Gajeel Redfox was feeling the cold despite the hot sun beating down on him from above. The chill was from deep inside where the words 'abandonment issues' might as well have been tattooed on his soul. Orphaned by parents he could not remember, left behind by his foster father Metalicana, unwanted, and feared. Never mind the fact that he'd walked away from his former guild-mates in Phantom Lord after their defeat, they'd never been friends anyway. Except for Juvia maybe, but even though she'd not turned her back on him, she was so eat up with her obsession over Gray Fullbuster that she might as well have left.

Then came Fairy Tail. A guild he'd once savagely attacked and fought with to the bitter end. In his defeat, a door had been opened for him and very, very slowly some were even coming to see him as not quite an enemy.

But best of all, there was Levy McGarden. Outside of fighting and getting stronger, she was the shining center of his world. Even if he didn't exactly want it that way. How she'd managed to become so important to him, Gajeel had no clue. Only right now the woman who had made all his dreams come true the previous night, was staring down at her painted toe nails and blushing hotly. Embarrassed to be seen with him. Every nerve in his body felt ready to snap at the perceived rejection. Veins bulged in his arms and his teeth were grinding together.

"I'm so sorry, Gajeel. I couldn't stand it if you walked away from me, but I'd understand."

Her words stopped him dead center. Gajeel froze. "Huh?" Walk away? From her? Was Levy crazy? He reached up to scratch the top of his head in a stalling technique. "What? You're the one who left this morning without a word."

"I left you a note."

Gajeel said nothing, not wanting to admit he'd taken off after her without checking for a note or message. His mind had stalled over her walking out and he'd not considered any innocent reason. Well shit.

Levy didn't seem to notice his lack of response. She just shook her head, the ribbon in her pretty blue tresses looking so spring-like and colorful. Now that he knew she hadn't run from him, the color of the strip of fabric seemed brighter somehow and it matched her outfit. Yellow. Levy was wearing a dress of bright yellow. Yellow suddenly became his favorite color. Right until she looked up at him with her bronze-brown eyes. THAT was his favorite color. No, it was the rose of her blush ….

"I know the note was vague. I was embarrassed. I was trying to take care of something private without being seen, but Shagon caught me on the way into town. I didn't have any option but to invite her shopping with me. I …I was wrong to sneak away and not discuss it with you."

Gajeel blinked, nearly melting at the choked up sound in Levy's tone. His anger vanished like so much mist. "Levy? What are you rambling on about? Are you upset because Lucy and Wendy heard we were married?" His mind leapt to the likeliest conclusion, at least to him. "I guarantee you they think it's a cover story for a job. You couldn't have told them the truth with Shagon here." His own words pierced his fierce pride and Gajeel sighed, sticking his hands into his pockets. He'd been so angry with Levy when the explanation was so simple. He was a fool. "I'm the one who should be sorry." He admitted reluctantly.

Levy's mouth firmed and her bronze eyes glinted with signs of her on-coming temper. "You have nothing to apologize for!"

"Last night …" Gajeel intimated the obvious without finishing the sentence. They'd had sex, and lots of it. Sexy, sexy, sex. It made him hot just thinking about it. His eyes slid away from her before he made a lewd suggestion involving finding the closest room available.

"Was our choice. Both of us. We both wanted that, all of it."

Gajeel blinked uncertainly and then grinned, a hint of a blush on his sharp cheekbones. He was flattered by her candid declaration that she'd wanted him. "Well, now shrimp. We can go back to the resort and start that all over again." His voice was a rough grumble of a purr. Maybe they could make it back to the resort. Or not. Was there an inn in town? Hell. He'd left his money back at the resort.

Suddenly Levy took a step back, shaking her head. "No. We can't and we won't."

Caught off-guard, Gajeel blinked rapidly. His mind couldn't settle on an answer. While Levy had sounded sure that she'd wanted him, she …no longer did? Had he disappointed her? No, those screams in his ears and the scratches on his back and shoulders told a different story.

Levy suddenly sighed, her pretty shoulders that her dress bared, slumping as if in defeat. "I was hoping to spare you this worry, but we may have to stay married a bit longer than I'd thought."

"Uhm. Okay." Gajeel was at sea in this conversation. Did she want him or not? But suggesting that they stay married a bit longer didn't sound like she didn't want him …right?

Levy gave him a sour look. "The reason for this 'marriage' might, just might, be an issue."

"The missing couples?" Gajeel asked blankly, then stared down at Levy as she swatted at one of his arms. "You hear something to complicate the job?"

"It's a complication all right. But not about the job, not really. It's about our cover story, our reasons for marrying each other?"

Gajeel nodded. They were a runaway young couple eloping. What did Levy mean …the dragonslayer nearly fell out in a dead faint as his 'wife' gave him a cross-eyed look and moved both of her hands to cover her flat belly. His pupils dilated widely as his gaze moved from her belly to her face and back again. "Wah?"

