Disclaimer: Fairy Tail has been created by the amazing Hiro Mashima, without this amazing author, my story would not exist. I do not own any of the characters in this Fanfiction except for Watari. Nor do I own any of the locations except for Mandolus.

This is my first Fanfiction so it will be short, it won't be amazing and adding chapters may take some time but trust me I will get there.
Thanks, and if you feel like it, leave criticism, whether it be harsh or helpful.

Normal P.O.V
Master Makarov jumped up onto the bar's bench. "Alright you Fairy Tail Mages, this Guild hasn't been very lively lately so I've decided it's time for a bit of fun!" All the guilds members had their eyes fixed upon the little man, who was almost dancing on the bench. "Mirajane will explain what this fun task will be"
Mira stepped out from behind the bar. "This task will be a race to see which pair can complete the mission assigned to them, each very similar in difficulty." A soft murmur was heard throughout the guild hall, "Pairs?" "Do we get to choose?" "Are we going to be paid for it?"
Mira started speaking again,"The task will be completed in pairs. For you to win you must bring back the signature of the client you have just helped, to prove you did it, and both you and your team member must be present at the finish line."

Levy's P.O.V
Mirajane was still talking about the rules, "I will now read out the pairs, Droy and Jet, Bickslow and…
Oh no, I thought, please pair me up with someone good I turned to my right and saw Gajeel staring at me, he was smiling, after our eyes made contact he looked embarrassed and quickly looked away.
"Levy and Gajeel"
My eyes widened in shock, I started getting nervous. I felt someone place their hand on her shoulder, it was Gajeel.
"Looks like me and you are partners huh Shrimp, just stay out of my way." He walked off towards the bathroom, his hair swaying as his body moved. I was mesmerised to the way he walked, my sight was fixed to his direction. I watched until he was out of sight.
"Paired up with Gajeel, eh?" Lucy nudged my side and started teasing me, "Don't get up to anything you two."

I started blushing, I could feel my face starting to turn red.

"L-Lu Chan w-what are you talking ab-about?" I stuttered, laughing nervously.

Cana came up behind me, "Oh just admit it Levy, and we all know you like him. The way you are always staring at him, we just caught you then!"

"I do not!" I shouted. I got up and ran off.

After the pairs were called the missions were handed out.

"Stop a gang of thieves in Mandolus" I read aloud.

"Seems like a piece of cake, Gi Hee." I turned to see Gajeel standing next to me,

"When did yo..."

"It's a race isn't it? Let's get going shrimp" He said, completely interrupting me.

"I'll go get ready I guess," I started, "I'll meet you at the edge of town in about half an hour"

As I was walking home I didn't know what emotion was stirring up inside of me. It was like a mix between excitement and fear. Spending a whole mission with just Gajeel, this will be a new experience. I was almost home when I ran into Juvia.
"Oh, hi Juvia," trying to sound enthusiastic, "What are you doing?"
"Juvia is looking for Gray-sama, Juvia and Gray-sama were partnered up, Gray-Sama doesn't want to go and he is hiding from Juvia."
"I'm sure Gray will turn up, maybe he is just getting ready for the journey." Juvia's face lit up like a candle. She hurriedly ran off, searching for Gray.

When I reached home I unlocked the door and walked in. I grabbed a few supplies for the journey such as food and water. I also took a small book just in case I was able to read it along the journey. I hurried to the edge of Magnolia where I saw Gajeel waiting, he saw me heading his direction and he jumped up.
"I-I'm sorry I took so long."
"Don't worry about it shrimp, let's just get going"
The journey to our destination was 7 hours by foot. This was no problem for Gajeel who was built for this type of endurance. His large body frame looked like he could run to Mandolus. Though my body was small. It took 2 of my steps for every one of Gajeel's. I struggled to keep up with Gajeel because of his long legs able to stretch much longer than my own. I had to bend over and catch my breath, I was practically running to keep up with him.

"Ca-Can we rest for a w-while?" I panted from lack of air. He turned and looked at me, I thought I might have angered him. He started walking towards me, I flinched and closed my eyes as he grabbed my sides. I was being lifted into the air.

"Wha-waaaaa!" I screamed, he was going to kill me! But I landed on something firm, I opened my eyes to find myself sitting on his shoulders.

"Not a word" he muttered under his breath to me. He kept walking towards the destination.

"Tha-thank you Gajee..."

"What did I say shrimp?"

"Sorry" my faced started turning red, he was being nice to me. His shoulders were broad, muscled and strong, I had to force myself from rubbing my hands against them. His long jet black hair smelt of iron, probably from his diet. His clothes were rugged and smelt like they had not been washed in a while. A rusty iron smell infiltrated and burned my nostrils, it smelt like a forgery. After around 3 hours of sitting on his shoulders I started seeing sweat beads form on his brow, he was exerting himself for me. I was burdening him. I tried helping by wiping the sweat off with my sleeve.

"What are you doing?" He asked calmly but with a sharp tone.

"I uh, wanted to help I guess..."

"Well thanks shrimp but just worry about yourself."

Why was he being so nice all of a sudden, did he feel like he was babysitting me? Did he feel like he was responsible if I got hurt?

"Gajeel can you please put me down?" I asked almost too abruptly. I felt so ashamed, he had just exerted himself for what, an order?

"Um, you sure?" He replied slowly, like I'd hurt his feelings. He lowered me to the ground carefully.

"Thank you" I started walking and mentally prepared myself for the endurance I was about to go through, but instead of him walking his normal pace he stayed back with me. He kept glancing down at me and asking if I was alright. He was being, caring.

We reached the entrance of Mandolus 3 hours later than we expected to be there, it was probably because of my slow pace. The town was a lot like Magnolia, the ways buildings were set out and the size of it. The only difference, no one was out on the streets, it seemed like everyone was indoors locked away. We walked around Mandolus for a while, not knowing where to go. Until we heard a crashing sound. We followed the sound until we reached the corner it was behind

"Give us your money or you won't see your child again!"

"Please give me back my daughter! Please! Kill me if you need to!"

"Hehe, since you don't have money we have no need to spare your lives."

"Please, no please...!" A blood curdling scream was released into the air, but stopped instantly.

"Daddy? Daddy get up! Daddy help! Daddy!"

We heard another scream. I froze, two people were just slaughtered. I told Gajeel this wasn't what we were told to do and that we should retreat, but he didn't listen. Instead he jumped out from the corner we were hiding behind.

"You two, what are you doing!"

"Looks like we have another victim, eh Watari."

No, please no, Gajeel come back please, just let us leave, Gajeel don't fight, I thought. But it was no use, I couldn't do anything.

He turned and smiled the devilish grin at me, "Don't worry Levy, I'll be fine," but as he turned, the thieves took their chance. Racing towards him swords raised. There wasn't enough time to warn him, this time I'll be the one protecting you. This time, I won't be a burden. He saw tears forming in my eyes.

"Levy? What's wrong?"

"Gajeel, I'm sorry." And I launched my body in front of the oncoming swords.