YOU weren't quite sure what to do with the food that was still on the plates from your earlier failure. So you just set the plates off to the side for the moment and you carried the rest of the dirty dishes to the dish washing area. You were pleased to see that the citadel had a set up like the one your brother used at the Galdin Quay restaurant.

There was a large sprayer that hung over a tall silver counter that surrounded a deep sink. Then the counter extended around and joined up with a large conveyor dishwasher that sat near the end of the counter. It did surprise you a bit that the citadel had such a large kitchen set-up for just the royal family. But then you figured that it was probable where they would also prepare all of the meals for the special events that seemed to always being going on at the citadel as well.

You carefully placed the dishes in the sink. Then you pulled out a dish tray and sat it on the counter for putting the dishes in once you had rinsed them off. You only had a few, but you knew that there would be more once breakfast was finished. But you wanted to get these done before starting again. After a quick breath, you turned on the water and proceeded to rinse off the few dishes and place them in the tray to wash after everything else was done.

Once you were finished, you turned back to the counter that held the plates. You stopped before them and removed the lids and saw that not one of them had been touched. Your heart dropped at the thought, for you hated to throw away good food. To you it was nothing more than a waste. But with a sigh you picked one up and moved it over the garbage can so that you could dump it.

"(Y/n)?" You heard from the door. You froze as you looked up and saw Ignis as he walked in. "About breakfast?"

"I'm about to restart it now." You said as you looked back down at the plate in your hand as you dumped the contents into the garbage.

"Ah!" He quickly said as he saw the food leave the plate and fall into the can.

"What?" You asked as you set the plate down and grabbed the next one.

"I was going to say, that I don't mind eating what you had already prepared for me." He said as he walked up to you.

You stopped with the plate still in your hand as you looked back at him with a questioning look. "But it's cold now?"

"Yes." He confirmed.

"But we can still heat it back up." He said as he took the plate from your hand and set it down on the counter. 

"I would just hate to see all of your work go into the garbage." He said with a gentle smile.

You smiled back as you dropped your head and looked at the remaining two plates. "I appreciate that. But we both know that cold eggs don't taste very good, especially cold over easy eggs."

"Your right on that part." He said as he leaned up against the counter. "But we don't have to do that with the sausage and bacon. The toast perhaps if you like it warm. I personally would only completely redo my uncle's plate. I, myself, would like to eat what you have already prepared."

"Thank you Ignis." You said with a slight smile.

With that Ignis showed you the heating lamp so that you could put the remaining two plates under the hot lamp to safely heat them back up without burning the food. Then you grabbed the items that you needed to redo one whole plate. Ignis stayed in the kitchen with you to keep you company while you cooked. He didn't interfere in any way. But it was nice to just have someone to talk to while you prepared the food. You didn't talk about anything in particular, it was mainly small talk about the kitchen and the staff that work it.

You learned from Ignis, that there wasn't anyone in the kitchen, in the morning on the weekends. Which explained why there wasn't anyone there. But there was going to be for lunch and dinner. The king knew that Noctis liked to sleep in late on the weekends and he personally only needed his coffee and a light meal for himself to be happy. These he would usually get for himself. He liked to cook for himself whenever he could. Ignis said that the king had mentioned something to him once, about how he had learning from his days of traveling on the road. Neither of you knew quite what that was about, but you chalked it up to just being an adult thing.

Once the food was ready, you arranged his uncle's fresh plate of food and set it under the heating lamp. Now that the food was under the hot lamp, you went back out to the dining room and set two places for you and Ignis at the table. Then you returned to the kitchen to grab his and your plate and headed out to the dining room. Ignis led that way so that he could hold the door open for you. You smiled at him as you walked over to the table so that you could set the plates down at the two settings.

"Finally." You said to yourself as you finally felt like you had accomplished something that morning.

Ignis slightly chuckled at you. "Yes indeed." He smiled back at you.

Then you both took your seats and sat down side by side to eat. As you ate, you continued to talk about the people that worked in the kitchen. Ignis told you about the two head chefs that took care of everything. They were a happily married couple that had been serving the royal family for generations. (There really seemed to be a theme with that within these walls.) The wife handled all of the baking while her husband handled all of the cooking. It worked out great since they could both work in the same kitchen without running over each other with their various dishes.

