Hey Guys! Sorry for the delay :o Big chapter today to thank you for your patience :)

Gajeel ran to Levy's apartment without thinking. Not that it was in his habits to linger on details, but at that moment, he completely had forgotten all common sense. Normally, he would, at least, have checked if they were armed or simply decided that it's not his problem and walk away without a wince. However, every fiber of his body seamed focused on the urge of getting to his destination as quickly as possible. Since when had they got there? Was she hurt? Or worse... no matter how much courage that short stuff could have, she wouldn't be able to hold long against two man of the caliber of those they had already fought.

When the image of the lifeless blue haired woman when through his mind, the unsettling feeling in the bottom of his stomach was more present than ever. He decided to ignore it, as difficult as was the task, and barged in the living room. He felt his heart ease a bit when he saw her on her feet, he baseball bat in her hands, repelling her attackers like she did with him. "Gihi!" Couldn't help the young man seeing that little shrimp standing up to those two big guys.

He didn't stay there to contemplate the scene and, with a boost, crushed violently the heard of the closest man to the wall in it. If the first one was startled by a surprise attack though, the other one would probably be ready to give a good fight. As to confirm what was on his mind, a stifled cry brought his attention back on Levy. To reach him, their attacker had traced a long red trail near her temple, only millimeters away from her eyebrow, missing her eye narrowly. Angry of missing his target, Ivan's mignon was about to hit again but, this time, he wouldn't miss. Listening only to his instinct, he deflected the dagger with his own hand, not without letting out a pained cry when the blade found its way through his skin. He however haven't said his last word and managed to take control of the struggle, now bare handed since his enemy dropped his weapon. When the man was finally out of commission, Gajeel allowed himself to swear, looking at his hand.

- Gajeel! He heard a small voice calling him while he started to reconnect with the real world.

He didn't answer right away, looking his surroundings for a sign of other intrusions. Then, his inspection of the apartment done, he focussed back on Levy, walking to her with a piercing look.

- You...think it was the same men as last time? She broke the silence.

The young man nodded in confirmation.

- They've decided we know too much, she had the same conclusion as Gajeel.

She seemed to be fighting against her fear, then disappeared in her thoughts, staring at nothing. Gajeel continued to look at her for a moment then placed his hand on the side of her face to examine her wound.

- We'll have to do something with that, he concluded pointing the cut in question. But you should get out of it without any stiches.

- And you! She exclaimed getting out of her stupor. Show me your hand!

- Tssss... Never mind, he said flatly.

However, he finally stretched his hand after facing her insistent stare, Levy still having her hands in from of her, waiting. Laying in Levy's hands, his seemed to be bigger then normal. Her big hazel eyes were caught in a frown by her concentration during her short examination. Then she lifted her eyes on him, release now in them.

- I don't think you'll need stiches either, she concluded with a smile. Wait, I'll get the material to bandage it.

She came back, a few seconds later from her bathroom with a first aid kit and started to disinfect the wound before applying a bandage on it.

- Sorry, she said when he emitted a growl of pain to her contact.

- It's nothing shrimp, he whispered.

Then, when his hand had received the appropriate care, he started to do the same with Levy's cut. Seeing her clenching her teeth to hide the pain, Gajeel tried to be gentler. At least, as gentle as the black haired man was able to get. Decidedly, something was wrong with him, he thought while the unpleasant feeling in his abdomen had changed since the little shrimp was safe... different sensation, but not less annoying. He probably had a bloody cold or something.

- Why are you having that dumb smile? He growled as a timid smile appeared in the young woman's face.

Red added to her checks when she realised he had noticed.

- It... it's nothing, she rushed to say.

- Spit it out, said Gajeel losing his patience.

- I.... she started while playing with her fingers. I was thinking that now we would have a scar at the very same place.

It was Gajeel's turn to feel heat to his cheeks. Tssssss. Stupid cold. Destabilised, he hurried to finish her bandage.

- Stay right here. I'm getting Lily. If those guys are ready to kill people, then they will obviously not hold back for a cat.

- What? Are you insane? What if they're waiting for you in your apartment? You can't go by yourself!

- If you come with me, I'll have to make sure you don't get killed. No way you're following me!

She was about to complain, but he slammed the door in front of her.

- You're the most stubborn man on earth Gajeel Redfox! She yelled to him across the broken window.

- And you, Levy McGarden, you're the most insistent shrimp I've ever met, he said before entering his building without looking back.

