"I don't mind.  Really."  You heard Noctis plead over the phone.  "I can be there in nothing flat." 

"Noct.  Please.  I know what your trying to do.  And its sweet.  Really.  But it's okay.  I'll just ask my dad."  You said to Noctis as sweetly as you could.  

You knew that he was still trying to make up for the fight between him and Ignis from last time.  But it seemed like every time Ignis was busy, Noctis immediately jumped at the chance to try and pick you up.  Which was sweet and all.  But all it was doing now was making a huge wedge between the two of them.  Which was why you were refusing rides from both of them now.

"But..?"  Noctis tried to argue back.

"I'll call you after work.  Okay?"

"Fine.  I guess I'll talk to you then."

"Thank you.  Well.  Bye Noct"

Then you hung up and let out a huge sigh.  It was getting old already with their fighting.  And all it did anymore was stress you out. Which was the last thing you wanted.

"Was that Noctis again?" Your dad asked as you put your phone away in your backpack as you stood by the front door as you waited for your dad.

"Yeah."

"Why is it you don't want to ride with them again?" Your dad asked as he walked up to you.

Tracy gave him a cross look. "Where you even paying attention?"

"What?" He asked with a shocked expression. "Oh course I was. I'm just trying to figure out what their problem is."

"I honestly think that Noctis might be a bit jealous of Ignis." You replied with your head down. "And they've been like this the whole time you were gone. And it pisses me off."

"Well, aside from the obvious frustration your feeling. I think we may have a solution for you."  Your dad said as he pulled you into his arms. "At least in regards to the transportation part."

"And what's that?"  You said as you laid your head against his chest as he rubbed your back.  "Take the bus?"

"No." He said as he gave you a kiss on the head. "I would never make you do that."

"This one is much more acceptable for everyone here."  Tracy said with a smile.

"What do you mean?"  You asked as you turned your head and looked at Tracy.

"Well, your dad and I ride into work together since we both have to go that direction anyway.  And I'm not actually suppose to be by myself just yet."  Tracy said as she watched you give her a confused look.  "But my car still needs to be used so that it doesn't start to break down on us.  Soooo..."

"Wait a minute?"  You said as you slowly started to release your dad.  "Are you saying that I can use your car?"

"Only if you want to."  She said as you gave her a stunned look.  "But yes.  It's yours to use for school and work.  I don't need it during the week since I'm at the citadel most of the time.  And your dad and I ride together anyway."

You quickly released your dad and threw your arms around Tracy and gave her a huge hug.  She almost fell backwards from your sudden motion.  But after you started hugging her, she gave your dad a stunned look.  To which he smiled back at her.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!"  You quickly said as you slightly squeezed her.  "I'll take really good care of it I promise!"

Tracy slightly smiled as she hugged you back.  "I know you will."

"But know this, if your grades drop or if your out too late or are late for work.  We'll take the car back."  Your dad said firmly from beside you.

You then released Tracy and smiled at both of them.  "Not a chance that that will ever happen."

"Ahh.  Never say never."  Your dad said as he handed Tracy her car keys.

Tracy clutched her keys for a moment before she turned and handed them to her.  "Just be care. Okay?"

You felt your heart race as you took the keys from her.  Then you turned to her and smiled.  This was one thing that you had never expected.  But you were very grateful for it.

"I will."  You beamed back at her.  "Thank you."

So with keys clutched in your hand you walked outside and looked at the car that you were going to be able to use.  You couldn't help but to beam at it.  For it looked like you went from one black car with silver trim to another.  But at least this didn't belong to the citadel.  

And with a slight screech, you ran over and unlocked the car.  Then you put your bag in the back seat and climbed into the front seat and closed the door.  You excitedly put on your seat belt then gripped the wheel with a big grin.  Then with the push of a button, that car roared to life and so did your heart.

I am soooooo going to get her something to thank her with my next check.  You though as you excitedly looked around the car before you put it in reverse and headed to school.

