Author's Note: Okay, this is extremely AU. It's a crossover between CSI:NY and 24 (Mac Taylor and Michelle Dessler), but it's set in another world entirely, where kings and queens and lords run rampant. It was inspired by the song "Untouched" by The Veronicas, and the plot bunny just wouldn't leave me alone until I'd written it. I hope you'll give it a chance. Should only be a few chapters.

She could always feel him. Whether he was right by her side or in the shadows, she knew that she could turn and point to him without a moment's hesitation. His eyes followed her everywhere even as his body stayed still, every muscle taut as he kept watch. At the slightest hint of provocation, he would be in front of her, using himself as a shield to protect her. He had been doing it for so long, that there wasn't any other way for him to be - it was who he had become.

Even now, as another potential suitor sought her hand, she was thinking of her Captain of the Guard. Right now, his eyes moved between her and Lord Galyon, weighing the threat, measuring the distance. She had no doubt that he could be there in less than a second if Galyon was foolish enough to overstep his place. But instead the pompous man before kept heaping compliments on her, completely oblivious of the fact that she was utterly bored and uninterested.

"You play a dangerous game, Michelle," Mac murmured as he escorted her from the throne room. He was one of the few people bold enough not to call her "Your Majesty."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

He reached out and grabbed her arm, spinning her around to face him. Michelle gasped, though as much from the fire that erupted in her skin as the surprise from his actions. Mac brought his face close to hers, his eyes intense as they bored into her own.

"Galyon may be a fool, but he's dangerous. You may not intend it, but you're leading him on."

Ignoring the heat moving through her body, she stood up straighter and gave him a hard look. "I'm being polite -"

"You're being weak. He won't take your rejection well."

She snorted. "He doesn't have much of a choice." Giving him a small smile, she moved even closer. "Besides, I have you to protect me."

They were so close that they could feel the heat of the other's breath. Mac's hand tightened on her arm, his eyes traveling over her face as his breathing became shallow. Suddenly, he seemed to realize where they were and how close they stood, and he stepped back, letting go of her as though he'd been burned.

"You can't always count on that."

Michelle frowned. "Why not?"

Mac met her eyes briefly before looking at a spot on the wall behind her. "Because I'm only a man," he said quietly. Clearing his throat, he raised his voice. "Your rooms, my Queen. I'll post guards."

She gave him a rueful smile as she turned to the door of her apartments. "You always do."

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Flack shook his head as they moved away from the queen's apartments, the rest of the guard scattering except for the two who would spend the night posted at her door.

"Something bothering you?" Mac asked coolly.

"I just don't get it," the other man muttered. "You and the Queen...there's definitely somethin' there."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Come on, Mac. You two practically set the room on fire when you touched her! Just because you're too damned chivalrous to -"

Mac turned suddenly and slammed Flack up against the wall. His face was mere centimeters from the younger man's, and there was an intense anger burning in his eyes.

"Don't you EVER talk about her that way," he hissed, his voice dangerously low. "If you value your life or your job, you will show her every ounce of respect that she deserves!"

Flack stared at the captain in disbelief. He could see in his eyes that much of his anger had come out of his embarrassment. Mac Taylor was a private man, and he didn't like his business known to any but those closest to him. And now, for the first time, he saw how deep his commander's feelings for the queen went. It was far more than just a physical attraction. Flack was certain that the man before him was in love.

Mac seemed to realize that he had overreacted. Slowly, he let go of Flack, taking a couple steps away from him as he ran a hand through his short hair.

"I'm sorry," Flack said quietly, keeping a wary eye on him. "I wasn't tryin' to -"

"I know," Mac cut him off. "I know."

"I just...you to could be happy, Mac."

The older man sighed. "I'm the Captain of her Guard, Flack -"

"And the only man in her heart."

For a minute they just stared at one another. Eventually, though, Mac dropped his eyes and turned away.

"I'll see you in the morning."

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"Is something bothering you, Your Majesty?" Stella asked as she helped her out of her gown.

Michelle sighed. "You know better than that, Stella. No titles when we're alone."

Her attendant rolled her eyes. "I notice you managed to avoid my question."

Michelle let her eyes meet Stella's in the mirror. They stared at each other for a minute, Stella's hands stilling on the last set of clasps on the dress. Finally, the queen sighed again, glancing away.

