{So this was supposed to be a GaLe AND NaLu, but I kinda got caught up in the GaLe. I will try to fight more NaLu in but you NaLu fans will not be happy with me...}

Gajeel P.O.V

I held Levys hand as we walked through the dark streets, an idiotic smile plastered to my face. She hummed lightly as we walked, swinging our joined hands as she did and I chuckled as we rounded the corner, the drop point and Gildarts in sight. He stood as we approached him and Levy handed him the case of serum. His eyes saw our laced hands and he rose an eyebrow, making Levy blush. He grinned and pat my shoulder, "Way to go kids." I tried to ignore the heat in my own cheeks.

And then he was serious. " There is going to be a Runner meeting in an hour. Mandatory." He glanced at me, knowing I was prone to missing meetings. "I'll make sure he's there." Shrimp said with a smile and I snorted. Gildarts never lost his serious look as he turned and walked away. " I'm going to go home and change." Shrimp said, holding up her skirt with a frown. I chuckled and ruffled her hair. " I'll right. Pick you up in thirty minutes?" I asked and she smiled, nodding.

We split up at a side alley, a short cut to my and Salamanders place, and I hurried home to change. I walked in and stopped, raising an eyebrow at the two on my couch. Natsu was fast asleep, leaned against the arm of the couch, and laying against his chest and down between  his legs, was Lucy.  I rolled my eyes and left them alone, heading into my room to change. Once I was in my muscle shirt and camo cargo shorts I went back to the living room, and stood behind the couch. I sighed and smacked Natsu square upside the head, causing him to jump. " Wha?!" he grumbled, Lucy also jumping awake.

" Meeting at Miras place in thirty minutes. Mandatory.  Let's go." I said but he just grumbled and went back to sleep. " Lucy move." I grumbled and she stood, yawning and rubbing her eyes. I bent down and easily flipped the couch, dumping Natsu onto the floor. " Ass!" He shouted as I headed for the door. " Make sure he shows up Blondy." I called as I left. I quickly walked to Shrimps place, arriving just as she walked out the door. She adjusted her beanie, smiling when she saw me. I took her small hand in mine, pulling her with me as we headed for the bar. "What do you think Gildarts wants to talk to us about? " she asked as she went back to swinging our hands.

I shrugged. "Who knows with that old man." she rolled her eyes as I opened the door for us. It was full of Runners, even some of the older Runners were there. There was also the younger set, they didn't do dangerous serum runs, but they did run for supplies and food. There was Wendy, a girl who was barely shorter than Levy. She was in training under Gildarts to be a doctor, like Levy, but she knew much more. Romeo always hung out at the house with Natsu, seeing a role model in the idiot. Asuka was the youngest and she was always attached to Wendy's side. There were Runners sitting in the rafters, on tables and along the bar. Mira kept having to swat Cana from reaching behind the bar for more liquor.

Levy pulled my hand, pointing to where Lucy and Natsu were waving, and lead me through the crowd so we could sit with them. There was a low murmur of chatter as we waited for the large red haired man to arrive. Right on time, Gildarts came in and moved to the center of the room, causing the chatter to die down.

" I'm not gonna dance around the bush here guys. We are in trouble." He said in a loud serious tone. " As I'm sure most of you are aware, though some of you arnt, Erza has left. She has taken Dr . Fernandez, and left town for both of their safety. Now, without Scarlet, the coats will be on us like flies." He looked around, locking eyes with every single one of us. " Along with him, other doctors have started going missing. Dr. Justine being one of them.  As of tonight, we will not be able to do regular serum runs. This here." He held up two black cases. " Is the last of the serum we have got. I have saved it for you all. But after next week... I don't know what we will do."His voice was quiet after that. The bar was so still and silent you could hear a pin drop. " From here on out, you have to fight for yourselves. The slums are crumbling, this... Disease riddled corner of the city will slowly die. And us with it." At this, Natsu stood, slamming his hands on the table.

