A/N: Hi there. For those of you who may be new here, I'm Lumi. I'm a Sagittarius. My blood type is…I don't even know. And my interests include anything that would interest an old lady (ie. Knitting, tea, not wanting to deal with people, but hoping my grandkids still call, a succulent garden, etc.) and cartoons that were not made in my home country. So, if you remember a little gem of the internet called "The Princess and the Dragon" that worked out as a nice, little NaLu fic, I wrote that one, too! If you haven't read it yet, I suggest you do. It was one of my favorites. After rereading that for the umpteenth time, I thought why not do a little more of that? I've been wanting to write another Fairy Tail fic for a while now, but I couldn't think of what to do. So, out of that, this brainchild was born. I'll talk to you a bit more when we get to the end, ok? I'll let you read now.

Long jobs were the worst. It only paid twenty thousand jewel, too. I mean, I couldn't be too upset, but that last job took forever. Whoever heard of a fortune teller squatting in the middle of the woods? I had bug bites in places I didn't even know were possible. Besides, she was more than likely a total fake. She did say that if I let her go, she'd tell me my fortune. That's how I knew she was fake. My future would hold the color blue. Avoid anyone wearing blue. They would bring me great misfortune. If that were true, that wipes out half the guild.

Yeah. I'll believe that when I see it. Although, the fortune teller did say one other thing that bothered me. Beware a frozen heart desperate for warmth. I'm not sure what she was trying to get at, but she was long gone before I could ask. Oh, well. It's not like I'll lose sleep over it. Just the ramblings of some crazy old lady saying she could see into the future. All I wanted now was to go home and kick my feet up. Was that too much to ask?

"Welcome home, Gray." Mirajane…She's always so sweet. I'm so glad she's the first face I see, "How was your last mission?"

"Successful," I took a seat at the bar, "I think. I did what they asked. I collected the reward. Simple as that."

"You seem conflicted," she worried, "Is everything ok?"

"Yeah," I shook off any thoughts of the old woman in the woods, "Just a weird lady faking as a fortune teller."

"Ok," Mirajane was so protective. She acts like our mom, but that's just the way she is, "If you need anything, you know where I'll be."

"Thanks, Mira," I waved her off. Things are nice and quiet in the guild hall today. Almost too quiet…It's great to come home to, but on the other hand, it's also the Fairy Tail guild hall. Quiet isn't the word most would use to describe our guild hall, "Hey, Mira?"

"Yes, Gray?" she slid down the counter.

"Did Natsu take a job?"

"Yep," Mirajane chirped, "Natsu, Lucy, and Happy left earlier this afternoon."

That's why it's so quiet, "Any idea when they're coming back?"

"Probably tomorrow," she figured, "If they can manage to stay on task. But you know how Natsu is."

"Horribly scatterbrained?"

"Lucy helps," Mira held back a giggle, "But Happy doesn't."

"I swear," I sighed out, "When is he going to learn? And Lucy doesn't deserve that. What does she see in that guy?"

"Sounds like someone's harboring a little crush for Lucy."

"Am not!"

"Relax, Gray," Cana stepped in. Or should I say stumbled? "Mira's just looking to get a rise out of you."

"And you fell for it," Mira teased, "Hook, line, and sinker."

"I don't have a crush on Lucy," I swore, "To come between her and Natsu feels criminal. They've been through everything together. I couldn't break that up."

"That's so sweet, Gray," she awed, "Don't worry. You'll find a Lucy of your own someday."

"Who said I was looking?" I rolled my eyes, staring into my lemonade.

"I got a friend that would love to meet you, Gray," Cana insisted, "Who knows? Maybe you'll hit it off."

"I don't need either one of you trying to set me up!" I snapped, finishing my drink, "I'm going to bed."

"Good night," Mira sent me off.

"I'll give my friend your number, Gray!" Cana called after me.

"I'm not answering!"

