"Long time no see… Aubrey."

Aubrey felt a strong jolt go through her at the sound of her father's voice. It was the same. It hadn't changed a bit. And that horrified her. It was like being transported back to her childhood. And that idea made her heart race. But she wasn't about to show it.

"Yes, certainly a long time. Long enough for you to get old."

His eyebrows shot up and Aubrey was surprised that she didn't see any anger, only amusement in his eyes. At least… there was no anger that she could see. She doubted she was still able to read him like she had as a child.

But, what she'd said… was true.

He'd gotten old.

When she did the math and thought about when she'd left and how long it had been since then… he was in his early sixties.

Hair that had once been the same pale blonde as hers was now gey, though it was still in the same short and cropped hairstyle. His face held more wrinkles, but Aubrey had to admit that, considering his age, he didn't look all that bad. There were wrinkles, yes, but somehow they didn't make him look any less… strong. He was dressed semi-formally with loose black dress pants and shoes and a light brown sweater. But, even through his clothes, Aubrey could see that he'd probably never skipped a day of training in his life. He looked strong and muscled… just like he always had.

But what was most shocking about his appearance was the fact that he was barely armed. Aubrey could see a knife and a pistol at his hip, but other than that, there was nothing. For him, that was a rather light load.

"My, my. That was quite rude. Have you already forgotten our lessons on manners?"

Aubrey felt Levi's hand tighten around hers, but she didn't dare to break eye contact with her father to look at him. So, she just squeezed his hand back and answered.

"I could never forget them, Father. But I do sometimes choose to ignore them."

Aubrey saw a sly smile come to her father's lips and the sight sent a shiver down her spine, though she made sure not to let it show. This interaction would be a game of will, strength, and wits. Neither could show weakness or they'd be instantly crushed. Though, Aubrey was certainly the one in more danger of showing weakness. She was scared to the bone.

"Hm, well, if we're ignoring them, then I suppose I can tell you that you've added quite a few years yourself."

Aubrey scoffed and rolled her eyes as she responded.

"Well, I'm certainly not twelve anymore, father."

Aubrey had expected another sly smile, but instead she got a narrowing of his eyes.

"No, you're certainly not."

Silence filled the air and Aubrey swallowed nervously. She didn't like the look on his face. So, she'd have to be the one to change the topic.

"You don't look surprised to see me."

The sly smile returned and Aubrey almost felt relieved. She hadn't been enjoying the calculating look from a few seconds ago.

"Mm, yes. Did you enjoy your visit with Finn?"

Aubrey was the one to narrow her eyes this time. Her father was telling her that she had in fact been watched from the moment she stepped into town and that her presence had been reported long ago. That was why he didn't look surprised.

Aubrey took a breath and spoke carefully.

"Yes, I did. I've missed him."

Her father nodded.

"You two always did get along. But isn't that little girl of his adorable? It's a shame he won't train her. If he'd started young, she could have been great."

Aubrey clenched her jaw and she felt Levi stiffen beside her. But she wasn't going to let him get to her. Her father was testing her, poking at her and seeing what would set her off. She wasn't going to give him the satisfaction.

"Well, Father, not everyone wishes to torture their children."

Everything was silent again… and then her father laughed. It was just a light laugh, but it was enough to make Aubrey's muscles tense. She didn't like the sound one bit.

But it was over soon and her father casually turned around on his porch and reached for the door.

"Why don't you all come inside and have a seat."
It was less of a question and more of a command considering that her father simply stepped inside and left them to follow. If they wanted to talk to him more, they'd have to go in.

"Aubrey."

Levi spoke harshly and his voice was tense and angered. Already.

Aubrey looked to him and saw the same distress reflected in his eyes. He was already worried and worked up.

Aubrey squeezed his hand.

"We don't have a choice, Levi. And, like I said earlier, I don't think he'll hurt us."

His eyes flashed and Aubrey knew he wasn't quite done yet.

"I don't want you going in there, Aubrey."

Aubrey lowered her eyes and let out a breath. She wasn't mad or upset by Levi's insistence, she understood why he was worried. But… they really didn't have a choice.

