Leoslady here, and I am happy to be back with chapter 11! Woo! Sorry it took me a while - I've been so damn sick. It literally knocked me on my ass for days, but that's not important now! Mystogan and Lucy are! lol Hope you enjoy!

Hiro Mashima owns Fairy Tail...sure wish he'd bring Mystogan back for a little visit :D

CHAPTER 11: ON THE ROAD AGAIN

Mystogan led the way to a small shop on the outskirts of town. He'd found this little hole in the wall long ago quite literally by accident, and though it didn't look like much, it housed some of the best magical trinkets he'd ever seen in one place. It also had the friendliest owner he'd ever met, a pleasantly plump woman who fancied herself everyone's grandmother.

His mouth lifted as he envisioned Lucy meeting the woman for the first time. He knew the feisty blonde beside him would instantly fall for the old lady's mothering and the homey feel of the tiny store. Glancing to his side, he found his partner studying him, and he asked, "What?"

She lifted a finely arched brow at him, and not for the first time surprised him with her astuteness. "What are you so amused about?"

"You could tell that even with most of my face covered?" he asked, pondering the wisdom of this latest development. It couldn't possibly a good thing that she was able to read him so easily, not when she so effortlessly managed to catch him off guard all the time already.

Lucy smiled at him, her eyes dancing with mirth. "You aren't exactly difficult to read. Well, not for me anyway. Your eyes give you away."

"My eyes..." he mused, testing the validity of her statement. "And how is it that my eyes tell you I'm amused?" In truth, nearly every conversation he had with her left him amused and almost always aroused, but that was a topic for a much more secluded area. Certainly not for a walk down a slightly busy street.

In response, she reached for his hand, lifting it to press against her puckered lips. Almost instantly, his lips curved into a smile, and she nodded, reaching up to touch the side of his eye. "See? Your eyes crinkle just a little bit here when you grin. Even when you're just thinking good thoughts, your eyes change."

"I am not at all certain you should be able to see all that already," he chuckled, keeping her hand as he pulled them back into a slow walk.

"Hey, can't stop genius," she quipped, shrugging her shoulders and tossing him a smug grin. "Besides, I like making you smile. Just wish I could see it."

His eyes softened as he looked down at her. Had anyone ever gotten so much enjoyment from something as simple as being the cause of his smile? "You do seem uniquely talented at it. I'm not sure I've ever had anyone try so hard to amuse me."

"Well, you can expect more of that, because I intend to drag that grin out of you every chance I get." He knew it was inevitable, and as his lips invariably lifted once again, she smiled brightly at him and swung their joined hands. "Yep, just like that."

The remainder of their walk was made in companionable silence, their hands still clasped comfortably together as they enjoyed the scenery. A short time later, they were pushing through the door to the small shop, and Lucy's face immediately lit up with warmth as the little old woman came bustling out the back room.

"Mystogan! Where have you been, my boy? It's been ages since you visited," she fussed, her hands on her sturdy hips in the way of a scolding mother.

"I'm sorry I haven't been back by in a while, Greta. I've been terribly busy lately," Mystogan explained, then stepped closer, tugging his companion forward into the older woman's vision. "But I've brought someone to meet you."

Hey eyes widened as they landed on the blonde at his side, and noticing their linked fingers, she reached up to cup Lucy's face and crowed, "Oh my boy, where have you been hiding this beautiful girl? You should have brought her to see me sooner!" She didn't wait for his response before she was gathering Lucy to her side and leading her into the back. "No matter," she fawned happily, "We'll have tea, and you can tell me all about it."

Lucy glanced back at Mystogan with a wide smile, letting the woman practically drag her along. He'd known Greta would adore the young woman, though he couldn't have guessed just how much. Within minutes, the two were chatting like old friends, Lucy telling Greta all about herself and Greta telling Lucy about the day Mystogan had come to her store for the first time.

