Chapter 4: Interlude

A/N: Just an interlude chapter while I mentally prepare myself for the Tower of Heaven

**********

The five of them were a team now, and that meant going on missions together as often as possible.

Which was a disaster.

Erza couldn't understand why. Individually, Natsu, Gray, and she were outstanding mages, capable of handling solo missions efficiently without having to spend too much effort on it. However, the three of them teaming up together had proven to be not as good an idea as she initially thought. Somehow they always ended up destroying the majority of the towns where their missions took place and most of the rewards were spent compensating for it.

Natsu burned everything. Gray froze everything. And Erza sliced open everything too.

The situation tugged at Erza's mind for several days and she was getting frustrated at trying to find a possible solution. None of her ideas had proven to be useful so far.

Natsu and Gray didn't seem very bothered by the situation at all, though. As long as they got to go on jobs, punch something and receive rewards for it, they were as content as they could be. So Erza didn't expect Lucy to have a problem with it either.

She thought she was the only one infuriated with the predicament they found themselves in. But apparently she was wrong because one day Mira suddenly pulled her aside right after she just took one step inside the guild.

"Erza, is it true that your team is having trouble working together?" The white-haired girl asked, concern written all over her face.

To say the redhead was surprised would be an understatement. She didn't think anyone had noticed. "How do you know about that?"

The frown didn't leave Mira's face, "Lucy was talking to me. It seemed like she was quite worried about paying her rent this month because you guys keep destroying stuff and have to reimburse the townspeople. Not to mention all the reports on your team's destruction that made it to the Council's desk which Master already had to send formal apologies just to appease them. Even he is starting to get concerned. What's going on, Erza?"

She had no idea Master had been dealing with the Council on behalf of them like that. The Requip mage felt embarrassed to bring about so much trouble for him. She was the team leader (even though everyone kept calling them Team Natsu), so it was her responsibility to manage the team and there was no doubt she had been failing rather spectacularly.

And Lucy, too. The poor blonde must feel so agitated at seeing them bickering like immature children every time they spent more than a few minutes with each other like that. Erza completely forgot about Lucy's rent situation, which was a terrible thing to do as her friend. She would have to ask the Celestial mage to punish her for it, later.

"It's true. I have no idea why, but we just somehow made a mess out of every mission we went on. One minute everything was fine, the next it all blown up! Natsu got excited and couldn't control his power, which rubbed Gray the wrong way and he started to pick a fight with Natsu just for the sake of it. And you know me, Mira! I couldn't sit still when those two idiots got on my nerves like that!" Erza explained, getting tired just thinking about the past few weeks.

Maybe she was just not built to work with a team. Maybe this had been a bad idea from the start. "Do you think we shouldn't have done it, Mira? Form a team together?"

The Take Over mage reached one hand out and gently rubbed her shoulder, working out a knot tightly formed there. Mira had always been affectionate with her touches, and Erza liked that about her, a lot. Being the eldest of three siblings, Mira was exceptionally gifted with comforting people and getting them to open up to her. Even one as stubborn as Erza sometimes.

"I think it's still too early to know for sure. Maybe you guys just haven't found the right way to work together yet. Luckily for you, I might have a solution for that." At this, Erza's ears perked up.

"Really?"

"Yes. A new job just came to us, requiring a group of mages to use magic and help a theater attract more customers. It's different from the regular missions you guys went to. With this one there is no need to fight anyone, or light anyone on fire. You will only be using your power to charm people into the play, not to physically harm anyone. Therefore, there should be no problem with destroying stuff, right? Plus, it will surely be fun! Think of it as a bonding experience with your team. Maybe working with them in a different setting would help you get a better grasp on everyone's dynamics!"

Erza hummed, taking the time to think about it. A simple, relaxing job wouldn't hurt, and all of Mira's reasons made sense. Perhaps they did need to change perspectives once in a while in order to figure out a way to cooperate.

"That could work. I think no one would have any objection to it. Besides, it might be good to extend my skillset a bit more from its current level. Magical flexibility will certainly be advantageous." She nodded, already made up her mind.

"Great! I have already given Lucy the mission paper. There is a train to Onibus at 8 in the morning tomorrow. Lucy said she would tell Natsu and Gray on her way home earlier. Go pack your things, dear. We both know how much you over-prepare for missions." Mira flashed that beaming smile of hers before shooing Erza out of the door.