" That is a load of crap old man." He yelled, causing everyone to look at him. " As long as one of us is breathing, we can go on. Sure it will be harder now, but I will not give up. I will keep fighting."He said with that stupid grin of his. I could help but laugh. " Salamanders right. We can't give up now, some of us just get a break." I said with a grin. There were nods and words of agreement.  Gildarts chuckled, shaking his head. " You kids, your all insane, you know that right?" There were some laughs scattered about.

After that, he motioned for everyone to line up for their shots. Levy said she'd wait till the end, so I sat with her, my arm around her shoulders. Once it was our turn she gestured for me to go ahead. The doors burst open as Gildarts finished with my arm and we turned, a small dirty child running up to us. " Dr. please! My brother needs help!" he cried as I moved out of the way. "What's wrong with your brother?" Gildarts asked as he picked up the small child. " He's sick! He hasn't had his shot and now he can't get up!" he cried and I tensed a little. His brother had caught the plague. Gildarts kept his face composed but I could see the hurt in his eyes. " I'm sorry, but we only have one-" He was cut off by Levy picking up the last of the serum, the last shot. Her shot.

She knelt down in front of him and the small boy. " Can you take me to your brother? We have just enough for him." She said with a smile, and before anyone could stop her, she left with the boy. " Levy!"I called after her, but she was gone by the time I got outside. " Damn it!" I kicked over a near by trash can. A large hand grabbed my shoulder and i looked at Gildarts.  "If this is what she wants to do then we have to let her." He said, though that hurt was still there. "But she could die! " I shouted at him. I ran my hand through my hair as I paced in front of the bar. " After the little speech you and Natsu just did, your gonna get scarred now?" He said with a small grin. I sighed and shook my head. " But it's her..."

Levy P.O.V

After leaving the two kids in their small house, I decided to run by Droys. I knew Gajeel, and even Lucy would be mad about what I had done, but I couldn't let a child die. I used my pocket communicator to send a message to Lucy, letting her know where I'd be. I quickly reached the old scaffolding and swung up it, reaching the zip line in no time at all, and sliding inside.

Droy was still up but it looked like he was getting ready to turn in for the night. " Levy, what a surprise." I smiled a little. "Sorry for the late visit."He shook his head and motioned to one of the stools at the table. I lifted myself up and took the offered tea. " What can I help you with?"He asked after awhile. I usually only came this late when there was something I had trouble with. I sighed a little.and put down my tea cup. " How... How long did it take for Jet, to first show signs?" I asked quietly.

He froze in what he was doing and looked at me."Well from his last shot, almost a week. It starts to hit pretty quick really. The serum is good for a week, which is why a new dose is needed almost immediately. Why?" He narrowed his eyes at me. I sighed a little and told him.  He grabbed my arms, startling me. " Why would you do that? ! You realize you just signed your own death certificate right?" He nearly shouted. I sighed and pushed him away. " I couldn't just let a kid die Droy. Besides, I don't plan on going out without a fight."I said with a small smile. I slid off the stool and headed for the other zip line.

I walked along the roof tops, not wanting to go home, but not really wanting to be alone. I knew that in the next few days, I would begin to succumb to the plague, and unless we got more serum soon, I would be dead in three weeks. Maybe sooner. I sighed and decided to head back to the bar, hopefully everyone was gone and I could just drink alone. I dropped down just outside and pushed open the door. The bar was empty, well, almost. I smiled a little at the head of long black hair sitting at the bar, a full drink at an empty seat beside him.

I quietly walked up to him and sat beside him, in front of the drink. We were quiet for a few minutes, I sipped my drink, blushing lightly when I realized he ordered my favorite drink. " You know what you did was stupid right?" He asked quietly, not looking at me. I smiled a little. " I know." "You know your not allowed out of my sight now right?" I smiled a little and took his hand that laid on the bar, giving it a tight squeeze. " I know."