time a mage used a curse doll and my hair to control my body. He used the doll to have me beat up Natsu," at his questioning look she added, "my best friend a fire dragon slayer. Anyway, Happy, that's a blue exceed, was able to snatch the doll from the guy and they used me via the doll to then beat up the guy. Natsu then lit the doll's fist on fire threw it up to Happy who flew turbo speed with it. I flew through the air covered in flames until I hit the guy and knocked him out. I was like a human meteor!" Everyone was laughing at the visual. "I survived just fine but my clothes were toast."

"Ok but how did Vander help?"

"Actually it was a joint effort from all the Boscan nationals. Vander suggested I learn how to requip and helped me train hand to hand, Bicks helped me train too but more defensive and dodging and shop for enchanted clothing. Dom made the clothes. So it seems it took three grown men with, I'm told, incredible skills at getting people naked to keep me dressed," they all snickered. "Oh you guys should try to help Gray next. His stripping habit has finally gotten him a record!"

"Stripping habit? Is that even a thing?" Cristoff asked around and saw them all nodding.

"I didn't believe it until one day we were walking to the guild chatting and I looked away for a second, turned back and he was just in his boxers," Vander corroborated. "I thought he was coming on to me before he freaked out and left searching for his clothes."

-DTRE-

With nothing better to do the four mages spent their time sharing stories. It was left unspoken but each story revolved around Lucy or Cristoff to help the essentially new couple get to know each other a bit better. They sat on the floor in a circle taking turns, keeping each other distracted from their growing hunger when the wall started getting brighter again.

"Close your eyes," Lucy warned as she was bodily moved behind her mate right before the bright flash hit again.

"Red?" Vander asked eyes still firmly closed. It was one of the quirks of his magic that he was still able to see without his eyes and it came in very useful in this situation. Everyone turned to look at Erza Scarlet, luggage cart in tow, staring blankly at her hand.

"Erza?" Lucy called out to her older sister like figure. Erza turned to Lucy coming out of her shock that a sword had not appeared in her hand and proceeded to act like nothing happened.

"Lucy, there you are. You left before I could wish you a happy birthday," she said as she crossed the room and pulled Lucy into a hug crushing her face against her metal chest plate briefly. "You may punish me for my oversight," she bowed slightly. Lucy nervously laughed as she waved her hands in front of her.

"No that's alright. I hadn't planned on leaving so…" Lucy stopped and started counting days in her head. "What day is it?" she asked everyone and no one at the same time.

"July 21st," Erza smiled, "Happy belated Birthday!"

Lucy's head was down, bangs covering her eyes as a dark aura started surrounding her. "We've been on the job for 22 days now." Her voice was quite, calm, as she turned toward Bickslow and Vander. "You pulled me from one job right into another the day before my 20th birthday." Her magic flared around her in a golden glow. "I may not be able to summon any of my spirits now but I can still beat your asses," she said as small golden balls shot out toward the offending mages.

Erza looked on proudly as she watched Lucy and her magic chase around the brothers in her fit of rage. She hadn't been aware that Lucy could give her magic a physical form to attack and she was also pretty sure Lucy hadn't either; it was something she'd work on with Lucy later. Turning to the only person in the room she didn't know she introduced herself like this happened every day. "I am Erza Scarlet, mage of Fairy Tail and Lucy's good friend," she said holding out her gauntleted hand. Turning to the armored mage Cristoff took her hand and shook firmly.

"Cristoff Pradesh, Lieutenant of White Sea, older and younger brother of those two idiots and Lucy's mate," he responded in kind. Erza's eyes narrowed at the word mate and her grip tightened on his hand.

"You haven't sullied Lucy's honor have you?" Cristoff looked into the woman's blazing eyes and knew he had to handle this carefully.

"No, I should say mate-to-be. We met a few hours ago and are taking our time getting to know each other before we mate," he said calmly before extricating his hand.

The serious Fairy Tail mage smiled then finished his sentence with, "and get married. I will be happy to plan your nuptials." Erza knew only the basics of the term mate and it usually had to do with dragon slayers, sex and fate. She would not stand in the way of fate but she would ensure Lucy married before having sex the way she'd been raised to by her parents.

"I think you and my father will get along splendidly," he added then turned to watch Lucy just in time to see her tackle Bickslow to the ground, his babies cheering Lucy on instead of defending him like they should. He'd forgotten about his father until that moment and could only imagine the panic he must be feeling as one of his sons essentially disappeared from his apartment without a trace. Internally calming since there was nothing he could have done about it before he thought about how happy he'd make him when he returned with Lucy in hand.

"Do you have a communication lacrima with you?" he asked Erza hopefully who was now digging through the mountain of luggage sitting on the cart that came with her.

Blinking Erza pulled out her com and tossed it to who she considered as good as her new brother then went back to searching her luggage for some rope to help Lucy in her quest to punish the offending males.

"Thanks," he said as he started calling his father hoping that it would work and not be stopped from the room's shield.

"Cristoff!" his father's relieved voice was heard over all the fighting causing all the mages to freeze. "Where are you, you were supposed to be here hours ago. I went to your apartment and saw all of your stuff there so I know you made it here safely."

Cristoff smiled and rubbed the back of his neck. "I'm with Bickslow and Vander in Fiore. There was some weird spell that was activated on accident and it transported me and another member of Fairy Tail here. I didn't call sooner because we've been locked in a room away from all their gear and mine is still sitting at the apartment," he summarized noticing Erza listening too and nodding at the partial explanation as to how she got there. "Fortunately Erza had hers when brought here."

