I had some really amazing reviews for my previous stories and am really appreciative that people took the time to say such nice things, it's just the boost of motivation a person needs to throw out some more stuff.

So this is something of a multi-chapter story, I'm not used to writing long stories so hopefully it won't be too disjointed or I won't slip up any where, either way I hope you enjoy.

Lucy was beginning to wonder whether she should have ducked out of this mission when her stomach rolled uncomfortably again, she was nowhere near as bad as Natsu who was currently sprawled across his seat on the train groaning and clutching at his belly, an unattractive shade of green and a sheen of sweat coating his face.

No she wasn't as bad as him but it wasn't comfortable.

She sighed, leaning back against her seat and watching the world speed by through the window wishing it could be enough to distract her from the queasiness.

From the moment she'd woken up this morning she'd felt an empty feeling in her stomach, at first she thought she was just hungry so after a slice of toast layered with her favourite strawberry jam she was left confused when the feeling of queasiness increased. Fortunately it had only remained a feeling and nothing had come up yet, despite the burning feeling in her throat reminding her that the acid in her stomach was churning.

She ran a hand across her brow, the clammy feeling beginning to settle in again as a fresh wave of nausea assaulted her, she took a few deep breaths, desperately hoping it didn't come out.

'Lucy you look a bit pale are you ok?' The blonde opened her eyes and refocused on Erza who was leaning across the aisle, concern glittering in her sienna eyes. Lucy smiled, hoping her discomfort wasn't too obvious, it was enough they had to worry about Natsu's travel sickness, she didn't want them to be concerned over her as well.

'It's nothing much, a little queasy but I think I just haven't eaten much today, I'm sure I'll feel better after some lunch.'

'If you're sure but if you feel worse do let me know.'

'I will.'

Lucy closed her eyes again and rested back, she rubbed a hand over her belly in some hope that it would ease the rumbling.

'Lucy... Lucy...' Lucy jolted awake, feeling somewhat bewildered. She ran a hand across her eyes and looked up at Erza who was gently shaking her awake.

'Sorry I fell asleep.' Lucy murmured. She fumbled around, disorientated and groggy, collecting her little backpack. All the while Erza looked on concerned, she ordered Gary to pick up the groaning dragon slayer, the ice maker deciding it wasn't worth pissing of Erza pulled Natsu off his seat by his collar with little complaint and proceeded to drag him down the train unceremoniously. Lucy could just about make out weak insults from Natsu who had no choice but to allow himself to get dragged off.

She hadn't planned on falling asleep, in fact she was surprised she had, normally not the type to fall asleep in public places, but it seemed it's what she needed the nausea had passed and she felt somewhat normal again.

Optimism rising she followed Erza off the train where she was greeted by an arguing duo, Natsu, seemingly recovered, and Gray butted heads, that was until Erza's unsettling aura settled over them, they quickly pulled apart and the Happy double act began.

'Let's head to the client and then we'll grab lunch.' Erza suggested and naturally everyone agreed.

At the mention of food though the heavy feeling of nausea settled over Lucy again, her relief short lived, only this time it was accompanied by a dull ache behind her eyes, the start of a headache. It looked as if this was the beginning of an illness which she really didn't need right now what with rent due so soon.

She followed the others reluctantly, feeling less perky, the occasional concerned glance from her teammates told her that they had noticed her odd behaviour.

'Lucy did you want to go grab something to eat while we meet the client,' Erza suggested. 'Natsu will go with you.'

'I can wait, we should all eat together.' But Natsu stepped forward, a strange look in his eyes, he grabbed hold of her hand and waved Erza and Gray off as he started dragging her in a random direction. 'Natsu...?'

'Come on I know a place around here that has good food.' Natsu threw over his shoulder. Lucy allowed herself get pulled through the town, his hand still wrapped tightly around hers, she looked at the interlocked hands and smiled softly, such a reliable and strong hand.

The place that Natsu had in mind was quaint, tucked away in a quiet corner of town, the outside wasn't very appealing but the inside was surprisingly warm and welcoming, a host smiled warmly at the couple, showing them to a booth at the back of the shop and passed them a menu each. Natsu seemed to glance over the sheet before dropping it to the table with little interest, he obviously knew what he wanted. Lucy on the other hand look over it slowly, it all sounded delicious, it really did, but the rolling was back in full swing and the idea of food didn't sit well with her at all.

She settled for a salad hoping it was light enough to settle the acid churning in her stomach.

'You not feeling well?' Lucy looked up at Natsu who was looking at her with open concern, his nose twitched as if he was sniffing before his brow furrowed in confusion.

'It's nothing serious really, my stomach's a little unsettled, I'm sure it's just a passing thing.'

'Hmm.' He hummed noncommittally. 'You should sit this mission out just in case, happy could keep you company.' He suggested.

Lucy sighed irritably, she knew if she brought it up they'd over react.

'It's just some nausea.' She grumbled. 'Plus I need rent money for this week, If I sit out then I'll have to go on another mission.'

'Don't be silly, you still get a share, after all you can't help getting ill.' Natsu argued.

'That's not really fair is it?'

'You know you wouldn't have to pay rent if you just moved in with me.' Natsu sniffed. Lucy closed her eyes and took a subtle deep breath while Natsu glanced away.

