The beep chimed as Paul walked into the cafe.  He paused after he closed the door and looked around only to see the usual scene.  Noctis was in the back booth drinking his iced tea while you were talking to him as you cleaned off the table right beside him from your last customer for the evening.  It brought a smile to his face as he watched the two of you smiling at each other as you talked.  

He had been worried at first about how the young prince was going to handle not being able to see you everyday after school for swim practice.  But ever since Regionals, things seemed to have worked themselves out for the two of you.  In fact he was a bit surprised that Noctis seemed to be spending more time with you then Ignis had lately.  But then again, Ignis had been wrapped up in mid-terms at the college which had him spending almost all of his free time studying and working on his final projects for his classes.

"Hey Paul.  Would you mind locking that for me?"  Brian asked as he walked out of the kitchen and saw Paul standing by the door.

"Sure."  Paul replied.

Then Paul turned around enough to flip the lock on the door before he headed for the counter.  You looked up at him and smiled as he walked through the cafe.  Noctis looked over and gave him his usual annoyed look.  He didn't like to see Paul anymore since it meant that your shift was almost up and you would be heading home soon.

"Hey dad."  You said brightly to your dad as you put Noctis' empty glass in the dish bin and grabbed the rag and started wiping down the table.  "Let me finish off the rest of the dishes really quick then I'm done."

"Take your time."  Paul said with a smile to you as he saw Noctis narrow his eyes at him as you cleaned off the table that Noctis was sitting at.  "We're in no rush.  And besides, you'll be off for the next week anyway."

"That's right.  Tomorrow your heading back to Altissia aren't you?"  Brian said to Paul as he started wiping down the counter as you turned and walked into the kitchen carrying the bin full of dirty dishes.

"Yeah."  Paul said as he sat down on one of the chairs by the counter.  "We're leaving before first light tomorrow.  I want to be out of the city before the traffic starts."

"How many people will be going with you for the trip?"  Brian asked as he started putting the counter condiments back in their usual places.

"It'll just be the two of us this time."  Paul replied as he kept his face from Noctis as he watched him drop his head out of the corner of his eye.

Noctis and Ignis had both already told him that they thought that they should be going as well.  But after a very lengthy discussion about blending in and royal protection, they were unable to convince him otherwise.  Besides, they both had other obligations that they needed to tend to.  Ignis had his college Mid-term tests and projects, and Noctis was swamped with his high school end of semester exams.  Your dad had already made arrangements for you to take yours online like you had while you were Altissia last time.  Which was easy for you since you had done it before.  But it would have taken a bit to get the same arrangements set-up for them.  Especially since it would have been a last minute thing for them.

"Well I hope it goes well.  But..."  Brian started to say as he leaned on the counter with his elbows so that he could talk quieter to Paul.  "...do you think you have enough evidence to convict him like that gang case?"

"We should."  Paul quietly replied with a slight smile.  "Her statement that we got from her during Regionals was the turning point in the investigation.  Everything she said perfectly matched up to all of the evidence that has been presented so far.  But we'll have to wait and see what the defense attorneys' office have dug up during all of this."

"Those bastards don't stand then.  Because there isn't anything on her.  Or you for that matter."  Brian said with a smile.  "I know that you'll win without a doubt."

"I hope so."  Paul said as he smiled back at Brian before he dropped his head again.  "I am a bit concerned about them cross examining her though.  She's not quite over the affects of what he did to her yet."

"Perhaps that will be in your favor."  Brian said as he tried to reassure Paul.  "The judge will see her reactions and know that its not fake."

"I sure hope so."  Paul said as he dropped his gaze.

"Now with the other case."  Brian continued as he watched Paul carefully.  "Do you think that you'll run into Tracy while your there for her trial?"

"There's a really good chance of that.  It is her trial after all.  And I have to testify myself for her trial."  Paul said as he kept his head down.

"Are you ready for that?"  Brian asked with a concerned tone as he watched Paul.  "Are you really ready to see her again?"

"I don't know."  Paul answered honestly.  "I've been trying to get myself ready for it in case I do.  But to be perfectly honest.  I still don't know how I'm going to react when I see her.  Or even what to say to her when I do."

