PAUL'S breath was short and his heart felt like it was going to beat out of his chest. Could he really do this? Was he really ready to put away the memories of his oldest son? Or would he crumble under the pressure of it again from trying to do this on his own?

Suddenly he shivered as he felt a hand on his back. But as he turned, he saw you giving him a slight smile as you looked up at him with a comforting gaze. He couldn't help but to slightly smile himself as he looked at you. Of course he wouldn't be doing this alone. He had you and you had him in return.

"Ready?" Paul heard you softly ask.

But he could tell by the slight tremble in your lips that you were on the verge of breaking down yourself as you tried to smile at him. Which made him want to comfort you in return. He didn't want to see you upset. Even though the task ahead was tearing him apart inside.

"Yeah." Paul heard come out of his mouth, even though it sounded like it was coming from a much older version of himself.  "Maybe."

Then he placed his arm around you and slowly pulled you close.  Then he wrapped you in both of his arms and held you close to his chest.  He closed his eyes as he held you tightly.  He could feel you slightly squeeze him as you tried to comfort him.  Which made him smile as he let out a shaking breath.

"I'm glad your here, kiddo."  He quietly said.  "I don't think that I can do this on my own."

You looked up at him and smiled.  "I would never make you do this alone dad.  Besides, I want to be here to.  It's the least that we can do for Derek.  And I know that's what he would want."

Paul couldn't help the single tear that started to roll down his cheek as he felt his throat start to close up on him.  "I couldn't agree more."

Then he gave you a kiss on your head before he slowly released you with one hand and turned to the door.  He could already feel his hand trembling as he gripped the door handle.  But then you placed your hand as his and gave his hand a slight squeeze.  Then together you opened up the door.

The moment that the door opened, Paul felt his breath leave him as the sight of his late son's room opened up before him.  Everything was still exactly where Derek had left it the last night he left for work, but never returned.  The desk proudly displayed all of his first and second place ribbons from his many middle school and high school swim meets.  On top of his desk, were the dozen baseball trophies that he had gotten while playing for the rec centers summer Junior Baseball league. 

Paul took a deep breathe as he tried to steady himself.  But even then, he could still feel Derek's presence in the room.  The very air still seemed to have a faint hint of his cologne.  And the warm glow from the overhead light, gave off a heavenly warmth that sent a chill down his spine.

Now your dad knew that you had kept everything neat and clean.  And that you hadn't moved anything. But it was still a bit haunting to him as he walked in a look around the room.  Everywhere he looked he saw glimpses of Derek.  From him sitting on his bed as he played video games, to him sitting at the desk as he studied for his college exams.

That was when he noticed something on the billeting board in front of the desk chair.  And when he looked at it closer, his heart stopped.  Because right beside Derek's last first place ribbon and his last baseball trophy, was a picture of Derek with his last baseball team.  And standing right next to him with a proud smile was Paul himself.

They were beaming as they stood together for their impromptu team celebration picture.  That has been the last time that Paul had coached the team.  And the picture had been when they had just won the All-star Regional summer Junior league and everyone was proudly surrounding the trophy.  Paul reached up and pulled the picture down from the board and stared at the picture for a moment.  He remembered how proud he had been that year.  Derek had gotten the winning home run and had sealed the victory for the team with a double hitter. 

"I remember that."  Paul heard you say from beside him.  "That was the All-Star win wasn't it?"

He slowly looked over at you as you looked at the picture in his hand.  "Yeah..."

"Hmm.  That was his favorite picture of you two."  You said with a slight smile at the picture.  "He loved to play baseball.  And especially with you.  I use to get so jealous of all the attention that you would give him during the summer.  But that summer was different.  It didn't seem to be just about the two of you.  It was more of a team thing that year."

Paul slowly looked back at the picture and started to recall the names of every single player as they beamed for the camera as they all touched the trophy.  That had been the best team that he had ever coached.  And it was also the last team that he had coached, since that year was the last one that Derek could play before he aged out of the program.  But that aside, that had been a helluva team.  And one great summer.