Aubrey raised her eyes again and met his gaze. Her brows furrowed. He looked so serious, so concerned, so upset. And she knew it was only going to get worse.

She lifted a hand to his cheek, staring back at him as she spoke in the steadiest voice she could manage. She needed him to know that she was sure.

"We can do this."

Levi's hard expression faltered for just a moment and Aubrey knew that it was over. They'd be going inside even if every bone in his body was telling him to pick her up and run. Those words had gotten them through struggle after struggle… and they'd always been true. They had always been able to do it… whatever it was.

Levi's hand came up to cover her own on his cheek and Aubrey felt him squeeze lightly. She decided to tell him one more time.

"We can do this."

Levi was silent for a few more seconds, his eyes staring straight into hers as he fought an internal battle. But, eventually, his gaze softened… and he nodded.

Aubrey felt herself relax a tiny bit, which seemed strange considering she was about to walk right into her father's house. But… she needed to do this.

Aubrey nodded back and her hand fell away from his cheek as she looked to Hange.

"Stay close, Hange."

Aubrey saw them nod back and, with that, Aubrey took Levi's hand and headed for the porch.

She looked back only once to make sure that Hange really was staying close and when she saw that they were following that rule, she turned forward and walked up the steps.

It was… surreal.

Every creak of the wood beneath her feet didn't seem quite right and Aubrey felt like every one of her senses was amplified. She'd never thought she'd be here, facing her father, but… she was. And now she just had to remind herself to stay calm and get the answers she'd come for. Some of them were for the Scouts… and some of them were for herself.

When Aubrey's hand hit the knob on the door, she felt her heart skip a beat, but, just like earlier, she somehow still felt steady. Maybe she was numb or maybe she was prepared. Either way, there was no going back.

Aubrey pulled the door back and stepped inside.

Aubrey only took a second to look at the space.

It looked a lot like Finn's house, though it was slightly larger and even more lavish. The walls were made of the same dark wood logs, but the ceiling was even higher than Finn's with beams running across to support the structure. There were windows all along the left wall, minus the spot where an enormous stone fireplace was set, as well as the wall that connected to the porch. The kitchen was on the right and open to the rest of the space and Aubrey realized that even the right wall was covered in windows. There was a large metal sink set into a marble countertop and cabinets made of a slightly lighter wood ran all the way along the wall. And even though this space was already huge enough, there was a hallway that led even further into the house and Aubrey knew that there was certainly a second story.

But it wasn't just the building that was lavish, so was the furniture. There was an elaborately carved table with matching chairs in the corner of the kitchen that Aubrey knew had cost a small fortune in itself. And that probably wasn't even the formal dining table.

The left side of the room, or the living room as Aubrey assumed it to be, had a huge, patterned, grey rug that sat beneath the seating area, which was made up of several matching grey couches and chairs.

But… in the back left corner… was a piano. A grand piano. Just the sight brought back so many memories that Aubrey felt like she might faint from the rush. She didn't think she'd played at all since she'd left her father. It had just been another one of the things he'd insisted she'd needed to know, but that skill had never been particularly useful to her. The Scout Regiment certainly didn't have a piano and she'd never had the opportunity to play anywhere else. But, despite her lack of practice, Aubrey felt as though she could simply sit down and play perfectly as if she'd never stopped.

But now wasn't the time to be thinking such things.

Aubrey brought her eyes to her father almost immediately. She was sure he wouldn't hurt them, but she still didn't like having him out of sight for any period of time.

He was in the kitchen, filling a glass with water and acting like there was nothing strange at all about his estranged daughter and her Scout friends standing in his living room. He even had his back to them.

Aubrey could hardly believe he was real. She'd spent so long thinking that she'd never see her father again. And now he was right there. Right in front of her. And he was real.

"Would anyone care for something to drink?"

Aubrey's jaw clenched immediately at the sound of her father's voice, but she still managed to respond.

"No. We're not here to chat over drinks, Father."

Aubrey saw a small smirk on his lips as he turned around, his newly filled glass of water rising to his lips as he took a sip.

"Just making up for our earlier lapse in manners."

Aubrey huffed a laugh, but it held no humor. All she could do was stare at him. How did he look so… unphased? She knew her presence had been reported to her father when she'd entered the village, but he didn't look the slightest bit uncomfortable or wary.

