A/N: Hey guys! This is a long one, and will hopefully update again tonight, so watch out!

And in response to a comment from guest reviewer, PERSONOFTHESTARS, I realised after I'd published chapter 8 and doing more research into constellations that I'd made a mistake! SORRY! :( I try not to make mistakes, but I do slip up sometimes, and I just got so into it I forgot to check I'd been accurate! Hope you enjoy the rest of the story though, even through my small blunder! ;)

Laxus's POV

After Wendy had finished healing her up, I carefully lifted blondie into my arms, noticing how she tightened her grip on that damned muddy key that had caused so much trouble.

'I'll take her straight back to the guild. Meet everyone in the infirmary.' They nodded their agreement knowing she needed the rest more than anything.

Natsu walked up to me, and brushed his hand across blondies head. I resisted growling at him, somehow, as he pulled off his scarf and gently wrapped it around her neck.

I don't know who was more shocked out of all of us; Natsu never took of that scarf. Ever.

'Sorry Luce.' He whispered, leaning forward to peck her on the cheek and grinning up at me cheekily when he heard the rumble from my chest.

I glared at him as he sauntered away, his hands in his pockets as he whistled cheerfully, Happy flying behind him started talking about fish. It had been the first time since blondie had got back that those two were acting normally.

Erza smiled at me and nodded before turning to walk away.

'We'll see you at the infirmary then. Lucy shall be fine now.' She called back to me. I watched as everyone started to walk away, Freed giving Ever a piggy back so she wouldn't have to walk through the forest in bare feet.

Bix stood beside me for a second, before reaching out and stroking along her cheek. For some reason, I was ok with him touching her, and we both looked down at her, relieved she was going to be ok for sure this time.

'Go on Laxus. Get cosplayer back so she can rest; that barrier must have drained her pretty quickly. I guess that's what First meant about the spell being a huge drain, though it sounded like it was horrible during the casting as well.' He muttered, his babies hovering nervously next to blondies head didn't repeat him.

'Yeah. From what Loke described, it was nasty.' We shuddered at the memory of Loke's sobbing and guilt ridden body as he described what he'd seen when blondie was casting the spell, before he was sent back to the spirit world.

He grinned up at me suddenly, and patted my shoulder.

'Glad Cosplayer's alright now though. See you soon.' He said, before sauntering off, his babies lingering behind before hovering off to follow him.

I smiled down at the blonde in my arms, before turning into lightning and appearing outside the guild seconds later with a clap of thunder to announce my arrival.

I quickly carried her inside and to the infirmary to see Gramps sitting beside her bed, holding her keys in his hands. He looked up and frowned in worry as he saw blondie's limp body in my arms.

'She's fine gramps, just drained according to Wendy. You get my thought projection alright then?' He nodded as he pulled the blankets back and then replaced them over blondie.

She murmured something unintelligible in her sleep as she turned and smiled, holding the key tightly in her hands.

'Mavis appeared after your thought projection dissipated, and explained that she had probably succeeded in casting the spell, and it had probably only just activated as her body had healed enough to cope with the search.' I sat back to stare at blondie as she slept, nodding as Gramps explained it to me.

'Mavis was surprised when you told her about the barrier that surrounded her. She said it just goes to show how high her magical capacity is; apparently it takes a lot to just find the key, let alone set up the barrier. I'm glad you all followed her though, I'm guessing the spell broke down when she found the key?' I grunted my agreement, still staring at her as she slept.

Wow Laxus, that's not creepy at all. I thought to myself as I forced my gaze to lift to Gramps, who was grinning at me with that creepy smirk her has, and I glared.

'Tch. Whatever Gramps. As if those guys could handle anything without me. Besides, I got her back fastest.' As I spoke, his grin just widened and become more and more aggravating.

'Shut up old man.' I growled out, jerking my head to the side so I didn't have to look at him.

'Okay Laxus. Thank you, for looking after her. She's special to the guild, to everyone. You've noticed how quiet everyone's been since she's been like this-' He broke off, fingering her keys before placing them on the bedside unit.

'She's more powerful than people give her credit for, so she doesn't need protecting really, she just needs someone to be there. She's spent too much time alone in her life already; much like you and the Raijinshuu.' I glanced at him to see he was smiling sadly down at blondie.

