Chapter 7
Previously
"Lets hear it then." Lucy said.
"Now?" both Natsu and Bix asked.
"Yes, now."
"Okay okay, let me get the microphone working." Bixlow said
"I'll go into the room then."
"Great, oh and just to make things clear, when working I'm all business. Nothing romantic, no delaying progress. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes ma'am!" they yelled at the same time.
"You ready Natsu?"
"Yeah, let me know when to start."
"Now," Lucy stated.
"Okay okay, geesh."
Lucy narrowed her eyes at him, but didn't say anything.
As he started singing he turned his head to look at her through the seemingly one-way glass, making her insides turn to jello.
"Hey there pretty brown eyes…"
"Come on Luce! I want to take you somewhere before I take you home. It's the best place ever."
"What kind of place is it?"
"It's a restaurant. The best spicy food in all of Magnolia! You'll love it, I promise."
"Oh? Did you ever stop to consider that maybe I don't like spicy food?"
"Yes, actually. They have normal food too, boring, tasteless, non-spicy food. I noticed that you didn't try the hot sauce that I brought on our date, so I assumed that you might not have liked spicy food. That's why I picked this place, because it'll have something for both of us."
"You've really thought about this. Did you plan to take me here before or after our bet?"
"Huh?...Oh! Now I can't take you. Dang it Luce, why did you have to remind me about the bet?"
"What? Why can't you take me anymore? I thought we were going to enjoy burning our tongues off."
"Because this was supposed to be our second date. I came up with it during our meeting this morning. But then the bet happened, and now I can't take you unless you win."
"Really Natsu? That's so childish, it's just a stupid bet that I'm going to win anyway. Why not give up now and save yourself the humiliation. Just take me out to dinner and lets forget about it."
"Confident that you're going to win?"
"Natsu, I know I'm going to win."
"Then why drop it? Lets see if you're right. Right now."
"I'm not telling you what I was laughing at. It was something stupid and senseless. Besides, you don't need to know."
"Well now I have to know. I'll get it out of you sooner or later, but for now I'll let up. We're still not going on another date until we find out who wins this bet."
"B-but Natsu!"
"No buts Luce. Either you tell me now and we find out who wins this thing, or I take you back to your place and we find out another day. Which is it gonna be?"
"Looks like I won't be getting a free meal after all…"
"Is that your final answer?"
"Take me home Natsu."
"Sure thing Luce. We have to turn around though, the restaurant is closer to my place than yours so it's going to take a little while until we reach your place."
"Okay…"
I wonder what Natsu's home looks like, Lucy thought. Would it be big and boisterous like his attitude, or would it be something simpler? He said he had a cat…so someplace to accommodate an animal. She mentally crossed off the likelihood of an apartment as Natsu's home since most apartments didn't allow animals. Natsu could break the rules though, he would do that.
As Lucy thought some more about what Natsu's house might look like a voice interrupted her thoughts.
"Hey Natsu! Hey Lucy," Lisanna said waving at the two, coming from the side at a crosswalk.
"Hey Lisanna," they said at the same time with the same amount of enthusiasm to see the psychotic girl.
Neither of them felt like seeing Lisanna much less talking to her, but it was bound to happen sooner or later.
Natsu and Lucy looked at each other and nodded. It was not the time to have the much needed conversation. It was still too early for that.
"What's going on guys? I feel left out here."
"Nothin' Lis. We're just both tired from a long day at work, and Erza told me to take Luce home this way she doesn't get lost again."
"Mind if I join you? My place is this way anyway, so why not walk with friends?"
"Uh, sure."
"Great! So what did you guys do at the studio today?"
"We worked on my album."
"Both of you?"
"Yeah."
"She's on your team?"
"She is now."
"That's….great to hear. It's great for you and Bixlow, you guys needed someone as great as Lucy. It's all just great."
"Are you okay Lisanna?" Lucy spoke up. "You seem upset."
"I'm great. Why wouldn't I be?"
"No reason in particular…just wondering."
"Well there's no need to wonder, because I'm fine. I'm just great."
"Okay, I won't ask anymore."
After an awkward pause of no one saying anything both Natsu and Lucy spoke at the same time.
"So Lisanna-"
"So Lis-"
Lucy burst into giggles as Natsu laughed his palliating laugh, which made Lucy go from giggles to full out laughter and Natsu laughing even harder than before.
