The sun began to set, painting the sky with a beautiful array of colors which gradually grew darker and darker. Large brown eyes drank in the display, a fluffy haired blonde leaning out of her window slightly, propped up on her elbows with her head cradled in her hands.

She sighed lightly before withdrawing and closing the window quietly as the cool air of night began to nip at her bare arms and face. She smiled slightly still looking out the window for a time before getting up off the bed she had been sitting on and making her way across the room to her desk. Pulling the chair out, she plopped herself down to work on her book for a time before she went to sleep. She clicked on the small desk lamp and began to leaf through the pages, scanning them for obvious mistakes as she went.

A note here and a scratch there, she made her way to the end of what she had completed so far. Writing was her love as much as reading and her guild were, and she took great pride in her work even though she let few see her incomplete book. She touched the pen to her chin thoughtfully glancing at the window for a moment before returning to her work.

A few hours flew by as she focused her entire attention on the task before her, only stopping as a long yawn forced its way out. Stretching, she set the pen down, gathering up the papers and stood up. Clicking off the light she slowly made her way to her bed, removing her tank top and pulling over a sleep shirt she had left handy on a side table. Pulling the blankets back on her bed, she sleepily snuggled into the warmth beneath. Sighing happily at the sudden heat she closed her eyes to sleep.

A mumble set her to alert, her eyes snapping open to look at the intruder in her bed. His pink hair was a mess and he was mumbling in his sleep, one arm jutting out and another clutching a small blue cat, who was also sleeping peacefully. The girl sat up quickly, letting out a short scream as she registered the intruder.

"Natsu!" She yelled, pushing him lightly. When he didn't respond she shook him, harder and harder until his eyes slowly opened to regard his bed mate.

"Oh..." He mumbled sleepily, "are you done writing Lucy?" He sat up slowly, rubbing his eyes and letting the sleeping cat slide down to the bed, where it rolled slightly mumbling about fish.

"What are you doing here in my house, Natsu? In my bed even?" Lucy squeaked this out, the surprise of her visitor fading quickly.

He smiled happily, cocking his head to the side as he spoke, "To see you of course!" He gestured to the desk where Lucy had been seated moments prior. "You looked so focused on that that we didn't want to bother you so we laid down here," Natsu patted the bed with his hand, "and I guess we fell asleep while we were waiting for you to be done."He spoke cheerfully and with a wide grin, oblivious to the serious face of his friend.

"Alright." Lucy nodded, accepting that as the reason behind how she had found the dragon slayer, "but that didn't answer why you're here." She crossed her arms, and raised an eyebrow at her companion, hoping he had a good reason to sneak into her room.

He smiled widely once more, "I found us a mission!" He spoke with even more cheerfulness than previously. His grin brightening further at each word he spoke, "your rent is due soon. And I thought that you'd want to go just us three. Like old times." He said the last while reaching down and rubbing the belly of the sleeping cat, "Happy picked out one he thought you'd like." He practically beamed at the celestial mage before him.

Lucy sighed, smiling at Natsu. "Thank you, Natsu." She grinned happily at him, blushing lightly at the fact that he thought of her, "what is the mission anyway?" She asked merrily.

He pushed himself up and leaned close to Lucy, reaching past her, and retrieved a piece of paper off of the bedside table. Handing it to her she read it, her smile slowly fading. Reaching the end of the page she looked up at her companion who was still smiling happily, if not sleepily.

"Are you sure about a mission like this?" She turned the paper so the text was facing him and pointed at the page. The mission described a rich folk who was throwing a party but had been receiving threatening letters and became concerned over the safety of his guests. He requested a pair of wizards to act as guests to the dance and to stop anyone who would threaten the event and it's participants. The event being described as 'couples only'.

"Of course! Why? Does it seem too difficult?" Natsu asked, his smile disappearing for a moment before returning full force. A blush tinted his face as he slowly realized what she was getting at, and only after she had tapped on the word 'couples' a few times. "We thought you would enjoy it since you like dressing up and stuff." He stammered this out averting his gaze slightly. "And the reward is enough to cover your rent all in one go. And we..." He began to trail off, then yawned loudly.

Lucy blinked quickly, her smile returning. She turned and placed the mission request on the table, then looked back at the mumbling and yawning boy. "I'd love to go." She smiled sweetly, and punched him lightly in the chest, giggling, "but you should get some sleep now." She sighed as Natsu nodded at her, yawning once more. "You can sleep here if you want," she smiled standing up and replaced her sleep shirt with her tank. "But I think I'm going to go for a walk!"

When Natsu began to protest, saying he could go home if she's that uncomfortable Lucy held up a hand to silence him, "I fear I'm far too excited about the mission to sleep at the moment," she smiled happily, "I think the cool air will help me sleep. And I won't be gone long."

Her companion nodded and snuggled back down on the comfortable bed, holding the sleeping Happy close. Smiling at the dragon slayer Lucy quietly exited her apartment and walked slowly down the street. She smiled happily, a light blush lingering on her face at the thought of her friends. She hummed quietly as he walked enjoying to cool clear night. 'I don't walk at night too often, it's a nice change,' she thought to herself smiling.