Ignis mentioned that they did have several kitchen helpers who would do things like prep veggies for various dishes to be cooked, to rolling out the biscuits and preparing various bake goods to be decorating. He even talked about how sometimes the chef and his wife would have some of the kids of the employees over and would do a cooking class with them. The employees seemed to really enjoy this since it gave the kids a chance to have fun while their parents worked. That and the kids got to take their dishes to the departments that their parents worked at and were able to share it with everyone there.

You were pleasantly surprised that the couple would do that for their fellow staff members. Of course this also gave a bit of an inside glance into the king's influence. He truly did care for everyone around him, it wasn't just some front.  How many kings had there been in history who could honestly say that they did everything that they could for their staff and their people. You had already seen his warm fatherly personality yourself.  Whether it was towards you and the others, or towards his son.

Your heart drop a bit when you remembered how the king had behaved when you had arrived last night at the citadel. That wasn't the strong king that you had seen on the tv screen whenever he would address the people. No, he was a concerned father who was worried deeply for his son. You still remember him arguing with everyone as he grabbed Noctis' limp body out of the car himself. It had felt like time stood still as you watched him holding Noctis close, as he slowly walked up the many stairs in front of the citadel.

"Are you alright?" Ignis asked as he looked at you.

You shook you head a bit as you looked back at him.

"Yeah." You replied. "I was just lost in thought there for a minute."

Ignis smiled then reach over and brushed away a stray tear from your cheek with his thumb. "Must have been a really deep thought."

You dropped your head as he dropped his hand. "Yeah. I was just remembering last night."

Ignis dropped his gaze as bit. "A lot has happened over the last twenty-four hours hasn't it?" He quietly replied.

"Yeah." You quietly replied as you kept your eyes down.

"Recent events have drastically changed many things. Some for the better, and some for the worst." He replied without looking at you. 

"But that should only mean that we really need to learn as much as we can so that we can face these new challenges.  We need to face them and be prepared with the best strategies that we can come up with.  Otherwise they will win.   And I don't know about you, but I don't accept defeat easily."  He concluded as he looked at you with a determined smile.

You smiled back at Ignis, then you dropped your gaze. "Your right."  You quietly replied.  

"I can't help my parents if I keep backing into a corner.  I need to learn as much as I can, so that I can offer help in any way possible, so that we can bring them back." You finished as you glanced back up at Ignis as a single tear streamed down your cheek.

Ignis smiled back as he leaned over and kissed the tear away. "And we will be there to help you anyway we can." He said as he leaned back and looked in your eyes.

"Thank you." You replied as you smiled back at him. 

You felt your confidence start to come back as you looked in his eyes.  You smiled as you knew that as long as you had his support, then you could do anything.

"Thank you for breakfast. It was delicious." He replied as he sat back.

"Your welcome. But do you think that you might want to check up on Noctis now?" You said as sat back.

"I suppose you're right." He smiled back as he go up from the table. "But trust me when I say that I would rather wake up a sleeping cat then a sleeping prince."

You chuckled at Ignis' response as you got up as well. You knew that Noctis liked to sleep in, but you had no idea how well he woke up. You had never talked to him first thing in the morning. In fact today would be the first morning that you would see him during his morning routine. You had been wondering if Noctis was a morning person or not. But if Ignis is correct, then Noctis definitely isn't one, and Ignis is never wrong.

"Will you be heading to my uncle's office after you've cleaned up?" Ignis said as you started gathering up the dishes so that you could take them to the kitchen to be washed.

"Yes I will." You replied once you had them all stacked up and ready to go.

"Text me when your ready to head up there so that I can show you where he is." Ignis said as he started walking towards the door. "I wouldn't want you to get lost trying to figure out this place."

"Ok. Thank you." You said as you picked up the dishes. "Good luck with Noct."

"Thanks."  Ignis said with a smile as he slightly rolled his eyes before walking out the door.

After Ignis left, you went back into the kitchen and finished off the last few dishes.  Then while the dish tray was going through the machine, you cleaned and wiped down the counters and grill.  Once you were finished, you looked around the kitchen and smiled.

