A/N: Hey guys! I hope you all had a great weekend. I just wanted to drop a quick note that Chapter Four is going to be split into two parts as it seemed a bit of a information overload when it was all together. I wanted my readers to get something out of this chapter instead of multiple things followed by a pitch in the plot.

So, enjoy the read peeps!


It had been three days now since Hazel went on her first solo mission and people are actually starting to wonder if the girl just decided not to return. Why they thought that? Well, for one, she hasn't really made a connection with anyone. They thought that her night out with Bickslow would have convinced her to stay, but apparently not. It's a bummer, really. Bickslow actually liked her since their brawl. Secondly, if Hazel had heard about Levy and Lucy's falling out, she most likely would have ignored the girls all together. Both of them have a certain liking towards her but Bickslow knew that if they dragged her into the middle of it, Hazel would not pick sides.

Although, that is not a good reason to leave the guild. Something caused Hazel to leave but they weren't sure what would motivate her to up and leave after three days. Or maybe something happened to her that no one is aware of and they all just immediately assumed she left. Bickslow hopes neither. He made some sort of connection but was it enough for Hazel to remain rooted here at Fairy Tail. It should, right?

Bickslow sat alone at his favorite bar, the one he took Hazel to, downing some bourbon while lost in thought. He can hear the rain pouring down on the roof and pavement as if it were a lullaby. Normally Bickslow hates rain, but for some reason this rain had a calming effect as he thought about Hazel. He really didn't want to think about her but damnit that girl left quite an impression on him. There was just something about her that stuck out to him and it wasn't just the bleakness in her soul.

An image of her pinned underneath him popped into his mind. The uncomfortable gleam in her eye as she stared up at him with a slight bush and biting at her lower lip is forever imprinted in his brain. He remembered the uneasy tone behind her light and airy voice that sounded like a thousand angels singing when she spoke of her name. He remembered the smoothness of her skin on his fingers as he held her wrists above her head. He even remembered the way her deep forest green hair splayed away from her eyes, displaying her beautiful yet rare golden amber orbs.

Goddamnit!

That hauntingly beautiful image of her made him slam his shot glass down onto the wood grain counter top. The sound made a few patrons look over at him curiously for only a moment before turning away. The bar keep regarded him with a quirk of a brow and a slight curve of his mouth, stalling his organizing at the other end of the bar.

"Sorry." Bickslow mutters lightly then went silent.

He pours himself another shot, hoping that more liquor would help erase the golden amber eyes from staring at him still. Bickslow was quick to throw back the warm liquid down his throat then poured another without a care.

Damnit! Why can't I get her out of my head? This is just ridiculous! I came here to rid myself of the assumptions and the drama queens, not continue to think about her. Shit! This is what I get for trying to get girls comfortable with me. Either they disregard me, try to reassure me with guilt or walk away from me. Is there like something wrong with me or what? Levy is right. There is no chance in hell a girl would want me. I'm the definition of unloveable.

He wouldn't admit this out loud to anyone, but Bickslow actually desires to be with a woman. He never felt loved by anyone in his life, not even his own parents, well at least he thinks they did. Bickslow doesn't remember much about them, probably because he choose to put his past life behind him and just focus on the present to obtain a future. He remembers being pushed away all the time which is probably why he's the way he is now.

Bickslow sighs heavily as he stared at the wall full of liquor bottles, his mind wandering back to Hazel again. He seriously has to wonder what happened to her. She may be hard to get to know but Bickslow did manage to get her comfortable enough with him despite the amounts of alcohol in her system. Hazel was a completely different person with him. He got her to laugh for crying out loud! Bickslow actually enjoyed hearing her laugh. It was melodious and intoxicating.

Sitting here continuing to think about his day slash night out with her left him wanting to discover who Hazel really is. There is a beautiful woman underneath all of that blackness of torment that laid heavily on her. He saw it clear as day and was actually within reach of getting her comfortable with him, but apparently his effort went unnoticed. Bickslow knew that if he didn't try talking to her, she would have ended up leaving the very next day instead of hitting the town with him.

Maybe she just needed someone of her caliber to get herself together and then hightail it out of here. Wait no! Hazel is just troubled, so get a fucking grip! She's coming back! If she doesn't show up by the end of the day, I'm looking for her, damnit!

