Your heart seemed to be racing as fast as the boat. While your spirit was soaring as high as the seagulls that were flying through the sky as they seemed to lead the way to Altissia. And it was all because you had never been so excited from feeling so much power as you held onto the boat's helm. Your fingers seemed to vibrate from the engines as they propelled the boat through the water.

You couldn't help but to grin as you let yourself get total engulfed in the moment. And when you did a quick glance at your dad. You saw an approving smile as he stood beside you. The sight made you beam back at him before you looked back at the water ahead. You couldn't help but to remember the last time you felt this excited. It had been when you were heading home after being gone for three years.

And as you thought about it, you couldn't help but to get excited all over again and shout it out. "Whhhoooooo hoooooooo!"

Your dad simply chuckled before he joined you when you yelled again as you flew past the Angelgard island. "Whhhoooooo hoooooooo!"

Your shouting caught the attention of a fishing boat that was right by there. The two people onboard, lazily looked over at you from under their ball caps. You smiled back at them as you waved at them. But instead of them waving back. They both gave you a stern look. Which made you quickly look ahead again.

"Their not very happy, are they?" You said with a grin as you kept your eyes forward as you neared the rock formations that made up the entrance to Altissia.

"Well they are trying to fish." Your dad replied with a smile. "And shouting only tends to scare the fish off."

"Ooopps." You half laughed as you grinned.

Your dad just smiled at you. At least until he saw a certain small rock formation come into view. Then his smile disappeared as he remembered what he had found in that so-called rock island. The images of that day started flying through his head as he recalled seeing the hidden dock inside. Then the rows upon rows of stolen cargo that seemed to completely fill the place to the brim.

Then he felt his heart start to race again as he remembered seeing all the almost perfectly preserved corpses that where scattered everywhere. He hadn't seen anything like that since the Niflheim mission. Then he dropped his gaze as he remembered coming across Camelia's husband and daughter. They were laying there on the floor only a few feet away from their assailant, who had ultimately taken their lives. Only to have his life taken by Tracy herself.

"Hey dad." You said as you tried to distract him from his thoughts. "How about we eat at Weskham's place tonight? I know how much you love his lasagna."

Your dad slowly started to smile as he looked up at you. "That does sound tempting. But I think your godmother would prefer us to dine with her tonight."

"Perhaps tomorrow then." You said with a smile as you slowed the boat down as you turned into the main gate entrance.

Your dad half smiled at you. "Perhaps."

Then he glanced back at the rock formation one more time before he looked ahead of the boat. Can I really do this? Am I really ready to face her again after everything that's happened?

"It's a date then." You said back to him with a smile.

"Huh?" Paul replied as he looked at you.

"Dinner....tomorrow....at Maagho." You said with a slight smile as you slowed the boat down to a steady speed as you drive across the waterway as you headed for the main gate entrance.

"Right." Your dad absently replied as he tried to refocus back on the present.

You slightly dropped your gaze as you started to get worried. Because it looked like this was going to be just as hard this time as it had been when the two of you had gotten back from Tenebrae after dropping off Luna before heading home. And as you reached the gate and slowly the boat down to a complete stop by the gate, it didn't seem to be getting any better. Especially after the guards saw your dad and gave him a huge smile.

"Well look who finally decided to grace us with a visit." The Captain of the guard said as he looked at Paul while two of the other guards pulled the boat over towards the dock. "You know, we never did get a chance to catch up the last time you were here."

"Hey Hank." Your dad said as they shook hands. "And sorry we had to leave like we did.  But we needed to get back.  But I'm glad to see the place is still standing."

"Of course it is. And it's even better than when you left." Hank added as he took the visitor passes from you. "That girl of yours sure knows her stuff.  You can tell she had learned everything form you. "

"My girl?" Your dad asked as he gave him a confused look.

"You know, Tracy." Hank answered before he glanced at the passes.  "It is a wonder though of how you were able to get anything done with that pretty little thing always nearby.  That girl can't walk into a room without turning heads."

Paul felt his heart skip a beat from hearing her real name being said.  But then he started to feel a tinge of anger start as well as Hank talked about her as if she was a playboy bunny.  Was he actually upset with Hank for looking at her like that?

"You two must have done the same training or something. Because she's been amazing since she's been here." Hank said as he handed you back your passes and looked back at your stunned dad.  "Which has been a great help to everyone."

"I can see how you two get along.  You belong together.  Perhaps you could combine forces.  For that would be a force with reckon with." Harold said with a smile to Paul before he turned and started to climb back off again. "Give me a call later. You still owe me a drink."

