"7 YEARS?! WHAT ARE YOU GUYS DOING HERE?!"

Lucy waited for them to respond, but they just stared back.

"...Well?" Lucy asked as she relaxed now. She examined them closer now. They had scratches here and there. Some of the cuts were bleeding. She thought to herself "What had they been doing? Were they in danger? Or did they find that book again from the guild?"

"Honestly... we don't know why we are here.." Natsu scratched his chin as he leaned back to sit on his butt now.

"Or how we got here." Gajeel added.

She thought to herself... she had a frown on and was lightly biting her lip as she looked down at her knees. It was awfully quiet and now she was feeling awkward. She looked up at their faces and saw that they were all staring at her intently. She couldn't help but giggle, making her frown disappear. She smiled at them warmly.

"Why are you laughing?" Laxus asked confused.
"You're so weird Luce" Natsu said with a smile and an eyebrow raised.
"Oh nothing. You four look like lost puppies." Lucy said as she began to get up.
"What?! I aint even close to being like a puppy bunnygirl!" Gajeel barked at her.
"You did not just call me a puppy either." Laxus said with a frown.
"Luce you can't call us puppies!" Natsu yelled.
"Yea Lucy. It hurts our pride. We are men." Gray said as if he was hurt.
"Okay okay. I take it back~" Lucy smiled as she walked towards her bedroom.

The men watched her as she walked away. They just kept staring...

When she reached the doorway, she looked around back at them. "Are you guys feeling okay?" She was looking at them sideways, unconsciously giving them a great view of her curves.

"Y..Yeaa.. Luce.. why wouldn't we be?" Natsu stuttered.
"Well.. you guys just keep staring... and its creeping me out."
"Stop creeping Luce out Gajeel, Gray, Laxus.. It's making her feel uncomfortable" Natsu said with arms crossed, glaring at the three.

The three in return gave Natsu their death glares.. causing Natsu to gulp.

"Hahahahaa." Lucy was laughing hard as she grapped her stomach.

Her smile.. her laugh... her voice... brought the boys back to staring at her again. Once she was done, she spoke to them warmly..

"Come on. Lets get you guys cleaned up." Lucy turned around and went inside her bedroom.

Natsu got up first.. then Gray.. Laxus.. then Gajeel..

Natsu plopped on Lucy's bed smiling widely. Lucy smiled and shook her head. She thought to herself "I guess Natsu doesn't change that much". She went to her bathroom and clamored around for something.

Laxus and Gajeel looked around her bedroom, taking in all the Lucy-ness. Gray sat in his favorite sofa chair, leaving Laxus and Gajeel to sit at Lucy's table in the middle of the bedroom.

Soon, Lucy came out with first aid supplies. Having been closest to Natsu, she started with him. She sat at the edge of the bed and opened her first aid kit. Natsu laid still.. which was very rare and odd. He just watched her work, not saying a word.

She put some alcohol on the cotton balls and washed all his cuts and scratches. He winced slightly at the touch of alcohol on his cuts.. but remained quiet. She bandaged his cuts and had the luxury of touching... the manlier Natsu's muscles.. skin. The older Natsu of course noticed Lucy's unnecessary touches and found them... soothing. Her hands were warm and soft.

He was just as hot as usual, temperature wise. But definitely, a more aged Natsu was in her care. Scars she's never seen before were on his arms, his chest. She looked at Natsu's face and found him staring back into her eyes. She blushed red and looked away. Quickly finishing with Natsu.. she stood up to go to the next patient.

For the other three as well, she found herself being the object of their fascination. They were staring again. She blushed lightly again and quickly went to Gray's side. She knelt on the ground as Gray sat on the sofa.

"Lucy it's fine... I"
"Just sit still Gray." Lucy put her hand on his arm, making Gray freeze. He watched her intently.

She did the same routine.. alcohol the cuts, clean them thoroughly, and bandage them.

