Charles Hankel is in this, sorry if anybody really likes him…that is all I am saying for now. Oh and sooo sorry for the longgg time on the update!

(P.S. If you like this AU check out Across the Universe it's a Star Trek sort of thing. You might like it. )

JJ smiled, "I want to see you fight, Spence, apparently you have gotten better since the last time I saw you." It had been three or four days since their ride out to the orchard. They had just eaten lunch and Spencer had just gotten through most of his duties as Prince, when JJ and the others came through the door that led into his office.

He blushed at his spontaneous cousin's request but nodded anyways, He rose and they started out towards the courtyard. He felt eyes on him and he knew it was Derek, some how it unnerved him but at the same time sent a flash of pleasure throughout his body.

He didn't like how he reacted with Derek so near. He chose David to fight with, who was willing but Spencer stopped him, "You can not hold back. I may be a prince but I deserve a fair fight like anyone else."

David smiled and when JJ yelled out for it to start he lunged at Spencer. Spencer immediately dodged, knowing that David was testing him, seeing how well his reflexes were.

When it came to sword fighting Spencer thought of it as a game, it was the only way he could use a sword without stumbling. It was not as exact as chess but it still had some resemblance of control.

You didn't just swing a sword and hope it hit, that would get you killed fast; the more experienced player would see your weakness right away. If it was two learned fighters then it was more controlled.

Whether it was one player dominating in strength and lunging the entire time or being on the defense for most of the fight, the other still had chances to attack.

Lunge, Defense, Lunge, Lunge, Defense.

It was not as predictable as chess but it was a game and Spencer always won. Lunge.

He watched as David made another move and he lifted his sword, Defense, and then pushed him back swinging around and nicking him across the arm, Lunge.

David laughed and lunged again, and Spencer watched trying to calculate his next move. He saw an opening and slammed his elbow into David's stomach and then yanked his sword out of his hand.

He pushed him to the ground and held both swords inches away from David's throat. David was laughing, "Spencer you really are amazing!"

It was a complement that he was used to hearing, but he laughed and helped the older man up, handing over his sword. He looked up to see JJ grinning and watching with determination. Spencer knew that she wanted to be as good as him; she wanted to be able to protect Emily and herself.

He looked over at Emily who was clapping and then glanced at Derek, only to see the older man was smiling at him, with a look of admiration.

He quickly looked away and nodded towards David's arm, "Emily?"

She smiled and ran forward, adding some ointment on the cut, and then taking a piece of cloth and wrapping it around his arm.

"Spencer you get better every time I see you."

His skin instantly crawled at the voice; Charles Hankel was standing behind him, watching. The man had always given him a bad feeling and Spencer caught him watching him more then once.

"Thank you Charles, I thought you were with my mother and father?"

The older man gave him a smile and Spencer had to stop himself from gagging, "I am on my way now. They wanted some alone time, and I had some business of my own to finish. I thought I would stop by to say my farewells."

Spencer nodded and then he saw Aaron coming into the courtyard. Aaron hated Charles almost as much as Spencer did. "Hankel."

Charles narrowed his eyes and turned away walking out of the castle. They watched as he left and Spencer felt his chest opening again. "Where were you?"

Aaron smiled, "Sorry I got sidetracked, did you fight well?"

Spencer was taken back, Aaron had never side stepped a question before; they had always been open with each other. Spencer watched as Aaron looked at David before blushing and looking down. Spencer led him a few feet away from the rest of the group and whispered, "Aaron…have you known David before now?"

Aaron's head shot up, staring at Spencer until he realized that he was only asking out of curiosity. Aaron shuffled his feet but blurted out, "We were lovers once…"

Spencer was surprised but nodded, "When? Why aren't you anymore?"

He saw the sad look in his best friend's eyes, "When I had to go home for a couple months…when my mother was sick. I met him and we just…it didn't work out."

Spencer touched his shoulder causing Aaron to look up at him, "Why don't you try again?"

Aaron looked shocked and then looked out at David again, "he doesn't want a serious relationship…that's why we didn't work out before."

Spencer let the subject drop but he hated seeing his best friend suffer. He vowed he would at least try to talk to David, even though it wasn't his place. He looked up when he heard shouting and giggling; JJ and Emily were running around the courtyard playing a game of catch with Derek.

Derek…He silently watched the darker man, staring at his muscles as they worked to catch the ball and throw it. He had a grin across his face and seemed to be easy going; Spencer wondered why he had chosen this career.

Spencer wished he knew more about the person that watched over him. While Derek was bright, talkative, and open with the others, when it came to Spencer he was quieter, like a different person.

It made Spencer wonder what he had done to offend the dark man and he found that he was getting angrier everyday. If the man had a problem with him he should say something instead of treat him different.

But he knew how to deal with it; he had always been treated different by others. The only ones that never treated him different were his siblings and his friends that were currently laughing beside him.

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Spencer sat at the dinner table and found his gaze being drawn to Derek Morgan...again. He gulped, knowing what was on his mind but he tried to push it away. He knew nothing could come out of it.

"Prince Spencer, are you okay?"

He looked up to see the entire table had stopped eating and was watching him, "Oh, sorry…I was lost in my own world. What were we talking about?" He tried his best to keep track of what was going on.

