A/N: I'm so sorry! I've been on vacation and so many things are happening and augh so I didn't get to write as much as I used to these last weeks. So here's an extra long chappie to say sorry.

Also, this chapter is dedicated to Bookmeister999 for suggesting that they go to an event.

Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail.

"What? Don't you want a party planner?"

"That's what I'm paying you for."

Levy sighed. The MetaCell's release was coming out soon, Mr. Redfox wanted to showcase it during an extravagant party. Which had to be planned by her.

Why had she gotten herself into this?

The next months had her comparing it to end of year exams in college. There were so many things that they needed, from food to décor to the style of the napkins. And it all had to be coordinated.

"This morning we have a meeting with the florist, head chef and venue owner. We'll take a cab back here," she gestured to the office, "and then eat lunch and review the guest list. You need to decide what to wear." Levy handed some papers to her boss and he glanced over them. She grinned. "Also, you need to choose who you're going to take to your gala."

"Wait, what?" Mr. Redfox looked up.

"The press is expecting you to have some eye candy on your arm. After all, this might be the biggest night of your business career."

They went to the florist and picked out some beautiful arrangements for the party. Well, Mr. Redfox did. It was very strange… Levy didn't think he would be into these things.

"Mr. Redfox, we have a meeting soon." her boss was still musing over flowers and asking the florist questions.

"Just a minute." he said, engrossed in the flowers. He scratched something on his notebook. "Give me a minute. Call the cab."

"Okay…" Weird. But kind of… cute.

Levy giggled.

.:.:.:.

They met with the florist and the chef before it finally set in. The shrimp was right. This probably would be the biggest night of his life. He had to choose wisely, and fast.

He thought about it all through the meeting with the venue owner. The short stack wasn't too happy about that.

Rain Woman? They were good friends, but… I bet she'd want to go with the stripper. Titania? Hell no. She's taken, anyways. Barmaid? No fucking way. That woman's a monster. That would leave Bunny Gi- nah. The Flame Idiot would probably get all riled up and start a brawl. And with the press swarming like flies to a corpse… There was no way in hell he was going to let some scandal like that hit the papers.

"Mr. Redfox, focus." she glanced at him, annoyed. He was spacing out again. Her eye twitched adorably and he let out a tiny gihi.

"Yeah, yeah."

That animal girl? Stone Eyes? The one with green hair- wait, Fried's a guy. This was going to be harder than he thought.

He listed off every female in Magnolia. He even thought about the food blogger Miss Terrie and she wasn't even remotely well-known. HHHHHHe found some sort of fault in all of them, like how model Claire Fishe was too tall or how actress Sara Haller had a weird name.

The event was in a month, and now he was freaking out. He had already sent out the guest list, so who was left?

The next day was a rush of party planning and checking over RSVPs. Practically every guest invited came, with the exception of one major business owner who was sending a representative in his place. The clock was ticking down the hours to the gala and he had to ask, fast. The press was buzzing, so he did what any half-insane man would do: talk to his friends.

"Well, I don't see what the problem is here." Mirajane cocked her head, holding a glass of white wine. "I could hook you up with this girl-"

"No thanks." The tycoons had gathered at a secluded bar to chat when Gajeel brought up his problem. Everyone in their group had a date. Juvia with Gray, Erza with Jellal… even Wendy was going with Romeo. The only two people who didn't have dates were Laxus and Mira. Laxus had his posse and Mira was accompanying the mayor.

"What about one of the girls from Crocus?" Juvia suggested. "Juvia hears they are very nice."

"Nah."

"Why not?" Juvia asked.

"Woman, the last time you tried to set me up the lady was a crazy bitch." He still had nightmares of long red hair and soulless eyes. (Any guesses on who this is?)

"Well, Juvia can't help it if Gajeel wasn't acting like a gentleman," she pouted, poking his chest. "Gajeel needs to learn to control his temper."

He spluttered, and Juvia gave him a knowing smile. "Juvia would just like for Gajeel to keep an open mind. Then, Juvia is sure Gajeel will have no problem finding a lady."

"C'mon Rustbucket, who do you think of when you hear the phrase 'pretty woman'?" Cana slurred.

Pretty woman?

His mind wandered from magazine models to… Gajeel's eyes widened.

"Y'know, what's Levy going to do for this?" Lucy was talking quietly to Natsu. "She's been planning this entire thing. She deserves to have a nice date.

.:.:.:.

"Sorry!" Levy blushed, holding out her hands. "It's just… I already have one."

"Whaaat?!" Lucy screeched. "So I did all that planning for nothing? Do you know how hard it was to convince Fried?!"

The man standing next to the blonde smiled. "That's alright, Miss Lucy. Farewell, ladies." He bowed and walked out of the building.

"Levy, Fried is perfect for you! Why'd you turn him down?" she glared, "And I know you don't have a date."