'She really reminds me of you Laxus, of course, she has a much friendlier nature than you, but she's just as strong in her heart.' He grinned up at me before walking over and clapping a hand on my shoulder.

'Don't hurt her Laxus. I know you, and I know her. Think about how you feel, really think, before you do anything.' I looked down at my hands, before nodding. He patted my shoulder, before walking out, yawning.

'Bed for me! I've missed my sleepy time!' He grinned as he reverted to his usual jovial and jokey personality.

Lucy's POV

I groaned and stretched out, yawning as I opened my eyes slowly. I'd felt a weight across my stomach, and carefully opened my eyes to see Bix was sitting beside me, and had thrown an arm across me as he'd slept, resting his head on the mattress beside me.

I looked down to see Happy had climbed on top of my legs, and Ever and Erza were both sleeping resting on the bed beside my legs as well, Happy's tail flopped across Erza's scarlet hair. Laxus slept back in the chair on my left, his arms crossed and his chin resting against his chest as he jerked slightly in his sleep.

I smiled, and flushed bright red as Bix mumbled in his sleep, and tightened his grip around my waist suddenly.

'Kyaah!' I whisper screamed, feeling my blood rush to my face as he pulled me across to him, his head pressing against my side through the blankets.

I noticed he wasn't wearing his visor and hood, and smiled shakily, happy that he'd become so comfortable with being around my team that he could take it off, but he was too close right now!

My heart started thumping loudly in my chest, and I heard Natsu groan from on the floor at the foot of the bed.

I quietly pulled my hands out from under the bed, noticing I still had the key held in my hand, and grinned before gently shaking Bix, trying to wake him up.

'Um, Bix?' I whispered, shoving at his arm. He moaned and tightened his grip on me.

'Lucy...' He whispered, sighing. I blinked, before flushing redder than Erza's hair.

Suddenly, Bix's babies appeared from his lap and started laughing shrilly as they rubbed against my face.

"LUCY'S UP! LUCY'SUP!" They screamed out, laughing as one of them smacked Bix on the head to awaken him before everyone else, ensuring he wouldn't get murdered for gripping me.

'LUCE!'

'LUCY!'

'Lucy-san!'

I grinned as everyone shouted my name, wincing at the volume before smiling and sitting up, leaning against the headboard as I was assaulted with hugs, the first one being from Happy, who buried his sobbing face in my chest.

'LUUSSHHHYYYYYYY!' He cried out as I laughed at him. 'I MISSED YOUUUU!'

'I missed you too Happy.' I whispered, my voice slightly croaky.

Laxus suddenly handed me a glass of water, and I smiled gratefully as I sipped at it, sighing as it soothed my sore throat.

'Thanks.' He grunted, before placing his sound pod over his ears and turning away to try and act all aloof, causing me to giggle.

'Lucy! Thank God you're alright!' Erza shoved past Laxus and encircled me into a tight hug, Ever not far behind, her soft brown hair falling across my face as she threw her arms around me and Erza, shoving Bix out of the way. I smiled as I hugged them back.

'Come on guys, I couldn't have been out of it for that long!'

'You've been asleep for days.' Gray said from the foot of my bed, smiling as he crossed his arms over his bare chest.

'Oi Ice stripper, clothes!' Natsu shouted, grinning as he climbed on the bed to launch himself forwards at me as soon as Erza and Ever had released me.

'Shut up ash tray.' Gray muttered, before walking off to find his shirt, not starting a fight for a change.

'What's up with you two? Personality change or what? Where's the fighting huh?' Natsu sat back and climbed off the bed, ignoring the glares he was earning off of everyone as he answered.

'Erza said if we didn't fight you'd forgive us quicker for burning your letters.' I glared at him, making him go pale, before I laughed, grinning.

'I have no issue with you guys fighting, but fight in my apartment again, and I'll kill you. Understand?' He nodded, smiling nervously, before grinning and sauntering off to find Gray.

'Hey, what did you call me a sec ago stripper?' I heard the fight start outside the infirmary and laughed again.

'Thanks guys, sorry for causing all the trouble, but it was important.'

