So I decided not to make a 27.5 chapter and here it was 28. =) And I updated chapter 27 by the way. I added Day 5 to I think Day 8 there. And I think you should read it too especially Day 8 because it is connected to chapter 28. So I suggest you reread chapter 27. Alright?

Thanksies! And thanks for the reviews, I really enjoy seeing reviews!

Chapter 28

Quite late that morning Levy woke up. She was on the long couch, a blanket was draped over her and Gajeel was sitting, sleeping, on her foot. Erza huddled with Jellal on the floor. Juvia was hugging a large pillow and Gray was on the couch where Lucy was the night before.

She can't remember when she had another blanket for as far as she remembered Levy donated her blanket to Juvia, because aside for the coldness of the floor the weather too is cold and Levy had her jacket that night so she gave Juvia her blanket. As she looked closely the blanket looked familiar to her, it was grayish. A color that assigned to Fairy Law members. It was in fact the shade of Gajeel's things in his condo unit.

Gajeel

Oh yeah. This might've been Gajeel's. Levy giggled at the thought and looked at Gajeel. He seemed cute when he's asleep and she can't help but poke his cheeks. She lucky Gajeel's one that don't wake up easily. Finally feeling sore from lying for about 12 or more hours she stood up and walked towards their room. The first thing she noticed was the bump on Lucy's bed. She must have slept there, because she's not used to sleeping at any other places other than her bed. She smiled inwardly. Lucy is just so cute, Levy was happy that Lucy tries doing things she's not used to now. It was quite a development for her, for socializing. She giggled and walked closer. The closer she walks the more the bump on Lucy's bed becomes bigger and wider and –

"Natsu?!" She gasped. She almost scream but felt giggle overcome her before anything. Levy felt like jumping and she did. In excitement she runs downstairs to wake the others. Soon they were crowding around Lucy's bed looking at Natsu and Lucy.

"Sly one" Gray commented.

Erza clenched her fist. "Lucy won't allow this to happen."

"Juvia thinks Lucy had valid reasons for sleeping with him."

"I think so too. Lucy is really scared last night you know." Levy said, she just can't put the smile off her face.

Gajeel smirk. "And pink head used this chance very well."

"Though I don't think it's just Natsu who likes it." Jellal added looking at Lucy's peaceful face.

"I agree." Gray said smirking.

"Are we supposed to wake them up now?" Juvia asked out of nowhere. "It's night and we still have to assign cleaning for tomorrow."

Erza crossed her arms across her chest. "You're right."

At this moment Lucy felt slightly uncomfortable in her sleep. Since she slept this morning she had a really pleasant sleep, a dreamless one which made her feel the peace she's been longing for. It's like she's been hugging all the comfort in the world for herself and selfish as it is, she liked it. She deserved this comfort and peace and she'll own it. Though the feeling of being watched has begun to irk her and it's getting uncomfortable the more she stayed asleep. She started to move but was stopped by something. Her arm was blocked by something that she can feel started from her shoulder ending on her back. She tried to move again but the thing just tightened around her. Annoyed, she opened her eyes and was greeted by an unfamiliar surface. Her hands were trapped in between her and the hard and incredibly warm surface. She tried to move her legs and to her surprise it was on top of something long and hard. She felt the covers come off of her and felt the coldness so she leaned closer into the surface for warmth.

"Yeah, I agree. It's not just that stupid who make this happen." She heard it. Lucy really heard that. What were they talking about?

Levy and Juvia squealed. "Yes. Yes. If you just look on the upper side you'll just see him initiating this, but look at this.. she clearly doesn't want to let her go." Levy ended with a giggle at the end.

"Juvia agrees. Thank heavens Erza removed the covers first or else Natsu would be dead by now."

Erza was kind of stiff at first but on the inside she felt her heart leap. She kind of liked what she is seeing but what if this guy hurts Lucy? If that happens no one would be able to stop her from killing him. And for taking advantage of this moment, maybe he's lucky to just have a black eye.

"Wake them up. I'm hungry." Said Gajeel.

"But I need to take some pictures of this." Levy said running to her things to get her camera.

Pictures? Of this? What? Lucy really can't understand what was happening so she tried to push what was blocking her from moving,

"Luuuuucy, what are you doing?" Said a voice obviously, still sleepy.

Lucy froze. And when things started to sink into her she screamed at the top of her lungs and pushed Natsu but his arms didn't let her go just loosened. Far enough so they could see each other's faces.

Natsu smiled weakly. "Good morning, babe."

A flash distracted them from their own moment and they both glanced in front of them. Erza was on their foot. On either side of her were Gray, beside him was Jellal and then Juvia, and Levy, who had a camera on her hands ready for another shot. Gajeel was beside her scratching the back of his head.

