Sorry about ch.3 being reposted a bunch of times Minna! I corrected a few mistakes that were bothering me. But thank you for being patient with me.. Thanks Simlop, cocobean4ever, mythandfairytaillover3, Ksrja, shortypink, Adri-Swan, Shadows of Sorrowful Smiles, Rivendell101, Brain31washed, and anonymous reviewer for the reviews! I hope you all enjoy this new chapter, I was going to post this a few days from now, but I felt bad with all the notifications you got.

And Even though I love you
I can't seem to find someone
Who cares the way you do
You know, I love the way
We've always been
Nothing more than friends
So why do I give
Every man the standard?
Thought I was over this,
But once again
I'm comparing you to him.
And I find that there's
No you in him that matters.

Best Friend-Auburn

What Once Was

Ch.4 Cana's Evil Game

"You went…to find your dad?" Lucy questioned, she looked down at her shoes. How come she didn't think that was the reason behind all of this? It made perfect sense. Was she too upset by his sudden disappearance to see any true reason behind it? "Did you find him?"

Natsu nodded slowly. "I've been working with him at his company in Hargeon. That's why I haven't been home," he paused as his shoulders slumped. "I know I should have called or even wrote a letter, but I knew everyone was probably really upset and hurt…and I…"

"What's his name" Lucy asked, changing the subject. She didn't want his apology, at least not yet anyways.

Natsu looked up at her. "Igneel," he answered.

"Did he know about you at all?" another question the girl was dying to have answered.

Natsu shook his head. "He had no idea. He and Mom spilt and Dad assumes that she didn't know she was pregnant with me at the time, and by the time she figured it out, he had left the country to study aboard. She couldn't have contacted him if she tried. We both guessed she didn't tell Ji-chan because she didn't want to be a bother to Dad, and probably thought it was best for Ji-chan to raise me. We'll never really have the answers to many things, but I know Mom didn't keep me away from Dad just because."

"Well I'm happy for you Natsu," Lucy claimed, standing up, wiping a small tear that was in the corner of her eye. "I'm glad you found him and I'm glad he's a part of your life now, but you should have told your grandfather. He needed answers more than anyone."

"Do you know how he's doing?" it was Natsu's turn to ask the questions.

Lucy shook her head. "You're going to have to talk to Wendy or Laxus about his condition. All I know is that he wasn't taking it well before I left."

"I know it was a stupid thing to do…"

"It was completely stupid," Lucy snapped, pointing her finger at him. "You should have told SOMEONE you were okay! Should have done something else besides just disappearing! Did you know I tried to look for you before I left for Crocus!"

The expression on Natsu's face reminded Lucy of a lost puppy, but she wasn't about to stop. "Two months, I tried for two months before I gave up. I figured you didn't want to be found. You left a letter saying 'see ya later' and that's it. That wasn't like the Natsu I knew so well. My best friend Natsu wouldn't have left his friends the way that you did."

"It wasn't easy for me," Natsu whispered softly, "and I honestly regret it. It was a mistake, but I was young and stupid. After graduation I just couldn't take it anymore, so I acted on impulse and rage."

"Rage?" Lucy couldn't help but laugh, doing her best to control her own anger. "Rage? Do you want to know what real rage is? How about getting a call from Gray informing me how he saw you, how he got to sit down and talk to you, but wasn't allowed to tell me anything else because that was YOUR job? Four and a half years passed, everyone was beginning to forget, everyone was moving on, and then BAM. Natsu is alive and well, and he hasn't bothered contacting anyone."

Natsu sighed. "I get it, you're mad."

"I was mad," Lucy corrected. "Right now, I have more important things to worry about than being mad at you for something that was done in the past."

He looked up at her confused. "Does that mean you'll forgive me?"

It was Lucy's turn to sigh. "I'm not saying you're forgiven or that you'll ever be forgiven. What I'm saying is I am going to be civil with you during the time of this wedding, and maybe afterwards you and I can really discuss this. Maybe we can try to be friends."

Natsu grinned and hopped onto his feet; he threw his arms around the blonde and hugged her tightly. "Luce you're the best!"