"cough....So Lucy...." Gray started up a conversation in the awkward silence.
"Yes Gray" Lucy smiled.
"Why aren't you with Team Natsu?"

Lucy stopped midair from dabbing a cut she was working on.

"Lucy... I'm sorry.. you don't have to answer if you don't want to."

She continued and swabbed a cut... causing Gray to hiss softly from the burn. She looked up at Gray with worried eyes...

"Sorry.... Did I do it too hard?"
"No.. it's fine."

She brought her face close to the wound.. and began to blow on it. Gray perked up in his seat and froze.. Lucy looked at him and stifled a laugh. She blew softly on the cuts.

The men all watched in silence.. Natsu looking sideways as he lay on the bed. Lucy continued to work.

"I... don't know... why don't you tell me?" Lucy said with her bangs covering her eyes.
"What... do you mean?" Gray asked confused.

Lucy got up as she finished with Gray's wounds and walked over to Gajeel.

"No way.. no way bunny girl. I'm fine. I don't need your help." Gajeel said frowning as she walked over to him.
"Just sit still and take it you big baby." Lucy said with a hand to her hips. Gajeel raised an eyebrow.
"First you call me a puppy... and now a baby? Bunny girl.. are you blind?" Gajeel said incredulously.
"Wait wait a minute. Answer my queston Lucy. What do you mean why don't I tell you?" Gray asked.

Lucy ignored Gajeel's question. She brought up a chair next to Gajeel and took Gajeel's arm into her hands. Gajeel flinched but couldn't move away. He felt her warm hands on his skin, her scent so close to him..

She began to swab his wounds.. Gajeel clenched his jaw from the burn.. and closed his eyes for a second... he saw Lucy watch him from the corner of his eye.. her face plagued with worry.. "sorry... just bear with it for a little while.. I can't have you guys getting infections from these cuts." Lucy said softly.

"LUCY! Stop ignoring me and answer my question!" Gray raised his voice.
"It... it was you guys... you guys left me." Lucy spoke as she tended to another cut on Gajeel's other arm.
"What you mean you guys Luce?" Natsu sat up on the bed now.

Gajeel watched Lucy's face. Her attention all on treating him. He felt so pathetic right now.. getting treated for such small cuts. But he wouldn't argue with bunnygirl right now.

"You guys left me this morning. You guys did it. Natsu left on a mission with Lisanna." Natsu opened his mouth to speak but Lucy continued.
"Gray... you left on a mission with Juvia.. Erza went solo.." Lucy blew on Gajeel's cut.. causing Gajeel to blush slightly as he watched her pucker her lips out.
"Levy and Gajeel went on a mission together.. Even Laxus and Mira went on a mission today too."

She bandaged Gajeel up and was done. "See. That wasn't too bad was it Gajeel" Lucy smiled as she got up and took her chair towards Laxus.

"You guys all left without even letting me know." Lucy said softly as she looked towards a surprised Gray. Gray and Natsu.. didn't know what to say. Heck they all didn't know what to say.. they remembered the day.. so differently.

"Blondie I'm fine." Laxus said trying to stop her from touching him. He crossed his arms. Lucy instead sat down in front of him and brought her hands to one of his arms. She gently tugged. He relaxed and let her take his arm.

She swabbed his cuts and looked up at his face when she swabbed, to make sure she wasn't hurting him too much. But all he did was stare right back into her chocolate eyes. No wince, no squinting of eyes in pain. He took it all so well. They continued to stare into each other's eyes until...

"Ahem.. AHHHEEMMM..." Natsu cleared her throat on the bed.. "Luce... my throat hurts."

Lucy sighed.. as she broke her stare away from Laxus.. Laxus in tern death glared at Natsu.. who looked away innocently.

"I'm sorry Lucy..." Gray said softly
"I'm sorry too Luce..." Natsu said softly. "I didn't mean to leave you all alone. I just got so excited in finding Igneel... I..."
"Forgot about me?" Lucy completed his sentence.
"No.. I could never forget about you.. I just..."
"Lucy.. we could never.." Gray spoke simultaneously with Natsu...
"Just face it Natsu.. Gray.. You all forgot about me.. It's okay. I understand why." Lucy fake smiled.

