"Well there you two are." Weskham said with a smile. "I was beginning to think that you had changed your mind about tonight."

"Not a chance." Paul said as he smiled back at Weskham as he held your hand as he helped you off the gondula. "I would never break a promise to this young lady."

"Not intentionally anyway." You added with a smile.

"No. Not intentionally." Your dad said as the two of you walked over to the bar where Weskham was standing.

"Because you have broken promises to me before." You added as the two of you stopped in front of the bar.

"Yes. I know." Your dad replied as he looked away.

"And on more than one occasion." You continued.

"Yes. I'm very much aware of that." He replied as he shifted his feet as he looked down.

"Really?" Weskham asked with a curious look at your dad. "And what promises have you broken with her?"

Paul shook his head as he raised his hand to tell Weskham not to go there. "We're not here for that tonight."

"Indeed." Weskham said with a smile. "Well your table is ready for you."

"Thank you." You replied and started to head to it.

"And try not to disappoint her again." Weskham said to Paul before he turned around and started mixing up some drinks.

"Huh?" Your dad asked as he gave Weskham a curious look. "And what's that supposed to mean?"

"Come on dad." You said as you grabbed his hand and started pulling him away from the bar and towards the table. "Let the man get back to running his bar."

"But I want to know what he meant by that." Your dad tried to argue with you as he let you pull him away.

Which you were grateful that he did. You really didn't want him to get suspicious of the dinner being anything more than just that. Which of course it was. But you certainly didn't want him to figure it out just yet.

As you lead your dad back to the table that was behind the bar, you were pleased to see that no one was near the table. Usually there were a couple merchants that would be moored right there on the pier as they tried to sell their catch for the day. But it looked like they had left early. You couldn't help but to smile as you had a feeling that Weskham asked them to cut it short for the night.

"Oh....look." You said as you tried to act normal, which was becoming difficult as the butterflies were starting already. "There's no one back here to interrupt our conversation."

"Ah-huh." Your dad said as he looked at you as you both took a seat. "Are you going to tell me what is really going on?"

"What do you mean?" You asked as you quickly sat down and grabbed a menu.

"You've been acting strange all night." Your dad said as he looked at you and he slowly grabbed a menu while he kept his eyes on you. "Did you plan for something to happen tonight?"

You gave your dad a shocked look. "Of course I planned something."

Now your dad was the one who was shocked as you smiled back at him.

"I had planned for a nice quiet dinner for two at our favorite restaurant." You said as you opened up the menu and gave him a smirk. "Is there a problem with planning a good dinner for my dad?"

"No." He slowly said as he opened up his menu while he kept his eyes on you. "I suppose there's nothing wrong with it."

"Then relax well ya." You said with a grin before you opened up the menu in front of yourself as you acted like you trying to figure out what you wanted to eat.

Your dad narrowed his eyes at you for a moment before he looked down at his menu. "Fine."

Suddenly your phone went off. You jumped from it and quickly pulled it out of your purse. Your dad slightly dropped his menu as he looked at you. You gave him a slight smile as you stood up.

"It's Ignis." You said as you stood up. "I'll be right back."

"Tell him you'll call him back once we're done." Your dad said as you walked away.

"I will." You said with a grin. "Be right back."

All you heard after that was a disapproving grunt from him as you walked away and put your phone to your ear. You hated to deceive him like this. But you knew that it was for his own good. He would never agree to this otherwise.

"(Y/n)? I'm here. Where are you?" You heard Tracy say over the phone.

"I'm at the back table." You said as you quickly ducked behind the bar. "Come on back."

"Okay. I'm on my way." You heard as an echo as you watched Tracy walk past where you were hiding as she hung up and headed for the table.

"Are you sure about this?" Weskham quietly asked you as you slowly stood up and peered around the corner at Tracy as she made her way over to the table.

"If I don't do this, they never will." You quietly said as you watched Tracy stop just short of the table as she realized who was actually sitting there. "And I'm tired of them torturing themselves."

"So, was he upset?" Paul asked as he saw someone approaching the table in his peripheral vision.

"Pardon?" Tracy asked as she gave Paul a confused look.

"You know. Ignis?" Paul continued as he kept his eyes on the menu. "When he called just now. Was he upset when you told he to call later?"

"I can assure that I have no idea what your talking about." Tracy said as she was starting to get nervous.

Paul froze as he felt his heart skip as he recognized that voice. Wait a minute. Is that....? But how....?

