Winner Takes All

Lucy took her time getting ready. She'd changed four times, the words of Levy bouncing around in her head had her second guessing every outfit she tried on. "Dress nice, a specific someone asked me to make sure you'd make it." Lucy couldn't get her blue haired friend to spill who was expecting her.

She was used to these types of competitions, even though she'd never actually participated. They typically aired on the local news if heavy hitters from corporations and non-profits, such as the guilds, were known to be participating. Laxus from Fairy Tail usually made the appearance, his fighting considered top notch and ruthless with few pros able to keep up – though last Lucy had checked he wasn't a trained boxer. That left Fairy Tail's entry a mystery and for Lamia Scale she'd seen it was someone named Toby; since she didn't know him she shrugged it off. A car horn honking outside of her townhouse had her freezing with her hands in her hair to check the time.

"I guess this is the outfit," Lucy mumbled to herself while staring hard in the mirror. A baby pink strapless silk dress clung to her figure and ended mid-thigh. The heart cut out showed a decent amount of cleavage and honestly she didn't think it was terribly appropriate to wear to a boxing competition; if she was lucky she'd distract enough of the participants to ensure Gem-N-I an easy victory. She quickly stepped into white wrap around heels. The ribbons were done up quickly and delicately crisscrossed up her calves to the top of her knees. Another honk and she was grabbing a white clutch, her keys and her phone and slipping out the front door. Levy's bright orange Honda Fit was parked in her driveway and the owner's fingers drumming rhythmically against the steering wheel. Lucy couldn't help but smile when she noticed Levy was dancing and mouthing the song that she was listening too.

"Oh, I love this song!" Lucy greeted while pulling open the passenger door and sliding into the seat. Her mouth twitched from the mental image of Gajeel jamming himself into this tiny car as she slid the seat closer to the dashboard.

"Don't you look nice," Levy said around a knowing smile and turned up the music before Lucy could reply. Soon they were backing out of the driveway and the nerves set in. By the time they'd arrived at the boxing arena that was hosting the competition, the muffled voice of the announcer could be heard floating around the parking lot. "Crap, come on Lulu!" Levy huffed while yanking her keys out of the ignition, holding the hem of her yellow sundress up and slipping out of her car. Lucy quickly followed and they both sped towards the entrance.

"Just in time," Lucy gasped while straightening her dress before yanking open the double doors and stopping in her tracks the minute a spotlight shown on her and Levy, lighting the way down one of the enormous isles sectioning off the spectator space.

"Would you look at that," Filtered through the mounted speaker system. Lucy cringed before putting on a dazzling smile, looping her arm through Levy's and practically pulling her along as they made their way toward the section in front of the main stage; This was where they had been told the organization heads were to sit. "Entering from the main entrance are the Co-CEOs of GEM-N-I: Lucy Heartfilia and Levy McGarden! A sight for sore eyes these two!" Lucy knew that voice anywhere. Nichiya made her skin crawl.

"Not only are they beautiful but smart too! Lucy and Levy graduated top of their class from Fiore University and founded a successful crystal shop together. Their mission statement is to help bring more awareness to the environmental impact of large-scale mining of semi-precious stones and overall environmental conservation!" Hibiki chimed in as the two made it to their seats and sat down after waves and smiles at the cheers sent their way. "They've entered a new addition to the team: Gajeel Redfox who will be starting in ring four on the eastern corner of the arena space. His occupation is listed as a specialized guide…whatever that means. MOVING ON!" The women took a deep breath as the announcers continued the introductions of the businesses participating and could focus on making themselves comfortable. One by one the introductions were made, with the CEO's and heads standing with professional smiles. Lucy tuned them out until Fairy Tail came up. Her eyes snapped to the main stage once their fighter was announced.

