Reunions under normal circumstances are usually happy occasions. One being united with a loved one can give a person chills with excitement and thrill at the thought. Imagining seeing someone dear to you and running into their arms after a long period of separation is appealing to anyone to say the least.

In Natsu and Lucy's case however it was not.

Both people in question stared at their counterpart in complete and otter shock. While both had slightly hoped that they would bump into the other at the party, the situation suddenly felt all too real for either of them to handle like a normal person. It didn't help that the music had stopped at that moment. It made Lucy feel as if everything in the world was stopping specifically to add to the pressure of facing Salamander again.

Lucy could feel her body grow warm at the sight of his handsome face. His apparel only added to the fire in her heart.

Natsu's eyes shifted down to her dress. He was startled when he felt his own cheeks heat up. She looked absolutely stunning standing there in her blue dress. He couldn't explain why he thought that about her. His eyes wandered to her right hand which was covered by a white glove.

Right, that's the hand where her tattoo is, he remembered. His gaze suddenly hardened as his senses slowly returned to him. He was on a mission, and he was positive she was there for the same reason, which meant that he had to make sure she stayed out of his way.

Lucy noticed his soft onyx eyes turn cold in an instant and she flinched. She almost believed he was glad to see her by the way he was staring at her, but now he was looking at her like another one of his obstacles in completing his goal.

Another enemy.

Lucy's heart clenched at the thought. She had expected it and had mentally been preparing for it leading up to her mission, but because she let her guard down at the sight of him her defenses were down. Now her feelings were compromised. She could only blame herself for her own mistakes. Lucy looked back at Natsu with a look matching his.

"Salamander," she said, trying to keep her voice from wavering.

"Princess," he replied in acknowledgment. Lucy straightened her form, sucking in a quiet breath to steady herself.

"It's been a long time."

"Two years," Natsu nodded. The awkwardness was slowly diminishing and the air around them was tense. Nobody in the room paid any mind to them while they went about their business, socializing with their friends.

Lucy's heart jumped when the musicians began playing once more. It was another slow song; one that both her and Natsu had admitted was quite beautiful. Couples began swarming to the center of the room, dancing contently. As Lucy watched them gather, Natsu's eyes were fixated on the blonde in front of him. Now he knew that Sabertooth was going to try something. He figured he would have to keep her busy from her actual mission so that his team had the upper hand. Sighing gently, Natsu lifted up his hand towards her.

This is just to keep her distracted, he decided in his mind.

"May I have this dance?"

Lucy's head spun around to face him, noticing the hand he had held out to her. Her brown eyes widened. She didn't know how to approach this situation. He was clearly only asking her to keep her distracted and she knew this, though there was a little voice in her mind that didn't really care. She wanted to indulge her heart in this rare moment between the two of them, at the very least to satisfy her desires. But it would most definitely be a mistake if she did agree.

Lucy felt eyes on her and glanced to the side where a few people were watching her, expecting her to say yes to such an attractive man. Lucy felt trapped under the pressure of social convention. If she didn't say yes then it wouldn't appear very ladylike and she would gain more attention than she wanted. Her brown eyes were fixed solely on his hand before her.

Natsu was starting to grow impatient by her lack of response. As much as he tried to deny it, a small part of him was confused and almost hurt that she wouldn't take his hand. Years ago she didn't have a problem with it, and that was when they were directly fighting one another with their fists. He could only blame himself for creating this gap between them because of their careers.

Lucy could see the conflict in his eyes. It was almost as if he was asking her to save him from the situation he had thrown them into. Lucy's kind heart couldn't let him suffer through the pain and embarrassment of rejection while in a public place. Whatever he had planned didn't bother her anymore. Her mind was made up.

"Of course," she said, placing her gloved hand in his. Through her glove she could almost feel the callouses of his hand. Her fingers curled slightly around his as he led her towards the dance floor. He brought her to a small space where nobody was dancing and pulled her in front of him. Natsu never really liked dancing- all because of a certain redhead -but he knew the basics and it would have to be enough. He gently placed a hand on her hip and she placed her hand on his shoulder. He tightened his grip on her hand. Listening to the beat of the music, Natsu and Lucy began to sway along with the rhythm.