"So, have the Scouts been treating you well these last, hmm… twelve years now?"

Aubrey's brows furrowed instantly. She'd told Finn she was a Scout, but there hadn't been anyone else within hearing range. And the way her father had said those words made it seem like that piece of news hadn't been reported to him, he'd already known it.

"How do you know I've been with the Scouts?"

Aubrey asked her question in a harsh tone and she sneered at him as she awaited his response. But he just huffed another laugh and walked toward them.

Aubrey felt Levi's hand tighten around her own and she knew he was preparing to pull her away if her father got so much as a little too close for his liking. But that never happened. Her father walked right past them and set his glass of water on the coffee table as he spoke.

"Did you really think I wouldn't find you? You were an idiot." Aubrey nearly gasped as her father sent her a look that sent chills down her spine. It was a look she knew well, too well. It was a look that haunted her dreams. He was disappointed… and angry. "I taught you better." He turned back to his water, taking another sip as he kept going. "Daremo… you used the northern dialect? That was an absolutely moronic choice. And you went with a symbolic name? I thought you were smarter than that. I guess not. I already knew you'd probably made a run for the military, but you made it so easy to find you that I was tempted to actually find you and tell you to try again. Absolutely moronic."

Aubrey's eyes widened. He'd spoken to her in the northern dialect. That had been a message to her and her alone. Levi might have known a few words, she'd taught him a bit over the years, but he certainly wouldn't have understood the whole speech. And Hange… they were probably exploding on the inside from both confusion and some sort of strange excitement.

But Aubrey didn't have time to worry about either of her companions. She had to answer. And she'd answer in the same way he'd spoken.

"You're right. It was moronic. But it got me away from you."

Her father gave a small laugh and took another sip of his water.

"You're still perfectly fluent. At least there's that. Although, I can't say I'm surprised, considering you spent all of those useless years up here in that castle training those incompetent little soldiers and sending them back to your blessed commander."

Aubrey's eyes flashed and she registered the feeling of Levi squeezing her hand again, silently asking what the hell was going. But Aubrey was too focused on what her father had just said to comfort him. He'd revealed that not only had he known when she ran off to the military, but also that he'd known she was training soldiers here in the north for years. And also that he'd known exactly where she was when he'd decided to build his little village just a half-hour away from her. It took all she had to answer her father without snapping.

"Well… all of those "useless" years kept me fluent. So take it or leave it, Father. And… " Aubrey saw her father turn back to her and raise an eyebrow. She found it surprisingly easy to stare him down. "Don't insult my commander."

There was a moment of silence and then her father laughed again. Slightly louder this time, but it was a bit more dry.

"A dutiful little soldier, hm? Well, you are a Hilmar. If only that loyalty had been directed toward the right people."

Aubrey registered the fact that he'd switched back to the common tongue, but she was so eager to snap back it almost came out in the northern dialect again. But she switched her mind over at the last second and managed to get it out normally.

"Actually, I go by Ackerman now."

Levi's hand tightened around her fingers again, but Aubrey kept a close watch on her father's back. It looked like he'd stopped breathing. But that didn't last long.

He slammed his glass of water down on the table and whipped around, his eyes flashing in a way that made Aubrey's heart seize in her chest. It was the same flash that she had always recognized in her childhood just before he snapped on her and gave her a new bruise.

Levi must have sensed it, too, because one of his arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her back, while his other hand reached for the handle of his gear, ready to load a blade in an instant.

But her father didn't… do anything. All he did was stand there… and talk.

"What did you just say?"

It took Aubrey just a moment to recover. She'd fully been expecting him to lash out. But he hadn't. He was just glaring at her, his lips pulled back over his teeth as he snarled at her.

But Aubrey couldn't let him scare her. Not now, not ever again. So, she opened her mouth.

"I'm married, Father."

Aubrey was a little surprised when the words came out sounding slightly angered and annoyed rather than scared and weak.

But her surprise didn't last long.

"Impossible. I checked the records a week ago and you were still 'Aubrey Hilmar'."

