AN: This chapter happens during the X791 arc, not long before the Key of the Starry Sky arc. Now, this next story is a bit lighthearted, but it sets a very cute moment I have planned for a certain future chapter.

At the second Fairy Tail building, the one the guild was now occupying ever since its fall from grace during the seven years the Tenrou team had been away, Natsu and Happy were trying to find a job for them to do, but nothing in the request board was appealing to the fire wizard.

"Oh, come on!" he protested. "I can't believe there's not even one single job that is challenging!"

"Come on, Natsu" Happy said, hoovering with his wings. "Just pick one. We are really in need of some jewels."

"I won't take a job that is boring!" Natsu said. "It doesn't matter how much it is paid!"

Turning to Kinana, who was behind the counter, he asked:

"Are you sure there aren't any other jobs?"

"Sorry, Natsu, but, nowadays, we don't have many jobs like the ones we used to have" she replied.

"What, really?" Natsu asked, turning to the board, disappointed. "Man, and here I was hoping for a fun job."

"Cheer up, Natsu" Mirajane said, as she came back to the counter after serving Macao and Wakaba. "I am certain something will turn up soon enough."

At that moment, Lucy entered in the guild hall, wearing her shoulder bag, and, seeing her, Natsu said:

"Hey, there, Lucy! Sorry, but we don't have anything big today."

"I doubt Lucy would want to go on any job you find fun, Natsu" Happy said. "But we did find some easy jobs that will raise good money for both of us. You would be able to pay your rent and even get some left to spend."

"That's great, boys, but... I think I will skip it" Lucy told, as she arrived to the counter. "Mira, could you just give me some sandwiches and a bottle of apple juice for the go?"

"Sure thing, Lucy" Mirajane replied, as she went to pick up what Lucy asked.

Natsu and Happy traded a look, as both got surprised by that response. Lucy was never the type of denying easy job to get money to pay her rent. When Lucy was ready to get going, she found Natsu right in front of her when she turned, looking at her attentively:

"Natsu, what are you doing?" she asked, always feeling uncomfortable whenever he did that.

But she got even more uncomfortable, when Natsu simply placed his hand on her forehead. It took Lucy a few moments to use her hand to swipe Natsu's away.

"Stop that... You're acting weird... Well, weirder..."

"I am just checking if you have a fever" Natsu said.

"Why would I have a fever?" Lucy asked, not amused. "I feel perfectly fine."

"It's just that you don't normally refuse an easy job that pays good... especially when you have your rent" Happy said.

"Not to mention that you keep running out of food" Natsu commented.

"Yeah, you would save a lot of jewels if you just cut on the food, Lucy" Happy added, while flying beside her.

Lucy, who got visibly irritated by those comments of the duo, just punched Happy that caused him to be casted back a few feet and then replied:

"The only reason I am always running out of food is because two meddlers that are always in my appartment."

"What?!" Natsu asked. "Tell me who are they and I'll give them..."

"It's you, dumbass" Lucy replied, as she pushed Natsu out of her way and started heading towards the exit. "I have a thing to do, so that's why I don't want to go on a job today. And no, you can't know what it is!"

And she left.

"Man, what is her deal?" Natsu asked.

"Looks like Lucy is keeping a juicy secret" Happy said. "You know what that means."

That caused Natsu to make one of his mischievous smiles and the two of them also got out.

"Uh, those two for certain are about to follow Lucy" Mirajane sighed, with a smile, as she cleaned a cup.

"Well, it's not like they changed anything in these past seven years" Wakaba commented.

"I can already imagine her reaction if she finds out about it" Macao said.

Without Lucy realizing it, Natsu and Happy were following her. The curiosity about what she was up to was too big for them to ignore. As they hide behind a barrel, Natsu asked:

"Where do you think she is going?"

"With Lucy, it can be anything" Happy said. "Maybe she has a job of her own so she can get all the jewels for herself."

"Nah, it can't be that" Natsu replied. "If it was that, then she would tell us. Remember those times she told us about her solo missions."

"But she could have not said anything so we wouldn't tag along" Happy returned.

"True..." Natsu agreed.

"Maybe she is seeing someone and doesn't want us to know" a voice said.

"Oh, yeah, yeah..." both Natsu and Happy replied, as they nodded in agreement.

Realizing of the existence of the third voice, they both jumped off, startled, and saw who was there with them.

"Gray?!" both asked.

He (who was as usual on his underwear) hushed them and said:

"I thought the point of following Lucy was so she didn't notice it."

"What are you doing here, Droopy Eyes?!" Natsu asked.

