After picking up several new school uniforms and accessories, you headed over to the women's department. You saw Nyx and Ignis start to get a bit uncomfortable as you walked near the underwear section. You slightly smiled to yourself as you saw Ignis get a bit red in the face as you picked up an even redder skimpy pair of underwear and matching bra. You grabbed them then headed further in to get a few more.

"You can wait out there if your uncomfortable." You commented back as you saw them stop a safe distance from the racks.

"We'll be over here if you need us." Nyx said before he walked away and gestured for Ignis to follow him.

"Okay." You teased back as you gave Ignis a sinister grin.

You could only imagine what was going through his head as you grabbed another pair of skimpy underwear and bra. You slightly held them up as you looked at them, so that he could see that they were a deep blue. You did a quick glance at him before he walked away, but not before you saw the heat start to fly across his face as he narrowed his eyes at you before looking away.

After getting a few more pair, of more sensible underwear, you headed to the casual street clothes and workout clothes. You grabbed several outfits before heading back over to them. As you walked up you felt a bit bad as they as both seemed to be bored. But then you heard part of their conversation.

"........no matter what happens. You have to keep them safe." Nyx was saying to Ignis. "And right now, I'm not to keen on how they have the security set up for this. So if I was you, I would be on high alert."

"What's wrong with the security?" You asked as you joined them.

They both looked over at you and stood back up.

"Nothing for you to worry about." Nyx said as he looked at the bundle in your hands. "You got everything?"

"For now, yes." You said as you shifted the hangers in your hands. "But you didn't answer my question."

"It's ok." Ignis said as he walked up to you and gave Nyx a warning look. "It's nothing to worry about. We were just talking."

"No. It's not nothing." You said as you gave them both a stern look. "My dad is the one handling it. And he's not about to let anything slip through his security lines."

"Exactly." Ignis said as he looked right at you. "And that is why my uncle is having your dad take a look at the current set up. This way they can make any necessary changes before the events."

"If he can make any changes that make sense, then I'm all for it." Nyx said as he turned towards the checkout.

Both you and Ignis smiled at Nyx. Then Ignis put his hand in the small of your back as he guided you over to the check out counter. You both knew that your dad could find a hole in any security set up. And was more then capable of fixing it an was able to further protect it.

Paul was pouring over the map layout for the Founder's Day Festival as he tried to identified every weak point in the area. He had spotted several areas right from the beginning and had already started a new map that would reflect a better set-up. He was giving it one more hard look when a soft knock on the door jarred him out of his concentration. He glanced back up and towards the door as he heard the knock again.

"You can come in." He said then looked back at the maps again as he continued to compare the old map to the new one that he had come up with.

"Pardon me," Sara started to say as she peeked her head around the door. "Mr. (L/N)?"

Paul looked up at her as she stood there giving him a curious look. "Can I help you with something?" He asked as he looked back up at her as he set his pencil down.

"I was just going to step out for lunch." She shyly said as she straightened back out. "Did you want me to pick you up anything?"

Paul sat back for a moment as he looked at her. He hadn't realized how late it was already, so he hadn't even thought about lunch at this point. But then again he was kind of known for not eating lunch in general when he was deep into a new project. But as he sat back looking at her, he couldn't help but to smile that she had even asked him. Since it was the first time anyone had asked him in a long time. The last time had been Lynn, but that had been before they had left for the rescue mission. Beyond that, everyone just knew not to ask him because they already knew the answer was no.

"Thank you. I really appreciate the thought." He said as he looked at her,
as her eyes seemed to dazzle at his words.

"But I'm afraid I will have to decline." Paul said as he went to pick-up his pencil again.

"Oh. Okay." She said with a slightly hurt voice as she glanced down.

"I'll be back in awhile then." She said and started to make her way back out of the room.

Paul dropped his head as he thought about the disappointment that he knew that he heard in her voice. He couldn't very well turn away an invitation by a lady and make her eat by herself. Lynn would never forgive him for that. Besides, he thought as he sighed, he could use a break before looking at the map for the final time. A break would give him a chance to clear his head again before finalizing it.