"I have no idea what you're talking about. I have never over-prepared my entire life." Erza argued back, just for appearance's sake. Because they were still rivals sometimes, at heart.

------------------------------

When Erza got to the train station the next morning, bright and early, Lucy was the only one present. The blonde was holding Plue in her arms and humming a song under her breath. At the sight of the redhead coming closer, she started to wave excitedly, "Erza, good morning!"

"Good morning to you too, Lucy. I take it Natsu and Gray are not here yet?"

"No, they are not. It's ok, we still have time. There is no need to hurry." The Celestial mage shook her head, the grin remained firmly on her face. Erza was glad the blonde's mood seemed to have improved from yesterday. However, they still needed to talk about it first, just so there wouldn't be any lingering apprehension to come back and bite them in the ass later.

"Lucy, is it true you are concerned about our performance as a team? I heard from Mira that you are worried our conduct would inconvenience you in making your rent payments on time." Erza started, using her most calming voice possible. She was well aware she had a reputation for being unintentionally intimidating at times, and she didn't want Lucy to be afraid to talk to her whenever there was something troubling the blonde. First times always set precedent, after all.

The blonde's expression changed to fearful, which was the exact opposite of Erza's intention. "Er... I'm sorry Erza. I didn't mean anything by it... Please forgive me!"

Erza frowned, one gloved hand reached out and touched Lucy on the shoulder. The blonde jumped away at her touch, clearly startled. Ok, note to self, don't touch Lucy when she was feeling skittish. "Lucy, I'm not mad, don't worry. I'm aware of our situation, too. I just wonder why you didn't talk to me about it sooner?"

The Celestial mage hung her head, embarrassed, "I... I just didn't think you guys would notice. I only talked to Mirajane because I needed someone to vent to... Figured the problem would go away if I ignored it long enough, though apparently not..."

Erza could only sigh at that, berating herself for not noticing how the blonde was feeling sooner. "Lucy, the next time you feel something was wrong, you can talk to me about it. Not just about our team, but about anything. Communication is key, after all. I promise I am a decent listener. I would never belittle you for feeling the way you feel. If you notice a problem, you can come to me and we will figure out a solution together, alright?"

Lucy was silent for a moment before nodding once, slightly. The redhead relished the feeling of the blonde's eyes looking into her own like this, allowing Erza to see those sparkles she was so fond of. "Yes, you're right. I will remember it next time. Thank you for being so considerate, Erza."

She shook her head and smiled at the girl, "Nonsense. There is nothing to thank me for. I'm always happy to help a friend with any trouble. You are my friend now, Lucy. Please don't forget that. Now, where are Natsu and Gray? They should be here already, the train is about to start in a few minutes."

------------------------------

Everything Mira said about there being no stuff to destroy turned out to be a lie. Clearly, the white-haired mage underestimated their ability to make a mess out of everything.

In Erza's defense, it was Natsu's fault this time. It all went so well until he decided to burn Lucy's dress, forcing Erza to slice it right off her before immediately wrapping the blonde up in her green cape. Everything started to go off the rail so badly after that point Erza didn't have the slightest idea how they even managed to finish the play, let alone turn it into a huge success for the theater. So huge they were asked to stay one more week to re-perform the play five more times, which Natsu and Gray were not happy with.

Maybe it was the magic of the play, or maybe it was something else, but Erza couldn't deny their team synergy had gotten better after that particular mission. They seemed to be more in sync with each other, and seldom did they over-destroy anything else on the few following jobs they went on to. Erza still took solo missions sometimes, because they were S-class and it would be easier for her, more time-efficient, to go alone. But she was content at knowing she now had a team whom she could rely upon if trouble arose.

Maybe she could get them going on an S-class mission, sometime. An official one, not like Galuna Island. It would be a great learning experience for each member of the team. A new kind of challenge.

They discovered Loke was a Celestial Spirit a month later, and Lucy gained a new addition to her collection, which would make six out of the twelve golden Zodiac Celestial keys already. An impressive feat, truly. The Leo spirit gave them free tickets to Akane Resort, the most popular seaside tourist location in the kingdom, as a way of thanking Lucy for her kindness. None of them had ever been on such a luxury retreat like that before so needless to say everyone was excited about it.

Little did Erza know it would be the start of her nightmares again. A recollection of every scar forever burned on her flesh and imprinted upon her soul.

**********

A/N: Votes and comments are welcome!