Sorry for the delay! (Almost 2 months woops)

As promised, this chapter is a lot longer than the last. I had fun with the dialogue in this!

Also thanks for the reivews- Cera,fairytaillover416, WritingInShadow07

, I really do appreciate it :) (and to the guest, yes Nalu is bae but not in this case. Though there will be some Nalu in this later on)

I hope you enjoy this as much as I had fun writing it- hopefully the next chapter won't take as long!

DISCLAIMER: Don't own Fairytail

...

It had been two whole weeks since Gray Fullbuster started working for my magazine firm, Sorcerer Weekly. Turns out he was a graphic designer and was based in the creative arts sector - the complete opposite side of the building from my department (thank the heavens).

Though despite this, it still didn't make it an easy task to avoid the guy. I know, I'm being a complete pussy about the whole situation but I'm pretty embarrassed about the whole fiasco and the last thing I want is for the news to spread like wild fire across the company. I mean, even my best girl pals don't even know about it and quite frank I'd like to keep it that way. I even went as far as to hide inside a cleaners closet for half an hour to avoid bumping into the dark haired man and Cana, since they thought it was a fucking ideal time to make conversation in the middle of the corridor (the two work in the same department so it was inevitable they were going to meet).

I was currently on my lunch break with the other girls, the four of us seated on some sleek white chairs gathered around one of the many tables in the canteen. The canteen was huge which meant luckily for me I could be in here at the same time as Gray but because of the sheer size of the room I could easily camouflage myself amongst the crowd and make a quick escape without him noticing. It also meant I could enjoy my lunch without having to constantly look over my shoulders and making the girls suspicious.

"I think I'm going to ask him out on a date,"

My ears perked up to the current conversation- because obviously whenever it comes to romance all girls take a keen interest on the topic.

"Oooh, I have a feeling I know who it is!" Levy replied, her blue hair swaying as she bopped up and down in excitement. I raise an eyebrow.

Well I have no damn clue who the hell she's on about.

"Yup," Juvia said with just as much excitement, though now a light blush decorated her cheeks, "I'm going to ask Gray if he's free this weekend!"

At the mention of the man's name, I choke on my iced tea having been in mid gulp when my ears were graced with this new revelation.

Immediately Levy was at my side, patting my back as I attempted to start breathing again. "Hey Lu, you okay?!"

"Y-yh, I'm fine," I wheeze, taking another swig at my iced drink to soothe my throat. As I gathered my bearings, I looked up towards the other girls, noticing that it was now Cana with the raised, questioning eyebrow directed towards me, "What's wrong with Juvia asking Gray out on a date?"

"Nothing!" I blurted out, all too quickily, "W-well, I mean, Juvia could do so much better and this Gray guy seems like a total sleeze. Plus I don't get what the whole fuss is about he ain't that hot."

I look anywhere but at the three women in front of me, picking up the now empty yoghurt pot inspecting the ingredients on the back.

110 milligrams of calcium in just this one pot you say? Man, my bones are gonna be wicked strong.

"Dude," Cana interrupted, a 'wtf' look gracing her features, "You have eyes, clearly that boys hot shit. Unless your taste in men has reached rock bottom since Nats-"

I throw my plastic fork at the brunette, making sure she didn't finish that sentence, "Look, my taste in men is perfectly great for your information! I'm just looking out for the well-being of a fellow comrade. He just seems like a man slut that's all."

"And you got that from one glance at him? I haven't even seen you talk to him so you can't exactly be making those accusations,"

Hold the fucking phone, why was Cana suddenly on his side?

Well this escalated quickly.

"Oh come on, he's too pretty to not keep it in his pants."

"So now you think he's pretty? Since only 5 minutes ago you admitted he wasn't that attractive"

"Chill with the technicalities, and why on earth are you defending him so much? I'm your friend so surely my opinion should matter more!"

"Because I work with him and he seems like a pretty cool guy, I just think it's wrong of you to-

"GUYS!"

Juvia suddenly stood up and slammed her hands against the table, immediately stopping mine and Cana's spat.

"I get that you guys are looking out for me especially you Lucy, but I really like this guy and Cana's right, you shouldn't be making such accusations-"

"This is stupid, I'm going back to work."

I pick up my tray and dump the contents of it to the nearest bin before making my way out of the canteen, refusing to look back at the girls.

...

I was right, this was stupid, stupid in the sense that I was making such a big deal out of this situation. Who am I to stop Juvia from dating whoever she wants? If she liked him then she should go ahead and ask him out! I will admit, it is pretty awkward that I had a drunken one night stand with said guy and now we're working in the same company but you know what, who cares! Well, I do care a little bit because it's incredibly embarrassing on my behalf and I don't want people to know but then I shouldn't be so selfish that's so unlike me-

"Gah!"

