A/N: I am coming to you LIVE from my hotel room in Nelson, BC, where I am judging my daughter's Jump Rope Provincials! A lot of people don't know about the amazing sport of jump rope. YouTube Black Widow Rope Spinners - you'll get an idea of what she does!

Anyway, judging a competition is not excuse for not posting Gray. lol. So here it is. I think you'll enjoy...well, maybe you'll enjoy...you'll probably enjoy it...okay, yeah...you will.

I'll be returning to my home today - a four hour drive - and competition will end probably at 4:00 pm this afternoon. I would love nothing more than to come home to 1,000 comments. Well...maybe 10 comments. Okay fine - I'll settle for anything I can get.

Speaking of which, my amazing beta Wordsaremyspells1331 just published a new oneshot - very worth reading! It's called 'Power Puffed Fantasy', rated T - check it out!

Enjoy!

"My dog," Clive muttered to himself as he pushed the stool up to the counter.

Checking to make sure that nobody was looking, he pulled himself up, maneuvering carefully so that he knelt safely on the flat surface. He reached up, pulling the cupboard doors open. Looking down, he could see Plue's large, hopeful eyes.

He knew his mother kept the dog treats on the second shelf of that cupboard, but he wasn't tall enough to see. Plue knew the treats were there too, bouncing excitedly on two front paws below.

Clive grabbed the bottom of the cupboard, pulling himself unsteadily to his feet. He still couldn't see what was on the second shelf, so he steadied himself with one hand on the first shelf, then reached in with the other.

He felt something between his fingers. Oddly, it didn't feel like the treat bag, but he pulled it down, examining it carefully. It was a red, round ball, but it was really hard. Clive figured it was probably the Daddy marble Sadie had been so sad to lose. He remembered Mama had taken it away from her when Sadie was having an extra bad day. Both Sadie and Mama must have forgotten that.

He tossed the marble to the ground behind him, his little hand returning to the surface of the second cupboard. He felt another object, straining to gather it in his little fingers.

"My car!" he exclaimed, rubbing the exterior of the yellow dinky car. He remembered that one day, he had had a bad day too. Mama had told him not to hit Sadie with that car...and then she took it away.

He tucked the toy into his shorts pocket, reaching once again. Below him, Plue whined.

"My dog!" Clive hissed, warning the white puppy not to be too loud. His parents and Sadie were still sleeping. It seemed he had discovered where the Time Out cupboard was. Clive didn't want Mama and Daddy to know he knew where it was or they'd move it. The next time someone took a toy from him, he would just get it back later.

Clive pulled down the next item, turning it over and over in his fingers.

"My money," he decided, putting the shiny dollar coin in his pocket.

Plue whined again, a warning that someone was stirring in the bedrooms down the hall. Clive's eyes widened, reaching his hand up for the next object. It was a bag. He could feel the plastic edges. Happy he had finally found the treats, he found that he couldn't quite pull the edges close enough to grab it. He could, however, grab a few treats right out of it if he could just...reach...a little...further…

Clive's fingers wrapped around a milk bone just as he lost his balance. Plue jumped to his feet, moving the stool away from the counter with his head quickly, then bounded back. He laid down on the floor just as Clive fell backward, landing on the dog's stomach. Plue let out a little 'hhmmmphh', then licked his boy, delighted when the small human picked himself up, unscathed.

Clive wrapped his arms around the dog's neck, kissing the top of his head gently, then gave him the milk bones he had managed to steal from the bag.

"My dog," Clive said affectionately, "Good boy."

With no time to lose, Clive scrambled to put the stool back where it was kept before retreating to the living room, Plue following at his side. They had enough time to curl up on the couch and turn the TV on, staring at the screen innocently, before Lucy and Natsu emerged from their room.

"Levy was telling me it's this weekend," Lucy was saying to Natsu as they ventured through the living room to the kitchen, "They chose each other's dates this time."

"Serious?" Natsu exclaimed, "HA! Ice-for-Brains probably chose her someone really boring...like a librarian."