Lucy wiggled herself from his grasp and lightly pushed him away, not wanting to feel his warmth or breathe in his scent. "D-don't do that," she stuttered, fighting the blush that was trying to surface on her face. "I'm going back to the party now." Lucy dismissed herself, walking away from the rose-haired male as fast as she could.

Natsu watched her as she left and he couldn't help but have a small smile on his face. He was slowly but surely making improvements, and he honestly wished that when this was all over he would have his best friend back.

Cana had somehow managed to get everyone to participate in one of her drinking challenges. She was the one who lined up all the shots from anywhere to high dollar tequila to cheap-ass vodka, and she was also the one who made all the rules. In the morning everyone will wonder why they agreed to her little game; most of them are aware that you don't play drinking games with Cana and the others would soon learn why not. Cana smiled as she downed her sixth shot in a row. She smirked over at Lucy who was struggling to stay in her seat. "Yer turn Lucy, 'member the rules!" If Lucy couldn't manage to force her now forth shot down she would have to give Cana an article of her clothing, Cana's choice.

She looked over at some of her fallen comrades. Juvia was asleep in Gray's lap, completely clothed as far as the eyes could see, however Cana had Juvia's bra hanging on the back of her chair. Sometimes Cana was nice about what she asked you to remove, and sometimes she wasn't. Lucy then looked at Levy, who was silently sobbing about how unfair it was to play with Cana; she was missing her top, leaving her very bright blue bra exposed.

Some of these fools were dumb enough to try again after they lost, which meant they would lose another piece of their outfit if they lost again, and mostly it was always a boy who wouldn't admit defeat. Gray had lost his shirt as well as his socks.

There was Lyon who refused to look at anyone. The silver haired male had tried a third time to challenge the pro drinker simply because he wanted to outdo Gray. He lost his pants, shirt, and shoes. He finally decided after the last lost that he would quit completely before he became naked in front of everyone. Erza sat quietly, looking off in the distance. Lucy knew Erza was embarrassed, Cana had requested the red haired beauty's panties to be removed. Erza usually loved challenges would always give things a second try, but seeing as in she only had her dress left to lose she decided to just sit and watch. Jellal sat next to her pant-less, he gave up as well.

The only people left in this little game was Cana(of course), Natsu, Gajeel, and Lucy and Lucy knew she'd be the next one out. Gajeel didn't seem fazed by the amount of alcohol he consumed and Natsu was doing well on his part. The three of them had yet to loose and all eyes were on them.

Lucy looked into Cana's eyes, she shivered once she saw Cana's twisted smirk. She already knew what the brunette had something awful in store for her if she lost. Lucy picked up her shot glass, tapped it lightly on the table, and tipped it to her lips and gulped down the burning liquid, and then she placed her glass back onto the table.

Lucy wiped the corner of her mouth and turned her attention to Natsu who was next. Cana looked over at her next target. "Alright Pinky, yer on yer fifth, think ya can handle it?" she snickered to herself. "I get that pretty red shirt of yers if ya can't!"

Natsu looked at the shot waiting for him and without a second thought, consumed it instantly. The glass returned to its spot and Natsu looked over at Gajeel.

"This is sissy stuff," Gajeel grunted picking up his shot and finishing it like it wasn't anything to be afraid of.

As Lucy watched she noticed how her vision was starting become fuzzy and she felt like she was on a boat. She knew instantly that she was doomed.

"Well this is number 7 for me!" Cana cheered doing the exact thing with hers. It didn't seem like she was affected at all, but Lucy could see how Cana was rocking back and forth in her chair. She knew the beautiful bartender was getting close to her limit; she had been drinking all night.

Lucy glanced at the new shot that was waiting before her. She was feeling really dizzy all of a sudden. "C-Cana. You're a bitch, you know that." She picked up the little glass that contained the cause for her blurred vision and motion sickness. Lucy shook her head and placed the evil thing back down. She sunk back into her chair, admitting defeat. "Have at it, you devil."

Cana started laughing victoriously. "Luuuusssshhhhheeeeyyyyy Heartfiiiliaaaa, since ya only have two obvious known garments on ya, what will it be? Yer panties or yer dress?"