Bickslow took one last shot of bourbon before he lightly slammed the glass on the counter. He stood up from the stool he sat then laid down some cash and tip for the barkeep. He thought about waiting out the downpour, but he doesn't care anymore. Bickslow thrown open the door then stepped out into the rain. He glanced up to let the rain fall on his visor, really just wanting to savor the coolness.

Can you at least show a little bit of compassion?

Levy's shrill voice entered his brain as he stared blankly up at the rain clouds, sympathy starting to run deep now for the girl that might have got away.

Even when Small Fry is not around, I still hear her say that. What a fucking pain.

He sighs heavily before turning his gaze away from the sky and started down the street only to stop when he heard a startled gasp. Bickslow looks over his shoulder towards the source, finding some chick come barreling out of nowhere and slid across the wet pavement. He was quick to catch the girl around her narrow shoulders, keeping her from falling face first onto the slick pavement. She has a newspaper plastered over her head to shield herself from the rain which blinded her vision. She let out a slight squeak of a yelp when he caught her, a rather cute sound really.

She is panting heavily as she clung to his chest, indicating that the girl has been running for quiet a while now and is sodden to the bone.

Whoa! Good thing I came out when I did otherwise this chick would have hurt herself.

He feels her shift slightly then a light angelic voice sounded in his ears.

"Damn, I knew I should've waited for the rain to let up. Thank you for catching me, I really appreciate it."

Wait a minute, I know that voice.

Bickslow gently lifts the girls chin up along with the soaked newspaper to get a good look at her. A sudden wave of relief washed over him like a waterfall when he saw the amber orbs and the dark green hair that belonged to Hazel. She looked up at him in surprise where there is a hint of a smile on her lips.

"Holy shit, girly! Boy am I glad to see that you're back." Bickslow started with an enthusiastic and wide grin, really glad that they were proven wrong of her sudden disappearance.

Oh thank the heavens! She actually had me worried.

"Of course, I would come back. Why wouldn't I?" Hazel starts, perplexed of his jubilant smile.

Glad to see you, too, my knight in shining armor.

Hazel straightens herself away from his chest only to stumble back in his arms when she felt a horrible sharp pain in her ankle. Fuck, seriously! I had to go and sprain my ankle from slipping! Way to go, idiot!

Bickslow quickly caught Hazel's discomfort when she stood away, realizing that she hurt herself from slipping. He wasn't going to comment on it, he just turned Hazel slightly before hoisting her up off the ground and held her as if she were a bride.

"Um, Bickslow?" She inquires lightly as she tightened her hold around his neck.

"What? Did you think I was going to allow you to walk on a hurt foot?"

"Draping my arm over your shoulder and help me inside maybe, but this? It just seems a little, I don't know, chivalrous of you." She replies lightly, her gaze shifting to stare off in the distance.

Bickslow quirks a brow upwards at her from the term but he noticed Hazel stiffen slightly for whatever reason. He had to inwardly groan at himself for making her feel uncomfortable that he actually thought about setting her back on the ground and help her inside as requested. The thought though quickly vanished though when her hold on him tightened just a little more with a hard tremble. Her whole body quaked as a shiver coursed through her, which also made her lips to visibly quiver.

Hazel hugs herself closer to him for warmth as another shiver trembled in her body, enough so that the warm flesh of her cheek touched his.

"Come on, girly, let's get you of the rain. You'll end up catching a cold." His voice was soft as he carried Hazel in, really not caring if the other patrons gawk at him for carrying a friend in from hurting herself.

Bickslow wasn't wrong when he came back in with Hazel in his arms that the barkeep along with a few others saw him return with a girl. He saw the barkeep's eyes widen upon seeing the pair but quickly noted that Hazel is soaking wet from the rain.

"I'll get you a towel and blanket for your lady friend there, Bickslow." The man replied before he started towards the back.

"Might want to get an ice-pack as well since Klutzo here sprained her ankle."

The dolls above his head quickly mimicked "klutzo" as they buzzed around him like bees.

Hazel scrunched her features in slight annoyance as she eyed the dolls with interest.

"I only slid because I was running."

"And in the rain, girly. You know that's never a good mix." He counters with a quirk of a smile.

He went towards the table where they sat before that is tucked away in a corner but near a window. Bickslow sat Hazel down by the window then sat opposite of her. He gently propped her leg on his knee then started untying the laces from her boot.

Hazel watched him curiously as he worked the laces with ease, as if he had done this once before. Bickslow doesn't see it but she cocks her head sideways slightly as she continued to observe him while toying with her wet hair and lightly rubbing the back of her neck.