"Yeah." Paul absently replied as Hank got off of the boat and was now on the dock looking at you. "I'll do that."

"I'll hold you to that." Hank said with a smile. "Take care of your dad kid."

"Of course." You smiled back and slowly started to head through the gateway.

But as you did, you couldn't help but to watch your dad as he stood there almost in shock. It didn't look like he was expecting to hear about her when he first got there. Of course you hadn't expected to hear about her this soon either. In fact you weren't expecting to hear about her at all, until the court hearing. Well short of a small surprise that you had been setting up for him.

"Looks like Tracy has kept up with your tight ship." You commented with a smile.

Your dad slowly glanced at you before he looked ahead again as he quietly replied. "Yeah."

You couldn't help but to beam as you drove the boat out of the gate and into the huge receiving harbor that was the main dock for visitors. The sight was as beautiful as always. The sun made the water sparkle as you steer towards the pier. It reminded you of a pure white crystal as the light reflected back to the boat as few low waves rippled across the water.

As you approached the pier your couldn't help but to beam again as you spotted Camelia and Weskham on the pier waiting for you pull up. They had several dock workers in front of them all waiting to help tie down the boat. You waved to them as you slowed down even more as you pulled up to the pier. Then right as you came up to the pier you let the boat coast in and bit before you slightly put it in reverse to make sure that it wasn't going to hit the pier.

"I see someone was paying attention." Your dad said to you in a low tone.

"Of course." You beamed back.

"Hold her steady and I'll cast over our lines." Your dad said before he left the bridge area and walked out the bow.

Then as you followed his instructions, he tossed over the lines to the dock workers so that they could tied it down to the pier. Then once all of the lines where secure, they set up the gangway so that the two of you could get off safety. Once it was done Weskham and Camilla waited patiently for the two of you to grab your bags and debarked the boat. As soon as you reached the pier you set your bags down and walked over to Weskham. Your dad walked over to Camelia and greeted her by kissing her on each cheek as she did the same before they started talking.

"Hi." You said as you hugged Weskham. "It's good to see you."

"And you as well." Weskham returned. "And I wasn't expecting to see you driving this time."

"Well I did get my driver's licnese." You beamed back.

"That's wonderful." Weskham said as he released you. "Perhaps your next step should be your boating license then."

"Dad said that I could get it while I'm here." You beamed back at your dad.

"Really?" Weskham said as he looked at your dad. "Someone certainly has changed his mind rather quickly."

Your dad slightly laughed as he glanced down for a moment before he shook Weskham's hand. "She was going to get it eventually. Why not now since we'll have some time."

"That girl certainly has you wrapped around her finger doesn't she." Weskham said with a smile as you walked over and gave Camelia a hug.

"I know." Paul said with a smile as they watched you and Camelia hug. "But I really don't mind. I figured she could use something positive to look forward to while we going through all of this. I could use your help with the boating thing though."

"I would be happy to help." Weskham said.

"You look wonderful dear." Camelia said as she released you and looked you up and down. "It looks like you've lost more weight though. You have been eating correctly?"

"Yes ma'am." You replied with a smile. "We did just get done with Regionals though. So weight loss is a norm for that."

"Well don't loose anymore or you'll simply disappear my dear." Camelia said to you with a smile.

"Don't worry. I don't plan on it.  In fact the only I'm planning on doing is relaxing while I'm here." You said with a slight smile. "At least when I can."

"Good. Well the first court appearance isn't for a couple days. But the attorneys want to talk to you prior to that." Camelia started to say as she lead you away from boat and in the direction of her estate. "But don't worry. Your dad will be there as well. They can't really talk to you without him being present, since your a minor."

"Oh. Okay." You quietly responded as you walked beside her.

You dropped your head as you walked. For a moment there you had actually forgotten what the whole trip was about. But now as you walked through the customs counter, you felt yourself starting to get nervous. You were going to have to talk about what happened again. But this time it would be in front of a courtroom, again.

You shuddered as you recalled how bad the trial had been against your camp counselor. He had stared at you the whole time you were on the stand. And it was because of that stare you couldn't speak a word.  And it didn't matter who was asking the questions.   Nothing wanted to come out of your mouth as he gave you a hard look the entire time.

You were so embarrassed that you'd ended up just crying on the stand until they finally let you get down. After that, you didn't talk to any adult about it ever again. You would either walk away or would shut down completely and wouldn't talk to anyone if they tried to bring it up again.