'Lucy-sama, please explain to me what's going on! I need to know! Books are useless when it comes to the spirit realm!' Freed shoved past everyone, his eyes blood shot and crazed through the gale force glasses he wore, holding out a large encyclopaedia in front of me.

'Sorry Freed, you know I can't say.' I smiled apologetically at him as his face fell, before he composed himself and smiled warmly at me.

'I'm truly glad you have recovered Lucy-sama.' I frowned at the nickname and honorific he'd given me, but shrugged, knowing there was no use in stopping him from calling me that.

'Well, do you want to see my contract Phoenicis then?' He nodded avidly, before he frowned again.

'Hold it blondie, no magic for you. Not until Wendy clears you for it. You used up a lot of energy last night.' I pouted at Laxus, glaring at him.

'I'm fine.' I huffed, still clutching my new key.

'Let me check over you first please Lucy-san.' Wendy mumbled, stepping around the people surrounding my bed. I smiled at her nervous face and nodded.

Wendy's POV

As I analysed Lucy's magic levels, I was astonished to see that not only were they stable and almost fully restores, her magical capacity had almost doubled in size from over a few weeks ago.

I blinked in surprise, before smiling at her to hide my shock at how her magical capabilities had improved so quickly.

'Lucy-sans magic has been fully restored during her rest, she should be fine for a summons.' Lucy grinned at me before sticking her tongue out at Laxus, who just glared at her.

I was surprised she was so comfortable around the Raijinshuu and Laxus, considering what they had done in the past and how creepy Bickslow and Laxus were. Not to mention Ever had a reputation as a snob, and Freed was very removed.

Although, now I think about it, they were all very concerned for Lucy's well being, as much as Team Natsu had been, and they hadn't left her side for a moment while she was unconscious.

I watched her bicker with Laxus about summoning, and Freed seemed to have a starry eyed look on his face at the small amount of celestial magic he was about to witness.

I turned to see Natsu walk in, his face bruised and bleeding from his fight with Gray.

'Don't get too excited Freed, it's not that cool contracting them. It's cooler when she calls them out to fight!' Natsu grinned, ignoring the glare Lucy shot at him.

Lucy's POV

'Natsuuuuu.' I growled under my breath, glaring at him. Before I could finish my threat however, Laxus punched Natsu into the wall.

'Shut up fire breath.' He muttered, before closing his eyes and listening intently to his sound pod.

I grinned before asking everyone to stand back.

'I don't know where he's going to turn up, or how big he's going to be.' I muttered as I held the key in front of me.

I concentrated my magic, feeling it flow down my arm and into the key. My mind detached from my body, and I saw before me a huge silver gate with a red gilded edging.

I frowned, noticing the difference between this gate and all of my normal silver key's gates, but shrugged it off as I began the summoning ritual.

"I am linked to the path to the world of Celestial Spirits, now! O spirit, answer my call and pass through the gate! Key of the Phoenix! Phoenicis!"

I opened my eyes as there was a huge shower of gold and red sparks in front of me, before it cleared to reveal a tall young man with flaming red and orange hair. He was shirtless and wore a leather plaited necklace, and had on blood red combat shorts and red sandals.

I smiled and opened my mouth to talk to him, before I realised he was glaring at me, scowling.

'Tch. Stupid busty. I hid my key so no-one would find it. Great, thanks a lot. I was busy, you know?' I blinked in surprise, before glaring.

'What, did you call me?' He smirked, staring at my chest before slowly moving his gaze up to my furious face.

'Take a guess blondie.' I felt steam coming out of my ears, and my aura started to pulse darkly.

'Uh oh...' I heard Natsu whimper from the wall where he was still stuck from Laxus's punch.

'Angry Lushy's come out.' Happy mumbled, covering his eyes and hiding behind Charle.

'Ah, so you're the mage everyone back home's so excited about. Tch. Don't look like much to me, though you do have a nice pair of-'

'LUCY KICK!' I screamed, launching myself off the bed and slamming my foot into his chin, knocking him backwards to slump on the floor. I stalked forwards, fuming as I watched him blink in surprise. I grabbed onto his necklace and yanked on it till his face was millimetres from mine.

