Note: So not to spoil anything ahead of time, but a fair warning that things get a bit heated in this chapter. No direct sexual stuff. I won't be writing actual sex scenes for the story, but there will be times it is implied. Also, I will eventually be moving Cor and Evie's story into the main story of the game with a few twists and turns. I don't own any of the FF world, characters, or plot and such!

Also, Sorry it took me so long to get this chapter out! Life around the holidays is crazy for our family.

Don't Leave

Cor walked past the guards in front of the prison entrance and down the row of cells, of which only two were currently being used. One held Hank, who would surely be treated as at least an accomplice in this case. The other was further down and held Jason, the man who had hurt and tried to take Evie. He would not get off easy for that offense. Not from Cor. The Marshal neared the man's cell, his eyes narrowed with an anger that he did not intend to keep hidden. Jason remained seated against the wall as he noticed Cor approaching. He simply smirked at the much larger and more experienced man.

"Afternoon, Marshal," the boy said, rolling his eyes and chuckling.

Cor entered the cell and shut it back behind him, his face unchanging.

"Something bothering you, old boy," Jason continued, quite amused with himself.

Cor walked over and lifted him off the ground with one hand and slammed him into the stone wall, his face inches from his. Jason's face shifted from amusement to fear rather quickly at Cor's easy handling of him.

"You obviously don't understand the amount of trouble you are in, so let me make it clear," Cor stated quietly, but effectively, "I will see to it that you receive the maximum sentence for your actions towards the Royal Citadel, all those inside of it, and most of all, towards Evie."

Jason remained quiet, but the rate of his breathing showed that he understood Cor quite well. Cor threw him to the ground hard, nearly knocking him out, before continuing.

"And if you so much as speak to Evie again, I will cut out your tongue and any other appendage that so offends her before ending your miserable life," he threatened sincerely.

Jason moved slowly to the back of the cell.

Cor left the prison, but not before giving Hank a warning look as he passed. He gave some instructions to the guards standing out front and made his way back to see Evie.

When he arrived to the medical center, a nurse informed him that Evie was okay and had left just a few moments earlier and was going to his office. He thanked her and made his way there.

When he arrived he saw no sign of Evie. As he scanned the room, he noticed a folded piece of paper in the center of his otherwise empty desk. He hesitated before picking it up. What now?

"Cor,

I owe you so much and am so thankful to have been your assistant and, I hope, friend. I did not realize how much trouble my past would bring to you and others here. I should have informed you about everything sooner and I am truly sorry about it all. I've decided that, while Jason and Hank have been arrested, I can't risk being any more of a burden to you or bringing trouble to you or others. Therefore, you may consider this my formal resignation. Thank you again, for every opportunity and kindness you have given to me.

Sincerely yours,

Evie James"

Cor slumped into his chair and sighed, rereading the note she had left. He was so caught up in the letter and his own thoughts that he didn't see or hear Regis and Clarus at his door.

"Good afternoon, Marshal," the King greeted, causing him to finally look up.

"We thought we'd bring the meeting to you, today, since it has been such an eventful day," Clarus explained. Cor had honestly forgotten about their meeting.

"What is wrong, old friend," Regis asked him, concern in his eyes, "you seem unwell."

"It's…It's nothing," Cor attempted to lie, "Just tired."

"Cor," Clarus called, amused that the younger man would think he could lie to either of them, "out with it."

Cor looked up at them and tossed the letter Evie had left onto the desk before them. Regis was the first to pick it up and read its contents, then passed it to Clarus.

"I am sorry, Cor," Regis sighed, "I was hoping she would be a permanent addition, as well-liked as she was by everyone. Is there nothing we can do?"

"Cor," Clarus stood and stared at the man, "you need to go after her."

Cor stared up at him, somewhat surprised at his outburst.

"I…I won't force her to stay, Clarus," he said at last, "if she wants to leave, then it is her choice. I will not attempt to control her like others have in the past."

