Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to Fairy Tail, just my characters and storyline

Chapter 5: Unexpected

Gray sat against the wall, his breathing was labored and he could tell he was beat up pretty good. There was a thump next to him as Lexi dropped next to him.

"I think we're in over our heads," she gasped trying to catch her breath. "I haven't seen Natsu or Lucy in awhile..."

"Are you all right?" Gray asked worriedly looking her over.

She gave him a look. "I'll be fine, but it doesn't look good," her face suddenly lit up like she had a plan. "I know what we have to do!" She smiled like she'd won the lottery. "You might want to step back."

She walked up to the giant monster they'd been battling. Multiple magic circles of different colors appeared.

"Wait, what are you-"

"Chaotic Storm!" She yelled unleashing every element she had control over.

Gray watched in horror as she swayed dangerously, he felt like he was glued to his spot. The thud she made sounded like a cannon in his ears.

When he could move he rushed to her side, he pulled her into his arms. She looked up at him and gave a tired smile. "I did it." Her voice was so weak he wanted to cry right then

"Just hang on, I'll get Wen-" she shook her head, and he felt his heart drop.

"She won't make it in time," Lexi said giving him a radiant smile. "I know I over did it. But it was worth it, because I saved you."

"You didn't have to," he said feeling the pinpricks in his eyes. "We could have done it together."

"It's ok," she placed a hand to his cheek, he held it in place. She started to fade suddenly, and he was reminded horribly of Ur after she'd used Iced Shell.

"No wait! Don't leave me!" He held tighter, until in a burst of sparks she disappeared. "Lexi!" An evil laughter filled the air at his sorrowful cry.

xX Xx

Gray sat up in his bed, covered in sweat and he knew he was crying. He couldn't figure out why he dreamt that, 'I'll have to talk to Lucy, see if she knows what to make of it.'

About fifteen minutes later he found himself at the blondes apartment building. It was still pretty early in the morning, and he knew he'd hear it for waking her this early.

As he walked up to her door he couldn't help glancing at Lexi's door. How could one girl be so magnetic?

He shook his head and knocked on Lucy's door, loud enough to wake her but not the girl across the hall.

He heard some stomping steps before the door flew open. "Natsu at least-oh it's Gray," her tired eyes opened wide. "Is something wrong?" She must have noticed his expression.

"Can I come in?" He asked she nodded letting him passed her.

"Gray you look like someone just died," Lucy sat on her bed and he joined her.

"Well I had this terrible nightmare this morning," he clasped his hands together to stop them from shaking. "It was about Lexi, she did this powerful spell...and she died in my arms." Lucy gave him a sympathetic look. "What if it happens for real?"

"Gray you can't think like that, Lexi's a strong girl she can handle herself," Lucy said.

The pain on his face was real. "I can't...she disappeared like Ur...I can't lose anyone else I care about. And that dream it was so real, it felt like I'd actually lost her." He ran a hand roughly through his hair, desperately trying to hold the tears back. "I don't think I could handle it."

"Gray," Lucy's heart clenched at the sight of one of her best friends in so much pain. "It wasn't real." She laid a hand on his shoulder.

"You can tell my brain that, but my heart tells a different story," something clicked inside Lucy then. Her eyes widened and her cheeks dusted pink.

"You're in love with her," she said breathless.

Gray's head shot up in shock. "What?" He shook his head, if that dream could really happen, because of him. "I can't, I'll just get her killed." He stood abruptly and headed towards the door.

"Gray wait-" he was already out the door.

xX Xx

It's been a few weeks since Lexi and Melchior had joined Fairy Tail. Lexi had been accepted into team Natsu. While Melchior became part of the Strauss' team, much to everyone's surprise.

Lexi had gotten her own place, across from Lucy's in the same building.

Lexi woke to the suns rays spilling into her room. She looked to the side table next to her bed, it had a framed picture on it. Someone had snapped it last week while Team Natsu and the Takeover team were having a good time. They all looked so happy, it made her smile even now.

After her morning shower and some breakfast she decided to see if Lucy was up and ready to head to the guild. She was so thankful for Lucy, the blonde had helped her shop for a whole new wardrobe.

She raised her fist to knock when she heard Lucy talking to someone, and she was shocked to hear Gray.

"-she died in my arms," he said sounding so confused and scared. Lexi felt bad eavesdropping so she stepped away, but not before he spoke again. "What if it happens for real?"

