Author's note: I know I was fast with this chappie, as I was saying, I have some stuff already written, just gotta find the connecting pieces.

EmmyHippo , they had to be a part of the story, since they are like brothers and rather aquainted with Natsu and Gajeel in the manga

lexie loves anime , oh, how I wish I could move from here... I hate Bucuresti... It's a scum magnet. Like, seriously, all the idiots come here to brag (I'm not sure what are they bragging about...) The only good part of this city is the beautiful parks. Thank you for the best wishes, back at ya, guuurl! ~W^ And I know, there are so many homeless people out there... as long as the police is too corrupt to finish the ones controling the homeless people and the beggars, we'll keep witnessing such saddening things each day...

Jessica , I plan to continue all of my unfinished fics, don't worry.

MakeItHayle , nope, I'm not a native in English. I'm a Romanian and, even though we have some bad fame out there, I'm still proud to be one. Because I know the real value of true Romanians. And it's not how media shows us. But you are most welcomed to come visit and see for yourself, and feel the warmth that overflows.

Other than that, the 10-year-older part is totally true. My hubby was born in 1978 and I was born in 1987 (coincidence? I think not). I don't believe in coincidences anymore, since I'm born on October 3rd, just like his mother... And, on top of that, my father-in-law is born on the 3rd... of January. lots of threes in this family, hmm...

I love beer (don't misunderstand, please, I'm not a heavy drinker) But, once a week, I treat myself with some bitter-sweet liquid.

When I met my husband-to-be, I was 19. And so inexperienced... since I've never had a boyfriend before him (partly because I scared the crap out of them because I can fight a little bit) He was the one who snatched my first kiss. (and he was my first, if you catch my drift ~W^ ) But he was so confused by the age difference between us... it took a while for him to confess his feelings for me (and I was too blind to see the signs...) Still, he complimented me more than often, and it felt very genuine. I've learned now that he doesn't compliment people very often. And that's what makes him more special.

I wish you all to find your true loves, just like I found mine.

AGAIN, THANKYOUFORYOURINFINITEPATIENCE!

All in all, thank you for all the patience and love and reviews and reading my fics... And everything! By the way, I'd love to see a review/comment in your native language! (Of course, please consider the writer, as well, since I only know 4 languages: Romanian, English, Spanish and Japanese, so add a translation, as well, if you guys happen to not be a speaker of those 4 languages)

CHAPTER 6: A decade older

Levy was sure she was crushing hard on the raven haired man. She tried to fight it, but to no avail. Lucy warned her at one point about him, that he was older than his looks, but she never expected him to be a decade older than herself. That's when she started fighting the growing feelings for him. And Gajeel didn't help her inner torment, either, since he texted her more than often and chatted with her on a daily basis.

One night, just like any other night, Levy was the last to leave from work, closing the salon with the headphones on. She was oblivious to everything, even to the five guys that were stalking her quietly. Once she made sure everything was locked, she turned and walked away, without glancing behind her. She was passing a darkened street between two tall buildings, when a hand tangled itself in her hair and yanked her in the shades, a sharp yelp escaping her lips.

Gajeel stopped his car in from of "Salon Minerva", realizing with disappointment everything was closed.

"Shit…" He got out of the car and went to inspect the lock better, when a familiar voice screamed from somewhere close. He looked around him, trying to pinpoint her voice, a couple of dark laughters guiding a frantic Gajeel to the darkened street where five guys pinned Levy on the wall, one of the thugs holding a knife on her neck.

"LEVY!" He yelled angry, seeing red. The five men turned their heads in unison, giving Levy a moment to act. She quickly disarmed the man that was holding the knife, twisting his hand painfully and kicking him in the shins to make him kneel down. The other four guys turned back at Levy, trying to prevent her escaping, while Gajeel sprang forward, running as fast as he could to save the bluenette.

Before he even got there, Levy was already breaking bones and guillotine choking one of the four guys. Gajeel stopped mid-track seeing the blank expression in her eyes as she protected herself, throwing a man in a dumpster and punching another's nuts before they could even make a move.

"Damn…" Gajeel exhaled impressed, knocking two guys out while gapping at the fighting bluenette. Once the fight was over and a couple of guys scrambled away in fear, Gajeel pulled her back from her concentration. "Levy, are you okay?" She snapped her head his way with the death glare still plastered on her face, a wave of relief rolling over her when she noticed Gajeel. Once the adrenaline subsided, her hands started shaking and she started panting fast. Gajeel hurried to her, taking Levy in his arms and stroking her head.

"Hey, it's OK, you're OK now… Shh…" Tears started rolling down her cheeks, grabbing a fistful of Gajeel's shirt. "The bad guys are gone, you're safe." Levy knew that, but she couldn't stop crying or shivering. Gajeel held her in his arms, guiding them back to his car. "Don't panic, this is a normal reaction. You're in shock." He answered her internal questions, his deep voice calming her slightly. He opened the door for her and helped the bluenette get in the car, hurrying to his side and starting the engine. He glanced her way, noticing she was still shivering, and placed a comforting hand over hers. It was cold, even though the weather was pretty warm.

