A/N: Hey guys, this is a little later than I had hoped, but I had a little trouble with it. This is the last chapter - besides an epilogue - and I wasn't really sure how I wanted to end it :/ well I knew what I wanted to be at the very end, but it was just everything leading up to that that I wasn't sure about haha

Disclaimer: I don't own Fairy Tail!

Enjoy!

Chapter 29

Lucy, Natsu and Erza were in the gym when Rogue approached them. Natsu immediately stood in front of Lucy, on guard.

"I'm not here to cause trouble," Rogue told him. "I came here to apologise,"

All three of them were shocked. Natsu froze and Erza's eyes were wide. Lucy recovered first, smiling a little as she put her hand on Natsu's shoulder, stepping around him.

"I am deeply sorry for my involvement in tormenting you and your friends," Rogue continued. "I know it was wrong, but I've always just followed Sting. I'm not making excuses for myself either. I will speak to him, and get him to back off as well – although I can't promise an apology, I will try,"

Rogue looked down, frowning. Lucy knew that he was doing this for Yukino, and that made her smile.

"I don't expect forgiveness, but I just wanted you to know that I am sorry, and nothing like this will happen again," Rogue said before turning and leaving.

"Thank you - and tell Yukino I said hi!" Lucy called when he reached the door. He stopped for a second, half-turning to nod at her once and then walked out.

"Well, that was interesting," Erza commented.

"He really does love Yukino," Lucy whispered. The other two looked at her. "I, for one, will forgive him – if he apologises to Wendy as well,"

"Luce, you really are too nice!" Natsu groaned.

"What? He didn't really do anything," Lucy said. "Besides holding Wendy when she was scared. That's why I'll wait to see her answer first. Everything else was Sting and Laxus,"

"Whatever," Natsu mumbled.

"Holding grudges is too tiring," Lucy said, walking back to the treadmill. "I'll save that for the ones who really deserve it, like those blonde jerks,"

"Oh thank God," Natsu breathed. "If you started saying you could forgive them, I don't think I could've handled it,"

Lucy just rolled her eyes. "Get back to work!" she called to the two that were still standing there, processing what had just happened.

The next few weeks passed without incident. Sting came back, and while there was no apology, he went out of his way to avoid their group. Lucy was studying harder than ever, determined to prove that she could be an author and a doctor. Natsu's grades were higher than ever thanks to Lucy, and when they were taking a break from study, they would look at colleges together.

It was almost time for the mid-year break, and when they got back, Lucy would be more stressed than ever. There would be all the final assignments, final exams, college applications – not to mention the formal! Just thinking about it gave Lucy a headache. She couldn't believe they were already halfway through their final year. This was it. Everything came down to these next few months.

"Calm down, Luce," Natsu said, rubbing her back. "You're gonna be fine,"

They were sitting in the library studying, and Lucy was stressing out.

"But what if I'm not?" she asked. "You can't see the future! Anything could happen! What if I get sick and have to miss a month of school? There's no way I'd catch up!" she put her head in her hands.

"Luce, you're overreacting," Natsu said, trying to pull her head up, but she wouldn't budge. "Look at me," he said. She still didn't move. "Lucy!" he cried pulling harder.

She eventually sighed and looked up at him.

"You are the smartest person I know," he told her seriously, cupping her face. "I got my first A thanks to you – and I'm sitting on a B right now. That's all because of you. My teachers had all given up on me – they didn't think this was possible," he continued, staring into her brown eyes. "If you can do that, then you will have absolutely no trouble passing high school with top marks and getting into whatever college you want. So stop worrying so much, or you will make yourself sick,"

Lucy sighed. "You're right; I am worrying too much," she said, holding his hand on her face. "I guess I'm just really ready for the holidays," she smiled slightly.

"Speaking of holidays," Natsu said, grinning. "Are you coming home with me?"

"I'd love to," Lucy smiled. "But, I think I should go home, and try and patch things up completely with my father,"

"Of course," Natsu said, face dropping. "Sorry, I didn't think of that,"

"How about this," Lucy said, taking both his hands. "You come home with me for the first week, and then I go home with you for the second?" she smiled widely.

"That sounds awesome!" Natsu grinned.

Lucy giggled at his enthusiasm before leaning forward to kiss him. He put his hands on her waist, deepening the kiss. Lucy tried not to get carried away in the middle of the library, but it was just so hard to concentrate when all she could taste, smell and feel was Natsu.

And truthfully, he was calming her down. There was not a single bone in her body or thought in her head stressing about the future. All of her – every single cell – was right there, with Natsu; the love of her life.

Lucy was sitting in her room, writing her story. She was having a bit of trouble with it. She didn't know what to write next.

She sighed, blowing her fringe out of her face as she tapped her pen against her desk. She decided to play some music, hoping to get some inspiration.

After a while, she gave up. If she was being honest, she did know what to write next. But that was the ending. That meant she would be finished her story.

And that meant she would have to keep her promise and show Natsu and Levy.

She sighed, defeated, as she finished her story. She read it over and over, wanting to make sure that everything was right before she showed them. It had to be as perfect as she could make it.

It's not that she thought they would criticise her, because she knew they would never put her down or anything. It's just that, she didn't want to put them in an awkward position if they didn't like it, so she had to make sure they did.