That was until you told Ignis. He was only one of two people that you ever told. The first person had been your late brother. He had talked you into sharing while the two of you fished off the pier and Galdin Quay. Well actually, you were the only one who talked. He just quietly listened and gave you a huge hug afterwards when you broke down completely.

"(Y/n) had mentioned eating at your place tomorrow." Your dad said as he tried to get out of your head again.

"I would be delighted to have you. I'll even save your usual table in front of the bar if you like." Weskham said with a smile.

"Perhaps we could have the one towards the back of the bar this time." You said in a low tone as you avoided looking up at your dad and Weskham as they both have you a confused look.

"Why would you want that table? You know that you can't see anything back there." Your dad asked as he tried to search your face as you approached the foot of the stairs that would take you to the upper level.

"I really don't want to be seen right now." You said quietly as you kept your eyes from them as you quickly made your way up the stairs ahead of them.

"Is she alright?" Weskham asked your dad.

"She seemed fine when we came in." Your dad said as he slowly followed you with a concerned look on his face.

"You mean to tell me that you still haven't been able to understand her after all of this time."  Camelia said as she slowly started up the stairs.

"She's not as easy to read as you might think."  Paul said to Camelia as they three of them As they slowly climbed the stairs.

"You may not think so.  But to me she's as easy to read as you are right now."  Camelia said as she paused as they reached the top stair and saw you standing by the water fountain as if lost in thought.

They watched you for a moment as you quietly watched the water cascading down into the water basin below the fountain.

Then she turned and looked at Paul.  "Your both afraid of what will happen once you step foot inside that court room.  She's afraid of history repeating itself once.  And your afraid of coming face-to-face with Tracy."

Paul dropped his head as he tried to calm down his heart start racing from hearing Tracy's name once again.  Because he knew that she was right though.  And as he stood there for a moment, he started to remember the last time you had been in court.  He slowly looked back up at you as you almost frowned as you dropped your gaze more.

Am I really ready for this?  You thought as you watched the water gently falling into the basin below the fountain.  Am I really ready to face him?  Or will I fail like I did last time and let him walk away?

That was when Ignis' and Noctis' smiling and determined faces seemed to appear on the waters surface.  The image brought a slight smile to your face.  Because you knew that they supported you and would be there to help you out in a heart beat if you asked them to.  But as you stood there, you knew that you had to do this, with or without them.  

I have to do this.  You thought as you tightened both hands into fists. There's no way that I will let him win.  He may have won against me on the ship.  But it's not going to happened this time.

"Don't worry (y/n)."  Your dad said as walked up to you and gave you a kiss on the head.  I'll be right beside you the whole time.  I promise that I won't leave your side.  Together we'll make him pay for what he did."

You closed your eyes as you smiled at him.  "I hope so."

"I don't just hope so." Your dad said as he wrapped his arms around you from behind.  "I know so.  You'll be the victor this time. He won't stand a chance against you."

You reached up and placed your hands on his arms as he held you tightly. "I will if your with me."

"I'll always be with you.  I promise."  Your dad said as he tightened up his grip on you and gave you kiss on your head again.

Suddenly you jumped as your phone started to going off in your purse.  You reached in your purse and pulled out your phone.  As you did, your dad released you and placed his hand across your back.  You glanced at him for a moment and saw his usual fatherly smile.

Then you looked at the phone and saw Ignis' name on the screen. You couldn't help to smile as your heart skipped. His timing, as usual, was perfect. It was almost as if he was spying on you. Which you knew wasn't true. But all the same, his call made you extremely relieved and happy as you answered it.

"(Y/n)? Are you there?!"  You heard Noctis' excited voice ask as if in the distance.

"Noct?" You answered questioningly.

"Your highness, please! I can't hear her." You heard Ignis say at a distance as well.

"Are you guys okay?" You asked with a slight smile.

"I apologise for calling you this early. But his highness insisted that we do." Ignis said over the phone.

"It's fine Ignis. We actually just got here." You said with a smile as everyone turned and continued to make their way to the estate.

"Nothing happened, right?" You heard Noctis ask firmly.

"No." You replied with a slight smile.

"Your not just saying that are you?" Noctis further pressed.

"Of course not." You calmly replied.

"Are you sure?" Noctis asked again.

"How many times does she need to say it?" You heard Ignis ask with an impatient tone.

You couldn't help but to laugh out loud at them as they started to argue once again.  You knew that you shouldn't laugh at them.  But you couldn't help it.  Hearing them was a reassuring feeling to you.  Because no matter where you were at, they would always be worried about you  and would help you out.

