"You. You're the issue."

Even after Juvia had closed the door behind her, Gray wasn't able to move. Her words kept running through his head and no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't get them out.

Gray didn't know what to do next. Should he go after her or should he drive home and let them both sleep a night over it.

He hadn't realized that he was affecting Juvia. To be honest, he thought all of it was pretty onesided. He sighed and let his head fall forward, leaning it against the steering wheel. What kind of mess did he get himself into now?

Gray thought back to the girl with the blue curls. He had interested him ever since he first met her in his fathers office. Back then he got lost in her eyes that had managed to somehow hypnotize him. He wanted to get to know her. That's why he ended up inviting her to lunch, accepting an invitation to her place and offered to drive her home. It would be a lie to say that he wasn't attracted to her. She was beautiful, how could he not be?

However he wasn't sure what exactly it was that he was feeling. It wasn't love, it couldn't be, not so fast. But it also wasn't just friendly. He wanted to be close to her. See, that's the thing. He was completely conflicted. Even if he did go after her now, what would he say? He didn't know what he was feeling himself so what could he say to her?

I'm sorry, I'm terrible at dealing with emotions. I do like you as more than a friend, but I'm also not ready for anything serious and actually, I don't do relationship but a friends with benefits situation isn't something I ask from you either.

Yeah, that conversation would go anything but well..

Gray glanced to the door which she had disappeared behind a few minutes ago before making his decision. He started the car and drove off, with one goal in mind.

Tomorrow. Tomorrow he would talk to her.

He did not get to talk to her. Gray had shown up earlier than usual at the office, wanting to make sure that he could catch Juvia before Cana arrived. Juvia however didn't arrive at all. He had been sitting behind his desk for almost an hour, staring holes at the place Juvia was supoosed to be.

It wasn't until Cana walked in that he decided to look up. She was only carrying two coffee cups. Where was the third one?

Gray couldn't help but think back to what Juvia had told him. The good offer she got from her old company. She didn't.. she wouldn't have.. would she?

Gray wasn't sure what to think. He watched Cana drop herself on the chair in front of his desk and took the cup she held out to him.

"Juvia won't be coming today, turns out the poor girl got sick."

Sick? She was fine yesterday when he dropped her off. Well, fine in the sense of her not being sick. Did he mess up so bad that she was avoiding him now? He couldn't blame her, he had done the same just yesterday. But it still didn't sit well with him.

"Oh. Do you know what it is she catched? How long will she be gone?"

"Not sure, might take her a while though. Dealing with a broken heart isn't exaclty something you do fast and easy."

Gray spit the coffee he was just drinking. Broken heart? I mean he realized now that Juvia liked him but she couldn't be in so deep, there's no way. He messed up by being clueless and ignorant, but the whole thing wasn't that bad. So was there someone else in Juvias life? The thought left a bitter taste.

He was just about to question Cana, thinking of a way to be discreet and not let the woman know that there could be more to it than simply curiosity, when said woman bursted out into a fit of laughter.

"Damn, you should have seen your face! You looked like you saw a ghost, the way you froze and paled. I don't think I've seen you that speechless before!"

"Cana.." Gray glared at her in disbelief. She can't be serious. Normally her pranks wouldn't affect him as much, this one however got to him more than he would like to admit. To be fair, she most likely didn't know about yesterdays events. At least he assumed Juvia didn't tell her because if she had, Cana would have most likely kicked his ass already for not being man enough and going after her.

"Alright that was fun." Right. Fun. Gray kept glaring at her. "Aww calm down. Your wifey is fine in the heart department."

Wifey? Gray scoffed and looked down to the papers in front of him, trying to hide the slight red blush on his cheeks. Stupid Cana, she knew just what to say to get reactions out of him.

"Anyways, Juvia is actually sick. She got the flu. Apparently she went out for a jog yesterday when it started raining. By the time she was home, she was drenched already. But don't worry, I can handle a few days by myself in the office until she's fit again."

That's not what he was worried about at all. He dropped Juvia off at her place pretty late last night. So when exactly did she go out for that jog? He'd have to talk to her about this. Magnolia might be a rather safe city but it could still be dangerous for a girl during such hours. And if anything happened to her- Gray stopped himself mid thought. He wasn't her boyfriend, he wasn't even sure he was her friend at this point. He couldn't tell her anything. Not something regarding what she does in her private time at least. After all, he was just her boss.

Gray didn't like the sound of that. He might not be sure about his emotions but one thing was certain, he did not want to just be her boss. He wanted to be a part of her life, wanted to know what she was doing in her free time, wanted to hang out with her and mostly, he wanted to be there for he when she needs someone.

"Hey Cana?"

"Yeah?"

"You think you can handle the office by yourself today?"

Cana glanced at him, a smug look forming on her face. "Depends. Where do you plan to go?"

Gray looked at her for a moment. If he tells her, he won't hear the end of it. And he can count on Natsu and the others knowing as well. They would start asking him questions and want him to bring her along and.. actually, that didn't sound so bad.

"I need to take care of a sick person."

Obviously Cana didn't expect him to be so honest because tfor a second she was taken back. But then she smiled and looked at him, nodding.

"My little boy is growing up. I'm so proud. Now go and get the girl, I'll handle it all here."

And for some reason, Gray found himself smiling back at her widely, not bothered by her comment at all. He grabbed his jacket and keys and ran out of the office, waving goodbye to Cana in a hurry. She could handle it, he believed in her. Now however, he needed to go get some things from the grocery store and take care of the sick girl that has been occupying his mind.

"Let's do this, Gray.." He mumbled to himself before getting in his car and starting his new self assigned mission.