"You know what?" Paul said as he kept his head down.

Sara froze. She was half afraid to move incase her increased heart rate was right. Was he actually going to change his mind? She slowly turned back to face him. Her breath slightly caught as he looked at her and gave her a half smile. Sara felt like his deep (e/c) eyes seemed to shine as he looked at her.

"Instead of you bringing me something," he started as he put the pencil back into the pen holder on the desk, "how about I join you instead?"

Sara couldn't seem to find her words as she looked at him. For she had never known of him to so much as even pause when it came to his work. She gave him a curious look before giving him a slight smile. Perhaps he had changed these past few years.

"That would be nice." Sara finally managed to say as she felt her hands start to shake. Holy shit! He wants to come with me?

"Alright." Paul said back with a smile. "Let me pack up. Then we can head out."

"Okay." Sara said with a smile then slid out the door.

Paul smiled after she had left the room. He wasn't quite sure what came over him. Except perhaps attraction.

No, it has to be hunger. I haven't eaten since breakfast. Paul thought as he packed up the maps and put them into the top desk drawer, before locking them up tight.

Then he stood up and walked over to the coat rack and grabbed his black leather jacket, before joining Sara by the front door. They proceeded out the door and down to the parking garage. Once they were there, they headed over to the citadel's fleet of cars that were parked on the top floor of the garage.

Paul opened the passenger door of the  first car for Sara, so that she could get in. She seemed to be a bit stunned as she walked over and slid into the seat. Paul smiled as he closed the door and walked around to his side.

Is it really that uncommon for guys to open doors for women? Paul though as he came around the front of the car. Perhaps I'm showing my age now.

Then he paused as he stood by the driver's door before he opened it up. Was she that much younger then him? Fuck. He hadn't thought about that. The last thing that he needed was for them to think that he was tempting to rob the cradle or something, by it appearing that he was dating someone who was much younger then Lynn had been. The leaders on the team would never trust him and the women would never leave him alone. He had to find out the truth before this went any further.

After putting on her seatbelt, Sara sat nervously in the car as she watched him walk around the car. She hadn't had anyone open up her door in so long that she wasn't sure how to react to it. Besides, she had thought that no one did that anymore. Everyone else that she dated, hadn't even consider opening the car door for her.

Hell, they barely opened any door for her to be completely honest. She smiled to herself as she watched him pause beside the driver's door. Perhaps chivalry wasn't dead after all. She thought as she dropped her head and smiled as Paul climbed into the car.

"So where to?" Paul asked as he turned to Sara after strapping on his seat belt.

"Huh?" She asked as his voice seemed to come to her in a dream as she was lost in thought as she looked around the beautiful black and white interior of the car.

"Did you have an idea of a place for lunch?" He asked again as he watched her struggle with her nerves.

"Oh," she said as she became very much aware that he was waiting for her to answer, "I was going to just get a salad today."

"From any place in particular?" He asked as he smiled back at her. I see what Korn was talking about now. She certain is a nervous person.

"No, not really." Sara said before finally meeting his gaze. "We can go wherever. After all, you're driving."

Paul smiled then slightly laughed. "I can see that this might take a few minutes if we keep this up." He said as he sat back. "How about I take you some place that I know, that has thee best salad selection?"

"That sounds great." Sara said as she looked up and smiled big at him.

"Alright." He said then he started up the car and headed out of the citadel parking garage.

After a short drive, Paul pulled in front of a small restaurant that was located on the ground floor of one of the high rises. It didn't look like much from the outside. Sara looked at Paul with a curious look as he got out of the car. Then she looked back at the shop. The plain store front didn't look like much. In fact she hadn't even given this place a second glance every time she had walked past it. So she had no idea what it was. Paul quickly came around the car and pulled open the door for her, as she started to get out. Sara then shyly smiled at him again as he held out his hand so that he could help her stand up. She was starting to feel like they were on a date, even though she knew that that wasn't his intention.