Levy suddenly dropped her hands, looking ashamed. "I screwed up. I was the one who didn't know about the new Governor's seal and that's how we ended up married in the first place, for real I mean. As for protecting against complications, I was taking a medication. But … this morning, when I went to take my dose, I realized ….It was in with my regular travel gear."

"So…." He stammered.

"The gear I had with me on the island. So. The question becomes, is the medication still effective? Did it enter into the stasis spell that kept us unaged for the past seven years, or was that just for the people? In other words ….is it out of date?"

Gajeel's ears were ringing as he continued to stare. Levy was glaring at him and he realized she was waiting for a response. "Gah." That's all that came out.

"We were 'away' for seven years, Gajeel!" Levy sighed unhappily. "It never occurred to me to wonder if my pills were suspended like we were and didn't age, or if they are now expired."

"Oh."

Levy swatted at him again. "Oh? That's all you can say? I about had a heart attack this morning and all you can say is 'oh'?"

"Oh. Right. Uhm."

Levy's bronze eyes heated up. "Not. Much. Better." She said fiercely.

The specter of fatherhood loomed over Gajeel like a mountain about to crumble and crush him beneath its weight. It was the rather lost look on Levy's face as she chewed her bottom lip that snapped the spell holding him hostage.

Without conscious thought Metalicana's voice roared through his memory. Always expect the unexpected. Never have only one plan, never get backed into a corner unless that's exactly where you needed to be to win. Gajeel locked onto the one important word.

"Plan." Gajeel coughed, clearing his throat. "What's our plan?" Yes, yes, that was a reasonable response. Though he truthfully didn't know what else to think or feel. He wasn't fit to be a father, not right now. Besides, he wanted more time with Levy all to himself. Then again, who said she wanted to stay married to him? She'd only suggested that because she might be carrying his child. The though made his knees feel weak.

"We hold off." Gajeel continued before Levy could speak. "Don't get our marriage license annulled until we know for sure. Either way." His stomach turned over at the word 'either' and what it could potentially mean. "We don't know yet and shouldn't leap to conclusions."

"You're not angry?" Levy sounded a bit whispery now, hopeful. It made his heart break, melt and then re-form. She'd expected him to react badly. Well, he wasn't the same jerk-face he'd been when they'd first 'met'.

Gajeel grinned and flashed fang at his sweet bride. "I could have asked about protection too you know. Not all of this is solely on you. I remember having a very active part." This time her hot blush pleased him.

Levy gazed up at him in a way that made Gajeel feel as tall as a building.

"So. I was going to disguise myself and buy a different form of protection for while we're here." Levy sounded unsure.

Gajeel's grin grew. She needed protection, because damn it, she wasn't done with him! His chest expanded proudly. Well, he wasn't done with her either!

"But then Lucy and Wendy showed up and Shagon was here." She sounded disgruntled now and Gajeel's pride could have floated right about then. "What do we tell them, by the way?"

The dragonslayer shrugged. "They'll have guessed we're working."

"I mean …all of them? The guild. What do we say, when we get back? We …is there a we?"

Damn right there was! Gajeel growled instantly, then stopped. In his mind's eye he could visualize the reactions of all the guild members to the news that he'd married Levy. He would be seen as the man who seduced the sweet mage they all loved. Him. Whom they didn't love and some barely even tolerated. Never mind that Levy seduced him too, that wouldn't count in this scenario.

Makarov would be pissed. Gajeel frowned. Natsu and Gray would attack him. Gajeel grinned at that thought. Erza would kill him. The thought knocked some of the sparkle from his grin. Not that he wouldn't enjoy a good fight, but these were people he was trying to …damn it, he wanted to BELONG in Fairy Tail. He'd only gotten a taste of it so far, and he craved more. So they'd attack him, and he wouldn't be able to really fight back. More important, no one would give he and Levy a chance to see where this relationship might go if left between the two of them.

As if reading his mind, Levy sighed. "I don't really want to have to defend myself or what we have, or might have. I like it when it's just us. Cana will hang over me and make fun of me and Mira will be sweet, but nosy."

Nosy? Levy was worried about her friends being nosy while he'd have to contend with people trying to kill him. Gajeel sighed, resolute in his decision. As much as he'd LOVE to fight every one who might challenge him, if he did, he might win the battle and lose the war. Worse? What if Levy's 'family' talked her out of his bed and his life? How did they keep the rest of Fairy Tail out of their business?

An idea. It was perfect.

"So don't tell them." Gajeel said with quiet determination. "We don't say a word. Not until we're sure there will be a need." Yeah. This way, if Levy decided he wasn't worth her effort, no one would know he'd been dumped.

Levy perked up visibly. "Just keep it a secret? For a little while anyway. Until we know something." Until she knew if Gajeel would get tired of her. "Not bad. We can get an annulment any time."

Like hell. Gajeel smiled though, not saying that last part aloud. Piece of paper with a stamp didn't make Levy his, but he still didn't want to set it aside either. He liked belonging to her. Belong? Nope. His smile disappeared. "If you think I'll trail after you like Jet and Droy …"

Shocked, Levy's mouth gaped open a minute before she dropped a bucket of hastily summoned water over his head. "I never asked that of you! Or them for that matter!"

