Words weren't enough to express how grateful Link was to have Zelda in his life. She was his voice of wisdom and reason. His comfort and support when he was at his weakest. And… if he was honest, she was the best thing that had ever happened to him. The thought of going through everything he had endured without her was something he didn't want to dwell on.

He was silent while they drove back to his house. There hadn't been much conversation after he'd fucked her in the backseat of his SUV. He should have felt guilty for using her like that. For risking being caught. But after the tension of realizing the weight of what would happen if they followed Mar's advice, he needed the release. Losing himself in the quick fuck helped clear his head even more than the brief cry that came a few minutes before.

The gentle hand that remained on his thigh grounded him. She was still present. She was willing to assist and give him what he needed if it was within her power to do so. He had to make it up to her, somehow. He would start with cooking.

"What are you thinking about?" Zelda's voice brought him back to the present.

"Cooking for you," he replied honestly. "Clearing my head and calmly thinking through potential solutions for the situation we now find ourselves in." He spared her a glance. "Sorry for abruptly taking you like I did. I don't want to make you feel like I'm using you."

"You're not using me. I know you love me. It might've been unorthodox but I still enjoy every opportunity where we are intimate— gentle in bed or rough in a semi-public place."

"Goddess, I love you. You know that, right?"

Her smile was evident in her voice. "I might have an inkling."

Link didn't say anything else as he pulled into the driveway of the house. His father's car had been brought back to the house and was parked in the garage. Yet another thing to take care of. It was included in the will for him to inherit but he didn't need the second car. Not when he had his SUV.

Zelda sighed softly beside him while she grabbed her purse. "I hope Hestu is in a good mood. Petting a cat sounds like the purrfect way to calm down after the day we've had."

"Did you just make a cat pun?" Link chuckled at her, enjoying the faint blush on her cheeks. "I shouldn't be surprised that you enjoy simple word play like that."

"You heard nothing of the sort." Zelda flashed him a saucy grin and let herself out of the car before he had a chance to move.

"Now you're taking my opportunity to be chivalrous?" Link's fake pout masked the faint sting that rose from not being permitted to assist her out of the car while he hurried out and closed the door firmly. He forced himself to shrug it off. It wasn't worth the frustration. Not when there was so much else at stake.

"For once, yes. A woman appreciates maintaining her independence now and then." She rounded the front of the SUV, catching sight of his expression. "Is something wrong?"

He shook his head. "Don't worry about it. Do you have anything in mind for food?"

Zelda didn't look convinced but she didn't press him about it. "Anything you make will be good."

"I'll have to check the pantry." Link's feet moved automatically, leading them to the front door. He unlocked it and let Zelda in first, following a few steps behind.

"Ah, there you are. Come here, you fat, handsome boy!" Zelda cooed, picking up the meowing cat rubbing at her ankles. "Did you miss us? You're hungry, aren't you?"

"Of course he's hungry. Why do you think he got to be such an armful?" Link smiled in spite of the thoughts in his mind, and beelined for the kitchen. He grabbed a can of tuna and set it on the counter. "Mind feeding him while I figure out what to make for us?"

"With pleasure." Zelda set the cat down on the floor and washed her hands. "Just the canned tuna then?"

"It'll suffice for him." Link inventoried the fridge and the cupboards, looking at the selection of ingredients awaiting him. "I don't want to actively cook for long. So, how about a simple vegetable quiche and I can fry up some of the sausages that Dad–" he stopped himself with a faint shake of the head. "Anyway. Won't take too long."

"Sounds good to me. What can I help with?" Zelda cracked open the can of tuna and drained it off before flaking it into Hestu's dish.

"Once you're done with that, pull out the vegetables you want to use from the fridge. I'll make up the crust while you're doing that."

There was quiet in the kitchen for a few minutes, apart from the sounds of Link grabbing the ingredients he needed to mix up the pastry, accompanied by the soft thud of Zelda's knife against the cutting board.

"Something's bothering you. I can tell."

Link looked up from the rolling pin he was using to create the pie crust. "What do you mean?"

"Link. Just tell me." Zelda set the knife down and grabbed a bowl to mix the eggs in.

"I'm at a loss. We need a solution, and you were right. It was the easy way to resolve things but it would endanger all those we care about." Link turned and leaned backwards against the counter. He pinched his temple, warding off the headache that was beginning to build. "I just can't see any other way of taking him down."

"I've been thinking about that. And I intend to do some digging into what we can find about Ganondorf. We'll have a few minutes while the quiche is in the oven." Zelda rested a hand on his shoulder. "Don't lose heart yet."

Link gave a nod and helped her finish preparing the egg dish before putting it in the oven. Finding dirt on Ganon… It was a thought that had crossed his mind before, but who were they kidding? What were they going to find when they went searching into one of the most rich and influential men within Hyrule?

