Sorry this took too long. I was torn between doing this or that or that or that.

See? I made up a lot of options that doesn't seem to satisfy me.

That's why it took me so long. Sorry for that. And until now, I'm not really satisfied.

But, this one is the best I got for now. =)) Sorry about that.

Anyway, let me introduce someone. A new character. Okay? Please bare with me.

I'm really happy that you're giving me more than I deserve. Hahaha

Thank you for the reviews! It really makes me update fast.

And you know, I'm starting another chapter now. Publishing it may depend on the flow of reviews.

Thanks for the alerts and favourites!

Chapter 9

It's been three weeks since the incident at the inn. Erza's been really furious about what had happen. Right after Jellal told her what had happen she immediately slapped Lisanna on the face. Well it's because the moment Jellal finished Lisanna entered the room dancing her way to her friends with Natsu slowly and gloomily following her from behind.

SLAP

"How could you make accusations?" Erza shouted. She wanted to punch her straight on the face but she was held back by Jellal and the other band members except for Gray went to Lisanna's side. "You don't know Lucy. She will never do such a thing!"

Realizations hit Natsu. Yeah why not trust Lucy too? He made this sort of liking to his new so-called 'py' or maybe 'girl'.And he has to admit that he had treated her as someone close to being his friend. Maybe acquaintance? No. More. Friends maybe? It's too confusing though. It's difficult to trust two persons at the same time with different stories. On second thought.. He hasn't heard Lucy's side yet so why did he yell at her without thinking? Well that's Natsu. Acting before thinking, he's really good at that. He felt guilt rush over him. He's already felt guilty seeing Lucy's crying face moments ago so why the sudden worse feelings?

"How would you know it's not true? You weren't there?!" Lisanna glared. Then she turned around to face Natsu and she cried again. Then he snapped back to reality. Here his friend was crying again. What was he thinking? Doubting her? No. He will never abandon a friend.

"You made her cry again!" Natsu said. His voice was loud. His friend cried again. Never in his life had he seen two girls crying in front of him twice that day.

"I'll even beat the crap out of her for doing things like that to Lucy!" Erza started to walk over Lisanna and pull her from Natsu but he glared at her.

"Don't you dare lay a hand on our friend." Natsu growled. So instead of the hit that was for Lisanna, Erza's fist made its way on the spot where Natsu has been punched by Stan. It hurts so much he flew backwards and hit the ground.

"That. That's for doing something that made Lucy cry. I didn't know what you've done but if you hurt her so damn much I'll be the one who'll do what that girl.." She looked at Lisanna menacingly. "..said Lucy would do. I will bring you, Natsu Dragneel, down. Not just your reputation but everything about you."

Natsu was taken aback. He doesn't really care about that damn reputation, career or whatever is it. Right now, his mind was tormented. Why did he not hear Lucy first? But then Lisanna get up and run to tackle Erza.

"Lisanna stop!" It was Jellal. He was pushing her away from Erza. Surely this outing became a damn mess. "Erza, let's talk about this when we're all calm."

After a long staring and glaring moment, Erza nodded. Surely there is nothing they could resolve when their heads were heated. She looked away and headed back to her room.

Since then they haven't talked much. Her and Jellal's relationship is being affected by all these things. Erza doesn't like it a bit. The files inside Lucy's office kept on increasing and it almost covers her table leaving nothing for Erza to see Lucy from her desk. Lucy worked harder than before she even extends her working hours and not let Erza stay or even help her.

"She's worse than before.." Erza mumbled and leaned on her arms on her table.

"Who's worse?" A somehow pitchy cheerful voice came. She looked up and saw Lucy standing in front of her with that new and improved fake smile again. She hasn't smiled naturally again since the incident at the inn. Oh how Erza would beat anyone just to bring that smile on her best friend's face again.

"N-Nothing Lucy.." She stammered. Why the hell did she suddenly feel nervous? This was just Lucy. Calm down Erza. It's just three weeks that she hasn't talked to you personally. Yeah right three weeks of just works, phone calls, the new and improved fake smile and no eating at the right time, again. Yes she's worse.