Lucy lifted her head up high enough to glare at the woman teasing her. She wouldn't that she feared Cana would choose her dress and she'd be left in only her panties before everyone. She knew full well this is how Cana plays.

The smirk on Cana's face Lucy could only describe as completely evil. She felt as if she was staring into the eyes of an ultimate villain. "Cana…I swear…." She couldn't finish her sentence because she was struggling to come up with words. She was going to get back at the brunette before her.

"Alright princess! Off with dat dress!" Cana demanded as she leaned over the table to snicker at the blonde.

"Cana…don't do this to her," Gray grumbled standing up to defend Lucy.

"Ya know the rules!" Cana stated, crossing her arms over her chest. "Punkin' out Luce?"

Lucy's eyes twitched, she had never backed out of one of Cana's challenges, then again they were always inside and she knew everyone that played. But before her now were people she hadn't seen in years and a new face, plus young Wendy was watching. Lucy took a deep breath.

Natsu looked over at Lucy as she started to pull down her straps. His eyes widened and he started to blush. He was about to see Lucy naked. This was not on his agenda. "W-wait…" he stood up and stumbled to her, while making his way next to the blonde he unbuttoned his shirt. He shrugged the article of clothing off his shoulders and handed it to her, looking away. "P-put this on…to cover up…"

Lucy stared at him before smiling softly. "Thanks."

"Now men, turn your heads or I'll carve your eyes out of your sockets!" Erza warned, and all the guys obeyed; turning their gaze away from the blonde who was stripping.

"Oh Lucy! What sexy panties you have!" Cana teased, she was laughing so hard at her joke she tipped her chair over, falling onto her back.

Lucy's dress dropped to the ground and she put on Natsu's shirt to cover up her naked body. She sat back down in her seat avoiding any eye contact with anyone; she leaned over the table and rested her head down onto her arms. From the corner of her eyes she could see a pink haired male giving her a concerned look. She ignored it and closed her eyes. The alcohol was slowly taking effect and she knew it was still going to be awhile before Cana was finished, and before she knew it, Lucy was dosed off.

Lucy didn't know why, but she really felt like she REALLY was on a boat. She could have sworn her body was actually moving. Annoyed and wanting to figure out what the heck was going on. Lucy opened her eyes and she regretted it the moment she did. Her vision was blurred and she felt horribly nauseous. When she was able finally register what was going on, she realized she was indeed moving. She was being carried, princess-style. Her shoulder pressed against something warm and soft, and she could only guess it was skin.

She lifted her head up to see exactly who was carrying her in their arms, honestly expecting it to be Gray because he's had to do this many times before. He was like the big brother, always doing this for her and for the other girls when they were wasted. But it was not Gray that was holding her. She couldn't recognize the person's face at first, but she knew it was a man. Squinting her eyes she saw a speck of pink. Pink? Her head was all foggy as she looked away to think. Who did she know that was pink? She tried her hardest to think back to how she had gotten this drunk and whom she had been drinking with. She moved her body, trying to be released from her hold so she could stand on her own two feet.

"Whoa there Luce, I'm going to drop you. You don't want to fall down the stairs do ya?"

Lucy's eyes widen when he spoke. She looked up at the man again. His face was not so blurry anymore that she could even make out his contagious grin. "N-Natsu?"

"The one and only!"

"Wh-…what's going on?" she questioned rubbing her head.

"You drank too much and passed out and now I'm carrying you upstairs. Everyone has either gone to bed or retired back to the hotel," he answered.

"Where's Gray? Where's Juvia?" she asked as she watched his grin disappear.

"Stripper is taking care of his bride, she's almost as drunk as you are," he informed her.

"Oh," she replied. She thought it was weird that Gray would let Natsu take Lucy upstairs, he was being so protective of Lucy during this trip she couldn't imagine him saying 'go right ahead, dodo-brain, take Lucy away'. "Where are you taking me?" she leaned her head against his chest, and caught a whiff of his scent, and she had to admit he smelt great.

"Your room."

"T-thank you," she noticed how she was felt really uneasy being carried bridal style, she could just picture him dropping her. She roped her arms around his neck and hid her face into his shoulder, completely embarrassed by her actions. 'It was either this or I fall.' "P-please don't drop me," she begged.

