6 minutes till sunrise and still no harpies.

"He did say before sunrise, right?" asked Bickslow.

"He sure did, but it is now 4 minutes till sunrise and… nothing. It's kind of a letdown," answered a bored Lucy.

"Hush," hissed Laxus. "Something is coming, fast."

And then Lucy and Bickslow heard it too. The sound of beating wings, lots of them. All three mages prepared themselves, and then the harpies were upon them.

Lucy's fingers slid over her keys, unerringly finding the two she sought. "Scorpio, Sagittarius, I call you forth to enter this battle." A flash of light and the cover of smoke heralded the arrival of her spirits.

"Hey Lucy"

"Moshi, Moshi"

"Scorpio, I need you to blast them; keep them at a distance. Sagittarius, you take them out with your arrows." Behind her Lucy could hear Bickslow swearing. "You doing okay Bix?"

Some more swearing followed by, "Yeah, these things are harder to control than I thought they would be."

Lucy glanced to where Sagittarius was rapidly releasing arrows. "Sagittarius doesn't appear to be having any trouble. I wonder how Laxus is doing."

Suddenly the air changed, becoming charged. There was an increase in pressure that just kept building.

"Shit" Suddenly Bickslow turned to Lucy, grabbing her hand. "Send your spirits back. Now!" he yelled when she hesitated.

"Return Scorpio, Sagittarius." Lucy tried to keep up as Bickslow dragged her behind him, scanning the ground. "What's going on? What are you looking for?"

Obviously he found whatever it was. It wasn't a hole, exactly, more like a dimple. Lucy quickly found herself lying on the cold, hard dirt with Bickslow crouched over her protectively. Then the built up pressure released. Thunder boomed and there was a flash of blinding light. Shrill cries filled the air, but died out as the light faded.

Bickslow waited a beat before hauling both himself and Lucy up. A quick look around showed an empty clearing.

"Are they dead then?" Lucy quarried.

"And that is what I think of being the distraction," Laxus voiced boomed across what was, just a moment ago, a battlefield.

Lucy and Bickslow started across towards Laxus. "So you decided to stop being a baby and ask someone for something," Lucy called out to him.

"I thought you guys could use some help," Laxus quipped.

"Yeah, yeah," Lucy muttered as she and Bix reached Laxus.

"Honestly it was actually some pretty decent advice, so thanks," Laxus said sincerely. Then he grinned, "Blondie."

Bickslow laughed and Lucy smacked Laxus on the arm. "Let's go get paid before Lucy kicks your ass Laxus." Bix was still chuckling

"She can try." Suddenly Laxus ducked down and grabbed Lucy at the knees. When he stood Lucy was upside down, legs held securely by Laxus's meaty arm. Laxus started walking, Bickslow following with his babies.

Lucy pounded his back with her fists until Laxus's big hand landed heavily on her ass.

"Hey," she squealed, "put me down."

Laxus smacked her ass again. "I don't know, I'm kind of enjoying this."

"Laxus!" Lucy screeched. Unfortunately they had just walked into the main part of the town where early risers were getting ready for the day. The women just shook their heads while the men chuckled and nodded.

Laxus finally set her down outside the Mayor's office. "I'll get you for that Laxus Dreyar," Lucy promised.

:P

"So they are really gone?" the Mayor sounded reluctant to believe it.

"They really are sir," Lucy reassured him with a smile, not that he was really paying any attention to her. His eyes were glued on Laxus. Lucy nudged the Dragon Slayer.

Laxus looked at Lucy questioningly and she inclined her head toward the Mayor. Looking up Laxus caught the man's gaze; the Mayor blushed, Laxus rolled his eyes. "They're dead," he said shortly.

The Mayor's eyes lit up. "If you say so then I suppose I can truly believe." He moved to pull a rope hanging close to the door, which opened not long after. The butler entered carrying a nondescript box. The Mayor took the box and held it out to Laxus. "I hope that if I ever have need of Fairy Tail's help again I can count on you to be there." He was blushing again.

Laxus took the box and turned away, walking to the door.

"It would really just depend on the mission," Bickslow spoke up, desperately trying to hold back his laughter.

The Mayor looked crestfallen as Bickslow and Lucy followed Laxus out onto the street.

:)

"You know Laxus," Bickslow called out as soon as they had turned a corner, "I think the Mayor has a little thing for you." He couldn't hold his laughter back anymore and was nearly bent double from it.

Laxus didn't say anything.

"Hmm," Lucy hummed thoughtfully, "you may be right Bix. Did you see how little attention he paid me?" Lucy looked between the two men but didn't wait for a response. "He spent all his time looking at Laxus and blushing."

"The man is an idiot," Laxus murmured.

Bix glanced at Lucy, "He's right of course. Why would anyone look at Laxus when they could stare at you?" Bix turned a lecherous grin her way as he did a slow once over, lingering on her abundant chest.

'I'd rather look at Laxus, or Bickslow. Yummy.' Lucy rolled her eyes at her thoughts. 'I really need to stop thinking like that; it's only going to get me in trouble.'

The trio was quiet as they made their way back to the Inn. They were walking up the staircase to the room before Lucy broke the silence. "Now that the mission is over I believe you boys promised me some fun."

Laxus and Bickslow shared a glance and a grin before Bix laughingly said, "Naw, too easy."

Laxus laughed then turned to Lucy, "yeah, but let's get out of this town first. I don't like to party in the town I just saved."

As they packed Lucy asked the question on her mind. "What is with the quick exit? I mean, I figured you would be gung-ho for some grateful girls throwing it at you."

Laxus shook his head, "no challenge."

"Besides, things can get… messy, if you play where you work," Bickslow interjected. "Remember that girl who thought you were going to marry her because you took her out dancing? Ha, her father had us literally chased out of town and banned from ever going back."

Laxus cringed, "Yeah, good times," he replied sarcastically.

Lucy barely managed to smother a giggle. "So if not here, then where?"

"You'll see," Laxus supplied cryptically.

The trip made quick work of packing and checking out. Before long they were headed out to the train station.

:)

Once aboard the train the tree mages settled into a private compartment. Laxus again seemed to tune out everything, leaving Lucy and Bickslow to their own devices.

"You still won't tell me where we are going?" Lucy complained.

Bickslow chuckled, "nope, all in good time." Trying to change the subject he inquired about her newly acquired key. "Have you figured out who it is yet?"

Lucy, having actually forgotten about the key part of the reward, perked up at its mention. "That's right, the key. It must be in the box with the rest of the reward." Reaching across to where the box sat next to Laxus she was stopped from opening it by Laxus's hand.

"Not here. It can wait." He didn't even open his eyes. He did however hand her some jewels from his pocket. "Here, why don't you go get us some food?"

Lucy pouted and moment. "Fine." Then she marched out of the compartment, slamming the door behind her.

Double Update, YAY!

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