Notes: There will be quite a bit going on in this chapter. Lots of clipping back and forth and explanations passed around. You may have to take your time to read as it's long but I couldn't find any other good stopping point. Sorry. Lucy wears a dress in this chapter and if you *really* want to know what she's wearing Check out and look at the Micheline Dress but imagine the skirt is pink. Also I discovered another fact about myself...I'm no good at writing Crazy...

BTW: Fairy Tail is not mine...just the idea for this story...

Chapter 5

It was a pleasantly slow day at Hardbodies and Lucy was making the most of it. She'd managed to organize the sticker wall, add a few more options to her steering wheel orders, give Max his tires, AND do an oil change on her own car: Supernova. Freed had not let up on her promise and had made sure to remind her every hour on the hour. Speaking of which it was 3pm...turning to the side door she sees a Chartreuse head slowly peeks out from around the corner she the door to the office is located. "Wouldn't want you to forget you know and not keep your promise~..." he says sounding almost like a lost spirit beckoning to her to his dark corner. He even had faintly gray waves coming off of him. Refusing to look in his direction she sighs.

"I never break my promises and you know it." The head and haunting eyes slowly sink back into the darkened room they had initially emerged from.

Sighing Lucy predicted that she had about 45-60 more minutes before he reemerged from his dark hole to make sure she had not pulled an escape.

Not that she didn't want to. Public places and large gatherings made her a bit nervous.

Nothing phobic, mind you, but too many people usually didn't sit to well with her. In fact in worst case scenarios it could overload her.

She'd always been sensitive to the 'vibrations' of people and what aura's they give off. They bothered her quite a bit when she was little...just like when she'd tried to warn her parents before...

"No let's not go back into that now."

Even at races, which she enjoyed, she would prefer to sit in her car. Once acclimated however she was capable of moving around and acting normally. For a while at least before finally getting 'tired' and simply retreating to her car. She only went places with a select few people. Those who were sensitive to her plight and could read her signs of discomfort as they appear and the rare few who seem to have a dampening effect on her abilities. In her entire life she only has met one: Laxus. When in his company the colors and waves dampen down to an acceptable level of control. Unfortunately it doesn't help if people touch her but it does make life a bit easier. Levy called it a gift. Lucy rather saw it as a moderate level curse. Yes she the ever practical Lucy Heartfilia had what appeared to be ESP. No matter her research and her first attempts to argue it away she couldn't dispute what she had experienced and seen ever since she could remember. Laxus and Freed had at first teased her but after a few incidents have instead become something like her bodyguards and that grated even more than the fluctuating colors she saw everywhere at times. When she was little she could understand it as the migraines and upset stomach would sometimes debilitate her. But she had learned to turn down the intensity and she's an adult now. She wasn't glass...just needed adjustment time. Laxus eventually understood during college and began to carefully cultivate a group of people around her that wouldn't grate on her senses but still provide social interactions. It's why her shop was an excellent idea for her. She got info, met new people but in small doses with recovery time afterward. Large groups didn't suddenly decide to go car and bike parts shopping all at once giving her time to adjust to each new person quickly as they come in. She had adapted and now it was simply something she was used to dealing with and usually was excellent about not letting it change her life too much. She glanced back at the door seeing faint afterglow of Freed's presence. He was bad today. He's been in and out the door so much his auric signature had started to rub off on the edge of the door where he kept grasping it. She had little doubt that as soon as she starts to lock up he'll be upstairs in her closet picking out her clothes. "Gah! He's so freaking Metro it's almost scary."

After the last light was switched and the last door locked Lucy found herself, unceremoniously, but predictably, picked up and tossed into her bathroom in her two bedroom apartment upstairs. Living above her business had lots of perks. Hard to be late to work...no commute...but it had some down sides too...this being one of them. "Shower and put on the outfit I picked for you."

"It's a skirt."

"Yes. And you're not working on anything, only sitting and having a few drinks. You look good in skirts. And technically it's a one piece dress."

"It still has a skirt."

"You will wear that and YOU WILL LIKE IT!"