I slammed my door shut and jumped into bed. Why did those two suddenly decide to play matchmaker? Even worse, why did I have to be the victim? So, Natsu and Lucy are always together and they're so in love without being overly showy about it. Good for them. That doesn't mean I'm looking for that. I just wanted to get some sleep. And after the hours of wandering aimlessly in the woods, being eaten alive by bugs, all for a fake fortune teller, that's not going to be very hard to do.

Beware a frozen heart desperate for warmth, huh? What's that even supposed to mean? Just go to sleep. What's any of that got to do with me? She's probably three towns and a village away by now. I told myself I wouldn't lose sleep over this. I shut my eyes and threw the blankets off the bed. It'll be alright in the morning. At least I hope so.

When I woke up, the old hag's words still burned in my brain. Beware a frozen heart desperate for warmth. What a load of garbage. Then, why is it getting to me so bad? Breakfast? Maybe some food in my belly will make it better. I'm sure this is just a blood sugar thing. A blueberry bagel would hit the spot, but I don't think Mira has done any baking while I'm gone.

"Good morning, Gray," Mira smiled brightly, making me a little bit uneasy for some strange reason, "I hope you slept well."

"Yeah…" What's got her so excited?

"That's wonderful to hear," her eyes sparkled.

"Uh…Mira?" I started to sweat, "Is everything ok?"

"Everything's fine," Mira's cheeriness was unwavering, "Could I borrow you for a minute?"

"That depends," I kept my skepticism up, "What do you need me for?"

"Nothing too strenuous," she promised, leading me down the stairs, "You'll see."

"Is the ice machine broken again?" I assumed.

"Nope," Mira shook her head, leading me to a stage set up on the side with the curtain down.

"Mira…" I don't like where this is going, "What do you need me for?"

"Just need your opinion," she sat me down while everyone curious gathered around the bottom.

"What kind of opinion?" I really don't like where this is going.

"On three lovely Fairy Tail wizards!" Mira pulled up the curtain. Oh, no…I knew I felt uneasy for a reason. And Mira happened to wear blue today. Maybe the fortune teller was real, "We're keeping their identities a secret until the end, so I've also altered their voices."

"Mira," I held my face in my hands, "I said I didn't want you or Cana setting me up."

"Technically, we're not setting you up," she pointed out, "You're setting yourself up."

"Does that mean I can opt out of this altogether?" I hoped, absolutely mortified. They didn't need to put my business on display for the entire guild to gawk at.

"Come on, Gray," Mira begged, "Please?"

I hated this. I hated every single minute of this. Even more so, I hated that I couldn't say no to her. Especially when she makes that face, "Fine…"

"Yay!" she sang, "Shall we get started then?"

I let out a heavy, irritated sigh, "Let's get this over with."

"Wonderful!" Mira began, "So, you'll address each person as number one, two, or three. You'll ask each of them a question from the cards provided. By the last question, you'll make a decision. Simple enough?"

"I guess." What I wouldn't do to be encapsulated in ice right now.

"Fantastic!" Mira took a seat off to the side, "Go ahead and ask your first question."

These were all garbage. I appreciate what Cana and Mira were trying to do for me, but this was a little unnecessary, "Hey, Mira?"

"Yes, Gray?"

"Can I go off script?"

"I would really appreciate it if you didn't."

There goes that plan. Well, it looks like Mira isn't going to let me go. I might as well play along, "First question. Who are all of you?"

"No," Mira stopped me, "You can't ask names until the end."

"Fine." She wasn't making this easy, "What would constitute as your perfect afternoon?"

"That's the spirit!" she finally approved, "Well, ladies? You heard him. Your perfect afternoon."

"Well…" the first one answered, coming off a little shy. It's too bad I couldn't tell whose voice that was. Thanks, Mira, "My perfect afternoon would include a rainy day that's just starting to clear up. But a warm rain. Not a cold one. An open window in my house would let a nice breeze in, along with a heavy, wet earth smell. And…I'd be curled up on my rocking chair with some tea and a stack of light reading. There's nothing wrong with wanting to be a shut-in once in a while."