"Anyway, why are you still here Erza? Your shift ended 2 hours ago." Lucy said walking near Erza.

"I wouldn't want to leave you here. I'm your best friend slash secretary slash sister slash protector. Even if you push me away I'll still be with you no matter what." Lucy was caught off guard. True, she still had a friend with Erza. Well friends if you include Gray. "How long are you going to work?"

"I've just finished everything today because it'll be the 'Band Battle Royale' next week." She smiled cheerfully which made Erza's spine shiver.

"Oh yeah. How come I've forgot?" Erza said patting the side of her head. She looked at Lucy. Truly, worst. Skin and bones and hair only. "Well it's a good thing you've finished already." She stood up and grabbed Lucy by the shoulders. "Since we don't have space in your office I would be happy to use mine." She pushed her on the chair smiling at Lucy. "Wait here. And don't move or go anywhere!"

Lucy sighed. She's glad Erza's not mad at her. Maybe she'll tell her what happen. She would be very jealous of Gray if she won't say it right here and now. "Uhh Erza?" She said seeing Erza sat on the ground rummaging a certain cabinet.

"Yeah?"

"I was just wondering if you knew.." If she'll tell her Lucy will be adding burden thoughts to Erza. And that would just make Lisanna's accusation true. Well the one about Erza that is. Lucy knew herself it was true but she tried to take it all back. She hasn't given Erza any problem this past few weeks not even a single work.

"What?"

"Uhh. What is the number of the pizza man? I want.. pizza. Yeah. Pizza!"

Erza sighed in annoyance. She knew Lucy was to say something but why was she keeping it to herself?

"I'll call the pizza! Okay?"

"Yeah. Yeah." How come Lucy was able to keep all that burden to herself? Then there was silence. "You know Lucy?"

"Hm."

"There are things that we need to show and need to give to others. 'Cause if you got full of those emotions you're keeping.. you'll be bursting like a bubble. We all have limitations okay?"

Lucy stared at Erza for a while before realizing what she really meant. She doesn't want that to happen. She'll breakdown. But at the same time she doesn't want to burden Erza. Suddenly she was crying. "I'm-I'm-I'm sorry Erza! I couldn't tell you things because that's what Lisanna made me realize. She said I was giving you the burden of my existence. I'm really sorry!" She was sobbing. Lucy couldn't take it anymore. Saying it once to Gray made her last this long, but after that she's never talked about it again.

Erza at first was shocked. She doesn't mean to burst Lucy's bubble right here and now. But she was glad she opened up and she was mad again at that girl who made her feel like that. She walked over to Lucy and sat beside her. She hugged Lucy and patted her head.

"You're never a burden to me. Now tell me what else happen. What else did that she dog told you? And of course what happen with you and Natsu? I want every detail. No skip. No half story. I want it all."

Lucy nodded and wiped the tears on her eyes. She started with the night Lisanna asked her to avoid Natsu, then the bitch calling then the pushing and glaring and then the moment she asked Levy for a car and how all of them refused and Lisanna came to her offering her a car she said she rented and how sweet and nice she was that time. She even made Lucy believe her for a moment back there. Then the driving and boys who tried to rob her, or so Lucy thought, and how Natsu came and saved her even he's so arrogant and a bastard that time, the punching on the cheek that made his cheek swollen

And lastly the yelling at the car and confessing he liked Lisanna—No. More like love? That's what Natsu told her.

Lucy's face became dark. She still had that smile but Erza knew how disappointed Lucy at that. And Erza smiled at her. "Why Lucy you're becoming the lady.." She mumbled smiling. "Or maybe woman." All through the story Erza was making face on how shocked she was or maybe how sad she was and lastly and the most dominant how angry she was at Lisanna. Lucy looked at her.. woman? What the hell does that mean?

