Your heart was still racing after Ignis turned off the engine. You had never been in a car like this one before. The sound and the smoothness of it made it seem like the car could literally fly.  All it needed was wings and it would take off. You now understood why Noctis wanted to drive it so badly. For even with Ignis driving it within the speed limit and keeping it at a smooth pace. You could still feel the untapped power that was under the hood just waiting to be let loose.

"We have got to tell my dad about this car." You said with a smile as you beamed back at Ignis.

"I'm sure that Noctis won't mind if your dad takes a peek under the hood. I'll be sure to ask once we get inside." Ignis said with a smile.

"Sounds good." You said then you both got out of the car.

You both smiled as you went to the back end of the car to empty the trunk. But as you walked back you noticed that you didn't see your dad's car in the parking lot anymore. You stopped in your tracks and started scanning the lot thinking that perhaps you were looking in the wrong spot or that he had moved it. But after looking all around and only seeing a few cars as it was, you started to get concerned. Had he left without you? But that didn't make any sense. He would have told you that he was leaving.

"What's wrong?" Ignis asked as he watched you looking around.

"Do you see my dad's car anywhere?" You asked as you walked a few steps away from the car.

"No.  And now that you mention it. I don't recall seeing it when we left either.  Are you sure he parked in this area?"  Ignis asked as he looked around as he walked over to you carrying Korn's and Sara's laptops while pulling the locking case.

"Well I'm positive I saw it when we first came in." You said as you walked towards the elevators. "He had it parked right by the elevator. He must have headed out for something. You don't think they had to take in Ms. Julius do you?"

"Now let's not assume anything. Instead, let's go in and find out for certain." Ignis said as he grabbed your hand.

You nodded back, then you both quickly headed for the elevators.

Paul stood by the window in the dining room as he searched the nearby buildings. He was trying to figure out where the bullet was shot from. He already had a rough idea just from how it had grazed Mary. Which got it down to two buildings. The hotel across the street from there and the Citadel itself that sat behind the hotel as it towered over it.

And since they were on the top floor. He could almost start on the roof of both and work his way down. The hard part would be trying to find one shell casing somewhere in either of them. He knew that it would be a long shot as well. Since there was no guarantee that the shooter hadn't policed their brass.

As he figured out the best way to search the buildings he heard the front door open. He slightly smiled to himself. He figured it had to be Tracy coming back. She had left long before you and Ignis did. So she should be back first.

"Dad?" You called as you came up the stairs. "Are you here?"

"Yeah. I'm in the dining room." He called back as he turned to walk over to meet you.

But he froze in his tracks when he saw the concern on your face. He could already tell that something had happened after you had left. He could see it in your eyes and in your body as you practically ran to him. He took a deep breath as he braced himself for the next question.

"Something wrong?" He asked as you came up and hugged him.

"I thought you had left." You said as you pressed you head against his chest as you gave him a huge hug. "I didn't see the car and I got worried."

"No I'm still here." He said as he hugged you back. "I let Tracy borrow the car so that she could pick up a few things for us."

"Tracy?" You asked as you froze. "Who's Tracy?"

Holy shit is he cheating on Sara? You thought in shook.

"I mean Sara." He quickly corrected.

"Have you started seeing someone else?" You asked him as you slowly pulled away as you gave him a shocked look.

"No." Paul answered as he saw where you were going with this. "Tracy is her nickname."

"No it's not." You quickly replied as you released him.

"Are you cheating on her?"  You asked almost in disgust.

"No." He answered more sternly. 

 "Now will you drop it."  He said when he felt his phone going off in his his pocket.

"Your cheating on her!"  You yelled.

"I am not!  Now drop it."  He said as he reached in his pocket and grabbed his phone.

BZZZZZZZZZZ    BZZZZZZZZZZ
BZZZZZZZZZZ    BZZZZZZZZZZ

Paul's heart leaped as he looked at his phone and saw Sara come across as the caller. He quickly turned from you and answered the phone.

"Sara?"  He answered as he could feel all of his nerves on end as he could hear her crying on the other end.  "Where are you?  Are you ok?  What happened?"

"Paul."  She replied in relief as she fought through the tears.  "I'm okay. But my team.........Greg...........Bill.......their..."  She tried to say before she broke down.