'We've talked about this Natsu it's too soon, we haven't even told the others about us yet.'

'It's been six months when are we going to tell the others? I understand why we've kept it a secret but don't you think we've hidden it long enough.'

'I suppose we have,' Lucy stopped talking when the server came back with their food, she smiled and thanked them, by the time she turned back Natsu was already digging in. She started again. 'I suppose we have dragged it on a bit but now that we've kept it hidden so long how do we just... announce it?' A secret relationship with someone she was already known to be close with made it very easy to keep it a secret even with Mira breathing down her shoulder about how cute her and Natsu would be as a couple.

She had to make it clear that she wanted to keep her relationship with Natsu a secret, not because she was embarrassed or ashamed, nothing of the sort, she was proud to have a supportive and able man like Natsu as her significant other, the reason she had requested that they keep it low was because she didn't want all the attention. And they would get a lot of attention, after all the times they'd tried to set them up, and all the teasing, not to mention the betting pools... Lucy and Natsu in a relationship would be a big deal.

She just wanted to enjoy being with him, get used to the idea of being his girlfriend before the locusts descended upon them.

'If it's announcing it to the guild leave it to me.' Natsu grinned. Lucy laughed, imagining just how he'd break the news.

'Of course.' Lucy looked down at her salad and grimaced, it was a lovely looking Caesar salad and she was sure it tasted lovely but her stomach was flipping and twisting and the burn of acid was thick in her throat.

'Not hungry?' Natsu asked.

'I'm fine.' She reassured. She poked her fork into the leafy greens and forced it down, much to her relief it went down easy, she sighed in relief. She took another bite and smiled at Natsu, he had a sceptical look in his eye but didn't say anything more about it.

'Are you wearing a new smelly?' Smelly was his term for perfume, she shook her head.

'No, I stopped wearing perfume because it irritated your nose, remember?' She took another bite, chewed and swallowed. 'Why?'

'You smell different... I kind of like it.' He muttered between mouthfuls.

'Oh... uh... thanks, I guess.' Maybe it was her shampoo he was smelling, it was a new brand she was trying out.

Six months ago she had accidently let slip her feeling for Natsu, she'd been mortified and terrified, especially when he hadn't responded at all, he'd frozen and her first reaction was to flee. She'd avoided him, making excuses left, right and centre, she'd even snuck out on a mission without him when she was tight on money, she wouldn't try that again, he'd been furious at her for it. When he'd finally cornered her in her room, leaving her no room for escape he'd done the unexpected... he'd kissed her.

Soon followed a long winded and terrible confession but coming from Natsu her heart melted and they reconciled except now they were more.

Things had been natural, nothing had really changed except that they were far more intimate, sneaking kisses, and under the table touches, lingering glances and secretive smiles and when alone... well they were close, very close, intimate touches and heated kisses had turned into more, much more.

Even something as simple as enjoying a meal alone with him, they didn't have to be chatting away, being with him was just easy. She smiled warmly at him before returning to her food.

Lucy set down her fork and sat back, the churning had subsided, the food seemingly doing the trick, only now she felt tired despite her long nap on the train ride here.

'I feel better,' Lucy announced. 'It looks as if I was just hungry.' She laughed. 'We should meet up with the others, I'm sure they're done with the client by now.'

Paying for the meal they walked out into the street, now that nausea had gone she felt chipper, a cheerful smile playing on her lips and that smile only widened when Natsu took her hand in his, interlocked their fingers intimately. Their joined hands swung between them as they casually strolled towards the given address of the client.

It was thanks to Natsu's sensitive nose that they knew when Erza, Gray and Happy were nearby, they reluctantly let each other's hands go, Natsu tucking his hand in his pockets and Lucy linking her hands together behind her back. They were quite practiced by now at acting natural.

'It's good to see some colour on your face Lucy.' Erza greeted when they reached each other.

'Hmm, just suffering from an empty belly it seemed.'

Erza nodded seemingly relieved, Gray came forwards and put a hand on her shoulder, a grin on his face.

'See I told you were worrying over nothing, our Lucy is stronger than that.'

'Yes well... I think we should get on with the request, it's nothing too troublesome.' Erza turned and began to walk in the direction that led out of town, without question everyone followed. Lucy was relieved to hear the mission would be easy, though the nausea had abated for now, she had a nagging feeling in the pit of stomach that told her it wasn't gone for good. She briefly wandered if she should visit a doctor when they got back to Magnolia but quickly decided it wasn't necessary, she was sure it was nothing to really worry about.

Maybe her time of the month was coming up, she mentally calculated the days, yeah that should be soon. Feeling appeased she pushed it all to the back of her mind and focused on the mission ahead.

'Erza what exactly was the request?' Lucy asked, the request sheet had been suspiciously bare but when Erza waved offhandedly over her shoulder Lucy's hackles rose.

'Destroy a nest of man devouring vipers just outside of town.'

'Is that it? I was expecting something a little more exciting.' Natsu shrugged dejectedly, completely unfazed, as usual.

'I know but at least the reward is high.' Gray agreed, slinging his arms behind his head.

Lucy on the other hand skidded to a halt and that feeling of queasiness began to rise again, great, only Erza would consider this mission little trouble but then how bad could one nest be while she was surrounded by some of the guilds strongest members?

They were monsters themselves after all.

She probably should have stayed in bed.