"I don't know why Ignis would ever call me." Tracy said as she started to move away from the table. "Perhaps I'll ask (y/n) when I talk to her about what this is suppose to be about."

Paul slowly dropped his menu as he looked over it and saw Tracy standing before him as if in a dream. His heart started racing as he looked at her as she stood there in ripped jeans, a dark pink cardigan sweater as she clutched her purse. He hadn't seen her in what seemed like forever. But as he looked at her at that moment, he couldn't help but to think of how gorgeous she looked as she was nervously decided if she should run or not.

You saw Tracy start to turn away from table and started to panic. Shit!. No, no, no, no. Not now. Not after all this.

"Looks like it's starting to back fire." Weskham said as he glanced back at them. "You might want to talk to them before the whole thing blows up."

"Right." You said as you quickly stood up.

Then you walked away from the bar and up to Tracy as she was starting to walk away form the table as you dad just stared in shock. You couldn't let it end like that. Not again. They were going to talk again. And you wanted them to talk before they got all caught up in the court hearings. For you feared that once the proceedings started, they would never see each other again. And that was something that you didn't want to happen.

"Hey." You said with a smile as you walked up to Tracy. "There you are. I must have missed you when I was on the phone."

"Hey." She said as she nervously pushed her hair behind her ear. "Would you mind explaining what this is?"

"What do you mean?" You asked sweetly as you turned her back towards the table. "It's dinner."

"Well I can see that." Tracy said nervously as she tried to avoid your dad's gaze. "But I thought you said that it was dinner for two."

"It is."  You replied as you looked from her to your dad. "The dinner is for you two."

Your dad seemed to snap out of it as he realized why you had been acting weird. "You had this planned from the beginning? Didn't you?"

Your smiled sweetly at your dad. "Of course. I wanted to make two people that I care a lot about, happy. I'm tired of seeing you miserable dad."

You then looked back at Tracy. "And I'm tired of you being lonely Tracy."

They both dropped their heads as they tried to keep their emotions in check. You could see the struggle that they were having with themselves. They had both been caught off guard. But neither of them were upset or angry. If anything, they were both nervous because they didn't know what to do.

"I appreciate the juster. But..." Your dad started to argue.

"No buts dad." You said as you gave him a serious look. "I had never seen you happier then when you were with her. You were smiling all the time and seemed to enjoy life again. And I miss seeing you like that."

Your dad swallowed as he tried to maintain his calm disposition. He hadn't realized that he had been that obvious with his feelings around you when it came to Tracy. But apparently you had seen everything. He couldn't help but to think that perhaps you had seen it better then he had.

"And I know that your not my mom and that the two of you probably didn't get along very well." You said as you then turned to Tracy. "And I can't ignore the fact that you hid a lot of things from us."

Tracy dropped her head even more as she felt the stabbing pain in her heart from your words. She had never intentionally wanted to hurt you. And she had had to hide everything about herself so that she would be safe. And so that she could keep you and your dad safe. But as she stood there, she was starting to doubt her choice in keeping it a secret for that long from both of you.

"But." You started as you grabbed her hand and turned to face her. "I also can't ignore the fact that you had had to do all of that so that you could protect not only yourself, but us as well. And it's not like both of my parents hadn't lied to me about what they really did anyway. So what difference does it make if you had to do the same thing."

"The truth is, I should be thanking you." Tracy slowly looked back up at you as you continued. "Your the reason why we were safe all of these years. And for that I can't thank you enough."

Tracy tried to say something but nothing seemed to come out as she stared at you in surprise. All she could do was slightly opened her mouth before she closed it again as she took a breath as she tried to calm down her heart that was racing. Here she had been afraid that you would never trust her again. Only to have you thanking her instead.

"So for tonight." You said as you walked Tracy over to her chair so that she was sitting where you had been. "The only thing I want, is to see you two talking again and working out this whole mess. And I don't want you to worry about anyone hearing you and seeing you. Because no one will if I have anything to say about it."

Both of them looked at you in surprise as you stood there beaming at the two of them. Neither of them could get over what you had just said as they let the words sink in. And they could tell that you were very serious about what you had just said as you smiled back and forth between the two of them. It was hard at that point to figure out who the real adult was as you stood before them.

"And so that you know, I'll be the one preparing all of your food for the evening." You said in a serious tone as you stood up tall. "Weskham will of course serve you your drinks. But everything else will be handled by me."

"Look, kiddo.." Your dad started to argue back.

"Ahahah." You scolded him back with your finger. "I don't want to hear another word about it. It's the least I can do for both of you."

