In all her life knowing Lucy, Levy knew she wasn't the type to stay out to late. Unless, it was for a party or she was out with friends. No matter what her looks 'apparently' implied Lucy was amazingly bright, she had an answer to practically everything. Even if she didn't depending on the situation, she still knew how to brighten the mood. Levy was incredibly thankful that she had the privilege of growing up with Lucy, someone who much like Levy enjoyed the simple things in life.

Whether it was a quiet night with a new or old novel, or homemade dinner with friends, or snuggling up with a blanket to have a movie marathon, or to catch up with the latest episode from one of their favourite TV series. It was what the four roommates had shared in common, but Lucy like Juvia loved a good party and wouldn't miss a chance to dress up for any occasion. She also loved the occasional drink and dancing. Levy also loved parties, but sometimes couldn't care less about them.

They were tiering, often ended in fights and the next day a majority of the girls from their University were wagging their tongue and bitching about each other. Who was wearing what and what a total slut someone had been the previous night, hooking up with half of the student body. Levy wanted to roll her eyes half the time, what was it their business? Who cares if someone sucked face with one of the sport majors. What was worse was the fact that they'd act so nice to each other's faces, but become mortal enemies the moment one turned away.

The bluenette couldn't excuse herself though because there had been plenty of times when she, Lucy, Erza or Juvia had turned around and said something about what one girls or guys. About what they were wearing, or about what they had done with another person. But the four where never fake, they tried to stay as straight up and as truthful as they could. Which she guessed had pulled off because so many people had stated that was one of their favourite things about the four of them.

Shaking her head the bluenette blinked a few times, it was three in the morning. Since the start of the year Lucy had hardly ever stayed out that late, unless she was at Fairytail which Levy knew she wasn't. Juvia had arrived home from Fairytail not even an hour ago, telling Levy she hadn't seen Lucy all day. Erza had also became slightly worried, the last time the redhead saw there pretty blonde roommate was midday, just before she left for the library.

Both Levy and Erza had been messaging and calling Lucy the moment Erza came home at seven, the fact that her car keys were still hooked on the keys rack, and she wasn't answering her phone made matters worse. She hadn't even left a note stating that she'd be out late.

"You both need to calm down," Juvia said as she walked out of the bathroom dresses in black shorts and a white tank. She had a towel thrown around her shoulders drying her wet blue hair with it, at her words Erza placed her smart phone down on the dining table.

"Your right Juvia," the redhead smiled. "If something was wrong Lucy would have called us," she calmly stated. "Unless she's been kidnapped or had her phone take away from her!" Juvia rolled her eyes, she should have known better. The redhead couldn't help but worry.

"Do you think she's with a guy?" Levy questioned. This caused Erza's eyebrows to raise, Juvia on the other hand smirked.

"The last guy Lucy dated was in high school," Juvia's smirk soon became a wide smile.

"She hasn't really gone out with any guy since then has she?" Erza watched Levy nod her head.

The three became silent at this notion, not noticing their apartment door opening. Their heads immediately snapped in the direction of the lounge room once the door closed, they froze in their positions. Listening as a voice who they knew belonged to Lucy, let out an almost dreamy sigh. They were still frozen when Lucy walked past the dining room opening making her way through the lounge to the hallway where their rooms belonged. The sliding door to the hallway never opened though. Moments after she walked past the arch that lead to the dining room and kitchen, the blonde was walking back standing in the opening staring at her roommates wearily.

"Uh.. Hey," she awkwardly smiled at them.

"I can't believe you," Levy stated. She knew that look, Lucy was with a guy.

"What?!" Lucy shockingly asked, clearly confused as to why Levy was glaring at her, on top of that Juvia was giving her a cheeky smile and Erza, well she didn't look too happy.

"You had us so worried, don't you know how to pick up your phone?" the redhead stood from her seat on the dining table walking over to Lucy. Her voice was stern.

"Cana introduced me to someone," Lucy shrugged her shoulders. She trusted these girls with her life, they knew practically everything about her and she knew everything about them.

"Who?" Levy was the next one to inch closer to Lucy. Clearly interested in Lucy's excuse, Erza herself leaned in missing the blush that came to the blondes face. Lucy's gaze moved over to Juvia who had taken a seat, she wriggled her eyebrows. That smile never leaving her flawless face.