"Where are you at?  I'll come get you."  Paul said as he started to pace as he talked.

You stood frozen in place as you heard him talk. Then as you watched him nervously pace you knew that whatever happened must have been bad.  Because your dad never showed signs of being nervous.

"I'm right outside your house." Tracy nervously answered as she fought to speak. "He slit their throats Paul!  He sliced both of their throats while they were in their car."

Paul stopped dead in his tracks as the blood drained from his face. "Who?"

"I............I don't know."  She answered as she dropped her voice as if fear was starting to take over.  "He just came out of nowhere."

"Are you okay?  Did he hurt you?" Paul asked as he felt his whole body start to tense up now from the adrenaline as the whole situation was starting to come into focus for him.

"He just threatened me and took your keys." She quietly replied.

"Did you call the police?"  He asked as he ran his hand through the hair on the back of his head as he fought to keep a level head so that he could still think.

"I called them just before I called you. They should be here in a moment." She quietly replied.

"I'm on my way. Just stay put." Paul said as he could hear the sirens in the background. "Don't let them take you in. Alright?  I don't want anyone near you right now. Not until we can get a new team for you."

"What good will that do?" She quietly replied.

"Stop." Paul sternly said to her. "Don't you start giving up. Not now. Not when you have me. You got that. I'll be there in a few minutes."

"Okay." She quietly replied and hung up.

Tracy felt her heart crack as she slide down the side of his car as she clutched his keys in her hand.  How had this happened again?  She was lying to him again just to protect him.   But was it worth it?  Would it even help or would it cause more problems?

She wasn't sure about anything anymore. Except that she was going to try everything she could to get away from Paul so that he didn't get dragged into it again. He had more important people to worry about. He had you. 

So with a heavy heart she threw his keys across the street and down the storm drain. And since Paul had a float on them.  Just in case his keys ever fell in the water.  The keys started to float down the sewer as they headed to the water treatment center.

"Ignis." Paul said as he hung up his phone and put it back in his pants pocket. "I need you to drop me off at the house."

"Dad? What's going on?" You asked as you were starting to get scared as you could see the panic starting in him.

"Sara was attacked at the house. I have to go get her. The police should be there now." He said as he grabbed his blazer from the chair behind him and pulled it on. "Let Korn know that I'll be back. Ignis will just be dropping me off then he'll be right back. Korn will need both of you here to help out. I'll go take care of Sara."

Your mouth fell open to his words as you started to realize why he was on the verge of panicking.

"Let's go Ignis." He said before giving you a kiss on the head. "I'll be back. I promise."

"Okay." You quietly replied as you watched your dad and Ignis quickly head back out of the condo.

Tracy sat there in a trance as she watched the police rope off the area around the car and Bill's body as it laid on the ground just outside the passenger door. Greg was still in the driver's seat. She heard them talking and saying that it looked like he was taken out first. He never had a chance to try and get out. And when Bill had tried to get out, he had gotten him from behind as well. Both went within a few seconds since he had gotten their main arteries in their throats.

She felt numb as she watched the whole scene in front of her. All she could think about was everyone that she had lost on account of the Empire. Perhaps it would be best if she let them take her at this point. She wouldn't tell them anything. That way they would have to kill her instead. And then at least there wouldn't be a chance for anyone else to get hurt again because of her.

She dropped her head in her knees as she tried to hide from everything as her world shattered around her once again. Everything that she had, was going to have to change. All of her happiness was going to have to go away once again. Now that she finally had everything that she had ever wanted. It was now going to have to be pushed away. She had to, if she wanted to protect them.

"Sara?!" She heard Paul shout from a short distance away.

She tightened her grip on her knees as she buried her head more as she felt her whole body started to shake from her tears. She didn't want to give up anything. She didn't want to give him up. Not after finally getting him. But if she didn't, he might be the next one on the concrete with his neck sliced wide open.

"Sara!" Paul said as he spotted her and quickly ran up her.

She was sitting on the ground beside the car as it sat on the street in front of the house. She had moved the car back in front of the house before she called the police. She had to make it look like a robbery gone bad, if she was to keep everyone safe. Even though the truth was screaming to get out. But she didn't dare say anything.

