Levy sat on the edge of her bed, so many nights she had spent wide awake and her mind flooded with nightmares. It had been two weeks since Phantom Lord had been destroyed and their members had separated, but it was the two longest weeks of her life. Magnolia had finally been peaceful again, even after the Battle Royale with Laxus and the Thunder Legion. Every time Levy closed her eyes the image of being attacked and strapped to a tree, along with Jet and Droy; were enough to make anyone an insomniac. The worst part was that master Makarov had allowed Gajeel to be a part of Fairy Tail, every time she walked into the guild he was there and a cold sweat overtook her body.
She had not been on a single job since then, although the master had told her to take some time off. She didn't want anyone to know that she was grateful for the time away, she couldn't go out in public knowing everyone knew what happened. It was disgraceful for a member of Fairy Tail to be so weak. That was what kept her awake most of all, knowing she was too weak to protect her comrades that dreadful day.
Levy walked into her kitchen and took out a carton of eggs and some bread, maybe cooking would ease her mind. Just as she was about to turn the fire on to cook there was a knock at the door. Levy jumped frightfully and dropped her carton of eggs on the floor.
"Oh fiddlesticks…" Levy said and walked to the door.
Before she had time to ask who it was, a familiar and friendly voice spoke on the other end.
"Levy, it's me Lucy…I have great news to tell you."
Levy exhaled in relief and opened the door to reveal an all too eager Lucy Heartfilia.
"Hi Lucy, I'm so glad it's you. I got a little worried for a moment." Levy said, blushing.
Lucy smiled, and walked in giving Levy a hug as soon as she walked through the doors threshold.
"I'm sorry levy, I didn't meant to startle you." Lucy said, looking at the eggs covering the kitchen floor.
"It's ok, it's my fault for being a little to jumpy still." Levy said bending over to start mopping the eggs up.
As soon as Levy had finished cleaning up her mess, she walked over to her table and chairs by the window and took a seat next to Lucy.
"So…what's this good news you were talking about?" Levy looked at Lucy, with a hesitant smile on her face.
"Well, there are some new jobs posted and master Makarov said that maybe it would be a good idea for you to take one. I thought it was a good idea as well and insisted on being the one to tell you." Lucy looked at Levy with a smile.
Levy looked at the floor and blush covered her cheeks, taking a job now. Levy didn't think it was such a good idea, she knew Jet and Droy had already been back at it again; she just didn't know if she was ready.
"Lucy, I appreciate you and the master looking out for me, I just don't know if I'm ready." Levy looked at Lucy, waiting for her answer.
"Of course you are!" Lucy said, placing her hand on Levy's. "I know you are."
Levy looked at Lucy and a smile spread across her face, maybe she was and she didn't know it yet. Lucy had faith in her, maybe she needed to have faith in herself. It would be a good way to see some new scenery and clear her mind, maybe she would even come back as the old Levy. The Levy that wasn't afraid of walking into the Guild she called home so long ago.
"Ok, I'll go." Levy said looking out the window.
She needed to do this, if not for herself; but to prove a point to everyone. She wasn't going to curl up in the corner any longer, she was a script mage and she was going to show everyone just how tough she could be.
"Yay! Everyone will be so happy to have you back in the Guild. You have no idea how tough it's been without you." Lucy said, smiling at her again.
Levy smiled back, standing up and going into her room to get her fighting outfit on. She was ready, whether she thought she was or not.
"Well I'm going to let you get ready, I'll see you at the guild!" Lucy shouted from the other room.
Levy heard the door shut behind Lucy, Levy wasn't too far behind as she then stepped outside her home in what seemed like forever.
Levy walked through the busy streets of Magnolia, she felt like the citizens were staring at her. When she lifted her head to meet there gazes, she was pleased to see that they were smiling at her. They weren't judging her like she had thought. Levy smiled back and continued on her path to the Fairy Tail.
Opening the doors for the first time in weeks, she was greeted with a crowd of people running to her. Natsu was one of the first to reach her, giving her a hug and then giving her a thumbs up. She saw Gray and Juvia giving a thumbs up as well, then Lucy walked next to her for support. All the people greeting her at the door gave her a new strength she hadn't felt in some time. Walking further into the guild, more members were bowing their heads to her in acceptance for her arrival. Master Makarov was sitting on top of the new bar and gave her a smile she missed dearly.
"Levy my child, I'm glad to see your arrival to the guild again." Master Makarov said as he jumped off the bar and stood in front of Levy.
"It's good to be back master." Levy bowed to him and then smiled.
"Good, then we can get you started on a new job. There are a quite a few new ones, let us see which one would be good for you." Master Makarov walked to the board, with Levy by his side.
Levy looked at the board and didn't think many of these would be good for her, they all looked to be ones for multiple people to join. Since Jet and Droy were still on one themselves, she had to fly solo this time.
"Master, I don't think I can do any of these." Levy said, looking defeated.
"Oh nonsense, I thought you might run into this problem. So I have assigned you a partner." Master Makarov said, with the same smile on his face from earlier.
"Who Master? My comrades are already on a job themselves." Levy said, looking concerned.
"Yes, I know." Master Makarov said, as his hand motioned for someone to join them.
Just as Levy was about to speak, a familiar figure landed on the floor from the second story. There standing in all his Dragon Slayer glory was non-other than the Iron Dragon Slayer himself, Gajeel Redfox. The master had to be out of his mind, there was no way Levy could work with Gajeel. Not after everything that had happened.
"Now Levy, before you protest; I must tell you that even though there is a bad past between the two of you Gajeel is the best partner to accompany you." Master Makarov looked at her with patient eyes.
Levy couldn't speak, there was nothing she could say. She was completely frozen in front of the two of them.
"Levy!" Master Makarov's voice snapped her out of her frozen state of mind.
"Sorry Master, if you think this is the best idea then I guess I have no other option than to abide by your decision." Levy said, looking at Gajeel and then down at the floor.
"Don't worry Shrimp…I don't bite anymore." Gajeel said smirking at her.
Levy looked at him and gave a fake laugh.
"Levy, come with me a moment." Master Makarov said, motioning for her to join him outside.
As they walked outside, Levy let the fresh hair calm her.
"Levy, I know this isn't the best idea. I know it will be difficult, but there is one thing for you to think of. I let Gajeel join the guild because I saw potential, I know what he did can never be forgotten. I also know that people act accordingly to the enviroment they are in. Gajeel was corrupted by darkness and greed, after all that had happened he still agreed to come to Fairy Tail. I believe he wants forgiveness, to start over. I am not saying you have to give it to him, just allow him to prove himself to this guild. He might not really be as cruel as we think." Master Makarov said, waiting for Levy to speak.
"Master, one thing you have always taught me was to see the good in others, I will see if I can see it in Gajeel. I cannot guarantee anything, but I will give it some effort." Levy said, bowing to her master once again.
"Thank you my child." Master Makarov said, walking back into the guild.
Levy looked up at the sky, she didn't quite understand why the master would pair them together. One thing she did know was that he always had a good reason for the things he did.