"Levy is a librarian," Lucy reminded him, pressing 'Brew' on the coffee machine, "And she's hardly boring."

Natsu backtracked, "I mean boring in a good way...good heart...smart…"

"Yes...Plus, I'm sure Gray would totally pick someone for Levy that she could actually fall in love with," Lucy snarked, "Anyway, Gray texted they'll be here any -"

"OW!" Natsu cried out, amongst a streak of swear words that Clive wasn't allowed to listen to. He covered his ears as he jumped off the couch.

Clive heard a thud on the kitchen floor. He hurried from the living room, Sadie emerging from her room to join him as they both raced to see what had happened to their shrieking father.

Natsu was facedown on the floor, his hair in complete disarray (well, more than usual), eyes spinning in his head.

"Natsu!" Lucy cried out, bending to her knees to help him up.

"That really hurt," Natsu muttered.

"Well, shake it off by the time Gray gets here," Lucy warned, "You know he won't let you live this down. What did you trip on anyway?"

"I can't shake it off! Luce, it really hurts! Whatever I tripped on rolled right under my foot!"

Lucy pulled up Natsu's pajama bottoms, her face blanching when she saw that it was already swelling and changing colour.

"IT'S THE DADDY MARBLE!" Sadie exclaimed, tears of joy streaming down her face as she threw herself into his arms, small red death-ball in her hand. "Daddy! You found it!"

Natsu bit his tongue to keep Sadie from realizing her forced hug was really hurting him.

He hugged her back, kissing the top of her forehead, "I'm so glad it's not lost, Sadie. Now...can you be a good girl and stay with Auntie Levy and Uncle Gray while Mama takes Daddy to the hospital?"

"Daddy ow?" Clive asked, concerned as he joined his mother by Natsu's side.

"It's okay, Buddy...Daddy's tough," Natsu groaned, thudding back to the floor when he tried to stand on it, "Luce, I can't put any pressure on it."

Gray and Levy came in the door, staring at the scene as Lucy dug through the freezer to find an ice pack and Natsu howled in pain.

As Lucy predicted, Gray laughed.

She was one with the water. The consuming liquid purified her soul, preparing her for divinity she was about to experience...her first date with Gray Fullbuster...the man whose soul was already connected to hers through galactic intervention...the man that would consume Juvia's very existence to her dying day.

Juvia emerged from the bathtub, sighing contently as she wrapped towels around her body and her hair. The perfume in the water smelled sublime, even if the petals from the lotus flowers would inevitably clog the bathroom drain until she had a chance to clean it out again.

Which she hoped would be tomorrow afternoon, if things went as well as Juvia expected.

Gray was really glad that his date of the evening specifically mentioned they could dress casually. They were meeting at Silver's favourite ice cream shop. Now that Gray thought about it, it was strange that she had been so insistent that they shouldn't meet at a bar. She had said she was nervous and preferred a casual place where they could wear casual clothes. Still, Gray was more than happy to adhere to her conditions….so here he was.

He entered cautiously, scanning the shop for someone that would match the description she gave him. She said she had long, blue hair and would be wearing a green dress. In the corner of the lobby, there was a woman that almost fit that description. She wore a white dress with green designs throughout the pattern... but she had red hair. Maybe...she'd made a mistake?

No. There was a man beside her. She was not his date.

"Go figure...first online date, and I've been stood up," Gray sighed.

He glanced to the bar table, noticing a young teenager. She was sipping on a milkshake. Deciding his date could simply be a little bit late, he crossed the room and sat on the stool beside her.

The clerk stood in front of Gray, waiting patiently for his order. Gray glanced again at the milkshake. If he was going to wait, he might as well get something.

"I'm not sure what I want," he told the man, "I might need a minute."

"Milkshakes are on special tonight," the girl beside him piped up, "Only $2.99."

"Okay," Gray agreed, "I'll have a milkshake please."

"What flavour would you like?" the clerk asked.

Gray frowned, looking at the 72 flavours of ice to choose from.

