Here is the next chapter, guys ^-^ this is a cute chapter. Well, it's supposed to be xD Hope you like it. And no I don't own Erol or any Jack character apart from Lucy.

Erol looked back at the Barron, unsure of what to do. The last time he was in a situation like this, it ended badly for him. He could feel Lucy's grip on him tighten. The Barron stared back at Erol, nodded and then left the room in haste. Erol's thoughts drifted back to Lucy. Her face was streaked with dried tears that left white trails down her cheeks; her hair clung to her face, eyes squeezed shut so tight, it was as if she thought her eyes were going to escape if she dared open them. Erol felt a need to return her embrace, tell her it was okay and that it was all a dream. But his courage fled him just as fast as the citizens of Haven City flee from danger. He scorned himself for being so weak.

He felt her arms unwrap themselves from around his neck. Lucy sat up and wiped her face with the sleeve of her gown. Tears still stung in the corner of her eyes, threatening to spill at any moment. But she kept her composure and fought back the tears. She looked at Erol and stared for what seemed like forever and he stared back. His eyes searched hers for answers and they portrayed emotions such as frustration and concern. Just as fast as it came, another unidentified emotion blazed in his eyes before going back to their original cold, hard shells. Lucy inwardly winced, thinking she may have irritated the Commander.

"May I remind you, Lucy that I have an early shift today and I do not need you interrupting my sleep" Erol said sternly. Lucy sighed.

"Forgive me. I don't know what came over me" she looked at her hands, playing with the sleeve of her gown.

"You'd better control yourself in the future. I do not need you screaming at all ours of the day and night. Now, I am going to get ready for the day" he paused for a second. "I have seen to it that you have some new clothes to blend in. I hope they fit" he said with a cold tone. With that, he walked out of the room and Lucy was left all by herself.

'Where are my new clothes?' she asked herself. As if Erol had heard her, he came back into the room and handed her some folded material. He then gracefully left the room, pride in each step he took. Lucy unfolded the clothes and gasped. The top was black all over with red writing in precursor that read "TIC" which she guessed meant "temporary captain". The trousers were too black with a red stripe down the inside of the trouser leg. There were black, chunky boots that went up half the leg, also with a red stripe. Black gloves were also provided. Lucy loved her new outfit. So much so that she started to put it on right away, practically leaving skid marks on the floor.

"You'd better be dressed, Lucy!" Erol called from the other side of the door.

"Yes!" Lucy replied.

Erol walked back into the room and stopped dead in his tracks. He couldn't help but stare at the sight before him. 'Suited her better than I thought' he said to himself. The clothes hugged her body and showed off her womanly figure. Lucy just smiled meekly, bringing Erol back to reality. Erol shook away his thoughts and glared.

"I don't see what you are finding so funny but you had better pull yourself together" he smirked before continuing. "We are going to see the Barron"

"Yay?" Lucy whispered.

Erol lead the way through the maze of a palace. Guards stopped to salute their Commander and gave nods to Lucy who waved excitedly. No one knew why she was so happy and yet it seemed to brighten the moods of the guards. 'Just like the Futurama episode with the chocolate factory' Lucy though, chuckling as she walked. Erol looked back to Lucy and frowned. 'For someone who had just woken up screaming, she certainly is happy' he thought. They finally reached the throne room where Barron Praxis was staring out of the huge glass window.

"Barron" Erol greeted as he stood next to his leader.

"Ah, Erol. I see you have given my new Third in Command their uniform?" Barron asked. Lucy's eyes widened in surprise and wonderment.

"Yes, it seems to suit her well" Erol looked over to Lucy who shifted uncomfortably under his gaze.

"Humph. Lucy, step forwards" the Barron commanded as he turned to face her.

Lucy slowly made her way to the Barron. She stopped a few feet away from him. Lucy trembled not from fear but the excitement that flowed through her. 'Third in Command' she repeated to herself.

"Lucy, you are to take orders from only me and Erol. Anyone else, you have full command over. I am counting on you to lift morale" Barron placed a hand on her shoulder and Lucy suddenly though back to her father. He would always put his hand on her shoulder and say "Make me proud".

"I'll do my best, sir" she saluted and then stood next to Erol who smirked at her sudden seriousness.

"Good. Now, I want you two to patrol the stadium area. There have been reports of unusual activity and I want you two to keep an eye on things" Barron paused before looking at Erol. "And when I say the stadium area, I mean patrol the whole area, not just the garage"

Erol bowed and Lucy followed suit and then they both walked out to head over to there destination. When they got outside the palace, a zoomer was parked next to the door. Lucy noticed it was a single one and panicked. Erol saw her troubled face.

"What is wrong with you now?" he growled.

"It's a single one" she pointed out.

"Yes, it is. Glad to see you have your sight" he rolled his eyes.

"I mean, how are we going to fit on?" she asked.

"You sit at the back, and I sit at the front. Good enough?"

"Has to be" she grumbled to herself.

Erol got on first and then Lucy hesitantly climbed on. Once they were both comfortable, Lucy wrapped her arms around Erol's waist. Erol stared at her, confused at her actions. Lucy just smiled and told him it was so she didn't fall off. Erol blushed and hid it behind his mask that he pulled over his face. He started the engine and with a loud roar, they both sped off to the stadium.

Here you go :) Don't hurt me