AN: YAY! It's time ;) Probably. ;) I had this all planned to write one chapter a day, but I can't get away from my brain today and it's demanding another chapter NOW, so congrats you don't have to wait until tomorrow for it.

Levy woke up feeling refreshed and a little embarrassed by her outburst last night. She wondered if Gajeel still wanted to talk to her or if he had forgotten about it. She hoped for the latter, but suspected it wouldn't be so. At the moment, however, her bladder was reminding her that she had more pressing matters than her love life. She shifted, going to sit up, but the strain on her ribs yesterday had really did a number and she cried out as her sides insisted she wouldn't be moving anytime soon.

Gajeel was at her side in moments, concern written on his face.

"You shrieked," He said in explanation as to why he had barged into her room without knocking.

Levy looked surprised, she had tried to be quiet about it. That apparently hadn't been the case.

"I need," She ground her teeth against the pain and managed, "To use the bathroom. But I'm afraid my body is not going to let me get there on my own."

Gajeel's eyes widened ever so slightly before he picked her up and carried her there. He lowered her on to the seat gently and they both blushed.

"I'll umm... I'll stand outside. Call for me when you're done."

He bolted out and Levy managed to relieve herself without needing help.

A few moments later he settled her back into her bed, wheeling her chair by it in case she had to get up again.

"Is there anything else I can get you?" He asked anxiously.

"A book. I don't care which one. I have a feeling I'm going to be here for most of the day."

He nodded and grabbed a few books off her shelf, setting them by her bed.

"Shrimp -"

She sighed, "You want to talk about yesterday?"

He nodded, "What was all of that about, Levy?"

She was surprised that he'd used her actual name. Sometimes she suspected that he had long forgotten it and just called her Shrimp, Shorty or some variation there-of to cover up the fact that he couldn't remember it.

She sighed looking down, "I was angry. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have yelled at you like that, but I was just upset."

He looked down at her, "But why?"

She blushed, "Because I was hoping that you had another reason for wanting me to stay after I got better."

He frowned, as two sets of hearts beat a little faster at her words and when he spoke it was almost a breathless whisper, "Like what?"

Levy's heart was racing now, feeling like it was climbing in her throat.

"Because, Gajeel, after everything we've been through I was hoping you would see me as more than just a friend or guild mate."

He looked stunned at her words and she desperately wished that she could sink into the covers and hide there for an eternity.

Gajeel was stunned by what she had said. He had cared for the delicate woman for a long time, but he never really thought she cared about him. Sure, he had suspected sometimes that she had a crush on him, but crushes pass and he'd figured that she would eventually get over it. Looking at her now, he wondered if that was the case or if he was just telling himself that to keep a distance. He was terrified of hurting her, but at the same time he desperately wanted to be with her.

Mistaking his silence for rejection she whispered, "I can go if you want. Jet and Droy would take me in. Or Lucy. I'm sure it would be awkward for me to stay here with you after this."

That caught his attention.

"No way Shrimp. Doc says I gotta take care of you so that's what I'm going to do. Tough it out," He grunted, blushing a little.

It was on the tip of his tongue to tell her how he felt when Pantherlily came into the room, completely oblivious to the tension between the humans. He crawled up on the bed, curling up next to Levy. She absentmindedly scratched his head as she studied Gajeel's face, looking for any sign that he cared more than he let on. Gajeel almost told him to leave, but then he heard the thunder and Lily shivered, snuggling closer to Levy. He hadn't realized it was raining out until now. Neither of them knew what to say to the other with the exceed in the room, so after a few moments Gajeel stood and gently kissed Levy on the forehead before leaving the room. He'd watched her eyes widen slightly and could feel her gaze on his back as he shut the door, leaning against.

"What the hell was that?" He asked himself out loud, silently wondering when he was going to tell the bookworm the truth about his feelings for her.