Mira could hide their faces and their voices, but their personalities were a different story. A day of coziness inside with her face shoved in a book? And happens to be a Fairy Tail wizard? There wasn't a doubt in my mind. The first one is Levy. Don't get me wrong. I liked Levy. She's a sweet girl, but I don't think I'm her type. I'm pretty sure she has a thing for guys twice her size. I appreciate you trying for my sake, Mira, but I don't think Levy's the one.

"Number two?" Mira insisted, "What does your perfect afternoon have in store?"

"You didn't say this was for Gray, Mirajane," Number Two growled angrily. Mira didn't have to hide her voice. The mere tone was enough to send chills down my spine. Erza. Definitely Erza. I don't think anything would be able to happen there either. It's not that I have a problem with women with power. It's just that particular woman with power that makes me nervous.

"I also didn't say it's for single wizards in the guild!" She had such a sweet face that she could probably get away with killing someone with her bare hands and no one would question it. We didn't have many women in the guild, let alone single ones. Mira said there were three of them. Levy…Erza…I couldn't think of who the third one. Did we have a new recruit and I'm just finding out about her? I guess I'd find out soon enough. But something tells me that Erza's off the list, "Number three? What's your perfect afternoon?"

"I don't know," Number Three began, "I think it'd start out with someone special by my side. A nice walk along the beach. A day of the sun beating down on both of us, feeling that warmth on our skin. Maybe a little snack. Then, night would fall over the two of us. And nothing else in the world would matter. Because I would have them. And they would have me. The world around us would cease to exist."

Actually…That one did sound kind of nice. Did we really have someone like that hiding in the guild? I mean…I'd be lying if I said I wasn't curious. In all honesty, though, it sounded like a line that…Hold on, "I have a question for just number three alone."

"Oh," Mira perked up, "It's nice that you're finally getting into this, Gray. What's your question?"

"What type of magic do you practice, number three?" I asked, "You are a member of the guild after all, right?"

"That's right," Number Three confirmed, "My magic…It's a little complicated. I practice holder magic, but at the same time, I am holder magic, so…"

"Mira…" I kept my voice down, "Did you just ask for single wizards in the guild?"

"I did," she nodded, "Why?"

"Did it never dawn on you," I growled, "to maybe not ask Loke?!"

"He's a sucker for a good love story," Mira shrugged, "I couldn't turn him down. It was either Loke or Cana, but Cana got a job this morning."

"Then, you date him! I'll pass!"

I was done. I didn't ask to have my love life force fed to me in front of God and everybody. I didn't deserve to be jerked around like this. I didn't ask to be forced to make a choice. I know Cana and Mira were trying to help, but I didn't ask for their help. In fact, I specifically remember telling them not to meddle. I started walking out the door, ready to punch the next person I saw.

"What happened here?" Just the person ripe for the punching. Without hesitation, I sent Natsu flying into the upper level of the guild hall. I wasn't in the mood to deal with him, "HEY! WHAT WAS THAT FOR, GRAY?! I DIDN'T EVEN DO ANYTHING!"

As much as he wanted to retaliate, Lucy held him back. Probably for the integrity of the guild hall itself. With the mood I was in, I could probably flatten the entire building. Right now, I didn't need anything or anyone. All I needed was a quiet place to clear my head.

A/N: So? How was that? Not too bad, right? Although, I have to admit. I do feel bad for Gray. I don't like putting my babies in distress. Angst fic isn't usually my cup of tea. But sometimes, I do feel like Gray can be a little bit of a powder keg. And with the right fuse, the explosion isn't pretty. But at least he's going to cool off instead of attempting to kill Natsu. So, we have that going for us.

Now, every week, my friends, it's going to be you and me until the completion of the story. Every Wednesday. Without fail. Unless I say otherwise. Because…I got a life, too. Sometimes, I take the occasional trip. So, please be nice. Also, if you did come here from "The Princess and the Dragon", let me know. I want to see how many familiar faces I got here. So, I will see you next chapter! xx