"…Fairy Tail is looking to be able to connect people with useful and beneficial services in all fields at an affordable price and they've entered a powerhouse: NATSU DRAGNEEL!" The cheers erupted as said pink-haired fighter ducked into the ring and stood in the center waving. Lucy would remember that carefree grin forever. "Natsu not only packs a punch in the ring but is exceptionally smart and works for the company's chemical engineering department! He's currently in the process of getting a PhD studying the enthalpy of chemically derived energy fuel cells. Talk about impressive, he's definitely one to watch in ring one!"

Onyx eyes connected with surprised brown. Everything around Lucy ceased to exist as Natsu smiled widely at her while moving toward the side of the ring that was closest to her. "Heya Luce," was shouted out and had Lucy fidgeting timidly when he leaned heavily against the ropes, "You here to watch me win?"

"I'm afraid I have to root for Gajeel tonight," the blonde responded sweetly. For once she found it easy to ignore the eyes that seemed to be bouncing between her and Natsu's conversation, "I need him to win that money for the shop." Levy's loud cheer had Lucy smiling, "and it seems like he's already starting strong."

"Ouch!" A dramatic sweep as his wrapped hands pressed against his chest as he took a few unsteady steps back, "that was a low blow Luce, what would it take for you to cheer for me?" She couldn't tell if he was serious or not.

"twenty-five thousand dollars," Lucy joked.

"Deal." Lucy's mouth hung open but before she could respond an angry shout cut her off.

"NATSU, YOU CAN'T JUST HAND OVER THE PRIZE MONEY." A short man a few seats down looked like he was going to explode.

"Who said I was going to give up the prize money Gramps?" was said around a grin before the bell rang signaling the start of the main match. A final grin in her direction before Lucy was met with Natsu's bare back.

"Did he just…"

"Definitely said if you cheer for him we'd get twenty-five thousand." Levy pipped up, her eyes never strayed from Gajeel's very one-sided fight from the eastern corner. "No matter who wins, we'll leave with money…"

"Levy!"

"It's a good deal, now shut up and cheer for the man!" She took Levy's advice and focused her attention on Natsu. His stance widened and his hands came up to loosely guard his face; the air around him seemed heavy with his determination. Lucy couldn't help but notice how serious he'd become: mouth set in a grim line and eyes intense. He looked like a completely different person. She scooted to the edge of her seat in her excitement.

oOo

The moment Nichiya introduced Lucy and Levy, Natsu had zoned out of the strategy conversation that Gramps was attempting to give him. He leaned around the ring to get a view of them and then couldn't pull his eyes away. Lucy had her arm linked with Levy and was walking down the Gray carpeted isle like it was a red carpet: elegant strides and a blinding smile that lit up her face. Her hair was loose, and that fucking dress fit her a little too well.

"Remember what we talked about Natsu!" Gramps shouted as the bell signaling the start of the match brought him out of his musing. He hadn't paid attention to a word but that was usually his MO. He did better when he didn't think too hard and let his instincts do the work. He bit down speculatively on his red mouth guard as his opponent, a medium built man with brown hair started to circle him. Natsu let him advance and barely tried to block his attacks; it was important to see how hard this man could hit, it gave Natsu the chance to feel for his opponents' weaknesses. They tended to slip up when they perceived him as an easy target.

"Natsu!" Lucy's outburst after he took a decidedly hard hit to the face had him laughing before getting serious. He'd seen everything he had too and went on the attack. His opponent favored his right side so Natsu was going to go for his left but didn't want to give himself away, so he threw right jabs and hooks, throwing his weight behind it. Every grunt and curse he could elicit from his opponent gave the pink-haired man an adrenaline rush.

"Stop playing around already! You can't afford to tire yourself out now! Mirajane, talk some sense into him he's not listening."

"He's trying to show off right now," Mirajane tittered.

"Always ruining my fun Gramps! I heard you! Fine!" Natsu barked out around his mouthpiece rushing forward quickly and feigning a right hook before slugging the unsuspecting man with a hard left. Natsu stood breathing hard as the ref did the count and then smiled when he was declared the winner. He found himself apprehensive to turn around; he had to regroup for his next match since the winner of each round kept going. He was allotted a five-minute break before he had to start again.