"I have chocolate cherry," the girl volunteered, a bright grin on her face, "With whipped cream and a maraschino cherry on top!"

Gray couldn't help but smile back. She was a cutey. Her long hair was pulled into pigtails and she wore a green sundress with spaghetti straps.

"That sounds good," he told the man, "I'll have one of those too, please."

The man nodded, sauntering away to make Gray's order.

"Chocolate cherry is the best," the girl told him firmly, "I try to choose different flavours every time I come here, but sometimes I just crave this kind."

The man returned, placing the milkshake in front of Gray. Gray nodded his thanks, then took his first sip.

"I can see why," he sighed with satisfaction, "This is really good."

The girl beamed, "It's the best! I've tried almost all the varieties here."

Gray was reading the menu board, "Ever tried the pickled plum flavour?"

The girl scrunched her nose, "You couldn't pay me enough to try that."

Gray snickered, "I have to admit...I'm a little surprised to see that they carry that. I might have to bring my son one day and order it for him...just to see what he'd do."

"How old is your son?" she asked, tilting her head.

"8," Gray replied, "He had a birthday not long ago."

"He won't like it," the girl decided, "Old people maybe...but not an 8 year old."

"Maybe I'd get a kick out of the look on his face, though!" Gray laughed.

"That's mean!" the girl smacked his arm playfully, laughing with him.

"It's okay. I'm allowed to bug him a little," Gray declared, plucking the cherry off the top of his whipped cream, "It's my prerogative as a parent to tease as I please. He knows I love him."

The girl frowned, averting her gaze as she continued to suck on her straw. Gray took the moment to check his watch. His date was 15 minutes late.

Her shimmering blue gown shone like a sparkling sea, the colour just slightly lighter than her azure hair, which was tastefully done in an updo beneath a fashionable hat. There was a slit from her thigh all the way down to her ankles, exposing the creamy skin that she spent so much time preparing with various skin-smoothing creams. Sure, maybe the ball gown a little bit of overkill for a date to the movies, but when Gray saw her, she knew there would be no going back. He would love her as much as she loved him.

Tonight, she thought with unbridled excitement, Gray would feel like he was making love to satin. Her skin goosebumped with excitement as she turned her attention to her vanity.

It was time to select the perfect earrings.

Levy arrived at the coffee shop, glancing over to the corner Freed said that he would be watching from. Sure enough, the green-haired man sat in his corner, pretending to read a newspaper. He wore a trench coat and a fedora hat that concealed his sunglassed eyes. She suppressed a giggle. He wasn't inconspicuous by any means, but she appreciated it.

Her confidence renewed with the knowledge that Freed had her back, she sat beside the fire in the plush chairs she had and her date had arranged to meet at.

She noticed the tall, hulking man enter the door, at first shocking her. He opened the door, then paused, backed outside, then opened the door again.

"Excuse me!" someone behind him snapped. A couple pushed passed him, entering the coffee shop with glares on their faces.

Levy glanced back at Freed, noting the smirk on his face as he ticked his head toward the gentleman, who was still deciding whether he was going to come through the door. Levy sighed, finally getting up to go greet him.

"Hi," she said with a sweet smile, "Are you Nab?"

The man pulled at his t-shirt collar. Nab was tall, pushing 7 feet. The shirt was white with an overlying vest. His hair was shoulder-length, black in colour, and he had a thin beard on his face. But perhaps what shocked Levy more than anything was his...tight leather pants. Not black, rock-star leather pants...brown leather that looked to be made from the sinew of an animal. It didn't seem to go with the large, overflowing vest.

She couldn't contain her curiosity, diverting her gaze down to his feet. She half-expected to see moccasins and was somewhat surprised when she saw thong sandals instead. His outfit was sorely uncoordinated...like he couldn't decide what to wear.

"I-I might be," the man stuttered, raising his fingers to his mouth to try to hide his reddening cheeks, "I mean I think I am."

He took a deep breath, noticing Levy's confused expression.

"I am," he said semi-confidently, "Definitely I am."

