A/N: Fire Emblem and its characters. I don't I own them.

As you may have noticed, I'm really enjoying playing around with Morgan's insensitivity to certain situations. She's every bit a wise crack as Robin, with her mother's own style thrown in. (evident when she messes with Robin.)

Innocence 2

The group exited out of the storehouse after quite the tiring experience.

"Mother, can we dance with them again sometime?" Morgan asked.

"Of course. I've found that I've taken a liking to dancing myself." Lucina replied, brushing some strands of hair from Morgan's face.

"I've think I've found myself a new hobby." Severa stated.

Morgan walked up next to Robin. "Are you going to come with us next time too?"

Robin, feeling a bit hot, removed his coat and hung it over his shoulder. "I don't know, I don't think I'll have time for anymore dancing ."

Morgan pouted. "Don't be shy. I saw how you were smiling back there, you enjoyed it just as much as us."

Robin threw his coat over his other shoulder to partially cover his face from the three. "I'll think about it... So, where to next?"

Lucina thought about. "I don't know. Why don't you pick someone, Severa?"

"Gladly. Follow me." the girl ordered.

Cordelia was sitting at the barracks patching up Gaius's cloak, which had earned a large hole from recent battle. The thief lazed on a cot where she sat.

"Gaius, you've got to be more careful out there." Cordelia reprimanded. "I lost sight of you so soon after we entered the fortress and I... I just..." Her hands lowered, resting on her knees.

She felt a weight shift on the bed, then a hand stroked her back comfortingly.

"I'm sorry I had you worried. There were just too many of them."

"You should have stayed at my side!"

"I was trying to help Cherche! If me and Donny hadn't gotten Minerva free, they would've been swarmed by those things."

Cordelia remained silent.

"Look, I'm sorry, okay? But if someone's in danger and I can hel-"

He was cut off as Cordelia turned and laid herself on him. "I know... I know... And I'm proud of you. You've changed ever since your days as a thief, Gaius. I'm proud to call you my husband."

Gaius planted a kiss on the top of her head. "I'm not your husband just yet. Remember, when all this is over, we're having a wedding so big it'll put the royal family to shame. Hell, I'll even book the whole castle."

Cordelia giggled. "Will Chrom let you do that?"

"What's he gonna do about it?" Gaius smirked. He wrapped an arm around the redhead, turning her head to kiss her. "You know, during the battle? Me, Donny... and some other guy were nearly trapped. Poor Donny nearly snapped, the other one... he thought we were at our last breaths."

"Gaius, you don't have to continue..."

"No, I do. We almost gave up. These voices in the back of my head were telling me that I was a dead man. I didn't tell the other two because I didn't want them to do anything rash. But before I gave in... I thought about you and Severa. How there was so many things I haven't done with you yet. I knew I couldn't die back there, even if I had to lose a few limbs and crawl my way back.

"Gaius..." she breathed.

"I don't have any plans on leaving you and the kid anytime soon, so promise you won't either." he whispered.

"Am I interrupting something?"

The two snapped their heads towards the entrance, to find their daughter with folded arms and a less than amused expression.

Gaius groaned as he collapsed backwards into the bed with Cordelia still in his arms. "Babe, please don't tell me she's coming with us on our honeymoon."

"Oh? And what could you have planned that needs us to leave our daughter behind?" She asked with a sly smile.

Gaius smirked. "I'm pretty sure you've already got a pretty good idea."

"Mom! Dad! Gross!" Severa spat, cringing at her parents insensitivity to her presence.

"Well maybe you shouldn't just barge in on our alone time, sweety." Gaius said. Upon seeing his daughter clench her jaw, he got up. "Alright, I was joking. You know I love you."

"I don't need you to tell me that..." Severa mumbled to the side, her cheeks slightly red.

"Where did you run off to after breakfast?" Cordelia asked.

"Just went back to the tent with the others."

"Where you with Owain again?" Cordelia asked in a teasing manner.

"S-shutup, mom! Kjelle was there too."