"I won't," he reassured, tightening his hold around the girl in his arms. If there the light was on, you would be able to notice the light pink line that forming across his cheeks. He reached her door and opened it without complications.

Lucy counted his footsteps and knew they would be to her bed soon, and she couldn't help but feel slightly disappointed. His body was warm and his scent was fantastic; all of her memories of him and their past were submerging and she couldn't stop her heart from fluttering as her mind was flooded with these flashbacks. His body temperature and his smell were exactly the same as she remembered. At this point it time she felt like those five years apart didn't happen. And she was her younger self being helped by her best friend, as usual.

Natsu placed her down gently in the middle of the bed, and then he grinned at her once more. "Well goodnight, Lucy." He turned, leaving for his own room.

Lucy felt panic fill her chest as she watched his back start to move further away from her. He was leaving again; he was leaving her all alone. "N-no," she mumbled, her body shaking. Flashbacks of her crying in her room flooded her mind as her past self called out for Natsu. The past and the present were starting to blur together and Lucy couldn't remember which she was in at the moment.

She didn't want him to go, not again. She trembled remembering the pain of losing him before. She could feel that pain as she watched his back. She needed her Natsu. "No!" she pushed herself up and jumped towards him. Her arms wrapped around his torso and she buried her face into his naked back. "Please don't leave," she whispered, as she tears started to fall. "Please."

"Lucy?" Natsu peeked over his shoulder to look at her confused. "Why are you crying?" As he saw her tear stained face, an undeniable pain shot through his chest. He turned around in her hold and patted her head. "Hey."

"Natsu," she cried, shaking her head. "I just got you back."

Natsu frowned finally realizing what was going on. He scratched the back of his head as he tried his best to think. He wasn't the only one in the room who was slightly intoxicated. He was battling with himself just moments before and here he was doing it again. He sighed as he decided it was best to get her to bed first before he left the room. He scooped her back up into his arms, and she continued to cry into his shoulder. "Lucy, I'm not going anywhere."

"Y-you said that before," she mumbled, strengthening her hold around his neck.

Natsu winced at her words. "I'm not leaving again. I swear." He placed her in the middle of the bed once again and sat down beside her. She still had a death like hold on his neck and didn't seem to be letting go anytime soon. "I just got you back too." He ran his fingers through her long, soft blonde locks.

Lucy removed her face from the crook of his neck and her arms from their prison like grip. "Will you pinky promise?" she leaned towards his face, staring into his coal black orbs. She offered him her pinky.

Natsu imagined little Lucy in front of him as she held out her pinky finger, waiting for him to make a promise like they use to. He nodded and wrapped his pinky around hers. "I promise." He then chuckled. They were 23 years old and were making a pinky promise like the good ol' days. "I think you become really honest with your feelings when you're drunk."

Lucy blushed and darted her eyes away from his. She decided she looked anywhere but at his face, and unfortunately her eyes found his naked well-toned chest. She also noticed he wore only his boxers. Her eyes widen at the sight. "W-where's your shirt and your p-pants?" she questioned.

"My pants are in the same place as your dress," he growled as he swung his feet onto the bed, leaning his back against the headboard. "And you're wearing my shirt."

"N-nani?!" Lucy shouted, almost falling off the bed in the process.

Natsu grabbed onto her arm, catching her before she fell completely. He couldn't help but laugh at her. "Your friend Cana took them." He then pulled her next to him, so she could rest against the headboard and not risk falling off again.

She thought back to the drinking game. "Ah….Cana…" she hissed, folding her arms and nodding her head. "Of course." She then remembered what Natsu said about his shirt and she looked down, and sure enough she was wearing his shirt. She took note that it was rather comfortable.

"You stopped crying," he stated observing her face closely. "Good. Now I think it's time for you to go to sleep."

She stared up at him. "But you'll leave if I do."

He scratched his nose. He knew he couldn't stay in her room for two reasons; one she would wake up in the morning and freak out and two Gray would get the wrong idea and try to kick his ass. He would just have to stay put till she fell asleep. "Well what do you want to do then?" he questioned the woman beside him.