Hearing Lucy's side of the story is much better than what Fairy Law was believing into. There's no such thing as the threat. In fact Lucy is beginning to add them to her friendship list but that girl ruined everything. She doesn't care about Lisanna and Natsu's relationship all she knew was that she'll beat the crap out of that girl.

"Lucy?" Erza asked for Lucy's eyes on her. Lucy just followed. She was still crying. "You know you can trust me. Right?" Lucy nodded. "So now I will tell you you're never a burden to me or to anyone. Never believe those kinds of things. Okay?" Erza smiled which Lucy returned with that honest bright smile she usually had.

"I'm sorry Erza." She hugged her.

"No need to be sorry. Now who knew this? There's gotta be someone who knew this other than you, because you won't last for three weeks carrying that heavy burden and the company at the same time."

Lucy blushed. How could Erza knew her this much? But she was really glad she had Erza when everyone else is not. "Gray.. He is like you Erza. I told him that. Before I told him that, I really don't trust him much but now that he's confiding with the promise of not telling anyone. I trusted him more."

There is a tinge of jealousy in Erza but happiness overpowered her. "I'm just glad you had another shoulder to lean on when I can't."

"Thank you Erza. And Erza I wanted to ask something from you."

Erza looked at her for any hint of what she's to ask for but, no. There's nothing.

"What is it?" She asked.

"Please don't be mad at Lisanna or Natsu or even the whole band. They've done it because of something. I know they're still good. I still wanted to be friends with them."

Taken aback Erza couldn't help but go against Lucy's wish. Lucy sure is nice. She always sees the good in other people even though they've hurt her she's ready to forgive them, ready to start all over. She's grown to thinking of the band as possible friends so she wanted to keep them and forget what has happen in the past.

Erza nodded. How could she refuse to her best friend? "Now explain to me about that call from the Board. Why didn't you tell me the condition with Band Battle project? Now it was wors –"

"Order up!"

They were both stopped when a sudden voice came to their door. A man in blue uniform and blue cap holding a bag of pizza's opened the glass door with ease.

"How come you were able to enter the building we haven't given you permission yet."

Lucy giggled.

"I'm sorry Miss Erza but your friend here gave me the permission the moment she called us." Said the pizza guy.

The voice, it was very familiar. She missed that voice so much. She stood up and walked over to the 'pizza guy' then wrapped her arms around his neck burying her face to the crook of his neck.

"Jellal.." She mumbled on his neck. "I missed you so much."

Shocked for a second he wrapped one arm around Erza's waist and fell into the hug. "I missed you more." He mumbled softly.

After a few seconds Lucy was getting tired of watching them. Yeah she was happy about their 'reunion' but if they will take this long she wished Jellal would just give her the food. "Okay. Can I have the food now?" She asked lazily.

Hearing her voice they broke apart with blush on their face.

"I'm sorry Lucy." Jellal said scratching the back of his head. "Here you go. 8 boxes all customized the way each liked it."

"Alright! Thank you Jellal!"

"Really hungry are we?" It was Gray. He was at the door leaning on one side with arms crossed across his chest.

"And your shirt?" Levy said appearing at the door with Gajeel behind her.

"What?! Not again?" Gray went out and looked for his lost shirt.

The five people in the room laughed at Gray's antics.

"Wait did you bring the whole band?" Lucy asked.

"Of course that's what you've requested."

Suddenly there was a bickering from outside Erza's office was heard. "How come you're not looking idiot?"

"So how were you able to look for your shirt on the ground if you don't look on the ground?"

"Shut up!"

"Wanna go?"

"Bring it on coward!" Gray said mockingly. And the noise was stopped when Erza went outside. She came back pulling two boys by the back of their shirts. Each has smoke on the lumps on their head.

Lucy became silent seeing Natsu. But she shrugged it off. The people in the room laughed again. "Alright. I think we should rearrange this room first." Lucy said smiling. That fake smile again which did not escape Erza's keen eyes. Lucy pushed the seats outside the room then she stopped noticing someone was out there blocking the seat she was pushing. The room became silent. What will happen?