"Gray you can't think like that, Lexi's strong she can handle-" she darted back into her apartment.

She felt her heart beating, what could that conversation mean there was no way to know.

She took a deep breath and decided it was ok to go and see now. She opened the door, but wasn't paying enough attention as she collided with a solid form.

She hit the floor something heavy landing on top of her, she gasped. When she opened her eyes she was staring into Gray's dark eyes, and he looked stunned. She could feel his breath fanning over her lips.

Neither moved for what felt like an eternity. "Gray..." Her voice was so soft he almost missed it, but it sent a shiver down his spine.

"Didn't know you had the nerve to put the moves on an innocent girl," Gray shot to his feet, face redder than Erza's hair. He rushed passed the dragon slayer, who laughed.

Lexi sat up on her elbows, unable to breathe correctly as her heart sped so fast she thought it was gonna run away. Suddenly there was a hand in her face.

"Don't mind princess," she took Natsu's offered hand. "He's always dramatic, and a bit of a perv." He giggled as he pulled her up.

The door across the hall opened up. "Oh hey Natsu, Lexi are you alright you're pretty red."

"Gray took advantage of her," Natsu snickered.

"They looove each other," Happy chimed in with his own snigger.

Lucy looked confused and Lexi turned redder.

"I-I'll meet you at the guild," Lexi hurried away.

"Now look what you did," Lucy chastised the now loudly giggling Natsu.

When Lexi got outside she collapsed against the wall. 'What is happening?' She pressed a hand to her chest, trying to calm her racing heart.

xX Xx

Melchior sat at a table in the guild, the dream he'd had left him confused. It wasn't bad, but strange.

"Good morning," Mira greeted with a smile as she put his breakfast down on the table for him.

"Good morning Mira," he smiled back putting his dream to the back of his mind. It was hard to feel down in her presence. Just then another familiar presence entered the guild. He turned just in time to see Lexi sit down next to him. "Something wrong?"

"Oh my, you look like you've run a marathon," Mira said softly. "I'll go get you some water."

Lexi tried to get her breathing under control enough to speak. "I...Gray...oh my god!"

"What, you aren't making any sense," he quirked an eyebrow at his friend.

"Here's your water," Lexi took it with a grateful nod before downing the water.

"This morning...I think Gray almost," she blushed. "I think he almost kissed me."

Melchior was shocked to say the least, he knew Lexi had feelings for the ice make wizard, but this was new.

"There you are," Lucy walked up behind them, making Lexi freeze. "Why'd you take off so suddenly?"

"I almost had a heart attack," Lexi moaned. "Why does the universe think it's funny to mess with me?"

"Well I've heard, two hearts connected will eventually come together," Mira smiled brightly. "They just have to find one another's wavelength."

That statement made Melchior's heart give a weird flop. He couldn't figure out what it was about this sweet girl, that made him so uneasy and at the same time completely at ease.

"Hey Mira," Cana slurred from a few tables over. "I could use another."

"Be there in a second," Mira chirped as she headed to the bar.

"Someone's got the hots for Mirajane," Lucy said slyly. Melchior's face lit up. "Man I am on fire today!"

"I think you're with Natsu too much," Lexi rolled her eyes. "It's always about fire with you two." It was Lucy's turn to blush.

"It is not!" Lexi stuck out her tongue, laughing as Lucy returned the gesture.

Gray walked into the guild, but avoided coming over to them. Melchior couldn't help but notice how he and Lexi avoided each other's gazes.

xX Xx

Juvia's hand tightened on the pillar she stood behind, she was growing tired of the new girl. She was taking all of Gray's attention, he hadn't so much as looked her way since the little hussie arrived at the guild.

She felt pain explode in her chest, she recognized it as jealousy. "Gray is mine, Juvia needs this girl out of the picture." She growled lowly to herself.

She then went to find the side exit to the guild, not able to bear having to see that girl again.

Juvia felt like she was becoming slightly manic because of Lexi. "Oh I don't know what to do, why is fate so cruel," she collapsed. She knew she was far enough away from the guild now.

"Fate is always cruel, especially to those undeserving," a soft spoken voice said. "I can offer you something that could help with your issue."

Juvia noticed a figure hidden in the shadows. She could tell the figure was female by her voice, but she couldn't make out any distinctive features.

"What is it?" Juvia asked apprehensively. After all she is a Fairy Tail wizard, and guild pride mainly trumps everything, but this, was a matter of her heart.