Next thing she felt was his arms as they wrapped around her as he pulled her in close as he slid to a stop right beside her. His touch was conflicting for her since she took both comfort and pain from his touch. Comfort from his love and support. And pain from having to lie to him and figure out how to push he back.

"Thank the gods your safe." He said as he gave her a kiss on the head.

"Let me look at you." He said as he lifted up her chin. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah." She quietly replied as tears streamed from her eyes.

How am I suppose to leave him? Without destroying myself?  She thought as her heart both shattered and swelled for him as she looked at him.

"Your neck?" He asked as saw where the blade had cut into her neck.

"Medic! I need a medic over here!" He shouted over his shoulder.

"I thought you said that you were fine?" He said in a very concerned voice as he moved her head more so that he could see her cut better.

"Compared to them, I'm perfect." She quietly said as she watched the police cover up Bill's body with a white sheet.

"Stop that." He said as he made her look at him. "That wasn't your fault. That was their job. To protect you. And that was exactly what they did."

Tracy could feel the weight of the truth almost crush her as she fought to stay quiet. She wanted to tell him the truth. They didn't die protecting her. They died because of her.

But the cost of telling him the truth would be way worse than what she would tell them had happened.  And even if she did.  It would only end in more of the scene in front of her. And that was something she never wanted to see again.  She tightly closed her eyes again as she crumbled from the weight of it all.

"Hey. I got you." Paul said as he pulled her in close again.

"Your safe now." He said as he gently squeezed her as he kissed her head.

"You said she was hurt sir?" She heard the paramedic ask as she cried in Paul's arms.

"She has a laceration on her neck." He said as he slightly released her so that they could see her cut.

"We can take care of that for her." The paramedic said with calming smooth voice.

"Thank you." He replied then released her enough so that they could properly inspect her neck and apply a bandage to the wound.

Tracy didn't say anything as they patched her up. Instead she just sat there and tried to enjoy Paul's touch for as long as she could. For she didn't know for how much longer that she would be able to enjoy it.

After the paramedic was done, the two of them stayed there as she tried to calm down. But then the police came walking up to the two of them and stood there with their notepads in hands.  Tracy and Paul slowly looked up at them as they stood there looking at the two of them as he held her in his arms.

"Ma'am." The older officer said as they looked at the two of them as they sat on the ground beside his car. "We're going to need you to come with us to the station for processing. And we have a few questions that we need to ask you."

"I'll drive her down there myself." Paul said as he gave them a stern look.

"I'm afraid we can't allow you to do that sir. She has to ride with us." The older cop said as he gave Paul a stern look in return.

"No." Paul said as he pulled his billfold out from his coat pocket and flashed his badge at the policeman. "I insist."

"I understand what your trying to do sir. But she has to come with us." The officer insisted as he reached over to try and grab her arm.

"No. You don't understand." Paul said as he grabbed the cops arm and held him firmly.

"She is under my protection. And if you touch her, you'll have bigger problems then worrying about retiring." Paul said in a very firm tone.

"Sir, you better release me before I have to arrest you for interfering with an active investigation." The officer said back just as firm.

"Paul stop it." Tracy said as she stood up. "I'm not your charge."

"You are until we get you a new team." He said as he released the officer and stood up as well.

"This way miss." The younger officer said as he placed his hand on the small of her back and started walking her away.

"I said..." Paul said as he started after the officer as she was being moved away from him and towards the police cruiser.

"Sir!" The older officer said as he got in between Paul and Tracy.

"Paul stop it!" Tracy yelled back. "I'll be fine. No one can get to me while I'm at the station. I'll be safe. Okay?"

Paul froze in place as he felt his entire body tensed up as his temper was starting to take over. But he knew why she was doing it. It wasn't going to do her any good if he was in handcuffs instead of trying to get the team gathered up. He tightly clutched his hands into fists as he stood still with his jaw clenched as the younger officer put her into the back seat of the cruiser while the older officer blocked his path.

"I'll let them know at the station about her situation." The older officer said in a quiet, calm voice as he saw Paul on the verge of flipping out. "Don't worry. We'll keep her safe. You just worry about getting her a new detail.  Alright?"

Paul dropped his gaze as he fought with himself. "Fine."

"But if anything happens to her," Paul said as he gave the older officer a threatening look. "I'll have your ass and your badge before the day is over."

