As a relatively chilly autumn was on its way out, Fairy Tail received a strange mission request. Most missions centered around fighting, investigating, or maybe bodyguarding. This one didn't fit any of those descriptors.

…

In the mornings, Mirajane sorted through all of the incoming jobs and decided which the guild would accept. If they passed, she hung them up on the request board. If they did not, she contacted the person who requested it to inform them that their request was being rejected. The work sounded harder than it actually was; almost all of the jobs went up on the board.

Mira did not reject any of the missions today. She carefully pinned each slip of paper to the board, making sure all of the words were completely visible. She looked over the board once more, double checking her decisions. Specifically, one decision. There was one mission that she was not sure about. Mira thumbed the paper for a moment, thinking it through. She really hated to reject jobs, but…

She sighed, ripping the paper from the pin. She had an idea, but she needed Master Makarov's permission. He and Mira were the only ones at the guild this early. He had a small office in the back of the guild where he typically did the paperwork necessary for running a guild. Request in hand, she knocked on the simple wood door before letting herself in.

"Master?" she called.

Makarov was sitting behind a desk in the back of the office. Despite having a paper and pen in his hands, he did not seem to be working. His reading glasses, necessary for a man of his age, were folded up and resting atop a book to his right.

Makarov jumped when Mira entered, quickly pretending that—despite appearances—he had actually been working. "Ah, Mira! You caught me at a very busy time."

Mira pretended to not recognize the lie. "I'm sorry, Master! It's just that, when I was looking through the incoming job requests, I saw one that I don't think should be put on the board."

"I appreciate the sentiment, but you don't need to report to me if you reject a request—only if you're moving it up to S-class." He paused momentarily as he thought through his statement again, "Or is that what you wanted to do?"

"No, it's not that. It's not overly dangerous, or illegal, or anything, it's just… different." Mira stepped up to the desk and handed the slip of paper to Makarov, "Here."

Makarov finally slipped his reading glasses on before accepting the paper. He read it aloud, "From an old woman in the mountains… she's vacationing and wants one or two wizards to watch over her home for a year to protect it from the harsh mountain climate… there's a ridiculously high reward, too." He put the paper down, "I must agree with you, it is different, but I don't see why it can't go on the board."

"Master, I just don't think it's suitable for everyone. We need someone who is strong enough to fight the weather, but if someone that strong is out of commission for a full year I don't think our expenses can handle it."

"Nonsense!" Makarov waved his hand in the air, "Gildarts is out on long missions all the time, and that doesn't hurt us."

"Gildarts doesn't bring in any money in the first place," Mira pointed out, "Laxus' team has the highest income, and Natsu's team brings the greatest debt from their destructiveness. We just barely pull in enough income to cancel out our debts."

"That's impossible."

"With all due respect, Master, I have been doing the guild finances for years."

Makarov cringed, reminded that he had pushed off that portion of his work a long time ago, "Alright, fine, I believe you. Deny the request, then."

"That's the thing, Master. I had a different idea."

He raised his bushy eyebrows, curious.

"I was thinking… rather than rejecting it, we can offer the mission to a specific wizard. It won't be on the board, per say, but it's still available."

Makarov rubbed the stubble on his jaw absentmindedly, "And which wizard would you suggest for the job?"

"Natsu," Mira answered with a smile.

"Natsu!" he repeated incredulously.

"Yes," she said, "he's the main source of debt for the guild. If we could eliminate that, we could finally hold a solid profit. Plus, his fire will be great for those snowy mountains!"

"He'll destroy the house he's supposed to protect!" Makarov cried.

"I have faith in him."

"Your faith is completely undeserved!"

Mira paused for a moment, pressing her lips together. "The request said one to two wizards. We could have a sort of babysitter for him… though I'm not sure who would be best for that."

"If you really think it would be best for Natsu to go on this mission…"

"I do."

"...then I'd be willing to accept it," Makarov raised one finger for emphasis, "as long as someone competent goes with him."

Mira nodded, "Thank you, Master."

"Keep in mind that Natsu holds the right to deny the mission should he choose to do so."

Mira nodded again, "Of course, Master. I wouldn't force anything this big on him."

Makarov grunted with a sort of finality. "Think of who will join him and then report back to me." He waved Mira off. She left and gently closed the office door behind her. Makarov kept his reading glasses on. He was not in the mood to procrastinate anymore.

Mirajane returned to the mission board. She found the pin that had previously held the request in the cork. She pulled it out of the board and returned it to a little box of pins. She folded the request into a little square and set it on a shelf behind the bar for later.

