Chapter 6: Mission Time

3rd POV

"Wait, the job flyer is missing the exact home address we need to head," Lucy pointed out with a bemused frown. "How do we get there if we don't even know where we are supposed to go?" She then asked, furrowing her brows as her chocolate orbs jumped up to her partner.

"Saw that this morning Bunnygirl; I asked the Demon chick before going to the train system. She gave me the address; apparently whoever the client is, is paranoid about giving out his address to just anybody." Gajeel answered with a small shrug; whoever this client was, it was sounded like they were overly cautious of who they let in their home, which wasn't a particularly bad thing. It just proved he was smart when it came to protecting his fortunes. However it was also, as Metalicana would say, "a pansy-ass move to protect his crap since he obviously can't do it his damn self."

"Okay, so where are we exactly going," the blonde asked again after a nod, she too understanding their clients motives. Lucy had, after all, grown up as an heiress, and despite the Heartfillia's extravagant mansion as well as the small homes the servants lived it, her father had still be cautious when giving out their address to potential business partners.

"Rasp Street, and since it's the only house there, or most likely mansion in this richies case, we don't need the house number. It's pretty far and secluded from the town." The iron dragon slayer answered back, going into work mode.

The blonde girl nodded again, and while the two continued on with their journey, the duo fell into a comfortable silence, one that soothed her, and yet, freaked her out a little bit. During her time when her father neglected her, and all she had for friends and family were her amazing spirits and the servants in her household, she found herself in silence a lot. At first, it sort of became a fear; she wasn't used to such intense silence, and Lucy would feel herself panic, and become anxious as she realized one simple fact: she was completely, and utterly alone. Her father probably hated her very existence, her dear mother was somewhere better, and she had been forced into solitude for her father found it unnecessary for her to have friends. In his mind that friends were practically useless if they didn't have anything to provide to the Heartfillia Empire, and even then they were more like pawns, associates, or even allies rather than friends.

It was one of the reasons Lucy had adored Fairy Tail, for it was loud and always full of life.

And yet with Gajeel, whenever silence entrapped them, Lucy always felt a quick moment of paranoia pass through her (for old habits truly did die hard). But afterwards she felt calm, complete with the iron dragon slayer strolling by her side, especially when he glanced over and the two caught eyes and he would give her his signature smirk that was more friendly than condescending.

Right then, Levy conjured up into Lucy's mind, suddenly realizing why the petite, blue haired girl with a certain fascination with books had quickly formed a crush on Black Steel Gajeel; the very person she used to call her best friend. Levy had grown quite fond of Gajeel soon after he had joined Fairy Tail, and had told Lucy exactly that a couple weeks after he had joined, basically confessing her undying love for the black haired slayer.

At first the blonde thought that maybe it was simply because Levy was attracted to him, after all, Gajeel is very handsome, mysterious, and had been new to the guild at the time. Though even then, that reason still confused Lucy; she understood forgiving him, but falling in love with the man that not only nearly beat you to death, but you had also never spoken to before didn't make any sense.

Lucy may have forgiven Gajeel herself for his actions back then, but forgiving him didn't mean she instantly wanted to jump in bed with him just because he was attractive. It was all so strange; especially since the only time the two had really spoken was when he had apologized to Levy and got beaten up by Levy's two groupies.

Curiosity was something that always seemed to get the best of the celestial mage, and before she had a chance to second guess herself, she was already opening her mouth.

"Gajeel, can I ask you something," Lucy asked suddenly, before flushing heavily when she realized just how odd and intrusive her question may seem. After all, the two had just recently become friends, and what she wanted to ask may seem a bit too personal at this stage. After all, she had wanted to question his relationship with Levy, and since she had been the first person to ever get sort of close to in the entire guild, the blonde feared she may be intruding on something special for her new friend.

And while Lucy was by no means a shy person, being out spoken and confident individual, she couldn't help but feel a little sheepish. Especially since she had been quick to open her mouth, when usually she was the kind of person to think everything out before saying anything.

And due to Lucy's shy behavior and sudden question at such an odd time as this, Gajeel narrowed his eyes, knowing instantly something was up. But he decided not to question it; instead he acted nonchalant to her behavior, his eyes returning back to their normal size.

"Sure," he answered, shrugging his shoulders.

