The next morning Levy's thoughts unwillingly went to Gajeel. She couldn't believe how thin he had become in the months since the battle with Phantom Lord. The bones in his face stood out more now than they had before. Almost like a stray dog...

Annoyed with herself, Levy threw the blankets off of her. She couldn't afford to feel bad for him, not after everything he had done.

A swim would do her good and help keep her mind off of Fairytail's newest member. She grabbed her swimsuit and towel and put her ear to her dorm room's door, listening for any signs of movement. When she finally heard the noise of a door opening down the hall, she straightened up and opened her own door, almost walking straight into Cana. Both girls greeted each other and walked the short distance to the guild hall together. It was a beautiful day and Levy finished her breakfast quickly eager to get to the pool. It didn't seem as if Gajeel was at the guild hall yet so she felt confident going alone.

"Hey Mira!," Levy called. "Let Jet and Droy know I'm already at the pool will you?" At Mira's wave in response she jumped down from her seat and headed to the back to change into her bathing suit.

It eased her anxiety to see that there was already a small crowd at the guild hall's pool; she didn't have long to wait until the rest of Shadow Gear arrived.

With the help of her friends, the morning went by fast, and she was able to forget everything that had happened the last few months. She was finally beginning to feel like her old self again.

By mid afternoon Levy was worn out and relaxing by the side of the pool. She realized this was the most activity she had done since the Phantom Lord attack. She hadn't realized how out of shape she had become. Lost in thought she noticed the door to the pool area open and a familiar face walked into the room.

"Lu" she cried waving to her friend. Lucy's team had just gotten back from a job. "Let me get changed and then I want to hear all about your trip!" The bluenette said excitedly, drawing her feet out of the water and walked over to Lucy.

"Sure thing Lev!" Lucy said giving her friend a quick hug. "Just let me finish my tour of the guild. This place is amazing!" And with a quick wave and a smile Lucy walked back out of the room.

Levy changed as fast as she could. She always loved hearing the crazy stories Lucy told whenever she got back from a job with Natsu. But, by the time she returned to the main guild hall the doorway was blocked by a large crowd. She pushed past the sea of bodies until she found Jet and Droy. Peaking around one of the guild's large wooden posts, she watched as  Lucy, Natsu, Erza and Gray greeted Juvia as an old friend. The group honestly seemed happy to see her. Which made Levy happy. Juvia could use more friends.

Then the Master drew attention to the back of Gajeel. Levy flinched as Natsu yelled loud enough for his voice to echo around the hall.
                                        ooOoo

Gajeel was quietly eating his lunch when the fire breather's obnoxious voice rang through the hall hurting his ears.

"GAJEEL! WHAT IS HE DOING HERE?" Salamander yelled. He suddenly threw his head back and with a roar of frustration yelled: "AHHHHH!"

Gajeel cast a weary glance over his shoulder and then returned to eating his bits of iron. The fire breathing idiot wasn't worth his time.

"MASTER! WHAT KIND OF JOKE IS THIS SUPPOSED TO BE?" Great now the ice mage was yelling as well. He heard Juvia start to sputter and trip over her words trying to defend him. The rain woman was always trying to defend him. He laughed to himself as she suddenly realized it sounded as though she had a romantic interest Gajeel and tried to make it clear to Gray that he was the only person she was interested in.

He kept his back to them as Titania also expressed her displeasure at the person responsible for destroying their guild was now a member.

"Humph" Gajeel muttered. As if she hadn't destroyed a town or two with the help of Salamander  and Ice Breath. So he had punched a few holes in the guild's walls. He thought darkly. And seriously injured three of their guildmates. His dragon responded helpfully.  "Shut the hell up." He muttered under his breath, unsure if it was directed toward his dragon or the shouting guild members.

                                       ooOoo

The roar of her guildmates was deafening. Levy could feel a headache starting to form. She desperately wanted to escape find a book and a quiet spot and just get lost in the pages. Suddenly Lucy's voice broke through the shouting asking the one question Levy had hoped no one would ask.

"What about Levy?" Lucy demanded. "Did you even consider how she would feel having him here?" Her voice rang with disgust on the word him.

Levy could feel all of the eyes in the room focus on her. Sweat trickled down her back and she fought not to squirm. She gripped the pillar tighter and tried to find her voice. She hoped she wasn't shaking as she opened her mouth.

"Uh-uuhhh" Real elegant Levy. She thought. Maybe she could turn into the pillar. "I'm n-not bothered. Really... it's ok." She hopes she was putting on a brave enough face. She held her breath. Please accept my words. She thought. She knew her knuckles were white from griping the pillar so tightly. As soon as everyone focused back on the group in the center of the guild Levy dashed out of the back door. As soon as she was outside she took a deep breath enjoying the fresh air. She could hear footsteps coming up behind her and she turned to see that Jet and Droy had followed her from the guild hall their faces dark. They had been friends long enough that she knew what they were thinking and really didn't want to have the conversation that was hanging above their heads. So she took the cowards way out and told them she was tired and heading back to her dorm. She quickly said goodbye before they could protest and dashed down the road.

Instead of heading to her room however she went farther into Magnolia.  People and buildings streamed by but her focus never wavered. She had been brave enough for one day she thought as her destination appeared before her. It was an old run down bookstore but she wouldn't trade it for anything. She walked inside and ran her hand over the spines of the books, lined up like soldiers at attention. One caught her eye and she pulled it from its ranks and walked to her favorite chair and settled down to read.

                                        ooOoo

Gajeel watched the small mage run from the guild hall. She definitely wasn't "fine" despite what she told her guild mates. She couldn't even stand to be in the same room as him. She must not have thought that he could see her flinch every time he moved. As if he was about to strike her from across the guild hall.  It would be better if he left. But Fairytail was the only real guild that accepted him. He had no desire to join Raven Tail, the only other guild who had offered him a spot. He had already been hunted as a villain and he was done living off of scraps.

He pushed his thoughts of Levy aside and focused back on Natsu who was still yelling, this time about the type of jobs Gajeel would take. Gajeel had enough and stood facing the fire breather. 

"Relax I'm not here to make friends" Gajeel growled. "I'm just here for jobs, any guild would have worked. This guild makes me sick so don't think I'll be working for its sake." He could see Natsu's eye starting to twitch. It was almost too easy. Unfortunately for Gajeel the master cut in before Natsu could explode again.  He quickly pacified the complaints of the returning members and got them settled at Gajeel's table for Mira's big show.

It didn't take long for Natsu to start to whine. Between the fire breathing idiot and Mira's singing Gajeel soon grew bored. He wanted to be away from the crowded guild hall. Somewhere quiet and preferably dark. And why was this chick getting all of the attention. He thought. He could sing way better than she could. Natsu's muttering was about to drive him to madness if he didn't do something quickly. Thinking through he options Gajeel suddenly stomped on Natsu's foot and then sat back to watch the fireworks. True to his nature Natsu jumped up screaming at Gajeel. Mira's fans promptly began screaming and throwing anything within reach at Natsu. This resulted in the fire mage getting more enraged, which made his guild mates get angrier. It happened so fast that the master was unable to stop it and once Gray knocked Erza's slice of cake onto the floor, a full out brawl was happening inside the newly rebuilt guild. Gajeel started to laugh as he deflected a punch and returned one of his own with amazing accuracy. Maybe this place won't be so bad he thought.