"I know son." The older officer said as he started to realize why he was getting so upset. "And a word of advice before we leave. Never get personally involved with your clients. It will only lead to more trouble than anything else. For you.  And for her."

Paul paused for a moment as he looked at the officer. The older officer then simply smiled as he nodded back at Paul. Then he put on his hat and walked over to the car. Paul slowly walked up to the car as the younger officer rolled down his window.

"Can I ask her for my keys at least?" Paul asked as he looked at the two police officers as they sat in the front seats.

"He stole your keys Paul." Paul heard Sara say from the backseat. "You'll have to get the car and house re-keyed."

"He stole my keys?" Paul asked as he gave her a questioning glance as he looked at Tracy through the car window.

"Yeah. I'm sorry." Tracy said with a slight frown.

Paul closed his eyes for a moment.  Great.

"Alright.  Fine. I'll be there in a few minutes. I'm just going to grab my spare set for now." Paul said as he walked away towards the house.

Tracy's eyes shot wide open.  Spare set?  Damn him and his over-preparedness.

Tracy sat back heavy in her seat as they pulled away from the house.  She couldn't help but shake her head at not realizing that he of course he would have at least one spare set sitting around somewhere.  It was Paul after all.  He was prepared for everything.  And it was going to take more than just throwing his keys in the sewer to throw him off track.  But perhaps he would still change the locks considering one set had been so-called stolen.

But just as she was starting to think of another way to get him distracted with something else.  The last thing in the world that she expected to happen, happened.  For right as the car came to a stop by the same stop sign that she had dropped off the assailant at.  She happen to slowly look out the window and saw him once again sneering at her as he stood on the sidewalk.  He raised up his hand and she could see that he was holding some type of controller.  Then as if in a slow motion cut scene of a movie, he gave her a sinister smile as he pressed the button.

All she felt after that was her head being whipped back hard as the front of the car was thrown into the air.  For the manhole cover directly under the front end of the car, slammed into the bottom of the engine compartment as it was launched by the C4 that had been placed underneath it.  The whole car was lifted off of the ground as it flipped up into the air as it was lifted completely off of the ground. Then it came down hard on it's top, causing the roof to collapse in on the now trapped passengers.

The sound startled Paul and caused him to turn around and face the street.  The sound of explosion and crunching metal echoed throughout the neighborhood.  Paul felt his heart in his throat as he watched the car flip into the air.  Then he whole body started to shake as he realized what had just happened.

"TRACY!"  Paul shouted and took off running towards the now upside down cruiser.

Paul was followed very quickly by the other officers, investigators and Paramedics as they all raced to the car.  But Paul didn't hear any of them or any of the neighbors as the whole street was echoed with shouts and screams as the neighbors came flying out of their homes to see what had happened.  He simply couldn't.  Not with his heart beating loudly in his ears as his heart raced.

Paul was the first one to arrive at the car.  He quickly raced to the side of the car when he knew that she had been.  But as he bend down by the passenger door to see if he could spot her, he was horrified by what he saw.  He could see that the older officer was dead since his head was off to the side in an unnatural way as if he neck was snapped.  

And the younger officer bleeding from his mouth and was breathing very laboring.  When Paul looked closer at him he could see what looked like some shrapnel was sticking out of his chest.  Paul quickly started to fight to open up the door  So that he try to help him.

"Hang in there buddy."  Paul said as he forced the door open.  "Just stay calm alright.  We'll get  you out."

The younger officer then slowly turned his head as he looked over at Paul.  Paul slightly gasped as he saw that his one eye socket was empty as his eye was now hanging out of it by the nerve endings.  He swallowed hard as he tried to think if there was anything he could do to try and help him out.   Then he heard Tracy moan from the back seat.

"Tracy?"  Paul called back to her as he tried to see if the younger officer had any other injuries, besides the first two very obvious wounds.  "Are you alright?"

He heard her moan louder as he felt a hand on his shoulder.  

"We'll take him from here sir."  The paramedic said as he tried to get Paul to move off to the side so that he could get in there to help out the younger officer.

"Right."  Paul said and quickly moved to the back door and prying that one open with the help from some of the other officers.