"I can still remember how nervous the poor thing was when he came in, hiding behind that mask of his and thinking I couldn't tell. He tried so hard to act all cold, but that didn't work with me, did it my boy?" Once again, she gave him no chance to answer before continuing, "Nope, I could tell he needed me, and you know I can't turn a soul away. So, I went right over there and gave him a big hug. Poor little guy got all stiff like he didn't know what to do."

At this point in her tale, she chuckled fondly, pausing in her tale to reminisce about their first meeting, as Lucy looked over at him, taking his hand with a soft smile. "I would have loved to have seen that."

Mystogan brushed his fingers along her knuckles as Greta got going again. "Oh he was a sight, all uptight and mess, but I didn't let that stop me. I just kept on hugging him until he relaxed. Then I got him all set up with that book of spells, and he just kept coming back," she finished with a happy laugh.

"I can certainly see why," Lucy said, her head turning to smile fondly at the old lady. "It sounds like you've been wonderful to him."

Greta flushed under Lucy's praise, then waved the compliment away. "Oh now...don't get carried away. I just can't resist such a sweet boy."

"Greta, when are you going to stop calling me a boy?" Mystogan asked, frowning petulantly at the woman who constantly mothered him. "I have been a man for quite a while now."

"Oh shush that, you're my boy, and that's all there is to it," she argued good-naturedly, then patted his free hand. "I'm so glad you've found a lovely girl like my Lucy here. A perfect match, I'm certain of it."

Mystogan felt his cheeks heat at Greta's assumption and wondered how best to answer. Yes, they had agreed to give this thing with them a chance, but the kindly old woman had just about already had them married. "Greta, I'm not sure-"

Lucy however seemed to feel no uncertainty about her response as she winked at him. "That's so sweet of you to say Greta. I promise I'll do my best to treat him well."

"That's good, my girl. Just what I wanted to hear," she said, standing to her feet, and brushing her hands over her apron before turning to Mystogan. "Now, what's brought you to the store? I know you well enough to know that you didn't just come for a visit."

At her unconscious censure, Mystogan winced and once again felt compelled to apologize. ""You're right of course. I truly am sorry about that. I'll try to do better in the future, but for now, Lucy needs an enchanted belt and ring for her keys." Then, looking over at the blonde beside him, he smiled pointedly. "Actually, I could use something of the sort myself. Turns out my staves aren't all that safe from thieving either."

Lucy giggled at that, but didn't respond as Greta nodded her head, patting his hand reassuringly. "Oh hush those apologies. I know you're a busy boy. You'll see me when you can. Now, let's go see if we can find what you two need."

Forty-five minutes and one argument later, they finally managed to find their way back to the exit. It had taken far longer than he'd anticipated simply because Lucy had stubbornly refused to let him buy the belt and key ring for her, but in the end, he'd won, though not on his own. He'd needed Greta to finalize the deal, using her abundant skills to guilt Lucy into accepting her boy's gift. Then, and only then had Lucy relented and allowed them to get on with their day. Without fail, each of them had received a tearful hug from the old woman before she made them promise to return soon. Agreeing to her demand, they said their goodbyes and continued on their way to the train.

They took their seats in a private compartment, sitting side by side as Lucy smiled. "Well, that was fun. I'm glad I got to meet her."

"I knew you'd like her. She's a very special woman, though why she insists on acting like I'm a child I'll never know," he said, muttering the last bit with a shake of his head.

"She just loves you," Lucy laughed, crossing her legs daintily in the first show of her upbringing he'd ever seen as she edged closer to him. "It's really sweet, actually."

Mystogan had to agree with her assessment of the older lady. He'd long ago figured out that Greta had began to favor him, treating him like the grandson she'd never had, and he'd never been able to deny her. He'd grown fond of the little woman, and from the looks of it, so had Lucy.

Without really thinking the action through, he set his hand on her knee. "So, how does your new equipment feel?"