"Can you speed this up? I'm too old to be sitting all day, are they selling beers here?"

"Geez Gramps, it just started!" Natsu groaned after spitting his mouthguard into an ungloved hand and finally turning to face his grumpy guild leader. He couldn't help that his eyes jerked over to Lucy. He smiled back at her excited expression.

"She's pretty," Mira whispered from directly below him, while tapping on his shin. "Lean down, I got a word of advice for you." Natsu sighed and squatted down low, bracing a hand on the middle rope for balance. "Kick ass, she was sitting on the edge of her seat and looked pretty amazed when you attacked seriously." He nodded enthusiastically and Mira's eyes took on a decidedly impish twinkle.

That's how the rest of the early morning to midafternoon went. Match after match, the adrenaline had a way of making him jittery. Lucy's excited shouts of his name and nervous gasps when he got hit had him feeling…weird; He wanted to ask her to stop but another part of him basked in it, he had wanted her to cheer for him. Now he was ready for a real fight.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, in a turn of events it looks like the last match of the day has arrived! Three hours ahead of schedule…Natsu Dragneel representing Fairy Tail and Gajeel Redfox representing GEM-N-I have blown through the competition." Hibiki's voice floated through the arena space. "The match will start in approximately five minutes! You don't want to miss this. Now for a short announcement: If you or anyone you know would like to book Blue Pegasus Announcers for your next big event…" Natsu drowned the noise out. He was too focused on Gajeel, who wasn't trying to hide his almost murderous intent towards him, and the two woman who were standing there talking to him. Levy looked nervously excited and kept tugging on one of Gajeel's hands to keep his attention on her. Lucy just looked nervous, a frown on her pretty mouth as she stared at Gajeel's face. Natsu didn't fail to notice the minute their eyes connected Lucy dropped hers quickly and excused herself to go back to her seat. Without thinking he went to follow.

"So, whatcha think so far?"

"Oh Natsu," Lucy flinched in surprise before smiled brightly at him, "I didn't realize you were so good at boxing!"

"You didn't think I was good? Luce, I'd have gotten eaten by something by now if I wasn't," The pink haired man said after a laugh. He plopped himself into the seat next to her, leaning his head back against the seat. "You feeling better? Last time I stopped by the store you were out sick."

"I didn't mean it like that!" He liked when she sounded snippy. "I'm much better, thank you." She sounded surprised and maybe a little shy? Maybe he was imagining it. "You're wearing the earrings I gave you!" His hands shot up to his ears and fingered the fire opal studs she'd given him.

"Of course," Natsu said around a shrug, "you gave them to me. Besides they really do flash like fire!"

"Fire opals are said to work well with fire. A stone that's given to water people that represents fire seemed to be a good fit for you," A slight hesitation, "besides, I thought they'd suit you better than the ruby's you had before. They draw attention without being too obnoxious and symbolize joy of the heart..." She cleared her throat before smiling at him "It's about time for me to earn that twenty-five thousand you promised me." The announcers cut through the moment and indicated the fighters to enter the ring. Natsu had felt like she was admitting to something but didn't have the opportunity to ask her about it; instead, he was climbing into the ring with annoyance.

"You know the rules," the ref started and then quickly sped through the rest of the spiel. "I want a clean fight," was accompanied by the bell signaling the start of the round and the ref quickly heading toward one of the corners, out of the way. Gajeel didn't waste anytime rushing forward, fists baring down on Natsu. The force that met his forearms as he blocked let him know he was going to have bruises. He couldn't help the smile that broke out and met the vicious barrage of throws with some of his own.

He didn't realize how excited he was until both were bloody and bruised and refusing to go down. This might have been the challenge he was looking for.

"Natsu!"

"GAJEEL!"

They both met in the middle and refused to pull their punches.