Juvia woke in her place and headed to the kitchen to make some tea, she felt like she had the most amazing dream and was practically skipping. She filled the kettle with water and put it on the stove and leaned back against the cabinets, a dark mass of fabric drew her attention in the living room and he headed over to investigate knowing it wasn't something that belonged there. Lifting the heavy item high in the air it fell to meet the floor in front of her and she realized it was a coat, one belonging to Laxus, OH. It hadn't been a dream? She felt giddy and in disbelief, her life had changed so much in a short period of time, thinking back she remembered all of the times she spent chatting with Laxus at the guild and wondered how long ago this could have happened if she had known it was possible.

The kettle whistled and she made her cup of tea before sitting at the small kitchen table, she had to figure out what kind of job she would need to cover all of the expenses, not having lived on her own for a while she was a bit rusty. Once she had finished her calculations and drank her tea Juvia decided to bite the bullet and head to the guild to take a look at the job board, glancing at the coat again before leaving she shrugged and left it there, he knew where to find it.

The job board seemed daunting, so many things appeared just too much for one person and she was currently without a partner. Gajeel had taken a special job sent by the council for him, Levy was staying home with the baby, and Laxus was unable to work for that one week period. Someone walked up behind her and it made goosebumps appear on her exposed skin "Want to go on a job, Juvia?" he spoke. A chill ran through her, nausea hit, she did not have to turn around to know Gray was there. She started to walk away and he touched her wrist, not grabbing it but still it was enough to stop her dead in her tracks, "Don't leave, you used to want to do jobs together all the time," he chuckled, "what happened? Did big brother ruin all the fun?"

The doors opened across the large guild hall with a smack, Juvia knew what team strutted in when that happened, Gray moved toward the back exit and left Juvia looking at Laxus making his way over to her, his team taking a seat at the bar. He pulled her close and led her to a table, "what happened there?" he asked with darkness in his eyes.

"You know about him, don't you?" she questioned, his reaction was clear, no one else had any idea of the things that had happened with Gray so he would have had no reason to react that way.

"Gajeel clued me in, don't be mad, he did it because of the possibility of stuff like that happening," he explained gently, holding her hands. "What did he say to you?"

"Nothing that anyone would find inappropriate unless they knew," she simplified, "He asked me to go on a job, then said I used to do it and Gajeel ruined the fun."

"Oh, it was fun was it?" Laxus frowned, "what an asshole."

"This is why Gajeel always said he wouldn't let me go on jobs alone," she said.

Laxus nodded, "I have to agree with him there, but I can't go, so…." He turned and shouted, "FREED!" Speaking to Juvia once again he said, "I will just have to send my right-hand man in my place."

Freed approached, "You called?"

"I need you to accompany Juvia on a job, whatever one she chooses, but she could use some brains and brawn. Since I can't go can I depend on you?"

Stammering in disbelief, "You picked me to go in your place? That's an honor, Boss, of course I will accompany her. Pick whatever job you think is best Juvia," he said to her, and she cheerfully headed back to the job board.

"Thank you for thinking of me," Freed said.

"I am really depending on you here," Laxus said quietly, as not to draw attention, "Keep an eye out for Gray and keep him away from her." Seeing Freed's puzzled look he tried to explain without drawing attention, "There's some bad stuff between them and he can not be trusted, keep her safe. I can't tell you much more right now."

"You can depend on me to protect her," Freed puffed his chest, "she is one of us."

Juvia carried a job request back to the table and laid it in front of Freed, "I think this one is good," she said reading it again, "A job in Hargeon at the port, if it involves much water manipulation we are going to be best for the request."

"sounds wonderful Juvia, I will prepare and we can leave this afternoon," Freed replied, "shall I meet you at your place in later and escort you to the train station?"

Juvia giggled, "such manners, that sounds wonderful Freed."

Laxus stood and moved beside her, "Let me help you get ready, I'd like to spend some time with you before you leave, we can something to eat on the way to your place," he suggested.

"okay," she beamed up at him, "your coat is at my place too, you'll probably want that back."

Before leaving the guild Laxus waited while Juvia quickly informed Mira that she and Freed would be taking the port job in Hargeon and departed to prepare for her trip.