When their laughter subsided some and Lucy was able to get her breathing under control she choked out, "You first Natsu."
"Hahaha…o-okay, whew. That was a nice laugh. Haha. Anyway, Lis?"
"Yes, Natsu?" Lisanna said turning her attention from Lucy to him.
"Luce and I were hoping you could tell Mira that we'll be needing the bar for a later date."
"We will?" Lucy asked.
"What on earth could you need the entire bar for?" Lisanna exclaimed.
"It's a surprise," Natsu grinned at Lucy. "Could you let her know?" he said to Lisanna.
"Yeah, sure. I guess. You'll have to let her know when."
"Thanks Lis. Hey, isn't this where you turn off?"
"What?" Lisanna looked around and realized that it was indeed where she needed to turn. "Could you walk me the rest of the way Natsu?"
Natsu stared at Lisanna as if she had just told him to choose between spicy food and Happy. He looked at Lucy, noticing the look in her eyes pleaded with him not to go. How would he tell Lisanna no without making a bad situation worse?
Lisanna gave him a look and he realized he'd been thinking on it too long, making things awkward.
"Sorry Lis, but I'm already taking Luce home. You know how much trouble I would be in if Erza found out I didn't take her straight home. Maybe another time?"
Lisanna stared at Natsu, and Lucy realized that she didn't expect to get turned down. She started to look furious, but composed herself so quickly though that Lucy questioned if she had ever even saw it.
"It's okay, I understand. Another time would be great. I'll see you later Natsu. Lucy."
They watched her walk off with a huff and a few mumbled words. Natsu suddenly grimaced, making Lucy worry. "What's wrong Natsu?"
"Nothing, just what Lisanna said."
"What do you mean? All she did was ask if you would walk her home."
"No, not that. She mumbled some stuff under her breath walking away."
"You could hear her?"
"Yeah. I don't like what I heard either."
"What'd she say?"
"Believe me Luce, you don't want to know."
"But-" Natsu cut her off by giving her a sharp glare. "Okay."
They walked in silence for a while, each lost in their own thoughts.
After a mile or so in the comfortable quiet Lucy spoke.
"Hey Natsu?"
"Yeah?"
"Erza's not the only reason you're walking me home, is it?"
Natsu glanced over at Lucy before answering. "Of course not Luce. I just said that to Lisanna to give her a reason to believe I couldn't walk her home. She knows how Erza is."
"Yeah, but…never mind."
"What is it Lucy?"
"It's nothing. Just silly delusions."
"I'm sure it's not as silly as you think it is. Tell me, please?"
Lucy sighed, "Fine. I-uh. I had hoped that you actually wanted to walk me home because..."
"Because….?"
"It's nothing. Never mind. Forget I said anything."
"Luuuucccee. Telll meeee."
"You sound like a child Natsu," she giggled.
"That's only because you're not telling me."
"It's not important. Don't worry about it."
"But Luuuccccee….I wanna knooow."
"I said don't worry about it."
"But I want to know Luce. It doesn't matter if it's not important. I want to know all I can about you, no matter how small. I care for you, so I want to know all there is to know about you."
"Natsu…"
"So please tell me, Luce. Even if it's embarrassing, I like seeing you blush. It's cute."
At this Lucy blushed, to which Natsu said, "Gah, look at you! How adorable." This of course made Lucy blush even harder. Natsu chuckled at her embarrassment.
"Natsuuu."
"Hmm?"
"Stoop iiitt!"
"Stop what?" he asked innocently.
"S-stop embarrassing me! What happened to not embarrassing me?"
"I said I wouldn't do it in front of other people. I never said anything about when it's just the two of us."
"B-but…still…it's embarrassing."
"What is Luce?"
"I-I…I don't know."
"Maybe it's your thoughts that are embarrassing?"
"Wh-what makes you think that?! My thoughts are just fine, thank you!"
"Uh huh, suuure they are. I bet you were thinking dirty things Luce. Heehee."
"I was not!"
"Yes you were."
"Well what about you?"
"What about me?"
"What did you mean when you said you couldn't tell me what you wanted if you won the bet in front of Bixlow? Did you want something…uh, d-dirty?" Lucy blushed hard getting the words out. The implication was just too raw and now it was out in the open.
"Oh that. I actually haven't decided what I want yet, but a few of them are like what you implied. "Dirty," as you called it."