Your dad looked over at you and smiled as the group exited the enclosed bridge and started to head toward the next set up stairs that would take you to the back entrance of the estate.  He was glad to see you smiling again.  And he was glad that it was because of your friends.  For he knew that you were going to need them that week more then you had ever needed them before.

"I was impressed with your performance at Regionals this year my dear." Camelia said as everyone was finished up an enjoyable dinner at the estate.

You almost choked as you tried to take a drink and talk at the same time. "You..... you watched me?"

"Of course." She replied. "And that boyfriend of yours was very impressive himself. And he's only 18?"

"He is.  But how did you find that out?" You asked before you wiped your mouth as you cleaned from almost choking.

"Please." Camelia replied with her usual bored tone.  "Did you honestly think that after what happened, that I wouldn't find out as much as I could about everyone that you have been around my dear?  After all, I can't have anything else happening to my goddaughter?  Now can I?"

Camelia then turned and looked at Paul.  "Not that you dad hasn't tried to protect you.  But even he can only do so much after all."

Your dad didn't say anything.  But as you watched him, you could see that she had hit a nerve.  Because he dropped his gaze after he drained his  glass of wine.  Then without looking at anyone he stood up.

"I think that I'm going to turn in for the night."  He said as he placed his napkin on his plate.

"Is everything okay dear?"  Camelia asked as he looked at him with her bored look.

"Yes it's fine.  I'm just tired is all."  Paul said with a quick glance at Camelia before he started to head for the door.

You followed him with your eyes as he walked up to the door and paused for a moment.  Then he slightly turned back as he kept his gaze down.  You had seen him act like this before.  And it usually meant that something was really bothering him.    

"You can stay up as long as you like kiddo.  I won't make you go to bed early here."  He quietly said back to you.  "Just make sure that you ready by ten to go see the lawyers."

"Oh.  Okay dad.  We'll see you in the morning."  You called after him as he opened up the door and started to exit the room as you felt your heart start to sink.

"Are you sure that you still what to go through with what we had talked about?"  Camelia quietly asked you after the door was completely closed behind him.  

You knew that he was already starting to hurt from just being there.  But as you turned to face Camelia you knew you had to keep going.  You couldn't stand to see him miserable any more.  He deserved to be happy.  Just like you did. And you were going to make sure that he got back his happiness.

"I have to."  You responded with a steady tone.  "I hate seeing him like this.  Ever since we left her here he had been nothing but a mess.  He can try to say otherwise.  But I know my dad.  And he's miserable without her."

Camelia sat back and gave you a slight smile.  "You truly have matured before your peers haven't you.  Most teenagers would only be thinking about themselves, instead of about their parents.  And only a few of them would go to extremes that you have in order to make that happen."

"After everything that he has done for me."  You said with a smile.  "This is the least I can do.  And besides, I like her.  And so does he."

"No, that's not right."  You said as you sat back in a bit of a dreamy state and you pictured the two of them together.  "He doesn't just like her.  I can honestly say that he loves her as much as he did mom.  Maybe even more.  And I think she feels the same.  At least that was how she acted when I talked to her last time."

"Then I see no further argument in the matter then.  We need to make this happen.  One way or another."  Camelia said with a smile.  "Now I usually don't involve myself with these kinds of things.  But considering that it is your dad and my Security Office we're talking about here.  It really does affect how I will be doing business later on."

"Yes."  You said as you nodded at her.  "But it will be worth it for everyone."

"Indeed."  Weskham said as he had simply sat there and quietly listened to the whole thing.  "Now I understand why you want that table."

"Will you help as well then?"  You quietly asked as you gave Weskham a pleading look.

Weskham gave you a gentle smile back.  "I will.  Just as long as I get your assistance at the restaurant for the evening and at anytime while your visiting."

You smiled broadly at him.  "Of course.  I would consider it a privilege and a pleasure to help you out."

"The feeling is mutual my dear."  Weskham said with a grin.

"Thank you both for meeting with us prior to the first court hearing."  The first attorney said as he shook your dad's hand.

You couldn't help but to feel a bit uneasy already as the guy looked and acted the part of the traditional lawyer that you would see on tv show.  The guy's name was Mark and he was dressed a dark blue suit and tie that was finished off with tan shoes.  Apparently he had be asked by your godmother to represent you for your case because he had a very high success rate with cases like yours. And you could see that he was taking this case quite serious just based on how he was acting all prim and proper with your dad.  Which did nothing to calm down your frazzled nerves.

"So if it's okay with you, we head into the conference room so that we can talk."  Mark said and gestured for the two of you to follow.