"Am I a fool?" she asked quietly.

"Yes." Michelle's eyes snapped back to Stella, but the woman just shrugged. "So is he."

"What do you mean?"

"Do you want my honest answer?"

"Yes."

Stella nodded as she finished with the clasps, letting Michelle slide the dress off. The queen sat in her undergarments while Stella moved to the pins in her hair.

"You shouldn't be entertaining potential suitors. You know what and who you want. This charade is only making everyone miserable. And Mac…he needs to get over the difference in station. He thinks himself undeserving of you, and that you could never love someone like him. He's convinced himself that you only see him as a grizzled old soldier, and that if you feel anything, it's nothing more than a passing physical attraction." Stella sighed. "As I said, you're both fools."

Michelle glared at her for the last comment. "And how do you know so much about the inner workings of Mac Taylor?"

She smirked. "I have my ways."

"Ah, yes. It helps when your husband is his second-in-command." She paused, pursing her lips. "Has Flack managed to get you pregnant yet? You've been married almost a year – and I hear rumors that the two of you can't keep your hands off of each other."

Stella blushed at that. "I'm late," she murmured.

Michelle's eyes widened. "How long?" she asked breathlessly.

"Four weeks."

The other woman was immediately out of her seat and hugging her friend. "Stella, that's wonderful! Have you told Flack?"

She nodded. "Last night. We're trying to be calm about it. Anything could happen –"

Michelle hugged her again. "I'm so happy for you."

Fighting back tears, Stella disentangled herself. "Come on, Your Majesty. You'll never get to bed if we don't get you into the bath."

Michelle winked at her as she got into her robe. "You just want to get back to your gorgeous husband."

"He does seem more eager now that he knows…"

Michelle laughed. "You know, I think I can bathe alone tonight."

Stella frowned, but her eyes lit up. "Are you sure?"

"Yes. Go. Have fun. At least one of us deserves it."

"I'll get your bed ready. Then I'll go." She turned to go, but stopped and looked over her shoulder. "Thank you, Michelle," she said quietly.

The queen smiled. "What are friends for?"

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Hawkes sighed as he shuffled his feet a little. Night duty was not one of his favorites, but one of the other guards had come down with a nasty cold, and Mac was insistent that you had to be at full health to guard the Queen's apartments. He glanced over at Donovan, and noticed that he was fidgeting.

"You okay?"

The other guard sighed. "Can you cover me for five minutes? Nature calls."

"Hurry up."

Without another word, Donovan turned and made his way down the corridor, disappearing around a corner. Hawkes watched him go, something tickling at the back of his mind. Shaking his head, he returned his attention back to the job at hand.

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A small wind moved through the room, sliding through Stella's dark curls. Looking up, she frowned – she had closed all of the windows before Michelle got back to the room. She finished turning down the bed sheets and then moved back through the apartments, going deeper into the castle. The queen's rooms were large, and she had a sitting room that she liked to use on rainy days when she had a few moments to read. As Stella walked in, she saw that one of the smaller windows was slightly ajar, the wind blowing through and cooling the room.

Seeing the window, a cold fear settled in the pit of her stomach. She turned immediately, but jumped back when she saw a dark shadow standing in the room with her. Without any hesitation, Stella lashed out, throwing her fist at the man's face just like Flack had taught her. The blow connected and he fell to the ground, but she never saw the second shadow standing behind her. Glass shattered and pain flashed through her head as the room slowly dissolved into darkness.

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It was the sound of glass breaking that spurred Hawkes into action. He was through the door in a matter of seconds, pausing only slightly when he saw that all the lamps had been extinguished. There was a blur of movement to his left, and as he peered into the darkness, he was sure that he saw men lifting two bodies and moving toward the back of the queen's apartments. Hawkes jumped forward to stop them, but he didn't see the flash of silver to his right until it was too late. He felt the blade slide through his body, and he strained to make out a face as he fell to the ground. Reaching out, he grabbed at his assailant, hearing the tear of fabric as the man jerked away from him to follow his companions. Fighting the desire to close his eyes, Hawkes gathered every ounce of breath in his body.

"GUARD TO THE QUEEN! GUARD TO THE QUEEN!"