Levy never asked Gajeel about his past. She never felt comfortable invading his private life like that. And right now, she was glad that she never had. After hearing what Hibiki said, she felt her heart break into a million pieces. "No!" she screamed inside her head,"That wasn't Gajeel! It just could be him. Gajeel was good!" He protected her. Made her feel safe. Those images Hibiki had sent to her head. Piece by piece seemed to break. She turned her head to Lily. He was obviously in as much pain as she was because of this. She turned around to look at Gajeel. He was in pain. She wanted to throw her arms around him, to comfort him. But, she was rooted in place. Gajeel met her eyes with his crimson ones. "I'm sorry you found out like this. I'm not going to deny doing this. There is more to the story if ya wanta hear. But, I can understand not wanting to be around me anymore," Gajeel said slowly. He turned to walk away. Levy tried to get the word that were burning in the back of her throat out. She wanted to run to him. To tell him that she knew he had changed. But, no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't get up. She couldn't speak. Lily seemed to be in the same situation. The two watched Gajeel walk away, defeated. Tears started to fill Levy's face. Hibiki took her face in his hands.

"It's ok," He said,"You don't have to be around that monster anymore." Levy snapped. She jumped out of her frozen state. "Bastard! I told you that if you ever called him a monster, you will never see me again. I'm keeping that promise,"She nearly yelled at Hibiki. He took a few steps back in shock. She looked as scary as Mira in Satan Soul form. In response, he sent the article of Gajeel pinning Levy and her two friends on the tree to her mind. That only pissed her off so much more. Now, Lily was pissed as well. He swung his arm out to hit Hibiki's face. Smiling when it made contact. That is when an older gentlemen stepped into the room. Lily, Hibiki, and Levy stopped. He had greying hair and bright yellow eyes. But, like Edward, filled with a constant pain. Only better hidden with years of practice. "I like to introduce myself. I am Robert Jones,"The man said calmly. Like it was totally normal for a fight between a mage and an exceed to break out in his halls. Robert turned his face and smiled at Levy, knowing the position she was in. Levy connected the dots. He was there the entire time they had met Hibiki in the hall. "Levy, is it? Go after your dragon slayer. He is who you need. You are correct, he has changed. Hibiki here is just jealous," Robert said calmly. Like he was giving directions.

Hibiki looked at the old man in shock. If anyone was going to be on his side he thought it was going to be Robert.

Lily nodded to the man, thankful. Seeing that the man had seen past his friend's appearance. To the person underneath.

Levy looked at Robert. Tears started to fill her eyes. "Thank you," She said to the man. She went up to give him a hug. "Here, have this," Robert said. He handed her a ring. Victoria's ring. "Put it on, and you can see the truth in each person's words. It was why it was Victoria's favorite ring. She always hated being lied to.." Robert said, his voice trailing off in the distance. Levy nodded her head to the kind, old man. Then, she started to run. She ran with a new type of strength that she never had before. She ran straight to the train station. Knowing Gajeel probably went straight home. She took the first train to Magnolia. It was about midnight when she got there. She first took off to Gajeel's place. She went inside the small home and found a note. It was left for Pantherlily. She read it anyway. "I'm at the tree. Tell Levy to stay away from me. Not that she would want to be around after that anyway," Levy said, reading the note out loud. "No way in hell is that happening,"she thought. She, again, started running. This time to the park. To the tree that she once hung from. There was Gajeel alright. Staring up at the tree with pure hate, smoking a cigarette. She knew that he knew she was here. He could smell her. She walked up to him and swung her small arms around his chest. She hugged tightly. Not wanting to let go. Gajeel turned his eyes down to met Levy's hazel ones. He started to cry. He hugged her back tightly.

After a bit, Levy walked Gajeel back to his home. They were both tired. When they got to Gajeel's, Levy sat down. Tired after all the running. "I never wanted to hurt anyone," Gajeel said softly. "He was going to kill him if I didn't." Levy looked up to the iron dragon slayer in confusion. He continued," Jose was an evil man. When I first join the guild, I refused to kill anyone. Then they got ahold of him. My son." Levy got up from her chair to where Gajeel was standing. She sat on the floor right in front of him. "He wasn't really my son. I found the kid on his own. He was only like 4 or 5 at the time and I decided to take him in. One day, he called me dad. And it stuck. I did my best to raise him in secret. But, Jose found out. He took him and forced me to kill…" At this point, Gajeel was a mess. He fell to the floor. Levy went to sit on his lap so she could hug him. Clearly wanting to finish the story he continued to speak,"Juvia join the guild and found out. We decide to figure out a way to get my son and run. Jose found out and beat my son. Right in front of me. And I couldn't do anything. I still remember his screams. After that, I killed less and less. And thought more and more about killing myself. I tried once. They Jose just beat me. Then my child. That's when I had to attack you. And I couldn't kill you. Jose just killed my son." When he finish, he put his head in his hand. Hating looking this weak.

"What was his name?" Levy asked. "Mason,"Gajeel responded. With that, Levy stood up. She pulled Gajeel up. She took his hand and lead him to the bedroom. She crawled into his bed, not wanting to do anything, but comfort him. He crawled into bed understanding that this wasn't a call for sex, but just to help him sleep tonight. He wrapped his arms around her and snuggled into his chest. They fell asleep. And for the first time in years, no nightmares.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 3 years later ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The two had been dating for three years now. Levy was completely moved into Gajeel's place. They had shared many memories, good and bad. They had never really fought once. Everyone in the guild was making bets on when Gajeel would grow the ball to propose. Hibiki had found a new love and was happily staying away from Gajeel. Pantherlily rather liked the fact Levy was staying with Gajeel and himself. Everything seemed quiet and at peace for once. Making it the perfect time.

The couple was walking around the town when they found themselves in front of a bookstore. Levy being Levy insisted on going in. Gajeel looked around at the books, not really interested. Levy, on the other hand, looked like she was in heaven and met God. Her face was bright with joy and happiness. She was at one bookcase and saw a book she wanted. It was on the top shelf. She went to grab Gajeel. She tugged him to the bookcase with the book she wanted. Levy pointed up to it. Gajeel grunted and grabbed the book. But, being mischievous, kept it out of Levy's reach. She glared at him but jumped up to get the book anyways. Gajeel kept it just out of her reach. "Let's make a deal," Gajeel said,"I'll give you this book if y'all marry me." Levy looked at Gajeel. He was smiling like crazy. Looking down at her with bright eyes. She started to cry and laugh at the same time. "You have yourself a deal," she said. He gave her the book and bent down on one knee. He took out a velvet box. He opened it to show a small, iron ring band. With a sapphire stone in the middle, that was the color of Levy's hair. He put it on her hand and pulled her into a giant hug.