Summary: With a wedding comes joy but when you're a royal chaos follows shortly after.
Authors Note: Anyone who knows me and my works knows I revel in angst and tears so here you go. Give me a shout or/feed back on twitter its ImpishBodyGuard. Now that, that PSA is over and done with, on with the show…
Focus
That's all Jasper Frost could think of as his eyes scanned through the crowd. They never stayed on a person long though. They assessed and then moved onto the next. He had always paid attention to his surroundings but now he did it intently. Standing at his Majesty's side he remains silent as he takes in the roaring crowd. The royal family all standing on the balcony behind Robert as him and his new bride greeted the people. He still couldn't believe it. Willow had married Robert he wondered if there was some genuine feelings there or she simply did so because she knew she didn't have a choice. Events such as this there was always potential for a threat but this? This was different because he knew there was a high chance of a threat happening. While everyone cheered on the King, there were also those shadowed in the crowd who wanted his downfall. They had made their dislike to Robert known through protests and riots. A threat had been made on the King's life and yet here they stood in front of England.
Mr. Hill, Scotland Yard and even Jasper had tried to reason with Robert stating that it wouldn't be wise for him to take to the balcony. They had argued over it back and forth. The rest of the family had been in agreement to not step out but Robert wouldn't have it.
I'm the God damn King of England. The King doesn't cower before the people. The people cower before the King.
No, what he was, was a God damn idiot. Jasper had to bite his tongue from saying so. If he wouldn't see it from a King's perspective maybe he would from a soldier's point of view. Jasper had laid it all out stating how Robert was a target, an event as important as this would draw those who despised him out of their corners. The smartest thing to do was stay hidden. In the end though the King's right hand man remained at his right side as the royal family took to the balcony. Security had been amped per Robert's request but it didn't settle Jasper's nerves. Chancing a moment to look away from the crowd and over to Eleanor he catches her faux smile. He knows she doesn't want to be here. Her eyes reflecting fear and he wants nothing more than to take her into his arms and shield her away from the rest of the world. Unfortunately, he can't do that because he still isn't quite sure where they stand. He must have been staring too long or she sensed his stare because the next thing he knows green is meeting blue. He's no longer up on the balcony, the cheers no longer heard.
Sneaking through the cathedral's garden, being stealth as ever not having the desire to get caught. Speaking of desires his eyes falling on Eleanor who seems to be entranced by the flowers covering the archway she's standing under. His breath hitching in his throat as he draws nearer, silent for a moment as he simply watches her, takes her in and once again feels his very breath being stolen from hm.
"They always say that all eyes are on the bride but you're the exception. If it isn't obvious red looks stunning on you."
His voice announcing his presence as he watches her back stiffen before she turns around to meet his gaze. Shock clear in her eyes.
"You shouldn't be here."
"I shouldn't do a lot of things and yet I still do them."
"Jasper."
No, he won't have it. He's done with the dancing around. He's finished with the lingering stares, awkward silences and tiptoeing over whatever this is.
"I should have gone through with the real reason I had come to the palace. Stealing the Koh-I-Noor Diamond and getting the hell out of dodge but I couldn't because I fell in love with a girl. A girl that everyone else sees as the Princess but in my eyes she's just a girl. A girl who is selfless, kind, empowering, strong, fierce, passionate, gifted, loving and of course beautiful outside and more importantly in….a girl who I am madly in love with."
"Jasper"
She says his name again and he knows, he knows she's curious with what he has to say but cautious because she doesn't want to get hurt again.
"I should have told you about the reporter who blackmailed me and threatened to expose you….us because then we could have that shit storm together but instead I let you go convincing myself I was protecting you. I should have told you the truth….should have said how much I loved the letters and that even though it was all new to me I loved being a relationship guy because I got to be with you and I had never been happier."
She looks like a deer caught in headlights as she looks at him which is why he hesitantly takes a step towards her "constantly you ask me why I'm here and the answer is always the same." By now he's standing directly in front of her and he doesn't miss the way her lip trembles at his closeness "I'm here because of you. I'm standing here because of you and I'm taking a leap of faith for once in my life because of you."
She's been silent the entire time and part of her wants to bolt but her feet remain planted on the cobblestoned path. She'll regret her next question but she does it anyway "what leap is that?"