A sound made her stop. Footsteps approached behind her, multiple ones if she heard correctly. Sparing a glance over her shoulder she spied a group of clearly intoxicated individuals making their way towards her. Fear set in and she reached for her keys to find she had left them at home. Tsking at her forgetfulness she began walking, but at a quicker pace.

She hadn't known if they had seen her prior, but as she heard them start calling to her in less than flattering ways she made sure to pick up her pace. The group would not be denied, as they too approached her at quicker and quicker speeds. Unsure what to do, Lucy took a quick left down a nearby street, keeping her eyes on the men tailing her. She hadn't been watching where she was going and cursed quietly as she ran into a large body as soon as she had turned.

She would have fallen but strong arms caught her, holding her close until the figure was certain she was stable once more. Lucy looked up apologetically, fear still on her face. Before she could speak a deep laugh caught her off-guard, "What are you doing out walking the streets this late at night, Blondie?" The figure teased.

Fear of the pursuing men was replaced with a different kind of fear as she recognized the voice. "I'm so sorry Laxus!" She bowed quickly to the towering blonde before her, then behind her.

Noting her actions Laxus looked where she was looking. Spotting the group of pursuers, he narrowed his eyes and swept the startled blonde closer to him, grabbing her face in his hand lightly. The group of men caught up, and Lucy tensed unsure what was going to happen next.

"'Ey man. Thanks for catching her. My girl and I got in a fight and she wouldn't hear me out." He lied, his words slurred almost to incomprehensiveness.

Laxus rose an eyebrow at the speaker, and glanced down at the shaking blonde in his arms. He chuckled lightly, surprising Lucy. "You seem to have been mistaken," he said threateningly, "Lucy here can't possibly be your girl," he poked her cheek as he said her name. Lucy blinked in surprise at Laxus addressing her by name.

"You don't know that!" Shouted one of the men.

Laxus narrowed his eyes at the speaker before continuing, "I said she can't be yours. Because she's mine." He said the last with all the viciousness he could muster.

Lucy's eyes widened at the blonde. "Wha-" before she could finish even one word Laxus cut her off. He had quickly realized she may blow the lie and leaned down and kissed her. Startled at the sudden kiss Lucy stopped talking and leaned into him, realizing he was trying to help her.

The men stopped their rants at the sight, and the one who had spoken first yelled at the taller man before him. But before he could get so much as a curse out, a bolt of lightning hit the man square in the chest, knocking him back a few feet.

"Consider that your cue to get the hell out of here." Laxus rumbled threateningly at the group as he held the blushing celestial wizard close.

The wiser of the men quickly retreated, leaving their friend sprawled on the ground. Lightning crackled around the pair of blondes, casting violent shadows across the remaining man. Scrambling to his feet, he rose his fist and opened his mouth to shout something but a quick bolt hitting directly in front of his feet stopped him before he uttered much more than a syllable. Nearly biting his tongue the man turned on his heel and fled.

Watching the man go Laxus finally released Lucy from his grip. She looked up at him, blushing. "Thank you." She stammered out quietly. She looked at him, staring into his blue-green eyes.

The big brown orbs staring at him with so much admiration caused Laxus to look away quickly flushing at the unusual response. "It's fine." He stated, keeping himself from looking at her. He reached out and took her hand, "I'll take you home Blondie." He mumbled.

She smiled sweetly at him, surprised at his actions towards her, but happy that he had come to her aid. "Thank you." she said again, smiling as she gripped his hand.

They walked together in silence, hand in hand, until they reached her apartment. Releasing his grip, he watched her walk up to the door and unlock it. He didn't try to go in after her, but waited til she was safe inside.

Opening the door Lucy looked back toward the lightning wizard, smiling at him, "Thank you again, Laxus." Then she looked down, blushing hard as she bit her lip lightly. "You could come in if you'd like. I mean it's late and all. And you did help me. It's the least I could offer." She stammered as she spoke, hiding behind the door slightly.

Laxus chuckled at her. "Thank you, but I'll pass. Gramps will hound me with questions if I don't go home tonight." He smiled at her, "have a good night Lucy." He said before turning and leaving.

She blushed more at his use of her name. "Good night. Laxus." She said softly, knowing the lightning dragon slayer would hear her reply.

Closing the door she turned to find Natsu sleeping soundly in her bed. Smiling softly at him she changed her clothes once more. Pushing him over slightly, she settled into bed. Her thoughts revolved around the mission she and Natsu would go on the following day as well as Laxus' valiant rescue. Blushing at both thoughts she snuggled down in the blankets and fell asleep.

(To be continued...)

Characters are not owned by me; All named characters are property of Hiro Mashima from his series, Fairy Tail.

This is meant to be a fan fiction, written by a fan (Shey), for entertainment purposes only.

This is my first fanfiction! I hope you enjoy it!