"It's a little stiff, but I love it. I feel so confident now," she said, giving him a wide smile. "Thank you for taking me."

"Of course, and by the way, I do apologize for Greta's...exuberance. She can get a little carried away sometimes," Mystogan mumbled, remembering the way she had insisted that they'd be perfect together. "You really didn't have to say you'd treat well."

Lucy giggled at his discomfort, then lifted a finger to trace over his bottom lip. "Oh but I didn't say that to make Greta feel better," she said, her face turning distinctly naughty. "I fully intend to be good to you..."

Mystogan's blood simmered in his veins at her heated look, and as she leaned forward to capture his lips, he knew he was lost. There wasn't enough strength in him to resist, and with a deep groan, he pulled her into his lap, draping her legs onto the seat at his side.

Her mouth was hot and hungry on his, and he fed from them desperately. It was just like the last time, one touch and he was putty in her hands. He wanted her, wanted all the lush curves of her body against him and around him, and as he wrapped his arm around her and pressed her voluptuous form to his chest, he felt his body respond.

He'd never had so much trouble with his libido, never struggled to keep his hands to himself, but everything inside him wanted to push her down on the seat and have his way with her. And she was doing nothing to cool his desire. Her actions were almost frantic as she moaned into his mouth and tugged hungrily at his hair with her hands.

This wasn't supposed to happen, and certainly not on a train, but Mystogan was having trouble focusing on the reasons for that with her rear end propped so perfectly on his lap. She felt so good and tasted even better.

"Mystogan," she broke away with a soft groan. "Your hand feels amazing, but if you still intend to make me wait, you've got to stop doing that."

Frowning in confusion and looked down to where his hand lay wedged between her legs, a mere inch from the junction of her thighs. He'd been so wrapped up in everything, he hadn't even realized he'd moved his hand into such a tempting position. "S-Sorry," he mumbled, slipping the hand from between her silken thighs. "I...I didn't realize..."

Releasing a shaky breath, Lucy drew back on the seat beside him. "It's alright...we just need to cool down."

Already, he missed her weight on his lap, her body pushed up so tightly against his own, but she was right. They needed to stop doing this. Forcing his mind past the haze of desire, Mystogan fumbled with a topic of conversation, trying to find something to distract him from the soft, supple body beside him. She was just so damn tempting, and the way she looked at him made it so much harder for him to resist.

He knew all the reasons he had wanted them to wait, and those reasons were still valid to him. He wanted to know her, everything about her before they crossed that line, because he honestly wanted something real with this woman. But he'd never had anyone make him feel so on edge, never had a woman that shredded his control the way she did.

In matters of love and lust, he was woefully inexperienced, and for the longest time, he had been ashamed of that fact. He'd thought his lack of understanding was a mark against him, against his manhood, but now, he couldn't help but be happy with it. The thought of sharing all the firsts of a relationship with Lucy thrilled him and made him grateful he'd never been in a position to have another lover.

Still, he knew now was not the time to push that particular envelope. They were on a job for Mavis's sake. They certainly couldn't afford to be distracted by such things as carnal desire...or desperate hunger...or soft creamy skin...

And he was right back where he was before, completely enamored with Lucy's body. He needed to get his mind off all the ways he wanted to touch her and find something far safer to converse about.

"Mystogan, we've got to talk about something," Lucy said somewhat desperately, interrupting his train of thought. She rubbed her hands along her thighs in a nervous action. "Tell me...Tell me about your world..."

She trailed off, her eyes dropping to his mouth as she tugged at her lip with her teeth. Mystogan swallowed hard, turning away to avoid the enticing sight and mumbled, "Um...Edolas is different than...Earthland. People aren't born with magic like they are here."

Thankfully his statement seemed to do the trick for her, as she hummed with surprise, "No magic? Then...how is it that you can use it?"

