The train arrived in Magnolia and Lucy was back in her apartment 20 minutes later. She cleaned her wound and then started cleaning her apartment. After she had reorganized her cupboards, mopped the floors, cleaned the bathrooms, and then re-reorganized the cupboards she finally decided to take a break and sit down with her thoughts.

She played-back the events of the last couple days, focusing on Laxus. She remembered how fun it was dancing with him, how he had kissed her on the balcony, their intimate night together… Just thinking about it made her cheeks flush.

Lucy pulled out a pen and paper. I'll make a list of pros and cons for dating Laxus. She started to write.

Cons

He's arrogant. He made a bet with Bacchus that could have…

Lucy thought a moment. She was tempted to write, "gotten me raped" but she knew that wasn't true. Bacchus talked a big game but she felt a firm "no" would have been enough to deter him. Lucy thought a little more and decided to rewrite the sentence.

He's arrogant. He made a stupid bet with Bacchus that put me in a bad position.

There. That much was certainly true.

She went back to the cons.

He's violent. He was more concerned with beating Bacchus to a pulp than my feelings or safety.

Of course, Laxus had beaten up Bacchus because he had kidnapped her. From Laxus's point of view, it was probably reasonable to clobber someone who had kidnapped his girlfriend.

Lucy twirled her pen and chewed on her lower lip.

He's rude. He implied that I had been "busy" with Bacchus and Loke.

The nerve of him. It wasn't her fault she had been kidnapped by Bacchus. And Loke might be a flirt but they were just friends.

You spent the whole night with two men who openly pursued you, a little voice whispered inside her head.

"Damn," she muttered out loud.

She continued writing.

Pros

He's a good dancer.

He's protective.

Maybe a little too protective, but there are some benefits so I'll count it, she reasoned.

And of course, she had to add one more.

He has a smoking hot body.

"Hey Lucy!"

"Nnnngggh!" Lucy screamed.

She turned around a saw her best friend, Natsu standing over her. She quickly took the paper and shoved it into her desk. "Don't sneak up on me!" she scolded.

The Salamander laughed and ruffled her hair. "What were you writing? Is it a new novel?"

"Uh, yeah something like that." She fought to change the subject. "What are you doing here anyways?"

"Oh yeah!" Natsu brightened. "I found the perfect job for us. The city wants to build a tunnel. If you summon Virgo, the mission will be a piece of cake." His grin widened. "It pays 200,000 jewels."

"Holy glistening jewels, Natsu! When's the job start?"

"We have to leave today. I tried to tell you about it earlier this week but I couldn't get into your apartment. I think someone set protective runes around it." Natsu gave Lucy a quizzical look.

Lucy grimaced. Laxus had probably asked Freed to set the runes so that he and Lucy wouldn't be interrupted by the dragon slayer. God, that would have been embarrassing.

"Great, let's get going."

The job was for Clover Town, which was in the northern part of Fiore. They would have to make the journey by foot since Natsu had extreme motion sickness. Clover town was also conveniently two days south of Lupus Run. If Laxus was making his way back to Magnolia, there was a chance he might rest in Clover Town. It wasn't likely, but Lucy packed an extra short skirt and one of her favorite tops for the trip, just in case. If Laxus just happened to be there, and he happened to see her and she was too cute to resist… well, maybe she could forgive him if he asked nicely enough.

Luffy fan: My apologies for another short chapter. I am trying to start a writing contest forum. If you are interested please stop by and sign up. Thanks!

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