Author's Note: Welcome to chapter two and thank you guys for being patient with me as I continue to write and put up the chapters. Currently I am on break for winter at my college so I have some spare time to write and actually type something I want, rather than what is required of me. That being said there were a lot of songs in this chapter but the main one I want to put out for this particular one is "Collide" by Howie Day. I hope you enjoy and let me know what you think. Stay awesome guys! *smiles*

Dinner For Two

~Chapter Two~

The smell of sandalwood and vanilla was the first thing that Lucy recognized as she came back to reality. She felt warm in her bed but felt the sun's rays peeking out from her drawn curtains on her window above her bedding. Murmuring as she began to stretch, she felt something in her arms. Opening her eyes she saw the black coat that belong to Loke's suit in her arms as she clutched it. She was captivated by how good the scent smelled coming off of it.

Without realizing it she was blushing deeply. He had left his coat here and she was holding it close to her as if it were a security blanket. Her mind said this was a bad idea but that didn't stop the smile spreading across her face. She pressed the clothing to her nose and inhaled his scent. He smelled absolutely amazing.

"Princess, it isn't lady like to smell strangers things in bed." Virgo's voice popped up as she appeared next to the bed. Startled, Lucy gave a shriek as she threw the coat across the bed and jolted up. "Was I alarming Princess? Do I need to be punished?" Virgo blinked confused. Lucy clutched her chest as she tried to calm down. Ignoring the statement she glanced over at the pink haired celestial spirit.

"N-no it is fine Virgo, what are you doing here at this hour?" she asked.

"Brother had asked me to check on you since he said he was worried you might not have slept well because of recent events." came her reply.

"Thanks for checking on me." Lucy smiled at the kind gesture.

"Shall I return Brother's coat then?" Virgo eyed the coat at the foot of the bed. At the mentioning of losing her security blanket, Lucy scrambled as she grabbed it and clutched it close to her.

"Did he asked for it back?" Lucy hesitantly asked as worry laced her tone.

"No, but I am sure he would want it returned." Virgo tilted her head and gave a teasing smile.

"Um...well I much rather give it back to him in person if you don't mind?" Lucy said in an unintentional defensive tone than she had anticipated.

"Very well, I shall head back if there is nothing else you need of me Princess." Virgo bowed and just as quickly as she had come she had disappeared. Lucy looked down at her pressing the coat close to her chest. "If he wants it back then he can ask for it." she convinced herself. Holding it for a few more moments, she had decided to set it aside carefully and went to prepare for her day.

~Several Days Later~

Yukino and Lucy found themselves on a hill giving each celestial spirit rewards for their hard work. Lucy had expected it to be outrageous and some of the request were. However, Lucy knew that without them they would have been goners back at the capital and had given a patient ear to the requests as with a steady hand she fulfilled each one. As the day wore on, Yukino and Lucy found they were quickly running out of magical energy from all of the summoning.

"I only have one more left." Lucy panted.

"Maybe we need a break?" Yukino reasoned as she smiled as both women tried to hold their composure.

"Yeah...agreed. I'll take care of it back at my apartment." Lucy wiped the sweat from her brow.

"Well alright then, lets head back." Yukino started to lead the way as they made their way towards the town. Lucy fell back into her bed once she kicked her shoes off and cuddled with the coat. Without hesitation she closed her eyes and sighed in comfort. It started to lose the scent but if she really tried to, she could catch the faint traces of it. The weight of the bed shifted slightly as a hand lightly brushed her hair out of her face. Lucy had already known whom the refreshed scent belonged to before she forced herself to open her eyes.

"Loke, can we do this later? I am out of magic." she murmured into her pillow begrudgingly. He chuckled as he shot her a smile.

"Don't worry, I am using my own energy. Heard you were rewarding everyone for their work on the last mission?" he inquired.

"Yeah, you all saved everyone and this is the least I can do. Without everyone's help...I don't think any of us would be alive." Lucy sat up on her ankles and looked up at him standing by her bed.

"So this means...I get anything I want?" he asked slyly.

"...Within reason..." Lucy blushed as a bad feeling developed within the pit of her stomach. Just what did Loke have in mind? Loke noticed her lap where his coat was and couldn't stop the smirk from forming. Lucy followed his gaze and blushed even more. He reached out and exchanged his old jacket for the one he shrugged off as he replaced it.

"Hmmm, anything I want huh?" his smirk widened as he acted as if the exchanged was nothing special to mention. Lucy brought the new jacket to her as she shyly smiled.

"Go on vacation with me." he said after a few moments. This brought Lucy out of reality as she processed what he just said.

"Loke, this is supposed to be what you want." she frowned.

"A beautiful girl beside me on vacation is what I want." he spoke determined to not back down.

"But what about your magical energy?" Lucy's frowned turned to one of concern.