"My staves," he replied, finding his body relaxing as they drifted further away from the sexual tension of before. "They are my primary means of performing magic, though I have learned a few spells that only require a hand signals, like my Air magic."

Her eyes widened with interest. "You mean like when you turned yourself into mist?"

He nodded, adding, "Yes. Another is the Ground Shattering Wave I used on Laxus."

"That's so incredible! You've found a way around being tethered to an object to use your magic," Lucy praised, reaching forward to grasp his hand in her own.

Mystogan couldn't help but grin at her enthusiasm. She was beaming at him with that beautiful smile of hers, filling him up with a wealth of pride at an accomplishment he had never thought too much about. He could not get over how significant this one woman made him feel, how...visible she made him feel.

It was an incredible sensation, having someone be able to really see him, to know that someone in this world knew the real him. After so much time hiding his identity away, never letting anyone get close enough to see his secret, he had been uncertain of himself, unsure whether anyone could like the person he really was. And Lucy did, and that touched him in a way nothing else ever had.

He watched as Lucy gazed across at him, her mouth curving into a happy smile. "You know, when you think about it, we're a lot alike. We both need our respective mediums to use our magic. You have your staves; I have my keys. It's actually kind of amazing, don't you think?" Before he could answer, her head tilted, her expression dawning with understanding. "That's why you asked about my belt and key ring! You'd already decided to do the same thing with your staves."

Mystogan laughed at the stunned look on her face, but he had to marvel at the how quickly she'd worked through the reasoning. "Yes, that's why I asked. I noticed the similarities between us yesterday and realized that we could both use a way to protect ourselves."

"Well, thank you for that. I wish I could say that I haven't had a problem with that in the past, but unfortunately that wouldn't be true," Lucy said with a frown, her mind clearly going back over the instances she spoke of.

Mystogan could see how much those memories bothered her, and he could definitely relate after she'd so easily divested him of his staves. Being without his strongest form of magic was down right frightening, especially with this new job they were going on. In spite of the fact that it had been a guild mate and therefore not a deadly threat, he had felt powerless, his might stripped away far more easily than he'd believed possible. And he'd been determined to never be in a position of vulnerability again.

He'd figured that Greta would have a way to prevent such a thing from every happening again, and from the moment he'd put on that enchanted strap, he'd felt a sense of calm. "Those times were scary, I'm sure Lucy," he told her, giving her hand an encouraging squeeze. "But you'll never have to worry about that again. No one will ever be able to take your magic away again."

Lucy raised her head, leveling him with a look he'd never had directed at him before. His breath caught in his throat at the depth of emotion in her eyes. It was like she had opened the windows to her soul, granting him a glimpse of what lay behind her formidable shields. Then she sighed and snuggled into his side, laying her head against his shoulder as she whispered, "Thank you, Mystogan."

His heart swelled in his chest, and he dropped his head onto hers, closing his eyes in contentment. For just an instant, he'd seen it in her eyes. All those emotions fluttering around inside him...she felt it too.

In that moment, he had seen that their connection went both ways. It wasn't just him that had been searching for something in this world. She had been looking for someone who could understand her, someone could see who she really was, someone she could share her wants and dreams and fears with, and more than anything, he wanted that someone to be him.

He wanted to see the days come and go with this woman. He wanted to spend his time learning all there was to know about her, and showing her everything he'd kept secret about himself. For the first time in a long time, he'd found someone he could trust, someone he knew he could put his faith in, and he didn't want that to end.

A/N: Okay, just a quick announcement from yours truly, Leoslady4ever. I wanted to make sure to let you all know that the very first GaLu week is starting very soon. It begins this Sunday, February 16th and goes until Saturday, February 22nd. If you guys want to participate, please check out my page on Deviantart. You can find me there under the same name as on here. I've got the prompts for each day listed on my journal. Hope you guys are pumped for it and that some of you will get into the spirit of things and do some art or stories for this great pairing!

If you have any questions, hit me up with a PM! :D