"Her name is Sorano Aguria," Lucy was saying, "She's a parent at the private school I work at. She does a lot of volunteer work for the school's fundraising efforts."

Gray was barely listening to her, tickling Clive to make him giggle. The little boy was shrieking with delight, trying to scramble away. Sadie jumped onto his back, squealing when Gray reached around to grab her ankles.

"Gray!" Lucy called sharply to gain his attention, "Did you hear anything I just said?"

Gray waited for Sadie to slide off his back before returning to a sitting position, panting slightly from the exertion of playing with the children.

"I heard you, Lucy…I just don't care. I'm not going on another date."

"Why not?" Lucy pouted, "It's been weeks now. And you're running out of valid excuses."

He cocked his head as Clive crawled into his lap, picking Gray's arms up and placing them around him, "Excuses? I was recovering from a serious injury."

She laughed lightly, "You were fine after a week."

Gray grinned, planting a kiss on Clive's head, "You tell her, Clive. Mama's not listening to me."

"Unca Gray has owie butt!" the 2-year old announced, looking up at Gray for approval.

"That's right!" Gray agreed, making room on his lap for Sadie too, "Uncle Gray can't go on any more of Mommy's dates because he got shot in the butt!"

Lucy stifled a laugh, watching her children try to goad Gray into rough-housing again. She loved it when he played with them.

"It's been a few weeks, Gray," Lucy said softly, "I know your date with Erza was not ideal…"

"She made out with an ex-boyfriend…and I'm not even sure our date was officially over yet," Gray quipped.

Lucy sighed, knowing there was no arguing that.

"I'll show you a picture of her," Lucy offered, sitting down beside Gray and the children with a staff directory from her work.

"She's in the staff directory?" Gray asked, "Even though she's a volunteer?"

"Miss Sorano!" Sadie pointed out the picture, a big grin on her face.

"Is she nice?" Gray asked her.

Sadie looked up at her mother, then back at the book, "I don't know. I go to Magnolia Elementary...but she gave me a cookie once at one of Momma's staff parties."

"Should I take her on a date?" Gray squeezed both kids, making them giggle.

Sadie's expression soured, "What's a date?"

"It's when two people go somewhere together to see if they like each other," Lucy explained.

"I go to Kindergarten for that," Sadie mentioned, "Most kids are nice. Maybe you should just come to Kindergarten."

"You think I can meet nice people there?" Gray asked with amusement.

Sadie had lost interest, reaching for the cat's tail as he walked by. Happy screeched, then scrambled for the nearest couch, disappearing underneath.

"Sorano's willing," Lucy told Gray, still sitting on the floor next to him and Clive, "Interested even. Mostly because you're hot…but c'mon Gray…it's been weeks since the Erza incident. We can make this easy…Natsu and I won't go this time. It can be just the two of you."

Gray turned his head so Lucy wouldn't see him blush at her comment about him being hot. He tickled Clive again, making the child giggle.

He shook his head, "I'm happy playing with the kids, Luce. Why don't you and Natsu go on a date instead? I'll babysit."

"I'm home!" Natsu yelled as he came in the door. Instantly, both Sadie and Clive jumped off Gray's lap, running for their father. They both climbed up his body, one kid in each arm. Natsu hugged them both, asking them about their day, then dropped them both off at the couch, leaning down to kiss Lucy firmly on the lips.

"Dinner will be ready soon," Lucy told him with a grin as he pecked her lips over and over again. Gray groaned, moving away a bit.

"Cuddle puddle first!" Natsu announced, launching his body down on top of Lucy.

She squealed, pounding him playfully with her fists. Natsu laughed as both kids scrambled to join in the fun. Gray retreated further away. He watched, sorrow and desire rushing through him. As much as this family loved him, he couldn't join in these moments. Natsu and Lucy were right…he craved the closeness of the family life that they had…he wanted his own family life. He and Silver were close and he loved his son with all his heart, but he needed more. He admired the relationship Natsu and Lucy had…longed for it…and he would never get it if he didn't agree to meet people.

He cleared his throat, catching Lucy's attention, "Okay."

Lucy sat straight up, Natsu still wrestling with the kids behind her, "Okay?"

"Tell Sorano I'll go out with her," Gray muttered, suddenly embarrassed as Natsu and the kids stopped to listen.

Lucy's face lit up, "You won't regret it!"

Gray huffed, snickering to himself, "Where have I heard that before?"

Gray pulled at the collar of yet another too-tight shirt, chastising himself for his moment of weakness. If he'd stuck to his guns instead of getting all sentimental about the Dragneel Cuddle Puddle, he wouldn't have sweaty palms right now…or the urge to strip the damned suit right off his body. He hated dressing up. How in the hell did people figure this was the 'proper' way to date anyway? He wasn't comfortable…and if he wasn't comfortable, how could he relax enough to have fun?