Levy liked a lot of the same stuff Lucy did, so she wasn't as worried about her – as long as it was well written and not too obvious. Natsu, on the other hand, didn't read, so she had no idea what kind of story he would like. She figured he would like action, and there were a few fighting scenes, but she wasn't sure she was happy with them.

She was just so nervous!

Her mother was the only person who'd ever read anything she'd written, but that was when she was young, before she got serious about it.

After reading through it three times, Lucy figured she should probably go to bed – it was 2am, and she had school the next day. Sighing, she saved her work and closed her laptop. She stretched her arms over her head before climbing into bed, falling asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.

A week later, Lucy finally got the courage to show them her story. She printed off two copies, stapling them and putting them carefully in her bag. Taking a deep breath, she headed out to go find Levy.

It wasn't hard to guess that the small bookworm would be in the library, and sure enough Lucy found her there, studying with Gajeel. Lucy smiled to herself – those two seemed to study together a lot lately.

Lucy walked through the shelves towards the table. Nobody else was around, and she was about to call out to her when she froze.

Gajeel kissed her.

They had been sitting there, Levy grinning at something, when the pierced teen suddenly leant forward, capturing her lips with his. Levy's eyes had widened momentarily – making Lucy believe it was their first kiss – before letting them flutter shut and sinking into him.

Lucy just barely stopped herself from screaming. She backed into the shelves again, giving them some privacy, and trying to calm herself down. She was so happy for her friend!

Lucy had just turned to go back and see if they were done when Gajeel appeared.

"L-Lucy!" he cried. She'd never seen him so flustered. "W-what are you doing here?"

"Looking for Levy-chan," Lucy replied, smiling. She decided not to mention the kiss and embarrass him.

"Oh," he said, a little relieved. "She's through there," he grunted before walking off.

Lucy chuckled as she walked back out to the table. Levy was sitting there, staring at the table, cheeks red and a small smile playing on her lips. She didn't notice the blonde approaching her.

"Levy-chan!" Lucy sang, waving her hand in her friends face.

"Oh, Lu-chan!" Levy gasped, looking up. "What are you doing here?"

"I came to bring you this," Lucy smiled nervously, pulling out the story.

"Lu-chan!" Levy's eyes sparkled.

Lucy chuckled at her friend's reaction.

"So…" Lucy said slyly. "I saw Gajeel,"

Levy froze, face turning red.

"Levy-chan, you're blushing!" Lucy giggled.

"Y-you saw, didn't you?" Levy squeaked.

Lucy grinned and nodded. "Congratulations! What happened after?"

"Well, he got really flustered, and left," Levy said, frowning a little. "But it's okay, I understand. He's not comfortable expressing his feelings. Him kissing me like that is a big deal for him," Levy smiled. "He just needs a little time, and I'm willing to wait,"

"Hopefully he doesn't take too long," Lucy mumbled.

"Yeah," Levy smiled.

"Anyway, I better go," Lucy said, sighing. "I promised Natsu I'd let him read my story after I'd given it to you,"

"Wow," Levy said. "He loves you a lot," she winked.

"Yeah," Lucy giggled. "He really does,"

"Well go on then!" Levy grinned. "Your man is waiting!"

Lucy laughed. "Thanks Levy-chan – and good luck with Gajeel! I'm so happy for you!"

"Thanks Lu-chan," she smiled, waving as her friend got up and left.

Lucy headed over to the common room, where she guessed Natsu would be, playing games with Gray. Natsu turned around as soon as she walked in the room, sensing her presence.

"Luce!" he cried, jumping up. He ran over and hugged her tightly.

"Hey," she smiled, hugging him back.

"What are you doing here?" Natsu asked. She would normally be studying in the library.

"I have something for you," she smiled, earning a grin from him.

"Something good?" he asked excitedly.

"Hopefully," she replied, untangling herself from him so she could reach her bag. "Here," she handed him the story.

"You're finished?" he asked, taking it from her. She nodded. "That's great, Luce! I can't wait to read it!"

"I never thought I would hear those words come out of your mouth," Lucy teased.

"You only will for your stories," he grinned, holding her again.

Lucy grinned and planted a soft kiss on his lips.

"Thank you," she smiled softly. "But just remember: you're allowed to not like it," she said seriously.

"I'm sure I will love it," he told her.

"But if you don't," she pressed. "It's okay; everybody likes different genres,"

Natsu rolled his eyes, leaning down to kiss her again. She felt him grin against her lips as he lifted her off the floor, not breaking the kiss.

"Oi! Flame Brain!" Gray called. "Put her down and get your ass back here! We're in the middle of a match!"

Natsu put her back on the ground, grinning sheepishly. "Oops," he said, rubbing the back of his neck.

"You idiot," Lucy sighed.

Natsu swiftly kissed her cheek before turning back to the game, arguing with Gray instantly.

A/N: Okay, so you could probably tell when I was having trouble haha I was stuck, so I made Lucy stuck with her story :P but then that worked out, because it gave me an idea! :D yay!

Anyways, just the epilogue to go, and then this story is finished!

Thank you so much to everyone who has reviewed/followed/favourited/even read this story! It really means a lot to me :)

Much love x