It was a busy day at the guild, nothing unusual. Mira was currently assisting people at the bar when Lucy had walked in. People greeted her and she made her way to her usual seat. "Hey Lucy!" Mira called to her with a smile.

Lucy grinned, "Hello Mira." Noticing her elated state, Mira chuckled.

"Someone's in a good mood," she stated inquisitively.

Lucy nodded enthusiastically, "Well of course! Natsu didn't break into my house and sneak into my bed today. Actually, he hasn't all week! Also, can I get a strawberry smoothie?" Mira smiled and walked off, only to return moments later with Lucy's cold refreshment. "Thanks," Lucy said as she started on her drink.

Mira grinned widely, "So Natsu, huh?"

Lucy shook her head, "Mira, I thought I told you already, Natsu and I aren't like that." She paused, "Speaking of which, do you know where he is?" It was Mira's turn to shake her head. "I don't think he's been in the guild all week, is he okay? I haven't seen Wendy or Gajeel either. Are they on jobs?" Mira shook her head again.

"Talking about them reminds me, do you think you could head over to Gajeel's house and check on him?" Mira watched Lucy's face pale.

"What about Levy? Can't she-"

"Levy is on a job with Team Shadow Gear, she's been gone for over a week and shouldn't be back for another two."

Lucy gulped, "Can't I go check on Natsu instead? Maybe he-"

"I already sent Gray to check on him."

At this point Lucy was panicking, "Wendy! I can-"

"Carla came into the guild yesterday to tell me Wendy wouldn't be needing anyone to check on her."

Lucy looked at Mira with terror. "M- Mira, I- I don't think I.." she stuttered. Mira looked at her and smiled, a dark aura shrouding her body.

"Lucy, are you denying my request?" At this point, all eyes were on the ladies.

"No ma'am! I'll get right to it!" Lucy laughed nervously. Mira's aura dissipated, but her lecherous grin remained.

She reached down and pulled out a, what seemed to be, drawer full of files and papers. She opened it and selected one of the files nearer to the back. Mira pulled out a paper from the rather minuscule file. "Here is Gajeel's address."

Lucy's mouth dropped open. "Do you have info on everyone here?" she whispered.

Mira giggled, "Silly Lucy, who do you take me for? Now hop to it, Gajeel is waiting." Lucy nodded quickly and sped out of the guild. Mira chuckled, "If she doesn't like one dragon slayer, perhaps she'll like another!"

Lucy face was etched in a pout. How emdare /emMira. She had no idea what Lucy's thoughts had been up to lately. Recently, she was having love troubles. Lucy decided to consult Mira about this, and surprisingly, it helped. She thought back to the event.

Mira had suggested to try and see her guild mates in a different light. At first, Lucy was against the idea, but Mira urged her to try. Lucy had tried to see her closest friends in romantic sense first, but Gray and Natsu.. she just couldn't do it. They were too much like brothers to her. She wasn't into girls, so all of the ladies at the guild were out of the question.

The next guy was Loke, but even though her womanizing lion was so kind to her, she couldn't date her spirit. Loke and her were just friends and she didn't want to change that. The next ones were the males of the Lightning Tribe. She knew Cana was obsessing over Laxus, so he was a no-go. Freed and Bixslow were very nice men, but Freed was a bit to quiet for her tastes, and Bickslow was a bit too rambunctious. She was beginning to lose hope until her thoughts begin to cloud with images of... Gajeel?

Lucy was shocked at first that she had even proposed to herself with such an idea, but slowly she had eased into it. He was definitely a looker, no doubts about that. She knew he was loyal, and very protective. Even though he was somewhat of an introvert, Lucy assumed he probably had things that troubled him, but that was okay with her, she wouldn't mind helping him through it. Then Lucy thought about his biceps, flexing, and him whisking her up into his arms. She traced his muscles with a finger and giggled as he carried her into the bedroo- What was she thinking?!

Lucy blushed furiously, and covered her face with her hands. "Lucy, are you okay?" Mira asked, walking over to her. "You seem a little feverish.. or perhaps you're having naughty thoughts."

She smirked devilishly and Lucy gasped, "M- Mira! I- I could never." However, her facial expressions told a different story.

Lucy bit her bottom lip and averted her gaze from Mira's, who was laughing in triumph. "So, did you decide on a yummy figure to think dirty things about at the guild?" Mira prodded, leaning closer towards Lucy, who was shaking her head, and throwing her hands up, a look of denial stuck her face.

"N- No!" she nearly shouted, gaining the attention of other people nearby. She gave them an apologetic look and turned back to Mira. "Tell no one," Lucy demanded and Mira smiled happily.

"No promises, Lu-cy!" Mira laughed.

