It had been a good ten minutes after the fight with Robert and still Eleanor just kept on walking and walking. First through the corridors and then through the secret doors and the tunnels. Jasper followed her every step of the way. He was worried about her. Worried about what she must be thinking, the turmoil that must be raging inside of her, worried about her walking through the tunnels- even though he was with her- and worried about the nasty reddy purple bruises that were beginning to develop on her hand.

He knew from his own experiences that Eleanor had fought hard, and he was proud of her. Jasper had done a lot of training to be able to knock someone out with a single punch- in fact, that was really the only type of 'qualification' that a Las Vegas con man really needed for his job. Eleanor, however, it was clear she'd done some significant damage to Robert's face, and unless the princess had learnt Krav Maga or some other form of martial arts as a child, it was likely she'd also done some significant damage to her hand.

But this was Eleanor, and she was mad, and it wasn't like she was going to let Jasper fuss over her right at that moment.

So he just walked three feet or so behind her all of the way, and churning feeling in his guts and he realised just where they must be heading, and the individual that lived in that apartment and the conversation they'd had only a week or so ago.

Eleanor climbed the steps and walked through another secret door and into a bright and airy corridor. The head of security's office sat on the other side of the doorway. The door slightly open to reveal James sitting at a computer and Sarah Alice drawing.

Eleanor tried to knock on the door but the little girl recognised her and starting straight for her.

"Daddy, it's the Princess and Mr Caterpillar!" Sarah Alice yelled as James looked up, looking more than a little startled at the announcement.

Sarah Alice pushed the door open and went running straight towards Eleanor, "I thought you were leaving with Prince… well the one who isn't Jasper Caterpillar."

Eleanor gave the girl a sad smile, "The plane is not leaving for another four hours, and I really need to talk to your Daddy. How's about we have lunch together in my room in about half an hour's time, ok?"

Sarah Alice grinned, before grabbing her sketch book and running off, winking at Jasper in the process.

The plane is not leaving for another four hours, Jasper recalled, Len said the plane, she didn't say she's leaving. There's still hope.

"Yes, your highness?" James asked as Eleanor walked in, "Mr Frost. How can I help you?"

"I have a problem," Eleanor said.

"Is Mr Frost somehow involved in this problem?" James asked.

Eleanor bit her lip, "Yes, but he isn't actually the problem this time round."

James raised his eyebrows, "This might be a first."

Jasper sighed, "I'm really sorry, James. Did you get my letter?"

"Yes," James answered, "I got your letter. And Sarah Alice has convinced me to accept your apology. However, you are going to have to make it up to all of us."

Jasper nodded.

"Sorry, apology, for what?" Eleanor asked.

"Oh, so he hasn't even told you?" James asked disbelievingly, "Why am I not surprised?"

"Hey!" Eleanor said, "Jasper and I have only just started speaking again. I have no idea what's going on between the two of you, but I'd like to know, Jasper?"

"I…" Jasper began nervously, "You see when the reporter found out about my past, and my dating you, I knew I had to trade stories with her. So I contacted Boon, the one who tried to kill King Robert, and also stole some… confidential files, that were stored on James's computer. Scotland Yard found out that the files were missing and blamed James. He nearly got arrested, and Sarah Alice would have been sent to that orphanage I pretend to be from."

"Jasper," Eleanor replied, "You're a fucking piece of work, aren't you?"

"I never meant for it happen like that," Jasper answered, "And I admitted it was me. I never meant to hurt James or Sarah Alice. If Robert hadn't bailed me out… pretended that I stole those files for him to increase his publicity prior to the Privy Council…"

"Wait, what?" Eleanor asked, "Robert bailed you out. But why would he do that, after he set up everything with the reporter in the first place? Oh, this is so confusing."

"So, let's get this straight," James replied, "Robert called up the reporter who wanted to tell the world about Jasper's past and your relationship, and also fixed the whole situation with Scotland Yard."

"Yes," Eleanor answered, becoming a little hysterical, "He stole the letter to Jasper that said I love him, and he burnt it, and then he called up the reporter and bribed Jasper's father."

"So basically," James said, "Robert created this whole situation and then bailed out Jasper only to cover his own back in case it got out that he was behind all of this."

"Yes," Eleanor answered, "And now he's threatening you if, I take Jasper back, and…"

"We'll get to that part in a minute," James said, "Jasper, I get that your father let you down but that was no reason to go behind my back for those files and put me and Sarah Alice in a situation like that. However, you probably would been more likely to trust people around here if they didn't pull stunts like this. So as far as I'm concerned, starting from now no more lies, and I forgive you for what happened, because this all appears to be fairly impossible situation. As far as I'm concerned Robert created all of this, without his betrayal Jasper would have not needed to steal any files, Scotland Yard would have never gotten involved, you two would still be together and probably gone off on this design trip together."