You kept to your word and took really good care of her car, and you treated her with a special dinner.  There were a few times that she did need it during the week. But that was few and far between.  And on those days, she would drop you off then pick you up from school so that you could use it that night for work.  Which worked out fine by you.

And before you knew it, Gladio's birthday was approaching and you were once again helping out with the planning process.  But this time it was mainly just helping Marge in the kitchen and with the healing relief once the ceremony was done.  There wasn't suppose to be that many students at his party though, except perhaps the whole swim team and football team.  Which was still a lot of food considering how much the football team could eat.

The bulk of the party though consisted of the Kingsglaives themselves.  Apparently every single one was going to be there.  Which made sense, since his dad was over all in charge of them.  And since Gladio had spent most of his life with them as he was growing up, as he trained with them and just spent time with them in general.   So it only made sense to invite all of them.  Which was exciting to you since you hadn't seen Nyx and the others in what seemed like forever.

"Are you sure that we made enough?"  Marge said as she looked out the kitchen door at you and she pictured the racks upon rack of prepped food for the party that was the next day.  "I don't want to run or anything."

You slightly laughed at Marge as you gave her a gentle smile.  "I'm positive.  That is enough food to feed the crew of the Atlantis  three full meals.  And still have enough left overs for Mid-rats."

"I hope your right."  Marge said as she tried to relax.  "But perhaps I should count them once last time."

"Ms. Marge..."  You started to say as she went back into the kitchen again to count the racks for the 10th time, when Noctis interrupted you.

"Just let her be."  Noctis said with a smile.  "She's not hurting anything.  And it will help her feel; better."

"I know.  But I don't want her to work herself into another heart attack like last time."  You said as you finished tying on the last bow on the last vases for the table decorations that you had covering the dining room table.

Noctis slightly laughed as he sat on the table right beside where you were working.  "Are you done yet?  I want to do something else besides prepare for his party."

"Like what?"  You asked as you did the final fan out to the bow.

"I don't know."  He said as he rolled his head.  "Anything but party preparations."

"How about the arcade?"  Prompto asked as he came walking in with the cart to take down the table decorations to the ballroom.

"Not you too?"  You asked as you watched him walk in with a huge grin on his face.

"Ahh (y/n).  Come one.  Can't we go have fun after this?"  Prompto pleaded as he gave his biggest puppy dog eyes.

Which you had to look away from.  Since you could swear that he had learned from Noctis on how to make his bright blue eyes melt your heart with one look.  But as you made one last adjustment to the bow you did have to admit that you could use a break yourself.  Everyone had been working on the party for most of the week and almost all of that saturday and it starting to wear everyone out.  So with one look at them, they already knew the answer as they both got a huge smile on their faces as you couldn't help but you smile at them.

"Fine."  You said

"YES!"  They both cheered.

"But only if you're here early tomorrow to help me set up the room."  You said to both of them as they suddenly had a lot more energy in them then they did five seconds prior.

"Might I be able to join you?"  You heard a familiar accented voice quietly ask from the doorway of the kitchen.

"Are you sure that your not to busy with your classwork?"  Noctis asked with a sour tone.

"Shuddup man.  Or she won't let us go."  Prompto quietly said to Noctis as he gentle pushed his shoulder.

"I'm actually done with everything for my classes.  All I have to wait for now is for the presentation of the group project and my final exams.  Which won't be until next week."  Ignis said as he pushed his glasses on his face with his middle finger.

"Really?"  You gently asked in shock as if bracing for the truth to shatter what little hope that you had left of having a somewhat normal relationship with him before he headed off to college.

"Yeah."  He said as a smile slowly moved across his face.

You felt like your heart was going to burst out of your chest from excitement, even though there was a bit of doubt in you.  "But are you sure that you really want to go to the arcade?  It's usually not something that you like to do." 

"I will have you know that I have always loved to go to the arcade."  Ignis said as he straightened out his glasses.

