Gabbey was seated at the bar, munching away at some ramen that Mira had made for her. There was even bits of zinc metal cubes in the food that the bartender didn't even have to be asked to do. Daella was out on a mission with Gajeel and Lily, a request that didn't really interest Gabbriel herself, but the Exceed wants to explore everywhere on Earthland. Carla had decided to join Daella, after the sandy colored exceed begged her nonstop for an hour. 

It was early in the afternoon, barely even past noon, when Gabbey was attacked from behind. 

   "Gabbey!" Levy cheered, throwing her arms around Gabbey's neck. The said Dragon Slayer choked on her food in surprise as Levy let go and beamed happily at her. 

   "What's your problem?" Gabbey asked rudely - but Levy didn't take it to heart. "You never greet me like that, much less anyone else."

   "I've come to cash in my favor!" Levy declared. 

   ". . .Your favor?"

Levy let out a dramatic sigh, plopping herself into the chair next to Gabbey. "My spa favor! Remember, you said that we would go on an actual spa day and I could invite whoever I wanted!" 

   "Did I really say that?"

   "Yeah!"

Gabbey let out  long groan, putting her face onto the counter top with a thud. "Oh, come one, it won't be that bad!" Levy chided. 

   "Easy for you to say," Gabbey grumbled, raising her head up to face the small blue-haired girl. "Whose coming along?"

   "Hmmm," Levy hummed, looking around the guild hall. "Lucy. . .Wendy. . .Mira. . .Erza. . .Lisanna. . .I think that's it!"

   "Have you even asked them?" Gabbey mused. 

   "Of course I did! You're the last person to know!"

   "So. . .You told everyone else but me, leaving me to be the last one to have no choice but to go. . .You're becoming too much like me."

🌹🌹🌹 

The train ride to Simply Magic Spa was a long one, a train ride that was full of gossip and mindless chatter. Of course, trying to slowly make her way into the group, Gabbriel joined in on some conversations. 

When they finally arrived, the Fairy Tail group made their way out of the train station and started to head towards the lobby of the spa place they were going to visit. 

Apparently, the spa they were going to wasn't like any other spa before. It was a like a small town, the owner of the place claiming a rather large chunk of land and filling it to the brim with random rooms and pools to enhance the beauty or give someone relaxation. 

   "Hello, ladies! Welcome to Simply Magic Spa! How can I help you today?" A perky blond lady greeted them as the Fairy tail group walked into the lobby. 

   "Hello! We were just checking in, we're the Fairy Tail group," Levy led the group, seeing as she was in charge for the set up. 

   "Ah, yes! The group that books out our largest suite. Well, here's a key to your room, an extra one as well, and if you just follow me this way, we can get you situated!"

The walk to their room wasn't too long, just around two corners and down a hallway before the receptionist stopped in front of a white door with gold designs.

   "Alright, ladies, here is your room for the next couple days. If you need anything, my name is Rachelle. I hope you enjoy your stay here!" 

Rachelle sent them one last smile before walking back to the lobby. Gabbey watched her and just when she was out of ear shot, she spoke. "I don't like her."

   "You don't like anyone, Gabs."

   "That's a lie," Gabbey huffed, turning towards Levy. "Hurry up and open the door, I'm tired of carrying my bag."

   "B-But, Gabbey," Wendy stammered. "You only have a backpack."

True enough, Gabbey was the only one that had a backpack. Everyone else had two or more bags. Lucy even brought six of her pink bags.

   "So?"

   "Well, lets check out our room!" Levy unlocked the door and opened it. The group of women (and child) marched right into the room before stopping with wide eyes. The walls were white, and the ceiling is tall. There were windows everywhere, making the room light up in the sunlight. 

It was all one room - the kitchen and living room being connected as one with there was only one hallway that lead to three different doors. The living room had different colored couches spread out in one area around a table - the colors ranging from off white to medium grey. A fireplace was in front of the sitting area with a bookshelf right next to it. No doubt Levy would take that over. 

   "Wow," Lisanna murmured, setting her bags down. "It's big."

   "Enough to hold all of us," Erza agreed, her wagon of bags somehow fitting through the door. Gabbey didn't question it. 

   "The kitchen looks wonderful!" Mira exclaimed, blue eyes in awe at the well-kept kitchen place. 

   "Well, with Mira here, we know we won't starve," Gabbey snorted as a joke, making Wendy grin. 

   "I love your cooking, Mira!" 

   "Aw, thank you!" 

   "Okay!" Levi clapped her hands together to get everyone's attention. "For the rest of the day, we're just going to chill here, maybe look around the place. But we got here later than I expcted. There is two bedrooms that each have two king size beds. So, each of us is going to share a bed, expect one person. Ready. . .GO!"

It was mayhem as everyone ran towards the two rooms, trying to claim a bed to themselves. Well, everyone but Wendy and Gabbey. The two watched in a deadpanned expression. "Gabbey, can we share a bed?"

