Chapter 12

Notes: Don't own Fairy Tail. And while I LOVE Mashima-san's work I don't envy him the effort. Take it easy sometimes Mashima-san! We want you make much more not pass out from exhaustion. Keep up the wonderful work!

Thank you for all the kind words. This chapter was a bit of a challenge as I knew where I wanted to go but having the characters cooperate in getting there is sometimes difficult as they sometimes have their own agendas. Yes. I know. Don't laugh it's true. Rather like Rumiko Takashi, the princess of Manga herself would say that if she needed story ideas she'd just go to the closet door and peek into it and watch what the characters are doing. That is not always easy when other story ideas like to get in the way. I just don't want to start another one yet until I feel I'm about to wrap this one...*sigh* I'm not entirely happy with this chapter so I might be stealth updating and fixing somethings.

"I take it things are going as planned?" A rather distinguished man asks quietly as he sips his wine. The filet Minon on his plate half eaten. He eyes the man before him. Though he did not agree that a purple pompadour was the most fashionable hair style choice he had everything a good follower should have in his book:

Blind Loyalty, above average skills and smarts, below average sense of self preservation and social intelligence, and, most importantly: moral ambiguity when it came down to their beliefs.

Especially if you are feeding them those beliefs.

"Yes sir. Fairy Tail is on high alert. Already they have their feelers out trying to find out our plans. They are trying to contact Brain. Is that wise? They might make a agreement to stop us." One good eye simply crinkles in amusement surrounded by well kept gray hair. "Oh, I don't think you need to worry about that. There is no way Brain will be of any use to him."

Erza walked carefully amid the broken glass and ripped pillows. She stares dispassionately down at the victim who's face was stretched into a odd mix between horror and anger, permanently. It reeked here and it was clear to anyone who would witness this scene: This man was an example. A very bloody example. Absently the red-head heard her team make their own comments out loud. Most of which she agreed with. Eying the middle aged man in concern she still had one large problem that kept repeating itself in her head. "If Brain is here...dead. Who is ordering his guild's actions?"

Natsu sits cross-legged on the garage floor. Having rented the far garage to work on his new bike, he had plenty of time to watch his target. She was presently rolled under a classic 1940's Ford Truck done in a metallic royal blue. That little roll back rest...had so many posibilities outside of mechanic work that it made concentrating... difficult. That and she was so very relaxed around him. Unguarded even. Though he had known he had wanted her regard, over the past fortnight, he was becoming increasingly surprised at how comfortable it was to be around her. She was kind, strong, capable, and though independent and stubborn, worked well with others. She was easily becoming one of his closest friends. And that was odd. Though Natsu was 'friends' with many he could count his very close friends as few. But all such friendships, except perhaps one, had happened much the same way as Lucy's.

Either he completely clicked with you or he didn't. You could work your way into being a close friend through time and effort but to date only one person was patient enough to do that as Natsu is quite aware that he is a quirky and often infuriating person to deal with especially if he is tired, hungry, or irritated. Lucy had met him snarl for snarl at times and in a record time had somehow learned to redirect his attentions and thoughts. It was a gift that to date only his close friends and his cat, Happy could do with any regularity. Grey could..but usually towards anger. Erza could as well...but only towards fear. Lisanna could as well but towards faintly bemused confusion or tolerance. Lucy, however, seemed to know exactly how to calm him down, rev him up or anything in between. And it wasn't a power that he could ascertain just what she learned from being with him. That and apparently she was smart. After looking at his schematics only once she could rattle back to him what parts where there and which ones they where still missing without missing a beat, and he saw her degrees and certificates on the walls. After a few bouts of quick mental math he could only blink at the ages at which she earned some of her honors. But you couldn't tell that based on how she was with friends.

Levy was a constant visitor and their conversations where sometimes a bit disturbing to those who where worried about being shot, run over, or exploded. The few times Grey had come by fights had broke out and, though she wasn't Erza and couldn't physically break them up some how she could just redirect his attention and nullify the fight into a glaring match. There was few things he wasn't pretty clear on when it came to Lucy Hearfilia. Aside from gauging her ultimate response to her request the only other thing he couldn't understand was why she hadn't been snatched up by some other guy. Glancing over at the windowed office to the glaring eyes of her 'guard dog' he mentally assents that that might be one of the reasons. Her powers maybe another one. But time was running out and he needed her agreement. Looking back at his project he figured that today at lunch was as good of a time as any to start the final phase of his plan to ask.

Lets just hope she won't immediately reject me.