Well, this is an absolute first.

She wanted to say something but she really wasn't sure how to draw them into a conversation. Instead, Hazel remained to watch Bickslow with interest.

No, of course not, this is not a normal thing for him to do. Bickslow doesn't show this level of kindness towards anyone except Hazel is different. He was quick to notice that no one has displayed enough kindness towards her and she deserves all the kindness that she can get from him. Besides, it will help her feel more at ease around him.

Bickslow looks away from untying her boot laces to glance up at her, catching Hazel's gaze on him only to turn away quickly. He frowns slightly before looking back down, completely missing the twitch of a smirk that formed along with a light blush on her cheeks.

"Here you go, sweetheart." The barkeep replies out of the silence between them as he drapes a heavy blanket on Hazel's shoulders then handed her a towel to dry off her hair. He then hands off a ice-pack to Bickslow who shot a knowing grin towards Bickslow that went unnoticed.

"Oh um, thank you, sir. That's very kind of you." Hazel utters quickly upon seeing the barkeep then diverts her gaze onto Bickslow.

"Your welcome, sweetheart. I'll bring you guys some coffee to help warm you up. If you need me to bring anything else for your girlfriend, Bickslow, just let me know."

Both Bickslow and Hazel opened their mouths to protest but the barkeep quickly turned away. They watched him leave for a moment before falling into an awkward silence, both fiercely blushing and avoiding eye contact. Bickslow kept his gaze on the boot laces to occupy himself while Hazel busied herself in drying off her hair.

They sat like that for a minute or two longer until Bickslow got Hazel's boot off and saw her ankle already swollen. Holy shit, girly! How fast were you going?

He gingerly took Hazel's swollen ankle in his hand then very gently squeezed and moved her foot around. It was at one point that he pressed on a tender spot, but it only made Hazel jolt and hiss from the pain.

"Jeez," She hissed lightly, making her stop ringing out her hair. Hazel held the towel tightly on her head as she let the pain subside.

"Yep, you definitely sprained your ankle, girly." Bickslow replies then gently laid the towel wrapped ice-pack on her skin and just held it there.

"Perfect. Looks like I will be off my feet for a couple of days." She replies lowly then continued to dry her hair. Hazel did pause briefly to look over at Bickslow and shot him a smile that he didn't see.

"Bickslow." Hazel started to get his attention who was staring out the window and had this sad frown.

When he did regard her, Hazel's light smile widened into a genuine grin that showed off her dimples.

"Thank you."

He stares at Hazel through the eye slots of his visor, his frown slowly diminishing upon seeing her soft expression on him. He sighs as he stared at her before taking his visor off along with the cowl that was tight around his head.

Aah! That feels so much better! I need to have that stupid thing off more often.

"You're welcome, Hazel." He replies gently then turned his gaze back to the window, trying his best not to smile wildly.

That's a real smile right there! Success!

Hazel bites at her lower lip before delving into a conversation.

"If you don't mind me asking, but are you okay? You don't seem like your usual self."

She noticed his odd behavior since her run in with him outside. Hazel wanted to ask right then and there what was wrong but he needed to get her out of the pouring rain first. She's glad that he did.

Bickslow stares at her from the corner of his eye before a deep and sharp breath leaves his lungs. He figured she would catch on quickly of his behavior but he needed to figure out how to respond without coming off as depressing. He certainly doesn't want the girl to know that he was getting worried about her nor did he want to fill her in on what has been going on since her departure.

"Where do you want me to start?"

He noticed her expression falter from the bored and irritated tone when he spoke. He probably should have approached the conversation differently but his exasperations got the better of him.

"Alright, what happened while I was away that you will be this brusque with me?" She sits back in her chair and folds her arms under her breasts.

"Huh?"

"Oh sorry. In other words blunt, gruff, snippy, or as some people like to call me, impolite. How about we start off with you, Bickslow? I want to know what's going on with you. Your irritation along with the exasperated sighs suggests you're under stress. Why is that?"

Bickslow regards Hazel with his brows drawn together and a slight pucker of his lips then sits back, mirroring Hazel's posture.

"You really want to know how I am?"

"Of course, I do. I for one wanted to see you first before anyone else. If you can't tell, I am more opt to opening up with you. You don't have to try very hard to get me comfortable with you, Bickslow. Your wavelength enlightened me enough to have the out most confidence in you getting in my good graces."