"You know, I've walked past this place almost everyday. And I don't think that I even knew that this place existed." Sara said as Paul held the door open for her so that she could walk through as they walked inside.

"Most people don't usually pay attention to places like this." Paul said as he looked across the room and nodded at the man behind the counter. The gentleman smiled back and quickly came around from behind the counter. "But that is exactly why Lynn and I loved coming here."

"Oh." Sara said as she stopped in her tracks as she looked at him. Lynn. That would explain why he knows where this is.

"Paul!" The gentleman resounded through the room as he came walking up to Paul with his arms outstretched. "Are you a sight for sore eyes."

Paul smiled at the man as he pulled him into a tight embrace. "It's good to see you too Brian." Paul said as he patted Brian on his back before he released him.

"Sara, this is Brian. He owns this place." Paul said to Sara as he introduced Brian.

Then Paul turned back to Brian. "This here is Sara. She works for Korn as his secretary." Paul said as he introduced Sara.

"It's nice to meet you." Sara said with a big smile as she reached out her hand to shake Brian's hand.

Brian grasped her fingers and kissed the top of her hand. "The pleasure is all mine." Sara slightly blushed from the gesture.

"She was looking for a place that has a great salad." Paul continued as he watched the two of them.

"Think you can help her out with that?" Paul said as he smiled back at Brian.

"You, my love, have just walked into the best known salad house in Insomnia." Brian grinned back as he gestured for them to follow him to their seat.

Paul simply smiled as he gestured with his hand for her to follow Brian as he led them to their table. Sara simply smiled and followed Brian to the back booth that was right by the kitchen counter. She had never had lunch with anyone who knew the owner of a place like Paul seemed to. She smiled as she was started to see a bit of his world. Perhaps he had changed after all.

"Just one menu?" Brian said to them as they took a seat on opposite sides of the booth.

"Please." Paul said as he took off his jacket and hung it on the rack at the end of the booth.

"I'll be back, love." Brian said as he gave Sara a smooth look before he walked off.

Sara followed him with her eyes as he walked behind the counter. Then he reach down and grabbed a few things before he came back to the table. Brian came back and sat down two sets of silverware, two glasses of water, two coffee cups, one menu, and a full coffee pot. He proceeded to fill up a cup for Paul. Before turning to Sara to see if she wanted any.

"Oh. No thank you." She said as she placed her hand over her cup. "The water is just fine for me."

"Are you sure?" Brian asked as he gave her a flirtatious look. "I could offer you a tall glass of ice tea instead?"

"No, I'm sure." She smiled back. "But thank you anyway."

"Alright." Brian said as he started to walk away.

Paul shook his head. "He's trying to get you to try his famous ice tea that he serves here." Paul said before taking a sip of his coffee.

"I don't personally drink it. But Lynn loved it." Paul said as he took another sip. "She would even swear that it was the best she ever had."

"Really?" Sara asked as she looked at Paul.

"Try it." He gestured to Brian. "You be the judge for yourself."

"Oh. Okay. I will." She said.

"Coming right up." Brian said as he face lite up before disappearing into the kitchen for a moment.

Paul slightly smiled as he watched them grinning at each other. Then he looked away from them as he glanced at the far booth closest to the door. He felt his heart start to race as he though about the last time he had eaten there. He had picked up Lynn for lunch. And it was right before he was getting ready to head out for a mission. He wouldn't be returning home for a few days, so he wanted to see her before he left.

"Seems like every time we turn around, your heading out again." Lynn had said as she had her head down as she slowly stirred her tea with her straw.

"We knew this would be the case when I started this job." Paul said as he tried to comfort her.

"It's only for a few days." He said as he reached across and grabbed her hand. "I'll be back before you know it."

"I know." She said as she kept her head down. "But that doesn't help the fact that you heading to the heart of nif territory again."

He had dropped his head as he squeezed her hand. "I'll be fine." He said in a lower voice as he tried to control even his nervous voice as he ran his thumb over the back of her hand.

