YOU were almost in a daze as the scenery flew past as you tried to make head or tails of the images that had just flown through your head. Until you realized that you were getting ready to go through what looked to be a barricade. Then suddenly your senses were high as you sat up nervously and quickly looked around at the area as if something was going to jump out at any moment.

https://youtu.be/A_PKvGfxRBE

Ignis looked over at you and saw that you were about to jump out of your skin at the slightest movement. He slowly reached over and touched your hand that you had gripping the seat tightly as you tried to see around everything that you could as the car went through the enclosure. You quickly jerked your hand back and looked at him with fear for a moment before you realized that it was his hand.

"Your fine love." Ignis said as he tried to calm you back down. "This checkpoint is completely deserted. And has been for awhile now. The only thing here is the occasional loner sabertusk."

"Are you sure?" You asked nervously as you reached back over and grabbed his hand so that you could calm down as you looked around.

"I'm positive." He said with a smile as he slightly squeezed you hand.

He was glad to see that you fighter instinct was still just as sharp as ever. But then again if it wasn't, you wouldn't be sitting right next to him. Ignis interlaced his fingers with yours as he drove the car out of the enclosure. You quickly looked back to make sure that you hadn't missed anything. But much to your relief, Ignis had been right. There wasn't a soul around.

You turned back around and nervously sat back in the seat as you still held Ignis' hand as he steered the car around a slight bend that ran along a rock formation and row of buildings. You looked around at the houses and saw that most of them were completely destroyed, while others only had a few partial walls still standing. Your mind started racing as you remembered that they had told you that back in the day, people use to live in a large community outside of the city. That was until Niefelheim started attacking all of the areas as it was trying to attack Insomnia.

You dropped your head for a moment before you glanced back up and looked out as the road seemed to open up in front of you as the terrane flattened out. You looked around and saw that the area was mainly like a desert type of area since the trees seemed to disappear and all that was left was a few scattered bushes. You could even make out a few of the local sabertucks that Ignis had mentioned. You couldn't see them in great detail, but based on what you could see, they looked like large starving dogs with huge teeth sticking out of their mouth.

You slightly shuttered at the thought of one of those coming into a campsite. It was a good thing that the camping havens prevented them from entering. For each one was enchanted with a special magic that repealed all creatures except humans and chocobos. You couldn't remember who had set up the havens, whether is was the Oracle or the gods. But either way you were glad that they did. For that would be one major worry that you wouldn't have when you started your survival training next.

After a moment you noticed a strange shop coming up on your left as he sped along. The top part of the gas station looked like the top of a giant silver hammerhead shark. The nose of the would be shark, is what made up the cover for the gas pumps. There seemed to be a large garage to the right of the shop and small diner off to the left. Then you happen to notice the sign.

https://youtu.be/uRtTkX8sKH4

Hammerhead. You thought to yourself. I know that I've heard my parents talk about this place before.

You turned around so that you could ask your dad about it. But when you looked at him, you noticed that he was staring at the site as if lost in thought. His face looked strained as he watched the buildings go by. You knew that look. You had seen it alot over the last three years. He was thinking about your mom again.

............"How many times have I told you to make sure that there's enough gas to get here before we leave." Lynn had yelled at him as he pushed the car the rest of the way to the pump, while she steered.

"Can we drop it already?" He had grunted back as he finally stood up from pushing the car to a stop right by the pumps. "I'm too tired to argue back."

"Fine. But I'm getting a drink." She had said as she started getting out of the car.

"Grab me a water would ya." He had said as he walked around to start pumping the gas.

"If I had less of a heart I would make you go thirsty just like you did to the car." She said as she closed the car door behind her.

"Then I suppose I should be grateful for your huge heart." He smiled at her as he walked up and grabbed her around the waist as she tried to walk away.

She stopped in her tracks as he pulled her close to him and put his head by her neck.

"Yes you should." She sweetly said back to him as she placed her hands on his.