The blonde was immediately was at a loss for words, and quickly glanced around, hoping to find something that would relieve her of this misery. "Well… um… Oh look, we're here!" Lucy yelled cheerfully, instantly comforted at the sight of the luxurious mansion before her very chocolate colored eyes.

She latched onto the iron dragon slayer's arm, hurriedly pulling him towards the grand doors, hoping that he would forget that she asked anything altogether. Unfortunately, it didn't.

Gajeel pulled his partner to a halt, his legs rooted to the ground, causing her to turn towards him with feigned confusion sparking in her eyes. He rolled his own eyes at the obviousness of her fakery.

"Just because we're here doesn't mean I'm lettin' go you what you said just a couple second ago. We're partners now, don't think you're going to get out of this," the iron dragon slayer warned with narrowed eyes, wondering what she had wanted to ask him that was possibly so embarrassing, that she had literally shied away from it; the Lucy Heartfillia, known for her overconfidence and strongly spoken ways, shy! Just the thought of it was preposterous.

Without another word, Gajeel then turned, walked up to the grand doors of the mansion, and knocked on the door. Leaving behind a shell shocked and slightly happy blonde behind him, staring at his back momentarily as warmth spread throughout her core. If it had been Team Natsu that I was with, they would have definitely forgotten and never mentioned again; they wouldn't have… cared… The fact that Gajeel cares about what I have to say… it's nice, Lucy thought to herself with a small, sincere smile, happily taking her place by her partner's side.

"Why hello there, what's a… man like you coming to a place like this, er, couple I mean." A young, pretty black haired maid greeted with a purr, opening the door. Her eyes were solely set on Gajeels, offering him a rather seductive smile, and only briefly sparing a glance at Lucy.

And from the way her eyes lit of with recognition, she obviously knew that the man standing on her doorstep was none other than the infamous Black Steel Gajeel. The maid was practically buzzing with excitement and lust at seeing the dangerous, mysterious man close up.

Other than a small eye roll and an amused quirk to her pretty pink lips, Lucy didn't say anything to the maid about her rude and inappropriate behavior. After all, she was used to lecherous girls and boys wanting to jump her team member's having been on Team Natsu for so long.

"We accepted a job request with this address," the black haired man answered with a discrete eye roll, completely dismissing the clear flirting and the maid's appreciative gaze.

"Ah, yes, mages," the maid said with a nod. She looked at the symbol on Gajeel's bicep, and then slowly tore her eyes away from his muscular arms, purposely showing off her interest in the slayer to the said slayer. "Well then, c'mon in; I'm sure my mistress and my master will be glad of your arrival." Gajeel walked in, followed by his celestial mage partner. He carefully watched the blonde out of the corner of his eye, smirking inwardly when he saw how indifferent she seemed to the other girl's advances.

As they walked in they noticed it was a lot bigger than it appeared on the inside, and was indeed very roomy and airy. Though as the two got pulled further and further into the mansion, they realized just how much of labyrinth it actually was; even someone like Lucy who had grown up in a mansion.

"This way," the maid called, glancing over her shoulder and curling her finger towards Gajeel, nibbling her lip lustfully. She then walked up the stairs with an extra swing to her hips, occasionally glancing back straight at the male with suggestive look. Acting as if she was leading the dark haired man to her bedroom instead of her master's office.

Gajeel simply snorted, inwardly cringing; he knew what this maid was trying to do, and honestly, it wasn't working at all. In fact, it was starting to get to the point where it was annoying; Lucy and him had just recently become friends, and this was their first mission together, he didn't want to irritating maid ruining their experience. Besides, he was no longer the ass he had been when he was in Phantom Lord; back then he would've already done the maid simply to just get her off of his back, and would've already left her hanging without another word.

And what made him disgusted with their 'escort' was the fact that she seemed to think that he and Lucy were together, and yet she was still making moves on him. Cheating had always been something he had sneered down at, even when he had been a part of Phantom Lord; despite being the villain, there were two things Gajeel never stooped to: rape and cheating. Sure Gajeel has had sex with a few girls, but it was always one night stands and he always made sure to keep them at a distance so that the girls wouldn't think too much of it. He made it clear it had been a one night thing, no strings attached and no commitment made.

"Wait here for a minute, I'll inform them of your arrival," the maid smiled, opening another huge door, and walking inside, leaving Gajeel with Lucy. Neither of them have spoken to each other since they got here, going into complete "work-mode."