"Fine, fine...geeze." Showering up Lucy takes the time to center and ground herself. It's a practice that she's come to find helps her prepare her mind for the possible bombardment that's possibly about to happen. She trusted Freed to know what he's doing. She finds it unlikely that he would take her someplace like a club. She had driven pass this Everafter place and found it's look charming. Yesterday the food, though a simple deli sandwich, was delicious and Freed, who was notoriously picky about his restaurants is a regular. Stepping out and drying herself off she steps in front of the mirror and sighs. Her workouts where paying off. Looking at the dress she's happy to see that he chose the black and pink pin-up one. It was a pink pencil skirt with a high waist, black lace cap sleeves, a small black frill at the bottom, a matching gathered lace sweet heart top and a key hole opening in the back. It was one of her favorites she ordered from online. Thankfully the opening was just small enough to hide her scars. She felt the top edge of each shoulder feeling the faint tell-tale pucker of the old scars that began there, edged down, along her scapula, stopping at her waist. A heated knife can do horrid things to the body of a 5-year-old.

She quickly dressed trying to make sure that Freed didn't get inpatient and attempt to help her along. She hurriedly put her on clothes (noting absently that the 'blowsey' peasant style top to the high-waisted dress wasn't so loose on her as it was on the model), swiped on some tinted lip gloss and stopped. She sighs pulling out the hair dryer. The thing had dust on it...it WAS late summer and she only ever used the thing if she was going out and it was cold but seeing as she was going out tonight...she guessed it warranted that she take the time and actually dry and style her hair. 20 Minutes, much cussing, hair spray,bobby pins and banging later. Lucy has managed to style her hair in soft liberty curls. She was actually surprised that it didn't look horrible. Freed was sitting on her couch waiting for her while flipping channels. He looks up and proceeds to cry. "Don't start...crap."

"Laxus would be so proud...all *sniff* grown up! OH Laxus if only you where here!" He promptly pulls out his cell phone and starts snapping pictures. Just then Freed's phone bloops and he proudly shows Lucy the message it contained. There on the screen was a picture of Laxus giving the camera a thumbs up while winking. Underneath it reads: "I approve of this message!" Lucy shifts uncomfortably face turning a bit red. "Can we get this over with?" he blows his nose and hands her a matching black bowling bag purse and a pair of black Mary Jane pumps and promptly pulls out a tube of red lipstick and (after grabbing her chin) puts it on her lips. "Aww come on!"

"Finishing touch." He silences her. She sighs as she shifts her bag. Looking in it she is happy to note that he had her cell, wallet and M1908 .25 (the one with the mother of pearl handle; after all she WAS dressing up) was in the bottom with an extra clip. Ah he knew her so well. Wait where were her bracelets?*

"You don't need those so don't ask."

"I just feel naked without them."

"You just keep them in your purse anyway. You'll be alright."

Leading her downstairs to his car he held the door for her before jumping in the driver's seat himself. "Are you sure you're OK with me driving?"

"Yes, you know I don't mind it if it's you." He smiles softly as he pulls out shifting into second once on to the main road. Lucy did not let other people drive her around. It was just a thing of hers. To date only two people could with her peace of mind in tact by the end of it. But Freed always asked every time. People always mistaken him for a cold fish, however the man was actually a bit of a softie. The older man was always very kind to her in his own way. She blinks as she looks down at her cell phone as an email blinked at her. Opening it she read it's contents. She sighed softly "You might want to hear this Freed...they just don't know when to quit."

Everafter

It is a busy night. It is a Friday night after all. Being about 8 the crowd was picking up and the noise level while not loud was just loud enough to cover the slight fussing coming from one side of the restaurant where two men and a woman was standing.

"I cannot believe you are going to sit here the whole time!"

"We ain't bother'n no one."

"Yes you are! Me!"

"Got something to hide?"

"No."

"Then what's to worry about? Act like we're not here."

"I'm not worried about you! I'm worried that she'll notice, get uncomfortable and leave! She's not stupid nor green. She'll know you guys are watching her." Levy glares at a disgruntled Gajeel and a curious Natsu. "Your just handing off that disc right? Why'd you have to get all dressed up and stuff?" Looking down at her black fifties dress with oranges all over it and wedge espadrilles she wasn't sure if it was really dressing up all *that* much. Sure she had put a little bit of make up on and made sure the hair band in her hair matched the dress but...so what? A girl can look cute sometimes right? Even if it was just an exchange it's a Friday night at Everafter. In the lounge... She can look cute damn it!

