She's late.

Gajeel was by no means an impatient man, but there were some things he hated waiting for; her coming home was one of them. He growled lowly as he paced the airport terminal, ignoring the teasing looks from their friends. Ever since Levy had made the trip to California, he'd been out of sorts at home, sometimes calling her in the middle of the night just to hear her sleepy voice. She never seemed annoyed, but he nevertheless felt guilty the morning after.

It was supposed to be a short trip anyways, only for about a week. He had tried to convince her (and himself) that he would be okay without her for that long. She'd chuckled at him when he called her not an hour after she had landed in L.A, demanding to know if she traveled safely and if she had missed him yet. After she had reassured him that yes, she missed him as much as he did her, she promised him that she would be careful during her trip through downtown.

It was funny, he mused as he glanced at the screens for the umpteenth time, huffing when the "late" kept flashing. Before he had met Levy he had been fine on his own, not worried about anyone or anything. How odd that a year after meeting her and becoming a couple he couldn't think of anything else but her, how she was doing, if she thought of him at the weirdest times of the night. He couldn't wait to hold her again, to hear her laughter and to share little kisses.

Where the hell was she?

He huffed, plunking himself down on the bench next to Pantherlily and Shagotte, running his fingers through his wild hair. He grumbled as the two laughed at him, swatting at Panther's hand as he poked at him. They'd been waiting for more than two hours for the plane to arrive, which was already an absurd amount for even a delay. Gajeel had wanted to have her to himself by now, curled around her in front of a fire for the rest of the night. Panther had compared him to a lovesick puppy at one point, much to his displeasure.

"You might as well just call her your wife at this point," he said, and Gajeel scoffed. Though he was secretly longing to do so, he wanted to wait a little longer for her. He'd love her as long as he'd live, and wanted to give her the freedom to explore. Despite wanting to be patient, he'd already bought a ring for her, waiting for the opportune time.

Why wasn't she here yet?

Someone brushed by him urgently, yet he ignored it as visions Levy dressed in a white gown walked down an aisle, blushing as she smiled at him through a veil. Would it be a big wedding? He hated crowds, and neither of them knew enough friends or family to invite. 'To hell with it, we'll elope,' he thought, smiling idly as Levy's blushing smile turned to a stern frown. Or maybe not, we can just invite the entire town for the shindig. Anchorage was just large enough to be considered a second family for both, so why the hell not?

"Gajeel?"

He blinked, returning to the airport. His heart jumped as the activity picked up and more people began to stir and wander towards the gates.

Finally!

"May I have your attention please," the speakers around the lounge crackled, cutting through the increasing babble. There was a pause, and the speakers popped on again. "Will everyone waiting for the arrival of Flight 119 please report to the Airport Manager's office?" There was a catch in the voice before it clicked off, and an uneasy murmur in the crowd followed.

Flight 119?

Levy's flight.

Gajeel felt like he'd swallowed a stone, and could feel his heart beginning to thunder. A cold sweat trickled down his spine, and he clenched his fists as he pushed himself up to follow the crowd that began to look for the office.

"I'm sure she's fine, Gajeel," Pantherlily spoke, his voice low and calm. Next to him, Shagotte nodded her reassurances. Gajeel nodded sharply, not trusting himself to speak without his voice shaking. 'She'll be fine, they're just delayed another day, she's fine she's fine she's -'

"Right this way, please."

He looked up to find a somber looking airport employee waving to the crowd, directing them to a larger lounge than they had been waiting in. There were a couple of people at the front of the lounge, talking to each other quietly as the noise from the nervous crowd drowned them out. As they took their seats, he couldn't help but feel a stab of fear as they turned to the crowd, and he could clearly see the tag of one of the gentlemen standing in front of them.

Incident Commander

Where is she?!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~8*8~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The cab was cold, and the windows fogged as rain pattered against it from the other side. 'Fitting for a city that's always gray,' he thought darkly as he gazed out at the streets of Seattle, glaring at the bustling people. His hands clenched tight, his nails leaving permanent marks on his palms. It did little to calm the persistent shaking they had taken on when the news hit him like a bomb.