Two rooms down.  You thought as you turned to the food still under the heating lamp.  

Now time to finish serving breakfast.  You thought as you pulled out your phone so that you could text Ignis.

You leaned up against the counter as you texted him a quick message.  You gave a quick smile after you hit the send button.  Then you started gathering up everything that you would need to properly serve his uncle breakfast this time.  By time you had everything ready you heard the door open up once more.

"Are you ready?"  Ignis asked as he walked over to you.

"Yeah.  I think so"  You said as you looked at everything you had on the counter.

"You're missing one thing."  Ignis said with a smile as he walked past you.

You turned and watched him as he walked past you and entered the storage room.  You stood still as you curiously waited for he to return.  Then you heard the sound of wheels rolling across the hardfloor, followed by him emerging  with a silver serving cart.  You half laughed as he pushed the cart over to you.

"I know that you are strong.  But perhaps you would rather use a cart.  Oppose to carrying a serving tray, and the rest of that," he said as she gestured to the rest of the items, "up to the 15th floor."

"Indeed." You said with a smile.

After loading up the cart, you both started to head to the  elevator.  "So, were you able to wake up Noctis?"

Ignis dropped his head slightly as he opened the door for you as you pushed the cart through.  "Hmmm more or less."  He said.

You chuckled at him as you walked through the hallway.  

"He's still sleeping isn't he?"  You asked with a smile as you glanced at Ignis while he adjusted his glasses.

"Well, we don't really have anything going on sooo..."Ignis said as he trailed off as he opened the door to the living quarters .

"So you let him stay in bed."  You finished with a smile.  "That's ok.  We can wake him later.  It has been a long weekend after all."

"Indeed."  Ignis said as he smiled and pushed the door open to foyer.

DING!

You looked back up at the elevator door as it opened up on the 15th floor.  You nervously pushed the cart out as you followed Ignis down the hallway.  Ignis had tried to keep you calm as you were riding up with words of encouragement.  But it seemed to be wearing out as you walked down the hallway that led towards Korn's office.  For by time you reached the door, your hands were shaking and your heart was racing.   You hadn't felt this nervous since the first time you walked into the citadel. Now if that first attempt would have gone smoothly, you wouldn't be quite as nervous. But now with the orange juice fiasco on top of it,  you were almost petrified.

I can do this. It's like when I surprised my parents for their 25th wedding anniversary with breakfast in bed for the two of them. You thought to yourself as you walked down the hallway with your head down. 

They were so surprised that they were red in the face and were out of breath as they clung to each other. Then you slightly blushed when you remembered that day.

I'm still very glad that I knocked first. You thought with a slight smile. After hearing those strange noises coming from their room, I was scared that they were hurt what with all that moaning and crying out.  Of course now, I know better then to disturb them when I hear that.

"We're here." You heard Ignis say from in front of you. "Are you ok?"

"Yeah. I'm fine."  You quickly replied as you looked up at him and waved your hand as if fanning yourself.

Ignis gave you a inquisitive look as you smiled back at him with your eyes closed and your head tilted. 

If I open my eyes he'll know that I'm lying. Your thought to yourself.

"Alright." He said with a unconvinced tone. 

"I'll leave you here for now. Text me when your done and I'll come back and get you." Ignis said as he opened up the office door for you to enter.

"Got it." You replied as you pushed the cart into the room.

Once you arrived in the room you looked around. You saw that there were several chairs near the front door and a few along one wall that had another door on it. You saw the various file cabinets that lined the backwall as well as various portraits of Insomnia that hung on the walls. Lastly you saw the secretary's desk right outside of the other door.  You noticed the door was open and you could hear Korn's voice coming out of the room. You took a deep breath as you lifted your chin and put on a determined face.

Time to prove to him that I know what I'm doing. You thought as you pushed the cart through the first room and into his office.

"Are you sure?" You heard him say as you quietly walked in and stopped the cart just inside the door. He had his back to you as he sat in his chair while looking out the window. 

"There has to be some sign of them somewhere........................I don't want to hear any excuses. Keep looking. Go deeper if you have to. We have to find them and get them out.  Report back to me as soon as you get something." He said then turned around and hung up his phone. 

Then he looked up and saw you standing there.