Eleanor nodded, "Exactly, but it's all so messed up. I confronted Robert and he threatened me. Told me I could either go with Sebastian and be a designer, or stay with Jasper and not be able to do any of that and he'd fire you and ban Jasper and you and Sarah Alice from the palace forever. And I'm so sorry James because I can't go with Sebastian, not if he's in league with Robert, because now I know what Robert is capable off, and how he's hurt Liam in the past, and manipulated my mum, and if he can do that, then what will he do to you or Sarah Alice or Rosie or Jasper or anyone whilst I'm gone…"

"Princess!" James said, "Calm down. Everything will be ok."

"No, it won't," Eleanor continued hysterically.

"Len," Jasper said, "Everything will be ok."

"And you're Robert's security detail now?" James asked.

"I was until roughly twenty minutes ago," Jasper said, "When I told him I quit. That I only took the job to stay close to the Princess. And he banished me from the palace."

"He will need that statement in writing," James said, "But the King's smart, he'll have already seen to that."

"Is there no way to override his authority?" Eleanor asked, "I know he's the King of England, but…"

James sighed, "Maybe, not through legal means, entirely. If Prince Liam were to ask for you as his detail, which given that you are his friend he would definitely be ok with the idea, there might be a way for it to work through those means. However, the rules state that a regent can choose appropriate security details where necessary."

Eleanor frowned as James smiled.

"Yes," James said, "The law is very vague, which may help us. Basically, it would have meant that a Queen consort or Queen mother would hire knights or lords to protect her child without needing permission from anyone else. In King Robert's case, King Cyrus or Queen Helena or even Prince Liam could be viewed as his regent, and in that circumstance they would have been able to hire Jasper specifically to protect the future King, be that Liam or Robert."

"So basically, if my mum says she hired Jasper to protect Liam," Eleanor said, "Or to protect Robert."

"Then the power would rest with your mother," James said, "And it would be up to Queen Helena whether or not she thought Jasper should be dismissed. Basically we're twisting a law here, and I'm not sure if it will work, but it's the best chance we've got."

"And what about Cyrus?" Eleanor asked, "Would he be considered Robert's regent?"

"In a very lose sense, yes," James said, "And it might be our better bet, in fact, the Privy Council had to do some law bending and declare Prince Cyrus a regent to renounce his title. It was the only way for them to get around the law."

Eleanor nodded, "But what if Robert doesn't listen to my Mum or Cyrus."

"Well if the law is seen to stand, and I would want to talk to the Queen about this before going ahead," James said, "Well it would be completely their call, in fact they could force Jasper to be Robert's security detail, even, under this law. The law is about the future King being ensured the best of the best. And as for what King Robert thinks, he wouldn't be employing Jasper, so- what do you kids say- tough shit?"

Jasper smiled, "And even though he's the king he would have no power here?"

James nodded, "The impression that I get is that he would have no control over the matter. And if Prince Cyrus is his legal regent, and given everything that's passed, well I would tell Prince Cyrus just how much King Robert doesn't like his new security detail."

"So basically Cyrus will keep Jasper on to annoy Robert?" Eleanor asked with a smile.

"Depending on if this law still stands and I'm understanding it right, then yes," James said, "And I doubt he'll need much persuading."

Eleanor grinned, "And you'll be safe too?"

"Same rules apply I guess," James answered, "Prince Cyrus and I have never seen eye to eye, but he seems to like Sarah Alice's company."

"He isn't teaching her anything is he?" Eleanor asked hastily, "It's just my uncle and I… he was the one who taught me how to smoke, take drugs, knock back two glasses of absinthe without passing out or hallucinating."

"Good to know," James replied with a sigh and shaking his head in disbelief, "No I believe, she just talks at him. Mostly about how King Robert doesn't look like a king to her, which must be rather comforting."

Jasper smiled, "We should probably talk to the Queen now. I mean, if you're not going, Princess."

Eleanor sighed, "No, I'm not going. But I can't stay here either."

"Me neither," Liam said suddenly appearing in the doorway, look irate, Jasper and Eleanor giving his a questioning look, "I wish I was the one who decked him one, Len. I really do. Kathryn told me he called her a whore, Willow told me he plans to marry her, Mum said that the plane crash has been reclassified as 'suspicious' and that he fired one of her closest friends and advisers. I can't deal with him being in my face all day every day."

"There are the other royals estates," James said, "But they're in no state for living in. They're severely understaffed, undergoing repair work…"

"They're fine," Eleanor said, "I'll cope."

"We'll both cope," Liam added, "Dad always loved Sandringham more than here. Said it was our only chance to really get away and be somewhere private without being fenced in."

Eleanor nodded, "And I had my garden there, remember?"

Liam nodded, "How can I forget? The amount of time you told me off for nearly trampling the flowers and chased me around with a spade."

"So Sandringham it is?" James answered.

The twins nodded.

"And Jasper will be my security detail," Liam added, "Just like old times."

"What about you James?" Eleanor asked.

James sighed, "I wish I'd stayed a detective, I honestly do, but I also want to work for your family. However, I can't keep on having to watch my back to make sure that I and my daughter don't get hurt, and I don't see things changing here. But Sarah Alice's settled at school. She has friends here."