Bickslow stares at her briefly before he started blinking furiously. R, really? Wavelength?

"You what? What about wavelengths?"

"I sense wavelengths. Sometimes I would refer to them as auras. It's an ability that is very useful with my form of magic."

"Your earth magic, correct?" He voiced.

There is a brief pause between them when he brought up her magic. It's a piece of information that he found out by accident and has kept it a secret. It's one way for him to earn her trust.

Hazel stares hardly at him to consider her words, analyzing him through the wet strands of her hair. Her mouth twists sideways as she lightly tapped at her neck then sighs lightly.

"I do have a secondary magic, but that is something I am not willing to speak of currently. Earn enough of my trust, I will show what my secondary source of magic is."

Bickslow's eyes widen. Wait, secondary? Holy shit! What exactly does she see in me that she would reveal to me that she has a secondary source of magic?

"Secondary? What does that mean for me in getting on good terms with you?" Bickslow responds.

"If I'm being honest with myself, I would readily admit that I'm taking a shine to you rather quickly. I uh, can see great potential in you being a real good friend to me, Bickslow. That is if you keep up what you're doing."

"Oh don't you worry about that, girly. I plan on treating so well, you're gonna wish you hadn't." Bickslow grins widely with enthusiasm and confidence that he never had before.

She freaking likes me already? Hot damn!

"I find being regretful from obtaining a healthy friendship with your goofy ass is very slim, Bicks. Come on, talk to me? Why are you so frustrated?" Hazel smiles softly at him then returned to sit forwards and lean on the table top.

A breath lightly leaves his lungs when his concern for her returned with a vengeance. The feeling of something horrible happening to her creeped into his veins as he stared at her intrigued gaze. Without really considering his words, Bickslow just starts spilling his emotions out which is a rarity for him.

"We all knew you went out on a mission but all of us thought it was supposed to be a one-day job. When you didn't return the next day or the following, everyone started to assume, well no wait, they wondered that maybe you decided to leave the guild for whatever reason. Not once did anyone consider that maybe the job took longer than anticipated or if something happened to you."

He was about to tell her more when Hazel blinked that erased her soft expression and is now a crestfallen, pained look. She turned her gaze away from him to stare down at the table, looking rather dejected than curious now.

Goddamnit! Why did I have to be blunt about it?

"I didn't think people would think that little of me and assume the worse. When you say everyone, does that include you?" Her voice is soft, strained even like he just punched her in the gut.

Bickslow opened his mouth to correct her assumption but was interrupted when the barkeep returned with a tray in hand.

"Here you go, guys. I brought a cup for you as well, Bickslow, even a bottle of bourbon if needed. Its all on the house." The man replies with a wide smile then turned his gaze on Hazel, quickly noticing her downcast expression.

He blinks then smiles brightly. "How's that ankle, sweetheart?"

Hazel acknowledges the barkeep with the same expression, forcing a smile.

"It's better now. I should be able to leave, OW! Just what the hell was that for?" She snarls at Bickslow.

Bickslow had removed the ice pack from her swollen ankle and pressed down on the tender spot, making her yelp. He smiled crookedly at her, not even caring if Hazel is glaring at him with hostility.

Really not much you can do at this point, girly. Besides, I need to straighten things out with you.

"You sprained your ankle pretty bad there, girly. You won't be able to walk out of here on your own even if you tried."

"I can manage on my own, you know. I've done it once before." Bickslow heard the coldness in her tone, something that he is not liking all of the sudden. He needs to turn things around and quickly.

"Not anymore you're not. Thanks for the coffee, Ross."

"No problem, buddy. This is the second time I've seen you with this pretty young lady, Bickslow. Does your girlfriend have a name?" Ross smiles with a little glint in his eye.

"This is Hazel and she's not my girlfriend. Hazel is a friend of mine. She just recently joined Fairy Tail." Bickslow quickly explains while trying to suppress his fierce blush.

"Nice to meet you, Hazel. The name's Ross, I'm the owner of this little shabby shack of a bar. You must really like her if you were comfortable enough to carry her in like she was your blushing bride upon entering the threshold." Ross paused when he noticed Bickslow's blush deepen.

Bickslow saw Hazel draw the towel over her face to hide her bright blush who also groans. Ross noticed Hazel's embarrassment, but he wasn't going to let up, poking fun at the two just became his new hobby.

"You must like him, too, Hazel, since you are more than willing to hide underneath a towel that is normally used for my dog, Chance, to sleep on."