Lucy thought for a moment, back in high school they'd watch movies, play video games, and all types of stuff at his house. There were many times she'd stay over because her and her father got into it; Natsu was always her escape from it all. Lucy shook her head; she was getting confused with the damn past and present. What could they do now? "Um…we can…catch up?"

"Okay," he started, looking off in the distance as he thought of something to ask or say. "How did you meet Juvia? You must be good friends if you're the maid of horror or whatever."

"Honor," she corrected, suppressing a laugh. "We met at CU. She was my roommate when I first arrived, she was already a sophomore and I first thought she was so weird, but it turned out she was super sweet girl who was misunderstood all the time!" Lucy thought of topic for him. "Do you have a good relationship with your dad?"

Natsu's eyes met hers once more. "Yeah. We're making up for lost years, you know?"

She nodded. "Must be nice," she half whispered. She honestly wished she could have a good relationship with her father, but he changed after her mother passed. Things would never be the same and things could never really be fixed.

"Have you talked to your dad at all?" he wondered.

"Not once since I left Magnolia," she stated, bringing her knees up to her face. She took the time to think of something else, her dad wasn't her favorite subject and if she kept asking about his he'd most likely keep asking about hers. "So…do…you…" she stopped and bit her lip. Did she really want to ask this question?

His head tilted to the side, waiting for her to continue. "Do I what?"

Lucy felt the heat rising on her cheeks, she knew she was going to feel stupid for asking such a question, but she did have a good amount of liquid courage left in her. "So…do you like…have a girlfriend or something?"

His eyes widen at her question. "Uh…no," he shook his head, his eyes looking down at the mattress.

"Oh," was all she could manage to squeak out. 'It's extremely awkward to ask such a question, you baka!' she mentally screamed at herself.

"Do…you …have a boyfriend?"

Lucy's head shot up and her eyes grew twice their size. She knew her face was completely red now. She looked at him and their eyes met. Her heart thudded against her chest and her ears were ringing annoyingly. "N-no…I don't," she answered.

And then there was silence. She worried he would hear her heart pounding violently inside her chest or that he would see her blood red cheeks. She covered her face with her hands as she attempted to even her breathing.

He scratched the back of his head. What was he suppose to say now? He watched her from the corner of his eyes. She was embarrassed, he could tell, but he didn't understand why. But the thing that was going through his mind right now was why did a girl like Lucy not have a boyfriend? He was positive she had to be in some sort of relationship. She was done with school and had a career, wasn't this about the time in a woman's life were they try to settle down with a guy? He remembered Lucy telling him how she wanted to finish college and get job first before she got into a serious relationship. She told him over and over again that once she could support herself she would open herself up to dating. He really wanted to know. "Can I ask why?"

Lucy tilted her head to peek up at him. "Can you ask me why what?"

"Why you don't have a boyfriend?" he regretted the question as soon as he asked it.

Lucy straightened herself and gazed at him. "I've been asked out on dates and I refused most. There is this one guy though that's really persistent, but I'm not sure he's my type, I guess we'll see. It's not that I don't like him, but I don't really like him in that way. It seems like the men I don't care for want me and the men I do want don't ever want me." She answered before biting down onto her lip again. She knew that she wasn't ready to date anyone; she knew exactly how she felt. She adjusted herself till she was on her knees so she could be eye level with him. "Why is that you think? Why don't I get the ones I like?" A flashback flooded Lucy's mind as she remembered her and Natsu talking about a crush of hers. Lucy's mind was stuck in the past; she was forgetting where she really was.

Natsu knew he was in trouble now. His eyes widened as he started to panic, how was he suppose to answer these questions? What was it that she wanted to hear? His dad told him that girls loved to hear only what they wanted to hear, rather it was the truth or not. "Um…Lucy…I…" for some reason he too was having the same flashback.

"What do you think, Natsu? You'd date me wouldn't you?" As Lucy gazed at his face she started to feel herself being pulled towards him. She was being drawn closer by some unknown magnetic force.

He stopped as he stared at her. Natsu recognized that look in those melt chocolate eyes of hers from all the girly movies Lucy made him watch. It was the look a girl gives before she kisses a guy. But that didn't make sense, was Lucy really going to kiss him? Was this really about to happen? Why would she want to kiss him?