I face plant my desk, interrupting my inner turmoils in mid-argument.

Maybe I should go look for another job?

"Hey,"

Surprised, I turn to the source of the voice, having been too caught up with my thoughts I hadn't even noticed that Cana had followed me all the way to my office.

Well now that's kinda stalkerish.

"What's wrong with you?" Cana questioned, taking a seat on the edge of my couch (yes I did have the luxury of having my own sofa in my own office), "The Lucy we know and love doesn't just blow up like that over some guy,"

I waited, knowing she wasn't finished yet.

"I mean, the way you reacted wasn't just some assumption you made from a quick glance, you reacted like you had some history with the guy, like you slept with him or something-"

And just then I couldn't help myself; I gasped and dropped the pen I was fiddling with because damn, she was bang on point.

"How did you kn-?"

And with that it was Cana's turn to gasp. We both stared back at each other, mouths agape. It was like looking into a mirror. Except I was blonde and she was a brunette. We looked pretty hilarious.

"Dude, I was only joking,"

Oh.

Well shit.

I cover my hands over my face, praying that the ground would open up and swallow me there and then, "Please don't judge me,"

Within seconds Cana was by my side, her face a mixture of emotions as I glance at her between my fingers. It was mostly surprised and shocked, a tad bit of confusion and there was something else I wasn't expecting.

Pride?

"When? How? Why? Spill the beans lady! I want to know all the details."

And so I caved and told her everything. From how I actually couldn't remember most of the night but woke up in his apartment with a slight pulsing pain between my legs and how I've been avoiding him ever since (which included mentioning the closet incident).

And man let me tell you, it felt so good letting it all out.

I looked at my brunette friend expectantly, eagerly waiting for her response.

"So...was he any good?"

Instantly I feel my cheeks burn up, "Cana!"

"I'm being serious, was he?"

I looked at her as if she had grown a second head. Honestly, I probably shouldn't be surprised that this was her response. She had the mouth and outlandish behaviour of a truck driver, and could even hold her drink like one too.

"Out of everything," I waved my hands in a circular motion to emphasise the 'everything' part, "That's what you have to say?"

Cana looked back at me as if it was the most obvious thing in the world, "Well yeah, and then I was going to follow it up with how would you rate his body out of 10 and then ask how big was his peni-

"Cana!"

"What?"

"So you're going to totally ignore the fact I had just broken with my long term boyfriend a week before and yet I was so quick to go jump in bed with someone else. I know I was completely hammered but that gives me no excuse to move on so quick! And the thing is I feel so guilty about it and I'm such a horrible person, I shouldn't even deserve him," I could feel my eyes tearing as it dawned on me that I fucked things up and any hope of getting back together with Natsu was never going to happen.

I felt a hand on my shoulder, Cana kneeling in front of me, "Hey, you need to stop blaming yourself for what happened between you and Natsu. If there was a chance of you two getting back together, like hell should you consider it anyway since his dumbass reason was because he may have feelings for some other chick!"

I couldn't help but chuckle at a recent memory that came to mind. When the girls found out about mine and Natsu's break up, Cana immediately made her way to his apartment and threw a brick at his window, followed by a series of curses.

The girl always had my back.

"And that's bullshit with how you don't deserve him. If anything he doesn't deserve you! Because damn you're a fine piece of ass and any man's lucky to have you,"

I couldn't help but smile at the brunettes brash terms, grabbing a tissue to wipe my eyes, "Thanks Cana, you always know what to say,"

She smirked, "Of course I do,"

I rolled my eyes, though the smile remained, the next part of my dilemma I needed to sort out, "So what do I do about Gray?"

I watched as the brunettes eyebrows rose, as if she had completely forgotten about her other work colleague. However, I was soon regretting to have asked her for advice as the next thing I knew she was pissing herself laughing, holding her stomach as she leaned on my desk.

"How hilarious! Having a drunken one night stand with a guy and two days later he just happens to land a job at the same company as you! What are the chances!"

I shot her a deadpan look, as the brunette attempted to regain her composure.

"You quite done yet?"

"G-give me 5 minutes,"

I rolled my eyes the second time as I opened my laptop and checked my emails. Well, I might as well do some work whilst the crazy woman sorts herself out.

"Okay so let's just clarify some things. I can assume he was just as drunk as you am I correct?"

I leaned back on my chair, trying to recall the events of that night, "I think so? I mean I did meet him at a bar so he must have been."

"Right," Cana continued, "And you can't see to remember much right?"

"Nope"

"And you only know what he looks like because you got a good look at his face when you left, sober, the next morning?"

I nodded, "That is correct,"

"Well, to conclude, there's probably a 78% chance that he's just as clueless as you are and doesn't remember the events of that night either."

