Lucy POV-

Lucy could relax now that Natsu didn't just sit there. He really though she didn't notice that he sat and looked at her. It was weird, it was really weird. She didn't know what he was up to and she didn't like the way he was acting either. It was like him, but not really like him. Something was off. She was ordering some around to do what she needed help with. She sometimes took some help from her spirits, but it wasn't often they could help, they had so many ideas that it only crashed in a big mess. She had gotten a message from Levy that she needed to go shopping, and Lucy did want a break. She told her friends she would be back in a few hours and that she wanted some things done before she came back.

In town Levy was waiting on Lucy by the bus and she had to run over the street not to get hit by cars.
"Hey." She said when she reached her friend.
"Hi." She answered and looked at her feet. "I need some longer dresses." She said and blushed a little. "I'll tell you why later." She said when she saw Lucy confused face. "But is it really fine for you not to work, the party is tonight."

"Yeah! I have a lot of help." She said and grinned, plus she wanted to get out of that club house and away from where Natsu could find her.
"Is Natsu any help?" Levy said as they started to walk towards some stores.

"Don't get me started on that, he is acting so weird. I think even Mira has noticed." Lucy sighed and looked down at her feet.

"You know what, I was with Gajeel last night and he was all cryptic about some dragon stuff, and was like 'dragon slayers are tiny dragons'." Levy muttered and pulled her purse closer when they walked past an ally.

"Is that why you need a longer dress?" Lucy giggled. "cause he was all cryptic and dark and stuff." Lucy teased and made Levy giggle.

"No, he saw my panties when I helped him with his bike the other day and it felt like maybe I need to get some longer ones if I'm going to continue helping him." She giggled and blushed. Lucy looked at her friend.

"He saw your panties!" she gasped and grinned wide. "I don't know Gajeel that well, but I didn't peg him as a pantie-peeping-pervert." She giggled.

The two girls made their way through town. No one found something they wanted to wear tonight, Levy figured she'd have pans on and Lucy had already picked out an outfit the other day, since today was going to be busy with work before the party. They parted their ways and when Lucy got back to the club house she was wrestled down by Natsu who had a feral look on his face and tears pooling in the corner.

"Where were you?!" he yelled at her as he had her pinned down. His eyes staring into hers.

"I was out shopping with Levy." She managed to get out and looked behind Natsu, the club were watching them like big question marks.

"Oh." Natsu said and his face changed. The feral look disappeared and he looked like himself again. "Damn, I'm really sorry Luce. Did I hurt you?" he asked and helped her up.

"No, but what the hell has gotten into you?!" she growled.

"I… I don't know…" Natsu said and looked at his feet. "I'm really sorry." This was also something new, he'd never been this quick with an apology.

"Well… what was it that was so urgent?" Lucy asked and looked at Natsu for a little while. He didn't answer and Lucy sighed. "Well, let's just get ready for the party and we'll talk more later?" she asked.

"Sure." Natsu said and walked towards his garage. Lucy looked around and sighed.

"What are you all looking at, back to work!" she said and clapped her hands together.