'Do you have any idea what I went through to find your bloody key? I need you to help the spirit king before something happens. Now because you aren't contracted, I'm wondering why you didn't step forwards like all the other un-contracted spirits, Ginge.' He blinked, before smirking at me.

'I think I like you busty.' I scowled at him, but backed off slightly when he held up his hands in apology.

'If you must know blondie, I haven't been around that part of the celestial plane, and the usual spirits don't like me for some reason.'

'I bet I know why. It's your cocky mouth.' I muttered, releasing him and stepping back to sit on the bed behind me, suddenly exhausted.

'Yeah, it's part of my charm. Get over it. Besides, I got tired of being contracted to self-absorbed mages who didn't respect me, so I hid my key. Haven't had someone find it in a couple centuries till you decided to go digging.' I sighed, and relaxed, realising I would just have to deal with this guys attitude the same way I dealt with Loke's over the top advances and Taurus's pervyness.

'Okay Phoenicis-'

'Call me Nick. Not even my Mother called me Phoenicis.' He mumbled, pulling himself upright and leaning against the wall, folding his arms.

'Okay, Nick. I want to make a contract with you, and if you agree to respect me, I'll respect you. So keep the comments about my boobs to a minimum and call my Lucy, good so far?' He frowned, considering it, before jerking his head, gesturing for me to go on.

'Okay, what days are you free for summoning and what can you do?' He smirked at me before yawning.

'Well, if you keep up your end of the deal I'll pop out whenever. Unless I'm... otherwise engaged.' He grinned lecherously and I felt myself flush slightly, before I brought myself under control and glared at him.

'Okay, I got some skill with fire, so I'm good for battle, and believe it or not I'm good at healing and crap. Generally not called out for that though, it takes a lot of magic, and their generally not strong enough to deal with it, but you might be.' He mumbled the last bit, before grinning at me.

'That's pretty cool. You might like Natsu, he's a fire dragon slayer.' I gestured to Natsu, who perked up when he'd heard my newest spirit could produce fire.

'Might get a good fight out of him then.' Nick mumbled, grinning at me and ignoring Natsu's glare.

'Well, that's the contract completed. Anything else I need to know before you go join my spirits and help the spirit king? And there is no room for argument here, I'm serious.' I told him, staring into his red flecked, golden eyes. He nodded seriously.

'Nope, nothing else that won't wait. Now I'm guessing it's pretty urgent now, I can feel all the turmoil from your keys. Better get going at my new masters command.' He mocked, bowing extravagantly.

'I told you, call me Lucy. I can accept just about anything except Master or busty. SO quit with the master, alright?' He stood straight and frowned down at me, slightly puzzled before grinning slightly and leaning forward, brushing his lips across me cheek before whispering in my ear.

'I think I might like you, Lu-cy.' He whispered, before disappearing as the growls of my male friends rose in volume.

I sighed, glad that I could help in some way with the issues in the spirit realm.

'Um, Lucy –sama? Is that what all your spirits are like when contracting them?' I giggled as I turned to face Freed, who was frowning in concern, glaring at Laxus and Bix who seemed really angry for some reason.

No Freed, he's obviously got a quirk. They're all like humans, they have their own personalities and opinions. He must of had a bad time of it in the past though. Hopefully, he'll soften up some.'

Bickslow's POV

I'll soften up his face if he touches her like that again. I thought, glaring at the spot the spirit had disappeared from.

'Lucy, can't you tell us what's wrong with the spirit king? It seems to be effecting you and your spirits.' Erza asked, walking forwards with Lucy's key belt and pouch. I watched as she attached that arrogant jerks key to the key ring and glared at it as she gave it a stroke before touching all of her keys, as if to reassure them.

'Sorry Erza, I wish I could, but I can't. Rules are rules, and I've already caused one to be changed when I saved Loke, I don't think the council would be too forgiving if I did it again without the spirit kings approval.' Erza sighed, but smiled and hugged Lucy, seeming to accept what she said.

'Okay, as long as you're careful, and don't get hurt.' She nodded, smiling and hugged Erza back.

Suddenly, Master burst into the room, and threw himself towards cosplayer.