Aubrey's eyes widened and she heard a low growl sound in Levi's chest. Her father checked the public records to keep tabs on her?And he'd just checked a week ago? Did that mean he checked regularly? Did he check weekly?

Aubrey didn't have time to process, though. She couldn't let her father see too much of her shock and she couldn't wait too long to answer, so she'd have to push her questions to the side and worry about them later.

"Well, then, you were too early. I got married four days ago and now I'm 'Aubrey Ackerman'."

Aubrey saw her father's eyes flicker to Levi's arm around her waist, his hand on his gear, his eyes piercing through her father's skull and clearly sending the message that he'd like nothing more than to put a blade right through his head.

It looked like her father was seeing Levi for the first time, like he'd barely even registered his presence before that very moment. He'd probably thought Levi and Hange unimportant. But he hadn't known who he was looking at. Even her father didn't stand a single chance against Levi. Especially an angry Levi.

"Did you just say 'Ackerman'?"

This time, Aubrey didn't feel the need to respond. All she did was narrow her eyes. But, for her father, that was apparently more than enough.

And he laughed.

He laughed.

Louder than before, but with a much more disturbing tone that was only amplified by the fact that he had been glaring at her just a moment ago.

But he laughed for a few long moments before he met her eyes again and then flicked his gaze over to Levi.

"Don't tell me this is Kenny's brat? The one that joined the Scouts and made himself famous?"

Aubrey heard another rumbling noise in Levi's throat and she put a hand on his chest in warning. They'd both known her father was familiar with Kenny and that they'd worked together in the past, but it was still a sensitive topic. Levi had entirely mixed feelings about Kenny and Aubrey felt the same. And the fact that her father was laughing like Levi and Kenny's relation was the funniest thing in the world wasn't helping.

"So what if I am?"

Aubrey's fingers curled into the fabric of Levi's shirt at the sound of his voice. It was the first time anyone besides her father or herself had spoken. And her father seemed to take notice.

His laughter settled and he stared at Levi for a moment with a glint in his eyes that sent a shiver down Aubrey's spine. But he didn't stare at Levi for long. He shifted his eyes back to Aubrey and stared her down as he spoke.

"It seems we've forgotten our manners again, Aubrey. Go on, introduce me to my son-in-law and whoever else you've brought with you."

Aubrey's eyes narrowed instantly. She didn't like the sound of those words coming off her father's lips. 'Son-in-law'. Levi was not his son-in-law. Sometimes, Aubrey didn't even consider herself his daughter. The only things that connected them were blood and understanding. She understood how he worked, who he was. And, at least when she'd been a child, he'd understood her. But that didn't make her his daughter. Not really, anyway. And Levi certainly wasn't his son-in-law.

But Aubrey didn't think she should bring it up. It just didn't seem like a good idea. So, she'd ignore his 'son-in-law' comment and do as he'd asked.

"This is Levi." Aubrey shifted her eyes to Hange only to see them staring intently at her father like he was some kind of object to be experimented on. Aubrey bit back a smile. Maybe that would send a chill down her father's spine. "And this is Hange."

Aubrey waited to see if her father would take things a step further and try to shake hands, but, thankfully, he didn't. Aubrey didn't want any of them touching her father. He might have been older and it might have been three against one, but he was still a very dangerous man.

Her father just hummed in response to the introductions… and then introduced himself.

"Julias. A pleasure to meet you both."

Aubrey gripped Levi a little harder. Her father was smirking.

But the smirk only stayed for a second because her father turned around again, taking a sip of water and then moving to sit down in one of the grey chairs.

It was clear that he was waiting for them to join him, but he still clarified anyway.

"Have a seat."

For several long seconds, nobody moved a muscle. Everything was just so… tense.

But, Aubrey knew they didn't have a choice. It was time to discuss why they were here and it was time to get the answers they needed.

So, reluctantly, she stepped forward.

Levi didn't let her stray anything more than a couple of inches from his body and Aubrey could see him keeping a close watch on Hange, too. They both knew that they needed to let Aubrey handle this situation. It was up to her to get the answers, up to Levi to protect them, and up to Hange to ask the questions once they finally had the pastors. But, for now, everything was resting on Aubrey's shoulders. She had to get her father to talk or this visit would be for nothing.

