Oh nothing, Carina replied giving another small giggle. Before Lucy could say anything in response, they all felt something ram into the side of the car. All of them were tossed around the car, Lucy still holding tightly onto Natsu. Next thing they knew one of the doors was ripped open, revealing the attacker as a Vulcan. They hit a bump which caused the Vulcan and everyone but Carina to fall out the door. Carina looked out to see Gray trying to keep control of the car. Without being able to stop it, Carina climbed out and tackled him off his seat; snapping the SE plug as they began rolling down the hill. The car drove down a cliff side, crashing at the bottom. They both finally managed to stop rolling, Gray noticed he was on top again. Carina blushed. Why is it you re the one on top? She giggled. Gray shrugged before standing up. He reached his hand out and Carina gladly took it. Jeez, it s colder than I thought. Carina shivered, pulling her coat closer around her. Eh, it s just right for me. well, duh, Mr. Ice-mage, Carina said sarcastically, rolling her eyes.
I guessed we missed one of the Vulcans we were sent to get rid of, he sighed. We better go look for everyone else. Carina nodded and they began to walk along the snowy mountain terrain, as the snow beat down on them hard. Gray was used to these kinds of conditions, but knew Carina wasn't. After awhile, she started to slow down. Gray tried slow down enough for her. Why didn t you pack a heavier coat? he asked, both worried and a little annoyed. B-because, ice guy, this is the only coat I h-have, she retorted back. Gray shrugged it off and continued walking. After a few minutes of walking, he heard something fall behind him and turned to find Carina shivering in the snow. He ran over, taking off his coat. He helped her sit up and wrapped it around her. "B-but this is your c-coat." she said as he picked her up off the ground. "Don't worry about it. Unlike you I'm used to these conditions," he said, noticing a cave nearby. "I m mr. Ice-mage remember? You need it more than I do right now." 'Man, what I wouldnt give to have Natsu right now,' he thought to himself, quickening his pace and hoping she wouldn't freeze to death. 'Why did I ever agree on letting her come?' Once inside the cave, Gray sat her down on the cave floor. His worry grew as he saw her shiver so hard. He found a few sticks and tried to start a fire. After a few tries he finally got one started. He held her close to him and rubbed her arms, hoping it would help a little. "G-Gray?" Carina said in almost a whisper. "Yeah?" He replied, throwing another stick into the small fire. "Thank you," she said kissing his cheek before laying her head against his chest and falling asleep. He felt his heart skip a beat and his face completely flush. Did that just happen? He asked himself as he watched her peacefully resting against him. He smirked and relaxed against the cave wall, not wanting to move her. This is a little weird. Could I possibly LOVE this girl? Nah, it s probably something completely different. I barely know her, I can t possibly be in love with her, could I? He continued to argue with himself as he watched the snow fall outside the cave.
A few hours passed and the snow hadn t calmed down when Carina woke up, lying on her arms. She sat up and stretched, noticing Gray was nowhere to be seen. She blushed when she realized she was still wearing his coat. She examined it to see it was a little too big on her thin petite body, it sagged to the point it was down almost to her ankles and the sleeves were so long she had to roll them up just to see her hands. She jumped when she heard someone walking towards the cave entrance, then relaxed when she saw Gray walking in with firewood.
"Glad to see you're awake," he said, putting the wood on the ground beside her. He attempted to start the fire back, letting an annoyed groan escape his lips. "Out of all the times he don't have a fire mage." Carina giggled.
"It's alright Gray," she said, her grin not leaving her face. Gray gave a small smirk as his face flushed again. I can t imagine Ice make is much help with that. Gray shook his head and then his face looked proud when he finally got a fire started. Ha! That hot head ain t the only one who can start a fire, he said. Carina giggled but was quickly stopped at the sound of footsteps outside the cave. Gray stood. Finally you guys caught up, he said as Lucy and everyone came into view. Sorry, Lucy kept slowing up down, Happy said as he sat beside the fire. Shut up cat! Lucy exclaimed, causing Happy to hide behind Carina for protection. Anyway, you guys should warm up before we head back, Carina said, trying to calm Lucy down. So you two were in this cave the entire time we were out there? Natsu asked, a little annoyed. Gray nodded as he fed the fire. A little help, hothead? He asked, gesturing to the weak fire. Natsu rolled his eyes and blew fire on the smoking stick pile. Lucy looked at Carina and teasingly poked her arm when she noticed she had Gray s coat. Carina blushed and looked in the other direction. Gray saw this and cleared his throat. We better get going if we want to get back before dark, he said, putting out the fire with his ice. Everyone stood and Carina went to take off Gray s coat, but was stopped by Gray putting his hand on her shoulder. You re going to need it more than me out there. You can give it back when we get to Magnolia. Carina blushed and nodded. Says the guy who s standing in just his boxers, Lucy said, tossing Gray his t-shirt. Carina gave a small giggle as she saw a blush cover Gray s cheeks as he put on his shirt. After a while of walking the group found someone to give them a ride back to Magnolia. Gray sat next to Carina and stretched out his arms across the back of the seat. Carina s blush grew hotter when she realized his right arm was practically draped around her. Lucy noticed and gave her a smug look. Carina looked at the opposite direction of Gray, trying to hide her obviously red face. The ride back to the guild was quiet, mostly because everyone but Carina was asleep. Natsu was relaxing on Lucy s lap, only a little green from his motion sickness, Happy was curled into a ball on Lucy s chest, while she slept with a small smile on her face. Carina allowed Wendy to rest her head on her lap, she was cute when she was both awake and asleep. She looked over at Gray to see he was slouching with his arms crossed and his head bounced as the carriage moved on. He s kinda cute too, she thought. The carriage came to a stop and everyone began to wake up. The drivers son came around and pulled back the cloth at the end. Finally we re back! Natsu shouted as he jumped out of the carriage. Gray and everyone else hopped out. Carina was about to step down when the carriage drivers son reached out his hand to help her out. She reluctantly took it and stepped down.
Thanks, she said quietly, giving a polite smile. No problem, cutie, he replied with a wink. Maybe you and I can hang out sometime. Before she could reply, she felt someone wrap their arm around her shoulder. She looked up and blushed harder when she saw it was Gray. Thanks for the ride, he said tossing the boy a jewel. He turned and guided Carina towards the rest of the gang, then took his arm off. Neither Carina or Gray said a word the whole walk back to the guild. Carina couldn t calm her heart rate nor keep the blush from growing on her face. That was strange, she thought, looking at the ground. For a second it seemed like he was... Jealous? No, that can t be the case, he just didn t want me to be left behind. Yeah that s it. Gray bit his cheek as he thought of someone stealing her away from him. Jeez, what s wrong with me, he thought, glancing at her. When I heard that guy flirting with her, I don t know, I just felt like punching something. I really hope I didn t give her the wrong idea. Maybe, I do like her? I m not used to this and don t know what to do. He gave a sigh of relief when they finally reached the guild. At least he d be able to think things through clearer when she isn t there to distract him.