"Actually, I do." Levy shrugged, still blushing. "Besides, I think Fried wants to accompany Laxus."

"What? Wait, who asked you?" Lucy shrieked, shaking Levy.

"Lu… please stop shaking me." The smaller girl said.

"Oh. Right. Sorry." Lucy's eyes lit up. "Tell me everything!"

"Um, so I had just gotten into work…"

.:.:.:.

A few hours earlier, Levy was getting ready for the busy day ahead. While she tidied up her desk, she noticed that Gajeel was strangely silent. Usually, he'd call for her to read the day's schedule right off the bat. Something was off.

"Mr. Redfox?"

"Whuh?" Her boss looked startled. Odd, since he was staring at her intently.

"Don't you want to know the schedule?"

"Mmm." He grunted. "Go on."

"We have meetings with most of our suppliers. Luckily, today is mostly just you signing paperwork." She recited on, "You also need to start writing your speech-"

The buzzing intercom filled the office and Levy walked over to speak. "Hi, Marilyn. What's up?"

"Sorry, am I interrupting something?" the cheerful receptionist asked. "You have a visitor."

"No, nothing at all." Levy replied, "But Mr. Redfox isn't expecting anyone."

"Oh, no, it's not for the boss. He's here for you!" the woman chirped, "Should I send him up?"

"Sure, I guess." Levy frowned. "But I wasn't expecting anyone either."

The elevator dinged, and a man stepped out. "Miss McGarden?" He was undoubtedly handsome, and Levy blushed.

"Yes, that would be me." Levy fiddled with the hem of her blazer self-consciously. Who was this guy?

"My name is Hibiki." the strange man bowed and put his hand to his temple.

"And, you see, I find you very attractive." The bluenette squeaked. "So would you do me the honor of being my date to the ball?" He knelt, while whipping out a bouquet of flowers.

"Ah, well, this is very… sudden." Levy panicked. "C-Could you give me a few days? I have a lot on my plate right now, I'm sure you understand…"

"But I can't wait that long!" Her eye twitched.

"I-It's just two or three days."

"My heart yearns for you!" the man threw himself at her feet. Levy sighed.

"Get off of me." She shook him off, giving him a look of disgust. Levy dropped the bouquet on his head. "Ugh, the answer is no. I don't even know you!"

"But, my darling! Surely you wouldn't want to miss out. I am a very good lover-" he reached for her hand, which she quickly snatched away.

"She isn't interested." Gajeel growled, making both of them jump. Levy had forgotten he was in the room.

"Excuse me, sir, but she doesn't have a man to take her to the gala. It is just perfect! Of course she's interested." Hibiki stood up, dusting off his clothes.

"No, I'm not." Levy said, and was immediately spoken over.

"What would you know, pretty-boy?" Mr. Redfox sneered.

"Because I know women, unlike brutes like you." Hibiki gave him an equally menacing look, "and, as said before, she isn't going with anyone."

"She's going with me."

.:.:.:.

Lucy squealed, clasping her hands. "Did he confess his undying love?"

"What?" Levy, on the other hand, was practically glowing. "Okay, first of all, he's my boss so that's inappropriate. Secondly, we're just going as friends. He's grateful that I planned all of this. It's completely platonic!"

"Suuure."

"Yes!"

Lucy sighed. "Oh well. Call me later?"

"Of course! See you later, Lu."

.:.:.:.

As soon as she left to talk with the blonde chick, he panicked. What the hell was he thinking? Telling his PA, of all fucking people, to go with him. What a screw up. What will the press say? They'll tear right into her. Although he was feeling fucked up, he had to admit the look on the bastard's face was priceless. But… what was he going to do?

When the pretty boy fled, she was so relieved he couldn't take it back. He established they would be going as friends, but…women assumed too much. What if she took it the wrong way? Relationships were frickin' resource wasters. Money, time, energy. He really didn't need some- some distraction interfering with his work. He fired distactions. Not to mention that the shrimp was a fuck ton better than working on his own.

Metallicana said he had to deal with his decisions, so he was going to own up to them. He'd deal with the press and buy her a flower thingy. Where was his notebook?

"Ha!" holding it up, he smiled grimly. Might as well start now.

The shrimp's voice flitted through his head. "You also need to start writing your speech-"

His speech! Perfect. Gajeel smirked. It was all fitting together.

The elevator dinged and the shorty walked out. For some reason, the atmosphere in the office changed. Her eyes widened, and she hurried to her desk. It was the shrimp who finally spoke. "We should go. To the florist."

"Oh. Yeah."

This is why women are too much work.

A/N: As you can see, Gajeel's attitude towards women is… a little crass. The explanation will come up later, so no spoilers!

Sorry to the Hibiki fans out there.

Thank you to the three Guests, Maviea, Lexie and the anime, and BurningChocolates34.

Shout out to BurningChocolates34 for encouraging me to get out of my slump and stop procrastinating!

Signing off,

MQW