As Lucy finished sweeping the floor and brushed her jeans off. Mira wandered into the room with clean glasses, observing Lucy's sweeping job with delighted eyes.

"You did a wonderful job! Thank you so much! Where did Natsu go?"

"He woke up and I told him what was going on. He didn't take it very well, but he needed to hear it. Is Master in yet?"

"Yes, he came in the back just a few minutes ago. Why don't you go talk to him?"

"Thank you, Mira."

Lucy put the broom back in the closet and walked up the stairs with just a bit of trepidation. How would the Master take her decision? She knocked on the door. The Master's voice called for her to come in, and she took a breath. The Master regarded her fondly as she stood before him.

"Master, I have something I need to discuss with you."

"I already know that your team is neglecting you and your life, Lucy dear. Does this discussion regard that issue?"

"Yes. I would like to let you know that I am breaking off from the team and going on missions with Mira. I will also be taking solo missions in an effort to better my fighting and become more valuable to the guild. Will you approve my request?"

"No."

She almost collapsed from shock. No? Why? Did he not understand?

"Let me tell you, I know that your team is neglecting you. I know that you are ready for a change. I have been meaning to offer you a job that I feel only you can do, and this is the right time. I need an ambassador for Fairy Tail to attend a guild conference overseas regarding future trade cooperation that could bring us great prosperity. You are the perfect candidate. You will be gone for about a year, given the trip itself takes a couple months both ways. Would you be interested?"

And just like that, she felt everything changing. Her life was turning around, and for the better. She would miss Mira and the guild, but this was for the better.

"Yes, Master. I will go to this conference. When do I leave?"

"You have a week to prepare. I have arranged passage and accommodations for you once you arrive. I will also be making an announcement about your departure within the next two days. Thank you, Lucy."

The rest of the day passed in an excited blur. Mira was aware of the trip, and began to cry when Lucy told her how long she would be gone. The women had hugged and agreed to tell no one until Master made an official announcement. Natsu avoided Lucy all day. He still couldn't believe that after all the time they'd been partners, she would just up and ditch him for Mira. Gray and Erza hadn't taken it well, but they had decided to just let it go and let Lucy be happy. What the hell? Was no one but him going to tell her that this was a bad idea? Just then, he had his first, and possibly only, brilliant idea of the day. Master would sort this out! He would tell Lucy to stay on the team. With that thought in mind, Natsu stormed upstairs and blew open Master's door.

"I gotta talk to you, Gramps!"

"If it's about Lucy, then I don't want to hear it."

Needless to say, that was NOT the reaction Natsu had been expecting. Had Gramps already spoken with Lucy about the team?

"You have to tell Lucy she can't quit the team."

"Too late. I already removed her name from your team roster. She had very good reasoning that I agreed with; therefore, I saw no issue. I will be publicly announcing that fact later today, actually. Anything else?"

Natsu tensed up, feeling his anger stir. Why was Gramps taking this so lightly? Didn't he understand that he needed Lucy? He was nothing without her. Since the first day they'd met, he'd known she was a special mage, someone to be treasured, and he'd done just that. Or, he at least thought so. The last two weeks had been pretty foggy what with all the drinking. That didn't matter, though!

"What was her reasoning?"

"You'll have to ask her yourself. It's not my business to say, nor do I think that the reasons she gave me were the entire ones. You two should talk. Now, GET OUT OF MY OFFICE, BRAT!"

Natsu found himself on the ground floor of the guild before he could blink. Stupid Gramps. Lucy waltzed on by again, this time with a dusting rag, so Natsu grabbed her ankle. She regarded him with cool, sad, eyes. Why was Lucy sad?!

"Why do you really want to leave the team, Lucy? I know it's not just because you want to get stronger or anything like that. Please, tell me."

Lucy could not believe her ears. Natsu Dragneel, the great and powerful Salamander, was begging her to tell him why she wanted to leave his team. She felt conflicted as to whether she should tell him or not. If she told him, he would never understand, but if she didn't, he would pester her endlessly and her last days in the guild would be torture. Could she put him off? Lucy reached down and removed his hadn't from her ankle gently, offering a peaceful smile.

"You'll find out someday, alright? Now, I have work to do. I'll see you later."

She left him there on the floor and ran to the back room to hide from the boy whose gaze could tear her apart with just one look. The expression on his face held hurt, betrayal, and utter sadness. How was she supposed to deal with that from her best friend when it was her fault in the first place? She felt a tear slip down her cheek for him, a tear that became ten. That was how Mira found her thirty minutes later, crying her eyes out into the dusting rag.