"Since when?"  Noctis asked as he gave Ignis a skeptical look.

"Well, since the first time I beat you."  He said with a smirk.  "Which seems to be every time I play against you."

"Is that a challenge?"  Noctis asked with a smirk.

"Only if you make it one."  Ignis smirked back.

"Oooooohh.  Your on specks."  Noctis said with a smirk.

"I hope that this isn't a private party?"  Gladio asked as he walked into the dining room from the hallway.

"Like we could ever forget you."  Noctis said with a smile.  "It's not like we haven't been preparing for your birthday now for days or anything."

"And you think your ceremony is going to be any different?"  Gladio asked as he crossed his arms in from of himself as he gave Noctis a smirk.  "Mine will be a kiddy party compared to yours."

"Damn straight it will."  Noctis said with a slightly cocky tone.  "But (y/n) will be celebrating hers long before I will be."

"We can skip the party for mine, thank you."  You said as you started to put the vases on the cart that Prompto had brought in.

"Ooooooohh not you don't."  Noctis said as he slid off of the table and stopped you in your tracks as he stood in between you and the table as you turned around to grab some more of them.  "Nobody gets out of that party."

"I really don't need one."  You nervously said a you tried to get around Noctis.

"But you of all people should have one."  Ignis said as he came up to you and stood right beside Noctis.

"Seriously I don't need one."  You said again.  

"Ahhh.  Why not?"  Prompto asked as he came up and stood on the other side of Noctis.  "I can't wait for mine."

"Look, I'm not as well liked as you guys."  You said as you gave them an exasperated look.  "Your all waaaay more popular then I am.  Okay?  Haven't you ever wondered why I hang out with your guys most of the time?"

"I thought it was because you liked us?"  Prompto said with a hurt look.

"Of course I do."  You said with a soft smile as you shrugged your shoulders.  "I love all of you.  But outside of everyone here.  I don't really hang out with anyone else.  So I really don't see the point of a party."

"Perhaps you might change your mind in two years."  Ignis said as he smiled at you.

"You know, I think specks is right."  Noctis said with a smirk.  "We shall see in two years.  You might have a few more friends then you think.  Outside of us of course."

"I highly doubt it.  You four are plenty for me to try and handle.  I don't think I can handle anymore then just this."  You said as you looked at all of them.  "Now can we drop it."

"Okay."  Noctis said as he cross his arms in front of himself.  "But don't get mad at me when I say 'I told you so' at your party."

"Yeah whatever."  You said as you rolled your eyes.

"Well, shall we go?"  Ignis said as he straighten his glasses once again.  "I believe the arcade closes in a couple hours."

"Oh shit.  Your right."  Prompto anxiously said.

"Well let's get going then."  Noctis said and started for the door.

Suddenly the kitchen door flew open.  "Wait?  Are you leaving?"

You looked over and saw Marge giving you an shocked look.

"Yes ma'am.  But don't worry."  You said with a smile.  "We'll be back first thing the morning to finish setting up.  Okay?  This party will go down without a hitch.

Which is exactly what happened.  Because after the five of you spent a couple hours playing at the arcade, all of you headed home for the evening with the intent of being there bright and early the next morning.  You and Ignis were the first two to show up.  Followed by Prompto and Noctis shortly after that.  And in no time at all everyone else joined in and the ballroom was set up perfectly.

Dinner had gone over perfectly and even baby Talcott got to have some fun as everyone was taking turns dancing with him on the dance floor since he was starting to learn how to walk.  The sight was too cute and everyone had a blast recording each moment.  Which made the whole party have more of a family environment to it then Ignis' did.  But that made sense, considering Talcott was a huge part of that.

