Here is chapter 9! Once again sorry for the slow update, but I'm trying the best I can. I'll have to post when I can since a lot has come up, but I will be continuing the story.


Unexpected Hero

Chapter 9

Levy sighed as she pulled her books out of her locker, and then closed the door before turning and starting down the hallway toward the front doors. All she wanted to do was go back to Gajeel's, convince him to take his room back, and then crash in the guest room. She didn't think that she could handle much more stress today.

"Levy! Come on, we're going out!" Lucy suddenly stated, grabbing her arm and dragging her through the doors and toward her car. Levy blinked for a moment before starting to dig her heels in.

"Lucy! I'm not really in the mood to go anywhere other than to bed. So please, just let me meet Gajeel at his car and then go to his place." She stated, giving a sigh as Lucy merely shook her head with a smile on her face and continued to drag her to the car.

"In!" She demanded, and Levy sighed as she gave in. She knew better than to argue with the blonde when she had her mind settled on something, and easily slid into the passenger seat. Only to straighten when she saw her friend waving over the sea of students before cupping her hands around her mouth.

"Gajeel! You, Juvia, and Wendy meet us at the skating rink!" Lucy shouted, and Levy looked through the crowd to see the man staring at them in confusion before focusing on her through the window. She gave a shrug, and then watched as he gave a sigh and raised a thumb up to show that he understood her.

Levy faced Lucy as she finally climbed into the car, and started the engine.

"Lucy, what are you planning?" She asked, blinking when her friend merely smiled and held a finger to her lips.

"Can't say! It's a secret!" She chirped, putting the car into reverse, then quickly into drive and roared through the crowds and onto the streets. Levy merely sighed as she sat back in the seat, staring at the houses passing by as they went farther into town where the ice skating rink was located. Not understanding why her best friend was suddenly taking her to a place that she hadn't been to in ages, and inviting Gajeel, his sister, and Wendy along as well.

She recalled how, when they were younger, their mothers would always bring them ice skating about twice a month. To the point where they were practically professionals at a young age, and even had a few scouts that visited the rink asking them to join their teams. They had always refused though, both saying that they didn't want to compete, but just have fun.

"Levy, are you sure you'll be alright staying with Gajeel?" Lucy suddenly asked, causing her to blink and stare at her blonde haired friend.

"Why do you ask?" She responded, watching as Lucy smiled and gave her a quick, small smile before turning her attention back to the road.

"Well, I'm just worried because of all the rumors that surround him. No one knows why he was expelled from Phantom High, nor do they know why Juvia left with him. Not to mention, all those piercings and just his attitude in general is something to be concerned about. He's so gruff and always seems to be scowling. I'm just worried that he might not be someone you need to hang around at the moment." She stated, and Levy blinked at her friend. Then frowned as an image of Gajeel popped into her mind.

Sure, she was curious as to what got him expelled from Phantom High, but it wasn't her place to ask him. That was his business, no one else's. As for his sister following him, well, that was something that family did wasn't it? To choose family over everything else. As for his gruffness. She knew that there was a side that not everyone saw in the man, a caring side that truly looked out for those around him. She'd seen it in the way he spoke to Wendy, teased Juvia, and even called her nicknames. Sure, she'd only known him for a day, but she already knew a good deal about his real personality. And she didn't like Lucy questioning him like that.

"Lucy, those are nothing but rumors. You shouldn't judge him because of those. I haven't, and have found out who he really is. Sure, I still have a lot of questions about them, but I know that they will be answered sooner or later. He isn't like the rumors, and I don't like that you think that." She stated, watching as Lucy blinked at her in shock.

"Levy, where...Where did that come from?" Lucy asked, easing the car through an intersection as Levy bit her bottom lip and lowered her gaze.

"I..I don't know really. I just, don't like the idea or hearing that people look down on him. In just a little time, he has done so much for me, and I don't want people belittling him just because he looks different." She stated, looking over at Lucy and continued to watch her as she seemed deep in thought about something.

"You know, you're right. Also, I really think he will be good for you." She suddenly muttered, causing Levy to blink and sit straighter.

"What do you mean about that?" She asked, blinking as Lucy just smiled and winked at her.

"I'll leave that for you to find out." She stated, pulling into the skating rink and parking in an available space.

"We're here. Time to have some fun!" She chirped, unbuckling and quickly sliding out of the car before dashing toward the front doors of the ice rink. Levy sighed as she decided to follow at a more steady pace, her thoughts going to what Lucy had just said and the response she had given. Everything that she had said was true, however she hadn't even knew that she felt like that about him until Lucy said that.

"Yo, Shrimp? You know the reason why your friends kidnapped you, and made me and my sisters tag along?" Gajeel sounded, causing her to look over her shoulder before giving a timid smile.

"I honestly don't know. Unless it is for you three to get used to the group, and to try and cheer me up." She stated, walking alongside him, Juvia and Wendy.

"But Juvia doesn't understand. Why the ice rink?" Juvia asked, and Levy gave her a small smile.

"This is the place where me and Lucy always came to with our mothers, it's where our friendship bloomed. Also, we meet nearly all of our friends here." She stated, approaching the door and watching as they slid open before stepping into the warm reception room.

