There was one day when Trucy walked in on something she didn't want to see.

She slowly pushed open the door that lead to her Daddy's room. She had come to ask him something that had to do with her latest magic trick, but what she found instead left her silent and shocked, but overall just plain curious. There, on the farthest end of his bed, sat Daddy Phoenix, hunched over and miserable. As Trucy slowly inched closer, she found that his shoulders were shaking and he had what looked like a photograph of another man and himself in his hands. She recognized the photo as the one that usually sat on his nightstand next to his bed, and she furrowed her brow in confusion.

A frown settled on her face when she heard her father sob. She had never seen Phoenix so torn, so... emotional. Deciding to come back later, though she wanted to ask him what was the matter and console him, she turned to leave and give him privacy. Though, at the loud flap of her cape as she turned, Phoenix whipped his head around in her direction. She was caught.

"T-Truce?" he struggled to ask, swallowing.

Trucy stiffened. Sucking in a sharp breath, she slowly turned toward her father. She didn't want to meet his eyes, but she forced herself to do so anyway. It would look bad on her part. "I'm sorry," replied the young magician.

Phoenix wore a sweet but sad smile. It made Trucy's heart sink. His eyes were red and swollen from crying and he had dark circles under his eyes as if he hadn't rested in days. His stubble was more than stubble now; it was nearly a full beard. Daddy looks so awful, thought Trucy. She sighed. He wasn't like this earlier. I wonder if I did something...? No, not me. That picture–

"Trucy, come here," her father said suddenly, interrupting her thoughts. She watched him as he patted the spot next to him on his bed. At his beckoning, she hesitated, but obeyed him nonetheless. Making her way over to where he instructed her, she hopped up onto the bed and stared down at her knees. Phoenix, having put the photo out of sight, watched her silently and sighed. Wearing the most confident grin he could muster, he set a gentle hand on her shoulder. She jumped at the contact, her head snapping up to meet the man's eyes. She felt a twinge of regret run through her as she gazed at his face. Upon closer inspection, her father's face appeared worse than just a few minutes ago.

An unexpected laugh left his mouth. "Darling," he started, leaning in and kissing her forehead, "don't look at me like that. Daddy's okay. I promise you."

Trucy's brows knitted in confusion. "Daddy..."

"Shhh," he interrupted, turning away and replacing the photo in his hands. "Don't worry Truce. I was just..." He trailed off, just staring at the photograph in silence. His bottom lip began to tremble again, and the mood made Trucy uncomfortable. C-Come on, Trucy! You can't just sit here and let Daddy cry! Think!

"Who is that?" she asked, pointing to the man standing next to Phoenix in the picture. Phoenix's fingers tensed around it. He blinked, thinking over the answer to Trucy's question. He sighed softly.

Phoenix replied, "An old friend of mine."

Trucy frowned. "Daddy, I want his name."

Startled by that response, he lifted his eyes to her face. "...What? Why?"

"Because you don't just cry over anybody!" Trucy huffed, placing her fists on her hips. "He's got to be someone special to you!"

He was silent a moment. "Special. Heh, I guess you could say that."

She didn't look too happy at that response. "Daddy."

"Alright, alright," he gave in, wearing a defeated expression. "You're right. He's very special to me. I've known him for a long time, since we were kids."

Trucy wore an expression as if saying 'yes go on'. He smiled.

Phoenix continued his story, telling her about how they became friends over a class trial and how they didn't meet until he was in college again. He told her of their adventures, if you could even call it that, and the like. As he went on, Trucy noticed the strain and distress in his voice, as if telling this to her was hard for him. All too quickly, she felt guilty.

"But," he informed her, "he's gone."

Trucy blinked. Did she hear that correctly? "Gone?" she questioned.

Her father was silent a moment. "...Gone, Truce. He took off. Just like that one time..." He choked, burying his face in the palms of his hands. This time, he couldn't control the sobs that built up in his throat, and he started to bawl in front of his little girl. Trucy was speechless.

