Only after several hours of riding did Grey think to ask Juvia if they ought to find a place to rest for the night. For her part, Juvia was glad at the chance to finally leave the saddle (as much as she enjoyed the warmth touch of Grey's body against her chest, even she had to admit that she needed to stand up going by the cramps beginning to snake their way into her legs).

By now the weather had changed to a drizzle forcing Grey to gradually ease off the throttle as the visibility slowly began to worsen.

"We'll have to find a place soon," Grey remarked, partly to Juvia, partly to himself, "Before this rain turns into a downpour and I can't see anything."

Soon enough, they saw a light ahead attempting to penetrate the gloom. Slowing down further to investigate, the couple sighed in relief as they realised it that the light was that of an inn, warm and inviting. Swaying in the wind above them, the sign creaked slightly. The painted words, though chipped, were still legible. The Blind Pig.

Dismounting, Grey felt the rain soaked squelch beneath him. Taking her hand gently, he helped Juvia off of the bike. The water mage was unable to hide a smile although to her credit, resisted the usual urge to embrace Grey in both arms. For a while however, they simply stood looking at each other before grabbing their bags and entering the inn.

As they entered, the two mages cast their gaze about them, their eyes scanning for any sense of trouble. A few faces glanced upwards as if scrutinising the newcomers for any sign of weakness before turning slowly back to their drinks. In the corner, some of the patrons appeared to be playing a card game of sorts. Neither Grey nor Juvia had reached the bar before that particular table was in an uproar, accusations of cheating flying through the air along with a few beer bottles.

The innkeeper, a young woman in her early twenties smiled at Grey behind the counter. When she spoke, it was in the accent of the Western continent, a simmilar manner to that of Bisca and Alzack. "What can I do for you Sugah?"

Grey brushed off the compliment. "My companion and I need a room for the night."

"No problem Handsome. That'll be one thousand jewels." she smiled, batting her eyelids flirtatiously at the young man. Beneath the counter, Juvia clenched her fist and ground her teeth. How dare she flirt with her Grey like that? Only Juvia was allowed to talk to Grey in such a way. She glared with undisguised hatred towards the barmaid, in turn unaware of the man staring totally enraptured at her. In fact it wasn't until he tapped his fat fingers upon her shoulder, causing her to turn around, that she knew he was even there .

"Having problems with your boyfriend Love?" He asked in a slurred voice. His breath reeked of alcohol and his teeth were discoloured to a yellowish brown forcing Juvia to hold back her gag reflex so as to not cause any perceived offense to the drunk.

"Of course not!" she replied, "Juvia is certain that Grey Sama will not fall for the attentions of such a woman."

"Don't be so sure Love," The man chuckled, swilling his tankard before downing the last dregs of beer and belching disgustingly. "Trust me, you could do better than a loser like that. What about a guy like me?"

Before Juvia knew what was happening, the man grabbed her delicate wrist in his meaty paw and tried to pull her into a kiss. Anger flared through Juvia. There was no way in which she was going to allow this slob to get away with this.

"Water Cane." She hissed and lashed out with her right hand. Conjured from the air, a whip of water smacked into the man's nose with a sickening crunch, causing him to relinquish his hold on Juvia as he stumbled back, clutching the ruin of his face. Juvia didnt get far away before she was flanked by two of the man's associates.

"Now that wasn't very nice, was it my dear," The taller of the two men hissed menacingly, the intoxicating aroma of tobacco heavy on his breath.

"She broke ma node," The man from the bar wailed as though he couldn't think of anything more terrible.

"I know but I think I also now a way in which she could apologise," Tobacco breath smirked, running his eyes along Juvia's feminine body. "Dont you lads?"

Juvia was horrified and began to mutter an incantation. Yet it was hardly necessary. No sooner than had he taken one step towards the girl then was he smashed to the ground by a fist.

"Dont you dare touch her." Growled an all too familiar voice.

Running his hand along the part of his jaw that had been almost shattered by the force of the impact, Tobacco breath glared with barely concealed malice at the figure before him. Grey stood in front of the man shirtless (eliciting a squeak from the barmaid) as his chest heaved up and down. Murderous fire burned in the eyes of the young mage as he confronted Tobacco breath.

"You'll pay for that you idiot!" He snarled, reaching into his clothing as he did so. "But if you hand over the girl, I might let you off with a light beating."

"You think I'd let any girl yet alone a friend and guild mate be handed over to a sick creep like you?" Grey growled, balling his hands into fists.

