Hi cuties! Don't forget to read and review! Love ya!

Xx

As Levy got into Gajeel's car, the words her mother taught her came to mind:

Never talk to strangers

"Sorry mom," Levy thought to herself as her door slammed shut. Seconds later, Gajeel was in the car. But before he started the engine, he pulled out a pill bottle and popped a white tablet into his mouth.

"What is that?" Levy asked.

"Motion Sickness Tablets," Gajeel replied after a moment.

Levy nodded and sank into the soft seats. This guy didn't seem to talk a lot, so she didn't force it. Instead she gazed out the window as they whizzed down the road, taking in the late night sky and ever changing scenery.

Being so focused on what was outside the car, Levy didn't even notice what was happening inside the car. Like how Gajeel was glancing over at Levy constantly.

"She's totally my type," Gajeel silently thought," Nice ass. Small. Kinda flat but whatever."

Her personality also made her appealing to him. She was feisty. When he yelled at her in the library, he'd thought she might cry or scurry off. Instead, she actually had the guts to call him out on it. That was something Gajeel liked. A lot.

Pulling up to a small building, Gajeel parked and looked over to see Levy asleep. He smiled to himself and then quickly wiped it off his face before giving her a little shake.

"Oi, shrimp," he said," we're here."

Levy groaned as she opened her eyes and turned to see Gajeel shaking her. Then she went red.

"I can't believe I fell asleep!" she silently thought, wanting to kick herself," I barely know the guy! He could have kidnapped me!"

Levy then got out the car and looked up at the building. It appeared to be a gym. The sign read "Fairy Tail". Weird name.

"Is this it?" Levy asked. Gajeel looked down at the blue head and smirked.

"Nah, it's next door," Gajeel said, nodding in the direction of a bar. The bar was also called "Fairy Tail".

"Are they connected?" Levy asked as they walked towards it.

"Yeah," Gajeel replied.

Opening the door, Levy walked in and was amazed at what she saw.

This bar was insane. It was loud and there seemed to be a fight going on. Gajeel put a hand on her shoulder and guided her to the bar where a busty brunette was serving up drink. She was only wearing a bikini top and some leggings. Her hair was in a ponytail and she was drinking straight from a bottle.

"Hey Gajeel!" the woman cheered, before noticing Levy," Who's the sexy chick?"

Levy went red at that statement and started to stutter, but Gajeel saved the day (again).

"Just a friend," Gajeel grunted.

"Yeah, sure," the woman laughed.

"Can we get some drinks Cana?"

"Sure thing," Cana winked at Levy," What do you want hun?"

"I- I d-don't drink a lot," Levy mumbled. Cana nodded and then went and grabbed a mixer.

"I think I'll get you a bellini," Cana thoughtfully said," Gajeel?"

"Just a beer."

"I'll bring it right over," Cana grinned," Just go grab a seat."

"C'mon," Gajeel said, leading Levy to an empty table in the corner.

They sat down and there was an awkward silence until the drinks were brought over. Levy picked hers up. Tasting it, she sighed with happiness as the sweet flavour of peaches tickled her taste buds.

"Is it good?" Gajeel asked awkwardly.

"Yeah," Levy replied," So you said you'd tell me why you were reading that book?"

"Straight to the point, huh?" Gajeel grumbled, looking down at the table.

"Exactly," Levy quickly replied," So what's the story?"

For a minute, only the sound of the music and laughter could be heard. But then Gajeel began.

"I have trouble reading."

Levy didn't say anything, allowing Gajeel to continue.

"When I was younger, my mom left me and my dad. My dad turned to drink."

Levy's expression softened with pity.

"Things got bad. I left home and joined a gang. Phantom Lord. I skipped school and only left when the leader got arrested. I went straight into work."

"Where do you work?" Levy asked quietly.

"The gym next door," Gajeel smiled softly, before wiping it off his face," You don't need an education there, but I wanted to see if I could try to read."

"So you decided to start off with a kids book?" Levy finished. Gajeel nodded and she sighed," God, I feel like such an idiot. I'm so sorry for pushing you about it."

"It's fine," Gajeel grumbled, finishing off his drink. He then started to get up.

"Where are you going?" Levy asked him.

"We're done here," Gajeel replied," You asked for my story. I gave you it."

Levy should have just let the guy walk off. He was technically right. But there was something about him. His personality, his story, his eyes. His eyes. God, his eyes told a story of grief, struggle and determination. Levy was a curious girl. She couldn't let him go.