"So, you're here for the pastors."

Her father spoke just as Aubrey was taking her seat and she froze the instant she settled onto her cushion.

Of course her father would know why she was here. He knew she was a Scout and he knew that he'd stolen the pastors right out from under them. But the fact that he knew so much about her after not so much as seeing her for fifteen years`was a bit unsettling. She'd always wondered if her father kept tabs on her or if he'd given up on her completely. Now she knew.

"Yes, I'm here for the pastors. Are you going to tell me where they are?"

He took another sip of water, looking far too relaxed as he responded.

"That depends."

Aubrey felt Levi slide a protective arm around her waist and Hange shifted in their seat. That depends?

"On what?"

Aubrey kept a close eye on her father's expression as she spoke and her heart dropped when he smirked again.

"On how I feel when we're done here."

Levi's hold tightened and Aubrey had to resist the urge to shoot him a comforting glance as she maintained eye contact with her father. She couldn't afford to show any kind of doubt or worry right now. She had to show him that she expected him to tell her no matter what. She had to be confident.

"And what exactly are we doing here?"

Aubrey had to work hard not to snap at him… and she didn't. But only barely.

Her father hummed lightly and swirled the water in his glass.

"Aren't I allowed a conversation with my daughter after fifteen years?"

Aubrey stayed silent. She wasn't sure he was allowed a conversation. But she didn't have a choice. He'd put her between a rock and a hard place. She had to do as he said, even if it made her insides twist in disgust. It was the only way she would ever find out where he was hiding the pastors.

"Fine. But I'll go first."

Aubrey got the words out through gritted teeth and her father smirked again. He knew he was in complete control. Even if she went first, this whole ordeal was under his watch.

"Go on."

Aubrey stared at him and leaned into Levi ever so slightly. He was serving as a grounding point throughout this whole thing and she'd need him for this conversation… or confrontation… whatever it was.

Aubrey sucked in a breath and flexed her jaw just before she spoke. If he wanted to talk, they would talk. But she was going to get the answers she came for.

"Why didn't you come after me?"

There was a beat of silence and then… he laughed. Again. It was just a chuckle, but all of this laughing was really starting to put her on edge. Her father had never acted like this toward her before. In fact, she couldn't remember him acting like this toward anyone before. He'd only ever been cold and demanding. The only difference was that now… she was an adult. She was no longer the obedient and lost child he'd raised her to be. Now… she was her own person. And it seemed that… he recognized that.

"You want to go all the way back to the beginning, hm?"

Aubrey narrowed her eyes.

"That's not the beginning. I don't know if you remember, but I lived with you for twelve years before that. I'll have questions about that, too. But we're going to start here."

There was just a second of silence before her father huffed and leaned back in his chair.

"Very well, then." His eyes glazed over for just a moment and Aubrey knew he was viewing memory after memory in his mind, even as he spoke. "I didn't go after you because there was no point." There was another pause and Aubrey started to think that was all he was going to say. She even opened her mouth to demand that he further elaborate, but, before she could get the words out, he started again. "You ran off once and if I'd brought you back you would have just tried again. There was no point to bringing you back. I didn't need a child running off at every opportunity. And you were rather crafty at times. Even if I'd kept you locked up you would've found a way. And I certainly wouldn't have been able continue training you if you were constantly trying to escape. So, I let you go. You made your choice and I saw no point in trying to force you to change your mind. It was over the moment you ran."

Aubrey stared at him, trying now to let her eyes widen. He'd known she wouldn't listen any longer… so he'd chosen to leave her be.

"So… you just let me go?"

He scoffed and tilted his head to the side.

"Not exactly. I followed you."

This time, Aubrey couldn't help her eyes widening.

"What?"

He smirked again and started to explain.