"Run away with me" those four words enough to cause her to draw back but Jasper is ready for it as he catches both of her hands and holds onto them for dear life. "Tonight during the reception your brother won't pay me any mind he'll be too busy socializing; drinking, rubbing this marriage in your brother's face and reveling in all eyes being on him….we can slip out from the party….I can put a looped feed on the cameras and we can sneak through the tunnels."
Her hands trembling in his own "you're….you're crazy."
"No" he's quick to state shaking his head. Bringing her hands to rest on his chest "for once I'm thinking sensibly….for once I'm thinking straight….thinking about the here and now not the consequences that may follow…and I'm standing here ready, I'm ready Eleanor. I'm ready for you, for us" leading her palms to rest over his heart where it's beating like mad "for this."
Eleanor's hand lingering on his chest before she removes them and Jasper has to shake off the disappointment that runs through him at the loss of her touch.
"Robbie would have a fit."
"That's too damn bad. I don't care."
"You will once you realize your job is on the line."
"Before you left for the summer I told you I'd go with you but you didn't choose me. You chose to leave me behind and like a fool I stayed when I should have been selfish and gone after you. I was tempted. Each time loneliness crept up on me….each time emptiness filled me all I wanted to do was take the first flight out and go to you."
Somehow she had managed to distance herself from him as she found herself now sitting on one of the benches facing him "why didn't you?"
"Because I remembered what you told me about your friend Imogene" seeing the confusion he continues. "You told me how she chose to stay in a broken and unhealthy place; she stayed because she felt unworthy and unloved. Unworthy of being loved….you told me how there had always been a girl up in that room who felt that way but only one of those girls was able to get out. Maybe it took you a little longer but you finally got out. You chose yourself…for the first time you were doing something you loved. You were alive and thriving and that's why I couldn't bring myself to ever step onto the plane because I refused to take that feeling away from you."
Eleanor's gaze that had been fixed upon the man dressed so dapper in a tux no longer having the strength to look at him.
"Had you let me go with you I would have thrown it all away, I would have said goodbye to this gig. I would have chosen you in a heartbeat just as I am choosing you now because nothing else matters except you."
"You're romanticizing Jasper, it's not that easy. We aren't just two regular people….I'm the Princess you're the Bodyguard…..my brother is the King what he says goes and the moment he realizes that we're both missing he'll send out a full blown search party….I'm his sister so he won't do his worst but he'll unleash hell upon you."
He knows this. He's already well aware of the lengths that Robert will go through to punish those who go against his wishes but he's done cowering in the shadow of the King.
"Let him."
"He won't throw punches at you Jasper; he'll throw grounds for dismissal and treason."
This time he doesn't remain where he is standing. This time he doesn't hesitate to move forward so that he can take a seat beside her.
"Let him."
"Jasper"
However whatever Eleanor is about to say goes unsaid and she shuts right up as Jasper takes her face in his hands tenderly brushing her cheek with the pad of his thumb.
"The smallest chance at the perfect life with you….being able to wake up with you lying beside me….being able to draw you into my arms and just hold you…..being able to reach out and take your hand into my own. Being able to be your boyfriend….and call you mine that life is what I want. That life is infinitely better than a life without you. A life where I don't have to endure the pain at the sight of you with another man or harbor what I feel for you. I know this Eleanor, I love you. If there's one thing I learned from my time in Vegas it's the only way you win is to take risks and I'm willing to risk it all for you because there is only you."
By now tears are welling in Eleanor's eyes as Jasper swipes them away with his thumb. Not missing how she leans more into his touch.
"I know it won't be perfect but then again nothing about us is perfect yet somehow we fit. I know there's still so much we have to talk about…..how you need to know about my past and I'm willing to share it with you. I want you to know me, all of me. If you want to go to my America we'll go…..we'll go anywhere you want it doesn't matter to me I just want to be with you."
Finally forcing herself to draw back so she can meet his gaze. The wind almost knocked out of her seeing the determination and love mirroring in his eyes.
"Ja-Jasper" maybe he's not scared but she's terrified "I."
He can tell she's struggling but he knows deep down beneath the fright she wants this just as much "just say yes."
"Jasper I"
A new sound interrupting them as her phone goes off in her clutch. Breaking her out of whatever trance she had been in. Reaching into her clutch and fishing out her phone seeing that its Willow calling her. Right, that's why she's here because her big brother is getting married and she needs to keep up with appearances.
"I have to go."