"He…"

"He!" Levy and Erza excitingly shouted, Levy wrapped an arm around one of Lucy's as Erza grabbed her spare. "Who's he?" walking her over to the dining table Juvia pulled out a chair, they helped Lucy into the chair and soon surrounded her.

"He's… he's a footballer, errm he grew up in Magnolia town his whole life, studied at Magnolia High, graduated and does a lot of charity work," Lucy quickly mentioned anything basic she knew about him so far.

"What does he look like?" Levy's eagerness was understandable, the last time Lucy was in a relationship was when they was in high school, that lasted for almost three years and had ended shortly after her eighteenth birthday. Erza had gotten out of her seat taking a jug of homemade pink lemonade out of the fridge, she set out four glassed and poured the pink liquid into them. Lucy bit her bottom lip she knew what that meant, girl time. They wanted her to dish out everything she knew about the poor guy.

"I have to say he is extremely attractive. His well-built, strong arms, and his tall." Lucy tapped her index finger on her chin, thanking Erza once she placed the drink in front of her. "He has deep green eyes that you could look into forever, an amazing smile that just makes you want to smile and the oddest thing salmon hair…" Erza choked on her drink at the mention of Natsu's hair.

"You went out on a date with Natsu Dragneel!?" Erza and Levy shouted together again, Lucy blinked a few times. They seriously had to stop doing that. Both girls looked extremely shocked, Erza holding a hand to her chest, Juvia on the other hand was clearly excited.

"The Natsu Dragneel?" her long wet blue hair cascading over her shoulders as she leaned closer to Lucy. "Do you even know who he is?" Lucy raised both her eyebrows, she had to admit she had heard of his last name a few times in the media but never really paid attention.

"A guy who plays soccer," the gasps that came from her friend's mouths left the blonde sceptical of what her answer should have been.

"He isn't just some guy who plays soccer! He's Natsu 'Salamander' Dragneel, his the country's best footballer. The best striker in Magnolia's history behind his father Igneel Dragneel, he's the youngest footballer at the age of twenty to be a part of the national team and compete in FIFA. He scored ten goals over the four weeks, taking Fiore to its first championship since his father retired. He's, he's, he's…." Levy rummaged through everything she had read about the footballer throwing it at her friend, Lucy looked purely shocked unsure of what to say next. "He also happens to be one of Gajeel's closest friends…. What were the two of you doing? It's three in the morning," it was Levy's turn to be confused.

"Did you… you know…" Erza was unsure of what to say, she fiddled with her fingers the colour of her cheeks matched her scarlet hair. "Why are you home this late!?" she finally snapped, Lucy giggled at her wording. She knew what the elder woman was implying but the way she did it only made her smile, that's what she loved that about the redhead. She was so traditional when it came to relationships.

"Judging from the smile I'm guessing he fucked your brains out," Juvia's suggestive language left Erza blushing bright. "What was it like? His must have been amazing for…"

"We did not have sex," Lucy shouted. "We had dinner, went for a walk down the beach and had ice cream. We lost track of time I guess," she was still shocked from finding out that the guy she spent the night with was the Salamander. But it was the truth both her and Natsu had lost track of time, they were so engrossed with each other they hardly even looked at their phones.

"You spent over twelve hours with an international football star and didn't have sex with him," Juvia's tone suggested she didn't believe her blonde friend.

"I didn't even know he was famous," there was a moment of silence. Lucy ran a hand through her hair unsure of what to say, or how she should feel about her recent discovery. He did tell her he was a footballer and soccer was something he loved, it really didn't matter whether he was famous because of it or if it was a hobby. She didn't ask, all that matter was that she made a friend, someone who didn't make crude comments about her body, someone whose gaze didn't linger at her breast or ass. He actually kept eye contact and was interested in what she was saying.

In that moment Lucy realised that it didn't matter that he was famous, it didn't matter that he didn't disclose that with her because he could have believed she already knew or Cana told her. Picking up the glass Lucy finished the pink lemonade, standing out of her seat she made her way to her room.

"I'm going to bed," she mumbled.

Erza followed the girls moving figure until she disappeared unsure about what to say, the petite bluenette was the first to speak. "Do you think she knows about Ace?"