He drove to his place, since it was closer to her work place. Once they were inside his apartment, Levy jumped in his arms again, sobbing heavily.

"Th… thank you… I was s… so scared for a moment… That guy was holding a knife to my neck… and I froze… I didn't know what to do… But then, you came!" She cried heavily, holding onto him for dear life.

"You did good, hon, you did good." He stroked her hair, leading her to the couch, where he took a seat, cradling her on his lap and letting her calm down. Sure enough, a few minutes later, Levy's shivering calmed down, sniffing away her last tears. "Better?" He asked softly once she looked up.

"Yeah… Thanks… and sorry."

"Let me get you something. I bet you're hungry now." Levy looked puzzled at him, feeling her stomach rumble.

"You're right, I am hungry." She said with surprise.

"It's from the adrenaline rush. You need to raise the sugar level in your blood, and fast." The girl followed him quietly to the kitchen, Lily coiling lazily around her feet before jumping in her arms. Gajeel glanced to his cat, feeling a bit jealous he wasn't the core of his attention anymore. He quickly prepared something for the starving girl, shoving the plate under her nose. "Dig in." Levy smiled as a thank-you, eating fast. After a few bites, she looked at her still-trembling hand, Gajeel quickly grabbing a hold on it and twisting their fingers together. "I didn't know you could fight." Gajeel tried to suppress his amazement, Levy not even noticing he was holding her hand. She was busy chowing down.

"I did some aikido back home. I haven't practiced for a while, though. I didn't even know I had it in me…" She stopped suddenly, swallowing the choking lump that threatened to squeeze the air from her lungs. "Thank you… Really… If it wasn't for you, I'd…" Her eyes filled again when she glanced at Gajeel, but quickly looked away. He merely took the bluenette in his arms again, stroking her hair. Once she calmed down again, he smiled to her and raised himself from his seat.

"Do you want a beer or something?" Gajeel walked around the kitchen, opening the fridge and grabbing a beer.

"Yeah, sure." He threw it to her, Levy catching it with ease. "Cheers." She touched her bottle with his and took a large swig, moaning. "Oh, wow... I never realized how much I missed beer." Gajeel raised an eyebrow.

"Missed it?"

"Yeah... People keep asking for my ID whenever I go shopping... I mean, come on! Do I really look 19?" Gajeel choked on his beer, coughing loudly.

"Wait... You're 19?" Levy nodded shyly. Shit... she's under aged... "I could've sworn you're at least 25... 19? Really?"

"Yeah... Back home we become adults at the age of 18. I really can't see what the problem is... I don't look 19, people tell me I sure as hell don't act or think like a 19 year old chick... So yeah... despite that, they still ask for my ID... and I can't get any beer till I'm 21... so thanks!" Levy took another swig and moaned again.

"Well... shit..."

"What's wrong?" She looked puzzled at him, grabbing her plate and heading for the sink to wash it.

"I'm 29…" Gajeel looked hurt at her, but Levy merely looked confused at him.

"So?" She shrugged, looking intently at him.

"Nothing, shrimp... It's just a phase of mine... don't worry your pretty little blue head." Levy looked unconvinced at him, but let him be, feeling much better after eating and tasting beer for the first time in a very long time.

"I should go home…" Levy glanced at the clock, noticing it was well past midnight. Gajeel merely motioned to grab his keys, avoiding Levy's questioning eyes. "I didn't mention anything about you driving me home, Gajeel. I'll grab a cab." She slide her phone open, dialing a number, but Gajeel grabbed her phone and shoved it in his own pocket.

"I'm driving you home, shrimp." He didn't look at her, heading for the door. Levy blushed slightly, following him silently. He held the door open for her, waiting for the slender girl to get in his car, hurrying to his side when she was inside. "Are you still cold?"

"I'm good, thanks." Gajeel didn't utter a word after this, glancing from time to time to his right since Levy didn't seem to mind the silence between them. He parked in front of her place swiftly after a while, still not looking at her. "I should start paying for my share of gas, if you keep this up." Levy grinned, unbuckling her seatbelt.

"It's no problem, shrimp." Gajeel finally looked at her, Levy noticing the torment in his eyes.

"Why do you call me that?"

"What? 'Shrimp'? It's because I'm a decade older than you, shrimp." He grinned, enjoying Levy's pout. "Have a good night."

"You too. And thanks again." The bluenette smiled warmly at him, oblivious to his long stare after she turned and opened the door, heading for her apartment. Once she was inside the tall building, Gajeel turned his eyes on the road, driving himself home with a disgusted feeling in the pit of the stomach.

He threw the keys in a bowl after locking the door to his home, kicking his snickers off and heading for his bedroom. He tangled his hands in his black hair, his frustration taking over and pulling on his black spikes with a growl.

"Fucking idiot! Shitshitshit!" He threw himself on his bed, hearing the soft paws of his cat walking calmly towards the entrance.

"Lily, come here." He waited for the black cat to come and join him in bed, but Lily sat comfortably in front of the door, waiting patiently. "Traitor..." He mumbled and turned away, thinking about Levy. "Yeah... I miss her too..." With these last words, he closed his eyes and drifted to sleep.

TBC

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