Gaius furrowed his brows slightly. "Owain? That's Lon'qu's boy, isn't it. So that dastard can't talk to girls, but his son definitely has no problem, is that right?"

Cordelia pinched her partner's cheek. "Now, Gaius, don't be s-"

"I can't believe you two! Why did I even come here?" Severa yelled, as she stomped outside.

As she passed through the doorway, she muttered to the others in waiting. "They're all yours. I'll be out here when you finish."

Lucina and Robin looked to one another and shrugged, before making their way in.

"I'd like to remind you that this army has a strict 'No Fraternization' policy in effect." Robin said jokingly as he took a seat across from the two.

"Whatever could you mean, Bubbles?" Gaius asked, playing dumb.

Robin chuckled. "There's no use trying to hide anything, you two. From the way your daughter stormed out of here in under a minute, I dare say you were up to something that even Libra couldn't forgive."

Cordelia was bright red. "R-Robin! We're not so indecent to do something like that in broad daylight."

"So what your saying is that once the the sun's down, anything goes?" Robin asked with a devious smile.

"Robin! Not in front of Morgan!" Lucina scolded, her hands cupping Morgan's ears.

"...I can still hear you guys." Morgan mumbled.

"Lucina, you've brought your daughter along. What excellent timing, I was trying to fit in getting a chance to meet her during my schedule." Cordelia said as she clasped her hands.

"That's right. As you both may already know, this is Morgan."

"Good morning, Morgan. I'm Cordelia."

"Hey there, kiddo, I'm Gaius."

"It's nice to meet you both." Morgan said politely. "So where you two really doing it orrrr?"

Lucina immediately jumped behind Morgan and covered her mouth with a hand. "Aunt Cordelia, Uncle Gaius! I'm so sorry about that!"

"For gods' sake!" Gaius said, dying of laughter. "Cordelia was just stitching up my cloak." he said, holding up the article of clothing.

Cordelia was giggling as well, waving off the thought. "It's fine, Lucina. Morgan does seem to be at the age where she's aware of things like that."

Lucina nodded, but then almost immediately, the color drained from her face. "She is!?" she cried in panic.

"Oh Lucina, as innocent as ever. How old where you when you started taking interest in boys?" Cordelia asked. From the corner of her eyes, the red head stole small glances at Robin, who appeared to be listening intently on the conversation.

"H-how old wa-was I? I, I... I was too busy with other matters to c-concern myself with things like that." Lucina stuttered unconvincingly.

Cordelia raised a brow. "But what about your dream of being whisked away by a brave, handsome knight?"

Lucina's head was now just a mass of blue and red. "W-what? Ho-how did you kn-know abo- Why do you th-think I'd want something like that!?"

"Your mother told me." Cordelia said with an amused grin. "She said that you told her that yourself."

"N-No, but... I was only a child!" she cried, burying her face into Morgan's hair.

"But isn't that what you children came to this time for? To make your dreams come true?" Cordelia asked with a devilish wink.

Lucina was reduced to pile of incomprehensible denials as she slowly walked out the room.

Robin howled with laughter. "I will pay you to teach me how to do that." he said as he held up the pouch of gold he had taken from Frederick.

"To do what? I'm just doing my part as a loving aunt to Lucina." Cordelia smile.

Robin wiped a tear from his eye. "Well, then we'll be heading off. There's still everyone else we need to meet with."

Morgan waved goodbye, before following the Tactician out.

As the door shut, Gaius spoke up, "So, now that we are alone..."

Cordelia shoved a pillow in his face. "Now that we are alone, I can finish stitching up your cloak."

The group made their way across the fortress, half of them in a state of discomfort while the other two walked merrily along.

Robin glanced at Lucina from the side. "A princess and a knight, huh? How cliche."

"Just leave me alone." Lucina pleaded with her face in her hands.

"Come now, I've been the butt of every joke so far today." Robin retorted.

"So who are we going to find next?" Morgan asked.

"Just someone that won't have the capacity to something... like that!" Lucina cried out.