Lucy was impressed Natsu even knew how to dance, it didn't fit his character, but then again he was full of many secrets and surprises. There was a comforting feeling as they moved softly to the beat. She leaned in closer to Natsu, marveling in how warm his body felt even if it was still an inch away from hers.

"How have you been?" she asked, trying to strike a conversation with her old "buddy".

"Well, I guess. Things are basically the same," he lied, and Lucy knew it. Everything was clearly not the same. She didn't know why he was lying to her when it was as clear as day that it was struggle for him to want be there.

"I didn't think you would come," Lucy found herself saying, "It's been such a long time since you've been in the field." She saw Natsu's body tighten and his hand on her waist twitch.

"I've been busy," he claimed. He didn't want her knowing how bored he had been at the office.

"Doing what?" she pressed further. He lifted a pink brow.

"Nothing too important," she looked up at him skeptically. "Mostly paperwork," He added. Lucy giggled softly in response. Natsu forbade himself from smiling. It was kind of funny for the great Natsu Dragneel to say that out loud.

"That sounds ultimately boring."

He nodded, "Yeah it is." Lucy smiled warmly. It seemed like he was opening up to her again, even if only a little bit. She would take what she could get if it meant they could go back to normal.

The world around the two melted into a peaceful one, one where their backgrounds and pasts didn't matter. For a few moments, Sabertooth and Fairy Tail didn't seem to matter to either of Natsu or Lucy. They were swept up by the beat of the music and were lost in its magical powers.

Wanderers off to the side watched the two adults with interest, yet neither of them were aware of the attention they had. Lucy stared into Natsu's eyes, a blissful smile appearing. Even if it was for just a second, she was content being in his arms. He may not share her feelings, but in that moment, to Lucy at least, he was hers.

Their movements grew steadier, resorted to simple swaying in place. Lucy unconsciously tightened her grip on Natsu's hand, fearing separation. Lucy was startled when she felt him squeeze back. She looked up at him in confusion. His eyes were on their feet.

"You're here," he whispered. Lucy nodded, to stunned to say anything else. His grip tightened again. Lucy squirmed uncomfortably. It was starting to hurt.

"You're here," he repeated. Lucy bit her lip slightly, "Yes, I am here."

"Why can't you just leave me alone," he almost growled. Lucy blinked several times, her eyes growing wet. She could feel his frustration emanating from him. She didn't understand where all of this was coming from.

"You always feel the need to get involved. Why can't you just stay out of it? Maybe then everything would go smoothly for once," his orbs shifted up to hers. They were once again hard like stone. It dawned on Lucy that Natsu was referring not to her specifically but to Sabertooth. She was relieved that he didn't direct all his malice to her however there was still spite in his words towards her agency. Lucy searched his eyes for any sign of the man who she had been dancing with just a few short moments ago.

"Salamander, I understand that you are still hurting, you're not the only one that regrets that day. You have to-"

"Regret?" Natsu asked, his words coming out harsher than he intended, "What do you know about regret? Lisanna wasn't your friend. She was your mission." Lucy's eyes expanded slightly, taken back by his claim. His eye appeared glossy from the tears he was trying to suppress "And because of you, you failed your mission, and I failed her."

Lucy tried to find the right words to say, but nothing came to mind, because she knew he was right. Sabertooth stepped out of line and an innocent woman lost her life because of it. Lucy dropped her head in guilt and shame.

"I don't know what you plan to do here," he continued to say, "but let me make myself clear." He leaned in a little closer to her ear so that no one else could hear. She sucked in a breath, relishing slightly in his smoky scent.

"We will not lose to you. Not as long as I'm here."

Lucy did not respond like she intended to. Natsu's words struck her mind and body. She had made a mistake by communicating with him during a mission and now she could pay for it with her career and her life. Lucy hardly noticed when the music had ceased and Natsu released his hands from her hand and waist. She watched numbly as he bowed slightly.

"Thank you Princess," he said, with a hint of disdain. Without another word he turned and disappeared into the crowd. Lucy watched stiffly while his form became one with the rest of the guests. His words were still fresh in her mind and it made her shiver. She didn't remember his voice being so cold before.

Lucy was startled out of her thoughts when a hand clapped on her shoulder. She jumped and spun around.