"You will when you see her again."  Brian said with a smile.  "Just follow your heart and you'll be fine.  And who knows, perhaps you might even say the right words this time when you talk to her again."

"It was my heart that got me into the position that I am now."  Paul said as he rolled his stiff neck from a long day of looking at a computer screen.

"Perhaps you misheard it."  Brian said with a smile.  "You really should try to listen to it again.  I know that it can help you out with her."  Brian said with a smile.

Paul looked at him and gave him a confused looked.  "Help me.....?"

"I saw how you two were when you were together."  Brian said with a slight smirk.  "You two were meant to be.  Don't leave her there this time.  Bring her back home before it's too late.  Or you'll regret it forever."

Paul felt his heart start to race as he thought about what Brian was telling him. He knew that he was right.  He still loved Tracy with every fiber of his being.  And being without her was slowly destroying him.  But what about protecting her?  Would he be able to protect her if she was there?

But before he could say or even think another word you walked back out of the kitchen.  "Well, that's all done."

"Thank you.  And great job (y/n)."  Brian said as he looked over at you.  "Now be sure to stay safe on your trip and return as quickly as you can.  I would hate for you to be gone for too long.  The customers might get upset if your gone too long."

Noctis gave Brian a stunned look as Brian gave him a quick smile and blink before looking back at you.  He knew that Brian didn't mind him coming in all the time to hang out.  But he had never considered himself a real customer.  All he did was mainly drink ice tea and keep you company at night.  But it was also for himself as well since Prompto couldn't go out during the week since his grades weren't doing so good.

"Don't worry.  We'll be fine."  You beamed back at him.  "Nothing can touch this family team of fighters."

"Well only someone with a death wish would."  Brian beamed back.

"You got that right."  Paul chimed in as he stood back up.  "Well let's head out then kiddo.  We have a very early day tomorrow and we need to finish packing."

"Speak for yourself."  You chimed in with a smile as Noctis got up and stood beside you.  "I finished packing before I came.  Remember?"

Your dad gave you a smile as he slightly smiled.  Just like your mother would always do.  "Then we can load up when we get back."

"Hmm"  You said as you nodded at him.

Suddenly there was a knock on the front door.  Everyone looked over and saw someone standing outside of the door.

"Now who could that be at this hour?"  Brian asked before he shouted towards the door.  "Sorry!  We're closed!"

You beamed as you saw a familiar smile coming back through glass.  "That would be my boyfriend.  But what's he doing here?"

Paul slightly smiled.  "I may have texted him to let him know that you wouldn't be able to see him before we leave tomorrow if he didn't show up tonight."

"Ahh.  Aren't you being sweet."  You beamed at your dad as you walked over to him.  

"Thank you dad."  You said before you gave him a quick kiss on the cheek before you turned and jogged over to the door and unlocked it.

"Hey."  You beamed as you opened up the door and saw Ignis standing there in his  blue pull over shirt and jeans with a smile on his face as looked at you.  "It's good to see you."

"And you as well love."  Ignis returned.

"I'll wait outside for you."  You called back to your dad as Noctis headed for the door himself.

"Sounds good."  Your dad returned as he watched Noctis walk out with his head down.

 "The prince looks like he's going to be miserable without her for the next week."  Brian said quietly to Paul once Noctis had walking out the door.

"It wouldn't be the first time and it won't be the last."  Paul replied as he watched the three of you start to talk as you stood outside.  "I just hope he doesn't take it out on everyone like he did last time."

"It's good to see you tonight."  You said to Ignis as you wrapped your arms around him and gave him a hug before you gave him a quick kiss.  "I was afraid that I would miss seeing you before we left."

"I'm glad that your dad texted me or I would have."  Ignis returned as you released him again.  "And I apologize for not being sooner.  I hadn't realized how late it was until I saw his message or I would have been over here sooner."

"Not like you have been paying attention to anything other than your classwork anyway."  Noctis quietly said to himself.

