It had been three days since Gajeel had talked to Rogue and there was still no word from the little bastard.
Levy was barely speaking to him unless it was absolutely necessary. He was currently leaning back into a small leather sofa on the far wall of her tiny office as she clicked away at her keyboard.
She had used the information she got from that first kid's computer to track down several more people who had bought drugs from their suspected dealer. Gajeel had interrogated them to see if they could get any new information on the guy, but so far they've all had the same story.
Each of them had heard from a friend of a friend where they could get their hands on this new drug, but no one seemed to know anything about the actual dealer.
"Tell me why we don't just cat fish this son of a bitch again?"
Levy rolled her eyes across from him.
"Because if we try to meet with the dealer, he could recognize us if we do get into Saber Tooth and then, as I already pointed out, our cover is blown."
Gajeel titled his head back to stare at the ceiling.
He had blown it with Levy.
It wasn't a surprise. She was too good for him, he knew. Better than a drunken one night stand, that was for sure.
Gajeel picked up a newspaper from the table to his side and began leafing through it.
"Levy," he said suddenly as a small article caught his eye. "Come look at this."
With a sigh Levy moved across the room and threw herself into the sofa, an exasperated look on her face.
"Looks like Saber Tooth is having a party," he said, pointing to the article.
Levy leaned over Gajeel to get a better look. It was the closest he'd been to her in days, he couldn't help from noticing.
"'A rising star in the private security sector, Saber Tooth Cyber Security is proudly hosting their third year anniversary as they announce the full roll-out of the private investigation department they have developed over the last year'," Levy read. "'Jiarra, the company's founder and cornerstone member of the philanthropic community, is excited to honor their clients during the event which will be held in a grand conference hall inside the building. Limited private tours will be given to their most loyal patrons'," Levy paused and looked up at Gajeel, eyes wide with excitement. "Private tours!" The excitement in Levy's voice was exactly the response Gajeel had been hoping for.
"We'll still need Rogue to get our foot in the door," Levy said quickly, leaning against Gajeel as she pulled the paper out of his hand, pouring over it again. "But if you can get us into this event-"
"We can sneak you behind the scenes during a tour," Gajeel finished.
"Exactly!" Levy exclaimed.
Gajeel's phone chimed on the small table next to him. He took a look at it and grinned.
"Looks like Rogue got me a meeting with his boss."
"Yes!" Levy squealed, reaching over and grabbing Gajeel in a sudden hug.
Gajeel froze. The heat in his veins that the feel of her body stirred in him was instant. He hesitated before placing a hand on her back.
Levy's posture stiffened at the touch. She pulled away but before she could stand up Gajeel grabbed her small hand in his.
He couldn't bring himself to say any of the things he wanted to. It wasn't fair to string her along when he knew nothing would ever come of it.
Levy stared up at him with an earnest look in her deep eyes, a question brewing behind them.
And that was all it took to stoke the coals of self-doubt in Gajeel's chest. If there really was no hope, then why did she look at him like that? Why did her touch ease the tension in his body the way it did? Driving away his questions and leaving a simple answer in their wake: this felt right.
"Maybe we should talk, Gajeel, about whatever this is, between us." Levy said quietly.
"It's nothing," Gajeel said reflexively, releasing her hand.
Levy's gaze was heavy, a knowing look that made him feel exposed. She seemed to be able to read him in a way no one else had ever done before, and she had no problem telling him what she saw.
"It doesn't feel like nothing."
Gajeel turned away, her scrutiny too close, he didn't want her to see the truth of him. The hallow man he truly was. The man he had always been, as self-assured as he was self-centered. He didn't need to waste his time caring about other people. He'd learned that lesson a long time ago. He was fine just the way he was, and she was better off without him.
"Yeah, well," Gajeel finally responded, "You said it yourself, anything that may have already happened between us was a mistake. And face it, kid, you're better off not getting close to someone who was born without a heart."
"You're not heatless, Gajeel," she replied quietly. "Despite what you may want people to believe."
Gajeel looked back at her. "We have work to do. The sooner this case is over, the sooner you'll be free of me. Isn't that what you want?"
Levy leaned her elbows on her knees she pressed her palms to her forehead.
"I don't know what I want," she shared openly. The resolve she'd had to distance herself from him crumbling around her.
Gajeel's heart cracked as he watched the desperation of her unspoken questions clouding her eyes. She looked fragile, her small frame ready to be taken down in the lightest breeze.
The desire to take her in his arms was overwhelming. He wanted to protect her. But the only way to protect her from himself was to build a wall between them.
"You don't want me, Levy. I don't have any more to give you than this," he whispered coldly. "There's no white picket fence, no date nights or dinner with your friends. That's not me, shrimp. And I don't think that's enough for you. You deserve better."
Gajeel stood up abruptly, not giving her a chance to respond.
"Come on," he said, breaking the tension with a grin. "We have work to do."
He gave Levy a hand to her feet.
"Let's go catch these bastards."