"Besides," he said as he reached over and lifted up her chin with his other hand so that he could see her gorgeous green eyes, "we have an anniversary to celebrate when I get back."

She had smiled back at him with the biggest grin. He then had leaned over and.....

"Oh my gosh is this good." Sara said after taking a drink of the tall glass of ice tea that now sat in front of her.

"I'm glad you like it." Brian said as he stood there with a smile. "Does this mean that you'll stop by again sometime?"

"Perhaps." Sara said with a shy smile back at Brian.

Paul slightly shook his head as he looked away from the empty table by the door. Even in town he wasn't able to concentrate without thinking of Lynn. He dropped his gaze as he took another sip of coffee. Perhaps a night out would do him some good.

"Hey," Brian said to Paul, "you all right?"

Paul quickly glanced back up. He saw the concerned look in Brian's face as he searched him with his eyes. That was why Paul liked Brian, he could always tell when something was off. He was like a male version of Lynn.

"Yeah." Paul said as he gave Brian a quick glance before he took another drink.

"I'll be right back." Paul said as he stood back up. "I'll take my usual Brian."

"Where are you going?" Brian asked.

"I got a call to make." Paul said as he walked away as he held his phone in the air.

Paul heard Brian asking Sara's what she wanted to eat as he walked back towards the front of the shop. He stepped outside by the car and started dialing a number. He put the phone to his ear as the phone rang. He looked around nervously as he waited for the phone to be picked up. Finally he heard Korn's voice on the other side.

"Korn here." He heard Korn say.

"Is everything okay Paul?" He asked as he seemed a bit surprised that he called during lunch like that.

"Yeah." Paul said as he leaned up against the wall outside of the restaurant. "I was just checking in with you."

"You know that you don't have to during the day." Korn said in a calm voice. "We can always discuss the details once I see you at the end of the day."

"I know." Paul answered as he glanced down for a moment. "I just wanted to let you know that I stepped out for lunch with Sara. Just in case you stopped by the office and was wondering where we had gone."

"Ah." Korn said in a happier tone then Paul expected. "So I see that your getting along well with her then."

"More or less." Paul said as he glanced back through the window and saw Brian and Sara talking. "I think that I might have just introduced her to her next boyfriend though."

"Oh?" Korn asked.

"Yeah." Paul said as he turned back around and looked back down at the ground. "Apparently she's into people like Brian over here at the cafe."

"Really? Well that's good to know." Korn said with a slight pleased tone.

"How so?" Paul asked in a confused tone.

"That will be for a later discussion." Korn said as he changed tones. "How does the new security set-up look?"

"I did happen to notice a few issues with the original plan." Paul said, then he started to go over the ones that he had found so far.

"I'll give you a full over view once I give it one more hard look." Paul finished. "Then I can go over with you some other changes that should be made as well."

"Sounds good." Korn replied. "Now go and enjoy your lunch. I'll see you this evening."

"Will do." Paul said as he stood back up. "See you tonight."

Then Paul hung up and walked back inside and back towards the table. He paused for a moment when he saw that Brian and Sara were both sitting down, sharing a pleasant conversation. He hated to interrupt their talk, but when he looked at his watch he noticed that it was getting late. They really should be getting back. He did have work that he needed to get done.

Damn it. He though as he walked over to them.

"There you are." Brian said as Paul stopped right by the coat rack at the end of the booth.

"Sorry about that. But I had to discuss something with Korn." Paul said as he grabbed his coat.

"Something wrong?" Brian asked a he watched Paul put his coat back on.

"No. We just need to get back to the office." He said as he looked at his watch. "We are only on our lunch break after all."

"Oh." Sara said as she started to gather up her things. "I'm sorry I lost track of time."

"It's fine." Paul said then turned to Brian. "Do you have our food ready to take back?"

"Yours, yes." Brian said as he pointed to the bag on the table. "Sara got to eat hers."

"Good." Paul said then he pulled out his wallet and handed Brian some cash from his wallet. "This should cover the food."