"And you should take a shower as soon as we get there too." She said as she turned her head to face him.

"Will I have company?" He had asked as he felt the heat rising up in him that only she could bring out of him.

"Perhaps that could be arranged." She quietly said back, before meeting his lips and giving him a hungry kiss.

He hummed as he pulled her close as he meet her heat before he pulled away.

"Then what are we doing here?" He said in a deep voice as he fought against the urge to continue, as he released her. "Let's get back on the road."

"I'm not the one whose stalling." She had said as she walked away and left him standing there eagerly awaiting her return as he gassed up the car..............

You turned back around and looked at the floorboards of the car. You noticed that he seemed to be zoning out more then he had in Altissia. And you had a feeling that it was going to get worse, long before it got better.

You had already noticed a change in him before you had left Altissia. He would spend many nights sitting up as he would pour himself over paperwork that could have easily waiting until the next morning. In fact you couldn't remember the last time that he had slept a full night. Although the only reason you knew this was because you hadn't been sleeping very well either. Because between losing your mom and you being abducted. You were a bit afraid to close your eyes in case you were taking away again or worse yet, you lost your dad as well.

You were lost in your thoughts again when suddenly you realized that you were coming back up on the checkpoint that was just outside of Insomnia. Your heart started to race again. Because the last time that you had gone through it was when you had barely escaped from the Nif the first time. It looked different now, like there had been a scrimmage there since last time you had gone through. You got nervous when Ignis stopped the car in front of the gate that now blocked the road.

https://youtu.be/fEXbfhfDEIo

Right as he stopped the car two guards came out from behind the wall. Upon seeing the car they opened up the gate. Ignis then slowly proceeded through as the guards looked at each of you, as the car passed them. One of them seemed to be a bit shocked when he looked in the backseat of the car.

Once the gate was out of range, you turned around and looked at your dad. He seemed to be lost in thought as he looked at the floor in front of him.

"Dad, I think that guy recognized you." You said in a concerned voice as you looked at him.

"I saw that too." Paul said as he kept his gaze down.

Then he turned to Korn. "I thought that you had completely changed out all of the guards?"

"I had." Korn said back to Paul. "But you forget, your a bit of a legend now with them. Your the only agent to escape from the empire three times now, unscaved. That kind of story isn't one that goes unnoticed by the younger soldiers and guards. They look up to you and respect you for that feat."

Paul dropped his head as he slightly smiled. "Well that last time was thanks to my very gifted daughter."

You looked down as you bit your lip as you tried not to tear up from his praise. Ignis looked at you and smiled as he squeezed your hand. You looked up at him and shyly smiled back as you squeezed back. You knew part of that was true. But it was mainly luck that had gotten both of you out. For you had left him to fight off the Nif troops alone while you led the others to safety. The chance of survival for both of you, had all been due to your training and by sheer will.

You shook your head as your mind started to travel back to that day. But you didn't want to remember that now. You had thought back on that day so much that it was driving your crazy. It was one of the main reasons that you couldn't sleep at night.

For all you saw was your mom's liveless body at your feet as your dad ran up and grabbed her limp body in a desperate embrace. You hadn't been able to move. All you could do was watch your dad as your whole body was frozen. He had held her in a desperate grip as if hoping by some small miracle that she was still alive. But then you heard his voice as he knew that she was gone.

...."No, no, no, no, no....." He had cried as he desperately ran his hands through her soft hair that showed the blood from the back of her head as he stroked her hair.

Then you watched as he turned his attention back to the very robot that you had just electrocuted. You looked and stared in horror as Calgio stood outside of the cockpit with a gun in his hand and a smirk on his face. You barely heard your dad as he spoke, as you stared in disbelief.

"Get them to safety." He had growled at you. "I'm staying so that I can take out as many of these bastards as I can so that you can escape. It's up to you now to see that they get back to their daughter safely."

You had turned back to him in horror at his words. "But what about this daughter?" You had said as you felt you heart about to break out of your chest.