After dinner everyone broke apart, JJ and Emily wanted to spend sometime together and Aaron disappeared to his own room, which he sometimes did. Spencer looked over at David, knowing that he wouldn't get many chances, "David could you check on Aaron? Something's been wrong with him all day and he won't tell me."

The older man looked confused, "What makes you think he will talk to me?"

Spencer gave him a soft smile before starting to walk away. He threw over his shoulder, "You've known him for a while, and much better then most."

He smiled at the surprised look on David's face and at his handy work but stopped when he felt Derek's eyes on him, "Derek you don't have to go to bed…have fun."

The man stared at him before nodding swiftly, the curt reply irritated Spencer again and he sighed, "Do you have something against me?"

Derek looked surprised, but shook his head, "Of course not your majesty, why would you think that?"

Spencer rubbed his eyes, "Well you constantly call me your majesty, even after I ask you not to. You barely talk to me, and when you do it's formal and quick. I was wondering if I offended you somehow."

Something crossed Derek's face but he quickly hid it, "Your- Spencer I am very sorry if I gave that impression. I have absolutely nothing against you."

Spencer knew that Derek was never this formal with the others, and it irked him that he acted different around him.

"Well then could you make an effort to treat me normal?"

Derek looked up and Spencer blushed, he hadn't meant to sound that sad. He hated that he had shown weakness to anyone, constant criticism from his father had taught him to hide any weakness.

"I'm sorry Spencer…"

The apologetic look combined with Derek's smile made Spencer chuckle away his sadness, "Its fine, but please remember what I said. I'm going to sleep, feel free to go back and spend time-."

"Everyone is gone; I thought maybe we could…get to know each other…after all I haven't been the nicest person..."

Spencer tried to push away the pleasure that coursed through him. "Of course… what would you like to do?"

"Well I've been told that you enjoy chess…"

Spencer was surprised and chuckled, "Yes but normally the only one that plays with me is Catherine…and she's six so I hardly ever get to play for real."

They began walking back up the stairs and when Spencer led him into his room, he was a little self conscious. He had books every where; floor, desks, chairs…anywhere he could fit them, "I'm sorry….umm this is the only place where I can be me."

He looked sheepishly at Derek who, to his surprise was smiling, "It's just as I thought it would be. Do you need help cleaning off the chess table?"

Spencer smiled at his playful look and led him over. They set it up and started playing after a short silence Derek glanced carefully up at him, "You love your siblings."

It wasn't a question and Spencer found himself smiling without meaning to, "I do. They are the best. Georgia just got into this romantic phase and is in love with JJ and Emily. Edmund has this hero worship for Aaron, and Catherine…well everyone loves Cat, she's the most lovable and comfortable person you will ever meet."

"Like a cat…"

Spencer grinned and nodded, watching the board, "You would like her a lot. What about you Derek, what is your family like?"

He looked up just to see Derek's bright smile again, and he wasn't disappointed, it grew even larger then the previous one, "My mother is the love of my life, she understands everything about me and knows just what to do. I have two sisters, Desiree and Sarah…they are both married but we keep in touch."

"What about your father?" He moved a chess piece and then looked up when Derek said nothing.

He saw the sadness etched in Derek's face and he instantly regretted saying anything, "He died when I was nine…he tried stopping a gang of thieves from hurting a wife and child."

Spencer couldn't stand the sadness anymore and reached out to touch Derek's hand. The shock he got almost made him gasp and he blushed looking down at their hand. He kept it there for a second and then pulled it back, "Tell me more about your mom?"

Derek smiled at the younger man, "She is funny, nice, understanding…everything you could ever need out of a mother. I wouldn't be where I am today if not for her pushing me."

She sounded great and Spencer smiled over at him, "She sounds amazing."

"What about your mother?"

Spencer looked back down at the chess game, swallowing, "She's really great. Whenever we need her she is always there."

Derek must have sensed something because Spencer looked up when he laid his hand on top of his, "What's wrong?"

Normally Spencer would have blown it off, weaseled his way out…but something about Derek made him want to spill his guts and tell him everything that made him cry and everything that brought him joy. That scared him more then even becoming king did.

"I…She… My mother is a very good mother…it's my father who hasn't been there for us. She always tries to make up for it but she is the Queen…its hard to be the mother of a country and of four children."

"I imagine it is…but why is your father a bad father?"

"He's not to the others…"

Derek watched him waiting but Spencer shook his head hoping Derek realized he didn't want to talk about it. "You can tell me things Spencer. You can trust me."

Spencer watched the board and cleared his throat, "He wishes that Edmund was born first. I'm bookish and shy, not wanting to be married to just spend my life doing whatever I want. I'm a disappointment... to him. But don't get me wrong, I love this kingdom more than anything, I would never let the people down. My life is for the people."

The last part was said with so much conviction that Derek found it hard to find anything that Spencer's father could disapprove of, "I know you will make a great king, despite everything you think is wrong with you…"

Spencer noticed the emphasis and blushed looking down, "I hope that I will be also. Derek, would…would you like to come again tomorrow night…you don't have to, I just enjoyed talking to you and its just that I think you-."

"Yes my Prince I would love to see you again."