Hi guys!

Here's a chapter with one of my favorite scene at the end. I hope you'll like it as much as I do :D

Please comment and follow/fav and have a wonderful day!

Lily xx

If Levy was still asleep a few minutes ago, she never was as awake as now. Fear was taking over every cell of her body but for now, she managed to ignore it. After being able to grab the weapons, she and Gajeel were able to catch their breath a bit. They however weren't out of the woods yet. Far from it. She felt her protector's hand drag her behind him. Even if him being next to her made her feel safe, she was scared. Scared for him. He was in front line. If something would happen to him… "No Levy! Just don't think about that!"

She felt Gajeel's muscles tensing even more than before, bringing her back to reality. Alerted, she looked past Gajeel than tensed herself. A shadow. Than she heard a noise. It was the one of a gun loading. Levy took Gajeel's hand that still was in his back. If they had to die here and now, at least she wanted to hold his hand, to be the closest to him. At that moment, what she was holding back for a long time hit her at the least opportune time. She loved him. She was in love with Gajeel Redfox, she realised. Tears raced to her eyes at the thought he'll probably never know.

The shadow crossed the doorstep. She closed her eyes, holding tighter the hand of the one that was so important for her as Gajeel did the same.

- Drop your weapons! Announced a strong voice.

Time started to flow again. She knew that voice. It wasn't another foe that was joining the fight but a friend. She dared opening her eyes again, those meeting with Erza. Never was she glad to see her that much.

- Faster! She growled, her weapon pointed behind the assassin's head, making them practically shiver out of fear.

With Gajeel also threatening them in from of them, they didn't have much choice but to surrender and drop their guns on the floor, putting quickly their hands behind their head. Erza didn't loose a second and put the weapons out of reach with a kick. She then took out ropes from her bag. Still kept at bay by Gajeel, the men didn't risk a move while the red head girl was tying them up.

- They should not cause any other problems this way.

- Gihi! We can say you were right on time Titania.

Erza made a weird face at the sound of the sobriquet, then smiled, seeming to like the nickname. Decidedly, Gajeel called no one by their real name.

- I saw other men lurking outside, announced Erza. We aren't of the hook yet.

- But why all those men only for us? Exclaimed Levy.

- People like Ivan don't think rationally like you shrimp, he said with a serious tone. It may have started with a precaution, but now, he's clearly hunting. He only acts out of pride.

Erza shook her head to approve Gajeel's words then added:

- And that without even considering that his son, that just rejected him, his father, that sort of betrayed him, and the daughter of his rival are implied in the situation.

- He wont quit before finding a way to get rid of us… completed the blue haired girl.

- I'm afraid so, let out Erza.

- Were are Dreyar and miss Fairy Tail? Asked Gajeel.

- Just before finding you, I saw Gray and Juvia walking to Mira's apartment. I don't know more.

- And Lucy and Natsu? Informed herself Levy.

- Haven't seen them yet, they're maybe...

A scream from outside made them jump. At least, sighed the young woman in release, it didn't seem like one of their friend's scream. However, it was a sign of battle. Gajeel made a few steps to the window to see what was happening. Then voices pierced once more the silence.

- Take that, ugly assassin! Serves you right for attacking our friends! Exclaimed the one they all recognised as Natsu.

The later had just incapacitated two other adversaries with a… teaser gun? As for Lucy, she followed closely, her gun in her hands, keeping however a safe distance from her boyfriend who seemed to have way too much fun electrocuting people. Then he lifted his head, noticing the group's presence.

- Hey! Metal head! Still holding on I can see!

- What's that supposed to mean? Barked Gajeel.

- Well, we never know…

- Enough! Said coldly Erza who knew Natsu's tendency of getting on Gajeel's nerves.

- And what on hearth are you doing with that? Asked Gajeel with annoyance, pointing the teaser gun.

This time, Lucy was to one to speak up.

- Because no one was crazy enough to entrust him a flamethrower, he insisted to have it, saying it was the closest thing to fire.

- So what? It's the truth. Said innocently Natsu, passing dangerously his arm holding the teaser on his girlfriend's shoulders.

- Why am I dating an idiot again? Sighed Lucy.

- Because you love me! Said Natsu, not the least insulted, placing a kiss on her cheek.

- Okey! That's cute and all, started Gajeel with sarcasm, but now is not the right time for that. We have to make sure those two don't wake up.

