Author's note: wow, so many positive views! Thank you seems too little for the level of gratitude I feel for my readers...

GiantMarshmallow , I might surprise you gehehe

Dvel , I'm really glad I sparked your interest. I was kinda unsure about the whole Gajeel POV and the flashing back and forth.

WailingSirensxx , thank you for reading and commenting!

MakeItHale , thankyouthankyouthankyou!

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)

Thank you for the infinite patience, my Misty~es! Lots of love from yours truly, MistyQue!

CHAPTER 2:

The three Shadow Gear members were rushed to the Infirmary, Gajeel holding Levy's hand like she would disappear for good if he let go. Porlyushka tried several times to get him out, with no luck. He was as stubborn as an Iron Dragon. Only when Master Makarov came and used his powers did Gajeel leave the medical room, cursing the whole way. The door slammed in his face and he turned around, looking for a place to sit. He went back to the bar, trying to keep his mind from going to dark thoughts, like Levy dying while the pink haired hag treated her, or, if by some miracle she survived now, Levy would die during the night while he was fast asleep. He shuddered and looked around the quiet guild. It was so unlike them to be silent, but here he was, in Fairy Tail, not a peep coming out of the guild mates. Another flashback filled his head.

Fairy Tail became his home. Once that happened, he tried to think how he would get back to being a Phantom. And he couldn't find a way to do that. To face Master Jose and tell him he can't do the job. Gajeel was quite certain Jose would attack the guild if he knew he decided to protect them. The truth is… I really like being here with all of them… With her… But I wouldn't be caught dead admitting that out loud. I have my pride, damnit! He squeezed his fist, feeling his nails bite into his hand.

And, before he realized it…

They started hanging out, at one point they were together all the time… Levy and Gajeel… The red eyed man started having some new and weird feeling. And it scared him senseless. So he tried to push her away, tried to be an asshole, maybe she'd get away… But she never left his side. And I realized… I don't really wanna be away from her.

They started taking jobs together, especially after Lily appeared in his life. She fought side by side against anything and anyone. They took care of each other.

I'll protect her with everything I have. With my life. Gajeel found himself thinking at one point during a heavy fight while she was lying unconscious on the ground. And, for a moment, the realization almost knocked him off his feet, but quickly recovered, since the three mages were surrounded and Levy was hurt.

Without realizing it… I fell in love with this short girl… Shrimp.

Lily managed to drag Levy and Gajeel back to the guild after their mission, Gajeel hovering protectively over Levy's limp form.

"She's fine, Gajeel, go rest. She's in no danger, only minor cuts and bruises." Mirajane tried to soothe him, but to no avail. Gajeel was too hyped about her not waking up.

"Then why the fuck ain't she up yet?" He bellowed, wanting to strangle the busty girl.

"Magic depletion. She'll be out at least till tomorrow morning." Gajeel ground his teeth in frustration, then huffed and stomped away to his place with Lily.

The next morning, before I even got a chance to check up on Shrimp, I received a letter from Master Jose. I was to meet him back at Phantom Lord guild. And I knew he was up to something…

He jumped out of bed, realizing it was the perfect moment to disappear since Lily wasn't in the house. He dressed and made sure Lily or Natsu couldn't follow his scent back to the dark guild. Gajeel kept his hands in his pockets, thinking hard. What will Master Jose ask? Was he growing impatient? And what would he say if Jose demanded he'd get the job done faster? How could he destroy Fairy Tail now that it became his true home?

The raven haired man never even realized his feet carried him automatically to Phantom Lord as he was busy worrying about the encounter with Master. He stopped suddenly as his nose picked up the familiar, but disgusting smell of Phantom Lord. He sneered just before he opened the doors to his former guild.

Everyone gasped as they saw Kurogane strolling nonchalantly inside the guild.

"You!" Several muscled men got up suddenly from their chairs, lunging for the Dragon Slayer. Gajeel merely ducked and sent an iron pole to each of the thugs, sprawling them all over the walls and floor. He then shoved his hands back in his pockets and continued walking to Master Jose's office while the rest of the guild members watched him silently, fearing for their lives.

Gajeel didn't even bother knocking, he shoved his foot on the door and slammed it open, then closed it with his heel, then headed for the chair that rested in front of Jose's study. He slumped heavily and waited for Jose to turn around in his own chair.

"You changed a lot, my boy. You're different." The dark man spoke with his back to Gajeel. But he could feel his slimy smile.

"Don't feel no different." Gajeel grunted, trying with all his might to keep from ripping his slimy head off.

"Oh, but you are. I have noticed many things about you." He finally turned around with his narrow eyes and disgusting sneer. Gajeel suppressed a growl. I'm gonna fucking puke. "I also noticed that you did the first part of the job very well. And, since you were so good at it… Let's take it up a notch, shall we?" Jose sang happily as Gajeel felt his stomach drop, his intuition telling him Jose was up to no good. "I decided to change out part a bit, you know, making sure we'll make an impact and all." Jose laughed lightly at an inner joke that Gajeel didn't understand.

"I don't have all day."Gajeel grew impatient.

"My, my, aren't we in a hurry? Okay, I'll just get down to business, since you seem so eager to finish this. How's this? Instead of destroying the whole guild… After all, buildings can always be rebuilt… I want you to kill Levy Mc'Garden." Gajeel froze. His heart started beating faster and his mind raced. He was silent for a long moment, not daring to make a move and give Jose hints or ideas.

"Well? Am I a genius or what?" Jose turned in his chair and faced the large window behind the study. Gajeel took the moment to exhale silently and look at his trembling hands.

Those words hit me hard straight to my iron heart. Why her…? It was all I could think of. Why? He must know. He's doing this just to get revenge on me and the guild. He knows I've betrayed him. He knows…

I can't do it… I can't!

Gajeel realized Jose waited for an answer, so he steadied his voice and the trembling in his heart and tried to fake an interest.

"As always, your evil impresses me. I love it. They'll be devastated. This should give them enough reason to come charging here. And, when they do…" Gajeel smiled evilly. "They won't see it coming. Me changing sides in the middle of the battle." Jose turned slightly to watch him carefully, Gajeel suppressing a shudder from his cold stare. "I'll do it."

Jose smiled crazily and slammed his hands on his study.

"Perfect! It will be sublime! Ah, I just wish I could be there and watch you bathe in her blood… Oh…"Jose inhaled loudly on his long nose, throwing his arms like he expected a hug.

"Don't orgasm yet, Master." Gajeel sneered as Jose laughed manically. Crazy-ass…

"You, my boy, are my only pride and joy in this world. You're the only one who understands the beauty we are creating… Go make me proud." Gajeel got up and turned on his heels without a word. "Ah, and Gajeel…" The raven haired man stopped in front of the door, listening with his back to Master Jose. "Don't disappoint me."

He grunted an answer, then went out the door. Gajeel knew it was a warning. If he wouldn't deliver Levy's head on a silver platter, he wouldn't breathe for long.

TBC

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