Heh, of course I start with good ol' Gajeel. It's not like I've written him before or anything, hehe. Here's number one, hope you enjoy!!

     It seemed to be just a normal day at the Fairy Tail guild hall. Natsu and Gray were at each other's throats again, Elfman was yelling at Jet and Droy for not being "real men", and Cana was polishing off the last barrel of booze to Macaroff's discontent.

     Yes, Gajeel decided as he bit into the tip of the spoon in his hand. Just another normal day.

     That is, until a woman crashed through the table he was sitting at and destroyed it completely. Gajeel leapt back, snapping "Watch where you're goin'-"

      The woman hardly seemed to hear him as she leapt to her feet, standing atop the remains of the table. Her H/C hair swirled around her shoulders as she blew back loose strands of hair from E/C eyes. "Natsu!!" She yelled, glanced back at Gajeel, pulled the half-eaten spoon from his hands, and hurled it at the Fire Dragon Slayer. Needless to say, it didn't do much but encourage a ball of fire to zoom at her face.

       Gajeel grabbed her wrist, jerking her off the table as the blow sent it slamming through several walls. He scowled at the woman, but she only grinned up at him and patted his shoulder. "Nice save!"

      "Who the hell are you anyway?" He grumbled, realizing he had pulled her uncomfortably close to him when he had pulled her away from the fireball. He released her hand quickly, stepping back. She didn't seem to notice and just laughed.

     "Oh, I'm Y/N! A friend of Lucy's. But I've heard of you, of course. You're Blacksteel Gajeel! And much better looking in person, I might add."

       "Well, that don't- huh?"

       "Excuse me, could you give me a quick moment? Thanks!" She leapt up onto the charred chair of the nearest table, shouting "NATSUUUU!! We're not DONE yet!" Natsu glanced up from his battle with Gray, then began to sprint towards her.

       Y/N grinned at Gajeel, even the added height of her standing on the chair only bringing her to eye level with him. "Looks like I gotta go! See you around?"

      "Yeah," Gajeel watched her meet Natsu in midair with a growing orb of magic in her hands that spread like a web around her to block the raging flames. He shoved his hands into his pockets as he watched her, slightly impressed at her magical ability. Not many people could stand against Natsu for long.

        Y/N was blasted backwards by Natsu's fists, and Gajeel moved instinctively. He stepped sharply to the side, catching her from the air. She blinked in surprise, glancing up at him. Then she smiled, a warm, glowing smile that made a redness begin to creep into his face. He coughed, setting her down hastily and looking away.

        "Maybe you should leave the fighting to Natsu and Gray. Don't think you're quite on their level yet."

       "Ah yes, but when does fighting someone I know I can beat help me get stronger?"  Y/N smiled at him, brushing ash from her shoulder. She glanced back at him, then giggled. "Gajeel, you're covered in ash! Did I do that?" She glanced down at herself and her charred outfit and shook her head. "I am such a sorry excuse for a person! Here, let me..." she reached up to brush some soot from his face.

       "It's just a bit of soot, I ain't gonna die," Gajeel grumbled, brushing her off. Part of him was reluctant to push her away, but a much saner part of him reminded him that he didn't know who the heck this person was.

      "Hm, well... maybe I can buy you a drink to make up for it?" She asked hopefully, and he shrugged.

       "Can't say no to free drinks."

       A few minutes later, they were seated at the bar as Mirajane gave them their drinks.  Y/N chugged hers quickly, then set the mug down, grinning at him. 

      Gajeel scowled, taking a sip from his own. "Who exactly are you? I know your name, but not anything else."

      "Just a wandering mage, I suppose. I use energy magic, so I can drain other people's magical energy and spin it into my own." She shrugged carelessly.

      "You live around here?"

        "Used to. Now I just come around here ever so often to visit some old friends. I was really glad to see Lucy, and when she told me she was part of the guild, I had to check it out! She keeps telling me to join, but I'm... well, I've never been part of a guild before." She frowned at the bottom of her empty mug, then cast Gajeel a sideways look. "I used to want to be part of Phantom Lord."

      "Phantom Lord?" Gajeel snorted. "Why the hell would you want to be part of a that guild? Take it from me, Fairy Tail's much better."

      "Well, in all honesty... it was because of you,"  Y/N laughed to herself, resting her chin in her hand. She smiled at his startled look and began to explain. "I always heard a lot about Blacksteel when I was small. He was only a little older than me, but he was the legend of Phantom Lord. And for a little kid with... nothing, that sounded pretty great. Needless to say, I looked up to you. I was disgusted when I heard what you did to Fairy Tail, but look at you now! You're part of the guild. Part of the family."