"So be it," Tobacco breath snarled. Lunging forward, the man withdrew a knife from within his coat, attempting to stab Grey in the chest. The blade came arcing down only to be met with a blade of solid ice. The impact caused crystalline shards to fly through the air but Grey's conjured weapon held firm. Shocked, Tobacco breath staggered back a few steps shaking his head.

"You're a wizard," he said as though unsure whether to be angry or scared. Grey smirked in reply and conjured a trio of frozen lances. Shooting them through the air, Grey avoided killing the man by the nearest of margins as he was pinned up against the opposite wall.

As if breaking from a trance, the third man of the group rushed Grey, attempting to grapple the ice mage wizard while his back was just turned. Caught off guard abd restrained by the sudden attack, Grey struggled to fight off his assailant, all the while the man from the bar had grabbed the knife and advanced slowly upon them. For all of their arrogance however, the two brawlers had utterly forgotten about the second mage in their midst.

Steaming with anger, Juvia felt a surge of magical emergy flow through her. Raising her left arm and with extending it out, the rain woman called out her incantation.

"Water Slicer!"

As wave of water shot out from her hand. While even the most athletic of people would have had a hard time evading this attack in such an enclosed environment, the drunkard had virtually no chance. Slamming into him with the force of a storm, the water slicer sent him hurtling across the bar where only the wall was able to arrest his flight. Staggering back to his feet, the man was heavily bruised and bleeding from a dozen cuts.

He didn't have time to recover before Juvia was upon him. Pouncing on him like a frenzied animal, Juvia grabbed the man by the throat and preceeded to throttle him. Water evaporated off the mage as a red mist descended over her eyes. Using all of her strength, she repeatedly slammed his head against the building.

Teeth gritted, Juvia drew her arm back for another blow when suddenly a hand grabbed her wrist and stopped her. Pivoting her head, Juvia gasped slightly as she saw Grey gently but firmly holding her. Horrified by the sight of his ally being violently dashed against the inn's wall, the fighter holding Grey had hesistated, unsure whether he should keep fighting the ice mage or otherwise go and attempt to pull Juvia off of him. This moment of hesitation was all Grey needed. Driving his elbow into his attacker's gut, Grey had broken free of his and doubled over by the blow, the third man had chosen wisely to gather up Tobacco breath and stumble out of the inn before either of the mage's fury could be further vented upon them. Slowly Grey shook his head.

"Let him go. He isn't worth it."

Eyes locked with Grey's, Juvia dropped the drunk as though in a trance. Relieved to have been forgotten for the time being, he crawled out of the inn after his buddies, great blossoms of purple adorning his face. For a few seconds, Grey gently held Juvia, attempting to calm her down before turning to the innkeeper and asking for their room key.

Rushing out from behind her hiding place, the girl ran over to them. As she led them up the stairs, the girl kept glancing at Juvia furtively as though afraid that the water girl would lunge at her if she tried to flirt with Grey. Normally Juvia would have given her a warning glare but in this case, she was simply too tired to do so. Reaching their door, the girl handed them the key before rudhing back downstairs.

Sighing, Grey opened the door. The room was small but comfortable. Purple drapes hung from the window and a little sink propped up against the wall. A single king size bed took pride of place in the centre of the room. It was here that Grey's face started going pale. Surely there had to be somewhere else to sleep. Looking around the room, the ice mage sighed as he realised that no such arrangements had been made. Not even a sofa was present for him to lay on. By the look of Juvia's face, Grey could see that she had come to the same conclusion as he. They would have to sleep together.

"Are you okay with this?" Grey asked her, "I mean I guess I could sleep on the floor if you're not comfortable with this."

Juvia's response was a series of stutters while her face turned a vivid shade of scarlet. "Ssleep wi..with Ggrey?" Her sapphire eyes went slightly hazy and her face quickly took on a grin. Faster than Grey could follow, she wrapped her arms around him and nuzzled him slightly. "I knew this day would happen eventually. Oh the very thought makes me want to melt with joy, I can barely believe it."

Grey tried to pry himself out of her grasp, although if anything short of a crowbar would have been capable of such a feat.

"Alright," he said to her calmly, "But try not to get any ideas. I need some sleep after that so try not to toss too much."

If Juvia heard him, she gave no sign. Once again she had drifted off into her own little fantasy realm. Shaking his head, Grey allowed himself a faint smile as he undressed and climbed under the covers. Resting his head on the pillow, Grey felt his eyes growing heavy. A moment later, he fell away into sweet darkness.