But it started to get serious when the party shifted to the Crystal chamber.  You and Monica stood near the control panel and watched the screens.  You both could feel your hearts pounding as you watched Gladio and Noctis approach the Crystal.  Suddenly an image of Ignis and Noctis on the floor flashing through your head as Gladio and Noctis stopped beside the crystal.  You shook your head To clear your head as you prayed that the same thing wouldn't happen.  But then again, that's why they had you on stand by this time/

"Do you think he'll be okay?"  Monica asked as he held Talcott in her arms as he slept after wearing himself out at the dinner party.

You slightly smiled as you glanced at her.  "I wouldn't worry too much about Gladio.  He is the toughest guy I know after all."

"Yeah.  Your right."  Monica said with a smile before she glanced back at the screens again.  "I guess it's sort of silly of me to be worried."

You gave her a big smile before you looked back at the screens yourself.  You didn't want her to worry.  But you knew that anything could happen during this.  And it didn't exactly tickle as the bonding was taking place.  Because it felt like your very sole was being attached to the weapon.  Which in a way, was very true.

"And besides, I can heal him if something goes wrong anyway."  You said with a smile, even though you were nervous about trying to heal someone twice your size like Gladio.

"Like you did with Ignis and Noctis last time?" Monica asked as she glanced back at you.

"Precisely."  You returned as you kept your eyes on the monitors as the panels that surrounded the crystal, opened up and revealed the dark purple glow of the crystal as it partially came into view.

Once again the image of Noctis flashed across your eyes.  But this time you could actually feel the power of the crystal as if it was pulling you towards it.  You shook your head as you tried to clear your vision.  But this time you swear you heard someone talking to you in a deep gravely voice.

The time will come when you and I will meet.  Then I will show you the true power within you.

The voice seemed to boom in your ears.  Even though there wasn't anyone near you.  But the power of it was enough to make your knees weak. You slightly stumbled backwards as you felt your knees start to give out on you.

But a pair of firm hands grabbed you from behind and held you up.  You slowly looked over your shoulder as you fought to clear your vision.  But all you saw was a blur.

"Easy love."  You heard Ignis voice say as the hands tightened up their grip on you as they wrapped around you so that they could support you.

"Are you okay?"  You heard him ask as you slumped more against him.

"I....I don't know."  You said in a daze as your vision was nothing but a blue haze now.

Stay by his side and we shall meet up soon.

"Gladio!"  You heard Monica scream at a distant as everything was starting to go black.  

"Stay still!  We can't open it just yet.  We have to close the panels first." You heard an unfamiliar voice say.

"Whhaaaaaaa!!!!"  You heard Talcott cry.

Suddenly your vision was starting to come back to you.  

"There!  The panels are closed."  The unfamiliar voice said as suddenly your vision was  completely clear again.

"GLADIO!"  You heard Monica shout right as you saw her run into the chamber.

"Monica wait!"  You heard Ignis shout.

Suddenly you were very much aware of everything as you could sense the fear in Monica.  You quickly broke away from Ignis and ran into the room.  But right as you entered it, you were instantly relieved.  Because you saw Gladio sitting up with Monica in his arms and Talcott in between the two of them. 

You then looked over at Noctis and saw that he was still on the ground.  You quickly went over to him as your felt your heart starting to race.  But as you got closer, you realized that he was just laying there with his arm over his eyes as if he was sleeping.  You relaxed and smiled at him as you knelt down beside him.

"Oh dear."  You said in a joking tone as you moved his arm away from his face.  "It looks like Noctis is too tire to move.  Whatever should I do?"

"Ha ha."  He said in a deep voice as he slowly looked up at you.  "You already know that I'm fine."  

 "Well, you look a lot better then when you and Ignis did it."  You said as you held his hand and relaxed on the floor.

"Thanks."  He quietly said.  "But I still feel wiped out."

"Well it does take a lot out of you after all."  Ignis said as came over and knelt down on the other of him.  "Do you need us to help you up?"

"Can't I just stay here?"  Noctis asked as he closed his eyes again.  "I'm too tired to move."