Freed showed up right on time to escort her to the train station and an anxious Laxus watched them going together toward the station wishing he could have been the one to go with her but knowing that Freed was more than capable of keeping a watchful eye on Juvia and their surroundings. On his walk back to the guild he thought about what he had learned about Gray and wondered what had happened to the seemingly trustworthy mage to make him turn into such a volatile person. Entering, he arrived in his grandfather's office and decided to take this downtime to do some preparations for the upcoming S Class trials, having been doing more guild work he hoped to eventually make his way to be the next guild master. Outside the office door Laxus heard Alzack ask about the second job available in Hargeon, one to transport a dignitary to another town, but Mira explained that it had just been claimed a little bit ago and Gray was already on the last train to Hargeon.

Laxus dropped the files and the papers fluttered to the floor, Gray was on the same train as Juvia, had he taken the second job in Hargeon on purpose or was it merely a coincidence? Laxus suddenly wished he would have told Freed the severity of the dangers associated with Gray and Juvia, He hoped that his teammate was as thorough with Juvia as he usually was with Laxus, because then he'd have nothing to worry about, but yet he stood there and his blood ran cold.

Juvia curled into the train seat dozing with her head against her bag, Freed watched over her but feeling that he could possibly fall asleep himself he put an enchantment on their train car to prevent unwanted visitors, not knowing what might be attempted he had no idea if it was even a possibility at that point in time.

A few hours later it had gotten dark and Freed jolted up, realizing he had been asleep as well, he thought he had heard something, but it seemed quiet now. A low clicking noise and metal on metal became evident, someone was attempting to slide the door open but his enchantment held, making the door hold strong against the person outside. Juvia slept soundly as Freed stared at the door, wondering who was outside, the noises faded and were replaced with the sound of retreating footsteps. Freed slowly rose from his seat and slid the door slightly open to see a man in a long white coat with dark hair walking toward the next car, most unusual though was the black coloring on their neck and hands. Closing the door he made a mental note to get a call to Laxus once they settled in their room at the inn.

Freed left Juvia in the shared room to order food as he went to the lobby to use the communication Lacrima, once he had connected with Laxus it was clear that he was distraught. "Gray took the other job in Hargeon," Laxus began without so much as a hello, "keep an eye out."

"I know, I already encountered him, I had enchanted the doorway on our train car and he had tried to open it and failed." Freed informed.

"I knew I could count on you," Laxus felt relieved that Freed prevented another meeting but uneasy that they were still in the same area so far away from him.

"But I noticed something," Freed began speaking slowly, "he had the markings on his skin the same way as when his demon slayer magic takes over. I don't know why he would have those all over him if he wasn't even using magic."

Laxus was silent for a moment, he finally responded, "strange, I think I have someone that might be able to look into that for me." Looking extremely tired he rubbed his neck and stretched, "Try to stay alert, he has hurt her before and I can't let that happen again."

Freed was stunned, "Hurt her?" Seeing the severity of the concern on the face looking back at him in the lacrimas he took it seriously, "I am going to get back to her now."

"Do that." Laxus responded gruffly, "I'm relying on you. Thanks Freed."

Freed felt his coat pockets and realized he had left his key in the room, knocking softly he waited for Juvia to open the door but instead was greeted with a frightened shout, "Stay away from me, I don't want to fight you so just leave please," a broken sob broke her sentence, "Just leave me alone."

"Juvia it is me, it's Freed," he proclaimed through the heavy door, "Please open up for me and I can help you." The door cracked slightly and he saw the piercing blue eyes peering out, then the door swinging open and Juvia bounded into his arms obviously shaking. "What happened while I was gone? Are you okay?"

"I had heard a knock and thought it was the room service, but when I opened the door Gray tried to push his way in and I barely pushed the door shut again to lock it." She cried and looked around, "he told me he knows I will stop seeing Laxus and come back to him and stood there knocking for what seemed like forever before he finally left, but when I heard you I assumed he was back."

"I need to ask you something," he said leading the girl back into the room and securing the door, "did he have the black marks on his body from the demon slayer magic?" Juvia nodded, looking puzzled, "did he try to use magic on you?"

Thinking she shook her head, "no. he didn't"

"I don't know what happened in the past but has he ever used magic on you?" She shook her head no in response to Freed as he spoke again, "did he always have the marks?"

"Yes," she wondered what difference it made but knowing Freed he had a good theory in the works, he was one of the brightest mages in the guild.

"Hmm. Interesting." He murmured. "Laxus is already investigating that, I just spoke to him and he was on his way to get help gathering some information. Until we get back to Magnolia please do not leave my side, I will answer the door and once we take care of this mission we can work on figuring out what else we can do to prevent any trouble with Grey."