"Cor Leonis, she left because she incorrectly thinks she is bothersome to you and others here. That girl adores you. We all see it," the shield exclaimed.

"Don't be ridiculous, Clarus," Cor said, looking away from him.

"He is right, Cor," the King sighed, "and I think you love her back."

Cor didn't look up. He was trying to process everything. The events from earlier, Evie leaving, his own feelings, and what his two friends were telling him. Do I love her?

"Go after her, Cor," Clarus advised again, "go now, or you'll regret it. You two are perfect for each other. I've never seen you happier or more at peace than when she is around."

"I am twelve years her senior," Cor reminded them.

"So?" Clarus asked, "Have you forgotten my own wife is a decade younger than me?"

Cor sighed and looked between his two oldest friends. He knew they were right. If he didn't go after her, he would be miserable. Hell, he already was.

"Go, Cor," Regis gestured to the door, knowing the man had made up his mind.

Cor ran down the hall to the doors leading outside. He realized when he got there that he had left so quickly, he forgot his keys. He didn't care. He would run. As he did it started to rain, but he barely noticed. He ran the two miles to her apartment and stopped. He could only hope that she had come home.

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Evie was cleaning up the dead rose petals from her bed. She couldn't help but think about Cor and the last few days. How he had taken her to dinner just yesterday, then come back for her when he was worried for her safety. How he had nearly kissed her. Tears were streaming down her face now as she thought of all the times they had together, even at work. She didn't want to leave him or her job there, but she hated that she had been the cause of so much trouble. She finished cleaning up the petals and was attempting to pull out the knife from the closet door when she heard a frantic banging at her door.

What on Eos…

She gave up on the knife, wiped her face on her sleeve, and made her way to the door. She opened it just enough to see who it was.

"Cor?" She opened the door all the way to see him better.

Cor stood drenched and dripping from the rain. His eyes were on hers immediately with a look of desperation.

"What…what are you doing here," she asked him as he caught his breath, "Did you walk here? You're soaked!"

Cor held up the folded letter she had left him and she sighed, looking away from him. She had hoped that he would just accept her resignation. At the very most, she thought he would just text or call, not come to her apartment. Seeing him here now made her regret leaving the note.

"I'm not accepting this, Evie," He spoke at last, walking in the door. He moved right in front of her, close enough for her to feel his warmth, even through his wet shirt. He held the note out for her to take and she did so hesitantly, never looking away from him. She could feel her heart beating faster as he used his now empty hand to her cup her cheek. Before any more words could be spoken, he moved his lips to hers, pressing into a kiss that started chaste and sweet. Evie let him into her mouth and the kiss escalated quickly into something much more passionate. She wrapped her arms around his neck as he lifted her up and moved her to sit on the kitchen counter nearby, kicking the door shut as he did so. He had one hand tangled in her hair and the other moving slowly up the back of her shirt, his touch sending shivers up her spine. Evie pulled him closer against her and he moaned into her mouth. Every thought that had made him hesitant to feel anything more than professional friendship toward her vanished.

They felt breathless when they finally pulled apart. Cor searched her eyes, wanting to be sure she was comfortable with this.

"Evie," he started, still trying to catch his breath, "If you don't want this, tell me and I'll leave at once. I just need you to know what my feelings for you are. I adore you, Evie. And I want you near me always. Even if you don't feel the same, I…I ask that you remain with me at the Citadel. Please, don't leave." He leaned his forehead against hers, looking down at their feet. Her arms were still around his neck, which he viewed as a hopeful sign. He had just bared his heart to her, and though not many words were used, he still felt incredibly vulnerable. He normally hated that feeling, but he wanted to share everything with this woman. Damn it, I do love her.

"I do feel the same, Cor," she said simply. "And I do want this."

Cor's eyes darted back up to hers as a feeling he couldn't really describe surged through him. He moved forward, capturing her lips again in a kiss that carried all of the emotions the two had been pushing away for so long. Evie gasped as he suddenly lifted her again, carrying her effortlessly toward her bedroom, where they could better express their feelings.