Erza opened her mouth to say something but clamped it shut, her tongue darting out to lick her lips.
"She didn't mention it," the redhead managed. "But it doesn't really matter, does it?" with those words said Juvia excused herself, saying that she had a long weekend ahead of her.

The fact was they all had a long week installed for them.


Levy had woken up to the beeping of the washing machine signalling that the load of clothes had been washed, rubbing her eyes she turned to look at the time. It was eleven twenty, Monday morning.

Yawning, the bluenette relaxed running a hand through her mop of hair.

Monday

Something in her head rang as she shot up, it was eleven twenty on a Monday morning. Shit, tossing the covers off of her body Levy ran out of her room to the bathroom, she had to be at work in the next forty minutes. Turning on the shower Levy tied her hair into a bun while waiting for the water to heat, she stripped out of her clothes, grabbing her toothbrush a moment later. When she hopped into the shower everything was almost a blur, as she quickly brushed her teeth and washed her body.

Once out of the shower Levy let out a groan, she had forgotten her robe and towel in her room. Poking her head out of the bathroom door, she was relieved to find no one there. So she took her chances one arm around her chest the other on her groin, she ran down to her room slipping in quietly.

When she was dried off, she slipped on her underwear. Thankful that she had laid out her clothes – which consisted of a black knee length pencil and a white sleeveless blouse – the night before. Scampering around her room for her shoes, Levy caught herself in the mirror and almost shouted in horror. Her hair was an absolute mess. Glancing at the clock in her room fifteen minutes had passed since she woke up, she had time.

Taking a seat on her vanity, the brown eyed girl moisturised her face applying some powder and rouge, running mascara through long lashes giving them some thickness. Brushing her hands through her hair, she grabbed one of the many hair ties on her vanity tying her hair in a high bun. At least it looks a bit better, she bitterly thought. Scooping her shoes into her arms Levy grabbed her reading glasses and bag, walking out of her room. When she had walked past the kitchen she was surprised to find Lucy and Juvia having breakfast.

"Hey are you running late?" Juvia asked, taking a mouth full of oats soon after.

"Yes I am," Levy managed to answer. "Do any of you need the car today?" she looked at the key rack realising Erza had already taken one of the cars.

"I don't everything is in walking distance for me," Lucy stated.

"Same here," Juvia chipped in.

The petite girl was thankful, opening the door she locked it behind her heading for the stairs.

Metalicana, her boss was one man many people didn't try to upset. Although he was fair and had a soft spot for the girl, it didn't change the fact that he was cruel, selfish and that he hated tardiness. But her boss slipped her mind as she hoped he wouldn't be there when she arrived. But luck wasn't on her side.

She literally drove into the one thing that always put her boss in a foul mood, and the last person she had wanted to see, the one thing that usually made her anxious, he was arguing with his eldest son. Yet again.

"I seriously thought you would have sorted yourself out by now, yet you always keep disappointing me Gajeel." Levy winced at the sound of a wrench loudly slammed against the wall, the same wrench Metalicana had thrown at the wall in frustration, as he stormed after his son. "You make something out of yourself then you toss it all away, just like four years ago," He roared sharply.

"Fuck you," the young studded man shouted in the direction of his father. He had made his way out of the factory with Metalicana right behind him, they had yet to spot Levy as she parked her car unsure of whether she should stay in her car, or get out.

"Say that again you piece of shit," his piercing black eyes narrowing.

"Fuck. You," Levy bit her bottom lip opening the car door bopping out.

"You think you're so smart just because you've made a pretty good living? Well guess what Gajeel, if you don't get your head out of your arse and out of that bitches arse you gonna end up losing everything," his words made Levy flinch. They were always so harsh to one another, sighing she made her way to the factory trying not to be noticed.

"Like you can talk old man! Why do you always have to bring her up it has nothing to do with her," Gajeel crossed his arms over his chest. His gaze leaving his father's over to the small woman who was trying to get inside the factory.

"This has everything to do with her! She's the reason you're in this fucking mess," Metalicana growled. "You think I like seeing my sons or his poor excuse of a partner, plastered over some magazine with 'Gajeel Redfox at it again.' Followed by drugs, alcohol and rehab? Are you even listening to me?" black eyes followed his son's gaze to his pretty blue haired worker. "Levy," his rough voice called out to her.