You gave Noctis a warning glance before looking back at Ignis.  "I think its admirable to devote so much of yourself to your school work.  Especially since its not just some high school course."

"Well thank you."  Ignis said as he straightened out his glasses with his middle finger.  "But he is right.  I have been spending a lot more time studying then I have with you.  I apologize for that."

 "Ahh.  Its okay."  You lied as you dropped your gaze.  "I know that your classes are important for your degree.  So it's fine."

Truth be told, you had felt like he had pushed you away ever since the Regional meet.  Not only was he more distant during choir.  But he had also stopped coming to lunch all together.  And more recently he had even had Noctis take you home several times so that he could get back to the condo and study.  The whole thing was making you feel like an inconvenience anymore.

And it didn't help you out at all with getting over your crushing defeat to Nicole and her team.  The lead that you had gotten them just wasn't enough as Nicole flew right past Angie as if she was standing still.  You had never realized how fast that she really was until you saw you fly through the water that quick.  Sure you had gone up against her by yourself and won.  But it seemed that Angie was just no match for her.

Of course Angie seemed to take the lose a lot harder then you had ever expected.  She completely crumbled in the pool when she came in second with quite a few seconds in between first and second.  The defeat had been a bitter sweet one for you.  You were proud of Nicole and her team for winning.  But it was only because your team had lost.

You hadn't quite realized how much that win had meant to Angie until she completely stopped talking to you all together.  In fact she wouldn't even look at you in the hallways at the school.  It was at the point that you weren't sure if she was upset with you or with herself for the team loosing.  The rest of them hadn't been happy about losing either.  But they had all pepped up when you told them that you were all just going to have to train more for next year.

"Do you want to go for a cup of Ebony since your off?"  Ignis asked as he grabbed your hand.

"I wish I could."  You replied as you slightly squeezed his hand.   "But we just closed up shop and there aren't any other cafe's open this late that I know of.  And besides, we have to get up really early so that we can leave before the traffic gets too bad."

"You would know that if you had been here earlier."  Noctis said in a deep tone as he gave Ignis a firm look.

"But I ..."  Ignis started to argue back.

"It's fine."  You said in a firm tone as you gave Noctis a stern look.  "I'm only going to be gone for a week after all.  And maybe even less depending on how the trial goes."

"Besides, it's not like I can't talk on phone the whole time I'm there."  You said as you looked back at Ignis as you tried to hide the disappointment that you felt as well.  "We can even video chat again if we want."

"That sounds good."  Ignis replied as you heard the ringing of the bell to the shop chime again as your dad and Brian stepped outside.  

"Ahh.  So it's the winner of the Regionals diving competition."  Brian said with a huge smile as he locked the door.  "Great job by the way.   The whole cafe watched the whole thing on our TV's while they enjoyed their food.  That was an amazing final dive you did.  Very impressive."

"Thank you."  Ignis replied with a slight smile.

The team had over all done very well during Regionals.  But it had been Ignis' diving and the men's relay that was the main focus for everyone.  It was a bit upsetting to you since it seemed like everyone had forgotten that there had been other races done while you were there.  But at the same time, you were very proud of Ignis and all the guys.  They had gone a great job during their races. 

"Well its late and I have to head home."  Brian said as he turned back to them after pulling down the metal security gates that covered the front door and shop windows.

"I'll see you when you get back."  Brian said as he walked away from the group and started to head to his car. 

"Okay.  Have a good night."  You replied as you watched him walk away.  

"I suppose that we should do the same."  Your dad said as he nodded towards his car that was right by the curb.  "Have a good night boys.  I'll make sure that she has time to call both of you once we get settled in over there."

"Thank you sir."  They both replied.

"Well."  You said as you dropped your head.  "I suppose I should say good night."

 "Be careful while your travel."  Ignis said as he slightly squeezed your hand as he leaned in and gave you a kiss on the cheek.  "And call me once you arrive."

"I will."  You replied before you gave him a smile followed with a quick peck on the lips.

"Let us know first thing if anything happens."  Noctis said In a serious tone as you released Ignis' hand and turned to follow your dad.