"Just put in a request with the spirit king once we work out the details." he laid back on the bed as he got comfortable. He put his hands behind his head as Lucy laid back as well. She turned on her side and prop her head up with her one forearm. Loke removed one of his arms to tuck a hair behind her ear ever so lightly. His fingers lightly touched her ear and Lucy resist the urge to lean into his arm. It was a perfect picture moment with the setting sun's rays filling the room with a beautiful orange hue as Lucy gazed down at the content lion. She removed his glasses and placed them at the top of her head.

"You are a strange one." she lightly joked.

"Better than being normal. So do I get what I want? Do you concede?" he asked with all joking aside.

"I'll entertain the idea, sure. We have a month to play with since I am ahead of my rent and have a couple thousand jewels squared way for situations like this. So the big questions are where are we going and who is paying for what?" Lucy laid back fully down and curled up to his side. Loke didn't question her but rather draped an arm around her and bringing her closer. There was innocent content in the feeling of his warmth as Lucy cuddled to him.

"We would both pay if you wanted but I pretty much have this covered. As far as the location why not let me worry about that?" mischievousness was in his tone as Lucy rolled her eyes and looked up at him suspiciously.

"You have to give me some hints at least. I have to know how long and what to pack." she reasoned.

"I would suggest, if I were you, to pack for warm weather and LOTS of swimwear. It will have maybe...a tropical feel. Also I would plan for the whole month." he snickered. He felt Lucy tense when he mentioned the word 'lots' and that widened his grin.

"L-Loke, you know there will be no funny business. I am your friend remember and...we don't want to ruin that." Lucy leaned up and looked at him sternly. Loke couldn't help but let out a snort. In this position and what she said was almost comical.

"Yes boss lady. I wouldn't even in my wildest dreams attempt to do anything of the sort. Don't you know? I am a gentleman." he humored her. Lucy lightly smacked him. "I am serious!"

"So am I! What do you take me for Lucy? I am a man of my word. Now, I would also suggest you pack for tomorrow. I want to leave as soon as we are able." he grinned as he watched the color drain from his partner.

"Tomorrow! That soon?! I need time to pack! Time to shop! To...to reserve!" she complained as she tried to buy more time.

"Who says we are not going to shop there? The less you pack the more you can bring back." he reasoned as he knew where her weak points were. Lucy pouted as she knew the lion was right.

"I better like this vacation." she laid back down but this time crossed her arms under her breast. Loke looked fully down at her but this was a gazed that every girl hoped to one day be looked at. "I promise Lucy, it will be one to remember." he lightly poked her cheek as he couldn't help but find her pouting endearing.

"We should start making dinner." Lucy grumbled which made Loke laugh as if on cue her stomach growled. "Not funny Loke..." she muttered embarrassed, "I guess I forgot to eat because I was so busy helping the others fulfill their requests as rewards."

"That probably drained your magic energy by double. You need to be more careful so you don't overwork yourself." Loke scolded as Lucy rolled her eyes at what she already knew.

"Sure dad!" which earned a chuckle from the lion next to her.

"Well someone has to tell you otherwise you tend to forget these things." He pulled them both up to sitting positions. He got off the bed rolling up his sleeves and headed towards the kitchen part of her studio apartment. Grabbing some ingredients from her fridge, he started the preparation work for the meal he was going to make. Lucy sat on her bed and watched him for a few moments. She set his glasses on the nightstand and forced herself to get up to wash her hands to help out.

"I got it." he winked at her when she joined by his side and threw her hair in a messy pony tail.

"And let you burn dinner? Please, I am what is needed to save this meal." she joked. Together, the unlikely couple, created a meal of salad, breadsticks, and meatball spaghetti. Loke had disappeared to only reappear with a bottle of wine and glasses from his own home in the spiritual world.

"Perfect!" Lucy exclaimed as he opened the bottle to let it breathe.

"It is from a good year and I think it is the perfect time than any other to open it and share it." Loke replied. He poured the wine into the two glasses as Lucy set the table as they took their seats. She took a sip from the glass and her eyes lit up. It was not bitter or too dry but sweet and refreshingly delicious. She smiled at him when he watched her drink smugly. "Loke this is amazing!" she beamed as she took another long drink from her glass.

"Food isn't half bad either." he complimented her cooking.

"That is because we make a great team." No sooner had the words left her mouth that both looked away with tinted faces. Loke quickly cleared his throat to ease the awkward tension.

"I really like the breadsticks." he redirected.

"S-So are the meatballs." Lucy tried to quickly recover. The awkward quickly faded and the small talk turned toward deeper conversation. "So then I had to make a run for it because Aquarius was so mad I had summoned her from my goldfish bowl! She not only ruined my whole bedroom but scolded me so bad; but she had every right to, without too much water she might end up dying." Lucy giggled.

"Heh well you know how Aquarius is prideful and has quite the temper to go overboard sometimes." Loke smiled over his glass.

"Though no matter how mad or mean she gets; I can tell she is a really kind spirit. She always finds time for me. When I was little and she was my first celestial spirit that I had ever gotten, surprisingly a gift from my mother before she had died, no matter how much she yelled at me, she had always come." Lucy's eyes soften as she spoke fondly of the water maiden.