"It is a potion," the girl said. "It will drive a wedge between the two you are affected by."

"How did you know why Juvia was upset?" Juvia asked suspicious.

"I see quite a lot," the girl answered. "But if you take this potion, be warned the results may not give you what you truly desire." A vial of purplish liquid appeared in Juvia's hands. "Use this wisely, and it cannot be used right away."

"What does that mean?" Juvia wondered.

"It means you will know when you're supposed to use it," and the figure vanished.

Juvia stared at the vial, wondering if this would be right for her to use. "I can't let anyone know I have this." She pocketed it and hurried toward Fairy Hills. As she moved along, she couldn't help but wonder, 'am I truly worthy to be a Fairy Tail member after this?'

xX Xx

It was actually quiet in the guild, which was surprising. Maybe it was due to Gray staying as far from the group as possible and Natsu was napping.

Suddenly Erza came walking up to them, her walk stating she had a purpose. She slammed a job flyer down on the table making those at the table jump.

Mira walked up slowly behind the redhead and Gray came over as well, looking less than pleased.

"This had better be good," he grumbled, sitting next to Natsu, the furthest from Lexi.

"You find a good job?" Natsu asked his voice sleepy.

"It's an S-class job," everyone was at attention. "Everyone gathered at this table is to report to the train station in one hour, packed and ready to go."

There was no room for argument as she stalked away, flyer clenched in her hand.

"Well we better go," Gray was the first to move. He was gone quickly.

Lexi sighed as she stood up slowly. "He's avoiding me."

"He's a guy hon," Mira patted her shoulder. "You'll get used to it." Melchior felt there was a deeper meaning to her words, but shrugged it off for now.

"We'd better move, Erza is really strict on time," Lucy sighed as she gave Lexi a push toward the door.

xX Xx

An hour later the seven of them were on the train, in a larger area so they could all sit together.

Natsu was slumped against Lucy, looking green. 'Natsu,' She felt so bad for him, but there wasn't anything she could do for him. Happy was sitting in his partners lap, because Natsu seemed a little greener today

"So what's the job?" Mira spoke up.

"We've been hired to test some magical vehicles." Erza explained.

"Wh-What makes it S-class?" Natsu asked trying to force the sick feeling away.

"It is highly experimental," Erza said. "In fact once we get to Oak Town, we are not allowed to see the route to the vehicles."

"What do you mean we aren't allowed to see?" Lexi asked nervously.

"Well from what I can gather, they will hinder our sight until we reach the true destination." Erza said.

"In other words, you don't even know." Gray said flatly.

"I'd watch your tone," Erza growled. Gray tensed up.

"S-Sorry ma'am," he apologized fearfully.

"Do you know the type of vehicle we'll be testing?" Melchior asked.

"No," Erza shook her head. "But I know it will mainly consist of pairings. I have come up with partners. I will partner with Lexi," Lexi paled just the slightest bit. "Lucy, you and Mira will work together, and Natsu and Happy will join you."

"Great," Lucy replied sarcastically.

"It'll be fine," Mira said with a smile.

"That leaves you with Melchior, Gray." Erza stated firmly.

"What ever, as long as I'm not with pukey," Gray stated, staring out the window.

Lexi couldn't help the smidgen of fear that wriggled in her stomach. "Um Erza?"

"Yes?"

"Any, um, particular reason you partnered yourself with me?"

"Because I want to see how you do, since you are new to the guild."

Lexi blanched. "Ok, but Melchior is new too-"

"And I will test him," Erza nodded. "Do not fear, I won't let us crash."

'Thats not why I'm worried,' Lexi thought defeated, she hung her head. "Ok, I trust you."

"Very good." Erza gave her a beaming smile and it put Lexi at ease.

'Now arriving at Oak Town station,' the automated voice said over the speaker.

As everyone got off the train, Erza lifted Natsu over her shoulder so they didn't forget him.

Standing on the station platform, with all their suitcases and Erza's cart, they were confronted with some men dressed in black.

"Are you from Fairy Tail?" One of them asked.

"Yes," everyone who had a visible guild mark showed them.

"Good," he nodded to his companion.

"Dream knock," with that everyone collapsed to the ground unconscious.

AN: I know it sounds a lot like I'm making Juvia the villain, but she's not doing anything evil she's just extremely jealous. I really hope that everyone is enjoying this story as much as I enjoy writing it. Big thanks to my friend TheIrOnFORGE for all your help and support.