DISCLAIMER: I do not own Fairy Tail..if I did natsuXlucy will be cannon

HEAVEN CAN WAIT

Where do you belong?

Lucy ate her sandwich slowly. It's so quiet and boring. Without conscious effort her mind shifted to her errant nakama. Do they miss me?.. When did I become so self-centered? He deserves to be happy.. but all I can think about is me. Suddenly feeling nauseous she put her half eaten sandwich on her plate and stood up. Stop thinking about it Lucy. She mentally reprimanded herself as she left enough money to cover the bill and a small tip before leaving the restaurant .

Climbing the stairs to her room she contemplated the wisdom of calling Loki out to keep her company. He might insist on another training session... but I don't want to be alone.

"OPEN! GATE OF THE LION! LEO"

To her surprise it was not Loki who had answered her call but Virgo who now stood in front of her.

Virgo started to explain her presence "Brother-"

Lucy completed the rest "-is on a date so he asked you to cover for him again, didn't he?"

"Yes princess. I was also asked to hand this over to you" Virgo handed her a sealed envelope. Lucy saw that it had her name written on it in flowy script, taking it from Virgo's hand she turned it over to inspect the seal. Though she was puzzled as to why Loki had sent her a letter she put it down on her bedside table and asked Virgo "Do you want to stay for a while or you have to return?"

She balked and almost regretted asking when Virgo predictably asked whether she was going to be punished by Lucy. After a short argument which Lucy was more than happy to lose she laid on her stomach on the bed as the knots on her back were worked out by the massage that Virgo was giving her.

An hour later a content and relaxed Lucy Dismissed Virgo after her hair was brushed and braided for sleep. She sat on the edge of her bed contemplating the unopened letter lethargically. Why would Loki write to me when he could have told me about whatever-this-is directly? I guess this means I am not going to like the contents much- Lucy sat cross-legged leaning against the pillows which were propped against her headboard. For a long time her mind was everywhere yet nowhere. Suddenly she sat up and rolled her eyes at her own stupidity. I am not going to know what is in it unless I open it. Sliding her finger under the seal she broke open the letter.

Dearest Lucy,

You definitely wouldn't have expected a letter from me at this point of time but there are some things that need to be said. The reason I am writing this instead of standing in front of you is to give you the space and time you will need to digest this information and to sort out your thoughts at your own pace. This letter contains the concerns of all of us spirits under your contract (ah..well not all of us- Aquarius and Scorpio are away for the weekend. Don't ask.. we have learned not to question those two. At least not within Aquarius's earshot*wince*) so I ask you to consider and give some thought to what we say. This may not what you want to hear but it is what we believe you need to hear.

You my dear girl are a spoilt brat and I mean it in the nicest way possible. You have run away to lick your wounds at the first sign that you are not going to get what you want. You are running but do you know what are you running from? I-We understand and approve of your need to become stronger but the reason and catalyst for it, not so much.

Or do you wish in your heart of hearts to make them miss you? You seem to forget that I was a Fairy Tail mage before you came along. We stand by our nakama. We are a family. Give us a chance to be there for you. What happened to the girl who claimed she loved Fairy Tail and would never leave? You might have had to look after yourself before, but let go of those instinctive habits. You are not alone anymore. You have us and you always will.

Avoiding thinking and talking about it is not going to make what you feel disappear. This maybe a trip to get your bearings, but you don't have to hold your façade here. You are breaking apart and this so called training trip will be of no use when your magic is going haywire.

I know you wanted to grow old by his side. You have the opportunity to do that, only in a different capacity. Even love unreturned has its rainbow. You are always going to love Natsu. Isn't it time we move past what ifs? Regrets?

Don't cry sweetheart. I want to fix your heart but I can't, I don't have all the pieces.

You have a decision to make. Are you Lucy? Or are you Lucy of Fairy Tail?

Yours always,

Loki

P.S. The decision is yours. In case you do not wish to discuss this, I will be silent about this topic unless you give the indication.

In the spirit world Aries and Loki were sitting facing each other with their dinner placed between them. It was not hard to see they were both preoccupied with their own thoughts and concerns.

Aries finally decided to break the silence, "are you sure what you did is a good idea?"

"Uh-oh" Loki just nodded as he continued eating.

"Are YOU sure?" Aries stressed, "Maybe she does need this time to sort herself out."

"She needs to go back Aries", Loki put his fork down and leaned back on his chair. Tilting his head towards the ceiling and closing his eyes tiredly he continued, "I know Natsu likes her. She has to go back before something bad happens. I hope my letter makes her feel guilty enough to return to Fairy Tail"

Aries was confused with that reasoning, "Something bad? You are being paranoid. If they both like each other then there is no harm in her going away for a while"

"I don't think Natsu will think of it as going away for a while. I think he'll take it as abandonment"

The room was dark and still. Its only occupant lay facing the wall. Darkness didn't fail to gather in all its strength in the nooks and crannies. Shifting, flowing without shape or name the shadows seemed to shelter Lucy in their protective embrace as she tried to quell the tears that were flowing from below her closed eyelids.

AN: do we want Lucy to return? or does she have to move forward on her journey? decisions. decisions. (I could use some help..) Please do review with feedback, suggestions and ideas!:)

Thank you for reading. Thank you yet again for the reviews and the addition to your alerts/favorite stories/ author (it made me inordinately pleased) .. It has also given me the confidence to continue writing.

Sorry for the late update. My exams are going on and I am swamped for time.

coming soon: the next chapter- Natsu and Lisanna talk. Is the 'fishing trip' detour a date?