Natsu sighs at Gajeels obvious paranoia and attempts to gently defuse the situation before she gets any louder. "Look, we'll sit in the far back corner where we can see you but not draw attention. How's that? Besides..I'm hungry." The bomb specialist doesn't look convinced but looks at her cell and sighs. "Fine, whatever. Just don't do anything stupid." she jabs both men in the chest (well Gajeel it was closer to the stomach) before walking off to the bar in a huff. Almost in-perciveably, the large and overly pieced man seemed a bit down. One could only tell by his suddenly introspective look and slightly slumped shoulders.

Natsu snickers. "To think that the Redfox would be tamed by a kitten..."

"Shut it. You'll see...someday." Natsu simply snorts in disbelief as he walks over to the darkest corner to sit already thinking about what to order the bigger man trailing after him. Mira giggles from her spot at the bar. "He's just worried about you."

"I know but he needs to trust me. I'm just meeting a friend."

"If he went out suddenly all dressed nice to a bar wouldn't you be just a little curious about why?" The platinum haired woman asks absently as she sets two glasses onto the counter preparing a couple of drinks. Sighing in defeat. "I guess." Blue eyes close in happiness before pert lips giggle. "You two are so cute!" Levy blushes faintly as she casts brown eyes down to the bar. "Maybe I understand his worry."

"He just doesn't want his woman to be wooed away from him. He's not that great with people. I imagine he probably thinks you'll just leave him and he would never stand a chance with anyone else." Levy frowns. Mira was too good at this...but often right. And just like that her anger and irritation evaporated. "That doesn't explain Natsu." Mira laughs. "No he's just nosy."

"Great..."

Glancing over at Gajeel she manages to catch his eye and smiles blowing him a kiss letting him know she's OK now. Natsu watches in even more amusement as the man on the receiving end blushes faintly but sits up straighter, his confidence in her devotion assured.

Mira looks up. "He's here right on time, as usual. Oh? He's brought a friend this time..." Confused the small woman looked towards the door to see who she was talking about only to see Freed walk through the doors and hold them for Lucy. "What I wouldn't do to have a figure like her's or Mira's. Shitty genetic gamble left me out to dry." But she could never begrudge either girl for she loved them dearly. Levy perks. "That's Freed and Lucy!" she waves to them beckoning them over to her at the bar. Mira blinks. "You know Freed?"

"He's best friends with Lucy's adoptive brother. I met her in college and thus him." We both bonded over languages..." Mira smiles. "She's very beautiful." Levy nods.
"Is she...?"

"Yes. She's single Mira. And please do add her to your list. She needs a man." Mira grins eagerly her matchmaking mind already trying to think up possible matches as she hurries off to get her book. Levy just grins evilly knowing that once Lucy finds out she'll probably suffer but until then...she'll just enjoy it.

Gajeel perks as Levy had waved towards the door. "Ey. Salamander, I think she's here."

Both men look over to see a very well dressed man holding the door for a blonde knockout in a very form-fitting dress. Natsu suddenly felt his mouth go just a bit dry. Who the hell was she and where can he get one? Hourglass figure with the upper half besting the bottom by a little made him think very bad things. She walked gracefully hips swaying easily catching many of the men's attention from all over the restaurant. Much to the chagrin of many dates. If SHE was the friend Levy was attached to he already give's his stamp of approval. The Riders needed more women...especially such attractive women. He'd take her for her tattoo personally and pray she gets it somewhere unmentionable so he can witness...wait she's here with a man. Where they a item? That guy certainly didn't deserve her, he was barely looking at her! Why the hell was she with him? He eyed her as she hugged Levy happily before Levy went to hug the man in question.

Something of these thoughts must have played across his face as he watched because Gajeel caught sight of it. "She's pretty hot for a bounty hunter. Bet it made her job both easier and harder."

"Hell, I'd willingly go if *she* handcuffed me and started pushing me into a backseat..."

"Don't wanna hear your sick fantasies, flame brain."

"Oh that doesn't even scratch the surface of my fantasies. Not all are sick I'll have you know."

"If you're in them. They are." he replied in a clipped tone.