"Oh. Hey Lisanna! Didn't see you there. Come inside! I had food for everyone." Lucy said in a very sweet smile.

Seeing Lisanna, Erza just wanted to rip her head from her body but she won't do it. She promised. Lucy's fake smile sure is deceiving to anyone who doesn't really know her but Erza won't be deceived. She's known Lucy for long that those practiced smiled won't deceive her anymore.

"Hey Lucy!" Lisanna smiled back with the same bright sweet smile.

Natsu, who's sitting beside Gray, smiled. His friends were now okay. Right? He immediately stood up and swung an arm around Lucy's shoulder. "I knew she's great. Now the bet!" He put his other arm in front asking for something from Lisanna. What bet is it?

Lucy blushed. Here he goes again but Lucy should do everything not to destroy their friendship not with Natsu or Lisanna. She playfully removed Natsu's hand around her and smiled. "You really shouldn't be doing that." She turned and faced Lisanna. "I'm sorry Lisanna. Excuse me." She smiled and continued pushing the chair to the hallway.

"Great actress." Gray mumbled.

Erza looked at him. And there she knew, she's not the only one who understands Lucy. "Yeah, just like what you said." Erza replied indirectly but Gray knew it was for him. He just smirked and walked to help Lucy push the chairs.

"Let me do that!" Gray said.

Seeing Gray helping Lucy, Natsu wouldn't want to be left. He won't lose. He pushed Gray and laughed when he fell. "I can do this. Just sit there stripper." He grinned.

"No let me do this." Gray said head butting Natsu and trying to push him to the other side.

"No. I could be of better help to Lucy. Step back freak!"

"I offered her help first!"

"She doesn't need you. I'm the one she needed." Natsu said making everyone look at him but he seemed to not notice what he had said.

"Uhh. I think I can do this myself?" Lucy said trying to stop the fighting.

"No I'm the one who'll help you!" Natsu said leaning towards Lucy.

"No! I am." Gray said pushing Natsu to the side. "I'm her best friend.." He looked at Erza who seemed to be angry. "Second best friend for that.. OKAY THIRD! So I'll be the one to help her."

"I'm her boyfriend so I'm more important."

And everyone fell silent. The white haired girl clenched her fist once again.

"Wha-What are you talking about? You're not my boyfriend." Lucy stuttered while blushing though she managed to hide it by looking down.

"I said I am so I am." Natsu said proudly.

"Shut up ass brain!" Gray said sensing the tension.

Suddenly Natsu was down on the floor.

"That will do." Erza said clapping her arms to remove dirt, if there is any.

Jellal was the one who stepped forward and helped Lucy.

"Gajeel I think you should help too." Levy said looking up at him.

He tched. "Fine."

Levy smiled. All the girls waited for all the things in Erza's room were on the sides or at the hall ways. Now the room was spacey. They all sat on the fur-carpeted floor. They had one box of pizza each in front of them.

"Oh I could get used to this." Gray said rubbing his stomach that's still flat.

Levy lied on the floor and spread her arms. "I'm full already." She hasn't eaten half of the box yet. "Gajeel you could eat mine."

"I'm allergic to anchovies." Gajeel said after looking at her pizza. Compared to his all meat pizza Levy doesn't really look tasty.

"Fine." Levy glared at him and just looked away.

"Erza I think I'm winning." Jellal said looking at the last slice on his box.

"I don't think so." Erza said biting her last.

"Such a cute couple. Aren't they?" Lucy said then she turned to her right to see Lisanna smiling back at her. She can't really explain it but there's something on her smile.

"You know what? I don't really buy you being 'oh so nice'." Lisanna said softly that Lucy will be the only one to hear.

Lucy felt sad. Why wouldn't Lisanna forget what had happen? She looked away with a frown on her face.