Levy's plane had gone down near the city after they had just taken off. It hadn't been a huge crash, and thankfully there were more survivors than casualties. The Incident Commander had been far more optimistic than they all had thought, despite the fact that they all had sat in stunned silence before chaos broke out.

"What about my father?"

"Are they alright?"

"How?"

Casualties.

The word burned bitter in the back of his throat, and he could taste bile as the cold turned hot, and Levy's face flashed through his mind, smiling happily at some stupid thing he said. He could almost hear her giggle, even.

Levy!

"Is there anyway to get to them as soon as we can?" Pantherlily called out, and Gajeel grasped his arm, grateful that he could voice his fears while he stood there like a bloody idiot, shocked into speechlessness. Pantherlily clapped his own hand over his, joined shortly by Shagotte's. Pleas of similar sentiment floated up, and the Airport Manager lifted his arms to calm the crowd.

"We'll have a plane ready for those who want to get to Seattle as soon as possible, so please be patient as we get it set up," he said calmly, and Gajeel felt a surge of anger flow through him. He wanted to punch the man out and demand a plane immediately. A tap on his shoulder reminded him that he wasn't alone, and he sighed defeatedly. He'd have to wait with the others. As the duo dismissed themselves with the promise of continued updates, he felt himself deflate and the cold fear return.

"I don't have to ask if you're going, then?" Pantherlily asked lowly, and Gajeel shook his head. The older man nodded, gripping his hand again. "We'll be waiting to hear from you then, so go find your girl, yeah?"

He had nodded numbly, getting lost in the sudden swell of emotions that threatened to pour out of him. He vaguely remembered sitting down while Pantherlily and Shagotte left for a bit, only to return an hour later with an overnight bag and set it by his feet. Then, they left again, texting every so often to check on him. He'd reply mechanically, not too aware of what he'd been saying to them. Around him people were crying in fear, or chatting nervously with each other over the possible scenarios. He'd wanted to shout at them to shut up, to curse and rail at anyone, yet her face kept popping up, and he'd settle back with a shaky breath, silently praying to anyone, anything, that she was fine.

She had to be.

She was everything he wasn't and more.

His ray of sunshine from a dark world.

His breath of hope and happiness.

She had to be okay.

Levy!

The driver of the cab screamed at something in the street, and angrily shook his fist at it, startling Gajeel out of his thoughts. He frowned as he settled back into his seat, wondering if it would be better to run to the hospital than sit in the car with the lunatic driver. He growled as they crawled along, deciding that sitting in the cab seemed like it was taking longer than actually getting to the city. The flight to Seattle had only been about two hours, yet it took nearly a lifetime for the passengers as they fidgeted in their seats, anxious to get to their loved ones. Once they reached the airport, they had been directed to another office, where they had decided to keep them till more information was available.

He was at his wit's end when they finally released the name of the hospital that the survivors were being treated at. Unwilling to wait another minute, Gajeel had rushed away, grumbling under his breath as he tapped the number for the cab service. A cab would hopefully get him there faster than the bus they had had planned on piling the lot of them on.

At least, that was his hope. They certainly left faster than the rest of the group, but the traffic was beginning to take on a life of its own. He growled lowly as another cab edged in ahead of them, and the cabby layed on the horn, echoing his sentiments.

"Oi, how far are we from the hospital?" He asked, his nerves getting the better of him.

"About five miles, but with this traffic it'll be awhile."

"Fuck that, gimme the street and I'll run."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*8*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The noise was nearly overwhelming as he stepped into the hospital's ER, panting from exertion. He hadn't been kidding when he boldly claimed that he'd beat the cabby to the hospital, and made it there in record time. 'Thank god for our morning runs,' he mused as he stepped up to the front desk. A harried looking nurse was chatting to the receptionist before scuttling away, furiously scribbling on her clipboard. He gulped as the latter turned to face him, exhaustion painting lines in her face.

"Yes?" She asked, her voice clipped and irritated.