He had looked back over at you with all of the love that a dad could have for a daughter. "My daughter will live and grow into a beautiful woman and will live out her dreams. I won't have him take those from you. Serve our future king well and know that your mother and I couldn't be prouder of you. And we're sorry that we never told you the truth until now."...................

You could feel the tears threatening to come again as you remembered him sending you off before he sent Calgio flying across the room after he had warped to the machine and slammed him with his feet as he stopped at the cockpit. Then he had simply given you a huge smile before he climbing into the cockpit himself. Then he used the robot to fight back.

Suddenly you jumped as you felt Ignis' thumb rub the back of your hand as he tried to get you to snap out of it. You took in a quick shaky breath as you nervously straightened back up in the seat. Ignis watched you for a few minutes before looking back at the road. He quietly looked at the road as the car raced across the bridge that led to Insomnia. He had to figure out how to help you out. He knew what you were going through since he had been there twice already. Infact he was still struggling with part of it himself. Perhaps once you were settled and back into the swing of things, he could take you out for some fun for once.

Within a few moments you saw the walls of Insomnia ahead of you. Your breath caught for a moment as the car approached the towering wall that surrounded the city. How you had missed seeing the walls of black steel compared to the walls of water at Altissia. You smiled as you hit the button that dropped down the roof.

"Aaahh." You heard your dad start to say from the back seat as the roof started to drop.

"It's alright." Korn said. "We're safe within the walls, so it's okay to have it down now."

Paul looked at Korn with uncertainty until he saw the reassuring smile on his face. Then he sat back in the seat and started nervously watching everything as the car passed through the oversized gate and into the city limits. It's not that he didn't trusted Korn, it was simply that he didn't trust anyone else at this point. Too much had happened for him to be nothing but paranoid.

You on the other hand, weren't looking around to watch for a possible attack. It was actually quite the opposite. You were looking around with glee as you recognized the different streets and sights as the car speed through the city. To you it was a sight for sore eyes. Now don't be mistaken, Altissia was pretty. But nothing beats the beauty of Insomnia and her high billboards on skyscrapers and bright neon lights that lined the streets.

You couldn't hide the huge smile that was covering your face as you kept pointing out different things that had changed from the last time you saw it. Ignis couldn't help but smile at you as you excited talked about the different areas. He watched you with relief as he enjoyed every word and excited tone coming from you. How he had missed seeing you so happy. It filled his heart to the brim as he drive through the many streets as he continued to the citadel.

Then you stopped in your tracks as the Citadel came into view. Your mouth fell open as you stared at the building as it towered over the city. You slight gasped as you looked at the four towers as they held up the stanchion the supported the glass structure that protected the beam from the crystal as it shoot straight up and over the city as it protected the citizens below. You had forgotten how tall and majestic that the building was.

You looked up in awe again as Ignis pulled the car up to the front gates. Immediately the gates opened and Ignis pulled the car through and continued towards the turn around. By now the sun was low on the horizon and the street lights had came on. You beamed at the beauty of the building.

It was just like the first time you had been there. The glow of the lights looked like gold as they shined through the quickly darkening skies. The car seemed to glide smoothly across the black asphalt as Ignis drove the car up to the bottom of the stairs. As the car approached you saw that there were several people on the stairs waiting for you. You paused for a moment when you realized that two of them were Monica and Gladio.

Then as you looked at the others and recognized the two valet from before, as well as Gladio's dad, Clarus, in the background. A huge smile crossed your face as Ignis pulled the car to a stop. Then the valets opened up the doors and waited for everyone to exit. You stepped out with a huge smile as you looked right at Monica and Gladio.

You quickly walked over to gave them each a huge hug. How you had missed them, you thought as you pulled Monica into a hug. Monica had a huge teary grin on her face when she pulled away. You gave her the same smile back as you tried to control your emotions.

"Welcome home." Monica said in a smoother voice then she felt.

"Thank you." You said back as you whipped away a few stray tears.