Brian took the cash as he nodded back at him. "It will. Be sure to come by again soon."

"You know it." Paul said as he shook Brian's hand before he grabbed his food and turned on his heel as he headed for the door.

"Thank you for the salad." Paul heard Sara said to Brian.

"Anytime love, anytime." Brian said in his usual smooth voice.

Paul smiled to himself as he continued to the door. Brian sure knew how to put the moves on any girl. He slightly chuckled to himself as he remembered how Brian had initially hit on Lynn. Only for her to shot down his sly advances. Paul then paused by the door as he looked down at the handle. His heart slightly dropped as he looked at the slim steel handle. He had lost track of how many times that he held this door open for her.

"Are you sure that your okay?" Paul heard Sara ask from behind him.

"Yeah." Paul said as he snapped back to reality. "Shall we?" He asked as he held the door open for her again.

The entire trip back to the citadel was quiet. Neither of them talked as they seemed to be lost in their own thoughts. That was until he turned the car off after he had parked the car back in the citadel parking lot and turned to get out of the car. As he went to get out, he felt a hand on his as he turned to get out. He stopped and looked back at his hand before looking up at her.

"Thank you for lunch." She beamed at him.

"Your welcome." He said with a slight smile.

After going through the check out, your party of three headed to the arcade to collect Noctis so that you could head back to the Citadel. You smiled at Ignis as you carried your bags in one hand, as he held your other hand. He had changed a bit over the years. He never would have held your hand in public before. You were really starting to like the new Ignis.

"Ah here we are." Ignis said as he spotted the arcade.

You entered the shop only to hear nothing but the beeps and sounds or the various arcade machines as they called out to anyone walking past. You smiled as you walked through as you tried to spot Noctis. You could see why he would like to come here. He was surrounded by one of his favorite things to do. As you walked through the place you were able to easily spot him since he had a small group of people surrounding him as he was doing one of the racing games with Gladio. You stopped behind them and watched the two of them flying around corners as they tried to pin each other as they raced to the finish. You smiled as you laughed at them both as they taunted each other all the way to the end, to which Noctis won by 3 seconds.

"Nice racing Noc." You said from behind him.

Noctis quickly turned around and beamed at you. "Thanks." He said then he saw the bags in your hands. "Got everything done?"

"Yeah I think so." You said as you glanced at the bags. "Well for now anyway."

"Alright then." He said then he stood back up. "Let's head on back then. Before I beat Gladio again for the tenth time."

Gladio scuffed at his comment, as he got up himself so that the group could head back to the citadel.

The trip back was full of chatter as everyone talked about the celebration set-up that was to take place the next day. You and Noctis would be helping out with hanging up the building banners while Gladio and Monica would be helping out with the banner boards that would line the streets. Then once that was done everyone would be helping out with the various wall structures and the balloons that would fill the skies. The more that everyone talked about it, the more excited that you became. Tomorrow was going to be fun.

Once you arrived back at the citadel, you headed up to Korn's office to see your dad. Ignis decided to join you so that he could see if Korn was in or not. You had already dropped off your clothes in your room before you stepped onto the elevator to head up. Once the door closed behind you, you and Ignis were once again by yourselves. You looked up and gave him a teasing look as he stood by you as he watched the numbers increase on the display.

"So which do you prefer, red or blue?" You asked.

Ignis slowly looked at you as he narrowed his eyes.

"Red or blue what?" He asked.

He had a feeling that he knew exactly what it was in regards to. But he didn't want to jump to conclusions. Just in case he had missed something else.

"You know." You said as you turned him and wrapped your arms around his waist. "Red or blue?"

Ignis took your arms and moved them up so that you could wrapped them around his neck. Then he slid his hands down your sides as he wrapped his arms around your waist as he pulled you closer as him. For he had gotten the confirmation that he was looking for. You were indeed talking about your earlier purchases, and that was all he needed to know.

"Either one is fine with me." He said in a seductive voice before he leaned in and gave you a quick kiss.