Yeah I know, for example, when someone makes fun of you she gets defensive as if it is alright if only she does it. Anyone else tries to say something and they end up at the sort end of the water barrel if you get my meaning." Loke chuckled as he took a sip of his wine and Lucy smiled at the knowledge.

"Well how about some dessert? I picked up that cake the other day from the bakery that Erza always recommends." Lucy offered.

"Sound good. I'll get started on the dishes." Loke got up and started to clear the table. Lucy went to the fridge and started to distribute the cake onto the dessert plates. When dessert was set and the stove and dishes cleared they sat closer together with the cake and milk. There was no denying the intimacy of the room as they ate in the comforting silence. Nothing needed to be said as they enjoyed the other's company. Then just like that, Lucy worries had vanished as they traded secret smile and warm glances. It was as if they were in their own secret club that they were the only members to.

"This was really good Luce. Thank you for dinner." Loke smiled over to her but there was so much more meaning behind this one particular one. Lucy couldn't hide her blushing as she enjoyed how Loke was looking at her. Deep green eyes met deep chocolate ones. The scent of sandalwood and vanilla was prominent in the air as the warmth of the stove fire gave a romantic setting. Lucy had to resist the urge to lean forward and lead this intimate setting a level farther.

"I should return Beautiful. It seems as we both have some packing to do." Loke reluctantly stood up and stretched as Lucy sat back in her seat. She was pleasantly brought back to reality at the mention of a new fond name he was calling her. She blinked realizing just how intimate they were and cleared her throat nodding.

"That is right we have a vacation to plan for. When do you think we might actually be leaving?" Lucy asked as she stood and began to clean up.

"Lets plan for sometime in the afternoon. I should have all the arrangements finalized by then." Loke grabbed his old coat and put it on as he went to retrieve his glasses on the nightstand. Lucy filled up the sink tub as she started to wash the dishes in the soap and water. She was up to her forearm in dishwater when suddenly she felt herself encircled from behind as Loke rested his chin on her shoulder.

"Thank you Beautiful." he whispered as he kissed the sensitive part of her supple neck. To the tips of her ears Lucy was beat red and her voice caught in her throat. Her heart was beating out of her chest and she felt his warmth disappear as he returned to his own world. Lucy's smile could not be diminished. Usually she would be offended but something about the past couple of days had opened her eyes to something much more. She wasn't going to question it or how far it would really lead. Loke was just teasing and this wasn't something too serious...she had hoped. A small voice in the back of her mind had to whisper `but what if...`. Lucy shook her head, Loke was her spirit and she was his celestial wizard. They had and equal partnership but they could never have a real relationship...or could they?

"Lucy, stop worrying about things that have no yet come to light." she scolded to herself but smiled down at her reflection in the soapy water. If anything were to happen then she would deal with it once they or she had come to that point. Until then, why not enjoy the flirtation?

Morning came quickly as Lucy continued to get her affairs in order. She had packed three suitcases with an array of clothing, shoes, accessories, dresses, and other miscellaneous items. She had paid her land lady extra three months rent and informed her, along with the guild, of her month vacation. On the way up to her apartment from her meeting with the land lady she couldn't help but feel the real excitement of going on an actual fun adventure. Now she anxiously awaited in her apartment finishing up the last of her coffee. Her mind racked her brain for what exact Loke had planned...what did he intend to planning for her?

A knock came at the door and Lucy couldn't help but feel some confusion. Wouldn't Loke just appear when he was ready? She gotten up and answered the door only to see Loke standing there leaning against it with a Cheshire cat grin; swinging from his finger was a blindfold. "Ready?" he asked.

Lucy couldn't help but resist rolling her eyes. What exactly was he trying to pull? "You cannot be serious? Loke wh-" Lucy was cut off by Loke pressing a finger to her lips to silence her.

"My vacation, my rules Beautiful. Now shall we?" he asked teasingly.

"You are really going to make me wear that?" Lucy raised her eyebrow suspiciously at how ridiculous the request he was making was.

"It will be worth it, I promise you that much." he purred. She let out an annoyed sigh but complied with his request as she turned around for him to put it on.

"It had better be." she grumbled as she felt him tie it with careful fingers. Once she was blindfolded, Loke scooped her up and cradled her down to the taxi along with her back after he set her in the car. He had already instructed the driver ahead of time to where their destination was going to be. On the way there, Lucy had asked several questions to which Loke refused to give her too many answers away. "How much longer are you really going to keep this game up?" Lucy complained.

"As long as I want. Now learn to be patient Beautiful. We are almost there. I am sure you can manage a few more moments." Loke chuckled as he laced his hand with her. His grin at the playful game increased as a blush fell across the girl's face.

"You are not playing nice." Lucy pouted just as she felt the car come to a sudden stop. Loke helped her out of the car and put her in the right position. The driver started to unload the bags as Loke got Lucy in position to remove the blindfold.

"Ready?" he asked.

"More than ever." Lucy tried to hide her excitement from her voice but that didn't stop Loke from noticing. Quickly he unleashed the ties and Lucy looked up with a gasp at the sight before her.