"What do you mean "As I called it", you're the one that said it first. And what do you mean some of the things you want are dirty? I thought you wanted to prove yourself to me first?"
"I didn't say I wanted to have sex, although I do. I said that some of the things I want are dirty, but not all of them. I just don't know which one I'm going to settle for yet. Believe me, I'm still proving myself to you. I avoided a major blow to my promise earlier today, even if it was only by a hair."
At this he glanced at Lucy to gauge her reaction to his words. A slight pink dusted her cheeks, but it quickly faded. She didn't say anything, and that bothered him.
"What are you thinking?"
"I'm thinking about whether or not I should invite you into my apartment."
"W-why would you do that?"
"To test you."
"Haven't you tested me enough today?"
"Yes, I have. But I push people to their limits, just to see how far I can go. I want to know how far I can go with you Natsu."
"Well...I hope to go all the way with you some day, but for now my limit is only touching."
"Hmm…lets test that, shall we?"
"What?"
"Come home with me. You said I needed protection, right? Who better than you? I'm not staying with Erza, so you might as well stay. You can restrain yourself, right?"
"I-I, Luce…I don't know about this…"
"It's okay if you say no, but then I'll be alone. After running into Lisanna earlier, I think she's mad. I'm just saying that it's probably not safe for me to be alone anymore."
"Luuucee….I really don't think-"
"I know I'm putting you in a hard spot Natsu, but if you're not willing to stay…"
"I'll stay."
"What?"
"I said, I'll stay with you tonight."
Lucy smiled internally at her victory. She didn't expect anything from him tonight, in all honesty she just wanted him to stay over. She wanted someone to hold at night, someone to tell all her secrets to. She knew she couldn't tell him everything she'd been bottling up for so long all in one night, that would make her seem desperate and too loose-lipped. She would just enjoy this night.
"Thank you," she whispered.
They walked on, hand in hand. Natsu recognized the area as the place that Lucy lived, but he didn't remember which complex was hers.
"Hey Luce?"
"Yeah?"
"We're here, I just don't know which apartment complex is yours. Do you know?"
"Haha, yeah. It's the one with the steps up to the double door, it has a red arch above the doors. The building itself is kind of brown with bricks at the bottom."
"Oh, the one nearly in front of the bridge?"
"Yeah."
"Lets go then."
He pulled her along, rather eager for seeming so reluctant earlier.
When they got to the doors, they flew open to reveal a short, plump woman in ill-fitting clothing.
"H-hey landlady." Lucy stuttered. "On your way out?"
"Yes. I'm going shopping with your rent money, which is due in two weeks by the way. Make sure to pay up."
Lucy gulped, nervous. "S-sure thing. You know I will."
"You better," she said. She then noticed Natsu standing behind Lucy and opened her mouth as if to ask about him but then seemed to think better of it instead and left.
"Well that was certainly weird. Is she always like that?" Natsu asked.
"Y-yeah. She's uh-something else. Those were my clothes she was wearing…."
"Your clothes? Why would she be wearing your clothes?"
"The first month I was late on my rent and she took a few outfits as payment. It saved me from being tossed out onto the streets, but I lost a few of my favorite outfits. I haven't replaced them yet either."
"Oh.."
"Anyway, here we are." She said, opening a door on the second floor.
Natsu looked around as he walked in, admiring the simplicity of the place.
"Make yourself at home. I'll start dinner."
"Will you-"
"Yes, I'll make sure it's spicy."
He grinned, "Thanks Luce! It's like you've known me for years already."
"Oh?"
"Yeah. A lot of my friends just tell me to add hot sauce to it, which I usually end up having to do, but it's so much better when it's made withthe spice. Mmmmm….."
"Hey Natsu, could you do me a favor?"
"Yeah?"
"Stop drooling all over my couch."
"Oh! Sorry, heh..heh…yeah. Mind if I watch some tv?"
"Go ahead, just no porn."
"I don't watch porn!"
"Just making sure."
"And even if I did I wouldn't be dumb enough to watch it with you around."
"So you do watch porn."
"I do not!"
"Heehee. Whatever you say Naatsuuu."
"Stop tormenting me!"
"Who me?"
"Yes you."
"Couldn't be!"
"There's no one else Luce, it's definitely you."
"Naatsuuu."
"What?"
"That's not how it goes!"
"How what goes?"
"The children's song about a cookie jar."
"Huh?"
