Summary: Zack's a playboy, and noted ladies' man. His parents despair of him ever finding a nice girl and settling down. So what will their reaction be when he introduces them to his fiance? Set in MysticSpiritus' AU.

Disclaimer: Akalara, Yvette, Father Sabastien, and the baby are the only things I own. Got it?

Queen's Quornor: I have decided upon a hair style for Akalara! You know Kairi's hair? Ok, lengthen it out to about four inches below the shoulder and collarbone, and change the color to dark green with lighter highlights. That's Akalara's hair. Sorry; I have had someone ask me what her hair looks like, and figured I had to solidify what this woman looks like. Anyway, I know I gave a lot of you heart attacks with the end of the last chapter. Is the jig up? Have Leihaen and Josef figured things out? I'm not telling! You'll have to read and find out yourselves.

A Close Shave

Akalara thought for sure that she was going to die. Zack's parents had discovered the truth, that she was pregnant. They were going to call the priest in any minute now, she was certain.

Zack's nostrils flared slightly, but he didn't react. Instead, he just rolled his eyes and shook his head. "No, she's not. In fact, we haven't even done anything like that. Ak won't let me."

The Turk nodded vigorously. "He doesn't get this body until I get my ring," she declared with a playful grin.

Leihaen laughed. "Good choice, Akalara. That's the very policy I took before I met my Josef."

Josef threw his head back in irritation, but tenderly squeezed his wife's hand, destroying his annoyed façade. "She wouldn't even let me cop a feel. All I could do was kiss her, and even though that's fun, I wanted the whole package!"

Zack raised one hand, pretending to shield himself and his fiancé from his horny parents. "Cease and desist! We don't want to hear the details of your wedding night!"

"Spoilsport." Josef got to his feet and went to the kitchen, retrieving a bottle of orange juice and refilling his glass. "So, are you two going to Mass with us on Sunday?"

"Yeah, I guess so."

"Akalara, too?"

"Well, I'm not exactly Catholic," the green-haired woman explained. "I believe in the Father and the Son, but I don't belong to any of the established denominations."

Josef frowned at her, but it was only for a second. "There is another pastor in town. You can go to his service, if you wish. But we would be glad to have you at Mass. Visitors and those curious about the faith are always welcome."

"Thank you, Josef. I shall certainly consider it." Akalara inclined her neck in a gracious gesture, then turned back to Leihaen, just as the door knocked. Zack's mother went to the portal and pulled it open, admitting a young man with brown hair and piercing blue eyes.

Those eyes flicked around the room before settling on the couch, lighting up when they saw the SOLDIER. "Zack! Nice to see ya home, buddy!"

"Hey, Dag." The black-haired man got up and clasped one hand with the newcomer's, each man using the hands to yank the other closer, into a friendly, masculine hug. "How you been, man?"

"I've been great, man." The eyes settled on Akalara, who fidgeted slightly under their gaze. He made her more than a little uncomfortable, for some reason. "Who's the babe?"

Zack released him, still holding onto his hand. "This 'babe' happens to be my fiancé, Akalara Forrest. Ak, this is my good buddy, Mathias Hallister. To the priests and his parents, that is. Everybody else just knows him as 'Dagger'."

"Hello, Dagger." Akalara stood up and shook his hand, trying to ignore her uneasy feelings.

Leihaen stood up. "Zack, dear. Don't you have luggage you need to bring inside?"

"Sure thing, Mom. C'mon, Ak. Let's get the bags." Akalara followed her fiancé, not even looking at Dagger, who followed her outside.

She did, however, jump when he squeezed her ass through her skirt.