Bacchus and Lucy looked up. Laxus was standing in the entrance glaring down at them.

"Woo ho hoo, my spirit's all a flutter," laughed Bacchus. He stayed on the ground and reached for the wine jug at his hip. He tilted his head back and took several large gulps, then slammed the jug down and belched. He looked up at Laxus with a bleary expression on his face.

"I see you made it." Bacchus put his arm around Lucy and pulled her closer. "I was just getting to know your woman."

Laxus's eyes narrowed. "What's up Bacchus? You got a death wish or something?"

"Ooooh, a threat. Nice." Bacchus ran his hand along Lucy's thigh. She smacked his hand away and he laughed.

This guy is insane, she thought. He's actually picking a fight with Laxus.

Bacchus resumed stroking Lucy's thigh and looked up at Laxus. "You've been taking a lot of my S-Ranked missions lately. Business has been good these past seven years and I don't like you messing things up for me. I thought we could settle things with a little wager." He looked over at Lucy and winked. "If I win, I get your girl for night."

Laxusclenched his jaw. "No deal. This is stupid."

Bacchus cocked an eyebrow. "Ah, so you're scared?"

Lucy straightened her skirt and pushed Bacchus's roaming hands away. "He's not scared. He just doesn't want to do your stupid bet."

Bacchus gripped her tighter and his tongue darted out to lick her cheek. "It's not stupid. I bet you'd even like it. Once you go Bacchus, you never go backus." He laughed at his own joke. "I've made a lot of money completing dangerous missions. I could treat you real nice."

"Not interested." Lucy shivered and wiped her cheek with disgust.

Laxus took a step towards them and Bacchus's hand hit the ground hard. His body lifted into a tight roll and he was standing on his feet instantly. He crouched down and took on a martial arts stance. Lucy gaped at him. She had known he was a skilled fighter, on par with Erza, but it still surprised her to see the sudden movement. She started to crawl to the far end of the warehouse. Something told her all hell was about to break loss.

"So," Bacchus continued, swaying on his feet slightly. "I've got one night with the cheerleader. What do you want?"

Laxus took his headphones off and tossed them to the floor. A cruel smile was beginning to form. "Well, the joy of kicking your ass will be reward enough. But while we're at it, why don't you agree to pay Lucy's rent for the rest of the year?"

Lucy's ears perked up. Interesting, she thought. He's trying to help me out with rent but….

She raised her hand timidly. "Um, excuse me. Don't I have any say? As much as I would appreciate my rent being paid, I don't think it's quite worth the risk."

Laxus gave her a questioning look. "You don't think I'm going to lose, do you?"

Lucy was about to respond but Bacchus took Laxus's momentary lack on concentration and rushed forward, landing three quick palm blows to his gut. The last blow had more force behind it and sent Laxus flying backwards.

Lucy's eyes widened and she gripped her hair. "Oh no, crap, crap, crap!" Thoughts of Bacchus slithering over her body ran wild through her mind.

Laxus stood up, brushing off some rubble that had fallen from the wall he hit. His eyes were glinting. "Not bad. For a rookie."

What the hell? Lucy thought. He's enjoying this?

Bacchus rushed towards him again. Laxus side-stepped him and caught him by the throat. He slammed him against the ground. Dust settled and Lucy saw flashes of electrical current running down Laxus's arm, into Bacchus. The palm magic user was convulsing on the ground.

Lucy inched forward to see if the fight was over but Bacchus's hand shot up and hit Laxus directly in the face. His lip split and blood gushed but the lightning mage didn't let go of his opponent's neck. He grinned wickedly and his eyes clouded over. The pupils had vanished and nothing but the whites of his eyes was visible. Lucy huddled further against the wall. Laxus opened his mouth and a blast of lightening energy engulfed Bacchus. She could hear screaming but couldn't see what was happening.

When the light from the blast had faded, she saw Bacchus lying in a heap on the ground. His traditional warrior bun had come undone and his hair was singed. His eyes were closed and he appeared to be unconscious. A stray electrical current ran along his leg and he twitched.

"Damn," whispered Lucy.

Laxus looked up at her. She caught a quick glimpse of his solid white eyes before he blinked and his orange pupils reemerged. He lifted his hand and rubbed at his chin absently. The gesture left a smear of blood across his jaw.

"Are you okay?" Lucy asked. She stayed where she was, not sure if she should move yet.

"Yeah." Laxus rolled his head from side to side, cracking his thick neck. "This guy's a dick. I've wanted to pound his face for awhile now."

Lucy stood up and dusted herself off. "Well, you've done a good job of that." She walked closer towards him, so that she could touch his face. "You're bleeding. You should let me take care of your split lip."

Laxus had been staring down at the now crispy Bacchus but he looked at her when she touched him. His gaze was intense. It made her swallow hard. He reached down and brushed a thumb across her cheek. "Are you okay? Did he do anything else to you? You look like you've been crying."

Lucy wiped at her face with the back of her hands, embarrassed. Her mascara had run earlier when she had the wind knocked out of her. She must have looked like a hot mess.

"I'm fine. Just a little tired."

Laxus held out his arm to her. "Then let me take you home."