"There's no way that this is the same girl that use to spare with me?" Gladio said as he gave you a shocked look as he reached out to hug you.

"I can assure you it is." Ignis chimed in as he walked up and joined the group.

Gladio pulled you into a firm embrace that almost took your breath away. There was no doubt in your mind that Gladio had gotten stronger and much bigger. For you felt like you were hugged a brick wall. He had also gotten a bit taller to. Which was something that you had also noticed about Ignis. But Ignis was still trim and fit, where Gladio bulked up. His arms looked like they could crush someone now.

"I see that you've changed as well. You look good." You half breathed half gasped under his grip before he released you.

"If I hadn't just seen you getting out of the car with Ignis, I never would have known that it was you." Gladio said as he stepped back.

"You look incredible." He said in a slightly dreamy way.

"Thanks." You said as you slightly blushed as you looked away.

Monica hit him on the arm to which he flinch out of being startled, not from being hurt by any means.

"What? I'm speaking the truth." He said as he tried to defend himself from Moncia's hits. "I'm not dating her or anything."

"No." You said as you looked at Ignis.

"Someone else already has me." You said as you smiled at him.

"And very proudly I might add." Ignis said as he stepped up behind you and wrapped his arms around your waist then kissed you on the head.

"Alright kids," you heard Clarus say in a deep grumble, "let's head in."

With smiles, the group turned and headed up the stairs. Each couple was holding hands as they ascended the stairs. And you could hear the different conversations that each group was having as they headed up the stairs. You squeezed Ignis' hand as you were finally started to relax again. Ignis looked back at you and returned your smile.

"He is right you know." Ignis quietly said.

"Who?" You asked as you smiled back at him.

"Gladio of course." Ignis said with a hint of a laugh.

"You do look incredible." He said as he gaze hungrily over you again.

"I can say the same for you." You said as you gave him a sexy glance. "I can tell that you have gotten stronger as well. But you have been able to stay trim while firming up. So firm in fact that I could wash clothes on that six pack of yours."

This time it was Ignis who looked away so that you didn't see him blush as he slightly laughed.

"Well thank you." He shyly said before looking back at you. "But I think that the washing machine will still suffice."

"Perhaps I might have a chance to try the other." You teased back with a devilish grin.

"Perhaps." He grinned back as he met your gaze.

Then you both looked down as you laughed at the notion. But at the sametime you were thrilled at a chance to even just see him undressed again. He seemed to think that same thing as he squeezed your hand as you reached the top landing. But right as you reached the door it dawn on you that your suitcases were still in the car.

"Shit." You said as you stopped short.

"I forgot my suitcase in the trunk." You said as you went to turn around.

"No you didn't miss." You heard a charming voice say off to your side.

That was when you turned and recognized the flirty valet as he walked past you with your suitcase in his hand.

"What kind of valet would I be if I made you carry your own luggage." He said as he walked through the now open doors of the citadel.

"Thank you." You slowly said as you watched him walk past.

Then you turned to look at Ignis as you could feel his tension through his hand as he tightened his grip on you. You looked at Ignis' face as he gave a stern look to the valet as he disappeared through the door. You squeezed his hand to try and get his attention so that he could relax. It seemed to work since he glanced back at you and gave you a quick smile before he looked ahead again.

As you walked inside you were once again blow away by how beautiful the lobby was as the bright pillar lights seemed to dance off fo the marble walls. You smiled to yourself as you glanced around at the all to familiar room that seemed to be exactly the same. You then heard an older familiar voice coming from the adjacent hallway.

"Welcome back miss (y/n)." You turned to see Jared with a smile as he stopped just inside the room.

"Thank you." You returned with a grin.

"Welcome Mr. (l/n). I have prepared both of your rooms. Miss (y/n), you will be in your old room. And Mr. (l/n), you will be staying in the adjacent room. Your bags will be waiting in your rooms for you when you go to retire for the evening."