You hesitated at first as you weren't sure if you wanted to follow.  What if he wanted to talk to you alone?  What if he started grilling you for answers?  And worse yet, what if you couldn't answer any of his questions because you froze up again?

Suddenly you jumped as you felt someone touch your back.  You quickly looked up and saw your dad giving you an encouraging grin.  His look told you that he knew you were nervous.  And his hand on your back told you that he was there to help.

"Don't worry.  It won't be like last time."  He said as he slightly rubbed your back.  "In fact you might not have to answer that many questions.  They were telling me over the phone that the video we recorded is being use for not only evidence, but also as part of the your testimony.  So we can use it to speak for you, if you can't."

You looked at your dad with a shocked expression.  "Really?"

"Really."  He replied as he rubbed your back again.  

"It's a good thing you decided to talk to us that night.  Isn't it?"  He finished with a slight smirk.

You started to relax a bit as you looked at him.  "Yeah."

"Come on.  He'll show you what we were had been talking about with all of this.  Okay?"  Your dad said as he started to lead you towards the conference room that Mark was standing outside of.

"Okay."  You responded nervously before you took a deep breath to calm your nerves as you slowly entered the room and took a seat at the huge long table. 

"So how was your day?"  Camelia asked when she saw you and your dad walking back through the front the door of the estate.   "You've been gone for most of the day.  I hope everything went well."

"I think it did."  Your dad said with a smile before he turned back to you.

"I do too."  You said with a big smile.  "I think we definitely got a great chance of winning this one."

"Good.  That's what I like to hear."  Camelia said as she slightly nodded to the two of you.  "Now I think both of you have a date to get to at Maagho's."

"That we do."  You said with a chipper tone.  "Come on dad.  Let's get ready.  I want us to look our best for tonight."

"And why is that?"  Your dad asked as he gave you a curious look.

"Why?"  You said with a slightly excited tone.  "I always look good for my dates."

"And expescially for someone I love."  You said as you walked up to him and gave him a kiss on the cheek.  

"Now hurry up."  You said as you started to walk down the hallway as yo headed for your room.  "We have to get there before the dinner rush."

"Do you have any idea what this is all about?"  Paul asked as he turned and faced Camelia.

"This is a family affair that I will be staying out of."  Camelia said with a wave of her hand as she walked away and left Paul standing there in total confusion.

"Are you ready?"  Your dad asked as he knocked on your door.

"I'm coming."  You said as you finished putting on your earrings.

And with one last look at yourself in the mirror, you slightly smiled then grabbed your purse.  You had decided to wear one of your favorite light blouses along with a pair of  Black jeans.  The shirt  was light and airy and looked really nice under your favorite cardigan sweater.  Which would make you cold if you were outside too long.  But you had planned on making it an early night anyway.  After all, tonight wasn't really about you.  It was more about your dad.

"Sorry about that."  You said as you stepped out of your room and into the hallway.  "It took a bit longer to unpack that I thought it would."

"It's fine.  But you were the one who didn't want to get caught up in the dinner rush."  Your dad said as he beamed at you.  

"Yeah.  But that's okay."  You smiled back as the two fo you started down the hallway.  "If we hurry we can still beat the rush."

"You look comfortable tonight."  Your dad said as he tried to figure out if you had planned something or not. 

"And so do you."  You beamed back at him for wearing the same outfit from the winter concert.  Nice choice dad.  She's going to flip.  

"Now let's hurry before the place gets crowded."  You said as you grabbed his hand and quickly headed for the door.

"Alright, alright."  Your dad laughed as he let you drag him out down the hall.

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

I think the worst part about going to court is the unknown.  No matter how prepared you think you are, there is always that doubt and the fear of the unknown.  I know from personal experience, that a courtroom can be very intimidating for all parties involved.  And especially if there are already hard feelings before you even step foot inside the room.

And this is the same feeling for those waiting for the trials to begin for both cases.  You against Keith and your dad with Tracy's case.  But will only one person would end up in prison?  Or will there be another person joining them?  We shall find out.

But first it's time to try and mend one bridge before it's burned forever.  Well both parties be willing to forgive The other?  Or will it end once again with both of them going their own way?  Be sure to keep an eye out for the next chapter to find out.

Thanks for reading.  :)

**********............

(Wait a minute?!  Did I just see that the story hit 32k???!!!!  Really?!  Oh my gosh!!  THANK YOU!!!!!!  THANK YOU SOOOOO MUCH!!!!!!   I don't know what to say........I........Passes out form shock...........)