Yelping she turned around to face her boss and his son, she stood frozen in her spot.
"Your late," her head hung low unsure of who to look at or what to say. She could feel Gajeel's eyes devouring her, swallowing the lump in her throat she spoke.

"Mr. Redfox, I'm so sorry it won't happen again," she raised her head holding it high. She didn't expect her boss to smile at her, neither did Gajeel because he looked as equally shocked but quickly hid it.

"It's your first time, don't let it happen again," he gave her a nod.

"Of course Mr. Redfox," she politely replied back. "Now if you'll excuse me," she hitched her bag back onto her shoulder ignoring Gajeel's stare making her way into her office upstairs.

"You can't see it then I'll show you myself, you used to have possibly the best woman in your life and you fucked it up remember," she heard her boss say to his son.

"Dad don't," Gajeel's voice cracked in what Levy hadn't heard in a long time. Pain.

"Polite, caring, smart, doesn't take drugs, has a good public image, respects and keeps care of herself." At his words Levy made her way upstairs at a speed that would have been unnatural, her heart was beating fast at the thought of what Gajeel would have said to his father.

Ignoring that thought Levy opened her office door, placing her bag on the desk and taking a seat on her leather computer chair. Turning on the computer Levy picked up the pile of papers that had been placed on her desk earlier, shuffling through them as the computer turned on.

Sliding her glasses on Levy started typing onto the computer but her thoughts were running wild, making it impossibly hard for the young girl to think. She cried out in frustration why today out of all days, had there been an incredible amount of invoices for her to go though. Why out of all days had he been here, he was supposed to be training. But the thought that worried her the most about the studded man was, he had purposely come to the factory before she started work. He was avoiding her.

"Why," Levy placed her face in her hands. He remembered.

Her body shook as she started crying, how was she supposed to deal with this. Her distress was soon filled with pure rage, he was avoiding her but the moment she saw her, he was practically undressing her with those damn red eyes of his. This was why she hated alcohol, it only made people disoriented, and causing the exact mistake she had made in the dark with him.

Shaking her head Levy wasn't going to let that distract her right now, she had a job to do and she was going to get it done. She pushed back the thoughts of his rough hands running over her body, grasping places no one, but he had ever touched before. The passionate kisses and the heat of his touch erased for the moment, because she knew that night had been a mistake. No matter how many time her heart told her it wasn't.


Time passed by quickly, she had only one invoice left when there was a sound of two light rasp on her door, caused Levy to jump out of her thoughts.

"Come in," she stated clear. She was happy to see it was her boss and no one else.

"Sorry about that," he closed the door behind him. He was referring to the incident that had happened over two hours ago, Levy shifted in her seat sliding her glasses to her head, her mouth hung open but nothing came out. "Gajeel has always been difficult to deal with but he has a decent head on his head," Metalicana swiped his forehead with the back of his hand. "But you would obviously know that," he awkwardly stated. "Recently I don't even know what's going on in that head of his," Levy had learnt after working over two years with Metalicana, and having known him for over six years she could understand why he trusted her.

When she started working for him he had let out a few thing about his personal life and family, Levy didn't mind because she had always liked helping people out. The Redfox family especially needed it.

"I…" she had known what had been happening recently in the family, her boss told her everything he knew and Gajeel had spoken to her about the current problem in his life. The twenty-four year old had even came past the apartment completely wasted more than once, which at first was a shock to Levy. "You've all been through a lot in the past three months," she spoke softly, her hand moved to her ear picking up the pen that sat there, she began fiddling with it.

"He talks to you, right?" Levy sunk into her chair. "You both seem to be getting along again, he must have told you a few things here and there," Metalicana pushed himself off the door and made his way over to the couch.

"What do you mean?" her grip on the pen tightened.

"Has he said anything about leaving her?" Levy gave her boss a small smile, he looked tired, worried and annoyed. It made him look older than what he really was. She could understand why, at the age of forty-eight Metalicana had raised four children, the eldest one Gajeel had been a handful. Having a son that was involved with Phantom Lord, one of the many gangs that used to terrorise Magnolia Town would have been difficult. Gajeel was finally clean and off the streets, with a stable future. For a bit everything went smoothly, so when Metalicana's wife suddenly fell ill and passed away matters soon spiralled downwards.