Levy suppressed a giggle, "I'm Levy. You want to get a coffee?"

Nab looked confused for a moment, glancing from one end of the shop to the other. He met Freed's eyes, rearing back as he turned direction, "Oh...maybe."

They stood at the counter together looking over the menu. For several minutes, they stood, looking over the menu boards...while the barista stood patiently awaiting their order. For at least 10 minutes, they stood, looking over the menu boards while the barista patiently awaited their orders and 3 more couples arrived to join the line behind them. For 15 minutes, they stood, overlooking the menu boards. The impatient barista tapped his fingers loudly while the 5 couples behind them murmured angrily.

Nab still hadn't decided.

"Earl Gray, please," Levy ordered finally. The barista punched it into the til.

Nab continued to stare at the menu boards.

"I like tea better," Levy offered.

Nab continued to stare at the menu boards.

"Maybe you'd like to have a tea?" Levy suggested loudly.

Nab nodded, "Yeah. Tea might be okay...but look at the kinds! Earl Grey...Herbal Berry...Green Tea...Lemon Tea...Orange Pekoe..." he cradled his head in his hands, "HOW IS A MAN SUPPOSED TO CHOOSE!? One of those teas must be meant for me...one that only I could drink."

The people behind them in the line up groaned, muttering their growing impatience.

"2 Earl Greys, please," Levy said, quickly slapping down some cash on the counter.

They moved to the end of the counter to await their drinks, Levy sighing again when Nab couldn't decide how to stand. He sat down on a chair, then stood up and moved a little closer to Levy, then further away.

Levy grabbed the teas the moment they were placed for pickup, ushering Nab to the fireplace table before the other patrons could complain, then waited for Nab decide if he wanted the corner seat by the window, or the one by the fireplace.

Nab stood, considering his options, one hand on his chin.

She caught Freed's eye, shaking her head adamantly. This was going to be a long night.

The girl beside Gray beamed as she turned to face him, 2 straws sticking out of her nose.

"Walrus."

She turned away, adjusting her straws, then spun around, the straws balanced between her lips and her nose.

"Bunny."

She turned away once more, adjusting her straws again so that they made a moustache. When she turned back, Gray had fashioned his drinking straws into a pair of glasses. She giggled, prompting him to laugh too.

Gray sighed as their laughter subsided, glancing down at his watch. An hour had passed.

"Well, I guess it's official. I've been stood up. I should be going."

The girl's face fell, "But I didn't stand you up...I'm here...I thought we having fun!"

Gray stared at her, shaking his head slowly, "It was nice, but I was supposed to meet a date here. She didn't show."

She looked like she was going to cry, "But I'm right here."

Gray's eyes widened as he thought again about his date's description. Blue hair. Check. Green dress. Check.

Oh...shit.

"Wendy?"

"Hi, Gray!" Wendy waved the fingers on one hand, her pretty face lit up.

"No. That can't be right," Gray protested, backing up a little, "My date is 23."

"I'm 23!" the girl huffed haughtily.

He looked her up and down, the sudden realization hitting him like a freight train, "You are not 23."

"I am too 23!" she challenged.

"You're too short to be 23!" Gray objected, "There is no way you're 23!"

"I am!" Wendy insisted, "I just look young for my age!"

Gray shook his head.

"And my mother was a midget!" Wendy added.

Gray's mouth fell open a little bit.

"I'm from a different country!" Wendy persevered, "My countrymen are short. Really short. All of them…short."

"No," Gray said flatly.

"I've been drinking coffee since I was in Grade 7! All the caffeine has stunted my growth!"

"No."

"And on top of that, I have a disease that makes my skin appear like that of a teenager's...I age very slowly."

"No."

"I used to take planes regularly as a child!" Wendy cried out, "There was never any leg room...so I just stopped growing."

"Are you done yet?" Gray sighed.

"My family are circus performers!" she said defiantly, her eyes wide with desperation, "How else could we possibly fit into that little car if we were any taller?!"