"Laying on the cold floor will just make you sick."  Ignis said as he grabbed Noctis loose arm and started to pull him up. "So come on."

You then smiled at Ignis as the two of you picked him up off the floor.  Then you both looked over at Gladio and saw his standing up holding Talcott and with Monica attached at his hip.  All of you smiled at each other and slowly made your way back out of the chamber.  And as you emerged, Noctis started to walk on his own again and Gladio was all grins as the glaives started to patting him on the back and congratulate him.

"Well it seems that you weren't really needed this time."  Your dad said as he came up to you. 

"I wouldn't say that."  Noctis said as he looked at your dad.

"Healing and carrying you are two different things your highness."  Your dad said with a smile.  "But this does show that you have grown stronger since the first time Doing this.  I heard you were out for the rest of the night."

"Don't remind me."  Noctis said as he dropped his head.

"You were also younger then."  You said with a smile to him.  "And you had all three of us to do that with." 

"Yeah."  Noctis said as he rubbed the back of his head.  "But still."

"Well, let's retire for the night so that everyone can properly recover."  King Regis said as he looked at everyone.

"Yes your majesty."  Everyone said in unison.

The tension seemed to ease up between everyone after that day.  Even with Ignis missing a couple days of school for his college finals.  Which you really felt in more then one way, since it meant that you ate lunch by yourself.  And that the choir teacher had to play the piano herself instead of having Ignis play.

But that wasn't that much now, since the class was more of less a review of the songs and the dance moves since the concert was only a couple weeks away.  Which you were excited for.  But also nervous about. Because the concert also meant that graduation was right around the corner.  And this was something that you were excited about for Ignis', Gladio's and Monica's sake.  But it also meant that they would be leaving soon, which made your heart already start to ache.

"So I was wondering if you wanted to pick up some daytime hours during the summer?"  You heard Brian ask. "You know, since you won't be in school and all."

You looked over at him as he finished setting up a customer's plate that was sitting in front of him.  You had been continuing to drive yourself to work even after everything was done.  And it seemed to have eliminated the issue of the fights between Ignis and Noctis.  Plus if gave you a sense of freedom and trust from your dad that you had never expected before.

But now as you looked at Brian as he handed you the plate and salad for the customer, you were starting to wonder if perhaps you were starting to move away from all of them because of work.  It had taken up a lot of your time at night to hang out with them.  And now with summer looming ahead you couldn't help but to think about the outdoor camping that you wanted to do that summer.  But as you looked at Brian's hopefully smile, you had a feeling that he would let you take the time off to enjoy your summer.  Even if you were the only one who ever showed up to work.

"What about the new girl?  I thought that she could only work dayshift?"  You asked as you put the plates on your tray.

"Yeah, well.  Apparently she can't even do that anymore."  Brian said as he dropped his head.

"Don't tell me."  You said as dropped your shoulders.

"Yeah.  She quit this morning." Brian said as he pulled down the next two plates for the next order.

"Damn."  You said under your breath.  "I was hoping that she would work out."

"You and me both."  Brian said as he started to put together two BLT sandwiches with chips.  "But I guess not everyone is as dedicated as you."

"Yeah." You said as you dropped your head.

"But don't worry.  I'll get someone to cover for you if you want to enjoy a few days this summer."  Brian said with a smile as his hands kept going.  "I wouldn't want to ruin your entire summer vacation."

You couldn't help but to smile at him.  "Thanks Brian."

"Anytime."  He said with a smile as he placed the first plate under the lamp for you to grab.

Just then the door bell chimed from behind you.  You turned around and saw your dad and Tracy walk in.  They both smiled at you and took their usual booth by the kitchen door.  It had become a habit now for them to stop by on Fridays and eat there so that they could see how you were doing, considering they didn't get to see much of you during the week anymore.

"Let me take care of these plates then I'll come back with their order."  You said back to Brian with a smile as you grabbed the first plate and the second one as soon as he set it up under the lamp.