I look up at my friend and raise an eyebrow, "That's a pretty bold assumption,"

"It is a possibility. Either way, you can't avoid him forever and there's not always going to be a cleaners closet for you to hide in,"

I sighed, "That's true,"

"So that's that! Stop worrying and overthinking about everything because it's actually alot simpler than you think."

"You're right," I walked up to the brunette and gave her a tight hug. Despite her brash attitude the girl could be really wise at times.

"Oh shit, but what do I do about Juvia?" I ask, just remembering the incident from earlier, "She clearly likes him and I can't just be like 'oh yh you totally have my blessing but just a heads up I've already had sex with him, no biggie!"

Cana just shrugged her shoulders, "She doesn't need to know. Like you said it was a one night stand, unless you do hold some feelings for him?"

I shook my head, "Oh God no,"

"Good. What she doesn't know can't hurt her. It'll be out little secret" She winked, before picking up her bag as our lunch break was nearly up.

"Oh though that reminds me. I thought me, you and the girls could go for a drink after work. Nothing major but I think it'd be a good time for you to apologise to Juvia about earlier,"

"Ah shit," God I was such a dick to her, "Yeah of course, Fairy Tail bar across the road right?"

"You gotcha!"

As I watched Cana reach towards the door, walking in a very slow and exaggerated pace, I sighed knowing exactly what she wanted to hear from me just before she left.

"And to answer your questions; yes he was good, extremely good. I would rate his body a solid 8 out of 10 and as for the down stairs department", I then raised both my index fingers and spaced them quite a fair distance from each other, "He was pretty big,"

Cana smirked and bumped my fist.

"That's my girl"

...

As I walked through the doors of Fairy Tail, I began to immediately look for the other girls. The interiors of the pub had this celtic aesthetic, wooden benches and traditional fireplaces. It was homey; a nice change to the cosmopolitan lifestyle of the city.

Spotting the two blueneettes on a bench in the corner, I made my way over, Levy giving me a wave once having noticed me. When I set my bag down, I was immediately tackled with a hug from the shorter one of the two, "Are you okay? We were all worried about you,"

I smiled and hugged the petite woman back, "I'm fine, I had a little pep talk with Cana which was what I needed,"

I then turned to Juvia, "Hey girl, I'm really sorry about earlier. I think the whole break up with Natsu hadn't really hit me and so I just took it out on you. I am really sorry, I shouldn't have done that,"

The blue eyed woman looked up at me, a smile appearing on her features, "That's okay. I should have been more wary of your situation with Natsu before going on about dating guys. There's no need for you to apologise,"

I sat next to her, wrapping my arms around her shoulders to also give her a quick hug, "Look, you don't have to tread carefully around me. If you want to talk about guys then go for it! I always like a bit of gossip anyway," I replied, giving her a wink as both the bluenettes laughed.

"Well, I'm honestly glad you said that," Juvia replied, her toothy grin getting even wider, "Because since Cana works with the love of my life in her department, she thought it'd be a good idea to invite him and a few of the other guys for a drink tonight!"

My face dropped.

Wait. What?

Gray was coming here. Because Cana invited him. To the same drinks that she had also invited me too.

That manipulative, shit stirring creti-

"Hey girls! I guess we were the last ones to arrive ey?"

And there goes any chance of a speedy getaway.

I watched as both Juvia and Levy stood up to greet the new arrivals, my back still facing towards them. I could tell from the pink hue on Juvia's cheeks, that a certain graphic designer was standing right behind me.

"M-my names, J-Juvia, it's lovely to meet you,"

I can't believe this was happening. To think that I was complimenting that conniving wench earlier.

I didn't have it in me to turn around.

"And I'm Levy!" From my left, I could see another man lean towards Levy to shake her hand, "Nice to meet you, I'm Bacchus."

And when he introduced himself, the moment I heard his voice I felt shivers run down my spine, as memories of that night flashed in my mind. And let me tell you these were no PG13 flashbacks.

"Hey Lu," Levy inquired. Good old Levy, "You not going to introduce yourself?"

Fuck.

"Y-yh of course I am,"

"Come on Lu, no need to be shy!"

Shut it you backstabbing troll.

I slowly stood up, taking steady breaths- not only to calm my nerves for the confrontation but to also stop myself from pouncing on a certain brunette.

She did this on purpose. The bitch.

As I turned, I found myself looking into a pair of dark eyes. They almost looked black, but if your looked carefully you could see flecks blue. He had tanned skin just as I remembered, with a sharp nose, full lips and a set of well sculptured cheek bones. His black hair was in a messy array of spikes, bangs brushing against his long, dark eyelashes.

I didn't remember him being this beautiful.

Oh and then there was Cana behind him. With a shit eating grin plastered across her face.

I was going to kill her when this was over.

...

I love Cana. She's such a lad.