Okay guys! So I don't really know where this story came from, I just got an idea and started writing. Guess I needed a change of pace from my other stories! But I think it's a pretty good story shaping up! Let me know if you want me to continue it! Thanks for reading!

Note: I know this isn't perfectly in touch with Mashima's Fairy Tail manga, but as always, humor me. I don't think I really nailed Elfman's character, but let's pretend.

Pick and Choose!

It had been a few months since Lisanna had returned. Natsu was all over her, but Lucy couldn't really blame him. He had thought she was dead, so of course he'd want to spend time with her. Still... it hurt Lucy to see him laughing with another woman, to casually throw his arm around her, to be directing heart-melting smiles at her. Lucy couldn't stand it, it made her heart break. She was torn. What were Natsu's true feelings towards Lisanna? And what about Lisanna- did she still love Natsu? Wait- still? Had she even been in love with him before she disappeared?

Lucy sighed. She needed answers. She couldn't ask Natsu, he was too dense. And it would be a bad idea to ask Lisanna, what if she told Natsu? Or worse, if she did love Natsu, she would make Lucy her love rival and rub it in her face that she had captured Natsu's heart. Well probably not since she was actually a very sweet girl, but Lucy couldn't help viewing her badly in her jealousy. MiraJane? No, she couldn't keep a juicy secret to save her life. But who else knew Lisanna well enough to know her feelings? Lucy started, Lisanna did have another sibling...

She peered over at Elfman, he was out of eye sight of Natsu and Lisanna so it would be safe right? Quickly, she scrambled over to him and tapped him on the shoulder. He looked at her questioningly. "Ah... hey Elfman. I wanted to ask you something..." Evergreen glared at Lucy for interrupting the attention she was getting from Elfman. "Eh? Lucy? Sure what's up?" Lucy shifted her weight. This was kind of awkward, she wasn't really best buds with the burly man, and certainly not cozy with his stone-cold glaring girlfriend. "Um.. it's kind of important and personal. Could we talk about it alone somewhere?" Evergreen's glare turned colder, but she just sniffed and sauntered over to Bixlow and Freed, ordering a drink at the bar.

Elfman got up and they walked out of the main hall to one of the other many rooms in the guild. They entered a small empty lounge. "So, this is kinda weird. Sorry Elfman I know this is awkward of me, but it really is important." Elfman just smiled down at her, "A man will talk about the problems of their nakama and try to help them!" Lucy giggled and settled herself on the edge of a couch, Elfman sitting in a chair across from her. She sighed, the smile slipping from her face.

"Elfman, you can keep a secret for me right? It's a really big secret." Elfman's brows furrowed. "Why would you tell a big secret to me? Don't you have girls to talk about this with? Or Natsu, isn't he your best friend?" Lucy lowered her eyes as pain shot through her heart. "Yes... But the thing is, the secret is about Natsu. And I don't want anyone to know." Elfman waited for her to elaborate, still unsure why he would be involved with her problems. She sighed again, sighing was becoming a frequent habit of hers.

"Does Lisanna love Natsu?" Elfman stared at her, shocked by the sudden topic change. "W-w-what?!" Lucy looked up to see if the truth would be in his eyes. "Is Lisanna in love with Natsu?" Elfman shook his head, confused. "How should I know?" Lucy's face twitched with irritation. "Because you're her brother? You would know since you know her best." Elfman shifted in his seat uncomfortably. "Ah.. I'm really not sure though.. I mean when they were kids they talked about being a family and stuff. But now I'm not really sure what their relationship is, or if it will ever be more. Why are you asking?"

Lucy exhaled again. "That's my secret Elfman. I'm asking because I'm in love with Natsu." Elfman's eyes bulged out of his head at her confession. She continued, "And if he... loves someone else, then... I would have to let him go. That would be very hard for me. Too hard. I would probably leave Fairy Tail." Elfman stood suddenly, "What?! You can't leave Fairy Tail! We- everyone- we're your nakama! Family doesn't leave each other all alone! That's not man!" Lucy shook her head.