He stood outside the restaurant, checking his watch. He was right on time, but there was no one matching his date's description waiting for him. Lucy had said she'd be wearing a light blue dress. He already knew from the picture Lucy had shown him that she'd have white hair. Nobody on the street corner matched that description.

10 minutes passed, and Gray was still alone. He took out his cell to text Lucy just as a stretch limo arrived. The driver got out, rounding the car to the open the door.

Gray couldn't help but stare. This was a nice restaurant, but perhaps it was overkill to show up in a limo. The driver glanced at Gray, waving him over. Gray put both hands on his chest, asking 'me?' with his body language. The limo driver glared at him, gesturing for him to get over there now.

Gray complied – because he didn't know what else to do. The limo driver opened the door, standing straight and tall. Gray put both arms behind his back, his confusion evident on his face. Inside the limo was a woman of the same description Lucy had given him.

"Oh! You're Sorano!" Gray blurted out.

The woman looked at him, one very carefully styled brow raised expectantly.

"Offer her your hand," the driver hissed under his breath.

Gray's eyes widened as he scrambled to get a bit closer to the door, extending his hand awkwardly. A white gloved arm appeared, securing her hand in Gray's as she stepped out.

Gray's eyes grew even wider as he got his first look at her. While it was true that Sorano was very beautiful, every bone in his body told him to run. If Erza was slightly out of his league, Sorano buried the league altogether.

Her dress was light blue and strapless, complimented by a goose-feather shawl. Her hair was cut neatly, almost looking glued in place.

"You must be Mr. Fullbuster," Sorano greeted him.

"S-Sorano?" Gray stuttered.

"Miss Aguria," Sorano corrected, "or Miss Sorano at the least. We don't know each other yet."

"A pleasure to meet you, Miss Sorano," Gray forced himself to say.

"We will walk first," Sorano told him, "I'm not hungry yet."

She stood perfectly still, eyeing Gray.

"Take her arm!" the driver hissed in Gray's ear.

Gray scrambled, taking Sorano's arm under his own. She nodded to the driver, dismissing him, then began to walk. Gray struggled at first, trying to find a way to walk with her without tripping over her 4-inch spiked heels. The driver waved to them, and if Gray didn't know better, he could have sworn he heard a, "Good luck, kid…you're gonna need it," in the background.

"Mrs. Dragneel was correct," Sorano smiled at Gray, "You're extremely attractive. 'Hot' even, if I dare say something so brazen."

Gray swallowed, making a mental note to throttle Lucy the next time he saw her, "Thank you."

She glanced at him, a piercing eye meeting his.

"You're very beautiful," Gray spat out. He wanted to facepalm. What the hell did she want him to say?

"Thank you," she quipped, "Okay…driver's gone…we can relax now," she let go of Gray's arm, stretching, "Ugh! I thought he'd never leave!"

Gray shook his head, completely and utterly confused.

"I have rich parents," Sorano explained, "And even at 27, I live under their rules for what a proper lady should look like. I'm a grown woman with an 8-year-old girl, but as long as the hired help is in view, I have to act the part."

Gray let out a sigh of relief. Maybe she wouldn't be so bad after all.

"I have a son who's 7," Gray stated, offering her a smile, "But he doesn't go to your school. He goes to Magnolia Elementary by Natsu and Lucy's place...Sadie goes there too."

"And who's Sadie?" Sorano asked, an eyebrow cocked.

"Natsu and Lucy's daughter," Gray supplied. He frowned. Lucy couldn't know her that well if she didn't know who Sadie was.

"I wanted Chelsea to go to private school," Sorano sighed, "but Mumsy and Pa-pa wouldn't allow it. They said I owed it to her to give her the best of everything. Her education is handled in-house."

Gray shook his head, not completely understanding what that meant, "Silver and I are thankful for what we have. We don't have a lot, but we've worked hard for what we have."

"I wish!" Sorano exclaimed, "Common folk have no idea how stressful it is to have money!"

Gray frowned. He'd probably never know that feeling.

"It's cold out here!" Sorano cried out, dramatically hugging herself.

"Well," Gray quipped, "It is the middle of November. I can't imagine a shawl like that offers that much warmth. We could go back to the restaurant –"

She tugged on his jacket, raising her eyebrows suggestively.

Gray sighed, catching on, "Would you like to wear my jacket?"

"You're such a gentleman!" Sorano exclaimed, "Thank you, kind sir. Hmm…hot and thoughtful."