"Thank you Jared." Paul said with a smile as he shook his hand. "And I'm glad to see that you look well."

"As good as can be expected." He said.

Then suddenly there was loud baby cry from behind him. You jerked from the noise as it startled you. You never expected to hear that in a house that mainly had guys living in it. Quickly Monica ran past you and into the other room towards the baby cry. Then after a few moments, you froze as you watched Monica coming out carrying a tiny baby in her arms. You stared at her in disbelief as she walked over to you with the baby.

"I'm sorry. He's usually really good." She apologized as she cradled him in her arms. "But I guess it is past his bedtime."

With your curiosity peaked, you walked over to the baby. He was still really small which showed that he couldn't be more than a few months old. But you could already see his dark brown hair as it was coming out. He looked up at you and stop crying as he looked at you with curious eyes. Instantly your heart melted as you ran your finger down his tiny arm.

"He's gorgeous." You said as you admired how tiny and cute that he was.

"Where did he come from? What's his name?" You asked in a dreamy state as he grabbed your finger.

"His name is Talcott." She said then looked down at him with pride. "And he's mine."

Your heart almost stopped.

"He's yours?" You asked as you gave her a surprised look. "But how and with who?"

But before she could say anything, everyone but you and your dad seemed to shift uncomfortable. Then your eyes shot open.

Holy shit! Gladio? Is Gladiolus the dad? You thought as you searched her face.

She gave you a slight smile before dropping her gaze as the rest of the room seemed to shift again. But this time due to Clarus chiming in.

"I think I hear the kitchen staff getting anxious." He said as he tried to break up the atmosphere.

"Yes," Korn added as a means of changing the subject, "shall we?" He finished as he steered everyone towards the living quarters.

"We'll be right there." Monica returned. "We're going to take care of Talcott."

Clarus simply nodded then walked off with the rest of the group as they headed for the dinning hall. You glanced at Ignis as he slightly dropped his eyes before he came up and placed his arm around your waist. You then watched as Monica walked away with Talcott and with Gladio right with her. You slightly smiled at them. You noted that they did look happy, as they walked off with Talcott. You watched them as they gently talked to him and each other as they took him back to bed.

You smiled as you placed your hand over Ignis' hand. You had always wanted a baby brother or sister to take care of when you were younger. But it just didn't seem to be the plan for your parents. And now there was never going to be a chance. You slightly smiled to yourself as Ignis led you towards the dining hall. Perhaps Monica would let you babysit every once in a while.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you before we arrived." Ignis said in a quiet voice as you walked down the hallway. "But as you can tell, it's not exactly an easy topic for anyone right now. For as you can imagine, Jared and Calrus were both caught off guard when they found out."

"Jared?" You asked as you looked at him with confusion.

"Well yes." Ignis said as he gave you a confused look back. "He is Monica's dad after all."

You stopped in your tracks as in shook as you stared at him. "Wha....."

"You mean to tell me that you didn't know?" Ignis asked as he looked at you in surprise. "Didn't Monica ever tell you that was why she was here all the time?"

"No. I didn't know." You said in shock. "We never talked about our parents when we were practicing. It wasn't exactly a topic that I was happy talking about at the time."

"But you knew about Gladio?" Ignis asked as he gave you a curious look.

"Who wouldn't by the way those two were carrying on." You said low enough so that no one but Ignis could hear. "They were constantly all over each other."

Ignis half laughed. "Good point." He said as he turned you into the dining room.

You were about to head to kitchen like usual when Ignis grabbed your hand.

"Whow love." He said as he gently pulled you back towards him. "We're not the ones cooking tonight. Remember?"

You dropped your head as you slightly laughed. "I guess old habits are hard to break."

"They can be." He said as he led you to the table. "We can visit the staff once we're done. I know that Marge would love to see you."

"Yeah." You said as you smiled again.

