ALL RIGHTS BELONG TO HIRO MASHIMA, THE GUY WHO CREATED THE AWESOMENESS THAT IS FAIRY TAIL.

'Thoughts'

Italics – will be used for emphasizing words, flashbacks and Bickslow's babies repeating him.

Recap:

After the stuff that goes down, the guild celebrates. Lisanna goes up to Lucy to ask if she has a thing for Natsu and Lucy tells her that she does not. Lucy encourages her to ask Natsu out because Natsu is a dense idiot and who knows how long Lisanna will be waiting for him to make the first move. Lisanna tries to get Lucy to tell her about the person she likes and instead drags Lisanna to her teams table. Natsu and Lisanna agree to go out on a date when he returns home from the quest.

Elsewhere in the inn Laxus is debating how and when to give Lucy Aquarius's key. He found it in a puddle of water by a pond after an event that occurred. He asked Freed to put runes on it so Lucy can't detect the magic. He wants it to be a surprise. He overhears a couple people talk about Lucy's magic and how hot she is. He then realizes that aside from the GMG he hasn't seen Lucy in action and is very curious about her star dress ability.

He tries to deny that he has feelings for Lucy when Evergreen and Bickslow question him about staring at her. Freed is the only one that knows Laxus is in love with the woman.

Lucy gives Natsu and Gray a Lucy Kick and Laxus reflects back the first time he witnessed it.

*Flashback*

Everyone is back at the guild celebrating the safe return of their members that were stuck on the island. No one questions as to why Laxus is there, but just leave it alone so he can catch up with his friends before he has to go. Freed has put up a rune barrier in case a brawl starts. They're laughing and having a good time until they hear Natsu and Gray fighting. When they look over in that direction they see them bump into Erza causing her face to land in her cake.

"Oh fuck, Erza is going to kick their ass." Laxus says.

"Actually Laxus-sama, a lot has changed," Freed tells him, "it's not only Erza they have to worry about anymore."

As Freed says this, Lucy Lucy-kicks the two guys and yells, "YOU IDIOTS!" They are sent flying across the guild and smack into the rune barrier. There's a loud thump when they hit it and slide down to the floor.

Laxus's jaw is dropped, "What the fuck was that?"

With a shudder Bixlow says, " A Lucy kick. Trust me, they hurt like a bitch. You really don't want to be on the receiving end of one of those."

Lucy walks over to her two teammates and nudges them with her foot. "hmm… knocked them out cold," she says quietly and then looks up to see Laxus and the Thunder Legion staring at her. "Hey Guys! Oh Evergreen, I have a gift for you."

Evergreen gives her a confused look, "You do?"

"Yeah! Your birthday was during the S-class trials, and I meant to give this to you afterwards." Virgo pops out and gives it to Evergreen after Freed brings the rune barrier down.

Evergreen opens the gift and is left speechless.

"I hope you like it"

"Lucy…. I love it! But this dress must have cost a fortune."

"It's one of the dresses I took with me when I left the Konzern and when we were talking about clothes I knew you would appreciate it. I can have Virgo make alterations for you."

Evergreen jumps up and gives Lucy a hug. "Thank you so much!"

Laxus thinks about how he has never seen his teammate so happy. Just like the rest of the group, she had a hard time making friends with everyone else in the guild and here's this girl who was turned to stone by Evergreen not only giving her a gift but is now inviting her to a girl's night.

Freed puts the rune barrier back up and after Lucy leaves dragging Natsu and Gray behind her, Laxus learns from his team that she's actually a really sweet person. She was the first one to make them still feel welcome in the guild which completely baffled them. He also learns that Lucy's intelligence rival's Freed's, shares the same interest in clothes and other girl things as Ever, and she's not creeped out by Bixlow's magic or his babies. In fact, occasionally she'll bring out a spirit or two to play with them. When he learns all of this it makes him feel like an even bigger dick for the way he treated her. The person he called a weak bimbo and blamed for the Phantom Lord incident took care of his friends by becoming their first friend in the guild other than himself and each other.

*Flashback Ends*

Lucy ended up kicking Natsu and Gray into Elfman and a brawl breaks out. 'It's not a Fairy Tail party without a good brawl.' Laxus thinks to himself with a smile on his face.