She raised her arms, about to make another remark when her shoulders slumped, her head drooping as Gray raised an eyebrow, staring intently at the small girl beside him.

"Okay fine. I'm not 23."

"So how old are you?" Gray asked, noting the disapproving look from the ice cream clerk.

"I'm 16."

Gray drew in a sharp breath, "Wendy…"

"But I'm practically an adult!" Wendy interrupted, "I'm old enough to drive a car...and select college courses!"

"Wendy -"

"And I have a job and pay for my own clothes!" Wendy continued.

Gray face-palmed.

"And Mr. President should watch out!" she seethed, balling one fist into the air, "Because, dammit, I am so going to vote against him next election!"

"WENDY!" Gray half-shouted.

Some of the patrons of the shop looked up, then went back to their ice cream. Wendy froze, her face blanching.

"What are you doing on a dating site?" Gray asked, his concern mixed with a bit of agitation, "Do you have any idea how dangerous it is for a young girl like yourself to purposely lie about your age to meet older men?"

"You're hardly old," she scoffed.

"I'm 12 years older than you!" Gray exclaimed, "You're lucky I'm a decent guy. There're some real creeps out there!"

"You aren't one of them."

"Accepting dates from random strangers is dangerous...and I bet your parents would freak if they knew you were doing this!"

"Actually, you're pretty hot."

"I could get in a lot of trouble just for saying yes to a date with you, even if I didn't know. What could you possibly be hoping for?" Gray demanded, "Why aren't you dating boys your own age?"

"I like mature men," Wendy said stubbornly.

"You aren't ready for mature men!" Gray told her sternly.

"The boys my age are so childish," Wendy replied, her voice equally forceful.

"Wendy…"

"They're still laughing at fart jokes and looking for excuses to ditch school."

"Farts are funny sometimes. But you should never ditch school."

"And they have no idea how to plan for their future! They have no motivation!"

"They'll get more mature. In any case, you should not be on a dating site meeting men twice your age."

She scowled at him, "You are not twice my age."

"When I was your age, you were 4," Gray stated flatly.

"And when I get to your age, you'll only be 40!" she protested.

Gray shook his head, "I fail to see where you're going with this argument."

"That's young! Most men would be grateful for the attention of a younger girl."

"You're not just a younger girl...you're still a child."

"I'm not a child. I'm mature."

"Really? Were you not making walrus faces at me a moment ago?"

Wendy pouted, "That has nothing to do with maturity. That's just plain funny, straw-glasses man."

Juvia arrived at the theatre, striding gracefully on her 6" heels. She was to meet her date at the front entrance. Checking her compact mirror one last time, she took a deep breath, the excitement coursing through her veins. So much so, she decided to duck into the cafe next door to use their bathroom quickly.

Now refreshed once again, Juvia practically glided across the sidewalk, keeping a keen eye out for the love of her life. The movie would be starting soon. She hoped he'd remembered that she'd prepaid the tickets. She didn't want him to have to worry about anything.

The crowd was moving indoors to buy their tickets. Juvia lifted to her tiptoes, still scanning for that glorious head of black locks.

The hairs on the back of her neck began to stand up. She could feel someone watching her. Oh, what sweetness that Gray's very gaze would send tingles throughout her body!

She turned, ready to run into his embrace, her lips parted to accept his imminent and passionate kiss…

...and came face to face with Dan Straight.

"I knew it was you," he grinned, "I knew it from the moment I looked upon your profile. We were destined to meet."

"Go away," Juvia hissed, barely even meeting his eyes, "I'm waiting for my date."

Dan ran a hand through his burgundy hair, laughing like she'd just told a hilarious joke, "Oh Juvia...I'm your date! I recognized your profile pic when I logged in and just had to message you immediately!"

Juvia scowled, cursing under her breath. She had only put a profile pic on one of her profiles...just in case Gray noticed her that way.

"I'm not dating you," she spat, "Now go away. The love of my life is waiting for me."

She pushed him back, making a break for the doorway. Perhaps her beloved was waiting for her inside.