"I-I'm sorry," he spoke through breaths. "I-I never wanted y-you to see your D-Daddy like this."

Watching him a moment, Trucy shook her head. Leaping off the bed, she pointed at him just like he did when he used to be a lawyer. Startled, he stared at her.

"...Trucy?" he asked, slowly lifting his head.

"Daddy!" her high voice squeaked, being dramatic. "Don't worry!"

He blinked. His confusion was met with Trucy's confident smile.

"What are you-?"

"I'll find him, Daddy! So don't cry. Please. I'll.. Get get Mr. Miles for you!"

Phoenix's eyes widened. "Wha... No. Truce, you don't- It's not that simple."

Trucy wagged her finger at him, and Phoenix winced. The motion made his heart ache when the memories of a certain someone filled his mind once again. This is isn't good...

"Did you forget?" she replied to him, grinning widely. "I'm a magician! Simple isn't in my forte!" With that, she revealed the infamous Mr. Hat. Phoenix only stared. He didn't know what to say.

"Please, Daddy," Trucy whined, pouting slightly. "I want to make you happy. I don't like it when you cry. Mr. Hat and I will find him! I promise."

Phoenix looked the two over, and he couldn't help but smile. She was so worried about him, and he was glad for it. Though a bit troublesome, he couldn't tell her no.

He sighed, running a hand through his messy spikes. "Alright, alright," he breathed, his eyes laughing. "I give you permission to find him. But if you don't, just know I won't be mad at you." He reached over to ruffle her hair only to earn a small giggle. She quickly put Mr. Hat away. She came in for a hug and Phoenix gladly accepted it. Kissing the top of her head, he added, "Just don't get in trouble, alright?"

Trucy gasped and pulled away enough so that Phoenix could see the disbelief on her face. "Me? Get in trouble?"

He raised an eyebrow and chuckled. "Yes, you. You aren't completely innocent."

"Daddy!" she puffed her cheeks out in protest, frowning. "That's mean!"

He laughed. "That depends on how you take it."

Trucy's reactions were priceless, but they didn't last for long. She gave him a small smile and moved out of his embrace. They stared at each other for a moment before she pulled out her magic panties and pulled out what looked like fresh baked cookies. Phoenix cringed at the sight and reluctantly took one when she held one out to him. He could care less for the cookie, but that smile was really what he enjoyed.

"Have these," she told him, placing them on the bed. "I made them today."

"O-oh yeah?" Phoenix questioned, a nervous smile plastered on his lips. "Thanks..."

"Of course, Daddy! Well, I'm going to start looking."

She turned toward the door, her cape making that loud flapping noise once again.

"Wait," he called out, stopping her. She turned toward him slightly with a question in her eyes. "Don't go alone okay, Truce. Get someone to go along with you. No, Mr. Hat doesn't count."

That disappointed pout was what Phoenix expected.

"...Do you think Polly will help me?"

Phoenix rubbed the stubble at his chin in thought. Apollo hasn't been with us for very long. Would he mind helping my Trucy...? Maybe he would. Huh.

"I don't think he would be able to refuse," he replied with a grin.

"Really? Great! Thanks Daddy!" With that she was out the door.

For a moment, Phoenix sat there in silence. He glanced over at the cookies on his bed and felt sick to his stomach. Shivering, he looked at the other side of him, where that photo still lied there. Picking it up once again, he smiled.

"Miles," he told it, feeling tears gather in his eyes again, "my daughter hasn't even met you yet and she wants you with me. Isn't she adorable?"

He lied back on his bed and let out a shaky sigh. Closing his eyes and hugging the picture to his chest, Phoenix began to realize how tired he was, and eventually found himself drifting asleep. Though hopeful, he knew Trucy's search was going to be close to impossible.

AN: Ergh. This isn't my best work, but it'll have to do. I have an idea of how this is going to progress and where exactly it's going, so don't lose hope just yet! I promise it will get better and longer soon. Or, I at least hope I can write something better... On the other hand, thanks for reading! :) I hope you enjoyed this enough to stick around.