Gray muttered under his breath as he removed his jacket. He wouldn't get cold anyway…Gray always did have a high tolerance for the cold. He thought about handing it to her, but caught her expectant eyes and knew he'd have to hold it open for her. She slid her arms inside, letting out a satisfied sigh.

"Divine!" she declared, hooking her arm through Gray's, "NOW we can walk!"

Gray walked in step with her, suppressing his will to walk the other way.

They came to an intersection. Gray stopped walking, but Sorano pulled on his arm, forcing him ahead, despite the red light and 'Do Not Walk' warnings. A few cars honked at them. Gray felt red tinge his ears, but Sorano was totally oblivious to the fact that they'd literally just stopped traffic.

A woman bumped into Sorano.

"Pardon me!" the woman said quickly, bowing her to her.

"Well, I should say so!" Sorano scolded her, "Use your damned eyes next time!"

Gray's eyes widened, taken aback by Sorano's rudeness. She yanked on his arm before he could apologize, pulling him across another street.

"Oh!" Sorano exclaimed after walking for about five minutes, "Look! So beautiful!"

Gray strained his eyes to try to see what she was looking at. They were walking by a small inlet on the shoreline. Swans glided gracefully across the water, ducking their heads now and then to catch the minnows beneath the surface.

"They remind me of angels!" Sorano bent down by the water, tapping it lightly with her hand. A nearby swan moved away, "They're so pure white…majestic."

Gray nodded his agreement, whether he agreed or not, his shoulders relaxing a bit. If she could see the beauty in living things, maybe she wasn't so bad.

"Look at how they glide," Sorano lamented, "They really must be the most beautiful creatures I've ever seen."

Gray smiled slightly. She was really pretty when she wasn't being conceited.

"I think my next shawl will be made from swan feathers," Sorano decided out loud, "I shall remember to ask Pa-pa to have some sent for our pond. I wonder if swan is edible."

Gray could feel the blood leaving his face, once again vowing to throttle Lucy for setting him up on this date.

"I'm hungry now!" Sorano announced, holding out her arm.

Gray took her arm, shuddering slightly.

The restaurant was lit dimly, four-string instruments playing in the background. She stood at the door, waiting, until Gray figured out that he was supposed to open the door for her. Gray mentioned his reservations to the gentleman at the front. He nodded, leading them to their table.

"So…you have an 8-year-old girl?" Gray asked after several minutes of awkward silence.

"Yes," Sorano beamed, "She's a delight, her nanny tells me. I see her on Saturdays for afternoon tea. Her governess tells me she is at the top of her class!"

Gray frowned, "You volunteer at the school…does she not go to that school with you?"

"Oh no!" Sorano exclaimed, her eyes wide, "She has a tailored program at home. Haven't I told you that already? She just goes to the school for physical education! But it looks really good to Pa-pa's business partners for me to volunteer at such a fine establishment."

"So…what do you do at the school?" Gray asked.

"I fundraise for the less fortunate kids at the private school," Sorano replied proudly.

"Doesn't that school charge $10,000 tuition per year?" Gray asked, "Is that what you fundraise for?"

Sorano wrinkled her nose, "Nooo. If parents don't have the money for tuition each year, they have no business going to our school. The funds I raise come from Pa-pa's business associates... so that the children can enjoy the finer field trips and experiences without their parents having to pay for it. Last year, I raised enough money that we were able to host a proper soiree. The kids were able to travel to Crocus and dine at the palace. The parents were most pleased."

"Oh," Gray responded, "I can't say my son has had that opportunity."

'Or would ever want to,' Gray thought to himself.

"And this year, my goal is to raise enough funds to buy all the girls ballroom gowns," Sorano added, completely ignoring Gray's comment, "Every girl should have the chance to learn ballroom dancing! That simply can't be done without proper attire."

"My son likes hockey," Gray put in, fully aware that Sorano would ignore that comment too.

"It is my dream to send all the kids to Paris next year…oh, to dine at the Eiffel tower! What bliss!"

"I'm an electrician," Gray stated, deciding that having his own conversation with himself was far more entertaining than talking to his date of the evening, "It's decent money. Right now, things are tight, but once I get my student loans paid off, Silver and I will be laughing!"

"Imagine the shopping we could do in Paris!" Sorano sighed contentedly, "We shall all look like Angels, floating through the sky!"

"Maybe then I can buy a new truck and fix my dishwasher!" Gray laughed boisterously, just to see if it would get her attention, "But in the meantime, Silver and I are content to deal with what we have."