"Vaike it is." Robin stated.

On the other end of the fortress, Gerome was feeding future Minerva.

"What do you think?" He asked, as he rubbed the wyvern's snout.

Minerva let out a low growl.

"But I'm not wrong, am I?" he asked.

Minerva grunted, before getting back to her meal.

"I see..."

"So here's where you ran off to. I saw earlier, but..." a man spoke.

Gerome spun around to find Owain and Kjelle.

"Lighten up, You're not still upset, are you?" Kjelle asked him.

"...What's there to be upset about?"

"Gerome, we're sorry about last night, but at the same time, we still mean what we said." Owain started. "We apologize if we stepped over a line, but we're just worried for you."

"We want you to be happy as well." Kjelle added.

Gerome turned back to Minerva. "I suppose I should apologize as well... I can see where you're all coming from."

Owain frowned. "You don't have to go through this alone. You were never alone."

"That's right, Gerome. Remember how long we've all been together?" Kjelle asked.

"Too long." Gerome smiled sadly. "It really was hell, that world we're from."

Owain took a seat on the floor. "It was. I almost lost myself back there. I... I couldn't handle everything that was going on. But I was with all of you, and I felt that we could do anything."

"Why do you fight, Gerome?" Kjelle asked.

"We've already been through this."

"Spare me." Kjelle shot back. "I'm aware of your loyalty to Lucina, but to think that you don't hold even one selfish desire is ridiculous."

"...I'm that transperent."

"You're mask hardly helps." Kjelle smiled.

Gerome took a breath before speaking his mind. "I want to live just as much as all of you. In truth, I too am happy that Lucina was able to find out about her daughter. As with what that Robin person said last night, I must admit that I also was instilled with some hope. But... But a voice at the back of my head still nags at me. What if this hope is no more than an illusion? I'm glad to have seen my parents again, but... how long will this last?"

Kjelle joined Owain on the floor. "I see. So you're afraid of hoping for the best and being let down."

Gerome nodded slightly.

"Well, screw those voices!" Owain yelled. "Don't listen to them, listen to us! We can do this!" he said with confidence.

Kjelle nodded in agreement. "I know how much you value your duty to Lucina, but keep her in mind as well. She also has a duty she tasked herself with. She's works tirelessly to help us get over those days."

"..."

"And she can't accomplish her task if you won't let yourself give it a shot. You deserve happiness too."

The two couldn't see the small smile that momentarily washed over Gerome's face. "...Just give me some time. I'll try. For reals this time."

*BUUUUUUURRRRP*

*BURP*

"Hah, looks like you've still got a long way to go." Vaike laughed.

"I don't see the point in such a skill anyways." Morgan pouted.

At the other end of the the table Lucina had her face down.

"Tell me, was Vaike still so... Vaike in the future?" Robin asked.

"He's a bit more calm but... oh who am I kidding, he hasn't changed." Lucina sighed.

"I can even begin to wrap my head around how he's Laurent's father." Severa muttered.

"Well at least he's keeping Morgan entertained." Robin pointed out.

"So, Morgan, what kind of things are you into?" the muscled man asked.

"I don't remember, remember?"

"Oh, that's right. Well, that's a shame. So you can't remember anything? Like at all?"

"Well, I can recall some things, but they were stuff relating to mother."

"Oh? Like what?"

"Like how she always used to read to me, or teach me how to use a sword... Oh! And how she taught me which bugs I should stay away from."

"I knew it." Robin said victoriously, as he smirked at Lucina.

"I don't know how much more of this I can take." Lucina moaned, setting her head down on the table. "Being a mother is... it's more taxing than it looks."

Robin placed a hand on her shoulder. "Chin up, Lucina. Think back on how terrified Morgan looked last night, and then take a look at how much she's enjoying herself right now. You did that in less than twenty four hours. You're an amazing mother."

"...Really?"

"Of course. How could you not be?"

Lucina lifted her head up. "Thanks, Robin."