They both shifted slightly in their chairs.

"The only thing that I ask in return is that the two of you talk." You said as you took their menus from them. "And not about work or the case."

They both looked confused as you tucked the menus under your arm. "You are only allowed to work out whatever issues that you have so that we can be a family again."

"Now.." They both said at the same time as they started to argue back.

But you held up your hand to silence them. And right as you did, Weskham came over with a full bottle of Zinfandel wine and two glasses. They both stopped and looked at Weskham as he smiled at them. He seemed to be enjoying the whole thing as he watched the two of them trying to argue. Even though he knew that they were excited and nervous about seeing each other.

"Your better off just enjoying the night." Weskham said as he sat the two glasses down on the table and showed them both the wine. "Which can start with a little something to help both of you relax."

They both dropped their gaze and did a half laugh as they knew that there was no point in argue with you. You were going to get your way no matter what they said or did. So they might as well do as you suggested. And that was enjoy the evening for what it was.

"Thank you." Paul said with a slight smile to Weskham before he looked at you. "Both of you."

You smiled back at him before you gave him a slight bow. "Now if you'll excuse me. I have to go prepare your meal."

"And may I ask what that will be?" Your dad asked as you started to walk away.

"No you may not." You said back as you waved back at him.

"She's as stubborn as you, you know." Weskham said as he proceeded to open up the bottle for them.

"That she is." Paul said as he watched you walk away before he turned back to watch Weskham smoothly open up the bottle.

"But her heart is in the right place at least." Tracy said as she smiled at Paul.

Paul smiled back at Tracy as he was taken in once again with her natural beauty. "That it is."

"Then I suggest that both of you do as she says and enjoy this evening." Weskham said as he started to pour the wine into the two glasses. "She has gone to great lengths to get everything set up after all."

"So I see." Paul said as Weskham placed the bottle of wine on the table for them.

"Enjoy." Weskham said with a smile. "Oh and don't worry about how (y/n)'s going to get back to the estate. I have already made arrangements for a certain person to do that."

"Really?" Paul asked as he gave Weskham a curious look. "And who would that be?"

"You shall see soon enough." Weskham said as he stood back up.

One fabulous meal later..........

"He actually did that?" Tracy laughed as she got ready to take a sip of wine.

"Ask him yourself?" Paul said back with a smile.

"Oh I couldn't. I would be afraid of laughing at him." Tracy laughed as she took a sip.

Paul couldn't help but to smile again at her as he took a sip of wine. He had forgotten how much he always seemed to enjoy himself every time he was with her. Her laugh was contagious and her smile could light up the darkest day for him. And as she sat across from him and beamed at him as she drank her wine, he couldn't help but to become engulfed in the moment.

You sat at the bar with Weskham and beamed at your dad and Tracy as they seemed to be enjoying themselves. You smiled as you enjoyed seeing them laughing and talking to each other again. How you had missed seeing your dad that happy. And you had even missed seeing Tracy with him. Because no matter how you looked at it. Of all the women that had come onto your dad, Tracy was the only one who had truly caught his attention, and yours.

And as you watched them, you could see why. They had a lot in common and each knew how the other was feeling. In fact it seemed like Tracy knew your dad better then even your mom had. And that was saying a lot considering that they had been with each other for over 10 years.

"They sure do look good together don't they?" Weskham asked as he looked at them as they started talking again.

"I know." You said as you smiled at them.

"And your okay with her being with him?" Weskham asked as he looked at you.

"I am." You quietly responded. "I wasn't at first because there just seemed to be something about her that was off. But once I found out the truth, I understood what it was that I was feeling. And after watching how she reacts to him. I couldn't help but forgive her for everything."

"I'm really proud of you." Weskham said in a serious tone as he looked at you. "You truly are more mature then your peers. And perhaps some adults as well."

You turned and smiled back at Weskham. "Thanks."

Then you leaned in and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "That means a lot coming from you."

"Think nothing of it my dear." Weskham said back with a smile. "You have long earned that praise."

You beamed back for a moment before you stood up. "Well I need to check on the desert. It should be ready by now."

"Right." Weskham said as he stood back up. "Well don't worry. I'll keep an eye on them."

"Thanks." You said as you walked away to fetch their desert.

"So what time will you be at the courthouse tomorrow?" Tracy asked in a serious tone as she slowly swirled the wine around her glass.

"We suppose to be there about a hour before it begins." Paul said as he looked back at his empty place mat. "The lawyers want to talk to the judge before we start the proceedings."

