Gajeel caught up to her and stopped to admire the newly fallen snowflakes littering her hair and eyelashes. She was beautiful and she had given him the opportunity he was desperately searching for all morning.

"So, dinner huh? I think I could arrange that." Gajeel winked at her and put his hand on the small of her back and led her into the Guild hall.

The hall was bustling with noise as usual. Victoria looked up at Gajeel and smiled, knowing that it was a big deal for him to show any kind of affection to anyone, let alone a girl, and in public. They walked over to Mira who handed them both a drink.

"Hey guys! Makarov wanted me to give you guys this request," Mira said as she handed over a slip of paper.

HELP!

OUR TOWN HAS BEEN OVERRUN!

WE NEED WIZARDS TO HELP

CLEAN UP OUR STREETS!

REWARD: 1,000,000 jEWEL

Gajeel and Victoria looked over the request. The reward was too good to pass up. Victoria remembered the rent bill looming over her head.

"I think we should take it. Especially is Makarov thinks we would be the best for the job."

Gajeel nodded slowly and looked at Mira. He nodded curtly and muttered a thanks as he started walking out of the guild hall. Victoria looked after him. Did she do something wrong? Did he not want to spend that much time with her? She basically just let him know she wanted to spend weeks with him...she must have come on too strong. She looked at Mira and Mira gave her a reassuring nod. Vic sighed as she walked towards the back of the busy guild hall. Gajeel confused her. She didn't know what she was supposed to do. She found a table to herself and started drinking the drink she was given by Mira. She wasn't alone for long. Laxus made eye contact with her and sat down across from her. She liked Laxus well enough, but not in the way he admired her.

"Hey Vic, what are you doing here all alone? I better keep you company," he said as if he were saving her from some horrible fate.

"I actually chose to be alone and right now you are taking that decision away from me," Vic said cruelly.

Laxus looked diminished. She could visibly see him deflate as he started at her.

"Harsh Vic. I'm just trying to be nice."

Victoria looked at him and sighed. He hadn't done anything wrong. She was

upset at Gajeel, not at Laxus. Hurting him would just harm the friendship they had built.

"You're right. I'm sorry. I've got to get better at not taking my emotions out on other people."

Laxus nodded. "You're preaching to the choir. I am the poster boy for taking emotions out on other people. Look i get if you want to be alone. Just...um...remember that i'm uh here if you need to talk….or something..I don't know…" Laxus trailed off, a subtle blush creeping up onto his cheeks.

Victoria smiled and thanked Laxus for his kindness. He left after that and she was left alone to her thoughts.

"Okay Vic, why are you acting this way? You can't control that Gajeel just left. What you can control is what you do. If you want to go on this job with Gajeel just go tell him that! What's the worst that could happen? He says no? You've been told no before. This is no different."

Happy with her pep-talk to herself she got up to leave the guild. She looked to her left and noticed Natsu and Lucy. They looked so happy. Their relationship was so evolved but yet so simple. She found herself jealous of how easily they were able to talk to and be with each other. She waved in their direction and walked out of the guild. She got two feet out of the front door when she noticed Gajeel sitting there, spinning a single flower between his thumb and forefinger. She just stared for a minute. There was something beautiful about such a big man made of iron daintily handling a flower. It must be one of the last flowers of the season. She walked over to Gajeel who was sitting on the river bank Lucy so frequently walked.

"You know, flowers usually grow better if you leave them in the ground," Vic said coyly as she sat down next to him. She let her legs dangle over the ends so the tips of her boots were gliding calmly over the ice that now overtook the river.

Gajeel sputtered and dropped the flower down onto the ice below him. He didn't say anything and just stared at the flower. Victoria wasn't sure what to do next, but what she did surprised her. She took Gajeel's hand and held it. She wanted to feel him. She wanted him to handle her with as much grace as he handled the delicate flower. He looked at her as she slid her fingers in between his.

"Look..Um i'm sorry I walked out after Mira handed us the job. I just didn't want you to feel like you had to go with me. I mean I know you could easily take Laxus or someone and didn't want to ya know just assume we were gonna go together," Gajeel muttered but still looking her in the eyes. Victoria understood then. Gajeel was insecure! While I was in there feeling sorry for myself, he was out here thinking I would rather take Laxus.

"You know I didn't want you to take me to dinner just so I could get free food. It's because I like you Gajeel!" The end of her statement almost came out in a yell as she rushed to get the words out before she could chicken out. She felt so relieved to finally say them outloud. The rest was up to him. She looked into his deep maroon eyes and waited for his response. He didn't speak right away. They just stared, their hands mingling together as one.

"I like you too." It came out in a whisper. It almost sounded like it pained him to say it. When she searched his face however, she saw no pain. Just determination. He took his other hand and roughly grabbed the back of her neck. She gasped in surprise as he pulled her into him. Their lips crashed together and Vic wrapped her free hand around his neck. She felt his hair. It was softer than she imagined. He was warm and kind and she could sense his passion through their kiss. The snowy streets of Magnolia disappeared around them. They were the only things that mattered. Victoria pulled away. She smiled up at him and said, "I think we have a trip to pack for."

Gajeel nodded and smiled his goofy grin Victoria has become so fond of. "First, GeeHee, I owe you a free dinner," he replied. He winked at her and stood. He reached out his hand to pull her up. She obliged and he helped her to her feet. He embraced her then. She closed her eyes and embraced the warmth. Gajeel hugged her back but then took a step back quickly. He held a snowball in his hand and was grinning a toothy grin.

"Don't you dare Gajeel!" Victoria joked.

"Oh yeah? What are you gonna do about it? Gee Hee." Gajeel reached out his long arm and squished the ball into her hair. He made a run for it and Victoria stood there watching after him. She shook the snow out of her hair and smiled. This was going to be a fun trip.