"Don't bother.  I'll just start on their order.  And I'll get them their drinks." Brian said with a smile.  "They always get the same thing anyway."

"Thanks."  You beamed back at him before you walked away to deliver the food to the other customers.

Once you had served the food on your tray, you walked over to your dad and Tracy.  They both beamed up at you as you walked over and stood in front of the table.  They were still wearing their usual business attire from earlier.  Which told you that they had just gotten off work.  Which made sense considering it was practically dinner time now.

"Greetings.  And welcome to the 4x4."  You beamed at them.  " Would you like to hear about today's specials?"

They both slightly laughed at you before your dad talked to you.  "I think your starting to take this job seriously for once."

"For once?"  You joked back.  "Dad, I have always taken this job seriously."

"Well it certainly shows."  Tracy said to you as she beamed at you.

"Well thank you." You smiled back at her.

"Did you need to take our order then?" Your dad said with a smile.

"Nope. Brian is already making it." You said as you nodded towards the kitchen.

"Have we really become that regular?" Your dad asked as he looked at Tracy.

She giggled back at him. "Apparently so."

"Well I'm going to go check on the other customers. But I'll be back." You said as you gestured to the rest of room.

"Go do your thing." Your dad beamed back at you. "We're not going anywhere."

You nodded at them then turned on your heel to check on the other customers.  Your dad smiled at you as he watched you talking with the other guests and clearing away a few plates for others. He had already known that you were good with serving just based on your training. But it was still impressive to watch you effortlessly take care of a full dining room by yourself.

"And here's your ice tea." Brian said as he sat down two glasses for Paul and Tracy.

"Thank you." They both said as Brian handed them their straws.

"It looks like your starting to pick up some more business lately." Paul said to Brian as he put his straw in the drink.

"It has been growing." Brian beamed back. "But I think it's due to her, to be honest."

"How do you figure?" Tracy asked before she took a drink.

"Well look at her. She makes them want to come back with her smile and constant upbeat attitude. I've never had a waitress like her before." Brian beamed as you started wiping down a table after clearing it off.

"Well, that's what great training will get you." Paul proudly said.

"Indeed. And speaking of her working. I asked her if she wanted to change shifts once summer started."

"Really?" Tracy asked in surprise.  "That was quick."

"Let me guess. You lost another one." Paul said in a low tone as he sat back.

"Yeah. But how is it both of you figured that out?"

"Because you tell us." Tracy replied. "And besides, you forget that we stop by for lunch a lot too."

"Yeah I suppose that would kind of show you. I just don't get it though. I can't seem to keep them."

"Well, it could be the pay rate. Not everyone wants to make half the minimum wage rate along with their tips." Tracy offered.

"Or you could have a lot of cheapskates here for lunch." Paul added.

"You could be right." Brian said as they watched you walk past them with a tray full of dirty dishes.  "I just hope she doesn't leave after working the lunch rush."

"I wouldn't worry about that."  Paul said. "My little girl can handle it."

"Don't let her hear you say that."  Tracy said with a smile before taking a drink as you walked back out of the kitchen to clear a couple more tables.   "You know how much she hates to be treated like a kid."

"Yeah, yeah."  Paul said as he crossed his arms.  "But I don't care how old she gets.  She will always be my baby girl."

Paul then smiled as he watched you work.  Older or not.  There was no way that he could ever picture you anything other then the little girl in pig tails who loved to play at the park.  But then again, he didn't want to see you any older then that just yet.  Because that would mean that you would be leaving home soon.  And that was something that he wasn't really looking forward to.

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

I love time jumps.  Especially since I really am trying to keep this down to only one book.  Even thought this one is already broken down into two as it currently stands.

Well now with Ignis' final concert looming over your head as well as graduation.  You can feel the tension starting to build again between Ignis and Noctis as the days count down to the start of summer.  But will the tension hurt more then just someone's ego?  We shall soon see.

Thanks for reading.  :)

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