"That was an amazing summer."  Paul said quietly as he smiled at the picture.

"Yes it was."  You replied as you watched your dad sadly smile at the picture.  "Maybe you should hold to that.  You know, so that you can remember.  And you know what they say, a picture says a thousand words."

"Hmm."  Paul hummed to himself as he put the picture back on the corkboard wall.   She is certainly right about that.

"So," you started to say as you tried to refocus on the task.  "I say that we put all of the trophies and ribbons on top.   And then see if the citadel library could use a generous donation of Derek's books."

Paul looked up at the shelves and glanced at all of the Sci-Fi and Fantasy books that filled the shelves.  "And why would you think that the citadel library would want them?"

"Well, I'm thinking that if Noctis sees these in there, maybe, just maybe, he might want to read a few."  You said as you ran your hand across the spine of a fairly large one that featured a wizard.

Paul couldn't help but to slightly laugh at you.  He hadn't even thought about the prince reading any of Derek's old books.  But perhaps you were onto something.  Derek hadn't been a very big reader himself, until he picked up his first fantasy book from the school library.  And from there he just couldn't seem to stop reading.

"Okay."  Paul said as he nodded his approval.  "I think that's a great idea."

"And I was thinking that maybe we could have Prompto check out the clothes since he is about the same size that Derek was."  You said as you nodded towards the closet door.  "And besides, he could use to have some cool clothes for once."

Your dad gave you a side glance.  "Have you been planning this or something?"

"Perhaps a little."  You admitted as you sat on the edge of the bed.  "But not because I want to get rid of his things."

Your dad then turned and gave you a curious look as you brought one leg up and wrapped your arms around it.

"More like...."  You started to say, before you became lost in thought for a moment as you could once again see his smiling face as he stood behind your mom when you and Luna had healed Sarah in Altissia.  

"I know that he would be happy to know that others are enjoying his old things as much as he did." You continued with a slight smile as you tightened your grip on your leg.

"I think he would to."  Paul said as he gave you a thoughtful smile.  "But what about the bed?"

"This?"  You asked as you looked at the bed as you released your leg before you met his gaze.  "No one gets this bed but me."  

"I think your room might be a bit small for it.  Don't you think?"  He asked as he narrowed his eyes at you.

"Yeah."  You said as you looked at it again with a frown.  "You may be right.  I guess it'll have to go in storage then."

"I think we can do that."  Paul said to you with a slight smile.  "At least for now anyway."

"Yeah."  You beamed back before you climbed off the bed and walked out of the room to grab a couple boxes that were in the hallway.  "Well then.  Let me grab us some boxes."

Paul watched you walk out of the room before he looked back at the picture one more time and smiled.  Then he quickly removed the picture and put it in his shirt pocket.  He hoped that he might be able to make moments like that day, with Nathaniel.  Even though that day with Derek would always be one of his favorite memories.

 Paul closed his eyes and placed his hand over his shirt pocket.  You will always be a part of me.

"Alright."  He heard you say from behind him.  "Let's get started then."

"Right."  Paul said as he turned towards you as you handed him a box.

That night, Tracy had let you take her car to work since your dad was home.  Which you were grateful for.  You really didn't like to bother anyone for a ride when you knew how to drive.  And especially since there was no waiting or feeling rushed when you drove yourself.

That night was particular slow since it was a Sunday night.  Not that you were complaining.  Having one night where you didn't feel like you were racing around was actually nice.  Even Loqi seemed to be in a fairly friendly mood as well.  

Well at least he wasn't being rude towards you.  But then again, he hardly said anything to you all night.  However, he had been taking a lot of smoke breaks.  It seemed like every time you turned around, he was out back again.

Finally you couldn't stand it any longer and you peeked your head out the back door as he stood there smoking.  But right before you said anything, you saw that he was on the phone.  And apparently in a deep conversation with whoever was on the other side.  Which peeked your curiosity to the point that you quietly listened in.

"Yes....I understand what your saying.  But what if something goes wrong?"  Loqi said before he took a long drag.