He knew what the right thing to do was. He knew he had to stop her if she tried. He knew she didn't want to actually do that. Oh he knew many things, but his head had started to become blurry. The alcohol finally caught up with him, and what a great time for it to take effect. And he couldn't help but feel a powerful pull toward her, he wanted to move in for kill and dominate those lips but hers, but this was his best friend, Lucy Heartfilia.

"N-Natsu," she whispered as she placed her hands on his cheeks, and with her eyes closed she leaned towards him.

His eyes widened as he watched her. Everything was in slow motion as her lips advanced towards his own. "L-Luce…" he spoke as his hands reached out toward her. Natsu needed to remind himself that this girl before him use to be his best friend and he was doing everything he could to get her back, and this, would definitely screw up his plans.

Lucy was only mere centimeters away from crushing her lips against his before his hands were on her shoulders, preventing her body from moving any closer. Her eyes snapped open to see his staring right back at her, their faces so close she could feel his breath on her nose.

"You're drunk Lucy." He stood up and pressed her body down onto the bed. He moved to her feet and took of her shoes; he then pulled the blanket over her. "Go to sleep and I'll see you in the morning." He didn't look back at her and he didn't say anything else as he left the room without a second thought.

Lucy's eyes were huge from shock. How could she do such a thing? What was she thinking? She got lost in the moment. She honestly believed she had reliving a memory. She covered her face with her hands and prayed to Kami that she wouldn't remember what she had almost done and that tomorrow things will be back to normal where they tried to avoid each other at all cost. Oh she prayed to all the powers of the universe that Natsu himself would forget that she almost forced herself upon him. She took a deep breath. "Curse you Cana and your damn drinking game." Lucy laid awake for what seemed like forever sorting out her feelings. She reminded herself that she was over it, that she didn't feel the same anymore. She blamed the alcohol for her actions and also her past desires. She had been simply caught in the moment. It took awhile, but Lucy eventually fell asleep and wandered off to dream land with that flashback once again entering her mind.

Lucy sat at the desk in her bedroom, she was nervously chewing on the end of her pencil; a very bad habit she had. She was busy writing in the novel that she worked on in her free time, and she was stuck. She had a terrible case writer's block. She dropped her pencil as she leaned back into her chair and sighed deeply. The novel she was writing was a romance and Lucy honestly had little experience in romance or love. The only thing she was aware of was the crush she had on a certain boy. That boy would forever just be a crush because Lucy was positive he'd never have similar feelings for her.

Lucy was fine with it just being a one-sided crush; she had realized she had this crush about three months ago and she wasn't trying to progress any further relationship with the teenage boy. Lucy was sixteen so it was expected that she should start dating, however, Lucy was content just seeing him and being able to talk with him. There was a reason Lucy wasn't going to confess to him, there was a huge reason, and that was it would ruin their friendship.

Lucy leaned forward and rested her head on top of her papers. She closed her eyes as she started to think about his smile, his smell, his voice, and his touch. Every little thing that he did without knowing caused the girl to develop feelings for him that were deeper than friends should have. Lucy was okay with just being friends, she would rather have a friend than a boyfriend anyways. But sometimes she can't help but wonder 'what if'. "If only things were different then maybe, just maybe I could tell him."

"Tell who what?"

Her eyes snapped opened at the sound of an intruder. And right in front of her kneeled her best friend, looking at her with a concerned expression.

"Natsu!" she snapped, forcing herself to sit up. She looked across her room and noticed her opened window. "How many times do I have to tell you not to sneak into my bedroom?!"

"I was bored," he yawned, standing up and making his way to her bed, plopping down onto it, like it was his own. "Ji-chan wanted to lecture me about my grades again."

"Then you should be back at home, not here bugging me," she grumbled, scrambling to gather all her papers together so she can stuff them back into a drawer, hidden from the world.

"Ah that hurts Luce!" he whined, pouting at her. He watched as she acted nervous while gather some papers together. "By the way what's that?"

Lucy's face turned red. "N-nothing."

He quirked an eyebrow. "Nothin' huh? Doesn't seem like nothin' to me."