His words had brought you to a complete stand still. It was if you were paralyzed as you heard him talking. You knew that you shouldn't have heard that. But you couldn't help but react. He had been talking about your parents and you knew it. He was the head of the Intelligence department afterall.  And why else would he be on the phone on a Sunday.

"(Y/n)?" He said in stunned voice. 

Then he dropped his head. 

"That was not meant for your ears." He said as he stood up.

"I.....I'm sorry." You quietly said. 

"I should have knocked first. I apologize for that." You said as you turned your attention back to the tray of food as you tried to refocus, but your hands were shaking to much.

You brought your hands up to your chest as you tried to calm them back down. But right as you did, you felt his hand on your shoulder. He slowly turned you around so that you were facing him. You slowly looked up at him as you tried to control your emotions.

But you could feel your whole body shaking as you met his eyes. His face was kind as he looked down at you. You could almost see a fatherly look to him.

"I can't even imagine what you must be feeling at this point." He quietly said as he knelt down in front of you. 

"But rest assured that we are doing everything that we can to get your parents back. But I will need you to trust me and to be patient." He said as he looked at you with concern.

All you could do, was nod at him as you felt tears starting to well up in your eyes as you looked at him. You knew he was right, but you couldn't seem to form any words.

"There is one thing that I ask of you though." He said as he looked straight into your eyes. "I don't want you to quit."

You gave him a shocked look as you were taken back by his words.

"Don't quit your training, don't quit learning, and never stop striving to reach your goal." He said as he grabbed both of your hands. "And please don't quit on your parents." 

You felt tears come to your eyes as he spoke. 

"We're going to find them and bring them home." He said as he watched your lips tremble and the tears start to cloud your vision. 

"But in order for that to happen, I need you to trust me and my teams. I need you to trust us that we will take care of this for you. Let the adults handle this, okay?" He asked as he looked at you. 

You only nodded your head. Nothing else seemed to want to come out since your throat hurt from fighting back the emotions.

"In the meantime, all I want you to do is concentrate on your studies and on your training. I will keep you informed of any changes. Alright?"  He said as he slightly squeezed your hands.

You nodded your head again as you got your emotions back under control. 

"Thank you. I will." You quietly said as you met his eyes.

He smiled back at you and lightly squeezed your hands again. 

"Good." He said then he stood back up and released your hands. 

"Now let's see if you remembered everything this time." He said as he turned his attention to the cart.

This time around, Korn was happy with your meal. In fact he liked the touch of the orange slices on the side. He wasn't expecting that, so it was a nice surprise for him. He seemed to be much happier this time around as well. Which made it much easier to set it up for him.

Then once he had everything that he needed, you went about cleaning his office as he had requested. By time you were done cleaning, he was finished with his meal. So you gathered up everything and prepared to head out of the room. Korn was pleased and was happy to be the one to call Ignis and let him know that you were finished.

"Once you have returned everything, I need you to check on Noctis for me. Ignis would do it, but I need him to stop by the condo for a few things and he has an errand to run as well. And did you give him a list of items that you need from your house?" Korn asked once you had everything back on the cart and ready to go.

"Oh." You quickly said. "I haven't had a chance to yet."

Korn smiled and reached over and grabbed a pen and notepad from his desk.

"Here." He said as he handed them to you. "Do it now so that we can get them for you. I would hate for you to not have something for school for tomorrow."

You opened your eyes really wide. You hadn't even thought about that. So much had happened. That that had slipped your mind.

"How will I get to school?" You asked as you looked at him.

He smiled back at you. "You'll ride in with Ignis and Noctis in the morning. Ignis usually comes with me in the morning when I come in to work, then rides with Noctis to school. So you will be dropped off and picked up with Ignis."

"Now once you come back, you will be required to complete several hours in the training room as well as your studies. How and when you do this will be up to you. But I will have a log for you fill out to show when you have completed those hours. But for tomorrow you will follow Ignis' schedule so that you can see what it will entail." Korn explained as he crossed his arms in front of himself.

"From there you can make your own schedule or you can do yours at the same time he is. The only difference will be that you have to account for the time it will take you to cook our meals. Once you have figured out your schedule I want you to show it to me so that I can help you keep track. Understood?"  He finished as he dropped his arms back down as he hooked one thumb on his hip.