"I'm here for one of the survivors of Flight 119?" He gasped, leaning heavily on the desk. His legs felt like jelly, his heart hammering from the exercise and fear.

Let her be okay.

"Which one?" She asked, her tone softening as she pulled out a sheet from a filing cabinet.

"Levy McGarden."

Please let her be okay.

"Your name?"

"Gajeel Redfox."

The lady's brow furrowed as she scanned the sheet, and he could feel his heart sink as she looked up at him.

Please let her be okay!

"Why don't you have a seat and I'll get back to you," she said softly, and his heart lurched.

LEVY!

He nodded, and stumbled to the closest seat, oblivious to the sympathetic stares and curious looks from the others in the waiting room. It was made of cheap metal and plastic, and it was a miracle that it didn't collapse under his weight as he dropped into it. The lady had scurried away by then, sheet tucked tightly in one hand as it flapped.

Please

Please

His hands shook as he raked them over his face and into his hair before folding together in front of his chin. He bit his lip as his fear began to get the better of him.

What if...?

He shook his head fiercely. No, he raged at himself. She's fine, they're just looking for her!

But...

A sob broke free, shaking his frame. Her name passed through his lips as tears slipped down his face. He could see her happy face, and the white dress she'd wear for their wedding. He'd take her hand gently, taking her from either Jet or Droy, or both even. The ring was beautiful, but not as beautiful as her as she watched him slide it on her finger, blushing madly through the veil. He'd be methodical in leaning over to kiss her after they said their vows, oblivious to the cheers and catcalls from the audience. He'd pick her up then, laughing at her protests while he carried her to the reception hall, eager to get the party over with so he could finally have his first night with his wife.

What if...?

She'd be giggling as he would promised her the stars on their honeymoon, demanding the northern lights instead just to tease him.

What if...

She'd be grumbling as her clothes would no longer fit her, falling victim to the pregnancy as he'd watch her from afar, marveling in her beauty as the swell in her belly grew with each passing week. She was glowing with promise, and each night he'd treat her to a glorious foot massage that would often lead to tussling in the sheets and gasps of pleasure.

What if...

The twins would hug her before they would rush off to school, book bags packed with books and snacks while she'd busily start her day, cooking breakfast for the two of them. It would be a rare day off for the both of them, one they wouldn't waste words on.

What if...

What if she hadn't made it?

Casualties

"Mr. Redfox?"

He looked up to see the receptionist frowning at him, and he gulped back tears, sniffling as he furiously wiped at his face. She sat in one of the chairs next to him, and he could feel his mind beginning to race.

No!

"Mr. Redfox," she began, shaking out the sheet of paper in front of her. She looked confused for a second, and for a second he wondered if he got the wrong hospital. "There isn't a Levy McGarden here, but a Levy Redfox, so I just wanted to reconfirm the name you gave me."

His heart stopped, then pulsed as sudden hope exploded. Levy Redfox? But why would she give them that name? He cleared his throat, finding it difficult to pry his mouth open to talk.

"Is she... is she okay?" He asked, his voice hoarse. The receptionist sighed, then nodded her head.

"She's one of the luckier one, just a broken arm and a few bruises, but I really would like you to confirm her name -"

"Gajeel!"

He stiffened as her voice rang out into the lobby like a bell. It was the sweetest noise he'd ever heard, and all of a sudden he could see her rushing down the hall, pushing past doctors as she called his name over and over again. He couldn't remember rising to his feet to meet her, sweeping her up in her arms as she sobbed, wrapping her uninjured arm around his neck as best as she could. He buried his face in her neck as he lowered her down, ignoring the looks they given as he gave in to the tears, relief washing over him in thunderous waves.

She's okay

She's here

After a while, the sobbing died away and he reluctantly pulled himself away to look her over. She looked a bit worse for wear, her arm in a sling and bandages littering her body. Her wild hair was even more frazzled, and he bit back the urge to laugh as he pulled her in again, sighing deeply as he held her close as she nuzzled into his chest.

She's alive

I'm never letting her go.