She could feel him watching her. But it wasn't the intrusive kind of watching that he had done one their second meeting. But more of a inwardly pensive one. Continuing her work she absently noticed that she was almost as comfortable around him as she was Laxus. But certainly not in a brotherly sense. No matter how hard she tried to direct her traitorous heart that way and not think such incriminating things.

Incriminating but decadent things that often left her feeling faintly flushed and frustrated.

Annoying at night, downright distracting like now when she needs to have this finished. But she couldn't deny that he was a attractive man. An attractive and unattached man who was spending quite a bit of time with her. Some buried part of her perked up and preened a bit at the implications that brought up. But she refused to pay it much mind. He would run off once he discovered her secret. She didn't miss Levy's suggesting look at one of their many group lunches and did her best to ignore them. She refused become one of those simpering girls with crushes. She was a grown woman and 'crushes' where juvenile wastes of time that usually only lasted a very short time. She was sure that, given time, her 'crush' on Captain Dragneel would fade into that similar feeling she had for Freed.

With a self satisfied nod she decided to direct her mind away from that subject on to the one that's been bothering her for a while now: The two men in her shop at the moment.

Both Freed and Natsu had come to a sort of agreement and though weren't comfortable around each other, where neither hostile either. In fact it's like they where always on a kind of in a constant state of faint awareness. Like they where ready for a fight at a moment's notice. Though after Natsu's second visit she couldn't argue with his wariness. There where the occasional Bacon that would stop by and Lucy herself had pegged some plain clothes ones too. Guess everyone is paranoid now. She herself kept a side arm on her in her ankle holster. Every now and then the Captain would pause what he's doing and seemingly stop to listen, his aura lightening with attentiveness. He seemed to hear customers before they arrived and smell things she didn't smell...but when asked about it he simply said he was sensitive to somethings. "If he means "somethings" to be everything..." It was curious.

HE was curious.

Of all the things she expected the head of such a 'fearsome' group of bikers to act like...boyish, occasionally oblivious, and so openly friendly isn't what she would've pictured. But so far everyone hes introduced her to from his band of riders has been equally nice.

It seems that Fairy Tail is a much bigger group than what even some underground people know. For Natsu had even implied that he answered to someone. When asked about how Everafter plays into their group the Captain had just shrugged. "Mira wanted to start a restaurant has always wanted one. We just helped her." Why did it not seem that simple?

But what if it was? That might be weirder than the usual mob set up.

She blinks. But what she knew of Fairy Tail was actually rather encouraging. Even the few cops she'd chatted up couldn't say too much bad about them. Though it did seem that lately they are taking a second glance at the group, the gang wars seemingly rubbing them the wrong way as well. Lucy felt the urge to protect their reputation but did so through soft comments and planting subtle seeds of confidence about the group. After all she knew the Captain of the Dragonriders and was pretty sure she was just about family with someone who is either a inactive or ex-member of that group (even if Freed kept dodging the subject with her she wasn't stupid. Naive sometimes but certainly not stupid). She pulls the defective CV joint loose and glares at it in irritation before tossing it into her pan next to her, the thing nearly breaking apart in her hands, some of the smaller bits falling into her chest. Glad she had a crew neck shirt on as the smaller parts may have tried to fall into uncomfortable places had she worn the V-neck. Shifting about she glances over as Freed comes to the door announcing that he was going to get lunch and that he was going to pick from where and what.

Both Natsu and Lucy scowl at that proclamation. "Nothing wussy like a salad." Lucy nods. "I second that."

"You know, a salad every once in a while is good for you."

"Not when I'm hungry 20 minutes later after having eaten nothing but hard water. Meat first then worry about all the stupid stuff on the side later. Come on you gotta admit there is nothing quite a good as a thick piece of meat." Lucy grins. "I like how he thinks." Natsu shoots her a look that had Freed fighting the urge to punch him for it's thinly veiled perverseness. He restrains himself when he realizes that the man was just baiting him, judging by the sly look he was now receiving out of the corner of the captain's eye. Lucy for all her perception abilities didn't catch the slight sexual innuendo caused by Natsu's expression and her sudden agreement. "She's still so innocent sometimes...how when she has Laxus as a brother and hangs around men and cars I'll never know."

Freed groans. "How's Barbeque sound?" Lucy perks. "GREAT~!" Natsu leans back. "In that case just get me the supplies and I'll give you the best Barbeque you have ever tasted." Freed looks skeptical. "We could just have someone make it and..."

"No. I make my own. You got a grill?" Lucy shakes her head. "No...but Azlack next door does."

"Is it propane?"

"No. It's a small one though."

"Good. I can make it work. Hold on I'll write down everything you need to get." He walks into the office leaving one curious woman and slightly pissed man. "How dare he!?"