He climbed the stairs, satisfied to see she hadn't follow. He opened the door and didn't see any traces of intrusion."Pfff... The shrimp was worried for not..." He didn't have time to complete his reflection before a man jumped in his back, a dagger on his throat. Only his reflexes where responsible of his intact neck, the young man placing his hand before his throat, right were the blade should have pierced his skin. He pressed his soaked with blood hand to his chest. With a single movement, he took off the now useless bandage while the second assassin came out of the kitchen. "Shrimp was right... they were waiting for me". He didn't have any more time to think. The men were coming at him. With a movement he was only able to pull because of his numerous years on the streets, he was able to make one of the men drop his dagger witch continued its course right under the cupboards. As for the other one, Gajeel had barely the time to grab the beer bottle he hadn't had time to finish and broke it on the man's forehead. Sadly, the one he managed to unarm hadn't say his last word and he felt a chair smash the back of his head.

Gajeel may have a thick skull, the hit was able to destabilise him more than he had hope. His enemy took advantage of the situation and added a violent hit with his knee on his face and everything when dark around him. He hadn't lost conscience, but it was as if. His reflexes were practically inexistent, his vision was foggy, his strength was cut off. When he felt himself lifted by the collar, Gajeel saw through the fog the silver luster of a knife ready to end him.

Instead of the sharp pain he was expecting, he felt a heavy mass collapsing on him. Slowly, the mass disappeared from him. Then he felt something smooth playing with his long bangs in such a gentle way he almost feel asleep for good. But a voice hooked him to reality. As time passed without him being able to articulate a decent answer, the voice became more insistent, the fingers running through his hair betraying anxiety. Then his vision when clearer and he finally could notice the blue of her hair.

- Told you to stay at your apartment, idiot, he managed to say.

- Have you seen the state you're in? She yelled on him giving him a punch on the thorax.

She hadn't hurt him, but for once, he hold back his comments. When his vision was completely restored, he saw her little face above his, tears at the corner of her eyes. Next to them, Levy's baseball bat was lying near the man that nearly killed him.

- You did that?

- Who else!

- Gihi, you sure are the most impressive shrimp I've met.

- What is that suppose to mean? She started to complain, but Gajeel knew she wasn't sincere... at least not completely.

The rest of the night was at the hospital where Levy had "convinced" Gajeel to have stiches on the hand that was now too banged up to do without. Gajeel had agreed to go only to please the young woman who didn't stopped babbling about it. Although, he had to admit the idea of having a wound that didn't reopen at every movement wasn't as bad as he was letting out.

They finally went back to Levy's home, from where the men had regain back their consciousness and left. It was probably the same at Gajeel's place. Seeing the way was clear, they finally let Lily out of his jacket. The poor thing had to stay hidden during their visit to the hospital because of the lack of place to keep him safe. As always, it took place on the couch and waited for his master to come, purring in anticipation.

- I absolutely adore your cat, couldn't help Levy when it took place on her knees.

Gajeel also sat on the couch.

- My apartment his doomed apparently, she sighed looking to her wall and window.

Then, as if she was hit by the best idea ever, she added maliciously.

- What do you think about an invitation for dinner... soon?

- Tssss... if you want me to repair you stuff you just have to ask directly. Anyways, I'm the one who'll be cooking so what do a get from the deal?

- Thanks, she said kissing quickly his cheek.

- I never said yes, he grumbled even though he knew that, for an obscure reason, he would accept in the end.

He mentally thanked the darkness of the room that hid the annoying redness of his cheeks and decided it was time to go. He was about to rise when a minuscule hand on his shoulder stopped him.

- What? He dropped.

- Eum.... I mean... could you....

- Just say it shrimp.

- Stay. Please. I...I feel safe when you're around. I can lend you my bed if you want! She added quickly. I'll sleep on the couch...

She continued to stammer like that a little longer, he face all red, but Gajeel wasn't listening to her anymore, staring at her as if she was an alien.

- Never mind. She said finally. It...It was stupid to ask anyway.

She started again, obviously embarrassed, while Gajeel was trying to analyse what she was asking. Did she really felt safe with him? Until now, people called him scary, but never a protector. This thought, although destabilising, made him somehow happy.

- Would you shut you gums already? He finally said. I'll stay, no need to talk that much!

Levy nodded, her surprise slowly transforming in relief. They stayed like that in silence before Gajeel noticed she was crying.

- What the hell? What's the problem now?

- It's just... I don't know. I was so afraid today.

Gajeel didn't add a thing. What could he possibly say to that? He didn't know how to act either.

- Would you just stop crying!

In his complain, he lifted his arms in her direction. Not to threaten her, just to... he didn't even knew what he wanted to do. Apparently, Levy understood and took advantage of the opening he just created to slip between his arms, now against his chest, as if he was a shelter. Gajeel stayed his arms up an instant, not really knowing what to do with them before putting them down against her back. Against all expectations, it was pretty comfortable and, soon enough, her tears stopped. It didn't take much more for both of them to fall asleep.

Here you go! I treated myself with that one ;) And don't worry Miraxus fans, the next one should please you :D

Lily xx