Hazel momentarily flung the towel off of her face and tossed it to the floor, revolted from the thought of having a smelly dog towel on her. Only Ross laughed hysterically, Bickslow tried to but he really didn't want to laugh with him. The thought of pouring more salt on the wound would just set him back now that Hazel is comfortable with him and confident of the potential he has.

Hazel made to glower over at Bickslow thinking that he was smirking except she saw him scowling at Ross. She then glances at the barkeep, a ghost of a blush appearing.

"Very funny, Ross."

Hazel tries to scowl at him but it turns into a pucker to keep an amused smirk from appearing. She wants to be annoyed but it's kind of hard to do when Ross the barkeep is a really good-looking man.

She quickly took in his masculine features: he has a five o'clock stubble with a goatee and has long chocolate brown straight hair that is pulled back in a tight ponytail. His skin is a toffee brown, rich and mild in color. She saw a diamond stud in his left ear along with a small gold hoop on the top and a ruby stud in his right. He's tall, but not as tall as Bickslow, and slightly muscular. He reminded Hazel of a pirate, or one of those perfect hunky men from a romance novel cover with the relaxed white tunic.

Holy crap on a cracker, this Ross guy is freaking gorgeous! Leave damnit! I can't think straight here! Hazel thought to herself as a bright blush swept across her cheeks.

Ross noticed her blush with a raised brow and a charming smirk.

"I was just messing with 'ya, sweetheart. Chance sleeps on the hard floor like any normal dog would. Bickslow here has been coming here for several years now and I've never seen him without his visor. He must be pretty comfortable around you if he's willing to go without it. I'll leave you two be now. If you need anything, anything at all just come looking for me."

Ross replies then flashes another charming, friendly smile that his pearly white teeth showed at Hazel. It made the bright blush on her to spread to her ears that she sinks into the chair. He chuckles lightly then turns away, his smile still wide.

Give it time. Those two will get together eventually. If not, then I hope Bickslow wouldn't mind if I asked her out. She's pretty damn cute!

The two of them sat in silence again now that Ross left the table. Hazel quickly reaches over to grab a steaming cup of coffee, taking a sip that immediately soothed her nerves.

Ah, perfect! That hits the spot! Excellent brew for a bar.

"I want you to be aware of something, Hazel, no one thought less of you. In fact, it's quite the opposite." Bickslow starts suddenly, disturbing the silence that was hanging between them.

He grabbed the second cup of coffee but didn't take a drink out of it. He's more so wanting to hide his eyes that are beginning to show sincerity.

Since when did I start being like this?

That's when Levy's shrill voice entered his brain again, a haunting memory that will stick with him for a life time. Can you at least show a little bit of compassion?

Damnit, Levy!

Hazel looks up at him from staring down at the dark liquid, her eyes full of skepticism. "How so?"

Bickslow eyes her ankles cautiously, thinking and needing to tread lightly here.

"You may have been here for a short amount of time, but you did make one hell of an impression on people. When they started to wonder if you left the guild, a lot of them were pretty bummed out about it, Cosplayer and Porcupine especially even Small Fry."

He glances up at her, noticing the confusion in her eyes. "Oh, Levy and Lucy. Sadly, those two aren't talking right now. Apparently, a misunderstanding got blown out of proportion over a stupid love triangle involving the girls and the porcupine Gajeel."

An irritated groan comes out of her as she hung her head low briefly then returned her attention back on him. "Don't tell me that muttonhead did something foolish to cause the rift between those two."

Bickslow scuffs amusingly. "The muttonhead is not at fault here, in fact, he's the source of their quarrel. If you came back as planned both Levy and Lucy would be asking for your opinion and possibly have you pick sides of who is in the wrong. Which I believe you hate altercations like that, am I right?"

A light smile formed on her lips as she stared at him, skepticism still apparent in her gaze.

"You believed right. Although, I wouldn't mind giving them my perspective on their irksome dispute. You still haven't answered my question from earlier. Are you among the people that thought I left the guild?

There is a tightness in her voice when she spoke, causing something in Bickslow to sigh heavily. He wasn't sure if he should be irritated at her or disappointed. No, neither of those, he actually felt sympathetic, depressed even. Bickslow hates the fact that he caused her to be skeptic about the people around her, even towards him.