"Just drop it, okay? You wouldn't be interested anyways," she stated as she placed her work in her secret drawer that she was able to lock. And she did so, making sure no pinked hair teen could get it out.

"What were you talkin' about before?" he questioned, gathering up her pillows and making himself comfortable.

"Hm?" she wondered as she sat next to him on her bed.

"Somethin' about if things were different, you'd tell him somethin'," Natsu stated his eyes on her as he spoke. "Who's him anyways?"

Lucy blushed and threw her hands up in the air. "That was nothing! Absolutely nothing! Just forget about that okay?"

"Now I'm worried," Natsu inched closer to her and he poked his finger onto her forehead. "You never keep secrets from me. Aren't we best friends?"

"You wouldn't understand this Natsu," she grumbled, rubbing her head frantically. "T-this is girl problems related."

"Like your time of the month thing?"

"N-no! How can you talk so freely about that!" she barked.

He rubbed his ears. "We're best friends. You can talk to me about anything, remember?"

"W-well…"

"Do you not trust me?" he frowned.

"T-that's not it!" she defended. "It's…" she blushed again, "boy problems okay?"

"Did some asshole hurt you?"

"N-no."

"Do somethin' to you?"

She shook her head.

"Then what?" he honestly didn't get what the big deal was.

Lucy sighed, completely giving up, she knew he wouldn't quit. "I-I like s-someone, you idiot."

Natsu's eyes widened before he started to laugh. "So what's the problem about that?"

"He doesn't like me back," Lucy answered sadly. "That's the problem I guess you could say."

Natsu placed his large hand onto her head, and ruffled her hair. "Then he's a loser. Who wouldn't like you Luce? You're awesome!"

Lucy bit her lip as she tried her best not to get emotional. All she wanted to say 'then how do you feel about me because I like you', but she couldn't. Natsu had no idea that he was the boy she had been referring to, he had no idea she liked him a little bit more than a friend. "I like him a lot, Natsu," she confessed, "but he'll never see me in that way."

Natsu scratched the back of his head. "Want me to beat some sense into him for ya?"

"You can't," she shook her head.

"Does he not go to our school or somethin'? I'm not afraid of suspension if he does, Luce. I could talk to him first if that's the way you PREFER I go, but I'm still goin' to punch his face for makin' you cry," he claimed, leaning over closer to her and extending his hand to catch the small tear that had just escaped from one of Lucy's brown eyes.

'You are way too close to my face at the moment,' she secretly thought to herself. Lucy wrapped her arms around him lightly. "Thanks anyways, but I can handle it. You're the best Natsu, I hope you know that."

He placed a hand on her back and patted it gently. "Of course I'm the best! Who'd be better than me?! That damn stripper?!"

Lucy giggled and shook her head. "Not a chance. You're the best by far."

"Then you don't need that loser…whoever he is," Natsu grinned his famous smile, causing Lucy to feel weak in the knees. She imagined herself confessing to him and the two of them sharing their first kiss, but that wouldn't happen. He had no idea what he did to her every time he smiled like that, he had no idea how he was changing her feelings, and he had no idea that Lucy was going to end up falling completely for her best friend.

Lucy smiled back at him and nodded. 'That will just have to wait till another time,' she thought to herself.

Boy, even though you're my best friend
I can't help it whenever
I compare you to him
It's like I always do this
With every single man
And I hate that I can't find
Someone who's worth my time
Just like my best friend.

Ok so everyone knows Lucy has not forgiven Natsu by any means, but she's also going to try to have normal conversations with him for the sake of Gray and Juvia's wedding. It's not all is well and Lucy is going to forget everything. We're blaming the alcohol and Lucy's old feelings for her actions in the end of the chapter. Ok? So what did you think? Let me know! Thanks minna for your support.

That was the longest chapter so far! 6,000+ words. Well jeez. Lol. Hope it was worth it. Oh and on my youtube account I posted a trailer for this fanfic. Plus on tumblr, I have made all types of 'posters' for it too. If you have time, feel free to check them out!

And I got stuck in my new story, but as soon as I get a good amount of chapters I will post it for you!

Please review! Much love!

Cookie-chan91