        Gajeel wasn't sure what to say to that, so he just took a long sip from his drink.

       "Well, it was good to talk to you," Y/N smiled faintly, getting to her feet. "Maybe I'll see you around?"

        "Yeah," he nodded, then hesitated. "Y/N, why don't you join the guild?"

         "What can I say, I'm a free spirit," she shrugged, "I'm not staying anywhere for long unless I have a good reason to. I'm going to say goodbye to Lucy," she decided, then vaulted over the table and walked away.

Your P.O.V.

       You sigh, heading towards Lucy, who's having a chat with Erza by the guild hall's door. You weren't sure why you felt so disappointed. What had you expected? That he would become instantly enamored with you and the two of you could live happily ever after?

       " Y/N!" Lucy grins as she sees you, catching you by the arm. "Did you decide yet? Are you going to join the guild?"

      "I don't know," you admit, shaking your head. "I'll think about it, but you know me. I don't like to be forced under one table unless I have ample reason to. I think I'll be in town next month, though, we could chat then."

       "What if a certain somebody asked you to say?" Lucy asks with her head tilted to the side. There is a mischievous grin on her face that you're not sure you like.

      "I don't know what you mean," You mutter, quickly looking up at the ceiling. You know it's pointless to deny what she means, but that doesn't mean Lucy has to announce it to the whole guild!

       "What if Gajeel asked you to stay?" Lucy nudges your arm with a grin. "I know you'd think that was an 'ample reason' to stay."

       You snort, shaking your head again. "Like he would."

       "I'm going to go ask him," Lucy decides, "If he knew you liked him-"

       "Shut up!" You panic, clapping you hands over her mouth. Of course Gajeel had to walk up at that moment, pausing as he heard what Lucy said. You feel a flush rise into your cheeks as he gives you a questioning look. Instead of casually coming up with the way out of the situation like you figure a normal person would, you grab Lucy's shoulders. "Lucy!!"

      She laughs, pushing you off of her. She gives you an extra, harder shove, and you lose your balance. Hands grab your shoulders from behind, stabilizing you as you glare intensely at your diabolical friend. "Lucy! Stop it!"

       " Y/N, if you don't tell him you like him, I'm going to tell Happy you do."

       "Lucy, he's right here!"

       "And now he knows who you're talking about."

        Panicking and blushing a deep shade of red, you spin to face Gajeel. He stares at you, and you rub the back of your head awkwardly. "So, um... yeah."

       "You like me?" Gajeel steps closer to you, and you meet his gaze firmly. Even though you feel like running for the hills, you keep your gaze and voice steady as you reply "I think it's gotten pretty obvious."

      "If you ask her to stay, she'll stay," Lucy informs him cheerfully. "She's had a crush on you for a long time."

      You smack a hand to your forehead. You're doomed. "What makes you think he cares if I stay? He's not going to-"

       "Why do you say that?" Gajeel interrupts you, arms crossed over his chest. You blink, surprised.

       "W-well, you don't know me very well, you have no reason to care."

         Gajeel studies you for a long moment. "You're right. I don't have a reason. But I do. I don't know why the hell I do, but I do."

       "Gajeel, you've only known me for 1564 words, you literally don't-"

       Lucy swats you upside the head. " Y/N! You know you're not supposed to break the fourth wall!"

      "I know, I'm sorry, I just-" you break off as Gajeel steps closer to you, smirking slightly as he draws you closer by your wrist. You find yourself uncomfortably close to him as he breathes in your ear "Please stay."

       "Gajeel?" Your eyes widen in surprise, face flushing.

       "Look, I don't know what it is, but since I saw you, I've felt drawn to you." His face starts to turn red as well, and you crack a tiny smile.

       "Well, if you really want me to stay..." you give Lucy an uncertain glance, but she looks just as shocked as you feel. You smile faintly, leaning up to press a kiss on the tip of his nose. "I suppose it wouldn't hurt to give it a go."

      Gajeel's face lights up as he stares at you. "Y-yeah, exactly."

      Lucy claps her hands together with a huge grin. "Great! Now come on,  Y/N, time to show you just how great this guild is!!"

     Terrible, I know. I promise it'll get better... eventually. XD. If you stick around (which I hope you do), feel free to comment one shots you'd like to see! And I'll try to actually plan the next one shot out before I write it. This one was made up as I went along, but next time, it will be better! Hope you enjoyed!

-- Gajevyx99