Quietly entering the classroom, Lucy looked around for a free desk in the back to sit in. Miss Strauss' English class was jammed packed – mostly with boys. In this class, all the good seats were in the front because the students who paid attention were rewarded. Extra marks to anyone who could answer a question correctly. Miss Strauss was a well loved teacher, students, staff and parents alike loved her! When Lucy first came to Magnolia High, she'd hear rumours that Miss Strauss was an ex – bikini model and pictures of her from Sorcerer magazine were making it's rounds about the school. Although, never having seen them herself, Lucy could see the rumours being true! A small but voluptuous woman, Mirajane Strauss didn't leave much to the imagination in the way of looks. Although she always dressed professionally, her uniquely coloured silver-white hair in various hairstyles, there were sometimes issues with the male students sending her love notes, even a proposal once. To give her credit, she took it all in stride, explaining how it was inappropriate for a student teacher relationship. Very few times, the principle, Makarav Dreyer – mister Dreyer - had to get involved.

So distracted in looking for a seat, Lucy missed the hand that came out and grabbed her by the shirt, tugging her into some ones lap. Just as she let out a gasp, a hand clasped over her mouth, effectively silencing her. It wasn't until the hand moved and she was seated did she lean in and kick the person beside her. Ignoring the stinging, burning pain of the various bruises on her body, Lucy glared at the person and swung her binder – hard.

"That wasn't nice."

At hearing the persons voice, immediately Lucy dropped her binder and felt a shiver run down her spine. Before her sat the last person she'd expected to end up sitting beside in any class – although they had all their classes together. He usually sat with Gajeel, so why was his seat empty...and why did he pull her against him like that...? Trying to figure out the answers, Lucy simply stared. Natsu Dragneel – her once childhood friend – was beside her. What the hell?! Like ice water down her back, it hit her – she should apologize!

"Natsu, I am so sorry! You shouldn't grab me like that! I -"

"Natsu Dragneel and Lucy Heartfillia! Why are you talking in my class?! And Mister Dragneel, why and where are you grabbing Miss Heartfillia!?"

Both teens froze in shock at being caught by their teacher. Lucy still had her binder raised above her head, Natsu reaching out to her. When the two turned their heads to look at their teacher, Miss Strauss' happy go lucky look was gone, replaced by a look so demonic and scary, their blood turned to ice in their veins. It brought to mind another rumour Lucy had heard...their English teacher was one of the best Take Over mages through out Fiore...and one of the strongest mages in the school! To get on her bad side...the things that had been said! Scary, murderous, torture, missing students, whole families moving away...! Just thinking about it had the two teens shivering in fear, Lucy gripping Natsu's hand in a vice grip. Speechless, Lucy couldn't help but toss a look at Natsu when said teen burst out laughing a little to loud and waving his hand dismissively.

"You know what a spaz Lucy is! She was about to trip and I grabbed her shirt is all...no harm done! Couldn't let her fall on her face!"

"I'm not a spaz, you idiot!"

When Natsu stepped on Lucy's foot hard, she could feel tears come to her eyes but quickly caught on. He was covering for her! Not lying exactly...Lucy did step on his backpack and might have tripped...but why would he risk himself like that too? Before she could think it through anymore however, their teachers expression immediately changed back to the one of a sweet and motherly individual. Duly scolded, the two sat there and worked on their work in silence for a few moments, afraid as to what would happen if they spoke up again.

As the clock ticked away the seemingly endless minutes, Lucy could feel her body start to throb in pain. It started on her shoulder where Loke had helped her with the cover up...bruises covered all down her back, legs, shoulders and stomach. Jude was always careful to hit places that could be covered up...

Shifting again, Natsu growled softly beside her, gently tapping her knee with his own. Ignoring the pain that went lancing down her leg, Lucy elbowed him. A few seconds later, a piece of paper was slipped slowly across their table between them. On it, scrawled in Natsu's chicken scratch, two little words that had her heart pounding. She could feel sweat break out on her palms and Lucy made a show of scooting her chair closer to dry them quickly on her jeans.

You okay?

Forcing her hand to not shake, ignoring her bodies stiff muscles, she peeked to see if the teacher was looking and quickly wrote back an answer, her writing more fluid and legible.

I'm fine...why?

As Natsu read her response, a soft sigh escaped him and he shook his head. Anxiety began to jab Lucy's stomach and she quickly pretended to stretch, looking to see if she'd missed any exposed bruises. Relief flooded through her when she couldn't find a one. She'd been doing this for years – she knew what she was doing. Still though, if some one as dense as Natsu could find out...there could be trouble she didn't need...

You keep moving and making little noises...it's cute but people are going to wonder what's going on back here...I don't want Satan after us twice in one class...you sure you're okay?

