Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail or any of the amazing characters that you recognize in this story.

Chapter 3

Soft light filtered in through the slight parting of the curtains beside the bed. Being touched by the sun's warmth, Lucy struggled to stay asleep. Cracking one eye open slowly, she glared at the offending light that chased her out of dreamland. Stupid sun. Turning her back to the window, Lucy glanced at the clock on her bedside table. 11:43. Wow. I slept in pretty late. I guess I should get up, shouldn't I?

Slowly sitting up on the bed, Lucy stretched her arms above her head and then winced as pain shot through her head. Mavis save me, my head feels like it is going to split wide open. Ugh and I reek. Bathroom.

As Lucy made her way out of her bed, across the room and into the bathroom, stumbling slightly as she went. This had to be the hangover from Hell. Shower or bath? Bath. I so do not feel like standing up right now. Lucy perched on the edge of her tub waiting for the warm water to reach the appropriate height. Once that task was complete, and she had submerged herself into the steaming water, she let her thoughts drift to the previous night.

Following Natsu's departure, the guild remained deathly silent for all of two seconds before erupting back into life. There were shouts as well as murmurs about what had just taken place.

Walking over to the bar, Gray leaned against the wooden counter top, looking to all those around as if he didn't have a care in the world. This couldn't be any further from the truth. Gray was concerned for Lucy. She had come to be an important part of his team and if he were to be honest with himself, she was like a little sister to him, or at least the closest thing he would ever have to a sister. Never before had Gray entertained the idea of being close to anyone. Not since his teacher's sacrifice, followed on the heels of his parents' deaths. Then there was the ejection from Lyon's life, not that Gray had truly blamed him. He had felt responsible for what happened to Ur. He would never truly be able to get rid of that guilt.

The ice mage had never expected to find a place where he belonged, or a community of people that were so open and accepting, yet he had at Fairy Tail. Though some might still consider him on the cold side, everyone accepted him as he was, stripping habit and all. He had come a long way from the stubborn, seemingly unfeeling child he had been growing up and it was all thanks to his teammates, Natsu and Erza. They were always there for him, whether it be for a good old fashion brawl or a picking a mission that decided the fate of Fiore. They were there for him, that was just who they were; that is who they had always been. Happy was just, well, happy. He was a magical flying cat. Enough said. Then there was Lucy. Sweet, fiery, fiercely loyal Lucy who cared for others before caring for herself. She was the shining light of their team, nay, the guild. None of them would be the same without her in their lives.

Gray had come to truly appreciate her and her caring ways over the past few years. She had been there for him after his encounter with Lyon on Galuna Island. When they came back to Magnolia, she had pulled Gray aside and listened to him as he told her about his past, well, as much as he was willing to tell anyone. All she did was listen but that was all he had needed. She was so compassionate and forgiving all the time. Hell, no matter how much their team annoyed her or pissed her off by constantly breaking into her house and eating up her food, she was always quick to forgive. That was just how was she was and he loved her for it.

He also knew that because of her nature, sometimes people tended to take advantage of her kindness. This was something he would not stand for, and would do everything in his power to make sure it did not happen.

Mira had finally seemed to notice Gray at the bar and walked over to him. With a slightly dazed look on her face, she asked if there was anything that she could get for him.

"Yeah, could you get me the special? I'm starving. Dealing with Natsu at times can be really taxing." Gray requested, settling into the stool beside the guy who had, just moments earlier, caused all of the uproar.

"Sure thing." Mira said before slowly making her way to the kitchen, still glancing towards Bickslow as she went.

The ice mage waited until the eldest Strauss sibling disappeared from sight before making his move.

"So, are you gonna tell me what really happened between you and Lucy last night? You and I both know she isn't the kind of person to do what you are suggesting, so spill it."

Looking towards Gray, who was sitting beside him fully naked, Bickslow couldn't help but think, And they think I am a pervert? At least I don't go about flashing my dick at everyone all the time.

"As I told Fire Crotch, that is between me and Cheerleader." He said as rounds of "Fire Crotch" were repeated by his babies. "Let's just keep it at this, we are a lot more alike then anyone would think."

"Dammit man, I'm not gonna sit here and let you speak that way about her. She is a good girl and can be too nice for her own good. I won't let you take advantage of that." Gray all but growled out. "I may not be as hot headed as Natsu but that doesn't mean I won't freeze your tongue to your ass or freeze off your d-" his tirade was interrupted by the demon barmaid setting his plate down in front of him.

Mira seemed to have composed herself sometime after stepping away from the bar. Her dazed look had been replaced by a look of elation; It looked as though she had been handed a basket of fluffy kittens.

"I hope you enjoy it!" Mira said. "Also, your clothes seem to have run away again."

Looking down, Gray notice his nakedness for the first time. "What the fuck?! Where are my clothes?" he said before dashing off in search of the missing articles of fabric.

Mira turned away from the frantic Gray, her attention becoming fixated onto the only one left at the bar. "Now Bickslow," She started sweetly, "I'm going to need you to tell me everything that happened between you and Lucy last night."

"No way." was his reply.

"If you don't tell me, I will be forced to let slip the contents of a little conversation that I overheard. You wouldn't want that, now would you?" Mira's smile seemed to take on a slightly sinister look to it as she made her unveiled threat.

What in Hell is she talking about? "What conversation?" he replied. As he said this, Gray sat back down beside him, fully clothed and began eating his slightly cold food.

"You know, the one that you had with Laxus last summer regarding your t-" this time it was Mirajane who was cut off as Bickslow slammed his hands down on the counter top with a frantic look.

