Zelda woke up in her bed, a scowl coming to her lips as she realized she was alone. She tried not to think of how used to Ike's arms around her she had gotten, and instead focused on sitting up slowly. The bathroom door was shut and the light was off, which confused her even more as she stood, pulling on her robe over the nightie she was actually glad she let Peach talk her into. Voices on the other side of her door caught her attention and she moved to the heavy door, curious as a cat.

"...you started this." Sheik's voice was unmistakable, as was the voice that she heard next.

"Yeah and I really don't want Zelda to find out." What could have Ike so worried? A feeling pooled in Zelda's stomach, one that she had felt before.

"She's smart! She's going to figure it out! We keep sneaking around-" Zelda flung open the door, the duo freezing like deer caught in headlights.

"Zelda," Ike said her name, seemingly unable to say anything else.

"What the hell is going on here?" she demanded in her best princess voice.

"Princess-" Sheik's voice died as Zelda turned her glare from Ike to her.

"I was made a fool publicly before, I will not be made so again," Zelda said firmly. "I want to know right now what you two have been up to, and spare me the bullshit for your own sake. I've noticed the smiles from you," she pointed at Sheik, "and-"

"Zelda I-" Ike started but Sheik cut him off.

"We're rehabbing Link," she said quickly and Ike whirled on her.

"Seriously? Is keeping a secret not in your fucking programming you robot?" he growled out and Sheik gave him a withering glare.

"She was thinking something completely different you dim witted blue haired-"

"He didn't want her to know!" Ike snapped.

"Stop," Zelda cut off their argument and looked between them, uncertain if she believed them. "Is that the truth?"

"Is this whole fucking country this retarded?" Ike asked with an incredulous laugh. "News flash! Your brother is a drug-addled nut job and I was trying to fucking help him without you finding out because you've got enough to deal with right now. I told you," he stepped closer to Zelda, annoyance etched into his features, "I am not your ex so stop fucking treating me like I am. Your brother is sweating poison out of his body in his room, I would not fuck her," he pointed in Sheik's vague direction, "even if this, "he motioned between them, "joke of a relationship wasn't happening."

"Joke!?" Zelda demanded angrily.

"You're the one treating it like it is!" Ike snapped.

"Trouble in paradise?" Zelda's father's voice boomed out and she watched Ike tense before he whirled to face him.

"I swear that right now is the absolute worst time for your shit," Ike said through gritted teeth and Zelda reached out for his arm. He yanked it from her fingers with a glare. Without another word he stalked off, anger in every long stride.

"Perhaps it's time to kick the dog out?" the King suggested and Zelda shot him a look she was proud to see made him flinch.

"Fuck off, all of you," she said before going back into her room and slamming the door. Alone in silence, Zelda moved to her bed, collapsing with a strangled and confused sob.

XxX

Ike sat on his borrowed bed, legs bouncing up and down with pent up emotions as he balanced his elbows on his knees. He was sick of this place. This country, the people... If she wasn't pregnant with his child, he would walk away. He'd let the whole castle, no the whole fucking country crumble to dust behind him and never look back. He ran a hand through his hair as he tried to calm down, a deep breath rattling it's way down into his chest. His phone buzzed and he pulled it from his pocket, groaning at his mother's picture.

"Hi mom," he said and she sighed.

"What's wrong honey?"

"This whole fucking situation!" he snapped as he laid back on the bed. "If I speak to another woman she freaks and thinks I'm like her ex, her father hates me, I... I don't know if I can do this Mom," he sighed heavily. "Mom I swear I'm trying."

"I know... What happened?" Ike couldn't help but smile a pained smile at her calm tone and kind voice.

"I don't even know. I was talking to her friend and she jumped to the wrong conclusion. Then when she said it I lost my temper and her goddamn father just shows up like some fucking-"

"Ike," his mother's tone chipped away at his anger, "why don't you two get away from there for awhile? Come here for a visit?"

"Mom that's probably not ever going to happen," Ike said with a little laugh.

"And why not?" Her voice made him smile, a gut wrenching homesickness hitting him. He imagined her standing in the kitchen of the house he grew up in, a hand on her hip most likely covered in flour. "I know the old house isn't much but it's your home and I have every right to meet the mother of my grandchild."

"And my girlfriend," Ike added with a smirk and he could feel her smile through the phone. "I'll see what I can do Mom."

XxX

Ike had been raised with principles and morals. His father had ensured he grew up knowing right from wrong, knew lies from truth. He also made damn sure he knew when he needed to apologize, a lesson Ike unfortunately learned the hard way, and Ike knew right now that he owed Zelda one. Swallowing down his pride, he moved to her office, giving Rosalina a small smile before going to the shut door. "She's on the phone," Rosalina called out and Ike shrugged.

"I'll be quiet as a temple mouse," he said and she shook her head but went back to her computer. Ike smirked as he opened the door.

"...around two? That sounds delightful," Ike's smirk grew at the sight of her behind her desk even as she pointedly looked away from him. "Yes sir, and thank you again. Yes, goodbye." She hung up and Ike moved around the desk, crouching beside her. A heavy sigh came from her soft pink lips and she turned to him.

"Zelda I'm so sorry about this morning," he said before she could say anything. Her eyes ran over his face and he took her hand in his.

"Why did you not tell me about Link?" she asked softly.

"Because he wanted to keep it a secret, I guess he was ashamed of it and I thought if I could help him... It'd be one less thing on your plate to worry about. We both know you need as little stress as possible right now, I was seriously just trying to help. And dammit Zelda there's absolutely nothing to worry about with me and Sheik." He squeezed her hand gently, and she turned her palm to his, lacing their fingers slowly.

"I'm sorry too Ike," she said in a hurt voice that threatened tears. "I don't mean to assume the worst of you at every turn. I don't want to push you away but I'm scared. I'm just so-"

"Hey hey," Ike stood and pulled her up with him, wrapping his arms around her gently as he pulled her close. "Everything's alright Zelda. There's nothing to be afraid of."

"I just," she buried her face in his chest and took a deep breath. "I went through so much with him and I can't do that again, I really don't think I have it in me."

"You're not going to go through that again," he said firmly, forcing her to look up at him. "I am not going anywhere, all your pointy eared people and their dogs can't keep me from you." She smiled up at him and he pressed a soft kiss to her lips. "I'm here Zelda, and I'm not going anywhere."

"Well," she said with a little smile, "I was actually hoping you'd go somewhere."

"Where?" Ike asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Crimea," she said and both his eyebrows shot up in shock.

"Wh-why?" he asked, taken aback.

"Because I just made plans to meet with the president and I think it would go smoother with you at my side."

"I will on one condition," Ike said and now Zelda raised an eyebrow. "You have to meet my mother."

XXX

This update took awhile and for that I'm truly sorry! I'm working on it have no fear! A big high five to my followers, huge hugs to my reviewers and favorite clicking awesome people, and as always let me know what you think! Much love, Leigh