"Ah! Miss Levy, it has been a while. The others are already in the back, go one." The receptionist stated, she gave a smile and lead the other three back toward the actual rink.

"Are we actually going to skate?" Wendy asked, sounding both nervous and excited about the prospect. Levy gave a smile and looked down at her.

"Most likely." She answered, and then stepped into the hallway that opened onto the ice. Only to blink as she saw that there was no one on the ice, and that they and her friends were the only ones there.

"Guys, what is this?" She asked, watching as Lucy stepped forward with a beaming smile, and the others smirked. Before all of them suddenly screamed:

"Happy Birthday Levy!"

She jumped at the sound, and felt the other three tense behind her before she stared at Lucy in stunned shock. Her blonde friend giggled, and then wrapped her in a hug.

"Even you forgot what today was, didn't you?" Lucy asked, causing her to blush and give a faint nod. She had forgotten her own birthday, but then again she hadn't really been eager for her eighteenth birthday. However, she couldn't help but smiling as she wrapped her arms around Lucy.

"Thank you Lucy." She whispered, and then looked at the others around her.

"Thank you, all of you." She whispered, clasping her hands together as they cheered and began the party.


Gajeel could only watch on in awe as he saw a complete and different side to Levy. The girl was something else when she was surrounded by her friends, and he saw nothing but true happiness radiate from her. Where she usually shied away, or flinch, she was embracing those around her. Completely at ease, and enjoying her time.

Her smile was practically blinding him, but he was glad that there was something that was turning her rough day around. He figured that she had done enough crying in the past few days, and this was more than a welcoming change for her. Still, he had wished that he had known that it was her birthday, because he was feeling a bit awkward at having been invited but not getting her anything present wise.

"Gajeel. I just wanted to apologize." The sudden statement from Lucy had him blinking and snapping himself out of his thoughts as he stared down at her. Completely confused as to what she could be apologizing about.

"On the ride over, I kinda question Levy as to why she chose to stay with you. Someone who doesn't know her, and someone she doesn't know, over her friends. I judged you based on rumors, and looks alone, but she told me differently. I wanted to apologize for questioning you like that." She stated, making him blink and give a huff before turning his attention back onto the ice where the rest were skating. Including his sister and cousin.

"I'm used to it Bunny-Girl." He stated, which wasn't a lie at all. Everyone always questioned him, because of his looks, his piercings, and his back ground. However, he refused to let those people get to him, because he knew whose opinions really mattered the most.

"Even still, I let my wounded pride and ego get the best of me, and insulted you because of it. I can see that you care for Levy, more so than you let on, and shouldn't have thought otherwise. I mean, here she was, my best friend, practically my sister, choosing someone else's help over mine. For a moment, all I could think about doing was ruining your image for her, but then realized, I wasn't doing anything better than what her step-father was doing. Thank you for being there for her, Gajeel. Also, I hope you stay by her side." Lucy stated, and he huffed as his eyes trained on the bluenette they were talking about. Watching as she glided effortlessly over the ice, and then glanced down at Lucy.

"So long as she wants me by her side, then I'll stay there. Even should we be separated, I'll find her anyway I can." He muttered, watching as the blonde smiled and gave a satisfied nod. Before leaving his side and calling out to Levy. He watched as they skated beside one another, talking and laughing, before giving a sigh.

He truly had it bad for the woman, that much he knew, but he hadn't been lying when he said that he would remain by her side for as long as she would allow. In which he was hoping would be a long time to come.

"I can't believe they all went through all of that trouble for me." Levy stated, and Gajeel smirked as they walked toward his car as she bid her friends farewell.

"Don't see why it's a surprise, since all your friends find all forms of reasons to party." He muttered, smiling to himself when she giggled, just glad and pleased to see her in such a happy mood.

"You have a point there." She stated, smiling up at him as he held open her door and watched as she slid in before moving to the drivers side. Sliding inside, he smirked as she looked at the presents in the back seat, some already at home since Juvia offered to take some home when Wendy started to become tired.

"Still, I don't think they should have gotten me so much." She stated, and he rolled his eyes at that. In truth, it wasn't much. Mostly books or winter clothing that her friends had heard, or seen, her looking at one time or another.

"Trust me, I'm with them saying that you're worth it." He muttered, somehow able to keep a blush at bay when she stared at him in shock, with her own blush on her cheeks. Giving a small smile, he started the car and pulled out of the lot, heading at a steady place toward home.

After a while of steady silence, he looked over and blinked as he saw that Levy was snoozing away in the passenger seat. Giving a smile, he faced forward again and sighed as he relaxed in his seat as he made the final turn to his apartment. Pulling to the curb, he turned off the car and stared over at Levy for a moment. She looked so peaceful, and even had a small smile on her face as she rested. Giving a smile, he carefully unbuckled her, open his door and slid out, before reaching for her and holding her close as he started toward the apartment. Only to stop and turn his head slightly as he heard sirens in the distance, and frowned slightly, wondering what it could be at this time of night. Only to shake the errant thought away when Levy shifted closer in his hold as the wind brushed over them, and quickly stepped inside.


There you have it, chapter 9! I hope you liked it and I promise that the next few chapters will hopefully pick up. Thank you for all the review and support.