Lucy's eyes widen on horror. Natsu rolled her eyes. "What are you doing here? We just slept this morning. Damn it." He cursed silently and pulled Lucy towards him again.

"HEY! What are you doing?" Lucy protested and tried to free herself from Natsu.

"But you're warm and soft." He whispered nuzzling his face on top of her head. "And how could I let you go if in the first place you won't let me go?"

"Wha‒" Lucy felt her left leg. It was on top of something.. She immediately swung her leg away from his.

"Did we just saw Lucy cuddling with this idiot? And on top of that she likes it?" Gray teased.

Lucy blushed and pushed Natsu off the bed with all her strength.

"OUCH! What do you do that for?" Natsu asked standing up from the floor.

"I-I'm sorry." She said looking over the edge of the bed. "I-I –"

"It's okay Lucy!" Levy said giggling. "We expected you'll be together. But not this soon."

"N-No! You're wrong! We aren –"

"She can't resist my charms. And that's all." Natsu grinned at them.

"Yuck. Maybe she's just doesn't have a lot of choices." Gajeel said walking out of the room.

Gray laughed.

Natsu glared at both of them. He walked to punch them but was stopped when Erza grabbed his shirt.

"Where do you think you're going?" She said in a serious voice.

"Give them a piece of my mind."

"I'll give you a piece of my mind first." She turned to everyone. "Lucy fix yourself."

"Yes!"

"Levy and Juvia cook some food! Lucy help them later."

"Yes!"

"Jellal make sure every place you held your practice were left clean."

"Y-Yes!"

"Gray!"

"Yes?"

"Make sure your room is spotless!"

"Why a I –"

"Gajeel! Clean the living room!"

Gajeel just rolled his eyes and continued out.

"General cleaning of the whole house will commence tomorrow. Do your partial assignments and we'll meet at dinner!"

"Hai!"

Everyone left the room and the three of them were alone. Lucy could feel a heated discussion threatening to start so she walked towards the closet.

"Lucy." She stopped on her track and hesitantly turned to the source of the voice.

"Yes, Erza?"

Erza didn't change her serious face but she sighed instead which made Lucy shiver. She herself didn't really know why they cuddled together but, she knew she asked him to stay. And now she's going to be dead or lucky if she'll just have sore ears. She tried not to look at Natsu for she doesn't know how to be around him just yet, especially now that that happened. Right now she has to deal with Erza. Will she deny it and let Natsu suffer all her wrath or will she save him from it?

"Did he hurt you?"

Lucy raised her brow, confused of why would she be hurt. "Uhh.. No?"

"Are you sure?"

"Y-Yes. I don't feel hurt or tired or anything close to that."

"Okay then. Get dress and go down."

Lucy nodded her head and entered the bathroom. She heard the door of the room shut and the room was silent. She was alone again.

It was 7 in the evening. Dinner was kind of silent, well at least for Lucy. Because they still haven't gotten over what happened in the girl's room when they woke up. Everyone did what Erza asked them to do. Well at least the house looked better now. Better leave the island the way it was when they first saw it or else Fairy Law would be of charge. Or maybe that's just the way how Erza sees it.

"I say Lucy doesn't really want it."

"I bet he forced her." Gajeel said chuckling with Gray.

"But Lucy looked as peaceful as he was." Levy said before Natsu could tell something and start a fight.

"And they both like it, or that's just how Juvia sees it."

"Or maybe we could start stop talking about it?" Jellal said clasping his hands in front of him and smiling. He looked around to see if anyone agreed with him but for a long 30 seconds but the longer it took the more awkward it becomes.

"Naah I don't think so." Gray said lazily leaning on his chair, crossing his arms and legs. He yawned. "So, how did you two end up there? You made out.. or something like that while we're all sleeping?"

Lucy froze and unconsciously held her breathe.

"It's none of your business jerk!" Natsu hissed.

"But it doesn't make sense. All of us agreed to sleep in the living room but you were upstairs.. alone." He turned to Lucy. "Lucy, you owe me an explanation."

Lucy looked at him and nodded as she sighed and let out the breath she's been holding.

"Why would she explain to you? You're not her boyfriend."

"I'm the substitute to substitute, that's enough. And what are you? You're not even official."

And there it is the silence everyone has been waiting for‒or not? What Gray said was out of what they were planning to pry out off Natsu and Lucy. There has been a silent agreement between them that they'll know what really happen because Erza talked to Natsu and probably she knew what happened, on Natsu's side, and just won't talk about it. Well maybe Erza agreed to it and let Natsu.

Levy felt the uneasiness in the room and just smiled nervously to change the subject. "So let's wash the dishes and get a good night's sleep!"

"I agree." Erza said taking a sip from her cup and placing it down. "Lucy you could sleep first. Mr. Makarov might send you a private plane tomorrow to pick you up." She said when she noticed Lucy was piling the dishes.