"Mmmhmm."  He said as he slowly blew the smoke out of his nose as he looked towards his bike.  "But does it have to be now?.....Yes I understand it's important.  And I know that you want to get this done .  But....but is this really how you want to do it?" 

"Yeah,......yeah I get it."  Loqi said before he turned around and just happen to look over and see you staring at him.  "Hey, I gotta go princess.....Yeah... I'll call you later."

"Princess?  What the fu...."  Loqi just barely heard a gruffy voice say as he hung up his phone.

You looked away from him as he stared right at you.  "I'm sorry.  I didn't mean to eavesdrop."  I'm only sorry that I got caught.

"Then why were you?"  He asked as he put his phone away before taking another long drag from his cigarette.

"I....I don't know."  You said as you slightly shook your head.  Because you were taking to long.

"Was that Angel?"  You asked as you slowly looked back up at him.

"You mean my girlfriend?  Yeah."  Loqi said as he searched your face.  "Why?  What business is it of yours?"

"I was just wondering is all "  You said as you reached up and moved your hair behind your ear as you started to get uncomfortable.

"Perhaps your jealous."  Loqi teased as he stepped closer to you.

"No."  You quickly replied as you stepped back from him as he smirked at you.

"Oh forget it."  You said and quickly headed back inside.  "I'm gonna finish cleaning up the dinning room now."

"I'll be right there, sweetheart. "  Loqi said with a half smile as you huffed away.  Right after I make one last phone call.

(At Night Only, by Christopher Stoddard)

After cleaning up the last few tables and dishes.  All three of you were finally heading home for the night.  And as Brian locked up the front door, you and Loqi headed to your rides.  You heard Brian's car start up as you walked across the street and over to Tracy's car.  You had had to park beside the alley across the way when you had arrived because all of the parking spots by the café had been taken.  Of course that wasn't an issue anymore since there weren't any other cars except for Brian's.  And even his was soon gone as he headed home.

But you didn't mind.  You knew that he wanted to get home so that he could be there to help put his daughter to bed for the night.  And besides, Loqi was still there.  So what was the chance anything could happen.  Right?

At least that was what you thought until you heard a noise in the alleyway.  It sounded like a can being kicked across the concrete, followed by a cat yelling as it ran away from something.  You stopped in your tracks and listened carefully for a moment as you tried to see if it had just been the cat, or something else.  But then you saw a shadow on the alley wall.

Your breath caught as you started to fumble with your keys as you tried to get them ready for a quick get away.  Then you felt your heart start to pound as you saw the shadow separate into two shadows, then three, then four as it got closer.

Shit, shit shit!  You thought as you quickly made you way to the car and started to fight with opening up the door.

"Well look what we have here boys?"  You heard some guy say, which made you freeze as you stared at the driver's door.  "It seems as if our entertainment has arrived."

You swallowed as you slowly started to intertwine your keys so that they were sticking out like claws in between each of your fingers.  Just breathe.  You got this. 

"Ahh, and she's a young thing too."  He continued in a familiar deep tone as you tightened up your grip on your keys.  "Much to young to be out here by herself."

Please six tell me it's not who I think it is.  You though as your breath caught.

You tried to catch a glimpse of them in the window's reflection as they got closer.  And as soon as one of them did, you felt your heart start to pound.  It was the same guys that had attacked you the night of the winter festival.  And they looked much larger and meaner than before.

Fuck!  I have to get out of here before they recognize me.  You thought as you slowly gripped the door handle.

"Hold on sweetheart."  He continued as he walked up behind you.  "We won't hurt you.  We just want to see that pretty little face of yours."

Shit!  

"Is there a problem, gentleman?"  You heard Loqi ask from the other side of the car.

You felt your heart leap.  You had completely forgotten that he was still there.  Not that you would have noticed him anyway, since you were way to freaked out to realize that he hadn't even started up his motorcycle yet.  But that tends to happen when you're totally focused on jerks like them. 

"Get lost kid.  This has nothing to do with you."  The gang's leader said as he dismissively waved his hand at Loqi, who came around to your side of the car.

