Chapter 11

Levy was past the point of exhaustion, past the point shock, past the point of wanting what she wanted. As she walked out of the room she noticed that the exceed changed forms and now looked like a small cat with wings.

"Go look for Juvia will ya?" he asked and the exceed silently flew ahead of them in search of the girl.

The man had been nothing but cold and gruff but she was itching to ask about his companion. The image of Laxus sarcastic, taunting grin flashed into her mind. The next was her cousin Lucy sitting on her bed, talking about the most recent book they had read wishing they were running a bookstore in a town far away. Living a normal life, falling in love, being independent… her eyes started to water. She missed her cousin's strength immensely.

"Don't cry," he said.

"I-I'm not."

"I can smell it. Stop crying."

"You can smell? Oh I see… I-I'm sorry," she said so softly.

After reaching the second level and taking a right towards the guest bedrooms Gajeel heard her speak. "Excuse me? Can I ask you a question Mr..?"

"Redfox. What?"

"Is your companion an exceed?"

"Yeah," he answered.

"That's wonderful, I've never seen one before. I had no idea they could take on multiple forms. We have a book in our library talking about the culture in Edolas and remember reading exceed had the ability to fly. They have such an interesting culture and such an array of different species in Edolas. Once I learned about the horrible civil war that happened there between exceeds and humans, apparently-"

"Listen shorty, I can barely withhold my enthusiasm... You can talk to Lily if you want, I'm sure he'll be happy about your mind-numbing eagerness to discuss his homeland," Gajeel said.

"S-sure, sorry." Shorty, really? Levy had made up her mind. He was incredibly rude, insensitive and most likely terribly constipated. She would be mindful to interact with him as little as possible.

"I think Juvia set up this room for you, the light is on," he turned the knob on a door to their left. A soft light came from the room and two hushed voices ceased. Juvia and the exceed where inside.

"Miss Connell, Juvia has set up this room for you! There is a bath waiting in the adjacent room and here are some fresh towels," her hair a darker shade of blue than her own and her eyes reminded Levy of the sea at night.

"Thank you so much and just Levy please," she took the towels. She almost giggled in anticipation of a bath.

Gajeel was about to leave her when her voiced stopped him short. "I understand the uncertainty the situation brings but I do want to take the opportunity to assure you that I intend to help in any way possible," Levy said.

"Who? Yourself or us?" Gajeel snapped.

"Gajeel!" both Juvia and Lily said.

"Both. We have extremely similar goals and, if I'm being completely honest, in order for both of us to succeed it is beneficial to the Inner Coup for your identities to be kept secret."

"Well, I'm glad its in yer interest Lady Connell. Heavens know what could have happened to us then," Gajeel said cynically inching forward.

"That is not what I meant!" she defended.

"I am sure it isn't. It was clear as day, we were all in that room with you. That boyfriend of yours was not giving orders but receiving them. You might have quelled Jura's curiosity but not mine or anyone else's. All I have to say is, you might be his guest but to us you should still be locked up in the basement. Remember where you are," he threatened.

Levy had had enough. She was drained, angry, alone, and pushed into a corner by Gajeel Redfox's hostility. He dared push her and she would bite back mercilessly.

"If you were not such an egotistical creature you would have already seen I intend to help. Remember Redfox, the knowledge of your true nature was already known to me before I was dragged into this. It was you and your companion's incompetence that permitted that mistake to happen. Not to mention, the information I already willing provided to your use as well as saving the lives of your friends. Do not let your pride blame me for your own failures, I am here to help all of us."

Had this woman been a foot taller and with a dick between her legs Gajeel would have punched her to oblivion. Everything she had said was the truth but he had learned that the truth was never to be held as a comfort. A growl escaped his lips but the girl stood there defiantly. She had won this round but Gajeel would get the last word for damn sure.

"Yer right, but that doesn't mean I trust you. Keep your eyes open shrimp," he said before walking out and Pantherlily quickly flying after him.