He was so lost in his thoughts that he didn't notice Zelda until he felt his face being turned and warm lips covering his. He responded instinctively, wrapping his arms around her and holding her close. Comfort. He could always find comfort and love in her embrace. And the more intimate, the better.

"Mmm. There he is. There's the guy I love," Zelda hummed against his lips. She kissed again gently, allowing his hands to slide down to her hips and her ass. "But, I can hear you overthinking, Link. And sex isn't going to fix these problems."

That paused his thoughts and his motions. She was right. "I know it won't, Zel. It's never been the answer. Help me… you're the lawyer. The one with the intelligence and wisdom to take on everything from divorce filings to the worst of criminals that Kakariko has ever seen. If anyone can find a way out of this, it's you." He sagged against her, resting his head on her shoulder. "Please, Zel. I'm at a loss."

"I will do my best." She kissed his forehead. "Let me grab my laptop, and we'll do some research, alright?"

Link exhaled and reluctantly let her go. It was overwhelming. All of it. But they had to find a way out. No matter what.

"Okay, let's see what we can find. We're not doing a basic search. Anything can turn up on a search engine. We'd probably just find puff pieces about his prized company and all the connections he's got. But, let's check and see if he's got skeletons in that closet of his." Zelda's fingers flew across the keyboard. "Court records aren't sealed unless they're related to minors or there's been a special request for it. So, if he's gotten as much as a parking ticket that he's gone in to settle and had to face a judge, it would be a matter of public record."

Link snorted. "You think he's gotten a parking ticket? He's fuckin' Ganondorf Dragmire. He's probably got half the police of the Capital in his pocket."

"Not a parking ticket…" Zelda's hand covered her mouth. "Link, check this out."

He leaned forward to read over her shoulder. "Holy Hylia… Is that right?"

"It is. I find it hard to believe that nobody's gone looking for this before."

"Or if they have, what's keeping anyone from talking about it? There must be a reason. Some sort of a bribe or…"

"Ignorance. He's charismatic enough that he could convince people there was no reason to look into him." Link dropped his head against the table. "It would be as simple as turning on his charm with the right people and they would be putty in his hands. And if that wasn't working, he would know how to manipulate their insecurities and anything that he knows about them."

Zelda was quiet for a moment, rubbing slow circles across Link's back. "Well, how can we reverse it?"

"Oh, I don't know? How can we?! According to that, he's got three incidents of drug possession, drug trafficking, and drug manufacturing between the ages of 18 and 20. HAH! Then two counts of carjacking and one grand theft auto. He had several accomplices, all of whom did time while somehow he managed to get off without any charges sticking. Never did go to prison. Nothing more than initial arrest, two or three nights in jail before arraignment, and then all charges dropped." Link gestured to the computer. "Whole load of fucking bullshit! Somehow or another, he's always been too connected, and nobody can properly take him down. Not even when he's running a whole fucking heroin empire, and here he sits like a king, completely untouchable!" His fist slammed against the table. "It's bullshit, and we've gotta fucking stop it!"

"We don't know that he's untouchable. All we have to do is get what we know into the hands of the right people, and put him in a position where he can't escape." Zelda exhaled softly. "All this time… secrets just out of sight, waiting to be uncovered."

"Alright. So, then. What do we do?"

"Well, we have the files that Mar gave us. Files detailing all of the employees from the lowest grunts to his second-in-command, and these aren't the ones employed at his car company. We have the potential address where he's keeping the heroin. If we can catch him with those files in hand, there will be no way he can possibly deny it. Even better if his 'loyal employees' turn on him."

Link sat up quickly, his mind racing. "The files. Get him caught with those instead of the drugs, and it'll still ensnare him as well as the drugs, if not better."

"Precisely. Soon as they have him arrested and they check for priors, they'll find the evidence from when he was a teenager, and his future in prison is as good as sealed. Doubly so when Mar ensures that we heap 'conspiracy to commit murder' onto the list of charges." Zelda cupped his cheek and gave him a kiss on the forehead. "We'll have him, and we'll be free. The shop and Champions will both be safe. There'd be nothing left for them to attack. Nobody left to come after us."

Link ran a hand over his face. "Right. Champions. I have to tell Urbosa that I'm not going to continue dancing. I'll perform tonight. Give her my notice then."

"Will you still dance for her on occasion?" Zelda bit her lip while she looked him over. "Keep up the beloved 'Hero and Demon King' routine when it's required. For special events, of course."

"I might be convinced, with my girlfriend's permission, of course." Link couldn't help smiling at her. "I'm doing it for her, after all. I'd give up anything if it ensured her happiness. Hell, I'd give her Hyrule itself, make her the very princess of all the realm, just to see her smile."

Zelda's cheeks went red and she looked away. "I still can't get used to that."

"What, flirting? Oh, this is me being slightly romantic. Nothing too over the top. Although, that is a position I'm particularly fond of." Link leaned over and tapped her nose with a finger. "But, I think we've got something we need to get sorted out before I whisk you back to the bedroom."