"Looks like all of the lawyers are thinking the same thing." Tracy said as she watched the light red wine swirl slowly around the glass.

"That shouldn't be surprising." Paul said as he looked back up at her. "It's pretty normal for them all to meet before the trial to see if both parties still want to proceed with the case."

"I know." Tracy said absently. "I just never thought that we would ever be on the opposite sides of a case like this."

"This case isn't total against you, I hope you realize that." Paul said as he couldn't help but to scan over her as he wanted to pull her into his arms and comfort her. "Once you share your side and what happened in their hideout, your part will be done. Everything else is against the pirates."

"But Madam Claustra will want someone to pay for her loss." Tracy said as she tightened up her grip on the glass. "And so will the people of Altissia."

"No one looks at you as an escapegoat for this." Paul said as he leaned forward. "You were by no means the issue here. If anything, you were the savior for these people. You did something that not even the police could do."

"Then why does it feel like I'm the one with a target on my back?" She quietly asked without meeting his gaze. "Why am I being called to the stand?"

"So who is ready for desert?" You asked as you walked up to them with a tray and two desert dishes.

But you froze in place when you saw the seriousness on their faces. "Your talking about the case, aren't you?"

You knew the truth when they both slightly dropped their gaze. "I told you not to talk about the case."

"We were just talking in general about it." Your dad said as he looked back up at you with a smile.

You gave him a firm look. "That can wait until tomorrow. I won't have either of you getting upset with the other."

"It's fine." Tracy said as she smiled at you. "I just asked about the arrival time so that I had an idea of how long we had."

"You have all week. Of course." You said with a smile. "And hopefully longer than that."

They both paused and looked at you as you sat down their deserts. Then without another word, you walked away. Your dad smiled at you before he looked down at the desert that you had made them. It certainly was a far cry from the standard pie that was usually served at the restaurant.

"Wow. She sure has improved her cooking skills hasn't she?" Tracy said as she admired her plate.

"You might say that." Paul replied with a smile as he watched Tracy admiring the plate.

Then he watched her for a moment as she smiled and picked up one of the pastries. He then turned his attention to his. It had been a while since she had had any of your cooking. Paul hadn't realized how much you had improved since he was more into eating it then admiring it. Which made him smile to himself as he thought about how it was just a norm for you now.

"And speaking of improving." Paul said as he straightened back up in his chair before he looked up.

"Harold was telling me that you..." Paul started to say until he watched Tracy close her eyes as she seemed to be in pure bliss and she slowly chewed.

Paul couldn't seemed to talk anymore as he watched her practically purr her pleasure. He felt his heart start to race as he watched her moaning her delight from the chewy fruit filling inside of the crispy crust. He couldn't help but to wish that he was the reason that she was moaning in delight again. Then he noticed that part of the fruit filling was right on the corner of her mouth.

"You....uhh." He started to say as she got ready to take another bite.

"Hmmmm. This is so good." She purred and took another bite.

Paul couldn't take his eyes off of the filling that was still on the corner of her mouth as she chewed. "You have a little...."

"Hmm." She said as she slowly opened up her eyes and looked at him.

"You have a little something...." He said as he gestured with his hand on himself.

"Hmm." She said as she gave him a confused look.

"Here." He said as he stood up and reached his hand over to her face.

Then he slowly slid his thumb across the corner of her mouth as he wiped away the filling. But as he did, his heart skipped as she slightly gasped from his touch. Suddenly he wanted to touch her lips with more then just his thumb. He longingly looked at her lips as he felt the urge to place his lips on her soft, delicate ones and taste her once again.

Suddenly there was a loud bang that made both of them jump. They looked over and saw that one of the bus boys had dropped a box by the bar. They both slightly smiled as their hearts were starting to race. Then Paul sat back down in his chair. That was when you walked over to them after giving the bus boy a stern look.

"So how do you like it?" You asked as you beamed at them.

"Hmmm." Tracy purred again. "These are amazing. You have to give me your receipe."

"Hmmm." You said as you jokingly looked around. "I will once all of this is over."

"But." You said as you held up one finger. "I will only show you if you come back to Insomnia with us."

"Wait a minute..." They both said as they started to see where you were going with all of this.

"But in the meantime." You Interrupted with a smile. "I have to head back to the estate. I have a test to study for and a boyfriend to call. But I don't want to see you back at the estate anytime soon."

"Wha...?" Your dad started to say before you raised your hand again.

"And don't worry about me." You said with a smile as you stood back up. "I'll be fine to head back on my own. So take your time tonight. Okay?"