"Juvia!" Dan called from behind her, "I hope you bought tickets to the RomCom! We should sit in the very back row - where people can't see us express our L-O-V-E!"

Juvia rolled her eyes, scanning the bustling crowd as quickly as she could. Gray did not seem to be anywhere. She slipped off her heels, jumping on top of the counter so that she could get a more objective look.

"GRAY! GRAY DARLING! I'M RIGHT HERE!" Juvia cried out, watching the crowd for his form. She was sure he was probably looking for her too. He was probably trying to find a higher perch from which to see her from too.

"We could skip the movie!" Dan suggested, "Let me come back to your apartment where I can worship your eyes, your body, your lips!"

"Excuse me, ma'am! You can't stand on the counter!" one of Dan's coworkers exclaimed, "Dan, you idiot! Get your date out of here!"

"That's the same woman from before!" another co worker yelled, "The one that was disrupting movies a few weeks ago! Someone call security!"

Juvia growled. She still could not see Gray anywhere.

"Lady, I'm going to have to insist you get down!" a man in a security uniform demanded.

"My love!" Dan declared, "I suddenly don't feel like watching a movie anymore - let's get out of here!"

The crowd was beginning to thin out. Two more security guards pushed through the crowd, all yelling. Dan started pushing them back, shouting unintelligibly...something about keeping their paws of his love muffin.

"My darling Gray," Juvia whispered amidst the chaos, "Why is this so hard? Where are you?"

"Juvia!" Dan screamed as the security guards finally managed to bring her off the counter, "I will protect you!"

He jumped on the guards, fists flailing.

"Miss, I need to escort you off the premises," the remaining standing guard said to Juvia, one hand on her sleeve.

"An escort is not necessary," Juvia assured him, "I'm leaving."

Both lowered their gazes to where Dan struggled with the two other security guards.

"What about your friend?" the security guard asked.

Juvia scrunched up her nose, "He's no friend of mine."

"L-O-V-E!" Dan was screeching.

Juvia started walking for the exit, the security guard escorting her anyway.

"Certifiably crazy," she murmured to him, "The man is nuckin' futs."

"So...Nab...that's an unusual name," Levy said as she placed his tea in front of him. He was still standing beside the seat, his arm poised as though he were going to pull out the chair...but didn't, "Would you like to sit down?"

His eyes went wide, "Oh...yeah! Well...maybe. Yeah. I will."

He pulled out the chair, sitting with a thud. For a moment, it occured to Levy that he could have easily broken the chair. The man was huge.

"Where are you from, Nab?" she asked...after a 4 minute silence.

"Here," Nab replied. He glanced to his right, "And East."

"East?" Levy enquired, scrunching her nose. As far as she knew, there wasn't much east of Magnolia...just a forest and a fishing pond that Natsu used to fish at when he was a kid, or so Lucy had told her at one point, "What's east of Magnolia?"

"Mountains," Nab murmured.

"Oookay," Levy said slowly, "But you live in Magnolia now, yes?"

Nab nodded, then shook his head, "Sort of. I move around a lot. But I like Magnolia."

"And what do you do for a living?" Levy asked, once again catching Freed's eye. She raised her eyebrow twice - the signal that he was to find an excuse to get her out of there.

"I'm between jobs right now," Nab told her, "I can't decide what I want to do."

Levy sighed. Big surprise there.

"I've been an engineer," he stated, staring blankly at his untouched tea, "And I've done some construction. And carpentry. And hairdressing. And plumbing. And for awhile I taught dance lessons."

Levy felt like her eyes had been pried open with toothpicks as she tried to imagine this huge man teaching dance.

"My friend was better at it than I was," Nab admitted, "I'm kind of in limbo right now, you know? I feel that there's a special job out there just for me...a job only I can do."

"I-I'm sure you'll find it," she said encouragingly.

She thought back to when the date was made, her brows furrowing with confusion. Nab's profile was exact. His intentions were to find a relationship. He wrote out his hobbies as 'I enjoy trying new things'. They had exchanged several texts and she honestly didn't remember seeing him flip-flop once.