You nodded back. "Yes sir." You said as you stood there holding the notebook and pen. "And thank you."

"For what?" Korn asked.

"Everything." You simply said.

Korn smiled and nodded back at you. He understood what you meant without you even saying another word.

Just then there was a knock on the door as it slowly opened up. Both of you looked over and saw Ignis walking in.

"Am I interrupting anything?" He asked as he looked in between the two of you.

"Not at all." Korn said then he placed his hand on your back. "(Y/n) was just about to work on her list of personal affects that she needs from her house."

"Ah, excellent." Ignis said with a smile as he stopped in front of the two of you.

"Ignis will be the one who will be grabbing these for you, if that's alright with you?" Korn said as he looked at you. "He is more familiar with your house then anyone else and will be able to gather these items rather quickly for you. Besides, he can easily call you if he can't find what your asking for."

"Oh....um.....ok." You nervously said.

I guess my parents can't get mad about a boy being in my room if I'm not in it. You thought as you looked at Ignis.

But then you pictured him going into you underwear drawer. You could feel the heat coming to your face. And you knew that your face was turning bright red.

"Are you sure that I can't go myself?" You quickly asked as you looked down to try and hide your face.

"I'm afraid not." Korn said. "We can't take any chance of them getting a hold of you. It's bad enough that they have an idea of what you look like."

You nodded with your head down and swallowed hard as you thought of them grabbing you too. Which terrified you, but at the same time made you think that you would at least be able to see your parents again. But you weren't sure of that either. You had seen enough movies to know that the chance of seeing them after you were capture was slim. You were better off waiting at the citadel while someone else grabbed your clothes and bedding for you. No shirt or blanket was worth being captured over.

"After your done with the list, give it to Ignis alright?" Korn said with a slight smile.

You looked back up at Korn and nodded. "Yes sir."

Korn nodded back, then retreated back to his desk so that he could continue to work.

You sat down at the secretaries desk and wrote down everything that you could think of that you needed from the house. Ignis sat down and played on his phone for a minute while he waited for you to finished. You tried to think of everything that you would need from your room and the rest of the house. Then you also remembered that Snowball's things were still there.

"Can you grab a few things for my cat as well?" You asked Ignis as he sat there with his legs crossed as he patiently waited for you.

He looked up and smiled at you. "Of course."

You smiled then wrote down her items as well. Then you glanced at the list one more time before tearing off the page and handed it to Ignis. "I think that's everything." You said as you handed him the list.

Ignis took the list and glanced over it quickly. "The suitcase that your dad brought to the hospital, is that in your room as well?" He asked without looking up.

You gave him a surprised look.

He remembered that? 

"Yeah. It's in my closet on the floor by my shoes." You quietly said as you looked at him in awe.

He has a steel trap memory doesn't he.

"I'll be sure to grab everything for you." Ignis said as he carefully folded up the list then stood up.

Then he took out his wallet and put it in the bill pocket before putting his wallet back in his back pocket.

"Thank you." You told him.

He simply smiled and nodded back.  Korn then reentered the room.

"Well time to move on to the next thing." Korn said. "Put everything away.  Then do try and get the prince up.  He would sleep until dusk if you let him."

"Yes sir." You both said then left the office with the cart in front.

Once you were out of the office and on the elevator, you turned to Ignis. "He was kidding about the sleeping part right?" You asked.

Ignis sighed as he shook his head.

"I'm afraid not." He answered. "Noctis is known for his long sleeping periods. You might even consider him a legend for it if you will."

You stood there smiling and shaking your head. Then you both laughed about it. For even you knew that he could take a nap anytime and anywhere. It never surprised you to see him nodding off when you were laying in the grass at the park as you watched the clouds float by.

After exiting the elevator you said goodbye to Ignis at the front door as he headed out. Then you headed back to the kitchen so that you could finish up before heading to Noct's room. You struggled a bit with getting the cart through the doors, but once you had reached the dining room you knew that you were good. Upon entering the kitchen you were greeted by a slightly heavy set couple who were busy putting up their things in the kitchen.