Days have passed after that day Lucy has decided she'll forget what happen and continue being friends with the band. Natsu together with Gray or mostly just him would occasionally go to her office and bug her like the usual thing he does. He often made fun of her works finding it really boring. He even thought on how businessmen or women were able to withstand reading those reports and making creative moves then checking again. So patterned work. He'll never enter business, he told himself. Lucy on the other hand was just normal. She smiles but the fake one. She even entertains Natsu at time she was free but not to the point that she'll let him flirt with her. She distances herself to him more.

They were back. But he's still worried about what had happen at the inn. He wanted to apologize to Lucy but for what? For yelling at her? But what if Lisanna was the one telling the truth, Lucy deserved that if that's the case. Right? So he continuously goes there almost every day to try to get more from her. It was the day before the Band Battle.

"Persistent aren't we?" Erza said looking at Natsu who's walking his way towards Lucy's office.

Natsu tried to ignore her but he knew it won't be good if he does that. "I need to. I don't know if she's going to say sorry or I should be the one, though the latter is stronger but still.." His words died. No words could describe what's in his mind now. "I'm really confused. She's fine but I also think she's not. How come she could be both? Tell me Erza. Tell me who to believe. How could I resolve this problem that doesn't seem to exist?" He said in a weak voice.

Erza looked at him shocked a bit. The player, delinquent and bad ass person she used to know. Did he just really said that? "Are you using drugs?"

Natsu blinked once. Twice. Even thrice.

Yes he's alcoholic, he smokes, he likes fighting, he even liked hurting people without business with him and yes he's a playboy. But never did it cross his mind to use drugs. And now Erza just gave him the idea. Does it really make you forget about your problem? Drugs? Maybe.

"I'm not but maybe I'll try." He said without hesitation.

"What?!" A shout from the other room made them turn around to see Lucy with wide eyes. "You're using drugs?"

"Not yet. But –"

"Don't even consider the idea." Lucy said walking pass them and to the elevator.

"Where are you going?" Natsu asked running after her.

"Nowhere that should concern you." She entered the elevator and closed it before Natsu could even enter.

"Damn that girl. Making things complicated." He mumbled. Then he started to run towards the fire exit.

"Hey! Natsu!" Erza shouted still standing to where she has met Natsu.

He stopped running and turned to Erza. "Do you like her?"

"Who?"

"Lisanna?"

"Of course. She's my friend. I like her silly."

"Lucy?"

"Lucy?" Natsu repeated.

"Yeah. Lucy?"

"Well.." He scratched the back of his head. "Let me think about that." He grinned and runs fast down. Trying to get to Lucy before he could lose her.

"What an idiot." Erza said to no one in particular.

Suddenly there was a girl behind Erza. "Miss Scarlet? Juvia has brought the contracts of the bands and checked everyone in the list. It seems that only Fairy Law has not signed any contract yet."

Erza's eyes were wide. "What?" She reached for the folder and scanned it. It's true. No Fairy Law. Is Lucy really not planning on letting the band join? "Juvia, don' tell anyone about it. Okay?" Fairy law has the largest number of fans but it decreased during the past time they're on 'vacation'. Still it would cause Lucy and the band an issue if the would know about this.

"Juvia is worried she won't be able to see her favourite band on stage." The blue haired girl wearing black clothes named Juvia is a new employee that's supposed to be Lucy's assistant in making the event better. Sure Lucy had ideas but Juvia will be the one to make it better. The Polisher.

"You sure like them do you?"

"Of course! Juvia is really happy when she was chosen to reorganize this event. Miss Heartfilia's plan were flawless and I think it doesn't have any revisions –"

"But Juvia I need you to check on things I might forget and all those things." A voice came from the other part of the hallway.

"Where have you been Lucy?" Erza asked.

"Just a floor below. I don't want Natsu bugging me for now."

"You could just send him away. Just say it and Juvia will gladly do it Miss Hear –"

Lucy looked at the ground. What's the problem with sending him away?

"Don't call me so formal. Lucy only. Okay?" Lucy said smiling.

Juvia blushed. "Yes.. Lu-Lucy."

Erza shrugged it off. "Anyway, Lucy. Are you really planning on not including Fairy Law in the Battle?"