Naturally, as Lucy lay upon the bed in her small city apartment a few weeks past their first date, Lucy was happy to reminisce about the joyous time they had on said date. Even in the backlash of a bear attack, Natsu had found ways to make her laugh.

When Lucy had approached Mr. Conbolt, who she soon learned was the flirtatious Macao, she had helped him sit up and tried to get him to focus on her. Apparently Macao had always lived by the phrase: "never miss an opportunity to pick up a girl." Lucy, being naïve and sweet, did not understand his intentions at first.

"Mr. Conbolt, I apologize but I need you to get up. You may have hit your head quite terribly and we need to get you to the hospital."

"I am dead." He had proclaimed. "For surely, you are an angel, but I have never seen such a shapely angel."

Lucy had simply blushed and thought that the delirium of his unconsciousness had not worn off. So, she helped him stand, which he did quite well, and then went to lift his arm over her shoulders. However, being yanked roughly to the side, she looked up to see an angry Natsu with his arms wrapped around her protectively and a pair of hardened onyx eyes staring accusingly at the battered Macao.

With a small shrug and a chuckle, Macao had disregarded his boss's concern and claimed: "Not my fault you left her. That woman needs a man, not a boy." Instantly, Natsu's body had tensed and he looked prepared to fight. His eyebrows reaching towards each other making noticeably painful creases in his forehead made his face contort into what Lucy could only describe as that of a very irate dragon.

"What did you say?" His voice was tight and clearly he was straining for self-control.

Oblivious to the active volcano before him, Macao responded gruffly; "I was just saying that it isn't my fault if you didn't make a move. So since it is highly unlikely you'll ever get a girlfriend, she is technically up for grabs. Besides you think you could score that girl? Yeah right." Letting out an enormous chuckle, it was clear to Lucy that Macao was a good man and a close friend of Natsu's but he also had a very lecherous spirit and the inability to read the atmosphere.

With that in mind, Lucy giggled inwardly and reached up to cup Natsu's face. Using her thumbs, she gently pressed the wrinkles between his eyebrows and on his forehead away. Natsu visibly relaxed and allowed his softened eyes to shift onto her face. In them he saw a determined look that confused him slightly until he caught sight of the devilish smirk making its way onto her lips. Without question he released her and observed.

Lucy took a deep, longing breath and turned to Macao who was very confused by the turn of events.

"Decided to back down Natsu?" Macao looked triumphant for a moment before he saw amusement play across Natsu's face.

"Look here Mr. Conbolt. I am unaware of Natsu's dating history, as well as his feelings on female protagonists; however, what I am aware of…" Lucy snapped her fingers in front of Macao's face, whose eyes were still glued to Natsu. "Look at me when I'm talking to you…is the blatantly obvious fact that you view me as a prize to be won. I shall have you know that I find it incredibly believable that he could as you say 'score' this girl because we were in fact on a date when we heard you screaming like a little girl." Macao's bewildered eyes again flashed to Natsu, who was grinning goofily at Lucy.

"And so," Lucy began again "seeing as my boyfriend and I are responsible for saving your life, a thank you is in order. Also…" She paused momentarily only to rear back and punch him in the stomach "…that is for talking about me in front of my face; you chauvinist!"

Macao doubled over and faintly recognized Natsu's boisterous laughter mixing with a ringing giggle. Glancing up, he saw that Natsu had embraced her again and was clearly congratulating her. Macao caught the exclamation "Definitely not damsel!" which resulted in a peal of laughter from the girl. He was thoroughly confused but noted that Natsu seemed ecstatic. His smile was the brightest he had worn since his father's death and Lucy was practically glowing. When Natsu ended his chorus of laughter, a contented smile settled on his face, clearly happy to just watch her be happy.

He leaned down and gently pressed his lips to hers in a chaste kiss that still managed to convey all he was feeling. Lucy blushed a deep crimson and grabbed Natsu's hand. Mostly untangling herself, Lucy turned towards Macao and, with a curt "Come on pervert we need to go," she took off hand-in-hand with Natsu.