Gajeel could feel the heat of Levy's breath against his neck as she awkwardly lifted her chin to fit into the tight space.

As their chests pressed against one another, he couldn't help but contemplate how they'd ended up in this position.

The events played back through his mind as they tried their best to remain quiet in this dire situation.

•••

"There's a surprising lack of security in here. I'm not mad about it, but I sure don't like it. Something's not right." Gajeel mentioned, glancing around the hallways of the Eclipse headquarters.

He kept a hand on his gun, just in case.

"It makes our job easier, but you're right. It's too easy. You'd have thought they'd have guards posted at every corner with such important files at risk." Levy replied.

"The boss mentioned high security, but I haven't seen anyone since the outside."

"It could be thicker the closer we get to the center. Make sure to keep your eyes peeled, and be careful not to set off any alarm systems."

"I know what I'm doing, Shrimp. You don't have to tell me twice."

He glanced up towards the ceiling, scanning for any security systems in sight.

"That's weird. I don't see any cameras around."

"They might be well hidden, possibly disguised as decorations." His partner said.

"Yeah, well I can't see any, so I sure as hell hope you disabled them along with the alarm earlier."

"I'd doubt they run through the same system. Good security is set up separately to avoid issues like criminals shutting them all off at once."

"Criminals like us, huh?"

"Exactly."

Levy halted at a corner, putting her back to the wall and catching a peek of the path ahead.

The coast was clear, not a guard in sight.

"This is starting to become strangely eerie." She whispered, mostly to herself.

Gajeel was busy being hung up on the last conversation, but they continued on down the hallway.

"What are you doing at BlueSteel, anyways? You seem skillful enough to take on any regular, not to mention legal, job. I'm sure any well-paying tech company would hire you, so I don't really get why a perfect little girl like you ended up here. What's your story?"

"I'm not a little girl, and that's really not any of your business. No offense, Gajeel, but we're really not on any sort of terms where I owe you that sort of explanation."

"Is it that bad, Shrimp?"

"You're getting off task. Stay focused."

"I'm just curious. Most people who end up here have nowhere else to go. Even that Salamander's partner, the blonde chick— she ran away from home when she was younger and ended up meeting the boss. He offered her a job here, and she hasn't looked back since."

"You can remember her story, but not her name?"

"A story tells a lot more than a name. I don't bother most of the time. Besides, she's always with that pink-haired idiot, and I can't stand his stupid face. Every time he looks at me, I swear I wanna punch him."

"You're so childish. Natsu's a good agent. I thought you'd have respect for him, knowing that you two are on a similar level on the field."

"I can respect some of the other agents, just not him. He gets on my nerves too much. Even after hearing his whole lame backstory."

"Who do you respect, then?"

"Agent Scarlett. Not only is she one of the most highly-ranked agents at BlueSteel, she's a legend. People call her Titania, and they say there's not anyone who can compare to her in combat. She's real good with a knife. Plus, she's terrifying. I've only seen her around the office a few times, but she's not someone you want to anger. Seriously."

"Really? I've heard her name a few times, but I don't really know anybody that well yet, other than you. Lucy's spoken to me on a couple of occasions, but I still wouldn't say we've gotten all that close. I guess I've been so busy training that I haven't focused as much on adjusting to the work environment and the people around me."

"Well, it's not exactly the sort of place you go to make friends. Everyone's always got something on their plate, and I'd say there's more competition than anything. It's hard to settle differences when everyone comes from somewhere so different and distant from one another."

"That's a shame. I'd really think we'd all be one in the same in the end. I mean, a lot of us had to have a similar experience which drove us to this line of work: desperation, frustration... a need for revenge. You know, it's all these negative experiences that draw us here. Nobody forfeits a perfectly normal, amazing life because they just want to."

"You don't think so?"

"No. Even if you're not aware of it, there's always a reason."

"What if they're just plain batshit crazy?"

"Then maybe they're just... lost. They don't know what else to do, and it feels like the only option."

"Is that how you felt? You say it as if it's a feeling you understand."

"I already told you that I don't owe you a word. If you're so curious about my story, then why don't you go on and tell me yours? What brought you here, Gajeel?"

"Not so fast, Shrimpy. I'm not telling you anything, either."

"Hypocrite." Levy grumbled.

"Well, it's only fair."

There was a gunshot from somewhere behind.

It bounced off the metal of the walls, ricocheting until it made a hole in the floor only a foot in front of them.

One second later, and they would've been caught by the fire.

"Shit! Where did that come from?!" Gajeel shouted, searching for the source of the attack.

"We've been spotted! I can't believe we got so careless to engage in simple conversation when we were supposed to be keeping an eye out!" Levy yelled.

There was more gunfire.

Gajeel pulled his gun from its holster, firing blindly down the dim corridor, hoping to hit at least one of their unseen enemies.

They had to get out of here, hidden from the eyes of whoever noticed their presence.

He couldn't afford to fail another mission, especially with the added help of a partner at his side.

His gaze settled back on the girl as she began to draw her own weapon.

"No time, Shrimp! We've gotta find some coverage!"

Without a second thought, he took Levy's hand, tugging her along as he occasionally fired a bullet off behind them.

He scanned the area for a place to hide and wait it out, his eyes finally stumbling upon a door labeled "Broom Closet."

Gajeel swung open the door, shoving her inside and closing it behind them.

It was only now that he realized just how tight of a space it was, really only meant for cleaning supplies.

"What do we do now?" Levy whispered.

"We let things die down first, and then we make our next move."

They could hear the guards rushing down the hallway, shoes thumping as they searched for them.

"They went this way!" One announced.

Levy tried to peek through the crack of the door to see them.

"This might take a while."