"The hell it doesn't."  Loqi said as he stopped a few feet away from you and crossed his arms across his chest.

"I said, get LOST!"  The guy shouted and started to charge towards Loqi.

But Loqi was too quick for him as he quickly did a round house kick to the gangster's head which knocked the guy to the street in an unconscious heap.  You turned and gaped at Loqi.  You didn't know that he could fight.  Let alone pull off a move like that.

"The fuck?....It's her!"  You heard one of the other guys said.  "The girl from the festival!  Get her!"

And before you got a chance to marvel at Loqi, the rest of the gang immediately started to charge and attack both of you. Which had you quickly engaged with ducking and weaving as you looked for opens so that you could take them out.  Which didn't take much since it was very obvious that these guys were just local thugs and truly no match for your skills.  

And in only a few minutes the two of you quickly took them out.  You had even laid out a guy with a kick to the gut so hard that he slammed up against the brick wall behind him.  The last movement from him was the guy sliding down the wall in a unconscious heap.

When you turned back around to look at Loqi, you were breathing hard and your heart was racing from pure adrenaline.  Loqi on the hand looked as calm as can be as he kicked the last guy up against the wall with a hard kick to the chest.  Then he calmly walked over to you.

"You okay?"  He asked as he gave you a quick onceover.

"Yeah."  You quickly replied as you tried to catch your breath.  "You?"

"I'm fine." He said in a flat tone as he bent down and started to look at the gang leader at your feet.  "I'm just glad that I was still here."

"Me too."  You replied as you couldn't help but to smile at him as he looking at the guy on the ground before he looked at you.  

"What?"  He asked as he narrowed his eyes at you.

"Nothing."  You said with a smile.  "I just didn't expect you to know how to fight like that."

"And why does that surprising to you?"  He asked as he stood back up.

"I don't know."  You shyly replied as you nervously looked down.  "I just didn't expect you to be more then just the average street fighter kinda guy."

"I'm not sure if that's a complement or not."  He replied as he crossed his arms across his chest.

"It's a complement."  You said with a smirk as you looked back at him and meet his eyes.

"Whatever."  He replied as he shrugged his shoulders.

"Well anyway."  You said as you turned back to the car and unlocked the doors.  "I'm cold.  So I'm going to head home now."

"Fine by me.  I'll stay here and wait for the police."

"Okay." You replied with a smile.  "I'll see you tomorrow then."

You then climbed into the car and closed the door.  But as you put your seatbelt on, you noticed that Loqi simply stood there watching you.  Which normally would have made you nervous.  But at the moment, you just wanted to leave.  So with a slight nod, you drove off.

Suddenly there was a grunt from one of the gangsters.

"Well that's gratitude for you."  Loqi said as he watched you drive away.  "Not even a thank you."

"Fuck!  Did you have to hit so hard?"  The gang's leader asked as he sat up, rubbing his now bruised chin.  "And I told you not the face."

"You said not to punch you in the face."  Loqi corrected before he turned around and looked at the leader as the rest of them slowly got to their feet.  "You never said anything about my foot."

"Asshole."  He replied under his breath as he glared at Loqi.

Loqi quickly grabbed the guy's shirt and twisted it up as he yanked him up towards him.  "Careful, or your won't get your pay."

"Don't threaten me." The leader growled back as he knocked Loqi's hand away.  "Of course if I had known who she actually was, I would have asked for double."

"Your lucky that your getting paid at all."  Loqi said as he watched another gang member help the leader to his feet.

Loqi then reached into his inside coat pocket and pulled out a huge wad of cash.  "I personally wouldn't pay you pansies anything for that shit."

"Here."  Loqi said and tossed the cash into the air so that the dollar bills went flying everywhere.  "Be gratefully that I'm not the one who paid you."

All of the gangsters quickly started scrambling to grab the cash.  Loqi on the other hand simply turned towards his bike and walked away.  The leader gave him a stern look.  But Loqi never turned around.  Instead he climbed onto his bike, put on his helmet and took off without a backwards glance.