Paul was relieved to see that it looked like she had the least amount of injuries.  All he could see was a gash on her forehead that was bleeding from where it looked like she had hit her head on the door window.  She was laying on her stomach on the roof from where she slammed down since there weren't any seat belts in the back.  Paul slowly slide in beside her and started looking over her as he searched for any other injuries besides her head and neck.

Then not seeing any, he let out the breath that he had been holding.  He wasn't sure how.  But it looked like she had survive that with only a few scratches.  He moved her hair out of her face and saw her breathing rapidly but smoothly at least.

"Someone get me a neck brace."  Paul called out to the officers standing outside the car.

But when no one moved, he started to get angry.  "Someone get me a damn neck brace!  She didn't have on a seat belt when they were hit.  And since she hit her head, she could have injured her neck.  If we move her the wrong way with a neck injury we could kill her.  Now will someone get me a goddamn neck brace!"

Quickly the officers started to scramble to get him one.  The paramedic slightly laughed at him as he carefully wrapped up the younger officer's ejected eye.

"Perhaps they could use a course from you on how to handle a crisis situation."  The paramedic said as he carefully and gently wrapped up the exposed eye socket next.

"I know I would like to see more officers respond as quickly and as calmly as you."  He said with a straight face as he started to carefully wrapped up the shrapnel in the officer's chest so that he wouldn't be further injured as they slowly removed him from the car.

"Perhaps at a later date."  Paul said as he grabbed the neck brace that one of the officers as he handed it to him.  "Right now let's just get these two to the hospital."

"Of course."  The paramedic said as he did one last tuck of fabric on the officer's wounded chest.

You were nervously sitting on the couch just staring at the tv as some tv show was going on. But you weren't even sure what it was about since you weren't really focused on it.  You kept thinking about how your dad started freaking out about Sara. Sure you knew that he cared about her.  But what could have happened that had gotten him that upset.

Then Korn's reaction to your dad racing out didn't help you out either.  He seemed to be just as upset.  What was it with her that had them both freaking out?  And who was Tracy?  Or was Tracy really Sara's nickname?

Everything you thought about just made you have more questions than answers.  But no one seemed to want to answer you.  All Korn had told you was to trust your dad that he would take care of everything and would be back as soon as he could.  Fine thing to say to someone who has had to wait on him for most of her life.  Of course now, you felt the true weight of waiting for him.

Your heart leaped as you slightly jumped from the front door opening up.  You quickly sat up only to see Ignis walking up by himself.  You dropped your gaze as you slouched back into the couch.  You had been hoping that everyone would come back together.  But based on how Ignis had walked back in and didn't look at you.  You knew that that wasn't the case.

For his face had been down as he came up.  Which told you that he was by himself.  And probable now knew something that you weren't going to like.  Which was the exact opposite of what you had hoped to see.

You pulled your feet up on the couch and wrapped your arms around your legs as you pulled yourself into a tight ball.  You could already feel that this was not going to be an easy conversation for either of you.  You tightened your grip on your legs as he walked over to you with his head down.  You could almost see him struggling with how to tell you what he had just learned.

But as he approached he didn't sit down.  Instead he held out his hand to you.  You gave him a curious look as you looked from his hand to his face.  Was he too afraid to look at you?

"I think we should all be in the same room for this explanation."  Ignis said as he kept his face turned away from you.

"But why?"  You quietly asked as you slowly released you legs.

"For someone besides me has some explaining to do about a situation that even I wasn't aware of.  Not until shortly after I had arrive there that is."  Ignis quietly said as he slowly looked up at you.

You could see the concern mixed with fear in his beautiful eyes as they searched your face.  You weren't quite sure what was wrong.  For all you saw was his face was pale and his expression was blank.  It was as if he had seen a ghost or something.  

"Come on.  We need to talk to my uncle."  He said as he traced his fingers over one of your hands.

"Okay."  You quietly said as you grabbed his hand and stood up to follow him.

"So her real name is Tracy."  You quietly stated as you sat in Korn's chair in his office.  

"And she's known my dad since he attended the academy. "  You continued as you held your legs in front of yourself by having your hands wrapped around them.  

"That does explain a few things then."  You said as you dropped your head and pulled your legs in closer to yourself.

