Okay, I'm ready for the angry reviews. I know it's been some time - imagine how the people reading my other story are gonna react when I finally update that - which should be soon, and I mean that for once. Anyway, things have been happening. Like, for starters: my uncle had a stroke - he's fine now, don't worry. Then I had a life for a few weeks, surprising, I know. And I'm sick now, so I got to write a chapter because I had nothing else to do.

So, yeah, I'll talk more at the ending, 'cause, hopefully, you guys are anxious to read this.

Without further ado:

Stars Were Meant For Light; Chapter 13: Familiar Voice

Sting's P.O.V

The massive piles of papers in front of me were starting to irritate me. So, doing the expected most sensible thing, I pushed at the papers into the trash next to me.

"Can't be bothered to recycle, I see." I looked up and met a pair of crimson red eyes. Beside Rogue were two exceeds, as expected. If one wasn't with me, they were both with Rogue, and vice-versa.

I smirked, "What can I say? The recycling bin is all the way on the other side of my desk."

Shaking his head, he started speaking, "You know, I can't keep going on missions and paying your rent. It's time you go on one."

"I can't." I replied, "I have guild master duties. Tough luck, Rogue." For a moment I thought I won the argument – a habit I have from always winning everything (totally) – and then realized who I was talking to. Before I knew it, the man in front of me had become a shadow, disappeared, and pulled the chair underneath me away. I fell with a thud.

Getting up, I began to verbalize my annoyance, "Gosh, can you never take a joke?"

"Yeah, Rogue, half the people in Fiore would kill to hear Sting say a joke." Lector said, siding with me, as always.

Before anyone could say anything, I spoke, "Whatever. I'll go on a mission – but I want to go alone." I looked at Lector, who started tearing up. "Sorry, little buddy, but I need some time to be alone for once, besides being in this office. Now," I said, "Time to pick a job."

Rogue shook his head again, "No. I already picked a job for you. It's enough to pay your rent and to pay me back for paying your rent for the past 2 months. Maybe if you stopped blowing the money you make as guild master this wouldn't happen."

It was true; I was spending my weekly payment I got as guild master on many things, such as a surplus of food, a new office chair, an antique painting – even though I have no interest in art – and much, much more. Too me, these were just materialistic items meant to distract myself from the thought of the few things I lost, like the Grand Magic Games and Lucy Heartfilia.

"Fine," I muttered. I left the guild, leaving Rogue in charge. I looked down at the job Rogue had picked out for me.

Help Wanted:

Stolen artifact needed to be returned.

VERY IMPORTANT!

Reward: 400,000 Jewels

Looked easy enough, especially for the reward that was being given. Of course, anything is easy for me, the "Great Sting Eucliffe." And the town where this was stolen – Fa'nil – wasn't too far away, meaning a short train ride. That was a win.

Once I reached my apartment – which was big enough for a family of five, but just housed me and Lector – I pulled out a backpack. I didn't expect to be there for more than a day, so I only packed two "shirts" (I consider anything that covers at least half of my chest a shirt), an extra pair of pants, a toothbrush – hygiene is important – and, most surprisingly, a book.

I looked at the time. One-forty-six (1:46). I decided to head to the train station right now, try to get to Fa'nil as early as possible and finish the mission today, and then relax and come back early tomorrow morning. Because, as much as this town may be somewhat boring, there's nothing like the town of Al'Sabe.

Making my way to the train station, which was all the way on the other side of the fairly big town, I was ogled at by women and men alike. I mean, that's what you get when you're as awesome as me. Which nobody can be as awesome as mean, so I guess only I get it. In a sense, Lector also gets it, but that's beside the point.

Along with the ogling, I got "some" compliments, which, to sum it up, all went somewhere along the lines of explaining my awesomeness.

After finally reaching the train station, the time was two-eleven (2:11). I went to wait in line to buy a ticket, only to be escorted to the front of the line by others waiting in line and given a ticket for free. I also got my backpack taken to my seat on the train and a personal area on the train at the very back.

The train for Fa'nil left in thirteen (13) minutes, at two-forty-five (2:45). I walked through the crowd, winking at people, flashing a smile or two at them, the normal thing I do.

Once I finally reached my compartment, I sat down next to the window. The time for departure was near – in a minute, actually.

I saw another train behind my train that I hadn't noticed before. The passengers were getting off now.

Then it hit me.

The smell of strawberries and vanilla hit me through my nostrils. Sure I had smelt this many times – before and after seeing Lucy at the Grand Magic Games. But this time, it was special and I knew it wasn't just some other person who smelled of strawberries and vanilla, no – it was Lucy.

Once the realization came upon me, a short figure with golden-blonde hair emerged from the train, wearing a black skirt, a black shirt, and a black sun hat that made their pale skin brighter than it was.

I finally had my chance to see her. I got up and –

"The train for the city Fa'nil will now be departing!" the train conductor said in a booming voice, heard all throughout the station.

I ran for the exit that was attached to my train car, but was put at a stop as soon as the train started moving.

It was the motion sickness.

Before becoming completely black out, I let out one last cry:

"Lucy!"

Lucy's P.O.V

Simply seconds after I emerged from the train I heard a familiar voice. One I had not heard in months – one that I would never forget.

One that I had missed.

"Lucy!"

The voice that had uttered a cry uttered my name. I turned to the direction it came from, only to be disappointed to see it came from a train going in another direction then what my next train – which left in two hours – went.

I looked down, noticing how my black skirt and sandals completely contrasted with the brick floor that had turned a bright yellow – some may argue it was a mix of yellow and white – with age.

"Sting."

Did you guys really think I'd give you a StiCy moment that quick? I know, I'm somewhat cruel. Anyway, I have a few things to say before my laptop dies.

1: In my profile, it says if you have any story requests, you can tell me and, if it interests me, I'll do it. So if you want a story and are too lazy to right it, I might do it for you!

2: I feel like there aren't enough non-NaLu stories. And it's not that I hate NaLu - they're one of the few "realistic" pairings - I just feel like they're over saturated. So if you're a writer, I encourage you to try and write a non-NaLu story and maybe we, as a group, can start something. We could call it the "Equality for All Ships Revolution!" or something like that.

3: I think this might be the last, please, please review! More reviews = more motivation = more writing = more chapter = more story! Without the reviews, I feel like there's no point in updating. It's like: "Why put so much effort into something with no reward (The reward is happiness, by the way).

So anyway, sorry for not updating in a while, and I hope you guys forgive me. My spring break is coming up, and I'll be at my grandma's for most of it, and that's were I like to write (even though I finished this chapter at home, but I started it at my grandma's. Gotta mean something, right?).

Anyway, 'til next time.

~AGuyOnAComputer AKA: Peter