"I'll remember that you piece of shit."  The leader said as his guys still frantically grabbed all of the bills before they got to wet.  "You just wait.  No one messes with the Franky and gets away with it.

(Blackpool Tower Ballroom in Lancashire, England)

The next day you found yourself running around the citadel ballroom as you helped out with the last minute touches to the tables and the dance floor for Korn and Mary's wedding reception.  You had lucked out that most of the work had already been done by the citadel staff.  And that there was only a few things left to do to get everything ready for the reception that was to take place there in three days.  And those things were mainly the table settings and centerpieces.  As well as the last minute rehearsals for the orchestra and band.

Which you couldn't help but to enjoy the music as they played.  The sounds weren't usually what you liked to listen to.  But at least it wasn't boring elevator music.  And it was giving you something to listen to.

And as you placing everything out, you started to relax as you realized that this was the first time that you didn't actually feel rushed to get everything set up.  That was until Marge walked up to you as you put the last center piece on the last table.  Because as you turned to look at her, you couldn't help but to think that you had missed something just based on her anxious look.

"That looks wonderful."  She said as she gave you a gentle smile.  "Of course it will be nothing compared to you and Ignis starting out the wedding dance."

Wedding....dance?  You thought in shock as it dawn on you what you had missed.

Fuck! Did I really forget all about the dance?!  You thought as you remembered that you still hadn't had a chance to show Ignis even a single step of the dance that the two of you were suppose to do to start off with before Korn and Mary came out onto the dance floor.  "Yeah....of course."

"You haven't practiced once, have you dear?"  Marge asked as she saw right through your stunned expression.  "Have you even shown him or talked to him about it?"

"Ummm..."  You started to say before you dropped your head.  "No."

"And why not?"  She calmly asked.  "He's been here for over a week now.  Didn't you think that you should have at least told him by now?"

You dropped your head even more as you shrugged your shoulders.  "We both have been so busy since he got home.  You know, with school, work, the baby.  That I guess......I guess I just forgot." 

"Then let us take advantage of what time we have left then."  You heard Ignis say from behind you, which made you feel even worse.

"I'm sorry."  You quietly said as you drooped your shoulders as you felt him stop in front of you.

Then you felt his fingers on your chin as he gently lifted up your gaze to meet his.  "We never say that we're sorry, love."

You couldn't help the slight smile as his warm gaze calmed you back down.

"And lucky for you, I'm a quick study."  He continued as he released your chin as he smiled back at you.

"You're not mad at me?"  You asked as you searched his emerald eyes.

"Of course not."  He replied as he grabbed both of you hands .  "I could never be mad at you.  And besides, how can I be mad at you when you have no control over the uncontrollable."

"Your too good to me."  You said as you dropped your gaze again.

"I can say the same to you."  He replied as he gave your hands a gentle kiss.

You felt the tinge in your hands as he raised them up and put them on his shoulders.  

"Now, about this dance.....are you ready to show me?"  He said in a low tone as he gently pulled you against him.

