~Lucy~

"Miraaaaa," I whined as I slid into one of the bar stools. I'd rushed here immediately after he'd left…Jacin.

"Lucy? You look…" she said, pausing to consider her next words, "Um…"

"Sad? Grief-stricken? Empty on the inside?" I offered.

"I wouldn't have used any of those words," Mira said quietly.

"Well, they're all true," I mumbled, resting my chin on the bar table.

"I have just the thing, then," she said, perking up. I raised my head and grinned as she set a giant milkshake down in front of me.

"I love you," I said, taking a huge sip from it. I sighed in content.

"So? Why are you sad?" Mira asked.

My head immediately dropped back down against the bar table. I groaned, "Miraaaaaaaaa."

"Levy!" Mira shouted. I heard Levy's footsteps get louder as she got closer.

"What is it?" Levy asked…then she saw me. "Luce?"

"She said she feels sad, grief-stricken, and empty on the inside," Mira chimed in helpfully. I nodded and looked up at my best friend.

"Aw, Luce…what's wrong?" she asked.

"I…met someone," I said. Mira's eyes went wide and Levy squealed out of delight. I clapped a hand over her mouth to shut her up, "Don't get excited yet…I'm not done."

"Ok, tell us everything! And aren't you supposed to be happy after you've met someone?" Mira said, no doubt questioning my sanity.

"I said I wasn't finished. Anyway, I'll tell you what happened. Yesterday I was walking home when I stumbled upon some gate keys…that may have involved pure clumsiness and a lot of water…" I shot my friends a death stare to make sure that they wouldn't say anything before I finished. I didn't need them asking about my near-death experience. They'd just worry.

"I told myself that I would find the owner, because no owner should go without their keys…losing their friends. I didn't want that, so I figured I'd start my search today. The only thing is…I didn't need to search. The wizard who was contracted to the spirits showed up at my apartment."

"And he was the one that you met?" Mira asked.

I nodded and sighed. "Is he handsome?" Levy asked.

I closed my eyes and imagined his face. His unkempt blond hair that somehow seemed to fall perfectly over his forehead. His sun kissed skin. His intoxicatingly amazing smile. His beautiful eyes, which were so blue that they reminded me of a tropical ocean. I nodded, my eyes still closed, "So handsome."

"He must have been to keep you in such a daze," Mira said with a smile. I grinned and nodded.

"And he had an adorable little brother, too..." I said, smiling as I remembered how happy and innocent his little brother had seemed and how Jacin had smiled at him warmly. I liked how his smile seemed to always reach his shockingly blue eyes.

"A little brother?" Levy asked.

"Yeah," I said, nodding.

"So why are you so sad?" Mira asked.

I frowned, "Because I'll never see him again. I choked. I wanted to tell him to stay or ask him to tell me more about his keys, but all I could say was goodbye. By the time I ran outside to try and ask him again, he was gone. He's probably long gone by now." I hid my face in my arms, "He was perfect…"

Levy patted my back in an attempt to comfort me, "Hey, you'll meet another guy sometime. I'm sure he wasn't perfect, right? No one's perfect." That didn't really cheer me up at all…partly because I knew she was wrong…he was perfect. But now he was gone.

"Was he wearing a navy sweatshirt over a red t-shirt with black jeans and sneakers? Did he have swords? Does he have a flower spirit?" Mira asked. I picked my head up.

"Yeah…how did you know that?" I asked.

"Um…because he just walked into the guildhall," Mira said. I stiffened and took a deep breath.

"Alright, Mira. Here's what I want you to do. I need you to move two steps to your left." She did as told and I counted to three.

On three I leapt out of my chair and vaulted over the bar, my sandals slapping against the wood of the guildhall as I cowered below the bar.

"Lucy?" Mira asked. Clearly she hadn't expected that.

"Don't let him see me!" I hissed. Levy was laughing.

"Why? I thought you wanted to see him!" Mira hissed back.

"I acted really stupid this morning…hide me!" I begged.

"You're going to have to come out of there sometime," she whispered.

"No I won't!" I whispered back.

"Excuse me?" said a voice. I pressed my back up against the bar, hoping against hope that he wouldn't see me. I cursed under my breath.

"Oh, sorry…I didn't see you come in. Was there something you needed? Did you want to submit a job request?" Mira asked, taking her attention away from me. I held my breath so that he wouldn't hear me.

"Actually, we—" Jacin started.

"We want to join Fairy Tail!" cheered a voice.

"Roawin, inside voice," scolded a woman's voice. I'm pretty sure it belonged to Fleure…I think that was her name…

"Sorry about my little brother," Jacin apologized.