"I could see it in your eyes that day. You were done. I knew you'd run. So, when you tried, I let you go. I have to say, I was rather impressed with the stash of supplies you'd managed to build up. I hadn't even noticed that half of those things had gone missing." Aubrey was completely speechless. All she could do was listen as he went on. "I was well aware that they were enlisting new cadets in town the next day, so I got a room at an inn and waited. I saw you sign the papers and I saw you get in the wagons and leave. You never even noticed I was there even though I could see you scanning the crowd like a maniac." Still speechless. Aubrey felt like she could hardly move. "That was the last time I saw you, but I've checked both the public and military records regularly since then. I saw when you changed back from Daremo to Hilmar." He leaned forward, suddenly very interested. "Tell me, why did you change back, Aubrey? Did you finally realize just how much of an absolute idiot you were for changing it in the first place?"

His last insult and his use of the northern dialect snapped Aubrey back to the present. She was starting to see a theme. When he used the northern dialect, they were messages and words meant only for her. Usually insults and reprimands. No surprise there.

"Believe me, Father, I was well aware that my name choice was idiotic long before I changed it back to Hilmar. But I changed it because I didn't care to hide from you anymore. At that point, you were just a memory from the past and if for some strange reason you really had decided to track me down I had an entire regiment of soldiers and friends that I guarantee would have given you a hard time. So, yes, I did realize it was idiotic. Happy?"

He didn't look happy at all. Aubrey watched as his eyes hardened and it took all she had to stare straight back at him without flinching.

"And then you changed it again and dumped the family name. Do you realize just how stupid that was? That name holds weight, Aubrey. It made you powerful. It made you a member of this family."

Aubrey felt Levi pull her closer and she took just a second to glance at his face. He was staring straight at her father with a look of absolute distrust and dislike. And perhaps a bit of… understanding. Maybe he'd managed to pick up on enough words to actually understand what her father was saying. Or maybe he was just angry. Either way, Aubrey didn't like the fact that her father had used the northern dialect again. It left both Levi and Hange in the dark… or at least Hange. Aubrey knew that was his intention, but she wasn't going to allow it. This part of retrieving the pastors was her responsibility, but that didn't mean she couldn't have support from her friends. If her father said something truly horrible, she'd probably need them. So, she'd clue them in on what her father had just reprimanded her for.

"I changed my name to Ackerman because I wanted my husband to be my family, not you. And I don't care if Hilmar was a powerful name. And considering the fact that you worked with Kenny, I assume Ackerman isn't all that bad, either. I wouldn't be surprised if held just as much weight in your little crimes circles as Hilmar."

Aubrey saw her father scowl. Actually scowl. She was starting to think that there was more to this little 'name' dilemma than he was letting on. He thought she was dumb for giving up her name recognition, but he was fairly angry over something that certainly didn't affect him. Unless… he was worried about his line of succession.

Aubrey fought to keep her eyes from widening again. Of course he wouldn't want her to change her last name if he still had her as his successor. He'd even said that her last name had made her "a member of this family". But he still seemed overly angry. Surely he didn't intend for her to actually take his place, so why would he be so angry about her name?

Aubrey felt her mind starting to spin out of control, but she quickly reeled it back in. She couldn't afford to ask that question yet. She had a feeling that would be more of a grand finale type of question. She'd save it for last. For now… she needed more answers.

And, luckily, her father didn't seem ready to discuss his line of succession, either.

"You're right. Ackerman's not bad. But it's not Hilmar. You made a mistake in changing your name. I hope you're happy."

Aubrey's jaw clenched and she ground her teeth together. But she could see the rage boiling up behind Levi's eyes and she knew she had to change the subject.

"What's the family's connection with the Wall Cult? I remember Pastor Nick. That's how I knew it was you."

Aubrey saw her father lean back in his chair again and she could see that he was debating whether or not to continue berating her about her name or allow the switch in subject. Ultimately, though, he seemed to move on and he answered her question.

"We had an… understanding… with the Wall Cult."

Aubrey glared at him.

"What kind of an understanding?"

Aubrey nearly shivered when the tiniest of smiles came to her father's lips. His mood could change so quickly that she found herself constantly waiting for him to flip the switch and yell.

"We knew their secret."

Aubrey instantly looked to Hange. She could see them practically itching to ask the question themself and trying desperately to hold back. Aubrey would have to move fast. She turned back to her father and opened her mouth.

"You mean the Walls? You knew about the titans in the Walls?"

Her father's tiny smile turned to a full on smirk and Aubrey held her breath as he answered.