They both sat there stunned as you nodded at both of them.

"Night you two." You said with a smile before you turned around and walked away.

"What just happened?" Tracy asked as she grabbed her napkin and wiped her mouth.

"I'm not entirely sure." Your dad said as he watched you with a confused look. "But I think she just gave me permission to stay out late, like we're a couple of teenagers or something."

Tracy started to snicker. Paul couldn't help but to slightly laugh himself. Then he looked back at Tracy and smiled broadly at her as she beamed back at him in delight. Dear six had he missed seeing that smile of hers. For her smile always seemed to calm him down and heat him up all at he same time.

"Then let's make the most of it then." Tracy said back with a smile as she returned the same delighted smile.

"I couldn't agree more." Paul beamed back.

Then they both smiled and continued to eat their desert.

"So your heading back now?" Weskham asked as he looked at you as you pulled your purse over your shoulder.

"I really should. I have a test to study for, for my history class." You said back with a smile. "And besides, I don't need to see anymore to know that those two will be pretty busy tonight. And it certainly won't be them worrying about me."

"Well it was a pleasure to have you here tonight." Weskham said with a smile.

"Thank you for having me." You said back as you got ready to walk away.

"I would walk you back myself if I could." Weskham said with a slight smile.

"It's okay. I don't mind walking by myself. I'm not worried about anyone here, causing me any trouble." You said as you pushed your hair behind your ear.

"Well I never said that you would be walking back by yourself." Weskham said as he straightened back up.

"Huh?" You asked as you gave him a confused look.

"No. There's a young man here who is more than willing to walk you back." Weskham said as he nodded towards a table that was right in front of the bar. "I think he wanted to talk to you anyway."

You slowly turned your attention to the table. And as you did, your mouth fell open as the guy at the table turned around and looked back at you. You felt your heart skip as you were once again looking into a pair a beautiful deep blue eyes, of a very familiar blonde. He looked over at you and gave you a slight smile.

"I assume that you remember him." Weskham said as he watched you stare at him and he got up from his table and walked over to the two of you. "Because he will be the one to escort you back to the estate."

"Chris, hey." You half breathed as he walked up you.

"Hey (y/n)." Chris said as he gave you a slight smile. "I'm glad to see that you can talk to me this time."

"Yeah." You half breathed. "But....what brings you here?"

"The trial of course." He said before he scanned you with his eyes. "You look nice an relaxed tonight."

"Yeah. Thanks. I am." You said as you dropped your head and moved your hair behind you ear.

"You don't mind if I walk you back, do you?" Chris asked as he gave you an uncertain look.

"NO." You quickly replied as you looked back at him. "No. Not at all."

"Then shall we." Chris said as he held out his arm as he gestured to you to get on the awaiting gondola.

"Yeah." You said with a slight smile.

Then you stepped forward and got onto the boat with his assistance as he held your hand. You couldn't help but to grab his hand completely as he glided you over to the boat and towards one of the seats as he climb on himself. Then the two of you sat down and got comfortable as the driver started up the boat.  Then once you were settled, the boat slowly started to pull away from the pier.

The driver kept the boat at a steady pace as he took the boat around the back of the restaurant. You smiled at Chris before you looked up and saw your dad and Tracy sitting at the table. They both turned and looked at you as the boat slowly moved past them. Tracy gave you a confused look. Where your dad gave you a surprised look.

"I'll see you in the morning dad." You said with a smile as the boat went past their table. "I'll catch you later Tracy."

Paul couldn't do anything but smile as he nodded to Chris. Chris looked back at him and gave him a nod in return. Then the boat moved out of sight as it went around to the front of the restaurant. Tracy went from looking at the boat to Paul as she gave him a confused look.

"Who was that with (y/n)?" Tracy asked as he watched Paul slowly turn back to her.

"That's Chris." Paul said as he gave Tracy a very serious look. "He's the reason that (y/n) is only pressing charges for sexual assault, oppose to rape, since he was the one who stopped it before it got to that point."

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

Okay, honestly. Who saw that one coming? You should have figured that I would bring Chris back into this after everything that happened with him. Of course on the first night might not have been what you were thinking, but he was definitely going to have to be there for the trial as a witness and for stopping the attack.

Well now that almost everyone is accounted for, (aaa-humm) it's time to get ready for court. But first, will a fire be rekindled between two broken souls that have been hurting while they truly missing the other? Or will it fall short yet again. We will find out in the next chapter. See you then.

Thanks for reading. :)

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