"You know. The one where you accuse people of stealing cookies from the cookie jar and then they blame it on someone else?"
"I ain't heard of it."
"But you were just doing it."
"I was?"
"Yes," Lucy said exasperatedly. "Here's how it goes: "'Who stole a cookie from the cookie jar? So-and-so stole a cookie from the cookie jar! 'Who me?' 'Yes you.' 'Couldn't be.' 'Then who?' 'So-and-so took the cookie from the cookie jar!'" And then it just keeps on going and going until you run out of people or someone confesses."
"So you're saying that our conversation could've turned into a children's song without me realizing it?"
"I guess, if you want to look at it that way."
"Hmm…"
"What?"
"Nothing, just weird is all. Like you."
"I-I am not weird."
"Yes you are."
"No I'm not."
"Yes you are."
"No I'm not."
"Yes you are."
"No I'm not."
"Yes you are."
"No I'm-you know what I'm going to go make dinner now."
"Awe, Luce, you're not mad are you?" he called to her from the living room.
"No, the argument was just pointless is all. I'm making spaghetti with meatballs."
"Okay, thanks Luce."
"I'll let you know when it's done."
"I'll be able to smell it."
"Whatever you say…weirdo."
"Hey!"
"Heeheehee."
They ate dinner watching Attack on Titan, and then Bleach afterwards-per Natsu's request. Lucy prepared for work the next day while Natsu continued to batch Bleach. Once Lucy was done taking a shower, Natsu went in.
Neither of them realized however that there was nothing he could use to clean himself without smelling like a girl, which Natsu was not about to tolerate.
"Hey Luuuuceee."
"Yeah Natsu? Do you need something?"
"Yeah…um, there's nothing I can use to wash myself in here."
"I thought I gave you a washcloth?"
"That's not what I mean. I have the washcloth, but I don't have anything to put on it."
"Oh, you mean you don't have any guy shampoo or body wash."
"Yeah…"
"Well what do you want me to do? I don't have anything like that here."
"I don't know…can I use hand soap on my entire body?"
"No, you can't use hand soap on you entire body! That'll just waste it."
"Well I don't know what else to do Luce."
"Well when was the last time you took a shower?"
"I don't know. Two days ago? I wouldn't be taking a shower if I didn't need one."
"Uuuugh, well nothing's open this late so you might as well get out."
"Fiiine. Where are the towels?"
"Hold on, I'll get you one."
"Okay…Luce?"
"Yeah?"
"Can I ask you for a favor?"
"Sure."
"Could you maybe, possibly, get me a fluffy towel? Pretty please?"
"Haha, sure Natsu. I'll see if I can find a fluffy towel."
"Thaank youu."
"You really are something else, you know that?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well…you're not like everyone else."
"Who's everyone else?"
"Normal people."
"You saying I'm not normal?"
"No, I'm just saying you're different. It's a good different."
"Like how?"
"Lets talk once you get out of the shower. Here, the towel is on the toilet seat."
"Thanks Luce."
"No problem."
As Lucy closed the door behind her Natsu stood a moment longer under the hot water, enjoying the way it relaxed his muscles. I wonder how tonight will play out, he thought. I hope she doesn't try anything again. I really am trying to keep my promise, but damn she makes it difficult. I wonder if she got me a fluffy towel.
He turned the water off and opened the door to find a fluffy towel sitting perfectly folded on the toilet seat for him. "Haha, thanks Luce." He mumbled.
I wonder how tonight is going to go, she thought. What if he wants to sleep on the couch, this way he's not tempted? I should make sure I have an extra pillow for him just in case. Are my spare blankets clean? I should go check. Crap. They're in the closet with the towels in the bathroom, with Natsu. I wonder what's taking him so long anyway. You would think that with the long day we had he'd be ready to crash.
Just as Lucy went to knock on the door it opened to reveal a shirtless, glistening, only-in-a-towel Natsu. "I-I-I was just a-about to ask if you were almost done."
"I realized I don't have any clothes to wear."
"Oh. I-um. I have a few large shirts that should fit you normally. I don't have anything for bottoms though, you'll have to wear your boxers I guess."
"Uh, Luce?"
"What?"
"You put my clothes in the washer, remember? This way I could wear them tomorrow."
"Ooh…"
"Yyeaah."
"I guess I could look a little bit and see if I have anything that might fit you, it'll be tight though."
"Anything is better than nothing."
"Hold on. Just sit down or something, I'll be right back."