As the trio goes to sit Natsu pays careful attention to the young woman. The man aids both girls in sitting showing no real difference in how he treated either one. In fact he seemed to be a bit flustered by Mira and not by the bombshell sitting to his right. That meant she was...available. But why was Levy so worried about her seeing them? since she's come in she's been a bit uncomfortable looking but seemed ultimately alright. Her eyes where scanning the room carefully from second level to each door. She was immediately aware of all exits and the number of people in the room. She had experience...but still not at good as Erza maybe but...

Lucy was pleasantly surprised at how this restaurant felt even when almost full. She wasn't being overloaded, the music was nice and mellow and the people seemed very nice too. The Female Bartender who's nametag said "Evergreen" had made her a in-house specialty called: "Fleuve d'etoiles. " That name seemed familiar. .. The back of her neck however, refused to stop crawling. At first she tried to ignore it and was successful up until the colors in that corner started to flare and dim and flicker about like a candle. Turning to stare in the direction of the gaze she meets a shadowy corner. Though the people are obscured, to her she can see their glow. One of which looked fairly familiar but she couldn't quite place where she'd seen it before. It reminded her of watching a fireplace. All Reds, and Oranges but with a smattering a pink around the head area. The other was odd rather like looking at stone monument mood ring. Most auras are ever-changing, adapting and meshing or fighting with those around them. This guy, however, is solidly grounded and not easily read but by those people who figure him out. She's pretty sure it's male. But it COULD be female not likely though.

"Uh...is she looking at us?" Natsu asks carefully to Gajeel "No way she can see us, it's too dark in here."

"Your imagination."

"Hi,Freed, you brought a friend?" A sweet voice waifs into her thoughts.

"Y-yes, this is my boss Lucy." He fidgets slightly. Lucy looks at her friend and smiles knowingly. Feed is a very meticulous man both in dress and usually actions. fidgeting meant one thing…that and the sudden flushing of pink into the edges of his colors. He had a crush! OH HO! Tonight has already paid off. She had always suspected that he had other reasons for frequenting this place now she knew he did. Laxus will *love* to hear this. But being who she was Lucy peered thoughtfully at Mira. Not that she doubted his judgement of character its just that...well he was just about family dammit! After a moment of watching her she decided that she liked this Mira woman her soothing turquoise, light blues and emerald greens spoke of peace and healing. Lucy smiles much more warmly now. "Freed has told me so much about this place that I had to come see. It's lovely."

"Thank you. It really is a small world. Levy would say that she keeps trying to get her friend to come visit but that she didn't like large groups of people too much." Lucy blushes faintly. "Levy!"

"What? It's true you don't." She couldn't really argue *that* point..but to spread it around like that...it was embarrassing...making her seem like some weird shut in. Which she wasn't.

Not really anyway...

Ok maybe after a few hard months she was... but...

Moving on.

"Don't worry she was just eager to introduce her friend to all of her new friends." Lucy blinks at Mira. Oh she was good...could she also? No...she's just good. VERY good. Lucy blushes at being seen through so easily. "Well...I'm feeling somewhat social and in a pretty good mood." turning in her bar chair she looks around at all the customers. Most where in romantic moods or at least happy ones...except for those three. Odd. The one in the far right corner spoke of anger and jealousy...maybe a stood up date? No. This was old...deep seated...and frankly none of her business so long as they stay put. Those two where still sitting on the other side...why didn't they light their candle? What where they waiting on? Could they stop staring? It was making her skin crawl.

"So anyway, Lu-chan, I have the program I want you to go over for me..." She hands her the Cd.

Natsu watches in confusion and more than mild surprise. This time he was sure of it She *Had* turned to look directly at them. No way she would've known someone was back here. It was too dark. But judging by Levy's nervous and abrupt distraction this might be what she meant about her friend. "Gajeel did she?"

"Yep."

"How did she...?"

"Dunno. Freaky as shit, though." Natsu sits back. Yeah it was...but also...intruiging. Closing his eyes he slowly filtered out all the ambient noise and tuned back into the conversation across the room.

The blonde smiles "For your master's program? Shouldn't you get someone of the same level to go over it for you?"

