The Shrimp in New York

She stepped off the elevator to the rest of her life. It felt like a weight has been lifted off her shoulders and the compression disappeared off her chest. She took in her surroundings of her new job at the New York Crime Lab, her new life. Bozeman was of course something, but New York is an entirely different world within itself. She was surprised when Detective Makarov, the head of the crime lab, accepted her as the CSI. Butterflies filled her when she listened to the voicemail he left her and wanting her to start as soon as possible. Now here she is turning a new page in her life, starting afresh, hopefully to put the past behind. Carrying a box of necessities to put on her new desk, she walked through halls trying to find someone in charge. She saw a woman who wasn't in a lab coat and picked up her speed a bit.

"Excuse me," she breathed out, "I'm Levy McGarden, the new CSI that Detective Makarov hired." She shifted the box in her hand to hold out her hand to the woman.

The woman gave her a warm smile and took the hand excitedly. "Ara, yes master did say that were going to have a new one. Welcome to the Crime Lab. I'm Mirajane Strauss."

Levy sighed in relief. It was a good start that this woman welcome her with open arms yet that's not to say for the rest of her new co-workers. If any of them, were as nice as Mirajane then this transition wouldn't be that hard. Both heard a beep, Mirajane opened her phone reading the contents on it. She looked at Levy with sympathy.

"That was Master right now, he needs you right now at the New York Zoo. Let me show you where to put your things then you can head on out." Levy followed the woman quietly wondering if she heard her right. Her boss already wanted her to work? Is New York always this surprising?

Mirajane opened the glass door to where to desks are." My desk is right across yours, so it won't be that hard to find me. She presented a case that Levy was all too familiar with but also strange too." here is your case with everything you need, but I guess you already know that. Someone will drive you to the location."

Levy nodded and gave her a grateful smile. With a gentleness you give to glass, she tentatively took the case out her hands. The weight familiar in her hand almost like she knew it. No, this case belonged to New York and was assigned to her. She didn't know how long she looked at it but when she turned her head to give Mirajane another smile; she saw amusement in her eyes. Levy flushed at being caught in moment of wonderment.

"Thank You Mirajane. "Levy smiled once more then left the room. As she was walking out, a pink haired man walked in. She exchanged a nod with him then disappeared out of sight. The man's eyes lingered a bit then turned to Mirajane.

"Who's the new girl?"

Mirajane smiled, "That, Natsu is our new CSI." Natsu's eyebrows disappeared into his hairline.

Mira then smirked, the wheels started turning in her head. This is definitely going to be interesting.

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Levy tried not to appear excited as she entered the cage. Well, she had been thinking of taking a trip to the New York Zoo. To her right was a man, probably another co-worker. Then she saw another inspecting the teeth of the tiger. Detective Makarov, her boss.

She took a deep breath, "Detective Makarov?" God she hoped her voice didn't crack

"Yes?" He didn't lift his head to the speaker, still inspecting the teeth.

"Levy McGarden." Makarov looked up eyes brightening just a bit.

"My new Crime Scene Investigator from Bozeman." he stated.

Levy shifted the case in her hand, getting familiar with the weight. "I was told that you needed me here as soon as I arrived." Remembering the nice Mirajane brought a smile to her face. Hopefully these two with be just the same.

"Glove up." Levy didn't know if she heard him right. He was actually going to let her help? Back in Bozeman, the men were hesitant around her at the lab. As if seeing a woman working as a cop was such a foreign thing. Not many women are police officers at Bozeman, especially one with a past like hers.

That's why she jumped at the opportunity to come to New York. No one knew of her past, all they would know is her name. She can prove her worth to her colleagues. Yet, she couldn't prevent the next thing that was coming out of her mouth.

"Now?" She cursed the words as soon as they left her mouth.

Master raised his eyebrows at her. "You here to watch or work?"

He filled a container with water to make the mold of the tiger's teeth. Levy set down her case then took out her gloves. She smiled a bit at been given the chance to actually do her job. An idea popped into her head, might as well show him that she knows what to do.

"You want me to start processing?" She adjusted the gloves on her hands, hoping to see a surprised look on his face.

"No, Gajeel has that covered."

Levy felt an enormous presence behind her, probably the said 'Gajeel'. She turned around proving herself right about him being taller. After noticing his height, next was the brightest of red in his eyes. His gruff voice was what really surprised her.

"Gajeel Redfox," he stated. He didn't look like wanted to converse much. Levy noticed there was a tick in his jaw. He moved away from her and continued taking pictures. Definitely pissed of at something.

" I need you to hold the tiger's jaws as I make a mold of his teeth." He continued mixing the substance in the container.

She felt warm breath by her ear; she tried not to be intimidated by him." Just take a deep breath and don't let him know you're nervous."

She straightened her spine and gave him her most professional stare. She wouldn't let Mr. Red Eyes get to her.

"The tiger's tranquilized besides I think I can handle myself."
He chuckled," I was talking about the old man."

Neither saw but an irritation tick appeared on the old man's forehead. Gajeel presented a satisfactory smirk as he saw the smile falter from her face. He turned back towards the scene then turned right back around with an evil gleam in his eye.

He crouched to her eye level to let her know he was serious.

"Make sure to call him sir. He likes to be known as the boss." She gave him an affirmative nod.

She walked past him towards the opening of the cage. She was greeted by one of the officers from Animal control with a tranquilizer gun in his hand. She wouldn't admit it to anyone, but it kind of spooked her even if it was a precaution. She knelt beside her new boss and placed the tiger's head on her lap. With a gentleness and strength, she pried the tiger's jaws open for him as he applied the mold. There was a silence between the two, which made Levy a bit nervous. So even though she might be dubbed as a geek later, she decided to spout some facts about tigers.

"You know it is scientifically proven that petting a feline lowers your blood pressure?" Or cats. Maybe just talk about cats in general.

"Maybe the vic heard the same thing." What the hell are you doing Levy?

She tried to stop herself, but they just kept on coming.

"Tiger stripes are like fingerprints, not two have the same kind of stripes. Females tend to be eight to nine feet long." She felt a bit like an idiot, but he hasn't corrected her. Maybe a bit confident too. They continued in silence for a few, but honestly it was killing her.

"Sorry Sir, I tend to spout useless trivia whenever I get nervous." She gave him a small smile.

He looked at her from his work, "This is male." His head directed towards the lower anatomy.

Levy followed his direction and saw that he was right. Yep, just an idiot. A rookie idiot trying and failing to impress her boss. She felt herself blush hoping for the world to swallow her whole. She tentatively swallowed before she spoke again.

"Right. Sorry I should've checked first, sir."

He looked at her and his hardened gaze softened a bit, but was gone after shown. "And don't call me sir."
He returned to his task not catching the look of shock on her face. Levy turned in Gajeel 's direction, who was irritably swatting at flies. Their eyes met and Levy's lips were set in a thin line. She turned back around now knowing something. Gajeel was definitely pissed. Yeah she was here, and he is trying to make sure she doesn't last. A new light appeared in her eyes, she focused on her task. A single thought fueled her determination.

He can sur as hell try, but she will fight right back.