"The last time I spoke to Gajeel was almost a month ago," Levy spoke softly. Her eyes down cast avoiding the confused stare her boss gave her, she was not going to explain that to him.

"I thought the two of you were close again," her mouth hung open unsure of what to say. The man leaned in closer which made Levy only sink back into her chair, her grip on the pen tightened.

"People tend to see things differently," she smoothly breathed out. She didn't expect him to give her that look, which told her he knew she was hiding something. It told her that he knew something had yet again, transpired between his perfect worker and his all so threating son.

Standing up he gave the bluenette a shot nod, giving her a brief glance over his shoulders before he opened the door and walked out. The air around her had become easier for her to breathe, spinning in her chair Levy finished off her last invoice. Wanting to be out of her work place, as quickly as her typing fingers could get her.


"Juvia seriously can't believe you didn't sleep with him," the bluenette chirped. Lucy sat with her on the bed lounge they had in the living room, the pair had been taking vodka and tequila shots. While sharing a bowl of m&m's and Doritos that laid in front of them.

"You're going to bring that up again? We didn't talk about it for the whole weekend and now you bring it up," she wasn't supposed to giggle. Alcohol had this weird side effect on her friend, which made her talk in third person.

"Natsu Dragneel, have you seen that guys body?" gripping onto Lucy's shoulder Juvia stood up, walking over to the coffee table she picked up a one of her magazines. Flopping herself down she quickly flicked through until she found her designated page. "Look Lucy! Look! This is what you could have been rubbing up against," when the magazine hit her face Lucy jumped. Peeling it off she gave Juvia a side stare, soon focusing her gaze onto the shine piece of paper.

"That's… that's insane," Lucy's eye brows furrowed as she looked at the picture of national team topless. "Who is built like that? Like I knew he was well built but his like perfect in every way," her eyes where wide mouth hung open.

"Now you wish you tapped that," Juvia said amusingly.

"Juvia!" Lucy shoved her pretty friend, laughing loudly Juvia fell backwards mumbling a few words that made the busty blonde blush. It only made Juvia laugh harder, Lucy soon found herself joining in.

The pair toppled over each other, not caring about the snacks or booze that was spilling over the floor. They continued on even when they saw Levy walk through the door, throwing her bag and keys on the floor with frustration.

"Levy! Levy! You have to see these footballers," Lucy called out. "Even Gajeel's in this, how is it possible for the national team of Fiore to look this good?" both girls fawned over the magazine as Levy stared at them deadpan.

"Can you not," she seethed the pair blinked a few times. They were unsure if she was glaring daggers at them, or the picture of the guy she had been in love with for years.

"Hey Levy are you okay?" both girls chimed in sync. Her hands where fisted when she stalked up to them, gripping the magazine which such ferocity it made them both flinch back.

"Ugh. Stupid excuse of a man," she tore into the mag ripping off the picture of the team's goalie. "Thinks he can just toy with me and then never talk to me again," she threw the now tattered magazine across the lounge into the dining area. "And he wonders why I broke up with him," her face was red with rage.

"Juvia's scared," both girls were holding onto each other. "Levy ruined Juvia's magazine and Gray's pretty face," she sighed letting go of Lucy to pick up the ripped picture of the football team.

Lucy pressed her lips together tightly, placing her hands in front of her she stood up walking up to her friend. Lucy softly placed a hand on the bluenette's shoulder, pulling her into her arms. Levy let out a small cry hiding her face in Lucy's shoulder, Juvia immediately joined them. They stood embracing each other for what felt like hours, each confirming with that they wouldn't leave her until she stopped crying.

Levy poured out everything she could, her eyes glassy and face red when she pulled away. Furiously she wiped her tear stained face, giving her roommates the best smile she could muster.

"Thanks," she hugged them both one more time before excusing herself. Stating she needed to have a shower.


Lucy hadn't checked her phone until she made her way to bed she had a few missed calls which were too late to check up on but out of the message she had received only one perked her interest.

It was nice getting to know you, hope I'll see you soon.

The blonde girl blinked a few, it was Natsu. She tried to supress the wide smile that graced her face, maybe if fate wanted it to happen she would see him soon.

/TBC/