"How do you know about that?!" the seith mage exclaimed, blushing furiously. This outburst caused those around them to look over at the pair briefly before looking away. All except Gray that is.

"Oh, I have my ways." was all she said while looking at him expectantly.

Bickslow took a gulp of the drink she had set down in front of him. Was she bluffing? Would she really tell everyone... that? Mavis, how humiliating. He wasn't about to take any chances.

"Fine," he mumbled, "I'll tell you. Just NEVER mention that conversation to anyone."

Mira beamed and exclaimed, "Deal!"

"Well here is what happened..."

Lucy stared on as Bickslow walked into the bar. She stood there contemplating what to do. It was getting late. She knew she should start heading home to get some sleep but the possibility of her home being invaded by her teammates was an unpleasant thought. She just couldn't face them right now. On the other hand, she could just go into this bar and have some drinks with her perverted but seemingly harmless guild mate, who more than likely would leave her alone to go chase some other skirt.

Before she could think much more about it, Lucy found herself seated at the bar beside the tall seith mage.

"So, fun it is!" Bickslow stated at the appearance of Lucy.

With a slightly rebellious look on her face, the celestial mage replied "Aye, Sir." before slamming back Bickslow's freshly poured shot.

Throughout the course of the evening, Lucy found herself relaxing for the first time in weeks. Her negative thoughts seemed to disappear with each drink she consumed.

Lucy thought to herself, Is this all it takes? Just some shots with an almost stranger? Deep down, Lucy knew this was not going to make everything better. This wasn't going to change anything but at least she could forget her problems for now. She could not fix being a failure but she could at least numb herself to the pain for a while.

No thinking. Slamming back another shot, Lucy wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and proceeded to look over at her companion. He hadn't said much to her but had been keep up with her shot for shot.

Noticing her not so subtle stare, Bickslow turned towards Lucy asking, "What, see something you like?" followed with a leering grin.

Huffing, the busty blonde replied with "No, I was just thinking that this is the first that we had ever so much as sat together. I don't really know anything about you."

Bickslow stared at her for a moment, babies floating silently behind him. "Well, not many people do, besides my team that is."

"Why is that?" she asked.

"You mean besides people thinking I'm a huge pervert?" he asked, tongue wagging while shouts of "Pervert, Bickslow is a pervert." filled the air.

Lucy just stared at him, face serious but with eyes slightly unfocused.

He sighed. He was uncomfortable. He didn't do serious feelings. They were too much for him to handle. Having fun and getting shitfaced, that's what he did. That's how he coped with things. He could see though that this line of questioning was not going to get dropped that easily though. "It is probably because of my magic."

"Your magic? Why is that?" She asked studying him as closely as she could while trying to stay stable in her seat.

"Well, people tend to be freaked out because I collect souls. They just can't seem to grasp the idea that I am helping them. Everyone just thinks that I entrap them to do my bidding. But that isn't it at all! I love my babies."

As he said all of this Lucy couldn't help but look at the little totems behind him. Indeed, they didn't seem to be entrapped because they seemed to have their own personalities.

"So, you collect souls kind of like I collect spirits, right?" She asked, shifting her attention back to the mage before slamming back another shot. How many was that? Eh, whatever.

"Yeah, in a sense. I mean, technically, but you use holder magic while I use caster magic." Bickslow replied before throwing back his own shot.

Lucy seemed to get lost in thought for a moment before turning away from him and back to the bar. "Yeah, holder magic. Practically useless." he heard her say under her breath.

"Why do you say that?"

She obviously hadn't meant for him to hear what she had said, for she turned back to him in surprise so quickly that she fell off of her stool and into him.

Righting herself, she stammered out "Sorry." before turning back to the bar blushingfrom booze and embarrassment.

Bickslow watched her from the slits in his visors as she continued to stare down at the next shot in her hands. Mavis, this night is weird.

The bartender came past them, letting the two know that it was last call. Bickslow,feeling a bit drained from the topic they had just been discussing, ordered 4 bottles of sake. Two for him and two for the cheerleader.

While this was going on, Lucy was sinking into herself again. The alcohol had helped most of the night to keep her mind off of her issues. The longer she sat thinking to herself though, the louder her thoughts were getting. Useless. Alone. Not worthy. Round and round they went until an earthenware bottle was set down in front of her.

"Drink up, Cheerleader. "

And she did.

Lucy was surprised she had made it home last night. After going over the events of the evening in her head she was surprised at how much she had drank. Hell, she might have even been able to give Cana a run for her money last night, though she was thankful it had been the seith mage who had found her and not her curvy brunette friend. He at least left her alone. Cana would have been way too nosy about what was going on with Lucy.

Draining the tub, Lucy stepped out wrapped in her towel. Now that her head was a little clearer, her thoughts soon left the night before and began to wander once again to the incident from two weeks ago. Last night had been a needed distraction but that was all it was. Her problems were still there. She was still there.

Biting her lip, Lucy tried to hold back her tears. She needed to get ready. She needed to go to the guild hall before someone came here looking for her. She needed... she needed...

She didn't know what she needed. It felt as though everything was out of her reach. Tears of frustration finally spilled from her eyes. Why couldn't she be stronger. Dammit all. Why am I so fucking useless all the time. she thought as she slid to the tiled floor of her bathroom.

A/N: Thank you so much for the reviews :) I am glad that you are enjoying the story so far! I hope that this chapter doesn't disappoint. We still have a ways to go. Also, I am sorry for any errors made in this chapter. I rewrote this chapter a few times...