Gajeel picked up the bucket that had held the water, pleased to find it made of iron. "Thanks." He muttered, taking a big bite out of the metal. "Haven't had anything beyond coffee, and that was interrupted."

Levy suddenly giggled, looking around and catching the odd looks the townspeople were giving Gajeel as he casually ate a bucket made out of iron as if it were a treat.

"Let's go relax on the beach, and I can tell you what Pantherlily found out." Gajeel said teasingly, licking his fingers. "In other words, we can talk about our job and not worry about something that might not even be a problem."

Levy sighed and shook her head, wondering why he'd licked his fingers. It wasn't like there was some juice or sugar or anything to clean up, not after eating metal. Rust maybe? No. No rust on her magically conjured items. Habit then. "I still need to find a way to purchase certain items."

"Naw. Shagon's lurking around somewhere." Gajeel shrugged.

"Shopping, not lurking." Levy corrected.

"And Lucy and Wendy are around as well. Even if you disguise yourself, I guarantee that Wendy's dragonslayer senses will be able to tell it's you. You don't want to shock the kid do you? Buying stuff like that?"

Levy pursed her lips together, frustrated that Gajeel was right. "But we can't do anything together until we're protected."

Gajeel, in the process of turning, spun back around and changed his mind lightning quick. "I'll get it. Just tell me what we need. Oh, and do you have money? I left mine back at the room."

Levy grabbed the back of his open-faced vest and held on as he tried to move past her. "Whoa! Same thing goes for you. Shocking Wendy. Don't you dare!"

"She'll get over it. Eventually." Gajeel growled.

"And as far as the town knows, I'm already knocked up and you buying protection would ruin our story."

Gajeel pouted.

Levy tapped the tip of one finger against her lips. "Let's have lunch."

"We just ate!" He snapped.

"No. You just ate. And I need food, I didn't stop for breakfast." Not with worrying over how Gajeel would take the information that she might not be protected. The worst over now, she was well and truly hungry.

Gajeel nodded, taking Levy's hand and dragging her to the first diner he saw.

Levy grimaced at the dirty and smudged windows and sign in need of repair, she dug in her heels and changed direction to a small outdoor café.

Gajeel shook his head at the frilly table cloths and frou-frou decorations. "I'm not going there!" They both declared at the same time.

Five minutes later Levy was cheerfully ordering the chicken salad and Gajeel was pouting, seated in a cute wrought iron chair that he wondered might be tasty.

"Wendy, Natsu and Lucy will be on their way as soon as the train finishes taking on supplies." Levy mentioned calmly, sipping on her tea.

Gajeel growled angrily.

"Then one of us, me, can visit the apothecary and get what we need while the other stands lookout. We should be able to keep our cover story intact. Then we can go back to our room."

Gajeel growled again, this time sensually. He liked this plan.

An hour and five minutes later, they were walking back to the resort side by side.

Gajeel felt Levy bump into his side and he peeked down at her, feeling the swell of pride that she was his. Even if it was a secret, it was theirs, and it was near perfect. His hand tightened on the shop sack containing the items needed to keep the two of them from making their marriage even more real and turning them into parents.

What if Levy was already pregnant though? Gajeel sniffed discreetly, but didn't sense any pheromones that indicated Levy was knocked up. Then again, he had no idea how long it took for a lady to start smelling pregnant. As sensitive as his dragonslayer senses were, he just didn't know.

Levy bumped into his side again.

"Clumsy?" He teased her.

"Trying to get you to hold my hand." She snipped back at him.

Embarrassed to have missed a cue and not wanting to admit to it, Gajeel shook his head. "I don't hold hands."

It didn't even take five minutes before she'd gotten her palm in his and he was walking side by side with her, holding hands.

Gajeel reasoned with himself that he was enjoying her touch and that was the only reason he was allowing her to get her own way. Well. And she might be pregnant. It had been their first time, and a first for both of them completely. Surely they weren't expecting now. Right?

But what if they were? Well. They weren't ready. Their brand new relationship was still in the early stages. One night, a half-fight, and a lunch. Not the most stable thing to build a family on. But if Levy was carrying his child? Gajeel swore to himself he'd never abandon the kid like his parents and foster-father had.

Levy's hand slipped out of his grasp. For a second he felt a chill. His nose twitched and his vision sharpened.

"Gajeel?"

Lost in his thoughts, the dragonslayer nodded while calculating everything. "I'm here, I'll always be here."

"Trap."

"I know. I feel it too."

Levy grunted. "Play it cool. We need to know where the other couples are."

It went against every instinct he had, but Gajeel knew she was right. He deliberately walked right into the magic trap on purpose. Levy right at his side.

o.o.o.o.o

Another chapter! I hope you enjoy! For those who asked about my published short story, the information about it is on my profile page.