'LUCY! You're awake!' Lucy laughed at the blubbery old man as Laxus and I glared at how he pressed his tiny old body against her.

'This calls for a Fairy Tail celebration!' He shouted, dragging cosplayer out of the infirmary as she turned begging us for help with her eyes, I grinned at her, my tongue sticking out as I winked.

I laughed out loud as she glared at me before she disappeared onto the balcony, and was welcomed by a cacophony of cheers from the guild members who'd missed her.

'Well, now that that's over... Laxus! Fight me!' Natsu grinned as he jumped up from the floor, his scarf now wrapped around his neck after grabbing it from the bedside table where we'd put it when we'd seen her asleep.

'Shut up flame brain.' Laxus said, his lips twitching slightly as he punched Natsu again and starting to walk out, his cloak fluttering around him.

'You're one hundred years too early to fight me Natsu.' He said over his shoulder as he walked out to get a beer off Mira.

I followed him, laughing as my babies shot past me to hover around cosplayer, shouting her name repeatedly and making her smile.

She was surrounded by everyone in the guild, who had returned to their usual antics, but Levy was clinging onto cosplayer, crying and telling her off at the same time.

'Man, everyone really does love blondie huh?' Laxus muttered before walking downstairs for that beer.

'Yup. They sure do.' I whispered to myself, staring down at cosplayer, my eyes not leaving her for a millisecond since I wasn't wearing my grate mask.

She looked up at me, and we locked eyes for a second, before she grinned and winked, making me blink in shock, before smirking back at her.

Jeez cosplayer, don't tease me like that. I thought, running a hand through my hair and looking away.

"Tease! Tease!" I heard the unmistakable voices of my babies repeating my thoughts as they hovered around her head and froze, slowly turning to look to check how angry cosplayer was.

For a moment she looked confused, before she looked up at me and flushed bright red as understanding dawned, and she scurried away with Levy and Mira, who'd clung onto her waist, screaming that she'd never let her go again.

I swore and called my babies back, scowling as they laughed at my expression, but stayed close to me from now on.

Mira's POV

Hm, Bickslow's dolls have been hanging around Lucy a lot, and shouting her name! Wait, did they just repeat what she said!? That never happens with anyone apart from Bickslow! Are they... no! But maybe...

AHHH! BLONDE HAIRED RED EYED BABIES! BLUE-BLACK HAIRED BROWN EYED BABIES!

I scurried towards Lucy, wrapping my arms around her waist, screeching at her about never letting her go anywhere alone again.

I want to see how Bickslow reacts to you Lu-cy-chan!

EEK! I can see it now! Lucy and Bickslow, never thought about that pairing! But their magic is similar... and Bickslow is SMILING! WHERE'S HIS MASK!? OH MY GOD HE'S STARING AT YOU LU-CHAN!

I grinned and clapped my hands together as I pranced in a circle behind the bar, Lucy having finally pried me off of her to chat with Levy properly.

YAYY! I have my new pairing! Now to set them up in a... situation...

No-one's POV

The members of the guild who weren't surrounding Lucy looked across to see Mira clapping in a circle and dancing. Everyone shifted nervously.

They all knew Mira had found a new couple opportunity, and they all paled visibly.

The men quickly moved away from the women, and there was a clear divide within the guild, apart from the oblivious Natsu and Gray, and the Raijinshuu who sat at their usual table with Evergreen.

Everyone knew how Mira got when she found a new pairing, and they knew it was an unsuspected couple she was picturing by the evil gleam in her eyes as she plotted away, pouring beer after beer with that dazed look in her eyes.

At that moment, everyone felt pity for the poor pair who were going to suffer through Mira's schemes, until one of them got into a relationship or ran away.

At that same moment, Master Makarov looked down from the balcony, pleased to see Laxus watching Lucy like a hawk, though he tried to hide it, he saw his gaze magnetically home in on the blonde bombshell as soon as he lifted his mug for a drink.

Hmm... I would love some blonde grand-children with Lucy's lovely kind eyes and heart. He grinned devilishly, unaware that Mira was plotting her own pairing for the unwitting blonde.

However, the entire guild noticed the Master's own matchmaking face, and they sweat-dropped at the thought.

Master was even worse at matchmaking than Mira.