   "Yeah, why not?" Gabbey grumbled. "I can at least stand you for a long amount of time,"

Although it wasn't much of a compliment, Wendy's brighting face made a soft smile appear on Gabbey's face as she lead the younger girl through the hallway fight. 

Like Levy said, the room was big. The ceiling was just as high as the living room/kitchen and the wall were still the same white color. Wendy eagerly jumped on the bed to her liking, dropping her bags at the foot of the bed. It looked like she was about to stand up but quickly dropped to sit and pouted slightly. 

   "What's up?" Gabbey asked, setting her backpack besides Wendy's and sitting next to the smaller girl. "You don't like this bed? We can always snag the next one while they're still out there fighting."

   "It's not that," Wendy shook her head. "This bed is really bouncy, and the ceiling it really high. I was going to jump on it, but Carla always said it was rude. . ."

Gabbey let a small smirk fill her face as she stood up on the bed and held a hand out to Wendy. "Welll, Carla isn't here at the moment, is she?"

    "No. . ." Wendy drawled out slowly, a smile etching itself on her face. "She's not."

   "Well, come on then," Gabbey heaved Wendy to stand up on the bed before jumping a bit. "Lets have some fun."

Wendy watched Gabbey as she started to jump on the bed, her black curled hair flying everywhere. When no one got onto Gabbey for jumping on the bed, Wendy joined her. The two of them bounced as high as they could, Wendy starting to giggle when Gabbey tried to do tricks but ended up falling flat on her back. 

The two of them took their time bouncing on the bed, jumping from one bed to the other and doing tricks to get across. Wendy was laughing a lot louder now, having the time of her life, while Gabbey just started to giggle. Brown and red eyes were lit up with happiness. 

They were having so much fun just jumping on the beds, that neither of them noticed that the hallway fight had stopped. Now, all the ladies were staring at the two of them. 

    "I've never seen her look so happy. . ."

   "I don't think I've ever heard Gabbey giggle before!"

   "Oh, they're so cute!"

   ". . .They may have found their bed, but we still need to get ourselves situated."

🌹🌹🌹

Gabbey shifted in her fluffy white robe, watching as the other girls easily slipped into the humongous hot tub and relax themselves. Lucy was having Wendy wash her back before doing the same to the younger girl. 

   "Come on, Gabbey! Hop in!" Lisanna called out, making everyone turn to look at the still dry Dragon Slayer. "It feels nice."

   "I'm not sure. . ."

   "Do you not want to be seen indecently? We can turn if it'd make you more comfortable," Mira offered kindly. 

   "No, it's not that. . ." Gabbey mumbled, feeling the bumps and cuts on her back start to burn at the thought. "Just. . .here."

Making sure she didn't turn around, Gabbey slid halfway into the water, threw off her robe and sunk into the warm water. She felt her muscles relax almost instantly, and she let out a content sigh. 

   "See? Feels nice!" 

   "Yeah, it does," Gabbey agreed, sinking more into the water. 

Throughout the day, the ladies split into small groups to do what they wished while they were here. Gabbey was, of course, with Levy and Wendy. Together, the three of them got massages, mud masks, and their hair styled, before they all met up at the changing room for the hot tub. Tomorrow, they decided they were going to get their nails done, visit a chiropractor, and go shopping for some gifts to take home. 

It was a relaxing day, but Gabbey was so tired. She never really did these kind of things, or spent so much time with anyone but her brother. Gabbey didn't deny that is was a nice change though. 

Gabbey was so relaxed that she jumped whenever someone placed a hand on her shoulder. "Whoa!"

   "S-sorry," Levy stammered, just as startled. "I thought you were with us. You okay?"

   "Y-Yeah, just a bit tired. But it's relaxing in here."

   "Really is," Levy sighed, sinking into the water some more before popping back up. "Hey, could you wash my back? I could do the same for you."

   "I don't need my back washed," Gabbey grabbed a towel before gently brushing it over Levy's shoulders in a soothing motion. Levy seem to melt in her hands. 

   "Thanks," Levy let out a sigh after a while, pulling away and grabbing the towel from Gabbey's grasp. 

   "So, Gabbey," Mira suddenly said, making Gabbey look over to the woman. "Has anyone in the guild caught your eye? I'm sure you've caught some people's eyes. . ."

   "No," Gabbey scoffed, shaking her head. 

   "No one?"

   "Nope, nada, haven't seen anything I've really liked."

   "Oh, but you've seen something  you liked then!"

   "Oh my--"

Gabbey stopped short, feeling a soft hand running down her back filled with so many scars. She panicked slightly, turning herself around to see Levy looking at her with sad eyes. 

   "Gabbey. . ." Levy murmured sadly. Wendy glanced up, getting a look at Gabbey's back and letting out a startled gasp. 

   "Gabbey! Your back. . ."

   "It's fine," Gabbey said shortly, not bothering to hide her back anymore. Everyone in the hot tub as seen them now. "It's nothing, they've been there for a while."

