Hey guys! I had a lot of fun writing today's chapter (not that I usually don't ;) but I was anxious to write that one!) It's also the longest chapter up to now. Then again, almost half of the ideas I had where postponed to chapter 7... Guess I got a little carried away ;)

Enjoy! :)

Laxus dropped himself on the bench of the "borrowed" car before giving a big hit on the steering wheel that almost damaged it. "Who does she thinks she is?" And that old fool... He had some nerve to send someone to spy on him! After some long minutes, the pressure dropped, a little, while the information he had gathered on Ivan took their place back in his mind. His father imprisoned for murder? The idea was disturbing enough, but what destabilised him even more was the fact that, in more than a year, Ivan never tried to contact him. The young man shook his head. He must have a good reason. His father surely had stayed behind to keep his discretion. Whatever was his excuse, Laxus wanted to dig out the truth as soon as possible.

Without really knowing where to go, Laxus started the engine and let his thoughts wander, trying to analyse the information acquired. Even if the murder was the most shocking crime, the officer also mentioned drug traffic. Much to his displeasure, he wasn't surprised by that last accusation. He simply had to find out why. A decrepit dock. An old wooden shack. Fogg... Images flowed through his mind until something concrete took form. His father had taken him in that place when he was much younger. It was a secluded area of the port of Hargeon. The more he thought about it, the more certain he was about the validity of his memory.

Ivan probably didn't deal in the area anymore, but what other trail did had he? At the fist occasion, he did a U turn, having already passed Hargeon's direction. It was a couple hours from his current location but Laxus didn't give a damn. Anyway, going back to Fairy Tail was the last thing he wanted to do, especially knowing his father was free, out there somewhere.

Without his knowledge, with a safe distance from him, was a white haired young woman, determined to keep him in track.

***

When Levy woke up, the sun already had risen for a couple of hours. The young woman stretched with satisfaction. She slept well that night. In fact, she couldn't recall the last time she had such a nice rest. She must admit that the past few weeks, she neglected a little her sleep, and that, especially after being brutally woken up by Gajeel. Gajeel... The bluenette felt her cheeks blushing at the only thought of the young man. She dug her head back to her pillow. It was absolutely impossible that an idiot like him could make her react like that. "Anyhow, blushing didn't meant anything, right?" She started to convince herself. He was obnoxious, stubborn, self-centred... Then again, she couldn't pretend she had a bad time last night. On the contrary, she could even say that she had... enjoyed? "No, maybe not that much", she chased the idea away.

Well decided to keep the black haired man from her mind, she got out of bed for good, ready to go prepare herself some breakfast. "Hope there's still time to eat before job" she thought. All her hopes where lost when she saw what hour it was.

- Eleven thirty!!! She exclaimed herself incredulous.

Had she really forgot to put on her alarm last evening? She was never late! Not even once. Without even bothering about her messy hair, she put on a bandana, put on her uniform and ran to the door.

Out of breath, despite the short distance, she arrived to the hostel, running face to face with M. Makarov.

- Hi there Levy, he said as if nothing was wrong.

The young woman bit her lower lip.

- I'm so sorry M. Mak...

- When was the last time you were late? Interrupted the owner.

- I was never... she started, uncomfortable.

- That pretty sums it up! You're only human after all.

To the uneasy girl, Makarov added.

- Don't worry, I found a substitute for the morning. You should reserve your apologises to him.

- Yes sir!

- Ah and one last thing... Can you please take back your post as soon as possible? He added holding a laughter. I'm afraid Gajeel will scare away all of our customers if he keeps on.

Blood rose to her cheeks for the second time of the day. Gajeel was the one who took her place? He haven't started yet his own job, had specified Makarov. That was why he was, technically, the best choice.

- Why him? She mumbled anyway, embarrassed.

Her discomfort was however soon replaced by a burst of laughter. In front of her was Gajeel, obviously annoyed by a herd of tourists.

- Sir? Which walking trail do you recommend? Was asking a tourist.

- Tssss. Why won't you just take a look in the map your holding? Everything seems clear enough in it.

- But that brochure is from last year! Exclaimed the client's wife.

- So what? To do really think they refurbish the damn forest each year?

- Who do you think you are? Shouted the indignant woman.

"Crap!" Levy told herself by looking at Gajeel while he was showing... how could she put it? A big lack of diplomacy.

- Sorry Mrs. It's my friend's first day and he's a little bit nervous.

- Ain't nerv....ouch! He complained when she irrupted him with à kick in the tibia.

- I'm Levy McGarden and it'll be my pleasure the answer all your questions. For starters, with that little man, she added while pointing the child at their feet, I propose one of the seven family paths. I suggest the 1.24 miles one which is boarded by water stands...