"Do you think swan feathers could be used in a quilt for my bed?" Sorano asked, tilting her head at him, "I would rather like that! I have a very soft bed as it is. A comforter made from the feathers of angels…yes – that would be formidable. Perhaps I'll have Pa-pa order a dozen swans. I'm certain I can find lots of things to make out of swan feathers."

Gray shook his head. There was no point in talking. None. Sorano was going on about more posh items she'd like to acquire, completely oblivious to the fact that Gray had long-since tuned her out. He noted the quartet had changed their music. There was a couple in the corner. The man proposed to the woman he was dining with – and she said yes. Another table was celebrating a birthday. The food smelled good as waiters passed by. It was making Gray's mouth water.

"And I stood up – I couldn't believe I had won!" Sorano was saying, "I mean, I know I was the obvious choice and all, but it was such an honour to win my first pageant! I still have the trophy and the tiara!"

The waiter arrived, "Miss Aguria – I trust you will have your usual?"

Sorano nodded, flicking a hand at him, "Do I really have to tell you that, you insolent fool!? I never order anything else off the menu. Order it for my date as well."

"Very good, Madam," the waiter bowed, "We shall have it to you post-haste."

"You'd better!" Sorano called after him, "If it takes too long, I will have you fired before the night is out!"

Gray's mouth dropped open.

"Anyway," Sorano continued, "that was the fourth beauty pageant I won. You should have seen me – they dressed me in angel wings for the finale. I swear I looked so breathtakingly gorgeous, a halo appeared over my head all on its own!"

Gray smiled as the newly engaged couple phoned their parents on their cell phones. He was happy for them. It was nice to know some people could still meet and fall in love.

"She was the most horrible maid I'd ever had!" Sorano sighed dramatically, "And I should have fired her immediately, but being the kind and generous person I am, I took pity on her and gave her another day to prove herself! But when I went to have my hair brushed, she didn't know where the brush had gone! I mean – ignorance! How can a maid not know where she put my hairbrush?!"

The waiter returned to the table, waiting for Sorano to finish her sentence before opening his mouth.

"Miss Aguria – I regret to inform you the chef has had an accident with his knife. He's awaiting an ambulance, but that has delayed the preparation of your meal."

Sorano growled under her breath. Gray shook his head, realizing she was heating up like a thermometer about to explode.

"We have another chef making your meal," the waiter was trying to explain, "but it will be another 20 minutes or so."

Sorano's face turned red with anger, "Unacceptable! I demand to speak to your manager!"

Gray's hands started to twitch.

"But miss – we're trying to get your meal finished as soon as we can!" the waiter begged, "We apologize – and of course your meal will be free!"

"Your manager!" Sorano demanded, "You will pay for this atrocity with your job! No, your career! You will never work in this city again!"

Gray slammed his hands down on the table, rising to his feet, "Enough!"

Sorano paused, wide-eyed, "Pardon me?"

"I said shut the hell up!" Gray thundered, "I don't know what's wrong with you, but you are seriously the most self-centred, ignorant bitch I've ever met!"

Sorano was dumbfounded – and completely silent for once.

"You can't treat people this way!" Gray yelled, "You are not better than anyone! And the way you treat everyone is crap! Complete and total crap! You don't even spend time with your own daughter! By your own admission, she's being raised by a nanny and governess!"

Sorano cringed as he slammed his hands down on the table again.

"And another thing!" he shouted, "You have nothing to be proud of, you egotistical rich freak! You live off Mommy and Daddy's money, volunteer for stupid purposes, and generally live your life pumping yourself up to be a fucking martyr! It's absolute BULLSHIT!"

"Y-you can't t-talk to me that way!" Sorano stuttered, tears lining her eyes.

"Why?" Gray demanded, "because I'm some lowly working-class bastard? That's right! I work for a living – I have bills I struggle to pay! And guess what? I wouldn't have it any other way. I've had enough of you! Now apologize to the waiter!"

Sorano stared at him with wide eyes, then to the shell-shocked waiter. The entire restaurant had ground to a halt, listening intently.

"I said apologize!"

Sorano stood, turning to the waiter.

"I apologize," she mumbled feebly.

"Good!" Gray turned to the waiter as well, "20 minutes is fine. And you will be receiving a very large tip from Ms. Aguria tonight because she is thankful for the time and effort you've put into making this evening enjoyable."

"Thank you, sir…" the waiter whispered, backing away from the table.

The entire restaurant was silent, staring at Gray and Sorano. Gray undid his tie, placing it on the table, before undoing three or four buttons. Sorano stared at him in horror. A man in the corner of the restaurant started to clap, followed by more customers. Soon, the entire restaurant was applauding. Gray undid another button, resisting the urge to take the shirt off entirely. His face was red with anger.