"I'm always ready for you."  You beamed back at him before you leaned up and gave him a gentle kiss.

~~~~~~~~~~0~~~~~~~~~~

After that, you and Ignis were on the dance floor going through the steps as the orchestra and band played.  Marge was watching the two of you.  But she really didn't say anything as she stood off to the side.  Unless of course she noticed something that wasn't quite right  But that was only a few times.

Other than that, the two of you smoothly moved across the floor as you practiced.  Both of you seemed to be enjoying yourselves as you danced.  You had a smile plastered on your face the whole time.  And Ignis' charming but smooth smile was all you needed in return.

After a couple hours, the two of you were sitting on the edge of the stage.   The musicians had already packed up for the day and had left for the night.  Which left the two of you alone for the first time in a long time.  Of course you could still feel your heart racing and your feet pounding as they dangled over the edge of the stage.  But you just barely felt the pain as you enjoyed the quite moment as the two of you sat side-by-side drinking your bottled water.

"I had almost forgotten how much fun it is to dance with you."   You said as you looked out over the empty dancefloor.  "You always make it seem so easy and fun."

"It's only easy because you're so willing to let me take control." Ignis replied back.

"That's because I trust you completely." You replied as you leaned on his shoulder. 

"And I you." He replied as he wrapped his arm around you.  "And tonight was most definitely fun."

You slightly giggled as you snuggled up to him.  "It reminds me of our first dance on the loading dock."

"Ahh yes." Ignis quietly replied as a slight smile crossed his face.  "That was truly a dance to remember."

"And of all the dance performances, that was my favorite one."  You said as you started to slowly drag your fingers across his chest.  "Even though we never did get to dance at the school dance.  And the only witnesses were Marge and Jim."

"That was certainly unfortunate."  Ignis quietly replied as he looked at you.  "But I personally liked that I had you all to myself for a private dance after the school dance.  Which was more than I could ask for."

You looked up at him and could see the warmth in his eyes as he smiled at you.  His warm smile and his slight smile warmed you and seem to take away all of the soreness for the day.  That dance had been the first time that either of you had danced with the other after all of the secrete private lessons.  And it had all been possible by Marge and Jim.  Which was something that you would be forever grateful for and would never forget.

"How are your feet?"  Ignis asked as he reached over and moved your hair behind your ear.  "Are they sore?"

"A little."  You replied as your ear started to tingle as his fingers gently slide over you ear.

Then you felt your heart start to race as he slid his hand down to your chin.  Then he tilted it up as he leaned closer.  You could see the slight hint of a flame starting to burn in his eyes as he smiled at you.  Which told you that he had something on his mind.

"Do you have one more dance in you?"  He asked as he placed his forehead on yours.

"For you? Always." You half whispered as you breath seemed to disappear as you watched the edge of his eyes start to darken.

Ignis then smiled as he leaned forward and placed his lips on yours.  You both exhaled from the touch.  His soft lips made you lose your breath as you both deeply exhaled.  But he didn't kiss you again.  Which surprised you.  Instead, he leaned back and jumped down from the stage.

You gave him a curious look before he walked in front of you.  He couldn't seem to help himself as he looked at your legs and slowly slid his hands up your legs while he moved in between them.  You slightly bit your lip as his hands moved up to your hips before he looked at you again.  Then when saw the heat in his eyes as he placed himself up against you.

Instantly you felt your whole body start to vibrate.  And it was intensified as he moved his hands to your back side and firmly grabbed your butt.  You slightly gasped as he quickly jerked you towards him and pressed you hard against him.  The suddenly motion told you that this would be way more than just a dance.

"I've missed you so much."  Ignis softly said before he gave you a gentle kiss.

"Everyday I have longed to touch you."  He continued as he kissed your cheek.

"And every night I have dreamt of you in my bed."  He said in a heated tone before he kissed your neck.

So have I.  You thought as you were starting to fall under his spell.

"And I will prove it to you without taking off a single piece of clothing."  He continued in as deep voice before he kiss you behind your ear.  "And then again without."

Your heart immediately started to race and your whole body seemed to tremble as you felt the heat start to radiate off of him as he held you.  Which told you that he still wanted you just as bad as you wanted him.  And it suddenly didn't matter what happened while he had been gone.  Just as long as he stayed with you.

Ignis then ran one hand up to the back of your head before giving you a heated kiss at the base of your chin.  "Will you dance with me?"

"Yes."  You moaned out as you felt your pearl vibrate from his deep words.

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

Ooh yes. This will be a heated cliff hanger.  But it shouldn't be too long before I release the next chapter.  (Unless I get wrapped up in Mass Effect 3 again. ;) )  But we shall see.

Either way, as you and your dad start to make changes to your brothers' room, you run across something that makes you curious about Derek's past. Just who was Coctura? And how did he meet her? And why didn't he ever talk about her before?

But that might have to wait as the big day approaches and the final preparations are underway. Of course now it seems that every time you think that everything is going to go fine, something else seems to come up. 

And why the hell is Ignis being called away more and more?  Well we ever get to work on the dance?  Or is there really something going on that you don't know about?

Find out in the next chapter.

Thanks for reading.  :)

**************************