Huffing, Lucy trudged out of the guild. If she was going to have these.. thoughts about Gajeel, she needed to tell her closest gal pal, Levy.

There was a knock at the door. Levy got up from her seat on the couch, and put the book that she was reading down. Who could that be? She thought, walking over to the door. Opening it, she smiled at the sight of her friend, Lucy. But then Levy saw her facial expression and she frowned. "What's wrong Lucy? Come on in, we can talk about it." Levy ushered her inside and soon the two of them took residence on her couch. "What's going on?" Levy asked with concern toward her close friend.

Lucy bit her lip, "Levy, you know how I've been going through a tough time with relationships and love issues." Levy nodded, urging her to go onward. "Well, Mira suggested I try to see guild mates in a different light, so I was looking at everyone and.." Lucy trailed off, and looked away from Levy. Levy had a feeling she knew where this was going.

"And you think you like Gajeel, right?" Levy finished for her.

Lucy gasped, "How did you know?"

She chuckled, "Oh Lucy, are you worried that I like him?" Levy looked at Lucy, who nodded bashfully. Levy laughed, and Lucy turned to face her, a confused expression spelled out 'What?' Levy smiled, "I used to see Gajeel that way, and I thought it was love. But, Gajeel saw through me quickly and turned me down. Now we share a close brother-sister bond. If you like him, you should go for it! I don't want you thinking that I'm stopping you from a relationship you want to pursue. I'm all for you two together!" Levy finished, bright and cheery.

This cleared up whatever Lucy had been thinking about because she was now smiling as well. "Thanks a lot Levy, you have no idea how much it means to me." Levy pulled Lucy into a hug, at they sat there embracing each other for awhile. When Lucy pulled away, Levy stood up.

"Well then, I'm glad you told me. If there is anything I can do to help you, I will. It's getting late, so you should probably head home soon."

Lucy nodded and stood as well, "Good idea, and thanks for listening. I would be very honored if you gave me your assistance on this matter in the future, madam." Lucy curtsied toward the bluenette who was now shaking her head.

A giggle slipped past her lips and Levy winked, "Any time, my lady. Now off you go! I have a book I need to get back to."

Lucy rolled her eyes and walked over to the door, "Thanks again Levy."

Levy sighed contently and then smiled, "It's no problem. See you tomorrow?" Lucy nodded, "Yeah, I'll see you tomorrow. Bye Levy!" Lucy exclaimed.

"Bye!" Levy waved.

That was a week ago, and a few days after that, Levy left on a mission with Team Shadow Gear. Levy apologized to Lucy profusely, ashamed because she had forgotten she told Jet and Droy they could go on a mission with them soon.

Sighing, Lucy looked up. Is this it? She thought. She had wandered down a barren lane and double checked the address. It was the house at the end of the road, with a metal door and window frames.

Typical for the iron dragon slayer. She walked up the winding pathway and knocked on the door. No answer. She knocked again, but this time the door pushed inward. emThe door is open? I don't understand, this seems unusual for someone as closed off as Gajeel is. She thought it to be odd, but brushed it off, shrugged her shoulders and stepped inside.

It was a very spacious home. Looking around, she noted two black couches and a grey chair. Windows, carpets, a few book shelves, a coffee table, and various other items that were his living room. There was a staircase behind the living area and to the left was what looked to be a dining room. A kitchen table and chairs were in the center of the room, and some more shelves lined the walls. In the room beside the dining room was the kitchen. It looked like what you might find in her kitchen, only bigger. Then, Lucy heard a shuffling noise upstairs. Curious, she walked over to the stairs from her position in the doorway.

Upstairs, there were three doors. One she assumed would be a bathroom. Lucy opened up the one furthest to the right first. As she thought, it was a bathroom. There was a shower, sink, toilet, and a window. Closing the door, she opened the one in the middle. It was a guest bedroom, probably. There was a single bed, two windows, a closet and a desk in the room. It looked unused and her best guess would be that it was. Closing the door, Lucy heard movement from the room she had yet to check. Gulping, she slowly made her way over to the last door. She shakily grabbed the handle and pushed open the door.

The movement stopped, and she felt a pair of eyes turn to her. The curtains were drawn and the lights were off so she couldn't really tell who it was. The person in the opposite corner of the room began to make its way towards her. Eventually, it was right in front of her. She could make out some physical features of the person.

It was a tall male, with long unkept dark hair. Lucy looked down and it dawned on her as her eyes widened. He was emnaked/em. There was a guy in the nude who was standing before her! She quickly looked back up and her own chocolate brown eyes were met with a deep red gaze. Lucy gasped, and in a hushed voice she whispered, "Gajeel?"