While Gajeel wasn't all that talkative, Lucy had kept quiet due to comfortable silence that fell upon the two (something that was extremely rare in Lucy's life), both of them completely ignoring the black haired maid

The door opened again with a long squeak, "Master and mistress would like to speak with you now." Gajeel and Lucy nodded, the two walking into the room; the maid pouted at the iron dragon slayer's obvious dismissal.

They came upon a large, office-like room, with a middle aged man who had brown hair, tan skin, and brown eyes, seated at the desk that was in the middle of the room. And next to his side stood a middle aged woman, with brown hair as well but instead of the tan skin like the other's of the town had, she had creamy skin, sparkling blue eyes, and a brilliant smile curling at her cheeks.

"So, you must be the Fairy Tail mages from the request I put out. It's nice to meet you, I am Will Jackson, and this is my lovely wife, Margret Jackson." He introduced, his voice growing warm as he got to his wife's name. He got up from his seat respectfully, and motioned for the Fairy Tail duo to come closer.

"Pleasure to meet you, I'm Lucy Heartfillia, and this is Gajeel Redfox," Lucy said cheerfully, sticking her hand out. Will smiled, shaking her hand, Margret joining in after her husband.

"It's very nice to meet you too, and I hope that our maid who brought you in, Cecilia, didn't make so many moves on you," Will said, looking at Gajeel, a knowing but weary smile on his lips. "I wish to fire her very much; for it seems to be a habit of hers to make such vulgar and suggestive passes at all the young men like you who enter my mansion. But sadly, her mother and her need the money, so until they can pull themselves back up, I sort of have to deal with it." Will sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. After Gajeel nodded, accepting the clear apology Will was giving him, the client continued.

"Anyways, let's get down to business shall we? Through generations, the Jackson family have kept four necklaces that have passed down from child to child, usually it was the mother passing it down to their daughters, but for me, it was my mother passing it down to me, so I could give it to my wife whenever I got married, and she could pass it down to our children. One necklace is one made out of sapphires, the second one is made out of real rubies, the third one is made out of real emeralds, and the fourth one is made out of real diamonds. They're all extremely expensive and antique; to be frank, this tradition has been going on for so long I'm not even sure how old they all actually are.

"However, no matter how long this tradition has been going on, I decided I was going to break the tradition, and give the Buford family our necklaces as a sign of peace, for the Buford family and the Jackson family have been at what I call 'business war' for as long as we've been around, and I wish to "bury the hatchet" so to speak. The problem is, is that the Buford family resides in Crocus, and well, I'm not allowed to ride on trains anymore because of my bad back, and I don't feel comfortable sending my wife, so would you please help us?"

"Yes, of course," the blonde answered immediately. Lucy smiled kindly, touched by how much the man cared for his wife; it was evident in his eyes, and the way he would glance adoringly her way. "But if it's not too much to ask, I would like to know why you don't give the Buford's something else to signify peace? I mean, aren't those necklaces very special to you since it's been in your family for a long time? I'm sure there is something else you could give the Buford's to help end the feud…"

"They were special to me, once upon a time, but not anymore. Years ago Margret and I had a beautiful daughter, and we gave the necklaces to her when she became old enough to understand the meaning and the importance of them. Sadly, our daughter died, and now, the necklaces only serve to remind us of our loss. Our daughter worshiped those necklaces… so we, well at least I, don't care much for them anymore." Will answered sadly, sharing a brief, sorrowful look with Margret.

And as much as the blonde celestial mage wanted to point he should keep them, because she knew from experience that cutting anything out of your life that reminded you of bad times was very unhealthy, she held her tongue; it was their decision. Shaking his head from the dark thoughts that started to cloud his mind, Will walked over to a case, opening it up and showing it to Lucy and Gajeel, the exotic and antique necklaces glimmering in the sunlight. He then closed the case and handed it out to Lucy. "I hope you take very good care of them, an act of peace with the Buford family is something the Jackson's need desperately."

"Don't worry, we won't let you down," Lucy answered seriously. The duo then left the man and his wife, Lucy holding the wooden chest close her own heart.

To be continued…

Revised: 7/26/17

A/N: So I'm sorry I cut it there. I was going to continue it more, like write the whole job on this chapter, but I decided to just cut it there.

To Erzamafuni: Thank you so much, I like Mira as a sister to Lucy so much, that I decided I needed to involve her in the story.

To Kelsey Sullivan: Thank you, I hoped you enjoy this chapter.