"Shut up. You did master's level work in your sophomore year, don't give me that." Levy scoffs as she takes a sip from her drink. "Alright. You know I'll look at it anyway. So how is the relationship going? Is *HE* here?" Levy blushes faintly "No. He's at back at home with Lily." Lucy looks directly at her and after a telling silence frowns in disappointment. "Is it you think I won't like him and try and run him off?"

"A-actually I'm more worried about the other way around...most people don't get him and get offended. He might actually grate on your...senses Lu."

The pink haired man frowns. "Senses? What does she mean by that?"

"I can take the time to get people when it matters to my friends." Levy looks down. "I know...I just want your meeting to be perfect. Both of you are really important to me and I want you to get along." The taller woman looks hard at her friend. "You really love him don't you?" she says almost too low for even Natsu to hear. "Yeah..." Levy replies just as softly.

Natsu snorts from his place in the booth.

"If you screw it up with someone like her you deserve to be alone." Gajeel...for once, has no smart reply to that. "Oh how the mighty have fallen..."

"Shut the hell up Salamander. Trying to listen."

Both men suddenly wince as Mira squeals.

Lucy jumps slightly and looks at her as Mira coos. "Their so cute!" Levy ignores Mira and goes back to her drink blushing furiously. Freed is looking over amused. Levy frowns. "ANYWAY...have you heard about that new meet coming up in a month?" Lucy looks at her. "Of course I have. It's the first time drifting is going to be included as event. A lot of the draggers are joining. They have no idea what their in for. I predict wrecks, spin outs, and stalls." she laughs. "It might make for good entertainment. But the pot is pretty fat. Talking 30G." Levy whistles.

"Supposedly all the big groups are going to be in attendance. It's supposed to be a big deal." Lucy looked at Levy again with that expression. At once looking at her but also through her. Levy was used to it and found that if she kept her calm she could keep at least some of her nervousness from being transmitted to her friend. "You want to ask me something." Levy knew that tone: Get to the point, please. Was usually what that comment meant.

"Yeah...why don't you compete? You where second only to The Lighting. It might be fun for old times sake."

"Because the Raijinshū Has disbanded long ago. I wouldn't be under a banner and you know that makes for more headaches. Literally. They'll think I'm a dolled up slick top** or something."

"Not if you go under another group."

"I made it my business not to get mixed up in any groups since retirement. I keep in the know but out of the circuit for the most part but I remain neutral not playing favorites with any group." she answers very cautiously before taking a sip of the new drink she ordered. Something called a "Starry Night." It was pretty good.

"So...she used to be apart of Raijinshu huh...? She had to be amazing to even run with them. She's hesitant. Wary...but why? Levy is her friend why be skittish around her?"

"Oi. Stop looking at her like that. Creepy. Like your hunting or somethin'. " Gajeel frowns at Natsu's abnormally tight focus. Somewhere along the way he had opened his eyes again and was staring at the girl.

Levy seems hesitant in her own right already seeing Lucy's wariness. "Lu-chan. You know I love you like a sister, right? And that I wouldn't do anything to hurt you."

"Of course, Levy, where is this going? Your making me nervous." Wait no that's not her that's coming from my back left...?

The petite woman takes a deep breath. "I need you to..."

The sudden sound of dishware and people gasping in shock, ducking flying food. "DAMN ALL OF YOU FAIRY TAIL ASSHOLES! YOU SIT UP HERE LOOKING DOWN ON EVERYONE ELSE...YOUR PRECIOUS LITTLE RESTURANT..." Natsu and Gajeel start and jump up the sudden loud sounds and yelling causing them to wince as it hurt their unprepared sensitive ears. "BUT THATS FINE! THAT'S OK, BECAUSE AFTER TONIGHT THAT WILL ALL CHANGE!" the man lifted a gun and aimed it about crazily laughing all the while. shit this dude ain't playing with a full deck. We're too far away to get to him without him noticing. Natsu grits his teeth in annoyance before immediately starting to run towards Mira as he notices the man's unstable gaze landed on her. Somewhere from another direction he can see Elfman on the move too. "FIRST ONE DIE TO IS YOU!" He points his gun directly at a stunned Mira.

*bracelets are what Lucy calls Handcuffs...

** Slick Tops- Is a slang term for cop cars that do not have lights outfitted where they can be seen. unmarked cars can technically be called this as well.