Lucy looks over at the bar and sees a smile that's rarely there on Laxus's face. She gathers up courage and takes advantage of the distraction the brawl has created and walks up to him. "Would you like to go for a walk?"

A/N: Obviously it won't be this easy for Lucy to get Aquarius's key back. I am very excited about the how and when she reunites with her beloved spirit. Also, I apologize to those who were able to read the first chapter and had to scroll through this long recap. Another thing, I realized that Laxus has also seen Lucy in action on Tenrou Island, somewhat. It was a crazy time and I'm feeling a little too lazy to write that in. I also apologize to anyone who hasn't finished Fairy Tail before the 100 yr quest. There will be a lot from that mentioned in my story as a whole.

Chapter 2

Mira's and Makarov's eyes follow Lucy and Laxus walking out of the Inn. Mira with hearts in her eyes even though her NaLu ship has sunk, she can see the potential of LaLu. Makarov on the other hand has mixed emotions. While Lucy would be good for his grandson, he doesn't want Lucy's heart to be broken especially it being because of his grandson. Freed and Erza see their looks and walk over.

Freed stands behind Mira and wraps his arms around her. "They would be good together, wouldn't they?"

"Oh, I can see it now! Little blonde hair and brown or blue eye babies!" Mira exclaims.

Makarov looks over at Mira and states, "While that is a lovely thought, aren't you worried about Laxus hurting her?"

"No Master, I can guarantee Laxus-Sama's intentions are good." Freed tells him. A crowd begins to form at the bar.

"And how can you guarantee that?" Cana asks. Lucy is her girl, and she doesn't want Lucy to get hurt.

Freed then shares Bickslow finding Laxus's journal when they were younger and coming across the entry about him meeting a girl from the future in a bunny suit named Lucille.

"Wait a minute! That was Lucy?" Evergreen exclaims.

"How did you not put it together when Miss Lucy came running from the library in a bunny suit with sound pods around her neck and the mystery girl's name being Lucille. As well as her and her team telling the story about going into the past. "

"That's because she was too busy eyeing up a certain take over mage." Bickslow cackles. Busy Busy

Evergreen hits him a couple times over the head, "And what's your excuse?"

"You didn't even deny it," Bickslow says while trying to dodge her fan. Evergreen finally lets up and Bickslow makes his way to Cana and slings an arm over her shoulder and continues, "Bossman was so embarrassed when I discovered that journal entry," Bickslow grins with his tongue sticking out and his babies repeat, So embarrassed So embarrassed. "Wait! That means Cosplayer was his first kiss!" Kiss Kiss

"What-" Makarov starts to ask something when the bell above the door jingles and everyone is surprised to see Jellal walk in.

Sheepishly Jellal says, "H-Hey everyone."

"Jellal what are you doing here?" Natsu stops his fight with Gray to question him.

"I ran into Lucy outside and she told me to join everyone and if I didn't she would Lucy kick me into the inn." Everyone laughs and makes statements about how Jellal is smart to listen to her because her kicks are nothing to joke about especially now with the upgrade, Regulus Lucy Kick. "So… uh… What's up with Lucy and Laxus? Are they a couple? I just saw them kissing…"

Everyone has mixed emotions. Juvia shouts, "Love rival isn't a love rival!" The girls awws and cheer so happy for Lucy. All the guys aside from Gajeel, Freed, Bixlow and Elfman grumble about Lucy not being single much longer. Especially Warren. Everyone can hear his wailing through his telepathy. Natsu and Gray attempt to go outside to intervene and Erza grabs them and glares at them.

"Where do you think you two are going?"

They both stutter and splutter their words and Erza sighs. "Listen we need to stop interfering."

"What? Why?" Natsu asks.

"You're the one always going on about protecting her honor." Gray states.

"Lucy made a valid point when I had a sleepover with her after the war."

Everyone walks up to the bar where Makarov, Erza, Mira, Cana and the Thunder Legion are at and gathers around them.

*Flashback*

"Could I ask a favor of you?"

"Anything you want Lucy."