"Yes." Her eyes widened against her will, but her father just continued. "When the Wall Cult started growing in power around the time you were born, I figured they would be a… profitable client." Aubrey could still see Hange practically jumping out of their seat, but her father continued before they could burst. "I sent your Uncle Vincent to capture one of their highly ranked pastors, a particularly weak-looking one, and we brought him back and tortured him until he gave up and told us his secret. Took a long time, but he told us about the Walls. After that it was just a matter of money. We offered to help them 'protect' their secret by protecting them in exchange for a certain sum of money. And, of course, once we have an arrangement I'm not so rude as to not hold up my end of the deal. Which is why you're here. I was holding up my end of the deal and rescuing them."

Aubrey shook her head. What her father had just said was… horrifying. She'd always known he was manipulative and cruel, but this was… worse. He'd tortured a pastor and then exploited the cult with the information he'd gained.

But, as horrible as it was, maybe her father had done the work for her. If he'd managed to get additional information out of that pastor all those years ago… maybe he could tell her. She wouldn't have to torture the pastors. Her father could tell her.

"Did that pastor tell you anything more about the Walls?"

Aubrey's voice was slightly more rushed than she'd intended it to be and it was rather obvious that she was anxious to hear his answer. She cringed internally. She didn't want him to know that she was desperate to hear anything he had to say. But what was done was done.

He smirked even wider as he responded.

"Sorry, no. That was all I needed to blackmail them, so we stopped there. You'll have to find out more on your own if you get the chance."

'If you get the chance'.

Aubrey didn't fail to notice that little reminder. Her father wasn't going to let her forget that all of this was in his hands. The only way she'd get what she wanted… was if he decided to give it to her.

"Pastor Nick was who visited to give us the monthly payment, but that duty has since been passed onto another young pastor." Aubrey stayed quiet. She wasn't sure how she was supposed to respond. But her father moved on before she could figure it out. "But enough about the pastors. I wanted a conversation with my daughter and so far it's just been you asking the questions. It's my turn."

Aubrey was once again reminded that she had to play by her father's rules right now. If she didn't, she'd never get those pastors. So… she'd have to give him what he wanted.

"Fine. Ask."

Aubrey was surprised when her father's smirk suddenly turned serious and his eyes shifted… to Levi.

"You say you've been married for four days, but I'd like to know how long you've been together."

That was it? Her father was worried about her marriage? Did he think that she and Levi had been swept up in some whirlwind romance? Why did he care?

"Eleven years at the end of August."

Aubrey's head whipped to the side when the answer came not from her mouth… but from Levi's.

She panicked immediately, squeezing his hand as she saw the muscles in his jaw flexing and the fire in his eyes burning brighter than ever. He was furious. But… somehow… he was managing to stay in his seat.

Just in case, though, Aubrey put her hand on his chest, comforting him… and holding him back if need be.

Aubrey didn't fail to notice the way her father's eyes flashed at her gesture. But he spoke again before she could figure out what exactly they'd flashed with.

"Eleven years… that's quite a long time…" His eyes switched back to Aubrey. "Do I have any grandchildren I should know about?"

Aubrey's fingers fisted in Levi's shirt as she felt him shift and she answered quickly. And angrily.

"No. And if we did have children, you would certainly never know them."

To Aubrey's surprise… her father laughed again.

"You would deprive me of my grandchildren?"

"They would not be your grandchildren and you would never so much as see their faces."

Aubrey pulled Levi closer and he did the same in return until they were practically one glaring and angry mess. Both of them were indescribably disturbed by the idea of her father ever coming near a child of their own and they would certainly never know him as their grandfather.

Everything was silent for a moment and Aubrey continued to stare her father down with Levi right beside her doing the exact same thing. Her father was never going to touch their children… even if they weren't alive yet.

"Hm."

Her father only hummed and leaned back, looking contemplative but still relaxed. Even Levi's death glare wasn't sending a shiver down his spine. Which… was rare.

Aubrey couldn't tell if he'd accepted their response or not, but she never got the chance to say more. Because Levi said it for her.

"You have no right to our children and you never will. Stay away from them and, after we leave here, stay away from Aubrey."