"Are you alright Lucy-sama?" Yukino asked, eying Lucy worriedly. Lucy nodded, though it was a lie. Her thoughts went back to Natsu and his threat. She knew it would be best if she told Yukino that Fairy Tail was there. With them there they could be compromised, especially since their plan was the steal the thing they were trying to protect, but at the same time Lucy felt like she would be compromising herself. Yukino knew that Natsu was important to her and if the mission was at risk she would demand that Lucy sit it out. Lucy refused to sit on the sidelines when there was a job to be done. She was going to get the necklace, whether Natsu was there or not. It was time to get serious.

Lucy placed her hand on her cheek, trying to discreetly wipe away some of the sweat that had gathered from her nervousness.

"Yes, I'm fine. You just surprised me is all." Yukino smiled in relief.

"Are you sure? You were as white as a sheet," asked her friend. Lucy nodded.

"I'm fine. Don't worry," she said. Lucy's expression turned to the dangerous gaze of Lucy of Sabertooth, "Did you get the card?" Yukino nodded once. Lucy looked down at Yukino's arms. They were planted at her side, hands in fists. Lucy caught a glimpse of a white rectangular object in her hand. Lucy's eyes met Yukino's once more.

"Rogue is heading down to the locker room as we speak. He can shut their camera's off for about five minutes." Lucy nodded in understanding. If she couldn't grab the necklace and switch it out for the fake in that amount of time then she was on her own. That was fine with her.

Yukino strolled past Lucy, discreetly placing the ID card in her hand.

"Good luck Lucy-sama," she whispered by her ear. Yukino disappeared into the crowd. Lucy didn't bother to look back. Lucy straightened her back and walked briskly into the crowd of people towards the back of the building. Lucy tapped her ear slightly.

"Rogue, can you hear me?" she asked. She could hear static on the other end of the earpiece.

"Loud and clear Princess," he responded.

"Have you made it to the locker room yet?"

"Almost," came his reply. Ryos straightened his tie as he casually walked down the hall of Michello's home. Some people gave him questioning looks for carrying his laptop back around, but he just flashed them a small smile and kept walking.

He turned a corner where he saw a group of doors. There was a large man standing in front of one of them. He spotted Ryos almost immediately and then the bag on his shoulder.

"Sir, the party is in the other direction," he said. Ryos placed as hand on the bag strap.

"I was wondering if you could help me. I'm looking for a place where I can put my bag," he said coolly. The man pointed to it, "What's in it?"

"My laptop. I'm a student at the University and it has some very important files on it. I need it in the safest possible location." The man looked at him skeptically. Ryos had possibly one of the most stoic faces on the planet. The man couldn't find any clue on his face that he was lying.

"There is a locker room right here," he said, gesturing to the room a couple feet away from him, "There are keys on the wall inside. Take your key with you after you lock your stuff." Ryos nodded in thanks and walked into the locker room.

Once inside he pulled the bag off and took a seat on a bench in the middle of the locker room. He pulled out his equipment and started setting up the computer. He took out the flash drive with the mission information on it and plugged it into his computer. Before doing anything else he stood up and went back to the door. He cracked the door open to stare down the hall. The guard who had told him where the locker room was switching posts with another man and walking down the hall to another location. Ryos closed the door and rushed back to his seat.

"I'm at the locker room Princess. I'll have eyes in about three minutes."

Lucy nodded her head, strolling down the hall towards the basement.

FAIRY TAIL

In a dark corner of the ballroom, Natsu stood, watching the people as they laughed and danced. They had no idea that something much larger was happening right under their noses.

There were times he marveled all the regular people of the world. All they had to worry about was when deadlines were due or what time they had to be home for dinner. At the same time he had to worry about everyone else's lives along with his own. His job was about the well-being of Fiore and it was a lot to put on someone's shoulders.

At times where he could just sit and watch people be people, he wished he could be one of them. Partying, having fun, living like a normal person. There would be no missions, no terrorists, and no death.

Maybe if I had lived a normal life, Lisanna would still be here, he thought sadly. The idea had crossed his mind more than once. If they hadn't gotten involved with the government then they could have gotten married, settled down, and started a family. Because they lived the life they did, Lisanna was dead and he was a broken man.

Natsu's gaze wandered through the crowd, half paying attention to what was going on. A flash of gold entered his vision and he finally snapped out of his daydream. He watched as Princess walked through the crowd of people, glancing around every few seconds. His interest peaked as she wandered farther away from the crowd of people and towards the area he had been briefed about not to let anyone enter.