She looked at Erza questioningly. Makarov doesn't have control over their private jets. It was mainly for the Heartfilia's use, it's private. But she just couldn't tell why Erza was saying that.. she knows Makarov can't send a private jet. So why?

"Alright. I'll start packing my things." Lucy said in a low voice and walked upstairs.

When she was inside the room she started packing the things Erza brought her. It was easy for her to do that for she's been travelling every now and then because of business trips. As she puts her stuff inside her bag she couldn't help but think of what happened during the past days she spent in the island. It was quite fun you see. She really enjoyed everyone's company; there was not a dull moment that she could remember. Tonight was the 10th day and they're supposed to leave tomorrow after lunch. This dream is going to end soon. And it ended faster than she expected it to. Her thoughts landed on Natsu. He consists mainly of what happened to her in this 'vacation'. He's actually the summary of what happened to her in this whole vacation.

He happened to her.

She smiled unconsciously feeling blood rush up to her cheeks. And of course what he told her, it never really left her mind, even after Erza said he has to work for it he really did to prove his worth and it's really sweet of him. Like her, she knew he's not used to doing chores as she was but the effort of him trying made her heart felt light and flutter. He told her and showed her everything but she did nothing. She felt unworthy of what he's doing for her because she felt she can't do something for him. The least she can do was to answer his feelings. Her heart sped up. Just by thinking of it makes her nervous.

He was really annoying most of the time and she knew she was annoying him too. They both came from different backgrounds, different way of life and different just in everything. Maybe it would be better not to continue. That's what her mind was telling her since then. But her heart says otherwise. She wanted to tell him badly even though she cannot fully understand this feeling because of certain doubts. She can't really understand what she was feeling because most of the time she finds him annoying but at the same time she finds herself smiling when she's with him.

Would she be able to tell him that she kind of felt the same way? And will she choose herself now before the company?

Her heart ached. The company, she left it. She hadn't thought about it much during the past days and it would be difficult to admit but she felt better not thinking of it. It's just that the company was always in her heart like her parents like the Dragneels, whom she considered second parents, and Natsu Dragneel. They were in the inner most part which if you dug up she knew she'll just hurt herself in the process.

Pinky.. he made her feel this way. But the company and Natsu Dragneel won't just let her do things her way.

Knock Knock Knock

Lucy looked at the door and it creaked open. Before she could permit the person to enter it opened and Erza was standing there, her hands on her hips looking intently at Lucy.

"You must be really lost by now." She said walking towards Lucy. Erza sat on the edge of Lucy's bed. "You know you can finish packing tomorrow. I lied about Makarov sending a private plane."

"I know." Said Lucy silently.

"So care to tell me what happened a while ago?"

Lucy looked at her. "What?"

"Okay. Start from last night when we're all sleeping. I just wanted to check if Natsu's telling the truth."

Lucy hesitated for a moment but she did say what Erza said she wanted to hear and as she sighed in relief Lucy knew no one will be hurt. Not her, not Pinky. Erza believed in their story that seemed to match or Lucy thought it did.

"Are you two together now? Like together, together?" Erza asked.

Lucy blushed harder and she was playing with her fingers that rested on her lap. She looked anywhere but Erza. "I think.. not."

"Yeah. I figured." Erza sighed. "You know what Lucy? He actually confessed to you during our first day here at Tenrou."

"I kind of know that." Lucy muttered. "But you know.. there are things that are more important than this is."

"And what are those?"

"Company.. and you know my –"

"Are you going to let the past interfere with what you had in the present?"

"But you said he might still be alive."

"Yes. I believe he's alive but you don't. Or are you now on my side in this to make an excuse and let his feelings down, slowly?"

"It's not that. Erza, I-I felt it. I think I felt the same way.." Erza's face brightened but Lucy didn't notice it. "..but I have doubts and I can't really tell it right now. I can't understand."

Erza stood up not looking at Lucy. She was aware that Lucy was the one staring at her but she didn't look back to show she's serious about this matter. "Well, you're the only one who could answer that. It's your heart. But remember this, make a decision you know you'll never regret. And think about Natsu, he's waiting for you. You're making him wait. It might be fine for now because it's just days since he started courting you but you know people can never wait even if he said he will. It would be really unfair for him if you'll just make him wait so long for nothing."

Lucy stared at Erza's back as she leaves the room. Erza is right. She's always right that's why Lucy always listens to Erza's advices and sermons. They'll be going tomorrow and she'll be married in a couple of days after that. She doesn't want it. It's either she sacrifices the company for him or him for the company and the lost Natsu and to save herself from the possible crazy unknown future with him.

And so she'll tell the guy she was into, the feelings she's been keeping. From that she'll just try to think of something that'll help the company too. Like what Natsu told her, bear it with the things you have.

"Good luck.. Me." She muttered.