He set his cup of coffee down to stand from his chair and round the table to sit beside her. Bickslow doesn't make eye contact with her when a laid his hand on her thigh and softly rubbed his thumb on the soft fabric of her pants. He felt her stiffen from his touch then turned towards him to make a remark but stopped when the towel on her head slid over her eyes, obscuring her vision that she frowns with a light groan.

Bickslow smiles softly without her noticing before pulling back the fluffy towel to look her in the eye. She's still rigid as he stared at her but Hazel grown uncomfortable under his firm yet steady glare.

"At first, I really wasn't sure what to think." Bickslow starts as he rubbed his thumb on her thigh, really just wanting to feel her. He won't admit this out loud, but he liked touching her. The last time he did touch her is the same swollen ankle he rested his hand on to calm Hazel's anger towards Gajeel.

"I didn't know if I was supposed to think that you left or if I wanted to believe that you didn't. It left me confused, that's for sure. I even asked Mira what kind of job you took. When she informed me that the job was completed and that you haven't returned in the projected time the client had told her, she became worried.

When you didn't turn up after three days, people just figured that maybe you didn't want to return because you didn't make that many connections here, with the exception of Lucy, Levy and Gajeel of course. They figured that maybe you got asked to do another job there that delayed your return. I thought the same. I had more confidence that you would be returning."

He pauses briefly to reflect to the moment he felt his stomach drop from not seeing her in the guild when he arrived this morning. He waited there for Hazel to come through the doors and welcome her joyfully for hours, but she never showed. The pang in his stomach of distress for her made him come to this very bar, to try and calm his growing nervousness along with the bubbling fear.

"I waited around for four hours, Hazel. When you didn't show up this morning, I got really worried about you. I came here to maybe try to calm myself but with no success as you kept popping in my head. I told myself earlier that if you didn't show up by the end of the day, I will be out looking for you, rather it was dark out or not."

Bickslow watched as her eyes softened, her skepticism disappeared but is replaced with guilt. He removed his hand from her thigh to gently lay on her neck, lightly squeezing to relieve some tension that was there. She stiffens from his touch along with a sharp intake of air through her nose, remaining still despite the urge to balk backwards.

When he touched her though, Bickslow had this sudden compulsion to kiss her. He has no idea where that thought came from and he certainly wasn't going to act on it.

Why in the hell would I have this sudden compulsion to kiss her? We've only known each for a short time. Ignore it, just ignore the feeling.

Hazel was silent for a moment before she finally found her voice to speak.

"I, I didn't mean for you to be concerned for me, Bickslow. I'm sorry that it did along with my prolonged absence putting you under stress. I never intended on making anyone question my loyalty. I got called back for a additional job in the area which caused a delay of my return. I'm really sorry that I made you worried."

Bickslow gently rubbed and squeezed her neck in response, smiling tenderly at her as she took in another sharp breath. "It was out of your control, Hazel. You needed to take care of the job instead of leaving them high and dry, which is perfectly fine. So don't apologize for something you couldn't control. I'm just glad your back."

A coy smile spreads then bites at her lower lip. "You missed me, didn't you, B?"

He just smiles wide, earning a little twinge of a blush from her. "Nah, I didn't miss you at all, girly."

"Could have fooled me."

She chuckles lightly then stretches forward to grab his cup and handed it to him. It was still pretty warm considering they were in deep conversation. Hazel found herself scooting closer to Bickslow for additional warmth, which an arm of his instinctively reached around to pull her closer.

"If you must know, I was quiet eager to get back to the guild. I didn't care that it was raining at the time, I just wanted to get back and surround myself with familiar faces, you especially." Hazel starts as she stared down at her cup, now starting to consider her words for the next conversation they need to have.

"Oh, really now? Did you miss your lanky eye candy?"

Hazel scuffs lightheartedly with a giggle, a rather cute and appealing sound that made her dimples show.

"I wouldn't consider you lanky, Bicks. You're more of a filled out beanstalk, but hardly eye candy." She jokes brightly. "And no, I didn't miss you at all."

"Of course you missed me, you liar. Who wouldn't miss this handsome face?"

Hazel rolls her eyes with a smile.

"I didn't peg you to be the conceited type, Bickslow. I wanted you to be the first person to see for a reason. Other than catching up, I needed to speak with you about something that I never got the chance to discuss until now."

"Oh?"

Okay, why am I getting a bad feeling all of the sudden?

"I wanted to talk to you about something before I headed out for my mission but considering the state you were in, I decided I'd wait otherwise you probably wouldn't believe me."

