I smiled at Wendy as she took a sip of beer. Her face scrunched up and went red. She spit it back in the cup with a loud "Gross!"

I couldn't help but chuckle. Wendy and I were sitting in the guild hall, eating lunch. Cana had stopped by with her usual beer and had gotten the bright idea to make Wendy try it. Needless to say Carla disapproved, but Wendy had wanted to prove herself to Cana. Carla sat next to Wendy, looking satisfied at Wendy's reaction.

Cana sat next to me, smiling with amusement, "Ah, to bad squirt. Maybe you'll like it if you drink more."

I rolled my eyes and said, "Don't teach her bad habits Cana!"

Cana shrugged, saying, "Lucy, don't worry. If she doesn't like it now she probably won't like it much later."

Wendy was now staring at the beer with distaste and I couldn't help but agree. Wendy looked like she wanted to say something but stopped when we heard a shout from behind us. "Shut up!"

We turned to see Natsu yelling at a stranger in the back of the bar. Natsu's face was contorted in rage, his hair sparking like a match. The stranger was wearing a dark brown coat and pants, with sunglasses covering his eyes. He was smirking. He said something back to Natsu, only to fuel his anger more.

Natsu's hands unconsciously burst into flames. I glanced at Wendy, exchanging a worried glance. Erza, who had been talking to Mirajane stormed over to where Natsu and the stranger were arguing. She said something to Natsu, we were too far away to hear, and he just scowled at her. That was unusual in itself; Natsu was too intimidated by Erza to be anything but respectful to her, except in the most extreme circumstances. My worry increased.

Natsu cast one last murder filled look at the stranger and stormed out of the guild, not even noticing the stares of everyone he had attracted.

My gaze followed him as he exited the guild until the door slammed shut behind him. I turned back to where Wendy, Carla, and Cana were looking. Ezra was talking quietly to the stranger Natsu had been arguing with.

He smirked at her, took a sip of the beer I hadn't noticed him drinking earlier, set it down, and then stood up. He said something to Erza and her face dropped with shock. I frowned, shocking Erza wasn't easy.

He walked away from her, heading to the doors Natsu had used and paused at my table. His eyes ran me up and down and he grinned at me. His eyes were dark brown and his hair was a strange green. He had stubble growing on his chin and he looked greasy. He must be in his thirties. A slow shiver worked up and down my spine. His grin was full of sharp teeth. He winked at me once before walking out of the guild leaving a cold silence in his wake.

Cana eyed the doors that shut behind him with dark eyes. "I didn't like the looks of him," she said.

Wendy nodded and cast me a scared look. "He gave me the chills."

Carla said nothing except, "Stay away from him Wendy." Wendy nodded mutely.

I stood up and walked over to Erza who still stood in the back. Erza had her armor on, looking ready for a fight, her face stormy. "Who was he Erza?" I asked.

"Nothing but trash," she spat.

I frowned, confused. "What was he and Natsu arguing about?" I asked hesitantly.

Erza shrugged. "Beats me, I didn't get a chance to hear."

I felt a tap on my shoulder and turned to see Levy staring at me with concerned eyes.

"Lucy, be careful. He looked strange to me." Gajeel stood just behind her looking bored, towering over Levy's small form.

I gave her my best confident smile, trying to ignore the creepy feeling he gave me. "Don't worry! If he tries something he will be the one getting the worst one out of it. I'll give him a Lucy Kick!"

Levy didn't look too reassured but she managed a smile. Gajeel looked at me and said gruffly, "Be careful, he smelled strange," before grabbing Levy's arm and dragging her back to the secluded table that they had been occupying.

"Come on Shrimp," he said, Levy blushing slightly. She cast me one last concerned glance before obediently following him.

I couldn't help but want to laugh, Gajeel and Levy had been together for two months now and seeing them together like that was still a little strange, especially with their size differences. Jet and Droy clearly still hadn't gotten over it and watched them moodily from the bar.

Erza turned to me and said seriously, "Just be careful Lucy."

"Jeez, even your concerned Erza. Don't worry, I'm much stronger than I look!" I smiled.

She smiled back at me, and said, "I suppose you're right."