"Don't worry about it! I think he's adorable," Mira said with a kind smile. She glanced down at me and I kicked her leg to try and tell her to look away. She winced and rubbed where I'd kicked her. Damnit, Mira! You're not very good at this! I hope a fugitive never comes to you looking for asylum.

"Are you alright?" Jacin asked.

Mira's eyes went wide and she reached forward, "Oh, its nothing…just a little scaredy-cat."

"A cat? I want to see," Roawin said. I kicked Mira in the shin again and she laughed.

"Um…" Jacin said. I could practically see him raising an eyebrow. I was jerked from my thoughts as a golden streak appeared in my vision. I squeaked and then froze. Roawin was staring right at me. I peered right back into his big eyes. He pointed a finger at me, "Hey, it's the girl fro—"

I smothered his words with my hand. I felt his smile against my palm.

"Roawin?" Jacin asked. Mira reached forward again, probably to stop Jacin from peeking over the edge and seeing Roawin and I. He'd probably think I was trying to murder his little brother. It did sort of look like I was cutting off his air supply.

"You wanted to join Fairy Tail? That shouldn't be a problem…follow me," Mira said, whipping out her cheerful voice.

"Glad to have you," Levy said.

"Uh, thanks," Jacin replied, "Um…"

"Levy…Levy McGarden," she said.

"Jacin," he said.

"I know," Levy said. I wanted to slap her entire face. Twice. Maybe three times.

"What?" Jacin asked before Mira whisked him away. I released Roawin's mouth.

"—m this morning," he said, finishing his sentence.

I nodded, "Yeah. My name's Lucy."

"You're pretty," he said.

I smiled, "Thanks."
"But not as pretty as Fleure."

"Oh…" I frowned.

"Hey, where's my brother?" Roawin asked, getting to his feet.

"Wait, you can't tell him I'm here, ok?" I said, grabbing his arm to make sure he wouldn't be long gone before I got him to promise not to tell Jacin where I was. Within a few seconds, vines wrapped around my arms and tightened around me.

I cried out as sharp thorns bit into my skin. "Don't touch Roawin," growled a voice. I looked up to see Fleure standing over me. Her eyes looked dark and intimidating behind her long, light green hair.

Roawin pulled at her leafy skirts, "D-Don't hurt Lucy. She's nice."

The vines immediately loosened and Fleure bent down to pick up Roawin, "Are you alright?"

He nodded and then looked down at me, "Are you ok, Lucy?"

I smiled at his sweetness, "I'm ok. It takes more than that to hurt me."

Roawin grinned and then turned to Fleure. He brushed a lock of her hair out of her face, "Say you're sorry. That's what you do when you hurt other people." He sounded like he was reciting his words. I didn't doubt that his mother had taught it to him…or maybe Jacin had.

Fleure sighed and nodded, "I'm sorry, Lucy."

I smiled and got to my feet, "You're forgiven." I smiled and the originally cold look on Fleure's face softened a little. I guess she didn't hate me as much as I thought she did.

"I didn't know you were a member of Fairy Tail," said a voice. I wanted to walk up to the wall and bang my face on it a generous amount of times. Instead I turned around and met his eyes. I could feel my heartbeat thump against my ribs when I looked him in the eye. He was just as gorgeous as I remembered.

I twisted a lock of my hair around my finger nervously, "Yeah…I didn't really have time to tell you before you ran away."

He smiled, leaning against the bar, "Ran away?"

I felt my face heat up but managed to play it cool, "You did sort of leave before I even had a chance to tell you my name."
"L-Lucy," I said. Damnit, I screwed up my own name! He must think I'm stupid!

I expected him to make fun of me, but instead he said, "Well, L-Lucy…it's nice to meet you. I'm sorry I ran out, but we wanted to get to Fairy Tail as soon as possible." Of course he wouldn't make fun of me…he was my perfect guy.

"It's alright," I said, nodding.

"Come here, Roawin. Want to see something exciting?" he said. For a second I thought he was talking to me until my brain registered the fact that he'd said Roawin and not L-Lucy. I felt my heart sink. Was this conversation already over? Had I bored him?

"Exciting?" Roawin asked as he squirmed out of Fleure's arms and plopped down onto the bar table. Jacin grinned as Roawin wrapped his arms around his neck. He hugged his little brother close to him and carried him over to where Mira was waiting. He sat down at one of the tables. "Hold out your arm, Roawin," Jacin said. I watched as Roawin extended his right arm. Mira smiled sweetly and rolled up his sleeve.