"Elfman. If Evergreen was in love with someone else, say Freed, what would you do? How would you feel?" Elfman's face twisted with disgust. "She wouldn't ever fall for him. I can't tell if that guy is drooling over my older sister or Laxus, but either way it's gross, and so not man." Lucy couldn't help but laugh at that. She also suspected the green haired man of having more than just worshipping admiration for Laxus. "Okay okay. Bad example. What if she loved Laxus? If she left you for him? How would that make you feel? To see her everyday, in the arms of another man. She's so happy, and that's all you want is for her to be happy. But at the same time, you would be dying inside wouldn't you? Because you weren't the one making her happy."

Elfman slowly nodded his head. "Yes... that would be.. very difficult." Lucy nodded. "Do you see what I mean? If Lisanna and Natsu made a family like when they were kids, I wouldn't be able to stand it. I wouldn't be able to stay here." Elfman nodded again, understanding this time. "I see. So you want to know their relationship. But Lucy... why don't you just tell Natsu how you feel? Let him decide." Lucy frowned. "I don't want to make him pick. If he has any romantic feelings towards her then I can't force him to choose one of us. That's just.. unfair I guess. Maybe I should just leave, so he doesn't have to make a choice. Honestly I don't know if I could deal with that rejection. Lisanna would be a better match for him. She's sweet and cute and wife material. She isn't weak in a battle, and her cooking is on par with MiraJane's. She doesn't bicker with him all the time, or kick him out of her bed. What could I ever offer?"

Elfman was scowling at her. "Lucy, I know we aren't best buddies or anything, but I'm still kinda mad at hearing you put yourself down like this. As if you aren't worthy of receiving love or something. And who says he wouldn't pick you? He is an idiot! So not man! He probably views Lisanna as another nakama, like Erza or Levy." Lucy sniffed, trying to swallow the lump in her throat. "Or me..." Elfman shook his head again. "You know Lucy- now that you've got me thinking about it- I don't think so. Natsu treats you differently. I've known him for a very long time. He treats all of his nakama with love way down deep, but it's different with you. He never treated Lisanna like he treats you. Let's compare all the girls. He doesn't stay over at Erza's house every night. He doesn't hang and hold onto Levy. He doesn't go on every single mission with Juvia. He doesn't protect MiraJane with his life on the line. If Cana went out on a dangerous solo mission, Natsu wouldn't run after her to make sure she was okay. He won't lay his head down on Wendy's lap during a train ride. Don't you see? You're special to him."

Lucy's throat constricted. He continued with his little lecture, "I agree that Lisanna is all those things. I think she's perfect- I'm a little biased though. But I also think that Mira-nee is perfect. And Ever. And you, Lucy. Every girl is perfect in her own way. Each girl has their own strengths and weaknesses. You should be with someone that can make up for your weakness while you make up for theirs. People complement each other, that's why we need each other." Lucy sniffled, "Like, how I can cook a meal but Natsu would burn down my kitchen?" Elfman laughed loudly at that. "Yeah! Or like how physical one-on-one fighting isn't your forte, but Natsu's got that covered. He's really dense, but you're super smart. He can go on a wild berserk fighting angry mode, but you can calm him down. Now I may not know Lisanna and Natsu's true feelings, but as a bystander it's pretty easy to see you suit Natsu better. I love my sister and want her to be happy, but I just don't think Natsu is the right match for her. He's the right match for you."

Lucy's eyes were flowing with tears by then. Elfman awkwardly patted her on the shoulder. "T-t-thank you E-Elfman." Lucy managed to sputter. "I'm only being honest, being honest is man!" Lucy cracked a smile. She wanted to hug the big man for his kind words, but they really weren't that close, and it was too awkward for her. This was the first heart-to-heart chat they've ever had. "Lucy I think you really should tell him how you feel." Lucy nodded, "Yeah I think I might.. And Elfman? Please don't tell anyone about this. Especially not Mira! Or Evergreen! Word would get around faster than wild fire. I would die of embarrassment." Elfman laughed throatily, "Sure thing Lucy! Keeping your friend's secrets is man!" Lucy shook her head with a small smile as Elfman left the small lounge, returning to his fuming girlfriend. Lucy sat still, going over their conversation in her head. What will she do now?

Tell me what you think! Thanks guys!