"Well we would get more bang for our buck this way and possibly have left overs. Why are you so irritated anyway?" Freed bites the inside of his cheek ignoring that last question for the sake of peace and possibly other unwanted questions. Coming back out he hands the list over. "I guess you'd want chicken so I put it on the list too. Just for you." he pats Freed's shoulder noting it's tenseness.

"By the time you come back I should be done and cleaned up. We can make it a cook out. I can make potato salad or something." She thinks for a moment. "I think I have the makings for that..." she absently wanders off to think while she goes to finish working on the truck. Freed restrains a sneer at Natsu before walking out.

He's so easy to rile up. Huh, I wonder if I was like that?

Thinking for a few moments about the past...all the fights he got into, all the times he had to go to principle's offices, detentions...actually he may have been worst. He chuckles to himself before going about putting together the last few parts. It was rather nice here...

Getting the grill wasn't the odd part, going upstairs to her apartment for supplies wasn't odd either...but what was odd was her 'backyard.' It was more of a grassy area built on the top of her garage's back overhang and fenced off with rather unattractive metal. He suspected that that was intentional as to not have people look too hard at her place. He found it rather...ingenious. He chuckles as he sets the grill up the grass tickling his bare feet.

She's right it is better to be out here in bare feet...

glancing back inside he smiles at the sight of her bustling back and forth in the kitchen. He was never good at side dishes if they didn't entail fire. It would be nice to have more than just meat to eat. Freed was reluctantly manning the shop but felt comfortable enough to leave him up here as he was within yelling distance. Though Natsu silently noted that if Lucy was yelling it would be for reasons that he wouldn't want anyone to interrupt them. But this proved to be a good time to ask her as any...

Sticking his head into the sliding doors "Hey I got two steaks at medium ready if you could get me a plate." He moved the meat to a cooler area of the grill to try and minimize their continual cooking.

"Wow, that smells great." Lucy holds out a plate for him to place them on, which he does without hesitation.

"The next ones are going to be Freed's shoe leather..."

She laughs. "I don't know how he eats it like that." He looks down at the magazine he was 'reading.' "Hey, what do you know about this?" he holds a article out to her.

"Drifting? It came from the far east...it's starting to become a regular here now though. It's fun if you ask me but then I have been told that I have a disturbing attachment to my cars and the feeling of speed. But I learned it. Was pretty good at it too, haven't practiced in a while though. Probably because there really is only one of two places to practice it around here. One is very dangerous, but also my Favorite, Mt. Hakobe, and a old track not to far from here." He frowns.

"It's apparently a full competition over there." Lucy lifts a brow at him.

"Your curious." He flushes slightly under his tan.

"Kinda. I'm a biker I don't do cars. So it's hard to understand what their talking about when I read it." Lucy thinks for a moment and eyes him critically. She has a inkling about what he might want but for the moment...is willing to ignore it. Besides he would be a game changer...she could still participate again like she did when Laxus was still around. Maybe not always but..it might be nice occasionally.

"The track isn't far from here. Maybe tonight I can show you in person what drifting is like?" She had to fight the urge to laugh at the dumbfounded face he was making.

Didn't think it would be that easy did you? I got your number. Just better be glad I know it wasn't your only goal...The blonde thought rather smugly. Lets just see how desperate you are for help...

She simply hums to herself as she walks back inside to place those steaks in the warmer. Natsu feels a shiver go down his spine.

What was the chill just now?

The lunch was a hit, even with the reluctant Freed, and all had to agree that the Captain did have a way with the grill. There where plenty of leftovers, some of which where taken over to the Chamber as 'payment' for use of their grill. It was agreed that Natsu would meet Lucy at the track as she was sure Freed would insist on coming if he knew. As it was he was giving both of them 'the eye' as he and Natsu left the shop. Lucy couldn't help but think that Freed's lack of faith in her was appalling...

Warranted at times.

Many times.

But appalling none the less. If only she could help him understand that he could trust at her whim. Why did that man have to be so unreasonable!?

Probably due to the times you have been untrustworthy and sneaky getting around him. Quiet logic! I don't need the facts to confuse me!

Freed did leave, however, but not before giving both of them 'the eye.'

11:40pm

Natsu was sitting at the abandoned track about 10 miles outside of town. Frankly he couldn't believe this place still existed. There had been numerous petitions to tear it up and put in apartment complexes or even a mall but none where accepted. The place was 'chained' shut but it seemed that no one listened to that as he could still see fresh tire tracks going into and out of the area and the track looks only minimally patched. Had it truly been abandoned the track would've been unusable due to disuse.