You had been sitting like that since first learning of who she really is.  It seemed to be the only way that you were able to keep yourself from freaking out over the whole thing.  For not only was Sara not just some simple secretary that you had gotten to know since you started training with Korn.  But she had actually been there when your parents had gotten that baby out of Nifelheim.  

Unlike your folks though, she hadn't made it out. No, like you, she had been taken hostage by them. But where they had only had you for less then a day.  They had held her and her team for about two months before she had escaped.  And unlike your escape, she was the only one from her team to actually get away.  Ever since then she has been in protective custody for her own safety.

"You said that my dad didn't know it was her at first."  You quietly asked Korn as Ignis rubbed your back in an attempt to comfort you.  "When did he figure it out?"

"I'm not positive. But I think it was the night of the celebration dance when you first got back to Insomnia."  Korn said as he watched you reaction.  "He is very good at finding out the truth about people in a very short period of time.  Given the right resources that is."

"So he...?"  you started to ask when Korn's phone went off.

He quickly pulled it out and answered it when he saw it was Paul.

"Paul?"  He quickly asked as he could hear sirens in the background.  "What's going on?  Why do I hear sirens?"

Your breath caught as you listened.  Not that you could talk after everything anyway.  You brain could hardly take in the conversation that you were hearing as it was.

"The local PD was trying to take her in for questioning."  Paul began.

"Did you try to stop them?"  Korn asked as he sat back in his chair as he talked to Paul.

He listened intently to what Paul was saying and also to what he was hearing in the background.  He had learned to with Paul.  It usually gave him clues as to where he was at the time.  Which made it easier to track him down if necessary.

"I did."  Paul said is a deeper tone.

"So they arrested you?"  Korm asked as he was picturing the worse case scenario happening.  Which was usually the case when it came to Paul.

"No."  Paul said in an offended voice.

"No, this was way worse."  Paul continued in a quieter voice.

"How so?"  Korn asked as he slightly turned his chair away from you and Ignis.

"Well the cruiser they put her in was flipped over on top of itself by a bomb explosion."  Paul said in a flat tone as he could once again see the car in the air before it came back down.

"What?"  Korn quickly asked as he turned completely away from you and Ignis.  "Are you serious?"

"Unfortunately yes."  Paul calmly replied.  "I'm following the ambulance to the hospital now.  Sara was the lucky one out of the three of them in the car. The two officers didn't fare as well.  One was killed while the other is in really bad shape."

"Well I have been filling in your daughter as to the truth behind everything."  Korn was saying with his back turned to you now.  "You really should trust her more with things like this."

"What have you been telling her?"  Paul asked in a slightly upset voice.

"Nothing that these two hadn't already figured out, for the most part anyway."  Korn said as he turned around and faced you again.  "I suggest you talk to her about it yourself, as soon as you get back.  She needs to hear it from you.  Both of you."

"Tst."  Paul replied as he sat back hard as he had to stop just before the emergency entrance to the hospital as the ambulance pulled in.

"Fine.  But let's wait until I can get Tracy home first."  Paul said as he then slowly drove to the parking lot and found a parking spot.

"I'll send Tredd over to check on you once he replies to my message.  I can't seem to get a hold of him tonight."  Korn replied.  "But don't worry about us here.  Our kids will be enough to help out here tonight."

"Good to hear.  I'll keep you informed as to what they find out."  Paul said as he turned off his car after parking close to the front door.

"Please do.  And I'll work on a more permanent detail for her."  Korn replied as he sat back up in his chair.

"Well do."  Paul said before he hung up and got out of his car.

Paul was so distracted as he heading towards the hospital, that he was unaware of his surrounding as he quickly walked across the parking lot and entered the hospital.  Otherwise he would have noticed a certain black car come to a stop as a camera lense came out the window.  The lense followed him as he walked.  The only sound was the soft click of the shutter as several shots of him were taken as he walked in.

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

Well I think that's quite a bit of excitement for everyone there.  But not to worry.  It will chill for a while now.  (Whew.)   Well, for a little bit anyway.

Besure to come back and see how Tracy and Paul will handle telling you the truth behind their relationship. Will this be the straw that breaks the trust between father and daughter?  Or will it be the string that pulls you closer together?  At this point, even I'm not sure.  ;)

But let's find out together.  Shall we?  See you in the next chapter.

Thanks for reading.  :)

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