"For neither of them will stay on you long." Ignis whispered in your ear before he gave you a heated kiss as he pulled you harder against him.

Your hummed your approval as you matched his kiss as you melted against him. Then you both heard the bell ring in the elevator, so you broke away from each other. Which was a good thing, since it opened up to a lower floor to allow for some employees to board. You both smiled to each other as you leaned up against the wall and just stared at each other. Shortly after that, the bell went off again and the other riders got off. But as they got off, two more came on and rode up the rest of the way with you.

Once the door opened up on the 15th floor, everyone departed the elevator. The two of you exited and headed down the hall and to the office. As you came to the door, you heard your dad's voice as well as a woman's voice. It sounded a bit like Korn's secretary, Sara. But she sounded different, she sounded happy.

When the two of you walked in, you found an empty front room. Perhaps I'm hearing things. You though as you entered the room.

But as you walked further in, you heard Sara's voice coming from Korn's office. As you approached the door, you glanced in. But the sight before you made your heart start to race. For you found her sitting at the desk, with your dad hovering over her from behind as they looked at the computer screen in front of them. She looked up and smiled at the two of you.

"Hey." She said with a smile. "Come on in." She said then looked back at the screen.

You stared at them with shock as you tried to figure out what was going on. Sara glanced up at your dad and seemed to have a slight twinkle in her eyes as she looked at him. But you couldn't see his eyes as he glanced back down at her. For he had his head turned down towards her. And at that angle you couldn't see if there was any reaction from him since you couldn't see his face. All you could go off of was his voice which seemed to be different like hers. Like he was enjoying himself.

"Now see, I never would have thought of doing it like that." He said as he spoke lightly in her ear. "I would have been building it from scratch. Which is how I have been doing it for many years now."

"But you shouldn't have to do it that way anymore." Sara was explaining as she was clicking and sliding the mouse all over the mouse pad. "By using this option you can do the same thing in half the time."

"Now how did you do that?" Paul asked as he leaned over and pointed to the screen.

You watched as Sara looked over at him and blushed as she realized just how close he was to her. She then glanced at his neck just like you did to Ignis' when he was that close. You felt your heart pounding in your chest as you watched her. Was she hitting on your dad? What the fuck?!

"Hey dad?" You asked so that you could get his attention.

Paul looked back up at you and stood up. "What's up kiddo?"

You watched as Sara got a disappointed look on her face as she glanced at him as he moved away. Then she turned her attention back to you. She looked at you as if she just then realized that you were around. Then she looked away as if she was disappointed in the interruption.

You slightly smirked at her reaction. Who the hell does she think she is? Was the only thing that you could think of. You knew that she should be very aware of what had happened with your family. So then why would she be interested in starting up anything with him? Sure your dad was cute and all. But hell. Your mom had only died three years ago. She couldn't think that she could slip in that easily did she?

"You alright kiddo?" Paul asked as he watched you. "You look a bit flushed."

Ignis glanced at you to see the same thing. But he knew what it was about. For he had seen a bit of that when he saw his dad with someone other than his mom after she had passed. He hadn't been very excited about it either. But he did understand not wanted to be lonely. Which was how he had been able to forgive his father. Which was right before he had left to live with Korn.

"Yeah I'm fine." You quietly said as you watched Sara shift uncomfortable as you gave her a stern look.

"I was just checking in with you, and I wanted to see what you wanted for dinner." You said as you approached the desk.

Paul followed your movements and decided that he would have to tread carefully if he was to head down the dating road again. And especially since she was going to be interacting with you. And the last thing that he wanted was for you to get upset with whoever he was dating at the time.

******Author Note******
Dating at any age has its challenges. But dating as a single parent has a lot more. For not only are you trying to make sure that they are a good fit for you. But also a good fit for the children involved. I should know, I was a single parent for several years.

I do hope that you that you enjoyed this chapter. It was a bit dry. But it was necessary so that I could set the stage for the next few chapters.

But please be sure to continue to see how set-up goes for the celebration.

Thanks for reading. :)
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