Roawin watched Mira's motions, fascinated with everything she did. She quickly pressed the stamp against Roawin's right shoulder. When it came away, a deep blue Fairy Tail mark stood out against Roawin's skin. Roawin squealed and hugged his brother tightly, almost choking Jacin. Jacin laughed and hugged his brother back. I couldn't help but smile.

When Roawin pulled away he said, "We're in Fairy Tail now?"

Jacin smiled and ruffled his little brother's hair, "We're in Fairy Tail now." Roawin curled up in his brother's lap, still smiling. He yawned and nodded, "We're in Fairy Tail now."

Jacin smiled down at his little brother and propped Roawin's head up on his shoulder. "I think maybe you should be getting him to a bed soon," Mira said, getting to her feet.

Jacin smiled, "I think you're right."

"Welcome to Fairy Tail," Mira said as she left him there with his brother. I rounded the corner of the bar and went to sit across from Jacin. He looked up at me and smiled.

"I could have brought you here if I'd known you were looking to join Fairy Tail. Actually, that's how I first started here. Natsu brought me," I said.

"Natsu?"

"That'd be me," Natsu said. I frowned and mentally willed him to leave. It didn't work.

"And I'm Gray," added the ice wizard. Even better…now we only need Erza and my destructive team will be compl—

"My name is Erza Scarlet, the final member of Lucy's team. Welcome to our family," Erza said with a smile. Just kidding. They're all here.

I noticed a far away look in Jacin's eyes at the word 'family' but it disappeared as quickly as it had appeared. Had I just imagined it?

"Thanks. I'm Jacin. This is Roawin," he said, "I'd shake your hands, but…" His arms were wrapped around his little brother, who was now sound asleep.

"I'm Levy! Lucy's best friend!" Levy practically shouted, bursting through the wall that was my team.

"Nice to meet you," Jacin said, looking slightly amused.

"Oi! Shrimp!" said Gajeel, walking up behind Levy. He picked her up and tucked her under one arm, "Let's go."

"Hey! I was talking to Jacin!" she protested, attempting to wriggle out of his iron grasp, (no pun intended).

"Not anymore."

"You're just jealous!"

"So?" Gajeel growled. Levy fell silent as they walked away. I laughed to myself.

"That was…unique," Jacin said. He turned to me and I perked up under his blue eyes, "Hey, Lucy…since you're the first person I met in the Fairy Tail guild, would you mind giving us a tour sometime?"

"Of course!" I said, then, realizing that I'd said it very loudly, quieted my voice down a bit, "Anytime."

"Well, not right now, though. I think Roawin needs to find a bed, first," he said, looking down at his little brother.

"He's very adorable," Erza pointed out as if it weren't obvious.

"Always has been," Jacin said with a smile. I could tell he was proud of his little brother.

I got to my feet and winced for a moment before pushing past my pain. I had a few holes in my skin from where the thorns had pierced me. It wasn't much, though…only five or six. Unfortunately, my quick wince lasted long enough for Jacin to notice.

"What happened to you?" Jacin asked. I could see Fleure shrink back in the corner of my eye.

"Nothing," I replied. I wasn't about to rat Fleure out. She was just protecting Roawin when she'd hurt me. I didn't hold anything against her. I was too old to act like a little kid and tattle.

"It was Fleure," Roawin mumbled. Trust a little kid to tattle…like a little kid.

Jacin's eyes hardened and he turned his head to the left, "Is that true?"

"She grabbed Roawin…I thought she was trying to hurt him!" said Fleure, defending herself. Jacin got to his feet and gently set Roawin down in the chair he'd just vacated. Roawin's head fell to his shoulder and he mumbled something. Was he asleep or wasn't he?

"I understand, Fleure. You're not to blame, but you should be more careful. I'm sure Lucy would never hurt Roawin. Please go back for a little while," Jacin said.

Fleure looked at her bare feet where flowers sprouted from the floorboards. She nodded sadly and then golden light shimmered around her. She vanished just as celestial spirits tend to do, (along with her flowers). Jacin turned to me, "I'm sorry, Lucy. Show me your arms."

I shrunk back, "No…it's ok." My voice was reduced to a squeak.

He smiled, "Don't be shy."

I hesitantly raised my arms. A few angry red marked were specked across my pale skin. Jacin frowned, "Alright. I can help." I raised an eyebrow as he reached for his keys. I watched as he pulled out one of his silver keys.

He closed his eyes and recited the words to summon the spirit, "Open, Gate of the Water Elemental. Agwo."

I small gust of wind caressed my cheek and I could have sworn I felt a slight spray of water against my cheek. I touched my cheek and it was dry, so I guess I'd just imagined it.