"I'll teach you."

Gajeel stopped walking and turned around, a surprised expression on his face. Levy flushed slightly but she didn't let this stop her. She stood up and walked over to the motionless gym trainer and looked up at him, hands on her hips.

"I'll teach you to read. You teach me how to keep myself safe." Levy continued.

If this had been any other girl, Gajeel would have already left, laughing all the way home. But there was something about her. Her personality. Her eyes. God, her eyes. They were filled with determination, spirit and kindness. Gajeel wasn't normally a curious man but he couldn't let her go.

A grin appeared on his face.

"Gihee, it's a deal," Gajeel laughed.

….

Gajeel had dropped her off at home, after they had agreed to meet the next day at the gym. It was a silent ride back, but it suited the odd duo just fine.

Fumbling with her keys, Levy unlocked the front door and went into her house. It was more of a bungalow really. It was tiny but it suited Levy. She was so tired after the days escapades that she simply collapsed onto her bed and fell into a deep slumber.

The sound of her alarm clock woke her up the next morning. Glancing down at her day old clothes, she quickly ran to her wardrobe.

"Let's see…" Levy muttered to herself. She didn't own much gym stuff but she finally managed to find some leggings and some trainers. Grabbing her baggy "Books Over Boys" shirt, she went to the bathroom and hopped into the shower. She let the warm water run down her body and she sighed with relief. She quickly opened up her body wash (peach scented) and as she scrubbed herself clean, her thoughts turned to her strange encounter the previous day.

Gajeel.

The sensible part of her was cursing herself. The guy screamed trouble with his piercings and mannerisms. Her trusty nature could easily be taken advantage of by a guy like him. But something deep down in her made her feel at ease with him. She could sense a softness under his iron heart. Something honest about him.

She was brutally pulled out of her thoughts as her hot water ran out. She gave a shriek as the icy water hit her back and she jumped out the shower. Grabbing her towel, she closed her eyes for a minute and tried to calm down.

"It's just a guy, Levy," she muttered to herself, "It's just a guy."

…

Pulling up at the gym, she quickly parked her little car and went up to the Fairy Tail Gym. She double checked the time on her phone. 12:15. A little bit early, but still acceptable. She took a deep breath and pushed open the door.

The gym was actually 3 levels. The first level was technically below them and was the gym's pool. On the middle level was the smoothie bar, changing rooms, toilets, front desk and all the workout gear and stations. Upstairs was the practice rooms, the offices and the staff base. It was impressive in size.

"Hi there!" a chirpy voice called out," How can we help you today?"

Levy turned to see the one and only Mirajane Strauss.

Mirajane Strauss was a famous ex wrestler who'd won dozens of trophies and titles. She was also the famous pin up model for Athletics Weekly, well-known for her bikini pictures. This legend was now standing in front of Levy in a tank top with the gyms logo, leggings and her hair in a ponytail.

"I-I'm here for G-gajeel," Levy stuttered, mentally kicking herself. She was always so awkward around people like Mirajane. Cool, pretty, popular, incredible. Things she didn't think fit herself.

"Oh, you must be Levy!" Mira exclaimed," I'm Mira, by the way!"

"Hi," Levy said before frown appeared on her face," How did you know my name though?"

"Gajeel let me a "note"," Mira giggled, making quotations with her fingers. She then passed the "note" to Levy and even she grinned.

"Shrimp (Levy) 12:30"

The paper also had a tiny picture of a shrimp on it.

"You're a little early it seems," Mira hummed," How about you grab a seat over there?

"Sure," Levy replied, a small smile on her face. She went over to a bench and pulled a book out of her bag, The Rose Project. Soon she was getting absorbed into the fictional world until a large hand grabbed her book.

"Hey!" Levy exclaimed, jumping up to try to grab her book.

"What the heck is this?" Gajeel frowned, wagging the book.

"Give it back!" Levy hissed. Gajeel looked down, a smirk on his face.

"Or what?" he teased, but he was immediately stopped. Her face had an angry expression and a pout. Plump and kissable. He handed her the book, before turning away from her, trying to clear his mind.

"It's just a chick Gajeel," he muttered to himself," Just a chick."

"Huh?" Levy said. Gajeel opened his eyes to see Levy in front of him, standing on her tiptoes," What are you mumbling about?"

"Nothing," he replied before walking off," C'mon Shrimp, let's get started."

"My name is Levy!"

"Gihee!"