"Don't say a fucking word," Gray warned her, "It's my turn to talk."

Sorano swallowed audibly, sitting back into her seat. She looked at her fingers.

"I don't know what your deal is," Gray stated, "But Lucy was under the impression that you were a sweet person…someone I would want to date. So far all I've seen is an egotistical, self-appointed high horse bitch with a goddess-complex. You talk to people like they're your underlings. So my advice? Get your head out of your ass and start looking around you! You have a daughter at home, who I gather doesn't see you more than Saturday afternoons. Go spend time with her! And while you're at it, fire your governess and the nanny. Step up and be a damned parent! And get a fucking job! Maybe if you actually worked for something, you'd appreciate it a bit more…and appreciate the people who work to pamper your spoiled ass."

Sorano swallowed again, but remained silent.

"Because Lucy is one of my best friends," Gray continued, "I believe she must see something genuine. She would never set me up with someone I would despise."

He shook his head, realizing that was only a half-truth. She'd set him up on two dates now…and both dates were complete flops.

"So, here's what's going to happen," Gray told her, "We are going to eat dinner and have a normal conversation. You will not chastise anyone, complain about anything or brag non-stop about yourself. It wouldn't kill you to be interested in someone else's life once in awhile. That's the purpose of a date…to get to know another person. If it happens again, I'm outta here. Got it?"

Sorano seriously looked like she was going to cry. A surge of regret momentarily hit Gray, but he wiped it aside immediately. Why was he still there? She had been nothing but awful.

He knew the answer to that. He refused to walk out, even on a date with a person he had no intentions with. It hurts when someone walks out. No, he wouldn't do it...but he was going to make it very clear that this would be their only date.

"So, let's start over," Gray murmured, extending his hand, "I'm Gray Fullbuster."

She glanced at the outstretched hand. His chest was exposed, and his face was red from the still-lingering anger.

Slowly, she extended her hand, shaking his loosely, "I'm Sorano."

He flashed her a genuine smile, noting she'd dropped the 'Miss', "Nice to meet you, Sorano. So…how long have you lived in Magnolia?"

By the time the date was over, Sorano was looking at Gray with stars in her eyes. Gray told her he wouldn't be seeing her again, but was thankful that she came down to his level. He hoped that she would continue to treat others with decency and respect and wished her well, walking away from the restaurant with his head held high, even before she'd gotten into the limo that had come for her.

He was halfway down the block when the limo rolled up beside him. The window rolled down, Sorano sticking her head out.

"Do you want to come home with me?" she blurted out.

His mouth dropped open, "What?"

"Come home with me…please," she stated, "I would…like to spend the night with you."

Gray shook his head, not believing what was he was hearing.

"No one has ever been that brutally honest with me," she murmured, "They do as I say. No one ever talks back. I find it…incredibly sexy…and I'd like you to come home with me."

"No thanks," Gray replied, turning back toward the sidewalk, "Seeya around, Sorano."

Gray stumbled into his house, flopping on the couch. He heaved a gigantic sigh as his cell phone rang. He already knew who it was without glancing at the call display.

"I'll talk to you tomorrow, Luce," Gray stated flatly. He hung the phone up before she could get a word in edgewise.

The rest of the date had gone…better overall. Sorano made a real effort at being nicer, even thanking the staff when they finally brought their meals. She made good on Gray's insistence that a large tip be left for the waiting staff. He realized Natsu was going to tease him royally for turning down sex…but he really didn't want to get involved with Sorano.

The phone rang again. This time, Gray glanced at the call display. It was Cana's number.

"Hi Dad," Silver's little voice said.

"Hey kiddo…how are you?"

"I'm okay," Silver responded.

Gray could hear a little sniffle in his voice.

"Are you?" Gray asked.

"Yeah," Silver promised, "I just called because I miss you."

"I miss you too, buddy," Gray stated, "But I bet you're having fun with your mom, right? It's late…how come you're still awake?"

"I just couldn't sleep," Silver told him.

"Do you need me to sing you the song?" Gray asked.

"Yeah," Silver whimpered.

Gray frowned. Something wasn't right. He mulled over whether to ask to talk to Cana, deciding he would bring it up when she brought him home the next day. Right now, his kid needed to hear the song.

"Okay, kiddo. Ready?"

.

.

.

Oh, I wish I was an Oscar-Mayer weinerrrrr!

That is what I truly wish to be…..

A/N: This story is so FUN to write! Thanks to Wordsaremyspells1331 for her dedication. Oops 2 Chapter 31 will be out soon.

Oh who, oh who will Lucy's next victim - I mean MATCH - be for Gray?

(Wink)

~Shana~