"Can I ask you something?"

Levy leaned forward in her seat, watching Nab shift uncomfortably, "When we made the date, you knew exactly what you wanted. You were the one who suggested this coffee shop. You were the one who told me which seats to take so you'd know it was me. Where's that man tonight?"

Nab laughed nervously, "Oh, I wasn't the person you were talking to online. I'm not confident enough to do that."

Levy cast a desperate glance at Freed, raising her eyebrow repeatedly, "No? Who was I talking to then?"

"That would be my best friend's girlfriend, Broom."

"Broom…" Levy repeated.

"A nickname, of course," Nab shrugged, "She's really tall and thin and her hair is kind of like straw. Anyway, she decided that I need a girlfriend."

"And she picked this date for you?" Levy queried, "What did your friend have to say about all this?"

"Not much. Max doesn't talk a lot."

"Why not?"

"He's a rabbit."

Levy froze again, "A...rabbit?"

"He's not from here. He lives in the East."

"There's nothing to the east of Magnolia!" Levy pointed out, "Only a forest!"

Nab nodded, finally reaching for his tea, "I know."

"So...you let your best friend - who is a rabbit - and his girlfriend - Broom - make a profile for you on a dating site? Were they bored or something?"

Nab shrugged nonchalantly, "I wouldn't say bored. Broom is wooden, sure, but not bored."

"Oh dear Mavis," Levy's head hit the table with an exasperated thud, "You are not making any sense at all."

"I think I'm going to go now," Gray told Wendy as he cleared their garbage from the countertop and chucked it in the garbage beside them.

"Let's go bowling!" Wendy exclaimed when he started for the door.

Gray stared at her in disbelief. Had she not heard a single word he'd said? He shook his head slowly, "We're not going bowling."

"Maybe to a movie then?" Wendy suggested, "It's only 9:00. It's too early to go home. We can watch some gory war movie if that's what you want. I'm not picky."

"No movie," Gray reiterated.

"Then laser tag!" Wendy exclaimed, "I haven't done that for a LONG time!"

"I'm too old for you!" Gray stressed, "I'm not going bowling, or to a movie, or laser tagging with you! In fact, use my cell phone. Call home and ask your parents to come and get you."

"You're not too old for me," she scoffed, "Do we really have to go through this again?"

Gray sat back onto the stool, completely bewildered.

"Miss, would you like to use the shop phone to call your parents?" the ice cream clerk offered, "I'm sorry, but I have to agree with your... date. He's way too old for you. We will both feel better if your parents come get you."

"What for? Gray can give me a ride home."

"No, I won't."

"That's mean, Gray. It's the least you could do."

"Still not happening."

Wendy sighed heavily, "I'm not going home. You can go if you want to. I won't stop you. Thank you for a wonderful evening."

Gray wasn't sure how to react. Wendy suddenly looked desolate...like she was going to cry.

"Wendy...is everything okay at home?"

Wendy sucked in a sharp breath, staring in front of her blankly. Gray and the ice cream clerk exchanged glances.

"Wendy?"

He could see the tiny tears edging in her eyes. Wendy gulped, trying to fight them back.

"I wasn't good enough," Wendy whispered finally, "He left me anyway."

"Who did?" the ice cream clerk asked softly, leaning on the ice cream bar across from her.

"Romeo," Wendy murmured, "My boyfriend of 3 years. He's 2 years older than me. He graduated and moved away to go to college. For awhile, we maintained a long distance relationship, but when he came home for Spring Break...he told me I'm not mature enough. He wants to date college girls."

Gray nodded his understanding, placing a hand on her forearm, "I bet that hurt. But dating older men doesn't make you more mature, Wendy."

"I agree," the ice cream clerk slid her a glass of water and a tissue for her tears, "There are plenty of other boys in high school. Another one will come along."

"But you need to get rid of your profile," Gray added, "Meeting strangers for dates is dangerous at your age."