I waved at her before turning and walking back to my table.

"So, who was he?" Carla asked.

I shrugged, "No one knows. Well, at least Erza doesn't. Natsu might."

Wendy looked at me suddenly and said, "You need to go home then!"

I blinked, confused. "Excuse me?"

"If Natsu is still angry then he would be at your place to calm down. Go home and ask who it was," she explained.

"W-what?" I stammered. "You don't know that!"

Cana gave me a sly look. "Natsu is always at your place Lucy, don't be shy about it, we know how close you two are. No need to lie."

My face heated and I felt my stomach curl. "It's not like that!" I denied.

Carla just rolled her eyes and said, "It doesn't matter, either way the most likely bet is that he's at your place. Go already!"

I let out a weary sigh, but nodded reluctantly. I grabbed my purse, waved goodbye and walked out of the guild.

As I walked the few blocks to my apartment my thoughts traveled back to Cana's comment. Natsu and I were definitely not involved like she assumed. Just the thought made me go red and gave me the feeling of picking up something and throwing it, hard. We were definitely not like that, just friends.

Oh no, does everyone think it's like that between us? I thought with sudden horror.

Before I knew it I stood in front of my door. My window was open which meant Natsu was in there, no doubt, he still didn't understand the idea of using an actual door instead of a window. I let out a tired sigh before unlocking my door and opening it.

I blinked somewhat surprised to find Natsu spread out on my bed, sleeping like a baby. Happy sat next to him reading a book about fish. He glanced up at me when I came in.

"Happy," I complained, "why are you guys here!" Even though I was angry that they had come in without permission, with Natsu sleeping on my bed, again, I was more disturbed by the fact that Wendy had been right, Natsu had come here.

"Natsu wanted to come here," was all Happy said, before returning to his book.

I dropped my purse on the ground, slipped off my shoes, and walked over to Natsu. I grabbed his muscled shoulder, I realized with a slight flush, and shook it hard, yelling "Natsu wake up!" in his ear.

He groaned and batted my hand away, curling up into a ball, his back facing me. I grabbed his shoulder and pulled him onto his back. He blinked up at me, squinting slightly. His soft pink hair was sticking up to the point where I suddenly had the strong urge to brush it down. His white scarf was slightly unwrapped and I noted a few new stains on it.

"Five more minutes," he mumbled, closing his eyes again.

"How about zero more minutes," I snapped at him. He sighed but sat up and glared at me grumpily. "We need to talk," I said.

By the way his eyes darkened he knew exactly what I wanted to talk about. "Who was he?" I demanded to know.

"Don't know," he responded, his eyes averted to the window, his lips puckered. His shoulders had tensed up and his fists had tightened. I didn't believe him for one second, but by his attitude I doubt he would tell me anything.

I put my hands on my hips and cocked one eyebrow. "Okay, then what were you arguing about?" I said a little sharper.

He took a moment before responding. "None of your business," he mumbled.

"Natsu!" I exclaimed in exasperation.

His head whipped around to me suddenly and he growled, his eyes full of fire, "It's none of your business Lucy!"

I winced inwardly, hurt by his refusal to trust me. I pressed my mouth into an angry line before nodding and storming over to my writing desk. I sat down and stared hard at the blank paper that sat in front of me. I was angry he wouldn't tell me but I couldn't summon the will to tell him to leave, I didn't really want him to leave if I let myself admit it.

I picked up my pen and tapped it on the desk, frowning at the paper. Once again I saw that strangers creepy smile, and the way he eyed me like a piece of meat, and I shivered again.

I needed to know who he was, for my own safety at least, and yet Natsu wouldn't tell me. Again the anger rose in my like a tidal wave but before I could whip around and demand answers, or tell him to leave I heard him whisper something.

I turned in my chair slowly. Natsu was curled up on my bed, his eyes closed, Happy lying next to his head. How did they fall asleep so fast? I wondered. "I'm sorry Lucy," he whispered.

Immediately, like the idiot I was, my anger melted. I let out a soft sigh, walked over to him, picked up the blanket resting at the end of the bed, and draped it over him.

"I know Natsu, I know," I murmured with a soft smile.