The basement where the necklace was.

Natsu left his corner and started shoving through the sea of people in the direction Princess went.

"Erza, Gray, Sabertooth is here."

"Are you positive?" came Erza's instant reply.

"It's Princess, and I'm sure there are more of them. She's heading towards the basement."

"Great," came Gray's voice from the other end, "it's never easy for us is it?"

"Natsu follow her. Make sure she doesn't make it to the necklace. I'm on my way to the security room to alert the guards."

"I'm on it," Natsu responded. He continued to push people as he chased after Princess. He could barely see the top of her head.

He was able to make it out of the large mass of people, but he could no longer see her. His head swung around frantically. He couldn't let her get away. His head spun around and he saw her retreating form once more. He followed behind quietly so she wasn't alerted of his presence. She turned down a hallway and he followed.

This process continued for a couple more corners until Natsu noticed that the number of people had diminished. The halls were now dimly lit because people weren't allowed back there. Natsu peaked around the next corner where Princess had stopped at a door. Just as he had suspected, she was going to the basement. She held up a small object and Natsu's eyes widened. In her hand was an ID that was similar to the ones Michello had given him and his team. She held it up to a scanner that was beside the door. Natsu could see a little green light blink through the darkness. An unlocking sound echoed down the hall. The blonde pulled open the door as secretly as she could. Princess walked into the room and quietly shut the door behind her.

Natsu waited another moment before running to the door. He fumbled through his pockets for his ID. He finally found it and held it up to the scanner. The scanner flashed green and the door unlocked. Natsu slowly pried the door open. There was a cement staircase that led down into the deep recesses of Michello's house. At the bottom of the stairs he could see the faint glow of luminescent lights. Natsu glared at the light. Stepping onto the first step, Natsu closed the door behind him.

Sabertooth wasn't going to win this time.

FAIRY TAIL

The number of people entering the building had diminished over the evening, leaving the outside quiet with the background sound of the partying in the building. From the darkness a single black car pulled up to the front steps of the mansion. The driver exited his side and walked casually to the doors where his passenger was. He placed a gloved hand on the doorknob and held the door open.

A tan high heel placed itself on the marble staircase. The driver held a hand out for the passenger to take. Out of the car stepped a woman who admired the building with a very interested stare. She wore a light purple dress with a slit down her left leg. She had on a thick brown belt on her waist. The dress had one thick strap over the right shoulder.

She released her driver's hand and started walking up the steps. She glanced at him over her shoulder as he closed her door.

"Go around back. Don't forget our birthday present." The man smirked, his smile creating wrinkles on his spot-like freckles. He said nothing as he sat back in his seat and drove off.

The woman walked slowly up the steps to the front door. When she finally entered the building it was as if all life had been sucked out of the guests. They watched her stroll into the foyer silently. The smile on her face made the women squirm and the men sweat nervously.

At the door leading into the ballroom stood Michello and his granddaughter, Michelia. She wore a light pink dress with a frilly hem. Her light orange hair was braided and pulled into a bun. She said "hello" and "thank you" to everyone who came up to her. Both Michello and Michelia seemed to notice the grim feeling that had appeared in their home. They turned their gaze to the woman was strode towards them. Michelia bit her lip nervously. Something wasn't right about her.

"My lord," the woman said in a sickly smooth voice, "I apologize for being late for your granddaughter's party. I hope you can both forgive me." Michello stared at her in confusion. He didn't recognize her and she was having a negative effect on his guests. Seeing that her grandfather wasn't going to say anything, Michelia smiled nervously at the woman.

"It's alright ma'am. Please enjoy the party," the girl said, holding a hand towards the ballroom. The woman smiled at her. Michelia could feel her light blue eyes staring into her soul.

"I'm sure it will be a night to remember," said the woman. She strolled past them into the ballroom, her long green hair whipping back and forth as she moved.

I apologize that it took me so long to update everyone. This summer is going to be pretty packed but I'm going to update as often as I can. REVIEW! FOLLOW! SET FIRE TO ALL YOUR OLD SCHOOL WORK (That's what I'm doing) JUST MAKE SURE YOU HAVE ADULT SUPERVISION! FAVORITE!