"Bicks and Van are there?" at his son's nod he asked as well, "Is Lucy there too? Mira told me she left on a job with them when I tried calling her earlier this month."

"Arman!" Lucy unfroze and ran over and took the lacrima from her soon to be mate. "I've missed talking to you. Your boys strong-armed me into this job and Virgo forgot to pack my communication lacrima we were in such a hurry to get ready. I'd of used one of theirs to call but I didn't know when would be a good time so I wouldn't interrupt your work," she pouted.

Cristoff looked on in astonishment as Lucy chatted happily with his father like they were old friends for a few minutes before Lucy gasped.

"You got me a birthday present?" she said quietly eyes misting up.

"Of course I did, it's not every day you turn 20!"

"Technically 27," Lucy frowned. Tenrou Island really messed up a lot of things.

"Tosh! You're 20 and just like my little Bickslow is 23."

"Oh hell no!" Bicks interjected moving over to look at his father. "That would make the girls and Cris older than me. No way!"

"Of course you are!" his father stated leaving no room for argument. "Physically you didn't age and I already had your documents changed."

"Come on little brother," Cristoff teased putting an arm around Bicks' shoulders. "Don't be angry!"

"Whatever old man," Bicks said as he cuffed his brother's shoulder. Arman turned his attention back to the blond angel he prayed everyday one of his children would fall for and make his daughter.

"Now Lucy, let me see this spell. Maybe I can hunt down someone to translate it for you and we can get you out of that room."

Lucy moved toward the wall as she turned the lacrima around to the door looking portion where it all started. "Can you read that? I was touching the rounded symbol here," Lucy said pressing what looked like a D on its side, "when I tried contacting Adro to see if he could translate it then bam, the room was locked and Cristoff appeared."

"Yes I see it. Pan the lacrima slowly over all the symbols that are carved into the wall then take a few steps back so I can get a full view."

Lucy quickly got to work making sure Arman got clean pictures of the writing. "That should do it angel. Can you hand the com back to Cristoff for me?"

"Sure thing," she said lightly blushing at the term of endearment as she passed the com off before joining Erza in her luggage.

"Hey Dad," Cristoff said noting how soft and full of hope his father's eyes were.

"Now Cristoff," Arman's face turned all business again, "I will call back once I hear anything about what this spell could be but can you find some quiet place where we won't be over-heard?"

Cristoff looked around the room now filled a good third by Erza's cart and moved to the corner farthest from everyone behind it. Standing with his back to the wall so no one could see the image on the lacrima he said, "The room's small but speak quietly and we should be fine."

"When are you going to propose to Lucy?"

Cristoff's jaw practically hit the floor. "What?" he whispered sharply to his father.

"Oh don't play naive. During the entire time we were talking you followed her around and kept touching her in some way or another. Since you couldn't be lovers already there would be no other reason for such behavior. She's the one right? Your mate?" he said hope returning to his face.

"Yes but I only met her today. Lucy deserves to be romanced and to fall in love before getting married just like every woman. If I can help it even before we mate," he explained. He should have known his father would have picked up on the littlest of things - it's what made him so good at negotiations.

Arman smiled at his now favorite son, eyes full of joy, "Just don't take too long. I want grand babies," he said before shutting off the call. Cristoff's eyes went wide as he stared at the dark screen. He'd known who his mate was for hours and already his Dad was demanding them to get married and have children in no particular order.

-DTRE-

An hour later everyone gathered to the center of the room to see what Erza had laid out. Lucy had spent the time filling her in on what had happened and answering all her questions on mates that she could as they dug through the cart of stuff Erza had thankfully been transported with.

"Ok, I've searched through all of my gear and this is all the food I have," the men's eyes bugged at what looked like enough food to last a normal person 2 weeks easily. "I didn't bring any water and that was foolish of me. It will be remedied in the future." Lucy looked concerned at her friend's mountain of stuff she always carried with her and wondered just how much larger it was going to get now. "Lucy tells me you three ate a large breakfast at around 6 this morning. I ate before I left ERA at 2; Cristoff not since the night before. I suggest we ration out the food based on our needs to keep our strength up in case an enemy gets teleported here in the future."

"Might I make a suggestion?" Cristoff asked politely getting the hang of the militaristic approach the woman in front of him seemed to prefer.

"Please, the best solutions are found through group thinking," the red-head stated matter-of-factly.

"My father called back saying he was able to find a scholar at a university that should be able to translate the spell plus he pulled our exact location from the call earlier. He's organizing an airship to come here with supplies should we not get the spell down by tomorrow. The ship would get here in about 2 days so I suggest we ration you food for at least five days to give our help time to get us free if we can't get the spell down before then. I can also make water using my magic but without the moonlight to maintain the spell it would be better if we filled some containers with the water. That way I won't require more food for the constant magic use. Do you have any empty bottles or bowls we can use?" he asked.

"Excellent, I recently purchased these adorable bowls," she reached into her stacked bags and pulled out a large box from the middle without anything shifting, "at a cute shop I passed last night."

"I will never make fun of Red for over-packing again," Vander said quietly to Bicks as they watched Cristoff and her fill a dozen large bowls from a small pool of water their brother created.

"I might," Bicks grinned once again exposing the black Fairy Tail emblem on his tongue. "I mean all her clothes, weapons and armor are stored magically so what all does she keep in there?"

-End of Chapter-

Thanks to sassykitten for the edit!