She lowered her face.. her bangs covered her eyes.. but she continued to smile as she worked gently on Laxus' wounds..

"What do you mean you understand why?" Laxus said softly in his low voice.
"I.. I mean it was a matter of time... right?.. Gray and Juvia would finally get together."

Gray flinched...

"Levy would be with Gajeel."

Gajeel flinched and looked sharply at Lucy.

"Erza with a certain masked man. Natsu with.. Lisanna."

Natsu flinched... he looked worriedly at Lucy.

"Haha.. and the looks of it now.. Even you Laxus.. possibly you and Mira"

Laxus quickly grabbed Lucy's wrist and tugged her towards him. She looked up surprised at his face.. his glare boring into her.

"Look here Blondie... I don't know what the heck you're thinking in that confusing woman brain of yours. But just stop. Don't do that to yourself." He growled.

Lucy gulped..

"I'm sorry that these little boys left you behind and made you feel less important than you really are. But you shouldn't have expected too much from these boys anyways." He stared into her eyes.

"WHAT!"Natsu and Gray yelled together.
"I AM A MAN!" Natsu yelled.
"I AIN'T ANYWHERE LITTLE" Gray yelled.

Lucy, Laxus, and Gajeel stared at the two. Lucy and Gray blushed after realizing what Gray had just shouted...

"Bakas. Can't believe you guys just left her. He's talking about HER Natsu and Gray you idiots. But I guess you guys haven't grown much so you guys are still little boys. Gihi."

"What you say Gajeel" Natsu growled lowly... Lucy's eyes widened. She had never seen Natsu talk is such a dangeriously... delicious voice.
"You wanna fight?" Gray growled as well... getting battle stance ready. She watched Gray's muscles flex.

Gajeel smirked and flexed his muscles as well to get ready for a fight. Of course Lucy noticed him as well.

"Oh my..." Lucy thought to herself as she blushed and shuddered. She forgot that her wrist was in Laxus' hands.. Laxus felt her shudder and looked at her with an eyebrow raised.

Then she realized. "OH NO YOU DON'T!"

Gajeel, Natsu, and Gray glared at her... them still in their passion of plummeting each other's faces in.

"You are in my house. My rules. No fighting!" Lucy yelled.

To her surprise the three paled and went back to their seats. She smiled as she had a personal win.

"Wow.. I didn't know I had such power over them. Maybe they do grow brains in the future." Lucy thought to herself. Little did she know that Laxus death glared them down.

She looked back at Laxus.. and blushed that Laxus was still grabbing her wrist. Laxus gently let go.. and Lucy quickly bandaged him up.

"I really am sorry Luce... I didn't mean to hurt you... I was young.. I didn't think."
"Ha. You don't think.. EVER." Gray laughed.
"Oiy Stripper. Shut up. I'm trying to apologize here." Natsu glared at Gray.

Gray shut his mouth now.. he looked at Lucy.

"Sorry Lucy... I didn't mean to either... You know I wouldn't have left if I knew.. You're important to us." Gray smiled.
"Yea... I know..." Lucy smiled. "You guys sure grew up."
"What that's supposed to mean?" Natsu asked tilting his head.
"Well.. you guys are apologizing.. not fighting when I ask you guys to.. and aren't acting like babies when I treat your wounds."
"HA! EVEN BUNNYGIRL THINKS YOU GUYS ACTED LIKE BABIES! Little babies. Gihi." Gajeel pointed a finger at them.
"Luuuuccceeee.." Natsu whined.
"Lucy!" Gray facepalmed himself.

Lucy giggled. Laxus smirked.