"Of course."  You replied back as you started to walk away.  "Now get home before it gets any later then it already is."

"If anything happens to her this time."  Noctis said in a low tone so that you wouldn't hear, as he waved at you as you climbed into the front seat of your dad's car.  "I'm going over there personally to retrieve her.  I won't have her getting hurt again like last time."

"Nothing's going to happen."  Ignis tried to reassure Noctis as he waved at you and you waved back at them as your dad pulled away.

"I've heard that bullshit before."  Noctis said in a harsh tone as they watched the car head down the street before it turned and headed towards your house.  

Ignis dropped his head for a moment as he felt the stab in his heart again from their last harsh encounter after hearing about what had happened to you while you had been away.  Noctis hadn't held back any punches then. And to seemed like he wasn't about to hold any back now. He also was no doubt upset with him for not being there sooner to see you.

"Look....Noct......about tonight....I...?"  Ignis started to asked.

But when Ignis turned to look at Noctis, he had already turned away from him and was opening up his own car door and climbing in.  Ignis could only stand there and watch as Noctis started up his car as he put on his seat belt before putting the car in gear and pulling away.  He knew that Noctis was concerned.  He was too. But there was no sense it being upset about something that might not even happen.  

But even as he dropped his gaze again as he stood there by himself.  He couldn't help but to be a bit upset with himself that he hadn't been there as much as he had wanted to.  Perhaps he could make it up to you once you got back.   He lifted his gaze back up and slightly smiled.  Perhaps he would take you out again for some fun. And as he slowly looked up, he figured out the perfect place to take you.

The street lights shined off of the wet road as your dad drove the car along the freeway as he headed for the city gates.  You were quietly watching the city fly past as tried to prepare yourself for what the two of you were getting ready to do.  He had already warned you that you were more than likely going to be called to the stand to testify against Keith.  But neither of you had any idea what kind of questions that the defense attorneys were going to asking.

Madam Claustra had told your dad that she had gotten you the best prosecuting lawyers in all of Altissia.  And when it came to the best, she wasn't kidding.  But the issue was that he had gotten the best defense attorneys in Altissia.  And with the case having someone involved with thee Madam Secretary of Altissia, it seemed that everyone in all of Altissia was watching this case.  It was also the case with Tracy's trial unfortunately.

"You holding up okay?"  You heard your dad ask which broke you out of your trance.

"Okay."  You said as you brought up both feet and put then in the seat as you wrapped your arms around them.  "I guess."

Your dad gave you a concerned but understanding smile.  Because he knew what you were feeling since he had the same issue going through his head.  He was nervous and almost scared about arriving back in Altissia.  He knew the Camelia had taken care of all of the arrangements for Tracy to stay in the hotel and that the two of you would be staying at the estate.  But even that distance would be so close that he could almost feeling himself crumbling already.

Your dad reached over and grabbed your closest hand and brought it towards him.  You looked over at him as he gave you a slight smile.  His gently fatherly smile seemed to have an underline of worry and love as he looked at you.  You couldn't help but to smile as you interlaced your fingers with his.

Neither of you spoke a word as you both looked forward as the car emerged from the city gates and started for the guard house that was at the other side of the bridge.  And even then, neither of you spoke to each other.  The only thing said was from the guard to another to open up the gate so that he could exit the through the chain-linked gate.  Then with a nod your dad headed out.

The roads suddenly became very dark since there weren't that many street lights.  With the exception of seeing Hammerhead off to the right before your dad turned and headed away from it as he drove towards the Longwythe rest area.  You looked to the right as stared at huge towering mountain that looked a giant shark fin that was sticking out of the ground.  The first time that you had actually seen that in the dark, was the night the your whole life had changed.

And as the street lights showed you the rest approaching rest stop, you could once again see the two cars that been blocking the road.  Sure the car you had been in had been coming from the opposite direction, but there was now way to get around them and Nyx had had to turn down the dirt road that ran along the other side of the mountain.  You couldn't help but to take a shaky deep breath as you tried to steady your nerves as you could once again hear the metal sword slicing through the roof as the car was attacked by a Nifelheim soldier.  The sound had sent chills down your back and straight through to your very core.