"Okay…"
Natsu stood there awkwardly, unsure of what to do. He didn't want to step out of the bathroom because he was still wet, but at the same time it was just weird to be standing in the doorway.
After some internal struggling he decided to sit on the side of the bathtub and wait…and wait, and wait.
What's she doing, he thought.
He got up to go look for her, wondering where she could be. There were only so many places right? Where's her closet?
As he padded around he heard some mumbling. Following the sound, he found Lucy. She was bent over rummaging through a box, saying how she wished she had finished unpacking all her clothes. That was when Natsu got an idea.
He sneaked forward, careful not to make any noise. As he came up behind her he brought his hands to her side, but not touching her just yet. When she didn't notice him he continued. Quickly, he put his hands on her hips and yelled "You wished what Luce?"
"KKKAYYAAA!" She straightened up and whirled on him. "Natsu!"
"HAHAHAA! W-what?"
"Don't do that!"
"Do what? Laugh?"
"No! You know what I mean."
"I don't think I do Luce. I think you need to explain it to me."
"Do I? Is sleeping in a towel on the couch a good enough explanation?"
"Okay okay. I won't do it again."
"And?"
"And?"
"What else?"
"I won't do it again?"
"Heehee, not if you want clothes tonight."
"Have you found any?"
"I found a few shirts, but I'm having a hard time finding some shorts. I know I have some basketball shorts somewhere, but I just can't find them"
"Can I try on the shirts while you look for the shorts?"
"Sure. Here, there should be three there."
"Thanks Luce. Be right back."
"He's such a frivolous boyfriend," Lucy mumbled. I wonder what else he might do.
As Lucy continues to look around for shorts she hears a light tapping sound. Wondering what it could be she walked out of her closest to the living room to listen for the sound again. She waited a few seconds before it came again, at her door. Lucy walked to the door and opened it to reveal a tall, burly man…in a mask.
She quickly tried to shut the door, but he put his foot in the way. At this she ran back into her apartment and screamed for help.
"Luce?!" Natsu said from the bathroom. "What's-"
"Aaaahhh! No! Let go of me! Nats-!"
"Shit, Lucy!"
Natsu finally emerged from the bathroom, clad in a tight fitting shirt and a low, loosely fitting towel around his waist. Upon exiting the bathroom he stared at the scene before him. Lucy was being held up against the wall by a tall, bulky looking man who had his back to him.
Colossal sized or not, Natsu had to save Lucy.
Next thing he knew he kicked the guy on the backs of his knees, making him fall to the ground. Natsu was on top of him in an instant, pummeling his face into the floor. The man put up no fight whatsoever. Which was odd, really odd. Realizing this Natsu got off the now unconscious man and stared at him wondering why he didn't put up a fight. Now that he thought about it, he didn't even turn around when he came out of the bathroom. His sole focus seemed to be…Lucy. "Lucy!" He whirled around and found her on the ground, holding her throat.
"Lucy!" He rushed over to her and knelt down. "Lucy can you speak? Let me see."
Lucy raised her head to reveal her neck. It was already turning a dark purple. "Shit. You need ice. Hang on."
Natsu bolted to the freezer to find something frozen, yet flexible to put around Lucy's neck. She literally only had ice cubes and a few varieties of meat. Ice cubes it was. "Hey Luce, where are your plastic bags?"
"They're in the drawer next to the sink." She whispered. He opened up the drawer next to the sink, and sure enough there were plastic, zip lock bags.
He put some ice in the bag and wrapped a small towel around it on his way back to Lucy. "Here. Hold it to your neck." He said to her.
"Tha-"
"Don't speak. We don't know how damaged your vocal chords could be and you don't want to damage them." After she nodded in understanding she stared at him a moment. "I'll call the police and tell them we need an ambulance, although it's not really a medical emergency. I think you'll be fine in a few days. Gramps should-what are you staring at me for?"
Lucy motioned to his lower half with a nod of her head. He looked down and realized that his towel had come loose and was about to fall off. "OH! Crap!" He quickly retightened the towel around his waist and stood. "You wouldn't happen to know where those shorts are do you? I'd like to have something on when the police come and this way I can come to the hospital with you."
She just shook her head no and continued to stare up at him. A new thought popped into her head that made tears spring to her eyes. "Hey, what're you cryin' for? C'mere." He said while sitting back down to embrace the crying girl. "Lisanna." She whispered.