There was a glint in her father's eyes and suddenly, he was sitting forward again, glaring right back at Levi with an equal intensity.

"'Stay away from Aubrey'? You're quite demanding, aren't you, Levi?"

Chills ran all through Aubrey's body. Her father was having a stare-down with her husband and she honestly wasn't sure who would win. Probably neither. The stares would either fizzle out or they would escalate into something more. And Aubrey wasn't willing to find out which.

"Enough, Father. Ask a new question."

For a moment, Aubrey thought she would have to speak again. Her father was still staring straight at Levi and Levi was still staring straight back, neither of them wavering. Aubrey didn't really know what to think. She couldn't fathom why her father would be so adamant about knowing his non-existent grandchildren and about knowing herself. He hadn't sought her out once in all these years, so why was he so desperate to maintain his right to find her now?

But, once again, Aubrey didn't get to ask. Her father followed her request and all at once she saw his eyes lose their glare and he leaned back again as he let out a long breath.

"Actually, I was hoping you'd play for me."

Aubrey's eyes narrowed. Play? As in the piano?

At first, she had no idea why he'd ask such a thing. But then she started to see a pattern. He'd already made her use the northern dialect and he'd been rather pleased to find out that she was still fluent. Now, he was asking her to play for him.

Aubrey raised a mocking eyebrow.

"Father, are you testing me?"

She nearly shivered when his teeth flashed as he smiled.

"Perhaps."

Aubrey's brow dropped back down as she contemplated her options. She could refuse… but that really wouldn't do any good. She'd already decided that it would be best to do as her father asked. Resisting would only anger him and put the possibility of him revealing the location of the pastors in jeopardy.

So, she'd humor him.

Aubrey sighed and met his eyes slowly. For just a moment she stared at him, seeing her own reflection in a set of green eyes that matched hers perfectly. And then she answered.

"Very well."

A/N: Ayooooooooooo. DAD. He's here. Lol.

I'm thinking that this confrontation with Aubrey's father will take at least one more chapter if not two. There's A LOT to unpack, y'all. The trauma is endless.

I'm SUPER curious to know if he's how you all thought he would be?! When I started writing this chapter, even I wasn't quite sure how it was going to come out, but I think how he comes across is how I pictured him in my head. He's a very… mysterious… character to write and he's not totally clear even in my own mind because I've spent way too long hyping him up lol.

Okay, but the way her father just LAUGHS when she's like "you tortured me"… like… excuse me, sir? And then this man just goes and gets a glass of water. Like… what?

Oop, and Levi not wanting her to go inside and Aubrey just telling him that they can do it… I cry. They used the phrase "we can do this" a lot at the end of Don't Die and it really brings on the feels, y'all.

AND THE CONFRONTATION. I love that Aubrey snaps back at him, but she's also HORRIFIED on the inside lol. She's like, "I gotta look tough, but I think he might kill me" lol.

BUT THIS MAN HAS BEEN KEEPING TABS ON HER. Does that surprise y'all? I will say that this story arc with her father probably won't have a very neat or tidy ending where everything wraps up perfectly. I think both sides are going to be left feeling unfulfilled and confused, but I think that's how I want it to be. Aubrey's relationship with her father is obviously very complicated and I don't think that one visit could ever resolve things enough for either of them to find closure. All of it is very grey.

BUT, my favorite part is when Levi gets PISSED about the idea of her father trying to meet their future children. Already a protective dad and his children aren't even alive yet lol. WE 3 DADVI.

Okay, that's all I have for this week 3 I hope everybody enjoyed this chapter! I know it kind of ended on a… lame note? I don't know lol. But I'll have the next chapter up as soon as I can. I DID want to tell everyone that the One Shot Collection is now available on my profile and it has the first chapter up! The next chapter in the collection will be Levi's 19th Birthday, which I'll hopefully have done soon-ish. Alrighty, THANK YOU for the comments! I have finals coming up like I said in the last chapter and… it ain't fun lol. SO, leave a comment if you can, please! I feel like this is not only a fun chapter to talk about, but also… I need that serotonin. So… thank you in advance lol. Alright, love y'all 333