"'Sides, she's staying with us forever!"

"Yeah!" Lucy agreed. "Wait what?"

"You're staying, right?" Natsu repeated.

"I hadn't planned on it..."

"Wait, Lucy, you're leaving?" Levy asked.

"That... well... yes."

"Oh. I'm so sorry! You must think I'm so self-centered! I had just assumed..."

"I don't think you're self-centered! Really! I just-" And then it hit her.

In the past few hours she had been there, regardless of the fact that most of those hours she had spent unconscious, these people had made her feel at home. They had make her feel like family and, for the first time since her mother had died, she had felt accepted, wanted. And she had loved every moment of it, despite how weirded out she might have been at first. She wanted to stay. She wanted to stay and get to know Levy, the book-loving bluenette in front of her. She wanted to get to know Gray, despite his creepy stripping habit (and maybe because of it too). She wanted to get to know Mirajane, the sweet, lovely receptionist that might or might not have reminded her a little of her mother. She wanted to get to know Erza, who didn't seem all that scary, but rather very kind and gallant. But most of all, she wanted to get to know Natsu.

Natsu, the definitely-crazy pinkette that had helped her out when she was being harassed by a creep... and had promptly kidnapped her after. Natsu, who seemed to be able to start a fight, just by walking into a room. Natsu, who was just a little too over friendly and needed to redefine personal space considering how long he had held onto her hand when he dragged her to the hospital. Natsu, he seemed to have an endless, infinite amount of energy and never sat or stood completely still. Even now, awaiting her answer, his foot was tapping (more like thumping) up and down. Lucy wanted to get to know Natsu. She wanted to know his story, why he was here, why he had helped her, why he had brought her.

She wanted...

...

She wanted to stay.

Lucy wanted to stay at the Vermillion Institu-no. Lucy wanted to stay at Fairy Tail.

"Then why didn't you just say so?"

Lucy blinked twice. She looked up. Natsu was standing in front of her, staring down at her with wide slanted eyes. "What?" Had she spoken out loud? More importantly, how much had she said out loud? "I..."

"If you want to stay, then why don't you? It's simple, isn't it?"

"It really is simple," added pipped Mirajane. "Technically, according to Fioran law, as a hospital we aren't at liberty to turn away anyone."

Lucy hesitate slightly. "Can I really?"

"Just join already Luce!" Natsu whined. He looked impatient enough to throwing a childish tantrum.

"Yeah! Join us Lucy!" Levy agreed.

"You'd have to deal with this loser all the time," Gray jerked his chin at Natsu, "but Fairy Tail is pretty awesome."

"Join us Lucy!" Someone shouted and soon, the entire room was filled with choruses of "Join us Lucy!". Even the people Lucy didn't even know where encouraging her wholeheartedly.

"C'mon Luce." Natsu extended a hand. "What're you waiting for?"

Her heart skipped a beat and Lucy blamed it on being the center of attention.

"Okay!"

In the next five minutes, the guild slipped into party-mode. Before Lucy could even comprehend what was happening, streamers were up, the smell of pizza filled the air and a drink had been put in her hand.

"Alright guys, on three! 1... 2... 3!"

"WELCOME TO FAIRY TAIL LUCY!"

Drinks were downed and Lucy was whisked through introductions. Levy introduced her to Jet and Droy, two boys obviously infatuated with the small girl. She met Macao and Wakaba. She was introduced to Cana, a girl who smelled a little too much like alcohol. Mirajane introduced her to Elfman. She also met Bisca and Alzack, a pair that seemed almost inseparable. According to Levy, there were four members who had been granted permission to leave the guild and weren't there. Lucy had honestly thought that there were a lot more people considering the noise the crowd made, but it was a relatively moderate-sized group.

They were a colorful bunch, definitely. But Lucy thought that they all seemed really happy and couldn't begin to think of why any of them were at a mental hospital. Sure, they were all very eccentric, very loud, but none of them seemed like the wackjobs she expected to find at an institute. What surprised Lucy the most, however, was how easily they accepted her. They didn't even question it. It was just boom and she was part of the family! The atmosphere was so warm and friendly, even with the constant scuffles being started by the boys. It was almost alien to her, and she loved it.

The party lasted late into the night. Lucy, Levy and Mirajane contented themselves to watching the boys fight, laughing among each other at their foolish competitions. (Natsu and Gray's belching contest was interrupted by a monstrous burp from Elfman).

A little past midnight, the seemingly-limitless-in-energy were passed out on the floor. Lucy watched a sleeping Natsu for a few minutes in fascination. In the past five minutes, he had managed to kick Gray three times and punch him twice. Even asleep, he was restless.

"Lucy," Levy said quietly, tugging on the girl's sleeve. "We should get to bed."

"Is it okay to leave them like this?"

Levy stifled a giggle. "They'll be fine, right Mira?"

Mirajane nodded and gestured for them to go to bed. All three girls left for the bedrooms, turning of the lights behind them.

Lucy changed into the pajamas Levy had offered her, though they were awfully tight on her. She snuggled underneath the bed sheets, smiling to herself as the lights went off. She heard Levy shuffle around in bed before getting settled.

"Lucy?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm glad you're here."

"Me too."

...

"Levy?"

The bluenette responded with a soft snore. Lucy rolled to her side and close her eyes before whispering, "thank you."

A/N: This chapter was a little short (and kinda crappy), sorry! School started again and I've been so busy TT_TT I'll try to update when I can... If you have any tips or comments, leave it in a review! Thanks for reading! (o^_^o)/