AN: Fairy Tail still belongs to Hiro Mashima; that is how it should remain because if it didn't we wouldn't love it as much as we do and there would be a lot less fanfiction! ;)

So, here is the next chapter as promised!

Chapter Three - A Good Night Out

"HEY! So who's all coming out to the pub tonight, huh?! It's gonna be WILD!" Bacchus shouted out across the main office to all his co-workers, gaining a synchronised grunt from Gajeel and Evergreen and an enthusiastic cheer of anticipation from Bixslow.

Bacchus made his way across to Laxus' office door and walked straight in. He was met with the now common sight of a tired Laxus sitting in his large black leather computer chair staring at his computer screen. He hadn't looked that great in the last two months. He constantly looked tired; his eyes had a defeated look in them when he thought no-one was looking. His purple shirt had the top button undone and his tie hung pulled-loose around his shirt collar. His blonde, spiky hair was a dishevelled mess.

"Hey, we're all going out tonight – even the big guy with the long hair, you know? The guy with all the piercings on his face? You gonna join us? You can't sit moping forever," his cheerful tone had changed for a serious one as he'd shut the office door. He had to keep up appearances in front of the plain faces that constituted his unknown co-workers for Laxus' sake.

"Huh? Gajeel? Why the hell did he finally accept?" He asked, logging out of his computer, "and I'm not moping!"

"Some chick that he needs to take his mind off, I guess. At least that's what Bixslow was laughing about, and you are moping, Laxus – you haven't had a drink in two months! And I know you like a good drink!" Bacchus exclaimed.

"What chick?! Gajeel lives alone with some random cat he found and I know he ain't got a girlfriend 'cause my aunt wouldn't have shut up about it! As if he could! And of course I haven't been drinking! Last time I was out drinking I woke up in the morning with a killer headache to find clothes all over the bedroom floor, holes in the fuckin' walls, broken furniture and my girlfriend was missing! I can't even remember what happened! Hell, she won't even answer her god damn phone after two months! She got her friend Cana to come pick up the rest of her shit, and she wouldn't even tell me why Lucy left!" Laxus started to rant, "I bet it was for that pink-haired bastard!"

"I don't know what chick – why don't you go ask him?! Or even that sexy bitch that sits across from him?! She's the only one he'll talk to around here except you! And I'm pretty sure it wasn't the drinking that made your girl leave you, it was probably something to do with the large fist-sized holes in the walls and the broken furniture." Bacchus stated, deciding it was time to shove his friend instead of trying to make him feel better – it had been two long months.

"I'll probably find out at Christmas when we all go to my parents. Everything comes out there whether you want it to or not. I still haven't told them about Lucy though. We just seemed to constantly fight for those last two weeks, she was determined I was cheating on her. Kept saying I was only telling her half the story, to be honest, there probably wasn't much worth telling her – I was just busy at work, you know? I'd try to joke with her about her paranoia and she'd just start shouting more accusations at me. I lost count of how many times she'd threatened to leave; I guess I just hadn't thought she'd actually do it..." Laxus sighed.

"You realise Christmas is still about six months away, right?" Bacchus joked – glad he'd actually made some progress by getting his friend to say something about what actually happened that night with Lucy. One small step forward was better than nothing. "You know, if she was so determined that you were cheating on her she obviously didn't trust you, which basically means she just wasn't the right girl for you. There ain't much of a relationship without trust. So, how about you come out with everyone, and maybe we'll find you a nice WILD girl who actually wants to know you instead of completely ignoring your character? After the many times we've been out together when you've been so drunk you couldn't even stand and still didn't hit on the hot chicks that were clearly eyeing you up, we both know you're not the kind of guy to cheat on his girl."

"How often do you think I go to my parents'?" He laughed, heading towards the door, sorting his hair, "and you're right! I've survived two months without that bitch; I obviously didn't need her in my life that much when all she did was shout at me!"

The two of them walked out into the main office space laughing.

...

The guys all walked into the club as if they owned the place. Evergreen walked in behind them, surveying the dimly lit seating area for any potential 'hazards' that could cause problems for her boss. This was normal practise for her. If there were any police men or obvious drug dealers etc out drinking at the club they'd walked into, then she'd warn her boss, let him have one drink and then insist on them changing to another club. This place actually seemed alright. It certainly didn't seem like the usual seedy type of place that Bacchus often brought them to. The dance floor was packed, the bar wasn't too busy and there was a good-natured atmosphere to the place. Evergreen had to hand it to her co-worker – he'd actually picked a nice place.

"All right boys! Let's grab a drink – we ain't leaving 'til they kick us out! Good luck chasing tail tonight 'cause there's no way Hell's gonna manage all of us!" Laxus yelled to his group of friends over the din of the busy club.

That was the moment when Evergreen spotted the Chief of Police, Gildarts Clive, sitting at one of the tables in a dark booth near the back. It took a moment for her to notice the younger officer sitting next to him. Neither of them were particularly small though. In fact, they easily rivalled her companions in size. She had just started to like the place. She sighed and walked up to the well stocked bar where she was greeted by a tall woman with long white hair asking what she'd like to drink. She asked for a gin and tonic and turned her whole body to sit, slightly seductively, to face the small table with the two police men.

Laxus looked at his assistant and instantly recognised the warning. It was a simple enough one; they'd agreed it was better for her to sit like that staring at them rather than grab his arm and pointedly glare at them. He ordered his pint and glanced over in the direction of the table she was 'pointing' at. He quickly recognised Gildarts who seemed to be repeatedly elbowing the younger officer and looking at Ever, the younger man clearly irritated at the older man's jesting. He scoffed at the muscular, white haired man, knowing full well what Ever's body language actually meant and knowing all about her chillingly cold character, causing him to laugh to himself at the fact the young officer didn't even stand a chance.

Gajeel had placed himself at the bar, a little away from the rest of the group. He ordered a pint of beer and was quickly served by a small waitress with indigo-coloured short hair wearing a strappy, very tight-fitting, short black dress. For some stupid reason he found himself wondering what his neighbour would look like in the dress. Kicking himself hard, he paid for his drink and stared into it, taking a few sips every now and then. He only looked back up after he'd finished his pint to find Freed chatting with the barmaid. He looked along the length of the bar to see if the 'indigo' waitress was still there. Not finding her, he turned around to face the rest of the busy club in the hope of catching the attention of one of the waitress. His question was answered.

Walking towards him carrying a large tray of empty glasses, in the same dress as Indigo, was Levy.

Told you the story would get back on track! And don't worry, it'll continue in the next chapter ;) The next chapter may be a little delayed, it's looking like a very busy weekend so it may be Monday – sorry!

Quick question – I'm just being nosey – anyone going to Glasgow MCM Comic Con in September? :) I'm going as Tohru Honda from Fruits Basket for the first day and I was thinking about going as Evergreen for the second :D I actually realised I literally already have everything I need to be Evergreen, including the hairstyle/colour, glasses and fan! Yes, I'm weird – I have a few hand-held fans, deal with it ;)