"Don't forget that Severa is helping us too." Robin mentioned.

"Yeah, where would you be without me?" Severa smiled.

"No doubt somewhere less as happy as here." Lucina said, hugging her friend.

"So Robin, what's our next move?" Vaike asked as he held down Morgan's legs, the girl, attempting to do sit ups.

"That's still something that needs to be discussed when we finally get around to holding that meeting with Tiki. But I can tell you that that fort the Valmese were able to receive reinforcements from will be an issue."

"Darn, I almost forgot about that. Say, you don't think that General ratted us out, do you?"

"While that's a valid concern, given that the fort in question is to our south, beyond the lake, and that Cervantes took his men up north, I'd say it's unlikely. From what he told me and Chrom, his priority is getting his man back home. He was probably speaking of the capital."

"Sweet, so we're free to just kick back for a week or two?" Vaike asked.

"I'd say even a week is pushing it, but yes. After the battle yesterday, I'd say it's in all of our best interests that we take a few days to properly recuperate."

"Fine by me."

"Forty-five... forty-six... forty-seven... Ughhhh" Morgan collapsed onto the ground. "I think we can rule out daily training as something I did." she breathed.

Lucina chuckled. "Well you'll need to start if you want to help us fight."

Morgan shot up. "So you'll let me?"

Lucina shook her head. "That was a general statement. I've yet to decide."

Morgan frowned.

"Cheer up, Morgan. A little bit of training with Ol'Teach and you'll be tough enough to prove to your mother you can fight." Vaike said, helping her up.

"...I'd much prefer to not have so much... of that on me." Morgan said as she poked Vaike's bicep.

"Is this one of those 'a woman's got to worry about her figure' kind of deals?" Vaike asked jokingly.

"You know, Sully would have your head if she heard you say that." Robin said.

"So would Kjelle." Severa added.

"Hey, they're obviously the exception." Vaike defended.

"I'm pretty sure she'd kill you for saying that too." Robin shot back.

"So would Kjelle."

"Ahh whatever. Well, if you all don't mind, I've got a double date with Gregor." Vaike said, getting up to leave.

"A date? With who? You two found someone nice among our troops?" Robin asked in surprise.

"Oh yeah, they're great. Their names are whiskey and rum." he laughed as he exited the building.

"Figures." Robin said dryly.

"Let's be on our way as well." Lucina said as she got up from her seat.

"Hey, I've got an idea as to who we should find next." Robin said as he slammed a fist down on his palm. "Hey, Morgan. Want to see something interesting?"

"You know, Robin, normally I would pound whoever asked me to put on a show for them into dust. But, I'll make an exception on behalf of the child." Panne said.

"Thank you for your consideration." Robin said with a nervous smile.

"I don't mind either." Nowi said as she spun around.

"Wow! Look at their ears! She's just like Tiki! And her's are all droopy! " Morgan exclaimed.

Lucina lightly smacked Morgan in the head.

"It is fine, Lucina. She's but a child." Panne said reassuringly. "Morgan, my name is Panne. I am what you would call a Taguel."

"Taguel?" Morgan asked.

"And I'm Nowi. I'm a Manakate!" Nowi said with hand hands to her hips.

"Awesome! ...What's that supposed to mean?"

Panne looked to Nowi, both nodding at one another. "Stand back, child."

Morgan did as told and took several steps back.

She watched as the two got into their positions. A glow began to emanate from them, causing Morgan to shield her eyes. When the bright light died down, two large beasts stood where the two girls once had.

Morgan stood still, mouth agape and nearly drooling in awe.

"Satisfied?" Panne asked.

"Y-y-you're...Incredible!" Morgan cried, tugging at her hair in disbelief. "You turned into a dragon and, and... some cute, giant rabbit thing!"

"I am not 'cute'. We Taguel are fierce warriors."

Morgan ignored the woman's ranting and walked up to pet her on the back of the head.

"Morgan, I don't think you should be doing that." Lucina said with concern.