"Friends she can't invite to her house?" Eleanor asked sympathetically, "I've been in that boat as well. There was a girl at my primary school, her parents were well off but no titled, but she was best friend. Only because she wasn't titled she never got invited to palace events. So eventually we just ended up growing apart and then I was left surrounded by poshy girls like Gemma Kensington, you know all those stuck up bitches. I don't want Sarah Alice having a childhood like that. At Sandringham there are larger gardens, places that are kid appropriate. She doesn't just have to hang around with the posh stuck up little girls she meets at palace events- she can have friends her own age, she can have sleepovers and parties- and she can have friends who don't remind her of how her station holds her back."

James nodded, as Jasper gave Len a concerned a sympathetic look.

"It does sound like a better option," James replied, "I'll think about it."

"But what about your designing, Leni?" Liam asked.

Eleanor shrugged, "Robert said that we're in debt, spent too much on his bloody coronation, so no more trips for me this year. My only opportunity was if I went with Sebastian."

"And you're happy to give that up?" Liam asked.

Eleanor nodded glumly, "I can't go with one of Robert's friends."

"Sandringham?" Jasper asked, "is that the one undergoing the millions of pounds of refurbishments?"

"Yeah, and I bet he'll will stop them too," Liam added, "Once he knows we're going."

"He can't, Sandringham belongs to us," Eleanor replied, "Dad's will. He said that you and I would be left Sandringham and all proceeds for its upkeep."

"Of course!" Liam replied, "I thought Dad was just kidding about that, or had written it some way that also includes Robert. But of course the will says he left it to us. Len, you're a genius!"

Eleanor grinned, "And I might even be able to help with the renovations. And the local area is a bit run down, I could volunteer at some hotels or children's homes. Organise fundraisers. Yes, this will all work out. I know it will."

"Well," James said, "I should go talk to the Queen just to make sure Jasper and I are in the clear. But it looks like everything should be ok."

Jasper smiled as James walked out of the room.

"You two probably need to talk," Liam said, also making an hasty exit.

Eleanor gave her brother an exasperated look.

"Love you too, HRH," Jasper added, before turning to Eleanor,"So,er? You should probably get some ice, for your hand, it's starting to swell."

Eleanor looked down at her hand, flexing her fingers and wincing, "You know I didn't really notice the pain, do you think, do you think I broke it?"

Jasper walked over to his princess, taking her hand delicately in his, and moving it gently, "No, but you hit him really hard. You're going to have bruises for a good couple of weeks."

"I don't care, he deserved it," Eleanor replied, earning a smile from Jasper.

"So, does knowing what happened," Jasper began, "Does it change us?"

Eleanor sighed, "I don't know, you still went behind my back, but you did it to protect me, and you didn't break up with me because of that letter, because you never got the letter, and now… I'm just so confused. Jasper, you know I have trust issues, and I have a hard time believing I deserve to be loved. It just brought a lot of bad thoughts back to me, and it's not fair putting that on you because they're my thoughts and I need to deal with them. But at the same time, I can't run that risk again of getting hurt and all it seems ever happens in our relationship is that I get hurt over and over again…"

"Hey," Jasper said softly, "You know that's not true, we've had a lot of good times too. And what happened, the blackmail, your Mom, everything with Mandy, that would still be in our pasts even if this whole journalist thing never happened. And we were ok with that, back then. So yes, I'm sorry I went behind your back to fix all of this, just in the same way I went behind James's I don't have a lot of experience being able to turn to others for support, and receive it- at least not without strings attached. And I wanted to make sure everything went right for you,because I couldn't let you get hurt, not even by accident."

"Shit, Jasper!" Eleanor said, "This is just really messy, and it's going to take a while for me to get my head around this."

"I know," Jasper replied, "And like I said, I'm not expecting you to come running back into my arms, but you are my girl, Princess, and I will fight for you. Even if it means fighting the parts of myself that are holding me back from being with you, I'm more than happy to do that for the girl I love."

"You really do love me?" Eleanor asked, looking at him vulnerable eyes.

"Of course I do!" Jasper replied, "I've been in love with you ever since the King's cup."

"And you never told me?" Eleanor asked, her eyes glistening with tears.

"Only because I was afraid of scaring you away," Jasper explained, "Because it took a lot for you to trust me again, and I wanted to wait for the right time to tell you, and if I'd received that letter, then I would have told you in my reply."

Eleanor half smiled, trying to blink back tears, "It's going to take a lot for me to move past this, Jasper. I've just been hurt a lot and I know it hasn't always been your fault, but I'm still hurt, and I need time."

"Well," Jasper said, "When you feel ready, I'm sure there'll be plenty of walls for us to paint in Sandringham."

Eleanor grinned, brushing away her tears, Jasper reached out to brush one of them away, earning a surprised but happy look from his princess.

"I forgive you, Jasper," Eleanor said, "We're both just messed up. We both do shitty things."

"Yes, but we'll make things better," Jasper answered, "Together."