"Oh! Miss Connell, Juvia is so sorry! Gajeel was upset at the whole situation and he was lashing out unwarrantedly. He is truly a kind person-"

"Kind? No Juvia, you are a kind person. He is an insecure, over-protective bully." Deep breath, she told herself. Her body began to loosen from the tension of the exchange. "I probably went too far. It's been a rough couple of days and I am sorry Juvia but he had no excuse for his tone. I've made up my mind to interact as little as possible with Gajeel Redfox," she began to walk towards her bathroom.

"Juvia is very sorry and will let you bathe and rest," she said quietly walking out. She had in mind to have a very stern talk with Gajeel.

As Levy entered she was first hit with the steam that had accumulated in the modest bathroom, the second was the soft scent of lavender and something sweet she couldn't put her finger on. A knot began to form in Levy's throat as she almost cried in ecstasy at the bathtub in front of her. She quietly removed her stiff, dusty clothes and slowly dipped herself in the tub.

The water was a little warmer than she liked but within a few seconds she had dipped herself to her chin and relaxed. The tub was a classic of beautiful ivory with gold settings placed in the center of the room while the rest of the bathroom was finished in a peachy cream stone. Marble most likely, Levy thought. The sink and vanity were located behind her, a shower in the far left corner, and a window with a beautiful view in front of the tub. Despite the smaller size, the bathroom was luxurious and Levy began to scrub away the dirt and sweat that coated her body.

Her mind began to play back the conversation she had with Jura and Mest in the study. Regardless of the suspicion they held for her at least Lord Neekis had agreed to help and set up a meeting with the council. That was all she needed. Everyone would just have to deal with their suspicions on their own. She had no intention of bowing to their whims and risk everything they had worked years to build. Eventually they would have to realize who's side she was on.

As she began shampooing Levy wondered why she didn't tell them her name. Despite the negative reputation her family name held in the East, here in the West and for those against Jude's reign, her father's name was held if not in high esteem, at least positively. Another shot of pain pulsated through her temple. Gajeel Redfox's face and blood-red eyes appeared in her mind.

"Detestable man," she muttered.

His eyes kept appearing in her mind and she kept replaying what she had said to him moments earlier. According to Levy's nature, she couldn't help but feel guilty for her outburst. Juvia had been right, he must have been terribly frustrated and no doubt feeling guilty. Her words were a low blow Levy had purposefully delivered knowing their effect.

"Maybe I need to apologize…" she mused standing up and making her way to the shower.

Pantherlily knew when to keep silent and when to talk. At this moment he knew it was time to be silent. The previous exchange had not gone in Gajeel's favor and judging by the tension in his shoulders and the clenching of his fists he knew it as well. However, Lily felt his partner almost deserved it. Regardless of his anger and frustration at the mistakes made during the mission in Bellum it was no reason to lash out at the girl. He sighed unconsciously.

"You have something to say, cat?" Gajeel turned to face him.

"Actually yes. You're letting the anger get to best of you. Yes, mistakes were made but that was no reason to be so hostile towards the girl. If it is true that there are suspicions about your dragon-slayer magic in the East then cooperating with her and her allies are the best chance at keeping that knowledge buried for as long as possible. Treating her as you did doesn't really help anyone Gajeel," he schooled the man.

He had nothing to say and again the truth wounded more than he would have liked. He turned and continued making his way towards his room. Of course he knew Lily was right, and the shrimp for that matter, but that didn't mean he liked it. The three of them had made mistakes and they would have to deal with the consequences. There was a rock in his stomach as he thought of the conversation Jura would want to have with them.

But Gajeel still felt the girl had been let off the hook too easily. Hadn't Jura said she was lying? A call from a man named Mest Gryder suddenly fixed and erased all doubts? So much so that he was going to arrange for a meeting with the council? No, Jura had to have other reasons to believe her and Gajeel feared their mistakes had forced Jura's hand.

"I think you should apologize," Lily said behind him.

"Apologize?!"

"So far she has given no real reason to distrust her. Everything she said was the truth. I think you need to apologize Gajeel," Lily urged.

"You're out of yer mind cat," he replied as the fierce eyes of the girl flashed into his eyes. Hazel, he realized.

First off I want to sincerely thank Maiokoe for her review! You're awesome!

So not off to the best start are we? Well not to worry, the next few chapters will kind of force our protagonists to figure out their differences. Please review & thanks so much for reading!