Operation: Too Many Boyfriends

An Admirer

"Ugh, Natsu, I'm covered in slime. Did you HAVE to do that?" whined Lucy, arms outstretched, staring down at her ruined outfit. "I really liked this sweater and skirt ensemble, too!"

Natsu grinned at her. "It doesn't look too bad on you! Green goo might be your color!"

"Yeah, but it smells!" Happy remarked, holding his nose. "Wow, Lucy! That really stinks!"

"IT'S NOT MY FAULT, CAT!" she yelled at the blue exceed. "It was NOT my idea to blow that thing up, whatever it was!"

"Yeah, well, whatever it was, at least it's gone. Well, not its stink obviously!"

"GET OVER IT, CAT!" yelled Lucy again. She turned to Natsu. "Listen, I desperately need to clean up. I'm heading back to the hotel for a shower. Wait for me to collect the reward, okay?"

"Fine, fine," Natsu said, waving her off. He looked over at Happy. "I could use some grub anyway. I'm starving!"

"Me too!" agreed the exceed, fluttering around Natsu's shoulder. "Got any money?"

Natsu frowned and checked his pockets. "Uh oh."

Lucy hadn't taken two steps before she heard the exchange. "Oh good grief!" she muttered. Shaking slime off her hand, she reached into her leather pouch and handed Natsu some money. "Here!"

"Thanks, Luce!" Natsu gave her his trademark grin. "You're the best!"

"Yeah, thanks Lucy! Even if you do smell!" Happy agreed.

"Ugh!" She stomped off in the direction of the hotel. Once there, she took the back stairs to get to their room. Stripping off her outfit, she sighed. "I really did like that outfit," she moaned as she tossed it in the garbage. She grabbed a spare set of clothes from her bag and placed it in the bathroom with her - just in case Natsu and Happy decided to come back early.

After scrubbing herself raw in the shower, she stepped out and let out a deep breath. "There!" she said, smiling at her steamy reflection in the mirror. "Much better!"

Now that she was clean her mood had improved. "I wonder where those guys went to eat," she said aloud, her stomach rumbling. "I bet they won't think to bring anything back," she sighed.

She sat on the bed and began brushing her hair in long strokes to encourage it to dry. She wanted to look professional for their client to collect the reward, and scraggly wet hair did not fit that bill!

It wasn't long before she heard fumbling at the door.

"Hey, Luce! Feel better?" Natsu grinned, walking in their room, Happy following.

Happy sniffed the air. "You smell better!"

She glared at the blue exceed but said nothing.

"How was your meal?" she asked, feeling her stomach rumble again. "Let me guess - no change?"

"Well, we would have," Natsu began, scratching the back of his head, "but we decided to stop and get you something!" He held out a bakery bag to her.

"Aw, thanks guys!" Lucy was surprised. Just when you thought Natsu was a dense idiot, he did something sweet like this!

She munched on the rolls, looking at the two. "So, when are we heading over to the mayor's office?" she asked, swallowing a bite.

Natsu shrugged. "I guess now?"

Lucy nodded. "If we want to catch this evening's train..."

"You wouldn't rather walk, would you?" interrupted Natsu. "It's a nice day!"

"Which is about to turn to night! It would take us all day to walk back tomorrow! You're just going to have to deal with it!" she declared, standing up.

"Lucy, that's mean," scolded Happy. "You know Natsu has motion sickness!"

She eyeballed the cat. "Oh, so getting back to Magnolia and Carla is not a concern to you?"

Happy looked at Natsu. "You've dealt with the train before, buddy. You'll be fine!"

"Thanks a lot, pal," grumbled Natsu. He looked at Lucy. "Are you ready or what?"

Lucy nodded. "Let's go!"

Later, at the mayor's office, they were left standing in an empty room where the mayor's assistant had put them. After 10 minutes, the door finally opened and a young man walked in.

"So sorry to have kept you waiting! The honorable mayor is busy at the moment, but I am the vice mayor. I understand you're from Fairy Tail?" He sounded excited, which Lucy thought was kind of cute. They had met fans of Fairy Tail before - usually fans of Natsu's - and Lucy enjoyed their enthusiasm.

Lucy nodded. "Yes! I'm Lucy and this is Natsu and Happy," she said, indicating each person as she said their name.

The man nodded. "We are so grateful for your help!" He bowed in Lucy's directions. "You are quite the wizard, I have heard, Miss Lucy. A celestial mage! How impressive!"

She blushed with the praise. "Thanks!" She gave him a smile and they stared at one another for a long moment. He was kind of cute, she thought, with his brown hair and green eyes. He had a pleasant enough looking face that would probably have you glancing more than once at him in a crowd.

Natsu cleared his throat. "Our reward?" he asked, sighing. What was it about guys and Lucy? At least this one was staring at her face and not her boobs.

"Natsu, don't be rude!" Lucy hissed at him.

"No, no, he's right, of course!" The vice mayor went over to the desk and produced a key from his pocket. Unlocking a middle drawer, he took out a bag and handed it to Natsu. He then turned his attention back to Lucy.

"I hope we can call on you, er, Fairy Tail again if we need any more help!"

"Certainly, Mr....." she realized she didn't know his name.

He actually blushed! "How rude of me! Hiro Akinora, at your service," he said with another bow. "Please let me know if I can be of any service to you when you visit our fair city again!"

"Thank you, Mr. Akinora," Lucy replied, amused by the bowing.

"Lucy's got a fan," teased Happy aloud. Lucy blushed, but chose not to yell at the cat in front of Mr. Akinora.

"Yeah, well, we got a train to catch," Natsu said, interrupting the scene. He was bored and if he had to ride the train, he'd rather get it over with.

"Of course! Good luck, Ms. Heartfilia! Mr. Natsu and Mr. Happy!" He bowed, then saw them out the door.

"Natsu, there wasn't cause for you to be so rude," Lucy sighed as they made their way to the station.

"Oh come on, Luce! You really bought all that?"

"Hey, Lucy! Maybe he can be your boyfriend!" Happy started making kissy sounds.

"Shut it, cat!"