   "They don't look like regular scars," Erza stated. She was right though. Her whole back was covered in lines that went in every direction and criss crossed at multiple times. There were indention in her skin as well, new skin not growing over it. 

   "That's because they're not," Gabbey replied, starting to get out of the tub. "I'm going back to the room."

   "Wait, Gabbey--"

   "I didn't mean to--"

   "Hold on now!"

But Gabbey didn't listen to what anyone was saying as she threw her robe back on and walked back towards their room. She was still stuck in the past when she finally got into her bed.

🌹🌹🌹

It was late. Like, three in the morning late. Everyone was asleep in the room, and in the other bed room as well. Everyone but Gabbey. 

The Redfox girl was seated in front of the only window in the room, a mug of tea in her grasp as she stared out into the distance. Lost in thought. Or, actually, rather the past again. 

It felt like she would never truly get to run away from her past. If she outruns it in life, it gets caught up in her head.  But she wasn't so far lost, Wendy's whimpering easily snapped her out of her dark head and she looked over to the almost teen that thrashed around. 

Grasping her mug tighter, Gabbey rose and made her way over to Wendy. She sat her cup aside, sitting down at the edge of the bed and gently shaking Wendy. "Hey, Wendy. . .Calm down, you're safe."

   "Gabbey?" Wendy stammered quietly, opening her brown eyes quickly once Gabbey eased her awake. "Did I wake you? I-I'm sorry, I just had a really bad dream, I really didn't mean--"

   "Calm down, I've been up for a while," Gabbey reassured, watching as Wendy pushed herself to sit up in bed. "Do you want to talk about it?"

   "I. . ." Wendy hesitated. "We were back at Edolas, down in the dungeon. . .The same guy that was sucking Natsu's and mine powers was there. He was sucking the power right out of me, and wouldn't stop. . .He just kept laughing and--" Wendy choked. 

Gabbey sighed, pulling Wendy closer to her in a hug. Wendy instantly curled into her side. "Shhh. . .We're back in Earthland now. He's not going to get to you, at all. I'll make sure of it, okay?"

   "R-Really?" Wendy asked. 

   "Of course. Now, I'm going to go get your a glass of warm milk, you just stay--"

   "Wait!" Wendy grasped Gabbey's wrist as the woman started to stand. "I. . .Can I go with you? I don't. . ."

   "Yeah, sure, come now."

Ten minutes later, Gabbey had made Wendy some warm milk, sat on the bed next to Wendy as she drank the cup slowly, before Gabbey started to tuck her in. The red eyed woman went to stand, about to go back to her chair, before Wendy's sleepy voice called out. "Wait. . .Stay with me? Until I'm asleep. . ."

    "If that's what you wish," Gabbey agreed softly, sitting back down on the bed. She gently ran her fingers through Wendy's hair - effectively pulling Wendy back to sleep. 

   "Thank you, Ane*," Wendy whispered just before passing out. Gabbey froze, not use to the term, before slowly retracting her hand. But she sat on the bed, watching Wendy with confused red eyes. 

    "For someone who doesn't like children, you sure do get connected with them," Levy's soft voice floated through the air on the bed next to her. Lucy - who slept with her eye mask on - snored quietly. 

   "I don't know why myself, either," Gabbey mused, turning to look at Levy. "What are you  doing up?"

   "I heard Wendy's whimpers, but you got to her faster than me," Levy sent a small smile towards the said girl. "Though, I think she appreciated you helping her more than myself."

   "I'm sure she would be thankful anyway," Gabbey retorted lightly, glancing back at the window. There was a long pause, one that was tense to Levy. She opened and closed her mouth several times, clearly trying to say something but not knowing how to start it. "What it is?"

   "I'm sorry," Levy blurted out in a quiet hurry. "I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable earlier in the hot tub. . .I just, I noticed something on your shoulders, and while you went to talk to Mira, I snuck around to see and-"

   "I swear, all of you blue-haired women blabber on and on," Gabbey teased while rolling her eyes. "It's fine. It was bound to be shown at some point. . .I just kinda wish it was on my terms."

   "Sorry," Levy whispered. "Just. . .Gabbriel, where did those scars come from?"

There was another long pause, this time it was Gabbey who looked lost at words. Since becoming friends, Levy never really called her by her full name. The short woman must be serious. 

   "It's a pretty long story," Gabbey drawled out, looking over the two sleeping figures. They weren't waking up anytime soon. 

   "We have time." Levy replied, scooting towards the edge of her bed to get closer to Gabbey. "If you don't mind sharing, that is."

Gabbey thought. She really thought. No one but Juvia, Gajeel, and Prince Jellal knew what happened, and that was only because they were apart of the story. Did she really trust Levy that much to reveal her small backstory to her? Gabbriel did cause Levy and her Fairy tail family a lot of pain. . .

But while she looked into Levy's brown eyes, she knew her choice was the right one. 

   "Well. . .It started with a new female mage joined her Uncle's guild. . ."

🌹🌹🌹

*Ane - Older sister