Naturally, the tone that Hazel gave off made Bickslow slightly unnerved. He wasn't sure if this is going to be a good conversation or a bad one. He watched her from the corner of his eye, noting that she is actually trembling from the how the liquid in her cup rippled.

Is she trembling because she is afraid of my reaction? Or is she nervous of the outcome? It may be both. Okay, now I'm starting to worry, maybe even a little suspicious. Don't get ahead of yourself, though. Who knows what this is about.

"Should I be worried?" He asks her carefully, watching Hazel still for any signs of betrayal.

Why do I have a feeling that she is hiding something from me?

"I don't see any reason why you should be worried yet alone suspicious of me, Bickslow. Believe me, I'm not two-timing you. I wear my emotions on my sleeve, you would've caught me in a lie long before I decided to come forward. If anything, I'm more so distressed of how you would react."

"Alright, what exactly do you need to tell me, girly? You're actually making me nervous here."

"I can understand you being nervous since I did start this conversation on a rather serious note. Do you remember me telling you why I came here? Why I decided to join Fairy Tail?"

"Yeah, to rebuild your life. Why? Was that a lie?" his voice tight and cautious, as if expecting a different reason for her presence here.

Hazel eyes him with a hurtful glare, really not expecting him to be guarded. She sighs heavily before setting the cup down then turns slightly in the chair to face him.

"I don't want you to be wary of me, Bickslow. I already have enough issues as it is. You are about the only person that has really put an effort in wanting to know me and I respect you tremendously because of your actions. I have a particular process in obtaining friendships because I have been betrayed one too many times by them when they weren't who I thought they were."

Bickslow watches her gulp lightly when she turned her eyes away from him to stare down into her lap. He made an attempt to say something but Hazel continued before he could get a word out.

"Bickslow, you are the only person I am willing to open up to right now. Earn my trust, I will tell you everything that you need to know about me including my complicated past. At this point, I just need you to trust me and to not get angry with me. Trust me and I will tell you the whole truth of why I'm here."

He regards Hazel differently now. He knew that she had issues but to see her this vulnerable and wanting him to trust her just made him feel even more sympathetic towards her. But he also feels guilty that he even showed a shred of doubt and was being cautious with her even suspecting the worse.

I figured she had trust issues, but I didn't realize it ran deeper and to this extreme. Damnit, I'm an idiot!

Bickslow sighs heavily then pulled Hazel's chair flush against his and turns her towards him. He lays her outstretched leg into his lap, completely ignoring the ice-pack that fell to the floor. He feels Hazel tense when he pulled her close, but was quick to reassure by cradling her neck, his thumb gently grazing the curve of her jaw. He leans forward to lay his forehead upon hers, a gesture that will remain between them through the duration of their friendship. He locks his gaze on hers who is confused but nervous of his intentions.

He didn't realize it, but he laid his other hand on her thigh again, gently stroking to ease her wariness. Bickslow sighs softly to calm his racing heart, being this close to Hazel again brought on that compulsion to kiss her. He doesn't know what it is about her, but she's bringing out a different side of him that he never knew he had.

What are you doing to me, girly? I'm never like this.

"Bickslow?" He heard Hazel whisper softly, questioning his intentions right now.

"I'm not going to do anything that you don't want to me do. If you're uncomfortable, just pull away." He whispered just as softly, watching her closely for any sign of discomfort but saw none.

"I'm sorry I doubted you. Whatever it is you need to tell me, I promise I won't get angry. I trust you." Bickslow replies gently, his words ghosting on Hazel's lips like a zephyr breeze.

He sees her start to smile only to press her lips tightly and bite her lower lip as she glances down at his hand that is stroking her thigh. She returns her gaze back on his and smiles. "Thank you."

Bickslow studies Hazel briefly before flashing her a reassuring smile, a indication that he is prepared for whatever she throws at him. "You're welcome, Hazel. What is it that you need to tell me?"

Hazel lets out a ragged sigh before being direct with him. "I'm not going to walk around it, I'm just going to tell you straight out then delve into the details. I'm here because someone you know directed me here, an invitation so to speak to help me out. And that someone is Laxus."


A/N: I know that Laxus is excommunicated, but I don't recall that it was ever mentioned or shown where he was until the S-Class Trails, I think. Either way, I've determined where in the timeline this is all taking place and its just a little after the Edolas Arc. I may ignore a previous event to coincide with a future chapter, so this story is going to slightly altered.

Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed the read and don't forget to review.