He was early, but If he knew Lucy, which was starting to discover that he knew her better than he expected, she would be early as well. Sure enough he heard the pleasing rumble of a sports car come up the road. It was a Toyota Supra, that sounded like it had some serious work done under the hood. The car had a nice spoiler of moderate size and was painted a metallic blue so dark it looked black. Running along the sides, through the center of the doors was golden hued EL wire strips. Natsu could only stare as the car pulled to a stop not even 10 feet from him. Stepping out Lucy grins.

"Hey, I'm not late right?" she had changed, and Natsu prayed he'd be able to hold a decent conversation. She wasn't wearing anything, sexy per say but it did make him reacquainted with her assets with a suddenness that was rather disconcerting. She had a just above knee length denim skirt on with a zipper that ran up the right thigh from hem to pocket.

I wonder if that zipper works? The blue corset top she wore pushed everything into just the right position, the black track jacket she wore to ward off the chill with did nothing to hide her abundant blessings.

And oh what blessings they where... Along with a simple pair of black sneakers and pom-pom socks. Her hair was left to hang free flying in the faint breeze and as she pushed some of the hair from her face he noticed, fingerless, leather driving gloves. She looked great. Natsu wasn't sure which he preferred...this "Racer Lucy" or the "Pin-up" Lucy (as he'd come to call her first Night out outfit). But he had gotten so used to her 'work wear' that he'd been somewhat under prepared for her in something a little more feminine. Not that he didn't like her in her work clothes...she was more down to earth fun, willing to get dirty. Though she seemed to be finicky about getting clean afterwards.

"Natsu? You OK?" snapped out of his perusing of her figure and having indecent flash backs to some of her previous outfits he blinks. "What? OH! Yeah. I'm great. Your fine. Fine." The girl blinks at him them smirks.

"I'm glad you found this place. Since being a biker you might not have known about it, but seeing as Gajeel is an acquaintance of yours, I would think it odd if you didn't." Natsu shrugs.

"We only come out here once or twice. Though I have Drivers that are apart of the Riders they usually train and take care of themselves. I rarely come here."

"Yeah, it's pretty basic, but it's the best place to show you basic drifting. I'll go around a couple of times so you can actually see and hear what it's like in person. Internet will never compare." She grins as she goes to climb into the car. Natsu's eyes stray again.

Ye gods... the zipper works...

The sound of the car's engine snaps his concentration again to the fact that the car was now rapidly moving away from hi good clip. He had watched several videos but nothing really did prepare him for the sight of a car moving sideways in person, faint traces of smoke billowing afterwards. He knew she was good but she put almost everyone he's seen previously to shame. There where no jerky corrections or miss-judgements. Only control and confidence. She spins to a stop next to him after about two awe inspiring passes to roll down her window at him. Her cheeks are flushed and her eyes alight with a ethereal fire he'd never seen before. It was spell binding.

I have to have this. I have to know more about her. I wonder what else can make her eyes light like this? I want to bring that light, that heat, that fire to her eyes.

"Alright, you got to watch from the side lines. Now it's time for the real show. Get in."

"Huh?"

"Come on! You have to experience this! Its not the same as a bike but I promise you'll have a very satisfying rush." she's absently stroking her gear shift, lovingly gazing at it like one would a lover, her other hand is sliding around her steering wheel. Doe brown eyes lift to snare Natsu's. "Come on. Don't you want a ride?"

"Hell yes..."

5Minutes later:

For the first time Natsu got to see the actual Hawkeye of the past. The Sexy bounty hunter she must have been prior to 'retirement.' As she hit the first curve he heard her sigh happily as her mouth pulled into a sexy smirk her confidence in her skill and her car was like a dance. Her hands slid over the steering wheel sensually. If it wasn't for the fact that his stomach was now competing for Olympic gold in gymnastics floor work he probably would've been able to enjoy the scene. Damn him and his motion sickness! Cars didn't like him...but then it never worked with closed in vehicles. Maybe if it was a convertible. His hand convulsively clutched at the 'oh shit' bar his knuckles brushing the roll cage.

Which couldn't be there in a convertible...right. Even the FIVE ginger tabs he'd shoved into his mouth prior to getting in was having what seemed to be very little effect. He'd hate to know what would've happen if he didn't. He burbled holding a hand to his mouth, knuckles white.

Though the g-forces might not be helping him; they seem to be having the exact opposite effect on her. Her pupils had dilated, she was breathing just a bit heavier than necessary... that smell... Damn it why couldn't he enjoy this like he wants to!? He wanted to be allowed the pleasure of committing these visuals to memory not having to fight the urge to upchuck all over her nice upholstery.

Damn you stomach. Damn you straight to hell.