Suddenly you felt your dad squeeze your hand as he tried to get your attention.  "You know, its been quite awhile since we have taken the boat out."

"Huh?"  You asked with a puzzled look as looked at your dad. 

"And I had promised a certain someone that I would let her get her boater's license once she had her driver's license."  Your dad said with a slight sing-song tone as he drove past the rest area and heading for the mountain tunnel.

"Wait a minute?"  You said as you dropped your legs back down and turned towards your dad.  "Are you considering.........?"

"Well why not?"  Your dad asked as he gave you a quick glance as he entered the tunnel.  "We will be in Altissia for a week after all.  And I know that you can handle a boat almost as well as I can."

"Are you serious?"  You asked as you started to get excited.  "Are you really going to let me test for it?"

"Of course.  I had always intended on you getting your boating license."  He said as the car emerged from the tunnel and he took the right turn in the fork in the road which lead away the old farm house.  "What's the point in having a boat if we both can't drive it?"

"EEEEEKKKK!"  You said as you quickly released your seat belt and threw your arms around his neck and slightly squeezed from excitement.

"Whoa kiddo!"  Your dad said as he practically slammed on the breaks from the shock you gave him.  

"Not while I'm driving."  He said as he patted your arm as he sat there on the break as the car sat still.  "You won't be able to test if something happens to us before we get there you know."

"I know.  But I can't help it."  You said as you slightly squeezed him.  "I'm just that excited."

"Well that excitement will have to wait until we get there.  Okay?"  He asked as he released your hand and grabbed back onto the steering wheel.

"Okay."  You replied then gave him a kiss on the cheek before you sat back down and strapped in again.  "Your right."

Your dad slightly chuckled at you as he turned towards the Cauthess Rest area that right below the towering rock bridges that stretched across the sky above the rest stop like freeway bridges.  But just before arriving at the rest area, he turned down the road that would take you towards the forest and the waters edge as he drive to the light house and awaiting boat.  You couldn't help but to start to get excited for the trip now.  You had been hoping to one day get your license.  But never had you expected to get it now.

But as you looked back at your dad with a huge smile.  You had a feeling that test may have been a means of distracting the two of you as he seemed to get really serious again.  You knew that your dad was just as nervous about the trip as you were.  But at least both of you seemed to be nervous about the same thing.  And that was the uncertainty of the trials and what their outcomes would be.

Everyone else seemed to be convinced that both cases should end fairly quickly in both of your favors.  But the two of you knew better then to relax until the judge had made his final judgement.  Because anything could happen in court.  Like with the case with your counselor who had walked away without so much as a slap on the wrist despite all of the evidence that had been presented. 

You dropped your gaze again as you dad slowed down as he took the car through the sharp turns that made the road zig-zag their way up the mountain.  Only for the road to straighten back out for a short distance before the car entered another tunnel.  But then your breath was taken away as the car emerged from the tunnel and onto the road that snaked along the coast line.  The road was high above the water's edge as it hugged the coastal mountain.  But the view seemed to be more breathtaking that way, as the sun seemed to be rise out from the black waters of the ocean.

"Wow."  You quietly whispered as you stared at the sun rise.  "I had forgotten how gorgeous that ocean can be."

"Beautiful.  isn't it?"  you dad asked as he did a couple quick glances at it as he drove along the road.  

"Yeah."  You quietly responded.

"It just makes me want to get out there even more now."  He beamed as he glanced at the water before giving you a quick look.

"Yeah."  You grinned back eagerly as the car sped along the road.  

Then before you knew it, your dad was pulling up to the light house.  But instead of just pulling into the parking lot that was right off of the road and in front of the light house.  He drove through the parking lot and around to the side of the lighthouse as he headed straight to the boat dock entrance.  Then he pulled the car up to the door.

"Would you like to do the honors?"  He asked as he looked at you.

"What do you mean?" You asked as you gave him a confused look.

"Would you like to pull the car into the boat?"  He asked with a smile.  "Want to check the boat first as you getting ready though if that's alright?"