Lucy just barely caught a squeak about to escape. She knew she was moving around a lot, but she was making noises?! And Natsu thought they were...cute? Picking up her pen and tucking the paper under her notebook, Lucy pretended to copy down the notes as Miss Strauss made her rounds. Pausing at Levy and Gajeel's desk to answer a question he had, Lucy took the opportunity to quickly jot down an answer. She couldn't help the wicked grin from forming, though she bit down on her lower lip to keep from laughing out loud.

Natsu Dragneel, you are a pervert commenting on my innocent noises! What were you thinking when you said people would think was going on back here?

Sliding the note back with a smirk, Lucy had to clear her throat to cover a laugh at Natsu laughing. He recovered quickly, coughing a few times in his sleeve to cover when Miss Strauss looked their way. It was a close call and Lucy anxiously watched as their teacher walked back to the front for her copy of Catcher In The Rye – their current unit.

I'm the pervert? You're the one wiggling and making the noises – not me. What did YOU think was happening, Lucy? Maybe you're the prev! Lucy's a pervert!

At reading what he'd written, Lucy glared and stomped on his toes, a satisfied grin coming over her as she could see him biting back a comment. Before she could write anything, Natsu snatched up the paper again and quickly wrote, passing it back over.

Come to my house after school, Lucy.

Lucy's mind began to race. Why would Natsu want her at his house?! What was he thinking about when he made his comment about her noises? She had an idea, but that wasn't Natsu's normal behaviour! That was more Grey's department...or Juvia's if it involved Grey! Natsu must've noticed her look because once again he took the paper and quickly wrote.

See? Pervert. If you remember, Luce, Gajeel is my half – brother...we live under the same roof...and Levy and Gajeel are dating – Levy is coming over after school to 'study' and I need to babysit our sister Wendy, she's twelve and knows everything – or so she thinks! So? Up for a little babysitting study session? I'll make it worth your while...

Ignoring the fluttering in her chest at the last words on the note, Lucy thought it over. It seemed like all Natsu wanted was a babysitter! But...it would get her out of the house. Away from her father and give her a chance to actually study without worrying! Plus, Grayson and Carla Marvell were nice people. She'd met them when Natsu, Lucy, Levy and Gajeel were just kids, Wendy hadn't been born yet. Missus Marvell – formally Dragneel and Redfox before that – and mister Marvell were devoted parents and very kind. Natsu being the oldest had no memories of his birth father Igneel – just that he'd died while working on the job one day. He didn't even know what his job was, just that he'd had dragonslayer fire magic and it passed on to him. His mother didn't talk about him and there were no pictures Natsu had said.

Next came Gajeel from their mother's second marriage. Again Gajeel didn't know his father – the man had run off when he'd found out Carla was pregnant with his child...bad enough, he'd said, that he had one brat of a dead guy to look after. Soon after Gajeel was born, their mother met and later married her current husband, Grayson Marvell. At the time, Natsu was four, Gajeel three. Nine months after Grayson and Carla married – Wendy was born. Twelve years later, Natsu was seventeen, Gajeel sixteen and Wendy twelve. Natsu and Gajeel were adopted right after the Marvell's had gotten married but out of respect for their birth fathers, Grayson and Carla let them keep their last names.

So lost in thought, Lucy had forgotten the note Natsu had left her. When the bell rang, it jerked her out of her reverie and Natsu was already stuffing books into his bag, always in a hurry! Quickly Lucy grabbed his hand and said his name. His hand felt so warm in hers...as the warmth spread through her, she could feel herself relaxing, the tension loosening.

"You said you needed a study partner?"

"That and company, yea...if you're not busy."

Silent a moment, she quickly dropped his hand when Levy and Gajeel came over. Blushing and worrying they might've seen, she stuffed her books in her bag.

"Sure, Natsu, for a bit...I'll meet you at the school gates, okay?"

"Great! See you after school, Lucy!"

As Natsu grinned his usual contagious grin, Lucy found herself smiling and waving back at him as he bolted to the next class in Yellow Hall II...today was training day and she nervously realized she'd be stuck with Natsu yet again. They were drawn as training partners this year.

"Hey, Lucy! What was that about?"

"Natsu invited me over to study – and I suspect to help watch Wendy..."

"Geh hi hi! Good luck...she woke cranky this morning!"

Looping her arm through Levy's, Lucy tried to not groan out loud at her next class. When a soft gasp escaped her at Levy putting her arm around her waist, Lucy ignored their looks but smiled a little when instead of letting go, Levy gently held her a little closer, offering silent comfort. A thought slowly crawled through Lucy's mind as they went.

Who and where would I be in this world without friends like these at my side...