But then your smile dropped as you remembered that Ignis had told you that Jim had passed away last year due to a heart attack. Ignis said that they had tried everything to save him. But in the end it just wasn't enough. Since then the kitchen just hasn't been the same. He had taken up a lot of the work to help out as much as possible. But no one could truly replace Jim's bright presence in the kitchen.

"How has she been, since Jim passed away?" You asked as you sat down in a chair as Ignis helped you push it in.

"She's as good as can be expected I suppose." He said as he sat down next you. "But you know, she handles it one day at a time. Some days are easier than others."

You slowly nodded your head as you looked down. "Don't we know that all to well."

"Well you'll do well to move your hands so that I can put your salad down." Said a petite girl's voice from your side.

You quickly sat back as a salad plate was set in front of you. You glanced over and saw a beautiful short brown haired girl who looked to be in middle school. She smiled at you then placed down the dinner rolls.

"Now don't freak out on your first dinner back." She said with a bit of an  attitude. "Got it."

"Can we not bring that up Gina?" Ignis said as he sat back and gave her a stern look.

"I was just saying. My bad for saying something about it.  Jeez." She said then walked away to finish setting down the other salad plates.

You turned and gave Ignis a shocked look. He sighed and shook his head. You could tell that he had been at odds with her for a bit. You figured that it probable started once she started middle school.

You just couldn't get over how different she looked and acted from the last time that you saw her. She was still petite. But she now had a sharp tongue towards Ignis. Where before she would do anything for him.

You slightly shook you your head as you looked around.  And that was when you realized that there were a couple people still missing. 

"Where's Noctis and King Regis?" You asked once you saw that they weren't in the room.

"They should be down in a moment." Calrus answered as he took his seat at the table. "But King Regis said to start without them. He didn't want you to go hungry while waiting for them to sort out their differences."

"That could take awhile." Ignis quietly commented as he put his napkin on his lap.

"Why do you say that?" You asked as you did the same.

"Let's just say that Noctis has developed a bit of an attitude lately." Ignis said as he took a drink of water.

"Is it that bad?" You asked as you took a drink yourself before you grabbed your fork.

"You'll just have to see for yourself." He said before he started on his salad.

Suddenly the door flew open.

"For the last time, just drop it!" You heard a very irritated voice shout from the now open door.

You whipped around and saw a much taller and more grown up version of Noctis, walk in with a very frustrated look on his face. Then you happen to see out of the door and saw King Regis drop his head as he shook it just before the door closed again. After a quick 'Evening.' from Noctis, he walked over and sat down in a chair without looking at anyone. You stared at him in surprise then looked at Ignis who just raised an eyebrow before continuing with his meal.

You sat back for a moment and looked at everyone in the room as they all started to quietly eat. A lot had changed since you had been there. Some for the best, you though as you watched Gladio and Monica walk-in with King Regis a few moments after Noctis sat down. While others seemed to have drastically changed. You thought as you looked at Gina and Noctis.

Then there was a few that you would miss, you thought as you glanced through the swinging door that lead into the kitchen as Gina headed back in for the dinner plates. They weren't kidding when they said that it would take time to adjust to being back. But you were ready to face all of it, you thought as you glanced over at Ignis and smiled. To which he smiled broadly back at you.

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

They say that time can change many things. I myself have seen this personally within myself and my friends and family. Some are good, while others not so much. But the main thing I have learned it that every change brings with it a new opportunities. Whether it is good, bad, or indifferent.

I do hope that you enjoyed this chapter. I know that I threw a lot at you at the same time. But when has that stopped me. ;) Now I don't know if there is any truth to the Talcott reference. But to me it made sense based on the way that they acted with each other. But again this is my interpretation. So take it as you will.

Plus, I am very happy that you have come with me on this journey. I do hope that you will continue. I just wanted to thank each and everyone of you for your time and interest in my story. Because of you I have 6k reads on a story that I started on Christmas Eve 2018. I don't know if there is a record for that or anything, but it's definitely a first for me. So for that, I thank you from the bottom of my heart and I will continue to give it my all for you.

Thanks for reading. :)

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