Wendy nodded slowly, sniffing back her unshed tears, then taking the phone that the ice cream clerk offered her. She dialed the number slowly, locking eyes with Gray for encouragement.

"Hi...Grandeeney? Can you come get me at the ice cream shop please?"

Levy sat across the table from Freed, her shoulders drooped in exhaustion.

"You disobeyed my signals," she said flatly.

"You weren't in danger," Freed replied, sipping his tea, "Nab was a gentleman the entire time."

"He was indecisive," Levy shot back, "He was driving me insane. You're not a very good wing man, Freed."

Freed's eyes twinkled with amusement, "I never said I was your wing man. I said I would protect you on your dates."

"I still can't figure Nab's story out," she sighed heavily, "His best friend is a rabbit whose girlfriend is a broom. What is that supposed to mean?"

Freed chuckled, passing Levy a magazine. She glanced down at the article, her eyes widening as she read the caption. The picture was of a man in a track outfit, holding a tall, blonde lady with straw-like hair.

Max and Broom

Quick quick like a bunny, we'll find you your honey

Sweep away your loneliness forever!

"They're a matchmaking service," Levy murmured, delving deeper into the article, "Max is a 4 time marathon champion...nickname 'the rabbit'. It says right in this article that they mediate in the mountains of Crocus…"

"Which is dead east of Magnolia," Freed finished.

Levy shook her head, "I feel sorry for him. He's just a lonely guy that can't make a decision to save his life."

"I'd say it's the opposite."

Freed passed her the latest copy of a business magazine - with Nab on the cover in a business suit, tie and all. The heading read, 'Lasaro takes it all: He's excelled at everything he's ever done - with 5 multi-million dollar businesses built from the bottom up. His decision-making is legendary in the business world! This issue: up close and personal with Nab Lasaro.

Levy shook her head, remembering the way Nab had blankly accepted it when she told him she didn't think it would work out, but thanked him for the...insanely awkward...date. He nodded politely, then started for the exit, changed his mind, and went out the other exit.

"Online dating isn't going to be any better than Natsu and Lucy setting us up, is it?" Levy groaned.

"You just need to stay positive!" Freed grinned, "Onward and upward! Back to the drawing board!"

"I have a great idea," Levy suggested, "How about next time, you go on the blind date and I'll protect you if the date goes bad?"

Freed laughed out loud, "You'd be breaking your own deal with Gray. I could not be part of a such a scandal. Of course, you could always just tell Gray how you really feel…"

Levy's face flushed, her heart suddenly pounding, "You suck, Freed."

"Alas," Freed sighed dramatically, crossing his hands over his heart, "I am painfully aware of this. 'Tis the fate of the gay man!"

Levy couldn't suppress her giggles, tossing a sugar cube at his head. It bounced off his nose, landing directly into his tea, making them both dissolve into laughter.

"So was it terrible?" Levy asked.

Gray flopped down on to the bed, putting the cell onto the bed as he hit speakerphone, "Not terrible. Just a little...inappropriate."

"Inappropriate?" Levy repeated.

"I'll tell you later. Did you hear from Lucy?"

Levy sighed, "Natsu is being a huge baby. He's on the couch with his ankle on a big pillow and he's using one of the kid's bike bells to summon Lucy when he needs something."

Gray chuckled, "And how was your date?"

"I don't know," Levy droned, "I mean...I might know, but I can't say for sure. It's possible I know. But then again maybe not."

"Coffee tomorrow?" Gray interrupted.

"Bright and early."

"Hey, Levy?"

"Yeah?"

"You're 25, right?"

Levy was silent for a few minutes, "Well, yeah...how old did you think I was?"

Gray sighed with relief, "It's nothing. See you tomorrow."

A/N: Thanks to Wordsaremyspells1331, who did the editing even with her mother's wedding next weekend. I may and may not be able to post Oops next week since she's going to be super busy.

I'm off to an exciting day of judging skipping routines...I'm very excited! Yesterday my daughter took home 5 ribbons and a medal. Here's hoping for another incredible day!

Have a good week, everyone!

~Shana~