He stiffened.
She's right. This was probably Lisanna's doing.
What if I wasn't here to protect her?
What if I had refused her plea to stay with her tonight?
She would be dead.
Natsu brought her closer at the thought.
They stayed like that for a few minutes. Just sitting on the floor, Natsu with his arms around a silently crying Lucy. "I need to go call the police. I'll be right back."
Twenty minutes later the police and a medical team were all inside Lucy's apartment.
The unnamed, and now unmasked, man sat in the back of a cop car with cuffs around his wrists. He didn't put up a fight with the police either, it almost seemed as if he was relieved to be arrested.
"Strange." Natsu said out loud.
"What's strange sir?" asked a police officer.
"Huh? Oh, the man. He didn't put up any resistance whatsoever throughout this entire thing. Not when I beat him, and not when you arrested him. It's weird and it unnerves me. I think something's not right, like he was sent here and ordered to focus solely on Lucy. I think he was ordered to put up no fight if someone else were to interfere."
"So you're saying someone sent this guy after your girlfriend and told him not to fight if anyone was in the way?"
"Yeah."
"That seems strange, and rather unlikely."
"Yes, I know it does," Natsu rushed on. "But I think that's what happened and I even suspect who it might be."
"You do?"
"Unfortunately, yes."
"Well then who do ya' think did it?"
"A woman by the name of Lisanna Strauss. I'm assuming you know her and won't believe me, but I'm 100% sure that it's her. It couldn't be anyone else. Everyone loves Lucy except for Lisanna, and with her being on the inside of the police force I wouldn't be surprised if you guys just drop this and call my accusations ridiculous. But I have people who can vouch. Yeah, Gray and Bixlow and Bixlow's ex."
"Natsu." Whispered a small voice.
Natsu looked to his side and found Lucy standing there looking at him. She had bandages around her neck and a piece of paper in her hand. "Hey, how are you? What did the medics say? Do you need a doctor to look at it? When will your voice go back to normal? Will it go back to normal? Do you even have a doctor set up yet? I know a great doctor if-"
"Natsu." She whispered again.
"What?"
"You're rambling."
"Oh, sorry."
"It's okay. I'm going to be fine, they just recommend that I don't talk so much because it'll prolong my recovery."
"That's great Luce. You shouldn't talk then."
"You were also rambling to the officer here. I'm sure he knows what you mean. There's no need to defend our allegations just yet."
"It's alright ma'am. It's common in stressful situations, especially when you think someone close to you is the one hurting another person you care for."
Natsu looked at the man. "How do you know I'm close with Lisanna?"
"You were right when you said I knew her. She talks about you a lot and has pictures of the two of you in her workspace." He could've also mentioned that she had him set as her background on her computer screen, and she had a journal full of pictures of him that looked like he was unaware they were being taken, but he wasn't about to say that. It would only make the young man panic even more.
Natsu gave a deep sigh. "Of course she does. Luce we have to get you into a safer place sooner than I thought we would."
"But Natsu-"
"I know you want to stay here for your own reasons, but Luce you have to understand that it's not safe here. She knows where you live, where you work, who you are, where you come from. I'm willing to bet she knows more about your past than I do. Luce please, you can't stay here."
"Natsu-"
"If it's a safe house you all are looking for I can help out with that. The only problem is that I need proof she's in danger still. And I need to investigate some and see if what you say about Lisanna is true."
"You won't find anything." Lucy murmured.
"How do you know?" a new police officer asked. "I've been listening in and it seems to me that if she's careless enough for you to have figured out that it's her who did this then it's likely she slipped up somewhere else too, and if she did we'll find it."
"She's saying you won't find anything because it's not something Lisanna would have just at her apartment or something. Lisanna was my best friend, I know her better than anyone. I know how she thinks to a certain extent, and I know she wouldn't be as careless as you make her out to be. Us finding out had nothing to do with her slipping up. She's been very careful actually, and if I hadn'ta' been tipped off we wouldn't be having this conversation."
"Then what do you suppose we do?" said the new officer.
"We need to talk about this in a more secure location, away from prying eyes and ears. Not everyone is as understanding and willing to accept what you're saying as we are." The first officer said.
They all looked around then and saw several people listening in to their conversation. Natsu and Lucy looked at each other, silently agreeing that the main officer was right, and then looked to the officers in front of them.
"Okay." They said in unison.