"I saw you and Happy following Lucy and I got curious" Gray said. "Why are you following her, by the way?"

"As if we'll tell you..." Natsu started.

"Lucy has been acting strange and she said she had something to do that she preferred over getting an easy well-paid job" Happy told.

"Happy..." Natsu said to his Exceed friend, a little annoyed that he told the ice wizard their reason.

"I see..." Gray said. "Well, I have to confess that is intriguing. Count me in."

Natsu and Happy traded a look and the former sighed and replied:

"Fine... But, please, can you dress something first?"

As if now realizing he was only on his underwear, Gray exclaimed:

"What?! I could have sworn I had some clothes on just a moment ago."

After Gray had his clothes on, he, Natsu and Happy continued to spy on Lucy who went on walking through the town, all while savoring the things around her.

"Okay, did she just ditch us to walk around town?" Natsu asked.

"I know I would do that" Gray commented, causing Natsu to smack him in the head.

"No, wait... she is heading towards... the train station" Happy noticed.

"What?!" Natsu asked. "No, she's not."

And turns out that she really was heading towards the train station.

"No!" Natsu exclaimed, in dismay, as they saw Lucy going to buy a ticket. "That can't be!"

"I don't know what you expected, if her destination is out of town" Gray commented. "It's not like she enjoys walking long ways."

But Natsu didn't let that discourage and said to Happy:

"Happy, let's go! We will fly beside the train."

"What?!" Happy asked, not very pleased. "You want me to fly at the same speed as a train while carrying you?! We don't even know where Lucy goes."

"Come on, buddy, it's the only way to find out what Lucy is up to without having to endure a trip of hell" Natsu replied.

"Or you could let her go wherever she wants to go without following her" a voice told them.

They all turned around and saw to their surprise...

"Wendy? Carla?" Natsu and Gray asked.

"Hey, guys" Wendy greeted with her smiley expression.

"Carla!" Happy replied, as he approached his beloved with a big smile. "You came after me!"

"Don't be ridiculous" she replied coldly, while looking away from Happy, who got heartbroken. "Wendy and I were passing by when we saw you stalking Lucy."

"Stalking is a strong word" Gray replied.

"Yeah, we are just following her around and try to know what she is up to" Natsu added.

"That is the basic definition of stalking" Carla replied.

"Well, you don't need to worry more about it" Gray said to her. "Weak stomach over here doesn't want to go on the train."

"Oh, if you want, I can use my Troia spell on you, Natsu" Wendy said.

"Really?!" Natsu asked, with a big smile. "Oh, Wendy, you're the best!"

"Wendy, are you really going to..." Carla started, as she saw Wendy approaching Natsu.

"I got really intrigued by this mystery" Wendy replied. "Besides, it's not like we have anything else to do."

"Honestly, child, you need to stop looking at the wrong guildmates when searching for examples to follow" Carla said. "Why don't you try to think of what Erza would do? Yes, because I seriously doubt she would allow this to happen."

"What wouldn't I allow to happen?" a voice asked.

The group got startled when they noticed Erza right there with them.

"Erza?!" they asked.

"Yes, that's me, you know that" Erza replied.

Erza's sudden appearance shocked them all, with them, especially Natsu and Happy, really nervous about her reaction about what they were doing.

"So, do you mind answering the question?" Erza asked.

The boys started to think of what to say to Erza without making what they were doing less of okay. It was then that Carla said:

"They are stalking Lucy to see where she is going and what she is up to."

"I see..." Erza said, while making one of her stern looks to Natsu, Gray and Happy, making them uncomfortable. "Well, I just have one thing to say about that..."

There was a pause that made Natsu, Gray and Happy quite fearful, while making Carla and Wendy nervous.

"If you are to follow someone, at least try to be less conspicuous" she said, much to everyone's confusion. "I was able to notice you following Lucy as soon you got out of the guildhall."

"Wait... what?!" they asked.

"Erza... please, don't tell me..." Carla started.

"Yeah, I've also been following Lucy" Erza said. "She has been acting weird and I wanted to know what is going on."

"Now, that's so cool!" Natsu exclaimed, with a big smile. "We didn't even notice you!"

"That's the all point of a stake out, Natsu" Erza replied. "To follow someone without being noticed. I think you, Happy and Gray still have some work to be done on stealth. Your luck is that Lucy seems too much focused in whatever she is doing. Now, I have been able to determine which train she will take and already bought tickets for us."

And she showed them six train tickets, causing all but Carla to cheer for her. The female Exceed just sighed, as she brough her paw to her forehead:

"And here I thought you would set a better example, Erza..."