"And what might that be?" Zelda's breath audibly hitched and she took a deep breath to calm herself.

"How we're going to have him caught with the files." Link rested his hand over hers, running his thumb over the back of her knuckles. "Surely you've come up with something plausible."

"His pride is one of his biggest downfalls, isn't it?" Zelda traced her fingers over his arm in return, sending a shiver down his spine. "How would he feel about being pulled over on the way back to the Capital?"

Link was finding it increasingly hard to think of anything beyond wanting to kiss her senseless. Thinking. Focus. "He would be angry. Indignant if he wasn't immediately recognized. Have him more than slightly inebriated, and maybe we'll get lucky and he'll do something stupid."

"Mmmm. Bruise an arrogant man's ego, and who knows what he will do. We place the files back in Mar's hands, and it will be finished."

"And give Tuft the accolades and ability to say that he brought down the greatest drug kingpin Hyrule has ever known. If that doesn't put him on the track to becoming police chief for Kakariko, I don't know what will." Link leaned forward to kiss her, but the buzzer for the oven interrupted.

Zelda sighed and leaned back. "Suppose she doesn't go for it. For helping us, I mean."

"She will." Link pulled the quiche out of the oven and set it on the stovetop to cool. "As much as I may hate her for everything she did, she was simply the gun in the hand of the true murderer. And we're going to take him down once and for all. She's the key to it."

Soft arms slid around his waist from behind as he set the potholders aside and turned off the timer. "Take a deep breath and relax. This will all be over soon. In the meantime, can I have you dance for me, so I can fantasize about that incredible body of yours while you're on stage at Champions tonight?"

"Long as you promise that you'll be there to cheer me on." Link rolled his hips backwards against her in an improvised lap dance.

"You have my word. Now, take me." Zelda turned him to face her, pulling his hands back onto her ass and hips. "Dance with me."

"Dancing or making love to you?"

"Both."

Link smiled as he tugged his shirt off and bared the tattoos on his torso to her. The healing Silent Princess in her honor. "The dance of two lovers. Romantic. Erotic, and endless. Only question is, does this performance commence and conclude in the kitchen, or should we proceed to the bedroom here and now?"

"Here. I need my lover. My Hero. Remind me what it means to be your princess." Zelda kissed him deeply, wrapping her arms around his neck.

"Shall we dance then, my love?" His hands slid tenderly over the small of her back, the generous curve of her hips, and the swell of her ass. Link moaned softly as he reached back up to unhook her bra while her lips moved down his neck. "Oh, have I told you recently how much I love you?"

"More every day." Her fingers stroked through his hair and down his neck. "Dance with me. Touch me. Make love to me, Hero."

Clothing fell to the floor piece by piece until both were fully naked and swaying together in the gentle rhythm of a couple finding happiness in love's embrace. Link nuzzled her neck, kissed down to her breasts and relished every gasp and moan from her lips before he hoisted her onto the counter and pulled back.

"What are you doing?" Zelda pouted, gripping the edge and trying to kiss him.

"Dancing for you." This time Link didn't hold back. He was performing for an audience of one, and this dance promised a happy ending for them both. His hands ran down his own hips, and muscular abdomen, bringing attention to the erection standing tall and proud. He rolled his hips and his body followed, though his eyes remained watching her over his shoulder. The smoldering, seductive gaze held fast as he sung softly, nearly under his breath. The song was not the same as when he first danced for her in front of her friends. No, this was his sultry tenor singing for his princess, from the night he made her his.

"Take my hand. Take my whole life, too. For I can't help falling in love with you."

"Oh, Link…" Zelda's voice was breathless, and her cheeks flushed when he turned again to face her. She spread her arms and legs wide, in silent invitation.

Hesitation wasn't a thought on his mind as he closed the gap and shifted her to the edge of the counter where he could pull her into his arms. Her heat welcomed him as he slid inside of her, and the faint gasp against him momentarily paused his singing. But he caught himself a second later and spun her round the kitchen, buried inside her and hopelessly lost.

"Like a river flows, surely to the sea. Darling, so it goes, some things, you know, are meant to be. Take my hand, take my whole life too. For I can't help falling in love with you. For I can't help falling in love with you."

Soft fingers traced his jaw as Zelda sang back to him. "Take my hand, take my whole life too. For I can't help falling in love with you."

The counter became his support when his knees weakened from the focus on his lover. He rested her ass on the cool stone so he could give himself the leverage to properly bring them both to their release while she sang. Her words faded to a gentle hum, then faded entirely when the pleasure got to be too much.

These were the memories Link clung to later that night when he was on the stage of Champions, going through the motions of the rehearsed dances on stage with Midna. With Twi. By himself. The distraction he gave his mind when he saw Mar slide into the seat beside Zelda and accept the folder the blonde gave her. Once the plan was set in motion, there would be no slowing. No holding back. It was all or nothing, and Link would not back down. The stakes were simply too high, and he refused to lose. Courage and love would remain his driving force.