"You.....want me.....to drive the car into the boat?  All by myself?"  You asked as you searched his face to see if he was serious or not.

"Well, yeah.  You pulled the car out.  So why not pull it in this time?"  He said as he smiled at you.  "Unless you don't want to?"

"NO!  No, I'll do it."  You said as you started to get over the initial shock.

"Well good."  He said as he turned the car off and handed you his keys.  "Here you go."

"Uh..."  You started to say as your dad started to climb out of the car.  

"Just line it up with the ramps and you'll be fine."  He said with a smile as he opened up his door.  "And don't worry.  I'll help with that part.  Alright?"

You slowly looked back up at him and smiled at him that he trusted you that much.  "Alright."

"Good.  I'll go opened up the door and get the boat ready.  Just wait for my signal before you start to move the car."  He said as he got out of the car as you did the same.    

"Got it."  You said as you closed your door.

Then with one final nod, your dad walked away form you and over to the people door that was right next to the large garage door.  Then you watched him pull out a separate set of keys and open up the door and disappear inside.  You beamed as you walked around to the his door and climbed back into the car and started it up.  You couldn't help the butterflies as you waited anxiously for the garage door to open.

Luckily you didn't have to wait long and the door was soon lifting up and you saw you dad standing on the boat with the back opening up the rest of the way as the garage door came to a stop at the top.  "Alright kiddo.  Let's load it up."

"Yeah!"  You shouted out the window and slowly started to move the car into the boat.

After a few moments and a few steering adjustments, the car was soon loaded into the boat and you standing by your dad as the back hatch closed back up securing the car inside.  "Great job kiddo.  Now you can have the honors of pulling us out of here and taking us to Altissia."

"Really?"  You asked in shock as he handed you the keys to the boat.

"Of course.  You were the one who told Camelia that you knew how to get there.  So why not show her?"  He said back with a smile.  "Just let me lock up the doors and we'll head out."

"Okay.....yeah."  You said as you beamed back.

Your dad then just beamed at you and nodded his approval before he walked off of the boat and started to lock the place back up.  Then once the door were closed and locked back up, he walked over and started to cast off the mooring lines.  You were on the deck and started to flank the lines on the deck as he released them from the  pier.  But before he completely untie the boat, the two of you removed the gangplank and sat it on the pier.  Then as he untied the last line he hopped onto the boat and helped you finish flanking down the aft line.

Once that was done the two of you walked into the bridge area.  You stood there looking at the controls for a moment as you felt your heart start to race.  He was actually going to let you drive this time.  Sure he would be telling you what to do like he did with the boatswains on the ship.  But you didn't care.  You were going to be the one actually driving. 

"Well, start her up."  You dad said.

"Right."  You said.

Then you put the key in the ignition and started up the boat.  The engines were loud at first as they first turned over.  But after a moment started to softly hum as they waiting to go.  Then you watched as your dad hit the button on control panel for the outside wall.

And as the door opened up, the inside lights turned off as the first rays of light came pouring through the seaside entrance.  "Let's go."

"Yeah."  You replied before you slowly moved the throttle forward and pulled the boat out of the lighthouse and into open water.

******Author Note******

I hope I didn't disappoint too many people with not getting into the grand finally of the Regional meet.  But after looking at how many chapters that I had done just for that part, I figured it was time for a time skip again.  And besides, it was becoming very heard to continue with part and not lose sight of where I wanted to go with it.  And it was much easier to explain the finally this way then with another whole chapter.

That being said, I hadn't realized that I had hit 31k when I finished that chapter until I had posted it.  Which is why this chapter came out so quick.  (Plus I have been getting excited about writing this next part anyway.)  I just can't get over the devotion that all of you have.  I am truly humbled by your support.  Thank you.

Well now with Altissia on the horizon, its time to come face-to-face with Keith once more.  But will the pressure of the trials be too much for the two of you as you sat on the stand?  Or will you find encouragement and support from someone who use to be apart of your home before it all began?  And will this encouragement be enough to convince someone to welcome them back?  We shall see.

Thanks for reading.  :)

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