"Leave her be, Lucina... It feels quite pleasant." Panne purred.

"No fair, I'm neat too!" Nowi whined.

"Can I ride you?" Morgan asked giddily.

"Sure! I'm much funner to ride than any Taguel." she huffed.

"Please tell me I am hearing wrong, Nowi. It sounds as if you had just issued a challenge." Panne started.

"Only if you can keep up."

"Very well. We shall have a race." Pane declared.

"Are you sure, Panne? I can fly, you know." Nowi asked.

"Wings are for flight, not speed."

"Okaay. So where do we race to?"

"I've got an idea that'll make things a bit more interesting." Robin spoke up. "You'll have to retrieve something and bring it back here. That way it'll be a test of both speed and instinct."

"Interesting. What say you, Nowi?" Panne asked.

"I'm game! But isn't it kind of unfair that Morgan's riding on me?"

Panne turned her attention towards the princess. "Lucina, get on."

Lucina nearly stumbled. "What? I couldn't possibly..."

"Go for it, Lucina. It'll be fun for you and Morgan to something like this together." Robin said.

"Are you sure it's okay, aunt Panne?" Lucina asked, still unsure.

"It is fine, now hurry." she insisted.

Lucina slowly climbed up on the beast and wrapped her arms around her large neck.

"Now then, Robin, what shall you have us retrieve?" Panne asked.

Robin thought about it for a second. Something that would take skill to find and retrieve. "I've got it!." He leaned over to Severa and whispered into her ear.

The riders and mounts watched on as Severa's expression slowly morphed into that of mischievous delight. "God's, that sounds amazing." Severa chuckled.

Robin turned to the participants. "Okay, this is what I'll have you bring back."

Chrom wandered around by himself.

Sumia had left along with Cynthia to care for the pegasi at the stables.

This left the prince with time to sort out and reaffirm his thoughts from the previous night.

'Morgan seems like a good kid. You know what? I'm happy. I'm happy I have a granddaughter. And she's every bit as precious to me as Lucina and Cynthia.' he thought.

"I'm a lucky man." Chrom said aloud to himself. "I've got a wonderful family."

Before he could conjure up another thought, Chrom felt the ground beneath him slightly rumble. A whistling noise could be heard from above.

Instinctively, he reached for the hilt of his Falchion and spun around.

His grip on the sword waned as he saw a large beast speeding towards him at an incredible pace. On it's back was his daughter, Lucina.

"P-Panne!? What are you doing?!" Chrom cried, inching backwards. Before Panne could even reach him, he was thrown to the ground by a large reptilian creature that had seemingly fallen from above.

Chrom let out a shriek of horror, as the dragon pinned his arms down. "Nowi! Wh-what the the hell is going on?"

Nowi picked the prince up by his right arm, dangling him off the ground.

Chrom was distressed to say the least. He saw Morgan peek out from behind Nowi. "H-hey, Morgan! Make her stop!" he pleaded

Morgan thrust a hand out and pointed at him. "Get it, Nowi! Take grandpa's shoes!"

"WHAT?!" Chrom yelled.

Panne lept at the prince, freeing him from Nowi's grip bringing him back to the floor.

Chrom grunted, slowly opening his eyes. "Thank you, Pa... Wait! Stop!"

Panne bit gently into the leather on his leg. She shook her head back and forth, slowly loosening the prince's right boot.

Nowi grasped onto his left leg, tugging furiously at the other boot.

Chrom was at the complete mercy of these two majestic beasts, his body flopping about on the ground as they pulled and tugged at his legs.

After the deed was done, and Chrom could feel the gentle breeze brush against his thin socks, he weakly lifted his head up to see Nowi and Panne disappear into the distance.

"I'm sorrrrrry fatherrrrrrr!" He heard Lucina yell back just as she and Panne made a turn down the walkway.

The Ylissean prince was left on the ground, shoeless, terrified, and confused.

A/N: Chrom is a lucky man indeed.

This segment should go on for one more chapter or two.

After that, we'll see.

Til next time!