"Oh." The gentleman said as he looked at you with his short brown hair and big brown eyes that seemed to be framed perfectly over his well trimmed mustache. 

He gave you a warm smile.  Immediately you felt welcomed just by his smile alone.  He was taller then you but didn't have that overbearing feeling that you usually get from men taller then you.  In fact he gave off more of a large t4eddy bear felling it anything.

"You must be (y/n)." He said as he walked over to greet you. 

"Mr. Scientia told us that you would be cooking for him and his nephew for a bit. You wouldn't be replacing Ignis would you?" He asked as gave you a teasing look.

"Oh no. Nothing like that." You said as you waved your hands in front of you. "I'm just filling in for a bit during swim season.  He will be back once the season is over."

"So he got in?" The man asked with an excited voice.  "He made the dive team?"

You gave him a surprised look as you answered with a smile. "Yeah.  He passed the test this morning with the coach."

"MARGARET!"  He shouted over to his wife who was busy getting the baking section ready.  "HE MADE IT!  IGNIS PASSED THE DIVE TEST!"

You heard her scream with excitement from the behind the ovens as she came running over.  She rounded the corner and gave her husband a huge smile.  "Well where is he?"  She said as she stopped short as she looked around with her brown curly hair and big brown eyes.  "I want to congratulate him."

"He'll be back in a bit."  You answered with a smile as you saw that they were both wearing matching white coats and gray pants.  They looked like the perfect pair to be running a kitchen together.  

"He just had to a couple of errands to run.  But he'll be back once he's done."  You explained as you saw the disappointment in her face.

"This young lady is the one that Korn was telling us about." The man said as he gestured towards you.  "She was just telling me that she will be the one filling in for Ignis until the swim season is over."

"Ah.  So your the lass that he was telling us about."  Margaret said with a accent similar to Ignis'.  

"I do hope that you are ready for the challenge darling."  She said as she gave you a serious look.  "You have some big shoes to fill if you are covering for Ignis.  Even if it is for short period." 

You dropped your smile as you were taken back by her tone.  

Is Ignis really that good in the kitchen?  You thought as you stared at her.  

You were starting to see doubt in your own knowledge now.  He had blown you away with his lasagna and orange cake at your house.  Was that just the tip of the iceberg?

"Stop scaring the poor girl Marge."  The man angrily said to his wife.  "We haven't even see her in action yet.   You, of all people, should know better than to judge before you see the results."

"Oh get off of it Jim."  She said angrily back to him.  "You know that there has only been one person who could give him a run for his money.  And that young man died a while back in that horrible car crash three years ago.  Oh what was his name again dear?"  

You froze in place as your heart dropped as you realized who she meant.

"Derek."  You quietly said as you dropped your eyes.  "His name was Derek."

"That's it."  She say with excitement.  

But then she stopped and looked back at you.  "But how did you know him?"

"He was my brother."  You said as you kept your head down.  

Then you looked up with tears in your eyes.

They both stood there in shock as they stared at you.  

"Your Derek's little sister?"  Margaret quietly said.  

Then she gave you a wide grin as you fought off the tears.  You hadn't been called his little sister in what seemed like forever.  Not since that last day at the funeral home.    

"He use to talk about you constantly love."  She said as tears started to form in her eyes.

"He truly was gifted in the kitchen.  It's a shame he's not here to share this with you."  Jim said as he gave you a sympathetic smile.

You nodded with tears starting to roll down your cheeks.  But then you felt a hand land hard on your shoulder and give it a slight squeeze.

"Well if your Derek's little sister, then you have even bigger shoes to fill."  Jim said with a happy smile.  

"But you are more than welcome in our kitchen either way."  He said as a hint of the same accent came out.

"Yes dear."  Margaret said with a smile.  "Just let us know if you need anything.  We'll be more than happy to help."

You smiled back at both of them.  "Thank you."  

And with those two words it was starting to feel a bit more like home.

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

Ok, so this was a bit dry, but I wanted to get everything set for the next few events.  That and I wanted to show some of the ties that will play a part later on.  For each person will have a role in helping out our young trainee.

I do hope that you enjoyed this chapter.  This one is a bit unique at this point. But trust me when I say that it will make sense later.

Thanks for reading.  :)

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