"Could you possibly train me? I know I'm a strong mage in my own right, but I want to be on your guy's level. In between all of the crazy stuff we've endured, I never had a chance to learn and grow more into my magic. Well, I did the year the guild was disbanded but there's so much more celestial magic to learn and I also need to learn other ways to defend myself. You guys aren't always going to be able to be there for me. As you know now, Tartaros is a perfect example of that."

"What did Lucy mean Tartaros is a perfect example? What happened to her?" Levy asks.

"That is not my story to tell," Erza says. "Now back to the Flashback."

"You're right and I'd be honored to train you Lucy. You also need to be able to defend yourself when a man tries to sully your honor if I'm not around."

"Yeah… about that…"

"Did someone harm you? Where are they? Who was it?"

"It's not that Erza. It's that you and the guys don't let me date."

"My apologies Lucy. I can't speak for the guys, but I don't mean to be overly protective in that aspect of your life. You've always been like a little sister, especially after I found out that you look up to me. I don't think, no, I know I wouldn't be able to handle watching you get your heart broken."

"I appreciate that, but now that we're older could you please try not to be so protective? It never really bothered me before because like I said we've been through a bunch of crazy stuff so it's not like I exactly I had the time but when I did you guys scared my date off. Now though, it's getting lonely. Watching all of you in the guild, being happy with someone. Gray and Juvia even if it is slow burning. Evergreen and Elfman though they haven't come out and said anything, we both know something is going on between those two. Gajeel and Levy, Cana and Bixlow, Freed and Mira. You and Jellal should he get his head out of his ass. Hell, even Romeo and Wendy. Lisanna and Natsu eventually but who knows when one of them finally admits their feelings.."

Blushes all around, Wendy and Romeo are beat red when they're mentioned and it only gets worse when Cana yells out, "Woo! Go Wendy!"

Before anything else can be said Erza says in a stern and authoritative voice, "Stop interrupting the flashback!"

"Yes ma'am!"

Erza stops to think about that for a second and Lucy is right. Just about everyone but her is coupled together.

"Is there anyone you like?"

"Um… maybe… but uh… I don't think…"

"You can tell me Lucy. I won't let it get to anyone. Especially Mira, Cana, Natsu and Gray."

"L-L-Laxus.."

"How long?"

"How long what?"

"How long have you had a crush on him?"

"Well remember when we got sent to the past from the book Memory Days? Well, I ran into 17-year-old Laxus there. That's when it started." Lucy tells Erza everything that happened back then and that her first kiss was from Laxus before she left. "Over time after his reinstatement my feelings grew and when Laxus had been unconscious due to inhaling the bane particles, I realized I liked him more than I thought. Possibly even love. "

"Hmmm… I approve."

"Wait, what?"

"I approve. He's loyal, strong, protective. He may have been a bit of a ladies man back in his day but from what I know he's been more focused on the guild and nakama. You two would be good for each other."

"You think so?"

"I do."

"Another question. Would you mind if Lisanna trained with us as well?"

"Of course not! Why do you ask?"

"I've never actually gotten a chance to get to know the girl my best friend is secretly in love with that he's too dense to realize."

"Then it's settled. We will all train together, and you and I will also work on the NaLi ship!"

"What's a NaLi ship?"

"It's something I picked up from Mira. When she sees potential couples she likes to combine their names. Na for Natsu, Li for Lisanna, NaLi. Mira's always wanted NaLu. I've tried to tell her that you and Natsu don't like each other that way but she doesn't seem to listen."

"Well thank you for attempting to."

"You're welcome and don't worry, I won't tell her that there may be a LaLu."

"A La- oh okay"

*Flashback Ends*

"Why didn't you ask me to help with the NaLi ship? How did we miss that Lucy likes Laxus? And Laxus likes Lucy? Especially me?" Mira pouts.

"When she wants to Lucy can be very good at hiding her emotions. It's something she learned when she was an heiress." Erza tells everyone.

"So Freed, could you please tell us how you know Laxus's intentions are good? Don't get me wrong, I love my grandson and Lucy would be good for him and give me beautiful great grandbabies, but I can't approve unless I know for certain he won't break her heart." Makarov asks.