This time Jasper doesn't hide his crestfallen expression. His eyes dropping to the ground as she rises from her spot and fixes her dress, the clicking and clacking of her heels meeting the cobblestone alerting him she's about to retreat.
"I'm not giving up."
Rising from his spot, purpose set back in his eyes and meeting her gaze "I gave up before I'm not doing it again. I won't pressure you for an answer….I'll give you the day to think about it but tonight I'll seek you out and get my answer."
All she can do is nod as she spins back on her heel and turns away.
"Eleanor"
Jasper's voice once again stopping her, finding whatever willpower she has left to meet his gaze once more.
"You really do look stunning."
The comment drawing a shadow of a smile to form on her lips but she quickly turns away so he doesn't catch it. Making her escape and heading back towards the cathedral.
His eyes remaining locked on hers until she's completely out of view. She might not have wanted him to see her smile but he had and because of it a new feeling filled him.
Hope
"DOWN WITH THE KING"
That phrase snapping Jasper from his daze as he quickly scans through the crowd. Already he can see security surrounding a group of protesters but his posture still remains tense. It's being handled and from the way that Robert is continuing to wave he expects everyone to continue to play along. From his side-view he catches Robert giving him a self-righteous smirk as if he's silently telling Jasper he got his knickers in a twist for nothing. Already from below security is dealing with the protesters and escorting them out but Jasper is far from relaxed because something like that was too easy. No, this was a distraction. To get whoever was the real game master upfront without being noticed causing the body guards eyes to desperately search through the crowd and catch something out of the ordinary.
"DEATH TO THE KING"
He hears it loud and clear and more importantly sees it. A man who has pushed his way to the front removing his 'King Robert' face mask and revealing who he really is. Wanting the King to make eye contact with him in some sick way so he knows who was responsible for his death. One shot ringing out, the sound alone causing the crowd to fall into chaos making it harder for the guards to move around. James Hill is already taking aim but so is the suspect.
Two shots are fired
Two bodies go down
Today this unknown man had come with the intention to kill the King. The bullet that had been fired had been intended for the King but it had never hit the King. Instead, it was the Bodyguard that was down which now resulting in the Princess going down as well.
"JASPER"
Pain rushed through his body instantly but there was no pain worse than seeing his Princess's face as she crouched down beside him. Her tears matching his own, blood had pooled down his body and now painted on her own hands as she tried to hold him. He tried to gather whatever last remaining strength he had "Eleanor" he slurs out fighting back the need to close his eyes.
"I'm here…I'm right here" she promises wanting to remain at his side but suddenly finding two arms wrapping around her and trying to pull her from off him. "No….no….let me go."
"We need to move your highness" one of the guards announces from behind Eleanor, his voice dripping with anxiety not for fear of the situation but more so dealing with the Princess "protocol states" beginning to state the lockdown measures.
"Screw protocol the bloody threat has been dealt with….he's dead" clawing at his hands as she tries to get back to Jasper who is fighting to stay awake. She can hear the rest of her family in the background as they are rushed off but she doesn't care.
"There could still be more shooters your Highness and it is my job to take you to safety."
By now she's trying to throw herself onto Jasper's body but another set of hands stops her as she meets Mr. Hill's eyes "please Eleanor" dropping formalities, his eyes pleading with hers "I'll look after him I swear to you." Looking past James she sees Jasper who can only offer a weak nod because even in this state his only concern is her. She doesn't want to go but her body sags in defeat. The fighting ceasing as the guard lifts her and starts to carry her off and with it her heart breaks.
Just say yes
Fear had caused her to not give him an answer and now she experienced the fear of losing not only him but the future he had hoped to plan with her.
"YES"
She shouts out, praying that he will hear.
"MY ANSWER IS YES"
Praying that it would give him the strength to fight and then just like that she's carried away to safety and away from him.
She's safe. She's going to be okay. Her answer enough to cause a faint smile to display on his lips because even if he dies at least he dies knowing that she loved him enough to say yes.
"I love you"
The whispered admission causing James to look down at the bodyguard who had taken a bullet for their King "you save your strength son…..you tell her that when you wake up."
Hastily James's removes his jacket and presses it against Jasper's wound putting pressure on it. Radioing in the rest of the security team to tell them the situation.
"This is James Hill, I'm located on the royal balcony, I'm fine but I need immediate medical attention for one of our own."
Darkness consuming Jasper and this time he allows himself to fall trap to it.
"Jasper Frost is down; I repeat Jasper Frost is down."
END