The young woman continued, recommending and presenting pedestrian trails and touristic attractions, providing their every needs, even if they weren't aware of them themselves, reciting statistics and distances without any hesitation. When she was finally done with the last tourist, she noticed Gajeel's dumbfounded look.

- You really are amazing, he told her without thinking.

Even if she could detect a small blush on Gajeel's cheeks, she looked away when she felt the blood raising to her own... third time, Levy thought with annoyance.

- Th...thanks. And a thank you so much for replacing me. I never forgot my alarm before!

- Tsssss, he let out as a response. Don't do it again.

He was about to go away when she hold him by the harm.

- Eum.....

- What?

- I haven't had breakfast.

- So what?

Levy rose her eyes to the sky and continued, ignoring the compelling urge to slap him.

- It's lunch time and I ow you one... I can offer you lunch if you want.

The giant, at least from her point of view, was staring at her like she was a nuisance. Then he smiled and ruffled her hair.

- You'll soon be unable to leave my side if you keep on. Gihi!

- Pffff! As if!

- That's what you think Shrimp!

- Shop calling me that!

- And what are you going to do to me if I don't....Shrimp?

- You're getting on my nerves! She cried, walking to the exit.

A smile up his face, he followed her nonchalantly.

***

It was almost one in the morning when Laxus finally parked the car in the port of Hageon. After thinking over and over about the place, it didn't took him long to locate the place where his father had taken him. Indeed, he had stayed in the car during that visit, but it still had been a memorable place.

Laxus got out of the vehicle and headed to the hangar, practically in ruins, at the end of the dock. He scanned the surroundings, looking for any kind of clue that could give him a sign his father was still linked to the place. After a couple of minutes of vain searches, he realise that there weren't such evidences. However, the lack of dust on multiple shelves was a proof of recent human activity. The young Dreyar, decided to deepen his exploration but a noise outside broke his concentration. On guard, he exited the hangar to easily spot a silhouette.

- It's a bad thing to touch someone else's stuff, told a voice.

- I'm quite certain they're plenty of "bad things" out here, he retorted.

Laxus only saw little in the obscurity, but he could still see, to his own satisfaction, the man frown.

- We'll teach you to mind your own business, he sneered while getting closer.

- We?

Three other persons came out of the shade. Shit, he thought. In a one or two against one fight, he could probably get through it, but four? These guys were clearly not the kind to be trodden upon. Whatever. He had plenty of anger to evacuate.

With ease, he repelled the attack of the first one. It only took him an instant to figure out where his opponent was aiming, parry it and return the favor by a solid hit that destabilised his adversary. He barely had time to recover from his momentum that two other hits were aiming at him. Laxus was able to avoid them, but couldn't see the fourth man who plunged his fist in his stomach. He was instantly breathless.

- Bastard, he growled through his teeth before receiving another punch, this time on the nose from which a blood river flowed.

- You want more of it? Sneered the first one, trying to kick him while Laxus had lost hi balance.

But Laxus wasn't ready to let him do so and grabbed the foot before it hit him. A triumphant smile appeared on the blonde's lips when he achieved to make his opponent loose his balance. But his triumph was a short one and he was well aware that against four enemies he wouldn't be able to vanquish them all. When two of them were able to immobilise him, making him vulnerable to the other's hit, Laxus was expecting a swarm of shots.

- It's not very kind of you to attack four against one! Cried a radiant voice.

Even with the dark swallowing almost everything, he saw long silver stands of hair that seemed to reflect all the light available, making the young woman visible.

- What kind of idiot are you? Get away from here now! Yelled Laxus to the careless receptionist he recognised right away.

- And let you all by yourself with them? She replied, pointing his opponents.

Her retort initiated his assailant's laughs.

- You should have listen to your friend, beautiful, he said practically undressing her with his perverted eyes.

- Get out of here Mirajane! Brawled Laxus disgusted by the man and the fact that he couldn't do anything to get her out of that mess, as stupid as she could be.

- Too late for that, sneered the man rising a hand to grab Mira's arm.

An instant later, the opponent was on the ground, moaning in pain, a hand on his sore jaw while staring at Mira, not understanding what just happened. Laxus didn't really understood himself by what miracle an innocent girl like Mira just achieved such prowess. The young woman did the same with one of the men holding Laxus. It was exactly the diversion he needed and, giving one hit with his shoulder, he recovered his freedom, blocking just in time a hit aimed at Mira temple.

- Thanks, she said out of breath.

- We're not out of it yet, he simply said, his back to Mira's while their opponents where trying to circle them.

Indeed, they weren't out of the woods yet, but with her, at least, they had a chance. Ready to parry another attack, he couldn't help himself to wonder where Mira got those abilities. Only minutes ago, he never would give her a chance against them, but now? Mira just revealed herself as a totally different person. She really was amazing.

You liked it? Expect more action for the next chapters ;)

Lily xx