"Well, while we were planning for the war with Alvarez, I happened to notice Laxus-sama constantly looking over at Miss Lucy. So, I pulled him to the side and asked him if he was okay. He told me he was not that he was worried about Miss Lucy. I asked him why because she is a perfectly capable mage. He told me he has always liked her, everything about her, even her temperament. He especially loves her forgiving nature. She forgave him and the Thunder Legion, Gajeel, Juvia, Jellal and his band of misfits. She was even able to forgive and befriend Flare. He didn't realize he loved her until he helped save Team Natsu in Alakitasia. So, when he kept looking at Miss Lucy he was debating on whether or not to tell her his feelings even though she hadn't given back his sound pods. I convinced him now was not the time because then they both would have been distracted."

"What does his sound pods have to do with anything?" Cana asks.

"He kissed Lucy before he gave them to her telling her to give them back when she next saw him." Evergreen states.

"Why did it take this long for her to give them back?" Mira asks assuming the two are finally using this time to have the talk they've been patiently waiting for.

"Well, you know what Laxus was like when she first joined the guild." Freed says.

"Like being the being the biggest deuschebag in all of Ishgar?" Cana snorts.

"Please refrain from talking about Laxus-sama that way," Freed tells her sternly. "As I was saying, after he was reinstated, a lot has happened through the years. They were on missions at different times, and it was always Team Natsu in the middle of all the chaos."

"What about the year after the Alvarez war?" Levy asks.

"She had her book tours and meetings with Queen Hisui." Wendy shyly tells everyone.

"To pardon me and the rest of Crime Sorciere." Jellal says quietly.

Wendy nods at him, "Yes. I won't get into detail because it would be better to hear it from her, along with other news she has."

"What's the other news Wendy? Why didn't Lushy tell us any of this?" Happy says a little disappointed that she wouldn't confide in them.

"Because she wants it to be a surprise." Wendy catching on to his disappointment adds, "She wants to see your faces when it's all said and done, at least with the other thing."

Erza turns to Jellal, "May I ask how you know Lucy talked the Queen into pardoning you guys?"

"I found out before I came in. She said that she didn't talk with the Queen to pardon us for us not to use the freedom given to us."

Kinana looks sadly at Jellal, "Er- I mean Cobra obviously knows since he can hear people's souls. Why hasn't he said anything?"

"If you're wondering why he at least didn't say anything to you Kinana, my best guess would be is he wants to save you from Fairy Tail's reaction." Jellal tells her gently.

Mira squeals, "Oh my goodness! You and Cobra. I've never met him myself but there must be something good about him if a sweet little thing like you is dating him."

Kinana blushes and stutters, "M-M-Mira, stop it."

Makarov looks at Jellal, "You tell that boy that he doesn't need to hide, he's more than welcome to visit anytime he wants."

"You're really okay with that?" Jellal is surprised to see and hear everyone's expressions. All of Crime Sorciere assumed it would take a lot of work to get into everyone's good graces.

"Yeah, why wouldn't I be?"

"Well, you seem to not like the idea of Laxus dating Lucy. But Kinana dating a former criminal who has killed people is okay?"

Kinana answers his question, "Well that's because before I came to Fairy Tail I was Cubellios. Only Master and Macao knew the truth. I got cursed and turned into a snake and Cobra found me in the Tower of Heaven and we became friends. The curse dropped when the Oracion Seis were defeated the first time. I don't know why but it did. Master found me and brought me to Fairy Tail. I started regaining my memory during the infinity clock ordeal. I could sense him and followed my instincts until I found him in a crater."

"That must have been the aftermath of me hitting him with the hammer." Erza says.

Kinana giggles, "He's still scared of that hammer so if he ever does anything you don't like just bring it out."

Seriously Erza nods and says, "duly noted."

"That still doesn't answer my question about Makarov not liking the idea of Laxus and Lucy dating." Jellal says as Lucy and Laxus walk back in holding hands.

A/N: During the ceremony of Lucy getting the award for her book she contemplates on who Laxus could be involved with. I'm forgetting that ever happened.

Do not worry, any questions you may have will be brought into light later on. All in due time