Finally back to update. I'm really glad a lot of you are sticking with the story. Recently I've skimmed over my older chapters and I realized just how amateur they really were and I'm proud of myself for developing my writing to this point. I've really grown in my opinion. I've decided to finally to change the point of view from frist to third and stay that way. Anyway, enough of my rambling. Enjoy!

Erza's P.O.V.

The banits had drawn an arrow on them, shooting it to land in front of the hogs pulling the covered wagon. It startled the poor creatures, making them stop abruptly. Erza had jerked forward a bit and calmed the hogs down so they halted rustling the wagon. Erza glanced around swiftly for any sign if the bandits, she saw movement deep in the forest and twisted her body around to warn the others.

"Feel that?" She asked them in a hushed tone. Everyone inside the wagon had stilled and acknowledged her question and nodded. Lucy had instinctively scooted towards Michelle to protect her for potential harm. "Lucy, just like we practiced." Erza watched as Lucy groaned a tad and paled. She moved up to the front of the wagon with Erza and started to strip down to only a swimsuit. As did Erza.

"Jeez flame brain, could you make it any hotter in here?" Gray whispered yelled. Erza peeked in the corner of her eyes and watched at Natsu glared towards Lucy. Erza was aware that he didn't like the idea of Lucy using her sex appeal to woo other men. It was cute at first, for him to be so possessive Lucy had no clue, even though she's a Dragon Slayer just like him. She didn't like the plan, but agreed pretty quickly after Erza had used one of her infamous glares.

"Natsu," Erza glared darkly. Natsu straightened up, turning her way. "I get the circumstances, but now is not the time for nit-picking. Just deal with it." Lucy gazed at them both in confusion but didn't press the issue. Natsu grumbled and crossed his arms, but reluctantly nodded his head. Erza turned back to the hogs in front of her and whipped the air, getting them to start moving. "Heeah!" They grunted and started moving, running over the arrow that was shot in front of them.

"Erza, what if this doesn't work and I end up looking like a fool?" Lucy masked a sense of worry as she glanced at her attire. Erza watched as the blonde's usually pale skin turn red. Erza chuckled slightly and gave Lucy a small smirk.

"Just follow my lead, okay?" Lucy nodded. It was around a minute later when the bandits decided to finally show themselves, jumping out with weapons in their hands.

"Okay ladies, just step away from the wagon and we won't hurt you...much." Erza got into position and leaned forward to clasp one of the bandit's chin with her two fingers.

"Why would you want to hurt a helpless woman like myself?" She turned slightly and gave Lucy an expectent gaze. Lucy swallowed and nodded nervously. She slowly got into a pose that was anything but innocent. With her eyes half lidded, she gave another bandit a suggestive smirk.

"Yeah, it isn't nice to hurt a woman who can't even defend herself," she licked lips. "Or her dignity..." There was a second of silence. Erza's eyes widened at the blonde sitting to the left of her. Even Erza's heart started to beat faster, her face heating up slightly at how the celestial dragon slayer played her part. And did she play her part well. Erza turned to look inside the wagon to see the other's reactions.

Michelle had her mouth twitched into an encouraging smile, but the boy's reactions were another thing entirely. Gray had blinked multiple times at Lucy with wide eyes before looking away with a moderate blush spreading across his cheeks. Erza glared slightly at his reaction, feeling underappreciated. Lastly, she managed a small and quick glance at Natsu. He had a full blush that started from the neck up. She also noticed how he placed his arms in between his legs, looking ashamed. That's when she heard the bandits respond.

"Ugh, like we'd want women like them. The blonde's complexion is so off as well as her hair length not matching her facial stucture. The red head's eyes don't even go with the swimsuit. Both of them are just fashion disasters." They all mumbled to each other. All collectively agreeing. Lucy froze in her spot, still posing as her expression darkened. She jumped off the wagon and kicked a bandit in the face, taking them off guard.

"Lucy no, this is not what we discussed!" Erza scolded, taking out a sword and dropping three bandits in one swing of her sword. Lucy sucked in and before releasing a roar, she eyed Erza.

"Doesn't matter now! Celestial Dragon Roar!" The attack hadn't gave the men time to react in time to defend her attack. It him them all dead on and when it disappeared, they all collapsed with a look of shock etched into their features. Lucy crossed her arms and grabbed her clothes, slipping them on quickly. She was sporting skinny jeans this time with a pink crop top that hung loosley on her figure. A pink hair tie made a side ponytail and black boots to complete the look.

"I thought the plan was for us to jump out and attack while they were distracted?" Gray grunted, scratching his chest with an uninterested yawn. His shirt disappeared from sight even before they started their fight. Michelle was close behind and when seeing Lucy, she ran up to her with a hug.

"Well that was the plan until Lucy had exploded. I've told you, Lucy, to keep your anger in check. It can jeopardize the mission and leave us in real danger." Erza was pretty frustrated that their plan didn't go as-well-planned. She was also angered by the way the men had insulted her appearance.

