*Chapter Nine*

Lucy was shivering by the window, the thin blanket hardly keeping her warm as she read her book. She had encouraged Natsu to go on a mission with Gray, but why it had to start getting freezing after he left puzzled the girl. Even Happy was gone. Lucy sneezed quietly and tucked her book away, going to Natsu's closet and pulling out a large… blue Happy jacket? She sighed and pulled it over her head. "I guess this is better than nothing," she whispered. The blonde glanced at the clock and a small smile lit up her features. Natsu and Gray should be getting back from their mission soon. With new found energy, Lucy pulled some long socks over the legs that her denim shorts didn't cover and pulled boots on over the socks before rushing out of Natsu's small cottage and hurrying towards the guild. When she got there, she sweat-dropped. Everyone looked at her and Mira mischievously smiled at Lucy.

The white haired bar maiden hurried to the blonde's side as the guild broke out into noisiness all over again. "Lucy-san, I need some help and we have to dress up today! Master requested it himself," Mira said, pushing a pile of fabric towards the poor blonde who sighed and nodded. She went to the changing room and quickly changed into the embarrassing maid costume. There was the first layer, a tight fitting, white silky material that covered from her bust to her high-thigh and would be considered lingerie on it's own. A salmon vest and a salmon skirt went over the white material, though it didn't cover much more. She pulled up the mid-thigh high white stockings and the pink high heels with ballet laces that went to her knees and were tied with large bows. After pulling her hair into two high twintails, Lucy pulled the frilly headband on and walked out into the guild, earning whistles. Mira, still in her normal, appropriate dress, and said, "By we have to dress, I mean you do." Lucy sweat-dropped and nodded, grabbing a tray of refreshments and busying herself around the guild.

The heavy doors slammed open making the timid blonde shriek and jump up. "We're home!" Natsu's familiar voice called. Everyone cheered, clanked glasses together, fought, and partied. Mira giggled as Lucy followed Happy back to the bar.

"Did Lucy miss Natsu's company?" Happy asked as the blonde took a swig of water. The poor girl began choking with a red face as Mira giggled. "Mira, you wouldn't believe it. The two are already sleeping in the same bed and cuddling and sharing clothes!" Lucy mumbled something like they did that before under her breath as she went to gather a gulp of water as the cat proceeded. "The other night, Lucy begged him to-"

Lucy's hand came over the cat's face as a dark aura surrounded her. "If you want to live, keep your trap shut you stupid feline," Lucy snarled. Mira laughed light heartedly as her mind wandered to the more rated M part of her mind. Lucy groaned as the Exceed wriggled out of her hands and flew around, chanting random stuff that made the pair his comments were targeted at blush. Lucy let out a silent sigh and slid away from the loud cat as he made jabs at her undergarments. Of course she had to sneeze as she entered the hallway, and of course Natsu had to hear it. With worry in his eyes, he raced off to find the blonde who felt her head begin to throb. "Sick?" she muttered.

Natsu heard her and frowned softly, wrapping his arms around the unaware girl, a small 'eep!' escaping her lips. "Awe," Natsu whined in her ear. "Three days gone and you managed to get sick? You're too reliant on my warmth." Lucy pursed her lips and leaned into his warmth. She would never openly admit it, and she didn't have to, but this warmth was what made her tears flow as she wore a wedding dress for someone else. "You're going on the next mission with me. I can't have you getting sick… and the train ride with the stripper and Happy sucked! They only laughed at me." She could tell he was pouting, and she could imagine his face, so she simply had to laugh. As she got lost in a fit of giggles, Natsu smirked. "You'll regret that!" he called, tossing her over his shoulder and snatching the clothes she was going to change into before racing out of the guild.

Laxus laughed from behind the bar, helping Mira. "Young love," he said, shaking his head slightly. Mira giggled cutely, placing her petite hand over her mouth as she walked over to Cana who requested another beer. As the white haired mage got a keg for the brunette, Cana played with her cards. Just as Mira was about to hand the drink to Cana, the brunette jumped up and raced out of the guild. Laxus and Gajeel smelled the air; Cana wasn't even drunk yet! The two followed close behind her and the entire guild gained curiosity, so they followed. The poor girl ran as quickly as her legs could carry her, but she knew it wasn't enough.

She brought her hands to cup her mouth and drew in a deep breath. "Natsu!" she yelled. The pinkette who was almost at his house stopped, since even Lucy heard it faintly. "Get out of there now!" Adrenaline ran thick in Natsu's blood as he spun on his heel and dashed. Then, smoke hit the two and they wheezed.

"Open, gate of the clock!" Lucy yelled, swiping her key around. "Horologium!" The grandfather clock appeared and the two squeezed inside as magic power exploded around them. The clock, knowing he could not withstand much more, disappeared into the celestial world with the two. Cana entered as the smoke cleared, fearing the worst.

She heard the crunch of twigs and leaves until Natsu's house came into sight. She looked down with tears in her grey eyes. "Lucy's clothes…" the card mage mumbled, picking up the blue jacket and denim shorts.

hey!

read my new story?

imma redo the first chapter though so yeah...

heart attack?

cold feet?

suggestions?

anything you want me to look into?

let me know

bai