He barely finished his sentence that Erza started to drag the inert bodies next to the others. Then she took out more ropes and bound them to limit their movements before they recover consciousness.

- I'll stay here and keep an eye on them. Go and meet up with Mira and Laxus.

The others gave her an understanding look and started to walk.

- It's too calm, whispered Levy after a moment.

Gajeel nodded. He just had the same reflection. The young man didn't dare to hope they had taken care of all their attackers. Even if Ivan wasn't expecting them to have reinforcements, Gajeel was certain that the attack wasn't over.

A movement behind the building confirmed his assumptions and three new persons stepped out of the shade.

- Going somewhere? Asked one of them.

- Only to kick the ass of a couple of assholes, answered Gajeel, shooting at the man's feet.

He wasn't really aiming at him. Though… he really didn't care if the bullet would have pierce his foot… but he missed him on purpose. It was however what was putting them at disadvantage. If them were only trying to put them out of commission, the others took advantage of the any occasion to take their lives. At least, his shot had destabilised the man and, out of no where, Lucy kicked the gun he was holding, disarming him. "Wow…" Thought Gajeel. He had always thought she only was a cheerleader!

On the other side, he could see his shrimp pointing her gun to one of the guys, limiting his options while Natsu managed to take him by surprise and inflict him an electric charge. That idiot really seemed like he was having a blast. Gajeel tired to do the same, but he couldn't be as relaxed has he wanted until the last opponent was taken care of.

Then he saw him. He and Natsu walk to his direction. With a four against one fight, the odds were in their favor and the attacker was quickly beaten.

- Gihi! Less cocky in your situation hen? He said to the one they just vanquished.

Against all odds, a smile drew itself on his lips.

- Are you sure you got everything under control?

A bad feeling took place in his stomach. He scanned the surroundings. Shit, where was the guy he and Lucy and fought? He kept looking but it was too late. He only had time to see the metallic luster of a weapon pointed at him, then heard, helplessly, the detonation. He was ready to feel a sharp pain or simply die on the spot. Neither of those happened. He however moved. Yet, he never should have had time to dodge the shoot.

Out of reflexes, Gajeel shot in the direction the man was, but didn't hit him. He had escaped. At lest, he wasn't an imminent threat anymore. Then time took its normal speed while a pain, worst than what the bullet could have ever done to him, tightened his chest.

- Levy! He screamed, finally understanding.

Blood was covering her shirt where the bullet destined to him had hit her.

- Gajeel, she whispered, obviously in pain.

- Idiot! You're such an idiot! You never should have done that! He yelled at her while taking her into his arms.

The young woman placed a hand on her wound, seeming to make some sort of inspection of it, then smiled. The most beautiful smile he had seen in his freaken life and he only wanted to scream at her again for that. How could she smile at a moment like that? He only realised that a tear was rolling down his cheek, the first one in many years, when Levy wiped it with her small fingers.

- Everything's gonna be fine Gajeel, I…

- How can everything be fine? He couldn't help but bark. You just took the stupidest decision of your life!

- The wound hit my shoulder. I'm almost certain that every vital organ was spared.

A long sigh of relief escaped his lips while the information finally reached his brain.

- I'll still kill that bastard! Said Gajeel, hitting the ground with his fist.

- You're too much of a good person to kill, smiled Levy with a pained expression.

- Gihi! Only you can say things like that.

Then he looked in the direction where the shooter disappeared. He was most likely hunting down the others. He didn't manage to protect Levy as much as he wanted but he could still prevent someone from getting killed for good.

- Protect them, said the young woman, guessing his train of thoughts.

After a long hesitation, he lifted his eyes on Natsu and Lucy. For once, flame brain was serious. With only one look, he knew Natsu would carry Levy to the hospital. Levy's best friend was as well looking at her friend, ready to protect her with her life. Then, just before leaving, he gave a last look to his shrimp.

- If you lied to me and are not well…

- You know I can't lie anyway, she smiled weakly.

He answered with his characteristic smile then started to rise up.

- Gajeel wait! Said Levy.

- Hum?

- Be careful.

He nodded.

- And… I… I love you, she finally said.

The young man froze. Without even understanding, he bent over her and kissed her forehead with a tenderness only her could instigate in him before walking at the pursuit of the shooter.