"You're all done!" Lucy said happily as she looked at Laxus.
"Thanks Blondie. You didn't have to though."
"No.. I couldn't ignore it. It was mainly for my peace of mind."
"Well.. since you're not doing anything.. and we're stuck here for the time being.. why don't we do something together." Laxus asked.
"uh... what do you mean?" Lucy was startled.

"Well... we can't go walking around Magnolia. It'll alter the future. Oh.. don't even think about asking us about the future cuz we are not telling a word. It seems you're the only one who can help us get back to our own time. So while we find a way to get back... why don't we help you out by going on missions?" Gray suggested.

"Great idea popsicle head! We can help Lucy get money for her rent and find a way back at the same time! It's perfect!" Natsu got excited.
"And.. maybe we can help you train bunnygirl." Gajeel said nonchalantly.

They all looked at Gajeel with confused looks.

"You.. want to train me?" Lucy said with her eyebrows raised.
"Well.. we are all S-class mages.. it'll help you a lot to train with us."

Lucy looked at him with an agape mouth... "what happened to you?!" Lucy said shocked.

"What?" Gajeel said confused.
"You're.... so NICE!... It's unsettling...." Lucy squinted her eyes.. she was doubtful of his intentions.

"Dang bunnygirl.. I can be nice if I want to.. and I've changed... that doesn't mean that I've gotten soft. Don't get the wrong idea." He hardened.
"uh-huh... I've got my eyes on you Gajeel Redfox." Lucy said still with squinted eyes..

Gajeel smirked and leaned forwards towards her..
"Gihi... you can look all you want.. I don't mind that you're attracted to a REAL MAN."

Lucy opened her eyes wide... and looked away.. her heart pounded...

Gray and Natsu looked at her.. then looked at each other with a "NO WAY" look.
Laxus was watching Lucy the whole time... amused by her changing expressions... she was so easy to read.. she was just like how he remembered her.....

She stood up from her seat, the first aid kit in her hands. She was about to walk away when Laxus stood up.. towering over her... he was looking down at her.

"So.. what do you say.. the idiots in your time took you for granted. But that was because they were immature." Laxus brought his hand to her chin and gently pushed her face upwards so she could see him.
"But don't mistake me for them. How about you and I go on a mission together. I'll show you how it feels to be treated as a woman by a REAL MAN."

Lucy gasped...
Gajeel.. Gray.. Natsu... gaped at Laxus and Lucy...

"OH HECK NO! I'M TAKING LUCY ON A MISSION!" Natsu yelled.
"WHY WOULD SHE WANT TO GO WITH YOU.. YOU LEFT HER!" Gray yelled.
"YOU LEFT HER TOO!" Natsu yelled back at Gray.
"No no Bunnygirl.. you better go with me.. I'll show what a real man is." Gajeel smirked.
"SHE'LL NEVER GO WITH YOU METAL FACE!" Natsu yelled.

Lucy sweatdropped. She brought her hand to Laxus'. She gripped gently and brought his hand down.

"How bout we all go on a mission together." Lucy said still looking up at Laxus.

Laxus sighed. "Fine." He brought his face close to her ear.. Lucy jumped a little from shock. "But.. I'll be the one you'll be staring at. The real man you want." Laxus smirked..

Gajeel and Natsu growled... Gray frowned as he saw the interaction between Lucy and Laxus. She was staring into his eyes way too much for his liking.
When Laxus finally pulled away.. Lucy finally let her breath out.. realizing she was holding her breath the whole time. Her heart was pounding fast...

"When are we leaving then?" Gajeel spoke.

.

.

.

"Lets go tonight." Natsu said smiling widely. "Okay Luce?"
Lucy stuttered... "O..okay."

.

.

Gajeel smirked.. "This is going to be fun." He thought to himself.

"I'll show you the man I've become" Gray thought to himself.

"Don't worry Luce. I'll show you how much I've changed."

"You'll be mine." Laxus thought to himself.

.

.

.

"I have a bad feeling about this.... I think they'll be the death of me." Lucy thought to herself