Now, who would be assigned to join Natsu? They did not necessarily have to be strong; just rational and a good companion. Mira immediately thought of Happy. Him and Natsu would not want to be separated for a whole year. He would not curb Natsu's destructive habits, though. He would probably actively help Natsu complete his hijinks. The old woman might not consider Happy a wizard, either—it's possible that he might be able to third-wheel even if he is not the designated babysitter.

Lucy would be a good pick. She was smart, and a good friend of Natsu's. Though… when those two go on missions together, she is never able to stop his destruction. She simply would not confront him about it. Even if she did, he might completely disregard her.

Maybe they did need to be strong—just strong enough to physically hold Natsu back. Mira crossed her arms in contemplation. This boy really was troublesome.

So: strong, rational, and Natsu's friend? Erza was strong, but she could be irrational. Mira wasn't sure Natsu would be comfortable spending an entire year with her, anyway. They were friends, but not that close. A year with Erza might send a man like him to insanity. Natsu and Lisanna would get along, but she would have the same problems as Lucy. Mira knew Elfman wouldn't agree to losing Lisanna for an entire year again. To be honest, Mira knew she would not be happy with that arrangement either.

Mira started working backwards. Out of the people who can stand a chance against Natsu, which would make good candidates? None of Laxus' team would care… Gildarts is naturally destructive… Gajeel is equally as hot-headed as Natsu… Gray was…

Mira paused. Gray? He was definitely strong. He was also pretty level-headed; he usually completed his solo missions in stealth. It was only when he was with the entire team that things got destroyed. He would be very likely to confront Natsu to stop him from doing something stupid. But, were they friends? On one hand they fought all the time—but on the other hand they meant they spent a lot of time together. Perhaps it was not constructive time together, but time nonetheless. Gray was the best pick in the other categories; the more necessary ones. Technically, friendliness was not necessary for the job. It was just to sate Natsu's inherent human social needs. Human social needs can be sated by enemies, too.

Mira had decided. Gray would join Natsu for this mission—and maybe Happy, if he was allowed.

Mira uncrossed her arms and checked the time. It had only taken her about ten minutes to decide, but guild members would be filling the hall soon. She wanted to get confirmation now, so she could tell Natsu and Gray immediately when they clocked in. Mira wanted to be sure they couldn't make plans for a different mission before they learned about this one.

She walked back to Makarov's office and knocked again. This time, when she opened the door, Makarov was actually working. His glasses were low on his nose and an important-looking document was held limply in one of his hands. Makarov jumped again when Mira entered, but this time it was from true shock.

"Mira!" he said, dropping the paper onto his desk, "What is it this time?"

"I've chosen who I think should be Natsu's partner!"

"That was quick."

"There are only so many people in the guild."

"That makes sense," Makarov muttered, "So, who did you pick?"

"I choose Gray!"

"That's funny, Mirajane, but I do actually want to know."

"I'm serious, Master!"

Makarov sputtered, "Mira, do you truly not understand why that's a bad idea?"

"I thought so too, Master, but really think about it! The companion would need to be non-destructive by nature, but strong enough to physically stop Natsu from doing anything dumb. Additionally, they would need to be able to spend time with each other so they don't get lonely."

Makarov did not like how logical that was. "B-But… isn't there anyone else that can do that for Natsu?"

"Well, the second closest match is Erza, but she can be pretty destructive herself. Having an S-class wizard out of commission for a year wouldn't be good, either." Mira chose not to mention that she, an S-class wizard, did not take any missions for multiple years.

"She is destructive…" Makarov muttered, "I just don't see how bringing Gray will prevent loneliness. They hate each other!"

"Sure, but think of it this way: they don't like each other, but they like fighting each other. That's interaction!"

"They'll never agree to it."

Mira stuttered. That hadn't occurred to her. If either of them knew who their companion would be, they wouldn't agree to it. She crossed her arms once more, "We can't say that for sure. Let's ask them first, and if they say no, then we go with plan B."

"And what is plan B?"

"Um… I can figure it out later."

Makarov leaned back in his chair, thinking. His hand returned to his jaw. The only sound in the office was the quiet scratching of Makarov's stubble against his palm. Finally, he spoke. "Fine. I accept it. Tell me their answer once they arrive."

"Thank you, Master." Mira left quietly. Makarov picked up the paper again and continued reading it.

When Mira got back to the main hall, a handful of people had congregated around the tables, the bar, and the mission board. She didn't see Natsu or Gray, but Natsu was usually an early riser. She knew she wouldn't have to wait long.

Mira set herself up behind the guild bar and began to prepare food and drink for the upcoming day.