"Whatever, it usually goes well anyway. Now all we gotta do it turn in the reward." She grinned towards Michelle. Michelle giggled happily and nodded. Erza watched as Natsu had jumped off the end of the wagon and made his way towards them. She noticed he was still somewhat dazed and his full on blush subsided to only the dusting of the cheeks. He congratulated both Erza and Lucy on a job well done. Everyone had hopped on to the wagon again, and they headed to their client.

"Oh Lucy, you were so talented out there. You played your part so we'll that I hardly noticed it was you." Michelle gushed. From the front seat, Erza listened to their conversation. Lucy's face turned red and she looked at the ground.

"O-oh! Thank you Michelle. Levy-chan had gave me a book a few weeks back and it h-had a scene where the girl- um, yeah- anyways, I just copied what she did and I figured it would work out in my favor. Unfortunately no one was remotely phased by it. Sorry about that Natsu and Gray. They just pissed me off." Lucy finished with a scratch if her head in awkwardness. Erza managed out a small giggle in delight. She suddenly felt like Mirajane.

"I wouldn't say no one was phased, Lucy." Lucy furrowed her eyebrows and watched the other's reactions. Gray had sputtered and argued with Erza. Telling her subtly to shut up. Natsu chose to keep quiet, his face going back to red and he looked anywhere but Lucy. Still confused, Lucy dropped it with a shrug of her shoulders at Michelle. Making it back to the client, they made some money and decided to take the train back to Magnolia.

"Ughrr" Lucy gagged and leaned over the side of the train to throw up.

"Move..." Natsu weakly pulled her away from the window by her waist. She protested, but she was so weak she gave up and let him pull her to his other side so he could occupy the window for his own puking purpose.

"I've said it a million times before and I'll say it again, you two are pathetic." Gray crossed his arms and watched as they tossed their cookies. Erza agreed with a soft smile and they watched as happy silently moved over to their side. Not being able to deal with the smell of vomit.

"Yeah, you guys are gross." Happy complianed. Michelle chose to stay quiet but managed a small giggle at the two slayers.

"Leave us alone. It's not our-blurgh-our fault." Lucy held her stomach in agreement with Natsu. Erza sighed and understood. She realized that she had never experienced motion sickness and she couldn't even imagine how painful it could be for a dragon slayer, they must have it five times worse than everyone else.

"I apologise for not understanding, you may strike me if you wish." Natsu contemplated it for a moment before Lucy shot a weak glare his way which had him shake his head. Erza put down her awaiting arm and watched as the dragon slayers laid against each other and eventually slipped into unconsciousness.

"Oh, poor Lucy. We can't do anything for her!" Michelle sighed dramatically.

"Don't worry too much Michelle. Lucy can deal. She's very strong." Gray snickered. Michelle observed Lucy and Erza saw as her eyes narrowed slightly. It raised a few flags for her as she mumbled a few words. The only one Erza managed to hear was the word "mine". A chill running down her spine, she managed to turn to the window in deep thought. She decided not to press it with Lucy because of how well Lucy loved Michelle.

It was around and hour when they made it back. They all turned on strawberry street and gaped at the scenery. Erza watched as Lucy stared up at a building in particular. Everyone had stopped strolling when they saw Lucy's gleam in her eye.

"It's perfect!"

"What is, Lucy?" Erza asked her.

"You see this building. It has an apartment for rent. Seventy thousand jewel a month, how cheap! I could finally get a place for both me and Marie. Even Michelle." The temperature started to flare, making everyone uncomfortable. An arm swinged around Lucy and pulled her away from the building.

"Why would you get a place you have to pay for when you can just stay with happy and I? We don't ask for rent like the landlady would." He grinned, but Erza could tell he was angry that the blonde had even suggested finding a new place to live.

"But Natsu, I can't live there forever. I mean I sleep in a hammock for Mavis sake!" Natsu's pout was evident.

"I can get you a bed if you want."

"Natsu I know what you're thinking. I'll let you over whenever you please and I'll cook for you too- your place is crowded as it is and well..." Suddenly Marie shot into her arms, surprising her. Marie had been very quiet the whole time, so this action startled even Erza.

"Don't tell him." Marie warned with a hiss. Lucy sighed.

"Sorry Marie, he has a right to know a little bit. Natsu," she looked up from Marie to Natsu. "I wasn't the one that wanted to move, Marie does. Don't worry though because it has nothing to do with you. Marie just wants to be closer to the guild." Natsu scratched his head, bewildered.

"Why?"

"It's a secret."

Can you figure out what secret Marie is hiding? You know, I think that every fairy tail fanic writers problem is writing in the exceeds. I tend to forget about happy a lot when writing chapters and it makes me feel bad because I love happy, but it's just so hard to write him in anything. Well, anyway, hope you enjoyed.