Chapter 29

It was early, very early. Perhaps around 4 in the morning. The streets of Magnolia were barren, devoid of life. Shops were still closed, their windows showing no light. Morning birds were chirping ever so softly, but most were still asleep. Only one sign of life showed in the entire city... a small little shop on the outskirts of town, whose light shone brightly in the darkness.

Levy could see their destination from over a block away. Her nerves hit her once more as she stared at the little shop, and she had to remind herself yet again why she was doing this. Then she looked up at Gajeel, who had his arm around her for warmth and protection. His eyes were narrowed as he constantly looked around them, searching for any sign of danger. She knew Natsu and Gray were tailing them in the shadows. Phantom Lord was still lurking around. Getting Laxus out of the picture didn't change that. Levy turned her eyes back to the shop, snuggling further into Gajeel's jacket, which he'd put on her shoulders at the first sign of her shivering. She smiled a little as his masculine scent filled her nose and calmed her nerves. Gajeel gave her a gentle squeeze, knowing how nervous she was as they drew closer to their destination.

They finally arrived at the small shop. Gajeel opened the door for her, and they heard a small bell tinkling as it opened. Levy hesitated, staring into the shop with nervous eyes. She glanced up at Gajeel, who gave her a small smile and motioned her inside with his head. She swallowed thickly before marching inside. Gajeel followed her instantly, locking the front door to the shop behind them. Levy looked around the front room with wide eyes, taking in the displays of artwork all over the walls. Pictures, drawings, and even paintings of the work this artist could do. She had to admit, he was good.

Gajeel's boots were thunderous as he walked across the room, heading for a hallway leading to the back of the shop. Levy quickly followed him, not wanting to be left behind. As they got closer to the back, a constant mechanical whir could be heard. They reached a small back room and looked inside, finding a very large yet very lanky man with purple hair, and a young woman with short silver hair there. The woman was sitting on something resembling a doctor's exam table. The man sat in a stool, completely focused on his work on her leg. Neither of them noticed Gajeel or Levy yet, as they were still quietly talking about something Levy couldn't quite hear. The woman looked as if she'd been crying, but she was smiling a little bit now, and Levy thought she was a very beautiful young woman. She couldn't be much older than eighteen...

"Oh. Someone's here..." The girl noticed them first, looking up to find Gajeel and Levy standing in the doorway. The man just grunted.

"Hey boss. I'm almost done. Take a seat or somethin." the man said without looking up from his work on the woman's leg. The mechanical whirring started again, and the woman flinched just a bit. Gajeel motioned Levy to take the only spare seat in the room.

"Good to see you're settling into the family. You holding up okay?" Gajeel asked the woman as Levy took a seat. The woman got a sad look on her face, then offered a small smile.

"I will be okay. Thank you... for saving me from that man." she said quietly. Levy wondered what was going on. It was clear that Gajeel had saved this woman, but from who and when did it happen? What happened to this poor girl to make her have such a sad look?

"And... done." The man suddenly spoke, sitting back and admiring his work. "What do you think, Lisanna?"

"It's... pretty." The woman stared at her new tattoo with awe, taking in the silvery white crest of Fairy Tail that was now on her left thigh. It shimmered in the light and looked so dainty, despite taking up a good portion of her leg. Levy stared at it in awe, as well, suddenly not as nervous as before. "Thank you, Mr. Bickslow." The man just grinned at her.

"My pleasure." he winked. "Go sit in the waiting room. I have to give you your care instructions, but I gotta see what the boss wants first." Lisanna nodded and hopped off the table, walking out of the room. The man, Bickslow, turned to Gajeel and Levy with a grin, and Levy was surprised to see a tattoo of a human-like figure on his face, right between his eyes. "So, boss and boss' lady, what can Bickslow do for you?"

"Levy wants to get her mark." Gajeel nodded his head towards Levy, who fidgeted nervously. Bickslow grinned widely, his tongue hanging out of his mouth, revealing a Fairy Tail symbol on his tongue.

"Oh? Based on those jitters... yer a virgin, ain't ya?"

"W-what?" Levy squeaked, her face turning all shades of red. Bickslow cracked up laughing, even slapping his knee a bit.

"I meant tattoo virgin, little girl, but I guess yer both, huh? Funny, didn't think the boss had it in him to-"

"Oi, stop mocking your boss and his girl." Gajeel smacked Bickslow upside the head. The man just snickered, though it was considerably less in volume than before.

"Yea, yea, yer the boss!" he chuckled before leaning forward in Levy's direction. Levy was still blushing furiously, but she managed to meet the man's eyes, surprised to find that they were so green that they almost glowed. "So. Boss' Lady. Future Mrs. Boss. Shall we get started?"

Levy's fingers twitched as she fought the urge to itch her itch. She rolled her shoulders, hoping the moving fabric would help, but it only made it worse. She gave up with a pitiful whimper, slumping against her boyfriend, her arms tightening slightly around his neck as the urge to scratch came once again. Gajeel gave a light chuckle and kissed the wrist he could reach.

"Having trouble, shrimp?"

"You didn't tell me it would itch..." Levy whined, burying her face in his thick mane of hair. Gajeel only laughed again and continued carrying her back to the mansion. He'd ended up carrying her about halfway into their walk home, as Levy had become too distracted by the itching and pain to focus on walking. After tripping three times, and being caught by her fiance three times, he'd decided enough was enough. Not five seconds later she was riding him piggy-back style. She resisted until her movement made her shoulder itch again. Then she gave up with a defeated sigh.

"Just don't scratch it if you want it to set right, shrimp." Gajeel reminded her as her hands twitched again. Levy responded with a pained whimper against his back. They walked in silence for a few minutes before Levy lifted her head up slightly.

"Ne, Gajeel?" She asked quietly. He turned his ear towards her to let her know he was listening. "Who was that girl in there? She looked so... empty."

"Ah, her." Gajeel hummed. "Her name's Lisanna. She's the newest Fairy Tail recruit."

"What happened to her? She said you saved her..."

"Un. From the rat. The night we caught him." Gajeel sighed. "He'd taken her hostage."

"He must have done something horrible to her, with how sad she looked." Levy said, feeling sad for the girl.

"He did." Gajeel shifted her on his back a bit, and glanced over his shoulder at her. "It's best you don't know what he did, Lev. Besides, it's her story... if you want to know, she's the one to ask. She's gonna be around the mansion more often. Pop took her on as a cook." They were silent for a while again, before Gajeel spoke quietly. "I'm... glad we got there in time, that night. She's too young for the shit she was put through."

"Gajeel..." Levy stared at him with new eyes. So he had a soft spot for young, innocent people... that was kind of sweet. "You really are a good guy, sometimes."

"Oi." He grumbled at her half-heartedly. Then he sighed. "Just don't be sayin stuff like that around no one else, shrimp. Got a reputation to uphold, ya know." he sniffed. Levy just smiled with a light giggle, burying her face in his hair again.

"Whatever you say, Black Steel."

Wow, I can't believe how busy I've been lately. I'm sorry to keep you guys waiting! Here's another chapter, at long last.

I didn't forget about Lisanna or anything, I was just waiting for the right moment to bring her back. She'll be around here and there.

Please, let me know what you think! The more reviews I get, the more I want to write when I have free time! Hint, hint!

Thanks for reading!

-Everythingnerd12