"Alright, Agwo," Jacin said, holding out his hand. The spirit he'd summoned, Agwo, looked like a tiny dolphin, except it was made completely of water. It squeaked and swam around in the air. I caught a glimpse of Natsu's face through Agwo and stifled a laugh. Natsu looked hilarious with one eye three times as big as the other.

Agwo squeaked again and touched his translucent nose against Jacin's palm. "Thanks, buddy," he said. He turned to me and took my arm. I flinched at his touch and my face heated up. Wherever he touched me felt like it was on fire.

"Don't worry. This won't hurt a bit," Jacin said, lowering his hand towards my arm. I noticed a slight bluish glow emanating from Jacin's right hand, the same one that Agwo had touched. When he touched the places where the thorns had stabbed into my skin, cool relief spread throughout my arm. I sighed as the pain disappeared.

I relished each time his fingers ran smoothly down my arm, a mixture of coolness and heat spreading all through my body. "Better?" Jacin asked. My eyes snapped open. That was fast. I nodded and thanked him, though I actually wished it had lasted longer.

"Alright, I think it's time for Roawin and I to get to the dorms," Jacin said, shoving his hands in his pockets. He smiled at me, "Sorry again."

I shook my head, "It's more than fine." Did I really just say that? He laughed and turned back to his brother.

"Roawin…buddy…" he said, kissing his brother's forehead, "It's time to go. Ready?" Roawin nodded, (I guess he was actually awake the whole time), and stretched his arms out. Jacin leaned down and picked his brother up as Roawin wrapped his arms around Jacin's neck. His eyes were closed the entire time.

"I'll talk to you about that tour later, Lucy," he said, "I guess I'll be seeing you guys a lot more often now, huh? Well, it was nice meeting you."

"You too," they all said in unison. I stayed silent, fearing that if I said anything else it would be just as idiotic as the other things I'd said already. I didn't need to make things worse for me. Jacin took in a deep breath and glanced at me one last time. The corner of his mouth tweaked up into a half-smile and my heart lurched. I watched as he walked out the door, Roawin's head resting on his shoulder. Roawin's eyes cracked open and I met his gaze. He smiled wearily and waved as they walked out the door. I waved back.

I sat down and sighed deeply. Natsu sat across from me and stared at me. I stared back, raising an eyebrow.

"What?" I asked.

"You like him, don't you?" Natsu said.

"I never said—"

"Sorry, but it's obvious. You act like a little girl and can't talk right when you're around him. I forbid you to fall in love with him until I know he's not a murderer…"

I frowned, "He's not a murderer."

"How do you know?" he asked, leaning forward slightly and raising an inquisitive eyebrow.

"I know because he's—" I stopped myself short, knowing Natsu would think I was stupid.

"Because he's your dream guy? Because he meets all the requirements?" Natsu said. I blinked. Had he read my mind?

"I think you should let Natsu investigate him. Better safe than sorry," Gray said, sitting beside me.

"Want to know what I think? I think that you should put a shirt on," I said, pointing to his bare chest.

Gray glanced down and then shrugged, "Meh."

"I agree, Lucy. Not about the stalking idea," Erza added, sitting on the other side of me, "I just think that it's a little fast to fall in love with someone. You just met him this morning."

"How did you know that?" I asked, straightening my back.

"Everyone knows," Erza said.

"Levy!" I shouted. Her eyes went wide and she bolted from where she was sitting beside Gajeel. I stood up so fast that my chair toppled over, slamming against the floorboards.

"I'm going to kill you! You told! You said you wouldn't!" I shouted, sprinting after her.

"I said that I wouldn't tell when you fell for Natsu. I never promised—"

"Trivial technicalities!" I shouted, closing in on her. Boy, was she going to get it. She'd told everyone that I was in love with Jacin! I wasn't in love with him…I just liked him. I acknowledge that he was perfect in more ways than one, but that didn't mean that I was in love with him. But, then again, every time he looked at me my heart fluttered. Every time he touched me, it felt like my heart was about to burst from my chest. It was the first time that something like that happened to me. Did that mean I was in love with him?

A/N: Sorry it took so long for me to upload this chapter, but I was deprived of internet for a while. I hope you liked it and don't forget to leave a review!

OC List:

Jacin - Lucy's dream guy. Two years older than Lucy. Celestial wizard with both platinum and silver keys. Some troubled past that led to his little brother and himself living on their own. Looking to join Fairy Tail.

Roawin - Jacin's little brother. Four years old. Bubble magic. Adorable.

Rouge - Platinum celestial spirit contracted to Jacin. Able to change her size at will.

Fleure - Silver celestial spirit contracted to Jacin. Flower magic. Is fond of Roawin.

Agwo - A water elemental spirit.