Disclaimer; fairy tail and all it's characters belong to Hiro Mashima

A/N; As I've been having trouble with new ideas lately so I have decided to edit my stories to make them even better, grammar and spelling wise. I may also elongate some chapters.

* Hibiki's p.o.v *

"So how was your last mission?" I asked my blond haired mage friend, through our communication lacrima chat way.

"Oh you know the...usual way that my teams missions go," She paled and sweat dropped as she replied.

'Usual' was her code for almost no reward money because it went on fixing the damages her team had inflicted on the town or area where they had been working, yet again. And by the way her face had paled her rent must be due soon, very soon.

"Starting to worry about your rent not been sorted in time again?" I asked, gently knowing this was most likely the case and knowing it was a sensitive subject.

"It's due next week and I'm short 50,000 jewels," she half cried, half sobbed " I really should just do solo jobs or find a new and less destructive team." She sighed and slumped forward onto her desk top.

I just laughed she always got like this when her rent was due, it didn't mean anything as we both knew she loved her teammates too much to do anything about it.

"So when do you leave on your next mission?" She questioned, trying to get away from the depressing subject of her lacking rent fund, but she also knew that Ren had been away visiting family for a few weeks, as his mother had gotten ill, so the trimen hadn't been working lately.

"Well Ren is due back any day now, but Eve and I were thinking of picking a job and getting him to meet us there," I explained, as I did so I happened to look at my wall clock and noted how long we had been talking for...wow over two hours.

As I'd spaced out slightly over the time thing, my blond friend had started scribbling in her notebook that she used for her novel ideas, jeez the off hand comments that could inspire that girl, it both amazed and worried me, I thought returning from my spaced out world by running a hand through my messy hair.

"That is a pretty good idea ya know," She replied to my earlier statement before my spacing out episode, without looking up from her scribblings,multitasking being her main talent at the moment apparently...I want her attention all to myself damn it! Stupid novel I muttered internally.

I saw her look up at her clock, finally noticing the time as well.

"Is it really that late already? Gosh I should probably get to bed now,"She gasped in surprised, then yawned.

"It'll be another long day tomorrow," She grimaced, probably thinking of how many jobs she'd need to take to cover the ever nevering and highly dreaded RENT DUE DATE! as we'd come to call it. It was times like this that I was glad I've got my own house and not a rented one.

"Sleep well Lucy dearest, as always it's been a blast talking to you." I smiled warmly at my favourite celestial spirit mage, ever since the oracion seis incident we had become fast friends and she was one of the few people I could truly be myself around, and I may or may not have a major crush on the girl. "Oh and say hi to everyone at your end for me okay." I added as an afterthought.

"Will do Hibiki, Goodnight and take care," She smiled somewhat sadly, before switching off the connection and leaving me to get ready for bed.

Sometime later as I was climbing into bed about to fall into a deep sleep, seeing how tired I felt, a thought struck me. It was rare for me to talk to Lucy at that time of night, without one of her team members being present in her apartment or atleast trying to break in...hmm weird but right now I'm too tired to worry about it. It was probably nothing anyway, but just to be safe I'll ask Lucy about it to make sure that there's nothing wrong next time we talk. And with that I felt my eyes close and I drifted into a deep, long sleep.

*Lucy's p.o.v. *

I switched off the communication lacrima and as soon as I saw Hibiki's face flicker off I dropped my smile and started to shake slightly, almost on the verge of tears. I could no longer hold onto my bright smile and felt the loneliness start to hit me and some guilt. I hadn't meant to lie to one of my best friends and sort of crush, I just didn't think it was fair to burden him with my problems while he had his own to worry about. I wasn't low on rent money because of my teams destructive tendencies, for once, but because I hadn't really been working with my team at the present time.

Ever since we had returned from Edolas, along with this worlds true Lisanna, I had taken a step back from team Natsu after seeing the way Natsu and everyone was so overjoyed at her return. I mean who wouldn't be overjoyed if their supposed dead loved one suddenly returned. I know that if my mom came back I would be absolutely over the moon with happiness, and would want some alone time to catch up. Which was why I was stepping back a bit so that the team and everyone could have that time to catch up and get reacquainted. Though I was wondering when I would get a chance to get to know Lisanna for myself, I mused as I stepped into the shower. I mean she seems like a nice person and I'd like to become friends if at all possible.

Not that, that dense idiot had noticed what I was doing, or noticed anything other that Lisanna for the past few weeks! I fumed before feeling the hot water start to wash away my problems and relax my muscles. What a heavenly feeling, you can always count on a shower to sooth the soul.

As I dried myself off after my shower and got into my pajamas I realised it had been two weeks since I had taken a step back from my team and I was really starting to miss them. I even missed them sneaking into my apartment, so that I and them wouldn't be alone. I also missed how Natsu used to sneak into my bed on a night and keep me warm, somehow seeming to know I hated being alone, but like hell was that thought ever going to cross my lips, form into words and tell them that!

Anyway this was happening due to my own choosing, I scolded myself for been so weak hearted. I picked up the leather pouch I kept my gate keys in and looked at them deciding whether or not this was a good idea, and finally decided that it was. After all the spirits were my friends too so I was never truly alone as long as I had them, I could always depend on them for emotional support, just like I did with my guild mates.

"Hey Loki" I whispered softly to the pouch. "I'm sorry to bother you but I was wondering if...maybe you could cross over here with your own power...just for a little bit," I hadn't realised it but as I was talking tears had started to slip silently from my eyes.

In a flash of golden light Loki was there pulling me into a tight hug while soothingly stroking the back of my head, just as if I was a small child and if I'm honest right now I did, indeed feel like a small child who desperately needed some support.

"There there princess." He said. "Everything will be okay just let it all out on the shoulder of your prince!"

I chuckled weakly, well you could always count on Loki to be a playboy, but right now I didn't care he was being like a brother and putting me at ease. Which was just what I needed.

"Thanks Loki," I murmured into his chest, starting to feel sleep tugging at my mind. "I would be lost without you all," I said before starting to drift off. I felt Loki pick me up carely, tuck me into bed and snuggle himself in next to me pulling me once again into his arms, making me feel safe and loved. I could toughen up in the morning, I thought just before my mind gave way on me, the world of dreams finally claiming me for their own. Tonight I could be weak, just this once.